The Price of Disobedience

"I can't believe this," Po sighed. He sat on his bed, lightly banging the jade staff on top of his head as he leaned on it. "Why her?" Po shook his head. Po was afraid of the potential awkwardness of having his friend around him all the time. Just then, Tigress came to his room. "Tigress!" Po said, snapping up to attention.

"How was your talk with the Master?" She asked.

"Uh, you know it was...good," Po replied nervously. Tigress's eyebrow rose.

"'good'? Usually, when you've talked with the Master it's been an experience that you couldn't keep silent about. Is something wrong?" Tigress asked, concerned. Po couldn't help but tell her. Everytime Tigress's voice held a shred of concern in it, it caused him to tell the truth.

"The Master wants you to be my... helper on these missions," Po replied. Tigress's face was emotionless for a while.

"Great." Po shook his head. Did he hear her right?"

"Great?" Po echoed.

"I want to know more about this 'Master.' Now I have the perfect opportunity going around with you," Tigress explained.

"Yeah, but-"

"Do you not want me to go with you?"

"No, no, no! That's not it!" Po exclaimed.

"Then there should be no problem," Tigress simply stated. Po found himself caught. He simply sighed. "The others are going back to Shin-Go to help with the reconstruction of order. What are you going to do?"

"I will stay here and wait until the Master has something for me to do," Po replied.

"Then I will stay here with you," Tigress said. Po nervously grinned.

While Po stayed in the Valley of Peace he helped and healed many people. Through him, the knowledge of the Master was made known. One day, while Master Shifu and the others were coming back from Shin-Go, the Master instructed Po to heal a group of people on the outskirts of the village. "Go and do exactly as I tell you. When you get there, you will talk to the bamboo there and it shall snap in half and spring out water that will heal the people." So Po and Tigress went to the group of people. When they got there, the people clapped and cheered and were relieved.

"Wow, they really do love me," Po said waving back. Tigress seemed cautious.

"Remember what we're here to do, Po," Tigress reminded him, but Po's pride was already swept up by the applauding crowd. In the outskirts, there stood a tall patch of bamboo. Instead of speaking to the tree, Po cut the tree in half with his hand to rile up the crowd. The bamboo sprouted out water which the people gave to their sick and they were healed. Tigress seemed concerned. "Is that what the Master told you to do?" She asked. Po waved it off like it was nothing. After they were done there, Po and Tigress went back up the Jade Palace and rested for the night. The next morning, Po was deathly sick. He couldn't even stand with the help of his staff. Tigress called the doctors but they couldn't do anything. Then Po called the Master.

"Master," He called weakly. At first, the Master didn't answer. "MASTER!" Po cried out louder.

"Yes, Po?"

"Why am I so sick?" Po wheezed.

"Because you have disobeyed me. I told you to talk to the bamboo, not cut it. I wanted it to be a sign that the people can talk to me and I shall answer them. But you disobeyed me by cutting it," the Master replied.

"But," Po coughed loudly, "Why did you make me get so sick?"

"Po, you are my servant to these people. If people saw they could do anything because you did it, it would cause them to do more evil and wrong to other people and hurt other people and me. I love you very much, Po. But the ones I love the most, I discipline the most," the Master answered. Po rolled out of bed and fell to his knees.

"I would never purposely separate myself from you. And I would never purposely misguide the people. I trust you. I'm sorry for what I did. I let my pride get in the way of doing your task. What you have done to me is an act of mercy and you were fair punishing me. I forgot the responsibility I have as Dragon Warrior to care about the people, not myself. I'm so sorry."

"Call Tigress. Have her go to the same bamboo patch and scoop up some of the water into a bowl. When you drink the water, you will be healthy." Po immediately called Tigress.

"Tigress," Po wheezed. Somehow, Tigress heard him and helped him back up on his bed. He told her what to do. Tigress quickly returned with the water and gave it to Po. Suddenly, Po was healthy. The next day when Master Shifu and the others came back, Po was preparing to go out.

"You're leaving? Where?" Viper asked. Po sighed.

"I must go to the desert for my mistake. I'll be back in 30 days," Po simply said.

"Why so long?" Crane asked. Po simply shrugged.

"I guess I deserve it for failing the Master," Po said weakly smiling. "I'll be back safely." He turned back to Tigress. He told her not to come with him and the fact that Tigress couldn't be there with Po was making her anxious. Po seemingly could sense it and he smiled. "I'll be fine. The Master is with me." Tigress surprised him and everyone with a hug.

"Please come back," She whispered to him. Po nodded as he went down the stairs, through the valley, over the hills, and to the big unforgiving desert.

Continued...