Chapter 2: Letters and Wills

Later that night everyone returned safely to the Jade Palace. Po made the meals as he always did and knew within three days he would never cook again. What would it be like to die? He wondered. He came close to death countless times but he never experienced what it would be like. He died once when he lost all of his Hero Chi but it happened so fast it had no idea what it felt like? Then anger overcame him as he hated the fact that he would never get to do the things he always wanted. Never get married or have kids and watch them grow up. No more meditating with Tigress under the Peach Tree. No more helping his dad out at the shop or anything else ever again. Tears fell from his face as he made the soup. Po was angry but not enough to change his mind for he would rather himself die than it be one of his friends. Dinner came and he served the soup and Viper started up a conversation. Po listened but he just played with his soup knowing that in three days he would never eat with his family again. He tried to eat but nothing seemed to matter anymore but he had to put on a mask so no one would know until he was gone. Fighting back a tear he wondered how the others would react to his sudden death. Would they all be okay and will the Valley be okay without him protecting it? His poor father how would he feel losing his only son? His heart began to ache and he was so distracted that he didn't even notice Tigress talking to him. "Hey Earth to Po, come in Po can you hear me?" Tigress asked waving her paw in his face.

"Huh oh sorry Tigress were you talking to me?" Po asked getting out of his trance.

"Yeah I asked you to hand me the dumplings four times", Tigress said.

"Oh sorry here you go", Po said handing her the bowl.

"You okay you hardly touched your food?" Tigress asked giving him a concerned look.

"Oh yeah I am fine just um a little tired I guess", Po said giving her a yawn as proof. Tigress seemed to buy it for she just nodded her head.

"Okay maybe you should go to bed early tonight", she told him.

"Good idea", Po said with a smile. Then a thought came to him if he died there would be no Dragon Warrior and he wondered if he could pass it to someone if he died. When the dinner was over he pulled Tigress and Master Shifu aside. "I need to talk to you two in private", Po said as they followed him into the hallway.

"What is it Po?" Master Shifu asked.

"I was wondering hypothetically if I were to say die could I give the title of the Dragon Warrior to someone else?" Po asked.

"I suppose you could but why would you ask such a thing?" Master Shifu wondered.

"Well I came close to death a lot and I just want to be prepared in case something happens where I can no longer be the Dragon Warrior", Po said trying to act casual.

"Who do you have in mind Po?" Tigress asked with interest.

"You", Po told her.

Tigress eyes widened with shock as she said", Po I am deeply honored but why me?"

"Because you deserve it for you would have been chosen if I didn't jump in front of you", Po said.

"Po I am way passed that I am not angry anymore", Tigress said thinking Po still felt guilty over their first meeting. But he raised up his paw to stop her.

"I know we are both passed it but I would feel better knowing that if I did die the title would go to someone I trusted and Ti I would feel really good knowing you had the title", Po said.

"Okay Po I would happily accept your request but don't let anything happen to you. I am in no hurry to take your place", Tigress said putting a paw on his shoulder.

"Of course Ti this is way in the future", Po said fighting back tears.

"Well it is settled if Po dies in battle then Tigress will take his place as Dragon Warrior", Shifu said sealing the deal. Then he went off to meditate leaving Tigress and Po alone.

"I will try to be worthy of your trust Po and thank you for having such faith in me", Tigress said smiling.

"Of course Ti you are my friend", Po said bowing to her and she returned the bow. Then they said their goodnights and went off to bed. Po could not sleep for it was useless to waste precious seconds. Tomorrow he had three days left to live and he could not waste time with sleep. He lit a candle and began writing each of his family members a letter and a letter explaining his death and what they would get from him. He wrote to Viper saying he loved her sweet nature and she was the best ribbon dancer ever. He told Crane that he had a kind heart and was a wonderful friend. Mantis, he told him that he loved his fighting spirit and that he liked Po's dumplings. Po told Monkey he had a great sense of humor and he enjoyed pulling pranks with him. Master Shifu Po said he learned a lot from him and appreciated his advice and wisdom even though he didn't take it a few times. And said it was a true honor to be his student. He told his dad thanks for raising him and teaching him how to cook. That he loved him and he would watch over him as he would all his friends. Lastly he wrote to Tigress saying that she was a true fighter and a loyal friend. That he was in love with her and wished he told her sooner. Then he wrote out a will giving what little possessions he had to his family. He gave his actions figures to his friends, would give his medal for saving China to his dad and his recipes. Gave the Dragon Scroll back to Shifu and would give Mantis his dumpling recipe and he asked his dad if he would become the Furious Five's new cook when he died. For he did not want his friends eating plain old Tofu again and lastly he explained his unexplained death and put all the letters in separate envelopes and wrote all their names on the letters he wrote for them. Then on the one he wrote for all of them he put to his family and hid the letters under his mattress. He didn't want to sleep but his eyes were drooping and soon he was fast asleep. Tomorrow it would be the last three days of Po's life. He wished that Death didn't give him three days but took him then and there but at least now he has a chance to say goodbye and spend as much time as he could with his family. And Po was going to make those days the best three days of his families lives.

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.