Kung Fu Panda: Reborn as Po

Chapter 13: Chosen



Oogway's Morning:

The world was peaceful atop the Jade Palace. The skies glowed with a soft golden hue as the sun crept over the horizon. Master Oogway lay within his shell, resting on a mossy perch suspended slightly above the Furious Five's training area.

Snoring softly, his tiny limbs were drawn into his shell, leaving only the faint sound of his breathing. Below, the Furious Five struck their trademark poses, their arrival accompanied by a grand display of flips and twirls that ended with a perfectly synchronized landing.

Gong!

The resounding sound of the ceremonial gong echoed across the valley. Shifu's commanding voice rang out.

"The time has come for the choosing of the Dragon Warrior!"

Oogway, startled by the gong, yawned inside his shell before peeking out. His eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Oh, my. That was today?" he murmured. "Well, no time like the present."

He extended a limb, deftly balancing on his staff as he slowly descended. From the crowd's perspective, it was nothing short of miraculous—the ancient tortoise gracefully emerging from his shell and descending like a leaf carried by the wind. As he reached the ground, the villagers gasped in awe.

"Ah, good morning, everyone!" Oogway said cheerfully, planting his staff in the ground. "Lovely weather for destiny, isn't it?"

The crowd grew quiet as Oogway reached the center of the courtyard. Even Po, hanging back near the vendor's area, could feel the shift in energy. His eyes widened as he gazed at the elderly tortoise.

"This is it," Po muttered, gripping the railing. "This is where it all starts."

And then, Po felt it—a surge of energy so profound that it momentarily made him dizzy. Oogway radiated chi, a golden aura that seemed to extend far beyond his physical form. Though Po knew he had an infinite reservoir of chi himself, the sheer mastery Oogway displayed was staggering.

"How… how does he have so much?" Po whispered to himself, amazed.

Oogway closed his eyes, his smile serene. Reaching out with his staff, he seemed to connect with the very fabric of the universe. His eyes opened suddenly, sharp and knowing, as his finger darted forward.

"You!" he called, pointing directly at Po. "The panda. What is your name, young man?"

Po, stunned, blinked a few times before stammering, "Uh… Po! My name's Po!"

The crowd murmured in confusion. Why was the old master addressing this random panda?

Oogway smiled, his expression soft but certain. "Po. The Dragon Warrior has been chosen."

The crowd erupted into gasps and cheers as Po froze in place, his brain struggling to process what he had just heard.

"W-what?" he stammered.

Oogway's voice rang out again. "It is you."

The announcement sent ripples through the crowd. Mr. Ping, standing by the noodle cart, heard it and dropped an entire tray of bowls.

"Po? MY Po?! The Dragon Warrior?!" He fainted, slumping to the ground in dramatic disbelief.

Meanwhile, the Furious Five were left speechless. Tigress raised an eyebrow, her stoic expression faltering slightly.

"Him?" she muttered, her gaze falling on Po.

Crane tilted his head. "Well… he does look strong."

Viper, on the other hand, smiled playfully. "He is rather dashing, don't you think?"

"Dashing?" Tigress scoffed, folding her arms. "He's a panda."

Viper shrugged. "A tall, hunky panda with muscles that don't quit."

As a chariot was brought forth to carry Po to the inner palace, he raised his hand to decline.

"Thank you, but no," Po said, his deep voice carrying over the crowd. "The Dragon Warrior should never depend on others. He must stand alone, carry himself, and remain steadfast."

The crowd hushed as Po continued, his voice steady and powerful.

"The Dragon Warrior never doubts, never gives in, never depends, never gives up. He must help all who need him and be a beacon of everlasting peace. A light that casts no shadow."

Oogway's eyes twinkled as he watched Po speak. "Well said, young panda," he murmured to himself.

The villagers erupted into applause, their doubts about the new Dragon Warrior fading in the face of his inspiring words.

Inside the palace, Shifu welcomed Po with measured politeness. "So, you are the Dragon Warrior," he said, his tone skeptical. "Tell me, panda, how exactly did you train?"

Po grinned. "Self-taught. I studied hard, practiced every day, and perfected my style."

Shifu raised an eyebrow. "Self-taught? I see. And this shirt of yours—does it do all the heavy lifting?"

Po's grin widened. "You're welcome to find out."

Shifu narrowed his eyes, stepping forward. "Very well. Let's see if the Dragon Warrior truly deserves his title. A sparring match, here and now."

Po nodded eagerly. "I'm in."

The match began with Shifu darting forward, his strikes quick and precise. Po dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and calculated.

Shifu's frustration grew as Po deflected every attack with ease. "Stop holding back!" Shifu barked, leaping into the air for a spinning kick.

Po caught the kick with one hand, gently lowering Shifu to the ground. "If you insist," he said, his tone light.

With a blur of motion, Po went on the offensive, his strikes landing just shy of Shifu's form, sending gusts of wind past the red panda. When Viper wrapped her tail around Po's head to blind him, Po chuckled. "Really, Viper? I'm flattered."

Using his chi, Po heightened his senses, turning the match into an elegant display of skill. By the end, Shifu lay on the ground, thoroughly outclassed.

"I…" Shifu groaned. "I accept you as the Dragon Warrior."

Later that evening, Monkey directed Po to a room, grinning mischievously. "This is where you'll be staying," he said.

When Po opened the door, he found Viper coiled on a cushion, reading a scroll. She looked up, surprised but quickly recovered with a sly smile. "Well, hello there, Dragon Warrior."

Po smirked. "Nice room. Didn't know it came with company."

Viper chuckled, slithering closer. "You're pretty confident for someone who just walked into my room."

Po leaned against the doorframe. "Hey, confidence is part of the job description."

Viper's grin widened. "Hmm. And what else do you come with? A 'weapon' maybe?" She glanced down, her cheeks reddening slightly.

Po coughed, his face heating up. "I think that's my cue to leave!"

He turned and hurried out, ignoring Viper's laughter. "You're not bad, Po Ping!" she called after him.

Later, in the fighters' bath, Po soaked in the warm water, his mind spinning. Master Oogway appeared silently, his steps light.

"Troubled, young one?" Oogway asked, sitting on the edge.

"Just… taking it all in," Po admitted. "Being the Dragon Warrior, learning Kung Fu, everything. It's a lot."

Oogway chuckled. "Ah, life often is. But remember, it is not the destination that defines us—it's the journey."

They talked late into the night, Oogway eventually pointing Po toward the scroll library. "And do rest, Po," Oogway said, guiding him to his room. "Your journey is just beginning."

Po finally lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. "The Dragon Warrior," he whispered to himself, smiling. "That's me."

AN: Thanks for the Powerstones and all the Comments, Feed me more of them. You Guys are the best, and YOUR Support shows it.


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