Pen Pals

Important notice: So for some reason my fan fiction account has been having trouble alerting me to things? It says that it's because my email has 'bounced' or treated it like a spam, which is weird because it's not showing up in my spam. So if you're review or favoriting, I don't know anything about it for some reason. Or... I'm not supposed to? It's weird. It's even weirder because the site says that no one's viewed this story in the entirety of October, which I know is a lie because people have reviewed it in October. I don't even know where to ask for help. Anyway, here's the story.

A letter.

It all started with a letter.

He was a young teenager when he first found his passion for Kung Fu. He obsessed with it. "You're going to run yourself out if you keep reading those stories about fighters into the night, Po," Mr. Ping said.

"Dad, it's not like that," young Po smiled. "These guys are just so awesome! I wish I could meet them. Oh but the Furious Five don't come down unless it's an emergency."

"Hmm. Well, you could always send them a letter," Mr. Ping pointed out.

Po rolled his eyes. "Yeah, thanks, Dad. What would I even say?" He muttered, "It's not like I have an exciting life or whatever."

Mr. Ping shrugged. "You never know what your words might do, Po. It's worth a try." The bird went back to work while Po mulled over what he said.

As the day waxed on, Po carried a small piece of blank paper. "It's got to be cool. Something... amazing! Something... ugh... I don't know. And who do I even write to?"

As night came, Po sat with the lantern next to his small desk, mulling over the paper. His eyes lit up. "Master Tigress! She might work. Ah... Maybe not. Hmm. Maybe Master Viper. I heard she's much kinder than most people around here. Maybe Master Mantis or Master Crane? Maybe Master Monkey?" Po scratched his head. "Maybe I should just write to all of them. It's worth a shot."

So he wrote...

Dear Furious Five, you don't know me, but I am a big fan of you guys. You're so cool and amazing. I'm sure you guys already get that a lot. I don't know what to really say to you guys other than thanks for helping me find my true passion in life. Kung Fu! I really really want to learn all about it. I was wondering if maybe I could write to you. If you're not too busy. It would be awesome to meet you, but I know you're busy with fighting and keeping China safe and stuff. Still, thank you for everything you do for the village and China. I can't wait to hear back from you. If you're not too busy, of course. Signed Po.

Po groaned the next day after reading the letter. "This is dumb. No one would read this!" He decided to put it on the kitchen counter. Normally, a big pile of trash would be ready in the morning and Mr. Ping would take everything and put it away. Po thought that Mr. Ping would do the same with the message.

What Po didn't expect was Mr. Ping to read the letter. "Oh! This is Po's letter to those fighter guys. I'll send it for him." So he did.

Messages are a little different within the same area. They also cost remarkably less.

Zeng soon got a hold of the mail and started filing through them. As per his master's orders, the fan mail may inflate the Furious Five's egos. So, Zeng was ordered to put them in the fire.

Just then, Tigress came into the room. "Zeng?"

"Ah! Master Tigress," The goose bowed.

"Master Shifu wants your help with something. He's asked me to do the mail work for a moment."

The goose tilted his head a bit. He sighed. "Has Master Shifu asked you or ordered you?"

The tiger looked a bit upset and angered. "It... it doesn't matter."

She must have done something to HAVE to do this. "Of course, Master Tigress," Zeng sighed and left. Tigress sat down next to the fire and sifted through them. Having to read each and every letter was tiring and boring. She couldn't believe this was her punishment for not doing a Kung Fu move right. What did sorting paper have to do with the Three Ring Drop-Kick?

In any case, Shifu ordered her to do it. Maybe as a way of testing her patience?

As she glanced through some of the fan mail, she couldn't help but smile a bit. Most of these people were admirers from afar. It was flattering.

"But they probably have no idea who we really are," Tigress sighed, somberly.

As she threw the next to last letter into the fire, she read one letter signed by someone named Po.

He seemed interested in figuring out who they were. Though it seemed like he was in the village, Tigress looked at the letter with suspicion. Master Shifu mentioned that enemies could find different ways to sneak their way into masters' trust. Maybe this was something like that.

"What do you have there, young tiger?" asked a gentle voice. Tigress bolted up, clutching the letter behind her back, and bowed to the tortoise before her.

"Nothing, Master Oogway. Just the... fan mail," Tigress explained, presenting the scroll. "I was just about to throw this into the fire." Oogway looked a little pained by the tiger's words. "Master Oogway? Are you well?"

"Shifu sent you here as a way of punishment, did he not?" Tigress bowed her head and nodded. "Why don't we make this punishment a lesson instead?"

"Master?"

"I want you to write this... Po back. Start a conversation with him."

"But Master Oogway, he's a complete stranger. He could be from the village or a bandit camp somewhere. How do I trust him?"

The old tortoise smiled. "I don't know. That is your lesson to find out." He walked out of the room, leaving Tigress to her own thoughts.

Later that night, while the Furious Five slept in the barracks, Tigress sat on her desk with a lantern. "What do I say? Hello?" Tigress groaned softly. Sorting the mail was bad enough, but making a friend through letters? She didn't know how to do this. In the stillness of her room, she slowly etched words onto the paper.

Dear Po, I'm writing you back to you to say this. I appreciate your words but understand that we don't regularly write back. It may be a way of some enemy breaching our trust. I'm glad that you like Kung Fu, though it's not for everyone. It's hard work, years of practice, and discipline. While the years of effort are rewarding, do not think that they come easily. I am sure that whatever you are doing is the same in some shape or form. Sincerely, Master Tigress.

She sent the letter to Zeng the next day.

Po yawned and stretched, scratching his back as he stumbled into his father's shop. "Morning Dad."

"Po, you're up. Good. We have a back order on the buns, but I'm thinking of upcharging the Ming Tea to compensate."

Po smiled and rolled his eyes until he saw a messenger run into the shop.

"A message from the Jade Palace."

"A... another one?" Po panicked. It wasn't too long ago when he messed up the order for Master Shifu's illness. Did they figure out it was him?

He unfurled the scroll and read. His eyes narrowed at the words. "Master Tigress? Wait, what is she-" Po's eyes widened. "DAD! Did you send that scroll that was on the counter to the Jade Palace!"

"Of course!"

"Why? I thought you would've thrown it away!" Po exclaimed.

Mr. Ping smiled, "Why are you freaking out, Po? This is a wonderful opportunity. Eh, maybe you can talk about our sale on bean buns."

"No, no, not again with the bean buns," Po groaned. "Ugh, man. Now I have to write another letter. Wait... I have to write another letter. Wait, I have Master Tigress's autograph! HA HA! AWESOME!"

"Po, you can be excited later," Mr. Ping argued, "Right now, we need to feed these hungry customers."

"Right, right. Uhhh. Here you go," Po said, paying the messenger. "I'll uh... get another letter out... I think."

Po couldn't sit still for very long throughout the day. It wasn't until the end of the day that Po sat down and started writing at a feverish pace.

Dear Master Tigress. Thank you, Thank you Thank you for writing me back. I totally get the whole secrecy thing. I honestly didn't expect you to get that letter. I was hoping it would've gotten thrown away. Sorry if this is awkward and weird. What is the Jade Palace like? Are the paintings as awesome as the paintings of the paintings we have here? I have so many questions but so little paper. I don't know where to start asking. Sorry, I shouldn't be too excited. I get like that when it comes to Kung Fu, and you have other more awesome things to do. I just can't believe that you're writing to me. I was wondering, what is living in the Jade Palace like? Is Master Shifu really the best teacher in the world? What is Master Oogway like? Are the other Furious Five cool to be around? What's your favorite color?

He scratched out a large section of the paper. Sorry, I'm just really really excited. I know this is awkward and weird and stupid of me to ask you so many questions but you and everyone on the mountain are literally my idols. I just want to know you a little more, I guess. Sorry if those questions are too personal. Signed Po.

Tigress received the letter and could only raise her eyebrow. She was thankful that the Furious Five had individual letter boxes that Zeng put in their room. She rarely got letters. Often it would be a fan or love mail that Zeng would burn before it reached her.

Tigress sat in her room, grimacing a bit. She really didn't know why Master Oogway wanted her to do this. Sighing, she decided to try answering some of Po's questions.

Dear Po. You're welcome. The Jade Palace is splendid and marvelous. It is a high honor to be here. I am not aware of how 'awesome' the paintings are. Living in the Jade Palace is like living in a library of sorts. There's a massive amount of knowledge to learn here. One can often lose their way. Master Shifu is the greatest teacher in all of China. I am proud and honored to be one of his students. Master Oogway is very wise and kind. He is a well of knowledge that is indescribable to be around.

Tigress had to laugh a bit. It was indescribable to be around him because half the time no one understood what he was saying.

The other Furious Five are my newest friends and allies. We have some learning to do, but we function very well as a team. And I do not have a favorite color. I do not believe your questions are stupid, but they are unusual. I've never had to think about all of these things. But I have a question for you. Why are you doing this? What's the real reason for you writing these letters? Sincerely, Tigress.

Po found this a bit odd, but a little understandable.

Dear Master Tigress, I guess I ask those questions because I really need help trying to figure out who I want to be. I know I don't want to be who I am: A very weird, awkward panda. You guys are so different from each other and yet you manage to protect the village so easily. I just make stuff for my dad. And my life right now isn't really the most... wow. You know what I mean? I just don't feel like I fit in here. Sorry if that was too mopey, but it's the truth. If I ever got into the Jade Palace, I would love to learn from Master Shifu. Maybe he could help me be... not me. I don't know. Anyway, thank you for writing back, signed Po.

Tigress's eyes broadened a bit.

Dear Po. I don't think coming to the Jade Palace or learning from Master Shifu will guarantee you being different from who you are. That's not how Kung Fu works. Kung Fu is a way of self-expression. It's something that helps get what is on the inside out. Despising yourself isn't the way to learn Kung Fu, Sincerely Tigress.

Dear Master Tigress. I guess. By the way, that adventure you had with Master Lu Chen on the Shaanxi providence. What was that like? Signed Po.

Tigress smiled a bit. He was diverting the question.

And so they began writing to each other, every other week or so. Tigress told Po about her many adventures and exploring China on different missions. Po would reply with his regular enthusiasm and amazement. Tigress would be lying if she didn't find the whole thing a little flattering, something she knew Master Shifu warned her about. This translated to her working harder on her Kung Fu. "Very good, Master Tigress. You've been improving," Shifu said one time. Tigress smiled and bowed. She looked to Master Oogway who had a knowing grin on his face. She felt bashful as she returned to fighting.

Po didn't mention much about his life other than he constantly said that there wasn't much to mention. He mentioned his dad, his noodle shop, and where he lived. It got to the point that Tigress was convinced that he actually lived there; which was much easier to prove back then. The way he talked about himself was very concerning, though. He almost always disparaged himself, though he took it in strides that Tigress had never seen.

But that all changed when Po came to the Jade Palace to see the Dragon Warrior, which was unfortunately him. He acted like he didn't know Tigress from the letters, partly because Tigress looked absolutely enraged that he got the Dragon Warrior Title, but also because he never said his name to the others. Tigress was upset, to say the least, until later that night when Po, trying to find his way back to his bed, finally mumbled his name. "Nice going Po. Why do you have to be so awkward? Now, where is my room?"

Tigress, who had heard the whole thing with great annoyance, suddenly opened her doors. Her face, glaring for a brief second, softened. Po jumped. "Oh Master Tigress, I was just-"

"What did you say your name was?"

"Uhh... Po?" The panda grinned nervously.***

Tigress sagged her shoulders and offered a small smile. Quietly, she opened up her room. "You're the panda that I've been writing to."

"Uh... yeah, hehe, I guess I am," Po murmured.

"I'm sorry about my attitude beforehand, I just-"

"No, no, I get it. I'm not really the... shining example of a Kung Fu warrior, much less a Dragon Warrior. Hehe," Po chuckled, though the tiger didn't.

"You know, I know why you're doing all of this. You do realize lying to yourself isn't going to work," Tigress replied.

"You're trying to get me to quit so you can be Dragon Warrior?" Po asked confused.

Tigress sighed, "While Dragon Warrior is my coveted position, you and I both know that you can't escape who you are. And being Dragon Warrior doesn't change who you are." She frowned, "You don't belong here either, Po. You know that."

Po's downcast face breathed a sigh. "Yeah... yeah you're right."

"I don't mean to discourage you, Po. Anymore, anyway."

"He he."

"But what you're looking for isn't here. You know that?"

"Then where is it?"

"That is for you to figure out," Tigress said wisely

Po sighed and walked out of her room. "Still a huge fan."

"Thank you, Po."

What Po learned or did after that, Tigress didn't know. He did vaguely smell of peaches the next day. After learning Po's identity, she was much more lenient and tender towards him. What she called his facade broke when Tai Lung broke out of prison. He ran down the steps but Shifu quickly caught up to him.

"Why didn't you quit? You knew I was trying to get rid of you, yet you stayed," Shifu shouted.

"Yeah, I stayed," Po grunted up from the ground, "I stayed because anytime you threw a brick at my head or said I smelled, it hurt. But it couldn't hurt any more than spending each day of my life being me. I stayed because... I knew if there was anyone in the world. Anyone who could make me... not me... it was you. The greatest teacher in all of China"

Tigress heard all of that from the roof of the Jade Palace. A small smile creased her lips as she watched. He had finally admitted it to himself.

Time passed, and after Po defeated Tai Lung, Shen, and Kai, the memory of those letters stumbled into Tigress's head. Especially now.

Po went through one of the hardest ordeals of his life. And the Furious Five and Master Shifu weren't there to help. He was alone across the country and battled a massive army in a war-torn village. He came back broken, damaged, hurt, though not physically. Rumors and gossip circulated around what actually happened during that time to make him like this, but the panda wouldn't say.

He stayed to himself. Largely ignored questions from the others. He was either training or cooking, always with a somber sad frown that couldn't be wiped away with more food or some other Kung Fu adventure. He didn't want to go on any Kung Fu adventure. "You guys go on ahead. I'll stay as a backup if you need me," He'd say.

Shifu helped the most. He knew what loss looked like. But the others felt locked away from a panda that they were so close to. Especially Tigress. So Tigress sat in her room, tapping her finger against her head, trying to figure out what to do.

That's when the letters hit her head. Quite literally. She was standing next to her dresser, punched it in frustration, and the box with Po's letters over the years slid off and crashed onto her head.

That's when her idea came up.

Meanwhile, Po was at the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom, munching on the fruits. He felt the tree was ironically named. He had been eating these things for years and didn't feel any wiser.

The scenes of his journey across the country played over and over in his mind. He tried meditation. It softened things bit by bit, but he knew it would take a while to fully heal. Shifu's pain with Tai Lung helped. At least he had someone who understood.

Po sighed. He didn't want to be away from the others for this long, but he couldn't help it. He probably guessed that they had been through something similar before, but maybe not to this extent. Something in his mind prevented him from telling them.

The fear. The scenes. The blood. So much blood. Po took a deep breath. He felt his brain splitting, broken, and shattered. The healing hurt. It was like stitching the fibers of a nine-yard large split in a carpet with a small needle and thread.

"Po?"

"AHH!" Po shivered, clutching his heart. "Tigress, please don't ever do that again!"

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry," Tigress replied, slowly sitting next to him. "Are you well?"

"Yeah, just... a little jumpy."

"Po. I know that's not it," She sighed. "I know it might be hard to talk about, but... we're here if you need us."

"I know," Po smiled weakly.

"But that's not why I came here. You received a letter," Tigress said, giving him a scroll. Po gulped and slowly grabbed the letter. Was it another call to somewhere he'd have to do the same thing? Po gently took the scroll and opened it.

He shook his head a bit and stared at the paper before looking at Tigress. "This... this is you?"

"Yes, it is."

Dear Master Po, I am an admirer of your strength, kindness, and determination. You've really helped everyone and everything in the village, in China, and perhaps the whole world outside of it. I know it must be a huge burden to be the Dragon Warrior, but you carry it so well. And you know just when to let others help you carry that burden. I was wondering if I could ask a few questions. I'm a big fan of yours. What's your favorite color? Is it hard to be the Dragon Warrior? Who do you look for help when things get rough? I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Tigress.

"He, hehe, hehehahahahahahaha!" Po laughed, covering his face as a few tears slipped down his cheeks. "Ohhh, Oh I needed that. I really needed that. It's been so long since I've had my pen pal."

He reached over and gripped Tigress's hand. "Thank you, Tigress."

"You're welcome, Po." She smiled, "I know it's not much but-"

"It's perfect. I really needed that." Po sighed with a small smile, resting his head against the tree. Tigress smiled and rested next to him. They said nothing. They didn't need to.

All they said was written in letters.

The End

***A/N: To my recollection and repeated looking, I honestly don't know where they first say his name or acknowledge that his name is Po. They call him Panda most of the time.