Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Morning had arrived as a teenage panda grouchily opened his eyes once his room was illuminated with the first ray of sunshine.

"Hmmm." He groaned as he turned around in the blanket he laid on the floor.

"Po! Wake up! Time to get moving!" A voice called out.

Po groaned and covered his face with another pillow, squishing his head in between them

"Po!" The voice called out again.

"Ugh! I'm going, dad!" Po exclaimed after throwing the pillow to the side.

Po got up, changed into a white long sleeve shirt along with his usual brown patched shorts and went out of his room to head towards the kitchen, where his father was cooking them a meal.

"I told you we would be getting up really early." His father, a goose with a noodle bowl hat, said while stirring up some soup.

"Yeah, but I didn't think super early." Po yawned before getting a bowl to serve himself.

"Oh, right. Your early and my early are two different things. Now eat up, we got a long road ahead and I'm not planning on stopping for any snack stops soon." Po's dad replied as he took his bowl and served it to him before waddling off.

Po groaned as he placed his chin on his hand and used his other hand to eat his soup. He looked around and saw the apartment they currently lived in, which was now completely empty save for the foldable table and some pots.

Today was moving day, as Po's dad had found a better business opportunity in another town up north of China. Po really didn't want to move, but his father didn't really give him much of a choice. It's a good opportunity for the family business to strive, after all.

Po helped his dad put the pots away and carried the foldable table as they went downstairs from their apartment complex towards their cheap van that had his dad's business name painted on it. Mr. Ping's Noodle Shop.

"Did we really have to move, dad?" Po asked while they walked down the stairs.

"Of course, Po! There's this really nice place in the town we're moving that will for sure bring more customers for our noodles!" Ping replied happily before reaching his vehicle.

Po, on the other hand, wasn't too excited about it. Po barely managed to get used to his life where they lived, he didn't have any friends or relatives, but he really didn't want to have to start all over again in a different environment with the same result.

Mr. Ping noticed his frown as they both got in the car, but still tried to cheer him up. "Oh, come on, Po! Look at it as a chance for a fresh start! It could make our business better and you could probably find different things to look forward to?"

"Yeah…" Po unsurely replied, trying his best to smile as he put on his seat belt.

Mr. Ping rolled his eyes and started the car. "Oh, Po. I'll never get used to your morning moodiness."

The car then drove off the parking lot and into the street, making its way out of town. Po placed his elbow on the passenger's door and looked out the window to see they were now reaching the town's outskirts.

Po wasn't going to miss the town, but that didn't mean he looked forward to moving either. He sighed and closed his eyes as he tried to get back to sleep while his father drove.

Several hours have passed of them driving down the road, making some bathroom and lunch breaks along the way. They had made it to the point in the highway where a sign now said 'Valley of Peace 25 miles away.'

Mr. Ping kept driving and pointed at the sign. "Oh, almost there! A new day shall fall upon us soon, I can feel it!"

Po smiled a bit at his father's enthusiasm, something he had learned to inherit. He munched on his box of chow mein as they kept on driving.

A few more hours later, they had finally arrived to their destination. The Valley of Peace. Po widened his eyes a bit and saw the village up ahead. It wasn't too big, but it was more expanded compared to other villages. Although, still a bit smaller compared to the town they were staying at.

Po looked out the window as they drove down the streets of the village, trying to get familiar with his new environment. It seemed really pretty as far as the eye could see, but Po tried his best to not let looks deceive him. He always looked for the best in things, but it wasn't always the other way around.

Finally, they arrived to the place that Mr. Ping had rented for them to work and stay at.

"We made it!" Mr. Ping exclaimed happily as he parked the van in front of their new home and shop.

They both got out of the car and Po could see the place in front of him. It was a small shop placed in between a convenience and a hardware store. The whole lot was part of the same property and owned by the same owners.

Po stood there with his backpack as Mr. Ping walked past him with a box of supplies. The shop already had some tables set outside and the name painted out on the front banner.

"I told you it would be nice. The guys that own this place are renting to me at a ridiculously low price. And the best part, we get to live here too!" Mr. Ping said as he set the box on one of the tables.

Po smiled a bit while he walked in and put his backpack down. "Okay, I'll admit. It looks way better than the one back home."

"This is home now, Po. Try to remember that. Now, let's start unpacking, shall we?" Mr. Ping said before going back to the van.

Po nodded and went to help his dad unload the car to start setting up their new home. After about an hour, they finally managed to settle in and unpack some boxes.

The small restaurant had a food court in front of a small outside kitchen, which was downstairs away from their new rooms. Po untied the beds that were strapped on top of the car to take them upstairs while Mr. Ping tried to get the water running.

"Po. The water faucet isn't working. There's a maintenance man here. Try to look for him, please!" Mr. Ping called out from the restroom.

"Sure thing, dad!" Po replied as he set down the beds and left the restaurant.

Po didn't know where to look, so he went and asked on maintenance store next door. He walked in and went up to the owner, who was a pig smoking a cigar while reading a book.

"Excuse me." Po said politely.

The owner looked up grouchily. "Yes? Can I help you?"

"I'm Po. My dad and I just moved in next door." Po introduced himself with a smile.

"Ah huh?" The pig nodded, looking annoyed.

Po cleared his throat. "I'm looking for the maintenance guy that works in this area. Do you know where he is?"

"He's at the small shack behind the lot." The pig answered before going back to his book.

"Alright, thank you." Po smiled politely before leaving the store.

Po then arrived to a small shack in front of the rear side of the lot and next to the dumpster. Po went up to the shack and gently knocked on the door.

"Hello?" Po called out.

No answer.

"Hello?" Po called out a bit louder as he knocked on the door again.

The door opened with the second knock, granting him access. Po walked in through a small corridor with a shelf that had paint cans, tools and other utilities. He reached the doorway at the end to see if the maintenance man was there.

Po got to the doorway and inside was a room full of bonsai trees on top of some small tables. In the room, there was also a turtle sitting down, facing away from Po. He had some chopsticks and kept clicking them in the air, using them to try to catch a fly buzzing around in the room.

Po gently knocked on the open door. "Um, excuse me?"

The turtle slowly turned around with a gentle smile, revealing himself to be an old man with a headband on. "Yes?"

"Are you the maintenance man?" Po asked.

"Yes." The turtle nodded.

"Sweet. I'm Po, my dad and I just moved in on suite 2. The water faucet isn't working. Can you come check it out, please?" Po requested.

"Yes." The turtle said before turning back around and went back to trying to catch the fly.

Po raised a brow. "Okay… um, can I tell my dad when you're going to fix it?"

"After." The turtle replied nonchalantly.

Po narrowed his brows, getting a bit annoyed at his short responses. "After what?"

"After I'm done." The turtle answered while still trying to catch the fly.

Po stood there awkwardly, completely confused as to what the old turtle was doing. "Right… I'll let my dad know then. Thank you."

Po left the shack and walked back to the shop, where Mr. Ping was setting up bowls and sheets on the tables.

Mr. Ping looked up. "Po? Did you find him?"

"Yeah, he said he'll come check it out after he's done doing… whatever he's doing." Po said with a weird expression.

Mr. Ping raised a brow, but shrugged. "Alright, then. Please start getting the kitchen ready. We open up tomorrow and I don't want to make any bad first impressions for our new customers!"

Po smiled and nodded. "Sure thing, dad."

"And when you're done, you can go out and explore, or do whatever you'd like. It's the last day of summer after all." Mr. Ping added.

"Awesome, thanks!" Po replied while he started putting away the pots and kitchen utilities.

Po was already going to start his senior year in high school. His father had already enrolled him for the local school, so he could be ready for the next day.

Po usually worked part time for free with his father after school back where they came from. But, since Po was already becoming an adult and possibly going to college soon, Mr. Ping decided to start paying him in order to save up.

A few hours later, Po finished setting up the kitchen for his dad to work tomorrow. He had also gone out of his way to sweep, mop, prep some vegetables to save time and went up to set his room.

He smiled and hummed as he started putting up his Duck Lee kung fu movie posters, his action figures of his favorite action movies and shows, along with bringing up more boxes of his things to continue the next day.

"Dad, I'm done!" Po called out as he was walking down the stairs.

"Thank you, Po! Now go take the rest of the day off! Enjoy your last day of summer before school tomorrow!" Mr. Ping replied.

"I'll try my best!" Po joked before leaving the shop.

Po walked out of the restaurant and into the valley, exploring and getting familiar with his new home. He looked around and saw several animals walking down the street in a happy and joyful manner, small businesses getting plenty of customers and kids getting excited to start school tomorrow.

"Okay… maybe this isn't so bad after all." Po told himself as he continued walking.

He found a place that sold comics and action figures, a really nice pretzel shop, and a local pool where everyone could use to socialize.

Po continued walking further and saw there was a big park nearby. It was a very beautiful park with a small bridge to cross the narrow river, cherry blossom trees that roamed the area and lots of small shops people could go to buy some drinks and snacks.

The teenage panda smiled and went to walk through the park, enjoying the view and new surroundings that made him feel welcome. He found a bench to sit on and sighed happily to himself while leaning back to rest.

"Okay, I could definitely get used to this." Po said while putting his arms behind his neck in relaxation.

Suddenly, a soccer ball came rolling to his feet.

"Huh?" Po said as he reached down to grab the ball.

He looked up to see some kids around his age running up to him.

"Hey, give us the ball." A goat kid said while extending his hooves to Po.

"Sure thing. Hey, can I play too?" Po asked with a smile as he gave the ball back.

"Sorry, we already got a ball. We don't need another one." The goat mocked after taking the ball back, and ran back with his friends, who were laughing at his insult.

Po frowned and rolled his eyes as they left. "Of course."

He sighed and went back to sit on the bench, until he heard something.

"Hiya!" A group of voices cried.

Po immediately turned his head and went towards the noise. He walked up to a small hill that had a big tree on top of it, following the voices.

Po gasped as he then saw a group of young animals practicing karate on the plain land. A crane wearing a straw hat, a viper with flowers on either side of her head, a yellow monkey wearing brown shorts and a black vest, and a small mantis.

They threw a side left side kick and followed it up with a right roundhouse kick before ending their combo with a left hand strike.

Po smiled widely in admiration as he hid behind the trees while the animals took a small break and went to sip on their water bottles.

"Are you done staring?" A female voice said behind him.

"Ahh!" Po exclaimed as he jumped back and tripped to the floor on his back.

Po looked up to see a tigress wearing a red vest and black pants looking down at him with an unamused expression as she crossed her arms.

"Oh, um… I wasn't staring. I was just…" Po stammered while trying to come up with a reasonable excuse.

After the tigress kept looking at him with the same expression, Po gave up. "Okay, I was staring."

Po raised his paws defensively. "But it's not like I was peeping or anything. I mean, it's a public place, right?"

"Ah huh, right." She replied while narrowing her eyes at him, making Po chuckle nervously.

"Yo, Tigress. Who's the panda?" The mantis called out from the monkey's shoulder as they all walked up to them.

Tigress put her hands on her hips as she turned to her friends, then back at Po. "I don't know, I just caught him staring at our routine."

"Creeper alert." The monkey whispered to the mantis as they both snickered playfully.

Po's cheeks blushed in embarrassment. "W-What? No! It's not what you think!"

"Oh, relax, pal. We're just messing with you." The mantis waved his claw dismissively at Po.

The viper cleared her throat and smiled gently at Po. "You'll have to excuse our friends, they could be a little childish sometimes."

The crane raised a brow. "Sometimes, huh?"

"Well, you know what I mean." The viper replied.

Po smiled a bit in reassurance, but then lowered his lip as he saw the tigress continue to stare at him with her paws on her hips and narrowed brows.

"Would you get up, already? You're embarrassing yourself. Have some self respect." The tigress told Po in a stern tone.

Po immediately got up and dusted the grass off him, making the monkey and mantis snicker at his expense.

"So, who are you? And why are you here?" The tigress asked again while crossing her arms.

"Oh, um. I'm Po… I just moved here and was walking around until I heard you guys practicing karate. I just thought it was pretty cool…" Po replied hike nervously rubbing his arm.

The viper smiled and waved her tail at him. "Nice to meet you, Po. I'm Viper. These are Mantis, Monkey and Crane."

They all smiled and waved at him, making Po smile back. He turned to the feline beside him, awaiting for her introduction.

"Tigress." She simply said with her arms still crossed and stern expression.

Po smiled awkwardly and held his hands in front of him while the rest stood there watching with amusement.

"Pardon her, she's just a bit of a hard ass." Mantis snickered.

Tigress growled at him, making him stop immediately before anything else could happen.

Po cleared his throat to try and ease the tension. "Anyway… I didn't mean to bother you, guys. So, I'm just gonna go now…"

"Go? But, you just got here." Viper said in a confused tone.

"Well, I mean. I don't wanna bother you guys, or anything…" Po twiddled his fingers.

"You're not bothering us." Crane reassured him.

Po's heart skipped a beat. "So… you want me to stay?"

"Why not? You seem like a chill guy." Mantis said.

"I'm fine with it too. Tigress?" Monkey asked to his feline companion.

"As long as he doesn't disturb my routine, I could care less." Tigress replied while still crossing her arms.

Po smiled widely as he had never been invited to hang out before. "Oh! Okay! I'll stay!"

"Come, we got some food if you want some." Viper invited him as they all walked back to their set up area.

"Oh, no need to ask me twice." Po said while following them.

"So, you like karate?" Monkey asked him while getting a water bottle.

"Oh, I LOVE karate! I've been a fan of it since I was a kid! My dad would always buy me the movies I asked for! I would watch them endlessly, even at school nights!" Po replied with a giddy expression.

"Oh, really? Who's your favorite artist?" Mantis asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Umm, Duck Lee." Po replied.

"Pff, are you serious?" Mantis asked, making Po feel like he was going to make fun of him too.

"He's like the most basic pick anyone could choose. I'd say Doggie Yen is the better artist." Mantis said.

"No way! I'd say, Monkey Chan is the household name of karate movies." Monkey joined the discussion.

"Oh, will you all knock it off, already?" Viper said in an annoyed tone, making the guys stop and turn to her.

"Obviously, Cersei Liu is the better pick." Viper finished while raising her head in victory.

The guys just looked at her for a second before erupting in laughter, save for Tigress.

Viper frowned embarrassed. "What?"

"Dude, she doesn't even know the basics of karate! It's mostly her stunt double!" Mantis laughed.

Viper growled as the boys slowly stopped laughing.

"Anyways. What brings you here, Po?" Crane asked while handing him a sandwich.

"Oh, I was just walking down the park, and then one thing led to another-" Po explained before being interrupted.

"No, no. Like, what brings you here? To the Valley of Peace?" Crane asked again more specifically.

"Oh! Well, my dad got a new shop here in the valley for his restaurant at a good price, so he decided it would be best for us to move here." Po replied as he took the sandwich.

"Really? And what does your dad make?" Viper asked in interest.

"Oh, just about the best noodle soup you could possibly taste." Po replied with a playful smirk.

"Is it now?" Monkey asked while crossing his arms.

"Oh, yeah. Whenever we're done setting up the new place, you guys should come try it." Po invited them.

"I would love that. What do you say, Tigress?" Crane asked Tigress.

"Sure. I don't care." Tigress replied uninterestedly as she finished her sandwich and went back to continue her routine.

"Um… is she always this moody?" Po asked awkwardly.

"Usually, yeah." Crane answered as he scratched his chest.

"Oh… okay." Po said while looking back at her.

Tigress crouched with one knee while extending her right leg forward. She then got up and extended her arms on either before throwing a roundhouse kick and landing a high kick with her other leg.

"Woah…" Po gasped in admiration.

"You stare long enough, she'll kill you." Monkey joked, making the others laugh and giggle.

Po blushed a bit while smiling, feeling comfortable now that he found a group that seemed to tolerate him.

The sun set down and nighttime had arrived. Almost all the kids had gone home and the lights of the houses illuminated the valley. Po was still hanging out with the group, but he texted his dad, letting him know he was at the park with some new friends.

"Aw, look at you. Making friends already. Just don't take too long, remember you got school tomorrow." Mr. Ping texted him back.

Po put down his phone and smiled looking at the rest playing volleyball on the courtyard. He then turned to see Tigress meditating under a tree, completely still and silent.

Po decided to try his luck and have a conversation with her, hoping it could lead somewhere as he didn't want there to be any tension between them.

Tigress sat with her arms crossed and eyes closed, her ears perking up once she heard Po walking up behind her.

"What is it that you want, panda?" Tigress asked, not bothering to look back at him.

"Woah. How'd you know it was me?" Po asked in amazement.

"I am familiar with your scent now. Sliced radish and chopped garlic… it's unpleasant." Tigress said as she curled her lip in disgust while still having her eyes closed.

"Right…" Po said, a bit hurt by her words, but not surprised. "So… whatcha doing there?"

"Meditating. As if it wasn't obvious enough. Now if you don't mind, I'd like some personal space." Tigress answered.

"Oh, okay… I'll leave now." Po walked away, but then turned back to her. "Just one question. Why aren't you hanging out with your friends?"

"I am 'hanging out'. I'm here, am I not?" Tigress asked.

"Well, yeah. You're here, but you're not with your friends. You should spend time with them, you know?" Po answered.

Tigress growled a bit, getting slightly annoyed at the panda's pestering. "I am spending time with them. Practicing our karate sessions. That's reasonable enough."

"So, that's it? Just practice karate together? Nothing else?" Po tilted his head.

Tigress suddenly got up and faced him, catching Po off guard. "Look, how I spend time with my companions is none of your concern. So leave now, before you really make me upset."

She pointed a finger at him and narrowed her eyes. "And believe me… you do not want to make me upset."

Po gulped, looking at her finger, then back at her. Tigress's amber eyes pierced through his soul. Such beautiful eyes, yet so unnerving and intimidating. Po was about to leave, but then it got him.

"W-wait… companions? Don't you mean, friends?" Po asked while slightly trembling.

Tigress growled again, but then the others noticed and came to the two.

"Woah. Hey, calm down there, Tigress." Monkey said as they approached them.

"Calm down? I was already calm until this panda started pestering me!" Tigress fired back in an annoyed tone.

"His name is Po, Tigress." Viper politely corrected.

"Whatever. Can you all please leave now?" Tigress asked while crossing her arms.

Po felt ashamed and turned to walk away. "I'm sorry, I didn't meant to be a hassle. I'll just go now."

"No, wait. Don't leave, Po. Why don't you go get the volleyball and we can play together this time?" Viper asked, trying to reassure him.

Po slightly smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll be right back."

While Po, left for the ball, the group then turned to face her with a glare.

"What?" Tigress asked in an annoyed tone.

"Did you really have to be that cruel?" Crane asked.

"Cruel? I just simply asked him to leave me alone!" Tigress replied, getting irritated now.

"Come on, Tigress. He's just trying to be nice. Give him a chance, will you?" Viper suggested.

"You already know what happened last time I gave a guy a chance." Tigress replied while looking away.

"It's different now. It's not like he's trying to make a move or anything. Besides, he seems harmless." Monkey reassured.

"Looks are always deceiving." Tigress added.

Just then, a group of motorcycles were arriving to the park. Their leader, a male and buff snow leopard, was driving at the front of the group. They all slowed down as the red light flashed, making them all stop next to the park.

"Yo, Tai! Isn't that your girl over there?" One of them called out to him.

Tai then turned to where the group was at, and saw Tigress arguing with her friends, making him smirk as he revved up his engine.

"That is my girl, indeed." Tai said while looking at her.

"Didn't she break up with you, or something?" Another one asked.

"I never agreed to it." Tai replied as he guided them to the park.

The group then got up on the sidewalk and gently drove through the park, making some villagers angry at them for disrupting the path.

While the group was talking, Viper noticed the motorcycles approaching behind them, making her sigh and look away.

"Oh, no. Here comes big sweaty trouble." Viper said in an annoyed and depressed tone.

Tigress immediately widened her eyes and turned around to see Tai park his bike near the tree, with his other friends following along. They all wore jeans and black leather jackets with a cobra logo on their backs.

Tai smiled and laughed while approaching her. "Hello, baby. Did you miss me?"

For the first time, Tigress broke her stoic expression as fear was slowly taking over. Her body started trembling while the leopard walked closer to her.

"Ready for tomorrow? I sure am. Being senior year and all." Tai said while wrapping an arm around her.

"Leave her alone, Tai." Crane pathetically tried to intervene.

"Or else what, straw hat? Are you going to make me? Cause that turned out so well for you last time, right?" Tai asked while snarling at Crane, making him back off immediately in shame.

"Tai, please. We really don't want any trouble." Viper tried to plead.

"Oh, I'm not doing anything. I'm just here to see my girl." Tai said while he reached to caress Tigress's cheek.

Tigress regained her composure and swatted his hand away as she glared at him. "I'm NOT your girl. Not anymore."

The rest of Tai's gang playfully went "oooh", making him smirk and extend his arm to press his hand against the tree behind her, making her close to him.

Tai smirked as he leaned his face closer to her. "Oh, come on, kitten. You can't deny we had good times. Don't you remember? How we used to spend a real good time together?"

Tigress once again started to break down and her breath quickened as panic started to take over, with her friends not being able to do anything other than stand in shame and fear.

Po finally got the ball and was on his way back to the group. Until he noticed 6 bikes parked next to the tree and Tigress being cornered against the trunk while some guy was caressing her chin.

Po gasped and immediately rushed to the group. "Hey, guys! I got the ball

Tai turned around in annoyance while the five gritted their eyes in cringe, wishing that Po wasn't there to save him from the pain.

Po noticed the tension in the area and stood there awkwardly. "Umm… are these some more friends of yours?"

Tai turned around to face Po. "Who are you?"

Po smiled and waved at him. "Hi! I'm Po! Nice to meet you."

Tigress shook her head rapidly, trying to warn him to stop.

"Po, I think it's best you leave now." Viper subtly warned him.

Tai immediately got an idea an smiled as he got off Tigress and went walking to Po. "Hey, come on, Viper. Can't I say hello your new friend? Don't be rude."

Tai waved at Po to come towards him. "Come here, fella."

Po walked to him with the ball in hand. Tigress and the group did not like where this was going.

Tai stood in front of Po, just about a foot taller than him. "So, 'Po'. You new around here? Haven't seen you before."

Po nodded. "Just moved in today. Nice to meet you."

The rest of Tai's gang snickered at the panda's unawareness. Tai smiled and put his hands on his hips, amused at his naivety.

"Really now? You liking it so far?" Tai asked.

Po nodded with a smile.

"What about hitting on my girl? Do you like that too?" Tai asked again.

Po's smile then dropped. "What?"

Tai then kicked the ball out of his hands and side kicked Po directly in the stomach, making him fall back on the grass.

"Ooh!" Tai's gang exclaimed as they gathered around.

"Tai Lung, stop!" Tigress tried to intervene.

Tai Lung walked to where Po was laying. "Oh, come on. I'm just giving the guy a welcome gift."

Po wheezed as he felt the air got kicked out of his lungs. He held his stomach in immense pain and coughed as he tried to get back up.

"Aww come on, panda. You gotta be able to take much more than that. I wasn't even trying." Tai Lung teased.

Po struggled to get back on his feet. And when he did, Tai Lung jabbed his shoulder and uppercut his chin, making him fall back on the ground yet again and gasp in pain.

"Oooooh!" Tai's gang exclaimed louder again.

"Tai Lung! Stop it! Please!" Tigress exclaimed again as her and her friends were blocked access from Tai Lung's goons.

"What? I just wanna see what the guy is made of! I mean if he really wants to, he can defend himself! Right?" Tai Lung mockingly replied, making his buddies laugh.

Tai Lung walked towards Po and picked him up from the back of his shirt. Tai Lung was then met with a punch on the mouth, making both Tai's gang and the five drop their jaws in shock.

Po panted as he lousily tried to keep his fists up in defense. Tai slowly reached to his mouth, feeling the slight impact he left with his punch.

Tai slowly looked up at Po. "That was your best shot? Let me show you mine."

Tai Lung then swapped Po's arms off, breaking his lousy defense. Tai threw a punch at his stomach and kneed him on the face. Before Po could cover his face in pain, Tai Lung grabbed his by the shirt and hip thrusted him to the ground. Tai Lung immediately started pounding on him, snarling his teeth as he did.

"Tai Lung! Stop it! You're hurting him! Stop!" The five exclaimed, but it all fell on deaf ears as Tai Lung kept beating him up.

Finally, Tai stopped, leaving Po looking as if he had just fallen through a building and hit every floor on the way down face first. Bloody nose, busted lip, and black eye. Po trembled in pain and fear as Tai Lung stood above him.

Tai Lung then snarled and pointed a finger at the five. "Which one of you losers wants next!? Huh!?"

The five did nothing but look away in shame and fear, making Tai Lung snicker at their cowardice.

"That's what I thought." Tai Lung narrowed his eyes.

Tai Lung then knelt down and grabbed Po by the collar, making his face get close to his as Po trembled in fear and agony.

"Let me give you a warning, new guy. Next time, I see you trying to talk or make a move on her, I will put you to the FUCKING ground!" Tai Lung nearly shouted at his face.

Tai Lung then dropped him forcefully on the floor, making Po's head thump. "Welcome to the valley, big boy."

He then walked to Tigress, who was shaking and looked down at the ground in fear, and rubbed her chin. "See you at school tomorrow, kitten."

Tai Lung walked with his friends back to their motorcycles, who laughed and patted him on the back.

"That was awesome dude! You sure showed him! That'll teach him!" They all hollered before getting on their bikes, revving their engines and speeding away into the streets.

The five turned back to see Po, who was sobbing and crying on the ground, beaten to a pulp. Viper, Money, Crane and Mantis immediately rushed to him.

"Po! Po! Are you alright!" Viper asked in a panicked state.

"N-No! Just l-leave me alone! P-Please!" Po sobbed as he held stomach and head in pain.

"Come on, Po! We can't just leave you here!" Crane said as he tried to help him up.

Po immediately turned around and hugged his knees in fear. "PLEASE! J-JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Tigress watched from afar how Po was holding himself and sobbed from the constant beat down he just received. She sighed and looked down in sadness, before regaining her composure and walked towards the group.

"Come on. I think it is best we leave him be…" Tigress told the the group.

"What!? We can't just leave-" Mantis tried to protest.

"NOW. Mantis." Tigress said in a stern tone and glaring eyes.

They felt really awful for not being able to help Po. They looked down and saw the whimpering and bleeding panda on the floor, deciding to just do what he said.

"I'm so sorry…" Viper whispered as she slowly slithered away.

Monkey frowned and gently pat Po on the back before leaving too. The group looked down and walked away in both guilt and regret. Tigress turned back to see Po still laying on the ground, sobbing and holding his knees against himself. She gritted her eyes and just kept walking, knowing it was for the best that they just left.

Po couldn't stop crying and held himself, feeling completely humiliated and destroyed. Thankfully, no one else was around to witness his beat down, so he didn't have to worry about anyone taking a video and posting it online.

About an hour passed, and Po finally gathered enough strength and courage to get up to walk back home. Po limped and held his face, trying to stop his nose and lip from bleeding. His shirt was a complete mess. Covered with both grass and blood stains.

Po was going to do his best to not be seen by his dad. He really didn't want to hear the constant worrying and yapping after just moving in.

Po arrived to the restaurant and slowly opened the door, peeping inside to see if the coast was clear. He saw that his dad had fallen asleep trying to prep some noodles for tomorrow.

He sighed and went to gently carry his dad in his arms. Po didn't like seeing his dad sleeping while working, it made him feel really guilty. Po reached upstairs and slowly tucked him in. Mr. Ping mumbled in his sleep and turned around to hold the blanket, making Po smile a bit.

Po went to take a shower and put his bloodied clothes into his own bin, not wanting his dad to see it. He opened the hot water to try to relax his body from the punches and kicks.

"The old turtle did fix the faucet after all…" Po groaned in relief, feeling a little bit better now that he was completely washed off.

After a few minutes, Po got out of the shower and changed into his pajamas to try to get some sleep. After being beaten up and humiliated, it was going to be a difficult task, but absolutely necessary.

"Great way to end the day…" Po sarcastically told himself before turning off all the lights and going to bed, knowing the valley possibly had a lot in store for him…

Chapter Text

The next morning, Po awoke with a massive headache and immense body soreness. He groaned and rubbed his forehead, trying to ease the pain from the massive beat down he received last night.

"Mgh…" Po groaned as he got up from bed and went change for school.

"Po! Wake up! You're going to be late for school!" Mr. Ping called out from downstairs.

”Coming, dad!" Po replied while changing.

Po wore a red flannel with a white shirt underneath and some blue jeans along with black converse shoes. He looked in the mirror before leaving his room, making sure that his black eyes wasn't notable.

"Okay, good." Po told himself before making his way downstairs.

Mr. Ping was cooking some breakfast while standing on a mini ladder in front of the stove as Po made his way into the kitchen. Po tried to pass by quickly, but his dad called out to him before he could.

"Po! You can't leave without having breakfast!" Mr. Ping exclaimed as he pointed at the bowl on the table.

"Oh, it's okay, dad! I'm not really hungry right now. I gotta go already." Po quickly replied, trying to leave as soon as possible.

Mr. Ping then noticed something on his face. "Po? What's that?"

Po tried to brush it off. "What? What's what?"

Mr. Ping hopped off the ladder and walked up to Po. "Lean down. Let me see."

Po nervously leaned down to his level and looked away with his eyes. "What? I don't know what you're talking about?"

Mr. Ping held his cheeks and examined his eye closer. Even though his eyes were surrounded in black fur, he could still notice the bruising on his skin.

"Po! What happened!?" Mr. Ping asked with concern.

"I-I fumbled and tripped on the way home! You know how clumsy I can get!" Po replied, trying to maintain his cool.

Mr. Ping was not having it and placed his wings on his hips. "Po. Did someone hit you? Just tell me."

Po would tell him, but he didn't want to ruin the joy his father was feeling. He kept on talking and talking about how excited he was to move into the Valley, and Po didn't want to kill the excitement.

"Dad, I'm fine. I promise." Po replied before going to the bowl and quickly gulped it down, leaving the bowl empty.

"Now, I gotta go to school. Love you, dad." Po said while exiting the place and going over to his bicycle.

Mr. Ping sighed, but decided not to protest. It wasn't the first time Po kept his problems to himself.

"Okay, just be careful out there and try not to get in trouble." Mr. Ping waved goodbye from the counter.

Po waved back and made his way to school on his bicycle. He quickly looked up the address on his phone and remembered it before making his way.

"Come on, Po. Today is a new day. Just… try to be positive. That's all. Be positive." Po told himself while riding his bike.

Po looked around while peddling on the sidewalk. He took in the beauty of the place once more, admiring the view of the mountains and cheerful environment the valley had to offer.

"Okay… focus. This is home now. You can do this." Po kept trying to motivate himself while taking some fresh air.

About half an hour later, he arrived to his new school. Valley of Peace High School. He made way to the front and saw the entrance of the school, where various students were gathering up and socializing before first period began.

Po smiled to himself, being a bit more optimistic for a fresh start. Until, he saw Tai Lung and his group just across from where he was standing. His smile disappeared instantly, as he realized he would be having to share the same school with that guy.

Thankfully, they were too busy hanging out on their bikes to even notice him. So, he took the opportunity to lock his bicycle on one of the racks and got out of there before they could see him.

"Well… so much for that. I just hope I don't have to share a class with either one of those guys." Po said to himself as he walked into the building.

Po made his way down the hallway while looking down at his schedule, trying figure out where his first class was.

"Po?" A voice called out to him.

Po immediately turned around and saw the five standing a few feet across. All of them, save for Tigress, smiled nervously and waved at him. Po just glared and turned around, not really wanting to see them again.

"Great… this is just getting better." Po said sarcastically to himself.

Tigress just stood there with her arms crossed as the other four rushed up to him.

"Po, wait!" Viper called out.

Po just kept on walking, not really wanting to hear any of it.

"Po." Crane pleaded.

Po turned around with a frustrated expression. "What!? What do you want!? Did you not enjoy the show from last night!? Was my humiliation not good enough for you!? Or do you still want to see me get beaten up!? Huh!? Is that it!?"

His outburst caused the group to get a bit startled and for some students to stare.

Monkey looked at them angrily with Mantis on his arms. "Yes? Mind your own damn business, people. Keep walking."

Everyone then went back to their business, not wanting to speculate any longer due to Monkey's anger.

Po saw them walk away and turned back to the group with an annoyed look on his face. "What do you want?"

Viper sighed. "Po… we're really sorry about last night. I swear, we didn't mean for you to get involved with… Tai Lung."

Po scoffed. "Yeah, okay. Apology accepted. That will totally heal up the bruises and probably broken ribs I got. I appreciate it."

Viper looked down with a hurt expression, knowing Po was talking sarcastically, and rightfully so.

Po turned around to leave. "Of course, let's just watch the clumsy and chubby panda get beat up. It's not like we could have done anything to stop it, right?"

Before Po could walk away, Crane gritted his eyes and exclaimed. "He beat us up too, Po!"

Po halted on his tracks and slowly turned around to face them again with a shocked expression. "What?…"

They all looked down in shame with heartbroken expressions. Tigress was watching from a distance and had enough of it.

She walked up to the group with her usual stern expression. "Come on, he clearly wants no part of us. Let's just leave him be. We don't want to make things worse for him."

Po immediately went back to them. "No, wait! What? But… how could that be? You guys know karate, don't you? And he's just one guy! How could you guys fall victim to him?"

Tigress turned around to face him. "None of your concern, panda. Just keep walking and stay out of it. Believe me, it's for the best."

Po looked at her and got slightly defensive. "Oh, it is my concern now. Especially since he nearly killed me last night."

Tigress got more annoyed. "And he will do much worse if he sees you around me again. I'm doing you a favor, panda."

"Oh, right. Leaving me out, completely vulnerable to the guy that beat me to a pulp yesterday. What a favor." Po fired back.

Tigress twitched her eye and pointed a finger at him. "Listen here, panda. Don't you dare-"

Suddenly, Viper interrupted. "Tigress! Please."

Tigress turned to her and growled in frustration before crossing her arms and looking away again. The bell rung, making students around them walk faster as they didn't want to be late for first period.

"Look, Po. Just let us explain at lunch. We can meet up at the cafeteria and talk about it there." Viper said.

Po's eyes widened. "Wait… you guys want to sit with me?"

"Yeah? What about it?" Mantis asked while crossing his claws.

"Nothing… it's just, no one has ever asked me to sit with them before." Po replied with a slight sheepish tone.

Tigress rolled her eyes. "Do you want to? Yes or no?"

"Tigress!" The rest of the group exclaimed and glared at her frustratedly.

The feline frowned and looked away again before Crane walked up to Po and checked his schedule.

"Okay, sweet. You got fourth period lunch as well as us. We'll meet you at the cafeteria, okay? See you later, Po." Crane said with a smile while patting his back.

The group turned around to leave, except Tigress, who was just looking at him with a stern expression and crossed arms. Po smiled nervously, making her scoff and walk along with her friends.

Po was left standing along in the hallway with the same dumb smile. "Okay… heading to class now."

A few hours later…

The bell rung as Po got out of his geometry class and headed to the cafeteria. Thankfully, he hadn't bumped into Tai Lung or any of his goons, and he hoped it stayed like that at least for the day.

Po made line to get some food and walked over to the tables, trying to find where the five were as they had promised to sit with him.

"Po! Over here!" Monkey waved at him from afar.

Po noticed him and walked over to where the group was sitting. Po placed his tray on the table and smiled awkwardly while sitting in between Crane and Monkey.

"What is it, Po?" Viper asked while sitting between Tigress and Mantis across from Po.

"Oh, nothing… it's just that. It feels a bit weird, being able to sit with other people…" Po replied while looking at the table.

Po cleared his throat. "So, um… you guys wanted to tell me something?"

Viper nodded with a half crooked smile. "Right… where do we start?"

Crane jumped in. "I'll take it from here."

Viper smiled in gratitude as Crane nodded back at her, letting her know he had her back.

Crane took a deep breath before finally explaining. "Listen, Po. Tai Lung… wasn't always as you met him last night. We all trained karate together since childhood under the same sensei. With him being the best among us…"

Crane's expression slightly dropped. "Until one day, he wanted more than what he achieved. He wanted to be something more than what our sensei thought he could be. Then, another sensei offered him something he wouldn't refuse…"

Monkey then gripped his fists. "And then he betrayed us. Threw us away as if we were nothing."

Po looked at the group with worry and concern as Viper looked down at the table in sorrow.

"We… tried to reason with him. We didn't want to lose our friend…" Viper explained before closing her eyes shut. "But… he wouldn't hear it. And that's when he took us down as if we were novices."

Po gasped in shock, not believing someone would be capable of doing such a thing. He noticed Tigress shaking in her seat with her fists clenching and closing, trying her best not to claw her own palms.

"He got Tigress the worse…" Mantis said out of nowhere.

Tigress's eyes widened as Viper smacked him upside down on the head.

"Mantis!" Viper exclaimed.

"Ow! What!? I was just saying!" Mantis exclaimed back while rubbing his head.

"It's not your position to say what happened!" Crane said angrily.

Po was confused as to what was happening. "Um… what happened?"

Tigress immediately got up from the table. "I lost my appetite already. I'll be leaving now."

She immediately walked away from the group, making everyone, except Po, glare angrily at Mantis.

"I messed up, didn't I?" Mantis asked.

"You think?" Monkey retorted.

Po was about to head after her, but Crane gently stopped him.

"Don't, Po. Believe me, she can barely open up to us. I don't think you would be of any help, no offense." Crane reassured him.

Po looked at him, then back at Tigress as she was exiting the cafeteria. "Right…"

As soon as lunch was over, the group tried to find Tigress. After looking everywhere, they eventually found her in the courtyard punching a tree.

Po winced in second hand pain seeing Tigress punch the trunk with blood dripping out. "Is that normal of her?…"

"Unfortunately, yes. Ever since her… incident with Tai Lung, it has been her coping mechanism." Viper answered.

Po sighed and walked up to her with the rest of the group. Tigress was too busy punching the trunk to even notice her friends and Po walking up to her.

"Tigress. We're not at the dojo." Crane told her.

Tigress punched the tree one last time, lowering down her bloodied and splintered paws to her side. "I needed to relief myself."

"I wonder why?" Monkey said sarcastically as they glared at Mantis.

"Aww, come on! I said I was sorry already!" Mantis complained.

Tigress grabbed a towel from her backpack and wiped her knuckles. "Sure, whatever. It's not a big deal, right?"

She got her backpack to start heading to her next class while the rest of the group followed behind. They headed to one of the outside hallways as they made their way to class.

Suddenly, Po had to ask. "Have you guys talked to a teacher about it? Or someone? Anyone?"

"We tried, Po. But… he's just so good at lying and manipulating others. Not to mention, he's pretty wealthy. He could just buy himself out of trouble." Viper answered.

"Oh… I see." Po replied while looking down.

"Just how he managed to fool me…" Tigress thought to herself while walking ahead.

Just then, Tai Lung appeared with the rest of his friends. This time, he had three female snow leopardesses joining him as well.

He came out of the corner and stood in front of the group, causing them to freeze on the spot. Tigress trembled at his presence as the rest of the group stood behind her while Po's heartbeat stopped for a moment.

"Well, hello, kitten. I haven't seen you around all day. It's almost as if you were avoiding me." Tai Lung joked in a demented manner, making the rest of his group laugh.

Tigress shook where she stood, but didn't want to let him have his way with her. "That's because I AM avoiding you, Tai Lung. Now take a hint and leave me alone already."

Tai Lung playfully raised a brow as his goons playfully wooed in fake surprise. "Aww, come on, kitten. You know you liked having me around. Don't you remember the special times we had? I sure do."

Suddenly, Po spoke up. "Leave her alone."

Tai Lung noticed the panda among the group and raised his eyebrow as Po walked up to him.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here." Tai Lung said in an amused tone while crossing his arms.

"Yo, Tai. Isn't that the same panda you beat to a mush last night?" One of his friends asked.

"It sure is. Unless there's another big fat panda around that I'm not aware of." Tai Lung replied, making his friends laugh out loud.

Po was not amused or hurt, making the five worry a bit as if they had to witness another beat down.

"Pretty small world, am I right?" Tai Lung asked rhetorically as he took Crane's straw hat, making the avian slightly flinch.

"Give it back to him." Po said, trying to sound brave.

Tai Lung waved the hat in front of Po. "It's right here, why don't you get it?"

Po just stood there, looking at him with anger and a bit of fear mixed together.

Tai Lung smiled widely. "Oh, that's right. You can't. Because you already know what's going to happen if you're dumb enough to make a move."

Po tried to reason with him. "Please, Tai Lung. You don't have to do this."

Tai Lung snickered. "Oh, please. You think that hanging out with these dorks is going to keep you safe? I can do with them as I please and there's nothing they can do about it, but I'm sure they already told you, right?"

Tai Lung then menacingly got to Po's face. "And now the same goes for you, tubby."

Po stood there face to face with Tai Lung, shaking slightly, but still refusing to back down. Suddenly, a teacher behind them cleared his throat loudly. Tai Lung looked up to see a big sharply dressed ox crossing his arms and giving him a stern look.

Tai Lung narrowed his eyes and whispered to Po. "This is my yard and you're stepping on it. Better watch your back, panda."

He shoved the hat back into his chest and turned to leave with his friends. Po let out a small sigh of relief, feeling glad that it didn't get physical again. The same went for Tigress, as she felt much easier now that Tai Lung was leaving.

One of the snow leopardesses looked at Tigress with a devious smirk. "I'll see you soon, freak."

Tigress snarled. "I'll be looking forward to it, Princess."

The snow leopardess snickered and walked away with the rest of the female felines.

As soon as they left, Po fixed the hat and handed it back to Crane with a smile.

Crane slightly smiled and took his hat back. "Thank you, Po."

Po smiled and nodded. "Anytime."

"That was brave, Po… what you did." Viper said in a warm and soothing tone.

"Oh… it was nothing." Po replied with a blush.

Monkey cleared his throat. "Anyway, we should leave now. We're gonna be late."

"Right…" Po nodded, feeling a bit dumb.

Mantis suddenly remembered. "Hey, Po. Didn't you say you wanted us to hang out at your place?"

Po widened his eyes. "Oh, yeah! You guys still want to come?"

"We still have karate practice to attend." Tigress said sternly with her arms crossed.

"Oh, right… totally forgot about that." Mantis said embarrassedly.

"Well.. you guys can come after practice. We don't close until 10 pm, so you can come anytime before that." Po offered.

"That would be lovely." Viper said cheerfully.

Crane nodded with optimism. "I'm down."

Monkey looked at Tigress. "What about you?"

"No." Tigress simply replied in her stern tone before turning and leaving.

Po was a bit stunned, but immediately took out a pen and slip note, wrote his address and handed it to them. "Here is my address, we can meet up whenever you want. I'll see you!"

Po left the group to immediately follow Tigress, making the team a bit concerned.

"We're just going to have to let him." Crane said while shaking his head and walking along with his friends.

Tigress walked down the hallway as everyone else headed to class with Po following up behind her.

"Tigress, wait." Po called out to her as he finally reached her.

Tigress twitched her eye in slight annoyance as Po walked up beside her. "What do you want now, panda? Head to class already."

"I am. My next class is right over there too." Po replied with a snicker.

The feline was not amused. "Right. Okay."

Po dropped his smile and got serious with her. "Look, Tigress. I don't know what happened between you and Tai Lung-"

Tigress immediately turned to him. "And you never will! So, drop the nice guy act already and just stay out of my business!"

"I'm not prying, Tigress!" Po answered back.

Tigress slightly widened her eyes at his response, not expecting him to say that.

"You're right. Whatever happened between you and Tai Lung is none of my business. And I won't try to make you tell me, but that doesn't mean you have to deal with it on your own. You have friends who seem to care and support you. You're not alone in this. You don't have to talk about it, but at the very least allow yourself to express it out loud somehow. Besides karate, of course." Po said.

Tigress looked a bit stunned at the panda's speech. She felt a bit of relief and comfort from someone finally not telling her what to do, but rather offer some suggestions.

However, she still felt insecure. "I don't need your help, panda. So spare me the sympathy."

Po frowned at her. "I'm not giving you sympathy, Tigress. I'm offering you empathy. There's a difference."

Tigress looked away, trying not to display her emotions. "Right, okay."

She finally reached her classroom. "Anyway, I'm at my class. You should head to yours now."

Po smiled widely. "No way, this is my class too! You and I got art class together! That's so awesome!"

Tigress internally groaned in annoyance. "Oh, great."

Both of them headed inside to choose their sitting spots. Po sat one of the crafting tables, offering Tigress a spot next to him with a wide smile. However, Tigress chose a table far away from the panda and sat mostly by herself.

Po frowned and looked down at the table in slight sadness, but he didn't blame her one bit. Po knew that whatever happened between them has severely affected her in a way that would definitely take a lot to recover from. Only time would tell if she was ever going to be willing to open up.

After school was over, Po headed back home in his bicycle. When he arrived, he noticed a few people sitting in the food court as Mr. Ping was cooking up some noodles.

Mr. Ping smiled brightly upon seeing Po return home. "Po! How was school, my boy?"

Po parked his bike inside the food court and went inside the kitchen. "It went okay. Not too bad for a first day at a new school."

Mr. Ping sliced some radishes and turned to him. "Any new friends?"

Po smiled as he started helping out. "The same ones from yesterday. I invited them here for later, I hope you don't mind."

Mr. Ping smiled again as he turned to him. "Po! That's great! You got us some more customers!"

Po rolled his eyes. "Dad, not like that."

Mr. Ping snickered. "Oh, please. I'm just messing with you. Now, come on. I need your help with a few orders."

"On it." Po said before putting on his hat and apron.

About a few hours later, business seemed to slow down. Not like there were that many customers to begin with. Only about 6 people or so.

Po took a bit of a break and watched over the restaurant while his dad went to the store to buy some utilities. Po took advantage of the fact there were no people to watch some self defense tutorials on his phone.

Po tried his best to copy the moves, but felt like a buffoon every time he tried and failed. "Ugh… this is pointless."

Suddenly, a knock was heard on the countertop. Po slightly jumped and immediately looked up to see the old maintenance turtle standing on the other side of the countertop where the customers took orders.

"May I come in?" The turtle asked with a polite smile.

Po put his phone away. "Oh! Sure, come in."

He went to open the door for the turtle to grant him access. The turtle smiled and bowed at Po as he entered the place.

"Your father said there was a problem with the kitchen sink?" The turtle asked.

"Oh, yeah. It's right over there. I think it might be a broke pipe or something?" Po pointed at the sink.

"Allow me to take a look." The turtle said as he took his tools out and headed to the sink.

"Right…" Po said awkwardly while checking on the boiling water.

"Karate." The turtle said from under the sink.

Po raised a brow and turned to face him. "I'm sorry?"

The turtle kept working under the sink. "That was karate you were trying to practice, am I right?"

Po blushed in embarrassment. "Oh! Yeah…"

The turtle grabbed a wrench to twist on the pipe. "That was very good, if you ask me."

Po looked back at the turtle. "Um, thank you…"

The turtle finally finished working on the sink and got back to his feet. "All fixed now."

Po smiled and nodded. The turtle was about to leave, until he noticed some paintings hung on the wall. One of them was a cherry blossom tree upon a hill in front of the mountains and another one was a black and white painting of a goat doing a high kick in a secluded room.

"Those are beautiful paintings." The turtle pointed at them with a smile.

Po looked at the paintings and widened his eyes. "Oh! Those are mine."

The turtle looked at him with slightly surprised expression. "You made those yourself?"

Po smiled and nodded awkwardly.

"You have such an amazing talent, young panda. You should be proud of yourself. Not many posses the skill of displaying such beautiful creations." The turtle said with a smile.

Po didn't expect the compliment, but appreciated it regardless.

"Thank you, Mister?" Po tried to thank him, but didn't recall catching his name.

The turtle slightly chuckled. "Oogway. Call me, Mr. Oogway."

"Right. Thank you, Mr. Oogway. I appreciate your help with the sink." Po thanked with a smile.

"Of course. That's why I'm here for." Oogway bowed and walked out of the kitchen.

"By the way. You might want to keep your back straight and lean back when you try to perform a front kick." Oogway said, catching the panda by surprise.

"Just a suggestion." Oogway said with a smile before finally leaving the restaurant.

Po watched him leave with a confused expression, wondering how he know about landing a kick.

"Weird…" Po shook his head and focused back on making soup.

Nighttime came as Po and his dad were getting ready to close the restaurant.

"Not bad for a first day of business in a new town." Po said to his dad as he cleaned one of the tables.

"Not at all. A lot more than what I expected, to be honest." Mr. Ping replied while putting some boxes away.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out. "Excuse me. Might we reserve a table for five, please?"

Po looked up to see the group standing in the entrance with wide smiles, save for Tigress, who just stood there with her usual expression and posture.

Po gasped and smiled widely as he went to greet them. "You guys came!"

"Hey, you did say this was the best noodle soup we would ever try. So, don't think we'd miss the chance to try." Monkey said with a smirk.

"Oh, this is awesome! Come in! We were just about to close!" Po invited them in.

The group walked into the restaurant as Po called out to his dad. "Dad! My friends are here!"

Mr. Ping looked up to see Po and some other animals walking into the restaurant.

"Oh, wonderful! Just in time! Let me get some soup ready for you, kids!" Mr. Ping replied happily while getting to work.

"Thanks, dad!" Po called out.

Po offered them all a seat at the table he just cleaned up. "Make yourselves at home."

"Thank you, Po." Viper said warmly as they all sat down.

"It's a nice place you got here, Po." Crane tried to be polite.

"Yeah. Like I said, my dad got it for a good price." Po replied as he grabbed a chair to sit at the end of the table.

"Looks like you guys hit jackpot." Mantis said with a smirk.

Po and the rest slightly laughed at the remark, save for Tigress, of course.

Mr. Ping then walked out with a tray of six bowls for the teens. "Alrighty, kiddos. Order up."

Po got up and took the tray to serve the bowls himself. "Thanks. Dad, these are my friends. Tigress, Monkey, Viper, Crane and Mantis. Guys, this is my dad."

The group politely bowed at and waved at Mr. Ping.

"Nice to meet you, sir. Po said a lot of good things about you." Viper greeted happily.

"The pleasure is mine. A friend of Po is a friend of mine. Now, please. Enjoy." Mr. Ping said with a smile before leaving back to the kitchen.

The group then took a sip of the soup and were instantly amazed by the flavor.

"Woah! This is really good!" Mantis exclaimed in delight.

"You guys really made this?" Monkey asked while munching on some noodles.

"Well, I mean it's just the usual we serve. You should try my dad's secret ingredient soup." Po said in a sheepish tone.

"What are you talking about? This is amazing!" Viper marked out as she kept sipping on her soup.

"You're a really great cook!" Crane complimented as well.

"I wish my mouth was bigger!" Mantis added.

Po smiled widely hearing people admire his cooking for the first time, even though it was his dad's cooking, it was still the same to him.

"Tigress, you should totally try this!" Monkey told Tigress while munching on the noodles.

"Not hungry." Tigress said while crossing her arms and looking away.

"Oh, come on. You got to try it." Viper insisted.

"I said I'm not hungry." Tigress said again as she glared at Viper, making her shut up immediately.

Po tried to break the tension. "Don't worry… it's not for everyone. Then again, the body could use some… spiritual juice."

Po then took the bowl and gulped down the soup in a few seconds. He was left with some noddle bits pasted to his upper lip, making four of the five snicker.

"What?" Po asked.

"Oh, nothing. Tai Lung." Mantis replied in a joking manner.

Po noticed his mouth as the group laughed, making him smile as he had an idea to lift the spirits.

Po took some chopsticks and spoke in a fake deep manly voice. "You dorks will never live up to me, unless you do 500 pushups and take 20 pounds of creatine a day!"

The group, save for Tigress, laughed out loud at Po's imitation of Tai Lung.

Po continued. "What's the sound of that? Joyous laughter? I haven't heard of that in years! Keep up and maybe…"

He took two spare bowls and placed them against his chest. "You'll have pec boobs like mine."

The four laughed and slammed on the table from so much laughter, finally catching a break from the constant tension going around.

Po smiled at seeing his new friends laughing with him on his silly jokes. He looked at Tigress and could have sworn he saw a small little smile before she turned away once again.

Once they were done eating, Po had another idea. "Hey… you guys want to see my room?"

"Sure, why not." Monkey said after putting his bowl down.

"I'll stay here." Tigress remained seated at the table.

"Come on, Tigress. Don't be a downer." Mantis teased.

Po noticed her becoming irritated again, which made him intervene. "It's fine, she doesn't have to if she doesn't want to. Come on, the rest of you, follow me."

Po led the rest to his room while Tigress stayed behind and sat by herself. Tigress saw them leave and narrowed her eyes a bit at the panda.

"He doesn't try to get near me anymore… that's a relief. What's his endgame?" Tigress asked herself.

Po led them upstairs to his room and revealed his entire collection, paintings to the group.

"Woah! Is this a limited edition figure of Duck Lee?! These are so rare to find nowadays!" Monkey exclaimed as he rushed to see it up close.

"Hehe, yeah… I got it for my 7th birthday." Po replied sheepishly, not expecting someone else to admire his collection.

"Dude! That's an awesome painting! Where did you get it from?" Mantis pointed at the huge painting of the Andromeda galaxy.

Po blushed. "I made it…"

Crane's beak dropped wide open. "You're joking…"

Po blushed even harder. "I'm serious… I made it myself. Took me about a whole day to get it done."

Viper squealed. "Po, all of these are so cool! How come you never showed these?"

Po nervously shrugged. "I just never had a friend to show it to…"

They smiled and gathered up to him while Monkey patted his back. "Well… you can consider us your friends now, Po."

Po gasped and gently teared up at the gesture. "Thanks, guys…"

Meanwhile, Tigress was downstairs meditating on top of an empty table. Suddenly, she heard pot scattering from the kitchen, making her open an eye and raise one of her ears.

"Oh, darn it!" Mr. Ping complained out loud.

Tigress got curious and headed towards the kitchen to see Mr. Ping standing in the middle with several pots and pans all over the floor.

Tigress gently knocked on the doorway. "Would you like some assistance with that?"

Mr. Ping quickly turned around, a bit startled at her sudden appearance. "Oh, that would be greatly appreciated, dear. Thank you."

Tigress knelt down and helped with the items as they put them away where they belonged. Suddenly, Tigress noticed the same painting of the blossom tree hanging above them. She kind of lost herself, staring at it in admiration.

Mr. Ping noticed her staring and smiled at her. "Do you like the painting?"

Tigress widened her eyes and immediately went back to her posture. "Umm… yes. It's a nice painting. Where did you get it from, if I may ask?"

"Oh, my dear Po made it." Mr. Ping replied while putting away some utensils.

Tigress widened her eyes again and turned to the goose. "The panda… made that?"

Mr. Ping turned to her with a stern expression. "The panda is my boy, and his name is Po. But yes, he made it."

Tigress cleared her throat. "Right… I apologize."

Just then, Po came down with the rest of the group. "Alright, dad, they're heading-"

He halted as soon as he saw Tigress in the kitchen. "Tigress? Why are you here?"

Tigress got a bit surprised and tried to play it cool. "Oh, um… your father here, was struggling with some items and I thought he might have needed some help."

"It's true." Mr. Ping called out behind one of the doors.

The group widened their mouths at what they heard.

"Woah… talk about quite a shock." Mantis quipped.

"I was just telling her about your painting up there. She was staring at it for a while." Mr. Ping said with a sly smile.

"What! No, I wasn't…" Tigress said with her hands on her hips while she looked away.

She turned to see her friends behind Po giving her suggestive looks while Po just looked slightly confused.

"Okay, I was staring at it. It's a nice painting…" Tigress replied awkwardly.

Viper smiled at the group, giving them a wink before turning back to the goose. "Mr. Ping, we're going to head out now."

Crane followed along. "Yeah, Tigress will stay behind and help with whatever you need."

Tigress's eyes widened as soon as they said that, making her glare at them.

"Of course, since she's so willing to help, she decided it was best to stay." Monkey said with a devious grin.

Po looked completely confused and oblivious as to what was happening.

"Oh, I would appreciate it so much, dear. Thank you for your assistance." Mr. Ping said happily as he went back to work.

"Po, you have our number. Let us know if anything. See you at school tomorrow. Bye, Tigress." Viper waved happily at them.

Tigress glared at her with a look that yelled. "You traitors!"

Po and Tigress were left alone in the kitchen as Po smiled nervously while rubbing his arm.

"So, um… I sweep and you mop?" Po tried to ask nicely.

Tigress really didn't want to be there, but her friends had already put her in that situation and she didn't want to be rude about it.

"Sure…" Tigress said with a dead expression, wanting to get it over with already.

Po smiled and handed her a mop as they all got to work in closing the restaurant for the night.

About an hour later, everything was set and done. Mr. Ping headed upstairs to handle some other things.

"Alright, Po. Lock the door when Tigress leaves, please." Mr. Ping said from upstairs.

"Okay, dad." Po replied.

Tigress stood there with her arms crossed as Po walked next to her.

"Umm… thank you. For helping my dad. For helping us. You really didn't have to, you know." Po said.

Tigress shrugged. "Your father was struggling. I simply offered a hand."

"Still. I really appreciate it. Thank you for coming. I enjoyed having you here." Po smiled warmly at her.

Tigress raised a brow. "But… I did nothing other than sit there."

"It's the fact that you came that I appreciate. It's the thought that counts. You could have just not showed up." Po replied.

Tigress looked to the side. "Well… I didn't want to have my companions bothering my about it. But then again… I did say I wouldn't mind."

Po smiled and looked up to his painting. "So… you like it?"

Tigress gently widened her eyes again. "Uhh…"

Po looked back at her, waiting for an answer. Tigress looked into his eyes and knew she couldn't lie to him. Something about him just made her want to let the truth out.

"Yes… I like the painting. What about it?" Tigress asked with her arms crossed.

"You can have it." Po replied.

Tigress was surprised yet again. "You… would give me your painting? But, it's yours."

Po blew his lips and waved his hand. "Oh, it's fine. It's an old one anyway."

He turned to see Tigress staring at him with a deadpan expression, causing him to backtrack immediately.

"Uh! I mean! It's not like I could just paint another one! No, I mean…" Po panicked as he tried to find the right words.

He then took a deep breath and calmed down a bit before finally correcting himself. "I just think you would appreciate it more than I would. I think it's time for this baby to find a new home."

Po reached up, took the painting and handed it to her. "A place where it would be needed more."

Tigress looked at the painting then back at him. "Really?"

Po smiled and nodded. "Really."

Tigress gently took the painting and admired it in her paws. "No one has ever gifted me a painting before…. Thank you."

Po blushed and rubbed his arm. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a friendly gesture, for… friends. You know?"

Tigress looked at him for about a minute before clearing her throat and regaining her composure. "Well, anyway, I should head home now."

Po nodded and smiled nervously. "Right… follow me. I'll lead you out."

Po led her to the entrance of the restaurant so she could make her way home. The two stood there in the entrance, not knowing how to say goodbye.

"So, um… yeah. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Tigress." Po nervously rubbed his neck and walked back to the kitchen.

"Goodnight to you too… Po." Tigress said as she stood on the entrance.

Po halted for a second, as she had just called him by his name for the first time. He looked back to see her bow her head and leave the place, making him smile widely.

"She finally came around… awesome!" Po thought to himself as he locked the door and headed to his room.

Tigress walked her way to the bus stop while looking down at the painting Po had just given her.

"Perhaps he's not as bad as I thought…" Tigress thought as well while getting on the bus home.

Both Po and Tigress had a lot to think about before going to sleep and getting ready for the next day…

Chapter Text

Another morning came to the Valley of Peace as Po had arrived to school and parked his bicycle on the rack.

"Alright, second day. Here we go." He told himself before entering the building.

"Watch it, dumbass." Tai Lung joked after tripping him, making his goons laugh while they all walked away.

Po internally gritted his teeth as some students stared and snickered at his expense. The five saw Po on the floor and immediately went to him, offering a hand to help him get up.

Po took Crane's wing and Monkey's paw to get up as Viper and Mantis helped him recollect his books.

Tigress turned to a pair of boys that snickered. "What's so funny?"

Tigress walked up to one of them and pinned him against the lockers, making him shut up immediately while shaking in fear.

"Come on, I want to hear the joke?" Tigress asked with a glare that could kill while gripping his shirt.

Po rushed up to her. "Tigress, please don't."

Tigress looked at her friends, then back at the boy before letting him go. Him and his friends scurried away as well as the rest of the students. Tigress crossed her arms as Po and the rest stood next to her.

"Thank you…" Po said gently.

Tigress looked back at him. "You are too nice. You let them laugh at you."

"I just… don't want any trouble. I don't want you to get in trouble." Po nervously rubbed his arm.

"Right. Well, thank you." Po said.

Crane chimed in. "Anyways. We should head to class now. See you at lunch, Po!"

The group waved goodbye as Po made his way to class, blushing a bit as he did due to the recent event.

"She… stood up for me. I didn't expect that from her… unless she only did it out of pity? I don't know…" Po thought to himself.

The next few hours passed by really quick, as Po was really looking forward to spending lunch with his friends. Po arrived to the cafeteria, got his tray and immediately started looking for the five.

"Over here, Po!" Viper called out with her tail.

Po smiled and made way to their table. He sat in between Tigress and Monkey while Mantis, Crane and Viper sat on the opposite side.

"I never asked. How do you like your new school so far?" Viper asked.

"Well… I have to share the same building as someone who beat me to a mush and loves humiliating me now for no apparent reason as well as having to deal with other people enjoying my misfortune." Po replied.

Viper looked down. "Oh…"

"But… at least I have you guys. Which makes the situation a whole lot more bearable." Po reassured her with a smile.

"Sorry about Tai Lung… maybe if it wasn't for us, you wouldn't be involved in this mess." Crane said with as sad expression.

Po smiled at him. "It's not your fault he's a massive jerk. I don't know the full details of why he turned his back on you, but I know for sure it was not worth losing any of you."

Viper looked a bit awestruck. "Do you really mean that, Po?"

Po smiled and nodded. "Believe me… this is not new to me, unfortunately."

He frowned and looked down. "I've been laughed at and made fun of my whole life. I… never really had a friend before."

Po looked back at them. "You guys are the only ones that never made fun of my weight, or call me stupid. You… make me feel welcome."

Monkey nudged his arm. "Oh, come on, Po. It's nothing, really. You're just a chill dude, and we love your vibe. There's nothing too much about it. Really."

Po chuckled and smiled at him. "Thanks, Monkey. But it means the world to me."

While he talked, Tigress couldn't help but feel a bit guilty on the inside while looking down at her tray.

"He's telling the truth… I can feel it. We- I mean they really are the only people who have been friendly and welcoming. Perhaps… I may have been a bit harsh on him. Still, I must keep my guard up." Tigress thought to herself.

"Tigress? Tigress?" Viper called out, trying to get her attention.

Tigress immediately snapped out of it and shook her head. "Huh? What?"

"You good? Po asked you a question." Viper said.

"Oh! What is it, Po?" Tigress asked.

"I asked if you found a nice spot for the painting I gave you last night?" Po repeated.

Mantis raised a brow. "You gave Tigress a painting?"

"Yeah?" Po replied confusingly.

"And she didn't break your hand?" Mantis asked again.

"No, but I will definitely break your claws if you don't be quiet." Tigress said menacingly.

The rest of the group laughed at Mantis expense as Tigress composed herself and cleared her throat.

"Yes, I did find a nice place for it on my wall next to my window. Thank you again, Po." Tigress answered Po.

Po nodded his head. "No worries. It's a gift, and I'm glad you liked it."

Unaware to both Po and Tigress, the group smiled slyly seeing the connection start to form between them. It was a bit relieving seeing Tigress finally open up to someone else that wasn't them. It was almost refreshing.

Po cleared his throat. "Anyways, I need to ask you. Do any of you have… you know. A social status?"

The group snickered at his question. Not out of malice, but because they actually found it humorous of him to ask.

"You could say that. Yeah." Monkey replied.

"Really? What is it?" Po asked again.

Viper started. "Well, I'm Captain of the cheerleading squad and of the ribbon dancing team. I've been doing this since middle school, so I was so proud and excited to be named captain once I started freshman year."

Crane continued. "I'm the founder of the book club and captain of the chess team. I'm also hoping to land the frontman for the biology team. I might get it this year before I finish school."

Monkey pointed at himself. "I'm the basketball team captain. I used to play football, but I figured basketball was more of my thing since I love to swing around."

Mantis raised his claw. "I am president of the theater arts program. We're working on a new play right now, and they all seem to dig it."

Everyone else snickered at his remark, making him frown in frustration.

"What? They do. Did you all forget it was me who came up with the funniest and most entertaining show sophomore year?"

"Yeah, because it was so hilariously bad, it was laughable. Didn't you say it was supposed to be a serious drama?" Monkey snickered.

"No! I obviously made it funny on purpose. Because that's who I am. A comedian. I make people laugh." Mantis replied while crossing his claws and turning his head.

"Ah huh, right. Keep telling yourself that, Wood." Crane joked.

Mantis frowned again as they laughed at him, feeling embarrassed about his reputation getting ruined.

Po smiled and turned to Tigress. "What about you?"

Tigress finished her meal and just looked straight ahead with a deadpan expression. "Honor roll student, top of all my classes, straight attendance for the last four years, first place in history and science fair, and captain of female's soccer team."

Tigress took a sip of her juice. "And for some reason, the majority of the men in here consider me the most 'attractive' woman in school. Which I find both disturbing and disrespectful, as I am not some dumb girl desperate for attention or approval."

Tigress turned to face Po, who dropped his jaw in amazement. "What?"

Po immediately shook his head. "N-Nothing! It's just that… I knew you were talented, but I didn't think you'd be responsible for such important roles."

Tigress slight angrily narrowed her eyes in offense. "What is that supposed to mean?"

The rest of the group made an 'oh snap' expression as Po tried his best to explain himself.

"Uh, w-what I mean is… you know. That sounds like a lot of responsibility for just one person. I admire it. How do you manage to do that?" Po corrected himself.

Tigress stayed silent for a few seconds before cooling down and turned back to her plate. "Simple. Integrity, concentration, and discipline. Something you could definitely work on."

Po smiled but then narrowed his eyes. "Huh, hey!"

The rest of the group then broke out laughing as Po felt a bit embarrassed, but eventually smiled as Tigress actually made a joke for once.

"What? I was being serious." Tigress told the group.

And there it went, making Po's smile drop. Still, it was nice that Tigress got to make the group laugh for once.

Po then had to ask. "What about Tai Lung? Or that group he always hangs out with?"

The group then got silent and serious for a moment for a while before Monkey took out his phone and opened Instagram.

Monkey clicked on Tai Lung's profile, showing Po a picture of him and his goons. "Tai Lung. Captain of the football team and somehow manages to not get expelled or suspended with the stupid crap he always pulls off."

"Who are they? They're like the only girls I've seen that hang out with them." Po asked.

Viper looked at the picture and rolled her eyes. "Ugh, the Wu Sisters."

Po titled his head with a confused expression. "The Who Sisters?"

Viper explained. "The Wu Sisters. Su, Wing and Wan Wu. They're all part of the female tennis team and think they're the most prettiest girls in school if not the entire valley."

"I mean, they ain't wrong about that. They're kinda hot." Mantis joked, earning a hiss from Viper that immediately made him shut up.

Viper continued. "They're also part of Tai Lung's Karate gang. The only girls in their dojo."

Crane warned Po. "Just watch out for them. They might seem beautiful, but they're just as terrible as Tai Lung. So, don't get fooled by their pretty looks. Especially Su, the eldest."

Po nodded. "Got that."

Tigress growled and crossed her arms. "Grr… that spoiled little princess gets under my skin. She thinks she is so pretty and skilled that she could take me on a one to one match. I'll show her one day. Soon, it will just me and her on the mat and THEN I'll show her who the real freak is."

The rest of the table stayed awkwardly quiet as Tigress raised her fist in front of her, ending her monologue dramatically.

Po slowly nodded his head again. "Oookaaay.… Wu Sisters are jerks. Thanks for the heads up, you guys."

The bell rang, meaning lunch was over. All the students started throwing away their plates and went on their way to class.

"Well, on to the next class. I can't wait for after school. Finally about to start on the book club and I'm excited!" Crane said with enthusiasm.

"Same here. Gotta start working on the new script for the first play of the school year." Mantis replied.

"Just try to make it good this time and not an unintentional comedy." Monkey joked while they walked to the exit.

"Intentional comedy, Monkey!" Mantis complained.

The group then went out the hallway and parted ways as they all headed to their next class. Po walked next to Tigress, causing some students to stare before walking off.

"Geez. I get that guys consider you the most attractive girl in school, but come on." Po tried to joke.

"It's not me they are staring at." Tigress corrected.

"Then what is it?" Po asked.

"People are not accustomed to see someone like me hang out with someone like you. Someone they would consider an outcast associating with someone they claim to be of higher social status would be considered a taboo in places like this, as ridiculous as it sounds." Tigress explained while walking straight.

Po let out a half crooked smile. Not because he was hurt by her words, but because she was right and it was the hard truth. Someone like Po would never be accepted with someone like Tigress. Society had its standards, and he did not meet them.

"Does it… bother you?" Po asked with concern, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

"Not at all. I couldn't care less about what people think about me. For I know, I am much more skillful and honorable than any person in this school." Tigress replied with determination.

"Wow. I wish I had your confidence." Po said as he held to his backpack.

"Perhaps you should train on that. It helps. I would know. Years of practice." Tigress stated as she turned on the corner.

"No offense, but is that all you can think about? Training? Nothing else? Nothing… you know. Fun?" Po asked, a bit afraid he might be overstepping boundaries.

"What you consider fun, I find a nuisance. In life, one must work hard to achieve what they want. In order to succeed, you must make sacrifices." Tigress replied.

"I get that, but you know, loosening up once in a while wouldn't hurt." Po said.

"Loosening up?" Tigress raised a brow.

"Yeah, you know. Just relaxing. I would know about that." Po tried to joke.

"No offense, Po. But I have worked too hard my entire life to achieve where I am right now and I cannot let anything else get in the way. I don't expect someone like you to understand." Tigress replied coldly.

Po suddenly stopped, making Tigress turn around with curiosity. She was surprised to be met with a look full of hurt and disappointment.

"Someone like me. Huh?" Po asked rhetorically, feeling hurt this time.

"Po. What I mean is-" Tigress tried to explain, but Po interrupted.

Po raised his paw. "No, Tigress. It's okay. I get it. How could a fat, lousy and childish panda EVER understand the concept of responsibility. Just so you know, not that you care or anything, but I have just as many responsibilities as you do."

Po continued as Tigress stood there in awkward silence. "Oh, it's not much. I just happen to help my dad with the restaurant as soon as I'm done with school. I help prep the vegetables, sanitize the food, wait the tables, clean, sweep and mop. And at the very end of the day, when I can barely stand, I have to close and get ready for a whole new day tomorrow. Which I have been doing since I was 13, mind you."

"But of course, none of that matters because I'm not a Karate expert or some sort of grade A student like you. It's not that I don't have feelings or something because someone like me is of no importance right? Right?" Po kept asking rhetorically.

Tigress stood in absolute silence, not having any words to respond to that.

Po sneered and nodded. "Exactly. Maybe you're right, Tigress. Maybe someone like me shouldn't be hanging out with someone like you. I'll do you a favor and just stop talking to you completely. After all, I'm nothing but a pester for you. Right?"

Po walked past her and got inside the classroom, taking his seat on the craft table and putting his backpack on the stool next to him.

Tigress looked at him, knowing he was very upset at her and tried to keep his distance away from her, making her feel awkward and ashamed of herself.

She wanted to say something in order to make up for it, but the damage was done and Tigress knew she messed up. It wasn't the time anyway, as art class had already started.

"Way to go, Tigress." The feline thought to herself as she sat on the same table she sat last time.

After school, Tigress walked out of her last class and looked for her friends before they went to their after school programs to further discuss the issues at hand.

She then saw Po walking out of school and heading over to the exit. Tigress decided to follow him to try and apologize for her words, but part of her denied it.

"What if he doesn't want to talk to me anymore? What if he doesn't forgive me? Nonsense. I must take accountability for my actions" Tigress thought as she tried to approach Po.

Suddenly, she was stopped by Tai Lung getting in the way, making her grit her eyes in annoyance.

"Woah there. Running off a little too early, aren't you, dear?" Tai Lung asked while placing his paw against the lockers.

Tigress bit her lips, trying her best to remain calm. "Not now, Tai Lung. Move."

Tai Lung smirked. "Oh, come on, baby. Don't be like that. You can't deny that you and I click. Just like that."

Tigress scoffed. "Click? Right. You manage to click all my buttons and make me go insane with how arrogant, selfish and manipulative you are. Now if you excuse me, I have somewhere to attend to."

Tigress tried to walk past, but was grabbed by the arm very tightly by Tai Lung, making her flinch and freeze where she stood.

"Hey… I'm trying to be nice here." Tai Lung nearly snarled.

Tigress immediately started shaking in fear again, not being able to fight the urge to run and hide.

"So, once again. Can we talk? You know? Privately?" Tai Lung asked in a stern tone.

Tigress felt completely vulnerable and weak standing before Tai Lung, making her heart beat faster than normal.

"I d-don't want to be anywhere alone w-with you… not after what you did last time…" Tigress stuttered.

Tai Lung smiled as he leaned closer to her. "Oh, please. Don't act like you didn't want to. I saw it in your eyes, kitten. You wanted me, but didn't know how to react or what to do. You can't deny that you need a man like me in your life to tell you what you need to do. To show you the way to get through life…"

Tigress felt her tears rolling down her eyes, both out of fear and anger. She yanked her arm away from him, catching Tai Lung by surprise as she raised a finger at him.

"Don't you EVER lay a hand on me again, Tai Lung! I don't need a man to tell me what to do with my life. ESPECIALLY one that is so condescending, egotistical and cruel like you! So, unless you want me to report you for sexual harassment, I suggest you walk away and LEAVE. ME. ALONE." Tigress snarled at Tai Lung.

Tai Lung just kept smirking. "Go ahead. Because that went so well last time, right?"

Tigress just kept snarling her teeth at him. Suddenly, one of his goons came to get him.

"Yo, Tai! Come on, we're gonna be late for training!" His friend said.

Tai Lung smiled and waved his fingers in front of Tigress. "See you around, kitten."

He finally walked away with the rest of his buddies as the Wu Sisters stood across from her, with Su in the middle.

"Aww, look at her. I think someone's feeling a bit too soft, don't you think?" Su asked her sisters, who just smiled and nodded in agreement.

Tigress growled at them, trying not to let them get the best of her, but Su was doing a really good job in getting on her nerves.

"Ooh, easy there. Don't wanna get a bit too feisty there, won't you?" Su asked with a smirk.

Tigress crossed her arms. "No. Because unlike you, I have better things to do with my time rather than waste my time talking to you, Princess."

She turned to leave. "Now if you excuse me, I got a soccer game to practice for. I suggest you three head to your dojo. After all, it's the only place you are ever wanted in."

Su gasped and then growled while Tigress walked away, not believing she got the last laugh.

"Hmph! Come on, girls! Let's head to practice!" Su crossed her arms and led her sisters out of the building.

Tigress made her way to the girl's restroom, trying her absolute best not to break down before she got there. She burst in and started hyperventilating. Thankfully, no one else was there except her.

She rapidly breathed in and out, trying her best to calm down after the encounter she had with Tai Lung. Her paws couldn't stop shaking as fear was rising from her heart.

Even worse, she didn't get to apologize to Po. Now, she ended the day on a terrible note with Po being upset at her. Something she blamed herself for.

Suddenly, the door opened behind her. Tigress gasped and turned around to see who it was, getting angry that someone was intruding her privacy.

It was Viper, who had a worried expression as soon as she came in. "Tigress?"

Tigress calmed down a bit and exhaled deeply. "Oh. Hey, Viper."

Viper tilted her head as she noticed her paws still shaking. "Tigress? Are you okay?"

Tigress crossed her arms and looked away. "I'm okay."

Viper frowned and approached her, trying to reach her with her tail. "Tigress. Please, you don't have to-"

Tigress gently pushed her tail away with a stern tone. "I said I'm okay, Viper."

Viper jumped back a bit, but sighed in disappointment. "It's Tai Lung, isn't it?"

Tigress gritted her eyes and turned back to the mirror, giving Viper her answer.

Viper slithered towards her. "Tigress… whatever happened between you and Tai Lung. You know you can tell me, right? You're like my sister. You can trust me…"

Tigress gripped her claws against the sink, gritting her teeth and trying to control her anger.

Viper tried to approach her again. "Tigress-"

Tigress turned around and had enough, making Viper widen her eyes in surprise. "I SAID I'M OKAY, VIPER!"

Tigress had lost it. "I don't need to talk about anything! My business is mine and mine alone! I'm sick and tired of everyone telling me that I should just 'talk about it' or 'let it go' as if that's supposed to magically make me feel any better!"

She raised her paws in frustration. "You know what would make me feel better? If people stopped TRYING to make me feel better! When is everyone going to understand that I just want to be LEFT ALONE!?"

Viper just stood there with a heartbroken and disappointed expression as Tigress breathed heavily from her outburst.

The snake just nodded her head and changed her expression to neutral. "Very well then, Tigress. I'll leave now. See you at practice, don't be late."

Tigress had just realized what she said and immediately regretted it. "Viper, wait!"

It was too late, Viper had already slithered out of the room, making Tigress feel much more guilty and embarrassed than before.

She growled and punched the wall hard. "Stupid feelings… I need to do better!"

All of the five had left to do their after school programs while Po rode his bicycle to the grocery store where his dad had texted him to meet at as they had to restock on their food supplies.

About half an hour later, Po arrived to the grocery store and parked the bike next to one of the light posts before he chained it shut.

Mr. Ping parked the van in the lot and walked up to the entrance where Po was at. Po then noticed a building across the street that really caught his attention.

Cobra Kai Karate

Po gasped and smiled brightly at the sight while Mr. Ping tried to get his attention.

"Po! Are you coming?" Mr. Ping asked.

Po turned back to him and pointed at the building across. "Uh, you go ahead, dad. I'm going to check something out real quick."

Mr. Ping just nodded and let him. "Alright, just be careful."

Po gave a thumbs up and carefully walked across the street to reach the Karate dojo. He arrived to the entrance and walked in, hearing the bell ring as soon as he did.

"Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it!?" An immense voice asked out loud.

"No, sensei!" A group of young voices replied.

Po raised his brow at the sound of someone else talking loudly.

"Pain does not exist in this dojo, does it!?" The other voice asked again.

"No, sensei!" The teens replied.

Po noticed a cardboard cutout of a giant yak in a white gi doing a fighting pose. Next to the cutout, there was a picture of the same yak doing another pose while holding on to a championship belt.

"Defeat does not exist in this dojo, does it!?" The voiced, which Po assumed was the Yak, asked again.

"No, sensei!" The teens replied.

Po then looked at several medals and trophies that were placed in front of the entrance, demonstrating the Yak's achievements. He also noticed a picture of the Yak in a military outfit and beret while holding a machine gun.

"General Kai, Chinese Army, Karate Champion." The picture said underneath.

"FEAR DOES NOT EXIST IN THIS DOJO, DOES IT!?" The voice asked again, much louder this time.

"NO, SENSEI!" The teens replied with the same intensity.

Po finally turned to see the class taking place, where Kai was wearing a black Karate gi and standing among the students who were sitting on their knees on the mat.

"PAIN DOES NOT EXIST IN THIS DOJO, DOES IT?!" Kai asked while crossing his arms.

"NO, SENSEI!" The students replied.

"DEFEAT DOES NOT EXIST IN THIS DOJO, DOES IT!?" Kai asked one last time.

"NO, SENSEI!" The students replied as Po stood behind the class as well as some parents.

"Prepare!" Kai exclaimed, making the students get up on their feet immediately.

Po widened his mouth in admiration as Kai was instructing his students.

"What do we learn here!?" Kai asked

"The way of the fist, sir!" The students answered.

"And what is that way!?" Kai asked again.

"Strike first! Strike hard! No mercy!" The students answered again.

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Kai exclaimed.

"STRIKE FIRST! STRIKE HARD! NO MERCY!" The students replied again with much more intensity.

Kai nodded his head and turned to one of his students. "Mr. Lung!"

"Yes, sensei!" A familiar voice replied.

"Warn them up!" Kai commanded.

Po widened his eyes, recognizing that voice immediately but hoped it wasn't who he thought it was. The student went to the front of the class and bowed down along with the rest of the students.

Once they all bowed down, Po saw the student in the front and his worst fear came true. Tai Lung stood at the front with his gi and black belt as he immediately spotted Po standing near the entrance.

Tai Lung was surprised at first, but immediately smirked seeing his target in the dojo. Po made an annoyed and irritated expression before getting up to leave.

Tai Lung stood with his fists in front of his hips. "Ais! Fighting positions! Jab punch! Ready!"

"Hiya!" Tai Lung exclaimed while throwing jabs with everyone else following allong and smirking at Po while he made his way to the exit.

As the class went on, Po marched straight out of there, not wanting to stay a second longer as he made his way back to his dad.

An hour later, Po and Mr. Ping finished buying groceries before heading out the exit.

Mr. Ping noticed his son's disappointed expression. "What is it, Po?"

"Oh, nothing." Po replied, not wanting to get too into it.

Mr. Ping walked to the van next to Po. "Po, come on. I get that moving here was a bit of a tough call, but I promise, it will be worth it soon."

"Yeah, dad. I know." Po said with no excitement.

As they walked, Tai Lung and his group just walked out of the building. They were about to leave, but Tai Lung spotted Po across the street and said something inaudible to his friends while pointing at him.

"Po. You know I'm always here if you need me, right?" Mr. Ping assured.

"I know, dad. I appreciate it. Thank you." Po replied.

Tai and his group immediately rushed out to their motorcycles as Mr. Ping smiled and patted Po on the stomach.

"Come back home safely, alright? Remember not to stay out too late again." Mr. Ping said before getting in the van.

"I won't. Promise." Po answered as his dad made his way out of the parking lot and drove back home.

Po decided to clear his mind by going to some local comic book shop and see if he could buy some new action figures or manga he'd been wanting to read.

After a long day of walking around the valley, nighttime and Po made his way home on his bicycle. He smiled to himself as he finally felt a bit relieved from all the recent constant stress and anxiety he had been dealing with.

Suddenly, Tai Lung and his group revved their motorcycles from behind, making Po suddenly turn around.

"Hey, panda!" Tai Lung called out as they drove up to him.

Po gasped and tried to pedal as fast as he could to get away from Tai Lung, but they were much faster and caught up to him easily.

"Looking for your way back to where you came from?" One of his goons asked in a mocking way as they all grouped up and caught him in the middle.

"He wants to learn karate!" Tai Lung laughed.

"Hey, stop it!" Po exclaimed as he squirmed and tried to get out.

"Well, here's your first free lesson! How to take a fall! Don't think about the pain!" Tai Lung said before shoving Po off the road.

Po yelped as he fell down a downhill and rolled down, hitting some rocks in the process. Tai Lung and his goons laughed as they drove away as Po landed with a thud on his back on the bottom of the hill, receiving a bloody bruise on his head.

Some time later, Mr. Ping had just closed the restaurant and walked to the back to take out the trash. Until suddenly, he saw and heard Po limping and crying out loud.

"Stupid bike! I hate this bike!" Po cried out loud as he slammed his bike against the dumpster.

"I hate this fricking bike! You stupid bike!" Po lifted his bike and threw it inside the dumpster with a slam.

Mr. Ping gasped and rushed up to him while he kept on kicking the dumpster. "Po! Po, what's the matter!? Why did you throw your bike away!?"

Po turned around, facing away from his dad. "Because I felt like it alright!"

"Po! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Mr. Ping went up to him and forced him to turn around.

Po turned to his dad, revealing his bloody bruise and tears swelling in his eyes.

Mr. Ping gasped in shock and horror. "Oh, dear goodness!"

The goose held Po by his stomach. "Po! Please tell me what is going on! And don't say it was another accident!"

Po threw his paws up in frustration. "Well, what do you want to hear, dad!?"

"The truth!" Mr. Ping replied.

"No, dad! You don't want to hear the truth! You just want to hear how great it is here! Maybe it's great for you, but it sucks for me!" Po exclaimed in anger as he went to the wall.

"I hate this place! I hate it, I just want to go home! Why can't we just go back home!?" Po shouted angrily while crying and elbowing the wall.

Mr. Ping gently approached him and tried to calm him down. "Po… I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

"I have to take karate!" Po fired back.

Mr. Ping got confused. "Karate?"

"Yes! I have to find a good school and learn karate!" Po exclaimed with tears in his face.

"Po. Fighting doesn't solve anything." Mr. Ping reassured.

"Yeah? Well neither does beautiful mountains or cheap rent!" Po retorted angrily.

Mr. Ping looked hurt at his comment. "Po… that's not fair."

"Not fair!? NOT FAIR!? You know what's not fair!? Having to make us move down here without even asking me! No, cause all you care about is how pretty the place is! Or how convenient it is for you! O-Or how much money we save up by living here! THAT is not fair!" Po shouted in tears.

Mr. Ping stayed quiet for a moment before looking down and holding his wings in shame. "You're right, Po… I should have asked you. I'm sorry, my boy."

Po scoffed and turned to get inside. "Right, you're sorry. That's all I ever hear from everyone. That they're sorry for me. I just want to leave and forget this place."

Mr. Ping looked up. "Po! What about your bike?"

"I'll just take the bus! It's much safer!" Po replied from inside as he headed to his room.

Mr. Ping looked down at the ground again in shame. "Oh, dear. What have I done? I'm such a terrible and selfish father…"

The goose sniffled and let out some tears before leaving back inside the restaurant. After the whole commotion was over, Mr. Oogway peeked his head out of the shack and looked at the building in front of him where they had gone back into.

He then looked to the dumpster, seeing the destroyed bike thrown in there. Oogway sadly narrowed his eyes and got his tools. It was going to be a bit of overtime for his shift tonight…

Chapter Text

The next morning, Po woke up and went to check on his wound in his mirror. He sighed as it formed a bit darker, so he went to put a gauze on it to prevent it from getting worse.

"Third day. Woo hoo." Po told himself with no enthusiasm as he got changed, got his backpack and headed out of his room.

He got downstairs, where his dad had already cooked them a meal. Mr. Ping smiled and looked up to see him walk by the kitchen.

"Po. I made you some-" Mr. Ping tried to offer, but Po ignored him and just walked straight to the door.

He exited the restaurant without saying a word and slamming the door, making Mr. Ping sigh and look down again with a heartbroken expression.

"Po…" He sighed in defeat before going back to cooking as he had to get ready for opening the restaurant.

Po got to the bus stop and got in, not bothering to look at anyone and just walked to the very back, finding an empty seat all for himself. That was exactly what he needed, so he went to sit and lay his head against the window.

He took a deep breath and tried to relax before getting to school by putting on some headphones and listening to something relaxing. Po put his backpack next to him to avoid anyone from sitting with him. Not like they would, but he would rather be prepared.

Meanwhile, Tigress arrived at school first and noticed Viper by the lockers. She took a deep breath and went towards her, wanting to make amends one step at a time.

"Viper." Tigress greeted.

Viper simply looked up from her locker then back at her items inside as she was accommodating her books. "Oh. Hello, Tigress."

Tigress sighed. "Viper… about yesterday."

Viper raised her tail and shut her eyes. "Don't, Tigress. You already said it, it's none of my business. I respect that, but I don't appreciate you treating me like a stranger. Because I'm not, I'm basically your sister. Or am I not?"

Tigress looked down, feeling ashamed. "You are. You're my best friend in the entire world. Nothing is ever going to change that."

She gritted her eyes and clenched her fists. "But… I'm just tired of everyone telling me to say what happened. I don't want to… At least, not yet. I'm not ready… and I don't know how long that will take."

Viper sighed and closed her locker before looking up at her. "It's okay, Tigress. I forgive you for yesterday, but you can't let your past intervene with the people who care about you. I'm not asking for you to say anything, I'm just asking you to let me near you. It hurts me to see you like this."

Viper looked at her with her sweet and gentle emerald eyes. "I don't want you to keep punishing yourself for something that wasn't your fault. Just… try to be more open, is all I'm saying. You don't have to change your ways or anything, but at least try to be more honest with us. Please…"

Tigress looked down at her best friend with a hurt expression before nodding her head. "You're right, Viper. I'm so sorry… you guys are the only ones that have been there for me the entire time. And I don't want to make you all think I don't appreciate you. I'm just… hurt."

She clenched her firsts and slightly trembled. "Even after such a long time, it still hurts…"

Viper gently reached for her paw, but Tigress flinched and backed off, giving Viper the hint not to proceed. The rest of the group came and saw them talking by the lockers.

"So, you two finally made up?" Mantis asked while standing on Monkey's shoulder.

"I don't know, did we?" Viper asked Tigress with a playful tone and a raised brow.

Tigress looked down, smiled a bit and crossed her arms. "I believe so. I just need to apologize to Po now."

A few minutes later, the bus arrived to the school and Po was the last one to get off. He just kept walking and put his hoodie up, not really wanting to see or talk to anyone.

The five were talking together, until Tigress finally spotted him walking by the entrance. She took her chance and rushed up to him, causing the rest to get confused.

"Huh? Tigress? Where are you going?" Monkey asked, but she was already off quickly to catch up to Po before he could enter the school.

Even with the hoodie on, she recognized that figure anywhere and could tell it was him from a mile away.

"Po!" Tigress said as he walked inside, but barged besides her.

Tigress noticed something was wrong and went to gently grab him by the arm. "Po, wait. Please."

Po gently yanked his arm away from her and tried to keep walking. Tigress wouldn't budge and went to stand in front of him again, trying to stop him from reaching further beyond the entrance door.

"Po! Please let me speak!" Tigress exclaimed a little more firmly.

Po took off his headphones and looked up at her. "What!? What do you want!? I thought you said I was the one being a pester, but it looks like you might want to take a turn now!"

Tigress gently backed away. "That was uncalled for."

Po twitched his eye. "Oh, you want to go there? How about you being a total jerk to me when we first met when all I tried to do was be your friend? Was that called for?"

Tigress gently frowned. "Po… why are you acting like this?"

"Acting how? Angry? Frustrated? Depressive? Is it so bad for a man to act on his emotions? Is that not part of the hardcore lifestyle?" Po fired back.

Tigress's expression went from surprised to slightly angry. "Hey. Now listen, I'm trying to apologize here."

Po scoffed. "Okay. Apologize for what, exactly? You already said what you said yesterday and I know you meant it. I'm not that stupid. You're only apologizing because you're embarrassed, not because you actually mean it. So, if you excuse me. I must get going now."

Po walked past her again, but Tigress took him by the hoodie and made him turn around again to face her.

"Okay, Po. I tried to be nice, but you're just-" Tigress was about to rant, but halted as soon as she saw his uncovered face.

She widened her eyes and slightly gasped at the huge bruise on Po's head that was covered with a gauze.

"Po?… what happened?" Tigress asked with genuine concern.

Po just looked at her with an annoyed expression, but then saw Tai Lung and his gang hanging out by the parking lot in front of the school next to their bikes.

His expression immediately changed to one of fear and despair as he really wanted to get out of there. "I-I gotta go…"

Po immediately turned and walked away as fast as he could. The five took notice of the commotion and went to figure out what was wrong.

"Po? Are you alright? What's happening?" Crane asked.

Viper gasped as she noticed the bruise on his head. "Po! What happened to your head!?"

"Just leave me alone, please!" Po exclaimed with despair and annoyance as he walked away from the group.

Tigress just stood there, not believing that the same goofy and friendly panda had turned bitter sour in just a few days of meeting him. The group turned to Tigress and walked up to her.

"What is going on, Tigress? What did you say this time?" Monkey asked.

"I didn't say anything!" Tigress retorted.

"Well, what was that giant bruise on his head?" Mantis asked suspiciously.

Tigress widened her eyes and turned around to see Tai Lung laughing and talking with his friends in the front of the school.

"I think I know." Tigress said while glaring and marching straight towards Tai Lung.

The group got worried and decided to go after her before she could do anything stupid.

"Tigress, wait!" Viper exclaimed worriedly.

She didn't listen and kept walking towards Tai Lung, shoving and pushing some people aside as she did. Tai Lung laughed at one of his friend's jokes before turning to see Tigress walking straight towards him.

"Well, look at this. Kitten's coming right for me-" Tai Lung motioned at the striped feline heading his way, catching the attention of his friends, before she demanded to know.

"What did you do?" Tigress asked with a menacing expression.

Tai Lung tilted his head in 'confusion'. "What do you mean?"

"Don't. Play. The fool. What did you do, Tai Lung?" Tigress asked through gritted teeth, not buying his act for a second.

The Wu Sisters were there too, watching everything unfold as Su seemed entertained by her behavior while the rest of the five watched with worry and concern.

"Now, come on, kitten. Why don't you-" Tai Lung said before Tigress immediately side kicked his bike, making it fall to the side along with the rest of the gang's bikes in a domino effect.

This caused a huge scene as almost everyone in the front stopped to stare at the commotion, making her friends drop their jaws in shock while Tai Lung merely raised a brow and crossed his arms at the bikes falling, feeling no effect or intimidation whatsoever.

"WHAT DID YOU DO, TAI LUNG!?" Tigress shouted at his face.

Tai Lung sighed and got up from the balcony he was sitting on before facing her with an unamused expression. "I assure you, dear. I don't know what you're talking about."

Tigress and Tai Lung stood face to face for a few seconds as she felt her breath increase with both anger and frustration.

"I know you did something to Po." Tigress said with her same menacing voice.

"Oh, the panda." Tai Lung said without any interest.

He raised his bottle of water to sip it and gently whispered almost inaudibly. "Shoved the fatso off the top of a hill…"

Tigress widened her eyes with immense fury. "What?…"

Tai Lung finished sipping his water and put on a confused façade. "What? I didn't say anything?"

Tigress immediately socked him in the face, causing him to simply turn his head before her friends immediately came to drag her off.

"You bastard! I know what you did! Don't play stupid! I know what you did!" Tigress shouted as her friends dragged her off.

Tai Lung merely wiped some blood off his lip and smiled as he saw her being dragged away while everyone else stood there watching the whole scene.

"Tigress! Now's not the time! We gotta leave now!" Crane told her as him and the rest dragged her away.

"Tigress, please! People are staring! We don't want this to be on us!" Viper tried to calm her down.

Su came next to Tai Lung as she smiled and crossed her arms. "Right. Let your loser friends tell you what to do. Just walk away and go back to being the sheltered freak you are. Bye bye now."

Tigress snarled and tried to go give her a piece of her mind, but was held back by her friends again.

"Tigress… please." Monkey pleaded and motioned at the crowd with his eyes, feeling his social anxiety rising to a high level.

Tigress growled internally and yanked her arms away from her friends to walk on her own. They followed right behind her as Tai Lung stood there with an amused expression.

"You're just lucky you didn't break anything! I could sue for damages, you know!" Tai Lung called from afar, making his goons laugh while the group walked away.

The group then headed away from the rest of the crowd, trying to find some privacy with everyone staring at them.

"What?! Turn around, you morons! There's nothing to see unless you want to get involved!" Monkey angrily exclaimed, making people walk away.

They finally found some privacy in the courtyard located in the center of the school.

"Tigress! What was that!? What did you do!? We could have gotten in triuble!" Crane asked frantically.

Tigress got offended. "Me!? It was all him! He did this!"

Viper gently raised her tail. "Tigress. Calm down. What are you talking about?"

"Does this have to do with why Po just walked away in a huff?" Mantis asked.

"Yes! He did something to Po again! He mumbled something about pushing him off a hill!" Tigress replied angrily.

The rest of the group widened their eyes in absolute shock and horror that Tai Lung would do such a horrible thing. Not that they didn't expect anything nice out of the guy, but to push someone off a hill? That's basically attempted murder.

Monkey growled and gripped his fist. "That's it! Let's go back and end this once and for all! I'm tired of this psycho getting away with this crap!"

Viper gently held his wrist. "Monkey… you know we can't do that."

Crane looked down in sadness. "Not after what happened last time. We'd just be repeating the same mistake we did."

Mantis got frustrated. "Well we have to do something! The teachers here ain't worth jackshit! We can't just let him get away with it! Not anymore!"

Tigress gritted her eyes and clenched her fists. "I know… but we can't do anything. Not yet, at least. I still have to talk with Po. And knowing him, I don't think he'd want to get involved. You saw how he walked away today."

Monkey raised his paws. "But he's our friend! We already let him down once, we can't let him down again!"

Viper sighed. "I'm afraid Tigress is right."

Mantis got flabbergasted. "What!? I'm sorry, Viper. I love you and all, but this is bullshit! We can't let this stand!"

"I don't believe so either. But the victim here, is Po. He's the one who gets the final say as to how we deal with this. If he wants to take this up with someone, we will. If he doesn't want to get involved, we can't force him." Viper said.

Monkey looked at Crane. "You can't be okay with this, are you?"

Crane sighed and looked away. "They're right. Po is our friend, but we can't make choices for him. We'd be no better than Tai Lung if we act on something that he wouldn't agree with."

Mantis shook his head. "Wow, and I thought I'd be the one losing my head after getting married. You're all deluding yourselves."

Monkey agreed. "Yeah. The only way we're being bad friends is not sticking up for Po."

The bell rang, breaking the tension as they all had to head to class now.

Tigress exhaled deeply. "Look… let's just talk to Po first. If you two really care about him, then we have to talk to him first."

Crane raised a brow. "You mean you have to talk to him first. You know, to fix your screw up from yesterday?"

Tigress gritted her eyes and fists. "Yes… yes I do. But right now, we must head to class. We can discuss this at lunch. If any of us find Po, we approach him calmly. We don't want to cause him anymore harm or pressure than he must already have."

The group agreed and went their separate ways in order to head to class. All of them hoping time would go on quickly to be able to see their friend again.

A few hours later, lunch came and the five immediately started looking for Po before getting any food.

"Alright. I'll look for him in the southern hall. Viper and Crane, you can look in the courtyard. Monkey and Mantis, you look near the gymnasium." Tigress instructed, showing off her leadership skills.

The rest nodded and went on to search for Po. Everyone went to search in their respective places while Tigress looked around in the southern hall. She finally found him. There he was sitting by himself against the lockers with his plate on the floor.

Tigress made a sad expression and slowly walked towards him. "Po?…"

Po looked up and was about to pick up his plate to leave. Tigress sighed and went towards him before he could leave.

"Po, please. Just listen to me. Five minutes, it's all I'm asking." Tigress pleaded.

Po didn't listen and was just about to walk away. Tigress really didn't want to, but she had to get stern with him if she wanted the panda to listen.

Tigress took him by the shirt and made him face her. "JUST LISTEN TO ME."

Po stood in silent as Tigress held him by the shoulders, making an expression combined with fear and slight embarrassment.

It soon changed into one of annoyance as Po frowned at her. "What do you want?"

Tigress sighed and let him go. "Look. I'm sorry, okay? I'm really sorry, Po. You're right. I was a jerk to you and I shouldn't have said what I said yesterday. You've been nothing but nice to me and there was no excuse for my irrational behavior."

She closed her eyes and continued. "You don't deserve this and I know it was selfish of me to let my problems onto you without knowing anything about you. I know now that you struggle as much as I do and I won't ever compare myself to you again."

Tigress looked up at him. "I don't know what is happening, but if you don't want to tell me. That is totally fine. Just how you didn't intrude in my business, I won't intrude in yours. All I'm asking… is for us to start all over again."

She extended her paw towards him. "Can we start as friendly acquaintances and go from there? Like when you first came to the park?"

Po looked down at her paw then back at her. "Just leave me alone. I have enough to deal with as it is. I don't even want to be here. The only reason I'm here is because I was dragged into this town. I was better off where I came from, instead of being here to be used as a punching bag for that jerk of yours."

Tigress gently put down her paw with a slightly hurt expression as Po just looked at her with frustration and annoyance.

"If there's nothing else for you to say, I'll be going now. See ya." Po finished as he grabbed his plate, threw it into the trash and headed towards the exit.

"Wait, what about your injury?" Tigress asked.

Po said nothing as he walked out of the hall. Tigress just saw him leave and looked down at the floor in shame. For once, she felt the same concern her friends did when she started shutting herself down. Tigress knew she couldn't blame him. She understood his pain, even if he didn't think so.

Her phone buzzed, so she looked down to see it was a text from Viper in their group chat. "Did you find him, Tigress?"

Tigress sighed and simply replied. "No…"

She had no choice but to leave him be for now. This was out of their hands now.

After school, Po got on the bus and put on his headphones to ignore the rest of the environment as he made his way home. He kept receiving multiple texts from his friends, desperately asking to see him and to know what was wrong.

Po simply put his phone on mute and leaned against the window. As much as he hated living there, at the very least it had a nice view. He looked at the mountains from afar, which made him wish he could just pack his things and move there. Free from fear. Free from judgment. Free from everything.

The bus arrived to the stop close to Po's home. He really didn't want to be home at the moment, so he texted his dad that he was going to walk around the village. His dad said it was fine and to just be careful. After their argument from last night, the last thing Mr. Ping wanted to do was to make him even more mad.

Po just walked to the pretzel shop that he found last time and ordered one to relieve himself. He sat on one of the tables as he just scrolled through his phone, not knowing what else to do other than mope in self misery.

His phone buzzed again. It was his friends asking for a group call. Po growled in frustration and turned his phone off, really getting annoyed at the constant calls and messages. As soon as he finished his pretzel, he walked to the comics and collection store.

Once he was inside, he saw all of the statuettes and action figures they had for sale. Some of them reminding him of the times he got some when he was a cub. Po still remember how excited he was when his dad got him what was now one of the last Duck Lee action figures.

Po slightly smiled to himself remembering when times weren't as hard. When he could just play around and make himself believe he could do something bigger in life when he got older. How he would always fantasize about being one of the heroes he always saw on TV.

"What a joke…" Po thought to himself as he walked out of the store.

Nighttime came and Po walked back home. He texted his dad was heading back. Mr. Ping said that was fine and that he had already closed the restaurant as it was already 10 minutes until 10 pm before he went to do some shopping.

Po felt a bit relieved after having a whole day off to himself and not having to work. Thankfully, he didn't get much homework, so he didn't have to worry about that either.

He put on his headphones as he walked towards the entrance gate of the restaurant. Suddenly, he looked up and gasped to see his bicycle. Fully repaired and restored with a new paint job as it stood in front of the gate.

Po went towards it, as he couldn't believe it looked brand new. There was only one person in the area who could have fixed it and he knew exactly who it was.

A few minutes later, Mr. Oogway was in his shack. Happily humming to himself as he was cutting on a cherry blossom bonsai tree with some pliers. Po came in with a bowl of soup and knocked on the door.

Oogway turned around and saw Po through the transparent door with a gentle smile. "Yes?"

"Mr. Oogway… did you fix my bike?" Po asked.

"Yes." Mr. Oogway smiled and nodded before going back to his bonsai tree.

Po looked emotional and touched. "Thank you… Mr. Oogway. I appreciate it…"

Mr. Oogway smiled as he kept cutting the tree. "Oh, don't worry about it, my boy."

Po shook his head. "No, really. Thank you. It really means a lot to me. You didn't have to, you know."

"Ah, but then how would you get to school safely? It wouldn't be nice to throw away such a precious bicycle, now would it?" Mr. Oogway replied, still cutting on the bonsai tree.

Po smiled a bit. "No, I don't think it would."

He cleared his throat and composed himself. "Anyways, I brought you some soup. Personally made by me."

Mr. Oogway raised his brows and turned to face the panda. "You made me a meal?"

Po smiled and nodded. "Yeah… I figured it was the least I could do to repay you for your kindness."

"My dear panda, you shouldn't have bothered." Mr. Oogway said.

"Well… you wouldn't want to keep working on an empty stomach now would you? You'd be throwing away a delicious meal." Po joked back.

Mr. Oogway smiled and chuckled, taking a liking to the panda. "You are a clever one, I see. Come on in."

Po opened the door and held the bowl with the other paw as he made his way inside. Po walked to Mr. Oogway and placed the bowl next to his cherry blossom bonsai tree.

"Here. I hope you like it. Just be careful, please. It's still very hot." Po said while handing him a wooden spoon.

Mr. Oogway put down his pliers and went to wash his hands on the sink before sitting back down in front of the bowl. He took the spoon and gently blew on the soup before taking a small sip.

Mr. Oogway's eyes slightly widened as he took in the flavor for the first time and then turned to face Po with a small but surprised expression.

"You cooked this, my dear panda?" Mr. Oogway asked while pointing at the soup.

Po blushed and rubbed his arms. "Yeah… like I said, I made it myself to repay you for fixing my bike."

Mr. Oogway took another sip before happily humming in relief. "Dear boy, you are an excellent painter as well as an excellent cook."

He turned to Po with the same gentle and warm smile. "You sure are full of surprises, dear panda."

Po politely raised his paws at him. "Oh, I don't think I've told you my real name. Please, call me Po."

Mr. Oogway chuckled. "Well, then. Po. Thank you for the meal. I really appreciate it. Even more, that you cooked this yourself."

Po blew his lips and waved his paw. "Oh, it was nothing. Really? If you think that's good, you should try my dad's secret ingredient soup. That really sells well."

Mr. Oogway gently put the spoon down as he had finished the soup. "I shall keep that in mind. If you managed to impress me with your common dish, I could not be able to imagine what else your restaurant could have in store."

Po smiled and nodded. Then, he turned his attention to the cherry blossom bonsai trees.

"I see you're doing some gardening?" Po asked while motioning to the plant.

"Not gardening. I am simply redesigning." Mr. Oogway replied.

"I've never seen tiny cherry blossom trees before. How'd they get so small?" Po asked with interest.

"I train them, of course. Simple. Cut here. Tie here." Mr. Oogway replied while pointing at some parts of the tree with his pliers.

Po made a surprised expression and looked around the room to see a bunch of cherry blossom bonsai trees. All of them perfectly cut and trimmed to the perfect size and shape.

"Did you go to school for this?" Po asked as he brushed his fingers on one of them.

"I taught myself, actually. There are so many things one can learn by themselves as long as they focus from the heart." Mr. Oogway replied as he kept cutting off some twigs.

Po smiled and looked at another one of the trees. "These are really beautiful…"

Mr. Oogway smiled and turned to face him. "Come, Po. Go ahead and try."

He gently took Po by the arm and brought him to another table where another bonsai tree was.

"Oh? Uh, I don't know how to do this stuff?" Po tried to say.

"Sit down, Po." Oogway said as he handed him some other pliers.

"Mr. Oogway, I don't want to mess it up or anything." Po slightly protested while taking the pliers.

Mr. Oogway just smiled at him. "Close your eyes, Po. Trust me."

Po looked at him for a second before following his request and closing his eyes.

"Concentrate. Think only of the tree. Make a perfect picture down to its last cherry blossom. Wipe your mind clean. Erase everything but the tree." Mr. Oogway said in a soothing and reassuring tone.

Po took a deep breath and focused on just the tree itself, forgetting about everything else that went on throughout the day.

Mr. Oogway gently tilted him towards the bonsai tree. "Nothing exists in the whole wide world… only the tree. Do you understand?"

Po gently nodded his head.

"Open your eyes." Mr. Oogway said, making Po follow his request.

"Do you remember the picture you imagined?" Mr. Oogway asked.

Po slightly nodded as he looked at the tree. "Yes."

Mr. Oogway smiled and motioned at the tree. "Good. Now make the picture."

Po looked at the bonsai tree, then back at the pliers in his paw before looking back at the bonsai tree with a slightly determined look.

Mr. Oogway smiled and patted his back before going back to his respective tree. "Trust your mind. Trust the picture."

Po turned to him. "How do I know if it's the right one?"

Mr. Oogway went back to cutting his tree. "As long as it comes form your heart, it will always be the right picture."

Po had a face of realization for a few seconds before finally starting on cutting down his tree. Mr. Oogway smiled as he could see the panda focus on his tree on a reflection in front of him.

Several minutes later, Po had trimmed down the tree to a smaller size. He wanted to believe it was what he had imagined and that he did an okay job.

"I think I got it." Po said as he put the pliers down.

Mr. Oogway turned around to face him. "Do you think? Or do you believe?"

Po slightly rubbed his neck. "I… don't know. I guess I do?"

Mr. Oogway frowned a bit. "I sense great conflict within you, Po. What is going through your mind?"

Po sighed and looked down. "I'm just… lost. Confused. I… don't know what to do. I'm stuck in this place and feel like I can't do anything to escape the pain that follows me. I don't feel like I belong here. I just…feel like I should have never came here. I just wish I could disappear tomorrow and never come back. Perhaps that could solve at least a bit of my insecurities."

Po held his paws and gritted his eyes, trying his best not to cry again.

Mr. Oogway noticed his sadness and walked up to him. "Shouldn't have come. Should have come. Wish to disappear tomorrow. Wish to disappear yesterday."

Po looked up at Oogway, feeling both interested and confused as to what he was trying to say.

"You are too concerned with what was and what will be. There is a saying. 'Yesterday, was history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today… is a gift. That is why it is called present.'" Mr. Oogway said while lifting a claw with a smile.

"I do not know exactly what bothers you, Po. But, you should not be living in constant worry for ocassions that have occurred or haven't occurred yet. Try to focus on the now. Try to concentrate on what you have at the moment. Use that to elevate your spirit. Don't let your emotions get the best of your enthusiasm. Because in the end, the only one who can trully harm you, is yourself." Mr. Oogway said gently.

Po widened his eyes at Mr. Oogway, feeling blown away by his wisdom and knowledge. He looked down in realization and thought about what to do now rather than later.

"Woah… thank you, Mr. Oogway. I really needed that." Po said.

Mr. Oogway smiled and chuckled. "Nonsense, my boy. Take it more as simple advice from an old friend."

Po smiled at the turtle, until a knock was heard at the door. Po turned around to see Mr. Ping standing on the doorway.

"Po. What are you doing here?" Mr. Ping asked as he saw them stand in the shack.

"Oh, dad! I was cutting on my tiny baby cherry blossom!" Po motioned at his bonsai.

"Bonsai cherry blossom tree, Po." Mr. Oogway politely corrected.

"Right, bonsai cherry blossom tree." Po chucked nervously.

Mr. Ping widened his eyes and smiled at the trees. "These are beautiful."

Mr. Oogway went and grabbed one from the shelf to hand it over to Mr. Ping. "Here. A present for you."

Mr. Ping gasped and politely lifted his wings. "Oh, dear sir. That's not really necessary."

Oogway smiled and insisted. "Please, do not hurt an old man's feelings."

Mr. Ping smiled and took the tree. "Oh, alright. Thank you, Mister?"

"Oogway. It is a pleasure to meet you." Mr. Oogway extended his hand.

Mr. Ping smiled and politely shook it. "Mr. Ping, at your services."

"I believe that is my job." Mr. Oogway joked, making both men laugh at his remark.

Po intervened. "Oh, dad! He fixed my bike! It looks as good as new!"

Mr. Ping looked surprised at Mr. Oogway. "Is that so? Thank you very much!"

He then took out his wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

Mr. Oogway politely declined. "Oh, please do not worry about it. It was a pleasure of mine."

Mr. Ping smiled and put his wallet away. "Oh, thank you, good sir. I really appreciate it."

He turned to Po. "Come on, Po. It's getting late and you got school tomorrow."

"Right." Po said before turning to Oogway. "Thank you again, Mr. Oogway."

Oogway handed him his bonsai. "Oh, please. Do not forget your tree. I suggest you keep practicing."

"I will. Thank you, sir." Po smiled and bowed at him out of respect.

"It was a pleasure. Have a good night, Po." Oogway replied while bowing back.

Po and Mr. Ping exited the shack with their trees as Mr. Ping looked a bit troubled about Po.

"Look, Po. About last night. I didn't mean to make these choices without consulting you. I… I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble. I keep forgetting you're growing up now and I should let you make your own choices. Please son… forgive me." Mr. Ping looked up at Po with a genuinely sorry expression.

Po looked down at his father and sighed. "No, dad. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you yesterday. I know you're just trying your best to keep us afloat and successful, I just… want to be able to have a say on the choices too, you know?"

Mr. Ping smiled and hugged him. "Of course, my boy. From now on… you get to decide whether we serve sliced or diced vegetables."

Po slightly laughed as they walked away from the shack. "Oh, come on, dad! You know that's not what I meant."

As they both walked back home, Oogway couldn't help but smile to himself as they had finally made amends with each other. Now it was only a matter of Po making amends with his friends, before making amends with himself…

Chapter Text

The next Friday morning, Po woke up feeling a bit better thanks to the support and sage advice from Mr. Oogway the night before. He got up to get appropriately dressed for school. He got dressed in a white shirt with red outlines and some jeans.

He quickly looked at himself in the mirror to inspect his bruise before heading out the room and making his way downstairs to the kitchen.

“Good morning, son. I made you some breakfast.” Mr. Ping greeted with a smile.

“Morning, dad.” Po replied before taking the soup and sipping it all up and wiped his mouth as soon as he was done.

“I gotta get to school, now.” Po said while waving goodbye.

“Just please, be safe. And no more accidents.” Mr. Ping pointed out before he left.

“I got you, dad.” Po said one last time before getting his newly fixed bike and started to peddle his way to school.

Po took a deep breath and exhaled deeply as he tried to follow Mr. Oogway’s advice on just taking things as they are and trying to make the best of it. As much as he hated having to deal with Tai Lung, he had to acknowledge that he wasn’t alone this time.

Po had his new group of friends. His only group of friends that he ever had in his entire life. He couldn’t just throw them away like nothing. He didn’t want to become just as worse as Tai Lung, so he had to talk with them to make things right.

He hummed to himself as he made his way to school and thought about what to say once he saw them again. Po knew they were worried sick once they started spamming him with constant calls and messages. It was only a matter of reassurance.

Once Po arrived to school, he parked his bike on the ramp and immediately went inside to avoid being seen by Tai Lung and his goons. He started looking for the five all along the hallway.

There he saw them a few feet away while they were all talking around Tigress’s locker. Po took a deep breath before walking up to them, catching the attention of Monkey.

“Po!” Monkey exclaimed as he rushed up to the panda. “There you are!”

The rest of the group turned around and immediately walked up to him.

“Po, why haven’t you answered any of our messages? We were worried sick for you!” Viper slightly raised her voice at him in a concerned manner.

Tigress didn’t say anything and just stood there looking down with her arms crossed, not feeling sure if Po even wanted to talk or hear her anymore given the talk they had the last day.

Po closed his eyes and sighed before raising his paws at them. “I know, I know… I just ghosted you all and it was a jerk move of me to do.”

“Jerk move? More like a dick move, dude. Not cool.” Mantis said while standing on Monkey’s shoulder.

That earned him a whip on the head by Viper. “Ow! What was that for!?”

“Don’t make this about you, Mantis.” Viper scolded Mantis.

“I’m not! I’m just saying it wasn’t cool of him to just disappear on us after what we heard from Tai Lung!” Mantis complained.

Po slightly widened his eyes. “You know?…”

Tigress sighed and looked at him. “He didn’t admit it directly… but yes. We know.”

“Oh…” Po said while looking down and rubbing his paws.

Crane walked up to him and wrapped his wing around his shoulder. “Po… whatever you want to do. Tell us, and we’ll be with you.”

“Come on, Po. Let’s get back at them. It’s the only way they’ll stop.” Monkey offered.

Tigress growled at Monkey, making him shut up, before looking at Po. “We’ve been talking about how to handle it yesterday, but we didn’t want to act on your behalf without your consent.”

Viper slithered up and looked up to him with reassuring eyes. “Just tell us, Po. Whatever you decide to do, we will support you.”

Po looked around at his friend group. He remained silent for a minute before pulling them all into a big bear hug, except for Tigress, of course.

“Oh?” Viper grunted a bit unexpectedly.

Crane and Monkey looked at each other awkwardly before gently patting Po in the back with their paw and wing. Po let them go before smiling at all of them while holding his backpack.

“I’d like for us to sit together at lunch again. Please. That’s all I’m asking for.” Po said with his signature grin, taking everyone by surprise.

Crane snapped out of his trance and smiled back at Po. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”

Viper nodded and smiled as well. “We’ll be there.”

“Awesome, thanks.” Po happily said before making his way to class as the bell rang

Tigress saw him walk away and decided to take another chance. “I’ll meet up with you all later. I need to talk to him again.”

She immediately walked up to him, catching everyone else by surprise again.

“Since when does she care about making amends with others?” Mantis asked.

“Well, we got Po to thank for that.” Viper replied to his snarky comment.

“Progress is progress.” Crane added.

“I just hope he’s alright…” Monkey said a little disappointed that Po didn’t want to take this up to a more serious level.

Tigress walked up to Po as he made his way to class. “Po, wait.”

Po turned around and looked at her. “Yes?”

She halted as soon as she got to him and took a deep breath. “Look… about yesterday. I meant what I said, okay? I really am sorry, Po. You’ve been nothing but nice to me and it’s not fair of me to drag you down on my level.”

Tigress held her paws together. “I’m more than willing to stand up for you. That’s exactly what I tried to do yesterday once I found out, but…”

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists together. “He just knows how to push my buttons…”

Po got a bit concerned as soon as she started getting angry. “Woah, Tigress. It’s okay, really.”

Tigress looked back up at him. “No, Po. It’s not okay. I was rude, cold and vicious to you. You tried to be my friend, and I was terrible because I was afraid… you’d be like him.”

Po just looked at her with worry. “You were worried that I would try to hurt you, too?”

Tigress closed her eyes and gently nodded. “I just… have issues trusting others, alright? I swear it is nothing personal, but I just can’t bring myself to trust others blindly in such a sensible manner. Not since…”

She looked away once again. “My incident…”

Po gently nodded his head. “Thank you, Tigress. I really appreciate you coming up to me and explaining everything. It means a lot.”

He gently approached her and lifted his paws up. “Like I said before, it is not my business to know what happened between you and Tai Ling. But, you don’t have to let it drag you down into a deeper hole.”

Po smiled and lifted a finger. “A wise man once told me that we should appreciate what we have in the moment, because we never know what tomorrow holds.”

Tigress raised a brow in fascination. “Really? Who said that?”

“The maintenance man at my place.” Po slightly snickered.

Her expression immediately dropped. “Oh, I see.”

“Well, the point is. It’s alright, Tigress. I’ve also had my fair share of issues with having to deal with people wanting to put me down while not being able to reach out for support. I guess that’s a reasons why I can’t be mad at you.” Po continued.

“Is it really? Or are you just trying to make me feel better?” Tigress asked.

Po slightly frowned at her. “I mean it, Tigress.”

Tigress immediately composed herself. “Right… I’m sorry again.”

Po smiled at her. “I’d love for us to start again.”

Tigress slightly widened her eyes. “Do you really want to?”

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to start again. Especially since we’re in this together now, right?” Po extended his paw to her.

Tigress looked down at it for a second before looking back at him and slightly shaking it with hers. “Right…”

Po smiled and nodded at her before letting her go. “Alright, I’ll see you at lunch. We really need to get to class, already.

“Right. I’ll see you there.” Tigress before she also made way towards her classroom.

Both Po and Tigress felt a lot more relieved and relaxed now that they managed to talk things out while also getting to establish a chance to start fresh.

“Try not to mess this up.” Both thought to themselves before finally arriving to their designated classrooms.

A few hours later, the group met up at the cafeteria like before and started discussing about Po’s problem.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Po?” Viper asked in a concerning manner.

“I am because I’m with you, guys.” Po replied with a smile.

“But, what happens when we’re not there?” Mantis brought up with caution.

Po sighed and shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.”

Monkey then got an idea. “Hey! Why don’t you come to our dojo?”

Everyone else then brightened up at the suggestion, finally agreeing on a common plan.

“That’s true! You should totally come to our dojo and you could start training Karate with us!” Viper exclaimed happily.

Po slightly widened his eyes. “Wait, really?”

Crane nodded. “Yeah! You could take some lessons for today and we could all work something out to get you enrolled if you’re interested!”

Po nervously rubbed his arm. “I don’t know… what if I totally suck?”

“Well, you have to start somehow.” Tigress said with her arms crossed.

“Right. You’re not going to be Doggie Yen on the first day, dude.” Mantis added.

“Yeah, but I don’t think I’d be able to afford the classes. I don’t have much money saved up and I don’t think my dad will want to pay for Karate out of nowhere.” Po said.

“Oh, don’t worry! We can totally have a talk with our sensei to see if we can work something out!” Viper offered again.

Po looked a bit hesitant. “Are you sure?…”

Crane held his shoulder in reassurance. “It’s okay, Po. Just one session later today. Give it a try.”

Po smiled and looked down. “Well, I always did want to try it out.”

“And this is your chance. You better take it, for we are more than willing to support.” Tigress said.

Po took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right. I need to take an initiative someday. And what better way to start with my friends?”

“Perfect! Here, let me text you the address so you can make your way after school.” Viper said before taking her phone out and texted him the location.

Po opened up his phone and saw the place that was listed on the address.

“Jade Palace Karate?” Po said in fascination.

Crane nodded. “We’ve been training there since childhood. It’s a really good school. Maybe you’ll learn something we don’t know.”

“Not more than me, that’s for sure.” Tigress assured.

“Tigress.” Viper groaned in a frustrated manner.

“I am simply saying no one can surpass my experience and intellect.” Tigress defended herself.

“You never know.” Monkey playfully shrugged.

Po opened up the place’s website and was taken away from how pretty and neat it looked. The outside had the look of a simple ancient red temple. But on the inside, it was gorgeous based on the pictures Po was looking at.

He was also really surprised to see many good reviews from different teachers and trainers from different parts of the country.

“Oh! You guys work with different teachers?” Po asked.

“Well, not to sound superstitious, but the Jade Palace is the most priced and reliable dojo in the northern part of the country. So, it’s very hard to get accepted. That’s why we are the only students there.” Viper explained.

“Only those with true determination and will are the ones who get to train there.” Tigress added.

“So much better than Kai’s Cobra Kai Karate. But the man has money, and apparently, you can just buy your way into success.” Monkey said.

“Like so many other self righteous scumbags.” Mantis rolled his eyes.

“That is why we’re offering you a chance, Po. We know you can do it. Sure, you don’t have much of the skill. But we’ve seen your will, and we know you have potential.” Crane assured.

Po blushed. “Well… thanks, guys. Wow, this is… a lot. I didn’t really expect this at all.”

“Anytime. Just don’t expect a warm welcome from Sensei Shifu. He’s a bit of a hard ass.” Monkey warned.

“A bit? The dude’s got no chill.” Mantis joked.

“Sensei Shifu?” Po tilted his head.

“He’s the owner of the Jade Palace and our sensei, obviously.” Viper said.

“Ah, right.” Po waved his finger in an understanding manner.

“So, what do you say? You’re in?” Monkey asked.

Po thought about it for a second, before vigorously nodding his head. “I’m in!”

Just then, the bell rang as several students stared getting up and made their way back to class.

“Alright, we’ll see you after class. Then, we can make way to the dojo and we’ll show you around.” Viper said before her and the rest went on their separate ways.

Po and Tigress started heading to their art class with Po looking around to make sure Tai Lung wasn’t anywhere near.

“Don’t worry, his class is not in this area.” Tigress reassured while looking and walking forward.

“How did you know-” Po was about to ask before being interrupted.

“I always watch my back for him. And judging by the way you’re reacting right now after your encounters, I’d say you’re doing the same.” Tigress explained.

Po sighed. “Yeah… like I said. I’ve been bullied before, but this guy’s just on a whole other level.”

“Well, maybe you might be able to learn something at the dojo to know how to deal with it.” Tigress replied.

Once they got inside the classroom, Po took his usual spot and put his backpack in the table. Then, Tigress sat next to him. He looked up in slight surprise before offering a genuine smile, which was greeted with a friendly nod from Tigress.

After school was over, The five took the bus on their way to the dojo while Po followed a bit after in his bicycle. Po texted his dad to let him know he’d be out after school for a program he wanted to try. Mr. Ping said that was fine and wanted him home by 10.

Po unlocked his chain and peddled his way to the Jade Palace based on the directions in his phone.

“Alright, make a turn over here.” Po said to himself as he peddled and followed the instructions.

There he saw it. The Jade Palace Karate dojo, home of the Jade Palace Dragons. Just like in the picture, it stood there in the middle of the valley’s plaza. He smiled widely as it looked so much better in person.

“Woah…” Po said in admiration before peddling his way to the front of the building.

He parked his bike next to a street light and took a deep breath before entering the building. Po opened the door and was hit with the automatic breeze of the building’s AC, giving him a brief break from the summer heat.

“Hiya!” The five’s voices cried out.

Po gasped and walked down the hallway that led to the main training room. He looked inside where the five were training their regular routine in their red and black Karate gis. In front of them, stood a red panda dressed in a brown robe while holding a stick and having his arms behind his back. .

The five threw a right hand strike, a left sweep kick and ended the combo with a spinning front high kick while the red panda stood there with one arm behind his back and pointing at them with the stick.

“Good. Very good… if you wanted to disappoint me.” The red panda said while the five stood still in their stance.

“More agility. More speed. And more control over power. Is that clear?” The red panda asked out loud.

“Yes, Sensei Shifu!” The five replied while bowing down with their fists pressed against their palms while Viper raised her tail and bowed her head.

Po gulped nervously and knocked on the doorframe, making Shifu twitch his ear towards his direction and turned to face him along with the five.

“May I help you, panda?” Shifu asked.

Before Po could answer, Monkey happily greeted him. “Po! You came!”

“Oh! Sensei Shifu! This is our friend, Po!” Viper gleefully exclaimed.

“We thought we could invite him over for a free training session!” Crane explained.

Shifu looked at them before looking back at Po. “Is that so?”

Po blushed and started stammering nervously. “Well, I mean… uh, I thought I could… you know… come and…”

Shifu just kept looking at him with an unamused expression as Po kept trying to find the right words to say before looking at him up and down, analyzing him in a quick minute.

“So, you want to learn Karate?” Shifu asked with a smile.

“Uh… yeah.” Po said before being interrupted by Shifu’s loud and stern voice that made him slightly jump.

“WELL, NO. To learn Karate, one must possess the physical skills and ability to be able to truly master the art of self defense.” Shifu told Po in a strict manner before walking up to him.

“And that, is clearly impossible, for someone like you.” Shifu said while walking around him.

“What do you mean someone like me?” Po asked while looking down at him with a raised brow.

“Just look at you.” Shifu said before hitting him in the butt with his stick.

“Ow!” Po cried out in pain while holding his butt.

“That fat butt.” Shifu said before hitting him again in the arm.

“Oww!” Po cried out again.

“Those flabby arms.” Shifu pointed out at his arms.

“Those are sensitive in the skin!” Po complained.

“And, this ridiculous belly.” Shifu poked his belly, making Po stumble back.

“Hey.” Po called out feeling offended.

“And, such utter disregard for personal hygiene.” Shifu huffed while lifted his head up and closing his eyes.

“Now, hold on a second. I’ll have you know I-” Po pointed a finger at Shifu.

Suddenly, Shifu took him by the finger and and twisted his paw in the opposite way with such force that made Po cry out in pain before kneeling down to his level while Shifu stood behind him.

The five gasped and were about to intervene, but Shifu lifted his hand at them, making them all fall back in line.

“Ow! Ow! Ow!” Po kept groaning in pain while Shifu had him in a lock.

“Sensei, he-” Tigress was about to say.

“Silence, Tigress.” Shifu strictly raised his voice, making her be quiet and remain in stance.

Shift then turned back to Po. “Now, listen, panda. You don’t just come into my dojo and think you can earn a free pass just for knowing my students. You may have their respect, but you are far from earning mine.”

He gripping his finger even tighter, making Po cry out again. “But, since I am feeling a bit generous today. I shall go ahead and see what I can do to train you.”

“Okay. Okay. Just take it easy.” Po groaned while kneeling down on the floor with Shifu still holding on to his paw.

Shifu chuckled in a sadistic manner. “Oh, this is nothing. Let’s get started, shall we?”

A few minutes later, Po was dressed in one of their gis and remained standing in attention, wanting to look as attentive as possible. Shifu kept giving the group instruction to follow, but Po could barely catch on.

They had to do some jogging around the room, but Po panted and wheezed after just a few minutes of running. He severely struggled to land a kick and kept falling down whenever he tried to do a sweep. Po kept trying properly throw a strike, but kept hitting it a second late after everyone.

Shifu was scowling the whole time as he didn’t have the time or patience to be dealing with this, but eventually, found it amusing to see the panda struggle in such a humiliating manner. That was until Shifu decided he had enough.

“Alright, now! Stance!” Shifu called out to the class.

The five stood in attention, but Po was panting and wheezing while leaning down, trying to catch his breath.

“Po!” Viper whispered out loud to him.

Po gasped and stood in position while still trying to catch his breath. “Oh! Sorry!”

Shifu rubbed his beard and stood in front of them. “Up front, panda.”

Po immediately walked up to him while the rest stood by, feeling a bit worried as to what their sensei had in mind.

“Very well, then. Let’s see what you have learned so far.” Shifu said with a smile while having his arms behind him.

Po titled his head. “Huh? But, I just started! I can’t go up against you, already!”

Shifu chuckled. “Well, you never truly know until you try. Right?”

Po nervously gulped. “Well… I was thinking about starting out at something on my level.”

“And what level would that be?” Shifu asked with a raised brow.

“How about… 0? Level 0.” Po offered.

Shifu chuckled again. “There is no such thing as Level 0. Now.”

The red panda sensei then got in stance. “Let’s begin.”

The group then looked at each other with worried expressions, but Po tried to be determined and got in stance.

“Alright, then… I guess.” Po unsurely said.

Po and Shifu stood there facing each other while in stance for a few seconds before Shifu finally called out. “Well, then?”

“Oh, okay.” Po said before trying to land a strike at Shifu.

Shifu immediately dodged it and too his paw before he flipped Po on to the mat. Po groaned before Shifu pulled him up and landed a kick on his stomach. Po wheezed as he fell back on the mat again.

The five didn’t like this at all, but could do nothing as they just stood there, watching their sensei humiliate their friend.

Shifu kept punching and pinning Po down every time he got up and tried to land a shot at the red panda, but failed at every turn. Finally, Shifu stood in front of Po while he laid on the floor and panted, trying to catch his breath.

“How… was that?” Po wheezed out.

Shifu looked down at him. “Now… there is a Level 0.”

Po frowned before letting his head drop against the mat, feeling completely defeated.

“GET UP.” Shifu called out again, making Po stand up to his feet immediately.

“Let this be the last time I ever have to say this to you, panda. Don’t ever step a foot in my dojo again. You are a disgrace to Karate and if you have any respect for who we are, and what we do, you will leave and not come back again.” Shifu said while looking up at Po and pointing his finger towards the exit.

Po looked down at him before closing his eyes in shame and putting his head down while walking away.

“And don’t even return the gi. Throw it away and never wear it again.” Shifu called out while Po got his stuff and walked out of the building.

The five had heartbroken expressions seeing their friend be denied the opportunity to learn about his favorite martial art, but could not say anything, for their sensei had the final say.

“As for the rest of you. NEVER bring up a candidate for this dojo before consulting me first. Let this be the last time I ever have to deal with this nonsense. Am I clear?” Shifu asked in a stern and angry tone.

The five closed their eyes and bowed their heads while having their arms behind their backs. “Yes, sensei!”

“AM I CLEAR?” Shifu asked again in a much louder tone.

“YES, SENSEI!” The five replied again, matching his voice this time.

Shifu huffed. “Good. Now, just for that alone. I want 20 pushups. Starting now.”

All of them internally sighed before going to do their sets of pushups. “Yes, sensei.”

After a day of training, night time arrived and the five got out of the dojo in their regular clothes. They immediately started looking and texting for Po, wondering what was going on with him after Shifu had his run with him.

Tigress saw him in the local café through the window sitting on one of the booths and looking through his phone. “He’s there.”

Viper saw where she pointed and smiled at her. “You got it?”

The rest of the group smiled at her, making her roll her eyes and shake her head.

“I got this.” Tigress replied.

“Night, Tigress. Make sure not to say anything stupid this time.” Monkey joked as he and the rest made their way home.

Tigress slightly growled at his comment before walking over to the café and heading to Po’s booth. Po just sat there but then looked up as soon as he saw her walk up to him.

“Do you mind if I sit with you?” Tigress asked while holding her hips.

“No, go ahead.” Po motioned at the seat in front of him.

Tigress sat down and sighed. “Po… I’m sorry about what happened. I swear-”

Po interrupted her. “It’s okay, Tigress. Really. I just…”

He closed his eyes and exhaled. “I probably sucked more today than anyone in the history of Karate. In the history of China. In the history of sucking.”

Tigress shrugged one shoulder and tilted her head. “Probably.”

Po groaned and pressed his head on the table. “Ughh… that was so embarrassing.”

Tigress nodded her head. “It was… but you want to know what was the most admirable part about it?”

“What?” Po asked while leaning on the table.

“Is that you never gave up. Even after everything Sensei Shifu put you through… you refused to stand down and only did so once he told you to. That is what makes a true warrior. Determination above skill.” Tigress tried to comfort him.

Po slowly looked up at her with a surprised expression. “Do you mean that?”

Tigress nodded her head. “Of course. The last thing I would do is lie to you.”

Po snickered. “If only everyone had your level of honesty.”

“Well, at least you can count on me being honest.” Tigress replied.

As they were talking, Tai Lung and his friends were walking near the area. Tai Lung immediately noticed Po and Tigress sitting in front of each other, making him halt as soon as he did.

“If you want… I can teach you what I know.” Tigress offered in a sort of nervous tone.

Po’s eyes widened at her offer. “Really? You would do that for me???”

“It’s the least I could do. I’m trying my best to be a better possible friend.” Tigress answered.

Po got an idea. “I know! How about you teach me your super awesome Karate, and I teach you about my not so awesome, but almost as great art skills?”

Tigress raised a brow and crossed her arms. “Have you ever taught anyone before?”

“N-No… but there’s always a first time for everything. So, what do you say? Deal?” Po offered his pinky out at her.

Tigress tilted her head, making Po snicker at her expression.

“You stick out your pinky and intertwine it with mine. A pinky promise. The most valuable promise you can make.” Po explained.

Tigress gently narrowed her eyes, but hesitantly went to do the pinky promise. “Very well, then. A promise it is.”

They shook on pinkies, making Tai Lung snarl at the sight. He then signaled to his friends to walk away out of sight and wait for the panda for when he was alone.

Po and Tigress got out of the café and went to his parked bike on the street light. He unlocked it before getting up to the seat.

“So… see you on Monday?” Po asked since it was a Friday night.

“I’ll see you on Monday. Good night, Po.” Tigress said with a bow.

“Good night to you too, Tigress.” Po replied with a smile.

Tigress then walked away, leaving Po alone in front of the café. He took a deep breath and got on his bike to make his way home. Po started peddling down the sidewalk on the opposite direction where the café was.

Suddenly, a few minutes later, an arm dragged him off his bike into an alleyway. Po yelped as he was shoved into a fence with such brute force. He soon realized it was Tai Lung and his gang as they were all in a dark alleyway with almost no light.

“What was it I said when we first met? Oh, that’s right. That if I ever saw you near her again, I’d put you down to the ground.” Tai Lung said as he stood in front of a trembling Po.

“Well, I’m a man of my word.” Tai Lung said before striking him in the stomach, then on the face.

Po cried out in pain as he fell back against the gate with a busted lip. Tai Lung immediately went to pull him up by the collar of his shirt.

“I warned you. I gave you a chance to simply walk away. But, no. You just had to be brave, didn’t you!?” Tai Lung exclaimed to his face.

Po was to hazed to acknowledge his words, but Tai Lung kneed him on the stomach and front kicked him in the chest. Po cried out in pain again as he once again fell back against the gate.

Po tried to get up, but Tai Lung growled as he swung a right kick to his face. Po spat out blood as he fell down on the ground against the gate once more. He started crying and holding his stomach in pain from the constant beatdown by the snow leopard.

Tai Lung seethed as he stood in front of a bloodied and beaten Po, clenching and unclenching his fists as he did. That is, until one of his friends came up to him.

“Hey, come on, Tai. He’s had enough, let’s go.” The friend, who was a wolf, said.

Tai Lung looked back at him. “I decide when he’s had enough.”

“Tai, come on! He can barely even stand!” The wolf protested.

Tai Lung turned to him, not noticing a figure slowly climbing over the fence. “What was it Sensei Kai said!? Strike first! No mercy!”

The wolf grabbed Tai Lung by the arm. “Tai Lung!”

Tai Lung simply growled and yanked his arm from the wolf before walking back to Po. The panda sniffled and looked up to see Tai Lung stand in front of him again before raising his fist. Po closed his tearful eyes and looked away, trying to prepare himself for the upcoming blow.

Suddenly, someone jumped in front of Po, blocking the punching completely. Tai Lung shouted in pain as his fist connected with something firm and solid. A shell. That same person then struck Tai Lung with a side kick to the chest, making him fall far back to his group.

Po opened his eyes and slightly gasped as he saw the person in front of him. “M-Mr. Oogway?…”

Oogway stood in front of Po and got into a fighting stance. Two of the group rushed up to him and tried to throw a punch, but Oogway caught them and flipped the teens over to the ground with sheer force that instantly knocked the wind out of them.

The two other teens tried to attack him from behind, but Oogway raised two fists to strike both of their faces from the front and elbowed them in the stomach. He turned around and kicked the left one with a side kick to the face and uppercut the right one on the chin before throwing him against the wall.

The wolf rushed to him and tried to land a kick, but Oogway caught it with ease. Oogway then struck him on the chin and swept his other leg, causing him to fall on the ground on his back. Oogway then jabbed the wolf in the face, putting him out at once.

Tai Lung growled as he got up in stance. “You’re so dead, old man!”

He growled and kept throwing a series of punches and kicks, but Oogway kept dodging every single one. Finally, Oogway caught his right fist before elbowing his abdomen, uppercutting his jaw and kicking his shin, causing Tai Lung to fall to one knee.

Oogway gave him a stern look as a warning before turning back to walk towards Po. However, Tai Lung got up and yelled as he ran towards the turtle. Suddenly, Oogway turned around, jumped in the air and landed a right swing kick to Tai Lung’s face, knocking him out completely.

Po was in severe pain, but still managed to catch the sight of Oogway obliterating everyone in his path. Po saw Oogway remain in stance as he looked around at the groaning teens on the floor, making sure that all of his opponents have been defeated.

Once he did, he finally turned back to Po, who was already losing consciousness due to the severe pain and overwhelming anxiety he had endured due to the beatdown.

“M-Mr. Oogway…” Was all Po could managed to whisper out before he too fell unconscious.