Well I've finally started it. My sequel to The Words of a Loved One! I got to tell you, the words of a Loved one was never meant to have a sequel. But after getting so many PM's requesting a sequel, I couldn't say no. That being said, I hope I do not disappoint. Here is Chapter 1 and I hope you all Enjoy The Read...
Disclaimer: For this Chapter and all the rest, I do not own Kung Fu Panda nor it's Characters...But that would be so Awesome if I did!
"When Words Become More…"
Sequel to "The Words of a Loved One"
Created by Pandafan91
Chapter 1
You are invited…
It had only been a few days since the attack on the Jade Palace and the Dragon Warrior, and the palace servants had only gotten the Hall of Heroes back in order the day before. Po's recovery progress was about all that could be expected. Han, the Palace healer, kept his stomach bandaged and cleaned daily while Po's right arm was still broken and in a sling, with his left leg also still broken and all but useless as well. It would take time for the Panda to heal completely from the Damage the Lin Kuei had inflicted upon him, but Han was confident that in time, Po would make a full recovery. Unfortunately…Time seemed to be the one thing that Shifu did not have, for six days after the Lin Kuei's attack on the Palace, Superintendent Woo had arrived at the Palace, and the reason for his visit was none other than The Dragon Warrior himself.
Within the Hall of Heroes…
"Listen Old Timer, I don't have all day! I'm a very busy man you hear me!? Very busy! You want to see my Mad Face? No? Then get your Fat Panda over here this INSTANT!" Woo had just finished his rant for about the third time in five minutes, and it was taking every single ounce of Shifu's self-control not to show the antelope HIS mad face and kick the Super Intendant down the Thousand Steps. But after a pleading look from Constable Hu, who now had his hands in a begging gesture as he mouthed the words "Please" as in, "Please don't harm my boss", Shifu took a deep breath and calmed his temper, before saying, "Once again Super Intendant Woo…I am sorry, but the Dragon Warrior is unable to appear before you at this time." Woo then spat "And why not!? Doesn't that stupid Panda know I'm a busy man? I demand to see the Dragon Warrior RIGHT NOW!" Shifu's ear twitched as he attempted to compromise, "Perhaps you can address your concerns with me and I can be sure to relay them to the Dragon Warrior?" Woo then scoffed as he said "If I could, don't you think I would have done so? Do you think I'm stupid!? Huh!? Oh I'm so mad…I'm almost about to show my Mad Face!"
Constable Hu then stepped forward as he said "Please sir, Master Shifu said the Dragon Warrior is unavailable at this time…perhaps if you simply left him a message…" Woo then Turned on the Elephant and said as he got up in Hu's face "I'm sorry, but are you a part of this conversation? No? Then shut your trap already big nose! Before I have you fired…AGAIN!" Constable Hu merely lowered his head as he muttered "Yes Sir…" Shifu on the other hand was trying to think of a way to get rid of Woo. He had tried his best to keep the fact that the Dragon Warrior was wounded a complete secret. In doing so, he had forbidden Po from venturing down into the village at all, not that he could anyway even if he wanted to. Shifu doubted he would even make it to the stairs on that crutch. But if certain lowlifes learned that the Dragon Warrior was currently crippled, it could only spell disaster for the Valley of Peace.
Meanwhile, just outside the Hall of Heroes…
Monkey, Mantis, Viper and Crane were all eaves dropping just outside the doors, as Shifu and Super Intendant Woo continued to go back and forth about the Dragon Warrior. Mantis was perched on Monkey's shoulder as he said "This isn't good." Monkey then added "Yeah, at this rate Shifu's not gonna have a choice but to tell Woo that Po's been hurt." Viper then added, "And that idiot isn't going to be able to keep his mouth shut about it…we got to do something." Crane then asked "Yeah, but what?" Suddenly they heard someone panting heavily as the Masters turned and saw Po trying to hobble his way up the stairs to the Hall of Heroes on his crutch, his left leg still wrapped in bandages and his arm still in a sling. Fortunately the swelling around his right eye had gone down, but he still had his stomach wounds wrapped up tight. With him, Tigress was following him closely, her arms out and ready to catch him, just in case the panda fell down.
Once Po made it to the top of the stairs, he managed to catch his breath with Tigress now peering around the door to look inside. Po then asked in between breaths as he looked up at his friends "So what's…going on…already?" Suddenly Viper was next to him saying "Po! You shouldn't be up here, you need to rest." Tigress then interjected "I tried telling him the same thing, but the Panda is as stubborn as Master Shifu…what's going on? Why are Super Intendant Woo and Constable Hu talking with Master Shifu? Has something happened?" Monkey then started to inform the two newcomers, as Po hobbled his way over behind Tigress so he too could get a look. "Woo, for whatever reason says he has something to tell the Dragon Warrior in person, but Shifu Isn't allowing Woo to see Po." Po then turned around and asked "Why not?" Tigress then whispered "Because you're hurt Po. And Woo has a tendency to be pretty loose lipped. If word gets out that the Dragon Warrior can't protect himself…" Po finally nodded his head saying "Got it…that would be bad." Tigress then added "To put it simply, yes, that would be bad."
Right then, Woo had just shouted "For crying out loud you old Coot! Bring me the Dragon Warrior already!" Tigress could see the strain that the Antelope was having on Shifu's patience as Shifu tried to say calmly. "I'm sorry…Woo…But the Dragon Warrior can't come to you right now." Woo then shouted "Yes, you've said that already, what you haven't said was why! What's the Matter Grandpa? Why won't you bring the Dragon Warrior to me?" Shifu was thinking rapidly until he blurted out, "Uh…well you see…the Dragon Warrior…is um…Not here?" the way Shifu said it almost made the answer seem like a question. Woo was furious "He's WHAT!?"
Crane then muttered, "This is bad…At this rate Shifu's gonna end up telling Woo the truth. What do we do?" Po then looked around the Hall briefly, until his eyes landed on a familiar red box. A smile spread across his face as he said "Well…if Woo wants to see the Dragon Warrior…then we'll give him a Dragon Warrior. I got an Idea, Mantis…here's what I need you to do." and quickly Po began to relay his plan.
Shifu was running out of ideas, and Woo was about to lose it completely. Not that Shifu could truly fault the antelope; he had after all been beating around the bush quite a bit. After a quick look at Constable Hu who looked absolutely defeated and ashamed of his superior, Shifu sighed as he looked up at the angry Antelope and said "Forgive me Super Intendant Woo…But, I have not been truthful to you…" Woo then spat "Well if that isn't obvious! Where is the Dragon Warrior Old Man!?" Constable Hu then interjected, "Sir…I beg you to show just a little respect to Master Shifu…He is after all the Grandmaster of the Jade Palace." Woo then whipped around and asked in a rather scary voice "You want to see my Mad Face you useless buffoon!?" Constable Hu merely lowered his head as Woo returned his attention to Shifu who took a deep breath and said, "The Truth is Super Intendant…The Dragon Warrior is currently severely woun-" But before Shifu could finish a Cheerful voice rang throughout the Hall, "Hi ya Super Intendant Woo! What's shaking?"
Shifu, Woo and Constable Hu all turned to see the Panda walking towards them with a cheery smile on his face. Constable Hu's mouth dropped, while Woo placed his hands on his hips saying rather annoyed "Well it's about time Panda!" But none were half as surprised as Shifu, as he watched Po walk over towards the three of them. "Wait…Po's…walking!? But he was in no condition to do so on his own just this morning…what's going on here?" as the Panda approached them Shifu started "Dragon Warrior…You're here…how?" Shifu then noticed the Panda's eyes shifting over to the right a couple of times. As Shifu followed the Panda's signal, his eyes widened in shock as he saw…another Po, waving at him from behind a pillar with his left hand, his right arm still in a sling, while Shifu watched Tigress yanked the Panda back behind the Pillar.
Now Shifu's mind was really spinning, "Two Po's!? Did he look into the Mirror of Yin and Yang AGAIN!? No…if Po did that, then his doppelganger would be physically injured like himself, this is something else... but what?" The Po behind the Pillar was clearly the Dragon Warrior. But then, who was the Panda before him now? Shifu's eyes drifted back to where the real Po had been, as he saw the panda poke his head around once more and Shifu noticed something in his hand"…A Shift Stone?" Suddenly Shifu realized what was going on. One of the Five had taken on the appearance of Po in order to fool Super Intendant Woo. This little scheme had Po written all over it, but at the moment, Shifu had little choice other than to play along.
Shifu was then brought back from his thoughts as he heard Woo snap, "Where in the world have you been Panda!? Shifu kept saying not two minutes ago that you weren't able to come and speak with me, yet here you are! Explain yourself Tubby!" The Panda then scratched the back of his head as he tried to think, "Uh yup that's me, Po the Panda, the totally awesome and bodacious Dragon Warrior, yup…" Woo was getting irritated as he said "Yes Panda, I know who you are and apparently you do too. Now why have you been keeping me waiting?" the Panda then muttered "Uh...well…I…was…um." Shifu then stepped forward as he came to the panda's rescue. "Ah Dragon Warrior…tell me, was your Mission a success?" Both Woo and the Panda turned to Shifu and asked in unison, "Mission?" Woo then looked at the panda oddly as the Panda recovered saying, "Oh, right, the mission. Uh… Yup, the mission went just awesomely Master Shifu. Nothing that the totally awesome Dragon Warrior can't handle…because I'm totally awesome…and totally the Dragon Warrior."
Meanwhile behind the pillar, Po and Tigress remained hidden as they listened to the conversation. Po however was getting a bit grumpy as he muttered "Oh come on Monkey…I don't say awesome ALL the time!" Tigress however hushed him saying "Shhh…Let him handle this Po. You said so yourself that he was the only one who could pass as you." Po then looked to Tigress and asked, "Seriously, do I really say Awesome that much?" Tigress merely rolled her eyes as she returned her attention back to three in the center of the Hall. She had to admit though, as far as one of Po's plans went, this one actually seemed like it could work.
Woo then straightened himself saying, "A mission…I see. That would explain things I guess. Ah but that doesn't matter! Dragon Warrior, I have been sent here with a rather urgent matter involving you." The Panda then asked slightly surprised "Me?" While Shifu also asked "Him?" meanwhile Po whispered behind the Pillar, "Me? Awesome!" while Tigress yanked him back whispering "Po, stop that!" While Po whispered "Sorry." Woo then continued as he stared at the Panda before him. "Yes fatty, you. Did you not hear me!? Are you stupid or something?" The Panda was about to respond when Woo held up his hand saying "Don't answer that." The Panda then shut his mouth as Woo continued. "At any rate, Upper Head District Chief Superior Superintendent Chang has requested the presence of the Dragon Warrior at his summer estate. Every year the Big Shot throws a party for some other big shots and he wants YOU to be there. Apparently he's become fond of you since Constable Hu's little banquet he threw in Chang's honor the last time he came to the Valley…what a disaster that turned out to be." At this, Woo looked over at Constable Hu who was trying to hide his face in shame as the elephant recalled the awkward event.
Meanwhile behind the pillar, Po was barely able to contain his excitement. "I don't believe it! Someone actually wants to invite me to a fancy dinner! Oh this is just great, I can't wait to- *POW* Oww!" Po hissed as he held his head with his left hand, which Tigress had just bashed in order to silence him. Tigress then hissed, "I swear Panda, if you say one more word I'm going to drag you out of this Hall!" Po whimpered as Woo asked, "What was that?" Shifu then jumped in saying "Um…I'm sure it was nothing Super Intendant. When exactly is this event taking place?" Woo then turned to the Master saying "In three days." Shifu's eyes widened as he asked in anger, "Three days!? You expect the Dragon Warrior to be able to just show up at the drop of a hat!? Super Intendant Woo, The Dragon Warrior needs more notice than just a few days. Why, in order for him to get to the location in time he would have to leave by sunrise!"
Woo then turned to the Master saying "Blah, blah, blah. The Point is, Chang has requested the Dragon Warrior's presence at his home and the Dragon Warrior WILL be present!" Shifu then asked "And if the Dragon Warrior were not able to attend for whatever reason?" Woo then turned to the Giant Panda and spat "Then I shut this palace down faster than you can say Dumplings!" The Panda gulped as Woo straightened up and said "I should also inform you that the furious five have also been invited to attend, though whether or not they do matters little to me. But the Dragon Warrior MUST be present. I will not have some Panda making me look like an idiot in front of my superiors. "The Panda then grumbled under his breath "Like you need help with that pal." Woo then got up in the Panda's face asking "What was that Tubby!?" The Panda then held up his hands saying "N-Nothing Super intendant Woo…sir." Woo then eyed the Panda suspiciously as the Panda blinked several times, before the antelope shrugged his shoulders and said "Whatever. My job is done so I'm leaving. Later Losers." And with that, Woo began to exit the Palace. Immediately Po and the remaining Masters hid themselves, so that Woo wouldn't see them spying on him.
Once Woo was gone, Shifu then called out, "Alright, all of you get out here this instant!" immediately Viper, Crane and Mantis emerged from behind one of the doors and rushed over to Shifu, Constable Hu and Monkey, who still looked like Po at the moment. Followed slowly by Tigress and Po, who was managing to make his way over to the others, while Tigress walked closely behind him. Once everyone had assembled, Shifu wore a rather un-amused expression while Constable Hu was looking back and Forth between the two Pandas. Finally Shifu snapped "Oh for crying out loud Master Monkey, he's gone already. You can stop with the charade now. "
The Panda off to his left then realized Shifu was right and said "Oh, right…Sorry Master Shifu. Po can I have the stone back?" The real Po smiled as he tossed the shift stone over to Monkey who said "Thanks buddy." In a few seconds, The Panda standing in front of Constable Hu began to glow a bright golden light as the Giant Panda began to shrink. Seconds later, in the place of the Giant Panda stood none other than Master Monkey, as he tossed the stone and caught it in his hand once more. Constable Hu then stuttered "What the devil!?" while Shifu hushed him saying "Oh relax Constable, it was Master Monkey the entire time." Shifu then turned to Po and said "I suppose this was your big idea?" Po smiled as he scratched the back of his head saying "Heh heh…yeah. But how cool is this!? Superior Super Intendant Chang has actually invited me to a party! This is awesome; I don't get invited to anything!" Shifu then smiled as he said "Yes, it is indeed an honor Po." While Po was busy doing a little victory dance…or dancing as well as he could any way, which really just looked like him shaking his head while humming happily, Shifu then dropped the bomb. "It's too bad that you cannot attend."
Po then stopped celebrating, as his eyes opened in shock and he looked to Shifu asking "WHAT!? Why not!?" Shifu then sighed as he said, "Po, think about it. You're injured. You can barely make your way around the palace without collapsing in exhaustion, how do you expect to travel to Chang's home and arrive on time? Besides, the whole point of keeping your injuries a secret was to ensure that no scoundrels would be tempted to attack the Valley or yourself. How can we maintain that illusion if you are seen gimping around at a party?" Po's face immediately fell as the truth of Shifu's words stung him. "Aw Noodles…the first party I get invited to, and I can't even go." Tigress couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her friend. She knew how important something like this would mean to her friend. It was true, Po's table manners…or severe lack thereof rather…tended to keep the panda away from such events, so for him to actually be invited to one, was certainly a big deal for him.
As Po stood there simply miserable, Constable Hu then said "But Super Intendant Woo is expecting the Dragon Warrior to arrive now! If the Dragon Warrior is not physically able to attend, what are we to do? I just know I'll lose my job if Po does not make an appearance." Shifu then grumbled "Wouldn't that be a shame?" he then turned to the Constable and said "Worry not Constable…The Dragon Warrior will indeed make and appearance at Chang's party." Constable Hu then asked "He will?" while Po asked hopefully, "I will?" Shifu then turned to Hu and said "Yes." While looking at Po and said "Absolutely not." Po's face fell once again, and before Hu could even ask Shifu took the Shift stone from Monkey and said "Master Monkey will simply impersonate the Dragon Warrior once more, and attend the event in his place." Monkey then asked "I will?" While Po whined "He will?" But Shifu put a stop to the exchange as he shouted "Yes! He will!" Shifu then turned to the Masters saying "You all have been invited to attend as well…but one of you must stay behind here at the Palace."
Crane then asked "How come Master?" Shifu then explained as he pointed his cane at Po, "Because, someone needs to take care of the Dragon Warrior and keep an eye on him. If he falls or injures himself even more so than he already has, Zeng and Han won't be able to get him to the infirmary. So I leave it up to you four to decide who shall stay behind to take care of the Dragon Warrior, as well as watch over the Jade Palace." Tigress then asked "You mean you aren't staying behind Master Shifu?" Shifu then looked at Tigress and said "Don't be ridiculous! Chang has been known to throw rather large events; I wouldn't miss this for almost anything." Po then whined in disappointment, making Shifu realize what he just did. "Forgive me Panda…I'm sure this particular event will be a complete…um…bore." Po then grumbled "Nice try…" as he huffed in annoyance." Viper then asked the others, excluding Monkey of course. "So…who's going to stay behind with Po?"
For a moment no one said anything. Clearly everyone wanted to go to the event, and Po couldn't blame them. If he could stay at his dad's so that Mr. Ping could take care of him he would, but Mr. Ping was out of town traveling outside the Valley selling his noodles in his new noodle cart. Po was about to make a smart comment along the lines of "Don't everyone raise your hand at once" When Tigress spoke up from behind him saying "I'll stay behind and watch over the Dragon Warrior and the Jade Palace." Everyone turned to look at Tigress who was just standing there as she asked "What?" Shifu then asked "Are you sure Tigress?" Tigress shrugged saying "You said so yourself Master, someone has to stay behind and take care of the Dragon Warrior. Besides, Parties aren't really my cup of tea anyway. I'm sure I won't be missing much."
At this Tigress looked at Po who gave her a small smile. Truth be told, he was glad Tigress had volunteered. At least she wouldn't spend the next week talking to him about how much fun his friends would be having at the party. Tigress noticed the smile and simply nodded her head as Shifu then said "Very well, Tigress will be staying behind with the Dragon Warrior, while the rest of us will be attending Chang's party." The Masters all muttered in agreement while Po merely sighed in disappointment once more. Monkey stepped up to the Panda and patted his back saying "Don't worry buddy, I'll be sure to have enough fun for the both of us!" Although Po knew Monkey wasn't trying to be mean, his words still hurt a bit as he grumbled "Gee, thanks Monkey."
Constable Hu then announced "Well, now that we have that situation dealt with, I shall be off. I shall meet you all at the Village entrance at Sunrise." Po then asked "Wait, You're going too!?" Constable Hu then turned to face Po as he said "But of course Dragon Warrior. Superior Super Intendant Chang is my employer. It would be foolish of me NOT to attend." Hu then whispered to Shifu, "Besides, I can't miss out on the chance to have some of that marvelous food. You know he has some imported from Nepal?" Unfortunately Po heard the Constable as he whimpered "What…Now I'm missing out on foreign food!? How can this day get any worse?" Tigress placed a paw on Po's shoulder as the Panda continued whimpering to himself. Shifu Scolded the Elephant and immediately he began to leave. But before Constable Hu left, he looked at Po and said "Terribly sorry for the misfortune Dragon Warrior." Po merely nodded and with that, the elephant left the Hall.
Shifu then addressed his students, "Well, we all should turn in early for the night since we have quite the journey ahead of us." His students all agreed, except for Po that is, and soon all of the Masters left the Hall. All the while Po was hobbling on his crutch alongside Tigress as he continued to mutter under his breath, "Stupid Chang and his stupid party…stupid broken leg…stupid." All the while Tigress remained silent as she listened to the Panda quietly vent to himself as they slowly made their way over to the student barracks. This was going to be quite the week for her; that was for sure.
And that is the first Chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it, and remember...
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