Good News! I was able to finish the story and I can post it today instead of tomorrow! Always a good thing! Keep the reviews coming guys and enjoy chapter 11!
Chapter 11
Still No Answers…Only Questions
Po woke up the next day and at first he was in a bit of a haze. After rubbing his eyes a bit, his vision began to clear, but his head felt like it was still in a fog. After Po got back to the house after his run-in with Ming, he snuck inside and hid away his Dragon Tunic under the floorboard. He then meditated for about half an hour and took one of his seeds, within minutes he was out cold and dead to the world. Po wasn't quite sure what it was that woke him up, but something told him the effects of the seeds were still lingering so he decided to just lay on his bedroll for a bit. He didn't fall asleep again but after half an hour or so, his head began to clear and he decided to get up.
It was definitely late morning and Po was beginning to wonder why Brycen never woke him up for training that day, when he noticed no one was in the house, as he made his way to the kitchen. There was a note for him next to a plate of bean buns on the kitchen table. Po walked up to the plate and read the note.
Po,
Jing and I have gone down to the market today to gather some groceries for the house, Brycen has decided that since you haven't woken up yet, that you are still getting used to those Jujube seeds and so he decided to give you the day off from training. The plate of Bean buns is for you, so feel free to help yourself dear, and we will see you tonight. Brycen should be on the mountain during the day but the time is yours, but make sure you be back at the house for dinner tonight! Have a nice day dear.
Hua,
As Po finished the note he picked up one of the bean buns and tossed it in his mouth as he began pondering just what it is he should do today. Coach usually didn't give him too many days off from training. Granted some days were easier than others but it was rare for Po to have a full day off. Though, after the night he had, he was grateful for it to say the least. As Po finished up his bean buns he cleaned his dirty dishes and was contemplating what he should do, when a thought occurred to him. "Hua said Brycen was going to be somewhere on the mountain today…but she didn't say where…I wonder where he is?" As Po left the kitchen, he headed back to his and Jing's room to straighten up his sleeping area. After he picked up his half of the room, he began to leave when Jing's flute caught his eye. After staring at it for a while, Po picked it up and held it in front of him for a moment. As he looked at it, the sound of that strange melody flowed through his mind, almost as if he was hearing it being played before him. Po immediately left the room with the flute in hand and began to leave the house, pocketing the flute.
Once Po was outside he looked about to see no one was around, so Po decided to start heading off to the first place he thought Brycen would be…the Dojo. Whenever Brycen wasn't training with Po or around him, the Bear could usually be found inside or around the Dojo. As Po neared the Dojo he saw that the doors were closed so once he opened them he stepped inside and bowed. After taking a quick look around he saw that Brycen wasn't here so Po was about to leave when his eye fell on the blank banner next to Brycen's sheet with his name on it. Po stared at the blank sheet for a moment as he thought. "I wonder if Brycen would train me to the point where one day I could become a Master…Or maybe that spot's reserved for Jing. Either way it would be pretty cool to have one of our names up there on the wall of the past Masters…" as Po finished the thought, he bowed to the room and left the building, making sure to close the double doors behind him just like the way he found them.
"Okay, so he's not in the Dojo…so maybe he's over by the waterfall…" Po thought to himself as he made his way over to the waterfall. After a few moments Po made his way through the trees and was now out in the open. The sound of the rushing water could be heard everywhere around him, as Po scanned the area for Brycen, only to see that Brycen wasn't here either. "Where the heck is he?" Po thought to himself as he walked over to the log and sat down on it for a moment. "He's not in the house…not in the Dojo…and he's not here…there's nowhere else he could be if he's on the mountain…is there?" As Po was thinking his hand brushed across Jing's flute that was half sticking out of his pocket as he looked down at it. Po picked up the flute and held it in his hands once more as the melody ran through his mind one more time.
Without thinking really, Po brought the flute to his lips, closing his eyes, as he began to play. His fingers flying across the nodes as if he had been playing the flute for years, the sound of the melody ringing high in the air as Po played the calm and soothing music. As he played, the wind began to swirl around him, as if in response to Po playing, making gentle music of its own, as the leaves swirled in the air. As Po continued to play, he began to picture the silhouette of the strange figure he had seen before in his dreams as her voice rang through the back of his mind, in perfect synch with his playing the flute…there were no words to this melody, just the calm soothing tone to the music. As Po came to the close, he noticed another tear rolling down his face as he wiped it away. "Every time…" Po thought to himself as he suddenly tensed, sensing the presence of another that wasn't there before.
As Po leaped up and whirled around he was met with the smiling face of Master Oogway standing beside a nearby tree as the turtle held up his hand in calm down fashion. "Forgive me young panda, but I simply did not want to disturb you from that wonderful music." Po immediately relaxed and bowed to the great Master "Master Oogway, I wasn't expecting you…forgive me." Oogway smiled as he approached Po shaking his head as he said "No need for that young one. Tell me, where on earth did you learn that song?" Po looked down at the flute as he said "I don't know Master…I just sort of know it…" As the Panda looked up he saw Master Oogway watching him rather closely, as Po then asked "Forgive me Master, but may I ask what you are still doing here? I'd have thought you would have gone back to the Jade Palace by now." Oogway smiled as he walked over and took a seat down next to where the panda was sitting before, as he leaned on his staff saying "Why, I am here to see you of course Young Po, after all…you gave us all quite a scare the last time I saw you. I'm just merely making sure you have been sleeping well dear boy." Po smiled at the Turtle, touched that he was concerned for him. "I have been sleeping, Thank you Master." As Po too sat down next to the turtle, Oogway then turned his attention to the waterfall as he said "That is good to here. I must admit…I was deeply concerned for a while, but I am pleased to hear you are doing better now." as the two sat in a comfortable silence.
There was a question in the back of Po's mind right then. Something that had been gnawing away at Po for a while now, and this was the first time he had been alone with Master Oogway, who, as far as Po knew, was the only other person besides his Master, who would know the answer to this question. "Master Oogway…can I ask you something?" Oogway turned to the panda, who was now looking at the ground as he said "Of course young one, by all means." as the turtle motioned for Po to continue. Po was silent for a moment, as if he was uncertain whether or not he should ask. But after taking a deep breath, Po finally asked, while not making eye contact with the old Master. "It's just…that night you and Coach came to my dad's restaurant…you had said I had some sort of Destiny…And Coach told me that he was bringing me up here to help prepare me for it…but whenever I ask about what this destiny of mine is supposed to be…Well…Coach just says I'm not ready to know what it is yet…but I remember you were about to say something about it once before…so…could you tell me what this Destiny of mine is supposed to be?" Po finally turned to look at Oogway, who had a rather sad look on his face, as he heaved a heavy sigh. There was nothing but silence for what seemed like forever to the panda as he waited patiently for the great master to answer him. Oogway then brought his attention to the waterfall as he finally spoke. "Dear child…if it had been my decision, I believe I would have told you the answer to that question long ago…However…it is not for me to say to you at this time…If your Master feels you are not ready to know…then for the time…I must respect his wishes…I am sorry child…but I do hope you understand…"as the old turtle looked up to see a rather sad and disappointed expression on the panda's face.
They sat there for quite some time before Po spoke again "…I've done everything he's ever asked of me…I left my dad…my friends…I've followed his rules…all without question…I've stayed on this Mountain for the past two months(Okay maybe that one isn't entirely true)…And yet he still won't answer that one stupid question…" Po then stood up and walked over to the water's edge as he picked up a flat stone and skipped it along the water. "I just don't understand what I have to do to show him that I'm ready to know already." Po said bitterly as he continued to stare forward. Oogway sighed again as he walked over to the Panda and placed a hand on his arm "My dear boy…it's not that I believe you aren't capable of handling it… It's my belief that Brycen is merely trying to protect you for as long as he can…" Po then turned to Master Oogway his eyes pleading for him to explain "Protect me from what though!? Please Master, tell me!" Oogway was silent as he stared into the panda's pleading eyes…and for a moment, he considered telling Po the truth. "No…that duty falls to Brycen and him alone…"Oogway thought as he placed his finger over the Panda's heart. Po was a bit surprised by the action, but he never took his eyes off Oogway as the turtle said "I cannot speak for your Master dear child, but I believe he merely wishes to spare you from as much pain as possible…I am sorry but I cannot say more." As Oogway turned to leave he called back to the young Panda "Good day to you young one, but I believe It is time for me to take my leave." As the old turtle turned back to see the panda bow to him as he began to head through the trees. As he entered the cover of the trees, the sound of the flute could be heard making its way through the wind, forcing Oogway to stop and listen as he closed his eyes. It truly was a calming melody.
As Oogway stood there with his eyes closed, he felt the presence of another not far off to his left. "Thank you Master…" As Oogway opened his eyes to see Brycen leaning up against a tree, his back to it as the two stood there in silence listening to the melody. Oogway went back to listening to the music as he said "Do not thank me Brycen…though I am curious…how long do you plan on keeping the boy in the dark like this? He is beginning to get frustrated. He is right you know, he has done everything you have asked of him, and yet you have revealed nothing to him…when are you going to tell him about his-""-When I feel the time is right!" the Bear spat, silencing the turtle who merely eyed him, as the two listened to the sound of the music hanging in the air. After a moment of silence Brycen said in a far off voice "It's his mother's Lullaby you know…When I first heard him play it on that flute…I couldn't believe he actually remembered it…and he doesn't even know how he knows it…"
Oogway then said as the song began to come to a close "Sometimes…our hearts are able to remember things that our minds wish to keep buried…even for those so young…" as Oogway looked back to the panda who had finally stopped playing the flute and was now merely sitting there on the log, looking out at the water. "You need to tell him Brycen…I'm sure the boy is ready to know the truth…" and with that Oogway began walking up the path, leaving Brycen alone as he watched his student from the cover of the trees. Brycen watched the panda for a long while before he mumbled to himself "But am I ready for what happens once I do Master…?" As the Black Bear turned and made his way over to the Dojo…
That Night on the Ship heading towards the Mountain Village…
It was the night before they were to dock at the base of the Northern Mountains and Tigress was lying on her cot as the boat rocked back in forth. The Tiger was in a deep sleep, dreaming of her Panda friend, a slight smile on her face.
Tigress's Dreamscape…
Tigress was walking through the streets of a village she was unfamiliar with, as she spotted a familiar black and white figure up ahead wearing blue pants and his black tunic. Surprised to see him Tigress called out to her friend "Po!?" The Panda turned around and smiled at her, as Tigress ran towards him almost tackling the panda. As she jumped up into his arms as the panda swung her around shouting "Tigress! I can't believe it! You're actually here!" as the Panda set his friend down and Tigress saw he was wearing his amulet she had given him, as the Panda looked down at it he smiled saying "I told you I'd never take it off!" Tigress looked up into the panda's eyes as they sparkled in the sunlight. How she could get lost in those eyes forever…"Wait a minute…this is Po…why am I thinking about stuff like getting lost in his eyes?" Tigress thought to herself as she brought herself back from her thoughts. "Po, what are you even doing here? I thought you were helping your aunt?" Po smiled at her and again Tigress was melting as he said "Well Tigress, you see I-" But Po was cut off as a loud scream was heard from behind Tigress.
As the two looked behind Tigress, they saw a number of Bandits running towards them as Tigress took a fighting stance. "Po! Stay behind me!" But before the bandits could reach them Po grabbed her by the arm and pulled her as he began to run, shouting behind him "Come on! We got to get out of here!" as the Two began to run down the street. For whatever reason, Tigress didn't argue with the Panda as the two began to run through the Village. Tigress was wondering how Po knew his way around so well when they came upon an old, three story store house. Po opened the door and dragged Tigress inside. He then led Tigress up the stairs and to the far corner of the building, as the two were panting for breath, Tigress finally asked "Po, who were those guys?" Po just shook his head no saying "I don't know…But Tigress there's something I got to tell you." as Tigress looked forward she saw Po was now serious as he was trying to say something. "Tigress…all summer long I've missed you like crazy…I wanted to tell you this in my letters…but I just couldn't bring myself to do it…but now that you're here…Tigress..." Po stopped then as Tigress was staring into his eyes again "Yes Po?" Tigress urged as her heart began to beat faster. Po swallowed a lump in his throat as he continued "Tigress…I think…I think I…"
But at that precise moment the door burst open and the Bandits stormed the room. Tigress whirled and was trying to fight them off, when she watched a giant gorilla pick the Panda up, who was trying his best to fight back, as the gorilla started to beat on him. Tigress watched on in horror while she roared at the ape "LET HIM GO!" as the Bandit looked over at her with a sick grin as he said in a devilish tone "As you wish." And before it even happened Tigress's eyes widened in pure horror, as she cried out "NO, STOP, DON'T DO IT!" As the Gorilla threw the panda through the window as the Po was screaming "TIGRESS!" while Tigress screamed tears streaming her face "PO!" And then she couldn't hear his voice anymore as she could only imagine seeing his body landing on the ground…broken.
Tigress then roared "YOU MONSTERS! I'M GONNA KILL YOU ALL!" as she began tearing into her captors as they began to swarm her once again. Suddenly there was a loud crash from the opposite end of the room as a new figure emerged from another window and began making his way over to Tigress. Tigress almost didn't notice him until he kept a bandit from stabbing her in the back with a sword as Tigress whirled around to see a Jade Dragon staring back at her, on the back of a red hooded tunic, as Tigress immediately recognized who it was. "You!" Tigress shouted as the two began fighting off the bandits together "Come on Whiskers! We got to get out of here!" the Dragon Warrior called out as he turned to face her, his Jade eyes filled with concern "His eyes…They're just like… Po's…" Tigress thought to herself, her heart breaking as she thought of the panda, while she roared "NOT UNTIL THEY PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID TO PO!" as Tigress began to tear into the bandits once again. Tigress was seeing red as she began tearing into the bandits one by one while the Dragon Warrior kept the remaining bandits away from her. "Whiskers! Killing them won't bring him back! We have to go before-" but at that moment, one of the Bandits had made his way over to a hanging glass lantern and threw it to the ground, setting the building on fire.
The smoke was what got to her first as Tigress began coughing like crazy. Soon she wasn't able to see anything as the Bandits fled the building. She coughed again as she called out " *Cough* *Cough* Dragon Warrior! Where are you!? *Cough* "Over here!" As Tigress turned to see the Dragon Warrior getting to his feet. But as he stood up, Tigress heard a noise from above, as one of the beams above the Dragon Warrior began to crack as her eyes widened again, "Look out!" Tigress cried. But too late. The burning beam fell on top of the Dragon Warrior burying him in a heap of burning wood as Tigress listened to him scream in complete agony until she heard his voice no more. The Dragon Warrior was dead.
Tigress was trying to find a way out. She wanted to go back for him…but she knew it would be pointless, as she remembered those Jade Green eyes again bringing a tear to her face. The flames were all around her as she searched for a way out. There was another Crack sound from above, as Tigress looked up to the ceiling again her arm covering her face trying to keep the smoke away from her mouth. she watched as another beam began to break above her, and just before it broke completely, over from where the Dragon Warrior had fallen, a Jade Dragon shot out from the debris as it race towards her it's mouth open and for a brief moment, Tigress saw its eyes were also Jade, as she brought up her arms in defense as she shielded herself, screaming as it neared her "NOOOO!" And then there was only Darkness…
Back on the Ship…
Tigress awoke with a start as she bolted upright from the cot, her arms still out in front of her as she scanned the room, her heart racing like she just ran the obstacle course five times straight. Once she realized where she was she began to relax. "Just a dream…" Tigress mumbled to herself as she looked over at Monkey who was rolling over in his sleep, mumbling something about almond cookies of all things. Tigress swung her legs over her cot and immediately began combing through her pack, as she pulled out her Po action figure. As she looked at it however her face was showing nothing but worry…and confusion…" Why did she dream such intense feelings for Po? Sure he was her best friend and she knew she was his…but still…she remembered when she stared into the panda's eyes in her dream, how she felt herself getting lost in them so quickly…"Those eyes…" She thought to herself. That got her attention, as she remembered the Dragon Warrior's eyes as well. "Wait…DO they have the same colored eyes?" Tigress wondered to herself. To be honest, it had been so long since she had last seen the Dragon Warrior, that she wasn't certain. Was that just a figment of her imagination giving the Dragon Warrior Po's eyes? And then that Dragon…what was that about? She wished Viper was there right then, so she could talk to someone about this…aside from Po, Viper was the only one Tigress felt comfortable talking about stuff like this to. She probably wouldn't even bring it up to Master Shifu unless she felt there was no other choice.
With a heavy sigh, Tigress placed the action figure back inside her pack and began to make her way up above deck. The sun was rising now as she emerged from below, and immediately Tigress stretched her arms and legs. She then climbed up to the captains wheel where she saw the pig steering the ship "Good Morning Master Tigress, something I can help you with?" the captain asked as Tigress nodded her head. "Actually I was wondering if we were on schedule for reaching the Mountains base?" The Pig nodded his head yes as he said "we sure are Master Tigress, we should be arriving at the docks just past midday, from there it's just a four, maybe five hour walk to the Village if that. We are right on schedule." Tigress nodded and thanked the captain as she returned to the main deck. She was wide awake now as she began to practice the forms of her Tiger style as the Sun continued to rise up over the horizon…
Brycen really doesn't want to tell Po what's up and Po is getting frustrated. Monkey and Tigress are nearing their destination and Tigress is having strange feeling towards the panda, and she still isn't even realizing why. Next time the Masters reach the Village! So be sure tot check back!
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