With the last hump of winter finally over, today's clear skies and radiant sun marked the first true day of spring. The Valley of Peace was hustling and bustling. The streets were filled with tourists and travelers from all over the country for the the Festival of Renewal. It's a rare celebration only held when a new Master of the Jade Palace is officially crowned. And that master is none other than Po, the Dragon Warrior. Well, former, Dragon Warrior. That is what makes this Festival of Renewal extra special, because not only will a new Dragon Warrior be chosen to take Master Po's place, but so too will the Furious Five, for the original legendary fighters have ascended to new titles as, The Five Teachers.

These changes are very serious, and people have different opinions on the matter. Some believe it unwise for Po to take on such an honorary title, while others just wish for things to stay the same. But what cannot be criticized is the wisdom of Master Shifu. If the wise old red panda believes it's time for Po, then so be it. Right?



Just beyond the steps of the Jade Palace, Master Po and the Five Teachers surveyed the open Valley. In front of them stood an enclosed space, the Palace Arena, which will hold the fates of a new generation of fighters. While they all looked noticeably older, there was still a fire in their eyes that beckoned for adventure. They began talking about their travels across China, and eventually the candidates that they each handpicked. It was a mission set after The Winter Festival, and was Master Shifu's last quest for them to embark on. They were to return after two months, just two days before the Festival of Renewal. While they took pride in their selection, there was an air of doubt that could be sensed among each of them. It was new territory for everyone, and the pressure to uphold their station grew tremendous in the days leading up to the festival.

"We should probably go back to the training hall." Crane sighed.

"Yeah." Monkey also sighed, purposefully louder than Crane's sigh.

"I hope they didn't break anything." Viper's tone was more somber than Crane and Monkey's.

"Doubtful." Mantis lowered his head. Tigress said nothing.

Po's eyes went wide, and in an exaggeratedly curious expression, surveyed each of The Five Teachers. "Hey, what's the matter with you guys?"

"We're getting replaced, Po." Tigress finally spoke.

"It's not exactly the greatest feeling in the world." Crane chirped.

"It also means that we're old!" Monkey chimed in.

"Come on!" Po stepped forward to face them all. "We may look a little saggier, worn out, jaded, sleepier, crankier... uh...what else?"

"Old!" Monkey threw his hands onto his face, overwhelmed with the sudden realization.

"Right. Old. But hey, our time might be up, but we still have a lot left to give." Po stood in front of them with a warm, assuring smile. He started to feel a moment coming on, so he closed his eyes and embraced it. "We owe it to the Valley to keep it a Valley of Peace...and not a Valley of...Destruction! Because they need us. And I need you. We're going to do this together. We're going to pass on the legacy of Master Oogway and Master Shifu and do great things! Right, guys? Guys...?"

Po opened his eyes, but the Five Teachers all vanished. In their place were a group of worker pigs. They had stopped working on the decorations in the Palace Arena and gathered around Master Po, drawn to his invigorating speech.

"He's right!" One of them shouted. "Let's make these decorations for the glory of China!!!" They all charged into different directions, squealing their war cry. The panda sighed. He made his way toward the training hall but decided to take a pit stop by the Palace kitchen to grab some dumplings for himself.



The training hall was jam packed with fighters. Masters of all levels were doing all sorts of stylishly cool and peculiar work outs. The seven talon rings were slicing through air, the gauntlet of wooden warriors twirled about with their menacing spikes, and the seven swinging clubs of instant oblivion were swinging with...instant oblivion. The exterior courtyard was also filled with sparring matches, while the wooden dummies and inflatable punching bags that lined the perimeter were being put to use. And among the overload of Kung Fu hustle and bustle, Cham-Cham stood with a content look on his face, sweeping the mahogany floors of the corridor leading out into the courtyard.

"Out of the way, runt!" A large tail nudged the Chameleon off to the side. It belonged to Master Sheng, the new leader of the Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits. "The new Dragon Warrior is here!"

Cham-Cham bowed his head and apologized, to which Master Sheng scoffed. "Ha! What a weakling." He spat on the ground. "There, you missed a spot."