Kung Fu Panda Fanfic - The Rise of a Hero

(VII) Teacher and Student

The bells began a new day in the Valley of Peace. As usual, Master Shifu went to the dormitories to see his students, but none of them came out to greet him. Shifu already knew what they had done, and he was devastated. Fear of what Tai Lung might do to them, consumed him. Finally, Po left his room somewhat late.

Po:- Oh. Good morning, Master. And the others? - I look surprised at the emptiness of the place.

Master: - They made their own decision. - He said with a depressed voice.

Po: - And... What will we do? -

Sifu: - I don't know, Po... I don't know. -

Shifu withdrew head down, leaving Po alone in the bedrooms. Po wasn't sure, but he had a vague idea of ​​what was going on. He was a bit nervous, so he decided to go somewhere special.

After a while, Shifu was under the peach tree looking at the horizon. His worry tormented him, and he could not clear his thoughts. He was looking at the staff, wondering what Oogway would have done in his place. But his tranquility was interrupted when he heard someone in the distance.

It seemed that someone was training, so he went to check the training room, but it was empty. He checked the bedrooms and found no one. He walked through the palace and checked the kitchen, but it was also empty. He kept looking until he realized that whoever was shouting was in a small bamboo forest just behind the main hall of the palace. He went closer to find out, and found Po, who had assembled a training dummy of his size for training.

The doll was made of several bamboo sticks tied with a rope. Bamboo wasn't as strong as wooden dummies, but at least Po could train with something his size.

Shifu patiently sat on a rock to watch him train, seeing that Po was unaware of his presence. The panda hit the doll with all his strength, although it lacked any kind of technique. Finally the doll gave way to the blows and shattered. Po turned around to change the broken dummies for another one that was already made, and that's when he noticed Shifu.

Po:- Oh. Master Shifu... How long have you been there? -

Master: - Long enough. - He walked to where the destroyed doll was and looked at it calmly.

Po: - I'm sorry about that. But don't worry. I'll clean it up later. -

Shifu: - You have nothing to apologize for. Follow me -

Shifu ordered Po to collect enough supplies and pack a suitcase for a trip that would last several days. They walked at a good pace through the mountain passages until they reached a peculiar and extremely beautiful place on top of a mountain.

The green grass was growing freely and there was a rock formation with a peculiar pattern. Right in the middle, a pond whose shape could not be defined with the naked eye, but from the heights described a silhouette similar to the Yin and Yang.

Po: - A bit far to take a bath, don't you think? -

Shifu: - Heh. We do not bathe in the pool of Holy Tears. -

Po: - Huh? - He was amazed.

Shifu: - Here Oogway unravels the mysteries of harmony and concentration. - He said as he approached the edge of the pond. - This site saw the birth of Kung Fu. -

Po was shocked upon hearing what Shifu said. He never thought of being in a place that he himself would consider sacred. And his astonishment only increased when Shifu took a huge leap and landed on a rock several meters high.

Shifu: - Do you want to be the Dragon Warrior?

Po: - Yes, I do. -

Shifu: - Then, I will be your teacher. -

Po made a martial salute while bowing his head for a few seconds in the form of respect and thanks to his new master.

Po: - By the way. I loved the presentation. - Shifu let out a slight laugh.