Nothing is as It Seems


"Well, you were right about them sleeping," Tai-Lung said as they came back into the kitchen, "They're out like lamps."

"I never thought that much food would make a person sleep that much," Tigress noted.

"It's normal. That's why my dad's food is so special. If it's not prepared right, it will turn out bad," Po replied.

"Well, on the bright side, they'll be getting a much-deserved rest," Tigress chuckled. Then Tai-Lung spoke.

"Po, do you make that errand to Master Shifu by yourself all the time?"

"Yeah, why?" Po asked.

"Well, those boxes would be heavy for one person to handle," Tai-Lung noted. Po shrugged.

"I've been doing that for so long. I really don't feel it anymore," Po answered sipping some juice. Tai-Lung sat there in thoughtful wonderment.

"What's wrong with you?" Tigress asked, noticing her brother's stare.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing you rascal," Tai-Lung smirked rustling Tigress's head fur. Po smiled at their interaction. They were really siblings at heart. "Well, I'm going to go to bed. See you two." As he left, Po remembered something.

"Oh! I wonder if I can see it from here," Po said as he got up and left Tigress. Curious, Tigress decided to follow Po to the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom. It was nighttime and Po looked over the mountain cliff into the village. "It looks so beautiful from here," Po said. Tigress looked down with him. The lights shining from the village gave it an ambient glow.

"It is beautiful," Tigress agreed. They looked down in the village in silence. "Can you stay here for a moment?" Tigress asked with a smile. "I need to go get something." So Tigress went and came back with a guitar. Po instantly knew what she wanted.

"Oh no, no, no, no," Po denied as Tigress offered it to him. "I told you. I'm only the cook."

"Please," Tigress asked in a kind tone with a gentle smile. Po couldn't help but submit.

"Okay," Po said, hesitantly. He took the guitar and started playing. The melody entranced Tigress. She was amazed Po could play so well. The song he played sounded like a song Tigress remembered as a child. So she started singing.

There are mountains to climb

There are many roads over the hills

And we will find us the time

And we will find us the will

To carry on.

Tigress realized she was singing when Po stopped playing and looked at her with big wide eyes. "I'm sorry," Tigress blushed.

"Don't be! You... your singing is amazing," Po smiled. Tigress smiled back.

"Thank you, Po. You play very well," They were silent for a moment.

"Well, I hope that was enough playing for you," Po replied, giving the guitar back. Tigress took the guitar.

"Well, I'll be going now," Tigress said, standing up. "See you." With that, she went down the mountain.


"I'm telling you, it's fine. OW!" Po exclaimed as his father whacked him over the head with the wooden spoon.

"The fact that they fell asleep because of my food makes me worried, Po," Mr. Ping said.

"I promise. It's fine," Po explained. Mr. Ping came into the Jade Palace Kitchen for a while to make sure that Po's cooking wasn't killing anyone. Because of Po's incident with the uncooked food, Mr. Ping felt the need, rather the obligation, to come to the Jade Palace.

"I'll believe it when I believe it. Now get me a big bowl. I need to make food for you and the others," Mr. Ping said.

"Yes dad," Po said defeated. He was about to leave when he noticed something. He looked up to see a jar of cookies on the top shelf. He quickly devised a plan "Um... dad? Why don't you get the bowl and I'll get the stuff ready." Mr. Ping shrugged and left to get the bowl. After he left, Po sneakily made his way up to the cookies. Just then, Tai-Lung came in. His eyes widened when he saw Po in a perfect split eating Monkey's almond cookies.

"Po?" Po looked over to Tai-Lung. Po's eyes were guilty.

"Don't tell anyone," Po pleaded.

"How did you get up there?" Tai-Lung asked.

"What? This? This is nothing," Po said, jumping down.

"Nothing? You were ten feet off the ground in a perfect split! How did you do that?"

"I don't know," Po shrugged it off. "Accident I guess," Po said going back to the stirring as Mr. Ping came back in. "Did you need something, Tai-Lung?"

"Um..." Tai-Lung was still trying to process what just happened. He shook it off. "I was just wondering if breakfast was ready."

"It will be ready when it's ready," Mr. Ping accusingly pointed the spoon the snow leopard. Tai-Lung knew better than to even bother with Mr. Ping. He's a little... crazy Po had told him.

"Yes, Mr. Ping," Tai-Lung said, respectfully. With that, Tai-Lung left the room. He went to the Hall of Heroes. He walked across the jade floors and stared up at the golden dragon carrying the Dragon Scroll, the key to immeasurable power. He remembered a question that Tigress asked Master Oogway when she was little.

"How immeasurable is immeasurable?" She asked. Master Oogway thought about it.

"It's enough to save the entire world and restore peace to all," Master Oogway said.

"This warrior must be incredibly strong. He must be able to move mountains," teenage Tai-Lung said. Oogway shook his head.

"Nothing is as it seems, young ones. The Dragon Warrior may not be who you expect."

"So, the Dragon Warrior could be... anyone," Tigress asked.

"Great things can come from seemingly ordinary people," Oogway explained. Tai-Lung thought about it.

"Maybe," He thought out loud. He shook his head. "No, it couldn't be."

"BOO!"

"AAAAHHH!" Tai-Lung swung around to see Tigress. "Tigress, don't do that!" Tai-Lung growled out. Tigress was a little surprised at the seriousness of Tai-Lung's tone.

"What's got you in a tangle? Has another woman gone crazy for you?"

"No, it's... nevermind," Tai-Lung brushed it away. "What is it you want, ya little munchkin," Tai-Lung smirked.

"Nothing, I was just making sure you were okay up here," Tigress replied, tapping Tai-Lung on the forehead. Tai-Lung rolled his eyes.

"One day, I'll be gone and you'll miss me so much," Tai-Lung declared. Tigress laughed just like Master Wan.

"That will be the day," She replied. Just then, Zeng came rushing in.

"Bandits are attacking the village," he reported.

"Come on, let's get some exercise in," Tai-Lung said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's go!"


As Tai-Lung came back from the fight with the bandits, he saw another awesome sight. Po was searching the Training Hall, looking for something. It was the way he was doing it that made Tai-Lung stop in his tracks. Po walked over the tumblers and then jumped into the balancing bowl. He jumped out and then picked up the large jade bowl. "Ah! There you are," Po said, picking up the fallen dumpling. He sniffed it. "Still good," Po decided and then ate it. Tai-Lung was speechless. Before he could speak, Master Wan came into the room with Tigress.

"Tai-Lung, I need your help. Master Rhino, Master Croc, and Master Ox have reported movement of an organized group of rebels surrounding Gongmen City. We've been asked to look into it."

"Why can't I and the others go with you?" Tigress asked.

"We should be fine, my dear kitten," Master Wan chuckled, rustling Tigress's head. "Plus, I wouldn't want you to be missing your 'bear' friend." Tigress blushed.

"Okay, I'll be there in a moment," Tai-Lung replied. Both Tigress and Wan noticed the distracted tone in Tai-Lung's voice.

"Tai-Lung, what's wrong?" Wan asked, "Another girl rejected you?"

"No, it's... I... Nevermind. Let's go," Tai-Lung said, dismissing the situation. He walked to his room, mulling over what he just saw. "Could it be?"

"What is it, Tai-Lung?" said a voice behind him. Tai-Lung looked to see Master Oogway. Tai-Lung instantly bowed.

"I... it's nothing, Master Oogway," Tai-Lung said, about to pass the turtle.

"What you see is what you see. But what you know makes all the difference," Oogway replied.

"Master?"

"If you see the signs to the noodle shop, then the building must have noodles," Oogway smiled, leaving the cat more confused that ever. However, for Tai-Lung, what he said vaguely made sense.

Vaguely.

To Be continued...