Chapter 14:
An old friend’s dying wish

Shifu sped to the one place he knew the Galapagos turtle to be - at the Sacred Peach Tree - a tree that he personally planted when first arriving in the Valley of Peace. “Master! Master!” The red panda shouted out as he reached the top of the hill, breathing heavily due to the nonstop high speed running.

“Hmm?” The elder said back as he looked at the man behind him and saw that it was his student.

“I have…It’s uh…It’s very bad news.” The teacher of the five stuttered, but was finally able to start to say what was really important.

“Ah, Shifu. There is just news. There is no good or bad.” The turtle said back to the man behind him with a casual tone before turning to face him. To the kung fu master he was just going to speak about the young turtle’s performance today, but he was dead wrong.

“Master, your vision. Your vision was right. Tai Lung has broken out of prison. He’s on his way.” Shifu said back to his old friend after finally finding the words and saying them. At that moment the student of the elder saw the turtle’s alarmed expression.

“That is bad news…” Oogway started to say before his alarmed facial expression become more calm and continued with, “…if you do not believe that the Dragon Warriors can stop him.” The comment did not go over well with the smaller mammal.

“Those turtles? Master, those turtles are not the Dragon Warrior. They weren't meant to be here! It was an accident.” Shifu counted - still praying that he would reconsider his decision and go with one of his five.

“There are no accidents.” Oogway said back to him with a big smile on his face.

“Yes, I know. You’ve said that already.” Shifu said back after giving a sigh of defeat before adding, “Twice.” The taller man heard that and thought that it was funny.

“Well, that was no accident either.” The elder said back with a laugh, still can’t believe how serious he was taking this.

“Thrice.” The red panda muttered while holding out that number on his hand. Oogway then decided to get serious himself, since that was probably the only way his student would listen.

“My old friend, the turtles will never fulfill their destiny, nor you yours, until you let go of the illusion of control.” The wiser turtle informed his old friend.
“Illusion?” The teacher questioned since he wanted to make sure that he heard him right.

“Yes. Look at this tree, Shifu.” Oogway requested to the tree before them. “I cannot make it blossom when it suits me, nor make it bear fruit before it’s time.” He stated, hoping that would help the teacher of the five to get what he wanted.

“But there are things we can control.” He shouted back in anger before kicking the tree causing the ready peaches to fall off of the tree. “I can control when the fruit will fall.” He informed as they were falling, but earned a chuckle from the man before him when a peach hit him on the head. “And I can control…” He started to say before picking up one of the peaches, tossing it into the air, and chopping it in half. “…where to plant the seed.” He finished with making a small hole and caught the pit with his left hand. “That is no illusion, Master.” He said before tossing the pit into the hole.

‘He still doesn’t understand.’ Oogway thought before trying his luck again. “Ah, yes. But no matter what you do that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple, or an orange, a plum, or even blueberries, but you will get a peach.” His statement did not go over well to the man before him.

“But a peach cannot defeat Tai Lung!” Shifu said back to him - not understanding what his friend was getting at since to him none of the four will be ready for the battle ahead.

“Maybe it can.” Oogway said back to the teacher before adding, “If you are willing to guide it. To nurture it. To believe in it.” As he said that the Galapagos Turtle used his left arm to cover the peach pit with the loosened earth.

“But how? How? I need your help, Master.” Shifu said back to his teacher since he was not really sure how to believe in anyone anymore.

“No, you just need to believe.” The turtle said to the red panda. “Promise me, Shifu. Promise me you will believe.” The elder added as he felt his life energy fading into nothing.

“I-I will try.” Shifu said since he is willing to do anything for his master.

“Good.” He elder said before standing from his kneeling position. “My time has come.” The elder fighter said in a calm tone since he knew that this was bound to happen, and did not fear it. “You must continue your journey without me.” Oogway said while giving the teacher of the five his walking stick.

“Wh - wha - what are you…? Wait!” The red panda stuttered at first and then saw that the turtle was walking over to the cliff’s edge. “Master! You can’t leave me!” Shifu shouted as peach petals gathered around the turtles as he stood at the edge.
“You must believe.” Oogway said: reminding his old friend to put his faith with the new turtles in town.

“Master!” The student shouted: praying that his voice would help keep his master anchored to this plane, but he had to watch as the turtle faded away while the peach petals blew away - into the distance.

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TMNT, and the others, are owned by Eastman/Laird and Fox Box.
KUng Fu Panda, and others, are owned by Dreamworks.