Kung Fu Panda Fanfic - The Rise of a Hero

(III) The Journey. Part I

After the crushing defeat against the bandits in the city of musicians, Po returned to the restaurant of his father, Mr. Ping, in search of answers. His arrival did not go unnoticed, as his popularity as the Dragon Warrior accompanied him everywhere. Po entered the restaurant taking everyone by surprise. Diners stood up from their seats just to greet him, and one mother even lifted her son up for a kiss on the head. Which he did out of mere instinct.

Po rushed over and hugged his father as he told him how popular the restaurant had become, but Po had a blank look.

Po: - Dad. Can I talk to you for a moment? Alone. - Mr. Ping found such a request strange.

Mr. Ping: - Sure son. - He answered worriedly. - Come. Let's talk inside. -

Po and Mr. Ping entered the kitchen looking for some privacy, although the orders did not allow Mr. Ping rest for a minute.

Po: - You need an assistant here. -

Mr. Ping: - I think so. Since you left the site has not stopped receiving customers. Maybe I should hire someone. Well. Tell me. What's wrong? -

Po: - You know. The other day I was fighting with some bandits and something happened. I do not know how to explain it. It was like a vision, or a memory. I think I saw me and my mom when I was little. - Mr. Ping stuttered a little at what Po told him. - Dad. Where do I come from? -

Mr. Ping took a deep breath and looked at him tenderly. He thought it was time for he to know the truth.

Mr. Ping: - You'll see son. - He approached the kitchen and took a medium box from under the cupboard, then he looked at Po, and smiled at him as he told him one of his happiest memories. - It was another day like any other day at the restaurant. And it was time to cook noodles. So I went to the back for my freshly delivered vegetables, but was met with quite a surprise. A great little baby panda. - They both laughed a little. - I looked everywhere, but no one showed up. And it was then, when I made the most important decision of my life. That was the day I adopted you as my son. - Mr. Ping sighed deeply. - I'm sorry po. That's all I know. -

Po: - Honestly, I thought I was going to listen more. Besides, how did I fit in this little box? - They both laughed a little.

Mr. Ping: - Oh, Po. Your story may not have a happy beginning, but look at all you've accomplished. You have me, you have Kung Fu, and everyone who loves and respects you. -

Po: - I know, Dad. I just have so many questions right now. - He paused briefly. - Who am I? -

Mr. Ping: - You are Po. You are my son. - Po looked at him affectionately while hugging him.

Po: - I know, Dad. I know. -

At that time, master tigress arrived at the restaurant looking for Po with an urgent call from Shifu. So they both hurried up the stairs of the Jade Palace as fast as they could. At the entrance to the palace, Shifu was waiting worriedly reading a scroll, together with the rest of the masters.

Po: - Master Shifu. - He took a breath. - What's happened? -

Shifu: - It's Master Rino. Has died. -

Po: - The great teacher Rino? From the Masters' Council? -

Crane: - That's impossible. -

Tigress: - Master Rino's defense was impenetrable for any technique. -

Shifu: - It was not a technique. Shen has returned to Gongmen and has claimed revenge. He has created a weapon capable of spitting fire and ejecting metal. If he's not stopped, this could be the end... of Kung Fu. -

Po: - How do we do it? -

Shifu: - Eh?-

Po: - How do we stop that weapon? -

Shifu: - Remember Dragon Warrior. Everything is possible, when you find inner peace. - Po stared at him for a few seconds, and a smile appeared on his face.

Po: - You are looking more and more like Master Oogway. - The comment got a curl out of everyone's mouth.

Shifu: - Go. And stop Shen, before it's too late. -

The Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior descended on the town where the crowd waved them off with great jubilation. Po was lost in his thoughts, but he was interrupted by his father's voice calling him from a distance.

Sr. Ping: - Po. -

Po: - Hey, dad. What happened? -

Mr. Ping: - Will you go on a trip without any preparation? You're going to need this. -

Mr. Ping dragged a backpack bigger than himself with a few things. The backpack fell to the ground and tipped all the contents onto the ground. Inside were some vegetables, spices, and other provisions. It also had some pans on each side so they could cook on the way, but what caught their attention the most were the Furious Five action figures that Po kept with affection.

Crane: - Hey, look, Mantis. It's just like you. - He said while holding the Mantis figure with his paw.

Mantis: - Ha ha. Very funny. - Po took the figures somewhat embarrassed and put them inside the backpack.

Mr. Ping: - And you might want to take these with you. - Mr. Ping was holding some photos in his wings. - These photos from when you were a baby. - Po tried to get in the way so the rest of the masters wouldn't see them, but.

Viper: - Oh. What a cutie. - She said when she saw the photos, since she had slipped under them, putting Po in an awkward situation.

Po: - Okay. Okay. I think that's enough. -

Mr. Ping: - Po. I think... I think you don't... I think - Po hugged him, interrupting what he was going to say.

Po: - I'll be back soon. Dad -

Mr. Ping: - I'll wait for you. Son. -

I know. I know. Lots of dialogue and little action. I promise when they get to town there will be something elsetempting.