A/N: Sup fanfictionites. I hope you all are enjoying your summers so far and that school/work these past few months have treated you well. Yeah it's been a while, huh? Let me start and say that a mix of school, laziness, writers block, and conflict of interest has kept me from this for a while. However, it is awesome to know that some of you check almost everyday to see if I have updated even though you could know if I have just by subscribing to me xp It really does mean a lot though, and being able to write for myself and you all again is pretty rockin'! I hope to get a lot of writing done in the next couple of weeks during the summer to make up for my absence. I believe you all deserve it. Quick shout outs to reviewers, PM buddies, inspirations:
Cuaroc (my beta-reader aka "The Man")
AzureFlameKenta (hope you come back my friend)
Soul of a Lion (My friend... thank you wherever you are)
FFcrazy15
The Green-Eyed Wolf
A113 Cowgirl
Br00klynb0y96
Thanks to all of you for keeping me in the game. Now let's do this!
Disclaimer: KFP is not mine. Seriously... we're still doing this?
Chapter 7: Forbidden Knowledge
The adrenal glands pumped adrenaline viciously into the blood stream. Once received by the brain, an electrical signal was sent to the arms and legs muscles causing them to tighten. The heart beat faster and faster in order to supply blood to every capable muscle. To support the increased blood flow the lungs took in more air than normal, infusing the blood with fresh oxygen at a rapid pace. Finally, in order to attain a conscious state, the brain emitted a large electrical pulse which traveled throughout the entire body. The entire process took place within a fragment of a second; Po was awake with a start.
A sharp gasp of air filled his lungs and his pupils dilated as they met the darkness around him. The adrenaline coursing in his veins made his vision blurry and unfocused. His jade eyes searched frantically for any sign of danger. However, his primal instincts subsided as his consciousness fully returned to him. Po took a deep breath and closed his eyes, the cool air filling his lungs to capacity. He slowly reopened them and relaxed as he was greeted with only the glittering expanse of the heavens.
As his heightened adrenaline and eyesight both settled he took notice of the spectacle above him. It was the middle of the night, but the stars and the moon were all so bright that they lit up the landscape for miles. Normally, at this point in the night Po would have just rolled over to the other side of his bed roll and slip back into blissful sleep. He felt that this night was different, however, and against his nature pushed himself into a seated position in which he proceeded to tie on his sandals.
This act took much more effort than he thought possible. As soon as he leant over to grab the first sandal next to his roll a burning pain erupted all over the lower half of his body. He winced, dropping the sandal into his lap. That's when Po remembered the rigorous day of travel they had the previous day.
They didn't waste any time in the continuation of their journey. He recalled Mantis trying to prod him awake only to get rolled on top of by the giant panda. After a more affective approach involving Tigress and a couple of well placed acupuncture needles the panda was more than willing to join the Furious Five for a quick meal before crossing the Thread of Hope.
As they were packing their travel packs Po paused in marvel of the events taking place around them. The forest floor was blanketed by a soft billowing mist which emanated from the moist earth beneath them. Po wiped his brow as condensation and a mild sweat condensed together on his fur and skin. The tiny particles of water continued their ascension into the canopies high above their heads. As the mist lingered, trapped beneath the leaves of the trees, the first beams of light pierced through the openings in the cover. The water in the air and on the ground foliage reflected brilliantly, illuminating the expanse of the forest floor all around the six warriors. Po looked on, awestruck by the scenery.
He caught himself losing track of time and fancied a glance back towards where his friends were packing. Monkey and Mantis were already finished and relaxing on a nearby stone together. They spent their free time cracking jokes and sharing tales of conquest, both real and fabricated. Crane had finished his packing early on as well, but instead of passing the time with the other male masters he took the time to help Viper pack her things. Having no arms or wings to attach the pack, Crane often offered to carry Viper's supplies as well as his own when they traveled. In the past, Po had always told Crane how cool it was for him to do that for Viper. The avian would often dismiss any affectionate attachment to the gesture by stating the practicality of the act, but a nervous throat clearing and other awkward physical responses never helped his , smiling to himself, continued to scan the scene for the last member of their band. It took him a few moments but he found her.
On a nearby tree limb, with her back seated against the moist bark of the trunk, an orange feline sat lazily gazing into the far reaching woods. With her tail swishing casually in the air beneath her branch Tigress looked calm, even at peace. Po couldn't help, but smile. This was a state he rarely saw in the fiery feline. It always made him happy whenever he could catch her with her walls down, even if only for a few brief seconds. What made this moment especially awesome was that, even from far below her, he could see her lips curled up ever so slightly.
Before he knew he had been caught, a pair of inquisitive red eyes trapped him in their sight. Po froze, mentally chastising himself for staring rudely for so long at his friend. Neither of the two warriors moved, as if they were calculating their next moves in Mahjong. Briefly Tigress's lips parted as if she wanted to greet the Dragon Warrior, but no words emerged. Instead her crimson eyes faltered, slowly falling to the earth below her. Concern hit Po like a falling pot to the head simultaneously wrinkling his brow with thought. He immediately recognized that something was bugging Tigress, what's more he knew she would do anything to not talk about it. All he could do was try to "unbug" her, and he only knew one way how.
Tigress, still lost in thought, dared herself to lift her eyes to Po's once again. She dared and was taken aback by what she saw. Po was smiling at her. She had thought for sure that the panda would have been giving her worried or fretful looks, something she had grown accustomed to. The response was unexpected to say the least. There on the ground below her, the panda stood flashing her a bewilderingly goofy smile. Tigress did not know if it was because the sun was in full force, but Po's face was aglow. She couldn't help but allow a warm smile grace her lips.
Po's face brightened when he saw his plan had worked. Their eyes danced in the morning light, accompanied by the blissful sounds of waking birds and a light breeze that shook the treetops. This was their little moment: nothing else could trouble them then.
When the gentle breeze died down, Tigress broke the contact and sprung off the tree branch. Several somersaults later the feline was on the ground and grabbing her pack from next to the tree she was only recently perched in. Once the pack was secured on her back she paused and faced her monotone friend. Po got the signal and tightened the strap on his pack before hoisting it over his shoulder with relative ease.
Straps tightened and pack fit snugly to his back Po issued a smirk to Tigress which glowed with triumph. The female tiger chuckled slightly before turning and jogging towards the Thread's entrance. Po stood quietly for a moment longer, filling his lungs to capacity with the moist morning air. Then, with a slight hop adjustment to his pack, the panda made tracks. Soon the former camp was completely vacated and, as with the departure of the six warriors, so did the last plumes of mist journey ever upward into the heavens, vanishing into the rising sun.
Apart from that blissful morning, everything else was just one painful blur. They ventured nonstop all the way across the Thread of Hope, making it to the other side of the Devil's Mouth just after the noon day sun. From there him and the Five split up into their teams in order to investigate the surrounding villages. Unfortunately for Po, he had forgotten about the blistering pace that Tigress preferred to set as a travel standard. By the time Po and Tigress reached the entrance to the Northern Wastelands Po was pretty sure he was about to join Master Oogway. He remembered blacking out multiple times as they crossed the barren sections of the Wastelands, but surprisingly he managed to keep pace with the swift tiger. When one of the black outs led to Po being carried on the tiger master's back, Tigress ultimately decided they should end that leg of the journey.
Po chuckled to himself and returned to the he had been reminiscing, several minutes passed by without his notice and he had been unconsciously staring down at the sandal he dropped in the lap of his burlap trousers. Now, once again fully aware of the pain he was in, Po began waiting for the pain to subside or even dull just a little. Convinced that the gods were content with his minute suffering he grumbled and grabbed the sandal, grunting as he lent over to attach it to his foot.
Two painfully tied sandals later Po was once again leaned on his haunches staring up at the starry night sky. As he sat there wincing with every little muscle movement he made, Po gave a weary smile. He looked down at his legs in amusement and wonder.
Man, and I thought falling down the palace steps was painful, the Dragon Warrior thought, hoping humor would act as a salve for his persistent pains. A curious expression creased his forehead. I wonder how I even managed to sleep while feeling like this.
His expression grew sullen as he remembered why he woke up in the first place. That strange feeling he had. The feeling that horrified him some much that it reached into his sleeping mind and gripped a hold of his heart. It was something he only felt in his worst nightmares, and yet he was not dreaming. At least he didn't think he was. He shook his head to clear his mind and looked around again making doubly sure there was absolutely nothing out of the norm.
Satisfied that they were in no present danger he sighed and sat up, arms resting in his lap. However, even though he knew for certain they were safe, he just couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. It irked him more than anything else imaginable.
He growled to himself grabbing the top of his head in frustration, "Gods this is so annoying! What good is Inner Peace if even the tiniest thin can drive you nuts?"
"Now that's something I never thought I'd hear."
Without thinking Po rolled backwards and sprung into the air landing in a solid Kung Fu stance. He cringed as a shock of pain electrified his body making him falter slightly, but not enough that he wasn't able to look for the source of the voice. Before he was able to find it, a velvety chuckle found its way to his ears. "Po, I admire your eagerness as always, but if you fight in that condition you are sure to do more damage to yourself than an opponent."
Po looked towards the direction of the voice, lowering his arms when a pair of glowing yellow and red eyes caught his attention in the twilight. "Hehe. Hey, Tigress. Just-y'know- practicing my surprise attack reaction time."
The ochre feline sat a few meters away from Po on top of a small boulder, a small smile on her face hinting at her amusement. "Impressive. Good evening to you too, Dragon Warrior."
Po returned the smile. Bending over, Po grabbed the thin cover layer off his roll before making his way over to his companion's position. When he reached the base of the boulder he whistled to himself; from farther away it appeared much smaller. Reclaiming some determination he tied the blanket around his neck, as a child playing pretend would, and proceeded to climb the massive rock. Tigress shook her head at the panda's act and turned her attention back towards the expanse of grey earth which stretched out around them. Eventually, a struggling black paw reached over the top of the boulder, the sounds of his heavy breathing mixed in with labored grunts as Po pulled himself up on top of the rock. Tigress glanced back and smiled warmly as the panda laid on his stomach, tongue hanging out and back rising with each revitalizing breath of oxygen. "Yet another rock conquered by China's true saviour." Sarcasm was becoming something of an opiate for her.
Po laughed self-consciously and pushed himself up until he was seated right next to the entertained feline. While adjusting himself to the cold hard surface he followed Tigress's gaze. He was in awe once more as he stared at the vast stretches of barren soil that surrounded their lump of stone. The night sky, clear and crisp, painted the scenery in an other worldly white glow that destroyed any semblance of darkness. Po's eyes widened with wonder and a childish laugh reverberated off more nearby stones. "This is so... Cool!"
Tigress nodded her head in agreement. "Yes. normally the Northern Wastelands are densely overcast. It is rare for even the slightest cloud clearance to occur. Though it is... odd."
Po shot a confused sideways glance, "Odd? Come on Tigress, how many chances do people get to see such a huge night sky?"
Tigress nodded slowly, "Forgive me, Po. It is beautiful, and any bandit within one hundred li would be foolish to even attempt a sneak attack in these conditions. It's just that I am used to expecting the worst on any mission." She looked at Po, eyes glistening warily. "Is it strange that feeling safe worries me, sometimes?"
Po chuckled and nodded, "Totally." Tigress frowned and rubbed her right arm uncomfortably. That was until she felt Po place his paw on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Po's eyes twinkling boyishly in the moonlight. "But if you ask me, strange is pretty freakin' awesome."
Tigress stared curiously at the panda beside her. It seemed bizarre, but she really placed a high value on Po's opinion. It often made no sense to her seeing as his childish, absurd, and rather rude mannerisms hardly merited such respect. However, it was in moments like this one, isolated from the rest of the world, where she felt she could truly understand Po. His strengths his weaknesses, his hopes and fears all became so apparent to her when she had the time to just be with him. It gave her strength to she just how honest and open he was with himself and his friends. A trait she admired; one that anyone alive could respect. Not even all the Kung Fu discipline in the universe could teach her how to be like him.
After the moment had passed she turned her eyes from Po's and pulled her right leg closer to her body, letting her other leg dangle loosely against the stone. She smiled thoughtfully, her tail swaying back and forth calmly against the stone behind her. "Strange is awesome. Is that so?"
Po removed his paw from her shoulder, smiling broadly. "Heck yeah it is!" He exclaimed, gesturing wildly. "Strange is in no way a bad thing, Tigress. Look at you and the rest of the Five. You aren't 'normal' like the people you protect, you are 'different'. You couldn't have done all the awesome things you guys accomplished without being strange in your own ways. You guys have always been so freakin' hardcore."
Tigress eyed the energetic bear playfully. "Well then. If the Five and I are strange, then you must be the Buddha of all things unorthodox and extraordinary, Dragon Warrior."
Po smirked slyly jumping to his feet. "Well I don't mean to brag, but..." He tossed his head back heroically and let the slight breeze carry aloft the makeshift cape which still clung to his neck. "I am pretty awesome."
Tigress rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, mighty Dragon Warrior. You prowess supersedes the heavens themselves." Her voiced colored grossly with feigned admiration, but her eyes glowed mischievously. "Is it true that the very stones tremble with your passing?" Slowly her tail snaked its way towards the panda's ankles.
Po eyed her suspiciously, but continued on with the ruse. "Why my Fearless Master Tigress, they fear my very pa-AHH!" Before he realized what had happened he was lying flat on his back groaning. He shook his spinning head and looked toward Tigress. The feline remained still, looking innocently away from where Po had fallen. Po chuckled when he saw her tail twisting mirthfully in the air behind her. "Alright, I get it." He groaned, reclaiming his spot next to Tigress whose eyes still held a triumphant sheen. Po shot her an inquisitive look. "You are really not one for jokes, huh?"
"Only if they are funny." She stated flatly.
It was Po's turn to roll his eyes,"Yeah, okay." His humor filled demeanor dimmed as he realized just how tired he still was. A large yawn emanated from his body, and he stretched in response. He tried his best to rub any sleep from eyes, pausing only to speak with his companion. "Aren't you tired at all from today?"
Tigress had managed to return to her normal collected state and nodded. "Yes." She looked at the tired bear plainly. "However, I am also naturally nocturnal. I already achieved my optimum level of sleep for the day. Now I spend my time meditating." She paused, turning back towards the horizon with a sliver of a smile on her face. "As well as entertaining inquisitive conversation."
Po had managed to remove a speck of residue from his eye and was attempting to flick it off his thumb. "That still doesn't explain why you don't seem to have any pain what so ever. Meanwhile my body feels like tenderized noodle dough."
Tigress laughed quietly in her throat. "It's true I was physically exhausted when we got here. I was probably just as sore then as you are now. But what you need to understand Po is that I have trained for twenty years to withstand such harsh abuse to my body." Po was now watching her with full attention, so Tigress turned fully towards him. Crossing her legs into a lotus position she entered teacher mode. "All pain is focused in the mind. The source may be physical, but the only thing sustaining the feeling is the amount of attention given to it."
Po raised an eyebrow skeptically. "So are you suggesting that I just ignore it like I ignore the morning gong?"
Tigress smiled and shook her head. "No Po, I'm afraid it's not as simple as sleeping through our wake up call. In actuality it is a sort of active meditation."
"Okay, you've lost me. Active meditation?" Though utterly confused, Po was seriously interested in the concept.
She nodded, closing her eyes and mimicking the motions for normal meditation. "The art of meditation comes from finding your center. Rather than trying to block outside influences you instead focus on the flow of chi around you. Once you have connected inwardly to the flow, all other entities outside disappear." She opened her eyes and looked at Po calmly. "Active meditation is a more complex technique, one that requires mastery of the first. It involves the same principles as normal meditation except you must be able to connect with the flow of chi while in motion."
Po nodded to himself pensively, "So what you are saying is 'Po just quit your belly-aching and go back to bed', am I right?" He smirked at his own lame joke.
Tigress sighed rolling her eyes. "Po, everyone including children can master this technique. despite what you may think, you can learn this ability. It may just take some extra effort on your part that's all."
"Alright, I was just kidding." Po leaned back on his hands starring up at the sky. "Is there any other reason to master it though? You know, besides making your thighs burn less after walking up the palace steps?"
"Absolutely." Tigress raised a finger in a sage like manner. "In fact, Buddhist monks often utilized this technique in combat."
Now she had Po's attention again. The panda bolted upright surprising the tiger in the process. "Really? Wow, cool!"
Tigress nodded, gratified by the renewed educational atmosphere. "During a battle, these monks possessed the ability to tap into the chi on a battlefield despite the chaos which ensued around them. Using this technique, a single monk could fight incessantly for hours on end without feeling even the gravest of injuries." Po was literally rocking back and forth with excitement. Tigress smiled, but then turned her expression to one of caution. "However, it is also fact that the use of this ability in battle is considered a last resort, and is all but abandoned in its practice. There are horrific stories of warriors who, in the midst of the technique, would die from the injuries they suffered in combat. Unfortunately, because their spirit remained within the flow of the battle their bodies fought on as empty vessels. In the days of the rivaling kingdoms, many lords had soldiers trained to be mindless berserkers. Warriors who felt no pain and would fight until the enemy was left decimated or their bodies completely broken."
Po's mouth hung open in shock and awe. It was rare for Tigress to know a piece of Kung Fu history that Po didn't. She continued. "After that era, the monks forbid the knowledge of what had become commonly known as the Battle Zen, and reserved its teachings only to students of the Eight Fold Path."
Po broke out of his trance momentarily. "Wait. Hold on." He stared at Tigress as if she had just told him she had walked on the surface of the moon. "If the Buddhist monks forbid its practice outside the monasteries, then how come you were able to learn the meditation part of it?"
Tigress looked at him dubiously. "Don't tell me Ping Po has never heard the tale of Oogway and the Eight-Fold Solution?"
Po eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, now it makes sense! So after Oogway used his Kung Fu awesomeness to stop the three warlords from wiping out the monastic order they taught him the secrets to Battle Zen?"
Tigress smiled wittingly, "You had me worried, Po. I was afraid I was going to have to teach a whole section of history tonight."
Po shrugged, "I gotta let you guys have edge on me once in a while, don't I?" He dropped the act when he noticed Tigress's tail swishing behind her with rankled motions. He raised up his hands defensively. "Again. Joking."
Tigress sighed, "In any case, it was Master Oogway who introduced the principles of Battle Zen into the Kung Fu arts." She placed her hands together in Kung Fu tradition for emphasis. "It was Oogway's intention that the technique be used solely for its meditative practices. If a warrior is capable of entering an active meditative state, they come closer to mastering the third and final state."
Po leaned forward, eyes wide with anticipation. "Which is?"
The question took Tigress slightly aback. She turned her body back towards the horizon, leaning her arms on top of her knees. She smiled emptily and looked at Po. "Inner Peace."
Po was baffled. "Say what?"
Tigress breathed in deeply looking out over the grey landscape. "Inner Peace is the final meditative state for all masters. It is in this state where all senses become open to the flow of the universe granting them peace and complete control over all currents of chi around them." She looked at Po curiously. "You have seen it haven't you? In the harbor when you were redirecting the canon fire, you could see everything couldn't you?"
Po slowly nodded. "Yeah. Now that you mention it, I felt as if I were standing in a pool of water." He looked down at his paws pensively. "With every movement I made I could see the ripples that followed from it. It was the same with the canon balls. I could not only see them coming at me but I could smell the fire, taste the smoke, hear the air crackling around them, and feel them rotate as they flew. It was pretty intense." Tigress smiled softly at the panda as he recalled the experience. His face suddenly lit up as a thought crossed his mind. "Wait a second Tigress, my hand caught on fire in the harbor. I totally felt that!"
Tigress choked down a laugh, the serious tone behind Po's outburst was absurd. He waited patiently for her answer, despite the fact that he didn't appreciate her laughing at that particular memory. Tigress cleared her throat and repositioned herself facing the panda, she looked at Po with a faint smile. "Yin and Yang, Po." He shot her a raised eyebrow, so she elaborated. "Po, Inner Peace and Battle Zen are harmonic opposites, or rather light and dark. Even though they are labeled differently in terms of mastery level they are essentially of equal value."
She paused to see if Po was comprehending any of it. His attention was centered on her, but he was giving her no feedback in the slightest. She decided to move on in hopes that she would eventually strike the appropriate chord with him. "In Kung Fu, emphasis is placed on attaining one's inner peace. This is because, at heart, inner peace is the technique which embodies everything we stand for as Kung Fu masters. In combat, this state allows the user to tap into a universal flow of energy unlocking unseen potential within the user. Also, instead of disconnecting the senses from the spirit as with Battle Zen they are instead heightened, allowing for more fluid control of one's chi."
"Well then why have warriors even tried to master it?" Po asked suddenly.
Tigress sighed in relief that she was actually reaching him. She went on, "Battle zen is the easier of the two techniques to master. However, ease alone does not place it as the second highest technique. The reason it is below Inner Peace is because it is offensive rather than defensive." Po breathed in and silently mouthed the word 'Oh', she nodded and continued. "When active, a master's battle zen makes them an unstoppable opponent. They cannot effortlessly deflect blows like with Inner Peace, but they make up for it in being able to take tremendous amounts of damage without pause."
Po's jade eyes were so huge one could almost see the wheels spinning behind them. "Awesome... but how would you know when to stop?"
Tigress frowned, "That's the only catch. Not many users learned when to stop. As you have learned Po, the true nature of Kung Fu is all about defending the innocent and achieving peace with one's self. Battle Zen is a technique that closes off the user's spirit from all negative energy that tries to effect them. However, any true master knows that true peace and strength can only be attained by experiencing all flows of energy, including pain. That is why in Kung Fu it is considered the lesser of the two techniques. True peace can only be found through balance of all things."
"Has anyone ever been able to use both-you know- at the same time?" Po had never been this eager to learn in his life.
Tigress shook her head. "No, no one knows for sure. There is some speculation that Master Oogway unlocked the secret years ago, but if he did he never used both simultaneously. Master Shifu was his best student and even he wasn't taught the secret. For all we know, it is impossible to do. Most masters can only perfect one or the other." Tigress's ears drooped and she looked down at her paws, clenching them into fists. "I myself have only mastered the first principles of Battle Zen."
Po's face lit up brighter than a festival lantern. "Really! Tigress, that's freakin' awesome!"
Tigress smiled sadly, "Is it?"
Po nodded ecstatically, "Tch, Yeah! That is so hardcore!" He gasped, entering his fanboy mode. "It all totally makes sense now! In order to help master the technique you practiced on the Ironwood Trees behind the palace. Once you could strike the trees without hurting yourself you were able to easily master the technique. Now you can, like, do it whenever you want! Man that's cool!"
The rant caused Tigress to smirk and gaze softly at the panda beside her. "Yes I suppose it is, Po. Thank you."
Po grinned unabashedly. "You bet!" He pounded his fist into his other paw as an idea popped into his head. "Now that I think about it, this is really awesome."
Tigress stared confused at the panda's sudden burst of inspiration, not sure exactly where his mind's ship was sailing. "How so?"
The panda laid his arms openly in front of himself to gesticulate his point, "Tigress if we work together we can both totally master Kung Fu." Tigress gazed wide-eyed at Po as continued on. "Yeah, it's so simple. From now on when we train we will each focus on helping each other with our flaws. You help me figure out active meditation. and I help you get Inner Peace. Sounds like a plan, right?"
Tigress shook her head, not even trying to hold in her laughter this time. "Po, it sounds like you are giving me the short of stick in this scheme of yours."
Po winced inwardly at the accusation. "Come on Tigress it will be great, and I swear to you that even if I learn active meditation I won't stop until you have achieved your dreams, too." Tigress's smile faltered, her eyes gazing at the grey stone reluctantly. Po smiled broadly and held out his paw. "Deal?"
Her eyes shot from the stone to his bright green eyes, they twinkled brightly in the moonlight. She smiled warmly, her sunset eyes reflecting the warmth she felt as she took his paw in hers. "Deal."
Po pumped a strong fist in the air. "Sweet! Not only do we get to hang out all the frickin' time, but soon I can actually sleep without any back pain waking me up at night."
Tigress shook her head in slight disbelief until a thought crossed her mind, something she was sure Po wouldn't like discussing. "Po."
Po halted his celebration. "What's up?"
She narrowed her eyes and gave him a concerned stare. "Back pain isn't why you up at this hour is it?"
Po put down his arm and scratched it self-consciously. "Heh you figured that out, huh?"
"Po, you've been listening to me for the past half an hour. I think I can spare you a few moments." A friendly smile found it way to her face.
Po chuckled, "All right, but in all honesty I'm not even sure what to make of it."
Tigress placed a paw on his arm reassuringly. His confidence returning, Po untied the blanket from his neck and set it in his lap as he faced the open terrain underneath the bright night sky. He closed his eyes trying to find the right words. "It's something I never felt before Tigress, and I don't care to feel it again anytime soon." He opened his eyes, his brow creasing as he concentrated. "It felt like I was in a nightmare, but I wasn't dreaming. What's worse is that it felt way worse than any nightmare I have ever had. It felt... real. That's why I was so freaked out when I woke up, because I really thought we were in actual danger." He shook his head not knowing how else to explain. "Other than that I just don't know."
He looked to Tigress to see if the feline could offer any reassuring or at least clarifying insight to his experience. The tiger master seemed just as deep in thought as he was a second ago, and his shoulders slouched in slight disappointment. Tigress as the wisest person he knew, almost as wise as Master Shifu. He had hoped that, if anyone, she could help him sort this out.
Suddenly Tigress nodded to herself, reigniting his hope for answers. She looked into Po's eager eyes. "That is pretty strange, Po."
Po felt like falling backwards onto the rock, his face mirroring the feeling. "Yeah, I got that."
Tigress saw his disappointment acted to remedy the situation. "Forgive me, Po. I am just a little surprised. What I should have said was that very few masters can have such an experience."
Po's ears perked up. "What? What is it?"
Tigress leaned forward as if what she was about to say was of a delicate nature. "Po I believe what you just described is the Dragon's Sight."
Po was intrigued. "What's that?"
The feline continued to gaze at the panda with a mix of fascination and curiosity. "Po, do you remember how Master Shifu came to our aid during the harbor battle in Gongmen City?" He nodded. "Well I thought it was peculiar as well, so I decided to ask Master about it. He told me that while meditating he had a vision of your death at the hands of Shen. However, it wasn't a clear vision like the one Master Oogway had about Tai Lung's return or your arrival at the Jade Palace." She paused, remembering the conversation. "Master Shifu said his experience was more akin to a stone creating ripples in a calm pool, only the stone was that night in the factory and the ripples were universal echoes of what transpired. In essence, Shifu didn't see you plummet into the river outside the factory, but he felt the spiritual impact of the event. "
Po nodded slowly to himself, "Okay I got it. This feeling I got might have been some kind of universal message or something?"
She nodded, "The Dragon Sight is a rare occurrence and only those with a strong spiritual connection can tap into it. In essence, we were lucky that Master even showed up at all. Such an experience could have been related to any catastrophe in the world."
Po stared at Tigress curiously, "How did he know to go to Gongmen then?"
Tigress eyes searched for an appropriate answer. "I believe it has to do with the connection the recipient of the vision has to the event in question. Some say the Dragon Sight can only occur when the recipient has a strong enough connection to the event be it through direct contact, a loved one's involvement, or a strong emotional response by that loved one."
Po laughed loudly, "Wow! I guess someone Shifu cared about had to be super worried about me huh?"
Tigress seemed to stiffened slightly, her tail frozen behind her like a rigid staff. Po took notice and eyed her inquiringly. "You-okay, Tigress?"
The feline immediately snapped back to reality. "Po! I'm sorry, it's nothing. Don't worry." Her tail resumed its swishing motions, be them slightly more erratic than before. Also, the moon light on her face didn't illuminate her white fur like it did a few seconds ago.
He scratched his head, slightly baffled. Sometimes I wish people were as easy to figure as noodles.
Tigress cleared her throat regaining his attention. She moved closer and placed her paw on his shoulder encouragingly. "Don't worry about this feeling, Po. Even if this was the Dragon's Sight, just remember that you have Master Shifu, me, and the rest of the Five immediately at your back." She smiled genuinely.
Po smiled appreciatively, "Thanks, Tigress."
She nodded curtly, "Sure." She moved back into a tall lotus position facing the skyline. "Now if you are as tired as you say, then you should get some rest. I'll be here keeping watch."
Po stood up, throwing the blanket over his shoulder and dusting off his pants. He looked at the blanket on his shoulder and then to Tigress. "Won't you get cold sitting up here all night?"
Tigress shook her head. "Remember, Po. I can't feel anything, including cold night air." Her voice she distant as if she was no longer with Po on that rock.
Po's eyes lingered on her moon lit form reluctantly before turning away towards the edge of the boulder. "Night, Tigress."
"Good night, Po. Rest well." She remained motionless except for her tail which calmly swayed back and forth across the surface of the stone. The light of the moon cast a long lithe shadow behind her, covering the surface of the boulder.
Tigress sat there reflecting on the conversation she just had when she felt something light and drape across her shoulders. She froze instinctually, but then grabbed hold to see what had just attacked her. It was a blanket. She turned quickly, only to as the back of Po's head vanished behind the edge of the grey rock.
She gripped the material firmly in her paw, her eyes darting across its surface. Then with hesitation, she pulled it back around her shoulders and continued sitting beneath the clear bright sky. She gripped the edges of the blanket and pulled it tighter around her body. It was a small change, but she felt her body grow slightly warmer. She smiled to herself, Po had kept it warm for her the whole time.
Instinctively, she began to nuzzle the warm cloth, taking in the full scent of the material. Her eyes softened. It still smells like him, she closed her eyes as her chest began to rumble blithely. She looked up at the stars and allowed herself to be lost in their beauty. Her eyes reflecting the twinkling heavenly bodies above her head. Everything was peaceful.
She turned her gaze to the horizon. A mass of dark clouds had begun to move in just over the horizon covering many of the stars that had once shown brilliantly across the wilderness. The rumble in her chest ceased, and she clutched the fabric tighter to her body. She stared apprehensively as a dark shadow slowly made its way across the earth.
Casting her eyes towards where the panda slept peacefully on the ground she smiled warily. Po, I hope it was just a nightmare. I may expect the worst, but I always pray that I'm wrong.
The night air was calm and still. Hours had passed since the last shop had closed and the last of the populous was had begun the venture back to their homes for a good night's rest. Though the lights dimmed within the cozy housings of the large trading village, the streets glowed with light. From afar it would appear as though a parade of jovial heavenly bodies had graced the village with their presence, all marching down through the streets in wondrous patterns of light.
So was the trade village of Lìrùn, a haven for commerce nestled in the tender embrace of the Gold Valley. There it lay as a beacon, a symbol for travelers of all kinds to awe and rejoice in. No matter the day, no matter the weather or season Lìrùn remained a place for all people to take refuge in. It was a monument to the modern age of China, and he chose it just for that reason.
From the north a shrill wind threaded itself through the streets and alleys ways of the town. It was the kind of wind that could cut into the very soul of a man, draining spirits and sapping strength. Upon the cold wind flew a wall of clouds which layered the ground beneath in shadow and darkness. Slowly the clouds approached the hamlet, drawing ever near to blotting out all light from the brilliant night sky.
As the shadows moved onward towards the village a figure proceeded before it. Donned in midnight blue cloak, which rippled from the chill wind, it filed on with heavy determination. As the figure approached Lìrùn, the shadows which followed it grew darker still as if sucking all light from the land. The moon, as bright as the sun, was soon blotted out from view over the town entrance and the shadow grew menacing.
Then suddenly all movement ceased, and the air was still once more. No more than a mile away from the town's northern entrance, the figure had ceased all movement. Slowly the southern winds took hold of the sky and blew the cloud cover away just enough for the moon to highlight the figure on the road. Lethargically, the cloaked being removed itself from the road and knelt down beside a row of bushes.
The figure reached down into the delicate foliage and plucked from the ground single hydrangea flower. Cupping it in the sleeves of its cloak, it raised itself back to its full height and proceeded back onto the road. There it paused, cradling the blue flower gingerly in the folds of the fabric. Placing the flower in the sleeve of its left arm the figure watched as the petals danced in the palm of its hand. Then in a swift motion the figure flicked back the sleeve of its right arm revealing a blackened metallic hand. Without touching the flower the figure brought the horrifically clawed appendage within inches of its fine petals.
A cloud of moisture billowed from underneath the hood as a voice whispered from beneath. "The time has come for me to fulfill my promise to you." Looking up from the flower the figure gazed at the land around it, its misshapen claws combing the area around it. "This nation-No this world, forged from the dust and ash of the void was molded by beings infinitely wiser than us. It is a haven, built for all creatures of innocence and pure heart to live, thrive, and prosper. This land, when completed, was designed to be governed by souls of wisdom and righteous will. A true heavenly gift."
The figure turned its attention back towards the hydrangea nestled in its cloaked hand. The southern wind died slowly bringing everything to an eerie stillness. "But this world, has not been made whole just yet." Bringing the clawed hand down upon the flower, the figure stroked the petals, barely disturbing its stillness before releasing it into the air. Within seconds the hue of the flower decayed into a sickly brown before landing on the dirt road in pile of dead blackened matter.
The hooded figure lifted it gaze towards the village which glowed in the distance. "And so, in order to maintain my promise-and to fulfill the will of my master- I must do all I can to cleanse this world of all that defiles it!" Suddenly a powerful gust of wind echoed through the mountaintops of the north, bending the plants and trees below and pushing forward the clouds which lingered above.
As the moon vanished once more behind the veil of black clouds, the figure resumed its journey forward. The clouds soaring high above its head soon immersed the figure in darkness. As they did the figure removed it hood. "The great purge has begun!" A set of burning eyes penetrated the permeating blackness, and within the distant void a thousand more hellish lights burst into view. "MAY THE WILL OF SHEVA BE DONE!"
A/N: Okay, so a couple of things. First, I am so glad to get back into this. I missed you all a lot. Second, if anyone is curious a mix of school, girls, and family responsibility has kept me from you guys for so long. Sorry, life is like that you know. Finally, if you are old enough and you like em', Tenacious D's new album Rize of the Fenix is absolutely worth a listen or purchase! Check it out if you can.
Thanks again to all of you who kept reading and PMing me in my absence. It means a lot to get feedback from you guys it really does. Cuaroc, as always you are a fuggin' beast and I appreciate all your help. Guys please support all the writers (old and new) on this site with your praise, criticism, and general feedback. We love to hear what you think of our stories. So as always, please either write me a review, add me or the story to your alerts/favorites list, and feel free to PM me anytime with questions on the story or even just to chat. Peace out my friends and keep rockin'!
-WR