Chapter 7: Po's Lesson and Ambushed

Po's POV:

The day after the argument with Shifu, I haven't been doing great, and neither is Lana. I haven't seen Lana at all this morning. I looked around the Jade Palace, but I couldn't find her. I know she is taking the news pretty hard. I figured she might be back at Dad's home to have some time to herself or at the movies.

I hope she is doing okay.

I am still upset myself. I spent most of my morning destroying one of the rooms in the Jade Palace and eating some of the furniture. I must not have been paying attention because when I was in the middle of taking a bite, I noticed Shifu staring at me.

Shifu looked around the room. He studied the broken furniture in the room. It was an awkward few minutes of silence until I finally spoke up.

"What? I eat when I'm upset, okay?" I said as I wiped my face with my paw. Shifu just smiled at me.

"No need to explain. I thought you might be Monkey. He hides his almond cookies on the top shelf." Shifu told me. I smiled and went to the top shelf to get the cookies. I did a split to help me reach the cookies better. Shifu walked back in as I was eating. My eyes widened.

"Don't tell Monkey," I said.

"Look at you," Shifu said. I rolled my eyes because I thought he was making another hurtful comment again.

"Yeah, I know. I disgust you." I said.

"No, I mean, how did you get up there?" Shifu asked me. For once he was impressed?

"I don't know. I guess... I don't know. I was getting a cookie." I said.

"Yet you are ten feet off the ground and have done a perfect split," Shifu said.

"No, this? This is just an accident." I said. The shelves began to crack. I tried to hold on, but the shelves collapsed. I landed hard on the ground. Shifu caught the cookie when it rolled on the ground.

"There are no accidents," Shifu said, smiling at me. Shifu motioned for me to follow him. "Come with me."

Later during the day, I hiked up the mountain with Shifu, carrying a large backpack on my back. I found myself getting tired because I do not do well with stairs or tall hills. I rested my paw on the wall to try to catch my breath.

"I know you're trying to be all mystical and kung fuey but could you at least tell me where we are going?" I asked. I was completely out of breath when we reached the top of the hill. I tumbled and collapsed on the ground, taking off the pack and catching my breath. I saw a pool of water in front of me.

"You dragged me all the way out here for a bath?" I said. I began washing my arms in the pool of water.

"Panda. We do not wash our pits in the pool of Sacred Tears." Shifu said. My eyes widened with embarrassment, and I stopped washing my pits when he said what kind of a pool this was.

"The pool of..." I started.

"This is where Oogway unraveled the mysteries of harmony and focus. This is the birthplace of Kung Fu." Shifu explained. I watched with amazement when Shifu showed me some of his Kung Fu moves on the top of the rock. I can't believe it! This is the actual birthplace of kung fu?!

Wow, I wish Lana were here to see this. She would be amazed.

"Do you want to learn Kung Fu?" Shifu asked me.

"Yeah!" I shouted.

"Then I am your master!" Shifu announced.

"Okay!" I said in between laughs. I felt some tears in my eyes.

"Don't cry," Shifu said.

"Okay," I said again, wiping my face with my paw once more. Shifu gathered me in the middle of the hill where I would have my first lesson. I confidently put my arms to my sides to create fists.

"When you focus on Kung Fu, when you concentrate, you stink," Shifu said. My smile faded into a frown when he said that. "Perhaps that is my fault. I cannot train you the way I have trained the Five. I now see that the way to get through to you is with this."

Shifu held out a bowl of dumplings to me. I smiled again and sighed with relief. "Oh great, 'cause I am hungry," I said. I was about to reach for the bowl but Shifu took it away from me.

"Good. When you have been trained, you may eat." Shifu said. Shifu hopped down from the rock. "Let us begin."

And so, I begin my training with Shifu. It was not easy. Shifu held out the bowl of dumblings as he made me do some sit-ups from a tree hanging off the cliff. The tree broke and I fell but Shifu was able to catch the dumplings.

Then Shifu handed me the bowl again. I was about to eat when he hit me with the stick. He kept hitting me over and over again. I wrestled Shifu for the dumpling. He was very quick and was able to dodge my moves. Later in the night, he made me do push-ups over a burning fire while having a plate of noodles on the ground.

I did all kinds of things during the training. From balancing hot meals on my paws and feet to attempting to sneak around Shifu to get a bowl of noodles. Shifu hit me with his stick which made me lose balance. He won and ate the soup which made me agitated.

I learned some new karate moves and did some more push-ups. I continued my one-on-one training with Shifu. More days have passed. I have gotten better and better.

But I am still worried about one thing. My daughter, Lana. I have not seen her for a few days. I'm starting to worry for her.

"After you, Panda," Shifu said, taking my mind back to reality. I noticed the bowl of dumplings in front of me. That's right, I haven't eaten in a while because I have been busy training with Shifu. I was still skeptical because every time Shifu had a bowl of food I had to fight for it.

"Just like that? No sit-ups, no 10-minute hike?" I asked.

"I vowed to train you, and you have been trained. You are free to eat." Shifu said. I looked at him, still sketchy. I quickly picked up a dumpling before he could do anything.

"Enjoy," Shifu said. I smiled. I was about to eat when suddenly, he snatched the dumpling from my chopsticks. I knew this was a trick!

"Hey!" I shouted.

"I said you are free to eat. Have a dumpling." Shifu said. I attempted to take the dumpling again but Shifu kicked it from my hands.

"Hey!" I shouted again. Shifu ate the dumpling as if he was mocking me. I was getting mad now. I glared at him.

"You are free to eat," Shifu said again.

"Am I?" I shouted.

"Are you?!" Shifu yelled. Shifu twirled his chopsticks. I banged mine together and gave out a battle cry. I slammed the bowl with my fist, making the dumplings fly in the air. Shifu ate every one of them, but he forgot one. I tried to eat the last one in the air. He got to it before me though.

I landed hard on my butt. Shifu held the dumpling in the air teasing me with it. We then began to wrestle for the dumpling with the chopsticks in the bowl. Shifu laughed before turning the bowl around to conceal the dumpling. Shifu turned all three bowls over and mixed them up.

I tried my best to follow the bowls, but he was too fast. Shifu flipped the bowl over before I could, revealing the dumpling. Shifu and I began wrestling for it again. He flicked me with his fingers which hurt. I was able to get the bowl away from him. The dumpling flew into the tree.

Thankfully the chopstick was able to hold the dumpling but not for long because it was slipping. Shifu jumped on top of my head to attempt to get it but I caught him and pushed him down. Shifu pushed me to the ground a few times.

I was able to recover from the fall and pushed him out of the way. I tried to eat it as the dumpling was falling into my mouth but before I could, Shifu closed my mouth shut with the chopsticks. He punched me and I kicked him. I ran after the dumpling but Shifu stopped me before I could reach it.

We punched and kicked at each other a few more times. I jumped up and hit the dumpling with my stomach. Shifu watched with amazement as I jumped over him, landing on the ground and finally catching the dumpling with the chopsticks. I stood there, proud of what I was able to achieve.

Shifu and I smiled at each other while I took a few moments to catch my breath. I was going to eat the dumpling, but I handed it over to him. Shifu looked at me with confusion.

"I'm not hungry," I said. Shifu tosses the dumpling to the ground.

"Master," I said, bowing down to him. Shifu bowed back to me. I have completed my training, but I still have a lot to learn.

Lana's POV:

A few days have passed since we started our journey. The journey was long and not easy. We went non-stop until we have finally reached the edge of a bridge where we saw him.

Tai Lung.

Tai Lung began charging towards us.

"Cut it!" Tigress yelled. Following her orders, Viper and Crane cut the bridge's ropes. Adrenaline pumped through my body as Tai Lung jumped towards us. Tigress and I jumped into the air, kicking Tai Lung in his chin. The Five grabbed the ropes on the bridge to catch us before we fell. I got into my defensive stance, and so did Tigress.

"Where's the Dragon Warriors?" Tai Lung demanded us.

"How do you know you're not looking at her?" Tigress said. Tai Lung chuckled.

"Do you think I'm a fool? I know you, not the Dragon Warrior, none of you! Except for one." Tai Lung said. My heart raced when Tai Lung got closer to me. Tigress stood in a protective stance in front of me.

"Hello, sister." Tai Lung said.

"Tai Lung," I growled at him, trying to sound brave even though I was scared on the inside.

"Tell me. Since you are one of the Dragon Warriors, what does the Dragon Scroll's powers have?" Tai Lung said.

"Like I am going to tell you anything," I said.

"Well, if you aren't going to tell me then I am going to have to take the information from the other Dragon Warrior myself." Tai Lung said. "I heard how he fell out of the sky with my sister in a ball of fire. That they're a warrior unlike anything the world has ever seen.

"Po?" Monkey said.

"So that is his name. Po. Finally, a worthy apponate. Our battle will be legendary!" Tai Lung shouted, raising his fist into the air. Tai Lung then glares at me. "But not before I kill you first, sister. For taking what is mine."

Tigress charged towards him. Tai Lung and Tigress punched and kicked at each other. I joined in, punching Tai Lung. Tigress and I punched at Tai Lung a few times with him returning the punches. Tigress threw Tai Lung over the bridge. Tai Lung fell but he grabbed onto the rope.

My whole body was shaking as I held onto the bridge tightly. Tai Lung flung himself off the bridge. Tai Lung charged at Tigress. Tigress reacted, flipping over the bridge a few times until Tai Lung landed on the bottom of it. I tried punching at him, but he punched me hard, causing me to fall back.

Tigress and Tai Lung punched at each other again. Tigress kicked at Tai Lung. Tai Lung threw her off the bridge, but Tigress was able to hold on. The two kept fighting. Once I got my grip, I threw some kicks at Tai Lung. The fight is making me nervous because Tai Lung is really strong and we are high up right now.

I hate heights. I don't mind them if I am strapped into a harness but when I am not I don't do too well with heights.

Monkey took the rope from Crane. "We got this. Help them!" Monkey shouted.

Crane nodded and went to help Tigress and I. Tai Lung kicked Tigress in the face a few times. Tigress climbed up to get a better grip of the bridge. When she did, Tai Lung kicked her hard, making her fall back causing the logs on the bridge to break leaving just rope for half of the bridge.

Tai Lung flipped the bridge over, which wrapped around Tigress's neck, making her choke on the ropes. I balanced as best as I could. I rushed over to Tigress to help her get free, but I tripped on my leg. I fell down.

Viper hit Tai Lung with her tail. Tai Lung lost grip on the ropes. Tigress fell too. As I was falling, I was able to grab onto Tigress's hand. Crane dived down and caught us before we fell to our deaths.

"Thanks, Crane," I said.

"Don't mention it," Crane said.

Viper had her body wrapped around Tai Lung's neck. Tai Lung punched at her, attempting to get her off. Tai Lung lost his balance and fell but he grabbed onto Viper's neck.

"Monkey!" Viper shouted.

"Go!" Mantis yelled as Monkey handed the rope to him.

"What was I thinking?" Mantis said with regret while Monkey charged into battle. I don't know how Mantis was able to hold onto the strong rope all by himself. Monkey flipped around and kicked Tai Lung right in the chin. Tai Lung landed on the bridge again.

Tai Lung charged at us with full speed. Tigress and I were holding onto Crane tightly as he flew higher into the sky.

"Mantis!" Tigress shouted. With a powerful force, Mantis slammed the bridge.

"Now!" Tigress yelled. We all charged towards Tai Lung. Monkey jumped up, kicking Tai Lung in the face. Viper slithered on Monkey's arm and hit Tai Lung with her tail. I grabbed onto Crane's leg again. Crane flew towards Tai Lung. I gave out a battle cry and punched Tai Lung hard in the face.

I then helped Crane wrap the rope around Tai Lung. Tigress charged towards Tai Lung and punched him, causing him to fall down. The rest of us fell too. I held onto the rope tightly. Mantis yanked the rope, throwing us back onto the ledge.

We all watched Tai Lung screaming and falling. He fell down until he hit the side of the rock.

"Is he dead?" I asked Tigress.

"Let's hope so," Tigress replied. We were about to turn around until Tigress looked at the rock again.

"Tigress?" I said. I looked in her direction to notice the bridge moving in circles around the rock where Tai Lung fell. Our eyes widened when we saw the rope fling towards our direction. How could he have survived that fall?! I was startled when Tai Lung landed behind us.

"Shifu taught you well." Tai Lung said. Tigress put her arm out in front of me. With a powerful force, he attacked Monkey. Monkey was paralyzed now.

"But he didn't teach you everything." Tai Lung said. Tai Lung paralyzed everyone. My body was shaking as I looked at the Five who were defeated. Tai Lung went closer to me and gripped my hair tightly. I grunted in pain when I was forced to look into his eyes.

"Leave her alone!" Crane yelled. Crane went to attack him, but with his free hand, Tai Lung punched him back. Tai Lung turned his attention back to me.

He leaned in my ear and whispered, "Mark my words, sister. I will have my revenge on you and your father for taking the power that is rightfully mine."

With the same attack he used on the Five, Tai Lung paralyzed me. Within seconds, I blacked out.

Po's POV:

A day later, I returned to the Jade Palace with Master Shifu. I was hoping to run into Lana on our journey back but there was still no sign of her. I wonder where she could have gone. She could have at least told me before running off.

"You have done well, Panda," Shifu said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Done well? Done well? I've done awesome!" I shouted happily. I gave Shifu a playful push. Shifu gave me an annoyed look.

"The mark of a true hero is humility. But yes, you have done awesome!" Shifu said. Shifu gave me a painful punch to the stomach with his fingers. I grunted in pain. Okay, I deserved that. Shifu and I laughed.

Our attention was turned to the sky when we heard a noise. We looked up to see Crane carrying the rest of the Five. I took a closer look to see Lana was with them as well. But another closer look and I realized...

Lana was hurt.

END OF CHAPTER 7.