Chapter Text
Lackeys
I do not own Kung Fu Panda
This. THIS is the one that I've been wrestling with for a solid YEAR! And yes, I'm well aware that this doesn't raise the value of it at all. I understand. I don't care! This is why I needed Po The Trucker because I needed a story that I could just say, 'screw it I need a creative break!' That's why it's written so loosely.
This was an agony to write! I'm only proud of myself for surviving this! When this story is done, I'll show you madness that was this story!
Shifu carefully trimmed the candles in the Hall of Heroes. Breathing in the cinnamon incense, he basked in the mundane rhythm. A small smile graced his thin lips. He could see why his master did this. The repetition relaxed his thoughts and strains.
But his ear flickered at a disturbance. As the Hall's doors opened, Shifu turned to his five students walking in with a serious aura jarringly belly-bumping his peace.
Belly-bumping?
Shifu shook his head at the thought. He'd been hanging around Po too long.
He examined each face. Darting eyes, hushed whispers, and tightened lips or beaks. They all bowed out of respect, but some inner dissonance made Shifu's stomach churn. "Ah, my students. Is something wrong?"
"Master Shifu, we would like to... ask you a personal question," Viper started. "We heard that Po is doing some... special training?"
"Hm hm, for him, it's more like torture," Shifu chuckled, "Ascetic Meditation. He went up to the Pool of Sacred Tears this morning. It will hopefully help him sit with his thoughts. I don't expect much, but... much has changed since Zhen's-"
"It's the reason why you did it that worries us," Crane interrupted. Shifu's ears flickered. His eyes instinctively went to Tigress, who avoided his sight by staring at the floor. A curious trait of hers; she knew his eyes worked like his highly sensitive ears: probing, investigating, cutting.
But over the years, Tigress masked her emotions quite well. Something that always worried Shifu.
"What have... what has Po told you?" Shifu corrected himself.
"He said you wanted to figure out if this kind of meditation would make him stronger? Like Tai Lung?" Viper said.
Shifu stayed silent for a minute too long. He breathed and straightened up. "Yes. That is the theory."
"It's just... It got us...well," Monkey made the mistake of glancing at Tigress. "It got us thinking about something Tai Lung said when we fought him."
"Which is?"
"He said you taught us well, but you didn't teach us everything," Tigress finally spoke. "We want to know... is our training incomplete?" Her words were perfectly calculated in tone, carefully masking any true emotion she had.
But it was obvious to the red panda that she was upset and disappointed. Shifu's mind carefully registered every locution and expression made. His blinking eyes were the one thing moving on his body.
"You five have been my best students. Each of your unique journeys has been an eye-opening expedition to yourselves and to me as a teacher." Shifu paused, "I wouldn't say your training is incomplete. I understand if my time with Po is-"
"We're not blaming you for spending more time with Po," Viper countered.
"But it does feel like you've kinda forgotten us," Mantis muttered. The red panda rose an eyebrow with a grunt but sighed.
"I understand your desires for growth, but your styles are all different from each other. Your strength is in your teamwork, not in individuality."
Silence blanketed the hall.
"So we simply fight as a team until the next Furious Five replaces us?" Tigress asked.
"That's not what I said."
"If our styles are only... legendary together, what about us individually? And why send us on individual missions if that's the case?" Tigress asked.
Shifu pursed his lips, internally annoyed that his assumption didn't match reality. There was something he was missing. A piece of the puzzle. And he knew Tigress had it. "Might I ask why you're asking this all of a sudden? Regardless of Po's training, I feel like there's something more to this."
Monkey, Crane, Viper, and Mantis all looked to Tigress. She took a long breath and said, "Are you going to teach us more? Or... are we simply destined to be Po's sidekicks?"
"You are NOT Po's sidekicks and I do not see you as such," Shifu uttered sternly. "I cannot believe you would think such a thing."
"Master Shifu," Tigress said, only raising her voice a micron. "Tai Lung knew for a fact that none of us were the Dragon Warrior just by looking at us. And when Kai came, he decimated us. What did you train us for? Recently, it feels like we're only there to make Po look good!" Everyone saw her paw clench. Her jaw tightened along with the air's tension, shooting down any hope of ease.
Shifu paused and softened his face. He thought back to when news of Tai Lung's escape reached them. He remembered what she said so clearly.
This is what you've trained us for!
He took a deep breath, refolding his hands behind his back. "I understand your concern. Just know that I have never nor ever will see you five as... Po's lackeys. Especially you, Tigress." The feline's face softened. "I assure you that, with practice, your training will produce results in time. I'm sure of it. And you and I both know it's wrong to compare yourself to others. Since you all are on the topic of Tai Lung, you can see what comparison got him." They started to hang their heads, but Tigress's eyes were still locked on her master.
She finally gave a bow. "Very well. Master Shifu. We'll try to be more patient." The five left as silently as they had tried to come in, but the tension in Shifu's belly didn't slacken. As Tigress walked away, her clenched fist held her simmering rage.
"Results," She muttered when she was sure she was out of his earshot. "Whenever that will be."
The others decided it was best to stay away from her for a while. "To give her space," Viper vocalized. The tiger grunted at the mention of it. The silk panels were thin, so she could hear their whispers and conversation as they went their separate ways. Stillness entered the barracks for a brief moment. She sat in her room, glaring into hardwood panels that couldn't distract her.
She wanted to punch something.
Staring out the window, the sun's waning light made her sigh. Too late for training. Maybe patrol would clear her mind.
She got up from her seat and spun towards the door. Her eyes widened as a large bear stood in front of her. "Po?!"
"Oh! Tigress, there you are," The panda smiled.
"What are you doing here?"
"I just came back from the Monk training thingy."
"Ascetic Meditation. It's not... anyway. Good. I'm glad you're okay. I'm gonna go on patrol," Tigress grunted.
"Can I come?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want you to come," She answered harshly. Po backed away, shock and hurt burning in his eyes. Tigress sighed and covered part of her face. "I'm sorry, Po. I've... I've just had a bad day."
"Maybe I can help? You know I'm a good distraction."
"I don't need a distraction. I need focus."
"How's that working for ya?" Po smirked. Tigress snapped a glare. "Uhhhh what I mean is... maybe the answer will come to you with a friend around?"
Looking at his timid smile, the tiger rolled her eyes and walked away, but called him over with her hand. Po hurried up after her as they went down the mountain. The twilight sky soon turned black with twinkling specks of light as their feet reached the village's grounds. A lantern in Tigress's hand lit the way, and the two walked by silent houses and dimly lit windowsills. The soft wind rustled their fur, and the moon shimmered in its fullness. But the silence ebbed at her.
Her amber eyes burned through the stone and dirt path. Her mind sent her back to the earlier conversation, the 'fight'. She sighed to herself, pursing her lips, slightly upset she let such a vulnerable emotion make its presence known vocally. "I just want to be stronger," Tigress whispered.
"Hm?"
"Huh?!" Tigress jumped. She forgot Po was there. "N-N-Nothing."
"Hmm. Okay."
"Actually, why are you so quiet?"
"Ehh, that whole Access it-"
"Ascetic."
"Yeah, that training really cleared my head up. ANNNNNDDD it was nice to just have some time to myself. Usually it's scary," Po sighed a little heavily.
"Why?"
"I get some weird thoughts."
"What's new?"
"Hey," Po pouted. The tiger smiled. "But what did you mean by getting stronger?"
"It's nothing."
"Is that the truth, or are you just avoiding the question like always?"
"I don't avoid your questions, Po."
"Hmm," Po grunted. Tigress side-glanced the panda as if he had offended her with his noise. He usually pressed more thoroughly than this, but he also didn't take it this personally.
Suddenly, she stopped in the middle of the dark main street, groaning. "Okay, listen. I'll... tell you. You don't have to pout about it."
"I wasn't pouting."
"Yes, you were. And honestly, you being silent is more unsettling than you talking."
"Ha! I knew it," Po grinned, "You guys are so used to me talking that you can't handle me being quiet."
"Can you be quiet?"
"That's not the point," Po grumbled at the tiger's smirk. "So what's bugging you?"
Tigress took a deep sigh and explained what happened earlier. After telling him, she expected some rebuttal or refusal. Some sharp declaration that he still saw them as his idols. Instead, she saw the widened eyes and dropped jaw of a panda that looked like he was on the brink of seeing a war. Even in the darkness of the night, she could see his eyes clearly. They both waited for the other to break the silence.
Soon, a growl echoed. "It's just... not fair," Tigress hissed as quietly as she could while clenching the anger in her fist. A gentle hand rested on it. Those jade eyes changed to a smile filled with understanding. How? Why?
"I'm sorry," Po replied, "I'm really sorry. Tomorrow, I'll see what I can do."
"Po, it's not your job to do anything. This is between me... us and Master Shifu."
"Actually, as your teacher AND the Spiritual leader of the valley, it is my job," Po said heavily. His firm tone made Tigress cock her head back. Shocking, he didn't usually take things this seriously. Not like this. "Tomorrow, I'll talk with my dad about something, then I'll see what I can do with Master Shifu."
The feline's face still held surprise while she crossed her arms. "Why are you doing this, Po? There's no benefit to you."
The panda scratched the back of his head. "Actually there is. While I was up on the mountain, I figured out some stuff that could help me with this whole 'being fired from Dragon Warrior' thing."
"You haven't been fired, Po."
"Uh huh. I have to give up my position to someone younger than me. That's the definition of being fired."
Tigress rolled her eyes.
"Anyways," Po continued, "I just realized that... I can't get angry at Zhen or Shifu just because I feel lost. But it also made me realize that I... might be relying on Shifu too much."
"He's your master."
"Yeah, but he retired a year ago. And we still act like he never even stepped down. He still teaches us-"
"He teaches you and Zhen," Tigress corrected with a grumble. Po stared at her, frowning. "Sorry. It's just..."
"Maybe you and I could both do with a little alone time. Together."
Tigress smirked, "Are you sure? You tend to get a little nervous around me."
"That's because while I love hanging out with you, I get on your nerves."
"Oh! So you're conscious of it?"
"I didn't say that!" Po quickly recovered. The feline shook her head but smiled. "So... what do you think?"
Tigress took a deep breath, briefly scanning the night street for any listening ears. "Maybe... maybe you have a point."
"Well, I'll talk to Master Shifu tomorrow. Meanwhile, why don't you go up and get some sleep? I think we're done patrolling tonight. Unless you want to stay at my dad's shop and rest for the night."
"And listen to your father's snoring? Absolutely not," Tigress shivered. The panda left the tiger to her thoughts as she walked up the mountain. She tried to simulate what the panda would do, but the mental answers turned up 'invalid'.
No one could predict what that panda would do.
The next morning, as the sizzling smell of noodles and sesame-seed seasoned tofu filled the air, a white goose busily chopped his vegetables. Then a large shadow stepped into the kitchen behind him. "Morning Dad."
"Po! Son! Did you get too tired going up the stairs again?"
"No, just night patrol," Po yawned. "Where's uhhh Dad?"
"Oh, Li's out teaching some pandas how to cook tofu. I tell you, that panda is trying to make me a food dynasty," Mr. Ping chuckled.
"Isn't that what you wanted?"
"YES!"
Po chuckled lightly, "That's good. Uhhhh Dad? There's something I've been meaning to ask you."
"No, Po. I won't tell you how pandas are born. Ask Li Shan."
"Dad! That's not what I was gonna say!" Po spluttered. "I mean... You learned how to cook from your dad, right?" The goose nodded. "When did you start... you know... doing your own stuff?"
"My own stuff?"
"I mean, you don't just cook noodles anymore. You do other stuff. Where did you learn to do that? I know Grandpa didn't teach you."
"Oh, I just asked around, experimented with some stuff. Lots and... lots of experiments," Mr. Ping said almost ominously. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't know. I'm trying to figure out if I need to do my own thing with Kung Fu?"
"Don't you already do that?" Mr. Ping asked.
"Yeeaaaaaaahhhh ish?" Po awkwardly grinned. "It's just... I've been following Master Shifu all this time to figure out my next goal. Maybe I'm relying on him too much?"
"Especially with the new position?"
"Yeah," The bear sighed, throwing his head into his hand. "It's a lot to figure out."
"Po, you don't have to figure everything out all at once. Some things are forever a mystery. Like how I got blessed with such a remarkable son."
Po smiled, "Thanks, Dad."
"But I get it," Mr. Ping said, hiking up his apron a bit more. "I had to learn what worked for me. My father had this amazing Lo Mein that I could never make right. And... between you and me, I don't really like Lo Mein."
"Really?"
"Just a difference in taste, I guess," the goose shrugged. "But you can't follow other people's way. You have to figure out your own."
"That sounds hard."
"Of course," Mr. Ping laughed, "It was hard when you told me you didn't want to make noodles. But after seeing what you've become, I don't regret that pain."
"Sorry, Dad."
"Don't be, Po. If it weren't for you, I would've never had the courage to make my tofu seasoning. Which is also a secret now," Mr. Ping whispered.
The panda smiled. "So... either way, you have to do your own thing. Then what's the point of a teacher?"
"A teacher teaches you the pathways of the world, but that doesn't mean they can figure out which path you should go," Mr. Ping replied as he gave the panda some noodles.
"Thanks, Dad," Po sighed, looking up to the red and green palace in the sky. "Now let's hope Master Shifu's okay with that."
Continued...