Author's Note: Holy crap! Hey guys! Sorry I've taken so long with this chapter, you will not believe the crazy stuff that has been going on in my life. First I get COVID right at the start of the month (Don't worry I'm better now), then my laptop blue screens and almost dies on me (No worries, everything is backed up and all) and THEN my laptop's network adapter barely functions so it's a miracle I can even upload anything. Anyways, all that aside, I have one hell of a chapter for you guys. And a long one too. Trust me, I think you'll enjoy this one a fair bit.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP!

Enjoy.

Burdens to Bear

As the day passed, Tigress and Crane had returned from their expedition fairly late into the night, leaving them filled with questions once they had fallen asleep. By daybreak, the tiger master had gone to her master with both tablets in paw and her heart desperate for answers. She had noticed the shocked expression on Shifu's face when he first laid eyes on the slabs. However, it had slowly forged back into his usual steel countenance as he assured her that he would search through every single corner of the archives for whatever this could mean.

Now, Tigress sits on her bed cross-legged, the scrolls from the Zhanshi clan sprawled across her futon. After her and the five had their morning training session, the dragon warrior had allowed them an hour's break. For the curious feline this could not be a better time for her to look through her findings of her long-lost clan. This time however, she can truly take in what these scrolls mean rather than forcing her mind to pick out any information of a certain ancient turtle. One particular scroll that draws her intrigue almost immediately is one with a peculiar title.

"Why bar brawls are perfect for freeform training."

A puzzled smile crosses her face as she opens the parchment, the very title of it almost making her laugh. In spite of the fairly ridiculous notion, the contents of the scroll are far from a joke. Its hanzi is written with a delicate and precise paw, ordered neatly to the point where it is almost militaristic. Hieroglyphic soldiers stand in formation on the page as she reads through their ranks, her smile only growing as she reads further. "Inebriation can often work in the enemy's favour, which is why this practise must be done far more often. If they are unable to beat you in this state, then what hope will they have if you are sober?" The reasoning certainly isn't bad, although Tigress can note the obvious risks of doing something like this on a regular basis. "Another added benefit of training in this way, is that it prepares you for the kind of people that play either unfairly or in an unorthodox fashion. It keeps you ready for the unexpected, like a knife secretly stashed away in someone's pocket or someone using a technique that you have never even heard of before." Again, they make a fairly good point.

Tigress chuckles to herself at this unorthodox method of training. I think they would get along with Po just fine. She rolls up the scroll and takes another from the pile titled "The Huo* tournament", her curiosity only growing further. As she unfurls it, a magnificent illustration of a stone arena fills its page with explosive, fiery characters written underneath. "The annual Huo tournament is not only a way to test the skills of our greatest fighters. No, it is a celebration of the Zhanshi clan's formidable strength. It is a way to bask in the glory of our selfless, courageous heroes. But most of all, it is a way of life. Fighting is within our blood, and if you feel that you are missing out on something or that you haven't even begun to tap into your true potential, then the Huo tournament is the perfect time to test your mettle. Make sure to sign up before summertime, or you'll have to watch on from the sidelines!" Of course, a village of warriors would host an annual tournament, it'd be stranger if they didn't. She can only imagine the sight of many tigers training and sparring with one another to prove who's best. Row upon row of tigers cheering for which of their fellow brothers and sisters would come out on top. If only I could've seen it.

Ignoring this fleeting thought, Tigress turns her attention back to the illustration, a puzzled expression lining her face. I don't remember seeing an arena in the village. Maybe there was some space for it, and she hadn't seen it. No, none of the buildings would be big enough to host a tourney for the entire village's population. Perhaps this arena was outside their cavern home? Judging by how secretive they were about everything else, that is highly unlikely. It most likely was an old tradition that they may have discontinued for whatever reason. Then again, something about that arena seems strangely familiar, though she is certain that this is her first time seeing it. Even from the few memories she has of the village, none of the buildings looked even close to that.

As if she could tell apart anything from the sea of fire bathing what was once her home. Like her infant mind even cared about any of that whilst her family had been stripped away from her.

Tigress shakes her head clear of these damning thoughts, knowing very well what it can lead to. In spite of this, her heart writhes in its hopeless longing. Something she thought would finally put itself to rest once she had gained inner peace. But of course, it isn't that simple. In the hopes of tempering this mournful beast plaguing her heart, the tiger master climbs off her futon and heads towards the still warm cup of jasmine tea resting on her nightstand.

She picks up the cup in her right paw and takes a deep breath. Amber eyes close themselves off to the world around as Tigress looks deep within herself. Memories begin to bubble up to the surface, ones that she would prefer to lock away forever. Her many sleepless nights within Bao Gu, praying to the Gods for a family that could love her. The countless nights she had stayed past her bedtime punching the iron wood trees, perverting her training exercise into a way of indulging in her fury. The one day where her clan was burnt alive right in front of her infant eyes. Before her lip trembles at these overwhelming ghouls of her past, she places two fingers into her tea and exhales out.

She breathes in and out.

In and out…

In and out…

Soon enough, more memories begin to cradle her mind, settling down the erratic thoughts that seek to torment her. With that, she flicks her paw upwards, sending several tea droplets up into the air as she places the teacup back on her nightstand. As this jasmine infused rain begins to descend upon her, Tigress gets into her inner peace stance and raises her paw up to meet them. Just as one of the droplets lands on her fingertips, a soothing memory takes shape in her mind.

Back when they had first formed the five, the tiger student had found herself smiling far more. She finally had friends to talk to, people to share her passion for kung fu with. All this time she thought it would just be her, Oogway and Shifu, yet fate had blessed her with a mighty team of warriors. No, a team of friends.

As she was wandering about the barracks one day, her ears twitched at the sound of snickers billowing from the kitchen. Just when she went to investigate however, a massive ball of dough flew right into her face. She heard the snickers die out immediately. It didn't matter though, for there could only be two suspects. With one swift movement of her paws, she ripped the dough off her face and glared at the sight before her.

She couldn't be more wrong.

All four of her comrades were stood there covered in flour and dough residue, clearly enjoying some kind of food fight. Amber eyes shifted down to the dough still held in her paw. A chance for fun, and some much-deserved revenge. A cheeky grin lined Tigress' features as she balled the ripped dough back up, "Oh, you're gonna pay for that." She let out a playful growl before chucking the dough right at Monkey who managed to dodge it just in time, hitting Crane instead. Seeing their feline leader far from infuriated, they resumed their playfighting, the furious five laughing away as each member was blanketed in a mixture of yeast and flour. After all, they deserved a bit of fun after defeating boar.

Tigress lets out a quiet chuckle at the memory. To many others this would be just a moment of levity, something relatively unremarkable. But for her, it meant so much more. It was the day where she truly felt like she was part of a family, not just a group of warriors. It was a time for fun that she had rarely ever had. It certainly was worth it, even if Shifu had given them a heated rant afterwards. She feels the tea droplet slide down her arm as her mind cascades into another wonderous memory. The tiger master allows her body to move on its own, fully immersing herself back into what was one of the worst yet best days of her life.

She feels the rain that had poured down upon her when Po came to her aide. When he took her in his arms and helped her realise what finding peace really meant. When their hearts had melded into one, her soul set alight as Po had looked deep within her eyes and whispered, "I… I love you, Tigress. And I'll always be by your side, no matter what." The iron wall around her heart crumbled as they kissed, washing away all of their pain and sorrows alongside the rain showering them. Just hours ago, her greatest fears about her past had been fully realised, yet at that moment, she had truly felt whole. That all of that pain and sacrifice she had endured had been worth it.

She feels a gentle warmth blossom in her heart as she continues moving the droplet between her arms, allowing her to accept her more bitter memories for what they really are. Memories. They are her past, and though the past can truly change a person, it does not make someone who they are. Yet, it would truly be foolish to ignore them completely. Tigress' smile shrinks as one day flashes through her mind, remembering the sadness that had riddled her heart so long ago. The one day that had changed her life forever.

Creak!

A light grimace deformed the tiger cub's countenance as her iron door's hinges cried out in agony. Even after hearing that dreaded door's shrieks day after day, she was never able to grow used to it. Nor was she able to get used to the blinding light that would so readily taunt her from the open door. She covered her eyes with her right paw, her mind growing curious at the short silhouette stood by the opening, completely unfamiliar to her. Maybe this would finally be her day. Maybe she would finally be taken out of this horrid place. Who was she kidding? Who would want a monster like her? If anything, this was probably a new caretaker to make her life even more of a living hell. If so, then they were certainly making a good start with that damn light.

Just as she thought this, tears started to form in her eyes, the very thought of remaining in this prison clutching tightly at her heart. Why couldn't they just leave her alone? She knew they didn't care. She knew that they haven't thrown her out yet because that would be considered an awful thing to do. Like this wasn't? "Tigress." Her ears twitched at the gruff voice bellowing from her open door. She pried her paw away from her eyes, squinting at the bright light before finally adjusting to see… A red panda, dressed in brown robes. She immediately noticed his stern expression, the steel embedded into his eyes. A far cry from the fear that had practically carved itself on the rest of the caretakers. But she knew well enough that there was no point in being hopeful, he would just turn out like everyone else. "I am Shifu, I am-

"Afraid?" She spat out, her amber eyes narrowing in fury.

To her surprise however, Shifu simply replied, "No." He closed the door behind him vanquishing the light that had bore down on her face. Darkness had suffocated the room once more, with every single corner bathed in shadows. Many of the other Bao Gu orphans were frightened of the dark. Yet she wasn't. Another reason why she was a freak. Another reason to keep her locked up in here, where she belongs.

"Well, you should be!" Tigress growled out, her fiery eyes set ablaze with pain, anger, sadness, and fear. "I'm Tigress, Tigress the monster!" As soon as those words left her mouth, the fire in her eyes was extinguished. That's all she was… That's all she would ever be… "A monster no-one wants." She didn't bother to stop the tears streaking down her eyes nor did she even try to conceal her despair. What was the point? He would just call her a freak, a monster. Because that's who she was. She turned her body over towards the wall, not wanting to entertain her 'visitor' for any longer. A moment of silence passed between the two of them. He was still in the room, but why? She knew what she was, so why tell her agai-

"You are not a monster." Shifu's gravelly voice broke through the silence, though his timbre was gentle, like a wistful breeze. "You are just a little girl." Tigress darted her head towards the red panda. Did he mean that? No, he couldn't. Yet as she looked him dead in the eyes, only a sincere glint was present in them. A glimmer of compassion in her blackened world. She couldn't find any words to say in response. Instead, only one thing beamed from her eyes, cast from her soul.

Hope.

She owes him everything. For taking her out of that horrible place. For giving her a life worth living. For raising her to be the warrior she is now. Even when he had been so strict and unforgiving, she had never hated him. How could she when she knew what he had lost. Whatever mistakes Shifu had made in raising her could never outweigh how much he has done for her. One final memory plays within her mind, meshing and melding with snippets of good and bad ones alike. The moment that she had arrived at Bao Gu. As her mind recalls the broken amber eyes of her father, she transfers the drop from her left paw to her right. "I don't want to do this sweetie. I really don't… But she… She could find us out here… And I can't let her do to you what she did to your mother… I can't lose you… You deserve better than that…" Her father's whispers ripple through her mind as she hovers her right paw over the cup of tea by her nightstand. "Now… I don't know if I'll be able to come back… But I want you to know… I want you to know that daddy will always be here for you… Right here." A grave expression singes the smile that had once taken Tigress' face, a single tear rolling down her cheek as she lets the droplet fall back into the tea. Tigress places her paw on her heart, her father's words ringing true. She could feel him, after all this time. Amber irises look into the now clear waters of her beverage, noticing her father's eyes looking back at her from the reflection. "I love you, my little angel… Don't ever forget that."

She finds the strength within her to smile at his words, another tear escaping her eyes and cascading down her cheek. This single drop continues its journey down her chin and falls from her face, dropping into her tea. It ripples through its reflective surface, wiping away the amber-eyed tiger's face. As it clears back up however, Tigress doesn't find herself staring at her reflection like she'd expect. Instead, she sees a tiger whose teeth lay bare and her eyes completely obsidian. Before she can even process this dark reflection, it disappears in the blink of an eye. Horror engulfs her eyes as she stares into this jasmine mirror. That was… me? No… it couldn't be… Denial takes hold of her mind, but it cannot overpower the dread drenching her heart. She knew what she became when she saw Nuba for the first time, but she didn't know just how monstrous she looked. That black void replacing her eyes, devoid of anything except pure and utter rage. A scowl so demented and unnatural that it would make even the foulest of creatures quake. Her pain personified, staring back at her for what was a mere second. Why? A knowing despondence tempers the terror that had but moments ago taken her face captive. As if there's any need to ask that question.

Tak! Tak!

The gentle raps on her paper door rip the tiger out of her thoughts. She turns her head to see a red panda's shadow standing outside her room, staff in his right paw. Without a moment's hesitation, she opens the door and bows to him. "Master." As Shifu enters her room, Tigress notices the two tablets held under his left arm. "Any luck?"

To her chagrin, the old master shakes his head as he places the tablets onto the futon. "As far as the archives are concerned, the Zhanshi clan never existed." Irritation embeds itself in the grandmaster's voice, his steely eyes burrowing into those slabs of a history long forgotten. After failing to burn a hole into those marble slabs, Shifu turns to face his daughter. His expression wilts in sorrow at the sight of her ears flat against her head and her eyes consumed with disappointment. "I'm sorry I don't have better news for you, but it's clear that whatever past Oogway has with your clan is something he didn't want us to know."

A mere nod is given in response as Tigress sits back down on her futon, cup of tea in her paw and eyes holding a conversation with the floor. Shifu notes how her body shrinks in on itself, how she lightly massages one paw with the other, how her legs cross over each other as if they are trying to guard her. Even her tail is practically limp as she holds the tea in her paws, not a single sip taken. Not exactly a sight the grandmaster has seen often, but one that immediately tells him everything. "Yet, that's not what distresses you. Is it?"

This compassionate question forces Tigress' ears to twitch lightly. To be honest, she has been hoping to tell someone about this… creature. About that thing she almost turned into just a few days ago. Yet, she didn't know who. With the five she would've gotten some comfort, assurance that she'd never become a monster. With Po he would be adamant that this isn't who she is. It's not that they wouldn't listen, but rather they'd focus too much on the wrong thing. Shifu however, he has always been blunt. He's never held back on anything in spite of him raising her. Perhaps it would be best to say it. Still mulling it over, she goes to take a sip only to stop as her reflection stares back at her. Amber orbs hold a faded glow as its waters morph and bend them to its whim. Her stripes ripple alongside the disturbed surface. It's no longer a reflection, more a blur of orange and black made darker by the tea's colour.

Her eyes still anchored onto this distorted mirror; the tiger master finally responds. "Something happened when I went back there." She doesn't notice her voice shrink to a whisper; her mind overcome with the dark memories that had plagued her within the Zhanshi village. However, she can practically feel Shifu's concerned gaze urging her to go on. "When I saw all those bodies again, I remembered… everything. Their screams, their cries… everything." Her left eye twitches as she pauses for a moment, almost certain that she could see two amethyst orbs peering at her from her rippling mirror. "And then… I remembered who caused all of it. Who had taken away my family… Once I remembered her… I almost lost myself again." She can practically hear Shifu asking her what she means with his stare, "But I managed to regain control."

Even though she finishes there, Shifu feels a question hanging in the air. If she has gained inner peace, then why does this still affect her so badly? After taking a moment to think of a suitable answer, he finally responds. "Trauma like this doesn't go away. Even after years of grievance and acceptance, sometimes it will hurt far more than it ever has before."

"But why does it turn me into… something else?" Tigress answers back immediately, finally ripping her eyes away from her cup and staring directly into her father's steely eyes. "Why should I become a monster because of my past? Why should it make me capable of… of harming the people I love?" Silence invades the room for several agonising seconds, the tiger noticing her master struggling to answer. They both know why her anger is far more vicious than others, why her control is much more difficult to maintain, but this question runs far deeper than that. Why must she be subjected to this? Why does she have to go through so much that it manifests into some uncontrollable demon?

Of course, there is no answer to this. Fate is neither kind nor cruel, it only is. Leaving this unfairness aside, Tigress saves her father the need to answer this and instead asks a question that he, hopefully, can answer. "And what if something worse happens? What if I lose my family again?" Steely blue eyes widen in understanding before furrowing in empathy, "What will I become then?"

Blue stares directly into amber, now understanding just why this had distressed her so much. This is no longer a question of trauma, but of fear. Fear of losing everything just as she had all those years ago. Fear of losing herself alongside everyone else. Part of him wants to say that will never happen, but he'd be lying to himself too. No-one could predict what will happen to any of them later on. Instead, he tells her the one answer that has any form of certainty. "Only you know the answer to that." His grave timbre sends tremors of dread coursing through Tigress' heart. Of course, it's not what she wants to hear but it is the truth. Only she knows for sure what could happen to her, and only she will know exactly what would happen if it ever came to it. However, there is one other truth. Shifu turns around and heads to the opposite side of the room, standing just in front of a few cupboards as he speaks again. "It is natural to show concern for the future, Tigress. But you cannot let those concerns harm you. Especially if it has the possibility of never happening in the first place."

"You don't know that for certain, master." She immediately replies, taking another hesitant sip of her tea as its distorted reflection practically taunts her muddled heart.

"None of us do." Steely blue eyes gaze at the single cupboard still open, likely the spot where Tigress had kept her scrolls. Yet, something else inside catches his eye. "None of us know what faces us in the future. Except for one thing." A thoughtful expression latches onto Shifu's face, battling with himself if this truly is the right time for this.

Confusion litters Tigress' face, "Master?"

As he ponders on however, his mind comes to a definite decision. "There are some things that are inevitable. Parts of our destiny that we must be prepared to face, no matter what." He reaches into the cupboard and pulls out the black pouch that was sitting at the bottom of it. "I won't be here forever, Tigress, and I'm already beginning to feel the years pile on." He can feel his daughter's expression shift to worry as he holds the pouch up to his face, a hunch telling him exactly what lies inside it. "And though I know that this eventuality can be frightening, there is always a silver lining."

"And what would that be?" Her solemn voice stings Shifu's ears, feeling her love for him drag her heart down into despondence. Even after all the mistakes he has made, her heart still has a place for him.

A small smile covers Shifu's face as he realises just how big of a mistake he had almost made mere days ago. "When my time comes, and I pass on into the spirit realm." He turns his head to her, his eyes smiling alongside him. "I want you to be the grandmaster of the Jade Palace."

He notes the amber fire in her eyes expand into massive stars. Shock, surprise, and honour crackle in every flame within the two suns staring back at her master. "You… want me to… B-but… Why me?" She practically whispers out, her voice weighed down by the responsibility weighed upon her whilst her breath is taken right out of her by the magnificent honour bestowed on her.

"Because you have sacrificed so much to get to where you are. Because you have devoted yourself wholly to the principles of kung fu. No one deserves to be rewarded this more than you, my dear daughter." As he lets his heart speak out to the tiger, Shifu turns back to the cupboard and opens the black pouch in his paw, putting rummaging around inside with his other paw.

Tigress is left speechless at her father's words. To know that he thought her worthy of leading this glorious temple… What could she possibly say? The weight of this, she simply can't put into words. No, there is one thing. She gets of the bed and kneels on one knee, bowing her head as she puts her fist in palm, "Thank you, master. I promise I will make you proud." A pledge made from the very centre of her soul, forever honoured and grateful.

A flash of Tai Lung takes refuge in Shifu's mind as he takes some of the pouch's contents out, clutching them in his paw. He pauses for a brief moment, his guilt making his face practically collapse. Has he never told her? No, don't do that. Remember what Oogway told you. Punishing yourself won't fix this. After all, it is never truly too late to do what is right. As he extinguishes the guilt in his heart, a wider smile finds its way onto the red panda's face. "I have always been proud of you."

Before she can even respond to this, Shifu chucks the contents of pouch up into the air, making Tigress instinctively leap up and catch them in her paw. Just as she lands however, she notices the objects feel familiar in her paw. She opens her paw up to reveal…

Four dominoes, their golden pattern slightly scraped by the ravages of time.

"Even from the very start." Tigress looks up to her father whose face brims with pride, smiling with him as he takes another domino out of the bag. "Shall we?"

Shifu's daughter sits cross legged on the floor, eyes shining with joy as her smile widens further. "Of course, baba." Both father and daughter sit opposite each other, casting aside their worries as they patiently building a golden yin-yang symbol with their dominoes. Whilst they spend this precious time together, neither of them are aware of the goings on high above them.

Boom!

In spite of their sensitive hearing, this thunderous explosion echoes around the Wu Dang mountains yet ventures no further than its mystifying, cloudy peaks.

"Aw c'mon!"

The distraught whine of the Palace's resident dragon warrior doesn't even pierce through the eternal veil of fog concealing the birth place of kung fu. Jade irises dart over to the floor, glazed with a hopeless irritation. Rocky debris scatters the flower filled clearing. Yet another attempt at his dragon strike gone awry.

Po can't help but to scoff at this, almost finding it funny in some frankly annoying way. "It's like I've gone back to square one." He mutters to no one in particular as he shifts his attention around the mountain top, his gaze resting on a lone boulder. He stares it down for a few moments, growing more frustrated with each passing second. "Why aren't you fizzling, huh?"

Silence.

"Are you like… the gatekeeper of fizzling? Here to tell me what fizzles and what fizzlen't? Hm?"

Silence again.

Po sighs in resignation as he places his palm on his head. Talking to a boulder again. What a shmuck. "If I keep going at it like this, I might actually go crazy."

"You certainly look it." Po shifts his head over to his right, seeing a certain familiar turtle performing a handstand atop his jade staff.

"Oh, hey Oogway." He casually waves to the ancient master until his brain finally catches up with him. "Oogway!?"

A warm chuckle exits the ethereal turtle as he shifts his body around until he balances on his staff with his foot instead. "I remember the first time I held a conversation with an inanimate object."

Young jade eyes shift from side to side as Po scratches the back of his head in embarrassment. "Must've been… Real interesting…" He trails off with an awkward chuckle.

"Oh, it was. I remember being quite distressed too. In fact, I often find that venting to an object can be quite effective in relieving oneself." Oogway's arms and legs sway with a calculated yet flowing grace, easily maintaining their balance on the staff as he continues. "However, I wouldn't suggest asking questions to beings that cannot answer."

Letting out another timid chuckle at the later master's advice, Po seizes this opportunity to finally make some sense of this white chi… thing. "Well, it's a good thing you're here master."

"Perhaps."

Po's eyebrows furrow in question, "… Huh?"

His signature gentle smile covers Oogway's face as he resumes his tai chi, "For as long as I have been around, there are some parts of this universe that elude even me. There are truths about the world that we can't comprehend and answers that simply cannot be found."

"B-but you do know about the white chi thing… right?"

"Oh, of course." Oogway promptly hops off his staff and lands in the clearing, somehow managing to continue his flowing movements much to Po's awestricken delight.

"Woah." He whispers, his usual giddy expression finding its way back onto his face. In the middle of his tranquil dance, the late grandmaster motions for his pupil to join. Without a moment's hesitation, Po steps right beside the turtle and waits for just the right time before imitating his graceful master. As they do this Po wades his way through his thoughts one last time, hoping that maybe he can figure out the answer for himself rather than relying on Oogway. Alas, his mind simply can't make any connections. This white chi, inner peace, Nuba, boulders, Tigress kissing his- Damnit Po, now's not the time for that. Brushing aside that sweeter thought, none of those things make any sense. Maybe Oogway can provide some kind of answer. But will that answer make sense? Only one way to find out. "So, um… Why was I able to get this white chi before? Why not now?"

As both master and successor continue their tai chi, Oogway allows his eyes to close, taking his time with his answer much to Po's eager anticipation. After a few moments, the ancient master finally answers, "You were at peace with all of yourself." Unfortunately, this only has the panda mentally scratching his head as the answer seems so plainly obvious yet can't be true… Unless it is actually that simple.

"So… Inner peace?"

Oogway shakes his head at Po's wager, his smile widening as his panda student's befuddlement only digs itself deeper. Sometimes he wonders if the turtle actually enjoys twisting people's heads around like this. "No… it is far more than that." A small chortle exits the ancient master's mouth as he balls his left claws over his right, leaving the panda in suspense of just what the master has planned. Before the dragon warrior's overactive imagination can even conjure up whatever bodacious action he could do next, Oogway releases his grasp over his right claws, revealing a white fire illuminating his fist. Po's jaw buries itself in the ground as the sight stuns him into silence. Two elder jade eyes finally open in response, a sliver of silver flashing for a split-second. "Do you really think the white fire in your paws was chi?"

His mind fanboying uncontrollably, Po is only able to manage a measly chirp. "What?"

Yet again, Oogway chuckles at his student's endearing expression. "It is clear to me that as my successor, your connection with the universe only grows stronger each day." He sways his right arm against the mountains' gentle breeze, making Po's eyes only grow wider as he notices the breeze's direction change and then swiftly change back once Oogway moves his arm in the opposite direction. Turning back to the shocked panda, Oogway's smile fills itself with something not often seen on the ancient master's face. Pride. "And on the day you had bested Nuba, my friend, you had tapped into its very essence."

Immediately Po's mind is thrusted back to when he was first announced to be the dragon warrior, when he had first cooked dinner for the five. Well, minus one. That very same individual who had once looked at him with such disdain. Even in her fury she was so hot- Stop it brain! I need to focus here! At that moment by the dining table, moments before Shifu would run in with terrible news, Tigress had given him an unimpressed glance as she took a cube of tofu in her chopsticks.

"It is said that the dragon warrior can survive for months at a time on nothing but the dew of a single gingko leaf and the energy of the universe."

In disbelief of this revelation, Po finally manages to dig out his jaw and asks, his awe still prevalent in his voice. "You mean… Universe juice?"

Oogway's smile is soon infected by the dragon warrior's excitement as he nods, "Yes, dragon warrior, universe juice."

Excited surprise is laced with an unconscious acceptance, a shadow of dread cast by the dragon warrior's boundless hope. There is simply no denying that he is Oogway's successor in every sense of the word. "Woah… That's…" For once, the panda simply doesn't know what to say. Should he be ecstatic for being able to take the reigns of a legacy such as Oogway's or concerned of what will face him because of it? No, there's no point in bringing this burden onto his master. After all, he should be honoured he even has this chance. "So cool…" He shivers out. Though it is far from insincere, a surprising hollowness lingers in the dragon warrior's breath. And two elderly jade eyes take notice. "But wait, what's the difference between then and now? I'm like, mega peaceful and stuff." Po's genuine curiosity manages to push away this dread for long enough to ask another important question. What does he mean by something more than inner peace?

A simple smile is given in response by the turtle before he closes his eyes and recommences his tai chi movements, only this time, his claws are stilled bathed in the white flames of the universe. "There is a difference between acceptance of self and mastery of self." Young jade eyes find themselves entranced by the light show provided by his master's tranquil dance. So much so, that they don't notice a pattern being painted into the dense fog surrounding them. "There is a difference between suppression and control." After delivering two palm thrusts to nothing in particular followed by his arms rotating around, the flames in his hand forming a circle of white light in front of them, Oogway opens his eyes up to the world, staring up at the pattern now engraved into the fog's lush surface. Curious, Po follows his master's gaze only for his jade orbs to practically consume his eyes in wonder.

Painted into the misty canvas before them is none other than the yin-yang symbol, though it is far more extravagant. Yin is pronounced by an almost blackened cloud, almost consuming the dot of white piercing its surface whilst Yang sings in its brilliant white splendour, embracing the darkened dot huddling itself away. Whilst the very thing separating these two, is the body of a magnificent dragon, shimmering with a silver aura that almost blends the two opposites together. Seeing his student's awe-stricken stupor, Oogway uses this chance to make some of his own inquiries. "There is a difference between being cautious of the future and being wary of it."

As expected, this immediately snaps Po out of his fanboy mode, forcing him to look on his master with candid eyes. Before he allows this expression to stay for too long, the panda forces on a confident smile as he places his paws on his hips. "Wary? Pfft, don't be silly I'm not wary… I'm… wear-ing these awesome robes cuz I'm ready for anything." He adds a little, "Yeah…" for good measure. Just in case that isn't convincing enough.

"… So, what are you wary of?" Oogway asks with a knowing voice, his tone compassionate yet mischievous at the same time.

This completely obliterates his feigned confidence, only reinvigorating his dread. However, at seeing the kindness embalmed in the ancient turtle's eyes, he comes to a realisation. Who else would be better to tell this to than Oogway? After all, he would know exactly how it all feels. Looking within himself, Po thinks through his words carefully. "Well… I mean…" He pauses for a brief moment, "What if I screw up as your successor?" In spite of this question burning through his mind, Po's heart doesn't seem satisfied with it. Almost as if it already knows the answer.

"Po, everyone messes up. Including me. In all of my years, I have messed up plenty of times. Kai, Nuba." Oogway chuckles as a particularly embarrassing memory comes to mind, "My first love, ooh, now that was dreadful."

Po laughs along at that thought, momentarily wondering just what his master's girlfriend would look like before putting his focus back on the question at hand. "Yeah, but if I screw things up really badly, all of China could be in danger. I don't wanna be the cause of another crazy guy trying to rule the world."

Though he does well to try and hide his meandering thoughts, Oogway is able to tell that the dragon warrior already knows the answer to his own question. So why ask? Intrigued, the ancient turtle indulges him once more, "Let's say that you do mess up that badly, would you do everything you can to fix it?"

"Yeah, obviously." Po responds without hesitation, almost seeming casual.

"Then what is there to fear?" A moment of rumination passes between the two kung fu masters until Oogway interrupts Po's thoughts, "No, there is something else. Something far deeper within."

Silence batters through the clouded curtains of fog, howling in Po's eardrums and suffocating his heart in its chilling nothingness. He turns around to look back at the yin-yang symbol embedded in the fog, his eyes staring back at the silver dragon peering into his soul. Hollow and empty. Is that what will become of him? Is that what happens to a being that has seen it all? That everything he sees amounts to nothing? Fears all crafted by one single thought.

"Will I live as long as you?"

Concern wilts Oogway's expression as he hears Po's voice. Devoid of emotion. An empty husk of his child-like glee. A haunting reminder of a horrible mistake he would never hope to make again. Though he sees the dragon warrior staring at the yin-yang symbol, Oogway still gives him a cheerful grin, "Now, Po, there is no telling how long our lives can last-

"Answer me, master!" Po roars at the turtle, overstricken with a numb grief. Before long, however, the panda manages to snap himself out of this, instead feeling ashamed of yelling at his master like that. For Oogway however, he couldn't care less about this disrespect. Instead, he focuses on the pain carved into his face and the desperation drowning his eyes. "Will I live, like, hundreds of years? like you?" The dragon warrior finally asks, his voice akin to a whimper.

For the first time in years, the answer doesn't immediately come to the turtle. Not even in a cryptic or inconveniently ambiguous way either, it simply doesn't come. And he knows exactly why. Oogway gazes at Po's face for a few moments, looking into a mirror of his past. A moment of realisation that changed his outlook on life forever. So much grief, fear, anger, denial, pain and love all manifested into one look. And he knows exactly why. He understands just what his successor fears about this, yet even with this knowledge, he doesn't know what to say. After giving himself a moment to think, Oogway finally responds, "You are the first successor of my kind. Though I wish I had an answer for you, I simply don't know." Elderly jade irises stare into their youthful counterpart, pained by the grief shrinking them ever more. Though he wants to give the panda some hope, that there is a silver lining in this, he knows well enough that those words will mean nothing. After all, they meant nothing to him when they should've mattered the most. Instead, there is only one way he can answer. With the truth. The simple, unambiguous truth.

"I will not hide the truth from you, dragon warrior. I've seen many lives, both good and bad, pass right by me. Friend, foe, student, teacher, young, old… No matter how many times I had to witness it, it had still crushed my soul." Po's bottom lip quivers at his master's words, his mind imagining so many people taking their place. Mantis, Monkey, Crane, Viper, Shifu, his dads, Lei-Lei… Tigress. So many people he had come to love and yet they would only be a footnote in his life if he really does have this power. He would grieve up until he forgets about them completely. After all, only so much can be remembered over hundreds of years. But he doesn't want to forget them, regardless of what pain it would cause. Because no torment would be worse than losing them in the first place. "This is a burden that never fades, Po. And though I know just how it feels, my guidance can only do so much." Young jade eyes widen in dread, knowing just what his wise master is going to say. "This fear… This pain… It is something you will have to face on your own."

Oogway's heart breaks as Po sniffles lightly, two lone rivers coursing down his cheeks. His eyes remain on the silver dragon embedded into the foggy veil, seeing himself old, weary and alone. A nightmare he has only ever had once, yet lingers on in its crushing emptiness. Oogway's successor clears his throat as he just barely manages above a whisper, "I was afraid you'd say that."

Guilt-ridden for his harsh words, Oogway reaches out a comforting hand towards Po's shoulder, only for the dragon warrior to suddenly clutch at his head with his paw, groaning and grimacing in pain. "Po?"

"I'm fine, master. Ow! Just have a bit of a headache." He grits his teeth before grunting out again, "Ah, where'd this come from?" He mutters to himself before turning around to face his master once more, "Hey, um, thanks again master. Oh, and sorry for, ow, being so rude earlier." Oogway's expression only grows more concerned as Po's paw grips his head tighter, "Now, I'm gonna go take a nap or something. I probably pushed myself to hard with the, ooh, universe juice thingy." Still clutching his head, Po waves goodbye to his master before running off down the mountain.

For a moment or two, Oogway wonders if this grief is truly affecting Po this badly. Though it can, the suddenness of it simply doesn't add up. With a new question flowing like a river in his mind, the founder of kung fu takes his staff back into his claws and walks into the yin-yang symbol chiselled into the fog's surface, disappearing alongside it.

Aww, a sweet moment between father and daughter. Don't we love to see it. Only for me to follow it up with Po's existential crisis. All humor aside, I do believe that the very idea of living that long would bother Po on a deep level and I really do want to explore that in more than just a one-shot. As for the white chi being the energy of the universe, I kind of planned that/didn't at the same time. Kind of one of those things that sort of had the same essential concept but changed various times whilst I was writing it. Anyways, rambling aside, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter and until next time (which WILL NOT take so long) :)