Riser and Chun-Li stepped forward from the crowd, their presence now the center of attention. Master Oogway, with his calm and serene demeanor, looked at them expectantly, while Master Shifu, the red panda, studied them with sharp, inquisitive eyes. The tension in the courtyard was palpable, with the unexpected arrival of these two outsiders adding another layer of mystery to the already strange circumstances.
Master Shifu was the first to speak. "Who are you, and why have you come here?" His tone was cautious, almost suspicious.
Riser, with his usual confidence, stepped forward and introduced himself. "I am Riser Phoenix, and this is my companion, Chun-Li. We are travelers."
Chun-Li nodded in agreement. "Yes, we came here to learn martial arts. my father mentioned this place to us and left us a map," she said, pulling out an old, worn map and showing it to Shifu. The map clearly had the Jade Palace marked on it, among other locations.
Shifu took the map, examining it closely. "You traveled all the way here following a map? That seems rather... unwise," he remarked, trying to dissuade them. "The Jade Palace is no place for tourists or aimless wanderers."
Before Shifu could continue, Oogway raised a hand, his calm smile never fading. "That map... It was drawn by an old friend of mine. it was the work of mine given to your great-grandfather, Chun-Li. He helped us once, a long time ago, in a time of great need."
Chun-Li's eyes widened in surprise. "My great-grandfather? My father never told me much about him, only that he was a skilled martial artist."
Oogway nodded slowly. "Indeed, he was. And it seems destiny has brought you here, just as it did him. Shifu," Oogway turned to the red panda, "I believe you should teach Chun-Li. "
Shifu sighed, clearly not thrilled with the idea but respectful of Oogway's wishes. "Very well, Oogway. I will train her."
Shifu then turned his attention back to Riser, who had been quietly observing the exchange. "And you, young man? What is your purpose here?"
Before Riser could speak, Chun-Li quickly interjected, her tone respectful yet firm. "Riser-sama is my master. He has came with me in my journey, and he, too, wishes to learn martial arts."
Riser gave a nod, adding, "Yes, I am here to learn, to become stronger. I seek to understand the martial arts deeply."
Oogway's eyes twinkled with ancient wisdom as he considered Riser's words. "To learn is a noble goal, but remember, young Phoenix, to learn without interfering in the destiny of others. Can you promise this?"
Riser, understanding the weight of Oogway's words, bowed slightly. "Of course, Master Oogway. I have no intention of interfering with anyone's destiny. I simply wish to improve myself."
Oogway nodded, satisfied with Riser's answer. "Then you may stay. But remember your promise." With that, Oogway began to make his way to his abode, moving slowly but with the grace of someone who had seen and lived through many lifetimes.
Shifu, now standing beside Tigress, who had been quietly observing the exchange, turned to her. "Tigress, take them to the training hall. They will need to see what they are getting themselves into."
Tigress gave a slight bow to Shifu and then looked at Riser and Chun-Li. "Follow me," she said curtly, her voice carrying the disciplined edge of a seasoned warrior.
As they began to walk toward the training hall, Riser couldn't help but glance back at Oogway, who was now disappearing into the distance.
With that, they continued following Tigress up the stairs, toward the training hall where their new journey in martial arts would begin .
----
Shifu and Po entered the training ground, where the Furious Five were engaged in their rigorous exercises, each of them displaying their unique martial skills amidst a deadly array of training machines. Tigress and Mantis were balancing on the Jade Tortoise of Wisdom, a large, ornate bowl, exchanging precise and powerful blows while maintaining perfect balance. Monkey swung through the Seven-Talon Rings with effortless grace, while Viper slithered through the Field of Fiery Death, dodging the flames with fluid elegance. Meanwhile, Mantis was navigating the Gauntlet of Wooden Warriors, rapidly moving between the rotating, steel-studded wooden posts.
Shifu watched his students with pride, his heart swelling as he observed their dedication and skill. Po and Chun-Li stood beside him, their expressions a mix of awe and amazement at the sheer spectacle before them. Riser, on the other hand, was analyzing the scene with a sharp eye, keenly observing the strengths and weaknesses of each of the Furious Five, as if planning his own approach to the trials ahead.
Shifu turned to Riser, Chun-Li, and Po, his voice firm but encouraging. "It's time for you three to go through the trials in the training hall. Let's see what you're made of."
Chun-Li, brimming with excitement, was the first to step forward. She approached the first trial, the Seven Swinging Clubs of Instant Oblivion, with a determined smile. The trial consisted of coiled wooden panels that move, with heavy clubs sweeping through the air. Without hesitation, Chun-Li nimbly hopped through the coils, gracefully avoiding the clubs with a series of well-timed dodges and flips.
She then reached the Jade Tortoise of Wisdom, where arrows were fired in her direction. Chun-Li somersaulted through the air, dodging the arrows with ease and landing softly on the other side. Her agility and quick reflexes were evident as she moved on to the Gauntlet of Wooden Warriors. Here, she effortlessly deflected the steel-studded wooden posts with her powerful kicks, moving with a fluidity that left the Furious Five—and even Shifu—in disbelief.
Finally, she approached the Field of Fiery Death, an area filled with flame-spewing pipes that tested alertness and reaction time. Chun-Li skillfully hopped through the field, avoiding the flames as if it were second nature. When she finished the trials, she returned to Shifu, bowing respectfully. "Please guide me, Master."
Shifu, visibly impressed, spoke with admiration. "Excellent, Chun-Li. You have great agility, dexterity, and mobility. However, you must develop a unique style and work on your weaknesses—strength, toughness, and impact."
Chun-Li nodded, grateful for his guidance. Then, all eyes turned to Riser, who understood it was now his turn. He approached the Seven Swinging Clubs of Instant Oblivion, his demeanor calm and focused. As the clubs swung toward him, Riser used his hands to deflect them, relying on his strength to force his way through the coiled planks. He moved with a deliberate, controlled pace, making his way to the Jade Tortoise of Wisdom.
When the arrows were fired at him, Riser's sharp instincts kicked in. He predicted their trajectory and maneuvered his body out of harm's way, moving on to the next trial with ease. The Gauntlet of Wooden Warriors posed little challenge for Riser; he used basic kung fu techniques to deflect the rotating posts, his strength and power evident in each movement. The Field of Fiery Death was no more daunting—Riser, with his keen perception, could easily predict which pipe would spew flames next and avoided them without difficulty.
After completing the trials, Riser walked back to Shifu, bowing with respect. "Please teach me, Master."
Shifu smiled, seeing the raw potential in Riser. "You have strength, toughness, impact, and good body control. But you've focused mainly on the basics lacking lethality and You also need to work on your dexterity and flexibility."
Riser nodded. "Yes, Master."
Chun-Li, standing beside him, added with pride, "Riser-sama has only learned from me in the past two months. He's mastered the basics of kung fu in that short time."
Shifu glanced at Riser, his mind racing as he tried to grasp the sheer talent this young man possessed. "What kind of monster talent is this?" he thought to himself.
Riser, ever humble, shrugged slightly. "It's nothing. My body is just... good."
The attention then shifted to Po, who nervously stepped forward, clearly out of his element. Po attempted to avoid the trials by challenging the easiest adversary he could find—something meant for children. However, as fate would have it, Po stumbled right into the first trial. The results were as expected: Po was flung, tossed, and battered by the trials, ending up in a heap, sore and bruised.
Riser, Chun-Li, and even the Furious Five watched in a mix of disbelief and bemusement as Po tried—and failed—to navigate the trials. Every fall and misstep seemed to underscore just how unprepared he was .
As Po lay on the ground, groaning from the latest mishap, Riser couldn't help but admire the panda's tenacity, even if his methods were... unconventional. Shifu sighed, shaking his head slightly, clearly worried about the path ahead for the so-called Dragon Warrior.