Chapter 10
A/N: Please note that in chapter 4, I have changed the plant that Tigress plucks the flower off of from a tiger lily bush to the same plum tree Po tries to eat from right before he talks to the emperor. It felt more thematically appropriate.
So this chapter was incredibly difficult to write, due to the intensity of the subject matter. I tried to make it exciting even though there was a lot of talking, as well as to display the complications and nuance of the conversation. Very few of the characters in this chapter are 100% "right"—although some characters are definitely more right than others, and this is not a "both-sides" issue.
[Scene: a day or two later, evening as the sun is going down. Shot is of the city skyline, covered in a goldish haze. It's too quiet; even from the sky, the city seems on-edge.]
[Two harriers, birds of prey, cross the city skyline and arch down towards the streets.]
[Shot shifts to the tiger neighborhood as the sun sinks towards the horizon. The streets are quiet, but the orangeish-scarlet light pours seems to lend the scene a fiery, almost electric tension. In an alley side-street, one of the few non-tiger residents of the neighborhood, a pangolin with pince-nez spectacles, is taking out his rubbish bin of restaurant scraps. He casts a nervous look at the sky as he pours out an old pot of tea into the dust and then moves back under the shadows of his back door.]
(The pangolin moves through the kitchen and out into the main area of the shop, which appears to be a rather well-to-do teahouse. There are fine full-height cherrywood tables with carvings of fruit-trees adorning the backs of the chairs, and shorter tables on raised platforms with embroidered cushions in scarlet and gold silk.)
(One window, however, is covered with a sheet of cloth. A shot from the outside shows us a few splinters of broken wooden shutters still clinging to the windowframe; these pieces are bathed briefly in the orange sunset, before the sunlight is abruptly cut off by a trio of shadows.)
(Back inside the shop, the pangolin is locking up for the night. As he goes to the front door, it abruptly opens with a jangle of bells. Three male tigers in their late-twenties step inside.)
PANGOLIN: (Stops short and watches them as they enter the room. The foremost, a well-built young man with stripes on his head that make him look like he has a flat-top haircut, picks up a porcelain tea saucer with his claws, turning it as if studying the workmanship.)
PANGOLIN: (In a slightly anxious voice) Ehm– I'm sorry, but the shop is close–
FLAT-TOP: (Looks up at him. The pangolin's voice fades off.)
PANGOLIN: –Closed for the day…
FLAT-TOP: (Looking over his shoulder at his friends) You hear that, boys? He says the shop's closed. (The other two tigers chuckle maliciously. Flat-Top looks back at the pangolin and shrugs. Then he drops the teacup.)
NOISE: Crash! (It hits the hardwood floor and shatters.)
PANGOLIN: (Looks at the broken teacup, and then up again as a silhouette falls over him.)
FLAT-TOP: Oops.
PANGOLIN: Y-You're going to h-have to pay for that–
FLAT-TOP: Oh yeah? (Crouches down, tilting his head with a sick smirk.) Who's going to make me? You? (He chuckles.) Soon you'll be asking us to pay for the window, too.
PANGOLIN: (Eyes widening) Y-You–!
TIGER 2: (Behind Flat-Top, voice hard:) The window was a warning. You should have listened.
PANGOLIN: (Growing angry) A warning?! This is my shop! (Slaps the floor with his scaly tail to emphasize the point.) My family's owned this shop for four generations, and you– you hooligans aren't going to– (But they start laughing at this, cutting him off.)
TIGER 3: (Mimicing his voice) Hooligans!
FLAT-TOP: (Laughs again, and then turns to the pangolin. His smirk turns colder.) This isn't your shop. This isn't your neighborhood. (He steps forward; the pangolin subconsciously takes a step back, almost seeming to shrink.) We gave you a chance to leave in one piece, but it looks like we'll have to take matters into our own hands.
(Abruptly he pounces, dropping to all fours and trying to claw the owner. The pangolin gasps and instinctively curls into a ball. The tiger's claws scrape across the owner's protective scales, the force of the blow lifting him bodily and batting him into the left-side wall.)
NOISE: THUD! (The scale-ball bounces off the wall and unfurls, the owner gasping in shock. Immediately he ducks out of the way as a second set of paws try to catch him; TIGER 3's claws accidentally sink into the whitewash.)
TIGER 3: (Yowling) I'm stuck!
FLAT-TOP: Idiot! (He tries to catch the owner, but the pangolin spins and whacks him with his scaly tail, giving the tiger whiplash and drawing blood.) Agh!
TIGER 2: Why you little–
PANGOLIN: (Scampers for the door on all-fours, dodging to avoid a thrown chair which smashes against the wall into splinters.)
FLAT-TOP: (Clutching his bleeding nose) Kill the little pest!
TIGER 2: (Lunges at the door)
PANGOLIN: (Slams the door shut behind him. On the other side, we hear the solid THUD of flesh-on-wood.)
(Inside the shop, TIGER 3 has at last managed to yank his claws out of the whitewash. He and Flat-Top rush to the door and haul the likely-concussed TIGER 2 to his feet, wrenching open the door.)
(The restaurant courtyard is empty, and the pangolin is nowhere to be seen.)
FLAT-TOP: (Snarling and clutching at his nose as his muzzle drips blood) Where is he! (Tiger 3 shrugs, and Flat-Top turns to the nearest table in the courtyard and overturns it, smashing it on the stone with a snarl of frustration.)
(From the next roof over, the Pangolin watches as the tiger trio start to destroy his shop, shrinking behind the chimney flue. Across the neighborhood, heads start to poke out of doors at the noise, and then vanish back inside—that is, with the exception of several other young men who come to help as lavender dusk begins to set over the street. The harrier hawks spotted before take off from a nearby building and fly off in the direction of the mountains.)
[Scene: Late morning, several days later. Birds are chirping, the winter sky is blue, and a light dusting of snow covers the Forbidden City. Inside the imperial guard offices, Wu is handing out assignments.]
WU: Public morale is low. Seeing the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior defending the streets will help inspire confidence and keep the peace. (Hands Po a leaf of paper.) You'll each be stationed at one of the local temples.
SHIFU: (Accepting his paper) I appreciate the sentiment, Wu, but public relations isn't usually our forté.
WU: It takes many battles to win a war, grandmaster. (Shifu nods in acknowledgement.) Dragon Warrior, the Temple of Heaven sent a personal request for extra defense after what happened to their sister-temple, so you'll be stationed there with some of my top guards.
PO: Sweet.
WU: Master Mantis. (Mantis tilts his head up.) Your position will be a little different; the Lama Temple is one of the most important in the city, and it's a monastery to boot. A lot of immigrants from the north and west have settled there.
MANTIS: So what's the difference?
WU: Well, to put it bluntly, the people there tend to be rather… big. Indian elephants, Tibetan yaks, even some rhinos from the far west. You get the point. They can take care of themselves for the most part, but the Ten Thousand don't like outsiders. So, we want you to hide and observe. The, ah, relative size of everything should help conceal you.
MANTIS: More spying? C'mon, I wanna hit something!
SHIFU: (Warning) Mantis–
MANITS: Yeah, yeah, I get it.
WU: Master Viper, you'll be right next door at the Imperial Confucian College. Master Monkey, you'll be at the White Cloud Temple and Master Crane will return to the Temple of Earth.
CRANE: What about you, Captain?
WU: (Rubbing his spotted chin) I've been considering that. We need a finger on the pulse, to figure out how the city's large predators as a whole are feeling. After I escort the Dragon Warrior to the temple and introduce him to my contacts there, I intend to do a little poking around.
PO: (Catching on) The tiger neighborhood! (Wu nods) That's a great idea; one of us could go with you–
WU: No. I need to go alone; they'll mark you as outsiders immediately. Another large cat, on the other hand, they might be more willing to talk to.
VIPER: But Tigress said the people there recognized her from our posters; how do you know you won't be identified?
MONKEY: Yah, you're the captain of the guard, after all.
SHIFU: (Speaking up, to their surprise) It's not the same. Tigers remember stripes; leopards remember spots.
WU: (Impressed, nodding) The grandmaster is correct. We never forget a face—if it's one of our own kind. (Looking around.) So, you have your assignments, and I have mine. Everyone agreed?
(There's a chorus of agreement. Shot focuses on Mantis, who looks mildly annoyed.)
[Transition shot: Mantis, still looking annoyed, sitting on top of a tile on a gate and tapping his claw. The clatter and din of the busy temple echoes around him.]
MANTIS: (Complaining to himself) Why do I always get the boring jobs? "Mantis, sit here." "Mantis, watch that." "Mantis, pretend to be an action figure." (To his reflection in one of the glazed tiles.) It's because I'm small, isn't it? (His reflection looks back at him, equally unimpressed.) Yeah, that's gotta be it.
(He sighs and looks out at the city around him. Wu wasn't wrong about the neighborhood; through the street in front of the temple's foremost gate, we can see the passage of rhinos, large bison, and a fair number of elephants, among others. Although these are relatively smaller in size than their real-world counterparts, they are still substantially larger than their fellow-species around them. The horns of a gaur-bison passing under the temple briefly scrape the bottom tile, drawing sparks. The shops and houses in the vicinity are likewise scaled up to their inhabitants, so in comparison to Mantis the proportions are almost comical.)
MANTIS: (Grumbling) Even the Ten Thousand wouldn't try something here. These guys could kick the stuffing out of them. (His grumbling monologue is cut off by the mid-day ringing of the city gong, and he brightens.) Finally. Hey, you! (A plainclothes leopard guard, one of Wu's men, looks up from his post below the gate.) I'm taking my lunch break.
GUARD: (Equally bored) Uh-huh. (Goes back to watching the street.)
MANTIS: (Hops down off the roof onto a passing bison's rain-hat, then onto the back of an elephant crossing the road, then onto a rhino's cart and finally to the other side, where there's a dumpling stand. He jumps up onto the counter and studies the menu for a moment before dodging out of the way as a large plate is almost set down on top of him.) Hey, watch it!
BISON OWNER: Huh? Oh. Sorry, little guy.
MANTIS: Don't call me "little." Can I get a large bean-bun?
BISON OWNER: (Raising his brows) You sure?
MANTIS: Do I look unsure?
BISON OWNER: Fine, jeez. (Wraps up bean-bun.) It was just a question.
MANTIS: (Unimpressed) Uhuh. Here. (Pulls a coin out from under his otherwise useless wings and flips it onto the counter.) Keep the change.
(Shot shifts to him eating his dumpling on top of a little lion statue outside a shop, watching the crowd. As he does so, he notices the same elephant girl he jumped on before at the end of the street; she appears to be in her early twenties and is on all-fours with a large load of vegetables on her back, apparently working as a transporter. She appears to be trying to turn around, but isn't able to stand upright without risking dropping her produce everywhere and is bumping into things.)
ELEPHANT GIRL: (Anxiously, with a Thai accent) Sorry! Excuse me– sorry, sorry…
(She tries to back up, but accidentally knocks a food stand over, forcing the rhino owner to jump out of the way lest he be scalded by boiling oil.)
RHINO: Kanya, you clutz! Watch where you're going!
KANYA: Sorry, Mr. Quán! Oof! (Winces as a rickshaw driver runs into her leg by accident.) Sorry!
MANTIS: Okay, this is just sad. (Sets his dumpling down in its waxpaper and hops over, stopping on top of a roof behind her.) Hey, kid! Uh– Kanya!
KANYA: (Looking around wildly) What? Did someone say my name?
MANTIS: Up here! (The girl looks back over her shoulder but still doesn't seem to see him, and he sighs.) The bug, on the roof!
KANYA: Oh my! (Jumps a little, spilling a few cabbages.) Oh no. (Quickly scoops them up with her nose and re-deposits them again.) Um–
MANTIS: Just follow my lead, okay? Forward! (The girl stumbles forward a step.) Okay, a few more! (She does so, embarrassed.) Okay, now turn. And back up. A little more… a little more… stop! Okay, now try to move.
(The elephant girl pivots and finds herself facing the right way down the road. Mantis hops down onto her pile of cabbages.)
KANYA: (Embarrassed) Thank you, Mister– um, I don't think I know your name.
MANTIS: Really?
KANYA: Sorry! Should I know?
MANTIS: Uh– (suddenly glances back at the temple and gets an idea) Nah, just that most people call me Mantis. Hey, you're a local in this neighborhood, aren't you?
KANYA: (As she starts to walk) I guess so. My family and I have lived here for almost five years now.
MANTIS: Seen anything weird lately? Like, I dunno…guys in masks and stuff?
KANYA: Oh! You mean the "Ten Thousand." (Considering) Hm, no. They don't really bother us.
MANTIS: (Wilting a little) Oh. So it's pretty peaceful around here, then. (The elephant girl hesitates, and he raises his eyebrows.) Or isnt it?
KANYA: Well… (glances around anxiously) ...the "Ten Thousand" do not come here, it's true, but… recently our windows have gotten broken, o-or people write things on our walls. We think it might be some of the university students…
MANTIS: (Pretending to be nonchalant) Yeah? Uh, what sort of things?
KANYA: Well that they… do not want us here. That we are not really Chinese. (Goes quiet. Mantis watches her for a moment, and then looks up at the neighborhood around him.)
MANTIS: Well, who decides what's "really Chinese," anyway? (Shrugs and glances down.) You live here, right? Last I checked, this is China.
KANYA: (Looks surprised, and then grins up at him and nods.)
(Time skips ahead; the city gong is ringing, indicating the end of the noonday hour, as Kanya, now on two feet and carrying her empty baskets, walks into the temple with Mantis on her shoulder. In the temple courtyard there are large braziers and stands offering incense, which people are holding to their foreheads and bowing towards the main temple. Kanya takes some incense and goes to the main building of the temple, the walls of which are a strikingly vibrant scarlet. As they come out of the bright sunlight Mantis squints, then looks up in surprise.)
(Inside the temple building are three large gold statues, each depicting an elephant—the same elephant—in a traditional Buddhist position. The center one appears to be meditating. Kanya kneels down and bows to it with the incense; Mantis, looking a little sheepish, inclines his head.)
(Shot shifts ahead to Mantis and Kanya just outside the temple, sitting on the steps and talking.)
KANYA: I come here almost every day. It reminds me of home.
MANTIS: Why'd you leave?
KANYA: The neighboring kingdom attacked us. It wasn't safe to stay, so Papa brought us here.
MANTIS: So you were refugees. (Kanya nods.) I'm sorry. That sucks.
KANYA: (Wistfully:) Sometimes I miss being around people who look and talk like me, but Papa says we have a good life here. I just wish I didn't feel so out-of-place.
MANTIS: Y'know, I've got a friend who's, uh, bigger too. He really makes it work for him.
KANYA: I suppose. (Cheerfully, closing her eyes and "shrugging" with her nose) And who knows? Maybe in my next life, I'll be born as something delicate and graceful!
MANTIS: (Frowns and hops up onto her knee, making the girl open her eyes in surprise) Y'know, you shouldn't talk like that. It's self-defeating.
KANYA: What do you mean?
MANTIS: Y'know what I do for a living? (Kanya blinks.) Kid, I'm a kung fu master. I spend every day beating up guys almost as big as you! (Gesturing back towards the gates) You think if I went out there every day hating my size that I'd be able to do what I do?
KANYA: I guess not.
MANTIS: You better believe I couldn't! (Kanya looks a little sheepish, and he softens:) Look, a lot of people in life are gonna doubt you because of who you are or where you come from. And I know what it's like, to feel like you can't fight back. But the moment you start agreeing with them, you've already lost.
KANYA: I guess you're right.
MANTIS: I know I am. Trust me, I have to be. (Taps his exoskeleton with his claw.) How else could I grow such a thick skin?
KANYA: (Giggling) Alright then. Thanks, Mister Mantis.
MANTIS: Anytime, kid. (He again catches sight of himself in the gleam off a marble cobblestone, and says a little ruefully:) Anytime.
[Transition shot: a hoof passes in front of the bug's reflection, and the camera shot follows this foot. The hoof walks out the gates of the Lama Temple and down the street, passing around other feet, and then takes a left. The shot pans up to show that we've been following a young ox in scholarly robes, carrying a bundle of scrolls.]
[The shot follows the student under a scalret paifang archway decorated with gold and jade tiles and hip-roofs. As he enters the courtyard beyond the shot pulls back to show the other students in scholar's robes, milling around on their break between lectures and forming small circles of discussion. This is the Guozijian—the Imperial College and highest center of learning in Dynastic China.]
[Shot leaves the student behind and moves over a bridge to a pool, frosted over with ice, in the center of which lays an island bearing an elaborately decorated building of scarlet pillars and sweeping tile roofs. In front of the building's entrance, beside the bridge, are two iron braziers. One of these has been lit, and Viper is warming herself on it, watching the students across the bridge. The scene is visually striking—an aesthetic contrast of reds, azures and snowy whites, with a spot of emerald green.]
VIPER: (Shivers a little and curls in closer around the brazier. As a female student passes she reaches out with her paper fan and fans the flame. Viper smiles up at her with a hissed:) Thankssss. (As she settles in again, her eyes fix on the courtyard opposite the pond.)
(Shot returns to the ox student, who is mumbling "excuse me's" as he moves around some of the smaller students, shuffling his armfull of scrolls keeping his head down. As two groups of students part in front of him, he sees another group of students, laughing, and stops.)
(The ringleader of the group appears to be a young male leopard, graceful rather than bulky and dressed in fine scholar's robes. The ox quickly tries to move away, but before he can the leopard spots him.)
LEOPARD STUDENT: –Well, look who it is. Lu! (The ox tries to ignore him, looking harassed as he heads for the bridge.) Look, guys, he won't even talk to me. What is it, Lu, afraid I'll humiliate you again?
LU: (Snapping over his shoulder, in a thick countryside accent:) I do not argue with fools, Qing.
QING: (Scoffs) Well fine, if you're too much of a coward. (To his friends, loudly, faux-idly) I mean, let's just say, hypothetically, that we consider Ten Thousand's arguemnts. (Lu grits his teeth, huffing through his nose.) Of course I disavow the violence, but they have some interesting ideas.
LU: (Stops, and then whirls around, glaring. Over on the brazier across the bridge, Viper uncoils slightly and straightens up, frowning.)
LU: (Stomps over to the group of young predators, who part so that he's face-to-face with Qing.) The Ten Thousand are violent fanatics who destroy the peace of China. They have no "interesting ideas."
QING: (Eyes glittering; this is exactly what he wanted) Well, any theory is worth consideration, right? We're scholars, aren't we? Or at least, I am.
LU: Their ideas are inharmonious and without balance, and personally offensive!
QING: (Smug) An idea is neither offensive nor inoffensive, it merely exists. (Lu grits his teeth.) I mean, let's just consider the argument, right? The Ten Thousand think that some people should be on top and some people should be on bottom, right? (Gestures to the growing crowd.) Aren't we all scholars of the Great Teacher? Don't we all think that too?
LU: How dare you take the Teacher's words in vain!
QING: (Smothly) But I'm not taking them in vain. The Great Teacher said that everyone had a place in society; so do the Ten Thousand. And if everyone has a place in society, who should be on top? The ones best suited to rule, right?
LU: And who says that should be you! Who says you are best suited to rule over me! (Thumps his chest with his hoof. Across the pond, Viper, who is now frowning and tight-lipped, uncoils herself from the brazier, hissing irritably and slithering towards the bridge.)
QING: Can it be helped that nature blesses some and curses others? And let's just say, for the sake of argument, that some people are naturally superior–
LU: (Hotly) Which you are not!
QING: –Well then it would make sense for them to be in charge, and for the naturally inferior should stay on their farms in the countryside–
LU: (Snorts, roars, and tackles the leopard.)
(Everyone shouts and scrambles back as they roll onto the bridge; the ox is shouting and beating at the leopard's face with his hooves, who is trying to protect his face. Qing manages to get a hit in and they roll sideways again, the leopard coming out on top and snarling as he unsheathes his claws.)
NOISE: THWACK! (A green blur smacks into Qing's face and launches him off the ox, who sits up, shocked. Qing, with Viper attached in the "Mask of Death," hits the marble wall of the bridge and collapses. He tries to claw Viper off, but quick as lightning she slithers down his body and wraps around his limbs in a knot, effectively hog-tying him.)
VIPER: That's enough, both of you! Nngh! (Hisses as he tries to pry his limbs apart.) Sssettle down!
QING: (Shrieking) Help! Help! I'm being attacked!
CONFUCIAN HEADMASTER: (Slithers through the ring of students, a bespectacled, mustachioed cobra:) What is going on here?!
QING: (Yelping) Lu and this crazy snake lady just attacked me! I was just talking! This is oppression–!
CONFUCIAN HEADMASTER: Oh, Master Viper! (He bows quickly, startling Qing.) What happened?
VIPER: (Slithering off the student) This young man– (glances angrily at Qing) –was insulting that one, there. (Nods to the ox.) The ox boy hit him and they started fighting; by the time I pulled this one off he'd unsheathed his claws.
QING: (Howling) But I was just talking! Headmaster, you have to believe me! It was self-defense!
CONFUCIAN HEADMASTER: That's enough, Qing. Lu! (The ox boy stands up, wincing.) What have I told you before? "When anger rises, think of the consequences!"
LU: Yes, headmaster…
CONFUCIAN HEADMASTER: (Inclines his head again to Viper) Thank you for calming matters, Master Viper. I assure you, this unseemly violence will be punsihed.
VIPER: "Unseemly violence?" But–
CONFUCIAN HEADMASTER: We've had problems with Lu in the past; his temper– (glances disapprovingly back at the ox, who looks miserable) –is not really suited to the scholar's life. His family were farmers, you know, and he hasn't had much experience in learning patience and self-control. (Turns back to her.) As a kung fu master, I'm sure you understand how important it is to have a cool temper.
VIPER: Yes, but professor– the things that Qing boy was saying, they were just vile. (Worried) I'd go so far as to call them dangerous.
CONFUCIAN HEADMASTER: (With a slightly patronizing tone:) Considering ideas is what scholars do, Master Viper. Even ones that others might consider "dangerous." Any idea should be up for debate. (Before she can reply:) Lu, with me!
(He slithers off towards the lecture hall. The ox follows, stopping briefly to bow miserable to Viper, and then walks on. Viper watches the scholars go, stunned at what has just happene, and then looks back as Qing stands up and dusts himself off. She watches as he walks back to his friends, who start to snicker and pat him on the back.)
(Shot of the frosted surface, blurrily reflecting the lone green spot of the snake on the bridge.)
[Transition shot: the frozen water and reflection fades into rippling unfrozen waters, reflecting a leopard and a panda. Shot pans up to show Po and Wu walking along a large flat bridge in another city park, heading towards a temple complex and followed by a small troop of guards behind them.]
WU: I believe you will enjoy your assignment for today, Dragon Warrior. The Temple of Heaven is truly a masterpiece of our city.
PO: Well uh, it's an honor, for sure.
WU: This is one of the holiest places in the Capitol. The Emperor himself comes here twice a year to offer sacrifice to the gods, and to mediate for his people with the Heavens. (They've reached a trio of red gates under a green tile roof; Wu gives a nod to the temple guard, who unlocks the gate and lets them pass into the temple complex.) Considering your…unique position, I think you will find it particularly enlightening.
PO: Enlightening? (As they walk through an open-air entrance hall into the courtyard,) Uh, listen– I know I'm Oogway's heir and all that, but I hope you're not expecting, like, any great wisdom or– (He looks forward and stammers off) Whoa…
(The temple he's entered is unlike any other we've seen thus far; across the courtyard in front of him, a circular three-teired temple building—complete with vermillion pillars and window-lattice, glistening blue tiles and gold detailing that seems to glitter in the mid-morning sunshine—rests atop a set of white marble stairs. Ordinary rectangular temple buildings in similar color schemes flank either side of the courtyard, but it is the circular building, so architecturally unusual, that draws the eye. A large golden bulb at the time glares sunlight across the shot with a sparkle, and dragon imagery is everywhere.)
(In the center of the courtyard, on the path between the entrance-hall and the circular building, there rests a large marble statue in dark gray of a bull holding a war-spear in his hand. From the five-toed dragon embossed in a circle on his stony armor, it is clear that this is the Bull Emperor, depicted as he was in life before being slain by the Tiger General. It is at least a story tall, but is dwarfed by the temple building beyond it.)
(While the scene is striking as a whole, it has a particularly strong impact on Po, who trails and stops, staring in awe and something stronger—intuition.)
PO: This…isn't a normal temple, huh.
WU: (Noting the panda's shock with a grim smile as he continues walking; Po follows behind) No, it's not. (There's a pause, and then he adds:) It was built by the Tiger General.
PO: (Snapping out of his awe) What?!
WU: (Nodding) Mm. (He inclines his head to a few duck priests as they pass, and then continues:) People around here don't like to talk about it, but the Tiger General held the Northern Capital for almost seven years. There are citizens here who were born during the occupation.
PO: I didn't know.
WU: (Explaining as they walk) Most of the populace was never happy about it, of course, and when the Imperial forces finally retook the city there were a lot of people leading the rebellion from the inside. Of course, the Ten Thousand didn't go easily; my father rescued some young boys on the battlefield who were forced to fight for them, mere children.
(Po looks sickened, and Wu quickly moves on:)
WU: Anyway…as I said, the city as a whole was never too happy about the occupation, and the General had to convince them he was really their emperor. So, he forced the civilians to build the Temples of Heaven and Earth, to demonstrate his legitimacy.
[Flashbacks in paper-cutout: duck and pig civilians working forced-labor in the blazing sun, carrying marble blocks and crates of tiles; this is followed by a shot of the Tiger Emperor in armor with a gold boss on the chest displaying a five-toed dragon. He offers burnt sacrifices to the gods, while outside the temple the large predator civlians look on, seemingly ignorant of the bitter winter cold. Upon looking closely, a viewer might notice that one of the adult tiger men is standing with his paws on the shoulders of a cub with Sun's markings.]
WU: (VOICEOVER) After the Imperial forces retook the city they threw out the old priests, and when the war was done they built that monument there to the Ox Emperor. But there was no point in destroying a perfectly good temple, and the buildings are still the same.
[Flashpresent.]
PO: (Catching on) So that's why the priests here asked for extra protection. The Ten Thousand probably hate what they've done with the place. (Wu gives him a grim smile.)
(They've reached the steps to the main building of the temple. At the top they're greeted by a young duck priest, who bows to them. Wu and Po bow back.)
JUNIOR PRIEST: Captain Wu, Dragon Warrior. Please accept our apologies; the head priest had an emergency to attend to. He sent me to greet you in his stead.
PO: An emergency? Everything okay?
JUNIOR PRIEST: (Rising from his bow) Nothing to concern your esteemed self, Dragon Warrior. (Po looks a little flattered at the description of "esteemed.") Please, right this way.
(He escorts them into the circular hall. As they enter, Po's eyes, and the camera shot, are drawn upwards, and he lets out a low gasp.)
(To say that the temple is luridly decorated would be an understatement; the kalaidascopic array of colors and shapes dazzles the eyes, especially with the glittering of midday sunlight off the gilt filigree on the pillars, walls and ceiling. When Po's eyes adjust we see an array of details: a domed ceiling in colors of red, green, yellow and blue; four striking scarlet pillars with gold flowers holding up the dome, and twelve smaller pillars around the interior of the dome; incense burners, lanterns, and marble steps. Dragon-and-phoenix imagery is everywhere, representing harmony and unity. Po's eyes fix on the gold plaque at the top of the dome, which depicts a dragon and a phoenix, representing harmony and balance.)
JUNIOR PRIEST: (Noting his interest) It's beautiful, isn't it? Tell me, Dragon Warrior, what do you see?
PO: (Fumbling, still visually stunned) Uh… well, a circle represents heaven, right? And then there's that square-ish shape around the dome, so… uh, Heaven and Earth?
JUNIOR PRIEST: Well done. Your Master Oogway would have been impressed.
PO: Oogway came here?
WU: (Speaking up) Indeed. This is where he and the other soothsayers received the vision that my lord had been chosen as the Emperor. (Lowers his eyes and clasps his hands behind his back, giving a short bow.) Well, now that the Dragon Warrior and my guards are present, I think I should be on my way. Please give my regards to the head priest.
JUNIOR PRIEST: Yes, Captain. (Wu inclines his head to Po and leaves.) Ehm, Dragon Warrior?
PO: (Still dazed and staring at the ceiling, mumbling:) Uhuh?
JUNIOR PRIEST: Right this way, please…
(Po snaps out of his trance and follows the junior priest, the rest of the guards heading back out into the courtyard. As they do so, they hear the faint sound of high-pitched shouting. Po turns towards it, startled. Another older duck in more elaborate robes is walking up to meet them from the same direction.)
HEAD PRIEST: Ahh, Dragon Warrior! It is an honor! (Bows)
PO: Uh– yeah, an honor, totally, to meet you too. (Bows back, still looking curiously in the direction of the shouting.) Is everything okay? 'Cuz I can like, go investigate or whatever–
HEAD PRIEST: (Mildly annoyed) Nothing of any matter, Dragon Warrior. Just some peasant making a fool of himself. Our own guards can handle it. This way, if you please…
PO: I mean, if you're sure… (Follows the ducks, looking back over his shoulder once in confusion.)
[Scene: the tiger neighborhood, early afternoon. It's slightly busier today than when Po and Tigress visited, with tigers and the occasional other large cat moving between the shops. The ginkgo trees are now bare, and snow dusts the cobblestones.]
(Wu moves along the street, dressed like a traveller in a cloak and boots. He occasionally gets curious looks, but the neighbors seem to accept his presence without too much concern. To ward off suspicion, the leopard ducks into one of the first shops on the street and buys an order of fried dumplings.)
WU: (Handing over his change) Thank you.
(The shot follows the change being deposited behidn the counter and then pans up to show FENG, who is working the till. Beside her, SUN wraps the dumplings in waxed paper. When Sun turns to hand over the parcel we see that he has a bandage patch taped across his cheek. Wu's eyes widen slightly.)
SUN: (Flatly) Have a good day. (Wu gets the point and turns to go.) Next!
(Wu leaves the restaurant; Feng's eyes follow him curiously. The shot shifts ahead, to Wu eating his dumplings as he walks, while his eyes scan the street. Something ahead catches his gaze, and he moves forward, stepping between people with his eyes fixed ahead.)
(As he comes to the corner, he stops. In front of him stand the gutted remains of the Pangolin's teashop. The furniture in the courtyard is broken, and the gate is hanging off its hinges. The shutters in the windows have all been busted in and creak forlornly as a chilly wind stirs the snow, sweepign a dusting of flakes off the street and into the gate.)
VOICE BEHIND HIM: (Grunting) Damage of good property, if you ask me.
WU: (Turns and looks over his shoulder to see a middle-aged tiger man. He turns back to the teashop) What happened?
TIGER: (Eyes him, and then answers curtly:) Eviction. Some of the local boys had their fun busting it up afterwards.
WU: (Notices a few characters scrawled across one of the walls in sloppy paint, which read "Outsiders, Stay Out!" He looks at the tiger and gives him a slight smirk.) Eviction, huh.
TIGER: (Senses what he thinks is an ally and smirks:) Right. Eviction. (He and Wu start to walk on.) You're not from around here, then.
WU: I'm from up north, got business in the city. (Offers) Dumpling?
TIGER: Nah, thanks. How long are you in the city for?
WU: Few weeks, probably not more.
TIGER: (Glances over his shoulder, and then lowers his voice) Look, our boys don't mean any real harm, but you know how it is—when you're young and your blood's pumping, tempers are high–
WU: No, no, I understand. Mistakes happen.
TIGER: Not sure I'd call it a "mistake," but you get the point.
WU: Believe me, I do. (Taking a chance, even lower:) By the way, the rumors I've heard—I have to ask. Is it true? (When the tiger gives him a confused look, Wu takes his biggest risk yet:) Is…there an heir?
TIGER: (Glances around and then looks back to Wu.) Hard to know. But whoever she is, they say she's come back. I mean back here, to the city.
WU: She?
TIGER: So they say. That's the latest I've heard, anyway. Who knows? (Straightens up.) Maybe it's all just talk.
WU: I guess we'll have to just wait and see. Maybe I'll stick around the city a little longer.
TIGER: (Smirking at him and nodding) Well. Good luck with your business.
WU: Thank you.
(He watches the tiger leave, and then turns, surveying the area. As he does so, he catches sight of FENG, who is walking with an empty shopping basket. As she passes the destroyed tea shop, she slows and stares for a moment, before seeming to remember herself and hurrying on. Wu watches her go into an apothecary and follows.)
(Inside we see a tiger opening and shutting small boxes on a medicine-cabinet, mixing together ingredients as Feng watches anxiously.)
APOTHECARY: Salve of zicao herb, hundred-thirty yuan.
FENG: (Silently hands over the money. As she does so, the Apothecary asks in a faux-idle way:)
APOTHECARY: How'd your father get hurt?
FENG: (Tenses; behind her, Wu tilts his head) He says he cut himself. While cooking.
APOTHECARY: On the face? That's dangerous. (Feng doesn't answer.) Your father should be more careful, before something worse happens.
FENG: (Mumbling) I'll tell him that. (She turns to leave. The Apothecary watches her go, and turns to Wu.)
APOTHECARY: Yes?
WU: Three knobs of ginger root.
APOTHECARY: Thirty yuan.
(Wu buys it quickly and leaves. Outside, he looks around for Feng, and spots her in a small side-alley, looking rattled. Making sure nobody sees him, he follows her.)
FENG: (Looking up as the shadow blocks the sunlight) Oh. Um–
WU: Don't worry, I just want to ask you a few questions. (When Feng still looks nervous, he reaches under his cloak and shows her his armor. Feng's eyes go wide.) I'm with the city guard.
FENG: (Glancing back at the street; urgently:) This way.
(She leads him behind a rubbish bin, partially concealing them from view from the street.)
WU: That apothecary didn't seem to like you very much. How did your father really get hurt? (Feng hesitates, and he shifts tact:) Alright, I get it, you're not allowed to say. How about that tea shop? Can you tell me about that?
FENG: (Looks past the bin to the larger road; nobody has noticed them. She lowers her voice to a whisper:) Nobody's seen Mr. Lum since it happened. One night there was just… a lot of noise, and the next day he was gone and the shop was destroyed.
WU: (Quoting) "Outsiders, get out."
FENG: He ran the best tea shop in the neighborhood. I thought everyone loved him, even if he wasn't a tiger. But nobody's doing anything about it, even though everyone knows who did it.
WU: The Ten Thousand?
FENG: (Shaking her head) No. Some older boys from around here—nobody will say they did it, but they've been walking around like they think they're kings ever since. And I think– (she looks suddenly ashamed) –I think maybe people are…glad they did it. (Quickly:) But I'm not, I promise!
WU: And you can't give me names? (Feng hesitates again, and he waves his hand) Nevermind, it doesn't matter. Thank you for your help, Miss–
FENG: Feng. –But don't tell anyone that!
WU: I won't, you have my word. (Looks back over the bin; nobody's noticed them yet, and he mostly blocks Feng from view.) I'll leave first; wait a minute and then go.
FENG: Okay. (She watches him leave, vanishing easily into the crowd.)
(Shot shifts ahead to her walking home with her market basket; she turns off down another alleyway, clearly intending to go in through the back door to the kitchen, and walks about a block before stopping short. Ahead of her, her father is standing at his door, surrounded by three younger men. Although they're a ways away, Feng can still hear their conversation:)
SUN: (Sounding guarded, blocking the door to his shop with his body) –I told you before, I'm not on anyone's side.
FLAT-TOP: Yeah? Well in our book, that's a problem. (The other two chuckle.) It kind of sends a bad message, right? Someone might get the wrong idea, think you're a traitor to your own kind.
SUN: I'm not getting involved–
TIGER 2: He's just a coward. (The other two turn to him as he sneers:) My dad told me he didn't even go fight when the city was attacked, back in the day.
FLAT-TOP: Is that right? (Turns back to Sun) Are you a coward?
SUN: I– (His face changes suddenly as he sees Feng down the alleyway. The other three turn to look at her.)
FLAT-TOP: (Grunting) That your daughter?
(It's an innocent enough question, but the moment it's out of his mouth Sun's whole demeanor changes. In the blink of an eye he's shoved Flat-Top back against the back wall of the opposite building, with an arm like a bar across the younger man's chest. When Flat-Top looks up, Sun's eyes have flashed to slits.)
SUN: (Growling) I let you have this one. (Flat-Top's eyes flicker to the bandages on Sun's cheek and then back up again.) Like I said yesterday, I'm not looking for a fight. But if you ever come around to my shop again, I won't hesitate. Am I understood? (Flat-Top doesn't answer, intimidated, and Sun slams him against the wall again, snarling:) Am I understood?!
TIGER 3: (Behind, intimidated) H-hey get off him!
FENG: Father!
SUN: (Snarling at her) Stay where you are! (Feng shuts up. Sun glares at the younger man again, and then lets him go.) Leave us alone from now on. You hear me?
FLAT-TOP: (Stumbles away down the street until he's out of Sun's grasp. His cronies flock to him, and he looks down at his paws and then back up at Sun.) Y-You're gonna regret that, old man–
SUN: (Snarls without words and steps forward. The three turn and run, disappearing at the other corner.)
(Feng slowly approaches and sees that her father's eyes have gone back to normal, and that he's shaking. Clearly his threat was more show than substance.)
FENG: Father–
SUN: (Mumbling) Inside, Feng. Hurry.
(He ushers her inside before him, then looks down the corner. There's no one, but he makes sure to lock the door anyway.)
[Scene: the Temple of Heaven. Po is walking around, doing his rounds and giving nods and "heys" to the occasional fan. Things seem peaceful, but as he reaches a sort of walled-in area, he hears the echoing of an angry, high-pitched voice. It's the same as he heard earlie rin the morning, and, frowning, Po follows it.]
VOICE: –'re too dangerous! Friends, we have to band together and defend ourselves!
(The noise is coming from the top of a circular stone structure, with acoustics similar to that of an amphitheater. Po climbs the steps and finds that the noise is coming from a rabbit who is standing in the center of the circle, pontificating to an anxious crowd.)
RABBIT: A war is coming between us and them, a war that they have started! (Po frowns, listening intently as he draws closer.) The Emperor should have gotten rid of them thirty years ago, but he wasted his time and now they have grown strong again! (Gesturing wildly) For as long as a single tiger, hawk or wolf remains in China, it will never be safe for our kind! It's us versus them, and I choose us!
PO: Whoa, wait, hold on. (The crowd turns to look at him, apparently just noticing the panda in their presence. Po, speaking directly to the rabbit:) Look, I know that the Ten Thousand are bad, but–
RABBIT: "Bad?" Bad doesn't even begin to cover it!
PO: Yeah, but not every tiger or croc o-or whatever is part of them, right? (Appealing to the crowd as he steps forward) Like, so I'm the Dragon Warrior– (A lone "whoop-whoop!" goes up from the crowd; Po points in their direction:) Thank you, always appreciated. –And my best friend in the whole world is a tiger, and she's like the coolest person I know! (Urging) The Ten Thousand are the real enemy here; if we start fighting ourselves, then we're helping them out! We've gotta stick together!
RABBIT: (Redrawing the audience's attention) No, we have to stick together! (Pointing at his chest.) Every tiger or leopard who is not part of the Ten Thousand is a supporter of them—whether they realize it or not!
PO: (Arguing) Okay, well that's just not true. I mean, yeah, okay, sure, everyone has their faults–
RABBIT: (Cutting him off) You see what's happening to our city, what they do to people they think are weaker, to people like us! Why are you defending them?!
PO: (Throwing up his hands) Who's "them?!" You're talking like they're all the same!
RABBIT:They are the same! Why are you siding with them; you should be siding with us! (Hops forward and pokes him in the leg.) Your own kind!
PO: Hey, quit it with the poking–!
RABBIT: What, do you think they're your friends? You think they'll protect you when the time comes? You know that's not true! (Jabs again) You knew it every time they pushed you around, every time they treated you as second-class–!
PO: Knock it off!
RABBIT: –Every time they told you you didn't belong here!
[Flashback: Tigress, standing in the faint blue light from the rice-paper windows, her eyes glowing amber in the darkness.]
TIGRESS: You don't belong here.
PO: Uh, yeah– yeah, a' course, this is your room–
TIGRESS: (Steps forward, almost looming over him) I mean, you don't belong in the Jade Palace. You're a disgrace to kung fu, and if you have any respect for who we are, and what we do, you will be gone by morning.
[She slams the door in his face, and the flashback abruptly ends. Po is left staring at the rabbit, who looks satisfied, as if knowing he's made his point.]
PO: (Unconvincing) ...I don't know what you're talking about.
RABBIT: (Scoffs, looking disgusted, and something worse—disappointed) Fine. Be their servant. But don't fool yourself: they will never be friends with someone like you. (He turns away, but not before muttering:) Traitor.
PO: (Flaring and stepping forward) Alright, that's enough you–!
(A hand catches his shoulder, and Po looks back to see Wu standing behind him.)
WU: Is there a problem here?
RABBIT: (Eyes bug seeing the leopard next to the panda; almost manically:) I knew it. I knew it!
WU: Pardon?
RABBIT: (Shouting at Po) A collaborator! A betrayer of his people! (At the leopard:) You're probably one of the Ten Thousand!
PO: Are you kidding me?! Do you know who this is?!
WU: Peace, Dragon Warrior. (To the rabbit) I'm sorry, sir, but you are causing a disturbance of the peace. I'm going to have to ask you to leave the temple at this time.
RABBIT: I'm causing a disturbance?! I have a right to be here, and I'm not going anywhere, you–!
WU: I believe the temple guards made themselves quite clear this morning; you are bothering the other worshippers and trespassing on holy ground. You need to leave. (When the rabbit looks ready to start shouting again, he adds:) I'd rather not use force here, and I'm sure you'd rather that as well–
RABBIT: Oh, you'd "rather not use force?!" Come on! (Suddenly darts forward and shoves the guard—as much as he can, anyway. There's a gasp through the crowd.) Try me, big guy! What're you gonna do, huh, claw me?! Do it then! Come on!
(The crowd stares, gobsmacked. Wu's eyes have snapped wide, but he recovers himself.)
WU: (With careful calm) I don't believe this has to go any further than it already has. My guards are going to escort you out of the temple; if you comply with them, you will be free to go, but if you attack us again I'm afraid we will have to bring you into custody. You can choose how this will go.
(The citizen looks upset, but, after two hard breaths, seems to be calming down. Wu waits patiently.)
RABBIT: (Muttering) I'll go—since I don't have any choice.
WU: (Nodding) Lieutenant Caixia. (A large rhino guard behind him straightens up at her name.) If you would please escort this genetleman off the premises…
LUIETENANT CAXIA: Right this way, sir.
(As the rhino escorts the rabbit away, the crowd visibly calms and begins to disperse. Out of the group a middle-aged rabbit woman appears.)
RABBIT WOMAN: Thank you so much. He's been here every day since the attacks on the temples…
WU: (Inclinging his head) We live to serve, Madame.
RABBIT WOMAN: (Anxiously, speaking to Wu directly) I hope you know– most of us don't agree with him! It's just, well, people like him are very loud–
WU: We understand. Oftentimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease. (The woman looks relieved and bows before heading away.) Dragon Warrior. (Po looks over.) I'm afraid I'll have to escort you off the temple grounds as well.
PO: What? But– (Wu raises his eyebrows, and Po immediately backs down.) Okay, fair.
(Wu takes his arm in a not-so-subtle custody hold and leads him back towards the temple gates. As they walk, they get curious stares.)
PO: ...Yeah, so, this is humiliating.
WU: (Voice slightly amused) Good. Next time you won't almost start a fistfight with a civilian.
PO: But he was so– he didn't– agh! Aren't you angry?!
WU: Angry? Of course I'm angry—but that man is responding out of a place of pain and fear; he's been hurt by people like me too many times. And the imperial guard's job is to keep the peace; it is on me to keep a cool head, not him.
PO: But that's not an excuse! My people almost got destroyed by a peacock! You don't see me going around, yelling about getting rid of peacocks!
WU: (Turns and sets a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.) If I had responded out of anger, do you know what the people would have seen? (The panda looks confused, and Wu answers for him:) Another large predator, dressed up in armor, picking on someone half his size. It would have affirmed everything the Ten Thousand want the people of this city, and the Empire, to believe is true.
PO: But–
WU: In principle I agree with you—his words are not so different from those who would say that China belongs to those of us with certain natural advantages in battle. (Gestures to the gate.) But that man does not pose a serious threat to me, the way the Ten Thousand do to people like him—and to people like you. (Po looks unsatisfied by this answer, and Wu adds:) I understand it's a bitter herb to swallow. But this is a war, not a battle, and the tides of war must determine our responses far more than the actions of individual men.
PO: …(Sighing) You're right, you're right. Sorry, it just– he got me worked up, okay?
WU: (Studies him a moment, and then adds) I understand how you feel. It's only natural to want to defend our friends. But our duty must come first.
PO: (As they continue walking, joking ruefully:) Easy for you to say; defending your friend is your duty.
WU: (Grim chuckle—a little too grim to Po's view, but making perfect sense considering what we know he's seen that day) Trust me, Dragon Warrior, "easy" is not the word for it. And besides: (He sighs and rolls his shoulders as they exit the temple gates, letting go of Po's arm and looking out over the temple park and the city beyond it.) You're needed back at the palace. We have bigger problems to worry about.
[Scene: imperial guard offices. Wu, Po, the Four and Shifu are present; Viper is giving her day's report.]
VIPER: –There was some tension at the university; two students got into a fight. I calmed things down, but it wasn't pretty.
WU: Students? What sort?
VIPER: Well, ph-philosophy, I think, and, um–
WU: Master Viper, what sort?
VIPER: (Ducks her head, embarrassed) A leopard and an ox, sir. Personally, I don't blame the ox.
WU: Master Crane, the Earth Temple?
CRANE: (Shuffles his feathers) Nothing serious, but people are tense. I talked to a family I know in that neighborhood, and they said that nobody wants to be out in the streets for very long—especially not after dark..
WU: (Sighing) This is what I feared. Social unrest is growing. (Straightens a stack of forms on his desk and says grimly:) As for my report, I have bad news. There was a serious case of vandalism against a business in the Tiger Neighborhood—a popular tea shop that has since become abandoned by the owner.
PO: Why is that bad news?
WU: Because the owner was a pangolin, and has gone missing. (Worried looks all around.) I have it on an informant's authority that the damage was caused by local thugs.
PO: But that's good, right? It means the Ten Thousand were involved.
WU: Rather, Dragon Warrior, it means the opposite; remember, supporters become recruits, whether official or unofficial. Ideas spread faster than groups do, and it seems this idea of species supremacy has been gaining a lot of traction. We must keep our eyes open for further outright provocations of the Ten Thousand, but their civilian supporters are also growing bolder. (Rubs his forehead, and then says:) Dragon Warrior, masters, you are dismissed. I would like a word with your Grandmaster.
SHIFU: Of course… (The Four and Po leave, Po looking worried.)
(Scene shift: kitchen of the soldier' barracks in the Forbidden City. Po and the Four are gathered around, anxiously eating dinner as the sun sets outside over the bare trees.]
CRANE: So…this sucks, right?
VIPER: We gave Captain Wu our reports…I just don't know what else we should do.
MANTIS: (Bluntly) It's our job to protect people, not calm down a whole city. Pass the salt.
MONKEY: (Moving a little wooden box towards the bug; adding:) Besides, that's more of a "talking" thing than a "punching" thing.
VIPER: I suppose… Po? (No answer. She and the others look over; Po is ignoring them, frowning down at his soup as he eats.) Po.
PO: (Jumping and dropping his chopsticks; they clatter onto the table, leaving wet spots.) What? Sorry. What?
VIPER: What do you think we should do? (He blinks at her, and she elaborates:) I mean, you are in charge, after all…
PO: Huh? Oh. Right. Uh… (The others stare at him expectantly.) Um, I'm gonna… talk to Master Shifu?
CRANE: (Confused) He's still talking with Wu, remember?
PO: Oh. Right. Um, then I'm gonna… go wait for him. Yeah. (He gets to his feet, still looking lost in thought, and leaves the kitchen.)
MONKEY: (Glancing over at Po's bowl and frowning) That was his third bowl. (Looks up at his teammates.) Is he okay?
VIPER: (Sighing) Of course he's not. (The other three look at her, confused, and she opens her eyes a little wider.) Isn't it obvious?
(Shift: outside, Po is walking back and forth at the entrance to the same palace garden where he and Tigress went to talk after Viper was injured. He seems to be muttering to himself, walking a little further into the garden each time. When he comes across a particular tree, he suddenly stops and turns to look at it. It's the same tree that Tigress picked the plum blossom from during their walk in the garden.)
PO: (Sighing) Okay. Alright. Inner peace… (Closes his eyes and settles into a meditative stance. He raises his paws in a stance reminiscent of tai chi, and then moves them as if cutting misty clouds as he seems to push an invisible weight forward.)
(His paws begin to glow gold. In front of him, the dead tree slowly begins to bud…but it's not enough. Po frowns, eyes stille closed, trying harder. The bud greens a little more, a flower beginning to open, and then…)
(The yellow light fades and dies. The flower curls in on itself and turns brown as Po opens his eyes, sighing)
SHIFU'S VOICE: Having troubles, Panda?
(Po looks over. Shifu is standing on the garden path in front of him, with a wry expression.)
PO: (Ruefully) Turns out Inner Peace isn't something you find once and master forever, huh?
SHIFU: (Mildly amused, approaching him) No, it is not. (He gestures to a marble bench beside the path. Po follows and they sit down.) You're troubled.
PO: Aren't you? I mean, taking out the Den of Claws didn't fix things, and now Tigress is gone and it seems like the city is just falling apart… How can you not be worried?
SHIFU: (Simply) I am worried. (Facing forward and closing his eyes with a meditative breath.) But neither worrying nor not-worrying will change the situation. Inner Peace is about relinquishing the illusion of control, Panda, not about being happy with the situation.
PO: Okay. Relinquishing illusions. Got it. (Closes his eyes and sits meditatively for a moment. After a few seconds, he fidgets. Then fidgets some more. Shifu raises his eyebrows, eyes still closed.)
SHIFU: Panda. If anything is on your mind...
PO: (Sighing and slumping again) I just… (Opens his eyes and gestures futilely) I thought the people would listen to the Dragon Warrior, but…
SHIFU: They didn't?
PO: (Laughing tiredly) You kidding? By the time they were through with me, I wasn't sure I wanted to listen to the Dragon Warrior. (Looking back at the plum tree.) I tried to tell people that the Ten Thousand are wrong, that different people can get along—but the way people are acting, some days it feels like…(almost guiltily, he admits:) –like the Ten Thousand are right.
SHIFU: Mm. I imagine that's part of their plan.
PO: (Surprised) Oh. I hadn't thought of that. (Looking at his master, despairing) What do I do?
SHIFU: (Sighing meditatively through his nose) I don't know, Panda. What I do know is that some things are simply outside of our hands.
PO: But–!
SHIFU: And, that accepting you cannot control every aspect of your life, including other people, is the first step to finding lasting peace. You cannot give peace to others if you do not have it yourself.
PO: (Looks as if he wants to say something else, but a voice suddenly calls down the path:)
VIPER: Po! Master Shifu! (Both turn to look.) Captain Wu just sent for us. We're needed in the guard offices.
[Scene: imperial guard offices. The Four, Shifu, Po and Wu are assembled, but the Emperor is now present as well. As they enter, the masters quickly bow with murmurs of "your Majesty."]
SHIFU: –Your Majesty. (Rising) You summoned us; how may we be of assistance?
EMPEROR: (Looking to his captain of the guard) Wu showed me your reports. I wanted to go over them with you before showing them to my counsellors for advice.
SHIFU: With us? Your Majesty, forgive me– but we are not politicians.
EMPEROR: And that is why I want your opinion. (To all of them, frankly:) You are ordinary people. Tell me, truthfully, how bad is it?
(There's a lot of shared looks and hesitance. At last Master Shifu cleares his throat:)
SHIFU: Your Majesty–
PO: It's bad. (The others turn to look at him as he steps forward.) It's really bad, your Majesty.
SHIFU: Panda–
PO: People are arguing in the streets, nobody feels safe outside. It's not pretty.
WU: (More factually:) The Dragon Warrior's estimates are a little strong, your Majesty; the populace is tense, but so far there have been no riots nor large brawls in the public squares–
PO: (Interrupting–) And that's your definition of bad? (Wu looks surprised, but Po ignores him:) Look, things are just gonna get worse from here on out. You've gotta do something, your Majesty.
EMPEROR: (Anxiously, to Wu:) Is this true? Is there anything that can be done?
WU: I can put more guards on the street patrols. But that's only a temperorary solution, and goodness knows the people in this city haven't always had a good history with the Imperial Guard…
VIPER: (Frowning) They haven't? Why not?
WU: (Caught slightly off-guard) I inherited the Guard as it stands today from the Tiger General, and the system as he established it; it took me nearly ten years to root out all the corruption, and this city has a long memory. Some of the citizens still don't trust the guard, and to be fair I can't blame them.
VIPER: But if people can't trust the authorities, you can't blame them for trying to take care of problems themselves! You need to build that trust first.
SHIFU: (Interjecting) Viper, that's beside the point; they need a solution now, not ten years from now.
WU: Thank you, Master Shifu. Master Viper, I assure you, we–
CRANE: (Interrupting) If we're talking solutions, then you need more security around the temples that were attacked; the people there are barely leaving their houses! You need to put your resources to the people actually being hurt here.
WU: We have to focus our resources where there is most need; identifying that need is the guard's first proiority–
MONKEY: (Judiciously) Then you should put resources into the poorer neighborhoods. I've seen it happen before; it's a perfect breeding ground for groups like this. People feel disenfranchised, they start looking for other solutions. (Thoughtfully) Actually, I do not think this is necessarily a guard issue.
MANTIS: Isn't a "guard issue?" Look, there's people out there who are scared of getting targeted when they're just tryin' to live their lives! That is exactly the kind of issue the guard should be dealing with!
PO: (Is looking back and forth between the others, unsure what to say or how to get his team to calm down.)
VIPER: (Still arguing with Shifu) Well, I think this is exactly the point! With problems like this you have to build from the ground up!
SHIFU: But there isn't time for that kind of approach right now.
MONKEY: And that is why they should have started preparing ten years ago. If the city had addressed problems back then…
MANTIS: Look, what we need is a solution, and fast. We don't have the ability to sit around and wait for a bunch of politicians to make a decision!
WU: (With all the furstration of an expert at a table of amateurs:) The problem isn't the poor neighborhoods, and it isn't the civilians; the problem is with the large predators. That is where these dangerous ideologies are spreading, and that is where we need to focus our resources—to strike at the heart of the Ten Thousand's recruitment operations and cut off the weed at the roots.
EMPEROR: (Suddenly) Then I need to speak to them. (Everyone turns to him.)
WU: What?
EMPEROR: Those people, the people of that neighborhood—they are my people, my subjects. I need to see them personally, appeal to their better judgement.
SHIFU: But your Majesty– forgive me, but this is just not done, you are the Emperor–
WU: (Interrupting) Those people want to kill you.
EMPEROR: Some of them want to kill me, not all of them.
WU: Enough of them! Your Majesty, you can't really be thinking of going through with this; it's far too dangerous!
EMPEROR: How can you say that? You of all people, Wu?
WU: It is because of who I am that I can say that! This vileness and hatred, it's infected the common people; you are no longer safe walking among them! (Almost begging) Please, your Majesty; if you were there, you would make an immediate target your enemies would stop at nothing to destroy!
EMPEROR: (Smoothly) Well then, let's ask the masters of the Jade Palace. (To Po) Do you think you'd be able to keep me safe in the event of such an attack?
SHIFU: With respect, your Majesty–
PO: (Cutting in abruptly) Yeah. I mean, um, yes, we would. Your Majesty. (Shifu's eyes snap wide as he gives the panda a scandalized look, but it's too late to contradict him; Po has said what the Emperor wants to hear.)
EMPEROR: Then it's settled. (Pleasantly, to Wu:) You and these warriors will form my defense, and I will speak directly to my people and try to calm tensions. With any luck, it'll at least buy us some time.
WU: (Looking harassed) Your Majesty, I strongly advise–
EMPEROR: (Sharply) Wu, I am doing this, and you are going to help me. (Wu looks ready to start shouting, and the emperor adds, a little gentler:) Besides, it worked last time.
WU: (Bites his tongue, closes his eyes and sighs. Opening them:) As… your Majesty wishes.
EMPEROR: Thank you. (Switching tasks) Dragon Warrior. (Po straightens up.) I leave it to you and your Grandmaster, and my Captain here, to draft up a plan for my security. As for myself, I have a speech to write.
PO: (Bowing) Yes, your Majesty.
(The emperor waves to his attendants, and they leave through the double-oak doors. As soon as he's gone, Wu turns on his heels and stalks past Po and the others.)
PO: Uh, so should I–
WU: If you can't see how dangerous a situation this is, Dragon Warrior, then your input will not be necessary on devising a plan for the Emperor's protection.
PO: But we can help–
WU: (Sharply:) You've helped enough. (Po shuts up. Wu rubs his forehead and turns to Shifu, who looks frustrated.) Grandmaster, I think we should get started.
SHIFU: I agree. Students, return to the barracks. I will send for you when we need you.
PO: But–
SHIFU: Now, Panda.
(Guiltily, Po leads the others away. As they leave the building, he looks back at Shifu and Wu, already hunched over plans.)
(The door swings shut behind them, leaving the five of them alone in the frigid winter air.)
MANTIS: (Bluntly) That was the dumbest thing I have ever seen.
PO: (Self-conscious) What? What're you talking about?
MANTIS: Oh come on! You really think we can protect the Emperor from the Ten Thousand out in public?! This is why emperors have, like, palaces and stuff! Because they have walls! To stop assassins!
PO: (Arguing) But you heard him, it worked before! He talked people down after the war, right? Maybe he can get people to listen again!
MANTIS: (Flatly) No chance. Anyone who'd even think about joining the Ten Thousand has already made up their mind about whether a cute little bunny can be their emperoror; besides, you can't talk people like that down, especially not in a crowd.
PO: I can't, but maybe he can! He's the Emperor; telling people what to do is his job! (Mantis looks unimpressed) Come on, wouldn't it be great if he could fix some of this just by talking to them? We at least have to try it!
CRANE: He has a point, Mantis. It's worth a shot.
MANTIS: Uh, no, it's gonna get someone killed.
VIPER: (Playing peacekeeper) The Emperor's mind is made up; it's not worth fighting about.
(Grudgingly, Mantis lets the topic go, and the five of them head back to the barracks. The others pass inside, with Po at the back of the line, looking guiltier and more lost in thought than ever. As Monkey is about to go inside, Po speaks up.)
PO: Hey, Monkey. (The simian turns back.) Look, you're always honest with me. For real, what would Tigress have done back there?
MONKEY: (Considering it) Honestly, Po, I think she would have told the truth.
PO: And that is…?
MONKEY: (Simply) That nothing is certain, and we cannot promise anything in a dangerous situation—especially not when it comes to an emperor's life. (Po looks distressed, and Monkey swings up onto the door and pats his shoulder.) Don't worry. Master Shifu and Wu will figure it out.
PO: You think?
MONKEY: Sure. Come on, get some sleep. Worrying won't change anything.
(He drops down and moves inside; Po follows. Outside, the sun is setting, turning the winter sky purple and peach, as the clouds layer across it like stripes of fur.)
[Transition shot: the sunset fades into the twinkling constellations of the dead of night, many hours later. The sparkling stars suddenly ripple, like they're on the surface of a body of water, and then are disturbed completely as the cup of wine which is reflecting them is lifted up. Camera pans up to show a trio of tigers—FLAT-TOP, TIGER 2, and TIGER 3—sitting around a table drinking, while a nervous-looking LOI explains his presence.)
LOI: S-so you see, the general is, um, really impressed with your, um– (swallows and looks out the window at the darkened tea-shop) –work.
TIGER 2: (Pleased, looking at the other two) Alright!
FLAT-TOP: (Smugly) That little pest had it coming. (Smile fades into a momentary growl:) If I ever get my hands on that pangolin–
LOI: B-But I'm not just here to deliver praise! (The three tigers look interested, and Loi glances around before leaning closer, lowering his voice:) The general is thinking about bringing you into the army.
TIGER 3: You mean like, proper soldiers?
LOI: Yes– if you can prove yourselves.
FLAT-TOP: Yeah? (Leaning forward, interested:) And how would we do that?
LOI: Our inside source told the general that in three days' time, the Emperor himself is going to be visiting your neighborhood.
FLAT-TOP: Wait, wait. The Emperor's coming here?
TIGER 3: But why would he do that?
LOI: (Shrugging anxiously) We don't know. It seems he's going to give some sort of speech. (Flattering:) But the general wants your help. Our, eh, usual means of moving around the city has been disrupted—so if you can find a place to hide our soldiers here, in the neighborhood, it would show the general how dedicated you are to the cause.
FLAT-TOP: (Relishing some daydream of glory) A dedicated soldier of the Ten Thousand.
LOI: We'll need you to cause a diversion, too. A-and any more supporters you can rally would be the icing on the cake! (Faux-earnestly:) So, what do you say? Will you do this for your Empire? For your Empress?
TIGER 2: (To Tiger 3) Hah! So it is a lady! You owe me fifty yuan!
FLAT-TOP: (Ignoring them) Tell the general and the Empress that they can count on us.
LOI: Eh– (trying to hide his surprise; obviously he can't tell his "empress" anything) w-will do.
(The four of them stand up to leave. As they do so, Flat-Top suddenly speaks up:)
FLAT-TOP: One quick thing: if there were, say, some traitors to the Empress in this neighborhood, what would the general want us to do to them?
LOI: Uh– get rid of them, I suppose?
FLAT-TOP: Good to know. (Glances to his friends, who snicker, knowing what he means.) Tell the general we'll be dedicated soldiers, alright. Anything for the Empress.
A/N: As I said above, this chapter was really hard to write, due to the complexity of the subject matter. I hope that the nuance and complication of the situation and of how the different characters feel/react were coming through.
That was a lot of talking; next chapter will be more action-heavy.
Cultural notes: (Preliminary disclaimer: I am neither Chinese nor Chinese-American, hence all of this information is coming secondhand.)
-Lama Temple: an important Buddhist temple in Beijing, right next door to the Guozijian. From the mid-1700s until the Chinese Civil War, the monastery was home to a large number of monks from Tibet and Mongolia. The inspiration for it being the center of an immigrant neighborhood is based on this fact, not on actual populations in Beijing.
-Burmese-Siamese Wars: Kanya is implied to be a Thai refugee from the early attacks of the Burmese war on Thailand (formerly Siam).
-Guozijian: as stated in the story, this was the center of Confucian scholarship and higher learning in dynastic China. ("Guozijian" in this case refers to the specific school in Beijing, not the general term for this sort of school which moved locations as the capital city changed.)
-Temple of Heaven: the sister-temple of the Ditan Temple (Temple of Earth), the Temple of Heaven is Daoist temple in Beijing which was built to legitimize the reign of the Yongle Emperor. Unlike in this story, the tactic succeeded. Twice a year the Emperor would visit this temple to intercede with the gods for a good harvest. The "circular stone structure" on which the Rabbit was standing is actually an altar built to have an amphitheater effect.
-Phoenix and Dragon: representative of the opposite forces of yin and yang, and of the empress and the emperor.
-Circle and square: representative of heaven and earth.
-Zicao herb: a traditional Chinese herb used to treat cuts.