Chapter 3: A New Friendship and Ping becomes a Brother

Shu had made the first move, thinking that he could overwhelm Tai Lung with speed. Shu overestimated himself as Tai Lung swiftly struck the palm of his paw at his stomach. This blow would leave anyone breathless, but Shu knew this blow from his studies. He exhaled greatly to decrease the pain as he side-stepped to regain his balance.

Tai Lung's next move was a back-hand strike towards Shu's nose. Shu anticipated this and quickly put out a palm block towards Tai's wrist. However, he did not anticipate the strength of the impact. Shu once again took the pain in as he attempted to sweep Tai's legs. Tai Lung saw this and merely jumped over Shu and ended up behind him.

Shifu watched both of them spar and was starting to see potential in Shu.

Tai Lung attempted to do a combination by kicking Shu's legs and then his back. Shu got hit by the kick that was aimed to his leg. He stumbled but saw the second kick and avoided it.

"I see why… you're in line to be… the Dragon Warrior!" Shu was able to stutter in between pants as they faced each other.

"You are strong as well, young lion. Father has been giving me partners whom I would easily defeat in a match. You are different. You actually got through five minutes with me!" Tai Lung complimented Shu.

"Enough, you two. You've done enough." Shifu said, walking to the both of them.

"Whatever you say, father," Tai Lung replied, bowing slightly to Shifu.

Shu did not bow to Shifu, but bowed to Tai Lung.

"You are strong, Tai Lung. I'm glad I sparred with you. I'm also glad you left me in a healthy position," Shu said, adding a joke with a grin.

"Ha! I like you!" Tai Lung let out a small laugh and walked to Shu. Tai then patted him on his shoulder.

"Shu Ai, the Lion of the Valley. I would love to see you again. There's something about you that I like. Something I wouldn't want to lose," Tai told him.
"Praise from the Dragon Warrior… Wow…" Shu was embarrassed by the praise he was getting, even though it was the first time they met. He smiled at Tai and placed his paw on top of his.

"Tai Lung of the Jade Palace, the next Dragon Warrior, I won't let you down!" Both of them shared a smile as they gained a friend in each other.

"Shu. You should be going. As you know, the Ceremony is near and I have to train Tai Lung," Shifu informed Shu.

"Ah, I understand. No breaks, eh?" Shu grinned at Tai. Their paws had parted and now were at their respected sides.

"Old people. What are you going to do with them?" Tai agreed.

"Enough play, Tai. Back to training," Shifu told Tai Lung. He looked at Shu once more and bowed.
"It was a pleasure to see the Lion of the Valley in action. Applications… take place after the ceremony if you desire," Shifu told him before leaving him with Tai Lung as he went inside a doorway.
"Well, you got approval to join up from the old man! I await the day to be training and fighting alongside you, young Lion!" Tai Lung smiled at Shu before following Shifu.

"Wow… I don't think I can take this much praise in one day…" Shu brushed his paw through his short mane and scratched the back of his head before leaving the Jade Palace. As soon as he left the entrance, he started to limp.

"Hehe, there's no way that I'm showing them I was in pain…" Shu smiled as he headed back to the Orphanage.

As he reached the market, however, he sensed panic. He wondered why there was panic when there was none on his way to the Jade Palace.

"Let… me go…!" Shu heard the familiar cry of Ping.
"PING!" Shu called out in a panic and ran to the place where he heard Ping's voice.
He came upon the open area he was previously in on the way to the Palace, the place where he and his foreigner wolf friend Hei Tong spoke. There, he saw a young individual he could not identify holding Ping at knife-point.
"Nobody move, or the kid gets it!" He threatened.
There was panic throughout the crowd that gathered, but no one helped due to fear of Ping getting hurt.
"What is this about?" Shu called out to the individual. Shu pushed his way through some individuals in the crowd while others gave way.
"Wh-who are you? Stay back!" The individual quickly noticed Shu and backed up, still holding Ping at Knife-Point.
"F-father Sh-shu… Hel-help…!" Ping was scared and had cried before Shu arrived. He called out to Shu in fear and affection.
"What is this about?" Shu repeated. Hei Tong was not at the stall, Shu noticed. He had already left and gone to the shop he mentioned earlier.

"Give me money!" The individual replied. Shu analyzed this situation. He noticed that the individual had no previous experience with a knife and a hostage. His grip was tight but not tight enough to be a threat. The knife was pointed at the area just below the left shoulder. Shu knows that Ping's heart is on the right side and sees little threat there as well. Shu also noticed that his legs were close together and not far apart. Shu also thought that if this individual wanted to run, he wouldn't get far. His voice didn't sound as threatening as well.

"You are doing this for the wrong reason. Money won't solve your problem, and killing an innocent will make it worse," Shu told the individual and started to walk towards him.

"St-stay back! I-I'll kill him…!" The individual started to show fear towards Shu's calm demeanor. Shu winked at Ping who quickly understood that the individual had no more desire to kill him.
"Put down your weapon. You do not want to make a mistake that will trigger a lot of mistakes. You can seek help," Shu told him.
"Aaaah…!" The individual, not being able to take Shu's calm demeanor, dropped Ping and the knife and ran the opposite direction into an alley and disappeared.

The crowed cheered Shu as he and Ping embraced. They were happy as the danger was no longer a danger.

At the orphanage, Shu told everyone that Ping was alright and he would handle him. Shu took him to his room to have a talk.

"Ping. What were you doing by yourself out in the market?" Shu asked him.
"I wan…ted to come to you, Shu… I wanted to be with you…" Ping looked sad and looked like he wanted to cry for his mistake.
"Do you realize your mistake and what could have happened?" Shu was not mad with him as he asked.
"Yes…" Ping answered honestly as tears started to flow from his young eyes, expecting Shu to be mad.
"That's all I wanted to know," Shu answered as he held Ping close to him in a hug. He closed his eyes as soft and quiet tears started to flow from them as well. Ping was surprised and cried, returning Shu's hug.
"If I lost you… I would not know how to go on…" Shu admitted to Ping that he was close.
"I'm sorry, father…" Ping apologized, still crying.

"Don't call me father… You… can call me brother… I fixed everything…"