Chapter 14: Star's Way
Star, Po, and the Five continued training till they could barely stand. All this intense training was taking its toll on Star's body. The young panther was use to intense workouts from her dancing and from fighting off bullies. But nothing compared to her Kung Fu Training and Shifu gave them the last day to relax to prepare for the battle. Star went off to see her dad and Po and Tigress played checkers in Tigress's room. Star walked down the dusty streets towards her dad's shop. Mr. Ping was serving customers as usual when he saw Star coming in the place. "Hey daddy," Star said smiling.
"Hello Princess, how you been doing?" he asked as he led her into the kitchen.
"I am okay I guess," Star said trying to sound brave. Yet the pressure and fear came out and Star burst into tears.
"Come here honey it is okay," Mr. Ping said wrapping his wings around her.
"No it is not going to be okay dad. This wasn't supposed to happen I am no Kung Fu Master. And everyone expects me to help Po save the Valley and I don't know even if I can do it. I am so scared daddy, for the first time ever I am scared of failing," Star said as she cried on his shoulder.
"You listen to me Star Ping; you are my daughter and Po's sister. I know this wasn't what you planned heck I never planned on raising a panda for a son or a panther for a daughter. But I never regretted my decisions and as for being afraid. Come on Star do you remember all those people who said you couldn't dance or that Po would never be the Dragon Warrior. Look at you now you two beat the odds all your life when people told you that you couldn't do something you always said I could. I never once saw you or Po give up and I know you will beat those wolves. Don't let your doubts cloud your mind sweetie, because the Star I raised was never afraid to fight for what she believed in. Don't stop fighting now because you and your brother are my greatest treasures and I need you just like this Valley needs you too," Mr. Ping said holding Star by the shoulders and looking in her eyes. "I love you Star and I am proud of you and your brother," he told her.
"I love you too Daddy," Star said hugging him. With a determined smile she went back to the Palace and the next morning they were in the center of the village. And sure enough two wolves stood before them.
One was a huge black wolf with gray streaks on his sides. Muscular build with shiny white fangs and a pair of the deepest blue eyes Star had ever seen. He wore a gray tunic and had a sword strapped to his back.
His companion was female and her fur was white as snow with deep crystal gray eyes. Was a few inches shorter than her companion but looked just as strong and fast and wore a gray tunic with a dagger on her hip.
"My name is Silver Fang and this is my sister Silver Blade. We are here to challenge the Dragon Warrior and Dragon Guardian for their titles," said the black wolf.
"I am Po, the Dragon Warrior and this is my sister Star, the Dragon Guardian. We accept your challenge," Po said firmly with Star at his side. Star looked at the wolves and something didn't feel right. She wasn't picking up any evil from them but something felt off. Why did these wolves want the titles?
"Why do you want our titles so badly?" she asked the wolves.
"So, we can be strong duh," Silver Fang told her but blushed when his eyes locked on Stars. He never seen anyone look like her before and began to feel strange.
"Enough talk let's fight," Silver Blade growled and lunged at Star. The fight began but Star still kept getting this strange feeling that something was wrong. They had no reason to fight these wolves so why should they? She ducked and punched Silver Blade in the gut. Po smacked Silver Fang in the jaw and the Furious Five and Shifu escorted the villagers to safety. Tigress gave one last worried glance at Po and Star and vowed to help them once they got the villagers to safety. These wolves were tough as they continued to fight Po and Star. Star looked into their eyes and didn't see evil just saw loneliness and pain. Ooqway's words rang in her head as she fought but felt her own heart break. "You must defeat them your way, your way".
"I am a dancer not a fighter".
"Seems you are both".
"Dancing is my way not fighting"
Then Star realized what Oogway meant she was a dancer and a fighter. She always knew which way to use when she was in trouble. This was not the time to fight but to defeat them her way by dancing. It sounded crazy but she could feel the sadness in these wolves hearts and realized fighting would not heal them but what made her feel alive was dancing. One way to see if she was right, she kicked Silver Blade away and knocked Silver Fang away from Po and grabbed her brother's paw and ran into their dad's store.
"Come back you cowards!" roared Silver Fang.
"Star, why are we running? We were winning?" Po asked his sister as she pulled him onto the stage.
"I know but fighting isn't my way and I know what Oogway meant," Star said as she gave Po his flute on the stage.
"What do you mean?" Po asked.
"Po is fighting my way or dancing?" Star asked.
"Dancing but what does that have to do with anything?" Po asked her in a questionable tone.
"Just trust me and play that flute," Star said.
"Okay I hope you know what you are doing," Po said. He began to play a happy tune and Star began to move her hips to the beat. The wolves burst into the restaurant and were shocked to see this scene. The panther was moving but she wasn't doing any Kung Fu moves the wolves ever seen. And the panda was playing a sweet sound they never heard before. Silver Fang and Silver Blade never saw dancing or ever heard music and it is said music soothes people. It can also melt hearts and that is what it was doing to the wolves. They watched in awe as Star moved her hips and swayed her arms in the air doing high spins and twirls. Po played his flute looking worriedly at his sister.
Then something remarkable happened as Silver Blade heard the music her eyes began to water and her icy heart was melting. "I never heard anything so beautiful in my life brother", she said shedding tears.
"I know sister I never seen anyone move so beautifully," Silver Fang said his eyes never leaving Star as tears fell from his face. Soon they were howling a sad tune as Star danced and finally stood before them breathless hoping her plan had worked.
"What you just seen and heard was called dancing and music," Star said. "I am a fighter but my way is dancing," Star said folding her arms.
"It was so beautiful dance again," Silver Fang begged.
"And that thing called music play more please," Silver Blade pleaded.
"I have a better idea I will teach you how to dance and play music if you promise to help me and my brother protect the Valley and never take our titles again," Star said looking at them with a serious face. The two wolves looked at each other shocked that Star was not going to kill them but wanting to see more of this dancing and music they agreed.
"We give you our word as warriors we will only do good," Silver Blade said and Silver Fang nodded in agreement. And they shook paws sealing the agreement and the legend came true the great evil was defeated by the Dragon Warrior and Dragon Guardian.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. One more chapter to go and then it will be over.