Get Together

"So you're friends again with your buddies," Crane said. "That's good." The group was eating breakfast and Tigress and the other Furious Five were in the room.

"Yeah, I would hate to lose a friend over something stupid like that," Monkey commented.

"You nearly did," Zan remarked. Everyone laughed. Then Po came in. The room grew quiet as everyone knew when Tigress and Po were in the same room, things got awkward between them and no one was willing to speak. After a few minutes of silence, Tigress finished her meal and went away. A few more minutes and Po left to go down the mountain. Zan groaned out loud. "This is ridiculous!"

"I know what you mean," Mantis grumbled tasting his food. "Zeng is getting slack on his cooking. This is why we don't let him cook."

"That's not what I meant," Zan replied. "I mean this...silence awkwardness and all this...this...I don't know what you can call it between Tigress and Po. I just wish..." Zan stopped short when he remembered who was with him. "Never mind."

"No, go on Zan. What were you going to say," Viper asked.

"I just wish they could be together already," Zan said quietly.

"Heh, you and everyone else in the house, brother," Monkey said sipping his juice. Zan was surprised.

"We all want those two be together, but with their recent break-ups it's hard to try and suggest anything and then with the whole palace being in turmoil," Viper sighed.

"Master Viper, we all know the real reason why Po and Tigress dated Qiang and Song," Zan said.

"We THINK we know the reason," Crane corrected. "We can't be sure about that reason."

"Really? Because all the evidence points to it," Zan said honestly.

"Well, either way," Monkey said. "I'm not sure Master Shifu would approve. Their relationships already caused a lot of trouble. Why would he let them do that?"

"They had relationships that weren't the best, and I'm not saying anything bad about Qiang and Song. But they did have a hard time. I think even Qiang and Song know the reason," Zan replied.

"Viper, you've known Song for a while. Do you think she would detect something like that," Crane asked. Viper rubbed her chin with her tail.

"It's possible. Song's more in tune with the normal social cues. What about Qiang?"

"I'm not sure," Monkey said. Qiang had been Monkey's old friend and he came to the valley for a visit. When he met Tigress a visit turned into a month long stay at a local inn. However, when things became...strained, he decided to go back home. Tigress had become a little preoccupied with...other people's relationship than she was with her own, so he left. This was before Zan came back. "I'm sure Qiang could tell."

"How was it for Song," Zan asked.

"Well, Po had become...what's the word I'm looking for?"

"Depressed," Mantis answered Viper. Viper sighed.

"He wasn't the happy cheerful encouraging person he use to be," Viper said. Zan stood up. "Where are you going, Zan?"

"I have to see Master Shifu. I have princely duties to learn" He said going out the door. There in the Hall of Heroes, Shifu was waiting for Zan.

"Ah, Prince Zan, on time as ever," Shifu smiled as he sat down. "Today, you'll learn about necessities."

"You mean, like power," Zan guessed. Shifu shook his head.

"No, I mean things you have to do in order to be a prince. Let's say a fanatic, a crazy man, keeps shouting about destroying the monarchy. What do you do in order to keep the peace?" Zan thought about it.

"I would present the man in court and have him executed," Zan replied. Shifu's eyebrow rose. That wasn't the answer he was expecting.

"Why?"

"Because a one man can stir the people into a mass problem. He may be a fan- a crazy person but it takes only one crazy person to incite mass chaos," Zan said wisely.

"Then why have him stand trial?"

"The people would have to learn that he threatens the people's safety, not just the emperor. If what he was teaching was about keeping peace, then I wouldn't accuse him of anything. But they must see what the emperor does is for the people." Shifu smiled wider.

"Very wise decision. You're becoming more and more of a leader," He commented.

"But why would I have to do something like that," Zan asked.

"Sometimes, for the greater good, sacrifices must be made. You know this from your recent conflict with your friends," Shifu said as an example. Zan nodded. Then he made a calculated risk and smirked at Master Shifu.

"Now I ask you a question Master Shifu," He started, "If two warriors in the Jade Palace were in love with each other, what would you do?" Master Shifu seemed confused to Zan but he said.

"I would hope that their relationship didn't make them blind to their warrior duties," He said sternly.

"But what if they have to be together," Zan asked.

"Who says they HAVE to be together," Shifu countered.

"The people of the Jade Palace in order to keep the normalcy, quietness, and overall peace."

"And what makes you think that you can MAKE them be together? What if they don't want to be together?"

"Fortunately, the evidence says that they do want to be together," Zan countered. "Plus, what's the harm if they just start seeing each other?"

"But Tigress and Po-"

"AH HA! So you KNOW who I'm talking about," Zan said with his cocky smile. Shifu shook his head. "Master Shifu, you know why they dated other people. I'm just wondering if you would disapprove." Shifu stroked his chin for a while, making Zan wait agonizingly. Then Shifu laughed.

"I would approve." Zan gave a big sigh. "You took a risk talking to me like that, Zan. You really are becoming a great leader. Now go on, we're finished with your lessons." Zan stood up and ran out of the Hall of Heroes. "This child is really becoming something else," Shifu laughed to himself. Zan ran to the kitchen where his friends were now. Ai was in a chair panting and huffing while being fanned by Viper.

"What happened," Zan asked.

"She carried up everyone, including the ox," Viper replied. "You're very strong for someone your size."

"Thanks," Ai said breathlessly.

"Well, since everyone I need is here, I have something we can do," Zan said showing his cocky smile.

"Oh no, I know that smile. That smile is never good," Vick said.

"We're going to launch operation 'Get together'" he said proudly.

"And what, pray tell, are you going to do," Mantis asked.

"Just play along with me," Zan said smirking. "First, I need to talk to Master Shifu and Master Crane. Then I need Master Monkey and Master Viper to get Song and Qiang back here. Of course, it will take a few weeks...maybe years before we can pull this off. Then everything should come into place," Zan said rubbing his winged hands together evilly.

to be continued.