Brother in Peril

A full year now had pass since Po and Tai-Lung met. In that time, word had spread through the Valley of Peace that the Midnight Stranger was protecting the Southern Village. Po was pleased with this until there was another rumor going around. One about a cat-masked warrior named Tai-gee protecting the same village in the day and night. Legend has it that he was severely scarred in the face. That's why he wore the mask. This rumor didn't sit well with Po. "He's trying to spread out. Trying to reveal his identity too soon," Po said to his dad at the noodle shop. Mr. Ping shrugged as he attended to the cooking pot.

"You can't blame him Po. He just wants to be around to help people more than in the night. He wants to be personal with them," Mr. Ping replied. Po ate his noodles in frustration.

"That, he can't do. If he does that, he runs the risk of having his identity revealed. Then you know what will happen," Po argued. Mr. Ping just shrugged.

"I didn't try to stop you from protecting the village when you were chosen Dragon Warrior just because I was worried that something was going to happen to you. Maybe you shouldn't do the same," He advised. Po just stared at the entrance of the shop as he sipped the soup in his bowl. Just then Zeng came flapping in.

"I have word from your brother, Po." he quacked. Po quickly placed his bowl down, snatched the scroll from Zeng, and started to read it aloud since the shop was empty at the moment.

Dear brother,

I guess you have heard the rumors of me being this cat-masked warrior. I am excited that I can do this stuff in the day and nighttime. I wish you were here to see this. I also know your concerns about whether this will reveal my identity or not. Don't worry. Everything will be okay. Where I am the people are most forgiving to criminals who turn their life around. I wish you were here to see me and how I've become. But I blame you for my slight weight gain. I'm picking up your habits. See you later.

Sincerely,

Your beloved brother.

Po stared at the scroll for a while before rolling it back up. He was thinking to himself for a moment. Then said, "He's got to be plump crazy."

"He's just trying to be more of a help to the community around him. It's a natural process. It's only been five months that he's been this Tai-gee warrior, and no one knows about his identity. What's the worse that can happen?" Zeng asked. Just then Monkey came rushing in.

"Po, Master Shifu wants us right away. It's an emergency!" He said running back towards the Jade Palace.

"We'll see," Po answered back to Zeng as he went up the stairs of the Palace.

There the Furious Five and Po were all in a line as Shifu paced worriedly before them. "Is something wrong Master Shifu?" Viper asked.

"Yes, there is. There are some rumors lingering around China that," He paused wondering if he should even say.

"What is it Master?" Tigress asked. Shifu finally sighed and said.

"Tai-Lung maybe alive," Everyone except Po gasped.

"How can it be? I thought he was defeated. What are we going to do?" they all asked in confusion. Shifu noticed that Po didn't say anything. Rather, he was sweating rapidly.

"Po is something wrong?" he asked. Po knew that he had to keep them away from his brother. So, he came up with a full plan and a way for the others not to find Tai-Lung.

"Who told you about these rumors? They maybe using them to strike fear into the villagers and cause mass hysteria. I think the best thing to do is to go to the source of these rumors and see if this person was right," said Po logically. Master Shifu thought for a moment. Before he could speak, Po interrupted him again, "And while you, the Furious Five, and I go to this source, the masters: Ox, Croc, and the other mighty Masters of the Council can guard the Palace." This plan seemed very reasonable to Shifu.

"Very well, Panda. We will go with your plan. It will take about four days for the other masters to arrive. I shall send Zeng," Shifu said dismissing the others. The Furious Five started for the training room. Po made a mad dash down the mountain to Mr. Ping's shop where both Zeng and Mr. Ping were.

"Zeng, Dad, we have a problem," he panted. He then told them all about the situation.

"What do we do?" Mr. Ping asked scared.

"While Zeng delivers the message to the masters, you'll have to tell Tai to come here," Po explained. Zeng and his dad looked at him like he was crazy. "Look, everyone sees him as Tai-gee, right?. Maybe this can work in our favor. While you're gone, dad, I'll take care of the shop. Now go!" Po commanded and with the flap of their wings they were off. Po went back up to the mountain and started to sift through the ancient scrolls. He was looking for something that could help him. "AAAH! What should I do? How do I contact them?" Po asked himself.

"Contact Who?" asked a voice from behind. Po nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned around to see the Furious Five behind him. It was Mantis who spoke. "Who are you trying to contact?"

"Oh, um...no one I was...actually trying to find a scroll that helps me contact my...inner universal energy?" Po said unsure. The Five looked skeptical. "To be honest I'm looking for a scroll that will help me meditate," Po paused for a moment. "That's it!" he said moving past the Five. The others looked at each other in confusion. Po had gotten more strange and distant through the past year. They hardly can remember the last time he seriously messed up something. Maybe he was changing. Of course, he did talk a lot to his dad and Zeng, more than usual. That and he seemed to always have papers in his hands. What was on the papers were letters from Tai-Lung, but the others didn't know that.

Po ran up to the Sacred Peach Sapling, sat down, and started to meditate. It didn't take long before he was in a familiar place.