Author's Note: HEY EVERYONE! About time huh? I am extremely sorry for the long wait. A bunch of personal stuff that turned my life upside down and stuff that I'd prefer not to talk about. Just know that my writing mind is back in full swing! And another positive note, I JUST GRADUATED UNIVERSITY! WOOOOOH! As for this chapter, well, more introductory stuff for the five (Plus, I want to make this enjoyable even if you don't fully remember everything from Fragile Hearts, so don't worry about catching up or anything.) Anyways, on with the show!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP (I would've been fired for taking so long.)

Enjoy.

Mastery of Self

Shying away the terrors of the night before, the sun's magnificent shine embraces the skies of the valley of peace, ushering forth a new day for the villagers below. A day of tranquillity amidst a night of horror. A day of success for the businesses thriving in the village square, the sun blessing their humble buildings with a gentle kiss from its godly rays. A day that is only possible thanks to the valley's humble protectors, the masters of the Jade Palace.

It was only three months ago that their home had almost turned into a graveyard. Yet, against all odds, they had managed to best their most dangerous foe yet. Nuba. A name that had once been a simple ghost story now brings chills to every inhabitant of this valley, and its neighbouring Xiwang valley that bore witness to the brunt of her horrific crimes. In spite of their hearts being twisted and manipulated by that white tiger, the dragon warrior and the furious five had pulled through in the end, and in turn, vanquished their inner demons from their souls. Ever since then, their home has regained its namesake. Save the ignorant bandit or two, the village has never been more peaceful than it has now and its saviours vow to keep it that way.

This vow can be heard across the entire palace in the form of grunts, yells, and shouts as another day of training begins. Another day of preparing themselves for whatever dangers the world has for them. Regardless of this peaceful time, the Jade palace masters are well aware of how unpredictable evil can be. They cannot let their guard down, not even for a moment.

Amidst these laboured battle-cries lies a noise far quieter emanating from the palace kitchen, sifting through the air akin to the incredible aroma bathing the place in its splendour. Clanging pots, woks, and the bubbling of noodle broth act as the instruments to yet another delicious medley, tempting the palace's inhabitants to devour as much of it as physically possible. Conducting this scrumptious melody is none other than a panda adorned with patchy shorts and white kung fu robes, the golden dragon on his back silently roaring as he performs several kung fu chops, flips, and expert knife tricks. These complex movements are done with such an effortless finesse that can only be attained from years of experience. This panda masterfully assembling lunch for his students is none other than one of the most powerful kung fu warriors China has ever seen. A warrior that has fought through thick and thin, defeating evil even when all hope had seemed lost. A warrior that has bested death itself with the very same goofy grin that is plastered on his face right now. A warrior chosen by the founder of kung fu himself, much to everyone's surprise.

Po, the dragon warrior.

Taking a quick whiff of his dish, the panda master's grin only grows wider on his face. He whizzes by each pot and wok on the cookers, placing bowls of noodles, bean buns and dumplings onto the kitchen table with unfathomable speed. As he fills the table to the brim in a breath-taking display, so does his mind fill itself with many thoughts all pertaining to his students' progress over the past three months. With each passing day he notices their movements becoming smoother, their reflexes faster and their ability to transition into the inner peace stance to be almost instant. By the third month through, the panda's gigantic smile had seldom left his face, his pride in his students present for all to see. Yet his ecstasy is not only reserved for them, but it was for his teaching ability too.

When he had first crashed down in front of his kung fu family, never did he think he would be able to come this far. To not just be the dragon warrior, but to be the teacher of kung fu masters. Granted, he still believes it is a bit absurd considering their difference in experience. He has been a master for, what, 2 years now? Whilst the five have been doing their heroic thing for over a decade. Nevertheless, he couldn't be happier about the position he has been given. For he will not only be teaching his comrades, but soon he will be bestowing Oogway's teachings to a new generation. Just to think that the wise turtle had enough faith in Po to name him as his successor. It's unbelievable. It's… a bad choice…

That miniscule whisper of doubt is shoved aside by Po's mind as he finishes laying down lunch on the table and makes his way back out into the barracks with a tiny skip in his step, beyond excited for the sight he will see in the training hall.

And what a sight it is. As he gently opens the training hall doors, careful to not disturb his students' training exercise, his jade irises grin just as much as he does. High above his head, along the rafters of the wooden hall, master Crane, dressed in his usual blue training shorts and straw hat, can be seen ducking, and weaving around the seven-talon rings, blocking and parrying attacks from a miniscule green blur hopping on top of each ring. Squinting his eyes to see this blur, the excitable panda notes how master Mantis, adorned in his usual wrist and leg wrappings, leaps across each ring with ease, as if it has become second nature. Crane exercises his advantage of flight by ascending further towards the rafters, forcing Mantis to chase after him by climbing up the chains of one of the rings. But before he can fully reach his avian combatant, the insect warrior is forced to dodge a vicious tail swipe before leaping over to another ring. Within a mere second of him landing, Mantis blocks another swipe before engaging with his new opponent, the green snake wrapped in a brown tattoo, master Viper. Slithering through each chain in her usual litheness, the serpent master manages to keep up with her insect combatant in spite of his mind-boggling speed. As Po continues watching this battle go on, he doesn't notice master Crane diving back into the fray to resume his battle with the two. Once the avian warrior joins them, all three masters traverse through the seven rings expertly as they trade and dodge blows without breaking a sweat. "Oh! That is so awesome!" Po whispers to himself, in awe at the spectacle before him. However, before he can watch on for any longer, his ears catch the clacks of the gauntlet of wooden warriors which immediately drag his attention over to the farther side of the room.

Deep within this sea of wooden dummies, two figures can be seen expertly manoeuvring through the spinning warriors. These two figures are none other than masters Tigress and Monkey, who manage to keep their concentration on their ferocious match in spite of the wooden warriors' ever-present danger. Monkey, wearing his usual gauntlets and brown kung fu trousers, practically dances around these warriors, using all four of his limbs to move around these obstacles and attack in unusual ways. This forces Tigress to stay on the defensive and wait for the precise moment to strike. As she patiently looks for an opening in Monkey's offense, the tiger master swiftly dodges and parries all strikes thrown at her by both the wooden obstacles and Monkey himself without a second thought. Just as she manages to parry the langur's left kick, he is forced to shift his stance back to normal by the wooden dummies' many limbs. This is her chance. Without a moment's hesitation, Tigress begins her offensive by landing a brutal palm strike into Monkey's face, forcing him towards the few warriors' that haven't been spinning. After regaining his balance, Monkey braces himself as Tigress continues her offensive.

A massive grin plasters itself to Po's face as the two sparring matches continue rising in intensity, the panda inwardly gushing about just how bodaciously awesome his heroes are. "Truly impressive work, Dragon warrior." A gruff voice snaps the panda out of his awestruck stare, forcing him to look to the source of this commendation. To his right side, balancing on his former master's staff, is none other than the Jade Palace's grandmaster, the greatest kung fu teacher that China has ever known, master Shifu. The elderly red panda, wrapped in his usual brown robes and jade grandmaster's sash, greets the dragon warrior with a content smile as he hops off his staff and approaches the panda.

"Hey c'mon, that's them. Not me." Po motions towards his comrades, unable to take credit for their own combat prowess, now that would just be unfair.

Shifu's smile grows ever so slightly at the dragon warrior's humble response, still thankful that he hasn't let his title and accolades go to his head. Although, humility can often come at the cost of underselling oneself. Something that Po does far too often. "Maybe so, but without your teaching none of us would have come this far."

Po's smile grows at Shifu's compliment, realising just how right he is. That if he hadn't helped them gain inner peace against Nuba, then there is no telling what fate would lie in store for them. To think that in his very first lesson, he had almost reduced the five to tatters. A meagre chuckle escapes the panda teacher's maw, still somewhat embarrassed at this memory. Yet once again, he cannot take all the credit for not just the furious five, but his growth as a kung fu master. "Right back at ya, master." He quips before bowing towards the grandmaster, a deep respect embedded in his voice. Shifu responds to this with an appreciative nod before turning his attention back towards his former students, his steely blue eyes following them with an analytical stare. Jade eyes follow suit, though instead of critiquing the five, they shimmer with an unquestionable appreciation of them. Both masters stay like this for nearly a minute, their focus remaining on the two matches that have yet to see a victor until curiosity takes up Po's countenance. "Who d'ya think will win?"

Keeping his eyes forward, the grandmaster brushes off this question, "That isn't what matters."

"I know, but if you had to guess…" Po trails off, desperately hoping that Shifu may humour him just this once. He is merely accommodated by a light scoff as the grandmaster focuses on the escalating matches.

Crane, Mantis, and Viper continue to trade blows amongst the rings only to find themselves at a stalemate. Seeing this, Crane decides to try and lure his opponents to more advantageous ground by flying up to the rafters. However, just as he is about to make his ascent, Viper swats Mantis over to one of the farther rings and coils around the avian master. Though he still attempts to get to the rafters, his serpent confidant gives him a cheeky smile as she twists his body around, heading straight for the field of fiery death. Viper's territory. Right as they arrive at the field, Crane finally manages to break free from her hold, narrowly avoiding a crash landing. They quickly take to their stances, staring each other down with excitable grins until…

Fwooosh!

A gigantic flame shoots in front of them, signalling them to resume their match. They trade blows again, never blocking but instead parrying and reversing each other's attacks endlessly. Occasionally their stalemate is broken by the flames shooting from the floor, forcing them to evade before immediately fighting again. Unbeknownst to them, hazel eyes look down at them from the rafters, Mantis having climbed up there when Viper had swatted him away earlier. He continues inspecting them, waiting for the best moment to strike. They clash, then the flames shoot up. They clash again, another flame forces one of them to shift position. They clash once more and…

Fwooosh!

Mantis leaps from rafter to rafter until he is directly above them and shoots towards them just as they go back to clash again. Completely unaware to the insect's attack, Crane, and Viper both take the full force of a brutal kick to the forehead, throwing them across the fiery field. The avian master manages to keep himself from going too far with his wings whilst the snake master easily coils herself back into her stance. "Forgetting someone?" A smug grin occupies Mantis' face as he motions his pincers towards his comrades.

Viper rolls her eyes at the insect's antics, "As if anyone would be able to forget about you, Mantis." She gives both him and Crane a fond smile as she readies herself to clash with them once again.

"Now let's just see if you can keep up." Yellow irises stare down Mantis and Viper with a reserved sense of glee, the avian warrior ready to give them everything he's got.

Mantis' smile only widens at their goading, knowing full well that his speed is unmatched. "Really? I think you should be asking yourself that…" Hazel, yellow, and sky-blue eyes look between each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. "Now bring it on!"

With that, the three masters enter a three-way spar once more, trading blows with each other whilst managing to dodge each fire blast without missing a beat. Watching this all unfold, Shifu strokes his beard in thought, taking in every single move they make with unrelenting scrutiny. He looks to Po for a brief second, noticing his excitement swirling within his eyes. Just this once. The grandmaster concludes, after all, why not humour the dragon warrior after all he has done? "Although his sneak attack has provided him a great advantage, it seems that Mantis won't be able to break their stalemate." Po looks to his master with widened eyes, a wholehearted smile growing on his face as the red panda continues, "To be frank with you, Po, I don't believe there will be a victor for their fight. They're too evenly matched." An impressed whistle exits the dragon warrior's lips in response as the three warriors remain tied in their match. Noticing his master shift his attention towards the two warriors within the gauntlet, Po's eyes follow suit, eagerly awaiting what the mischievous monkey and masterful tiger have in store for each other.

Boom!

Monkey just about manages to land on his paws as Tigress jump kicks him out of the gauntlet, flinging him closer towards the jade tortoise of wisdom. Before the langur is fully able to orient himself, the tiger master pounces from the shroud of wooden warriors and continues her offensive with a brutal palm strike. In the nick of time, Monkey rolls out of the way and goes back into his stance before being put on the defensive once again. Punches, kicks, and palm strikes fly at the langur warrior, their sheer power leaving him unable to retaliate each time he blocks or parries them. At this rate he's going to lose, and fast. Unless…

Cheeky blue eyes dart back towards the jade tortoise's surface, a plan coming into motion. Though amber orbs do notice this, the tiger is unable to piece together just what his idea could be. Tigress continues her offensive, wary of whatever tricks her primate opponent has ready for her. Allowing himself to be pushed back just enough, Monkey dodges a right punch and uses the opportunity to run up the tortoise's shell and throw a punch directly at her. Tigress immediately parries this punch only to be met with his foot kicking her directly in the face. She follows through with the momentum and backflips away to gain some distance, now seeing her opponent advancing on her in a handstand position. Classic Monkey to turn the battle on its head.

He tries several kicks on her, with Tigress blocking each one and retaliating with a kick to his right side, a glaring weak point to his tricky stance. Noticing this immediately, the langur cartwheels over his right side and throws a palm strike which Tigress parries before responding a sharp elbow. This connects straight to Monkey's jaw, debilitating him for a brief moment. The tiger master soon presses this brief advantage by attempting a leg sweep. However, Monkey manages to recover quickly enough so he can hop on top of her shoulders before propelling himself off her towards the jade tortoise. Tigress soon follows after him with a swift front flip. They land on opposite sides, both kung fu masters having little trouble with keeping their balance as they shift back into their stances once more.

Hopping in place with an almost manic energy, Po is unable to tear his eyes away from the incredible display right in front of him. In fairness to his overly excited student, Shifu does have to admit that the two have certainly put up a great fight. However, in spite of Monkey's clear improvements, it is blindingly clear who has the upper hand here. "As for Monkey and Tigress…" Shifu trails off, his attention taken back into the fight as the two masters resume their match.

Yet again, Tigress presses the offensive by leaping over towards Monkey's side, managing to predict the langur warrior's attempt to kick her out of the air by catching his foot just before landing. His foot in her paw, the tiger master continues to push forward, pressuring him further with quick jabs and kicks aimed for his free leg. By some miracle he manages to keep his balance whilst blocking her surprisingly powerful jabs. However, as she pushes him further and further, the langur is forced to cartwheel along the jade tortoise so he can free his foot from her grasp. Unfortunately for him, Tigress had been expecting this and immediately seizes this opportunity to deliver a brutal punch to his completely unguarded torso.

Bam!

Po squints at the hit whilst Shifu's ear twitches after hearing Monkey groan out in pain. Though he is able to complete this cartwheel without losing balance, his paw hovers over his abs as a stinging grimace takes his face captive. Both the dragon warrior and the grandmaster look each other in the eye with a smug smile on both their faces. "Tigress." They say in unison. As if it's a surprise. He may not be out of the fight yet, but it is clear for all to see that Monkey won't be able to last for much longer whilst Tigress has barely even broken a sweat.

After taking one last glance at the other three warriors' stalemate of a match, Shifu and Po nod to each other which prompts the red panda to raise his staff ever so slightly. However, just as he is about to tap it on the ground, Po stops him, "Um… Could I… Uh… y'know…" This awkward question gets a slight chuckle out of the grandmaster before he presents his staff to the dragon warrior. A toothy grin the size of a watermelon fills Po's face as he raises the staff up in the air, twirls it in a grandiose fashion and strikes several bodacious poses with it. Before he can hype himself up anymore, Shifu clears his throat, earning a meek chuckle from the overly enthusiastic panda. He holds the staff vertically and softly taps the floor with it.

Tak. Tak.

Within a split second, all members of the five stand in formation directly in front of the dragon warrior. Awestruck jade irises look on at the statuesque warriors, the panda never failing to marvel at his all-time heroes. "Oh, that never gets old." A gleeful whisper seeps out of Po before being immediately interrupted by Shifu taking back his staff in an impatient fashion, making the dragon warrior's shoulders hunch over in slight embarrassment. This embarrassment is soon eradicated by the endearing chuckles of his five closest friends, whose eyes burn with a fiery pride for their comrade turned master. Returning this look in kind, Po informs them, "Well… I mean, what can I say? You guys were awesome! Honestly, I think one more month and you guys will have inner peace mastered in no time!"

"Thank you, master." All five students thank their monochromatic master as they bow in respect to him.

"However," As per usual, Shifu bursts this prideful bubble with his gruff, stern voice, "Mastering inner peace does not mean it will stay with you." Confused glances are exchanged by each student, Po included, until the grandmaster elaborates further, "Inner peace is not simply a technique nor is it a move that will remain in your muscle memory. You cannot forget that it is in fact, a mastery of your mind. There may come a day where failure will strike deep into the core of your heart, and no matter how much you may try to push it down, your mind will inevitably become clouded. Inner peace can be broken, much like how your mastery of chi can be severed when your soul is in great distress." All eyes are dead set on Shifu, with each kung fu master taking his words into their very soul. "I am not saying this to scare you. But rather, to prepare you for when those times will come. For failure is not weakness."

Steely blue eyes glance over towards the dragon warrior, who gives him a wholehearted smile in return. "It's a chance to become stronger." Po finishes, knowing that lesson all too well. "But!" He yells out, confusing all six warriors for a brief moment until, "We won't get any stronger if we're starving, so who wants some grub!?"

Within a split second of him asking, Monkey, Mantis, Crane, and Viper zoom over to the kitchen, leaving Tigress to lightly scoff at her comrades' impatience. Jade irises gaze into amber, a loving flame igniting within both warriors' eyes as they walk closer to each other. Upon noticing this, Shifu decides to give them some space by heading towards the opposite corner of the training hall and meditating on top of his staff. As the two lovers draw nearer and nearer, Po can't help but to take in his tiger's beauty. Her striped fur that would practically hypnotise him on a daily basis, her golden qipao that brings out a delicate beauty that few knew she could possess, and of course, her small smile that would always flare his heart in… well… a heartbeat. The lovestruck panda can barely come up with enough words to describe how she looks as they finally stand before each other.

Amber eyes take in the dragon warrior, not seeing him as a big panda or the most powerful warrior of all. Instead, she sees a man with a golden heart. A warrior determined to fight until the very end. She sees Po. The loveable, goofy and adorable panda that had helped her face a horrible truth and through that, finally find peace. In turn, they had both found love, and for the past three months it was absolute bliss. She can't recall a single day where she hadn't been walking around the palace with a smile on her face, and today is no exception. "Shall we?" She takes his paw in hers, before nuzzling her forehead on his, quietly chuffing as Po reciprocates her affectionate action.

"You bet." His enthusiasm embedded into his voice, the panda's smile taking his face hostage as the two lovers begin to make their way out of the training hall.

"Actually…" Shifu's gruff voice cuts through the air, halting the lovers in place, "I'd like to speak with Po for a moment."

Jade irises apologise to the tiger master as the dragon warrior meekly chuckles, "Heh, I guess I'll… uh, see ya there." Noting his disappointment, Tigress gives him a wholehearted smile before planting a light peck on his cheek and heading out the training hall doors. Po looks on at her retreating figure, thankful to all the Gods above that they have found each other in spite of everything. Before he can get lost in his lovestruck gaze, the panda master heads over to Shifu who has gotten off his staff to practice his tai chi. With a curious glint in his eyes, Po joins in, "So, what'd you need me for, master?"

Continuing his delicate movements, the grandmaster responds, "Whilst the five's progress over the past few months have been admirable, I have been intrigued about the countless hours you've spent above the Wu Dang mountains. About your… 'fizzle' move…"

"Oh, you mean the dragon's strike?" Shifu nods at Po's response, sensing the panda's nerves rattling in his voice. "Well… um…" Trying his best to find some sort of reason or excuse for his lack of progress, Po sighs in defeat as he decides to say the simple truth, "I can't do it." This stops Shifu in his tracks, his steely blue eyes staring at the dragon warrior with concern. "I dunno why… I just… Y'know how when I used it on Nuba, my chi glowed white?" Shifu nods, "Well… My chi ain't doing it anymore. It's still gold." Putting his hand to his chin, the grandmaster stares at the floor in thought, finding himself unable to come to a conclusion about Po's now lost ability.

"And you've done this technique whilst in your inner peace state?" Shifu inquires, his gaze still glued to the floor as any and all possible answers fly through his mind.

"Yeah."

With this assurance, the red panda simply can't think of a single explanation as to why Po can no longer do this… Unless… "Perhaps we may be wrong about the nature of this white chi." Jade irises look upon the grandmaster in confusion as he continues, "It may not be linked to inner peace at all."

"But then why-

"I don't know, Po." Shifu interrupts in his usual stern manner, the coldness in his voice only accentuated further by his frustrated countenance.

Noticing his master's disappointment, Po decides to change the subject, "Well, uh… I mean… There is still good news. You remember that feeling I had in my head? Y'know, the one that told me where Nuba was?" Shifu hums in response, his mind still fixated on this enigmatic white chi, "Well, I think I've gotten a handle on it or something cuz I'm getting it a lot more often now."

Blue eyes widen in surprise as Shifu snaps his head towards the now cheerful dragon warrior. "Is that so?"

"Yeah! Thanks to that little, weird feeling I can dodge a lot of stuff. Tigress can barely sneak up on me anymore." Po puts his paws on his hips as he gives his master a smug smile of satisfaction.

Seeing the proud panda standing tall, a small smile crosses Shifu's weathered face as he comes to a realisation. "That isn't just a feeling, Po." A confused expression takes over the panda's features as his master explains, "That 'feeling', those small whispers that warned you of Nuba's whereabouts. It is the universe calling to you."

Shock expands Po's eyes as his jaw drops to the floor. "Wait… What!?" Raising his paws up to his eyes, the awestruck panda's surprise shifts to an unbridled joy, "That is so awesome! Wait… So can the universe hear me back?" Shifu can only chuckle as Po puts his paw over his mouth and whispers, "Hello? Hellooo? Universe? How ya doin?"

"No, Po. I don't think it can." The grandmaster's amused expression only grows as the panda mopes in an exaggerated sense of disappointment. "But you do know what this means, don't you?"

A small grin takes up the dragon warrior's face as he thinks about the implications. About the only other person who had such a connection to the universe. About the boundless wisdom he had. About the legacy he has to continue. Po's grin falters slightly as he looks to his paws again, his mind filling with those doubtful thoughts from earlier. "I do."

Shifu's ear twitches at the panda's response, digging out the almost microscopic layer of doubt buried in his voice. "Is something the matter, dragon warrior?" A soft timbre overtakes the grandmaster's gruff voice, his face laced with concern.

This snaps the dragon warrior out of his thoughts, making him babble out, "What? Um, no. No. I'm just uh… um…

Rumble.

Both warriors look to the source of the sound. Po's stomach. With a slightly embarrassed chuckle, Po puts his paw over his stomach before finishing, "hungry." Silently thanking his body for the save, the panda flashes his master a smile that is just a bit too wide.

Of course, Shifu doesn't fall for the ruse at all. However, he decides that it may be best to leave this issue for another time. "I understand. Go, Po. You certainly deserve it." Po heads straight for the training hall doors, a silent sigh of relief leaving his maw just as he exits the hall. Blue eyes remain on the panda, sensing the doubt dripping from the panda's soul. Yet again, you have large shoes to fill. But you are more than worthy, Po. That will never be in doubt. With this thought, Shifu hops back on his staff and meditates once more.

Oooh. Once again Po has a title thrust upon him, but we all know that he'll come out on top! But just know... things won't be as easy this time... As for the white chi power and how it works... well... all will be revealed in due time. As for now, I hope you've enjoyed another chapter, I will try to upload the next one sooner. Until next time :)