Ch. 9 - The Dragon Warrior
[Lol, I actually noticed that I haven't shown or described Jin's appearance yet, so I'll just send a photo here that I got from Pinterest that resembles him according to my imagination.]
[And also, I noticed how some of you are uncomfortable about Tigress who would be the first woman, because she's a furry. I understand your concerns, so I suggest some of you just go and think of her as human form or Demi-human, anyways, I'm planning on making her more human-ish when they travel the multiverse.]
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What's happening?
Where am I?
Tigress stared at Master Shifu's upside down figure as the arms that hugged her body slowly snaked their way out before Jin left her on the ground.
"Whoah, that's super cool!" Monkey commented as he gave a thumbs up to Jin.
"That's an.... Unusual move." Mantis chimed in as Master Shifu's eye twitches a little.
"Jin wins." After a moment of hesitation and seeing that Tigress doesn't seem to want to fight anymore, Master Shifu finally declared.
He didn't expect that in just a few days, Jin would be able to defeat at least some masters in the Jade Palace.
Hearing that he won, Jin finally sighed in relief. Why, you may ask? That's because his stamina is almost depleted and he's afraid that if the fight continues, he would be thrashed by Master Tigress.
He's already lucky that his weird technique managed to surprise Tigress which is the reason why she's on the ground right now.
I mean, have you ever seen any Kung-Fu that hugs your opponent and delivers their heads on the ground while bending backwards, specifically in this world.
Nope, even Master Shifu surely didn't expect and know such a move, though Jin is not sure about Master Oogway. That old turtle must've seen all the Kung-Fu that this world has to offer. I mean, he's known as the creator of Kung Fu for a reason.
Tigress stood up and weakly glared at Jin before bowing slightly and left the training grounds.
'Seriously, I know that this is her personality but I didn't expect it to be this bad.' Jin thought to himself as the other Furious Five flocked over him and started barraging him with questions.
Only Master Shifu watched Tigress with complicated eyes. He knew how much Tigress valued the title of Dragon Warrior and how many years of sweat and blood she worked just to reach the quality of being a Dragon Warrior, only for it to be stolen by someone who fell from the sky.
'I'm gonna need to have a talk with her.' Master Shifu resolutely said to himself before leaving the ground and followed Tigress.
***
"Hah!!!" Delivering blow after blows to a poor tree that is on the verge of breaking, this was the tenth tree that she's punching as Tigress's hands were once again bleeding like they always used to whenever she trains.
"Tigress." Hearing Master Shifu's voice, Tigress immediately stopped and turned around to face Master Shifu before bowing her head.
"Master!"
"Raise your head, Tigress." Master Shifu said as he sat in the ground in a meditative position.
"I could see the unwillingness to accept Jin as the Dragon Warrior in your eyes." Master Shifu said, making Tigress look away in shame.
"I understand what you feel. I was also the same. To me, you deserve to be the Dragon Warrior." As he said those words, Tigress smiled happily. Being acknowledged by your master is a very great feeling.
"I asked Master Oogway towards this and do you know what he said to me?" Master Shifu said as Tigress raised her head and stared at him expectantly.
"He told me that nothing in this world is an accident. Which means everything happens for a reason." Master Shifu smiled, knowing that Tigress understands what he said, meaning Tigress is slowly becoming a wise person.
"Perhaps the title Dragon Warrior isn't destined for you but something even greater than the Dragon Warrior." Master Shifu said and while speaking of this, he remembered that Master Oogway once told him that his former student, Tai Lung will return.
It is also the reason why they hastened the choosing of the Dragon Warrior.
'Is Jin ready to face Tai Lung?' Master Shifu thought to himself, from what he has observed on Jin, he is indeed talented but talent won't bring him nowhere if he didn't put in enough hard work.
'I guess I would have to train him myself!' Master Shifu said to himself in confidence before standing up and speaking.
"I would take my leave first, may my words guide you, Tigress." As soon as he said that, a gust of wind blows across the area, forcing Tigress to cover her eyes due to the dust and the moment she opens her eyes again, Master Shifu is already gone.
"There are no accident." Tigress looked at her bleeding hands and muttered before closing them into a fist.
***
At night, Jin was wandering around the mountains while staring at the beautiful night sky.
"It's beautiful." Jin muttered while his eyes stayed glued at the night sky.
"Nature is such a beauty, isn't it?" Suddenly, he hears an elderly voice behind him.
'What? I didn't even picked him up with my senses?' Jin panicked as he quickly turned around and increased his guard up.
"No need to be on guard, I'm just an old turtle passing by." When his eyes finally saw the elderly voice, Jin was shocked to find out that it was Master Oogway!
"Y-You're Master Oogway!" Jin suddenly resumed to his casual standing and immediately cupped his hands and bowed.
"I'm sorry about that." Jin then quickly apologized. If there is someone that Jin wouldn't provoke in this world then that would be Master Oogway. The old turtle is such a mysterious figure that it makes Jin afraid of him.
After all, humans always tend to be more fearful towards the unknown or something they can't control.
"Ah, no need to apologize. Apologies are like ripples on the surface of a pond, my furless friend. They acknowledge the disturbance caused, but true peace lies in accepting what has transpired. There is no need for apology when one learns and grows from their actions. Remember, the past is in the past, and the present is an opportunity for change. Find harmony within yourself, and the world around you shall reflect it." Just like his usual self, Master Oogway would always find ways to give his advice and wise words to almost anyone.
'No need to go that far, I was just apologizing.' Jin sweated a little bit as Master Oogway is really such a wise person.
"Come sit here, my friend. We have a long night to talk."
***
"Inner Peace." Inside a dark spacious hall with only the moonlight giving little light to the spacious hall, Master Shifu was surrounded by lit candles while meditating.
*Flaps!*
"I-Inner....Inne-."
*Flaps!*
"Would you quiet down!" Master Shifu angrily scolded whoever was making the annoying sound. After a few seconds, Master Shifu went back to his inner peace meditation.
*Flap*
"Quack!"
*Bam!*
Master Shifu sighed and stood up before turning around to face the one who kept disturbing him.
"Ahh! Zeng! I assume you have some good news for me?" Master Shifu happily said while scrubbing his small beard.
"U-uhh..." Zeng was about to speak when he heard what Master Shifu said, so he hesitated a bit.
***
Back to Jin, his eyes were glued to Master Oogway as the turtle was spreading his knowledge and teachings to Jin.
"Do you know why I chose you as the Dragon Warrior?" Master Oogway said while giving him a wink, as if expecting Jin to ask him about it.
Not wanting to disappoint the old turtle, Jin asked about it.
"Why?"
"I'm glad you ask." Master Oogway smiled and closed his eyes as he spoke.
"The path of destiny is often shrouded in mystery, my young friend. The choice of a Dragon Warrior is not made lightly. It is not solely based on physical prowess or skill, but on the qualities that lie within one's heart. The Dragon Warrior is chosen for their potential to fulfill a greater purpose, to bring balance and harmony to the world." With his eyes still closed, Master Oogway spoke with tranquility and patience, showing the aura of a very wise person.
"You were chosen because you possess a unique combination of strength, compassion, and the capacity for growth. The seed of greatness resides within you, waiting to be nurtured and cultivated. It is not a matter of luck or happenstance, but rather a reflection of the potential I saw in you." Master Oogway then opened his eyes and turned around before pointing his pointy finger towards Jin's chest, exactly where heart resides.
"Remember, being the Dragon Warrior is not about being the strongest or the most skilled, but about embodying the virtues of discipline, courage, and selflessness. Embrace your journey, young one, and let your actions speak of your worthiness." With a smile, Master Oogway turns back around and faces the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom.
"This.... This is not my destiny. I don't think I was made for this." Jin hesitantly said, according to his memories, it should be Po, who is the Dragon Warrior, not him. He's supposed to be just an extra, blending among the crowd like an obscurity.
"Life, my friend, is like a peach. It begins as a small seed, full of potential, and with time and care, it grows into something beautiful and fruitful. Just as the peach ripens with patience and nourishment, so does life unfold before us." Master Oogway then faced Jin once again. However, his next words struck Jin to his heart.
"Living two lives isn't that bad, you know?" Master Oogway then flashed a mysterious smile.
"H-how did yo-" Just when Jin was about to ask about it, Master Shifu's voice interrupted him.
"Master! Master!" Running on the curvy path full of pebbles and stones, Master Shifu reached the area and found Master Oogway and Jin. However, Jin looks as if he's in a trance, so Shifu ignored him and reported to Master Oogway.
"I have brought very bad news!"
"Ah, Shifu. There is only news, no good or bad." Still maintaining his wise personality, Master Oogway responded.
"Tai Lung has escaped!" Master Shifu said with panic on his face.
"...That is bad news." Master Oogway stopped his movements before acknowledging that it is indeed bad news.
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[Let's go folks! How about we reach that 1000 power stones and give me a chance to make it to the top 10 rankings! I mean, most of the best of the best fanfic authors resides in the top 10 ps ranking like akikan and cornbringer, being among them would make me cry.]
[P.S: Yes, I'm a fan of theirs.]
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