Chapter 2: Chasing Dreams
An eighteen year old Po was playing with his figurines of the Furious Five. He kept glancing at the figurine of Tigress, his favorite member of the Five. All he knew about her was that she was the leader of the Furious Five and Master of Hard Style. Closing his eyes he remembered how graceful she looked when she was punching bandits in the mouth. How those golden orbs turned gentle when she was gazing at the crowd who cheered for her. He wondered what her voice sounded like. She was so silent that the only sounds were growls when she was angry or moans of pain when she was hurt. Still she was his favorite and he would never tell a soul but his secret crush. Of course in all reality she would never fall for a guy like him but still if he accomplished his dream of becoming a Kung Fu Master. Maybe just maybe he would capture the heart of Tigress and she would be his girlfriend. They would go on adventures together stopping evil dead in their tracks. He would cook her noodles and all sorts of delicious meals and show her his figurines of her and the Five. It would be so awesome. He held the tiny figurine in his paw and smiled down at it. "Someday I will meet you and maybe I could be your boyfriend," he said sweetly. Just then his door opened and Mr. Ping came in.
"Po where is Star?" his dad asked him.
"I don't know dad I didn't think it was my day to watch her," Po said in a joking tone as he placed his figurines on the window sill. Mr. Ping gave Po his not amused face as he folded his wings.
"Don't give me that rubbish son. You always know where she is now please go and get her. Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes," Mr. Ping said sharply.
"Yes sir right away," Po said smiling as he got to his feet. He headed outside and went to go find Star. His dad was right he always knew how to find Star just like she could always find him. Walking down the dusty roads he went towards the meadows where he knew of a dance club called The Black Jade. It was a big building not bigger than the Jade Palace but maybe half the size of it and it was painted black. A huge gorilla man six times Po's size and strength wearing a blue vest and had deep blue eyes stared down at him. "Hello Mr. Phil, is my sister in there?" Po asked politely. Mr. Phil grunted and opened the door.
"Way in the back at the battle ring," Mr. Phil said in a deep voice.
"Thanks Mr. Phil," Po said as he went in. Po was soon covered with neon lights as kids from 16 to 18 or older were playing poker, pool, drinking well the ones who were 18 was drinking, and in the way back was the battling ring. It wasn't a fighting ring but there was a battle. A dancing battle to be exact and in the dead center wearing a deep purple tunic was a sixteen year old Star. She was dancing against a pig boy who Po couldn't remember his name. The pig spun in the air and landed on his feet. Star flashed him a toothy grin as she jumped on her tail moved her arms like a snake and then her feet were in the air as she spun with her hands. Jumped in the air did the splits, got up with ease spun around again and bowed on one knee. The crowd went crazy and the pig boy accepted defeat. He threw a bag of money on the floor and those who bet against Star threw their money down.
"Pleasure doing business with you all, now who is next?" she asked softly. Looking around for the next challenger but she saw Po standing before her with a small smile.
"Hey Star," Po greeted.
"Hey Po, what is up?" Star asked sweetly.
"Dad wants us home," Po told her.
"But I am on a role I made over 300 gold coins today Po," Star said happily.
"Sorry it is dinner time and I am not getting chewed out again," Po informed her. Star rolled her eyes but gathered up her money.
"Okay fair enough I made enough money today let's go," Star said and Po led her outside. They walked on home and Star stopped Po and stood in front of a worn down building. The windows were broken the upstairs was crumbling and the place needed a good clean up job. "There it is Po the future Star Ping Arts Academy," Star said in a dreamy voice. Po looked at her like she lost her mind but kept his opinions to himself. Star had been working her tail off at dance battles working as a waitress at the Black Jade just to earn enough money to own this building so she could turn it into her own art academy. "I will have a kitchen on the back floor where all future chefs will come to create new recipes. A dancing studio at the second floor with a small theatre room next door and I would have a music room on the third floor. Kids could learn to act, dance, and play music. Then at the very top will be rooms where kids who have no place to stay can live till they get on their feet. In the back will be gardens for the chefs and I would build a stage where all the kids could perform their talents and it will be so beautiful," Star said as a tear came to her eye.
"You sure know how to dream big Star," Po said. "And I know you can make that a reality," he said. Then with a smile he led her on home.
"Oh finally you two decide to come home I was about to go looking for you," Mr. Ping said in a worried tone.
"Sorry dad I stopped to see if my building was still there," Star told him. Mr. Ping gave an understanding smile to Star. He knew how much that building meant to her and hoped someday her dream would come true. They sat at the table eating noodles when a knock came on the door. Mr. Ping answered it to reveal a stork holding a message. Mr. Ping thanked him and gave him some gold coins for his trouble.
"Star sweetie, you got a letter," her father said. He handed her an envelope that had silver lettering on it. Star opened it up with her claws and read the letter inside. Her eyes grew to the size of emeralds as a huge grin got on her face. She leaped from her chair and did three backflips.
"I got in, I got in!" she cried joyfully.
"Easy Star got in where?" Po asked.
"The White Blossoms Art School I got accepted," Star said as Po grew excited. He grabbed her in a massive bear hug and swung her around.
"This beyond amazing Star you did it see I knew you could," Po told her.
"I am so proud of you Princess," Mr. Ping said hugging Star.
"Thanks guys but the sad part is I have to leave first thing tomorrow," Star said sadly. Po frowned for he knew Star would leave home eventually he just didn't think it would be so soon.
"How long will you be gone?" he asked.
"About four years or three if I study really hard," Star said.
"Well let's get you packed baby girl," Mr. Ping said smiling but he too was sad to see one of his babies leave home. The next day Po and Mr. Ping led Star to the boat that would take her to the White Blossom Academy. "Good luck baby girl I love you and don't forget to write," Mr. Ping said shedding a tear.
"Bye Daddy I love you too and I promise to visit on the holidays," Star whispered. Then she looked at Po as sadness overwhelmed her. She was beyond excited to finally getting to go to her dream school. But sad because she wouldn't see her brother or father that much. She and Po have never been separated for this long and it scared her.
"Don't worry sis you will do fine. I know it and if any male dancers or whatever gives you any trouble you just write to your big bro and I will talk to them for you," he said jokingly while making a fist.
"I will," Star said.
"Here I made this for you so you have something to remember us by," Po told her as he placed something in her paw. It was a silver heart locket and inside was a picture of Mr. Ping, Po and Star. Tears fell from her face as she put the necklace on and threw her arms around Po.
"I will miss you bro good bye and I love you," she said sadly.
"Bye Star I love you too," Po said and he let her go as she went on the boat. They waved goodbye till the boat vanished. A tear fell from Po's face as he softly whispered", Be safe my sister". In a couple of years Po would have accomplished his dream but he would become the Dragon Warrior. Save the Valley from Tai-Lung and China from a deranged peacock named Shen. And his greatest dream of capturing the heart of Tigress. Yes, his destiny was set but young Star's destiny had yet to happen and soon her true journey will have begun.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.