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Tigress limped into the village, looking around in disbelief. Golden dust floated through the air. Could it be? Had the panda truly done it?
"Look! The Dragon Warrior," a pig exclaimed.
Tigress watched as the shadow of a panda warrior wearing a cape approached. Then Po stepped out, coughing and waving away the dust, an apron across his shoulders and a wok on his head. The crowd burst into cheers, hurrying over to the panda and surrounding him. They tried to lift him, but Tigress wasn't surprised when they couldn't. She was surprised, however, by the goose that ran forward.
"That's my boy!" he cried. "That big, lovely kung fu warrior is my son!"
"Thanks, Dad," Po said, embracing him.
Tigress and the Five approached, and she stared at the panda before her. He was alive. He had faced Tai Lung and not only had he lived, but he hardly had a scratch on him. Po turned to see them, and he gave a small, hopeful smile.
"Hey, guys," he said shyly.
Tigress did the only thing that made sense. She bowed in respect to the great master before her.
"Master," she murmured.
For some reason, the others followed suit and bowed, too. "Master."
"Master?" Po looked pleased and embarrassed. Then his brow furrowed and his eyes went wide. "Master Shifu!"
Tigress was startled by the worried look on Po's face as he turned and began to run toward the stairs. Should they be concerned?
"Come on," she said tightly.
"But the villagers…?" Viper asked.
"You all go on," the goose said. "And tell Po that I expect him back before the dinner rush."
"Dinner rush?" Monkey asked. "Does he work at a restaurant?"
"Yes. My restaurant!" the goose exclaimed. He clapped. "Oh, how wonderful! The Dragon Warrior works at my shop!" He beamed, then noticed the Five still standing there. "Go on. We'll be fine."
With that assurance, Tigress and the rest of the Five made their slow, limping way through the streets. They weren't looking forward to the long, painful climb up the thousand steps, but it was still better than the thought of facing their master after what they'd done.
When they finally made it up the stairs, they could hear Po talking excitedly to Shifu. "And Tai Lung lunged at me like rawr! And I was like, 'I don't think so!' And then I grabbed his finger and did the Wuxi Finger Hold on him!"
"You… you know how to do that?" Shifu's voice sounded astounded.
"Oh, yeah, I figured it out," Po said. "Hey, are you gonna eat that?"
"Master Shifu must be okay," Crane said.
"That's good," Viper said, but she didn't sound happy.
"Well, there's no need to spoil their victory," Tigress said softly. "Let's go and get some rest."
They slunk to their bunkhouse and slipped into their rooms. Without even changing her clothes, Tigress laid on her bamboo mat and stared up at the ceiling. She ached all over, but she didn't care about that. All she could think about was her betrayal of Shifu's command to stay. She had thought she would come back a hero, but instead she had been defeated. Easily defeated. Despite all her training, she had never caught up to Tai Lung's skill level. No wonder Shifu was disappointed with her. She would never be like Tai Lung. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she laid rigidly on her bed. She didn't make any noise, but she could hear the others weeping as well.
There was little sleep gained that day, and Tigress finally gave in. She got up and began to bathe. Her ribs were tender, and she was pretty sure her tail was broken. As soon as she began to move, the others followed. They had followed her for years, from the moment she'd brought them together. Finally, she had led them here, to nothing but pain and dishonor. They wouldn't even want to look at her anymore.
Limping out of the bunkhouse, she looked around her beautiful home and felt only bitterness. She would have to leave, of course. That was the only way to wipe out the dishonor she had brought to her master. But a bit of food might be permitted before she left.
Staggering to the kitchen, she was startled to see the Dragon Warrior and the goose from the village chatting as they moved around the kitchen, cooking. She froze, confused by what she was seeing. There was a chirrup and the others stopped beside her and gazed in bewilderment at Po and the goose. They were talking as they cooked. But it wasn't cooking like they'd ever seen it; it was almost like a dance as the two chopped vegetables, cut noodles, and passed seasonings around without acknowledging their task. It was mastery on a level they hadn't seen outside of kung fu. They stared in shock as the two spoke.
"My little boy! The Dragon Warrior!" the goose was saying. He held out his wing and Po used a free hand to pick up a spice container and toss it to the goose, who caught it. "To think I raised the Dragon Warrior! Oh, who would've thought!"
"Apparently Oogway did," Po said, sounding uneasy. He flipped his knife in the air and caught an onion that the goose threw casually over his shoulder, transferred the onion to his other hand and caught the knife as he placed the vegetable on the cutting board.
"I never thought your kung fu would ever pay off like this," the goose admitted. He skirted around Po and bumped his hip. Po changed tasks immediately, tossing the knife in the air as he went over to the noodles and heaved up the pot to transfer it to the fire. The goose caught the knife and continued chopping without missing a beat. "I'm glad it is," he added. "But I'll miss you down at the shop."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll be able to come and help sometimes," Po said. He began to stir the pot, then held up the wooden spoon to taste it. He made a face and waved his paw. The goose flung a different spice container and Po caught it and shook some into the pot. "I hope so at least…"
The Five were unable to believe the smooth, graceful way that Po was cooking. It was as effortless as their kung fu. There was a soft rustle and Shifu spoke beside them.
"Fantastic, isn't it?"
They all started, flinching at the abrupt movement. Po's head turned to look at them. The goose only glanced over before turning back to his task.
"Oh! Uh, hey guys. How long have you been… standing there?" None of them answered and Po looked embarrassed as he turned back to the pot. "It'll be ready in a few minutes."
Shifu limped over to the goose, looking puzzled. "I don't believe I know you. Are you new here?"
"Oh! Uh, no, master," Po said quickly. "This is my dad, Xiao Ping. Everybody just calls him Mr. Ping. Dad, this is Master Shifu and the Furious Five."
"Mmhm," Mr. Ping hummed.
"You're his father?" Shifu asked, his ears stiffening.
That certainly got the goose's attention. He flung the knife into the cutting board with such force that it quivered as the tip dug into the wood. He turned around and placed his wings on his hips. "I most certainly am his father," he said fiercely.
"Hey, Dad, calm down," Po said. "I'm sure he doesn't mean anything by it. It's just surprising to a lot of people."
Shifu relaxed. "So you know?"
"Know what?" Po asked idly, stirring the soup again.
"Why people are surprised…" Shifu said slowly.
Mr. Ping stiffened, glancing back with a tight expression.
"Yeah, we don't really look alike," Po said, tossing in some salt. "Nobody ever believes he's my dad. Funny, right?" He turned to add something and Mr. Ping suddenly gave Shifu a sharp head shake and a vicious glare. Tigress was bewildered. Certainly the panda knew that Mr. Ping wasn't his biological father.
"Soup's ready!" Po called.
Mr. Ping continued to glare at Shifu as he grabbed a stack of seven bowls and tossed them behind him without looking. Po's paw came up behind his back and he caught the stack before twisting his paw to set the bowls down. He picked up four as he stirred the noodles then managed to separate them with a flick of his wrist and balanced them on his arm as he ladled up soup and filled them without spilling a drop. Then he angled his arm so that the bowls slid down and landed neatly on the counter. He repeated the process with the other three and frowned.
"Are you not staying?"
"Of course not!" Mr. Ping said, finally breaking his glare. He waddled over to Po. "I've got a business to run, Po! There's a lot of destruction in the valley, but my shop is just fine! I hear old Mr. Yan has lost his kitchen, which means more business for me!" He rubbed his wings together in anticipation.
"Oh. Okay. Well, I guess I'll see you sometime," Po said weakly.
Mr. Ping stared at Po, then he stepped forward and hugged him tightly. His wings didn't even fit halfway around the big panda, but Po scooped him up effortlessly and squeezed him until he honked.
"Hey!"
"I love you, Dad."
Mr. Ping smiled. "I love you, too, my little panda." Then he turned and pushed past the Five.
"One more thing," Po said.
"Hm?" Mr. Ping turned around.
Po grinned. "I think learning to make tofu would be a great expansion to your menu."
Mr. Ping looked startled at the suggestion. Then, his expression turned thoughtful. "I guess it's not so stupid after all. I'll look into it. See you later, Po."
With a wave of his wing, Mr. Ping was gone. Po glanced at the Five then stepped aside. "Anyone hungry?"
"What is it?" Shifu asked.
Po grinned. "Secret ingredient noodle soup. With the secret ingredient."
Shifu's ear twitched before he turned to head for the table in the next room. "Very good. Come along."
Po passed around the noodles then picked up the last two bowls and carried them to the table. Tigress watched as Shifu limped heavily to the next room. Was it her imagination or was he injured? She sat down and stared at the soup. She was no longer hungry. She had meant to spare Shifu the pain of seeing her again after such a betrayal. But here he was, sitting beside her and glancing around at his students. Po slid the bowl in front of him.
"Enjoy," Po said.
Tigress looked down at the soup. It would be disrespectful to reject food made by the Dragon Warrior. She grabbed a pair of chopsticks and picked up a small bite then ate it. The flavors startled her, and she gasped then started coughing as something went down the wrong pipe. She was alarmed that she couldn't stop.
"Hang on, Master Tigress!" Po exclaimed.
He grasped her shoulder and gave her several good thumps. Her airways finally cleared and she stood up, her fur on end as she panted.
"Easy, Tigress," Shifu said calmly. "Just breathe. You are in no danger."
She obeyed him as she always did, and she settled. Her eyes turned to Po.
"Uh… sorry?" Po squeaked, shrinking away.
"Where did you learn this recipe?" she demanded.
Po blinked. "Oh, it's my family's recipe. It's been passed down from my great-grandfather."
"Is there anybody else who knows it?"
"My… dad?" Po looked a bit worried. "Look, I didn't mean to almost kill you. Please don't blame my family."
"What?" Tigress shook her head. "No. I remember…"
She shivered then turned and hurried away before she lost it. That soup tasted just like the soup Shifu had bought her the day he'd adopted her. It had been the best soup she'd ever had. Tears blurred her vision, and she darted for the peach tree. Maybe Oogway would be there…
"Oogway cannot! Not anymore…"
Or not.
She collapsed at the base of the peach tree and began to weep as everything crashed over her. Master Oogway was dead, she had been easily defeated by Tai Lung, and worst of all, she had dishonored her master. How could she ever face him again?
"What's wrong with you?"
Tigress gasped and turned to see the goose from the kitchen. "Ah, Mr. Ping!" she mumbled, hurriedly bowing.
"That's not an answer, silly girl," Mr. Ping said.
"It's been a hard few days," Tigress said. She looked away and sighed.
"Oh, I'm sure it has been," Mr. Ping said. "And not just for Po. Sometimes things happen very quickly, and it is only when we can reflect on what happened that we begin to understand where we went wrong."
Tigress was surprised by the wisdom from such an unassuming goose. "That is very true."
"Yes. But if you take the time to taste it regularly, you'll find your soup will be richer for it."
Tigress blinked. "…Yes?" she said slowly.
Mr. Ping nodded. "I remember the day you came into the shop," he said.
That was surprising. "What?"
"Po was little. I was running myself ragged. My father had just died unexpectedly, and I had never paid much attention to what the shop needed to be a success. Add in a very hungry little panda, and it was just too much. Then you and Shifu came in. You were so hungry but you didn't want to ask for anything. You looked so rough, and Shifu ordered two bowls of secret ingredient soup. You were so happy when you had it." He paused. "You told me that you knew the secret ingredient."
Tigress was amazed that this random goose remembered such an ordinary moment. "What did I say?" she asked slowly.
"That it was love," Mr. Ping said. He smiled and shook his head. "Not quite, but it made you so happy."
"Why do you remember this?" Tigress asked.
"Because Shifu looked at you the way I look at Po, and I knew you'd be staying for awhile."
Tigress felt a start go through her. "How do you look at Po?"
Mr. Ping looked up sharply. He scanned her face then nodded once. "He is the dumpling to my noodle soup. Very different, but together they make something very special."
Tigress's heart ached. Shifu would never look at her that way again. Mr. Ping brushed his wing over her back.
"I've got to get back to the shop. You should come by. Po would like that, and I would, too."
"I will," she said. "I promise." She paused. "Family recipe?"
"My grandfather's," Mr. Ping said. "He was a brilliant chef. I remember learning soup-making from him and my father. I tried to pass it on to Po."
"I must admit, you have succeeded in your task."
Mr. Ping looked very proud all of a sudden. "I know. He's done well. And he will keep doing well. But I will miss how things used to be."
"I will, as well," Tigress said, turning to gaze over the valley. "Good night, Mr. Ping."
"Good night, Master Tigress."
Tigress sat there for the rest of the day, ignoring her growling stomach and aching body. She was pretty sure her tail was broken, and several things felt sprained, but she deserved the pain. She had brought so much more to Shifu. She had always secretly viewed him as her father, though she had never dared to admit it. And now? Now he never would be. If she had just obeyed him, everything would be different.
A servant goose found her at sunset. "Master Tigress?"
"Yes, Qing?" Tigress murmured.
"I've been looking for you everywhere. Master Shifu wishes to see you."
Tigress didn't react outwardly, her voice remaining steady. "Where?"
"He has taken over Master Oogway's rooms. He's waiting for you there."
"Thank you. You've been very good to me."
Tigress got up and walked toward Shifu's new rooms. Every step brought her closer to the end of everything she knew and loved. Still, she didn't falter. She had made her decision and now she must live with the consequences, whatever they may be. Including leaving the only home she'd ever known.
When she got to the small home, she rang the gong.
"Enter, Tigress," Shifu said.
Tigress did so, keeping her head bowed as she dropped to her knees. "Master," she whispered, knowing it was the last time.
"Tell me why, Tigress. Why did you disobey me? Why did you lead the others in going after Tai Lung when I told you to leave it alone?"
Even after so many hours, she had no answer that was satisfactory. She took a deep breath and said the only thing she could. "I just wanted to make you proud."
Tigress heard Shifu take a sharp breath. "What?"
"I know it's no excuse," Tigress said, keeping her voice steady. "I am ready to leave if that's what you want."
There was a long, long silence. Then Shifu spoke, his voice shaking. "I'm so sorry, Yue."
Tigress froze, her breath catching in her throat. Nobody had called her by her given name since she had left the orphanage. She couldn't help but look up. "Master?" But anything else she was going to say died in her throat when she realized that her master was weeping. She hadn't seen him shed a single tear throughout the entire time she'd known him, but now he couldn't seem to control himself. He stood up and approached, grasping her cheeks.
"I am so sorry for everything. I am proud of you, Yue. And I should have told you long ago."
Tigress's defenses crumbled and she embraced Shifu, holding him close like she hadn't for so many years. "I'm so sorry, baba," she whimpered. "I just wanted to prove myself."
"You don't have to, Yue," he murmured. "I know you hold greatness within you. I have seen it so many times. But I was blind to what I was dong to you and the others."
"Doing to us?" Tigress asked softly. She pulled back, studying her master's face. Then she swallowed. If they were being honest… "I always hoped to get your approval. But I thought that Tai Lung was so much more special that you didn't see anything worth complimenting in us."
"Us?" Shifu asked, surprised.
"That's what I told the others just after you accepted them as students," Tigress admitted, her voice low and ashamed. "It was the only reason I could think of that you'd never once approved of what I did." She paused. "We're used to it now."
Shifu groaned, his ears slicking back, and he looked ready to break. Tigress pulled him close and held him.
"I'm sorry," was all he could manage for a few minutes as he sat there and shivered. When he had control of himself again, he returned to his place and settled down. "I have much to atone for in my treatment of you, Tigress, and to the others as well. First things first, we must make sure to welcome the Dragon Warrior into our midst properly, as we were so…"
"Uncharitable," Tigress supplied, her lips twitching as she settled back.
"A good choice," Shifu said. "After he is settled and we have all sufficiently rested, we will resume training, this time with him instead of against him."
"Yes, Master," Tigress said. She moved to stand when he did, and a flash of pain drove her to the floor again. She yowled as she landed on her broken tail and rolled quickly onto her side, panting with pain. Shifu was there in an instant, smoothing his fingers behind her ear.
"Change of plans," Shifu said. "First, you need a doctor. Then we shall welcome Po."
Tigress smiled a little at the concern. She couldn't help it. Shifu had just chosen her over the Dragon Warrior. That was something even Tai Lung hadn't received. Gingerly, she got to her feet and limped out behind her master, who leaned heavily upon his own staff. Neither said anything as they headed for the bunkhouse. They didn't need to.