The two of them have been standing in front of her grave for a while now. They didn't have the heart to leave the grave behind, not yet.
Her funeral was quiet and melancholy. Everyone had attended, even he remaining army members that weren't all bad and were just taking a job. The Soothsayer has never been hostile towards Shen or his army. She was constantly filled with disappointment over Shen's consistent bad choices, but she never stopped trying to bring any of them into the light of a much more positive path. More han anything, she didn't wish for the peacock to fall as far as he had. Though she admitted that a majority of what happened could no longer be undone, though she never stopped trying. And even more than that, no matter how disappointed she was in him, her love for him never changed.
He had this feeling swirling around in his soul as he stared at the grave, alongside Po. His arm has been properly dressed and bandaged, though it was still going to take a long while to heal. He wasn't allowed to leave the city until he was completely healed. It definitely wouldn't ne shorter than a month until he was ready to travel again. It was annoying, but he didn't feel like intentionally giving his father a heart attack or making Tigress force him to stay put. He really didn't want her to do that, because she very well could make it happen. He would take a rest and stay in Gongmen for a while if only to soothe everyone's worries.
He could use a vacation anyway. Maybe sacrificing his arm was a bit...much. But he didn't have a lot of time to think of other solutions that could work out for him and Shen in their current predictament. He didn't regret his decision in the slighest. But he did admit that it caused things to be...slightly harder than they should be. Nevertheless, he didn't have time to worry about that right now, he had more important things to worr about, such as the depressed avian standing beside him. Though he didn't exactly know how, he did know that he couldn't just leave him like this.
"She...really cared about you, Shen. I...hope that you fully realize this." Po said quietly.
"...I was well aware. Very well aware. The person I had left who connected me to the past...the one person who never stopped caring about me despite how far I've fallen...and now she's gone. I very well could have prevented this travesty from happening...but I was more focused on just dealing with the filthy aftermath of my chaotic actions. She did so much for me, and I completely took her for granted. Even after my defeat, she was still trying to hel me when most of the city was against me. And now...I can never truly apologize to her..." Shen rubbed his beak while closing his eyes shamefully.
"I'm sure she still loved you regardless, and I'm pretty sure you loved her back, and always will."
"That may be, but it doesn't change the fact that I've done her so many wrongs, and now I can never right any of them. Nothing I do from this point on will be enough to make up for the heartbreak I put her through." Shen's last precious person from the past who ever gave a damn about him was now gone. He probably feels like he was all alone, with no one left in the world who truly cares for him. That kind of loneliness placed on hiself, and feeling there was no way for him to rectify this due to this turn of events...Po couldn't help but feel sympathetic. After all, the very same Soothsayer helped him proceed forward when he honestly thought he would be unable to.
"...Just keep living, Shen." Po said slowly. "Soothsayer was dreading that this entire crisis would end with your death. She was legitmately and truly relieved to see that wasn't the case, thanks to me finding a loophole in her prophecy. Goes to show not everything is set in stone down to the latest detail. There's always a chance to change. If you truly want to clean up your act, you can start by continuing to live, and not ask for death so desparately. You can't stay in one spot forever. Eventually you gotta pick yourself up and keep on moving." Po placed his hand on Shen's shoulder. "D it for her, Shen. And do it for your parents. Continue to live, that way you'll spend time from this point onward trying to clean yourself up and become a more decent person." Shen turned towards Po with a confused look. "Ya know how the good guys are willing to die for the sake of their loved ones? Don't get me wrong. As admirable as I think that is, I find it much less troublesome to live for them, instead. If you're willing to die for the sake of your loved ones, then you should be just as willing to survuve alongside them so they don't suffer from that kind of heartbreak." He tilted his head. "At least that's what Master Fenghuang said. You can't continue to protect those close to you if you die in the process."
"...You...you have a very dfferent way of seeing these kinds of things, don't you...?" Shen asked quietly, genunely surprised.
"I like to take a bit of pride in the fact that having different views isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes you discover something new in the process. Something about yourself, and probably how you see yourself and the world in general. Though when those views get crazy...well..." Po smiled sheepishly. "Leeeeet's not go down that road of conversation at this moment. Right now we should focus on bettering ourselves for the future. Can't get stuck up on the past forever, ya know?" Shen sighed as he takes in Po's words. He's mostly speaking in such a casual manner on something seemingly serious. At least to Shen. He's beginning to wonder if the panda is always like this, even after such an intense clash. Strange couldn't even begin to describe how he views this panda. "That's enough brooding for now, Shen. It's about time we get back with the others and continue healing." Po slowly grabbed Shen's wing, and gently began pulling him away. Shen was about to protest, but a growl from his stomach promptly stops him from doing so. He sighed in defeat, then gazes at the grave one more time. Soothsayer always regarded him as a skinny bird, and that he seriously needed to eat more. He supposed he could make it up to her by doing just that.
Yeah. That was a good start.
(Meanwhile...)
"Hey! Geezers!" Fung shouted allowed, walking into the room with an casual swish of his tail. Gahri was nervously following him, begging him to please be a bit more respectful.
Ox crossed his arms and shook his head in grave annoyance. "Disrespectful little punk. You think because you helped saved the entire city that you get to act like a bit shot? Hmph! It's quite obvious that Croc was far too lenient on you when it came to teaching you respect."
Fung gritted his teeth in agitation. "Lay off, old man! I've been pulling my weight around by helping the city with it's reparation efforts! I have't been lyin' on my tail doing noting, you know!" Gahri pulled on his tail to keep him from engaging Ox, who was stomping towards him with aggravation. Croc got in-between them and kept them from engaging.
"This is nto a good time for you two to act barbaric. Fung, it's true that you're not really acting civil. But just as well, Ox, you should show a bit more appreciation for Fung's actions, as well as patience for his rather youth-driven disrespect. I know he can be a handful. Please, both of you try to be well-behaved while we all help rebuild the city." Croc said to the both of them as he and Gahri separated them from their angry staring contest.
Fung huffed and turned away from Ox. He blinked a bit as he observed Rhino and Master Yao sitting right next to Bian Zao and Peng. They were closely observing Bian Zao sitting with his legs crossed, as much as he could, anyway. Rhino heard a bit of his and Ox's back and forth, and only chuckled in slight amusement. Fung blinked as he made his way over towards them. Peng could hear him coming, turning towards him and waving politely.
"What are you guys doing?"
"It would seem that Master Yao is trusting Bian Zao with the teachings of Jian Tian's Tempest." Peng answered for him.
"Woah, what? He's seriosly teaching him something like that? A Mystical Kung Fu Secret? Is he sure about that?"
"i tried to dissuade him from doing such a thing, but he refuses to listen to me. He's rather intent on learning it." Taotie sighed as he sits nearby with Shifu, sipping a cup of tea.
"I'm also a little apprehensive when it comes to Bian Zao learning such a powerful technique. Nonetheless, it was an offer that Master Yao made. As...interesting...as he can be, I fully trust his judgement on the matter." Shifu said while lightly twirling his moustache. "Besides, not only did Master Yao offer it, but Bian Zao agreed o the teachings as well. Safe to say that being cvaught up in all of the action has given him the mindset of wanting to protect himself, as well as the others when the need calls."
Taotie shook his head a bit in irritation. "Well of course I know that, but does it really have to be via Mystical Kung Fu Secret? There are other ways to go on about this, Bian Zao. There's no need to seek power of this magnitude. We don't even know if you'll be able to use it well. Besides, doesn't it take a significantly prolonged amount of time to be abl;e to learn, let alone use such power?"
Bian Zao groaned a bit, not opening his eyes as he looked in the direction of his father's voice. "Dad' it's gonna be alright. i can learn how to wield this power if I just put in the work. Normally that isn't really my style. But the results that might come out of this will be well worth the effort. Besides...I'm smarter than I look. I'm pretty confident that I can figure out how to use it with enough time. And I tend to learn fast when I'm really paying attention. I'll have this thing down in no time." He opened his eyes slowly. "Can't be sitting on the sidelines forever. If I get dragged into a battle, I'd better be prepared for it." He grinned. "Plus...lightning powers are freakin' awesome."
"But I...you...ugh...!" Taotie groaned in defeat. "Alright, fine. You've made it clear that I can't prevent you from doing this. I'm just getting the point across. And the point is, I'm not in full approval of this. Enough to not stop you, and enough for me to worry."
"I believe your boy might become quite adept in this ability. He has the interest, and the youthful enthusiasm to see it through. Those two things tend to make quite a delightful combination! And as he said, the results of two such attitudes tend to be very much worth it!" Master Yao said with a cheerful nod. "I'll tell you, the results of your sons training will be rather shocking! Hehehe!"
"Hahahaha! That's a splendid joke, Master Yao! Excellent indeed!" Shifu stated from atop his staff, sipping his tea while balancing on one foot. He casually ignored Taotie muttering 'kissup' under his breath. Either that, or Shifu was getting a taste for awful puns. That would be a nightmare for himself and Fenghuang alike. Shifu curiously turned towards Peng. "Peng, may I ask where Lian and the others are?"
"You mean all of the girls?" Peng asked. Shifu nodded in confirmation, and Peng rubbed his neck. "Well...they chose to further their relaxation time in one of the bathhouses. It's one of the public ones since the royal one is...well...kinda trashed. It was Master Fenghuang's idea..."
"We're trying to focus our rebuilding efforts and she chose to spend this time bathing? And she persuaded the others to join her? Bah..." Ox folded his arms and rolled his eyes.
"I wouldn't criticize them for it, Ox. I might actually take a go at the baths myself." Rhino said cheerfully, with a loud yawn. "We've been really busy lately, so taking a break isn't something I'm against."
Fung narrowed his eyes as he stroked his chin. "So...they're taking a break...and they're in the baths?" He wondered, tilting his head a bit while closing his eyes. Hm...I wonder if Song is... His eyes widened and he rapidly shook his head to shake the thoughts away.
Bad thoughts, Fung. Bad thoughts. Make them go away. He would resist the temptation to think about it. He would NOT give into the temptation!
...He was thinking about it.
DARN IT!
(With the girls)
"Wooooaaaah..."
Lian beamed as she gazed at the pool of water before her, which was emitting a fair amount of steam. Mei Ling, Song, and Viper observed alongside her, being lead into the room by a rather kind sheep. The staff here was tremendously kind to them, saying that all of their treatment so far, from bathing, massasges, and some delicate food was all free of charge. Which was more than fine by Fenghuang and Song. The less they spend, the better.
"Take as much time to rest here as you like, girls. You've certainly earned it with all of the hard work you've put ut for our sake." The sheep says with a rather gracious pat to Viper's head. She had discarded her signature flowers for the time being.
"Thank you! This is really nice of you all to do this for us!" Viper beams happily. SHe slithered back a bit so she could see Fenghuang lying facedown with her wings spread out. "Master Fenghuang! Are you sure you don't want to join us?"
"Just enjoy your soak, ladies. They're offering free baths, might as well take them while they last." Fenghuang moaned softly as two antelopes worked on her wings, while a rabbit worked on her back. She continued lying facedown, her tail feathers lightly shaking as she trembled with relief. "Aw yeah...I've been needing one of these for a looooong time...I am NOT gonna waste it..." She mumbled as her eyes slid closed. Xue has chosen not to join them, she was really missing out. Mrs. Yoon simply chose to rest within slumber in one of the spare rooms of the inn.
Mei Ling the fox, however, may be the only other person who was enjoying this off-time more than anyone. Spending years on the run tends to do that to a rogue warrior like her. And she was sitting in a chair as a band of bunnies took care of her, brushing the fur on her head and tail, as well as massaging her feet. She pouted at the last part, disappointed that Shifu wouldn't be the one giving it to her. That would have been nice.
Oh well. I'll continue to wear down his shell. He'll come around eventually~
"You don't have to tell us twice! Free is one of my favorite things for many reasons!" Song smirked as she began stepping into the room. Though she blinked as she realized Tigress wasn't with them. She turned around to see her hiding behind the door. She rolled her eyes. "Tigress...what are you doing?"
'...I...I can't." Tigress murmured, staring at the floor sheepishly. It was extremely rare to see her this nervous. As in, actually look the part. Her eyes were shifting around shyly as her tail lied limp on the ground. She was dressed in just a towel like the other women, as they prepared to enter the bath...though she was having many second thoughts.
Lian and Viper looked at each other with a bit of amusement, before looking back at Tigress as the latter smiled softly at her. "Tigress, we're the only ones who'll be in here. There's no need to worry."
Mei Ling nodded, already placing her feet in the water, splashing it slightly. "Yeah, c'mon Tigress. Water's nice and warm~"
Tigress did admit that it looked tempting, but she once again shook her head. "I'm sorry, I just...I'm not used to to something like this..." For the first few years since her adoption, Shifu has helped her bathe. And at a certain age, she became capable of bathing herself without assistance. Though she certainly wasn't used to bathing with others. Sure, they were all girls, thus lessening her hesitation. But still. "I haven't exactly bathed with others before, not altogether like this. So I guess I might be a bit...shy..." Shy was an overstatement, she looked downright scared to get in the bath with them.
Viper found it extremely rare for 'Tigress' and 'scared' to be put together.
"First time for everything. Now get in here!" Song said as she got behind Tigress and pushed her through the door, as Lian swiftly closed it behind them.
Tigress didn't have her guard up, so she stumbled a few times before regaining her balance, sighing softly and turning to Song with annoyance. All she did was smirk victoriously at catching the feline off-guard. That wasn't something that happened often, and she became determined to lessen that outcome as soon as possible. "That...was not necessary."
"You wouldn't have moved if I didn't force you."
"Geez..." Tigress reluctantly surrendered, following the others into the bath while shyly removing her towel. Though only after she was sure there was enough water and steam to be able to hide most of her body. She slowly closed her eyes and sighed, allowing the warmth to soothe her muscles after a hard day of helping Gongmen's recovery.
Mei Ling tilted her head as she gently feels Tigress's arm. "Wow, Tigress! I have done some pretty amazing training myself, so I know I'm not lacking in muscle. But you...you...taking a closeup look and actually feeling them...I can definitely see how much power you put behind your punches. A LOT."
"W-Well I-"
"And the intensity of your kicks when it comes to your leg strength...how you just casually crack the ground when you really want to...amazing!"
"Both of these things help you lift things many times heavier than you are! It's amazing!" Lian said, nodding hurriedly. "Seriously, I'm hoping I can be as strong as you one day! Then I'll be able to have Peng's back even more than I ever have before!"
Tigress smiled sheepishly, as she rubbed her neck a little. Lian was actually looking up to her. It was strange, as she never thought of herself as an idol for anyone. Of course she knew this wasn't the first time this has happened, but this was one of the times that really managed to touch her heart, and slightly embarass her.
And of course Song knew how to ruin it, and turn it against her.
"My my, Tigress. Now that you're not wearing any of your baggy clothes, I can agree that you definitely have quite a physique that excellently demonstrates beauty and brawn. You underestimate yourself too much in terms of the former." She began slyly. "Don't think i forgot that my fellow ladies have mentioned how amazing you are, and how amazing you look. Seeing it up close is quite a sight."
Tigress's smile fell off of her muzzle, and she began blushing. "W-Wha...?"
Viper's eyes sparkled with agreement as she gently splashed the water, slithering up to Tigress with a nod. "She has a point, Tigress! Given how Shifu is...well, Shifu...guess it would be a bit hard for him to say how great you look." She rolled her eyes a bit. The more beautiful their daughter, the more protective the father. Though fathers tend to be overprotective of their daughters regardless. It was just now beginning to shine through when it came to Shifu. Viper lightly bobbed her head. 'Well now that you're surrounded by more fellow girls, you can count on us to give you a bit of a confidence booster every time you feel a bit down about it!~"
"That's easy for you to say, Viper. You're adorable." Mei Ling commented with a laugh.
Song continued, her tail lazily waving through the water behind her. "Whether you knew it or not, you've been holding out on us, Tigress. the full potential of your beauty/brawn are still not completely explored. You tend to be as surprising as Po." She slowly looks downward, grinning mischeivously. "Indeed. So many surprises..." Tigress blushed darkly as she was quick to folded her arms over her chest, looking down in the water out of embarassment. "You sometimes get me envious of you, Tigress~"
"Tigress rarely fails to impress." Mei Ling chuckled.
"She's so cool, so pretty, and so strong~" Lian nodded readily, sinking deeper into the warm water.
"There are some good men would be interested in a woman who are beautiful in body and spirit, and kick some ass! So I think you're a worthy candidate for Po!" Fenghuang shouted from the other room. That definitely caught Tigress off-guard. "I can sense your shock from here! You make it more and more obvious with your coddling every time he gets hurt!"
"W-W-What...?"
Viper looked over where Fenghuang's voice emitted, narrowing her eyes and shaking her head. "Don't mind her, Tigress. We all know how Master Fenghuang is."
"Doesn't mean that she doesn't have a point." Mei Ling the Fox also voiced from the other room. "You coddle the panda just as much as Mr. Ping and Fenghuang do, no matter how much the latter denies it. You're intense protectiveness of him can be rather cute when one sees it from a different angle. He has had quite a dark fate handed upon him, and it's nice to know that someone like you acting as such a strong pillar for him."
"I..."
"Po needs someone strong to keep him up when even he can't stand on his own. He also needs someone who can be warm and soft of her own right so he rest against them." Song smiled slyly. "There's more for him to lie on than only the shoulders, you know~"
"What has gotten into all of you?!" She yelped. The implications only made her cover her chest even more. Why oh why did it have to be her? Why did she have to grow in such a way? Now they-aside from Lian and Viper-would tease her about it. It didn't help that Po had freely placed his head on her chest twice now. He was crying the first time, and she needed to comfort him. The second time, the more recent one, was because he became too dizzy from blood loss to realize what he was doing. She was shocked both times, but she never pushed him away, not forcibly at least. They seemed to know that had it been anyone of the other guys-except her dear nephew Peng-she would have pounded them into the dirt with extreme prejudice.
Still, she sensed her catlike curiosity pick at her. Was this how female friends sent time with one another? Filled with teasing but still having a sense of friendliness between them? She guessed there was more to that, though she never thought as deeply on it as she might have liked. She made a personal goal hat she would begin to try and change that soon, and try to become closer to all of them, experience new things.
Speaking of getting along with someone better, she wondered what Tai Lung was doing right now.
(With the guys)
"Is he going to keep going with this...?" Crane said awkwardly as he and the other guys were sitting in one of the bars. He recognized himself alongside Shen as the odd men out. because the other guys were cheerfully enjoying themselves. Po and Monkey were stuffing their faces with food, the latter having assistance from Mr. Ping. Mantis wasn't doing anything in particular, just sitting upon Po's hat and watching he and Monkey go at it. Mr. Pig always took cautious glances to Po's arm, very critical and careful to see if there was any signs of the bandages breaking and the wound pening up again. Shen humbled himself to having a bowl of the goose's dumplings so he would satisfy his empty belly.
Every civilian in the bar was cautiously keeping their distance from the peacock. Not that he blamed them.
"Bah, will it kill you to lighten up a little? Or at least try to lighten up?" Tai Lung said after vigorously gulping down a cub of wine. He slams it back down on the counter as the rabbit behind it takes i for a refill. "I'd take the panda's advice if I were you. You don't have to rush, as you have plenty of time to heal. But what he's saying is that you should focus on healing. Take too much time in that space of darkness in your mind and heart, you'll never be able to heal."
" I know..." Shen lowered his eys in response to the words, and he gazed at Tai Lung with a hint of newfound interest. "What did you think of the panda when you first met him? What impression does he give you?"
Tai Lung pondered this, rubbing his chin as he recalled first seeing the panda. "Well first off, I was surprised that there were any panda's left. I've been all around China, and I never saw one up until that point. Now for his impression...he seems to be a pretty good guy. The only thing bigger than his gut is his heart. This is the guy who remained within my little sister's hopes and dreams even though they've been separated for fifteen whole years. That's a powerful impression to make on someoone you've only known for a week and a half." He nodded. "I'm just glad he was there for Tigress in a time of need, even if it was only for a little while before he left. He's definitely an okay guy in my book."
"I see..."
"And I meant it when I said that his heart is bigger than his gut. Hearing what you did to him in the past is one of the only things that completely left him utterly shaken. And yet he still left you live." He closed his eyes and turned forward again. "He seems to be the kind of guy who doesn't give a damn about what happens to bad guys getting what they deserve, whether it be by his paws or someone else's. Though he spared you, and gave up an arm to do it. He must see something in you if you're worth that kind of sacrifice."
"Keep em' comin! I'm still going!" Po shouted as he easily gulps down a bowl of dumplings, not even slowing down as he now grabs a bowl of bean buns.
"Crap! How are you still beating me at this?!" Monkey groaned in irritation.
Mantis laughed and pointed at his head. "He's got you beaten, Monkey! The big guy is still the champ!"
"Oh yeah? We'll see about that! I accepted him as the champ, but that doesn't mean he can't be overthrown!" Monkey declared as he begins slurping up noodles at a fast rate, racing against Po with everything he had.
"You boys and your eating competitions! They're always so exciting and funny!" Mr. Ping laughed with cheer.
"Yeah, it's funny until they burn through someone's entire food supply." Crane deadpanned.
Tai Lung chuckled as he turned back towards Shen. "Not to mention the guy's absolutely hilarious when he wants to be. And even when he doesn't try, he just is that funny!" He calmed down a bit as he patted Shen's back. "Not to mention...he and I have a certain something in common. It involves my name, and his scarf."
Shen raised an eyebrow. "How is that...?"
"My name means 'Great Dragon'. And he has a dragon on his scarf." He explained. "A dragon's wrath...is not something you want to invoke. A Dragon's rage can be a legendary thing that leaves his enemies decimated before they're done. They can conjure up quite a storm if they're angry enough. And the kinder, gentler, peace-loving, and overall nicer the dragon is...the more devastating their wrath unleashed on those that wrong him. Except the difference between me and him...he channels his wrath against those that wrong him and his loved ones, still making a point to keep the innocent safe...while I was unable to control my own, and I hurt everyone around me in many different ways." He said as the bunny comes back with another cup, and he slowly takes it within his paw. "The panda still has a lot to learn...and yet he's still a significantly better man than I could ever be."
Shen was surprised by this. Even the mighty Tai Lung, who could very well be considered a legend himself, even if it's not an entirely positive one, thinks of the much less experienced panda as his superior. And he admitted it so cooly, without a shred of humor. He was serious. He continues to wonder. The panda managed to convince the Kung Fu Council to let him leave, despite the fact that he very well deserve to die. It seems that the panda's personality, as well as his intense intolerance for those that do good peple harm, manages to bring people around him. it was only himself and his father Mr. Ping in the beginning...and now they had such a large pack to quite possibly call family.
Shen slowly gazed at the panda effortlessly eating large quantities of food with a single arm. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded.
I still don't consider myself worthy of his mercy. Or consider myself to continue having the right to even be alive. And yet...he wants to keep me breathing. The dead do not suffer...that is why I'm still alive. Even if it's not intentional on his part, I find that mercy to be cruel, but fitting. So, Soothsayer...I've found a new purpose to follow, as I endure my continues days of suffering. He closed his eyes as he sighed calmly. He wanted to see for himself. He'd travel with the panda to see for himself if he was truly the kind of person everyone is depicting him as. And perhaps, he might find something within himself as well, that something which Po found him worthy to spare.
I want to see what kind of person you are with my own eyes, panda. And I want to see if I'm truly worthy of your mercy...
Okay. For real this time. From this point onward, I WILL update this faster. Maybe not to the same speed as I did before, but I definitely will. Got real life to deal with after all. And my other stories as well. The arc is over. The major events of Gongmen are over, and in-story, it'll be a while before the heroes get moving. Unlike everything else he took so far, Po can't casually walk off a dismembered limb. He tried. Well...you saw how that ended. He almost completely lost consciousness from blood loss due to straining the arm too much. Not a pro on medical things, so I hope you can forgive that. He'll be alright, though.
I know not much happened here, or the previous chapter. But everyone REALLY needs this break.
The next arc to come...the Shifu Arc. Obviously Shifu will be having a lot more screentime to go with the name. Because while Shifu ultimately turned out somewhat alright, I noticed that a majority of his life...really, really, REALLY sucked, even with Oogway looking after him. As I'm putting altered movie events and altered LOA events together in this story, his life growing up may be one of the most troubled of all the characters here. Now I'll take a shot at exploring this part of him in detail. And his loved ones are more affected by these things than any of them thought they could be...
I probably said all of this before and don't even remember it.
...crud.
Seriously, I meant it when I said I would upload this more in the future. I even made it a New Year Resolution. So hopefully, I can follow through with it and not totally disappoint everyone...
..Welp, that's enough from me for now. Seeya!