Disclaimer: I do not own Kung Fu Panda
First Rays, First Blood
The dragon's face stared at him threateningly from the ground, the metallic mask clanging with each drop of sweat that fell from his brow. All stained with blood, just as the grass around it. The bear clenched his eyes shut, trying hard to get his breathing to normal. The wooden handle of his axe he supported himself with creaked as his grip tightened.
Silent curses were leaving his lips as he opened his azure blue eyes again, scanning the scene around him. Three dead bodies. One belonged to another panda; a member of the patrol he lead. His subordinate.
The remaining two were tigers. One male and one female. He focused his gaze on the latter, his brow furrowing as he dared to step closer, taking a better a look. She was lying on her stomach, the large gash on her abdomen obscured from view.
He eyed the body uneasily, his breathing still ragged. Holding his weapon at ready, as if the corpse could still pose some threat, he took another step closer. Using his leg, the large bear turned the body around, staring intently at the feline's face.
A sigh of relief left him as he shook his head, lowering the axe again. Damn my imagination...
The sound of incoming figures set his mind on alert again, causing him to whirl around. He relaxed slightly when he realized he was facing three pandas; the remaning three of his party.
„Well?!" he thundered, his voice showing he had still a long way to go before he was calm.
„We... we've lost them," one of them, clearly a female, answered timidly.
„You've lost them! Damn it, woman! Two of them were wounded and you tell me they still managed to get away?!"
The female bear did not falter under his shouting, but she did not retort either. Her eyes were locked on the dead panda's body instead.
„Wounded or not, they're still tigers, Guo," another of the sentries spoke, this time a male. „They were smart to run where the foliage is thickest, making it difficult to use the arrows-"
„Save the excuses for someone who'll care to hear them!"
Silence followed, none of them saying a word. The leader sentry's shoulders were still raising vigorously, but after a few more moments he managed to calm down enough to speak composedly.
„Gang," he addressed the male he interrupted just a moment ago. „Take Shu with you and report to Heng."
„But-" Shu, the female, started to protest, but Guo didn't let her finish.
„Do as I say and do it now!" he shouted, the anger back in his voice in full force. „Heng needs to know!" Another pause came as the exasperated bear struggled to regain his calm again. „Send someone back to help us with the bodies... and have them bring some water to get rid of the blood. I don't want any traces left..."
Shu took another glance at the black and white body. Then, with a quick nod, she took off in the direction of the village, Gang beside her.
After they were out of sight, Guo bent down to pick up his mask, putting it back on.
„You're wounded," the remaining sentry pointed out, eyeing his commandant carefully.
Surprise crossed Guo's covert face as he examined himself, finding a few rather deep claw marks. „I've had worse," he muttered indiferently.
„They still bleed alright," the other sentry continued. „You had three of them on you. You should-"
„Stop concerning yourself with a few scratches and stay alert!"
It seemed he would simply not be allowed to calm down that day. The renewed sharpness of his voice caused his subordinate to quickly follow the order, turning around and holding his bow at ready. Strapping his axe to his back, Guo reached for the slain panda's bow and joined the remaining sentry in watching for a possible incoming.
Over twenty damn years, the head sentry lamented mentally, his eyes glancing back to the body of the female tiger for a short moment. Damn it all... I really may have screwed it up this time...
„So... all went well," the goose concluded contentedly, his adorned armor shaking with the chuckle that left his beak. „Good... good."
„I certainly hope it is good enough, general," the other male, an elderly tiger, growled dangerously. „Two of ours did not make it back."
„There are always sacrifices," the goose waved his black wing dismissively. „And two is a rather generous number, so I-"
„Two is more than enough!" the tiger almost roared, his eyes blazing with anger. Still, despite all the fury in his features, he remained standing still, his hands behind his back. His eyes screamed threat, but his body spoke of discipline. „Our numbers are nowhere near to what they used to be and we are no longer united-!"
„And you will continue to be but a memory, a mere shadow of what you once were for eternity unless you are willing to play your part!"
Silence followed as the two just glared at each other unmovingly, none of them showing signs of faltering, the leaves carried by the autumn wind the only thing interrupting the stillness.
„We will do what is needed," the tiger finally spoke, his voice quiet but his tone still threatening. „I sincerely hope you will play your part as well."
„Have no doubts about that," the general replied with confidence, straightenind his back with pride. The feline's gaze bored into his soul as the tiger stared wordlessly, as if searching for something in the bird's eyes. Just when the general was starting to feel uncomfortable under the gaze, a sly smirk crossed the tiger's lips.
„You're right, I don't doubt that," the feline said, hint of amusement in his tone. „You'll play your part."
The goose frowned, not really liking, nor understanding the tone.
„Very well, then," he said, assuming back his leader stature. „You're to stay off the scene now. Leave the rest to us."
They both turned around with a nod, each going their own way, leaving the secluded clearing in silence. After walking for a while the tiger went to run on all fours, his speed increasing dramatically. Instead of just taking off in the direction of his destination, however, he turned rapidly to his left, pouncing high into the branches, then landing on the ground with a loud thud, his paws clutching the neck of the animal that decided to spy on him.
„You!" he snarled, tightening his grip. „I clearly told you to stay back!"
The female tiger simply stared back in defiance, no traces of fear present.
After a few more moments the male just huffed in annoyance, letting go of her neck and standing up. He turned around and started walking away. The female wasted no second, following right after.
„So," she started, running beside him as they both quickened their pace. „All went according to the plan, huh?"
„Quite," he grumbled, not ceasing his running. „We didn't even really need to provoke. The leading panda was eager enough to strike the moment he saw us."
She paused for a moment, lowering her eyes. Eyes that softened in what seemed like regret. Then, shaking her head, she turned back to her unruly self.
„Was it really worth those lives? Or was it just another misfortune caused by you being so stubborn?"
„As if you were any better!" the male exclaimed heatedly, then, lowering his voice, he continued. „Yes, it was worth it."
„How?"
„Because we're going to get back what we've lost."
The female chuckled bitterly in response. „And exactly what is different about it this time? You've been saying that for quite some time, you know."
Those words earned her a furious glare from him. For a moment it looked as if he was going to lunge at her again. He remained running, however, looking back ahead.
„Because the one behind this all has lost perhaps as much as we did."
The answer caused her to frown.
„What do you... but he's dead!"
„The general...," the male feline started, recalling his conversation with the goose. „He had the eyes of stone..."
She almost stumbled, her eyes widening.
„The era of blackbuck will come again," he whispered eagerly, still looking forward. „And ours with it."
„Ah, lieutenant, there you are."
„Yes, your majesty?" replied the antelope that just entered the general's tent. He was wearing ornamented armor that glistened in the candle light. Still, his was nowhere near as majestic as the armor the goose was wearing.
„You'll send a messanger to the royal palace; there will be a slight change in plans."
The lieutenant merely nodded, waiting for his superior to continue.
„You'll call for reinforcements to replenish the numbers in the unit you'll be leading," the goose general continued, ignoring his subordinate's confused frown. „While I'll take portion of our men and head out in different direction."
„My prince, if I may be so bold-"
„I wouldn't value you so as my right hand and advisor if you weren't... my friend," the avian replied with a smile. „A distress call reached us. Apparently some troublemakers think themselves able to get away with their crimes if hidden well enough."
„Hidden where, your majesty?" the antelope asked, his brow raising in obvious interest.
The general turned his head to a side, smirk appearing on his beak as he gazed at the map on the table beside him. „I believe you've heard the rumors about the Rocky Spikes Trail?"
The antelope could not hide his surprise; the composed, controlled tone of his voice gone for the moment. „But... prince, that is on the borders of the charted territory. And rumors or not, none of us really know what to expect there!"
The general glanced sideways at his friend as his head remained turned to a side. The smirk was slowly leaving his beak.
„You're part of the royal family-"
„Which is why you should respect my decisions, not to mention that I'm your general, as well."
The stern tone the reply was uttered with succeeded in silencing the antelope, resulting in him bowing apologetically. The general turned his head back to fully face his lieutenant, the firmness in his features slowly giving away to a warm smile.
„And was it not you who trained me? You, more than everyone else, should know well that I can take care of myself."
„Of course. My humblest apologies-" the lieutenant started, but stopped when he felt a feathered wing touch his shoulder.
„Enough of this facade; it's not you," the general spoke gently. „I understand your worries, but we cannot tolerate some lowly ruffians, hiding behind masks and dark rumors, successfully threatening the peace of the land we are sworn to protect." He lowered his wing back to his side, sighing somewhat sadly. „And I cannot back away from doing what is right simply because I could be endangering a member of the royal family. I'm the general, this land knows it, but it's only you who truly made me feel that I deserved this, prince or not."
The antelope relaxed slightly, allowing himself a short chuckle. „And I've never been more worried for my life than the day I gave you that scar."
The goose responded with a chuckle of his own, touching the scar on the side of his beak. „That was quite a spar. My uncle was raging, I assure you, but I could not allow him to behead my only true friend; the only animal in the whole palace bold and foolish enough to not care about me being the nephew of the shining emperor himself."
The two of them shared another chuckle, fond memories of days past causing all the formal tension to leave the scene.
„Alright, I'll do as you ask," the antelope said, hints of laughter still present in his voice.
„Please do," the general said with a smile, readjusting his armor and straightening his feathers. „I'll join you as soon as I'm finished."
„Show them who they're dealing with when they decide to harm this land," the antelope spoke, his composure returning. The smile was still present, if a bit grim. „Show them what the Imperial Army is made of."
His brow furrowed in annoyance as he glared at his fingers, rubbing them against each other as he was in order to get rid of the ink. It didn't work very well, however.
Sighing in defeat, he moved his gaze from his paw to the painting that laid on the ground in front of him. It turned out rather well; he was getting confident with his skills with the brush. Still, he did not smile. As impressive as the painting was, it brought no happiness to his heart.
It was a distressing sight more than anything else. A depiction of a nightmare that kept returning...
Eyeing his creation up and down for one final time, the bear closed his eyes, taking a long, deep breath. The sought results arrived quickly, the meditation allowing him to replay the visions in his mind in detail, to study them, to search through them...
To unlock their meaning...
Before he could dive any deeper, a presence of another caused him to snap back to reality. He heard them before he could even see them, chatting as they were while walking through the palace gardens.
He quickly snatched the painting away, hiding it inside his robe, and replaced it with another: a simple picture of a rising sun.
„Hey, Po! What's up, buddy?"
The panda looked over his shoulder, gazing in the direction the voice came from. He was slightly surprised when he was rewarded with a sight of a young tiger female, but soon enough he noticed the green bug on the feline's shoulder.
„Hey, Mantis. Chun," Po greeted them with a smile on his face, remaining seated on the ground.
„Yeah, hey again. You didn't answer," Mantis scolded, although it was clear the bug meant it playfully.
Po stared back with a confused expression for a moment, as if not understanding. „Oh! Uh, just meditating," he replied when it finally hit him.
„Meditating, huh?" Mantis mused, then hopped from Chun's shoulder onto Po's, noticing the painting on the ground. „Well, a way to spend the lunch break as any other, I guess. Just don't start training late and all, too. One Tigress is enough, y'know."
The panda started to chuckle but he stopped himself, ending up clearing his throat. Mantis just smirked, happy to see his friend being his old self, then jumped off, landing beside the painting. Meanwhile, Chun took a seat beside the bear, smiling innocently.
„Hmm, this isn't half bad," Mantis proclaimed in a serious tone, looking the picture over. „Could use a bit of red, though, sunset and all..."
„Actually, it's supposed to be a dawn, not sunset," Po pointed out. The bug's eyes widened, the embarassment clear on his face as he rubbed the back of his head.
„Oh, err... sorry."
„May I?" the stripped feline asked, gesturing toward the painting.
„Uh, sure," the bear shrugged, sounding a little bit nervous. He watched as Chun picked the illustration up. She then proceeded to study it curiously, holding it above her lap.
„So... what about you and the others?"
„I took Amber Eyes here to your father's restaurant for lunch today," Mantis answered, causing the tiger to smirk amusedly at the nickname. Po found it somewhat surprising that he just noticed the eye colour; Mantis was rather precise with the naming, amber was really the closest thing to it.
„As for the others... I don't really know," he finished with a shrug.
They continued on with their little conversation, not one of them aware of the pair of eyes that watched them from below a tree a bit further away. The figure stood hidden in the shadow with her amrs crossed over her chest, her ears twitching every now and then as she strained them to hear what they were saying.
Then, as her ear twitched in reaction to a different sound, coming not from the three figures in front of her, but from the very treetop above, the tiger spoke in a calm, measured tone.
„I know you're there, Viper."
Not a slightest flinch, not even the tiniest hint of surprise. Unlike with the snake, whose head came out of the leaves, uncoiling a bit from the branch she rested upon.
„I was certain I had it this time," she said, her voice carrying both awe and disappointment. „They're becoming rather frustrating, those ears of yours."
„Natural endowment," Tigress stated indifferently, not taking her eyes from Po and the others for a second.
Viper let out a short sigh, deciding to focus on why she was spying on the feline in the first place. She followed the cat's gaze to the three figures, considering the best way to start.
„I see Chun is getting well acquainted with the others," the reptile tried, but recieved only a nod in reply. It seemed a more efficent conversation starter would be needed.
„So, why are you here? I thought you'd be meditating or something..."
There was a pause so long it seemed there would be no reply.
„Just thinking."
Viper could not stop herself from rolling her eyes, inwardly groaning as she wondered just how much prying would she be forced to do.
„Alright, I could see that-" the reptile started, but got no further as Tigress cut her off, sounding a little frustrated.
„Why are you so concerned about me now? He's the troubled one here."
Viper uncoiled her body from the branch a bit more, lowering her head so she was at the feline's eye level. Moving slightly in front of her, she stared intently at her stripped comrade until she looked back. „Because, my dear sister, you are my friend just as he is."
Tigress' eyes softened somewhat, but she remained otherwise unresponding as Viper continued. „So of course I'm concerned about you if I feel you're troubled."
„I'm fine," the tiger master countered after a while, her eyes focused back on the trio.
„You're certainly better than Po at hiding it, but you're not made of stone," Viper continued, still gazing intently at her friend. „And even if there wasn't the matter with him acting so... unlike himself, there's still the thing that you went through some rather dramatic family issues lately."
Tigress continued to stare ahead with unmoving expression. Long enough to cause Viper to consider giving up. Just as the snake glanced sideways, about to say her goodbyes and leave, the feline sighed tiredly.
„I admit it had me a little... upset at first, but not so anymore," Tigress spoke softly, gazing downard. „I actually felt like I was getting near achieving the Inner Peace."
„The Inner Peace?" Viper asked, obviously surprised.
„Yes," Tigress nodded. „Po has never really told us exactly how he achieved it, but I figured it had to do with getting over the unanswered questions about his family... I believed I was on my way to reach it, especially so after making peace with Shifu."
„So... have you..."
The feline shook her head . „How can I, when he's so... how can he remain able to achieve that state of mind when he's obviously so careworn?"
„So it's just him, then," Viper concluded softly, recieving a sharp glare as a reply. Tigress did not hold it for long, however, ending up sighing and moving her gaze back to the panda. The wordless reply was more than enough of a confirmation for the snake.
„Hah! Nah, you're just saying that," the panda's bashful chuckle carried through the garden, reaching the two female masters, making them focus their attention on what was going on.
„No, I mean it," Chun insisted. „You're really good at this. Perhaps you could even give me lessons?"
„Uh, I don't know," Po replied shyly. „I think you should ask Crane; he's much better at this than I am."
„Hey, don't be so shy, big guy!" Mantis encouraged the bear. „You could use a student of your own, anyway!"
„What do you mean? I already have students."
„You mean the little bunnies you taught the 'Staying-Still-for-a-Really-Long-Time Technique'?"
„Uh, err, I-" Po started, but stopped when he felt a paw on his left shoulder.
„How about cooking lessons, then?"
Viper glanced back at Tigress just in time to see the frown forming on her face. A thought suddenly crossed her mind, bringing back past speculations...
„They're getting along rather well, don't you think?"
The simple, innocently uttered question celebrated success as the reptile took notice of how the frown deepened slightly, the feline's tail making the tiniest twitch.
Oh gods, could he really have been right? Viper's mind raced, contemplating on how far she should go in order to confirm the theory.
„Come to think of it, I was considering asking Po for some lessons on cooking myself. I always enjoyed cooking with my sisters..." her voice trailed off as she glanced sideways, subtly studying the tiger for further reactions. When the feline lowered her arms to her sides, straightening her back and raising her chin, Viper began to fear she might have gone too far.
Her fear was soon replaced by confusion as Tigress turned on her heels and started walking away.
„Where are you going?"
Tigress stopped, turning her head slightly, almost as if contemplating the answer.
„I'm going to speak with Shifu."
„Why?"
„We should discuss it with him," Tigress answered after a short hesitation, gazing at nothing in particular. „If po won't tell us, then he should have at least enough respect for his master."
Viper's eyes widened when the realization hit her. She immediately uncoiled herself from the tree, landing in the soft grass, and slithered toward her comrade.
„Tigress, wait," she said urgently, yet quietly, not wanting to alert the others of their presence. „You'll just end up making him feel that we don't trust him. We must let him tell us on his own."
„And how much more time is that going to take?" the tiger hissed, her frustration evident. She was berating mentally, not missing how similar this was to her conversations with Crane. „It's been dragging on for too long and Master must be getting suspicious, too."
„That he may, but I believe he is on my side with this," Viper countered, although gently. „Think about it. Since your return, he hasn't addressed the matter of leadership, nor did anyone else. None of us want to make Po think that we doubt him. He blamed himself for the fact that you left, doing his best to stand up to the standarts you set."
Tigress lowered her gaze, not saying a word.
„What if he thought that since you're back we no longer consider him the leader, that all his efforts were for nothing? He-"
„Fine," Tigress growled, interrupting the snake. „But what should we do, then? Do you propose we just wait?"
Viper winced, perhaps more at the feline's tone than at the question itself. „Well... I don't... you haven't got any new ideas about what's behind it all?" she asked, gazing back at their comrades and guest, hoping they weren't spotted.
Tigress didn't answer. She just stared into distance, recalling the night when they were watching the shooting stars.
I wish I was not a panda...
The line echoed in her head. She might have had an idea of what was going on, but she wasn't sure how to go about it. Before she realized it, she dozed off, the single line bringing back memories from days long past...
I wish I was not a monster...
„Tigress?"
The question made her snap back to reality, staring dumbly at the snake.
„Sorry, I must have gotten lost in thought," Tigress explained, feeling uncomfortable under the snake's inquisitive stare.
„Well, maybe we-"
„What?!"
The shout caused both of the female masters to snap their heads to the direction it came from. The bear was looking at Mantis with a shock on his face, disbelief and slight amusement lining his tone.
„You went to eat at my father's restaurant and had no money with you? Seriously?"
„Hey, I don't have many pockets on me to carry money in!" the insect defended loudly. „Besides, we worked it out, I'm his son's friend and all, so he let it go."
„There's no way in the word I'm going to believe that."
„He had to service the customers during the lunch rush," Chun revealed with a smirk on her face.
„Hey!"
„Now that I believe."
„Yeah," Mantis sighed in defeat. „Your dad is really... something," the bug finished, then his eyes widened notably, as if just reminded of something. „Oh! I almost forgot! Your dad wanted us to send you down to him!"
„Huh? Why?"
„Don't know," Mantis shrugged. „We were already on the street, heading for the stairs, when he came out of the restaurant and asked us to tell you this. He sounded rather urgent, though."
„And you're telling me just now?"
„Uh-"
He got no further as the bear interrupted him with a frustrated groan, already standing up and running off. „Just explain it to Shifu, alright?"
„Uh, sure!"
Chun let out a hearty chuckle, obviously amused by the scene, but she stopped laughing as soon as she noticed the green bug frowning at her.
„What?"
„You know you could have reminded me of it."
„Dad?" Po called out upon entering the restaurant, panting from the exertion of running, and stumbling, down the stairs. „Dad!"
„Oh, son! It's so good to see you!" mister Ping exclaimed joyously, hugging his son to the best of his ability.
„Thanks, dad," the panda said, returning the hug. „Mantis said you needed me for something."
„Oh, the small, green one! Some nerve he has! Coming here without money – would you believe that? Who does he think I am?"
„Dad, I'm sure he did not mean it as insult," the bear coaxed. „So what did you need me for?"
„Oh, of course!" the elderly goose said. „There's someone to see you. Normally I would have just told them to leave, saying that if they don't want to order anything they have no business crowding my restaurant, but when I recognized her-"
„Her? Who is it?"
„The lovely leopard lady you spent the festival with," the goose answered, going back to chopping the vegetable on the counter. „She seemed a bit too... jumpy, but who am I to say 'no' to the lady that my son enjoys spending time with," he concluded, a sly smile on his beak.
„Song?" Po asked almost incredulously. „Where is she?"
„Oh, I told her to wait upstairs since she seemed reluctant to stay here in the open. Poor girl, she could really use a bath. Maybe you shou- son?"
Mister Ping blinked a few times, realizing his son was no longer standing with him in the kitchen. The sound of loud steps on the stairs answered his questions; the panda was already running upstairs.
Huh, so impatient! the goose thought, smiling again. They grow up so fast...
Mister Ping wasn't really wrong when he said that Song could use a bath. Her fur was a mess, matted in various places, wet with sweat and stained with mud. Exhaustion and panic written all over her features.
Still, with the horrified expression on his face, Po had somehow managed to look worse.
„F-for real?" he stammered, unable to believe... struggling to understand...
His heart sank even deeper when the leopardess nodded in response.
„Yes. I don't really know how or why it happened, but...," she trailed off, being far from calm herself. The fact that she was alone with him in his room did nothing to help the situation either. Still, she thought it was better than being outside, given the current circumstances. „It happened so fast... they need your help, Po. We need your help; the Ladies are in it now as well."
Po managed only a nod, sitting down wordlessly on the floor, his mind racing with questions. As much as he tried, he could come up with no answers.
„Wait here," he spoke silently after he regained enough of his composure. Song watched him worriedly as he left the room; he looked even more devastated than the moment she assisted Su in stealing the Dragon Chalice. She closed her eyes and shook her head, forcing the memories away. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Po carrying a bucket of water, a towel, and a bowl of steaming noodles.
„Here," he said, placing the bucket on the floor and handing her the bowl and the towel. „I have to go to the palace; wait here until I return. Should you need anything, ask my dad."
„A-alright," Song replied hesitantly. She remained standing in the same spot, frozen, until he left again and closed the door behind him. All the while not saying another word or even looking at her. Once he was gone, she slumped to the floor, somehow managing not to spill all of the bowl's contents.
There hadn't been a time when she doubted her decisions more than then.
Alright, stay cool, keep walking..., Po kept saying inside his head, walking through the palace courtryard, carrying a large crate in his arms. You got this, no one's around... GAH! Why is there no one around?! If they were here they could force me to spill the beans and I wouldn't have to worry about not telling them!
The bear sighed, glancing at the sky. But that way they'd see I was considering not telling them and running away... dude, not cool... Just tell them! Go back and tell them, they're your friends!
He turned around and took a few steps back before stopping again, the mental fight continuing. Exactly! They're your friends! Keep them out of this! You messed up enough by involving Song!
He turned back toward the gates again, letting out another sigh. The others were probably still at the kitchen, finishing their dinner. As far as they were concerned, he was just going to his dad's to help him with something. Or so the panda thought, hoping he sounded convincing enough when telling them the lie.
Lying... just when did I start doing that? he asked himself, shaking his head in obvious frustration. I wish Tigress just popped out of nowhere and forced me to tell the truth or somethi-
„Po?"
Ah! I take it back! I TAKE IT BACK! he screamed in his mind as he whirled around, somehow managing not to actually cry out in surprise.
„Are you alright?" the feline asked, her head tilted to a side in curiousity.
„Y-yeah," the bear stuttered. Make her disappear! Come on! Why isn't it working all of a sudden? Deciding he had no sort of wish-fulfilling powers, he continued to answer. „I... just didn't know you were here."
„Well, it is rather dark," she remarked. „I'll repeat myself: are you alright?"
„W-why wouldn't I be?"
„You seem rather... pale," the tiger declared, eyeing him up and down. „You seemed rather uneasy all afternoon actually, ever since returning from the village."
„I, uh... dad wanted me to try a new soup, and...," he started, cursing himself mentally for lying again. „Please don't tell him I said this, but... it wasn't exactly good."
„You could have made yourself some tea; the herbs would have helped."
„I guess I could have," he replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck with one paw, almost dropping the crate in the process.
„Po... what's in the crate?"
He met her inquisitive stare with a blank expression, standing wordlessly for a few moments before readjusting his grip on the wooden box so he would be able to hold it with one arm. Then, using the other arm to open it, he revealed the contents.
„Spices," Tigress stated in a neutral tone, looking at the numerous containers in the crate she remembered seeing many times in the palace kitchen.
„Yeah," Po nodded, closing it again. „I wanted to add some of them to the soup to, y'know, fix it. I hoped I wouldn't hurt dad's feelings this way."
Tigress nodded her understanding, but remained eyeing the panda curiously, as if still determining whether to believe him or not.
„Why the secrecy about it, though?" she finally asked, placing her paws behind her back.
„I, uh... I know there's something about taking things out of the palace without permission, and..."
„It's not technically stealing, but you still should-"
„I know, but come on!" Po urged, rising his voice a little. „This is practically an emergency! Dad could food-poison the whole village unless I do something quickly!"
„Alright," she replied with a sigh, gazing at the ground, seemingly considering what to do next. „Is there something else troubling you?" she asked, still looking downward.
„What do you mean?"
„I mean," she elaborated, speaking softly and raising her head to meet his gaze again. „Is there something else... you want to talk about?"
She frowned a little when she noticed his reaction. Or lack thereof, more like. He stood unmoving, gazing at her with expression that said nothing. After a while, he slowly placed the crate on the ground by the edge of a nearby terrace, then sat down resting his back against it. Tigress took the cue and sat next to him, waiting for him to start speaking.
„I...," he began, hesitating. „I was wondering... how is it with us and... answering the authorities?"
She frowned confusedly, not really understanding the question.
„I mean, we follow the principles of Kung Fu and the Master's Code and all... and there's the Council, but... how is it with us and the rulers? Or the emperor?"
Tigress waited for a moment before answering, asking herself why would he ask that in the first place.
„As you said, we follow the principles set by Master Oogway, doing what is right. Which is essentially what each ruler should do," she answered, sounding as a teacher explaining something to his students. „But at the same time, we are part of the land we protect – its citizens. And as such, we are bound by its laws. We cannot deny them, nor the emperor."
Po bobbed his head, rubbing his knees with his paws. „Yeah, but if... let's say... the emperor did something that would be against what we know to be right... what should we do?"
The feline's frown deepened as her confusion at the panda's questions remained, but then a thought crossed her mind.
„Are you referring to the War at the Stone Edge Mountains?"
„Yeah! Kind of..."
Tigress allowed herself to sigh again, rethinking her words. „That was an extreme case, Po, where only the bravest people who knew what was right could face the tyranny of that time."
„I know, but..." the bear trailed off, hesitating. The issue bothered him for some reason, it seemed, but the feline still couldn't tell why. Deciding she would need to dug a little deeper, she continued.
„China wasn't always united as it is now, Po. It's something achieved after long years of striving. Master Oogway himself was one of the people who strived for this ideal, relying a lot on trust. That's where things failed at back then, but understand this: the emperor is a man with an unimaginable amount of responsibility resting on his shoulder, and with great many things constantly on his mind. This position isn't given to just anyone, especially so after the war. It's also one of the reasons for the existence of the Masters' Council."
She looked at him, awaiting some kind of reaction. He provided only another wordless nod, as he was visibly going over her words, letting them sink in.
„Why is this troubling you?" she asked after giving him enough time.
He looked at her, then went back to staring at nothing in particular. „While you were gone, I... had to lead in your stead. I studied some scrolls in order to... to make myself more suited for the role, and this... kinda..." he groaned, pinching his nose. „I just had hard time picturing myself in the situation, having to decide like that... not to mention that being the Dragon Warrior... what would you do?"
„That is... difficult to answer," Tigress spoke after some hesitation. „As you said, it's difficult to imagine yourself in the situation in the first place. And even then, imagining is just one thing, while actually doing it is completely different. I..." she paused, swallowing. „I always took pride in abiding my duty, doing what was expected of me as a warrior...," she hung her head, looking at the ground. „Some would say that overly so."
Hearing that caused Po to look back at her, his protective nature kicking in. Rather on instinct than anything else he outstretched his left arm, intending to place his paw on her shoulder. Mere inches away from her, however, a painful sensation ran through him, by now all too familiar visions flashing in front of his eyes. He immediately brought his paw back to his lap, doing his best to resist the urge to grip it.
Just what's up with these visions? Is it some kind of warning...?
Although her eyes were focused on the ground, she felt the hesistance, causing her to bite her lip as she felt a not so slight pang in her chest. She was brought out of it, though, when the panda uttered words she hasn't heard from him since the moment he said them for the first time.
„Hey, Mei-Lien," he said softly, bringing himself to softly grasp her shoulder despite his gut screaming at him to pull away for some reason. „Don't sweat it. As far as I'm concerned, it just makes you more awesome."
She turned her head to look at him, her eyes like nothing he was used to see in them. „Do you really think so?"
„Yes," he said in a tone that showed he meant it. „Symbol of dedication, remember?"
She stared at him unmoving for a little longer, the strange glint in her eyes slowly starting to make him feel uneasy. And then, she shifted in her position and started inching forward to the bear. He didn't need to be plagued by mysterious visions and unfounded pains in his limbs to feel nervous at that moment. He gritted his teeth as he did the best he could to not let the nightmares take over this time, baiting his breath as she placed her paw on his arm, moving closer and closer until she was hugging him, resting her head on his shoulder.
Almost coughing out the air he was holding in, he hugged her back, not wanting to ruin the moment.
„Thanks," Tigress mumbled into his fur, barely above a whisper. After staying like that for a whole minute she pushed away enough to look him in the eyes. „And don't worry. While what your head comes up with tends to be rather confusing...," she slowly moved her paw to his chest, letting it rest there for a moment, feeling his heartbeat. „This has never let us down... and I know you'll always do what is right."
Po could not stop himself from smiling at the deja-vu. „Thanks," he replied, feeling almost relaxed. Almost.
I hope you're right... I pray you are...
„It's getting late, you should head to the village while you still can," she suddenly said, standing up.
„Y-yeah," the panda stammered, standing up himself and picking up the crate. He turned to the feline, the smile still present on his face, if a little smaller. „Good night... I guess."
Smiling as well, and for once more than the panda, Tigress nodded. „Yeah, good night. And Po, don't be afraid to come to us when there's something bothering you."
And with that she turned around and walked away. Po watched hear leave for a few more moments before turning around himself, heading for the gate. Opening it just enough for him to fit through, he walked outside, closing the door behind him. It took a lot of effort to successfully fight off the urge to groan, as he feared she could still hear him. He could not stop the tear that rolled down his cheek, however, as it landed on the crate he was holding.
How did the things turn out the way they did, he wondered. He decided it didn't matter, though, for yesterday was history. What mattered was now. And now, he had to decide... oh perhaps he already did.
Urging himself to move, he started walking down the, now more so than ever before, seemingly endless staircase.
With each step he took, he questioned himself, his decision. Every other step the answer was different, but he remained walking forward, not looking back.
It went on the whole way down. He could swear it never lasted so long and at the same time he was surprised he found himself at the end when he did. He barely noticed how wet the top of the wooden box was by the time he reached his father's house.
And the hardest part was still to come... lying to his father.
„Oh, Po! Where have you been? You know it's rude to leave the lady waiting," mister Ping spoke from the kitchen, the restaurant already free of any customers.
„Sorry," the bear shrugged sheepishly. „I got held up at the palace."
The goose shook his head disapprovingly, then, looking back at his son, he noticed the wooden box he was carrying. „Son, what is that?"
„Just... a few things for Song," Po answered, his mouth going uncomfortably dry.
„Oh, presents! My boy is such a romantic!" mister Ping exclaimed excitedly. „Well, go, go! Don't leave her waiting any longer, son!" he urged, pushing his son toward the stairs, not really noticing how the groans of protest seemed so much weaker than what was usual for the bear.
After a short while the panda and the leopardess descended down the stairs, both looking rather uneasy.
„Have fun," mister Ping said as they were leaving the restaurant, his enthusiasm still not leaving him.
Not even a dozen steps from the building the bear couldn't hold it anymore. He quickly placed the crate on the ground, turning back.
„Just a minute," he muttered as he entered the restaurant again, leaving Song standing alone in the street. Mister Ping was just about to walk up the stairs, heading toward his bedroom, when he heard his son walk in.
„Po? What is it, son?"
„Just... wanted to say goodbye," the bear squeezed out hesistantly. His father looked at him sympathetically, patting him on his arm.
„Don't be silly, son, you're not going anywhere," he gently scolded, a fatherly smile on his beak. „Don't be nervous, just know that everything will be fine and that I love you, alright?"
„Thanks, dad," Po replied, embracing the goose in a hug. „I love you, too."
„I know, son. I know," the father soothed, still in the bear's embrace.
Putting him back on the ground and thanking the night for helping him hide the tears that threatened to fall, the bear went out to the street again. „Alright, let's go."
They walked without saying a word, each going through their own thoughts. It wasn't until the village was a good mile behind them that the panda stopped, putting down the crate and opening it. He picked up a few spices and placed them aside, revealing what was hidden beneath them: two simple brown cloaks, one notably larger than the other, a straw hat and a backpack containing some rations and medical supplies.
Song looked around, seeming confused. „I don't understand," she voiced her concerns. „Aren't the others coming with us?"
„No," Po stated plainly, putting the larger cloak and the hat on. Once he was dressed up, the brown cloth successfully hiding the green robe underneath along with making it difficult to tell what his species was, he handed Song the other cloak, leaving the crate and the spices lying on the ground.
„But... why?"
„I am the Dragon Warrior; that's gotta count for something," he muttered, readjusting his hat. „And if I end up forced to fight the Imperial Army, I'll do it on my own. I endangered enough people as it is."
Song stared back at Po. Po she could barely recognize. He looked at her with eyes that spoke of sorrow, but at the same time they radiated confidence... and determination. Was it there all this time? she wondered, nodding her understanding.
„Lead the way, then," he said, repeating one single line in his mind as they started walking.
Don't look back... just don't look back...
A/N: Thank you for reading! As always I'd appreciate if you voiced your opinion, perhaps even more so this time, considering I'm reaching some dramatic points here in this story. I ask only one thing: just be honest. Praise, criticiqe... both helps.
Also, this chapter makes it official: HoL is to be considered a prequel to this story now. For those of you confused by this statement, I'm referring to the 'symbol of dedication' line. I'd recommend reading it if you haven't yet (Hall of Love, I mean); it explains the little scene a bit and also sheds some light on what's going on.
As a side note... I'm seriously considering starting a one-shot series. HoL, The Chase and Of Heroes and Their Burden won't be part of it, seeing as HoL is no longer a one-shot and The Chase won't be either. As for Of Heroes... I -might- continue that one, too, but... I will leave it as it is for now...
Now don't worry about this slowing the updates of this story... because it will slow down anyway. Let's be fair, the summer is ending and the semester starts soon... actually, my FIRST semester, so... yeah. I'm not going to stop writting this; rather otherwise. I'm pretty sure I'll need something to help me relax and unwind, and writting these fanfics actually kind of does that for me... I write beceause it brings me joy, alright? And that's not gonna change any time soon... certainly not if you keep reviewing!
So, please, bear with me, be well and R&R!