The Lion and the Leopard

The Pool of Sacred Tears

The night was cold. Leo's mane felt heavy on his neck. The lion was sitting on his rump, hugging his knees to him while he looked at the Valley below. His eyes gazed across the Valley that was spread before him, golden dots that were lanterns lit across the valley. He was on the very edge of the cliff that Oogway had ascended on. The Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom was behind him, bare of any leaves or petals, almost as if the tree had died along with Oogway.

Leo, unlike the Furious Five and Po, had not gone to bed. Guilt had caused him to not be able to find sleep. So, instead, he had headed straight to the Peach Tree. The lion had felt like he was stabbed when he saw that the tree was bare. He had collapsed on the edge of the cliff, for grief and sadness had replaced the blood in his veins. But Leo had stopped crying at about midnight, for his eyes had dried out. From then on, he simply sat there, letting reality seep into his skin.

Quiet footsteps approached the lion, but he did not turn and look who it was. The footsteps grew closer and a tiny paw touched his back. It was Shifu. Leo cast a sideways glance at him, but then stared at the ground again. Shifu opened his mouth, as if he were to say something, then closed it. The red panda also seemed to be filled to the brim with grief, but he did not cry as the younger master did. He simply stared forward into space. The two animals sat in silence, breathing quietly.

"Oogway was very proud of you."

Shifu had spoken. Leo lifted his head to see that his master was staring up at him. He felt a small smile appear on his muzzle. Shifu continued, "I remember once, when you were very young, Oogway approached me and said you would be a great warrior one day. You were going to grow into a magnificent creature, he said. He was not wrong." Shifu added quietly, "He never was wrong."

Leo felt his fur heat up, and he chuckled softly. Oogway always knew what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. He never was wrong about anything. Leo glanced over to Shifu and saw that he was holding the tortoise's staff. The lion felt his throat tighten and he looked towards the mountains. The sun was starting to rise at this point, and the stars began to fade as the clouds turned a light pink.

"I wish I could have spoken with him in his last moments. I have so much I still want to say." Leo whispered hoarsely. Shifu laid a tiny paw on Leo's larger paw, and spoke to him quietly,

"Do not worry, Leo. Oogway is always with us. He is somewhere better. One day, when my time is come, I will see him again. And when your time has come, you will see him as well. All in due time." Shifu said quietly. Leo nodded in agreement. Shifu continued speaking, "It is said that grief is all of the love that we can not give. All of that love and respect that we can not give to Oogway is grief." The red panda said. Leo felt his throat tighten. Shifu was right on that one. He wanted to give Oogway so much love, but he could not. Not anymore. Leo stared forward, his mind clearing. The gleaming red sun rose past the mountains and touched his skin, causing the lion to slowly exhale.

A sudden shout caused Leo's ears to twitch. He slowly raised his head. Leo looked over to Shifu, and spoke up, "Did you hear that?" The smaller master raised his head and looked towards the palace. He had heard it. The shouts continued. It sounded like someone was training. But Master Shifu narrowed his eyes in confusion; nobody should be training today, as he had let them have a rest day as they mourned Oogway's passing.

Leo rose to his paws and helped Master Shifu up. The two masters walked in silence as they went to investigate the shouts. As Leo pushed open the doors to the Training Hall, he and Shifu were only met with more confusion. None of the equipment was in use. The Adversary was as still as a statue. The Hall was still, and nobody was in it, yet both of the masters still heard shouts in the air.

"It must be coming from the main Palace." Shifu said quietly, almost to himself. Leo nodded in agreement, though he was still confused. Who in their right mind would be training in the main Palace when they had the Training Hall?