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The mountain roared with fury as Zhen dashed down its treacherous slopes, dodging the relentless onslaught of searing volcanic debris. Each fiery boulder seemed to target her, threatening to singe her luscious gray tail with its scorching touch. With each stride, the agile corsac fox felt the heat of danger licking at her fur, but she refused to yield.
A deafening crash echoed behind her as a massive rock collided with the earth just inches from her tail, sending shockwaves through her body. Despite the close call, Zhen pressed on, her determination unwavering as she scrambled forward on all four paws, the ground trembling beneath her with each step.
As she raced onward, the volcanic tempest raged above, painting the sky with a chaotic dance of smoke and fire. With every passing moment, the mountain seemed to unleash its wrath with even greater ferocity, hurling molten projectiles down its slopes in a relentless barrage.
Alongside the Dragon Warrior, five other Kung Fu masters also sought to escape from the relentless onslaught.
A nimble otter with sleek, glistening fur bounded ahead, her agile movements guiding her swiftly through the treacherous terrain. Beside her, a sturdy badger lumbered onward, his thick coat of fur drenched with sweat due to the searing heat of the molten rocks.
Close behind, a swift-footed water deer leaped gracefully through the chaos, his powerful hooves pounding against the rocky earth as he raced to safety. Trailing behind them, an owl soared through the smoky haze, his keen eyes scanning the tumultuous landscape for any signs of danger.
Bringing up the rear, a wild and ferocious bunny hopped between the fleeing animals, her eyes gleaming with a savage excitement as she reveled in the violence of the eruption. With each bound, she unleashed a primal war cry, her fluffy tail twitching with anticipation as she followed her companions to safety, driven by an insatiable thirst for adventure. She had changed much since her early days living in the Den of Thieves with her brothers. But unlike her brothers, she had grown to love Kung Fu, and had parted ways with them on good terms so she could pursue that goal.
Seeking refuge, Zhen leaped over a towering boulder, using it as a shield against the deadly rain of lava. Her five friends joined her behind the rock for a moment of respite. Peering cautiously over the rock, she witnessed the volcano's fury firsthand, its molten heart pulsating with raw power. Suddenly, a blinding burst of light erupted from the crater, illuminating the landscape in a dazzling display of primal energy.
Overwhelmed with exhilaration, Zhen leaped into the air, her paw raised triumphantly in defiance. With a spirited cheer, she taunted the mountain with playful bravado, her voice ringing out above the chaos, “Aw yeah! SKA-BLAM! In your face, Mara! It's back to Naraka for you!”
The badger smiled and, “Ya did it, Dragon Warrior.”
Zhen smiled back and shook her head, “Not really.”
The owl nodded, immediately understanding, “All of us.”
Zhen put a fist into her opposite paw and bowed, and her friends mirrored the gesture.
The group returned to the Valley of Peace, and were greeted with the expected fanfare for saving the world. Eventually, they made it up to the Jade Palace, specifically the recently renamed Garden of the Three Peach Trees.
Master Po was waiting there on the cliff top, leaning on the Staff of Wisdom as he stood. He turned around as they approached, smiling in spite of the tired look on his eyes. Zhen was caught of guard by his appearance. He looked so old. . .
“Heeeey. Never doubted you guys for a minute,” the aged panda said, “Nice explosion by the way. The most awesome one I've ever seen.”
Zhen smiled proudly and said, “Sure was. Everyone in the Valley is celebrating. But I reminded them to give you some credit too. For making that huge spirit shield around the Valley. We couldn't have fought Mara without you defending the Valley from his army”
The water deer shook his head in amazement and said, “All those demon arrows. . . turned into flowers!”
Po chuckled and said, “Yeah, that trick sure took a lot out of me. Whoo boy.” The panda then numbers his way closer to Zhen. “I'd say you've definitely earned this, Dragon Warrior,” he said, and he presented the jade Staff of Wisdom to her.
Zhen's eyes widened as she accepted the staff. She was speechless.
Po sighed, and turned away to walk in between the two older peach trees that belonged to Oogway and himself respectively. “Ya know, when Master Shifu told me how Master Oogway had passed on, I kinda thought it was weird at the time. But now that I think about it, why not? I like peaches. I like peach blossoms. Not a bad way to go at all.”
Zhen's head snapped up, her eyes now wide with horror, “SAY WHAT?!”
Po nodded, “The Valley of Peace is in good paws.”
A mystical breeze blew, and pink petals from the two trees began to come off and swirl around the weary panda.
Zhen shook her head, her ears perked up in fear, “Oh, nononononono. Please no.”
Po gave his student a sad smile and said, “Well. . . When you gotta go, you gotta go.”
The five masters were all speechless, none of them wanting to intrude as Zhen stepped forward with pleading eyes. “Master, you can't leave yet. I'm not ready!” she cried, her voice cracking at end.
“You held your own against a demon. Pretty sure that means you're ready,” Po said confidently.
“But I haven't learned everything !” Zhen shouted.
Po chuckled, “No one has. No one can. Training, learning, it never ends. It took me a while to get that it's a good thing. It means life never gets boring.”
“But I need to learn from you!” Zhen shouted desperately, confusion and despair replacing her normally cocky and clever expression, “You saved me! My heart, my soul, everything! I still need you!”
Po shook his head and said, “Give yourself more credit, Zhen. I taught the lessons, but you passed the tests.”
“Po. . .” Zhen said, her voice trembling as she shut her eyes and hung her head, “You understood me. You saw the next Dragon Warrior in me when no one else did. You. . . you were like a father to me. . .”
Zhen felt warmth on her shoulders, and she raised her head and opened her eyes to see Po right in front of her, his large paws on her shoulder. His smile was as warm as the springtime Sun as he said, “I thought so, and I've always wanted to hear you say that.”
Zhen sobbed and leaned forward, hugging Po's large belly. Po held the fox in turn, and they remained there as the mystic breeze continued to blow pink petals around.
“I don't want to let go. . .” Po said in a deeply strained voice, “But. . .”
Po let go of Zhen.
Zhen watched as Po stepped backward, more petals enveloping him.
Po held up a finger and said, “One last lesson, Dragon Warrior.”
Zhen sniffed and gave him her undivided attention.
“As long as you remember those who've passed. . .”
Zhen's eyes widened as out of the mystical glow that had suddenly appeared, four figures had appeared, flanking Po. Oogway, Shifu, Mr. Ping, and Po's father Li all stood with peaceful fulfilled smiles.
“. . . they will live forever on.”
In a massive flurry of petals, Po vanished along with the four spirits, leaving the two peach trees bare and the cliff top silent.
Zhen clutched the Staff of Wisdom tightly, her breathing heavily as tears continues to run down her cheeks. She sniffed loudly, and blinked her eyes. Then, she caught something in her peripheral vision.
A peach sapling, born from the peach pit Po had given her years ago.
In spite of everything, Zhen smiled. She knew what she needed to do next.
She turned around to face her friends, who were all in awestruck silence at what they had witnessed.
With a solemn nod, Zhen twirled the Staff of Wisdom and raised it high as she addressed them. “For the mastery of Kung Fu you’ve shown, and the bravery and loyalty you've shown in the battle against Mara, I name you all the new Furious Five of the Jade Palace.”
The five of them were windblown. The Valley of Peace had been protected by many iterations of the Furious Five for thousands of years, and had been in need of a new one for about a month. The idea that they would be chosen was thrilling beyond words.
Zhen looked at the five of them, a determined look on her face as she stood with the Staff raised. Then, she grinned and lowered her Staff so she could lean on it, and she said, “Just don't let it go to your heads, alright?”
The new Furious Five all had glad smiles on their faces, and they bowed in respect to the new Master of the Jade Palace. Once a thief, now the Dragon Warrior, and a defender of the Valley of Peace and beyond.
The thread of destiny flows eternally from one to another. . .