Hello, everyone! Welcome to Bonding Time.
This story has a plot to it, but I need you all to help contribute to it! You see, Shifu and the Furious Five do different activities together, and if there's something that you want to see them do, like go to an amusement park or something, then you'll write it in your review(don't worry, I'll credit you!). I already have the first activity planned out, and it'll appear in the next chapter, and this is a prologue to help set the scene.
All right, boring stuff aside, let's get this show on the road! Enjoy!
Shifu ran as fast as his little legs would carry him to the Sacred Hall of Heroes. His master, Oogway, had summoned him, and as always, Shifu presumed that something was wrong. He skidded to a stop inside of the Sacred Hall in front of the giant tortoise, who really was giant compared to Shifu.
"Master Oogway," said Shifu, bowing. "what is it? Is there something wrong?"
"Shifu, again," said Oogway, smiling reassuringly at Shifu. "just because I called you here doesn't mean something is wrong."
"…Okay." said Shifu. "So, what did you summon me for?"
"Shifu," said Oogway. "where are your students?"
"Huh?" said Shifu, his eyes widening a bit. "Um, they're in their rooms, Master. They're asleep. Or at least they should be…" Shifu's eyes darted to the side as he recalled the many times he found Monkey or Mantis in someone's rooms and having rather noisy conversations with them.
"Hm." said Oogway. "So you know where they are."
"…Yes, Master." said Shifu, a little confused. Was this what he summoned him for? Why? And why'd he have to do it at three in the morning!? "Um, is this why you called me here?"
"Oh, not entirely." said Oogway. "It's just that lately you've seemed a bit…disconnected from them."
"…I don't understand." said Shifu.
"Well," said Oogway. "I've noticed that you don't spend a lot of time with them, Shifu."
"Yes I do, Master!" argued Shifu. "I train with them every day!"
"And then what?" asked Oogway.
"What do you mean 'and then what'?" said Shifu.
"What do you do with them besides training with them?" asked Oogway.
"I…" said Shifu. "I…hm…" He thought for a moment, and when he couldn't think of anything, his ears flattened in defeat.
"Shifu," said Oogway, smiling kindly at his student. "'Master' is not the only connection that your students should have with you. They should be able to look to you as a friend, as well."
"…But Master." said Shifu. "I've tried that method before, and I know you remember the results of that."
Oogway nodded in agreement. The last time Shifu was friendly with a student, he almost completely destroyed the Valley of Peace and tried to steal the Legendary Dragon Scroll. "It's true," he said. "but you must also be able to learn from the mistakes you've made in the past. Do you remember why Tai Lung acted that way after I refused to give him the Dragon Scroll?"
Shifu thought this over for a moment. "I…I guess I didn't prepare him for failure, and when he did fail, he didn't know how to react to it." he tried.
"Yep!" said Oogway. "You also spoiled him rotten."
"That too." chuckled Shifu.
"So," said Oogway. "you must learn how to connect with your students in a way that prepares them for failure without hurting their confidence, and love them unconditionally without spoiling them. That is your challenge."
"…I accept." said Shifu, who wasn't one to back down from a challenge.
"And to help you," said Oogway. "you will spend an entire day with them without training."
"What?!" said Shifu. "But…But Master-"
"Shifu," said Oogway, cutting Shifu off. "trust me. It's for the best. All you have to do is think of some activities you could all do together, all right?"
"Yes, Master Oogway." said Shifu, bowing.
"Good!" said Oogway, smiling. "You are dismissed."
Shifu turned and left the Sacred Hall of Heroes with much less haste than he had upon arriving. Sure they were his students, but there was a reason why he only trained with them and never took them anywhere: They were rowdy little things. Even Viper, the self-proclaimed "lady" of the group, had lots of energy. The question was: how was he going to keep up with them for an entire day? He shook his head in confusion, hoping that he could get some ideas after a good night's sleep.
