The Hardest is Done

Po turned out to be unconscious for three days. Shifu consulted the village doctor. Turns out that Po used up more energy than they thought. Tai-Lung was pacing back and forth in Po's room. Just then, Tigress came in. "You okay?" she asked truly concerned.

"He should have waken up by now. I mean what if he doesn't wake up? What if he's actually dying and we don't know? What if he's sick? What if-" Tigress slapped Tai-Lung across the face. "OUCH! What was that for?"

"For freaking out," Tigress said a little amused with Tai-Lung's attitude, "Po's been near death before and has always pulled through, even when I thought that he would perish forever. He's strong."

"I hope you're right," Tai-Lung said rubbing his jaw, "Man, woman you hit hard." Tigress smiled almost wickedly. "I guess you'll be getting every opportunity to kick my butt now that I'm here."

"Of course," Tigress replied honestly. Tai-Lung shook his head laughing.

"Oh dear. Well, since Po's not here, who's cooking?"

"All of us are going down to Mr. Ping's shop to eat," Tigress explained.

"Good. I was afraid one of you guys would cook," Tai-Lung said. Tigress glared at him. "I mean, not that you're bad at cooking but I was thinking of the others," Tai-Lung said nervously.

"Why?" Tigress asked.

"Why what?" Tai-Lung asked confused.

"Why are you so much like Po? You use to be a confident selfish cocky person. Now, you act like Po except both of you aren't annoying anymore," Tigress asked.

"Well, Po's character was the best model for me. To protect the people at any cost, putting others before yourself, and being a good friend to others. That's what I wanted to be," Tai-Lung explained.

"I never saw Po like that," Tigress confessed quietly.

"Not that many people do. Now, I am famished. What's for dinner?" Tai-Lung asked going out the door. Tigress shook her head as she went out with him. They didn't know it, but there was a smile on Po's face. Po had really been awake on day two. He had heard everything that happened between Tigress and Tai-Lung and had to use all his strength to not laugh when Tigress slapped him. Po was pretending to be asleep until his wounds were healed up.

On the fourth day, Po felt well enough to stand and work, so he got up and snuck away to the kitchen to cook breakfast; it was in the morning. Zeng was surprised to see Po up, but welcomed him to cook for the Furious Five, Tai-Lung and Shifu. They were in the training hall. Suddenly, Mantis's stomach growled. "Oh I'm hungry," he groaned. Viper rolled her eyes.

"Aren't you always hungry?" she asked.

"I can't help it! I haven't had any of Po's cooking in days!" Mantis exclaimed. Tai-Lung looked out the door.

"I wonder how he's doing," He said thoughtfully. Tigress rested her hand on his shoulder.

"He'll be alright," she assured, but Mantis was still complaining.

"I can already smell the great scent of his grand dumpling breakfast," Mantis fantasized.

"I smell it, too," Master Shifu sniffed.

"Yeah, but the only people who know the recipe are Po and Mr. Ping, and Mr. Ping is down at his shop, so that means-" Tigress trailed off. Everyone made a mad dash to the kitchen to see a bandaged panda stir a pot in one hand and cooking in a pan in the other. He stopped what he was doing to see the others behind him.

"Hey, everyone. What I miss?" he asked. Tai-Lung ran up and hugged him. Then he punched Po in the arm. "AAAH that's my bad arm!"

"That's for making me worried," Tai-Lung said. Then he noticed something. "How come you didn't freak out about this? I mean about the mask thing."

"I was awake the second day, I just couldn't move until now. Oh, Tigress? Nice job slapping my worried brother, I was getting tired of his rant," Po said.

"You heard that?" Tai-Lung asked shocked. "And you didn't do anything about it?"

"Of course not. And miss out on the fun of it?" Po said. Tai-Lung shook his head and put a hand on Po's shoulder.

"Welcome back, brother," he said. Soon everyone was eating and dining.

"My plan has worked," Po thought to himself, "But it's not done yet. The major part is done. Now comes the tricky part. Finding my brother a girlfriend." Po chuckled a little. "This next chapter of life is going to be interesting. But who would be right for Tai-Lung?" he thought, "I mean he's worked off the bit of fat that he once had and he's a perfect specimen for the ladies. But which one would be just right for him?" Po rubbed his chin in deep thought. "I'm going to need some help on this," Po thought.

"Po, is everything alright? You seem in deep thought," Master Shifu said. This made Tai-Lung stare directly at Po.

"I'm fine. Just thinking about something else," Po noticed everyone's eyes on him, "What?"

"You 'thinking' has proven to nearly get you and most of us killed," Tai-Lung remarked. Po rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry. This can't possibly harm you guys in anyway. It's a minor thing, but it's necessary," Po said thinking again.

"What is it?" Viper asked.

"I don't know, exactly anyways. This part of my plan has a hiccup in it," Po said not being quite clear. Tai-Lung was now staring intently at him.

"What do you have in store for me now?" he asked. Po sorta waved it off.

"It's hard to explain, but I need help and I'm not sure if I can do this alone. That and I've already exhausted all my resources, so I need someone new," said Po. Monkey was anxious to know.

"Well, that depends on what you're thinking of or what you're talking about," Monkey said eager to know.

"Like I said, it's hard to explain," Po sighed, "Maybe some meditation will help me." Po said getting up and heading towards the Peach Tree.

"Say hi to Oogway for me," Tai-Lung shouted out.

"I will," Po replied. The others were confused.

"Oogway?" Tigress asked. Tai-Lung then explained the whole thing to the others. Meanwhile, Po started to meditate.