Sight For Sore Eyes
It's a beautiful day in the Valley Of Peace. Mr. Ping was in the kitchen as Po was brining a bowl to a customer. He heard his son complaining after a pig ordered the pan-fried noodles. Mr. Ping walks out of the kitchen to the table as Po walks away.
"Oh I'm sorry." Mr. Ping apologizes. "He's been like this... well you know."
"I understand." the pig woman said. "How are the others doing?"
"You mean the formally Furious Five?" Mr. Ping asks her.
Somewhere in the village, Tigress was wearing a head band with bunny ears as she stood in front of a group of kids a birthday.
"Tigress, come on the kids!" Monkey whispered.
The kids were staring at her waiting to do something.
"You cannot defeat me and my magical talking carrot." Tigress said monotonously, holding Viper dressed as a carrot.
"I'm sassy!" Viper smiled.
The kids heard the word cake and ran inside the house.
"Birthday parties?!" the pig gasps.
"No one has seen Shifu for awhile now." Mr. Ping said. "And even Leo is missing too." It's true. No one has seen Leo.
Mr. Ping and the pig heard a crash and sees Po laying on the floor with a bunch of plates that was knocked down.
"No wonder you're not the Dragon Warrior anymore!" she scolds at him.
Po begins to whimpering and sniffling.
"Get out and don't come back!" Mr. Ping shouted as he walks away and comes back. "Until after lunch, here's a coupon." He hands her a coupon.
Po left the dinning are and sits in his room. He takes out a scroll with a picture of him, the Furious Five and Leo.
"You were the Dragon Warrior, you had everything you ever wanted... and you blew it." Po said sadly.
Two weeks before...
The Furious Five and Leo stood in a line several feet from Shifu as everyone was in the Training Hall. Everyone begin to perform their poses for the Pyramid Of Fortitude. Leo got into a horse stance and stretch his arms out as Tigress and Monkey jumps on his shoulders. Tigress and Monkey take a stance on one leg while grabbing the others' arm. Crane balances on top of Tigress' and Monkey's arm bond. Viper sits on top of Crane's hat. Mantis stands on top of Viper's head. Po jumps to the top and does a handstand on Mantis.
"Well done." Shifu said. "Excellent. When..."
"And now the spin!" Po shouted.
"What?" Shifu asked confused.
Po quickly spins around, making Leo to fall onto the floor while the Furious Five lost their balance and collapse as Po landed on his stomach in front of his master.
"Not what I..." Po was saying.
"Po, the Pyramid Of Fortitude is a traditional pose, representing stability and unity. It does not spin." Shifu said.
"And we don't care if it's cool." Leo said as he walks up to Po.
"You are correct Leo." Shifu said. "The presentation of the Seven Forms must be done in the traditional way." He walks away and puts a weapon straight and neat as Po follows him with the others. "This is important Po, the masters of the Sacred Onyx Council are coming to inspect the Jade Palace. I trained with both Master Chao and Master Junjie under Oogway." He said as he continued to clean.
"Hm." Leo said.
"How well you perform the presentation of the Seven Forms will be a reflection of my abilities as a teacher." Shifu said. "I need to make a good impression, so please nobody do anything embarrassing, stupid, or dangerous!"
"Yeah you guys." Po said, looking at his friends over his shoulder. "Be cool."
Leo only gave him a look as he knew Shifu was talking about Po. Everyone heard a gong and see two people with a servant pulling away gong on a table. The first person was a red and orange lizard wearing a small hat, a red robe and blue shorts.
The second person was short and a orange, brown, yellow, black and white fox. He was wearing a blue robe with red, orange, and yellow patches.
"And who should he be?" the lizard, Chao, asks.
Silence took over the room. Leo watches the panda runs up to the two masters with a paper, picture and a beet and asking questions of the three items he showed. He notices the two masters exchange glances to one another before looking at Shifu who stood in front of Po and apologizes to them.
Master Chao looks by Shifu and Po, noticing Leo. "Shifu, is this the human you have mentioned in the last scroll you sent?" Chao asks the red panda.
"Yes, Master Chao." Shifu answers by bowing his head.
"Master Junji and I would like to inspect him." Chao said.
"Of course." Shifu bows his head and turns around. "Come here Leo."
Leo walks over to the three masters and he places his hands behind his back. The two masters began to walk around him, examining every detail that can't be missed. Leo relaxed his body.
"No tail or fur." Juni said from behind Leo.
"No fangs or claws." Chao added, examining the human's hand. "But interesting clothing too."
Master Shifu, Po and the Furious Five said nothing as they watch in silence. The two masters slowly steady their pace around Leo before standing in front of him.
"You are a fine young man, Leo." Chao smiled. "It is an honor to be in the presence of a human. Master Shifu spoke highly about your training and skills. Even your battle with Zhao."
"Thank you, Master Chao." Leo thanks him. "He is an excellent kung fu master to be my teacher."
"I am honored to hear you say that." Chao said. "And now, the Master's Ceremonial Sparring."
The three masters bows to each other. Shifu turns around and claps his hands two times. "Everyone, back to your quarters." Shifu said.
The Furious Five and Leo bows before they run out the door.
The Furious Five and Leo stayed in their quarters for the entire afternoon. Leo was in his temporarily room, one room next to his girlfriend's room. There was only a bed and his diamond sword. He was sitting in his room, meditating until it was the evening. But Leo heard something outside of the room.
As Leo opens the door, he called "Who's there?"
No answer.
Leo went out to the courtyard. There was no one out here but him. Before Leo can do something, he heard the gong, and rushes to the palace where the Furious Five is.
"It is time." Master Shifu said to them.
The six warriors run inside the Hall Of Heroes with Tigress pulling Po. Leo stood in between Tigress and puts Po on his left side.
"I trust you will be impressed." Shifu said to the two masters before turning around to his students.
The six warriors bowed as Po bowed to a pillar.
"Begin." Shifu said.
Leo got into a horse stance and stretch his arms out Tigress and Monkey jumps on his shoulders. Tigress and Monkey take a stance on one leg while grabbing the others' arm. Crane balances on top of Tigress' and Monkey's arm bond. Viper sits on top of Crane's hat. Mantis stands on top of Viper's head. As everyone was looking at Po, Leo felt something light behind his back He turns his head look over his shoulder but no one was there.
He felt his back got sliced three times and Leo tried his best not to make a sound. The weight of his friends was too much for Leo to handle. Leo dove forward as Po runs into everyone, causing them to fall as the Dragon Warrior runs and jumps to Chao.
"Po, no!" Shifu shouted, but it was too late.
Po did a handstand on Chao and began to spin, slapping Junji in the face several times with the tail. Chao hits Po straight into the air and Po lands on the two masters. Shifu's jaw drop as he walks over to the two masters.
"Ta da." Po said, standing up as he spreads his arms out. "Huh?"
The three masters scowls at Po. Chao waves his hand in front of Po.
Leo got up and was rubbing his back. His skin was dry somehow.
"Golden Lotus Clap." Shifu said.
Leo felt a tug on his pants and looks down at Viper. She puts her tail to cover her eyes and Leo nodded. Shifu performs the Golden Lotus Clap. The Five shield their eyes as the light passes them. Po blinks and rubs his eyes.
"I can see." Po smiled. "I can see!" But he notices the scowling masters looking at him. "Angry faces pointed at me."
"Shifu." Chao said, looking at Shifu. "Shaolin is built on discipline, honor, and tradition. Here, I see none of that."
"It's not Shifu's fault." Po said. "I was watching you guys spar-"
"If you disobeyed Shifu, it is his fault." Chao interrupted him. "It means he is unable to fit discipline." He looks at Shifu. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"I..." Shifu tried to say. "Nothing."
"I am sorry." He walks in front of Shifu and Junjie. Junjie smiles while glaring at Shifu. "As hierarch of the Sacred Onyx Council, I hereby declare that Shifu is no longer the master of the Jade Palace."
A servant rang the gong. Shifu is horrified as he can do nothing as Chao's wishes. The Furious Five was shocked.
"What?!" Monkey gasps.
"You can't do that!" Po shouted.
"Silcence!" Shifu yells at Po, looking at him. "You dare address the most venerable Master Chao with such disrespect?! Haven't I taught you anything?" Shifu pause for a moment. "No, I haven't. Master Chao is right and I accept his judgement." He walks by Leo and the Furious Five to wards the exit.
"But Master Shifu!" Monkey exclaims.
"No!" Crane exclaims.
Shifu stops and turns around. "As will you!" Shifu raised his voice before being calmed. "Now, do as Master Chao and Master Junjie command you. Do not disgrace me!" He turns around. "Anymore than I have disgraced myself."
Leo growled as he tighten his fist. "No." Leo growled, looking at Chao and Juni with anger in his eyes. He walks up to Chao and stands closely in Chao's face. "I don't think you're making the right decision for having Shifu not be the master of the Jade Palace, Master Chao." he growled. "If I didn't end up here in the first place, Zhao would've killed everyone, including you, Chao."
Tigress was about to step forward, but Viper stops her.
"I am making the right decision." Chao calmly said to Leo.
"You are a damn old fool." Leo snarls at Chao. "Po may make mistakes, but he follows Shifu's teachings and guidance under his own actions. If you do this, I will challenge you for Shifu to remain here as master."
Before Leo can say anything else, he felt a hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn around to see Monkey. Monkey pointed behind him to Shifu.
"Leo." Shifu said. "Please do what they command you and do not disgrace me."
Leo sighed and bowed his head to Shifu. "As you wish." he said.
Everyone were standing outside the Hall Of Heroes.
"Shifu is gone." Chao said, looking at them. "I am placing the Jade Palace in the hands under Master Junji."
Leo tighten his grip.
"I expect you to return the Jade Palace to its former glory." Chao said to Junji.
"I will return it even greater glory that benefits you, Master Chao." Junji bows his head.
Chao looks at the Furious Five, Po and Leo. "Henceforth, you are bound by honor to serve Master Junji." Chao announced.
Everyone gasps except Leo.
"I will be back to check on your progress." Chao said. He bows to them and they bow back. "Good day." Chao turns around and left.
"So what should we do now?" Crane wondered.
"Get out!" Junji exclaims with a smile, as he turns around to look at them.
"What?!" Po shouted, getting into a fighting stance but Tigress stops him.
Junji snaps his fingers as five snow leopards lands beside Junji. "Your services are no longer required." Junji smiled evilly. "Meet the new Furious Five."
"Tigress." Po said to her.
Tigress shakes her head and walks away, causing the other four to follow her as Po did nothing.
"Let me know if you need a letter of recommendation." Junji said as he and his students walk by them. They stop in front of Leo as he looks at them. "Step aside."
Leo steps aside with a growl as he watches the doors closed. He turns around and descended on the stairs. Leo kept his distance away as he listened to the conversation.
"If we fight Junji, it will feel like we're fighting against the Jade Palace." Viper said to Po.
"It would be the ultimate dishonor." Mantis said. "We'd be left with nothing."
Po trip and fell down the stairs as they reached the bottom. Leo did nothing as Tigress points at Po on the ground.
"You did this, Po." Tigress said to him, angrily. "You disobeyed Shifu and destroyed what we've all devoted our lives to building. We're through with you." She walks away from him as her friends followed her.
Po gets up on his feet. "Are you going with them?" Po asks Leo.
"No." Leo answered.
"Oh." Po sighed with relief. "I thought you were going too."
"But you are on your own." Leo said.
Po looks down in sadness and walks away. Leo was alone now. He turns around and looks up at the night sky.
"Leo?" Tigress called to him.
Leo looks over his shoulder and sees Tigress walking up to him. "Tigress." Leo said. "I thought you and the Furious Five were looking for a place for the night."
"We were." Tigress said as she stands in front of him. "But I was wondering where you were."
"I needed to clear my mind." Leo said. "Did you and everyone found a place?"
"Each of us has our own room." Tigress answered. "I also found a room for you and one for myself. But there is something I wanted to talk to you about."
"About?"
"About what you said to Master Chao." Tigress said. "Why the hell did you even say that?"
"Because that decision is fucking bullshit!" Leo snapped.
"Chao is a Shaolin Master." Tigress argued him. "He has higher authority to decide who will be the master of the Jade Palace."
"But he could've thought about all the things Shifu did when Oogway was and before I even showed up here." Leo growled.
"I know it's wrong, but with Oogway gone, Chao has the right to make the decision." Tigress said. "But things will be different without Shifu."
"And how did it feel when Chao made that decision?" Leo growled.
"You know how I feel, Leo!" Tigress shouted at him. "We were all there! We wanted Shifu to stay too, but you and Po screwed this up!"
Leo growls angrily at her. "If you didn't want Shifu to leave, then why didn't you say anything?!"
"Because we would be disobeying Chao!" Tigress growls with anger. "I saw you got out of Po's way before he hit us! And you tried to challenge Chao!"
"Tigress-"
"No, Leo!" Tigress interrupted him with a growl. "I don't want to hear it! Since everyone is through with Po, the others are through with you!"
Leo wanted to say something but Tigress wasn't done.
"I think it's best we don't see each other for a couple weeks." Tigress said.
Leo sigh and nodded his head as he watches her leave without saying a word. After Tigress left, Leo places his hand behind his back. His shirt was sliced three times in the back.
"How did it happen?" Leo wondered. There was no one in the hall except them. Whoever it is have to be a skilled warrior to be inside the Jade Palace without being seen. And he couldn't go to the Dragon Warrior or The Furious Five. Leo knows he's on his own.
Leo made it back to the barracks to retrieve his diamond sword. There was a fight going on the staircase and Leo took it as his advantage. He picks ups his diamond sword and left the barracks, disappearing into the night. Leo will have to find clues to know if Junji is behind this or someone else. Whoever it is, they're going to pay.
Leo made it to the Wu Dan Mountains. He puts down his diamond sword. Leo's face was covered in sweat. He wipes his forehead and got a small fire going. Leo didn't bring anything with him except his weapon and the clothes on his back. But there were more pressing matters to attend.
Leo traces the cuts on his shirt that cut his back. "Hm." Leo said. "Whoever land these three slices must be a skilled warrior. But how come no saw anyone attacking?" He looks up at the night sky. "I'll have to get some sleep." he replied. Leo looks around at his surroundings. He notices he was too exposed out here in the open. "In the morning, I'll have to do some recon."
With that said, Leo went to sleep with his weapon close to his side. The next morning, Leo left the camp and headed to the same mountain he met Zhao. He spent the whole day looking down at the palace, hoping Junji and his students left the Jade Palace. When nighttime came, Leo was back at camp. He drew a diagram of the valley and the Jade Palace.
"Hm." Leo said, looking at his diagram. "Looks like they haven't set foot outside all day. Then nighttime should be a good idea to sneak in and look for some clues."
The next night, Leo approaches the Jade Palace and entered the Hall Of Heroes and began searching for clues. He slowly examines the hall as he walks slowly with his diamond sword in hand. Leo looks down to see if the attacker left any tracks behind. There was nothing, not even a footprint. He looks up and stares at the spot that they performed.
"The doors were closed when we performed." Leo thought. "Then this person have to be light and quick without being seen. But how?" He walks over to the spot and looks at the place he got cut. "The person must've come from the right when the sword to my left shoulder." Leo heard the sound of foot steps coming and he quickly hid above the ceiling.
Walking by was one Junji's leopards. After leaving the room, Leo lands on his feet. He walks over to the pillars. Leo looks at the pillars and the corner. Thinking someone else may come, Leo quickly left the hall without being seen. He made it back to the mountains safe and sound.
Leo got a fire going. The fire is nice and warm as last night. Leo thought he heard something and drew his weapon. No one was there but him. Thinking someone followed him or watching, Leo stayed up the whole night.
Leo can feel himself closing his eyes as he stares into the fire. His stomach growled. He didn't eat anything all day. Leo didn't want to run into the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior. He didn't need their help.
Leo wakes up as the sun's light hit his eyes. He was greeted by a smell, making him to sit up straight and tried to grab his weapon. But he stops halfway and notices Qiao.
"Good morning, Leo." Qiao said.
"Qiao, what are you doing here?" Leo asks her.
"I'm tracking a thief." Qiao answered. "This thief stole a scroll from my village."
"Who's the thief?" Leo asks her.
"Du Heng." she answered, handing him a bowl of rice. "He's a young lion with a black mane."
"I see." Leo said as he eats his rice. "Is that why you're here?"
"Yes." Qiao replied. "He may be after something next."
"Have you seen him before?" Leo asks her.
"Several times when he's not invisible." she answered. "Why?"
"I think he may have slice me a couple nights ago." Leo replied. He explains what happened a couple nights ago. After he was finish, she puts her bowl down.
"Sounds to me that everything was fine until Du Heng appeared." Qiao said. "Not to mention that the Furious Five is through with you."
"I know." Leo said. "I'll help you catch him."
"Thank you." Qiao nodded. "But what will you do after?"
"I'm not sure." Leo said.
"We'll think about it later." Qiao said.
Leo and Qiao was doing some recon for the next two weeks. They would sneak into the Jade Palace at night to find any clues and after that, they would take turns watching for the night. In the day time, Leo will be meditating and train alone while Qiao goes to the valley to get some food. She wanted him to come with her to the valley, but the lynx cat knows that Leo didn't want to, knowing he'll bump into the Furious Five or the Dragon Warrior. So Qiao made sure to wear a gray hooded cloak when she walks into the village.
It was the middle of the night as Leo and Qiao was looking down at the Jade Palace.
"Two weeks later and we couldn't find a damn clue." Leo growled. "What are we missing?"
"Hm." the lynx cat said while she was sitting down. She looks at the sword laying on the ground. "He may be after your sword."
"What?" Leo asked confused, looking at her.
"Think about it." Qiao said. "Your weapon is not from around here and he'll steal it."
"To sell to the black market?" Leo asked.
"Not possible." Qiao shakes her head.
"What the hell?" Leo asked, looking confused. "If he's only fifteen, then how is he so good at being invisible?"
"He learned the technique from a very old scroll." she answered.
"So how do we stop Du Heng?" Leo asks her.
"Together." Qiao replied. "Du Heng is a good warrior."
"Good." Leo said. "Hm? It's Po." He can see Po walking to the Hall Of Heroes with a bowl of soup. "What is he doing here?"
"I'll go find out." the lynx cat said before she disappeared.
Several minutes later, she appeared besides him.
"What did you find out?" Leo asks her.
"I found out that Junji has Shifu in the catacombs." Qiao answered.
"He's still here?" Leo asked, raising his eyebrows. "Let's move."
The two of them ran down the mountain steps as it was morning until Leo stops.
"What is it?" Qiao asks him.
"We're not alone here." Leo whispered.
Then a young brown lion appeared visible to them. He was wearing brown pants with two gold strings near the edge of his pants. He has short black mane as his jade eyes stares at them. Du Heng quickly knocks out Qiao with a single punch before engaging Leo.
Leo dodges and dives off the cliff with the young lion chasing him. The chase went on to the courtyard. Both of their fists collided into one another.
"Not bad." Leo said. "But you're not getting this sword."
"We'll see." Bu Heng said as he turn invisible.
Leo looks around as he kept his guard up. He felt his arm scratched by the young lion. "Gah!" he yelled. "Where are you?!" His answer was met with a hard punch that knocked him out cold.
The Furious Five burst out of the door with Tigress and Monkey in their costumes.
"Happy Birthday." they all said.
"Mr. Ping?" Tigress asked confused as Mr. Ping walks up to them.
"It's your birthday?" Monkey asked.
"It's not me." the goose said. "It's Po."
"It's Po's birthday and you hired us?" Monkey asked confused.
"Kind of weird." Mantis said.
"No!" Mr. Ping exclaims. "It's Shifu."
"Shifu's birthday was two months ago." Crane said.
"No!" Mr. Ping exclaims. "Junjie!"
"Junjie?" Monkey asked confused.
"Just let me finished!" Mr. Ping shouted. "Junie is holding Shifu prisoner, and Po went to the Jade Palace to rescue him all alone. You have help him and find Leo."
"Ha!" Tigress laughed with sarcasm. "After what those two did?"
"Would you mind taking off those ears?" Mr. Ping asks her.
"Po probably made that up." Crane said as Tigress takes off the fake ears. "I mean, Junjie is a Shaolin master."
Mr. Ping walks up to him and grabs Crane by the beak to look him in the eye. "Listen to me, limp-beak!" the goose shouted. "My son may be not perfect. He may be big and loud and clumsy and annoying and impatient and hotheaded and... Er, where am I going with this?"
"But he's not a liar." Mantis said, causing the goose to look at him.
"Right." Mr. Ping said, letting go Crane's beak.
Tigress and Crane exchange glances in uncertainty.
"I say, let's do this." Mantis said, taking a stance.
"Mr. Ping, do you have any idea where Leo is?" Viper asks him.
"I don't have a clue." Mr. Ping answered. "He hasn't up show up in the village for two weeks and ever since then, there was this person wearing a gray hood cloak that came to the village in the past two weeks."
"Did you see who it was?" Viper asks him.
"No." Mr. Ping answered. "But I did overhear the name Leo."
"You don't think Leo is in trouble, is he?" Mantis wondered.
Viper looks at Tigress. "Tigress, did Leo say anything that night?" Viper asks her.
"I didn't give him a chance to explain." Tigress answered. "I was angry at him."
"Then let's go." Viper said.
Leo opens his eyes and sits up. He notice his arms were chained behind him and he was in the arena. Standing before him was the young lion.
"I see that you're awake." Bu Heng said.
"And I see that you're a young teenager." Leo said.
Bu Heng walks into the arena with Leo's weapon in his claw. "This is a fine weapon." Bu Heng said, examining the weapon.
"Thanks, but that sword isn't yours." Leo said. "If you want a sword, just buy one."
"I wish I can, but I don't have enough money." Bu Zeng said, looking up at Leo.
"What about your parents?" Leo asked.
"I don't have a family." the brown lion answered. "I've been living on my own for a long time."
"But there is another way." Leo said.
"And what is that?"
"Work hard for a better life." Leo said. "You don't need to be a thief."
"You think I can work hard?" Bu Beng asked.
"Yes." Leo answered. "By the looks of you, you don't seem to be the type for a thief."
"I think you're right." Zu Beng replied. "And I'm sorry."
Qiao landed behind Leo and she cuts the chains.
"You're weapon." Bu Zeng said, offering the sword.
"Thank you." Leo said, taking the sword back.
"I'll take you back to my village after we rescue Master Shifu." Qiao said.
"We better hurry." Leo said.
It was the late afternoon. By the time three of them got to the top of the stairs, they all saw the Po and The Furious Five standing in a line as Shifu stood in front of Chao while Junjie and his creepy leopards were chained up.
"You're a sight for sore eyes." Leo said behind Chao.
"Leo!" Shifu smiled.
"And who are these two?" Chao wondered, lookin at Zu Beng and Qiao.
Leo explains everything about the last two weeks.
"I see." Chao said after Leo explained.
"Zu Beng will be coming with me back to my village." Qiao said. "The village elder will know what to do."
"Of course." Shifu said.
Bu Heng looks at Leo. "I want to thank you for opening eyes." Bu Heng thanked him. "I was blinded by thinking that being a thief is a way to survive. But now I understand for what I did was wrong."
"Just remember, work hard." Leo said.
They all bowed after Chao left as Junie and his students were falling on the stairs. Everyone went inside as Po fell down the stairs because he was blinded again.
"Leo, can I have a word with you alone?" Tigress asks him.
Leo and Tigress left the Jade Palace and heads to the Peach Tree.
"Leo, I'm sorry I didn't gave you a chance to explain." Tigress apologizes to Leo. "And I-"
Leo cuts her off by giving her a kiss on her lips. Tigress's raise widen her eyes in surprised. Enjoying the kiss, Tigress kisses him back, snaking her arms around Leo. The two of them broke the kiss and look into each other's eyes.
"I accept your apology." Leo said with a smile.
The two warriors head back to the Jade Palace.
This chapter was great to work on. I wanted to have Leo at bottom and it sounds a like good idea when they did the form. The next chapter is going to be great. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I encourage you all to leave a review!