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Let me take you back to a time before China itself was an empire to workshop behind a little pottery shop, in a nameless village. This is where items for the store are made, the work is shared between Fong and Po. But when Po's mind wanders which usually means he is created a statue of a woman in a a lovely dress out of clay that meant for the everyday objects they make. This when it's Fong's job to get the attention of Wu, (He owns the shop) who eventually says, "Po why out of the all craftsmen we have creating our wares why do I always seem to talk to you". Po replies, "Just lucky I guess". But the stern look on Wu's face told him he did not appreciate his little joke, "Okay I know I should be doing what I should be doing but I can't help it...I am in love", Po said. "Po you have the potential to be a great artist. For no one I know can bring what is essentially a lifeless mass and give it a soul. Look before you met her, you were beginning to make a name for yourself. But look at you now, instead of creating works of great art for the kings and members of the royal court, you create wares for everyone. All because of a woman, A handmaiden for the Princess Yasmine, no less. Whom say your in love with, face the fact Po she can never be yours. All that potential wasted and your back right were you started long ago", Wu said. "But Master Wu, I know Lotus Flower loves me", Po insisted. "It was just a chance meeting, when the king and his family toured our village, and they just happened to drop by my humble shop. If I recall right you 2 never spoke, only exchanging glaces when the king asked who makes your wares". "But I know she loves me", Po insists again. "Po, she is not in her class, for she is far above you or anyone you know. Lotus Flower is destined to marry, a member of the royal court", Wu said. "Have you heard anything?", Po wonders. As Wu pats Po in his back,"Po, why don't you settle on a girl from the village, I know more than one lovely young woman asked me about you".

The only thing Po does is sigh, and go back to work.

Wu really cared about Po, he was like the son he never had. They went from an employee/employer relationship to one where they really care for one another, he even got Po to start creating little figurines, for he knew Po had the talent. But he also knew Po often let his emotions get the better of him for he feared if Lotus Flower did marry, poor Po might do something quite foolish.

But as Po worked as started to think, he figured he the only chance of marrying Lotus Flower if he became rich and famous, for if he was he would be in the same social class as any royal and therefore free to marry Lotus Flower. That was when he decided to quit his job, despite Wu's advised him against it, that is what he did.

Po did everything to earn money everything from digging ditches, planting, he even built walls. In fact he in fact did everything that was asked of him. But even after just a week where everyone knew his name...but sadly that was just about it. In fact he had earned less money that if he stayed working for Wu.

Until this one day when he got the strangest job offer he ever had in his entire life, and that from a weasel of a man, "My name is Shang and I heard you seek riches to marry a fair maiden who is far above you in the station of life". "Yeah, so what". "I want you to work for me, you see I run the wrestling matches here in town that everyone is crazy about. I put big guys like you against one another. You must have seen the matches...everyone has...even the King is a HUGE fan". That got Po's attention, "The King you say?!!". "He even invites the Grand Champion of all the matches to his palace. He often welcomes them to his family if you get my meaning". "But I don't know". "In case you forgot, it's just skill vs. skill nothing brutal. I don't allow punching, kicking or biting, it seems all you had to do knock his opponent off of their feet and pin there shoulder to the ground. The winner would then receive a prize, once make a name for yourself you get a percentage of the money wagered on the match".

To Po it sounded like easy money, and a quick way to gain fame. So he told Shang, "I'll do it".

Expect when he stood there in the middle of that crowd wearing nothing but a lion cloth, he quickly discovered the real trick to this wrestling. How do you get someone off of their feet who did not want that to happen.

His first match ever where he faced another big guy like himself, but one with more experience than him, and as it turns out it wasn't quick, nor was it easy, but his experience in wrestling his co worker for fun really helped...he won anyway to his own surprise. He just loved the roar of the crowd, and in that one match he made more than he ever made from Wu in an entire month.

After a few months...

Then came that fateful day, Shang called it 'The Regional Championship'. Which meant other wrestlers from outside the village would battle until there was only 1 winner, and that one would be welcomes in the palace of the King. Po had visions of him and Lotus Flower walking down the aisle. But that match

did not take place there in town but down in a nearly valley.

Po's mind was on other things like what kind of outfit he wear for the wedding. Instead of listening to what another wrestler was now telling him, "Look Po your a really nice guy, but you got to get any idea of wedding, and that girl out of your head. I been to these regional's before, and there are some real brutes there, miners mainly, but I swear some dig at the rocks with their bare hands. Look Po they are HUGE, one had me in a hold I had to quit wrestling for 2 years before my back healed. Po won't you listen to me...PO!!!" But Po wouldn't listen he was just daydreaming of his life with Lotus Flower.

Then the first day of the Regional's came, the crowd who gathered there nearly filled the entire valley, Po was to be in the very 1st match. As even Shang tired to warn him, "This usually means you go against last years champion, Po you really got to watch yourself out there". But Po still won't listen, "I'll beat him like every other man I faced". Unlike Po, Shang knew who Po would be facing and even he was scared for Po.

His name was Muu, and he had this rep for breaking anyone who made fun of his name. He was huge to say the least, 6 '8 320 lbs and all muscle. He towered over 5' 7 Po and barely 220. But all poor Po had was Lotus Flower on his mind when he came face to face with this beast of a man.

Who as the match started had Po at his mercy. Muu treated him like a rag doll to do with as he pleased. There was nothing Po could do to stop him. After Muu slammed him to the ground for the 3rd time. Po lost conscientious. But thankfully the referees stopped the match.

Later at the other matches continued Po was back in his street clothes sitting alone battered and bruised from head to toe...crying he had lost everything including all the money he earned when he bet on himself to win.

But as Po wondered if life was worth living without love of Lotus Flower. Another man came looking for him, looking more like another wrestler himself, Po shouted "I given up on wrestling!!! Go AWAY!!!".

But the man stood his ground, as Po shouted again, "Didn't you hear me go away!!" But as the man continued to approached him, "That is a funny thing to say, when you seek fame and fortune". "Fame and fortune, bleck!!! I tried it, I failed. Didn't you hear I lost the match and all my money. I am flat broke and without a job". As Po began to sulk, the man said, "What if I told you all isn't lost, that I could say you gain back way more than you ever lost and much, much more". "How much?!" "How about richer than any king, free to marry anyone you want". "Sounds like your promising a lot". As he reached out with his hand, "The name is Zewell I am looking for a partner and I think your the right man. I seen you in the matches you have great moves". Po was a bit confused, "I don't quite get what you mean". "Let me explain, I am an explorer and I made the biggest discovery of a lifetime months ago...I found the Dragon's Treasure".

Po was skeptical to say the least, "Isn't that suppose to be a myth". "But I found it!", Zewell insisted. "But I can't get it myself it a 2 man operation. Why even getting to the peak where it can be found is risky enough, but the reward is...". "What?!!" "Why anything you can think of, you know the old legends. The ones that said back long ago, that told of a dragon who lusted for riches, stealing only the biggest and the best. The largest nugget of gold, the biggest and brightest gems. Then after gathering all that it could it hid away in the mountains so no one could ever steal from it". "But isn't that just a tale mother's tell there kids, mine told me that same story back when I was just a kid!!", Po exclaimed. "Look if I didn't see it for myself I would not of believe it. Huge caves filled from floor to ceiling with gems. I nearly died when I saw an emerald as big as your head fall in to a bottomless cassavas". "Cassavas?!!" "That's why I need help, and especially with someone so skillful as you. Don't deny it, I know the story of how you save that blind kid when he climbed up high on that temple in town. One false move she could of fell to her death. But there you climbed up there like it was nothing and saved that child. I need that skill". Po was hesitant, until Zewell adds, "Even if you only bring back what you could carry, I am sure Lotus Flower would be yours forever".

Even though Po knew he was grasping at straws he accepted, Zewell lead him to some equipment that they needed, mainly ropes, supplies for their meals. Once they loaded up they were off. The journey was a long and difficult one, taking a couple of weeks. Traveling beyond the valley, Po knew all so well, to the foothills of gigantic peaks he up to now only saw in the distance. It was the biggest of these where they were headed.

But the journey wasn't easy, especially all the ropes he needed to carry and quickly saw why. A series of sheer drops, any one of them could killed either one of them. But thankfully ropes were already in place, presumably placed there by Zewell.

Which eventually lead to a very high peak. Which slowly they climbed until they finally reached an opening. This is where they both rested until the next day when Po asked, "Don't we have to light a torch to see inside this cave". "Just step inside and see for yourself". Once they got past any sunlight. The cave lit up on it's own like it was mid day. Po was amazed, but as Zewell reminded him, "You really got to watch your step, there are lots of sheer drops ahead".

One of which Po almost stepped in to if it wasn't for Zewell. Once they got past that one there was 11 more ahead of them. Po knew that because he counted every single one of them. Nothing that difficult in fact save for the very last one. As Po looked as what lies ahead, "Oh yes, I see what you mean it does look like piles of gems". "Now how do we make it across", Zewell wonders. Po simply looked at everything, "Now if you could get a hunk of that rope around that stalagmite over to your left". "That one?!", "No, the one right next to that one". "Oh that should be easy", "Now for the tricky part once you do I have to make my way across, and from there I take another rope over to that big one right in front of that cave". "You know I would of never thought about that" That is why you have me", Po proudly boasts.

It wasn't that easy Zewell missed that stalagmite a few times before getting it, and finding something to wrap the other end around of the rope...just in case. Also wasn't that easy. But Po did it, and so it seemed Zewell.

Until Po entered the cave and saw that the gems really weren't gems but was the skin of a....DRAGON!!!

When he tried to run he found that the rope was completely gone and he was stuck.

Po simply assessed his situation, he calmly sat down on the cave floor and tightly closed his eyes. Hoping it wasn't going to hurt when the dragon ate him...gulp!!!

But what he heard next, frankly surprised him when the voice presumably of the dragon says, "It has to be the great artist Po". Hesitantly opening one eye Po says, "You heard of me?". "Up until you disappeared off the face of the Earth. Po great artists are rare and few, the world doesn't need another wrestler". Po was sure of this, "I know this is some sort of trick, you simply want to prolong my torment". "I could do nothing more than what your doing to yourself right now". "Huh?!" "Po everyone knows your work even though your only just started, my guess it wouldn't have been that much longer before you received a royal commission". "They do those things?!!". This cause the dragon to shake his head in disbelief, "I have come across...but this is a first. Yes, of course they do. I even heard that your local royal wanted sculptures of not only himself, but of his entire family"

"OH GREAT?!!! I have to be the dumbest man on this entire world". Then Po looks up at this 30 foot tall dragon, "You might as well eat me". This time the dragon said a single word, "Why?". Having nothing he felt he could loose Po told the dragon everything, especially of Lotus Flower. "There she was a woman I only knodded to, whom I was totally in love with. She is all I can think of lately. No matter what I do, it always turns in to her". "Then why not create a sculpture of her". "Are you crazy, no way Wu could ever sell a statue of a mear woman who is just a handmaiden, everyone wants soldiers of members of the royal court". "Then why not create something for yourself", "Frankly I guess in all the rush to become rich and famous...". Then it hit him, "Zewell works for you". "That is the first smart thing you said. Yes Zewell works for me, it's pretty obvious I can't go looking around the countryside looking for people to help. They will think I want to eat them". "Well why not". The dragon then looks straight at Po, "I am a vegetarian", and for the first time in a very long time, Po began to laugh, "A Vegetarian?!!! Oh Boy!!!". The dragon frankly enjoyed the sound of Po's laughter and later explained. "What Zewell told you was more or less true, he heard the ancient legend and was looking for treasure one he found me of course his plans changed...after he wet his pants of course". This naturally cause Po to snicker. "After I agreed not to eat him, he told me of his sad tale. In short he was looking for a purpose to his life and I gave him one. He looks for those who needs my unique kind of help. But right now you could use a good meal, some rest before completing your greatest work to date". Po just looked at the dragon as if he was crazy, "I have all the clay you could ever need, tools and a great artist...that's you. I want you to make a statue of Lotus Flower for me". "Why?" "For the simple reason you won't be able to create anything else until your able to complete what burns with in you. Speaking of which we don't need a kiln we have me". The look on Po's face told the dragon the truth, "I know it's a bit corny, lets just say I want to see the object of your desires". The Po had a question, "How big do I need to make it?" "I leave that up to you"

The workshop the dragon finally brought Po to was even finer than the one at Wu's store. The clay was the perfect for any size he saw fit. Taking a deep breath Po started his work. Then 3 weeks later..."It's finished". Po made it life size, "All you need to do is make sure it doesn't crack as it drys out, then fire it".

The dragon to say the least was greatly impressed, "She is simply the most lovely woman I ever seen, Po no wonder your in love with her".

"Yes, but I doubt she would ever be mine"

"Po your tired, in fact your very sleepy". "Yawn, this has to be some dragon trick" Po said as he yawned, it was all he could do was stay awake, "Po just lay down and sleep, by the time you awake your problems will be over".

Po then laid down upon the ground and fell fast asleep.

But then Po awoke, in fact he sat up, "Like I said...". But then he looked around Po could not believe it he was less than a days journey from his village. With little more than he had when it started. Po then made a couple of hard decisions, the first was going back to see Wu and try and get his job back. Maybe the dragon was right, after he created the statue of his lady love Po almost felt he could create anything. He almost did not want to go, for he felt as if after all of this, he could be the laughing stock of the entire village. But as his experiences taught him, you should not let your fears hold you back from trying something new.

But when his village came in to sight Po could not believe his eyes, there was Lotus Flower and she was running towards him. Forgetting his troubles he ran full speed towards her, when they met they kissed. Lotus Flower then insisting, "Po I can't live without you, lets get married right now". "What?!!! Yes of course but what happened?!!" Lotus Flower replied with one word, "The statue, after my Lord heard about the statue and it's message he released me from my bonds, making me free to marry the only man I will ever love". "What message". "You better see it for yourself my love".

Now surround by nearly the entire village Po was now standing in from of the very statue he created for the dragon. Except it seems the dragon added his own message.

Let it be know by all a man called Po faced not only his fears, but a furious fire breathing dragon. Not for riches, nor fame but for the love of a woman.

But as he tried to explain the dragon couldn't be any nicer Lotus Flower was kissing him again, and that really didn't seem important.

But that wasn't all, when a messenger from the King worked his way through the crowd with a message for the pair. As soon as he asked, "I assume your Po". "Yes Sir". the messenger pulled out a scroll and said the following, "Let it be known by all Po now has a Royal Commission to create works of art for not only those at the Royal Palace but to create in what any media he chooses representations of members of the royal court. For this he will be paid handsomely, I assume enough for a fine house, a wedding, and in time support his family".

Po had tears of joy running down his cheeks.

But that wasn't all Wu had something to say as well. "Po, my old friend or should I say partner. My shop is now just as much as yours as it is mine. I also would deem it a great honor to display whatever future works of art you create" everyone cheered

As Po would say later, "I did discover the Dragon's Treasure, it may not of been riches. But that treasure by a crafty old dragon brought me more happiness than I could ever imagine".