NOT MY FAULT! I swear I would have had this up sooner, but with the storms going around in the area most of the day, I couldn't get a good internet signal. Darn satellite. On the bright side, the extra time allowed me to finish two Chapters, this being the first one. once I finish proofing the next one I shall post it next! Enjoy...
Chapter 7 is here so enjoy the read :)
Chapter 7
The Mysterious She
That night…
Po was tossing and turning in his sleep as yet again, his dreams took hold of him. But this time…something was different…
Po's Dreamscape…
Po was standing once again in the grassy village. The sun shining brightly as the sound of the melody hung in the air, the same melody Po had played on the flute that evening. This time however Po was not in his Dragon Tunic, but rather just his yellow shorts and his Amulet. "Something's different…"Po said to himself as he saw a figure standing off in the distance. "Hey!" Po called out as he began to make his way over to the figure. The sun was in front of the figure so all Po was able to make out was a silhouette. As he neared the figure though he noticed the melody was getting louder, as he listened to the figure singing in the most soothing voice Po had ever heard. "La ,la la la,..la la la la la, laaa… " As Po neared the figure he stopped a few paces away. "Who are you?" Po asked and the figure stopped singing.
Slowly the Figure began to turn…and literally all Hell broke loose. The Village was immediately set a blaze again as Po heard the terrifying screams all around him! Po covered his ears as he looked to see the figure before him begin to take a new shape. The only thing Po could make out from the silhouette was a pair of Red menacing eyes as Po looked on in fear. Suddenly the figure had finished taking its new shape, as its tail feathers expanded revealing dozens of red eyes, all staring at Po as he began to back away. "No…" Po whispered as the Dark shadowy, Avian like creature revealed a large Guan dao( a weapon that can be used as either a lance or sword.), as Po heard the monster shout out to the skies in a voice as cold as ice "KILL THEM ALL!"
Suddenly, demons emerged from behind the creature all running towards Po, as the Panda tried to run! He didn't get far though as he was tackled to the ground by one of the demons who was snapping at Po's face as Po screamed in fear trying to get away from the demon. "LET ME GO!" Po cried as the demon continued to snap it's jaws at him, when Po thought he heard a voice just then"….ake up" Po was still trying to struggle when he could just make out the voice again as he was trying to force the demon back, but his arms were now pined "Boy…Wake up!" But Po continued to struggle as he looked up at the face of the Demon, as it bared it's fangs at the panda, as Po screamed again "GET AWAY FROM ME!" as the voice in the back of his mind roared a final time "PO, WAKE UP!"
Back in the real World.
Po's eyes flew open as he gasped. Starring back at him now wasn't the face of the demon, but the deeply concerned face of his Master, as Po noticed the black bear had his arms pinned to the ground, Po looked around and saw Jing and Hua in the doorway, both with looks of worry on their faces as Po looked back to Brycen who asked in a calm tone "You awake now boy?" Po nodded his head as Brycen released him and Po sat forward. For a long time no one said anything. Finally Brycen stood up and turned to his family saying "Hua…I want you and Jing to sleep in the other room for the rest of the night. Jing, take your mat." As Jing grabbed his mat and blanket he looked at Po one last time, worry in his eyes. "Is Po gonna be okay dad?" But Brycen just looked to the cub and said calmly "Just go with your mother Jing. Good night." As Hua took Jing to their room while she gave her husband a worried look as he just nodded his head.
Once the two left, Brycen turned to Po who was staring at the floor. "We heard you screaming…Jing tried to wake you up but when you wouldn't wake, he came and got us...when I tried to wake you, you started to fight back in your sleep…Do you want to talk about it?" Po just shook his head no as he began to hug his knees, and started to shake. Brycen tried to reach out to the boy but at the slightest touch Po flinched and shied away. "Dear gods…what did you see boy?" as Brycen withdrew his hand as the two sat there for a while in silence. Finally Brycen said "Whenever you want to talk you know I'm here to listen boy…" Po didn't say anything as he turned onto his side and laid down his back to his master. Brycen remained in the room as he sat down in front of the door and crossed his legs. "I'll be right here if you need anything Po…" Again there was silence at first until Po mumbled "Thank you Coach…" as Brycen closed his eyes and began to meditate as he watched over his student for the remainder of the night.
The Next Morning…
Brycen was waiting at the entrance to the property when he saw an old green turtle make his way up the mountain. Earlier that morning Chen had brought him a message saying Oogway would be arriving at the Mountain ahead of schedule around late morning and Brycen couldn't believe his good fortune. If anyone was going to have a clue as to help Po it would be Master Oogway, and after last night, they couldn't wait any longer. As Oogway approached Brycen bowed saying "Thank you for coming so quickly Master Oogway." As the old turtle smiled saying "Think nothing of it Brycen, I was fortunate enough to board a ship that made no stops between here and the Valley. Now…where is the boy?" Brycen turned with a solemn expression on his face as he looked past the house. "He's on the other side of the house…I'm not making him train today after what happened last night…" Oogway looked up at Brycen with a worried look on his face as he noticed the Black Bear looked rather tired. "I take it, that you both had a rather long night?" Brycen nodded his head as the two began to walk towards the house.
As they rounded the corner of the house Oogway saw Po sitting on the Cliff side looking out over the Village holding his knees. Brycen said "He's been there all morning…he's barely said two words at all today…I've never seen him like this." Oogway then stepped forward as he stood just behind the child. Once Oogway cleared his throat, Po turned and saw the old turtle and Oogway's eyes widened in surprise. The Boy had deep bags under his eyes which were now also red, as if he had been crying. Oogway took on a look of pity as he placed a hand on the panda's shoulder. "Dear child…you look absolutely dreadful." Po ignored the comment as he knew it was true and asked "Master Oogway…what are you doing here?" as the Panda turned around to sit facing the turtle. Oogway smiled at the panda and he said "I am here to take you to someone, whom I believe may be able to help you with your problem, young one." as Oogway beckoned for the panda to follow him into the house. Po stood and followed Oogway inside as Brycen followed as well.
A few Hours later…
Brycen and Oogway were walking through the streets of the village with Po between the two of them. Po was now wearing a large black cloak covering his person as he wore a hood covering his face. A few people would occasionally stare at them as they walked the streets but no one would approach them. Apparently whoever they were going to see, Oogway believed would keep Po's identity a secret which was why they only bothered with the cloak this time instead of the disguise. Eventually the party came to the edge of the village to a small building where Oogway motioned for them to wait. "I do hope she is here today…" as Oogway knocked on the door with his staff. After a moment of waiting, Oogway knocked a second time. This time they heard a voice coming from the other side, "Just a moment." Oogway smiled. She was here, and perhaps he did not come all this way for nothing.
As the door opened, Oogway was greeted by an old Goat woman in a red robe, as she walked over to him using a cane to support her. Oogway smiled at her as he said "My dear, it is so good to see you once again-" Suddenly the goat brought her cane forward in an attempt to strike across Oogway's face which he quickly blocked with his own staff. "-Or perhaps not…" Oogway finished as he continued to stare at the old goat. The Goat glared at the turtle for a moment before saying "A letter telling me of your arrival would have been appreciated Oogway…" Oogway smiled as he said "But my dear, I simply had the strangest feeling you would just know I would be visiting you here today." The Goat's eyes narrowed "It is still a common courtesy Master…Now, what is it you require of me?" as Oogway stepped to the side he motioned with his staff to Po as he said "I have a young child with me who desperately needs some help. Help that I do hope you can provide, Soothsayer…"
As the Soothsayer stepped forward she was met with Brycen standing before a hooded figure as he glared at the goat menacingly "You have got to be kidding me!" the bear roared, "Absolutely NOT! Master you never once told me THIS was who we were coming to see!" as Brycen refused to move aside. Oogway however slammed his staff onto the ground as he said in a stern voice "Brycen, I know you have strong feelings against this woman…but we have little choice in the matter…if anyone is to help the boy right now it WILL be her!" As Brycen continued to glare at the goat she looked past him and looked towards the figure he protected, a sneaky suspicion growing in her stomach "Could it be…?" as the child spoke "Coach? What's wrong?" as Brycen turned to look at his charge and then back to the Soothsayer who was now looking at him in the eye as she spoke. "I know you blame me for what happened all those years ago Master Brycen…and I hold no ill will toward you for it, for there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about and regret THAT day…but…" as she turned her attention back to the cloaked child "If there is someone who requires my help…I wish to give it." Brycen then scoffed. "Help…*Hmph*…Your HELP!…is exactly what caused that-" "-MASTER BRYCEN!" as the Black Bear looked up to see Oogway glaring at him. "If you cannot control yourself then I will ask for you to remain outside." Brycen then made to interject "You can't do that-" as Oogway brought his staff forward silencing the bear, saying in a serious tone "Can't I?" as Brycen stared at the Master for a moment and then sighed in defeat. As he continued to glare at the Soothsayer, he finally stepped aside.
The Goat then took a look at the child though she could not see much of him as she then turned and motioned for the boy to follow her inside. After Looking to his Master, Brycen tilted his head motioning for Po to follow her, and so Po did, with Brycen following close behind. Before Brycen made it through the door though Oogway stopped him as he said in a calmer yet serious tone "I mean it Brycen…If you cannot do this, then I will have you wait here outside…" Brycen bowed his head as he said "…I understand Master…" as Brycen followed Po inside.
The inside was rather dark as the windows had some curtains drawn and the room smelled strongly of incense. As Po looked around, he saw many odd decorations lining the walls, there were some rather strange masks and even a few crystals. As Po neared the center of the room he saw the old goat enter another room behind a red curtain as she motioned for him to follow her. So Po did, as he pulled the red curtain aside he entered the room. There in the room's center sat a small fire ring that had a small fire going at the moment. Immediately the red eye flashed across Po's eyes and he winced in fear for a moment. The Soothsayer saw this and motioned for the child to come forth. "Please, remove the cloak child…"
Po turned to see Brycen and Oogway now entering the room, Brycen nodded his head in approval. So Po removed his cloak and the old Goat's eyes showed surprise briefly as she gazed upon the Panda. "My how you have grown child…" as the Soothsayer began to examine the panda. "Excuse me?" Po asked as she walked around him. "Strong, well fed, and healthy…or perhaps not…" as she noticed the panda's eyes. "My dear child, you look like you have not slept for weeks…Tell me, what ails him?" as she looked to Brycen as he said sternly "The boy has been having nightmares over the past several weeks…and recently they have begun to appear to him nightly." Oogway then interjected, "I know all too well my dear that as a Soothsayer, your talents lie mostly within gazing into the future…however, I seem to recall you being a rather well practiced healer as well...and so, we were hoping you might know of a way to stop the boy's nightmares from occurring." The Soothsayer sighed as she said "Before that, I would need to know just what the boy is dreaming about." Brycen then removed Po's dream scroll from his pocket and handed it to the Soothsayer, as she unrolled it and began to read its contents. Her eyes stopped however as she gazed upon the Eye at the bottom of the scroll.
"My word…These are rather disturbing…dreams…" knowing full well what they really were, as the Soothsayer turned to the panda who was simply watching her, "You're telling me…"he said as the Soothsayer motioned for Po to sit down, in front of the fire ring. She then pocketed the scroll. "Although I may be able to provide you with something to help the child sleep…that is not the best path I'd advise taking…" Brycen then asked "And just what exactly do you propose we do? The Boy needs to be rid of these nightmares once and for all!" as Oogway said "Patients Brycen…" The Soothsayer then looked to Po and said "These dreams you are having child…they appear to be mere pieces of something more…you have still yet to see the entire picture it would seem." Po looked at her with a confused look on his face "What do you mean?" The Soothsayer said as she began to gather ingredients from a nearby shelf "I mean child, that it is my belief…that if you were to tap into these dreams, with my help of course…and confront them completely…then perhaps they will finally cease appearing to you."
Brycen already didn't like this plan. But after receiving a look from Oogway, he remained silent. Po then shook his head as he said "But I only have the dreams when I'm asleep…I don't know how you plan to help me unless you want me to take a nap." The Soothsayer then brought a bowl of a crushed powder over to the fire as she sat down and looked at the panda. "Child…by placing you into a near sleep state…I believe I can help you bring these dreams to the surface…and perhaps even help answer a few…questions… you may have." At this she looked at Brycen who was glaring at her menacingly. "So the boy still does not know…I shouldn't be surprised that Brycen hasn't told him the truth yet…he was always very protective…even back then…" Po then asked bringing the Soothsayer back from her thoughts, "Near sleep? What do you mean?" as the Soothsayer brought forth a jar from the inside of her robe adding some of the contents to the bowl. "Simply put child, I will be placing you into a sleep like state which will allow you to focus on these dreams without truly being asleep. Using these notes of yours…I can direct you and bring these dreams to the surface of your subconscious mind and perhaps we can resolve this matter once and for all."
Po looked uneasy to say the least. He clearly didn't like the idea of actually having the dreams at all, let alone forcing them to occur right then. Oogway placed a hand on his shoulder saying "We will be here with you the entire time child…you have nothing to fear, but fear itself…" Po smiled weakly as he mumbled "Thanks…I think…" as Oogway stepped back. The soothsayer then grabbed Po's attention. "Once I throw this into the fire child, I want you to breathe the fumes in deeply. The aroma will lower your heart rate to an almost sleep state…you will be fine…" The soothsayer reassured the panda as he settled himself and nodded for her to proceed.
The Soothsayer then grabbed some of the powder and tossed it into the fire, as a blue puff of smoke came forth as she whispered to the Panda "Now breath in." as Po inhaled the fumes in through his nose, immediately he almost gagged but he continued to breathe, almost as if he were practicing his meditation exercises. "That's it child...now breathe in...and out...breathe in...and out..."After a few minutes, without even realizing it, Po's head slumped forward as his breathing took on a constant rhythm.
The Soothsayer then stood up and walked over to the two Masters as she said In a low voice. "Now…Neither of you are to utter a single word…he is to hear only my voice…too many voices will confuse the boy and he will awaken...if that were to happen at the wrong time there could be serious consequences…understand?" Oogway nodded as Brycen continued to glare at the soothsayer, after taking a quick glance at Po however, he nodded his head in agreement and the Soothsayer returned to sit in front of Po. After getting comfortable she reopened the scroll and looked it over, she then spoke to Po in a calm soothing tone. "Po…can you hear me child?" At first Po didn't respond but after a second he mumbled a "Yes." as his head bobbed up and down. The soothsayer then said "Good…now Po, I want you to picture yourself in the grassy Village of your dreams…Can you do that?" Again Po was silent at first but managed to say "Yes…" as the Panda began focusing on the village…
Po's Dreamscape…
Po was once again standing in the Village as the sun shined brightly. As he looked around he was able to see things a bit clearer than he remembered. The Village was peaceful at the moment, birds chirping in the air as a gentle breeze blew through the air "Po…can you hear anything?" As the Soothsayers voice startled Po a bit, but then he focused. He heard it…He heard the children laughing as they played. "Yeah…I hear laughter…children laughing…" The Soothsayer then asked "Can you see anything?" at first Po couldn't so he said "No..." Then the Soothsayer's voice was heard again. "Focus child...focus on the voices..." As Po focused on the sounds he saw something that made his heart skip a beat "Wait…I see something now" As figures began to form around him and he became speechless. There were Pandas now around him…he was standing in a Panda village, as he watched children run past him playing tag while he saw a few older pandas tending to some fields or hanging laundry. "Po…what do you see?" the Soothsayer asked. But Po was so choked up he couldn't speak…he had never seen other pandas before and this was a bit overwhelming. Finally he said his voice in a slight whisper. "I-I see…I see other Pandas….I'm in a village full of Pandas!"
In the real World…
The soothsayer looked up at Oogway and Brycen as they all wore very solemn expressions. They knew what was coming next…but if Po was to be rid of these nightmares for good…he needed to see this through. Brycen's fists clenched as he heard Po whisper "Something's... not right…" The Soothsayer then turned to the panda and asked "What's wrong Child?" Po then mumbled "no…no melody…"
In the Dreamscape…
Po was looking around for the figure he saw the night before who was singing that strange melody, but couldn't see or hear them. His attention was diverted however when a flaming arrow was fired not ten feet from where he stood, and his eyes widened in fear. "Oh no…" Po said, as the Soothsayers voice rang through the air "What do you see child?" Po answered "They're coming…" as Po looked to the hilltop as he saw what seemed like an entire army of…Wolves? Immediately the wolves invaded the village and started setting the buildings on fire "NO!" Po screamed, as the flames began to surround him, and he began to hyperventilate.
In the Real World…
Po's body began to shake as his breathing became rapid as he mumbled "No!" The Soothsayer beckoned Brycen forward saying "Hold him still!" Brycen sat down behind Po and immediately placed his paws on the boy's shoulders keeping the boy in place as he continued to hyperventilate. "Listen to me Child, they cannot hurt you! Tell me what you see." The Panda was shaking rapidly as a sob escaped him as he whispered "They're dying…they're killing them all…"
Back in the Dreamscape.
Po watched in horror as he could only stand there amongst the flames as he heard the screams coming from the Pandas. He thought the screams were horrible before, but now…having to watch each and every single Panda get cut down around him…this was no mere nightmare…this was Hell…as he literally watched a wolf run his sword through a mere child, while two wolves held the Mother back. "NOT MY BABY! YOU MONSTERS! NOOO!" Another Panda was being held back by two wolves while another was setting a nearby house ablaze. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!? WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG!" The Panda man shouted as the wolf with the torch started to walk towards him, an evil grin on his face as the Panda's eyes widened in fear. "Because our Leader wishes it, you stupid panda!" as Po watched the wolf literally set the Panda on fire, while Po watched in horror as the poor soul tried to put himself out while screaming in complete agony. "Make it stop..." Po whispered as he placed his hands on his ears trying to block out the sounds while he closed his eyes. But no matter what he did, the screams still made their way to his ears, while the flames still licked around him. He couldn't even keep his eyes closed for long, as time and time again he watched another Panda fall in a pool of blood.
Back in the real world.
Po was shaking furiously as he was now shaking his head left and right. "Please…Make it stop…" Brycen was trying to keep Po still but the boy was fighting back and he was struggling. "We are almost there Child…tell me…do you see the Avian anywhere?" Brycen then looked up and said "No! That's too much! He can't go through with this! This was a mistake, we have to stop!" The Soothsayer then ordered a Brycen "Silence! If the boy wakes now, there could be-" "NO!" As the three turned to see Po had stopped moving all together, "C-Coach?" Po whispered as Brycen merely squeezed his shoulders, his way of telling him he was there. "The Soothsayer said calmly "What is it child…What do you see?" Po was silent... and then he whispered, tears now streaming his face. "I see him…"
In Po's Dreamscape…
Po watched as a new figure stood up on the hillside. The figure wore white silk robes carrying a large Guan Dao, as the figure looked out over the burning village. His red eyes falling on Po, as he observed the carnage. It was then Po realized the figure was a Peacock, as the avian unfurled his tail feathers revealing dozens of the red eye symbols making Po freeze in terror. A wolf wearing an eye patch was at his right then as Po heard him say, "My lord, We've almost eliminated the entire village, only a few stand in our way now. But they're fighting back, and their leader-"Then the peacock turned on the wolf his weapon aimed at its neck, shouting "NO EXCUSES! KILL THEM ALL! LEAVE NOT ONE PANDA STANDING!" as he then pointed his sword at Po, whose eyes widened in fear. "Even the women…and children!" The Peacock said in a deathly cold tone, as he gazed down upon the young Panda. "He sees me!?" Po said as he tried to back away only to have himself fall back onto the ground. "He cannot hurt you child." He heard the Soothsayer say to him, as he watched the wolf with the eye patch summon two more wolfs and they began to charge the panda. "They're coming for me… Make it stop!" Po cried as Brycen's voice was heard again "It's okay boy, I'm here." Po whirled around "Master?" but he saw no one. "Be SILENT Master Brycen!" the Soothsayer demanded. It was then Po's world began to change, there were flashes of light, like lighting, as images of the Red eye plagued Po for a moment as he watched the three wolves near him "SOME BODY HELP ME!" Po cried as Brycen's voice rang through the air "Po, I'm right here, You're safe." "Brycen!" It was Oogway's voice that was heard this time as more flashes plagued Po's mind. "SILENCE" The Soothsayer ordered, as Images of the eye, the village, the pandas dying, all of it were hurling towards Po at an incredible rate. As The Wolves were nearly upon him Po closed his eyes his hands covering his face in fear as he screamed one final word…one he never expected to utter, "MAMMA!" as he heard the sounds of the wolves snarls, mere feet away, his world becoming darker and darker as one final voice was heard behind him. a voice so deep and powerful and yet... Po felt as though he should have known it. "GET AWAY FROM MY SON!" and then everything went deathly quiet.
Back in the Real world…
Po's eyes flew open as he nearly fell forward into the fire, only to be stopped by Brycen who was holding him still by the shoulders, tears were now streaming Po's face as he continued to hyperventilate. Immediately Po looked around to see the worried faces of the Soothsayer and Master Oogway upon him. Po was shaking as he looked behind him at Brycen, who still had a grip on his shoulders "Boy...?" Brycen asked as Po buried his face into the Bears shirt and began to bawl uncontrollably. Brycen put his paw on Po's back as he merely held the boy for a moment saying over and over again "It's okay…you're safe Po…Your safe…" But Po couldn't calm down as he continued to sob. His only words between the sobs "They're dead...all of them...they're all dead..."
Oogway turned to the Soothsayer who was looking at the Panda with so much pity. Finally she said "Once the child calms down…we can finish-" "No!" Po cried as he continued to choke back a sob "Please no! Not again!" he then looked up at Brycen who was looking at Po with so much worry as the panda begged his Master, "Master Please! Please don't make me go through that again! Please Master!" as the boy continued to sob uncontrollably burying his face into his Masters shirt once more. Brycen merely held Po as he looked up at the Soothsayer and shook his head no as the old goat sighed in defeat. She turned to Oogway who was watching the Panda closely. He then turned to the Soothsayer and asked after a moment "My dear…you said that you might know of a much less…trying… way to help the boy sleep?"
The goat then nodded her head as she got up and left the room. A moment later she returned and handed Oogway a small brown pouch filled with seeds. "It is not a permanent solution...but may indeed provide some immediate relief for the boy...Those are Jujube seeds…they will help the boy fall asleep and stay asleep. They are rather potent however and so the boy must be allowed to get plenty of rest." She then turned to Brycen saying "I would also advise nightly meditation before bed…Have the boy empty his mind each night to further help keep the dreams away. The seeds can help…but they are not foolproof…if anything they will keep the dreams from occurring nearly as often as before...but they will not keep them away all together." Brycen nodded that he understood as Po was finally beginning to calm down, realizing he wasn't going to have to relive that horrible nightmare again…for now.
The Soothsayer turned to the panda as she said "I am so sorry that I could not be of more help child…" Po just nodded his head as Brycen helped the panda to his feet. "Come on boy…let's get you home." As the two bears stood up Brycen draped the cloak over the panda and began to lead Po out of the house. Before leaving the room however, Brycen turned to the Soothsayer and after looking at her a moment he just turned and left following his student.
Oogway and the Soothsayer were left alone, as the Master said "Thank you for your help my dear…I know Brycen will not say it...but I know he appreciates it." The old goat nodded as she commented. "He has become incredibly protective of that boy…Although today, that was what kept us from achieving our goal…THEY however, were still right to choose him to watch over the boy…" Oogway nodded in agreement. "What will you do now?" the old turtle asked as the Soothsayer released a breath. "I have seen myself standing in Gongmen city once again, so it is there that I shall go next. As for beyond that…it is uncertain…it is strange…when I saw myself here…I could not see the reason why…it was as if the child…or rather his path…has become uncertain…" Oogway then asked "And what may I ask, does that mean exactly?" The Soothsayer then turned to the door the panda had left through saying "That when the boy finally confronts his destiny…he will have a very difficult choice to make…as to what that is…I cannot say for certain...It is...unclear."
Oogway was silent for a moment, but then began to follow the bears out of the house, leaving the Soothsayer all alone, as she said to no one in particular, "Dear child…may the gods watch over you…Your journey is far from over..." As the Soothsayer put out the fire, plunging the room into darkness.
And that's Chapter 7. Hope you guys were able to follow it...Lack of sleep has made Po a mess, hopefully those seeds will give the Panda what he needs. Next Chapter, The Jade Palace receives a message requesting their help and so we get to see Tigress again. I know I've kinda kept her away for the first part of the story but worry not, she will appear more. I'm off to proof the next Chapter.
Please review.