Kung Fu Panda Fanfic - The Rise of a Hero

(III) Protagonist of my Own Story

Night came early to the Valley of Peace, and the Furious Five climbed the stone stairs to their bedrooms while badmouthing Po. None were happy with Oogway's decision, although some, like Viper and Monkey, seemed somewhat concerned about the conditions in which Po left the training room.

Crane: - There are no words. -

Viper: - In what was thinking Master Oogway? The poor will end up dead. -

Crane: - He is so... powerful, the Dragon Warrior. What fell from the sky in a ball of fire. -

Mantis: - When it walks, the ground shakes. - Crane and Mantis made fun of Po.

Monkey: - Come on guys. Don't be so hard on him. -

Tigress: - One would think that Master Oogway would choose someone who at least knew Kung Fu. -

Viper: - At least he tried. I think we should give it a try. -

Crane: - I find it hard to believe. -

The five masters withdrew to their rooms, but Po was not behind them. Instead, Po was away from everyone, in the infirmary, bandaging his own wounds. When the teachers seemed to be asleep given the silence, Po finally reached the dormitories where a wooden floor creaked with every step he took.

Po: - Wonderfull. - He said quietly.

He advanced without scruples making a great deal of noise. Until Viper stuck his head out of his room.

Viper: - Hello, Po. How are you? -

Po: - Master Viper. Forgive me for waking you up. It was not my intention. -

Po bowed to him as he apologized, but he had most of his torso and his left shoulder covered in bandages. As well as the right eye.

Viper: - It's not a problem. You do not have to apologize. How are you? -

Po: - I feel good. I feel... alive. Thanks for asking. -

Viper: - I know it can be hard at first. But surely you can do it. -

Po: - Your words are comforting, master Viper. Thank you so much. -

Viper: - Very well. Try to rest a bit. See you tomorrow. -

Po: - Rest well too. Master Viper. -

Viper went back to his room while Po went to him. But before arriving, Tigress left her room.

Po: - Master Tigress. Sorry. I didn't want to... - Tigress interrupts him.

Tigress: - You shouldn't be here. - Po looks at her sideways. - You are a disgrace to Kung Fu, and if you feel respect for who we are and what we do you will be gone in the morning. -

Tigress returned to her room before Po could give her an answer. So he just turned around and stood in front of his bedroom door. He hesitated to enter. He felt very angry at that moment. And without realizing it, he tore the paper on the door with his claws. He took a deep breath and left the room to try to calm down.

He found a lone peach tree on top of a rock formation and thought it would be a good place to calm down. He grabbed a couple of peaches and sat on the edge of the bluff to enjoy the view as he munched on the fruit. There was a comforting silence, and that calmed him down a bit, until he heard a voice behind him.

????: - I see you found the Peach of Heavenly Wisdom. - Po turns around and sees Master Oogway walking towards him carrying a Chinese lantern.

Po: - Isn't that a very long name for a simple peach? - The turtle laughed a little as he looked towards the tree.

Oogway: - Do you usually eat when you are worried? -

Po: - Hmm. - He looked at the fruit in his hand. - It could be said that, yes. -

Oogway: - Why are you worried? - Po turned around, sighed and looked towards the horizon again.

Po: - I don't think I have what it takes to do this, master. -

Oogway: - Probably. -

Po: - Or all five. Heh. You should have seen them. They hate me with a vengeance. -

Oogway: - Looking forward to it. -

Po: - What will Shifu do to become me in the Dragon Warrior? - He said while looking at the bandages on his body. - I should better give up and go back to cooking noodles. -

Po sat down on the edge of the ravine. He picked up one of the peaches on the ground and took a bite as Oogway slowly approached him.

Oogway: - Give up. Don't give up. Noodles. No noodles. You are worried about what was and what is going to be. There's a saying. "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift." That is why it is called "present". -

Oogway withdrew slowly, knowing that he had managed to restore Po's confidence. As he did so, he hit the trunk of the tree and a peach fell onto Po's hand. This technique left the panda surprised, which remained observing the panorama for the rest of the night.

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Tai Lung's scape don't suffer changes.