KUNG FU PANDA: Kung Fu White Tiger.
Chapter One: The New Dragon Warrior?
Lotus was walking with Ping, through the Jade Palace Halls. Shifu and the Five were training at the Training Halls, and Lotus preferred to not be in the same area as Tiger. And honestly, she wanted to talk to Ping for a bit, even if the only thing he talks about is the superiority of his Secret Ingredient Soup.
"I really wish I could tell you Lotus. Really I do. But the secret ingredient for the Secret Ingredient Soup is just too secret to fall into the wrong hands." Ping told her, gushing at the thought of his signature dish.
Lotus smiled. "I understand, Ping. Really. Now, let's see how Grandfather is doing."
Lotus had turned into quite the beautiful young Tigress. Her fur was as white as snow, while her stripes rivaled burnt charcoal. Her iridescent blue eyes shone like sapphires. She wore a blue tunic with black vine markings and black pants. And behind her right ear was a single blue lotus.
She really was beautiful, but she never believed it, even if Shifu had said it, which was quite rare.
They then heard the doors open up and close with a thud as Shifu charged in and bowed in respect to Oogway, who was meditating on his staff in a position that many would think twice about. Out on impulse, Lotus and Ping hid behind a pillar.
"Master Oogway. You summoned me. Is something wrong?" Oogway chuckled and slowly got out of his meditation position. "Why must something be wrong for me to want to see my old friend?" he asked playfully.
"So, nothing's wrong?" Shifu asked, making him smile.
"I didn't say that." he told him and started to blow out the candles. But at the pace of... well... a Turtle. He began blowing them out one by one, but there was such a huge amount, and at the pace he was going it would take him all day and all night.
Shifu stared in disbelief before he blew out all the candles in one swift move. "You were saying?"
Oogway stared off at the candle's direction, "I've had a vision." he started, before turning to the younger Headmaster.
"Tai Lung will return."
Shifu froze. Lotus covered her mouth to prevent a gasp and tensed. Ping nearly let out a fearful squawk. Tai Lung will return? But he was in prison! Shifu voiced these thoughts, but Oogway shook his head. "Nothing is impossible."
Shifu breathed heavily, a fearful expression on his face, before he yelled. "Zeng! Fly to Chorh-Gom Prison and tell them to double the guards, double the weapons, double everything! Tai Lung does not leave that prison!"
"Yes Master Shifu!" he took off, only flying into a pillar, before taking off again.
"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it." Oogway mused, taking in Shifu's panicked posture, before turning to the Moon Pool.
"We have to do something! We can't just let him march on the Valley, take his revenge! He'll-! He'll-!"
"Your mind is like this water, my friend. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see." he told him wisely, towering over the waving pool. "But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear." he told him, then pointing to the ceiling, where the Dragon Scroll still rested.
"The Dragon Scroll."
Lotus stared in wonder. Was Oogway finally going to allow a Dragon Warrior to be named?
"It is time."
"But who? Who is worthy to be trusted with the secret to limitless power? To become the Dragon Warrior?"
Lotus and Ping leaned over, hoping to hear an excellent answer to the excellent question.
"I don't know."
Lotus quietly face palmed, while Ping just walked away, rather dejected.
Outside the Jade Palace.
The moment the announcement was made, the entire Valley was rushing toward the Palace, not once stopping for a breathe when they reached to top of the stairs. Ping had his Noodle Stand out so people can eat while they enjoyed the show, and Lotus stood with Oogway and Shifu, wearing a black rode with white vine patterns by Shifu's instructions.
He said that the Dragon Warrior Ceremony was a special event, and even the Palace Physician should look the part. Didn't stop her complaining. The robe itched her back and neck, and made her feel pudgy. Oogway only chuckled at her complaining.
The Furious Five were in their entrance position, getting ready for their dramatic entrance.
Tiger was pretty excited. This was his chance to show the Valley what he can do. To show Lotus what he can do! To show her what he was trained for, for so long. Maybe impress her.
"It is an historic day. Isn't it, Master Oogway?" Shifu addressed the Headmaster, who smiled.
"Yes, and one I feared I would not live to see. Are your students ready?" he asked, looking out to the waiting crowd, as did Lotus. She wasn't used to seeing so many people in one place.
"Yes Master Oogway." Oogway then turned to him. "Know this, old friend. Whomever I chose will not only bring peace to the Valley, but also to you." Oogway then walked ahead, leaving Shifu and Lotus to exchanged questioning looks. What did he mean?
Then the announcer spoke. "Let the tournament begin!" he banged the gong and the whole Valley cheered as the doors slowly closed. The drums began to play, giving a dramatic feel to the arena.
"Citizens of the Valley of Peace, it is my great honor to present to you... Tiger! Viper! Crane! Monkey! Mantis! The Furious Five!"
They shot out from nowhere, preforming air tricks in the sky, before landing gracefully on their feet, standing in fighting position as Crane let out a gust of wind which closed the windows outside.
"Warriors, prepare! Ready for battle!" Shifu announced as Crane got ready in front of the Thousand Tongues of Fire. The assistance lit the Dragon Head and Crane took flight and dodged each and every firework, even kicking and slapping a few away with his claws and wings.
Then Viper was presented with the Fire Whips of Pain. She defeated them with grace.
Then Mantis was presented with the Giant of a Thousand Fingers. He beat the challenge with great speed.
Then Monkey squared against the Ape of the Valley of Woe. With superior agility, he won.
Then it was Tiger's turn.
He was up against the Iron Ox and his Blades of Death. Or better known as the Juggernaut. The most powerful and difficult Tournament Mechanism. The Geese got in and prepared the giant monstrosity.
Tiger glared at the giant. But for a brief second his gaze cut to Lotus, who looked at the giant in slight fear, and she can't help but worry for her ex-friend.
"I am Tiger. Master of the Tiger Style! I am ready to fight!"
The Juggernaut raised his axes. Tiger growled. The the battle begun.
Tiger dodged the axes with amazing grace, and struck the chest of the beast with immense power. It seemed that the Juggernaut was gonna break soon. But then, something went wrong.
It shut down completely, arms falling to the ground limply, the head bowing down.
The silence was thick, many leaned forward to try and spot what was wrong. Oogway was unresponsive. Shifu was questionable. Lotus was curious, as was Tiger and the rest of the Five.
Had Tiger beating it already?
But then, it jolted, making everyone jump and Tiger got back in a battle position. It raised it's arms again, spinning the axes around, seeming to be glaring down at Tiger. Tiger growled.
It was silent.
Before it creaked as it moved, hitting the buildings at the side with it's axes, causing screams of fear to rang out of the arena.
Lotus was shocked. What was happening!?
Then, one of the control Geese opened the hatch from behind and rushed out.
"IT'S OUT OF CONTROL!"
The crowd screamed and ran towards the doors, trying their best to pry or bang them open as the Juggernaut slowly rolled his way towards the citizens.
"Crane! Mantis! Viper! Get the citizens out of here! Monkey! You and me have to try and slow it down!" The Five nodded at Tiger's orders and rushed into action.
Crane grabbed as much as he can and flew them over the walls. Viper opened the windows and ushered as many kids as she could through the windows. Mantis tried to find a way to force the doors open so everyone could get out.
Monkey grabbed hold of some streamers and tried to ride it like a rodeo. But he was shaking off when it suddenly reared it's head. Tiger tried to get to the main power source, the head, so he can destroy it. He had to destroy it before it hurts someone. Namely Lotus...
But just as he leaped from one limb to reach the head, another one whacked him aside, making him hit the walls and fall into a crumble.
Lotus winched, before a fearful cry ranged out, making her ears perk up at the sound.
Ping!
She spun around to see him trying to run away with his Noodle Cart, but he kept getting caught off.
Lotus began to feel something in the pit of her stomach. Swirling around and nearly making her sick. She heard a noise come from the back of her throat and realized she was growling. Shifu looked over to her when he heard her growl and could see fire in her eyes.
With a roar, she threw her robe off, leaving her in her tunic and pants and rushed over to the endangered Goose on all fours, despite Shifu's protests.
With a leap of faith, she clamped onto the arm raised to finish the cook off, and pulled it back as much as she could, the adrenaline giving her a raw surge of power.
She then leaped off just as another axe made to cut her paws off, and landed by Ping, grabbing him and rushing off. The Noodle Cart be damned.
After placing him near an impressed Oogway and the dumbstruck Shifu, she felt the impulse to rush back into the fight.
And she did.
"Lotus, what are you doing?!"
"Are you out of your mind?!"
"You're going to get yourself killed!"
She heard the protests of the Five, but took no heed to their warnings.
The Juggernaut seemed to bellow in offense that she was attacking. She hissed.
He brought a axe down for an easy chop. She dodged with ease and jumped on. Another axe came to cut her off, but she did a back flip, landing on the attacking arm and hanging on. She waited for last one to attack, only to cartwheel onto it, and doing a series more when another arm tried to knock her off. She jumped on the arm, and leaped over one that tried to do a clean cut near it's wood.
She then spun around the neck, and on instinct, leaped into the air with a twirl and then, her fist glowed a bright gold before she slammed it down on the Juggernaut with a roar.
It blew apart immediately, arms falling off the body, said body crumbling to pieces, falling apart plank by plank. Then the head fell and she jumped off, landing on Tiger and rolled away as the head landed and shattered. The control Geese stood in the middle of the wreckage, shaking and holding each other.
Lotus opened her eyes, only to find herself staring into Tiger amber gold ones as he stood over her, mouth open in shock over what she had done and what position they were in.
They heard Monkey chuckle and looked over to see Monkey and Mantis smirking, Viper smiling, and Crane blocking the scene from his view with his wing.
With a shove, Tiger was off of the flustered Lotus in a matter of seconds, as the citizens stood around them, with gazes of shock and surprise.
Before one little bunny started to clap in celebration. Which followed by the entire audience.
It was then that Lotus had just realized what she had done. She had defeated the Juggernaut. She pretty much saved the entire Jade Palace. And she had so little training, it was amazing that she was able to preform any of those techniques. Then everyone became silent as Master Oogway approached.
"It seems that the Dragon Warrior is among us." Lotus frowned. Shifu gaped, as did the Five. Oogway was pointing at Lotus.
"What? Who?" he chuckled.
"Why, my flower. It is you!" Lotus gasped.
"Me?" Oogway then took Lotus's hand with her staff and raised it for the crowd to see.
"The Universe has brought us our Dragon Warrior!" Lotus froze.
"What?"
"What?!"
"What?!"
The announcer banged the gong, much to Shifu protest, as the whole Valley roared in celebration. Lotus tried to step back, but several Pigs pushed her forward as they brought over a chariot and pushed her to sitting down.
"Oogway! There must be a mistake! Lotus doesn't have the proper training to be a Dragon Warrior! That thing with the Juggernaut has to be a lucky shot! An accident!" Oogway chuckled.
"There are no accidents." he told her, before walking off.
Shifu's eye twitched as the Five approached him.
"Forgive us Master. We have failed you." Tiger said to him, bowing in defeat.
"No. If Lotus does not turn down the title by morning, then I have failed you." and then he walked off.
Tiger honestly didn't know what to think. Should he be happy that Lotus got appointed an almost impossible role? Or should he be enraged that all his training was for not, only for the title to be giving to the one he had been training himself to protect?
To the one he loved?
And BOOM! Lotus is the Dragon Warrior! Oogway is proud. Tiger is conflicted. Shifu is desperate. The Five are surprised. And when Tai Lung finds out, he's gonna be pissed.
Stay tuned for more!
