WOW! So many responses to the last chapter! So many...very colorful...responses...I have a feeling some of you guys are gonna kill Brycen before his time...Yikes...many of you are frustrated with Brycen...good...cause you should be. that's the point I was going for, so I'm on the right track. anyway. Chapter 16 is up and I hope you can enjoy it. nothing crazy but something I felt needed to be done for this part of the this is a bit late but I've been out of the house most of the day and only just finished this chapter.
Enjoy the read.
Chapter 16
An Apology…
Po and Brycen were approaching the house in total silence. They hadn't spoken a word to each other since they left the village, Brycen had calmed down significantly but Po was still pretty fired up as the two stopped just outside the house. There was a kitchen lantern lit. Hua was up, and Po was in his Dragon Warrior tunic. How was he supposed to explain this now? Brycen extended his paw as he said "Hand it over…" Po looked at the Black Bear for a moment and sighed as he removed his dirty Dragon Warrior Tunic and gave it to him. Brycen slightly surprised Po right then, as he wrapped Po's red Tunic in his cloak. "At least he's keeping one secret I don't mind…" Po thought to himself, as the two entered the house. Hua was sitting at the table when she saw Po's dirty face and pants and she exclaimed "Po dear! Are you alright!? I saw the fire from the cliffs, were you down there?" Po just answered "I'm fine…just…really tired…" Hua then said "Well wash your face and go straight to bed. You had me worried sick when I realized you were gone." As Po was washing his face in the washtub in the kitchen, he felt ashamed, he didn't want to make Hua feel bad. This woman had taken such good care of him all summer and this was how he repaid her? "I'm so sorry…" Po whispered as Hua hugged the panda and said "Well…just go to bed now…what matters is that you are alright." Po nodded his head, and without looking at Brycen he went back to his and Jing's room. When the door closed Hua let out a sigh, as she turned to Brycen.
"Where was he Brycen?" Brycen was silent as he debated on what he should tell her. He hadn't told Hua about Po being the Dragon Warrior and he didn't plan on it. So he said "He was down in the village…he was pretty close to the fire which was why his face was dirty but he was okay…I guess the boy just couldn't sleep and wanted to find something to do…" Hua stared at her husband for a moment and wasn't buying it one bit. "I'm going down to the Dojo." He then pointed a finger at the boy's room saying "He is not to leave that room for the rest of the night…" Hua nodded her head as Brycen left the house, his bundled cloak in hand and Hua was alone.
After a moment she walked down the hall and slid open the door to the boy's room. She found Po sitting on his bedroll meditating as he looked up to face her. She quietly beckoned for Po to follow her and he did. Once the two were in the kitchen alone Hua grabbed a jar from the top shelf and placed a few almond cookies on a plate, then as she laid the plate in front of the panda and she sat down beside him. Po looked at the plate and then back to Hua as she said "So…how about YOU tell me what really happened?" as she reached for a cookie while she smiled at Po. Po remained silent but eventually he took one of the cookies and began to munch on it, his eyes never leaving the plate. The two sat in silence for a while as Hua waited for Po to speak. Po heard what Brycen had told Hua, so he decided to build on that. After all, he couldn't tell her he was the Dragon Warrior. "When Coach found me…he was pretty mad at me…he started going on about how it wasn't safe for me to be out and about…how when he first realized I was gone…that he thought someone had kidnapped me…and when I asked why he thought that…he wouldn't say…and then I lost it…" Hua grabbed Po's hand as she urged him to continue, and so Po did.
Po then told her some of the things he really did say to Brycen, like how he had to be hidden away from the world, when back home he could walk around freely, among other things like how Brycen didn't trust him enough or believe in him to give Po any answers as to why he was learning Kung Fu. He was however careful to make sure not to reveal any connections to him being the Dragon Warrior. When Po finished Hua wore a sad expression "Oh Po…" Po then turned to her asking "I just don't understand why he won't tell me anything! I've done everything he's ever wanted and then some…so why does he not think I'm ready to know yet? He won't even tell me why he won't tell me…" as Po looked back at the plate as he grabbed another cookie. Hua sighed inwardly as she mentally scolded her husband "Brycen, I told you, you needed to tell the boy SOMETHING!"
Hua then said to the panda as he finished the last cookie "Dear…There's something I think you should know…" Po looked at Hua for a moment and saw she had a serious expression on her face. "Does she maybe know?" Po thought to himself as he said "O-Okay…" Hua took a deep breath. "Po…I know these past few months have been incredibly hard on you…what with leaving your father and friends…and your life changing around you so fast…honestly Po…for someone your age, I'm beyond impressed of the way you've handled yourself up until now…even with those horrible nightmares you were having." She paused for a moment as Po digested what she said and then continued. "You have every right to want answers Po…I cannot deny you that…but…you need to understand something first…" Po was looking at Hua quizzically as she continued to smile. "Brycen is forbidden to tell me almost any information about his mission regarding your protection…so I don't have any answers for you Po…I'm sorry…" Po shook his head no saying "You don't need to apologize…" Hua smiled as she went on "…But I can tell you why my husband is hesitant in telling you these things Po…"
At that Po's head snapped up as his eyes slightly widened. "Y-You can!" Hua nodded her head saying "I was hopping Brycen would at least tell you his reasons if nothing else…but it seems like you two are at a bit of an impasse right now…" Po just lowered his head a bit as Hua went on. "Po dear…the reason Brycen hasn't been forthcoming with you up until now…is because he's scared Po…" Po was silent as he let her words sink in. "He's…scared?" Po asked, almost like he couldn't believe it. For as long as he's known the Black Bear, Po never saw Brycen…well…be scared of anything. Hua nodded her head yes saying "Yes Po…he's scared…so scared that I often hear him talking in his sleep at times…apologizing…" Po then asked "To who?" As Hua nodded her head towards him "To you…"
Po went wide eyed just then and no one said a word for quite some time. "Me?" Po finally asked, as Hua nodded her head. Po then asked "I don't understand…why would he apologize to me?" Hua shook her head no saying "I'm sorry Po…but like I told you, I don't have any answers. What I do know…is Brycen has been carrying your secrets by himself for going on 16 years now…with only Master Oogway to confide in. I can't imagine the things he knows about you and your destiny but I do know this…He's terrified…Terrified, that if he tells you now…whether it's because of your age…or because he simply just cares for you a great deal…that if he tells you what he knows…that it could change you forever…and he just doesn't want to hurt you Po dear…"
As Hua finished she grabbed Po's paw and squeezed it again, as Po looked down at the empty plate asking in a far off tone. "Coach…is scared…that he'll hurt me?" Hua nodded her head as she said "It's not just whether or not YOU are ready to know Po…but If Brycen is ready to reveal everything he has kept buried all these years…Po…I know it's hard…but I'm asking you to be just a bit more patient with him…please…I know he'll tell you soon…just give him a little more time…" Po looked up to see Hua pleading with him as he asked "Is It really that bad? What he knows?" Hua smiled as she said "I asked that same question myself…and he believes that it is…" Po was silent again for a while. After a while he nodded his head saying "Okay…I won't push him anymore…I didn't know he was struggling like that…" as he returned his gaze to the table as Hua stood up walking behind him and gave Po a light kiss on the top of his head. The action nearly startled Po, but as she picked up the plate she said "Thank you dear…now…you should really get to bed before Brycen gets back…you're supposed to be in your room for the rest of the night. Po nodded his head as he said "Yes mam…and…thank you…for telling me Coach's reasons…" Hua smiled as she patted Po's shoulder. "It will be our little secret dear, now off to bed." Po smiled as he went to his room and left Hua alone in the kitchen as she looked out the window and down the path to the Dojo where a single lantern could be seen lit inside. "He really is a strong boy Brycen…Now if you could just get past your own demons…" as Hua blew out the kitchen lantern and went to bed.
The Next day…
Po hadn't really slept much that night. His head was whirling around too many things and he was only able to catch a few hours here and there. He didn't take any of his seeds, mostly because he didn't want to waste the entire morning, but also because he was actually hoping that he might see that Panda in his dreams again…no such luck. Po actually didn't have any of his nightmares that night…probably because he had been too worked up. As Po entered the kitchen he saw Hua finishing up making breakfast with Jing sitting at the table waiting for his. "Morning" Po said as he rubbed Jing's head as he took his seat. Hua turned and smiled saying "Good morning Po dear, did you sleep?" Po just nodded his head as she set the bowl of noodles in front of him. After a moment Po asked "So where's Coach?"
Hua then frowned a bit as she looked out the window to the Dojo. "He's in the Dojo this morning…" Po then stared at his bowl. "You mean he never came in last night?" Hua shook her head as Jing asked "What do you mean Po?" Hua then hushed Jing as she said "Never you mind Jing, now eat your breakfast." Jing just grumbled about how nobody tells him anything while Po cracked a smile whispering "Tell me about it…" after Po finished his noodles he walked over and began to help Hua with the dishes when she said "You should probably get down to the Dojo dear…and you can tell Brycen I'll have his breakfast ready when he gets here." Po nodded his head as his face was in a slight frown as Hua whispered "It will be okay dear…I think by now he's calmed down quite a bit…" Po smiled slightly as he made his way out of the house and down to the Dojo. Jing was about to follow, when Hua stopped him "Jing, before you go out and play you have chores to do!" Jing just whined "Awe Mom…Do I have too!?" Hua then scolded him as she said "Yes you do young man! Now that porch isn't going to sweep itself!" Jing just grumbled as Hua overheard him saying "Po doesn't have to do chores…" as he reached for the broom and went outside to the porch, while Hua continued the dishes.
Po was now standing outside the Dojo as he stared at the closed doors. After taking a deep breath Po approached the doors and opened them. As he crossed the threshold he bowed to the room and walked in. Brycen was training on the training dummy in the corner as he continued to deliver powerful punches and kicks at the spinning warrior, using combinations Po had never seen him use before as Po watched him continue to train. Brycen apparently didn't hear Po come in so, Po just waited patiently. "I wonder if he's been hitting that dummy all night?" As Po noticed his Master's bleeding knuckles. Po quietly walked over to a chest in the corner and took out a roll of bandages as he returned to his spot and waited. As Po watched Brycen finish up Brycen spun around and delivered a powerful punch to the Dummy's center with his right fist crying out "HYAAHHH!", as Po watched the stationed dummy fly back against the wall and to Po's surprise, shatter into many splinters.
"Whoa…" Po said as Brycen's ear twitched and he turned to face his student. "Po…I didn't hear you come in…how long have you been standing there?" Po just shook his head "Only a few minutes…" as he approached his Master and began to unroll the bandages. Brycen just watched Po for a moment as the Panda took one of his hands and began to wrap up his knuckles, neither of them saying a word. After a moment Brycen let out a sigh "Po…about what was said last night…I-" But Po cut him off. "-I'm sorry Master…" Brycen's eyes widened as Po continued wrapping up Brycen's hands. "I said some pretty horrible things to you last night…And I was really mad at you…And I probably shouldn't have said them …" Brycen then started "Po you weren't the only one who was-" But Po once again interrupted him saying "Just let me finish…please…" Brycen nodded his head as Po began wrapping his other hand. "Please don't be mad...But Hua told me something last night…that maybe…maybe there's more to it then you just thinking I'm not ready to know about my destiny…or why you keep all these secrets…That maybe…maybe I'm not the only one who needs to be ready…" as Po looked up he saw his Master wearing an unreadable expression. "Hua…"
Po then continued. "Master…I really want to know what's going on…but at the same time…I think I understand better now why you've been so secretive…so…I'm sorry…can you forgive me?" Po asked his eyes pleading. Brycen looked at Po for a long moment. "This boy…has grown up so much in such a short time…" as Brycen remembered the baby cub he held in his arms that cold morning all those years ago. "He really is his father's son…in more ways than just his looks…" Brycen then smiled as he placed a heavy paw on Po's shoulder and said with a small smile "Of course I can my boy…let's…just forget it ever happened…and you weren't wrong to say what you did…not one bit…" Po smiled as he embraced his coach in a bear hug while he said "Thank you Coach…" Brycen just chuckled as he patted Po on the back "I'll let that slide this one time…" Brycen thought as Po had called him Coach inside the Dojo instead of Master. As the two separated, Brycen then asked as he looked Po over "You didn't get any burns or anything last night…did you?" Po just shook his head no saying "None…" Brycen smiled as he said "Good…now…I'm going to head up to the house for something to eat. In the mean time I want you to…" as he looked at the now shattered Training dummy "On second thought…why don't you go run the mountain path…once you're done…We'll begin training. Po then smiled as he said "Yes sir…" as the two began to leave the Dojo.
Once outside Brycen stopped while Po continued walking. After a few steps Po turned to see Brycen staring at him. As if he was debating over something. Po then asked "Something wrong Coach?" Brycen took a deep breath as he said "One Question…" Po looked confused a bit as he asked "What?" Brycen took a step closer but there was still a considerable distance between them. "I think… I can answer you one Question…you're choice…I think I can give you that…" as Po stared at Brycen for a long time as he thought of what to ask for. The Black bear looked a bit uncertain to Po…Like he really didn't want to say anything but knew he had to give Po something…"I can finally figure out why I'm here…but…would he be able to give me all the information? Maybe if I worded it right…no…If he's gonna tell me…I want the whole story…"Po finally said " What I want to know…is…What's the Secret to that last Punch you did to shatter the spinning warrior…"Brycen's face looked absolutely dumbfounded as he stared at Po. "He's…really willing to wait…after everything I've put him through…he's willing to wait to hear all of it…" Brycen then smiled as he said "It's called the Hammer strike…and I'll show you how to do it this afternoon with some boulders…" Po smiled and nodded his head as he turned to walk up the Mountain path towards the path. Brycen began to follow him closely as he thought to himself "Thank you Po…"
While they were walking Po's mind was whirling. When Brycen said the word "Hammer" Po immediately thought of that Giant Panda in his vision. "Could he really be…is it possible…or…is it all just in my head?" as they neared the house Po said "I need to write something down…" Brycen nodded as Po rushed into his shared room and dug out his Dream scroll. He quickly unrolled the scroll to find a blank space and drew a sketch of the Hammer he saw with the Yin-Yang Symbol on it…he then drew a sketch of the Panda he saw next to it. As Po stared at the drawing for a while the Panda's words echoed in his head "Don't worry son…Daddy's gonna protect you" As Po watched the scene play out in his mind when Jing walked in "Hey Po, You have a visitor!" Po quickly rolled up his scroll and set it in a drawer and asked "Who is it?" Jing was looking at the drawer for a bit when he said "It's uh…Master Ming…she said she wanted to see you…said it was important…she's down by the waterfall. " Po nodded his head and left the room all the while Jing was left in the room staring at the drawer. "Did Po have another bad dream last night?...But...I thought he was getting better…maybe I should tell dad?" as Jing left the room unsure of exactly what he should do. "If Po hasn't told dad yet…maybe there is a reason…"
Po had made it to the Waterfall and he saw Ming standing by the water's edge, her arms crossed. As she heard him approach, she turned to see him and wore a brief expression on relief. "What's up Ming? I didn't think you were coming by today." Po greeted as he neared her. Ming just shook her head "I know…I just came to see if you were okay…" Po looked slightly confused as he asked "What do you mean? Why wouldn't I be okay?" Ming then placed her arms on her hips as she scolded the Panda "Because you nearly died in a burning building last night Po!" Po's eyes went wide as he stuttered "Wh-What are you talking about!?" as Ming advanced on him "Don't play dumb with me Po! I know it was you who helped us last night! I know you're the DRAGON WARRIOR!" as Po's eyes widened in shock again "How did she figure it out!?" Po wondered as he tried rapidly to think of a way out of this mess. Ming then said "Don't even think about lying to me Po…Even before Brycen confirmed it, I had already put it together last night." Po stared at her a moment "Brycen…confirmed it? When?" Ming continued "The Dragon Warrior used the Razor Rebound technique last night to save Tigress…a skill known only to two people…You, and your Master…also the style he uses is Bear style…also unique to you both…Once I realized that, I knew it had to be one of you and frankly, the Dragon Warrior is much too short to be Brycen…So you were the only logical choice."
Po was speechless. She really did figure it out. He finally said to her in a serious tone. "Do the others know too…I mean Monkey and Tigress?" Ming merely shook her head no saying "No…I haven't said anything…" Po then asked his voice still serious. "Are you going to?" Ming smiled then and Po became a bit uneasy. "Po…I couldn't even if I wanted too…" Po then asked his eyebrow raised "What do you mean?" Ming then sat down facing the water as Po took a seat next to her. "Because before I met you, Brycen made me swear on my honor as a master, not to reveal any knowledge about you to another…including my own Master…Besides, I wouldn't do that to you anyway." She then smiled at Po who was now looking at the water. "I didn't know he made you do that…" he said as Ming nodded her head "Yeah I don't quite get it but I'm sure there is a good reason…" Po then mumbled "Yeah…"
Ming then smiled as she turned back to Po and said "Thank you…" Po looked at her as she continued "For having my back all those times…for helping with the Bandits…I don't think it would have ended the same without you…Dragon Warrior." Po smiled as he said "No Problem…happy to help…I just wish Brycen would have lend a hand…maybe things wouldn't have gotten so out of hand if he was there…" Ming then said "I agree…But I also know that you are his top priority Po…I don't know why…but he made that very clear the first time I met him…he was so secretive about you, I didn't even know if you were a boy or a girl. Po nodded his head as the two sat in silence.
The silence was then broken once Ming said "So…You and Tigress…" Po grunted in exasperation "GAAAHHH! I can't believe this HAPPENED!" as he threw his arms back and he laid back on the grass, staring up at the sky. Ming only snickered as Po went on "I finally realize I like Tigress, and she kisses the wrong ME!" Ming chuckled a bit as she turned to the Panda asking "So are you gonna tell her?" Po just continued to stare at the sky as he mumbled "I don't know…What if she only likes the Dragon Warrior and not the real me? And she spent so much time hating the Dragon Warrior that once she realizes I was the one who was talking to her like that…I will be so dead…" Ming then asked "So what's with the whole Whiskers thing anyway?" Po then turned to her and said "I had to make sure she didn't suspect who I was…so I kind of made up a new personality for the Dragon Warrior and…well…. the Whiskers thing kind of just happened."
Ming just shook her head as she said "I don't know what to tell you Po…I can honestly say I've never been in this kind of situation before." Po just grumbled "Tell me about it." As the two sat there for a while. Finally Ming said "Well I have to get going…Tigress and Monkey will be heading out soon with the guards and I need to see them off." Po grumbled "Wish I could go with you…" Ming then said as she placed a hand on his shoulder "I know Po…but…you'll see them again in just a couple weeks… hang in there Panda…" as Ming turned and left, leaving Po at the waterfall alone with his thoughts. After a while Po said to himself "Well…better get started on that run…"as the Panda got up and began running up the mountain path to the house.
A few hours later Down in the Village by the Village Gates…
Tigress and Monkey were standing by the gates as the Guards were finishing up packing for the journey home when Master Ming showed up. "I see you all are ready to return home." Ming said as Tigress and Monkey both smiled at her "Just about, but actually Tigress and I are gonna make a little detour before heading back." Tigress smiled. This was it. They were finally going to get going to see Po! Ming nodded saying "Very well. Thank you both again for your help in this matter…I couldn't have solved this problem without your help." Monkey just smiled as he said "Awe it was nothing Ming. We're happy we could help, and glad it all worked out in the end." Ming smiled as she walked up and gave Monkey a small kiss on the cheek while he blushed as red as Tigress's vest as he mumbled "So much better than dinner."
Tigress was getting impatient. She wanted to get going so she could get to her friend as soon as possible. She then said "Well…we better get going…we have a long Journey ahead of us-"Just then there was a voice from behind her. "Ah, Master Tigress, Master Monkey, what a pleasant surprise!" Monkey, Ming, and Tigress all turned to see Master Oogway walking towards them. Monkey and Tigress were wide eyed. "MASTER OOGWAY!?" They both practically shouted "Master, what are you doing here!?" Monkey asked as Oogway smiled at them both. "Why, I have been visiting and old friend for the past week and now I am on my way back to the Palace. This is wonderful luck indeed, we can all return to the Valley of Peace together. Tigress's face dropped "No! I was so close…but if Oogway returns to the palace before us then he'll tell Shifu he saw us…Oogway probably knows about the bandit threat being neutralized so we no longer have an excuse to tell Shifu…this is terrible…I can't go to Po now…"
As Tigress was lost in her thoughts Ming stepped forward saying "Master Oogway, it is an honor to meet you." Oogway smiled as he said "Thank you child, I am pleased that the three of you were able to neutralize the bandit threat here in the village…it was getting pretty serious for a while there…" Monkey then added "Well we had a ton of help from the Dragon Warrior too, he was incredible! The Guy literally dove out of the burning building with Tigress, We thought they were goners!" Oogway then said in a far off tone. "You don't say…" as Oogway turned to the house on the cliffs. "I'll have to write to Brycen about that…The boy was in the fire? And…" as he looked at Tigress "He got Master Tigress out as well?...interesting…" as he remembered how fire lately had practically paralyzed the Panda these days. As he turned to the younger Masters saying "Well then, shall we all leave together?" as the old turtle began to walk through the village gates. Monkey then whispered to Tigress. "Sorry Tigress…but we can't just go visit Po now…not with Oogway heading back to the palace after seeing us…" Tigress slammed her fist into a nearby wall. "I was so close…" she grumbled as she and Monkey began to follow the old Master. Leaving Ming behind at the Village gates.
As the three masters walked in silence with the guards, Tigress's thoughts were buzzing around her. She remembered the night before Po had left and how she had kissed him goodbye on the cheek. Then her thoughts went back to Her REAL kiss with the Dragon Warrior…as she thought about the two she whispered almost inaudibly "What the heck have I gotten myself into…?"as the party continued to walk in silence.
Hua really came through for Po and now Po is being patient with Brycen even though he really shouldn't have to be,( I KNOW I agree with most of you But I PROMISE I have a reason for doing this!) and the two are back to respecting one another...I know, Brycen is the problem but hey, it is what it is. Ming is going to keep Po's Secret, and Tigress has been robbed of her chance to visit( and discover he isn't where he said he was) Po.
The summer comes to and end in the next chapter...and a new secret comes to light...well...maybe it is a secret...maybe it isn't...depends on how close you guys have been paying attention. Check back for the conclusion to part 2 and the Summary to the third and final part to the: A Legend is Born series...
Thanks for reading and Remember
REVIEW!