Fixing Things

"Okay, I think I've AAAAH!" Po exclaimed as he fell off the tumbling balancing beams of the Training Hall. Tai-Lung shook his head.

"Try again. You have to be balanced in order to do the One Legged Cracking Kick," Ghost Tai-Lung said. Po got up again tried again. This time he actually got it. "Good, you figured it out faster than I thought you would." Just then the Furious Five came into the room. "Oh goody. Here comes the 'Friendly Five'" Po chuckled a bit.

"Po? What are you laughing at?" Mantis asked.

"Huh? Oh nothing. I was just remembering a joke a person told me. What's up guys?" Po asked. He saw Tai-Lung walk over to Tigress's back. He started making faces while she spoke.

"You seem to be talking to yourself more than usual," Tigress said sternly, but Po was struggling to keep a straight face while Tai-Lung was making faces at her. Tigress's face narrowed as she looked back to see if there was someone behind her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Viper asked worried.

"I am," Po said smiling widely. So the five just shrugged and went away. "You're just going to keep doing that until I get in trouble, aren't you?"

"Not really. I just thought that since they couldn't see or feel me that I might have some fun. Might as well since my life is in ruin," Tai-Lung said in a blaming tone.

"That's not my fault. You just wanted power and fame," Po shot back.

"I wanted what was rightfully mine!" Tai-Lung exclaimed.

"And then what!?" Po shot back, "You get all that you ever wanted. Then what? That's it! The Dragon Warrior title is for the people's protection. Not for riches and fame. That's why, I think, I was chosen for it. Because I'm the only one that seemed to realize that!" Tai-Lung was silent at that.

"What makes you think that the Furious Five didn't protect the people? They have to protect them just like you do," Tai-Lung mentioned.

"Yeah, but that's their job. If they were fired from it, they would be miserable. Trust me, I know. I've done it before," Po said. Tai-Lung was surprised.

"You managed to get them fired? How did you do that?" He asked.

"I don't want to talk about it. The point is that you had the choice," Po said firmly. Tai-Lung pouted. Then Po realized something. "Wait, you're still working at the noodle thing?" Tai-Lung nodded. "Well, dude, if you're unhappy with it, just quit it."

"It. Takes. Money. To. Eat," Tai-Lung explained slowly.

"But that's not what you were born to do. You were born to be a kick-butt Kung Fu warrior. Not the Dragon Warrior, but no one can take away the stuff you know. This is who you are. Don't just blame others for your failures. Get up and fix them!" Po said a little frustrated that his brother didn't figure this out sooner. Tai-Lung stood there motionless.

"You're right. It's time I do that. Excuse me for a moment," Tai-Lung said as he disappeared. He was at his job behind the counter of a kitchen. Soon a raccoon came in.

"TAI-LUNG! I need those noodles out. NOW!" the little raccoon shouted. Tai-Lung put up the apron.

"Sorry, sir, but I quit. I have more important matters to attend to," Tai-Lung said stepping out the kitchen leaving a speechless raccoon. He walked out the restaurant to sniff the fresh air. He smiled. It was time for a new chapter in his life. Just then, a couple of bandits were robbing an old lady. Tai-Lung cracked his neck. "I've been waiting for this for a long time." he said springing into action.

Po was quietly resting in his bed. "PO!"

"AAAAHH!" Po screamed as he felled to the ground.

"Guess what," Tai-Lung said.

"I'm on the ground?" He mumbled for his face hit the ground first.

"No, no. I did what you told me to do. Fix my failures by myself," Tai-Lung said.

"Okay, so?" Po asked.

"So, I quit my job and went back to help and protecting people a few days ago," Tai-Lung announced quite proud of himself.

"Oh, so that's why I haven't seen you. Well, that's good. But how are you getting around eating and surviving?" Po asked.

"Well, I usually eat out in the forest where there's privacy and fresh food so I don't look crazy talking to you in front of people. In other news, I'm coming back to China," Tai-Lung said. Po looked at him, "What?"

"Going back to the place that one: you destroyed, two: that put you in prison, and three: where people think you're a menace?" Po stated.

"Hey, they accepted you as Dragon Warrior. No offense. But I didn't destroy all of China, just the Valley of Peace," Tai-Lung said defensively. "Besides, I can go to all the other villages then to the Valley of Peace."

"Okay, but remember, it will be hard. Don't expect the villagers to out right accept you. I think it would be best if you had a disguise on. Maybe even a cover name. How about Tai-gee?" Po offered.

"I. Am. Not. Using. That. It sounds like a ridiculous kiddie name," Tai-Lung growled.

"Your choice, but be careful and nice to the villagers. They can be very stereotypical," Po said frown a little and exiting room. Tai-Lung's curiosity was peaked.

"You make it seem like you're warning me from experience. What's up?"

"Nothing. Let's get back to training," Po waved it off. He entered the training hall where the others were practicing as well.

"Po," Tai-Lung tapped him on the shoulder, "I can't train you if you're like this. What's up?"

"Yes you can. You trained me one time in the middle of the night," Po reminded.

"That was because the move we were practicing had one thing I needed you to work on. Don't change the subject! What is it?" Tai-Lung's ghost asked.

"Nothing!" Po exclaimed a little too loudly. The Furious Five stared at him. He sheepishly smiled, "There's nothing I like doing more than Kung Fu. And eating where I'm going to go now," Po said as he dashed out. He grumbled at a smirking Tai-Lung. "You love doing that don't you?"

"It pleases me. Now back to what we were talking about," Tai-Lung said. Po sighed.

"Might well tell you. It's not like you're going to tell anyone I know," Po muttered going to Peach Tree Sapling and sitting down. "Ever since I can remember, people have seen me as just a goofy guy that is insane about Kung Fu, which I am. But people think that since I'm a fat panda that works in his father's shop that I can't do anything more. So people would pick on me. I bore with it but when I became Dragon Warrior, I thought it would all change."

"Did it?" Po shook his head.

"It took on a new form in a way. I realized pretty quickly that people don't care who saves them, it's that they were saved. I've had bandits rescue the village at one time and everyone immediately flocked to them," Po said.

"How did you manage to do that?" Tai-Lung wondered.

"Long story. Anyways, Master Shifu lied to me one time that there was a day that if anyone could defeat me, they would be come Dragon Warrior. It was then I that realized that a lot of people were out to get me. I had old grandmas punching me in the gut and kids in MY fan club kicking me in the shin to get the title. Of course, there was the evil enemy that came, but that was expected. But these were the people I protected and did they think to let me keep my position? No, they just wanted the riches and fame that came with it," Po said frustrated.

"Wow! So you're telling me NOT to protect the people?" Tai-Lung guessed.

"No, I'm telling you that the stereotypes will come and some will hurt and/or anger you. But I'm not that much worried for you. You look more like a warrior that everyone expects," Po said. He stood up and started down the mountain. "So what's your ambition? What's your goal now?"

"To train you, and hopefully learn from you what I need to combat this unknown evil," Tai-Lung explained. Just then Shifu came in. Surprisingly, Po didn't hear Tai-Lung growl. He looked over to see he didn't even possess a angry look.

"Po, the Furious Five and I are worried that you are talking to yourself more and more. That and your training is increasing. Are you ill?" Shifu asked. Po rolled his eyes.

"Why is it when I start taking my training seriously, you guys instantly start thinking something's wrong with me?" Po asked.

"It's nothing personal, Po. We're just wondering. Well, I see you're doing okay. Carry on," Shifu said going away. Po looked at Tai-Lung when he went away.

"What?"

"You didn't growl or even look like you were angry at Shifu. That's a first," Po said bluntly. Tai-Lung shrugged.

"Like you said, Po, I can't blame other people for my mistakes, especially Shifu. He gave me everything I wanted and yet I threw it all away for a blank scroll. It wasn't his fault. It was mine," Tai-Lung said solemnly. Po's mouth dropped. "What?"

"You just blamed yourself. Your pride is nearly gone," Po said excitedly.

"Alright, alright. Don't embarrass yourself okay," Tai-Lung muttered.

to be continued