Better Than Okay

Shifu rubbed his temples with a stress vein popping out the side of his head. "This is getting out of hand," He muttered. "The masters can't do anything and almost everyone that we've tried fails." He sighed. "I would get you, Crane, and Tigress on the case, but Momoda seems to have distracted Crane and weakened Tigress."

"Tigress isn't completely out of commission, Master Shifu," Po protested. "Fighting Momoda just takes a lot out of her. You should know that better than anyone." The red panda gave a hard stare back over his shoulder. "I mean... with your arm feeling better I'm just-"

"I know what you mean, Po," Shifu grumbled. He paced around the jade floors of the Hall of Heroes with his hands folded behind his back. "The only person that seems to keep her in one place for long enough is... you, Po," Shifu said slowly.

Po's eyes went wide. "Ohhh no, you're not setting me up as bait, right?"

"Do you have a better idea?"

"What about Viper and me try and find her?" Po asked. "She's already taken down Mantis and Monkey."

"Hmm, I don't know. Viper might not have the strength we need," Shifu said.

"Master Shifu, Viper isn't that weak. You can't count her out."

"I'm being practical, Po. If you and Tigress can't defeat Momoda and Monkey, Mantis, and Crane are easily taken down, what makes you think that someone like Viper can face an opponent like Momoda? She's just... not enough." Both pandas heard a small hiss. They turned to the front doors and saw Master Viper standing there with a shocked and sad frown. "Master Viper. I didn't mean to-"

"I understand Master Shifu," The viper bowed her head. "I... I understand my limitations. I won't... I won't jeopardize the mission." She slithered away with her head lower to the ground than both pandas had ever seen.

Shifu looked at Po. The giant panda glared at his master, crossing his arms in a tight knot. Shifu sighed. There were only a few times that Po's anger flared up, but in these situations, it always felt like the burning sting of deserved rage. "I've been having a problem with my words lately."

"Maybe," Po grunted roughly, "It's not your words, but what your words say about you."

Shifu's heart sank lower. The panda had a point. Shifu simply turned and clopped away to his room. He looked back at Po, but the panda's glare and crossed arms still sat firmly on his frame. He knew he messed up. Shifu sighed again and limped into his room.

"Ugh, great. Now I have to make sure Viper is okay. Geez, and he says I have a hard time zipping my mouth," Po grumbled. He walked around the palace grounds trying to find Viper until he crossed the Training Hall. He noticed a lack of something. Looking inside the drilling hall, he found his answer. It was morning, and there was no sign or sound of a hard-working tiger. "Huh? Where is she?" Po walked over to the barracks and passed empty room after empty room until he found Tigress in hers. The floor was littered with scrolls and the tiger was in the middle, meditating.

Po rolled his eyes and sighed, "Tigress."

"Yes, Po."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to meditate. Is there a reason why you're interrupting," She said sternly.

"Why are you meditating?"

"Because it trains the mind."

Po sighed again as he stepped inside, "Don't you think you're overdoing it? I mean, looking at these scrolls, you must have been up all night."

"I wasn't up all night... tonight."

"Tigress," Po said seriously.

"I'm fine, Po."

"Just... promise me you won't overdo it."

He heard a sigh come from the tiger as she stood up from her lotus position. She glanced at the floor of papers and scrolls and gave an exhausting huff. "Okay, you're right."

"I... I am?" Po said with eyes big enough to be sweet onions.

"I need to rest. I shouldn't push myself to the point of breaking. I'll be no use in fighting Momoda. I'll... I'll clean up and get some rest."

Po blinked several times before his head could return to working order. "Wow," He said, shaking his head awake. "I...You're listening to me? That's a first."

Tigress gave a small smirk. "I do hear you, Po. But sometimes I just pay attention to what you're saying more often."

"Uh huh," Po said doubtfully. "That's a nice way of saying you don't listen to me sometimes and ignore me other times."

"That's not what I said."

"You didn't have to say it." Tigress shook her head. "Anyway, have you seen Master Viper?"

"No, I haven't. Why?"

"Nothing, I just... have to make sure she's okay."

"Is something wrong?"

"Not really. Shifu just said something that upset her," Po grumbled. He spotted some of the scrolls on the ground.

His eyes narrowed. These scrolls weren't on the normal shelves of the Hall of Heroes. They were in the back with the more experimental and advanced kung fu scrolls.

Po suddenly remembered Tigress was talking to him. "Huh?"

"I said, what did Master Shifu say?" Tigress asked, narrowing her own eyes.

"Uh... It's nothing. I have to find her for patrol anyway. See you tomorrow." Tigress stared at the panda as he left. She shook her head and quickly gathered the scrolls up.

Night soon came. Viper and Po walked down the streets toward the bad side of town. A few bunnies, goats, and geese passed them by, going home with orange lanterns to light their way. "Seems like people are more comfortable walking around at night."

"Hmm," Viper hummed.

Silence fell heavily. The stony roads only disturbed the tense peace with a few kicked pebbles and rocks. The warm wind blew softly around their bodies, though Po could feel a tinge in the air. He glanced at Viper. Her eyes burrowed deep into those pebbles and rocks. Though her body swirled around each and every obstacle, her eyes never moved from their spot. She felt cold. Her presence felt cold and for a cold-blooded animal, this was the first time the panda couldn't feel her warmth.

Po sighed, "Hey, you know Shifu didn't mean-"

"I know, Po," Viper interrupted, "But it's the truth. I'm not as strong as everyone else. You, Master Shifu, and Tigress almost always carry the team. The others can figure out how to go around things, but... there's only so much I can do... being a snake."

"Hey," Po stopped her and squatted to her level. "Viper, you're an awesome warrior. You being a snake is what-"

"Makes me me. But that doesn't help if I don't like myself," Viper replied.

"Heh, I know what that's like."

"You do?"

"That's how I felt when I first got to the Jade Palace. I wanted to be anything but me. But I had to be me to beat Tai Lung. You aren't your mistakes, successes, strengths, or weaknesses, Viper. You're you."

"Hmm, I wish I knew what that meant for me," She sighed.

Po smiled. "Give it time. It'll come to you." They continued walking. The night stretched on, but the two couldn't find the tiger. Po yawned, "Man, these night patrols are wreaking havoc on my sleep."

"Hopefully, Master Shifu will ease up on the night patrols once we catch Momoda... If we do."

"Hey, that's quitter talk!"

Viper smiled warmly. "I appreciate the attempt, Po. But-"

"I know," Po sighed. "I know. There's only so much that words can do."

"Oh, Po. I didn't mean to make you upset as well."

Po gave a small smile though his shoulders sagged, "I guess we all have our limitations, huh?"

Though she said nothing, Viper smiled back.

They continued on until they heard a loud ruckus coming from a nearby tavern. Po looked at the wooden sign hanging above the doorpost. Huai Difang Tavern. "This is the place Momoda usually comes to."

Viper looked through the gates. Goats, pigs, and animals of other kinds were dancing and singing inside. The sight brought a smile to her face.

"Po," She said softly, "Why don't you look down that street? I'm gonna go inside for a moment."

"Wait what?!" Po spluttered, "Why?"

"Momoda usually hangs around taverns like this. It's worth a shot, isn't it?"

The panda rubbed the back of his head. "I... guess."

"I'll be fine, Po."

"I'm not worried about you taking care of yourself," Po replied. "But are you sure you're not trying to... you know... distract yourself?"

Viper smiled, though her words carried a heavy heart. "Sometimes a distraction can be good to get you back in the right mindset."

"That doesn't always work."

"I know," Viper sighed. "I'll be fine." Po stared at the snake for a moment longer before nodding and heading down the street. Viper slithered passed the gates. The tavern's music filled the air with laughter and song. Three pigs sang with cups in their hands as the erhu sweetly sang and the dizi was blown. Earthy laughter bellowed from tall rhinos and boars while gazelle women danced around in an ancient form. She slithered to the bar and up to a stool. "White tea please." The duck bartender nodded and came back with a fresh cup of tea. She sipped it. The warming earthy flavor rode through her entire body. Turning around, she saw the party carrying on. Every animal had a smile or laughter on their face. The lithe spirit brightened her mood.

Just a little.

Though her smile faced the people, dark thoughts still swirled around her. Po was right. The people were a nice distraction, but not as much as she thought.

Except one person.

"Heartwarming isn't it," said a voice beside her. Viper turned to her left and gasped. Her eyes traveled up to a shapely well-known tiger with a wide smile on her face. A mug firmly attached to her hand held her drink. The tiger gulped some of it down. Viper flickered her tongue. She couldn't sense any alcohol.

But the idea of this tiger drunk was enough to put anyone on edge.

Shocked into silence, both scared and cautious, Viper nodded and continued watching, though keeping an eye on the tiger. "You're... Momoda?"

"The same," said the tiger.

"Hmm. I can understand why you make Po confused and flustered."

"Ha!" Momoda laughed. "Any woman that gives that panda the time of day would make him flustered. Hm, he's good, though. I like him." Silence fell. Viper said and did nothing. What could she say? The singing and dancing of the people kept her eyes busy but her mind swathed with thought after thought. She should be fighting her, but at this moment her gut told her not to.

Why?

"Aren't you supposed to attack me or something?"

"Aren't you supposed to pick a fight with someone?"

"Hm fair point," Momoda grunted, downing her drink. "And the panda?"

"Trying to find you."

"And you're here because?" Viper wouldn't answer. "You're upset because of something."

"Why do you care?"

"Dunno," Momoda shrugged. "Just know I do."

"And why should I share with you?"

"Hmph," Momoda grumbled, though Viper noticed she was more annoyed than angry. She turned back towards the bar, leaning her wrapped forearms on the wooden counter. Momoda shrugged, "The whole open-heart thing works for the panda. Why not me?"

"I'm sure you only talk with... stronger opponents," Viper mentioned. Suddenly, the tiger's mug cracked and broke. Viper turned her head. The tiger's glare silenced the music for half a second. Then another second. Then another. Momoda's growl poured out like dripping lava. Viper stared back at that face, ready to fight, but she could feel her insides shivering.

"Who said you were weak?" Growled the tiger. Viper blinked. All her tension and shivering stopped. Confusion held her mind. All she could do was blink.

That's what she was upset about?

"Momoda!" shouted the tavern owner from the back, "Stop breaking the mugs!"

"SORRY!" the tiger roared back. She looked at the silent tavern. "It's fine. It's fine. I'm not gonna pick a fight with her." Immediately the tavern carried on with its partying.

Viper stared. "I didn't know that-"

"Who called you weak? They're wrong," Momoda said firmly. "Just because you're not able to defeat the panda doesn't mean you're weak. Stop comparing yourself to other people."

"I'm not strong enough to fight you."

"But how strong can YOU be," Momoda glared, "I'm surprised you're not asking yourself that question."

"We fight opponents. We have to be stronger than them."

"But you don't have to constantly compare yourself to others. Plants don't grow if they're always focused on how high the tree is. You define your own limits. Practical or not."

"Easier said than done."

"Better done than not at all," Momoda grumbled. "You've got to do it. Never give up. Isn't that what warriors do?"

"Yeah... but if it's not true-"

"You make it true," Momoda drew closer to the snake, gazing deeply into Viper's blue sclera eyes. "You can believe that you're weak or believe that you're strong. It is your decision what belief to choose. They might be right. They might be wrong. Or both."

"But that's not the reality-"

"People make up their own world inside their heads. If it matches reality, great. If not, choose another one. But you still make that decision. To accept reality or reject it. It still doesn't matter. What matters is if you believe these things to be true. So," Momoda paused, "What do you believe?"

Viper smiled, wider than she probably had that entire day. "Thanks. I needed that."

The tiger smirked with a raised eyebrow. "That doesn't answer my question."

"It doesn't have to, right?" Viper smirked.

Momoda laughed. "I guess not." She looked at the exit and motioned her head. "Come on, I think it's time we leave this party."

"You're coming in with me?" Viper asked slowly.

"Mmm," Momoda hummed. "I'm going out with you."

"Oh! Okay," Viper said. The snake slithered through the pressing crowd while the tiger walked behind her. Viper made it to the exit where she saw Po returning from down the street.

"Any luck?" he asked.

"What?" Viper's head whipped around. The tiger was gone. She looked in the tavern and saw no trace of her. "But... she was right behind me. I could feel her fur-"

"She was inside, talked with you, and she disappeared, right?" Po guessed.

"I... yes. She did," Viper bowed her head.

Po smiled, kneeling down to Viper's height, "It's okay. That happens around her. Are you okay, though?"

Viper's head perked up, and she smiled widely. "Better than okay."

Continued...