So got Chapter 9 finished...Sorry it wasn't up yesterday but after the first draft I decided I didn't like it so I had to rewrite it. The reviews once again have been great so thanks again! So enjoy chapter 9!

Chapter 9

The Razor Rebound

That same day… In the Northern Mountains…

Po's eyes slowly opened as he stared up at the ceiling. After a moment Po sat forward and rubbed the back of his head as he looked around the room, seeing that Jing was already up and gone. He then noticed the sun was up and looked like it had been for a while now. After taking a moment to stretch his arms Po stood up and was about to walk over to where he kept his Dream scroll, like he did every day for the past week, when he stopped himself. "Wait a minute…The dreams…I…I didn't have them last night!" A huge smile spread across his face as a huge sigh of relief escaped him. He had slept through the night and he hadn't felt so good in a long time. Those seeds that goat lady gave him really did the trick. His thoughts were interrupted however by his stomach rumbling, as he chuckled to himself "Better get some breakfast and find Coach." Po said to himself, as he grabbed his blue pants and threw on his brown shoes, his amulet like always, remained around his neck. He was planning on training with coach after breakfast so he didn't even bother with a shirt. He had gotten used to not wearing one as much anyway and was starting to get comfortable just not wearing one of those huge tunics all the time. Plus it was easier to train without one anyway.

As Po left the room, he was greeted with a heavenly smell in the air. Hua was in the kitchen cooking something and Po couldn't wait to eat whatever it was. As Po exited the hall and made his way into the kitchen and he greeted Hua "Morning!" Po said with a smile on his face. Hua turned and almost was startled that Po was there, but she quickly recovered and smiled as she looked at the panda "Why hello Po dear! You look like you slept well." Po was beaming as he nodded his head and it brought a smile to her face, seeing the panda was back to his cheerful self. As Po made to wash his hands in the wash tub Hua said "You must be hungry dear, have yourself a seat and I'll get you some lunch." Po stopped his washing as he turned to Hua and asked "L-Lunch!? What about Breakfast?" Hua smiled as she explained "Sorry dear, you slept through breakfast. Brycen didn't want us to wake you since you were sleeping so peacefully and I had to agree with him. You needed the rest." Po nodded his head as his smile returned and his stomach grumbled again as Hua just chuckled while the panda blushed in embarrassment. "Now just you have a seat and I'll get you some noodles with extra dumplings."

Po nodded his head as he sat down and Hua served him his Lunch, which he ate happily. As he was halfway through his meal Po asked his mouth full of noodles "So…where are Coach and Jing?" Hua just turned as she was washing some dishes "Oh those two are down by the waterfall. Jing wanted to play and since you were sleeping Brycen took him down. He said that if you woke up while they were still down there that you should head down if you looked well enough to train. Which, judging by the noodle hanging on your face dear, I'd say you've never looked better." immediately Po wiped his mouth with his arm as he continued to finish his meal. Once he was done, he thanked Hua for the lunch and headed out the door. The sun was shining and the breeze was blowing making it an absolutely perfect summer day, as Po breathed in the mountain air. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so good after waking up. Po then turned and began to run down the mountain path off to the right towards the waterfall

Po was running down the path and he was just having a blast. As he approached a boulder to his left Po leaped up on top of it and without skipping a beat, he jumped off the boulder and flipped into the air as he landed into a roll he hollered "YEAH!" as he continued running down the path towards the Waterfall. As he neared the tree line he stopped to look at the area. Brycen was sitting on a fallen tree log carving away at something with a knife while Jing was standing near the water's edge splashing around with his hands in the water. Po then heard Brycen say "Jing don't you go falling in now!" Jing just turned his head and said "I know dad, I know." when Po got a wide grin across his face. "I so can't pass this up." Po thought to himself, as he sprinted from the trees and began to head right for Jing.

Brycen immediately looked up and saw Po rushing for Jing as he continued to watch the panda. "Well someone looks like they slept well." Brycen mumbled to himself, as Po managed to rush up behind Jing, who turned around at the last second to see Po lifting him up into the air as Jing cried out "Hey!?" As Po literally leaped into the water back first, as he held Jing on his stomach as the two splashed into the water. As Po floated to the surface on his back, he began laughing as Jing was calling out "HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR PO!?" as Po just continued laughing while Jing just sat on his stomach as the two floated there for a moment. "What? You looked like you needed a wash!" Po teased as Jing just splashed water in his face "Hey!" the cub whined as the panda continued laughing with Jing laughing as well.

Brycen just watched the two as Po began to back stroke around the water in a circle with Jing on his stomach as the two laughed like idiots. "The boy is like a totally different person then the kid who went through that Hell yesterday…" Brycen observed as the bear watched on, he heard Jing ask the panda "Are you feeling better today Po?" Po just nodded his head saying "Much better buddy…sorry if I worried you…" as Jing laid down on the pandas chest and gave him a hug saying "I'm glad you're feeling better Po." as Po began to swim back over to dry land. After Po helped Jing back onto land Po climbed out and walked over to Brycen who was wearing a small smile as he said, "Looks like you slept well boy." Po smiled as he nodded his head saying "I sure did Coach, and I'm ready to get back to training!" Brycen grinned as he said "Good, Master Ming should be arriving here in a couple of hours, so in the meantime we're going to work on something I think you'll like." Po raised an eyebrow "What's that?" as Brycen held up what he was carving and Po saw it was a wooden knife of sorts saying. "The Razor Rebound." As Brycen stood to his feet and saw Po's eyes widen in excitement "Awesome!" the panda shouted as Brycen began to explain the fundamentals of the technique while Po listened intently to each and every word. This was Brycen's families technique known only to Brycen and his ancestors, so for Po to be learning it…he wanted to make sure he took it seriously, and that he was worthy of learning it to begin with.

After Brycen finished, he walked over to the log and picked up about a dozen wooden throwing knives he had carved out that day and began walking over about thirty feet away from Po. As he stopped and turned to face Po, he dropped ten of the knives into the ground while he kept two in his hands. He then called out to Jing saying "Jing, if you are going to watch, I want you over by the log out of harm's way, understand?" Jing just nodded his head, as he ran over to the log and climbed up on top of it as he watched on excitedly. Po got into a ready stance as Brycen called forth "Remember boy, watch the path of the knife…see where it's going to go using your mind's eye…and catch it with your fingers. Keep the momentum going and fire it right back at me, understand?" Po nodded his head as he said "Yes Master…but aren't we going to use actual throwing knives?" Brycen shook his head no as he replied "Not unless you want to go from black and white to black and red. Now focus!" as Po readied himself and nodded his head while Brycen cocked his arms back across his chest each hand holding a wooden knife. He stayed that way for a moment and then he finally made his move, as he let the right knife fly, followed closely by the left one, as the two wooden knives soared straight for the panda.

A few hours later…

Ming was walking along the path down to the waterfall. Master Brycen's wife had told her that he and Po were down by the waterfall with Jing training, so immediately she headed towards the path. As she was walking her eyes went to her left arm which was wrapped in bandages. She had been on patrol the night before and had stopped a group of bandits from robbing a jewelry store. She managed to subdue them but not without coming out unscathed. Her wound would heal but for now, she needed to keep it wrapped up. As she neared the falls she heard Brycen yell "Again! Focus Po!" as Ming emerged through the trees she watched as Brycen was throwing some wooden knives at Po, and at first she thought the panda would dodge them, only to be surprised that he tried to catch one in his hand between the fingers, only for it to slide through while the other one bounced off his left hand.

"Oww!" Po cried as he began waving his hands while he then began picking the splinters out of his fingers. Brycen sighed as he readied himself for another go. "You aren't focusing Po. You need to picture the path of the blade with your mind, know where it goes before it gets to that point. Now, find your center and let's…" It was then that Brycen noticed Ming standing by the tree line her arms crossed as Po too turned around and greeted her, "Hey Ming!" Ming just smiled as she made her way over to the two bears. As she neared them she noticed Jing sitting on a log watching the two of them closely. As she walked up next to Po she noticed he no longer had any bags under his eyes and seemed more energetic than the last time she saw him. "He certainly looks better than the last time I saw him that's for sure." As she stood next to him she called out to Brycen, "Ready to get started Master Brycen." as Brycen looked at Po who just said "Please Master, just a little more, I know I can get this!" Brycen looked at Po for a long moment and nodded his head as he picked up a few wooden knives and said to Ming "Would you mind waiting just a while longer Master Ming?" Ming just bowed and said "Not at all." as she made her way over to the log next to Jing.

When she sat down she asked the cub "So what are they doing exactly?" Jing looked up and answered her, "Dad's showing Po how to do his Razor Rebound technique! It's super cool! But Po seems to be stuck at the moment. He was doing well at first but now…I don't know…" as the two watched as Brycen threw more knives at Po while the Panda tried to catch them only to fail yet again. When Brycen threw two more Po tried again but he managed to have one bounce off his hand only to fly towards Jing, Po's eyes widened in fear, but when the wood landed a few feet away from Jing, his face relaxed. Ming saw this and an idea formed in her head. It was incredibly risky and unorthodox to say the least…but she thought it might work and help Po. She quickly leaned over and whispered something at Jing. After looking at her for a moment he asked "Really? Are you sure?" Ming just nodded. "But isn't that kinda dangerous?" the cub asked as Ming smiled asking "Don't you trust him?" Jing looked over at the panda for a moment as he watched Po get ready again. He then turned back to Ming and said. "Po's kinda like a big brother to me…I've never had any siblings so…I kinda feel like when I'm around him…I feel like maybe that's what it's like to have a big brother…He's always playing with me when he has time, and at the festival, he protected me from some stupid warthogs who were giving us a hard time, and then again when he and dad fought some bandits later that night…So…Yeah, I trust him." Ming smiled "Good…because right now I think Po is going to need your help Jing, you up for it?" Jing smiled as he nodded his head and the two of them got up and walked over to the other two bears.

Jing walked over to Po while Ming walked up and began whispering to Brycen. Po looked down at Jing and asked "What's up buddy?" But Jing just smiled as he looked over at Ming. Brycen looked taken aback as Po heard him say "Absolutely not!" Ming then said "But I really think it can give Po the push he needs. You know I'm right." As she looked over at Jing and Po, as Brycen seemed to ponder something for a moment. Ming then continued, "Po can do this…he just needs the push…Let me help him…Let Jing help him…" Brycen was staring at Ming carefully as he looked at the two boys. Po asked "Master?" as Brycen turned back at Ming and handed her two of the wooden knives saying "If he gets hurt…You WILL be answering to me…understand?" Brycen glared at the leopard as Ming bowed saying "If my plan works…that won't happen." As she took a step forward, picking up two more of the wooden knives, as she got ready.

Po looked at Jing and said "Take a step back Jing, looks like we're gonna go again." But Jing only stood still as he watched Ming closely. "Jing?" Po asked as Ming brought a knife around eying up the cub. Po realized what she was about to do and said "Hey, wait a minute!" as Ming threw the knife right towards Jing. Jing watched in horror as the knife soared right at him. Suddenly there was a black and white blur as Po was in front of Jing as he knocked the incoming projectile away shouting "HEY! What's the big idea!?" Jing then looked out from around Po, over at Ming as she tilted her head to the right, and so he moved out from behind Po as Ming launched another knife at Jing. Again the knife soared at the cub and again Po protected him. This time without even realizing it Po caught the knife a mere few inches away from Jing's face as he roared "KNOCK IT OFF MING! Master, why is she doing this!?" as Po looked right at Brycen, who was still glaring at the leopard. He clearly didn't approve of what she was doing, yet he still let Ming continue. Jing then moved to the left out in the open as Po called out to Ming "Don't even think about it!" as he dropped his knife and watched as Ming threw her final knife right at Jing for the third time.

Po saw it was going straight for Jing's face as the knife soared through the air and time slowed. Again Po rushed in front of the cub, and as he brought his right paw forward time slowed. Spreading his fingers wide apart, he pictured the path of the incoming projectile. Po saw the knife soaring right between his fingers before it actually happened, and so he began to bring his fingers together, as they began to clamp around the blade. Brycen's eyes widened in surprise as Jing's became the size of dumplings, as Po brought the blade around in a twirl, Just like he remembered Brycen doing at the festival, keeping the knifes momentum going, as he redirected the knife and let it fly straight at Ming with twice as much force as when she threw it at Jing. Po's eyes narrowed as he watched the knife soar right over Ming's shoulder, actually tearing at her purple vest, as the knife wedged itself into a nearby tree. Ming looked at her vest and then over at the tree which now held the wooden knife, and then back at Po, her face covered with surprise. She never even saw the knife coming at her, it moved so fast she couldn't follow it, If Po hadn't missed her, she could have been seriously hurt. "What a technique…it not only fires the knife back at the opponent…but one can also deliver even more force behind it…" Po then said his voice cold and fierce "Do that again…and next time I won't aim for the tree!" Ming's eyes widened in surprise as Po's were narrowed at her, as he never moved out from in front of the cub. "He…He was actually aiming for the tree!?...Maybe my plan worked a little too well…" Ming thought as Brycen stepped forward. "You were right Ming…it worked…"

Po then raised an eyebrow asking "What?" as Ming explained "I'm sorry Po…I just thought you needed a little push to help you focus…I understand if you're a bit upset, I know you care a great deal for Jing." As Ming stared at the cub who walked around and was jumping up and down. "Po that was so awesome! You totally did it! You pulled off Dad's technique!" Po looked over at Brycen as he nodded his head in approval. "Yes…and you even managed to not only use the knife's momentum, but you also were able to apply even more force once you redirected it. Most impressive my boy, well done!" as Po was still eyeing up Ming who walked over to Po saying "Again I'm sorry Po…I just wanted to help." Po was still a bit ticked off that she used Jing as bait basically, as he replied "Next time just don't use him to get me worked up…okay?" Ming bowed saying "I promise Po." As Po's smiled grew once again and he said "alright then…so…We going to spar now?" as Ming smiled saying "Whenever you're ready." Brycen then stepped forward saying "Alright then, everyone to the Dojo, and Jing, way to follow instructions son." As Jing smiled up at his dad and the four made their way over to the Dojo.

Two hours later…

"Oomph!" Ming breathed out as she was now on her back on the floor of the Dojo, while Po was in his fighting stance. Brycen then declared, "Point Po, Well done my student you have improved greatly in such a short time." Po bowed and said "Thank you Master." As Po then walked over and helped Ming to her feet "You're really good Master Ming!" Po congratulated as Ming accepted his hand saying "Heh, Thank you Po…But it is you who won this day, I must say, I can't believe how skilled you are for one who only just recently began his training…you're a true talent Po." As Ming bowed to the Panda while Po just scratched the back of his head saying "Uh…gee…thanks Ming…But to be honest…I just got lucky today." Ming was surprised, this panda wasn't giving himself enough credit. "If only that were true Po…But to be honest…you straight up defeated me today…"Ming thought to herself as the two got up and began to leave the Dojo.

Once outside Ming spoke "Master Brycen…might I have a word?" as Brycen walked over to the leopard saying "Of course…Po, head up to the house for dinner, and then you can have the rest of the evening to yourself. You have done well today boy." Po smiled as he bowed and headed for the path beyond the trees. Once Po disappeared beyond the trees Ming spoke "Forgive my Brycen but I have a request of my own to make now." Brycen eyed the leopard as he motioned for her to continue, little did they know Po was just behind a tree listening. He could tell something was bothering Ming today when they spared, she seemed distracted and Po wanted to know what was up.

Ming then took a deep breath as she began "Master Brycen…I fear I am losing this battle with these bandits…I wish to ask you to join me on patrol tonight…I could really use someone watching my back." at this she looked to her bandaged arm as Brycen looked at it too. He then asked "What of Master Kai? Shouldn't he be joining you on patrol?" Ming sighed as she said "Master Kai…is not in the mountains right now…He is currently very far to the south near China's border and I cannot ask for him to return at this time…I have sent word to the nearby temples but no one can either send the help I need, or I have not received any word at all. Please Master Brycen…if you will not accompany me…then perhaps Po-""Absolutely not!" Brycen spat at Ming, as she looked a bit taken aback. Brycen calmed himself as he said "Forgive me Ming…But I cannot allow Po to join you…And I cannot be away from him for so long…I have been tasked with watching over the boy and that duty comes first…I am sorry…" Ming sighed as she said "I understand…If I could just find the location of their hideout…I could put a stop to this sooner than later…But each night I go out on patrol, I either find no one to interrogate…or they simply remain silent…" Brycen then said "I am sorry Master Ming…But I cannot help you…" Ming looked disappointed as she replied "I understand…I will just have to remain vigilant tonight…Thank you for your time Master Brycen."

As the conversation came to a close Po began making his way back up to the house. Ming needed some help and her master was away. Brycen couldn't…or rather wouldn't help her, and nobody else was able to as far as she knew…"Well…If Brycen won't let me help Ming…then I guess it's up to the Dragon Warrior to help her find this hideout." As Po continued up the path towards the house, a plan was beginning to form in his head, as the sun was begging to set casting an orange glow over the Northern Mountains...

Po Pulled off the Razor Rebound!...Once...And a little too well...Master Ming needs help and The Dragon Warrior is stepping up. now...to just keep Brycen in the dark about it...