The Nobody: Chapter 9: Break 'em In

A/N: Somewhere along the line, Mantis became Sokka, Po became Aang, Viper became Katara and Tigress became Zuko (and lord knows I love torturing that boy) and everything kind of deteriorated from there. (which would bring up the whole Kataang vs Zutara (with some Zukaang I guess? Meh…))

Told you this would be humorous. Ended up having a lot more serious moments then I intended.

Sorry for the long wait. No hard feelings?

By request of Shifu, Viper and Mantis agreed to help Po with his kung fu whenever they had free time. During their first lesson, within the first twenty-three minutes, the siblings quickly questioned how Po had enough balance to go up a stair case.

"Dude!" Mantis exclaimed, catching the taller boy for the sixth time.

"I'm sorry," Po countered, waving his arms frantically in hopes of righting himself on the wooden beam again. "But in my defense, this is a lot harder then it looks!"

Viper, sitting atop a beam of her own, rubbed her temples. "No, Po, it really isn't."

"Says the girl who's been doing kung fu since she was eight."

"Four!" Viper snapped. "Get your facts right!"

Mantis glared at the two friends. "Hey—I'm supposed to be the immature one here. Viper, shut up and be responsible or whatever, and Po, just shut up." He added a finger jab for emphasis, then crossed his legs and fell to the ground, eyes closed and ready to meditate.

Po stayed quiet for about five minutes, until he was sure Mantis was in deep meditation. He turned to Viper with raised eyebrows. "Hey, Viper?"

With a quick sweep of her hair, Viper glanced at the boy. "What?" she hissed back, careful to keep her voice low.

"I think…" Po's face began to perspire and redden. "I think…"

"What? What is it?"

"I think I'm about to fall," he said, and proceeded to do just that. Mantis squawked and rolled away, giving Po room to land where he had just been.

Mantis ran a hand through his hair, spiking it up even more then it already was. "This is not as funny the sixth time around."

"Actually," Viper stated in a matter of fact tone, "This was the seventh time."

Mantis facepalmed. Hard.

Po grudgingly allowed short conversations between himself and the Evil One (as he'd taken to calling her) whenever it was necessary, and only then. The decision was obvious and burnt like acid when Tigress thought about it, but at least Po was talking to her so that counted for something, right?

For the first time in ten minutes, Shifu looked away from the two students—certainly knowing of the tension between them—and Tigress leaped at the chance. She was careful in her task of leaning over to the chubbier boy, keeping her features soft and her voice breathy. She felt his cringe as she neared his personal bubble, but it was too late to stop. "Raise your fists," she told him as quietly as she could. "And keep your knees apart."

Po eyed her cynically, but did as she advised. When Shifu surprise attacked him later, Po only gave a mild start. His balance never even wavered.

"Good," was all Shifu said, though his eyes were boring holes into her skull.

Tigress didn't speak a word for the rest of the lesson.

"…is there any reason we're standing on poles right now?"

"Qinggong. The art of weightlessness. Learn it."

"On a pole?"

"No time to learn like the present, huh?"

"Mantis, Shifu said train me, not kill me."

"They go together in case you hadn't noticed."

"…"

"Are you really trying Bambi eyes on me?"

"No…?"

"You've got a lot to learn, Ping."

Suddenly, Mantis' hand was a blur, and in the next instant Po was face-first in the ground.

"Rule Number Uno: do not use the Bambi eyes."

"Rule noted…"

"You know, you've gotten a lot of bruises over the past month. You sure you want to keep doing this?"

It was a valid question. He had gotten a lot of bruises, some that were sure to leave a bluey-purple mark forever. But Po couldn't let that deter him. Shifu wanted him to break…and that was all he'd done for seventeen years.

And that was more then enough time for him to get sick of it.

"Yeah," Po nodded as she poked a needle in his lower back. He didn't understand acupuncture, but Viper was interested in it so it couldn't be all bad. "I'm sticking with this till the end."

Viper mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like "proud of you."

"Rule Number Dos: expect the unexpected."

"Mantis, you threw hot coffee on my face!"

"I'm not seeing your point."

Po staggered into the training hall, sweat pouring from his body in waves. Swaying heavily, he shot a look at Viper, who hadn't even broken a sweat during the three-mile jog, and Shifu, who looked as full of disappointment as ever.

"Hey, uh, Shifu, could I get some water?" Po asked breathlessly, ignoring the sympathetic look Viper had cast his way.

The short old man materialized in front of Po, seemingly out of no where. "What did you call me, boy?"

"Uh…" Po glanced towards the sky, then lowered his gaze again and gave a lopsided grin. "Shifu?"

"That is Master Shifu to you, panda."

As the man stared his down, Po stroked an imaginary chin. He waited a bit before voicing his thoughts.

"Did you just call me panda?"

Shifu's eye twitched visibly.

"It fits you, no?"

"Well I guess, but it sure ain't flattering – "

In mid-sentence, Shifu groaned impossibly loud. "Go," he muttered dazedly, "go and get your drink."

"Thanks, Master," Po tossed back with a light air. He had caught his breath finally. Viper trailed behind him, a soft smirk on her face as she took neared the dojo's refrigerator.

"Something up?" The silence was killing Po. He wanted to know what she was smirking at.

"Oh nothing," Viper replied, batting innocent eyes his way. She flicked her ponytail, smiling wickedly. "Panda."

Po froze.

"Mantis must never know."

"Really?" Viper pouted, obviously trying not to laugh. "I think he'd love that –"

"He must never know."

"Rule number three," Mantis growled through clenched teeth as he pressed his heel into Po's chest, "don't touch my hair."

Viper took careful steps as she neared her old friend. Cautiously, she placed a hand on Tigress' shoulder. The other girl jumped, pulled suddenly out of her trance. Viper had noticed she became oblivious to the world whenever she watched Po spar…

"How're you doing?" Viper offered timidly. "Everything alright?"

Tigress' golden eyes studied her for a long time. "You really care?"

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't."

The jab got a small smile from her. However, the melancholy air soon returned as Tigress shifted and rubbed at her neck. "Not well," she admitted. "Better, I suppose, but that itself is not much of an improvement."

Viper subconsciously winced as Po was body slammed by Crane. She tried to keep her focus on Tigress. "He talks to you at least…"

"Yeah," Tigress scoffed, "in a tone laced with poison. He'd much rather eat his own foot then carry a civil discussion with me."

Viper tried not to shudder at the uncanny; Po had used those very words to describe his ill feelings towards Tigress. Feeling a bitter guilt, Viper squeezed her shoulder and tried to smile. "Things have been going good for a while. I'm sure he'd just want to eat a toe now."

No reaction came from Tigress. Sensing that the rejection was really starting to get to her now, Viper became serious. "You trust me, right?"

"Of course," Tigress said instantly. Viper was touched.

"Good. I have an idea about how you can prove yourself to him. It'll cost you, I guess, but I know it'll be worth it."

Tigress looked wary. "Cost me…what?"

"Nothing dramatic…" Viper said slowly. "Probably wouldn't help your daddy issues though."

Surprisingly, Tigress let out a barking laugh. "The tensions with Shifu are irresolvable as it is," she said mirthlessly. "Tell me your idea."

Viper gave her a morose smile. "Remember that assignment you got partnered up with in History…?"

"So…" Mantis said, quirking an eyebrow at the golden-eyed girl, "I hear you're banging Tai Lung behind Dai Li's back."

Mother made a snort of disapproval, Father never broke his steady of rhythm of fork-to-plate-to-mouth; Viper shot him an affronted glare, yet the girl in question merely laughed.

"That is horrific on several levels," Tigress said. "And I genuinely mean that."

Mantis nodded and dodged the rapid swat of Viper's hand.

"I hear you hooked up with a junior and ditched after she wouldn't please you," Tigress said amiably.

There was a long silence.

"You're not all bad, Tigress." Mantis sounded impressed. "Could you pass the potatoes?"

After that, he made sure to invite Tigress for dinner every chance he could.

"Shifu."

"Panda."

Po's eyes narrowed at his master, mouth twitching in anticipation. He flicked his wrist and lunged forward, waving his chop-sticks about in attempt to steal a dumpling from the bowl Shifu was taunting him with.

After several minutes of fierce battle, Po retreated and surveyed his master again.

"Impressive," Shifu said, taking a dumpling for himself. "But you're still hungry."

"Am not!"

"Please, panda, I can hear your stomach growling from here."

"Wow…you're…you're really okay with this new nickname, aren't you?"

Po shrugged and grinned, giving his new panda-backpack a small squeeze. "Maybe."

"Shifu."

"Panda."

Po sat back on his heels, sloppily enjoying the fruit of his labors—a single dumpling, squished and cold, but delicious nonetheless.

He waggled his eyebrows at Shifu once he was finished. "Well?"

Shifu grunted. "Well done," he said at last. "Let's see if you can do it again."

Shifu's jaw dropped at the panda – the chubby (less so now then he had been months ago) boy surpassed Viper in their three-mile run. He jogged the last few yards up to Shifu, smiling and panting but looking pleased rather then miserable.

"Wow," Shifu breathed.

"I know," Po grinned. "I'm pretty awesome, huh?"

"Not even close, panda."

There was a loud smack that echoed throughout the training hall, and for once the person that had belly-flopped on the floor wasn't Po.

Somewhat awkwardly, Po offered a hand to Crane. "So…are you, like, done or do you want to go again?"

Crane glowered. "Again," he snapped tartly. "I'll show you what I can really do."

He did. And…he lost.

"Shifu."

"Ping."

On opposite ends of the dojo, Shifu stood holding a half-empty bowl and Po was victoriously holding a handful of dumplings, popping each into his mouth one after another.

"You can do better," Shifu chided.

"I can?"

"Of course you can. I don't know what you have within you, panda, but you've shown a good deal of raw talent. You're not a completely hopeless case."

"Aw, gee, thanks, Master Shifu. I'm touched."

"Rule number four – "

Po smirked and caught Mantis' hand mid-strike, holding on with an iron grip. "I think it's time the rule's got rewritten," he said soundly. "New rule number one: don't. even. Think about it."

Without further ado, he flipped the shorter boy off his balancing pole and onto the ground below.

Yesterday, the record for Faster Completion of the Obstacle Course went to Tigress, with an outstanding time of two minutes forty-two seconds.

Today, Po's name took her place with a time of two minutes fifteen seconds.

"Master."

"Po."

Po looked down; he clutched a bowl full of dumplings in one hand while his master stood empty-handed. He chuckled softly and looked back up.

"Take it," he tossed the bowl over to Shifu, who caught it skeptically.

"You have worked so hard for it," Shifu pointed out.

Po shrugged.

"I'm not hungry."

Po stared at himself for a very long time before he left for school. Sometime in March he had to get a new wardrobe to fit his smaller waist and broader shoulders. His arms had become less fat and more muscle; his stomach slimmed down considerable. Gone were the rosy roundness of his cheeks…and for once, he was perfectly content with his reflection.

He heard a choked up sob behind him, and turned to see Mr. Ping brushing away tears and smiling like the proudest man in the world. There was a tense silence. Po knew his dad wasn't so happy with him learning kung fu…he had no idea what would happen; if it would be like their last argument.

"I'm so proud of you, son," Mr. Ping said quietly, throwing Po off completely. "I'm so proud, and I know your mother would be too."

Po crossed his room in three quick strides before scooping his father up in a heartfelt hug.

-scenes that were necessary but I couldn't fit them into the chapter in anyway-

November 22nd 19:00 EST

Po Ping had had enough of this holiday.

His hand was trembling and his breathing was becoming ragged. The phone by his head was silently taunting him, as was the shaky smile on his father's face.

"You…you're telling me…that…that my mother…" jeez, why were words so hard? "My mother…is just a phone call away?"

"I believe so, yes," Mr. Ping said in a steady tone. "She would answer if you called."

"…wow…" Po sat on his hunches. The world was spinning around him, mixing up his thoughts. "…can I get some time to think about it?"

"Of course, son."

Mr. Ping left to clear the table from their two person meal. Po's heart was hammering as he reached for the phone, retracted his hand, and did it again…

Po. Your mother. You've wanted to know about her since…since forever! What's holding you back?

"I…" He was crying now; his breath coming in quick, short gasps. "I…don't know."

Needless to say, his hand fell limply into his lap and Po made no attempt to raise it again.

December 25th 18:00 EST

Amidst the cold and snow, Tigress lazily sat on her front porch. She watched as car after car drove down the street. Off to have Christmas Dinner with their families, no doubt. Briefly she considered going inside, but sudden screams and a loud banging of a door changed her mind.

Without looking away from the snow-dusted street, she called after the woman that had left; "No dinner then, Auntie Fenghuang?"

The lady in question turned, caught off guard. She wasn't related to Tigress by blood; she was just a very close family friend. And she was obviously angry—Tigress could tell by the way she clutched her purse and darkened her expression. Indigo eyes glared at nothing for a very long time. Finally, Fenghuang took a few clipped strides forward and laid a hand gently on Tigress' shoulder. "Listen," she said, voice shaking as if she were close to tears, "Tigress. I love you like you're my own daughter; really I do. But your father is…difficult." Fenghuang chuckled dryly. "Very much so. I…I would love to stay here with you…but if Shifu is only going to disrespect me then…I'm afraid I can't."

Tigress sat unmoving. She glanced at her surrogate aunt's hand, and after serious consideration, placed her own on top of it. "That's alright, Auntie," she said with a soft, fragile voice. "I'll manage."

Fenghuang smiled sadly and pressed a kiss on the top of Tigress' head. "I'm sure you will." She hurried off the porch and toward her car. "Merry Christmas, Tigress!" she called over her shoulder. Tigress watched stoically as she climbed into her car and drove off.

Moving very, very slowly, Tigress tucked her knees up to her chest. "Yeah," she mumbled quietly. "Merry Christmas…"

"You cryin'?"

Stiffening, Tigress' head shot up. A boy and girl stood before her, wearing scarves and hats and shy smiles. Tigress wiped away a tear, staring blankly at them.

"Viper? Mantis?"

"In the flesh," Mantis said with a dimpled grin. "Now will you answer my question?"

Tigress stared at him in confusion before realizing what he meant. "I was…yes, I was crying…"

"Why? It's Christmas, silly!"

"Christmas is not always a happy time," Tigress said darkly.

Viper offered the warmest smile she'd ever seen. "Only if you spend it with the wrong people."

"If you spend it with the right ones…" Mantis had adopted a solemn look.

"Then it can be fun. Happy, even." Viper gestured toward the door, smirking. "Now, are you gonna let us in, or are our presents and warm food gonna go to waste?"

Before she could manage an answer, Tigress saw another man appear from behind Mantis. "Choose wisely, my dear," Oogway said, winking at her.

Overcome with emotion, Tigress leaped to her feet and hugged the man that was more like a father to her then her real one. Oogway was hardly startled; he was expecting it. "Yes," Tigress said, muffled by Oogways shoulder. "Yes, you must all come in."

"Your dad gonna be cool with us?" Mantis asked cautiously as she opened the door for them.

Feeling proud and happy, happier then she'd been in a long time, Tigress grinned at him. "Who knows? And, more importantly, who cares?"

December 31st 24:00 EST

"Happy New Year, Tigress!" Tai Lung shouted as he clinked their cups together. "Another year with some more opportunities, huh?"

Tigress regarded him coldly. "Whatever you say."

"Don't be so pouty." Tai Lung took a swig from his cup. "So Shifu's bein' an ass. What's new?"

Cutting off her response, Mei Ling spun between them, grabbing Tigress' hand and swinging onto the dance floor. "Sorry, Tai, need to borrow her for a sec."

Without waiting for his reply, they were off.

"Going to tell me why you did that?" Tigress snapped as Mei Ling twirled her in time with the music.

"Isn't it obvious? I wanted to stop you from committing first-degree murder."

"I wasn't going to kill him - "

"Yes you were," Mei Ling interrupted flatly. "And I don't blame you. But do me—all of us, a favor, Ti. Don't take him on alone. He's…a loose cannon. You don't know what he'll do."

"I can handle him," Tigress spat. She ripped out of Mei Ling's grip. "I don't need a babysitter."

"I know that," Mei Ling said in a calm voice. "But you do need some self-control, and until you learn that, we'll be watching you like hawks."

"You and who else?"

Mei Ling frowned. "All of us—Crane, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, Zeng, Po – "

Tigress scoffed. "Like he would care about my well being."

"Thanks for reminding me," Mei Ling said mysteriously, "he wanted me to give you this." She fished about in her purse for a moment before producing a folded up note.

Tigress took it, skeptically, and began to read:

Dear Tigress,

It's been a while. We've both grown up, haven't we? I dunno what you think, nor do I particularly care, but you ought to know that I do not deserve it. I never did. Even though you've done nothing for my well-being…I'm looking out for yours.

Cynically Yours,

Po Ping