Who is Po?


"It's what?" Shifu asked the medic. The Whistling Swan's black beak made a rough gurgle of her long white throat. She had to put it in laymen's terms.

"It's temporary retrograde episodic amnesia*. He can't remember past events. He can remember how to do Kung Fu and general facts like the capital of China, but he can't remember personal things."

"Like who he is," Shifu said. The swan nodded. As they stood underneath a large brown medical tent, the red panda looked at the large bear on the cot turning his confused head this way and that. He stood in front of him, "Umm... hello?"

"Oh! Hello, who are you?" Po asked.

"Um... I'm Master Shifu."

"Oh, you're the Grand Master of the Jade Palace. With Master Oogway?" Po asked calmly. Shifu looked at the swan.

"He can remember the FACT that you're there but he can't remember living there."

"Because until he was the Dragon Warrior, I wasn't a part of his personal life?" The swan nodded. Shifu sighed, "Well, do you know who you are?"

"Ummm, no?" Po said.

"Your name is Po Ping. You just suffered a blow to the head after a bandit raid and you can't remember who you are."

"Oh... that sucks," Po replied calmly, rubbing his head. "That explains my head hurting."

"Let's get you back home." Shifu turned to the medic. "How long do you think-"

"It's hard to say," the medic replied. "That punch to the skull was a lot but... some patients can't recall anything for a few minutes to a few weeks."

"Weeks!"

"He can still do Kung Fu," The swan said quietly.

"But he doesn't know who he is!"

The swan backed away for fear of angering the red panda more. "Does he need to know to protect the Valley?" the swan asked. "Po?" The giant panda didn't turn around for a moment. He kept staring around the tent. "Po Ping? Panda?" The panda turned. "Is it right or wrong to steal?"

"It's wrong."

"Is it right or wrong to lie?"

"It's wrong."

"His morality is still intact and he can still perform stuff he learned by hand." The swan pointed out. Shifu still gritted his teeth under his tightly pressed lips. The swan took Po by the hand and showed him out of the medical tent. The small grassy valley village that they were sent to protect stood just a few yards north of a dirt path. "Make sure that he gets home safely and try not to jar his head too much. He needs plenty of rest, okay?" Shifu nodded and the two pandas walked on.

Shifu's eyes worriedly looked Po up and down. The large panda's spacious wandering eyes drank in everything as they passed clustered bamboo forests and pillars of tall trees. "Po? Do you know who I am?"

"Of course. You're the greatest teacher in Kung Fu history."

"But do you know how I know you?"

"No," Po said calmly.

Shifu stroked his beard. "Po, what do you think about Kung Fu?"

"Fighting? I don't know."

"Would you want to do it?"

"Oh, I'm not a good fighter."

"How do you know that?"

Po shrugged. "I just... do?"

"And do you know the Furious Five?"

"I... I know about them. Like facts, but other than that... nothing."

"So who's the tiger?"

"Master Tigress?"

"The bug?"

"Master... Mantis?" Po replied. Shifu rubbed his beard as they trekked onward towards the village. Shifu immediately brought Po to Mr. Ping's shop. "What's that smell?"

"Noodles."

"It smells good!"

"I was hoping you'd say that," Shifu smiled. Hopefully trying Mr. Ping's noodle soup would jar some memories. The white goose saw Po and spread his wings wide open.

"Po! It's so good to see you."

"Uhh... It's good to see you, too... Um... who are you?"

Mr. Ping stepped back, shrinking his eyes. "Po, you don't know your own father?"

Po blinked several times. "Wait... you're my father? How did I come from a bird?"

"Mr. Ping," Shifu finally spoke up, "Po can't remember who he is. I was hoping that your soup might help... alleviate this problem."

"Oh no!" Ping fluttered to the back and grabbed a bowl of soup, presenting it to Po. "Here, eat up."

Po took the chopsticks and began slurping up the noodles. His eyes lit up. "Mmm! This is good! What's in this?!"

"You... you don't know?"

"All I know is that this is so good!"

"Oh this is bad," Mr. Ping fretted. "He doesn't remember. He doesn't remember his own father or his own... wait! Does he remember Kung Fu?"

"He supposedly knows how to do it, but doesn't know that he likes it."

"Hang on." Mr. Ping shot to the back and up the stairs. He returned with a box of Po's action figures. "Po, you've got to remember these. Remember? You made them."

Po picked up one of the figures, the Tigress one, and moved the arms around a bit. "Why would I make... dolls?"

Shifu's and Mr. Ping's mouths dropped. Even some of the customers heard the words and were shocked. Mr. Ping grabbed Shifu and scuttled to the kitchen. "This is serious! What are we going to do?"

"I don't know," Shifu sighed. "The medic said it would be temporary, but hopefully things will change once he goes to the Jade Palace."

"Are you sure?"

"If he can't remember his action figures, it's the very least to try everything we can think of," Shifu said. The goose nodded. Master Shifu took Po up the Jade Palace mountain, though with great difficulty.

"Ugh! These... stairs... I think I remember these stairs."

"Somehow I knew you would," Shifu smirked a bit to himself. They finally got to the top where the familiar shouts and smashing sounds came from the Training Hall. "Now, Po. I want you to... meet the Furious Five."

"Oh... are... you sure I should meet them? I don't think I'm properly dressed."

"Trust me, they won't mind."

"I'll try to be presentable," Po smiled in a goofy manner. Shifu couldn't help but smile for a brief second. At least that smile wasn't forgotten. Opening the doors of the Training Hall felt nostalgic for Shifu. A year or two ago, he showed the Training Hall to a fresh, starry-eyed panda where he got his butt soundly kicked.

It made him wonder how Po hadn't suffered a concussion BEFORE getting amnesia. "Po! There you are," Monkey exclaimed as the Furious Five all came to a line before Master Shifu and the panda.

Po bowed. "It's an honor to meet you, Masters of the Jade Palace." The confused glances and looks started.

Even Shifu had a brief moment of confusion. If Po didn't know who he was, how could he know to be so polite and respectful? And did that mean that his goofy geeky side affected his other characteristics? Shifu shook his head. Those questions would have to come later. "Po has suffered a blow to the head and he can't remember who he is."

"Oh that's terrible," Viper exclaimed.

"But how does he-"

"He knows facts about the Jade Palace and Kung Fu, but he doesn't know how they relate to him. In a way... Po is gone."

The Furious Five gasped. Po's wandering eyes looked around the place, aimlessly eying at the Training Hall's material. "It's temporary," Shifu continued, "But he can't remember anything that pertains to him."

"His father?" Crane asked.

"He doesn't remember," Shifu answered.

"The noodle shop and the noodle soup?" Monkey asked.

"Nothing."

"What about the action figures?" Tigress asked.

"He said he was confused that he would make... dolls."

The Furious Five gasped again with their mouths hanging; Mantis and Monkey even fainted and had to be caught by Crane. Their eyes went to Po who was lightly tapping the punching dummy.

"Somehow, I don't like this thing. I don't know why," Po grumbled.

"How long do you think he'll be like this, Master Shifu?" Tigress asked.

"I don't know. The Medic was hopeful he would recover soon, but... it's hard to say. In the meantime, it's imperative that you make sure that he doesn't bang his head or hurt himself, understand?"

"Yes, Master Shifu." They all said.

"Tigress, could you make sure that Po goes to his room?"

"Of course, Master Shifu." Tigress walked over to Po, who was still grumbling at the punching dummy. "Po, are you okay?"

"I really don't like this thing. I don't know why."

Tigress smiled a bit. "Come on, you need rest. Follow me."

Po did so, though slowly as to take in the entire place. The pillar-like mountains, the green vortex of grass and rice paddies surrounding the village below, and the clouds that formed rings around the area all filled his eyes. "This place is beautiful."

"It is," Tigress smiled at him. Po was stunned into silence and bowed his head. "Is something wrong, Po?"

"Um... Master Tigress? Are you sure I know you?"

"You do."

"Exactly how do I know you? Are we... close?"

"We're friends," Tigress explained. Po's eyes shrunk as the tiger crossed her arms, staring a bit. "Is that a problem?"

"It's just... I find it hard to believe that I would forget someone that looks like you."

"Why's that?"

"You're very gorgeous and stunning. I don't believe, that whoever 'Po' is, he wouldn't just be friends with you."

Amber eyes grew wider than plates as the tiger was stunned into silence. Po immediately bowed to the ground. "I'm so so sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you, Master Tigress. I was just-"

"No, no, it's fine. Po," She said, slowly picking him up from the ground. "It's okay. I just didn't expect that from you. Why don't we get you to your room?" Po nodded, blushing a bit. The panda got into his room and sat down on his bed, easing his back along it. "Feels familiar?"

"No, but... definitely makes the weird headache I have easier," Po murmured.

Then came a knock at the door. "Is the patient seeing visitors?" Viper asked. The Furious Five poured into Po's room. The panda was tempted to stand up and bow, but Tigress gently prevented him from doing so. "Master Shifu thought it would be a good idea to remind Po of some stories about his life."

"How about it, buddy? Wanna try going down memory lane?" Monkey smirked.

Po blinked several times. "That was a... bad joke." The entire room laughed while Monkey simmered quietly.

"Needless to say, talking about your life would be good," Tigress said, sitting next to Po.

"Oh... uh... okay," Po smiled a little shyly. "Um... let's hear it."

"Umm... okay! What about the time Po decided to make noodles faster by putting boiling water and noodles together in his mouth!" Monkey laughed. She rolled her eyes, but Tigress let the simian tell the story. Each of the masters told two or three stories until the afternoon sun finally started to sink behind the horizon.

"And then you came and rescued us," Viper finished.

"Wow, that's um... interesting," Po replied with a shaky smile.

"Is something wrong, Po?"

"Um... are you guys sure that I was your friend?" Po asked. The Furious Five looked at each other.

"What do you mean?" Tigress asked.

"It's just... half of the stories are about this 'Po' ruining something or doing something dumb, and the other half is about some confusing way of getting you guys out of trouble that either backfires or works by dumb luck."

"I wouldn't say it's dumb luck," Monkey murmured.

"I don't know. This guy just sounds like someone you keep around to make yourself feel better. At least, that's what I would do."

"Well, you're wrong," Tigress growled at him. Po gulped. Somehow, he felt this fear was very familiar. "Po is a great friend. It may not seem like it, but he's stood by our side and has been there for us when others haven't."

"Oh, like the time he saved me from getting captured," Crane spoke up and started telling the story. They all started telling stories about Po being the best friend that anyone could have. They kept telling those stories until nighttime.

The panda smiled bashfully. "Okay, okay. I get it. I was wrong."

"We don't think of you as a person to just make ourselves feel better, Po," Tigress frowned a bit. "If anything, you've shown us our errors."

"Heh, I guess," Po smiled and yawned.

"It's getting late and you need sleep more than anyone else," Tigress said.

"I guess you're right." The Furious Five left the panda alone, but Po asked Tigress to stay.

"What is it?"

"Um... I was just wondering. I don't know if this is too forward but... is it possible for us to... you know... go out sometime."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean like dinner or something."

Tigress's shock held the silence for a while. "Why are you asking me this now?"

"I mean it when I say you're very beautiful, Master Tigress," Po smiled.

"And you've... always felt like this?"

"I mean, I've only met you today, but... no better time than the present," Po said, scratching the back of his head. Tigress stared on. "It's okay if you say no, I-"

"No, no, I mean, yes. I mean," Tigress took a breath. "I mean... I guess I'm just shocked. Po... I mean, the person I know never... showed interest in me."

Po shrugged. "Maybe he was good at hiding. I mean, even though I don't know who I am, I know I'm a little all over the place. And from the stories, I was much worse... or better."

Tigress continued to stare. She took another breath and smiled. "How about I give you an answer tomorrow?"

"Why tomorrow?" Po asked.

"Hmm. Just a hunch," Tigress smiled widely. "Goodnight, Po. Sleep well."

"Goodnight Master Tigress."

The next day, the team let the panda sleep in. "He needs rest anyway," Tigress said, and everyone agreed. Things changed when, while eating in the kitchen, they saw a big black and white panda trying to sneak past them. "Uhh. Po?"

"AHH! Uhh hey, Tigress. Hi, Tigress. Hehe."

The Furious Five stared at him. "Why are you acting suspicious?" Viper asked.

"Uhhh... uhhh," Po sighed in defeat. "I... got my memory back. I can't believe I called my action figures dolls."

"PO!" Monkey, Mantis, Crane, Viper, and Tigress all piled onto the panda in a group hug.

"Oooff! Easy guys. I just got my head to work right," Po laughed, getting up from the floor.

"I see that you've regained your memory, Dragon Warrior," Shifu said from down the hall.

Po smiled, "Yes, I have."

"I'm glad that you're back to normal. Please be careful not to sustain any more hits to the head," Shifu smiled back.

"Unless I'm doing something wrong and you wack me with your staff?" Po smirked.

"No," Shifu replied. "Your amnesia has helped me realize that doing that might not be helpful."

"Was it ever," Monkey whispered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!"

Shifu glared but turned his attention back to the big panda. "But we're glad to have you back, Po."

The panda smiled and bowed. As the group quietly dispersed, Po tried his best to sneak away from the barracks. He was just about to go down the steps when- "Where do you think you're going?"

"AHH!" Po spun around. "Oh, Tigress. Uh... how are you doing?"

"Good," Tigress smirked, approaching the panda. "So... how much of yesterday do you remember?"

Po bowed his head with a sigh. "All of it."

"And you remember our little talk?"

"Yes. And I'm sorry. That was completely stupid of me. I shouldn't have said any of that."

"Is it all true?"

"What true?"

"That you find me attractive?" Tigress asked. Po could feel his heart stop for a brief moment. He gulped and nodded slowly. "Why are you so scared?"

"Because I'm afraid of getting punched?"

"I wouldn't hit your head."

"There's a large part of me that isn't my head," Po pointed out.

Tigress shook her head with a smile. "Po, it's okay. I... I don't mind," she replied.

"Oh," The panda couldn't form words for two minutes. "Sooo... uhh... That... dinner?"

"I'm sure Mr. Ping has room for his son and Master Tigress," The feline grinned.

"Awesome!" Po smiled widely. Tigress chuckled a bit. "What?"

"Nothing, I just... never thought I'd miss hearing that word from you," she said. Her face turned serious and grave. "Po, you know that we don't see you as the walking punchline of our group, right?"

Po was a little confused but quickly remembered the previous conversation. He gave a small defeated shrug. "Kind of hard to not think that with everything I've done."

"And you've done a lot more than we can count. For us and the entire village," Tigress rested her hand over Po's heart. "We care about you Po. All of us."

Po smiled. "Thank you, Tigress."

The End

*A/N: This isn't really an official term, more like a... term of terms. Retrograde amnesia is the inability to remember previous stuff and episodic, in terms of memory, refers to anything autobiographical.