— Good! Now you are at chapter 48, where good scenes to see our old friends shall occur here!
— Those who have read the 47th, this chapter will relieve you from the recent quarrel event.
12/14/22
Volume Three: Deng Wa
Chapter XLVIII
Noodle Feast
December 21, 1210
The Dragon Warrior opened the Barrack's entry and tapped his emerald yin-yang pole thrice. And once he had with his teacher Shifu, the bell gonged from the near ridge. The Masters of Jade Palace departed from their shoji chambers swiftly and ready. "Good morning, Masters!" all uttered.
At first, impressed with them, Po could see his peacock student clearing his fruity throat and nodding to his teacher. "Alright, everyone! Today is a big day! We shall honor Creed members, and tomorrow we celebrate Winter Solstice with honorable Masters and our citizens of the Valley!"
"Yes!" Bao-Panda cheered.
"Right on, Master Po!" Lei Lei threw her fist in the air.
'But first thing's first, guys," the panda lifted his finger. "We practice Tai Chi today! More likely, all of us must remain vigilant at all times to see there are Jade Warriors nearby."
The serpent stretched her lips. "As we are mindful of Wang and his statues."
"As I promised our friend Chen Xing, remember we are capturing Iron Antlers and breaking him free from Deng Wa. This important task will be tough. Deep in our courage, the Masters of Jade Palace will find a way to end the reign of terrors!"
"YES, MASTER!"
"Good! We eat breakfast and start training. Let's go!"
This training by summoning chi did go well for most of them. They mastered their strengths in defense by using their energies, and now what they could do was balance their mentality, soothing their minds from their current state and the past. At the Training Hall's courtyard, with forms of Tai Chi, they swirled their limbs, and their paws motioned in their slow and steady flows, their serenity sense becoming undisturbed. Shen gained his feet to circulation, his movement of Kung Fu giving him unperturbed at once he felt a soft stroke from the snow's speck. While serene, his opportunity was there with him. For the right moment, Shen caught two and actively whirled his limb feathers in the unwavering movement of both Cai Li Fo and Tai Chi, combining his style of equilibrium.
The peacock's surroundings of snow touching his feathers and movements deadened to silence. This warming sense had him reflecting on the view of his city popping fireworks at the sky, blanketed by white from the falls of silver charcoal pouring down. Most of his sensations from the harbor's wind carrying salt and the merchandise across the town roads subsided. The winter on his day was becoming intense outside, and he would not stand the breeze with the small size of his voluminous robe. The next moment, inside his parents' Dining Room, full of silver and light cobalt hues, Shen sat on his chair with Lady Muqin and Lord Feng, Soothsayer Mali, the wolf cub Zhong, and their honorable guests Prince Huangdi, Emperor Huangse, and Master Flying Rhino. Many were robed in silver coats and white robes, praising this Feast celebration with their wine glasses of white rice.
Prince Shen had Soothsayer on his right side, nudging his head on her arm after eating all the snow dumplings and drinking the mutton soup. Being grateful, yet in misery as his food conquered his stomach, dragging his mind to tiredness, he saw the goat so gracious and dear to see him deserving more attention than being neglected. Mali smiled upon him, and Shen did the same.
The peacock finally relaxed with his foot twirling his body forward, leading his other foot that reached its height beside his head to descend to the graze floor. Smirking, he let out his breath, and without knowing, the Masters of Jade Palace gazed at him.
"That's. So. Awesome!" Po acclaimed next to Shifu. "Can you repeat that flow, please?"
The snow poured small and steady as Tigress sat on her emerald rug next to the Peace Tree on the flat ridge. Her training to summon chi was complete, and she wished to meditate this afternoon, during which the feline could observe the light charcoal gray horizon and misty mountains with white coatings. The cold wind rustled on her gold hanfu of crimson foliage, stroking her soft orange and black stripes fur. This site was comfortable in giving her a glimpse of the village. And her tortoise grandfather's final years before a successor came from the sky with a ball of fire.
She truly wished to see him again, many times. The last time, Tigress sought Oogway was in the Realm of peace and damnation, the land between the yin and yang, fighting alongside her nephew, defeating the next tyrant. Instead of quarrels and hard accomplishments to not disappoint Shifu for the sake of becoming worthy, Tigress wanted to experience a sense of tranquility and wisdom. Away from anger, away from this troubling manner that she thought of her teacher educating her in the most brutal ways of becoming a hardcore warrior. Shifu had his reason not to allow this mistake to happen again. She initially feared what happened to her brother, who lost his way of an obsession with power and greed for the Dragon Scroll. The exact path of Tai Lung's steps she would not follow.
Not long after her meditation, Tigress could feel him. Her tortoise grandfather gave warm chuckles close to her. With a cute sneeze from him as the foliage blossoms poured on him and her, Tigress giggled. Ah, Tigress. It is a pleasure to have you by my side as my granddaughter. Yes, she sought confidence and fondness in him, one soul who was being friendly with her. Tigress could hear his rich voice of water and tree humming in her ears, from her nostalgia sensation impacting her as if the Grandmaster was sitting next to the Peach Tree, listening to bird chirps in the distance as peach blossoms swirled beside them.
From the side of the ridge, crushing snow steps approached. Her immediate thought was for Po to come along and mention meditating. Perhaps Crane, by vibrating his ebony wings, Monkey sharing his bananas with her, Viper giving her sister a warm comfort for this winter. Tigress thought Lei Lei was coming close to observing this marvelous view, but thick pulse train fanning feathers apart had her check a being of white in a silver robe standing close.
"Pardon my presence, Master Tigress," a silver voice crooned beside her. "May I have company with you?"
Tigress had her first reflection of becoming ill to neglect the Dragon Warrior's student. What she learned the hard way, Tigress minded fellow partners and students as if being transparent to encourage those who pushed their limits into difficulties. She learned to discipline her student Lei Lei controlling her emotions, leading the girl to success at mastering skills without discouragement. With the same path, the panda committed his teaching to Shen, complimenting him and their partners.
Po is right. I have to let it all go.
"Sure," Tigress accepted.
"I am lost my words, to begin with," Shen closed his beak, humming. "To be abundantly transparent for my honesty. I am not here to unsettle or fight you by all means."
"Neither am I," Tigress commented in nonchalance.
"I could visit you another time if you are still—"
"Don't go."
That had Shen filled his wonder as he heard Tigress's voice so promising. She was brushing her paws after puffing out her warm breaths.
"You have your right to be here. Po wishes me to attend to meet you," Tigress nodded. "For half a year since your arrival to Jade Palace, I only focused on my aspects than meeting the Dragon Warrior's former enemy, each day filling my mind with clouds of judgment, full of doubts."
"Indeed," Shen regarded, strolling near the middle of the flat peak. "I was concerned about your behavior."
"My brutal manners, if you have seen me being too harsh in front of you," she added.
Yes.
Shen began to view the phenomenal terrain of the Guilin Mountains, the valleys and ridges covered in white. He went near the cliff's edge. "What a breathtaking view. Seeing this scenery serves wonders, unable to describe at first sight," he said. "Po thought this is where he was underneath this tree, devouring peaches when he was upset."
Tigress held chuckles under her throat, unveiling a little grin. "He has good memories," she commented.
"A brilliant-minded fellow."
Tigress reflected on her panda student sticking with Shen in the Hall of Heroes and Student Barrack. Nevertheless, how the girl kept mentioning the peacock during training and off-duty hours, Tigress thought of him in most aspects (still had a harsh mindset when seeing and getting close to him). "My student Lei Lei has always been close to you, regarding you as a broken noble; while she does not care about your actions, she aids by your side, healing your wounds inside you."
"She is a lovely girl," the peacock described. "I quite find her much into curiosity, nevertheless."
"The whole country remains disdain seeing your presence," she mentioned as Shen lowered his crests, looking down to his talons. His whole feet's surface was mauled with burns from his life crafting metals and firepower in his father's laboratory. "You were a prince before a tyrant by the beginning sought many people turned against you. Why do they loathe you so much?"
Shen detected her tone, quite a nonchalance at first, but a slight puzzlement and solemnity if someone you cared for beside you asked. With such difficulty in clarifying and reflecting on dark times that were impossible to forget, the peacock searched his answers in his thought.
I was a mons — She and I dislike that word. I know the one that is more fitting than that.
Shen planted his lengthy wing on his chest. "I was unstable, Master Tigress. I suppose I set my mind into a waste, not able to consider my cruel actions," he admitted. "Those people I encountered labeled me an omen, terrible luck because I was born with pale feathers. They treated me the same way I outsmarted them, but I was careless about what they sought of me. Neglecting those superstitions about my color, I was born with a miracle. And upon a prime ambition, the Lord and Lady of Gongmen blessed me as their gifted son. But indeed, my story led to the darkest path as a ruthless prince before the Lord of Gongmen. And as served for the Realm, complications occurred, made me push too far that I developed inconceivable acts of terror."
"I see," a striped feline comprehended.
"Ever since then, I felt absent that my parents had me, familiar with their empathy. I had lost something that would take half my lifetime to restore with my purpose. The goal I am leading there remains challenging; with tremendous help, Po bestows me that fills the heart's hollow, allowing me to change a direction toward kindness."
"Inner peace," Tigress said.
Shen beckoned his beak with a slight grin. "Yes."
"Tigress!"
Both warriors took their quick glimpse behind, and beating wings approached. The avian, whose black wings extended higher, bent his angle with his agile rotation to his right, revolving around the Peach Tree. Crane broadened his quivering feathers, softly landing next to Shen.
"The Creed Masters are arriving," Crane informed.
Tigress stood up from her dark emerald rug. "They are on their way early?"
"All from junk boats are sailing close to the Valley right now. Two miles from here."
Both Shen and Tigress shook their hums, surprised, which brought Crane lowered his hat from them looking at him. "I've interrupted your conversation, right?" Crane asked shyly.
"Master Tigress and I will converse another time," Shen said, crossing his lengthy sleeves beside the avian. "I must enter my chamber quickly."
Once extending his train, Shen darted to the ridge and started springing, the vibration of his wings fluttering in the chilly breeze. Both warriors caught his figure swallowing in the trees, blanketed by puffs of the snow stream. Stretching his long beak with timidness, Crane turned to his feline companion, who wrapped her green rug in her arms. "Is everything okay with you both?"
"It's settled, Crane," she answered. "We had a friendly discussion."
Wonderful. Shen and Tigress are not at each other's glares anymore.
"Is everyone at Creed Hall?" Tigress asked him.
"Everyone," the avian bobbed his head.
"Good. We go there now."
Right on time to enter the second platform of Jade Palace after dressing in a silver sleeveless top, black headdress, and ebony trousers, Tigress reached out with them, seeing nineteen masters enter from the silver gate. Nineteen Shifu invited these honorable visitors to stand around the Creed Table for the banquet, with all plates with mats, glass cups, and chopsticks (thus spoons for avians) in front of them. The ice dragon carving with elegant scathe and fu manchu details rounded proud on the table amidst four metal lanterns. Tai Lung took his seat before the Five, and all nineteen guests followed, who waited for the Dragon Warrior to read a letter. The last time the leopard praised this Feast before his exile was remembering most of the thirty Creeds, as Master Thundering Rhino was part of Shifu's invitation during his youth days. Not expecting less than half of the other Creeds to pay their visit with Shifu; however, Tai Lung determined their reasonable absence, despite news preceding Iron Antlers executing rampages across China.
At last, the Great Dragon, with his headdress, robed his elegant winter top with intricate gold dragon tribals, yellow lines, and black trousers, gifted by his dear father a few days before the Creed Meeting. Shifu craved his son to join with respective masters with his blood siblings as Tai Lung presented to welcome them; the Dragon Warrior persuaded him to have dinner with the Furious Five. Standing from the high chair with fulfillment with his black cape and his council robe with flared-up shoulder patches, Po had managed to announce his Creed commendation without Shifu's napkin. He had partaken in reading the Grandmaster's praise over a million times in his head.
The Creed's Chefs were Wo Hop, the sheep Lifen with silver flower robes from the outskirt of the Valley of Peace, and the water deer Huifang from Jade Tusk's Poison Clan. Neither participant, including the three, won the Golden Ladle spoon, knowing the Dragon Warrior blessed all gifted chefs who proceeded to the Jade Palace Arena two days ago to give Po try their meals. At least no misfortunes occurred when Po kept his paws on his legs from himself, preventing his dangerous gesture Hun Shu Wave of Dismissal. Thank Oogway's Blessing.
After Masters praised Po's wisdom during their banquet, Shen was behind the silver gate with Bao Panda and Lei Lei; all three were covered in winter coats, peering through a small gap. The peacock swarmed his curiosity about this tradition that these Creed Masters gathered with Jade Palace members, comparing to his parents' Dongzi Feast each year, praising meals with exemplary guests and councils. His mother, Lady Muqin, elaborated that this ceremony was meant to reunite families and friends, not only to bring companies together with such blessing, but they respect their ancestors, filling charity.
Tai Lung chewed his portions of niángāo, a rice cake, listening to Creed members who wish many around the table to have their best years ahead, years for the better, and years for luck. Tried out mutton and tofu dumplings blending the best savors had the leopard warm himself well, with the whole room swarmed with chuckles. He saw Shifu smirk at him with such spirit at one chair away to his right, loading healings in their fragmented hearts. Only one would have made these souls considerably happier than the father and son reuniting. One Creed member for an empty chair revoked Shifu's invitation, and Tai Lung reflected one of his own. He knew what made him break someone's heart after his Dragon Scroll denial, unable to speak with a family member. Deep down in his soul, only cracked tenderness the leopard muttered under his throat.
Mama.
Chen Ming was the heart of Jade Palace and his loving mother. He could hardly remember riding horseback on a young feline in voluminous hanfu, taking long treks on countless adventures. She showed him how the world was enormous than their own, and this size standing in China was only a tiny step to start trekking in different countries. The night's sky above was even behemoth in size, endless as you regarding how we live in a small realm.
"Would you like some more rice beans, Tai Lung?"
Tai Lung dodged his thought as he turned to Tigress, who presented a small bowl of rice beans. He softly rumbled his silvery chuffs. "Thank you, sister," he grinned, accepting her dessert bowl.
December 22, 1210 (Dongzhi Festival)
The next day commenced the official Winter Solstice, which marked the longest night. The feline wrapped her gray robe with silver wraps around her left shoulder and her ebony trousers. The Dragon Warrior heard that she could survey the whole terrain as she wished to be wary of Wang's jombies soaring nearby the Valley. Shifu advised her not to for this day as this celebration was for gathering people in the village to praise all the people's blessings as if this Feast presented family and friends.
Master Tigress was the only one who meditated in her chamber before she took on toward the Palace's gate, observing the fading scenery that colorful lights ahead of her slowly pulsed by a dense breeze, the snow floating down upon her.
"Good evening, Master Tigress," Shen greeted.
"Shen," Tigress nodded with manners. "You could not catch up with Po?"
"I had to meditate in my chamber, delivering best wishes to my late parents and Soothsayer Mali."
"Oh?"
Shen straightened his long neck, folding his wings in front. "This cold night gets harsher. May I take a walk with you? The Dragon Warrior is expecting us."
She nodded, and both strode down.
This unease sensation from Tigress died down by having the Dragon Warrior's former enemy by her side. To Shen, however, it was quite the same as he felt her presence always wary and rarely calming. This was even a better progression to sticking with Tigress than how the Five empathized with the peacock. Most expected his slight changes to see him alter while Po was sticking with his student dearly. The beginning of his journey became slightly rough, but what was going smooth than hearing judgments, his former adversary and an ally aided him.
Tigress wished to share her query on how Shen started his banishment journey with wolves — continuing while halfway across the stairway, she pondered the peacock's parents, the cause of their demises.
"During my exile days, Lord Feng and Lady Muqin passed on since I could not search for my wife Xia and son Dongji after the horrific ambush," Shen began, freeing his tender tone. "I never wanted to share my horrible truth with my wife because if I had told her, their spirits could have shattered than mine, the exact feeling I remembered my parents' faces."
"You kept your word from your son and Lady Xia getting hurt," Tigress said.
"Her discovery came first, whether the letter came from the Peafowl Noble or someone who spilled the truth. That was when I lost Dongji and Xia. They fled from me, and it was better to have my son and wife a happy life than to lead them to their suffering," Shen lowered his sigh of regret. Leaving the tragedy behind, the peacock sought Lord Dongji's growth in adulthood, reminding his father's cobalt robe of velvet and silk, which was elegant to see his son standing among the Realm. "I regard my son will be better than his grandfather."
"I hear Lao labors to his reign well, improving the city with assistance from Gongmen Masters," she mentioned.
"I assure you the Realm will require improvements during my son's reign," he said confidently. "The Masters of Gongmen are educating him well. Those who had their knowledge from my father managed to keep their promise as Stewards, Lord Feng's oath keepers."
Mentioning the city once more, rather than reminiscing the harsh past, Tigress could hardly remember the old goat in colorful robes with round glasses standing by her while they were looking at Xing grabbing his sword in Undercity, the Realm's underground. "I do not know the Soothsayer much, but Po did mention you were the closest one to her," Tigress said. "What was she like?"
She was — everything to me.
They slowed their walk when Tigress could see Shen glance to his feet, reflecting on who was part of Shen's family. Without a doubt, good memories of her lasted a thousand lives. Soothsayer Mali had known knowledge than Peafowl Nobles and Masters of Gongmen; on top of scholarship, predictions she could read one's fate each, a rational being who counseled those who needed guidance, and —
His favorite Nana.
"Soothsayer Mali was such — Gods — she was a strong goat, who had more knowledge than my father's, and mine," Shen broke his silvery tongue, then cleared his throat. "Mali was like the character of wise and care, which she bore deep understanding to each soul. A fancy storyteller by making children entertained listening to myth tales, scared if any wished to hear their haunted tales. I was the only one who showed no fear; the rest, including Zhong, were behind corners."
"I can only imagine Po sharing his tales about the Five," Tigress said.
"No wonder the Dragon Warrior is good at sharing stories, but Mali proved words more above miles than his," Shen chuckles. "It is when you wish to ask her a good story, she could lead you to happy and tragic endings. That she could nurse children, Mali was far superior. Lord Feng and Lady Muqin chose her well."
"What happened to her?" Tigress's amber eyes flared up, her voice blending with care and thoughtfulness.
"When Huoju and his dragon appeared, I stormed into the Undercity, where Mali searched for the Mightiest Warriors' Pledge scroll in the hidden library; gladly, my son's blood brother arrived before the aftershock commenced. We retreated to the above land and salvaged every flesh and bone from the debris."
Remembering the last time that seemed yesterday, Shen felt Mali's hoof palming on his cheek. "A Fire Clan bandit rushed by behind the debris smoke and threw his knife at us, and Chen Xing stunned him. Her words haunted me that she was — proud of me coming back to the light," the peacock shattered, whizzing in grief. "Soothsayer died in my wing."
"My condolences for your losses," Tigress expressed her sympathy.
"Thank you," he accepted her, and they began to stroll once reaching a quarter away before the Valley.
Down toward the Valley of Peace, straight for the bridge, which the river coated with thick cobalt ice, Tigress and Shen continued their conversation well. Neither the warrior nor the former tyrant started clawing at each other throats by the time they mentioned their tales. Her next topic became curious as she asked him how Shen and the Emperor met each other for the first time. Once the peacock detailed the day that painted crimson morning before the midday clouds swimming above him, Tigress breathed in after discovering one student with the group.
"Temutai was there at your academy?"
"He and his scoundrels were the ones who started their traveling hours; they were not one of my former teacher's students," Shen said. "His fight between us became reckless, had him and his foxes lead Zhong and me toward the wharf. Cornered, Zhong stood his ground against the two, and Temutai had iron fists throwing at my body as I was defenseless. He threw me into the harbor, and my old companion saved me from drowning."
"Zhong?" she guessed the name of Shen's right hand.
"Emperor Huangse's son."
She recognized the Emperor's father in history scrolls but did meet Huangdi. Tigress slightly broadened her eyes once Shen continued before leading down to the edge of the bridge.
"Huangdi was invited among the group by his father, who wished for his son to regard historical lore and the city's landscape. Once Zhong and I were in the affray, Huangdi joined in after Temutai insulted him and the Emperor. Despite arrogance, he asked for trouble," Shen hummed. "After Huangdi's father banished low-lives, I never thought I would see Temutai in my lifetime, only mentioned that Emperor Huangse sent him and his buffalo clan to Mongolia for assaulting Peafowl Nobles' son and the Emperor's Prince."
"Hmm. The Jade Palace Masters had histories with him and his Qadan clan years before the Jade Slayer's arrival. The last time I heard was Temutai caused troubles last time when Shifu mentioned that he murdered Master Sheep, the Righteous Seven's teacher," Tigress recalled as the children stormed nearby. Two geese and two sows sprinted, giggling before the two warriors nearly arrived at Mr. Ping's Dragon Noodles Restaurant, where the archway cast its dawn light, the inside intensifying chuckles and public speaking. "He and his clan have been gone after the Prince of Darkness's defeat. If I remember well, his nephew was supposed to be the Qadan clan leader in his uncle's stead."
Shen tugged both wings in his long sleeves. "I learn nothing about his nephew."
"Do you know where was the last time you saw Temutai?" Tigress asked the peacock, whose back bathed with yellow shine.
"Temutai was in Gongmen Jail, where the waste crushed him. He has been dead."
Temutai and his clan went missing during the Emperor's reports. And now, Shen confirmed the buffalo's death.
"I am not sure this party will welcome me," Shen said doubtfully.
"Tell the sign above you," she pointed.
Shen did so once he stammered, glancing at the archway's title that had his heart free from clenching near his stomach. There is always room for one more at Mr. Ping's, the peacock read, arching his brows upward.
"Would you like to see your teacher be depressed if you do not appear here?" Tigress queried, expressing nonchalance into common sense. "This is Winter Festival, and this day will be meaningful to Po, Shen."
The peacock had enemies depressing them in his era, thousands that you could see the omen label from a tyrant. He escaped darkness from himself, who intimidated warriors and civilians, and Shen could consider himself to balance his mental behavior. His baby steps were there to heal, his long stride with his help. Yet, he sought Po, always praising him in training, praising him that he searched for peace in meditation, everything this panda could ever support him, always smiling beside him.
I have not seen my parents' smiles for many moons, and they always do in the grass.
"Hmm," Shen beckoned his brief grin. "I take my words back. I can visit here then."
"As long as you stay with Po, then you are giving him his — most awesomeness day ever."
The peacock puffed his chuckles once they entered from the archway. "Should he use different words rather than say awesome all the time?"
"Not exactly," Tigress commented until the panda in expensive winter garments with a yellow belt gasped ahead.
"GUYS! You finally came, Shen!" Po hugged his student.
Po's arms fastened around his back as Shen widened his eyes, full of bewilderment, but accepted to give in instead. The peacock's spine popped twice, making him relieved with a harsh sigh. "Remind me to tell you not to do that again."
"Too late now, Shen. I learned this hug from Yoo, who popped my back," he laughed, patting his student's back. "Come in! Take a seat. I'll serve your noodles right away!"
Musicians performed erhu, guzheng, and pipa, playing the intro sequences of familiar melodies that served such spirits mentioning the tortoise grandmaster. As they entered, cheers from the Five and a few villagers thrived, taking over the theme. By the corner next to his twin nephews, who were cheering, Li Shan faded his grin once seeing the peacock entering with the Dragon Warrior and Tigress. The world in Li Shan filled the silence with slight disdain after seeing Po's guest and regarded him as the cause of crimes against his panda villagers of Thriving Village. Instead of inviting brows and stares to crash the party, Li Shan unveiled his fake smile at Shen once Po came close to his father's near the kitchen outside.
Another melody commenced the fierce at first and now heightened the erhu's strings as drums kicked in, portraying a new note from musicians genuinely inspired by the Great War's terms, naming two warriors as "Blood Brothers." This theme had these masters, including former baddies Tai Lung and Shen, fill their looks mesmerizing.
"And the crocodile thief pounced!" the behemoth rhino boomed his low voice ahead of the children, who giggled with satisfaction hearing his story several times. The leopard regarded that the rhino's tale proved what Tai Lung was involved in the affrays with his teacher thrashing countless reptile bandits across the Weeping River with their companion. Day and night before the rising sun, the three masters vanquished their ranks and numbers. The third warrior supporting him, and Shifu, was his dear mother. Remembering every inch of fast velocity, Tai Lung could see Chen Ming tapping her feet while twirling her arms against unfriendly blows from bandits who were going against her at close-range combat.
An unlikely encounter near him and Shen appeared a water deer, who held a flat dish of bowls with bean bun sides and daikon plates. Huifang spread her smile at the leopard. "Here's your favorite meal! Fill your empty stomach!"
Chuffing at the water deer, Tai Lung gorged his noodles in his mouth and had one stripe of pasta glued under his muzzle. Without noticing, he sought a few puffing giggles and followed chortles from his red panda father, who pointed his chopsticks at him. "Nice one there, buddy! You are like Master Shifu!" Po smiled at the leopard.
So did you who mocked my father last time. Tai Lung chuckled.
Gathering a pack of bananas on the table, Monkey squeezed a few, which shot in the air and gorged in his mouth while performing acrobatic jumps, entertaining children as many praised him. Extraordinary, Shen approved him before Tai Lung shot his determined eyes at Monkey, providing praise with a nod. This leopard sought the rest that filled his heart even better, that he could not ever get to see this thrilling holiday for decades. Guffaws swarmed from Li Shan, Mr. Ping, and Shifu. Tigress beside the archway held a goose infant, holding a spoon as she comforted the child with his mother beside her. Lei Lei and her Four Constellations companions outside assembled their teams of children making and throwing packs of snowballs at each other with giggles.
"Aww! No more snow?" Po asked.
Shen and Tai Lung held their limbs and sought small flakes slowing down, nearly stopped pouring above them. What was intriguing to their eyes were fading layers of dying emerald horizon blanketed with stars. "The sky is clear," the sow villager said as the musicians continued their instruments. "There will be more later on."
"Hey, look over there. Are those dancing lights?" Bao-Panda pointed at the northwest.
Immediately placing his empty bowl beside the wood table, Po quickly walked out of the archway and followed his panda student's finger, pointing in the direction where the light in the Dragon Warrior's eyes reflected with pulse green. "WHOA! Guys, check it out!" he gestured to the Five. "Those lights over there!"
Shen and Tai Lung took their stroll before the Furious Five, and without a doubt, the horizon had a majestic view of aurora lights dancing above the Mortal Realm. The whole heaven stroked with glints of charcoal emerald swimming with other bright rays, wide and long stretches followed by the northwest that rose its pulsing green. The view was awesome — no, exquisite to impossibly ignore the aurora.
"It's so—"
Please, stop saying awesome. Shen hid his annoying glare beside Po.
"Oogway's blessing! It's beautiful!" One antelope villager beside Po gaped in breathtaking. "Just marvelous!"
"What is that?"
Author's Note:
— Blood Brothers I named the song as the theme has "The Legend of Kai" meeting "Oogway Ascends." Would that be nice to have Oogway and Kai use their badass music in battles and even their recognition?
— All chapters filled with a climax and action scenes will arrive next week on Winter Solstice! On the other side, celebrating Dongzhi Festival respectfully!
— Good luck with the Finals, everyone!