A/n For all you Po and Viper fans out there I digress on how Tigress and Po fans say that TiPo was meant to be, or even how Crane and Viper sparked relations. Honestly a pairing is a pairing and it doesn't matter which is dominate over the other or who has the most likely ratio among them all, it's really how we all enjoy it is what matters the most, and what we keep inside are hearts is the greatest among them all. So without further ado of my mindless rambling let us go forward with the story ahead.
"Perfect. Simply perfect, what more could a panda ask for in life?"
"Let's see… You need to start eating those low-fat rice cakes, Also I noticed you skipped your daily workout today so... more exercise, and oh! Some fresh air—clearly you're not getting enough oxygen in your brain cells."
"Anyway… Like I was saying before being abruptly interrupted, I live a pretty sweet life. Most people don't know this about me but...4 years ago I was chosen to become the Dragon Warrior."
"Actually Po, literally everyone knows that already… You kind of made it clear from all of the panda-shaped holes in the ground."
"Hey! Don't you mean incredible AWESOME panda-shaped holes in the ground?"
"… Right, and not to forget those notorious Dragon Warrior scratch and sniff posters-"
"With authentic Po smell? That was awesome!"
"Po, you nearly put the entire children population in the hospital, don't you remember?"
"Oh yeah… I got like a hundred angry parents wanting to rip my fur off. Now that I think about it, I think one guy wanted to sue me for making his son lose the ability to smell."
"… The future of the valley is in the hands of a panda…"
"Aww…. Come on Viper cut me some slack, I mean I did take down Ti Lung didn't I? Not every panda can say that now can they?"
"You're absolutely right Po, most pandas can't say that, most pandas are too busy eating to say anything, aren't they?"
"Touché, but I am hungrier than the average panda bear."
"Po, I think we're missing the point of this whole tag-team commentary thing."
"Oh yeah, I totally forgot. Ok then-This is a tale—epically told by yours truly about a snake-"
"Viper"
"Yes, a viper who nearly lost herself to herself...? Wait, is that right? It sounds right."
"Geez Po, you're making me sound like an escapee from Chorh-Gom Prison."
"Sorry Viper, anyway this is a story of the day friendly Viper changed for the worst, here is her story."
"Actually Po I think I should tell the-"
"You snooze you lose!"
….
The day stated as any ordinary day would begin; wake up at 5:00 A.M, breakfast at 5:30, followed by intensive training (with the usual Dragon Warrior boasting), a 30 minute break from training, more intense training, dinner at 7:00 P.M, finally bedtime. The cycle felt endless as the asphalt that would trail Po after every battle, each day felt like the last one and no one bothered to question it the slightest. But tonight something felt off in terms of rest and relaxation. It felt as some type of disturbance. Someone or something was snooping around through the Furious Fives' barracks looking for something.
The mere thought of some common thief kept Po from falling asleep, that and the fact he wanted some of Monkey's almond cookies. Anyway, Po had a sixth sense that a creeper was lurking in and about while everyone slumbered, Po tried his hardest to keep quiet like a mouse, hoping that his self proclaimed stealth mode training wouldn't fail him now.
Funny thing about noise in the night, Po was sure that an intruder made his/hers way inside the barracks, but at the same time the noise sounded familiar to him. Po couldn't put his finger on it but the noises sounded like someone was hissing? Weird. The panda made his way through each of the Fives' dorms to check up on them, from Tigress to Mantis each were fast asleep, but only one remained absent.
"Where's Viper?" The panda scratched his head confused by the whereabouts of his reptilian friend at this time.
"Well it is late in the night and we did drink plenty of fluids today, so... Maybe she went to the little snake's room?" Po shrugged his shoulders giving little thought of of his friend's absence. With that the big guy scratched his tummy and humbly scurried to the kitchen to devour Monkey's almond cookies… "Maybe I can put some pillow feathers near the jar to pin it on Crane, yeah that'll work." The panda said while chuckling at his devious idea.
But with Po's curiosity set off the table, the panda was completely oblivious of what he was going to endure tomorrow.
….
The sun slowly began to rise over the Valley of Peace, shining a beautiful ray of sunshine through out the entire village, waking up many of it's patrons for today's vast wonderments that would surely come. People took awareness to this and began their normal lives, opening small shops, while others farmed for crops to prepare for the upcoming harsh winter, but for the most-people praised the day, being happy and grateful for having another day to live, to love and bask with their family and peers.
With the village slowly becoming lively with laughter and cheers, Master Shifu decided it was time for his own pupils to arise to a glorious day, the Furious Five. Each had come far from their 20+ years in the fine art Kung fu, one by one having each their own individual fighting sets and abilities that best complemented their species, they've become a wonderful to their Master's eye. Shifu was truly proud of his "little" Kung fu Masters, but it was time to face it, they had all grown up now, sooner or later the sad reality had to come into the light, one day his students would have to go and live their lives and start families on their own out in the world. They were heroes here and soon to become heroes out in the real world... But only in spirit would Master Shifu truly admit it to himself, scary thing thing about it was the fact Shifu would dread the day when his little Tigeress would soon leave her father... Alone by himself. The red panda tried his best not to tear up by the thought of being alone until the end.
Shifu entered the Fives' barracks as quiet as a mouse, inspecting the peaceful sounds of light snoring and slumber delights."So peaceful," Shifu smiled ever so bliss.
He let out a small sigh, followed by a harsh "WAKE UP! come on chop chop, no time for sleep we need to train, wake up you lazy Monkey, no time for sleep Tigress—Po, Mantis, Viper!"
Right on cue Monkey, Tigress, Crane, Mantis, even Po stormed out bed in synch greeting Shifu with the usual,
"Good Morning Master," each said in perfect unison.
"Po, Tigress, Mantis, Monkey, Vip-"Shifu staggered mid sentence after realizing that one of his pupils wasn't in for lineup. "Where is Viper?" Shifu asked sounding upset, it wasn't like Viper to ever skip lineup, Po maybe, but never Viper.
"Oh I can answer that one Master Shifu, she went to the bathroom like 8 hours ago, never returned, must have been Tigress' vegetable soup, can you believe that?" Po rubbed is stomache sounding rather quirky way.
Tigress let out small scold directing to the panda, "Whoa easy Kitty," Po pleaded raising both hands in defense.
"That's absurd Po, no one could possibly stay in the bathroom for that long… Maybe you, but Viper doesn't eat as much as you all do. But If she isn't here then were could she be?" The red panda stroked his fingers through his stylishly long braided goatee, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Commentary…
"Say… If you weren't in the bathroom all this time, then where were you?" Po asked.
"That's on a need to know basis Po," Viper in a stern tone.
"Wait, need to know what?"
"Precisely"
"Well my bad for putting my two cents in your business, SHEESH!" Po huffed and crossed his arms together.
"Hmm... You may want to those two cents in Po, I'll add five Yuan and we can split a bowl of noodles, does that sound okay?"
Right on cue Po's tummy let out a growl.
"I think my stomach told my heart I love you."
"Oh… Po…" Viper's cheeks started to glow rosey red from Po's goofy, yet sweet gestures.
End of Commentary…
"Hey Master Shifu if Viper doesn't come back can I like, eat her breakfast for her? I mean… A good friend would save it for her, but a best friend would eat it all with no consent, then later on describe it for her... You know... In a sense."
"Wow Po, that might be the most disturbing thing you said all morning," Mantis commented.
"Aww... Thanks Mantis buddy, you know I try to start the day off with traditional Dragon Warrior bantering before I eventually stir up some commotion in the village. It's like a gift or something," the panda placed his hands on his hips admiring that flawless perfection in each day.
"Right…" Tigress muttered feeling a bit uneasy about Po's thought.
"Quiet! I'm trying to concentrate," The sound of Shifu's voice would always silence the his students.
"Yeah Monkey quiet, Master Shifu is trying to think here."
"… Master Shifu can I please be dismissed, I don't want to get panda fuzz on my furry palms."
"Ha! Monkey has furry palms." Po teased the simian, while monkey let out an angry huff under his breath.
Commentary…
"You know you didn't have to be so mean Monkey, why were you acting like that this morning?" Viper asked in a nice facile tone.
"You probably don't want to know…"
"Oh come Po, it can't be so bad could it?" Viper's tone soon changed to strict, "Could it?"
"Fine… I-I was a little bummed out when I couldn't see your pretty emerald eyes this morning…"
It was like the panda was charming the snake's little straight into straight into infatuation. Sigh...
"Aww… Do you really think my eyes are pretty?"
"I... A- I (Cough)... Lov-"
"What was that Po?"
"… (Sigh) Never mind."
End of Commentary…
Suddenly a speedy figure dashed into the Five's Barracks, the creature moved as if it were late for some kind of date or something. The hasty creature was infact the girl of the hour, Master Viper.
She entered the barracks quite clumsy, not as elegant she would normally enter, hmm...
"My apologizes Master, I had some urgent family matters that had to be handled, please forgive me for rudely keeping everyone all of you waiting, my apoligizes sincerest." Viper couldn't help but have a look of guilt and regret on her face from having the thought of her letting her friends down.
"Fine then Viper, since you are my most skilled warrior I will allow this minor tardiness to go unpunished, just try to keep your head in the spirit of Kung fu, just as Grand Master Viper once did in his time."
Viper formed a wide smile over her, tearing a little at that thought, "I will Master, I will!" She exclaimed loudly.
Master Shifu was relieved at the picture of his proud pupil becoming something more. "Okay then, chop chop, training time, nothing more to see here let's go..."
Heavy groans spiriled the room, everyone having the same thought of early morning training, sigh...
Tigress, Monkey, Po, and Mantis exited the dorm; all expect Viper who paused for the moment.
Gurgle…
The sound of a beastly noise erupted from Viper's stomache.
She dropped her head to the floor in agony, "Paitence is key... All I have to do is be paitent. Then when the time comes... My father will lead me into the one, true path." Viper's eyes lit up forest green, almost like a trance of some sort. "I'll humor the small masses just until I can finally strike into the heart of black and white..." Viper smiled, calmly making her way up to the Jade palace to resume her training.
A/n I hope you enjoyed the first chapter.