Characters: Po, Monkey, Mantis, Princess Shu, Princess Fan, Warlord of the Blackened Moon
Rating: PG (Adventure, Violence, Emotional Manipulation)
Manipulation / gaslighting
Summary: Po, Monkey, and Mantis begin their escort mission with Princess Shu and Princess Fan. Shu is gentle, curious, and kind. Fan is… not. As tensions rise, Fan’s true intentions begin to unfold — and Po becomes the target of a deadly ambush designed to break him from the inside out.
Author’s Note: Thank you for reading Chapter Two! I’m still getting used to posting long fic chapters directly on Tumblr, so formatting feedback is welcome. Reblogs help this fic reach people who love KFP worldbuilding 💜
The morning mist clung to the mountain path like a veil, softening the edges of the world as Po, Monkey, and Mantis began their escort journey. The Jade Palace shrank behind them, swallowed by fog.
Po adjusted the straps of his supply pack. “Okay,” he murmured. “We’ve got this. Easy mission. Escort two princesses. No fraternizing. No disasters. No—”
Monkey snorted. “You’re jinxing us.”
Mantis crossed his tiny arms. “He’s absolutely jinxing us.”
Po groaned. “I’m not jinxing anything.”
Monkey raised a brow. “Po, you once jinxed an entire dumpling festival by saying ‘What could go wrong?’ and then the fireworks tent caught fire.”
“And then the noodle cart rolled downhill.”
“And then the mayor fell into the koi pond.”
Po sighed. “Okay, fine. I’ll stop talking.”
The path widened as they approached the first checkpoint — a stone archway carved with swirling cloud motifs. Beyond it lay the Shade Empire’s outer territories: lush forests, winding rivers, and villages known for artisans and umbrella‑makers.
Po inhaled deeply. “Pretty.”
Monkey nodded. “Pretty… and ominous.”
Mantis shivered. “Everything is ominous when you’re escorting royalty.”
Po didn’t respond. Shifu’s warning echoed in his mind:
He wasn’t planning to fraternize. He wasn’t even sure what that meant. He just wanted to do his job.
But something told him this mission wouldn’t be simple.
The Shade Empire’s caravan approached like a river of silk and lacquered wood. Banners fluttered in indigo and silver.
Monkey whispered, “Remember: Princess Shu is the nice one. Princess Fan is the terrifying one.”
Mantis whispered, “We don’t know that for sure.”
Monkey hissed, “She didn’t bow yesterday.”
“That doesn’t mean she’s terrifying.”
“She looked at me like she was deciding where to bury my body.”
Po elbowed them. “Behave.”
The caravan halted. Two palanquins rested at the center.
Princess Shu stepped out first.
Soft pink robes. Tiny crane embroidery. Purple eyes. A lotus crown with jade ornaments. Gentle, glowing, serene.
Po felt warmth bloom in his chest.
“Master Po,” Shu said softly. “It’s an honor.”
Po nearly forgot how to speak. “Oh — uh — honor — yes — same — me — you — honor.”
Shu giggled. “You’re very sweet.”
Then Princess Fan emerged.
Deep violet robes embroidered with silver flames. Dark purple crown. Sharp posture. Sharper eyes.
She simply looked at them like she was evaluating their weaknesses.
Fan raised a brow. “These are the warriors assigned to us?”
Po cleared his throat. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Fan’s gaze flicked over him. “Hm.”
Shu nudged her. “Fan, be kind.”
Monkey whispered, “That’s a lie.”
Fan’s eyes snapped toward him.
Fan smiled — slow, dangerous. “I heard that.”
Po stepped forward. “We should begin the journey.”
Fan’s smile vanished. “Lead the way.”
They traveled through bamboo and wildflowers. Birds chirped overhead.
Shu walked beside Po, curious and warm.
Fan walked ahead, posture perfect, expression unreadable.
Monkey and Mantis followed Po like nervous ducklings.
Shu glanced at Po’s pack. “You carry so much. Are you sure you don’t need help?”
Po shook his head. “No, no — I’m good. I train for this. I mean… not specifically for this, but for… carrying things. And escorting. And… walking.”
Shu giggled. “You’re very funny.”
Shu spoke of traveling, kindness, stories, food.
Po agreed with everything.
Shu’s smile grew. “I love food.”
Fan walked ahead, listening without looking back.
Inside, her thoughts churned:
She wanted power. Control. The throne.
And this escort mission was step one.
Po unpacked steamed buns, rice cakes, lotus pastries.
Shu’s eyes sparkled. “Lotus pastries? My favorite.”
“Yes. My mother made them during the Lantern Festival.”
Po handed her one. “Try mine.”
Shu took a bite — her eyes widened. “This is incredible.”
Monkey whispered, “They’re flirting.”
Mantis whispered, “Shifu’s gonna kill him.”
Fan inspected the riverbank, unimpressed.
Monkey approached. “Nice weather?”
Fan didn’t look at him. “I don’t care about the weather.”
Mantis tried. “Do you… like rivers?”
Fan turned slowly. “Do you like being alive?”
Po approached with a bowl of rice. “Your Highness, I brought food.”
Fan looked at it. “Is it poisoned?”
Po nearly dropped the bowl.
Fan sighed. “Relax, Dragon Warrior. I’m not going to have you executed. Yet.”
Night settled over the forest. Shu and Po sat by the fire, sharing folklore.
Fan watched from the shadows.
This could ruin everything.
Fan tightened her grip on the hidden throwing stars beneath her dress.
And the journey grew more dangerous.
The bamboo forest rose like a living cathedral.
Fan’s eyes flicked upward — a tiny smile tugging at her lips.
She knew exactly what was coming.
She softened her posture, mimicking Shu’s innocence.
“Is something wrong?” she asked sweetly.
Masked assassins dropped from the canopy.
Monkey grabbed Fan protectively.
Fan gasped dramatically. “What’s happening?!”
Monkey panicked. “Ambush!”
Po blocked a blade. “Stay behind me!”
Fan stumbled backward, feigning terror. “I—I can’t fight!”
Shu trembled. “Fan, stay close!”
Fan nodded, eyes wide — perfect imitation of fear.
Inside, she was thrilled.
Her assassins had arrived right on schedule.
Po fought fiercely — flipping attackers, blocking blades.
Mantis bit someone’s nose.
Shu gasped. “They’re trying to kill you!”
Fan clutched her chest. “Why would they attack the warriors?!”
Po grunted. “Good question!”
She already knew the answer.
One assassin sprinted toward Po with a spear.
She had ordered them to kill Po — but not yet.
If Po died now, she couldn’t control the narrative.
Her mask slipped — sharp, calculating, furious.
Fan immediately softened. “I’m scared…”
Shu assured her the warriors were protecting them.
Po unleashed a shockwave, knocking assassins down.
Fan widened her eyes. “He’s so strong…”
She needed Po weakened — not inspired.
Their leader stepped forward. “Finish them.”
Fan’s heart raced — not with fear, but anticipation.
Mantis cracked his knuckles.
Fan clung back, trembling.
Po unleashed another shockwave.
Monkey kicked two attackers.
Mantis bit someone again.
The leader snarled. “Retreat!”
The assassins vanished into the bamboo.
Po exhaled. “Everyone okay?”
Fan brushed imaginary dirt from her sleeve. “That was… horrifying.”
Po turned to her. “Fan… why were they after us?”
Fan blinked innocently. “I have no idea.”
Inside, she was already planning the next attack.
Fan slipped deeper into the bamboo forest.
Moonlight spilled across a hidden clearing.
A masked figure stepped out — the Warlord of the Blackened Moon.
He bowed. “Princess Fan.”
Fan smiled — sharp and hungry. “You’re late.”
“The Dragon Warrior is stronger than anticipated.”
Fan scoffed. “He’s a panda.”
“A panda who nearly shattered my men’s ribs.”
“You were supposed to kill him.”
Fan raised a hand. He stopped instantly.
“You don’t need to explain your failure,” she said. “I saw it.”
“You will succeed. Or I will find someone who can.”
The warlord straightened. “Our agreement was to eliminate the warriors. Not the princesses.”
“And yet you protected Princess Shu.”
Fan’s eyes flashed. “Of course I did. She must live.”
Fan circled him. “Shu is beloved. Gentle. Naive. The people adore her.”
“And you do not wish to be adored?”
Fan laughed softly. “Adoration is useless. I wish to be feared.”
“I need Shu alive because she is my bargaining chip.”
The warlord stiffened. “Bargaining chip?”
“Temutai wants a docile bride for his nephew. Shu is perfect.”
“You intend to sell your sister?”
Fan’s smile sharpened. “Shu becomes Temutai’s slave bride. In return, Temutai supports my claim to the throne.”
“And when she is no longer useful?”
Fan whispered, “Then she will be a memory.”
The warlord nodded. “And the Dragon Warrior?”
Fan’s eyes narrowed. “He sees too much.”
“Should we eliminate him sooner?”
Fan shook her head. “No. Not yet.”
Fan smiled — wicked, triumphant.
“Because Master Po trusts me.”
Morning crept into the bamboo forest.
Po cooked breakfast — congee, buns, fruit, honey‑glazed lotus pastries.
Monkey yawned. “You’re doomed.”
Shu emerged, sleepy and soft. “Po… did you make all this?”
Shu smiled — warm, glowing. “It’s beautiful.”
Fan stepped out next, perfectly composed.
“Master Po,” she said gently, “you’re very thoughtful.”
Fan sat beside Shu, nibbling a pastry like a delicate bird.
Shu ate hers with genuine delight.
Monkey whispered, “He’s so in love.”
Mantis whispered, “Shifu’s gonna explode.”
Because today was the day she would break Po.
The bamboo forest grew denser.
Shu whispered, “It feels… different today.”
Fan widened her eyes. “Master Po… is something wrong?”
Masked assassins burst from the bamboo.
Spears. Chains. Throwing knives.
Mantis bit someone again.
Fan screamed louder. “Master Po! Help us!”
Po turned instinctively — and that hesitation was exactly what Fan wanted.
A blade sliced Po’s shoulder.
Monkey shouted, “Po! Focus!”
Mantis yelled, “They’re targeting YOU!”
Fan clung to Shu. “Master Po, please!”
The assassins surrounded Po.
“You’re nothing without Shifu.”
Fan whispered, perfectly timed, “Master Po… are we going to die?”
Monkey tried to help — but Fan “accidentally” stepped into his path.
Monkey crashed into bamboo. “Ow!”
“I’m sorry!” she cried. “I didn’t see you!”
Po panicked — turned again — and a spear slammed into his ribs.
Fan covered her mouth, pretending horror.
Inside, she was triumphant.
The warlord stepped forward. “You are not worthy of the title.”
He slammed the blunt end of his spear into Po’s chest.
Monkey crawled to him. “Po… talk to me.”
Mantis trembled. “Po, please…”
Shu knelt beside him, crying. “Po…”
Fan knelt too — placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Po,” she whispered, soft and poisonous, “you did your best.”
Po slumped against bamboo, breathing hard.
Shu knelt beside him immediately.
Fan knelt too — slower, carefully arranging her expression.
Shu opened her satchel. “Po… you’re hurt.”
Po tried to smile. “I’m fine.”
Shu ignored him and mixed herbs with salve. Her hands were gentle, practiced.
Po winced. “Ow—okay, that stings.”
“It will help,” Shu whispered. “I promise.”
Shu spoke softly as she worked. “Po… you were so brave.”
“Yes.” Shu’s fingers moved delicately. “You protected all of us. You fought even when you were scared.”
Monkey nodded. “She’s right.”
Mantis chimed in. “You were awesome.”
Shu smiled. “You’re the Dragon Warrior for a reason.”
Po’s chest tightened — warm, steady.
Shu wrapped Po’s shoulder. “You didn’t fail us, Po. You saved us.”
Po exhaled shakily. “I… did?”
“Yes.” Shu’s voice was a balm. “I trust you.”
Monkey pumped his fist. “Dragon Warrior mode!”
Mantis grinned. “There he is.”
Fan forced a smile. “I’m… glad you’re feeling better.”
Shu had undone everything.
The ambush had been perfect.
Po had been seconds away from breaking.
And Shu — sweet, naive Shu — had patched him back together with herbs and praise.
Fan’s plan wasn’t ruined.
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