G'day!
Welcome to Chapter 9 for Eye of the Tiger
First... Happy New Year!
*blows one of those party blower things which sounds like Elmo blowing his nose...
We made it through another chaotic year. Hopefully the year 2022 wasn't too stressful. I know, for me, the year had been up and down, battling covid waves and floods, but, despite all that, I'm still here, ready for another trip around the sun. The year 2022 had some good things to reflect on as well. Not just in FFN, but in life. Obviously, there's plenty to reflect about in regards to FFN. This story is now (technically) two years old, although, this version is one year's old (as of the 10th). While it has progressed slower than I would have liked, this is something not worth rushing. I'd rather take months getting chapters right (if that is what's required). Anyway... whatever you wish to happen this year, I wish you all the best for 2023.
Now, once again, I apologise for having taken so long getting this chapter published. I know I joked at the end of my chapter 8 post-chapter notes about getting chapter 9 published before Christmas. That was the plan, but turns out it took longer than expected. Unlike the previous chapter, in which it was predominantly internal monologue, this chapter took so long to complete because I basically re-wrote the last two-thirds of it. I'll explain more in the post-chapter notes, as I don't wanna spoil the chapter for you. The good news is this story is still going, and unless I say otherwise, that is how it shall remain.
A special thanks to B, Starless Echoes, and Vinicius176 for leaving a review on the previous chapter (even though it was published months ago). Your feedback is much appreciated. It may not seem like much, but your reviews provide me with extra motivation, knowing people still read this story, while giving me some things to remain aware of while writing. So, thank you for taking the time leaving feedback. Hopefully, these chapters keep delivering to your expectations. As Vinicius176 pointed out, the redundancy during Tigress' narrative segments is intentionally done, because sometimes, you think about the same thing sporadically over the course of a day. Especially, if that memory has left an impact on you, which is the case for Tigress in regards to certain events. I don't really plan on bringing up the same thing three-to-four times a chapter. Sometimes the monologue just goes that direction.
To everyone, thank you for taking the time to read my works. I would highly encourage you to leave a review. Reviews are an extremely helpful guide for me to understand how these chapters are being perceived. Without reviews, I'm working off my own judgement, and while I do my best to make sure these chapters are of the highest quality I can produce, getting feedback is invaluable. I'm not asking for long essay-like reviews. If there's something you liked about a chapter, let me know. If you think something could be improved on, let me know. The only way I'll know is if you tell me. If you'd rather send me a PM, that is also fine. My PMs are open anytime. All reviews (or PMs) are welcomed (as long as they're acceptable), whether it's positive feedback or constructive criticism. Your reviews will help shape this story, so don't be afraid to share your thoughts. I'll respect the time you take to leave a review.
Anyway, I think that's enough dribble for now. You've waited a few months for this chapter...
Disclaimer: All characters and settings used in this story are property of DreamWorks (except for the characters/settings randomly created by me throughout the story.)
Without further ado,
Please Read, Review & Enjoy
Chapter 9 - The Clean-up Begins
Not a single cloud could be seen in the sky. The weather gods had gifted us with the most glorious summer morning. We couldn't have been blessed with such a perfect morning had we prayed for one. It was as clear as you could imagine. The golden rays of the early morning sun glistened across the lands below. Feeling the sun's rays on my face provided some much-needed positive energy and warmth. Particularly after what had occurred during the early hours of this morning. Anything to distract my mind from the nightmare would be welcomed. An easterly breeze blew across the Valley, keeping the temperatures cool for what beckoned to be another hot summer's day. We must utilise these cooler conditions before the sun rose higher in the sky.
Once the sun rises to a certain point, it doesn't take long for the sun's rays to strengthen their effects on the lands we stand upon. As warriors, we are trained to exploit the environmental conditions to accomplish our missions with minimal effort wasted. Whether it is blizzard-like conditions high in the mountains or the sweltering heat we often experience in the Valley, we must understand how to capitalise the conditions. Today was no different. We may not be fighting bandits or travelling hundreds of miles across the lands on some mission, but considering we'll be working in the sun all day, taking advantage of these cooler conditions will minimise any potential heat-related issues. Not everyone is accustomed to hot and humid conditions. Some are. Some aren't.
For that reason, minimising its effects reduces fatigue, allowing us to maintain our concentration for extensive periods. We cannot allow the conditions to distract or delay us from our duties. There are many ways to minimise the effects of muggy conditions, but the method you choose depends on your preferences and lifestyle. For me, given my duties as a kung fu master, the conditions don't bother me. Whenever the Valley is under threat, my top priority is to protect the villagers. It doesn't matter whether it is raining, hailing, snowing, blistering hot or freezing cold, nothing will stop me from protecting the villagers' lives. Even if it means expelling all my energy. As a warrior and protector of these lands, it is my duty to protect the innocent, no matter the circumstances.
Bandits won't cease their unlawful activities because of unpleasant conditions. In fact, they're more likely to attack during dark and stormy conditions where they can use the rain and darkness as camouflage. That doesn't mean we should intercept bandits without assessing the conditions beforehand. Having learnt how to assess and understand the conditions allows me to accrue strategies to exploit those conditions whenever bandits dare to step foot in the Valley. When it is dark or raining, having exceptional vision allows me to identify the smallest of movements, despite the low visibility. That, in addition to the skills the others bring, makes it almost impossible for any bandit to remain undetected, even in the worst conditions possible.
Any bandit that attempted to raid the Valley would have to be clueless about our presence. Or just plain stupid, thinking they would avoid our attention. Even when we're not watching the Valley, we have palace servants positioned within and around the Valley, watching for any suspicious activities. That allows us to focus on our training, ready to act whenever we're called upon. During training sessions, it doesn't matter what the conditions are like; we train. Unless the Valley is under threat, we're away on some mission, or Master Shifu has forbidden me from training, which occurs more often than my liking, nothing stops me from training. Even during missions, while the foremost goal is to complete the mission, whenever there's time, rather than sitting around doing nothing, that time can be used to train.
Obviously, out there in the wilderness, there is no Training Hall, but that forces you to improvise on the materials available. It could be practising punches and kicks on trees, sparring with someone, although the others rarely volunteer, or just performing a workout. There is no such thing as too much training. You can never be perfect at anything. The only other exception preventing me from training is during life-threatening weather events. That is extremely rare, though. In my time at the Jade Palace, such scenarios have only occurred three times, the last being over seven years ago during a freak blizzard that struck the region. The other two instances were also blizzards, but they were not as severe, or widespread, as the last one that affected the Valley.
Regardless, in such situations, the conditions were too dangerous, not just for us, but for anyone to be outside. Sometimes, during the summer months, we might be training outside or in the Training Hall when thunderstorms roll across the Valley, producing hail. In those situations, we can take shelter until the conditions ease. That's only if the hail reaches a certain size. Small hail provides an excellent opportunity to train in extremely poor conditions, but once hail reaches the size of grapes, it becomes too dangerous to train in. It wouldn't be ideal getting knocked out by a large hailstone when such a situation can be avoided. During these particular blizzards, we had no choice but to seek protection.
When Master Oogway was making those decisions to seek shelter, that amplified the dire situation unfolding before our eyes. It was rare for Master Oogway to take control over Master Shifu. He always allowed Master Shifu to govern the activities within the Jade Palace, but on this occasion, he sensed the conditions were deteriorating beyond boundaries we should be exposed to, and thus, ordered us to evacuate to the Dragon Chamber. The conditions deteriorated to life-threatening levels within minutes, denying us the opportunity to race into the Valley to ensure the villagers had taken shelter. By the time we had travelled from the student barracks to the Hall of Warriors, the winds had reached gale force, blowing the snow sideways, and they were only getting stronger as each second passed.
Had we gone into the Valley, it would have been impossible finding our way back to the Jade Palace. Not because of the gale force winds, but more so given the blizzard struck during the night. That reduced the visibility to zero. We could have sheltered somewhere in the Valley, but at the time, these decisions were out of my control. Losing your sense of direction is one danger that comes with blizzards. The other danger is being exposed to the freezing temperatures and winds. With nowhere to shelter, frostbite and hypothermia can develop rapidly, possibly leading to a freezing death. Had we been caught in the blizzard, with nowhere to protect ourselves, that would have been our fate.
Unfortunately, many villagers experienced that fate during the blizzard and perished. By morning, the blizzard had passed, revealing the true magnitude of destruction it had left behind. There wasn't anything we could have done to save those villagers who perished, given the extremely dangerous conditions that swept through the Valley. Despite that, we have a responsibility to protect the villagers from danger, whether it is natural or artificial. Every life we cannot save makes me feel like a failure. A failure to the individual who lost their life and to their family for not protecting their loved ones. The circumstances behind an innocent person's death are irrelevant. Whenever lives are lost, it always makes me wonder whether we could have prevented the deaths of the innocent.
Could we have saved those who lost their lives during the blizzard? If it meant sacrificing my own life to save a villager's life, then that would have been a sacrifice worth making. Some might claim their deaths were unavoidable, but when something threatens their lives, it is my duty to protect them from such dangers. We cannot restore the lives of those who were lost. Failing to protect them is a failure of my responsibilities. Nothing is more valuable to me than the safety of every single villager under my protection. Not just the villagers from the Valley of Peace, but from every single village that resides within our prefecture. It is what we spend day after day training to do.
Our highest priority is to protect every villager, to ensure they can live peaceful lives. After that event, the villagers' deaths brought an impulse of determination to learn how to master reading the conditions. It is a skill that may seem pointless or a waste of time, but as a warrior, learning such skills has allowed me to exploit the conditions when required. The conditions influence how we train, and they even affect our mood. You don't realise how the conditions influence every decision you make until you become aware of the conditions you are forced in to. If another blizzard of that magnitude struck the Valley, my knowledge and experiences would allow me to decide the best course of action to take.
The villagers may have died anyway, had we tried saving them, but had my knowledge of the conditions been what it is today, those villagers may still be alive. It has never sat well with me to have not even attempted saving those villagers, regardless of how hostile the conditions had become. Master Oogway may have ordered us to seek protection without checking on the villagers, but the number of lives lost that day has always made me wonder whether we could have done anything differently. There is no worse feeling as a warrior than knowing you failed protecting someone because the conditions were out of your depth. In the case of this blizzard, we failed two hundred and fifty-nine villagers. Almost a fifth of the Valley's inhabitants perished during the blizzard.
It was the greatest loss of life the Valley had experienced since Tai Lung's attacks thirteen years prior. The Valley of Peace wasn't the only village to suffer a heavy loss of life. Multiple villages suffered extensive damage and loss of life, too. It may have even been the deadliest natural disaster to sweep across the region in living memory. A blizzard of that magnitude may never happen again. It makes me appreciate days like today, where the conditions do not pose such life-threatening dangers. Heat stroke may be the biggest threat, but that can be managed, allowing us to focus on the task at hand without worrying about the conditions. Warm and sunny days, like today, followed by cool, clear nights are the perfect combination.
The warm days enable us to train and perform other daily routines without feeling uncomfortably hot or cold. When it is warm, it makes us sweat during training or other rigorous activities, forcing us to remain vigilant of fatigue, but not so hot that dehydration or other heat-related problems become an issue. Excluding emergencies, night-time is dedicated to resting and nothing else. The cool nights enable our bodies to cool down from the daytime activities as we rest. Of course, not every day is like that. As the seasons change throughout the year, so do the conditions. It is always more strenuous training in the blistering summer heat than the winter cold, but these are inconveniences we must become accustomed to as warriors.
That is why understanding how to utilise the conditions, so they don't impede with whatever activity we're doing, is important to my development. When it matters most, nothing should stop me from protecting the villagers whenever needed. That is our duty. That is all we need to worry about. With all that in mind, repairing the Valley should be far less strenuous work compared to fighting bandits. How much physical exertion is required will depend on what we're able to accomplish. Some works will require external assistance, such as reconstructing anything, given none of us possess those qualifications. The most we can do is clean and prepare the Valley for when that additional support arrives.
Most of the Valley appeared to have escaped sustaining severe damage during yesterday's battle between the Dragon Warrior and Tai Lung. Apart from the area around the Dragon Warrior's father's restaurant, Crane mentioned yesterday that some buildings near the second bridge had sustained severe damage, too. If my memory serves me right, Crane claimed that one building had been destroyed and would require a complete rebuild. That's if it is worthy of rebuilding. It could be beyond repairable. Once we conduct a comprehensive survey of the Valley, we'll know what is required and where to deploy our resources. The Dragon Warrior will want to focus on repairing the damage his father's restaurant sustained, which is understandable, but we cannot neglect the rest of the Valley.
What we do today will depend on what Master Shifu decides as the best course of action. Hopefully, Master Shifu elects for me to work in other sections of the Valley, while he oversees the work conducted on the area surrounding the Dragon Warrior's father's restaurant. After treating the Dragon Warrior with such disrespect, the last thing needed was to be stuck with him for the day. That is something my mind cannot endure right now. Especially after the nightmare this morning. That has given me more than enough to think about. If the Dragon Warrior wishes to work on his father's restaurant, that is fine, but nothing could be worse than having to collaborate with the Dragon Warrior.
In the few times our eyes have met, it triggered my mind to flashback to that night, making me remember calling him a disgrace. To presume something gave me the right to look down upon the Dragon Warrior and express such hatred towards him was nothing but heartless and unjustified. What angers me the most is knowing that was how everyone at the orphanage used to treat me. They didn't care about my situation or emotions. All they did was judge me based on my appearance. Despite having suffered through those traumatic times, it didn't stop me from treating the Dragon Warrior the same way. There are no excuses for treating the Dragon Warrior without understanding his situation.
Nothing will ever allow me to forgive myself for those inexcusable actions. Actions that must be held accountable, but something tells me the Dragon Warrior won't. We may know little about the Dragon Warrior, but he appears to possess an extremely understanding nature. A nature that has the potential to clash with my fiery mindset. On top of that, given his admiration for us, he will most likely brush aside my treatment of him, acting as though it was nothing because he doesn't want to disrespect me. That does not justify my treatment of the Dragon Warrior. My words had hurt it. It crushed what little hope he had of himself. When his expressions changed, it indicated a sensitive line had been crossed. A line that was all too familiar.
In saying that, to discover the Dragon Warrior had defeated Tai Lung was both a shock and hurtful to my pride, but after my treatment of him, he deserved to prove me wrong. And he did so by doing something none of us could do with only a few days of training. That, in itself, is an impressive feat. A feat that humiliated our pathetic attempt at stopping Tai Lung. Five kung fu masters with sixty years of experience combined, trained by Master Shifu, could not defeat someone of Tai Lung's calibre. Yet, the Dragon Warrior could with next to zero experience. Knowing that is embarrassing and almost impossible to believe. It makes no sense, but no matter how much my mind doesn't want to accept it, that is the truth.
We humiliated the Dragon Warrior, and he returned the favour in a way nobody saw coming. One would assume that would anger me; make me feel hatred towards the Dragon Warrior, but it doesn't. The Dragon Warrior deserves every accolade he receives, while we deserve every piece of criticism for failing our duties as protectors of these lands. We owe an infinite amount to the Dragon Warrior; he saved these lands from Tai Lung's fury, but the Dragon Warrior doesn't owe us anything. Never should he feel obliged to show me respect, because it is not deserved. Not after treating him with such disrespect. There are no excuses for my behaviour. The situation should never persuade how you treat somebody.
Upon reaching the bottom of the thousand steps, the streets of the Valley were bustling with villagers as they went about their business this morning. Despite the chaotic events over the past few days, that didn't appear to deter the villagers from continuing with their lives. After all, the threat of Tai Lung had passed. They should feel safe returning to their daily routines. Some villagers were setting up their stores for business. Others were pottering about their homes, watering plants, pruning hedges and flowers, cleaning, and sweeping the streets to the best of their abilities. On such a fine, prestigious morning, it was no surprise seeing them enjoying the sunshine before it became too hot. Although, by now, the cool breeze had dissipated, but the heating landscape didn't seem to bother the villagers.
As we followed Master Shifu through the Valley, this section of the Valley, from the thousand steps to the first bridge, hadn't sustained any significant damage. Apart from the odd, fragmented roof tile or shattered stone block, the damage was very minimal. After crossing the first bridge, the damage within the Valley became more apparent, reminding me of the scenes from yesterday. There was debris lying in the streets, plus several buildings had gaping holes in them, damaged from yesterday's battle. Up ahead, the Dragon Warrior could be seen outside his father's restaurant, appearing to be working on the damage it had sustained. From this distance, it was unclear what the Dragon Warrior was doing, but as we walked closer, it became clear the Dragon Warrior was constructing some wooden framework within the damaged entrance.
What the Dragon Warrior planned to use this framework for remained unknown. Despite the mysteries behind this contraption he was building, it was pleasing to see he had taken the initiative to begin work straight away, rather than waste valuable time waiting for us to arrive. Perhaps he won't need any help from us, meaning we can resource our time elsewhere within the Valley, but suspected Master Shifu would want some of us to help the Dragon Warrior. Given the Dragon Warrior sacrificed the integrity of his father's restaurant to save the Valley, it is only fair to help restore his father's restaurant. It would repay the Dragon Warrior for his selfless deeds.
"Good morning, Po," Master Shifu said, gaining the Dragon Warrior's attention as we approached him.
The Dragon Warrior turned his head, becoming overwhelmed with excitement, seeing us. "Master Shifu! Guys! You made it!" Realising his improper response, the Dragon Warrior held up his paws. "Sorry! Sorry!" The Dragon Warrior cleared his throat before bowing to us, fist-in-paw. "Good morning, Master Shifu and the Furious Five."
"I see you have been busy this morning."
"Huh?" The Dragon Warrior looked at Master Shifu, confused, but realised Master Shifu was referring to the structural framework. "Oh, right. Yeah, my dad's, ah, not too pleased with the shape of the place. He's been going on and on about it all morning. Hey! Speaking of my dad, come and let me introduce you guys to him."
"We do not have time, Po. We must get started with work right away."
"Ah, come on, Shifu. It won't take long. Besides, my dad would love to meet you guys." Before Master Shifu could refuse the Dragon Warrior's suggestion for the second time, the Dragon Warrior disappeared through the entrance of his restaurant, much to my displeasure. "HEY DAD!"
"I don't think we have a choice, Shifu," Mantis said. Master Shifu sighed, knowing Mantis was right. We followed Master Shifu through the entrance, although the wooden framework forced me and Crane to crouch down to avoid dislodging any of the wooden beams. It wasn't surprising the Dragon Warrior wanted to introduce us to his father, but the more time we wasted, the more annoyed it'll make me become. However, much like Master Shifu, remaining patient is best for everyone. The last thing needed was to lose control of my temper. Once inside the restaurant, the luscious aromas that filled the air flooded my nostrils, reminding me of the night the Dragon Warrior cooked for the others; the same night my anger almost caused me to attack the Dragon Warrior.
Despite the enticing aromas, the gaping hole in the right wall of the Dragon Warrior's restaurant gained my attention. None of the villagers who were dining inside the restaurant seemed bothered by its condition. Instead, our presence caused the heads of those villagers to turn and look in our direction. Some villagers nearest to us bowed, but most appeared surprised seeing us here. The attention doesn't bother me; it is something that took time to become accustomed to, but these days, it is more annoying than anything else. Whenever we're in the Valley, it is to either assist or protect the villagers, not for them to gawk at us or autograph their possessions. We do not have time for that.
"C'mon, Dad! We gotta be quick," the Dragon Warrior said, drawing my attention to the front of the restaurant. The Dragon Warrior was leading his father out into the dining area, where we stood, covering his father's eyes with his paw. After guiding his father through the dining area, the Dragon Warrior stopped in front of us, still obscuring his father's vision. "Okay, Dad. You ready?"
"This better not take long, Po. Those noodles won't serve themselves."
"Promise it won't take long, Dad."
"We'll see about that."
"Okay, Dad. May I introduce you to… Master Shifu and the Furious Five!" The Dragon Warrior lifted his paw away from his father's eyes, causing the goose's jaw to drop and eyes widen, seeing himself standing before us. "And, ah, this is my dad, San Ping, but everyone calls my dad 'Mr Ping'."
"Oh my! The masters of the Jade Palace are in my restaurant. It is an honour to meet you." The goose bowed to us before looking at the Dragon Warrior. "We've never had the masters dine at our restaurant before, Po."
"I know. Pretty cool, huh, Dad?"
"Can you imagine how much value this'll add to our restaurant?"
"What?" The Dragon Warrior looked at his father, confused. "They're not here to upsell our restaurant, Dad. They're here to help me fix it."
"I know. I'm only kidding, son." The goose looked at us. "You must be hungry. Would you like some delicious noodle soup? It's hot off the stove."
Master Shifu raised his hand. "Thank you for your offerings, Mr… Ping?" The goose nodded, confirming that was his name. "As we are on a tight schedule, we must decline and get to work straight away." Before the goose could respond, Master Shifu turned around to face us. "Students, unfortunately, I cannot help you today as there are other matters which must be completed back at the Jade Palace. For today, Monkey and Tigress, assess and repair whatever damage you can from here to the thousand steps alongside Po." A scowl threatened to escape from my throat, displeased at being assigned to work with the Dragon Warrior, but prevented anything from becoming audible. "Crane, Viper, and Mantis, I want you three to focus on assessing and repairing any damage from here to the end of the Valley. Are we clear?"
"Yes, master!"
"Good." Master Shifu turned back to face the Dragon Warrior. "Po, I understand you will want to repair the damage this place has suffered. That is fine. I trust you will guide Monkey and Tigress with whatever restoration works you wish to fulfil."
"Oh yeah, of course." The Dragon Warrior waved his paw in a dismissive manner. "We got this. Right, guys?"
"You bet, Po!" Monkey said, fist pumping the air in response to the Dragon Warrior. The Dragon Warrior's over-enthusiastic demeanour was going to push my tolerance to its limits today. And every other day we have to work or train with him. People with his level of enthusiasm take time to become accustomed to, but sometimes they're too much to handle. Something tells me the Dragon Warrior will be one of those people.
"Mr Ping," Master Shifu said, gaining everyone's attention, including the Dragon Warrior's father. "We will ensure to mitigate how these restoration works will impede on your business. Until we have restored the Valley to its former glory, there may be some unavoidable inconveniences for you and your fellow civilians." The goose nodded as Master Shifu diverted his attention to us. "Students, please ensure you return to the Jade Palace by sunset and not a minute later." Master Shifu looked at the Dragon Warrior. "That includes you, Po. From now on, you will reside at the Jade Palace. No exceptions. Understood?"
"I'll still be able to help my dad with the restaurant, right?"
"You are the Dragon Warrior, Po. That takes precedence over everything else."
"But I can't neglect my dad. He needs my help."
"It's okay, Po," the goose said, patting the Dragon Warrior's side. "We'll figure something out." Although the Dragon Warrior nodded, he seemed concerned and slightly disappointed.
"I must return to the Jade Palace, students," Master Shifu said, regaining our attention. "If any of you require my attention, you will find me in the Scroll Room." We bowed to Master Shifu before he left, leaving us alone with the Dragon Warrior and his father.
"I have to get back to the kitchen, Po," the goose said to the Dragon Warrior, unintentionally drawing our attention to him as he looked at us. "It was an honour to meet you." The goose bowed his head before looking up, shifting his attention to the Dragon Warrior. "Let me know if you need anything, Po."
"Will do, Dad." With that, the goose turned around and waddled back to his kitchen, clearing a table along the way. "So, I, um… I guess we can just follow what Master Shifu said?"
"That's the plan," Crane said.
"Yeah, cool, cool… Hey! Do you guys wanna eat first or have you already eaten?"
"Ah, yeaaaah… we have time to eat."
"There is no time," I said, making everyone look at me. "We must get to work right away." It was no surprise the Dragon Warrior wanted to eat, but we cannot waste our time being unproductive. That was something Crane should have understood. We are here for a reason. The more time we waste, the shorter my mood will become.
"Tigress, this is a great opportunity for us to bond with Po," Viper said, making me frown at her.
"Our top priority is to restore the damage to the Valley. Once that is completed, then you can bond with the Dragon Warrior as much as you like." The others were not helping my mood.
"Guys! Guys!" the Dragon Warrior said, with an elevated tone, gaining our attention. "I didn't mean to cause an argument. If we needa get to work now, that's fine. We can eat afterwards, right?"
"That works for us," Crane said. Silence followed.
"Let's get to work," I said, before we wasted more time standing around doing nothing. The others followed me through the restaurant's opening, into the street, wanting to talk to them with more privacy than the dining area provided.
"So, do you guys have some sorta, you know, secret Furious Five way of communicating or…?" the Dragon Warrior asked, making me sigh, knowing he had started another conversation. It may have been a valid question, but now was not the time to ask.
"No, not really," Crane said, answering the Dragon Warrior.
"We don't have any special languages, Po, if that's what you mean," Viper said.
"Oh. What about, you know, if there's trouble or something? Not that I expect anything to happen today, but you never know." The Dragon Warrior failed to realise he admitted a serious fault in his thinking processes. He should always expect the unexpected. Otherwise, when the Valley is attacked, and he's not prepared, the intruders have the immediate advantage because of his delayed response. As a result, his unpreparedness could place the villager's lives at a greater risk.
"We're either informed by Zeng, the sound of the Bell Tower, or we see it ourselves," Crane said.
"Or we hear the villager's screams," Mantis said, chuckling, although nobody else joined him, making him quieten, much to my liking. It was an inappropriate remark to say, given that has happened before.
"The palace servants are positioned around the Valley," Viper said, realigning the conversation back on topic. "They're trained to watch for any suspicious activity that needs our attention. When they spot something, they'll inform the Bell Tower ringer, who, upon ringing the bell, alerts us and warms the villagers of the impending danger. Sometimes it's a false alarm. Sometimes it's not. We just have to be ready to act when called upon."
"Wow. It's so cool learning about how the Jade Palace actually works," the Dragon Warrior said. "Hopefully, it doesn't take long for me to understand it all."
"It's okay, Po. We'll be here to help you."
"Well, we better get going before Tigress shreds us apart," Crane said, earning a death glare from me.
"Yeah, sorry. Didn't mean to hold you guys up," the Dragon Warrior said.
"Monkey and Tigress will help you, Po," Viper said to the Dragon Warrior. "Just tell them what you need done."
"Got it!" The Dragon Warrior stuck up his right thumb. "Oh, and you guys are welcome to drop in for lunch whenever you get hungry. That's if you wanna eat here, of course. You don't have to, but you know … the offer's there."
"Thanks, Po, but Master Shifu wouldn't approve of that."
The Dragon Warrior frowned at Viper, confused. "Whaddaya mean? What's wrong with eating here?"
"We have to abide by Master Shifu's struct dietary scheme, which basically means we can only eat twice a day and are not permitted to eat anything in the Valley while working."
"What? Really? That seems a bit … harsh?"
Viper displayed a subtle smile, directed at the Dragon Warrior. "Whatever we think, we have to respect the decisions Master Shifu makes."
"You don't think Master Shifu's gonna expect the same of me, do you?" the Dragon Warrior asked, showing a hint of concern. "I mean, I've read about it in scrolls, but surely there's no way Master Shifu expects me to survive on two meals a day."
"Then maybe you were never meant to be the Dragon Warrior."
"Tigress!" Viper said, snapping at me.
My brain, provoked by growing impatient, had spoken its inner thoughts. Now, the others and the Dragon Warrior were looking at me, surprised, except for Viper, who was visibly annoyed, after showing unwarranted disrespect towards the Dragon Warrior. Again. In a show of respect, I bowed to the Dragon Warrior, fist-in-paw. "Apologies, Dragon Warrior. That was unacceptable to say."
"Nah, don't worry about it," the Dragon Warrior said, waving his paw in the air. "You're probably right, anyway." Even though the Dragon Warrior chuckled, it was obvious my words had inflicted emotional pain within him.
"No, she's not, Po," Viper said, with an angered tone. "You have proven yourself as the Dragon Warrior and we need to accept that you are the Dragon Warrior. Even if it means putting personal issues aside." Viper glanced at me while saying the last part, making me frown, before she reverted her attention back to the Dragon Warrior. "We cannot afford to have inner tensions, otherwise it will affect our ability to collaborate and defend the Valley when required." After glancing at me for the second time, Viper tuned her attention to Crane. "We should get going." Crane nodded in agreement. "We'll meet you guys back here this evening."
"Bye guys!" the Dragon Warrior said, waving to Crane, Viper, and Mantis, as they ventured into the Valley, leaving myself and Monkey behind with the Dragon Warrior.
"So, how do you want us to help you, buddy?" Monkey asked the Dragon Warrior.
"Hmm? Oh, um, well, I mean, I was gonna focus on rebuilding the entrance, cause my dad's been complaining about it nonstop. So, if, um, you guys wanna help me with that, that'd be really awesome."
"Of course, buddy. We'll help you. Right, Tigress?"
Monkey's question caused me to glance down at him; my body sighing internally, preferring to work separately from the Dragon Warrior. Nothing could save me from the inevitable, though. We were bound to work together at some point. Besides, with half the morning gone, we had wasted enough time. We couldn't afford to waste more time. Especially with the Valley in such a deplorable state. However, the Dragon Warrior's proposed plans concerned me, causing me to look at the Dragon Warrior. "Do you understand the correct procedures required to construct a moon gate?"
"Ahhhh… whaddaya mean?"
The Dragon Warrior's response caused me to sigh, having to simplify an already simple question. "Do you understand what you're doing?"
"Well, I mean, I've never done anything like this before, but it can't be that hard, right?"
"This isn't something you can half-guess, Dragon Warrior. You either understand what you're doing, or you don't. Because, if you do not fully understand the correct procedures we must adhere to when constructing a moon gate, then we have no choice but to wait until we receive specialised assistance."
"But I can't leave my dad's restaurant like this. Surely, between the three of us, we can figure it out, right?"
"You must remain mindful of what you presume about us, Dragon Warrior. We are kung fu masters, trained to protect the innocent from harm. None of us possess the proficiencies to construct a moon gate. It would be unwise and dangerous attempting something we do not understand."
"But…" The Dragon Warrior paused and sighed. "Then what am I meant to do about my dad's restaurant? I can't leave it like this."
"We'll inform Master Shifu of the specialised assistance we require. For now, there is nothing we can do but clean up the debris."
"There must be something we can do."
"Unless you can prove you have certified qualifications in architecture and engineering, we are not constructing anything. That is final." The Dragon Warrior appeared as though he was about to argue back, but my angered glare must have prompted him to rethink otherwise. Now that the Dragon Warrior had stopped arguing with me, and wasting time, we could utilise our time more efficiently. "It is best you disassemble that contraption of yours." The Dragon Warrior looked at the wooden framework he had constructed in the entrance. "There is no need for it. Once you have disassembled that, you can both help me remove the debris from these premises. Are we clear?"
"You got it, Tigress," Monkey said, while the Dragon Warrior just nodded.
"Good. Let's get to work."
While Monkey helped the Dragon Warrior disassemble the wooden frameworks, I walked back into the Dragon Warrior's restaurant to begin clearing the debris. Given Viper helped me clear the debris inside the Dragon Warrior's restaurant yesterday, we could focus on clearing the neighbouring yard, where most of the debris had settled. What we'd do with the debris would depend on what Master Shifu recommended. Someone, somewhere, might recycle it for other uses. If nobody sees any use in the debris, we'll have to dispose of it somewhere that won't create any issues. That is something we'll deal with later. For now, all we can do is focus on clearing the debris and preparing the damaged areas for reconstructing.
Upon stepping through the hole in the sidewall, into the neighbouring yard, the amount of debris scattered across the yard was more than expected. It caused me to glance back at the damage the Dragon Warrior's restaurant had suffered. Despite having seen it yesterday, my mind hadn't thought about how the Dragon Warrior caused such considerable damage. He must have struck or thrown Tai Lung with such force to launch him through the entrance and sidewall of his father's restaurant. These weren't thin walls made of soft material, either. They were thick walls made of solid limestone blocks. How the Dragon Warrior executed such an attack on Tai Lung remained unknown, but it is difficult to imagine the Dragon Warrior being capable of such a feat.
His demeanour doesn't suggest he could possess such strength or aggression, but that shows how little we know about him. He is a stranger to me, and for that reason, he cannot be trusted, no matter his achievements, until that trust is earnt. It is why working with the Dragon Warrior was not my foremost plan for today. He may have saved these lands from Tai Lung's fury, but that doesn't give me any desires to become acquainted with him. My inner turmoil prevents me from accepting that this is the road my life has taken. A road that leads into the darkened unknown. It denies me from being able to interact with the Dragon Warrior without feeling self-loathe boil within.
Even just looking at the Dragon Warrior causes my mind to flash back to that night. Nothing will ever make me forgive myself for displaying such disrespect towards the Dragon Warrior, no matter where my life takes me. Despite that, like Viper said, these inner troubles cannot distract me from my duties as a kung fu master. Those are my foremost responsibilities. Nothing can alter that. Not even my personal turmoil. Today, my duties are to restore the damage the Valley suffered. Tomorrow, my duties are unknown. It may be the same as today. We may return to training. Until we receive aid from the Imperial City, repairing the Valley will be our responsibility.
Upon turning my attention back to the house, the house itself hadn't been damaged during yesterday's battle. The only damage the property had sustained was the small section of garden that ran against the sidewall. Other than that, the rest of the garden that lined the parameter of the courtyard remained unharmed. What gained my curiosity, though, was how the owner of the house hadn't made their presence known. Given the condition of their courtyard, one would think they would be cleaning the mess, but they were not. Perhaps the occupants of this property were absent, which would explain why they were nowhere to be seen. If that were the case, they'll be surprised, and most likely annoyed, seeing their house in its current condition upon their return.
"Wow! What a nice garden," Monkey said, snapping my attention to him. He and the Dragon Warrior walked through the hole, joining me in the courtyard of the neighbouring property. "Who lives here, Po?"
"Ah, an elderly goat used to live here many years ago." The Dragon Warrior's response gained the attention of my ears, but not my eyes, noting he was implying the old goat no longer inhabited this house. "His name was Mr Baijian."
"What happened to him? Did he pass away?"
The Dragon Warrior sighed. "We don't know. He was a great friend of my dad's. Every evening, they'd sit in the dining area for hours talking and playing mahjong. It became a bit of a tradition for them. And, ah, unlike me, my dad's basically mastered mahjong, but even he lost quite a lot to Mr Baijian." The Dragon Warrior chuckled after saying this, before his chuckles quietened, making me sense a shift in his mood. "But, um… one evening, Mr Baijian came into the restaurant, like he usually did. I was just sweeping the dining area when I overheard him ask my dad if he could keep watch of his place while he went away. He said he was travelling to the Pala Empire."
"The Pala Empire?" Monkey asked, speaking his internal thoughts.
"Yeah. I mean, we didn't ask where in the Pala Empire he was travelling. Well, at least, my dad didn't, anyway, but we just assumed he was visiting family or something. So, of course, we agreed to look after his place while he was gone."
"Did he say how long he would be gone for?"
"Nope. He never said how long he'd be away or when he might return. I mean, my dad told me that Mr Baijian said his return would depend on the situation, but what he meant by that we dunno. It just seemed odd, you know. Like, he'd usually tell my dad everything, but, I guess, if he didn't wanna share, then it wasn't our business to know about. But um… I dunno if you guys remember, probably not seeing you've done so many awesome things, but on the first night he was gone, this crazy blizzard passed through the region. It came out of nowhere and buried most of the Valley in several feet of snow."
"Oh, yeah! I remember that," Monkey said, as the memories of that blizzard flashed through my mind. A slight coincidence to have thought about the blizzard earlier this morning, only for the Dragon Warrior to mention it now.
"Yeah, my dad reckons it was the worst blizzard to hit the region… that he knows of, anyway."
"That wouldn't surprise me. It was awful. So many died." There was a brief pause in the conversation. Despite this conversation consuming time, my curiosity couldn't help but wonder about the goat's misadventures. "So, what happened to the old goat?" Monkey asked, making me turn my head just enough to see the Dragon Warrior in my peripheral vision, waiting for his response.
The Dragon Warrior sighed once again. "We don't know. We never heard from him again. It's weird, like, I dunno what could've happened to him, you know. But since he disappeared, nobody has wanted to live here. Some say his spirit lives inside, ready to haunt those who dare to enter, which is kinda spooky… and why I've never actually gone into the house. I don't even know if I could get in, anyway. Most evenings, after we close the restaurant, I'll pop over here and sweep the yard or water the plants. I've had to replace the flowers a few times, but I try to keep the place somewhat tidy, hoping, maybe one day, Mr Baijian will return."
"Did you inform the Jade Palace about this after the blizzard?"
"Huh?"
Upon shifting my gaze to the Dragon Warrior, he appeared surprised for me to have spoken to him without any derogatory remarks. "Did you inform the Jade Palace about your neighbour?"
"Ahhhh… no?"
"Why not?"
"Well, I mean, I guess I didn't think of it."
"That is no excuse, Dragon Warrior. You have a responsibility as a villager to report anything that needs our attention. When somebody goes missing, it is our responsibility to find them and return them home, but if we are not informed about a missing individual, then those who withheld information failed to render assistance when required. In the case of your neighbour, you failed to inform the Jade Palace about your neighbour's untimely travel, which, ultimately, led to you failing to render assistance when required."
The Dragon Warrior, at first, seemed speechless while telling him this, before his expression morphed into a frown, appearing displeased. "Now, wait a minute. I don't mean to be disrespectful, Master Tigress, but that's a little uncalled for."
"Are you calling me unreasonable?"
"No! No! Of course not!" the Dragon Warrior said, holding up both his paws in defence. "I would never dare to think that about you, Master Tigress, but to accuse me of being responsible for Mr Baijian's disappearance is a bit harsh, don't you think? It's not like I knew where he went. If I did, I would have gone looking for him myself, but how do you look for somebody when you don't know where to look?"
"You should never doubt the ability of a warrior."
"I'm not doubting your abilities. You guys are the greatest warriors on the planet. It's just-"
"Then why are you assuming we would have never found him?" Anger started building up inside my body, agitated by how argumentative the Dragon Warrior was being against me.
"I'm not! I'm not! It's just… where would you start?"
"You stated your neighbour's destination was somewhere within the Pala Empire. That implies he travelled west, meaning we would have scoured the lands to our west until-"
"That's an awful lotta land to cover," the Dragon Warrior said, interrupting me, causing me to scowl in annoyance at his rudeness. "And besides, who knows whether he was caught in the blizzard. Had you gone looking for him, it would've been impossible to find him."
"Nothing is impossible, Dragon Warrior." The Dragon Warrior returned to looking confused, while my temper was nearing its breaking point, forcing me to remain conscious of my mood. "Even when something appears impossible, there is always a slither of hope, but because you never said anything, that hope is long gone… as is your neighbour." A silence followed, allowing my mind to catch up with itself, preventing me from becoming more engrossed in this conversation with the Dragon Warrior. Although, given the resigned look on the Dragon Warrior's face, it appeared this conversation had ended. "Let's get to work."
Without another word from either the Dragon Warrior or Monkey, the three of us began moving the stone blocks from the neighbouring courtyard into the street just outside the Dragon Warrior's restaurant. Placing them here would ensure they wouldn't obstruct the entrance into the Dragon Warrior's restaurant or the pathway within the Valley. The debris will cause some minor inconveniences, but that is something the villagers will have to deal with for now. Despite having suffered considerable damage, the flow of customers into and out of the restaurant had been nonstop all morning. That created some minor disruptions, having to avoid bumping into the villagers while transporting the debris, but it was an inconvenience out of my control.
The villagers almost behaved as though the damage to the Valley was invisible to them. Especially given the Dragon Warrior's restaurant was quite full of villagers. Perhaps the aromas radiating from the kitchen drew the villagers' attention away from the damage. Those aromas didn't have the same effect on me, though. My mind was focused on restoring the Valley back to its former prestigious glory, but it could take weeks depending on when additional aid arrives. Given we do not possess architectural or engineering qualifications, it limits what we're capable of doing. The best we can achieve is to prepare the areas that require reconstructing. That way, when the professional aid arrives, they'll have a clear workspace, allowing them to repair the Valley as soon as possible.
It would be unwise, and potentially dangerous, attempting to construct anything ourselves without having the proper knowledge. As warriors, we need to understand how to improvise, but it depends on the situation. If improvising will not provide any benefits with the outcome, then it is best to follow what we know. In the case of the Dragon Warrior's restaurant, if we were to improvise and attempt to construct a moon gate, with zero knowledge about the correct procedures, it would increase the likelihood of a collapse, possibly injuring or killing unsuspecting villagers. That is something we must avoid. For that reason, it is my responsibility to ensure the Dragon Warrior does not attempt to reconstruct anything without the appropriate training or guidance.
While it is understandable why the Dragon Warrior wants to repair his father's restaurant, he does not have the skills. Simple as that. Without those skills, there are too many risks involved. Risks that can be avoided. Speaking of the Dragon Warrior, ever since the conversation about his neighbour, he has been rather quiet for his standards. Not that there were any issues with that. It was a pleasant change from his usual talkative state. His quietness created a far more peaceful mood, allowing the three of us to remain focused on the task at hand without being distracted. Because of that, it had taken us just over an hour to remove all the debris from the neighbouring courtyard into the street.
We had also removed the debris stacked in the corner of the Dragon Warrior's restaurant, adding it to the ever-growing pile outside. It was rather surprising seeing the amount of debris we had collected. Far more than expected. There were smaller bits of rubble scattered throughout the neighbouring courtyard, but that was something the Dragon Warrior can deal with whenever he wishes to do so. It is a one-person task that doesn't require our time.
"So, what do we do now, Tigress?" Monkey asked, gaining my attention while placing the last stone block onto the pile.
"After speaking with the others, I will-"
A gurgling noise interrupted me, making me look at the Dragon Warrior, where the sound had originated from. He held his stomach, looking rather embarrassed. "Sorry. Imma little hungry after all that lifting."
Sighing in annoyance, I shifted my attention back to Monkey. "As I was saying, after speaking with the others, I will inform Master Shifu of the additional aid we'll require. What you two choose to do for the remainder of the day is your choice."
"Yeah, cool, cool. What do you wanna do, buddy?" Monkey asked, looking at the Dragon Warrior.
"Hmm? Oh, um, well, I mean, Imma little hungry, so I wouldn't mind having something to eat soon. That's if it's okay with you. I mean, if not, that's fine, but-"
"Nah, we have time to eat. I'm a bit hungry myself."
"Awesome! I'll go let my dad know. I am, ah, gonna need some help carrying my stuff up to the Jade Palace this afternoon, though. If you don't mind."
"Yeah, sure. We'll help you with that, buddy. Hey, Tigress? Could you ask the others if they'd be able to help carry Po's stuff up this afternoon?"
"Fine, but remember to return to the Jade Palace before sunset. I'm going to find the others."
"Okay. See you back at the Palace, Tigress. Let's get something to eat, Po."
"I ain't gonna say no to that."
Upon turning around, a sigh expelled through my nose, relieving some internal pressure from the day that had so far been. After working alongside the Dragon Warrior all morning, it was refreshing to have him out of my sights. That's not saying the Dragon Warrior was unbearable to work with. Apart from the conversation about his neighbour, once we had begun working, he almost acted invisible. It is more so the fact that every time my eyes landed on him, my mind flashed back to the disheartened look on his face after telling him he was a disgrace to us. Even now, with him out of sight, that vision remains glued to the back of my mind.
That memory will never, ever leave my mind at peace. And so it shouldn't. The inner torment that memory will bring shall be my punishment for having displayed such disrespect towards the Dragon Warrior. It is an experience to learn from to ensure nothing of the same repeats itself, but a moment of my life that cannot be reversed. For now, those memories must be pushed aside to focus on the present. The sooner the Valley is repaired, the sooner we can return to our normal routines.
[End Notes]
That concludes the end of this chapter. What did you think? Lemme know in the reviews (or PM me if you want). As mentioned at the start, any review, no matter the size, will be much appreciated. If you find any mistakes, please don't hesitate to let me know. All feedback helps me gauge where the story is at and how to improve.
What you just read was not how this chapter was initially written. In fact, the only thing that stayed the same from the first draft was Tigress' narration at the beginning while they were walking down the thousand steps into the Valley. Everything that happened from that point change quite a bit. Some scenes never survived the first edit. Initially, when they arrived at Mr Ping's, after being introduced and all, they were going to have breakfast at Po's suggestion. However, when editing that scene, I sat back and thought, "Nah... Tigress wouldn't allow that to happen. Not with more important duties that needed completing. She'd step in and say something." And so, that breakfast scene was removed and altered to what is now in the chapter.
Because of that change, it kinda had a domino effect on how the chapter progressed. What occurred next no longer made sense, forcing me to improvise and basically re-structure the entire chapter to flow off the back of that segment. Another thing that changed was, originally, I was gonna have them (Monkey, Tigress, and Po) rebuild the moon gate themselves, but after looking at how moon gates are constructed, it made me realise that, one, they didn't have the materials, and two, they didn't have the skills required to construct a moon gate without heightened risks. Something Tigress wouldn't allow. So, again, that forced me to re-write that scene to having them just compile the debris. It is why Po was constructing a wooden framework within the entrance of the restaurant. So, they could use that to construct the arch. But after all those changes, there wasn't much they could do other than gather the debris into a pile for later use.
Other sections of the chapter were restructured, chopped and changed, twisted around, and such, which is why this chapter has taken four months to publish. Usually, it takes 3-4 weeks to write the first draft, and an additional 1-2 weeks to edit the chapter, before polishing it with some final edits for publication. So, chapters can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to complete depending on my availability and motivation. When I completed the first draft of this chapter, it was early November. I was hoping of getting it polished for publication by the end of November. However, when editing the first draft, as you've just read, I didn't like how the chapter progressed. It didn't feel right, and that forced me to make the necessary changes mentioned above. It certainly has been the most tedious, time-consuming chapter written to date, but it is done and dusted. We move on to the next chapter. Chapter 10 is a bit more planned out, so hopefully it doesn't take 4 months to complete, but no promises.
Chapter 10 is currently in progress, as is chapter 3 for Anything But Mine.
Also... as an insider, there are a few one-shots in development too. Expect to see those released sometime this year...
Oh, and yes, Tigress was quite brutal/savage during some moments in that chapter. That was done on purpose. We can't have her being all cute and cuddly yet. And, ah, hope you noticed my unbearable pun at the end... if you saw it, you're probably smiling now. And if you weren't smiling, you definitely are now.
If you're still not smiling, you will after this fun fact:
Australia's biggest export is boomerangs. It is also their biggest import.
...
*Opens door
I'll let myself out...
Thank you for taking the time to read the latest chapter.
I wish you all the best for 2023.
Until next time, take care and stay safe!
Footrot Flats :)