Changing Things

I was up, and I had to teach Po first. I had come up with the perfect training idea. I waited in the Training Hall for Po. I was a little impatient for him to get here. Then Po burst through the doors.

"I'm (pant) here," He said tiredly.

"Aw, you shouldn't be tired Po," I teased, "You're going to have to be tired about soon enough." I paused for a moment. "That sounded a lot cooler in my head."

"So what am I going to learn first," He asked excitedly. "Fight armies with fire? Command water with my mind? Be able to sense a snail with my-"

"No," I said plainly. "You are going to be doing something simple." I pulled out a handful of feathers. Don't ask where I got them from. Let's just say Crane is molting. Anyways, I put the heap of feathers down, tied Po's hands behind him, drew a circle on the floor, and explained my exercise. "You will have to blow all these feathers into the circle. The more you are able to collect, the less you'll have to do laps up and down the Jade Palace steps."

"WHAT?!"

"Hey, it's better than what I was going to do. I was going to see if you can survive MY Training Hall," I said in a crazed daze with throwing stars in my hands.

"No no, I'll stick to the feathers."

"Good," I smiled. "I have Master Shifu watching you, so don't try and do something to cheat."

"What? Why would I do that," Po said trying to act innocent.

"I know you, Po," I looked at him directly. "I know you very well."

"Well, where's Master Shifu then?"

"I told him to stay hidden and throw a throwing star to make sure that you don't slack up."

"Come on, Master Shifu wouldn't do that," Po laughed nervously looking around.

"Are you sure you want to test that? Master Shifu is good at not being seen," I smiled evilly at him. His eyes darted around. "I'll be back by the end of the day."

"So I have to blow all of those feathers in the heap in the circle," Po asked, seeing the feathers were two inches from the circle. "No problem." I blew a force of the wind, spreading the feathers all over the Training Hall. "LION!"

"Have fun," I said teasingly as I went away. I knew Shifu wasn't in the Training Hall. I told him that he would have to stay out of the Training Hall until I was done with Po's training. I also asked that the other masters stay away from the Training Hall to give him space. I stretched. "That will hold him for the rest of the day. Now to see how Tigress is doing." So I went to the courtyard where I saw Master Tigress and Krystal talking outside. "So what are you guys talking about?" Tigress was about to tell me, but Krystal was quicker than her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Lion. There are certain things that are secret between people," She said playfully. I sighed. Tigress just sat there in silence watching the show.

"Very funny, Krystal. I just wanted to know what you guys were talking about," I replied.

"We were actually just talking about you. Krystal asked me how you got here. I told her I wasn't entirely sure about it."

"Well, that's something even I'm not entirely sure of," I said more confused than anyone. Then I thought to myself for a while.

"So you don't know how you got here," Krystal asked, not believing me.

"There's a tale to that, but I'm not sure about it," I said absentmindedly. "Tigress, the rules of the Kung Fu council, can they ever be reversed? Not the entire thing but like one law."

"Huh? Yes, but Master Shifu would have to call all the masters to the Jade Palace for that to be done. It would take a lot of time," She replied.

"I'm easy," I commented.

"What are you planning," Krystal asked. I looked around to see if anyone was around. Then I sat down by them and whispered.

"I want to get rid of the rule that says Po would have to step down as Dragon Warrior if he were to get married." Tigress looked a bit shocked. It's hard to tell with her face being emotionless. Krystal, on the other hand, was shocked beyond measure.

"What? Why do they have a rule like that?"

"The thing is that if Po were to marry, then the person he marries would be a target for all kinds of criminals. But I want to propose something."

"What," Tigress asked.

"If the person Po marries is a trained master, then it's okay for Po to marry the person and keep the Dragon Warrior title," I explained. Krystal thought about it, but Tigress sighed.

"I don't think that would work. You would have to prove that the person can defend themselves and get out of trouble, and with Po's record, that would be a lot. It would have to be a person who knows how to get out of the situations Po gets into," she replied.

"Like you," I said.

"What?! No, I wouldn't-"

"I mean someone like you. You know Po better than most, and you've been through troubles with him and have gotten out of them." With Po's help sometimes, I thought to myself. "I'm just saying someone like you would probably have to be that person, correct?"

"...yeah," She said hesitantly.

"So I would present that to the council. Easy," I said. Tigress looked at the ground for a while with a frown.

"I don't understand. Why are you so concerned about Po's love life," Krystal questioned.

"I'm just saying. It's a stupid rule to follow. Yes, it has some reasons behind it but still."

"Relationships are just distractions," Tigress said coldly.

"Yeah sure. And relationships with father figures aren't needed," I remarked. She looked at me with genuine surprise. "Like I said, I know a lot that goes on up here." Tigress just looked away.

"I'm in," Krystal said excitedly.

"What," Tigress and I said.

"Come on, no one should have to live with that kind of loneliness, even if it's for their own good," she replied. I looked at Tigress. She sighed.

"I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just saying it would be near to impossible to do."

"Eh, impossibility is just another word for lazy," I said. "I always wanted to say that in real life. I mean think about it Tigress. Krystal is more in danger than any person Po marries because of me."

"I know," Tigress sighed, "And I know from experience that Po doesn't want to live alone like this. But as a true master, one must learn to detach from earthly pleasures and personal relationships."

"I know, but Po and the Furious Five and any master dedicated to protecting the people CAN NOT do it," I argued.

"Why," Krystal asked.

"Because their primary duty is TO protect the earth and saving the people. Am I wrong?" Tigress thought about it.

"No," She said questioning herself. "That's...completely right. We...we are supposed to protect the people and the earth. I...I never saw it like that." She just sat silent.

"Anyways, I'm going over to where Master Shifu is to present my idea."

"I'll go with you," Krystal offered, getting up from her spot. "Are you coming, Tigress?"

"Huh? No, I'm good," She said in a daze. As Krystal and I walked off, I looked at Krystal looking at me with a scornful look.

"What," I asked.

"What was all that about," Krystal asked. "You made Tigress more confused than I've ever seen her."

"Ever seen her...you've only been here for a day!"

"That doesn't matter. What's up with you," She asked.

"Okay, so, Tigress isn't the most expressive person in the bunch. She's been socially isolated from the people and I intend to make sure she gets out more. I'm taking baby steps here."

"I see," She replied. I thought that was the end of the conversation, but then she said. "Have you ever had a girlfriend before?" I looked all around before looking at her.

"Where did that come from," I asked.

"Well, we were talking about relationships," She replied, innocently. I groaned.

"No. You...you would be my first," I said hesitantly.

"Oh, so that's why you're inexperienced," she said. I made a face at her, but she just smiled a sweet innocent smile. I grumbled lowly.

"Yes," I muttered. She giggled as I looked away a little embarrassed. Usually, I wouldn't know how to feel embarrassed because of my lack of wanting social interaction. Like I said, I'm wired weirdly. "You know, I'm starting to think I liked you better when you were shy," I mumbled. She rested her hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad," she apologized still smiling.

"It's okay. I'm okay things like that. However, I'm more worried for Po's sake than mine," I said.

"You're a good friend," Krystal commented. Again, I felt the blushing effect on me. Fortunately, Master Shifu was in the Hall of Heroes. I told him about my idea and my reasons for it. He thought about it. Krystal and I waited impatiently.

"Yes," He finally said. "I think that's how it should be. Yes...I'll get the masters assembled and we'll work out the proposal in the meanwhile." So we did, but Krystal was a little bored about the whole thing. Then I remembered something.

"PO!" I ran to the Training Hall, where, for some reason unknown to me, Crane, Viper, Tigress, Monkey, and Mantis were waiting at the door. "Why?" was the only question I asked them.

"Well, we were getting bored so we wanted to know when we can go back inside," Crane explained.

"Don't you have other things to do. Let me check," I said as Shifu and Krystal came along with me. I opened the door to see Po huffing on the floor with a stack of feathers in the circle.

"Hey, aren't those my feathers," Crane inquired.

"Shut up," I quickly said. Po's belly was dirty from falling on it so many times I guessed. I untied his hands, helped him up, and dusted the dirt from him. "So Po, did you get all the feathers?" He answered in a breathy way.

"HES!" He wheezed. "Now what was the point of that useless exercise.

"Let's see. Bowl of water, please. Now, take a deep breath." Po did so. "Now, tap my arm when you can't hold your breath any longer." Then I dunked his head in the water.

"But-"

"Shhh," I hushed, "He's concentrating." It was a while before Po tapped my arm.

"Okay so I can hold my breath, so what," He said.

"Master Shifu?"

"Po, you held your breath for a whole five minutes," Shifu said, still shocked. Po was wowed.

"WOW!" He exclaimed. "Okay, then what's so important about having a long breath."

"Yeah, Po's already long-winded," Monkey joked. Po glared at the simian. I patted Po on the shoulder, bringing his attention back. I took a deep breath and breathed out an inferno of flames from my mouth. I breathed again and focused the fire, forcing out a combustible explosion. Of course, everyone was surprised.

"The right breathing technique will help you in a lot of situations. Now, fifty laps up and down the steps. GO!" I commanded shooting fire at his butt.

"YOW! Okay Okay!" Po skidded outside. Tigress smirked at me.

"You were going to have him do that no matter how many feathers he picked up, weren't you?"

"Your point," I asked her. "Anyways, him climbing up and down the mountain should be a snap."

"Why," Viper asked.

"You see, Po's training was bound to get him to trip over and had to use his legs. After doing that over and over, it would build up his legs. Just watch," I said as they went to see Po's laps. I was right. Po had gotten better at climbing the mountain. After he completed the laps, he noted that he wasn't tired. "See, my training for you has greatly improved your stamina." (but please don't do the training exercise at home, though. Po has a cushiony belly to prevent any bad injuries.)

"Wow, you're right," Po realized.

"So, tomorrow is Tigress's turn," I said going to my room. "Your training is done, Po." I went to my room and wrote the day down in the book. Then something hit me. I looked around. I didn't see anything, but I could definitely sense something. I got out of my seat and looked around. Then I realized who I was sensing and smirked. "You can't hide from me, Krystal. I know where you are."

"Aw," she said. I looked up at the ceiling to see her wedged between the support beams. "You ruined the surprise." I shook my head with a smile. Then I was tackled to the ground.

"OFT! Krystal!" I exclaimed. "Get off of me!"

"Why?" She said playfully. I sighed.

"You're really something you know that? You're almost as child-like as Po," I said. She huffed as she straddled me on her knees.

"I am NOT a child," She said, very upset.

"Easy, I didn't mean to touch a nerve, sheesh!" I apologized. "What's wrong with being a kid? That's what I have to do sometimes just to get a smile from people," I said making a weird face. Krystal giggled. "But seriously, why so upset?" Krystal looked down at the ground.

"My mom-I mean, Mistress Jun use to live in a place where a lot of people were old adults. They didn't seem to take well to kids and would often complain to her that I was out of control. But Mistress Jun always told me to be true to myself and not be concerned about what others say, but it still hurts sometimes."

"I'm sorry," I apologized, again. She huffed again and playfully punched me in the shoulder.

"You apologize too many times and for stuff you didn't even do," she said. I chuckled.

"But I am glad that you are friendly. I was afraid I was going to have someone with fragile feelings," I replied. Krystal smiled.

"I'm glad I fulfill your expectations," She said delightfully. Then I realized what position we were in.

"Um...Krystal," I said nervously. She suddenly realized our position. She jumped off and became incredibly shy. I chuckled a bit. "Don't be embarrassed. You were just having fun."

"Yeah," She said, still shy. I decided to go to bed, but then Krystal said, "18."

"What?"

"I'm 18. I never told you my age," Krystal explained.

"Oh, okay. Thank you for...for telling me," I said awkwardly.

"I'm going to be with Tigress," Krystal quickly said.

"Okay, and I'll be here," I said just as quickly. You'll do anything to get rid of an awkward situation. As Krystal went away, I stayed here trying to figure out what I would teach Tigress and what to say to the masters once they got here. "I have a lot of work to do."

to be continued.