Kung Fu Panda Fanfic - The Rise of a Hero

(VIII) The Awakening of the Dragon

This part of the story is completely different from the original.

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Shifu guided Po to the green plains where the training would begin. Po was excited, but somewhat nervous at the same time. So he clasped his hands in front of his abdomen, awaiting his master's instructions.

Shifu: - Po. When you focus on Kung Fu, when you concentrate... you stink. - They both laughed a little. - But that's my fault. I cannot train you as I have trained all five. Nor can I use the tools we have in the dojo. That is why we have come here. For you to discover Kung Fu, just as Master Oogway did years ago. -

Po: - I don't know what you mean, master. -

Shifu: - You will understand. Come, accompany me. Well take a walk. -

Po followed Shifu, walking slowly on the cool grass as they looked at the horizon from the top of the mountain.

Shifu: - Tell me, Po. How is the fighting style similar to the Furious Five? -

Po: - How are they similar? Everything is Kung Fu. Right? -

Shifu: - Haha. Yes they are. Let's look at it another way. How is the combat style of the master Tigress? -

Po: - Well... I could say that she focuses fundamentally on physical strength, perfected with technique and practice. -

Shifu: - That is correct. And how about master Mantis? -

Po: - He's very fast. I could barely see his movements when I wrestled with him. -

Shifu: - Very well. What do you think of the rest? -

Po: - Well. Master Viper uses every part of her body to knock down her opponents. It seems as if he danced instead of fighting. Master Crane always takes advantage of being on top of his opponent. And master Monkey apart from having great agility and control of his body, he can wield any weapon like nothing. Master Shifu, I have been a fan of them for as long as I can remember. Why are you asking me that? - Shifu let out a slight laugh.

Shifu: - And after knowing so much about them, what conclusion could you come to? -

Po: - Well... they are all Kung Fu masters. But each one has adapted it to their... - Po was stunned to understand what Shifu was trying to teach him. - That is! - He shouted with joy. - I shouldn't try to be like them. I must adapt Kung Fu to me. -

Po looked excited. But Shifu cut off his inspiration.

Shifu: - Eh. No. - Po looked at him with a poker face. - Not yet. First you must be a master of all the basic techniques. Then you must learn all the techniques of each of the masters. And only then, you will have enough knowledge to adapt Kung Fu to you. -

Po: - That sounds... hard. -

Shifu: - In this little time that we have, you will have to learn what the masters have learned for more than twenty years. - Po sighed deeply.

Po: - No pressure, huh? - Shifu laughed a little

Shifu: - Are you ready? - Po saluted with force hitting the palm of his left hand with his right fist.

Po: - I'm ready. Master. -

Shifu: - Very good. Let's start by training the body. -

The training sessions were intensive and on many occasions Po would faint because he was not used to so much fatigue. Driven solely by his desire to become someone worthy of the title of Dragon Warrior, Po pushed his body beyond its limit.

In the mornings. He ran several kilometers through the multiple passages and corridors of the mountain, while dodging the different obstacles that appeared in his way. Being so high above sea level, the air was lighter and it was hard to breathe. His body felt heavy, as the hot sun radiated on his fur.

In the evenings. Shifu concentrated on teaching him the basic techniques of Kung Fu for several hours. And always before nightfall, both had a bare-handed fight. Shifu seemed to be cruel and a bit abrupt with Po. But the hundreds of bumps and bruises Shifu left on his skin were for his body to adjust to feeling the pain.

The nights were cold and wet. And a cold north wind rocked the vegetation with force. In this hostile climate, Po trained his mind, subjecting his body to the harsh conditions.

Under the burning sun of the day and the cold of the night. In the rain or heat. Po did not stop his training. His body collapsed multiple times, but as time went by, this happened less often. After learning the basic techniques, Shifu began to teach him the different styles of Kung Fu one by one. Po tried his best to imitate them, but there were some that he found especially difficult. Finally, he opted for a style similar to that of Tigress, although more adapted to his form of combat. And finally, the last day came.

Po and Shifu were face to face on the green plain on top of the mountain with the sunset on the horizon. Po's body had changed. He was less obese, and his muscles had developed quite a bit, although they weren't visible given his thick fur. Such was the case, that he had to tie a strong knot in his pants because they fell down.

Shifu: - Panda. Today is the big day. Are you ready? -

Po: - I'm ready, master. -

Saying this, both of them greeted each other and slowly got into a fighting stance. They looked at each other without moving a muscle. The air struck them from the side, and when a leather fell between them, the fight began.

Shifu attacked head-on, and Po took a defensive position. With his training, Po was able to follow in Shifu's footsteps, though he still had a lot to improve on. Shifu tried to hit him multiple times and Po was able to fight back each time. When Shifu lost the initiative, Po went on the attack.

Po's attacks were powerful, but a little slow to reach the small and agile red panda. He could easily slip through Po's fists and land a few blows to his huge body, but Po could take them.

Both were fighting for quite some time, Shifu barely taking a few hits, compared to all that Po took. But when the night came, they both stayed on their feet. Finally, Shifu charged forward once more with all his strength, and in response, Po put a foot back, and like a mountain, blocked with his crossed hands the same blow that had sent him flying down the Palace stairs earlier.

Shifu stepped back and looked at Po proudly. He greeted him in the same way as when they started bowing his head as a sign of respect and concluding the fight. Po was slow to react, but finally joined in the greeting.

Shifu: - Well done. Master Po. -