This is my first Fan Fiction story I hope you like it. This will be TiPo but I like the Song x Po ship as well, so maybe one day in the future there will be an additional chapter highlighting them as well. However, that will be a different fanfic in and of itself, so for now hope you enjoy TiPo.
"It's been a long time." Po had arrived in Gongmen city memories of his battle with Shen flooded back. They were some of his most influential memories. He was reminded of who he was and how that battle helped him find that. Po took a step into the city seeing preparations being made for the Moon Festival coming by the end of the week. There were so many cityfolk going about their day and not noticing the Dragon Warrior walking amongst them. He did not mind the lack of attention as he was simply traveling the lands to get back home. Po awned a new attire with a hat similar to Crane's and a traditional chinese shirt with his signature patchwork pants. It had been three years since he departed the Valley of Peace and going home after being away filled him with joy and being able to see his father and friends clouded his mind as he was led to the harbor where there was a stage. A performance was there and a familiar face adorned it. "Song?" Po was surprised to see his old friend on stage, a smile forming as he was excited to see her perform. The movements of her and the other performers were methodical but free and they felt light as they floated through the stage with every movement. The crowd erupted as they performed but one voice stood out to Song as if music to her ears. "Song!" Po cheered her name and she finished her stunt looking at the Panda. Despite his clothing and older appearance those jade eyes of his were something she could never forget. "Ladies and Gentlemen. I know this was to be our last performance before we left but we will do one additional special performance." Song stared at Po giving him a wink as she finished. Song turned to her friends and told them the plan.
They formed in a five front and started the performance. They began slow and gradually upped the pace, moving even more fluidly than before, especially Song as the fans cheered once more at her graceful movements. Song was not performing for the crowd she was performing for him, and him alone. Their eyes locked to one another when they could until the performance's end. Po was grinning from ear to ear all the way through the performance. The Ladies of the Shade gave a bow as they exited the stage, the crowd dispersed and Po went to follow Song to the harbor. She was waiting for him and they embraced. "Po it's been too long since I last saw you! I missed you." Song was overjoyed to see him again. Her eyes were beautiful and the happiness in her voice made Po blush, especially since her beauty had grown tenfold. "It's awesome to see you too." Po's eyes rested on Song as she began to look at him with love, but she broke away from the hug as her friends began to giggle and whispered for them to kiss. "So, Po what brings you here anyway." "I'm heading back to the Valley of Peace for the Moon Festival." Po answered her. "Ah! That's great, you can travel with us. We were heading there next for our performance at the festival." Song was quick to offer Po a chance to travel with her and the Ladies. "Wait, do you have another boat you are going to ride?" "Nah, plus I'd love to ride with you guys." Po took up her offer giving a soft face at the cute expression she made when asking her question. "Well if you're coming with us let's go." Song grabbed Po's hand and led him onto the ship. They quickly settled in and soon all the Ladies of the Shade were aboard and the boat departed. Po talked with Song into the short hours of the afternoon and evening as the beautiful night sky fell over the boat.
"No way! You didn't!" Song was laughing as Po described his interaction with a bandit. "Yeah totally pulled his underwear over his head, gave him to the guards that way. Hey, he deserved it for messing with the townsfolk." Po let out a small laugh along with Song catching a glimpse of her expression. Another blush filled his cheeks and he turned to stare off in the distance of the vast sea that bore a shimmering reflection of the full moon. Song joined him, staring at the shifting waters together. "I really… missed you Po. Talking to you like this, being here just feels right." Song confessed as she placed her hand on his. Po looked her in the eyes and they were soft as they always had been. She began gazing back at him and leaning towards him but before their lips met the boat rocked. Po caught Song saving her from a fall and he turned his attention to behind them. "Bandits." Po helped Song stand up and ran towards the danger. Po was able to sense the mass amount of Chi that appeared and arrived to confront the bandits as they held up several passengers. "Let them go." Po asserted himself, removing his hat revealing his identity. "The dragon warrior?! I thought you said he wasn't in this region anymore!" One of the bandits began to panic and the other bandits followed as one took a hostage out of desperation. "Don't you move Panda! I'll kill this guy I swear!" The threat fell on deaf ears as Po let out a sigh and walked closer to the bandit. "Stay back!" The other bandits rushed Po to which he responded in kind, defeating all of them with little effort. "We don't have to do this. I don't have mercy for cowards like you all. Let. Him. Go." Po's words melted the bandit's facade, he dropped his weapon to the floor and placed his hands in the air. "Are you okay?" the man nodded at Po's question and Po requested the passengers gather something to tie these bandits up. Po tied up the bandits and placed them under the deck. Once they were dealt with the people on the boat swarmed Po asking for autographs to which he happily obliged. Po finished signing everything and he went below deck to speak to the bandits. "What are you doing this for?" Po asked as he stared at them. No answer came from the conscious bandit who was too afraid of his presence and the heaviness of Po's chi weighed on him adding to his silence unbenounced to him. "Oh, I'm sorry, maybe I should take a softer approach." Po smiled and apologized, he sat down in front of him and began to speak. "I've seen your type before. You all don't do this because you're bad people right? You don't look dangerous, so what's this all about?" The bandit began to open up to Po. "We are all family and need money to help rebuild our village. It was burned away a year ago thanks to two warring clans and we had gotten caught in the middle of it. We live in the Valley of Peace but right on its edge." The bandit's downed expression and sorrowful demeanor told Po he was being true to his words. "Here." Po took out a bag of yuan. "This is all I have, it should help in rebuilding the village. I know what it's like to not have a home of your own and lose it. Please take this as a chance to start a new life for yourselves, okay?" Po smiled, placing the bag in the bandits back pocket. "Thank you." Tears formed in the bandits' eyes. "I'll set you free myself once we get to the Valley so sit tight till then." Po said walking back to the top of the boat. "Wait! Your name. Tell me your name! I know you as the dragon warrior but-" "Its Po. Ping Xiao Po" Po walked away, to the top of the deck and saw Song waiting for him.
"Still a sweetheart." Song remarked as Po shrugged and smiled. Taking a step, Po stumbled holding his head. "Po!" Song rushed to his side holding him up. "Let's get you to a room." The two got into a room placing Po on the bed. Song had gotten a medic to stop by the room. "You just need to rest, that is your best option, Dragon Warrior." "Thank you doctor." Song replied, giving the old goat a bow as she left. Song turned her attention to Po seeing several scars and cuts along his body. "You haven't been taking care of yourself have you?" Po gave her no response instead turning away from her. "Po this is serious! You're hurt really badly. What have you been doing?" Song pressed Po and grabbed his left hand feeling its soft touch. "Well I'm not a child anymore am I?" Po sighed facing Song. "I've been defending China. I got into a ton of battles and needed to protect so many people that were without me before. After Kai I never wanted that to happen to anyone else. The devastation of Shen and his weapons, I couldn't sit idle waiting for trouble to come find me. I had to stop it before it got to me or anyone." Po confessed, feeling the scar across his chest. "It was my destiny as the Dragon Warrior, it was my responsibility." Song's face twisted looking at Po, his body was proof of his words, the burden he continued to carry despite leaving the public eye for so long. "You can't always be a warrior. You can't keep doing this to yourself and destroying your body! If you do, there'll be nothing left of you! I can't let you do that, I won't!" Song yelled at Po with her eyes beginning to well up with tears. "Song I-" "No Po I won't let you get yourself killed because of some destiny!" Po was moved by her words looking her in the eyes and seeing her begin to cry. "Song." Po raised her hands towards her face but she grabbed him by the shoulders. She kissed him, but it only lasted for a few seconds. "I don't want to lose you Po. Never again." Song searched his eyes and Po looked back at her, soon losing consciousness. "Po?!" Song panicked as he passed out.
"Ah." Po awoke in a boat on a golden sea. He picked himself up looking around and he was well aware of where he was. "The Spirit Realm? What am I doing here?" perplexed Po stood up and saw a peach tree in the distance, picking up the paddle that sat on the boat he made his way there. "Oogway! Master Oogway!" Po called for the old tortoise and soon petals began to dance and he appeared on the Peach tree branch greeting Po with his wrinkled smile. "Oh welcome back Po." Po smiled at the sight of him. "Hey, Master Oogway, what am I doing here exactly?" Po asked, scratching his head. "Am I dead?" Po panicked but Oogway let out a small giggle. "Of course not. Your Chi is simply restoring itself. The Spirit Realm is a great stream of souls filled with Chi and thanks to a certain someone giving their Chi to you, your spirit can enter here again to restore its Chi." Oogway explained calming Po's nerves as he let out a sigh of relief. "Someone linked their Chi to me?" Po thought as he remembered Song. Oogway nodded as he saw Po realize. "Wait, she isn't a master of Chi is she?" "No, she is not but she gave you Chi nonetheless through your kiss. Chi can be given even if unwittingly so long as a person desires it strongly enough. It's like when Tigress was able to use Chi against Kai. Ah that's right you wouldn't know about that." Oogway let out another laugh at his forgetfulness. "So how long should I be asleep for?" Po sat down below the cherry blossom tree. Oogway floated down and sat beside him answering. "Shouldn't be too long but it should take you about two days to restore your Chi. For that time you can either stay here or return to your body." "I think I'll go back to my body." Po stood up and summoned his staff. "Thank you Master." Po smiled as he floated above the golden waters forming a Yin and Yang symbol as his spirit returned to his body waking him.
Po took a deep breath and looked around the room, eventually having his eyes land on Song who had been asleep by his side. Po gave her a nudge and carefully shook her awake. "Po? Po!" Song gave him a hug and smiled at him as she broke away. "You've been asleep for so long. Are you feeling better now?" Song gave a concerned expression that Po smiled softly at and yawned. "How long was I out because I feel really good but hungry too." Po felt his stomach as it growled. "Two days." Song replied, standing up stretching her legs. "Two days?! Uh wait, were you sleeping with me?" Po questioned her as he blushed intensely at the thought. "Calm down, I was sleeping in a chair." Song remarked, pulling the chair from Po's bed. "By the way, we're in the Valley of Peace now, come up when you're ready." after announcing that Song left and Po quickly got dressed and ran to the top of the deck. The warm familiar air of the Valley passed through Po with an intense wave of nostalgia. The large mountains, green grasses and the old architecture all overwhelmed him so much that unknowingly tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'm home." Po wiped the tears with that being said. Song overheard him but decided to allow him his moment of solace alone. The boat landed and all the passengers disembarked. Po grabbed the bandits and escorted them to the outskirts of town. "This is as far as I can take you. Do you know your way back from here?" Po asked untying them. "Yes, thank you for this chance, Dragon Warrior. Thank you Po." The bandits bowed to Po and he waved goodbye to them as he turned back to the port. "Ready to go?" Song asked, waiting by the carriage. Po nodded and boarded with Song. They rode with the other Ladies of the Shade and it was a peaceful ride. Song couldn't bring herself to mention the kiss between her and Po instead taking in his presence and the Valley she rarely visited. "It's even more beautiful than before." Po remarked as his eyes were glued to the familiar nature surrounding him. Song smiled at this and remained sitting in silence. Song's friends began a conversation to pass the time and break the silence. Po told them of his adventures around China and the battles he had taken part in.
The ride seemed quite brief with their talking and they arrived in the Valley of Peace with the evening just beginning. They all disembarked the carriage and unloaded their luggage. "We're here. I think I can smell dad's noodles from here." Po said, sniffing the familiar aroma. "Yeah and this is where we say goodbye for now." Song said facing Po. "Huh? Where are you guys going?" "We have to check in with the event organizers and tell them we've arrived. They have a place for us to stay so we need to see them as soon as possible." Song answered Po giving a smile. "But you should go see your father and your friends right?" Song urged Po as she turned to pick up her things. "You'll see me at the Moon Festival. So don't fret Po." Song gave him another wink before wishing him a good night and walking away with her friends. Po waved to her in return and walked into his home village. He removed his hat and felt that air again this time it meant he was truly home. He walked forward passing all the faces that recognized him, eyes widened at the site of him and even whispers of his name. He kept walking and many of the townsfolk followed him but he soon stopped himself in front of his father's noodle shop. Mr. Ping was preparing noodles as Po walked to the counter. "Please have a seat at a table. I'll be there soon." "I'll take one large bowl of noodles and a dumpling Dragon Warrior size." shot up at the sound of the voice. "P-Po?" Mr. Ping stopped dropping his knife on his wooden countertop and froze at the sight of his son. "I'm home dad." Mr. Ping leaped from behind the countertop into Po's arms crying. Po began to cry as well while he held his father. "My boy! My boy is home!" Mr. Ping couldn't contain himself but he soon broke away and looked at his son closely. "You've gotten skinnier! Have you been eating well during your journey and why did you never come back to visit at least?!" Po could only giggle at his father's typical doting nature. Ping gave a smile seeing his son laugh and let out a sigh of relief from the familiar sight. "Everyone! Please get out, I need to spend time with my son!" The store cleared out quickly at Ping's demanding tone. "Let me fix up some dinner for you." "I'll help you." Po offered his dad following him to the kitchen. "That's my boy." Ping responded proudly, as they began to cook together again.
The two sat down and enjoyed their dinner together. Po told his stories and all the different things he'd seen ranging from the different foods he ate and different Kung Fu masters he met. "Well the noodles weren't as good as mine. Were they?" "Of course not, there aren't any noodles that could taste better than yours because yours are too awesome." Po put his father at ease and his dad took a cocky grin. "It has been lonely without you here Po I'm so glad you're back home. You won't be going anywhere will you?" "No dad, I'm here to stay." Po placed his father at ease once more and Ping let out a sigh. "I'm glad you've come home Po… There is something I should tell you." Ping took on a concerned expression. "What is it?" Ping was hesitant to answer his son. "Since you left. The Furious Five they… disbanded." "WHAT?!" Po yelled. "They disbanded, what do you mean they disbanded?" Po asked his father quietly. "I'm sorry Po but that is what happened. They've moved on to do other things outside of Kung Fu. I think you should talk to Crane about it. I don't have the best idea of how it all happened." Ping explained the situation to his son. "Well where's Crane?" "He and Mei Ling opened a tea just down the street heading towards the Jade Palace. You should go see him tonight. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see you." Ping was doing his best to comfort his son in his shock but could only point him in the direction of the answers he sought for. "Thanks Dad." Po stood up and headed for the street. Po followed his father's directions and he ran into a small tea shop with a sign reading "Peace of Mind: The best tea shop in the Valley of Peace". Po relaxed smirking at the name. He approached the door and entered, seeing Crane behind the counter. "Sorry but we're… closed. Po? Is that you?" Crane was taken completely off guard at seeing his old friend. "Dragon Warrior in the flesh." The response was all Crane needed to hear as he moved from behind the countertop to give his old friend a hug. "It's amazing to see you again! It's been way too long! Mei Ling, come down here!" Crane called as the Asian Golden Cat descended the stairs. "Po! Hello, how have you been?" Mei Ling greeted him, shaking his hand. The two of them had never met before but Mei Ling knew of Po through Crane.
"We were about to sit down for dinner. Would you like to join us?" Mei Ling offered to which Po agreed. The three move upstairs to Crane and Mei Ling's shared apartment. It was old and had a certain charm to it that belonged to an old couple. "This place is really nice, it suits you Crane." "Really?" "Yeah, it's simple." "I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or not." "That's one of your best qualities though. Straightforward and simple." Mei Ling interjected between the two kissing Crane on the cheek as she brought a Pot of tea to the table offering Po a seat in the process. Crane and Mei Ling finished preparations for dinner and sat down together with Po. "Hot Pot!" Po let out an excited cry that had both Crane and Mei Ling smiling. The three began to eat, Po especially enjoying the food and barely able to get in a word of his adventures but listened to Crane and Mei Ling as they talked about their tea shop and the news of the Valley of Peace.
"They were really lousy tippers, I'll tell you that." The three let out a laugh as Mei Ling finished her story about serving a few ungrateful customers. They had finished the Hot Pot largely due in part to Po but Crane and Mei Ling didn't mind. "You've been busy stuffing your face Po so tell us about what you did in your travels." "Well you know stopped Bandits, saved villages and uh other cool stuff." "Oh c'mon there has to be more than just "other cool stuff." Let's hear the details." Crane asked for more of an explanation towards his friend's adventures. Po, having explained his adventures before, told Crane and Mei Ling the same things he told his father. Po having finished his story helped the couple clean up, much to their appreciation. "Crane, I'll be heading to bed. Don't be too long, we have to go shopping tomorrow so don't forget." Mei Ling gave Crane another peck and wished Po a goodnight, leaving for her bedroom. "Crane." At that moment Crane knew what to do and picked up the tea pot pouring another cup for himself and his friend. "I was the first to leave. After I found Mei Ling again I wanted a life outside of Kung Fu. I had done what I set out to do. All I wanted was to be a Kung Fu master, now I want to move on with her." Crane was clear in his explanation, his timid nature had been abandoned and he spoke with no regrets.
"I understand, but what about everyone else?" Po asked hopeful. "Mantis became an acupuncture doctor, Viper travels as a ribbon dancer and Monkey is, believe or not, a successful comedian." "And Tigress?" Po asked. "The same as before you left. She's the new master of the Jade Palace. However, there is something that doesn't sit right with me. Although we come together for every Moon Festival, she just isn't the same. Even though she tries to smile but I could tell something was wrong. She's distant like before you came along." Po shared a concerned look with Crane as his friend continued. "I think when you left a part of her left too. Then again Viper said she got more distant as everyone went their own way. I'm not sure how she'll react when she sees you but you need to go see her. Maybe she'll start getting back to her old self." Crane said, finishing his cup of tea. "I have to get to bed, I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight." "Goodnight." Po responded. The two got up from the table and went their separate ways for the night. Po descended the stairs, leaving the shop and entering the darkened streets with a sky adorned with stars. He looked to his left as the moonlight's glow shimmered off the Jade Palace. Po's eyes narrowed with determination as he smiled and turned away from the moonlit palace traveling back to his father's noodle shop.
Po arose early in the morning before the village began to stir and left for the Jade Palace. He made his way to the long staircase, donning the familiar stone steps once more. He climbed them with anticipation building with each step he took. He made it to the top of the steps entering the ceremonial grounds where he had been chosen to be Dragon Warrior so long ago. He stood there for a moment taking in the memory of many beatings and the disapproval of the five. "Still awesome." Po reminded himself, but having remembered enough he approached the stairs that led to the palace itself. Po stepped to the doors where he stopped before gathering himself pushing them open to see the empty hall of heroes.
He looked around the familiar hall and arrived at where the Dragon Scroll once was. Po could remember everything he had done here. His training, his master and his friends all of that continued on as his precious memories. He was so caught in his memories that he didn't notice someone entering the hall with him. "Po?" The stern but soft voice hit Po with a wave of nostalgia. He turned immediately and was faced with Tigress. The sight of each other gave both of them pause. "Tigress!" Po ran over to her going in for a hug to which she avoided tripping him instead. "Hey, what was that about?" Po held his nose shocked at Tigress' reaction to his attempt. Po got a look from her; it was filled with anger but compacted by a deep sorrow. "Please, leave." she turned away and left Po behind her. "I'm not leaving." Po stood up to his feet and remembered what Crane had told him. "I'm not leaving till we talk, Tigress." His words stopped her and she turned to face him. His expression was resolute and something familiar awoke in Tigress. This familiarity granted her a feeling intense nostalgia. However, Tigress was unmoved and distant. Po readied himself to fight, the only way to get through to her was to show his conviction and that he wouldn't back down anymore. "Ready." Tigress replied, taking her stance. Unexpectedly, she pounced on Po sending him and herself flying out of the Jade Palace towards the ceremonial grounds. Po forced their separation before landing, taking their stances once again and without a word the two charged one another to engage in combat.