
(III) Nightmares
Sun Wukong's sudden decision caused a loud rumble in the flow of the universe. A disturbance that would not go unnoticed by Po.
The night extended through the Valley of Peace and a deep silence reigned in the surroundings. The habitants of the city and the Jade Palace were fast asleep after a long and busy day. But there was someone whose dreams were disturbing him.
Po was moving slightly on his bed, and he seemed to be having a nightmare, or a vision. In his dream he was floating on the calm flow of the universe that ran in the spiritual realm, but something was not right. The golden color that characterized the peace of the spiritual realm had disappeared. Instead, a dark crimson color stained the tides along with black slimy masses that hit the floating rocks. Po could see hundreds of decomposed bodies over the years and an unpleasant smell suffocated his nose.
Po ran faster than he could to leave everything behind, but the horrendous panorama seemed to have no end. Finally, Po stops when he sees a hooded being with its back to him. The being was looking fixedly at one of the floating rocks, but from where Po was standing he couldn't see what it was. Po tried to call out to him, but the words wouldn't come out of his mouth. Po slowly approached and could see a hideous petrified monster with disfigured skin embedded in the solid rock. Po was stunned to recognize such a shape, but was even more surprised when the mysterious hooded being spoke to him.
????: - It's been a while, panda. -
Po watched in astonishment as the being removed its hood and revealed its face. It was not one more and not one less than Kai.
Kai: - I'm here to warn you, Po. Something is happening. Something we can't foresee. But there is more to irrigation than you can imagine. -
Po kept looking at the bull, trying to ask him what was happening, but he couldn't say a word. In fact in his dream, Po had no mouth.
Kai: - I know you have questions. But now you are not ready to talk. You still have a lot to grow up. -
????: - And do you think he has time for that? -
Po and Kai turned around and saw two other beings hooded that hid his face.
Kai: - Well... there's not much we can do. -
One of the beings stepped forward and removed its hood. It was Shen himself. Po slowly backed away, fearing that he was surrounded by formidable enemies, but there was nowhere to run. When Po turned around, the third being was standing right behind him. Po was surprised to see him. He couldn't understand how he had moved so fast, but his voice shocked the panda.
Tai Lung: - Long time no see. Po. - The snow leopard removed his hood and revealed his face, which let out a slight smile towards Po. - I know you're worried. I know you have questions. But we don't have time. -
Shen: - It's not ready! - He shouted angrily.
Kai: - Well, he will have to be. There isnt more time. -
Po could not understand a word of what his former enemies were saying, let alone understand why they wanted to help him. What had changed in them? Without warning, the three spirits looked at each other for a few seconds worried, but then they nodded their heads.
Shen: - I just hope you're ready for what's coming. - He told Po angrily.
Tai Lung: - He is. - He said as he put his hands on Po's shoulder.
The three spirits approached Po and pointed the palms of their right hands at him. His hands began to glow and Po began to receive a huge amount of Chi that began to accumulate in his body, but there was something else. Within Po's own dream, his mind began to be saturated with negative thoughts. He felt a deep anger consume him from within, and his body began to disfigure.
Kai: - You must fight it, Po. You must beat it. Don't let it dominate you. -
Shen: - We must stop! It's not ready yet! -
Tai Lung: - No! We can't stop now or it will only get worse. -
Despite his words, Po didn't seem to be able to control his own anger. Finally, his body was completely disfigured and turned into a grotesque misshapen ball of flesh and blood. A gloomy dark aura began to surround him as his body inflated more and more. And finally, reaching the limit, Po's body burst into thousands of pieces.
The shocking image caused Po to jump awake. Her eyes widened with fear, but he gradually calmed down when he saw the interior of his room. His heart seemed to be coming out of his chest, his breathing was completely uncontrolled, his fur was standing on end, and his entire body was sedated.
Po slowly got up and sat on the edge of the bed while resting his face on his hands. He was wondering what had been all that. Was it a horrible nightmare? Or was it something else? Po turned around and calmed down a bit when he saw that Viper, who was sleeping next to him, didn't seem to have woken up.
In Po's current condition, it was impossible for him to fall asleep again. He had to calm his body and mind. So, very slowly, he left the room making as little noise as possible so as not to wake Viper up. Po left his room and went outside the palace. The full moon was shining brightly in the heavens, a faint breeze from the north cooled his sweaty body, and a deep peace calmed heart.
Po walked slowly towards his sanctuary of peace. That remote rock formation where the lone peach tree stood. He sat there and tried to calm his mind for a while. What he had experienced was still disturbing him. I was afraid. What did the universe want to tell him? Po sat for at least a minute trying to calm down, but:
Viper: - Po? Everything is alright? - Po turns around and sees Viper's worried face. - What happened? -
Po: - It's nothing... just a terrible nightmare. Sorry to wake you up. -
Snake: - Its fine. Are you fine? -
Po: - Well. I don't know what to say. -
Viper: - You know you can count on me for anything. - She said while leaning on the neck of Po. - Tell me. Whats happening? - Po sighed deeply.
Po: - Something is coming. Something terrible. My nightmares show me a horror I've never seen before... and... I'm afraid. I am very afraid. - Po's hands began to shake.
Viper: - Honey. Come. Lean on. -
Viper got off of Po and curled up most of her body so that Po rested his head on top of her. Po gently lay down so as not to drop all his weight on her and focused his gaze on the starry sky, only interrupted by Viper's face, who was looking at him with a sad smile. They both remained silent for several minutes while Viper used her tail to caress Po's head, right between his ears, something that relaxed him. And after several minutes.
Po: - I think the time has come. - He said as he got up gently.
Viper: - The time? The time of what? -
Po: - We must choose the new Furious Five. -
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