Chapter 7: Training

The next day Star moved into the Jade Palace. She stayed in the room next to Po. Star didn't have any trouble getting up early but doing Kung Fu was a problem. Po knew all about Kung Fu he just had trouble focusing. Star's problem was she could do what you asked but she didn't know anything about Kung Fu. They all were outside their doors as Shifu came out happy to see that Star unlike her brother could get up early on the first day. He remembered how he had to hit Po upside the head with his staff to get the panda up. "Good morning students", Shifu said politely but firmly.

"Good morning Master Shifu," the Five and Po said respectively as they bowed. Star mimicked their bow and said what they said. Then they all went into the kitchen to eat some dumplings and soon they all headed to the training hall.

"Okay today we are going to do something different," Shifu began. "Star come forward," he said addressing her. Star was nervous and was hoping she wouldn't have to go first. Still Po gave her an encouraging smile and Star stepped forward facing Shifu. He led her to the same dummy Po had to hit before when he first started training. "I want you to hit this dummy as hard as you can," Shifu instructed.

"Yes Master," Star said politely. Unlike Po the only reason he messed up a lot was he was trying to impress the Five and Shifu. Star wasn't here to impress anyone she was here for her brother for he needed her help in defeating this great evil. So, she had to learn Kung Fu in order to help him. She knew how to fight but she didn't think she could do all that fancy stuff the Five and Shifu could do. Still it didn't matter what she thought she could or couldn't do. In order to help her brother and keep her home safe Star stepped out of her comfort zone and was learning something she had no clue about. Taking a deep breath she formed a fist and swung. The dummy flew straight into the wall as everyone besides Po's face dropped to the floor. "Was that good Master?" Star asked wondering if she did it right. Shifu's eyes were wide and his mouth hung open. The last time he saw anyone that strong was Tai-Lung but he shook that idea out of his head. He snapped his fingers and a bird named Zan magically appeared and brought the dummy back.

"Hit it again but try to control your strength," he told her.

"Yes, Master" Star said as she formed a fist again and swung. This time the dummy flew a few inches away from Star and she again asked Shifu if she did okay.

"You are strong my dear, very strong," Shifu said rubbing his beard. Star blushed and waited to be told what to do. "Next I want you to do a flying kick," Shifu said.

"A what?" Star asked not having a clue as to what he was talking about.

"A flying kick," Shifu repeated forgetting she never heard of any Kung Fu moves. Star looked at Po with an extremely confused look on her face.

"Po translation," she said to him. Shifu then realized his mistake and nodded at Po to explain.

"He wants you to jump and kick as hard as you can," Po told her.

"Why didn't he just say that?" Star asked.

"It is Kung Fu Star it is a tad complicated," Po explained.

Star shrugged her shoulders and said," Alright whatever". Then leaped in the air and kicked the dummy straight into the wall causing the wall to have a dent.

"Control your strength Star!" Shifu barked.

"Yes, Master sorry Master," Star said meekly. She wished she was doing better she must look ridiculous in front of everyone. Still she took a deep breath and jumped again and kicked the dummy only sending it back a few inches.

"Very good I have seen how strong you are at punching and kicking. Now let's see how fast you are. I am going to throw punches and kicks at you and I want you to dodge them as best you can," Shifu told her.

"Yes Master," Star said and prepared for an attack. Shifu lunged at her punching with great force as Star blocked his attacks and dodged them with ease.

"You seem very fast my dear," Shifu said as Star blocked another attack.

"I spent a lot of years fighting off bullies but you hit harder than they could," Star said ducking as Shifu was about to punch her.

"Interesting now I want you to fight back and don't hold back I want to see how skilled you are," Shifu told her.

"Okay you are the Master," Star said. Just then Shifu was about to punch Star but she used her tail to grab his arm and swing him behind her and use her back leg to kick him. Shifu fell to the floor stunned but smiled as he prepared to attack again. He lunged at her as she grabbed his leg and threw him back again.

"I see you learned my strategy dear very clever. Let's see how you do against another opponent, Tigress step forward," Shifu said. Tigress did and faced Star. If Star was worried, or scared she did a good job concealing her fear. Before Shifu spoke Star said something to Tigress.

"Don't go easy on me Master Tigress no matter what," Star said.

"Is she crazy Tigress will kill her? No offense Po Star is fast and strong but we all know what Tigress can do. Star is nowhere near ready she could get severely hurt," Viper said giving Po a worried glance.

"Don't call Star out just yet," Po said with a secretive smile. Star and Tigress bowed to each other and the fight began. Tigress lunged at Star with full force. Star blocked and grabbed Tigress by the tail and swung her in the air and threw her to the ground. Tigress rubbed her sore body as she looked at Star with surprise. Even Shifu looked surprised. Tigress ran at Star as the panther blocked an attack and kicked Tigress in the ribs and she threw Tigress over her shoulder and kicked her in the jaw.

"Oww," Tigress moaned as she rubbed her now sore jaw and Star wondered if she was hitting Tigress too hard. She always knew Tigress was a tough fighter and wondered if maybe she should ease up. Yet she knew Tigress would be more angry at her if she thought Star was going easy on her when Star just asked her not to go easy. The fight continued as Tigress kept throwing punches at Star and Star blocked her delivered a punch on her own. Tigress didn't lay one hit on Star and soon Shifu stopped the sparring for Tigress was getting worn out.

"Okay that is enough for now I want the rest of you to meditate, spar, or go through the obstacle course. Po I want you to take Star to the Peach Tree to meditate," Shifu said as he left the room. Still in shock over what he had seen. Tigress was getting worried for she couldn't lay one hit on Star, a girl that knew nothing about Kung Fu but so easily defeated her. Was she losing her touch? Everyone was too shocked to say anything as they trained not making a sound.

"Good job Kitten I will catch you later. Maybe we play checkers later tonight," Po said giving her a quick peck on the lips. Tigress gave him a small smile.

"Um good spar Tigress sorry about the sore jaw," Star said rubbing the back of her head.

"It's fine good spar to you too," Tigress said bowing and Star did the same. Po led her outside towards the Peach Tree.

"So how am I doing?" she asked.

"Just fine way better than me and that is the truth," Po told her. Star just smiled at him glad she was learning and hoped she would make a good Dragon Guardian.

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.