Kung Fu Panda Fanfic - The Rise of a Hero

(V) More than Dragon Warrior

After spending some time recuperating on the palace stairs, Po was able to go back up where Viper, Monkey, and Mantis were waiting for him. With much effort he sat on the top step while silently complaining about his ailments.

Po: - What's up guys? All good? -

Monkey: - You tell us that. You don't look very good. -

Po: - I think I've been in worse situations. - Saying that, Po's mind went blank, as if he had a memory of who he was before.

Mantis: - If you say so. -

Viper: - Master Mantis will be able to cure him with acupuncture, that will surely relieve your pain. -

Mantis: - Huh? - He looked in disagreement, but accepted when he saw Viper's annoyed expression.

Po: - Are you sure? -

Mantis: - Yes... I think I can do... something. Come. Let's go to my room. -

Monkey did his best to help Po get to the dormitories, but his body was too heavy and he couldn't do much. After a long time they managed to reach the bedrooms where Mantis started the treatment while Viper helped him and Monkey watched from a corner of the room. Mantis didn't know how to treat Po's massive body, and he thrust the needles hard to try to reach the correct nerve. Po didn't flinch or change her depressed face except for the occasional grimace.

Po: - Tell me. - He said with a serious voice. - Is Shifu like this with everyone, or only with me? -

Viper, Mantis and Monkey couldn't give him an answer that wasn't hurtful. So they kept quiet.

Po: - I see. -

Mantis: - I know sometimes it seems cruel... but it wasn't always like that. -

Viper: - Legend said, that there was a time when Master Shifu actually used to smile. -

Po: - Mm. I find it hard to believe. -

Viper: - But that was before. -

Po: - Before what? -

Tigress: - Before Tai Lung. - She said as she stormed into the room.

Crane: - Uh... yes. We have forbidden to talk about him. - Crane said from the next room.

Tigress: - Well... if he is going to stay here, he should know. -

Po: - Tai Lung? The first student to reveal the thousand scrolls of Kung Fu and then razed the village? -

Monkey: - How do you know about that? -

Po: - My father told me. All the village elders remember him. -

Tigress: - Tai Lung was more than a student. -

----0----

Tai Lung's story as told by Tigress remains unchanged.

----0----

Tigress: - And now, he has the opportunity to correct it. Of training the true Dragon Warrior. And he's stuck with you. A fat, dumb panda. Who takes this as a joke. -

Saying this, Po's face transformed. His annoyed eyes were completely out of control as he bared all his teeth and fangs. He roared so loud that everyone backed away in fright, especially Tigress, who was about to hit him because she was closer to him. But before she did, Mantis got off Po's back to stop her.

Mantis: - Stop! - He yelled loudly as Po fell unconscious on the ground, showing hundreds of needles penetrating his body. - I think I accidentally touched the facial nerve... and maybe I stopped his heart. -