Kung Fu Panda Fanfic - The Rise of a Hero

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From this moment music is very important.

Almost all music belongs to Two Steps From Hell. (If you like epic music, you should follow them on YouTube)

I recommend playing the soundtrack (if you are not reading it on mobile) at 20% and listening to the melody while reading the story. You may find the experience a bit more immersive and make for a much more enjoyable read.

As promised, Po left the Jade Palace before the bells marked the beginning of the day in the Valley of Peace. His departure went unnoticed by everyone except his old friends. The only ones who really knew what was going on.

The first thing Tigress did when she heard the bells was to look for Viper while little Lixua played happily with Monkey and Crane in the palace courtyard. She searched Vipers room, but she wasn't there. Through the kitchen, the training room and the rest of the rooms of the palace. But she did not find her. She wasn't in the Hall of Heroes, or that distant rock formation where Po used to meditate.

Tigress continued searching and was struck by the entrance gates of the Jade Palace half open so early in the morning, so she went to investigate. But when she looked outside, she found her. The snake remained looking at the horizon from the last of the thousands of steps that connected the palace with the rest of the city. Apparently, she had been there ever since Po had left.

Tigress slowly approached and sat next to her, but she only found the grieving teacher who could barely contain her emotions. Tigress hugged Viper to try to calm her crying, but she knew perfectly well that it wouldn't be enough. After all, Tigress herself had suffered a similar event not long ago.

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Far from the city, Po dressed in a large tunic that hid his huge body and a large hat that covered his face and left the city before the citizens began their daily lives. There was only one night left for Sun Wukong to go looking for him, so he had to get away from the city as quickly as possible.

Po took a lonely road that led to the lands to the northwest, vast plains where the grass grew nice and the humidity could be breathed in the air. There was nothing for miles away. No villager or merchant in the distance, the perfect place to be able to await his fate.

The journey took him all day, and the night brought with it a frost breeze that strongly counteracted the heat burning of the day. Po couldn't sleep all night. He remained seated in front of an improvised bonfire which he used to warm up a bit of tea. The drink warmed his body and eased the pain in his head a bit, and in a way, calmed his spirit.

Finally, the sun peeked over the horizon. "Today is the day." He thought somewhat anguished. But in the distance, he could see something that tore his heart. Coming from the same path as he took, some silhouettes approached in a hurry. Po couldn't believe it. It couldn't be true. The panda froze while Viper, Tigress, Monkey and Crane hurried over to where he was wearing hoods that covered his body.

Po: - No... no... no... no. What are they doing here!? You must leave immediately! - He ordered them, very upset and worried.

Monkey: - Sorry, buddy. But we can't leave you alone in this. -

Crane: - We all agreed. -

Viper: - Po. Please. Let us help you. -

Po: - No... you can't. You must leave immediately. - Po looked at them with concern, then turned to Tigress and went to her. - Tigress, you know you shouldn't be here. Convince them to go. -

Tigress was calm and most of the time she made the most sensible decisions, but not this time. Tigress approached Po and put her hand on Po's shoulder and addressed him while looking into his eyes.