Chapter 3 is up and about. Enjoy the read!

Chapter 3

An Outing Gone Wrong

Two days before leaving the Valley of Peace, Inside Brycen's living room…

Brycen was sitting across the room from Master Oogway as Hua brought in some tea. "Thank you my dear." Oogway said giving the brown bear a soft smile as she bowed and left the two to talk. Brycen then asked "Master…are you certain it is a good Idea to keep the boy isolated on the Mountain for so long? I cannot see it ending well…" Master Oogway took a sip of his tea then he paused and Brycen waited for him to answer. "And what makes you say that my friend?" The old turtle asked. Brycen then continued "It's just…the Boy is only 16… and he has never been away from his father for so long…and over the past few days, I have seen him interact with his friends more and more…Taking him away from all of this, only to keep him on a mountain top for the next three months…It almost sounds cruel…"

Oogway then sat down his tea as he looked Brycen in the eye, his face serious. "My friend…though I agree that it is a bit extreme…it is also that I believe to be a necessary action." Oogway then turned to the fire as he continued "Brycen…Outside this Valley, No one has ever seen a single Panda…Not for 15 years now… We know Shen has been keeping himself away for now…but we have to assume that he has kept spies throughout all of China keeping watch over Gongmen City…or perhaps for the Possibility that he did not indeed annihilate the Panda race completely as he believes he has. If word gets around that one has been sighted again after all this time…" Brycen then finished the thought. "Then he would send his assassins to kill the boy…*Sigh* all of this because of a stupid prophecy."

Just then Hua entered the room again and bowed "Forgive the intrusion Master Oogway, but dear, Po has arrived at the door and wishes to speak with you…What should I tell him?" Brycen looked at the ground for a moment and then said "Tell him the truth…That I am sorry but I am in a meeting with Master Oogway right now…the boy will understand…" Hua then answered "Of course…" And she turned and left. Oogway then looked to Brycen and said in a stern voice "Promise me Brycen, that the boy will not be discovered by the wrong eyes!" Brycen looked up at the old turtle and said "I promise Master…"

End of Flashback…

Back on the Mountain top…

Brycen was sitting in the living room with Jing practically bouncing in his chair waiting for Po and Hua to finish getting ready. Hua was finishing putting on the last touches to Po's disguise so that the four of them could all go down to the Festival that evening. Brycen still thought it was a bad idea, thinking he was going against Oogway's wishes, but at the same time, Po needed to get out of the house too, and besides, what harm could an hour or two really do? "Come on Mom! Aren't you guys done yet!?" Jing called back impatiently. "Hush now Jing! Or I swear we will leave you home with your father tonight!" Po was heard chuckling down the hall as Hua told him to hold still. Immediately Jing looked to his dad asking "She's kidding, right dad?" Brycen went along with it though and said "Son, if there is one thing I've learned over the years, it's to never rush your mother…It usually doesn't end well…for you." Jing then plopped back down in his seat clearly frustrated but remained quiet all the same. After a bout another five minutes, the two of them heard Hua say "There! All finished, I must say Po dear you look rather handsome!" "You think so?" Po was heard asking as a door was heard opening and closing shut.

Soon the two came down the hall and Brycen and Jing both went wide eyed. "WHOA!" Jing called out as he looked at Po while Brycen inspected his wife's work. Po was wearing one of his Jade Green, long sleeved tunics along with his blue pants and brown shoes, but his face was now completely covered in Black makeup. Not a single speck of white fur could be spotted on the panda. Despite his round face Po could easily pass for an Asian Black Bear (also known as the Moon Bear). Brycen walked around Po a few times carefully examining Po's new appearance. "What do you think Coach?" Po asked hopefully as the Black Bear came to a halt. Brycen then turned to Hua asking "What did you use?" Hua just smiled "Just some of my makeup I brought with me." Brycen raised an eyebrow "You brought black makeup with you?" Hua then rolled her eyes "Okay fine, I bought it in town yesterday, I knew that if you agreed to this, Po would need to alter his appearance a bit." Jing then asked "Why DOES Po need to wear that anyway?" Po went wide eyed as he too was curious. But Brycen just hushed Jing saying "Because I said so, now, will this wash off if it rains?" Hua then smiled as she said "Already thought of that!" as she walked over to the table picking up a straw hat and handed it to Po. "It even has a strap so Po won't lose it."

Po placed the hat on his head as he tied the strap tight and looked up at Brycen "Well? Think I can pass as a Black Bear now?" Po asked hopefully. Brycen smiled saying "Alright I'm convinced, you look good Po, so…who's ready to go?" Brycen asked as Jing Jumped onto Po's back shouting "FINALLY!" as Po Caught the Cub with his arms behind him "Ha ha! Someone's excited." Po said as the four left the house. "Like you're not!" Jing said as Po carried the cub a few yards ahead of the two adults. Hua commented "Jing's gown rather attached to that boy hasn't he Brycen?" As Brycen smiled saying "Well dear…I find it's rather difficult not to." as the four made their way down to the village.

At the Village Gates…

As the four neared the village gates Brycen pulled Po aside and said "Remember what I said Po, you follow my every order without question, and you stay with us…got it?" Po nodded his head yes as he said "I understand Coach…I promise." Satisfied, Brycen and Po caught up to the rest of the group and the four made their way over to the festival. Po and Jing marveled at the sight. There were colored lanterns hanging in the streets, Vendors were selling all sorts of foods and crafts. There was a stage at the center of the plaza as a group of musicians were playing music while some people were dancing. There were even a few booths with a few games for the children and immediately Jing wanted to go and play. "Come on Po lets go to that one!" Jing called as he tried to drag the Panda by the arm. Po looked back at Brycen who was about to object when Hua said "Just stay close you two! And come straight back once you're done." Po smiled at Hua as he waited for Brycen's approval. Brycen nodded even though he had a frown on his face. He clearly wanted Po to stay close but wasn't about to argue with Hua about them being thirty yards away.

Jing dragged Po over to the ring toss game where Jing immediately dug out 5 Yuan and paid for his three rings. After tossing all three rings failing to hit the target Po gave it a try. Po easily got the rings around the pegs and gave Jing his choice of the prize. Jing chose a bamboo flute of all things and the two began walking back to Brycen and Hua. "Thanks for winning me this flute Po!" Jing said happily, as Po just nodded saying "No problem buddy." Suddenly Po accidentally bumped into someone and immediately said "I'm sorry sir, please excuse me." But the Warthog just looked at Po menacingly saying "Watch where you're going you stupid bear!" Po almost looked surprised by that insult, till he remembered he was supposed to be a black bear right now, and not a panda. "Hey! He said he was sorry!" Jing spat at the Hog, who turned on him saying "What did you just say to me brat!?" as Po brought himself between Jing and the warthog he said "Please forgive him, he's just a kid, we don't want any trouble now." "You got that right you stupid-"The warthog started when he was interrupted by a voice from behind him "-You boys enjoying yourselves now?"

The Warthog and his two lackeys turned to see Brycen standing behind them with his arms crossed with Hua standing a few paces away an angered look on her face aimed at the three hogs. Po and Jing both answered "Yes sir." As the Warthog asked "These two belong to you Bear!?" Brycen nodded his head saying "They do…And I believe my oldest boy there apologized, so if you would be so kind..." as Brycen tilted his head to the side earning him a few glares from the hogs. "Just keep your brats on a shorter leash next time!" as the three hogs began to leave. Brycen then turned to the two boys. Po started "Coach I-" "-Please don't be mad dad! Po tried to be polite to those jerks but they were just TRYING to cause trouble!" Brycen looked to Po who nodded his head in agreement as Brycen sighed. "I'm not mad son, come on…lets get back to the festival." Po and Jing both smiled, happy to hear they weren't leaving already. "Mom look what Po won me!" as Jing brought forth the flute. "Why that's very nice of you Po dear." as Hua examined the bamboo flute. Po just smiled saying "It's nothing…really." as the four made their way over to a food stand for something to eat.

The group spent about an hour at the festival walking around looking at all the wares and listening to the music. Po was having a blast just being able to be around people again. He even caught a few girls his age looking his way taking in hushed tones. As he smiled at them they all started to giggle and go back to talking amongst themselves. It was odd. Back home, girls never really paid much attention to Po before…well, all except for Tigress of course. Po's hand instinctively went to his amulet as he thought of how much fun he could be really having if Tigress was here with him. Just then, a little pig girl grabbed Jing by the paw and dragged him onto the dance floor as she practically forced the cub to dance with her, resulting in Hua doing what all mothers do and talk about how cute the scene looked resulting in Po and Brycen trying extra hard not to start laughing. Once the song ended Jing managed to escape his captor and made his way back to his family as Po teased "So Jing, who's your little girlfriend now?" Jing scowled at Po saying "She is NOT a girlfriend! She's super creepy! That girl practically broke my paw just now! I'm lucky to be alive!" Po couldn't help but release a chuckle as Brycen just shook his head.

Suddenly an old goat appeared on the stage saying "Welcome all to one of our many Summer Festivals! We have an exciting performance for you this evening. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, all the way from the Iron Temple, Master Ming! The crowd cheered as female a snow leopard walked up onto the stage carrying three sticks of some sort, two in her hands, and one by her tail. "Hey! she was at this year's tournament! She went up against Tigress in the Final Match! What's she doing here?" Po asked as Ming had each of her batons lit at both ends of each one. Brycen then answered "Master Ming is the prized and sole student of Master Kai of the Iron Temple and from what I understand, is in charge of keeping Peace in these Mountains alongside her Master." Po then just exclaimed "That is so cool!" As they all watched Master Ming twirl each Baton in the air catching each one with incredible ease, including the one in her tail.

Ming's performance went on for about five minutes and for the big finish two goats brought forth a fire pit of sorts and placed it in front of the stage as she threw each baton high into the air. She then leaped into the air and even though each baton's end was on fire she kicked all three into the fire pit, showing the toughness of the pads of her feet. As all three batons landed in the Fire pit, there was a giant *FWOOSH* as a Giant Bonfire was produced almost immediately. The crowd then cheered madly as Ming landed on all fours and immediately bowed to the people. Everyone was cheering…everyone except for Po.

As Po watched the fire, it was as if time was moving at an incredibly slow rate. Po's face immediately became one of fear as he stared into the flames, his mind assaulted with the horrible screams from his Nightmares, with flashes of the village burning around him, as he began to hyperventilate. "WHY!? WHAT HAVE WE DONE!? "MOMMY! AIIIIEEEEEE!" "LEAVE MY BABY ALONE!" "SOMEBODY HELP US!" and then Po saw it…the red eye burning in the flames… staring at him…watching him. Po couldn't take it anymore and he turned and ran. Brycen saw Po bolt and immediately called out "PO!?" And with a look to his wife, Brycen rushed after Po, down a side street.

As Brycen rounded a corner he could hear someone breathing hard, as he walked down the street he saw it was Po, leaning up against the wall trying to calm himself down. As Brycen approached Po he crouched down and looked up under the boy's hat. Po was terrified as his eyes showed incredible fear in them. Brycen was about to ask what happened when Po answered his unasked question. "I head them…I heard the screams…all those people screaming…and…that eye again…" Brycen then realized what happened as he said "And the fire…" as Po nodded his head vigorously as he swallowed back a sob still trying his best to calm down, not wanting tears to ruin his disguise. Brycen then placed a paw on his shoulder as he said "Hey…You're safe my boy…it wasn't real…it never happened." as Po looked at his master for a moment he calmed down saying "R-Right…not real…I'm sorry Coach." Brycen then stood up saying "Don't be, come, let's go and find the others. It's time we got going anyway…" Po nodded his head, as the two went to rejoin the festival.

Hua and Jing were waiting right where they left them. As Po and Brycen approached them, Hua walked over to Po asking "Are you alright Po dear?" Po nodded his head yes as Brycen said "It's about time we got home now. Someone's gonna be late to bed anyway." as he looked at Jing who just said "Aw man! But I was having so much fun!" Po just mumbled "Sorry buddy…" Jing may have been young, but he was still smart enough to know when Po felt bad so he just said "Aw…it's alright Po…To be honest, I just want to get away from that creepy pig girl anyway." *Shivers*

Just then however A scream was heard from somewhere in the crowd "AAAHHH! BANDITS!" Everyone turned to see seven Warthog Bandits running towards the center of the festival as people began to run in fear as the bandits were now swinging swords trying to take everyone's money. Immediately Master Ming leaped to the nearest bandit delivering a Powerful kick to the back of his head, as she landed in her fighting Pose. "Nobody robs in MY Village!" as she charged the remaining six bandits. Brycen grabbed Po by the arm as he hollered at his family "We're leaving NOW!" Po wanted to stay and help Ming right then, but he knew Brycen would never allow it. So Po just ran after the Black Bear as the four of them made their way down an alley away from the chaos.

About half way down the alley however, they were met with three more Wart hogs…the same three who were giving Po and Jing a hard time just moments ago. As Brycen brought his arm out signaling the others to stop, the Hog Po had bumped into stepped forward as he said "Well, well, well…Look at what we have here boys? The two punks who interrupted our good time and the big bad daddy bear with mamma bear. Tell you folks what. Give us all your money right now and we'll only pound on the bigger Brat." Po glared at the pigs as he stepped forward only to have Brycen stop him saying "No…I want you to go with Hua and Jing back to the house…That's an order boy…"

Po wanted to object but Brycen was his Master, and Po did agree to do whatever he said, so when Hua grabbed Po's shoulder and started to pull Po the other way Po unwillingly followed. "Oh I don't think so papa bear…" as the Warthog whistled. Just then and two more Warthogs emerged from the other end. "Coach…" Po mumbled as he got in front of Hua and Jing. Brycen half turned and scoffed "Dammit…" he said as Jing was beginning to get scared "Daddy?" Brycen then looked to his son who was now in the arms of his wife who was backing away up against the wall. "Every things gonna be fine Jing…just stay with your mother." Brycen then said to Po. "I really wanted to avoid this…But do you think you can handle the two in front of you Po?" As Po stood at Brycen's back "Definitely…" Po declared, after all he once busted an entire Street fighting ring with Tigress at his back. These guys were gonna be a cakewalk. And Po was determined to show Brycen he could handle himself.

Brycen then sighed and said "Fine then…Show me what you've learned boy." As Po smiled to himself "Whatever you say, Master." And with that the two Bears charged the Bandits as the leader cried out "Get them!"

Po reached his two opponents as the two hogs brought out two swords and began to swing at him with powerful slashes. But Po was able to duck and avoid each strike as he heard Jing cry out "Be careful Po!" But Hua hushed Jing just then, so he wouldn't distract Po as the first bandit brought his sword around again. But Po managed to grab his wrist stopping the sword in mid swing. As Po twisted the wrist, forcing the bandit to cry out dropping the sword allowing Po to deliver a powerful thrust to the hogs chest as he sent him flying up against the wall, making the bandit fall unconscious. Po then turned to his remaining opponent a smirk on his face as he lifted his hat slightly. The bandit then declared "You're going to pay for that Bear! As the warthog began to attack Po relentlessly "I doubt it, I've taken down goons more than twice your size before." Po taunted remembering how he had dealt with Lidong the first night he donned his Dragon Tunic, as the two continued to fight.

Brycen had quickly taken care of the first lackey and was now dealing with the remaining two as they continued to swing their swords at him. Brycen easily evaded each swing and when he saw his opening, he delivered a powerful punch to the hog on his left following through with a powerful spin kick to the leader of the group sending both hogs flying into a few barrels. "WHOA! Dad is so COOL!" Jing exclaimed as Hua hushed him once again. Brycen stood over the leader as he growled at the Warthog "Now…stay down!" But the Hog just grinned as he said "You're going to pay for messing with us Bear!" as the Hog whistled and a new Bandit appeared on a roof top above them a ways away, but this one now had a crossbow. As the Bandit aimed for Po, Brycen's eyes widened in fear as he punched the hog in the face, knocking him out as he rushed down to the other end of the alley. Po was finishing up with his second Bandit as Brycen cried out "Get down!" But as Po looked up it was too late. The bandit fired the bolt at Po and time slowed for the panda once again, as he watched the bolt fly his way. But what happened next Po wasn't expecting to say the least. He wasn't sure how, but Brycen was now in front of him as Po watched his master in awe. As the bolt neared them Brycen brought forth his right paw and spread his fingers wide as the bolt began to soar in between two of the digits. Once the bolt head was past the fingers Brycen grabbed the shaft of the bolt and Po watched, as he literally caught the bolt with his two fingers. Using the bolts momentum, Brycen twirled the bolt to the side as he redirected it straight back at the shooter, lodging the bolt straight into the Hogs shoulder, forcing him to fall back in pain.

Po stared at his Master as Brycen stood up looking at him "Are you alright Po?" Brycen asked worriedly Po just nodded his head yes as he said "Fine…but Coach…What was that you just did!?" Just then Jing was heard shouting "WOOHOO! That was so COOL! You guys were totally all like Pow! And Dad you were all BAM, SLAM, And Po was like Pssh, You're nothing to me!" as Jing began jumping around throwing very crude punches and kicks in the air. Brycen however was not in a cheery mood as he looked to the group. "Everyone back to the house, NOW!" And with that the group left the village as Po hefted up Jing and carried the cub on his back as they ran.

Once the Four were on the mountain path heading back to the house Po and Brycen were bringing up the rear of the group. Po then asked again "So what was that technique you used Coach? I've never seen you do that before…" Brycen sighed as he said "There are plenty of things you haven't seen me do yet Po…But that particular technique is one My grandfather invented called the Razor Rebound…You see…Warriors of the Bear Style, because of our large stature, tend have a difficult time avoiding incoming projectiles, be it arrows, bolts, knives, stars, you name it…The Razor Rebound is a way to cope with that disadvantage." Po then asked "Am I going to learn it? " Po asked hopefully. Brycen nodded his head as he said "In time perhaps…you still have much to learn before that though…" Brycen then began to think about what happened tonight earlier in the village. How Po began to freak out at the sight of so much fire before. "I need to tell Oogway about that right away…If Po is going to be freezing up every time he gets around fire…then we are going to have a serious problem…I'll write to him first thing tomorrow after the boys training…I hope Oogway will know what to do." As the group neared the house, Brycen sent Po down to the waterfall to wash his face and then ordered the Panda to go straight bed. Praying that the Boy would be able to get a good night's sleep…Though, after tonight he doubted HE would be able to sleep well himself. "Those were quite a few Bandits tonight…and something tells me there were more of them than just the ones we ran into…I hope Master Ming can handle this problem quickly." As Brycen wished his wife and son a good night and walked down to the Dojo to Meditate...

And that my friends is Chapter 3. Thanks for reading! And Please Review!