What Criminal

"RAAAHHH!" Tai Lung shouted andstruck the wooden dummy's head clean off. "All that time dealing with Jiaohua's brothers and he and his son go sightseeing in our own village!" He struck the dummy's heart, knocking the spinning block out of place. The snow leopard growled but stopped. Shifu had been complaining about using his aggression on the wooden dummies. With Tigress AND him here, he could understand why.

But the tiger standing next to him only sighed. Tai Lung whipped his head around, "Why are you so calm about this? He could've hurt Lei Lei."

"But he didn't. Nor did his son. In fact, he told Lei Lei not to tell anyone that she knew any of us," Tigress replied calmly, crossing her arms. "I'm upset, but I'm starting to wonder if Jiaohua is really a villain."

"He's stealing from the rich."

"And we have two former criminals on our side," Tigress pointed out.

Tai Lung huffed, "I still don't understand the panda's decision. I get arrested for property damage-"

"And trying to kill your master."

"But she's literally a thief, and she's the next Dragon Warrior?! That's completely unfair!"

"Life isn't fair," Tigress gently reminded him. Tai Lung grumbled and started punching another dummy into pieces. "Besides, she just finished serving her jail time."

"She got out because of good behavior. In my day, we executed criminals for far less."

"And we're not killing innocent people because of our progress. Because people should still be given the option for second chances if there is a chance, right?"

Tai Lung glanced at her over his shoulder. A slightly pompous huff exited his lips as he ambled over to her. "Why are you siding with Po and Zhen on this?"

"Because Po has shown again and again that he knows what he's doing. And his heart has never led us astray."

Just then, the Training Hall doors opened, and a defeated-looking panda struggled in with a fox next to his side. He flopped belly-first to the wooden ground and groaned, "I don't know what I'm doing."

The snow leopard side-glanced the tiger. "I'm allowed to be half-right," Tigress grumbled. Zhen, the next Dragon Warrior, helped her master up from the ground.

"Look, Po, it's not the end of the world. We just gotta catch Jiaohua before he escapes," Zhen said.

"Yeah, like the last five times! And if he's comfortable enough to come to the village to pick up his son while his brothers are doing a heist, then I might need to hang up my title."

"Please don't do that," Tigress grumbled.

Po rubbed the side of his face and sighed, "Alright. This is hard. We've got Jiaohua and his two brothers. But now, he also has a son? And by the way my dad made it sound, he's a model citizen."

"He's still stealing from rich people," Tai Lung muttered.

"Is that such a crime?" Zhen smirked. The snow leopard growled until Tigress held him back with her hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe we don't have to worry about him," Tigress said, "Jiaohua has been most successful in his string of heists because of his exit strategies. We block those, we've got him."

"But he keeps using other bandits to cover his tracks. We can't leave an entire village unprotected just so we can catch three thieves," Po argued.

"Then what do you suggest, Po," Tigress grumbled out. The panda scratched the side of his face, looking around the hall for some kind of answer. His eyes settled on Lei Lei's little play area in the corner.

The panda grimaced. "I have an idea, but I don't know if it will work. In the meantime, why don't we just follow your idea, Tigress?" Everyone's eyes stretched wide. "What?"

"You're... usually more outspoken with your ideas, Po," Tai Lung said.

"Yeah, well, I don't think this idea is going to work. So why bother?" Po sighed and stepped out of the Training Hall. "I'll leave you and Zhen to work out the details. You two are more strategic than me. Tai, try to be nice to Zhen."

"No promises," Tai Lung grumbled.

"Hey, big guy. I know I'm not the best person in the world, but you're not exactly squeaky clean," Zhen hissed. Tigress groaned as the two glared at each other. Po walked down the steps. Each stone step weighed heavily on his mind. If this idea in his head worked, he would have to tell Tigress and the others later. But the notch in his belly grew as he entered his father's shop. Lightly packed with people, Po easily found Lei Lei working with Mr. Ping. The little girl looked sad as she rolled some dough out.

Po strolled over to the goose. "Hey Dad."

"Po! It's good to see you. What are you doing here?"

"Nothing. Just wanted to take Lei Lei up the mountain."

"Of course. Uh Po," Mr. Ping whispered. "Keep an eye on Lei Lei. She's been sad ever since Jiaohua and his son came. I think she's feeling guilty."

"I know. I'll make sure she's okay," Po smiled. The goose nodded and ushered Lei Lei out of the kitchen. The quiet little panda walked by Po's side, silently fidgeting with the little Tigress doll. As they strolled through the village, Po stopped and knelt to her height. "Lei Lei, is something wrong? You look sad."

"I... I am."

"Why?"

"I... got everyone in trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"I let Lin in and... I shouldn't have and-"

"Whoa, whoa, hold on," Po gently hushed her, wiping an eye that threatened to drop a tear. "You were kind. You helped someone in need and that's important."

"But... isn't Lin's dad a bad guy?"

Po grimaced again, rubbing the back of his head. "People are... complicated and hard to understand. They might do good things for the wrong reasons or wrong things for the right reasons. And just because Lin's dad might be a bad person, it doesn't mean you should treat Lin any differently. Treat people the way you would want to be treated. Okay?" Lei Lei slowly nodded. "Good." The two pandas started walking until a group of fans rushed Po, wanting his autograph. "Ah! Wait, guys guys!"

"Dragon Warrior! Can you sign our books?!"

"Guys, I- ughh. Lei Lei! Stay put. I'll be done with this soon."

The little girl giggled. She stood by an alleyway next to a vendor while Po quickly rushed through signing autographs. His eyes darted to Lei Lei, struggling to keep an eye on her. Suddenly, she heard a noise in the alleyway. She slowly stepped down the lane, edging closer to the rustling and crashing sounds. "Hmm, no. No... Hmm."

There was someone there. The alleys were only for garbage or deliveries. The panda pushed through bags and crates, stepping closer to the sound. She turned the corner and saw a wispy black tail swaying above a pile of boxes, crates, and bags. Suddenly, the tail's owner popped out and withdrew a long piece of metal. "Ha! This will work."

"Lin?!"

"WAAAHH!" The little wolf boy tumbled off the mountain of crates and fell front first in front of the panda. He quickly stood up and nervously grinned. "Lei Lei, wh-what are you doing here?"

"I live here. What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with your dad?"

Lin winced and shrunk his head into his shoulders. "Well, I felt... bad for getting you in trouble and... I wanted to make it better. So I... snuck out to find metal parts. My uncle's a metal guy."

"And is very very worried about you, along with the rest of your family," boomed a voice from the rooftops. A figure dropped down and blocked Lei Lei's path back to the open street. But she recognized the green cloak. Jiaohua took off his hood yet his lips were bent into a powerful frown. "Lin, you shouldn't be here with Lei Lei. You two could get in danger."

"I... I just wanted to say sorry for the mess I made," Lin bowed his head. Jiaohua shook his head with a smile as he passed Lei Lei and knelt to the kids.

"You didn't do anything wrong. Neither did Lei Lei. The Dragon Warrior's friends and our family just have... a difference in opinion."

"That's what we call it now?" said two other figures from the rooftops. They dropped to the ground. Lei Lei hadn't seen them before. Both of them were cloaked with similar green fabric, but one was much rounder and bigger than the skinny one. Skinner than Jiaohua. Both figures unhooded themselves, showing a striking resemblance to Jiaohua. The big wolf smiled widely and grandly at the small panda, kneeling to her height. "And who are you, you little cute dumpling?"

"Hehehehe," Lei Lei laughed as the big wolf lightly poked her ticklish tummy. She still remembered what Jiaohua told her. "I'm... a panda."

Jiaohua snorted a laugh, "Lei Lei, it's okay. These are my brothers. Lin's uncles. The big one is Hao Duzi, but we call him Hao. The slender one is Xuyao Chi-fan. We just call him Xuyao." Lei Lei giggled louder at the names. Literally speaking, those names meant, 'good belly' and 'needs to eat' respectively. "Guys, this panda's name is Lei Lei. The panda I was telling you two about."

"Ahh, you're very wise not to tell us your relation, young one," said the skinny wolf in a thin quiet voice as he sat cross-legged before her. He held two daggers on his side while his bigger brother had a large club slung across his back; she didn't know what weapon Jiaohua had. "But I believe we have to get going."

"Aww, can't we stay and play with Lei Lei a little?" Hao asked in a bellowing voice.

"No, because the Dragon Warrior is right next door. We shouldn't even be here," Xuyao said.

"Xuyao is right," Jiaohua said. "We need to leave. Say goodbye to Lei Lei, Lin."

"Goodbye," Lin said with a bowed head. Lei Lei bowed her head too. Jiaohua sighed. He couldn't leave them like this. He squatted down and smiled at the two of them.

"Look, you two. You can't blame yourself for something you didn't do. You did all the right things. This issue is between me and the Dragon Warrior's friends. Please don't blame yourself. One day, you'll understand why we're doing this."

"But... aren't you a... bad guy?" Lei Lei asked.

Jiaohua smiled, "To your friends, yes. To others, no. Life is hard and complicated, Lei Lei. But over time, you'll learn more about it. I promise. Come on, Lin. We have to go." The four wolves turned towards the alley exit just to see another panda blocking their way. Po stood with his arms crossed, glaring at the four. Hao and Xuyao pulled out their weapons while Jiaohua hid Lin behind him. Jiaohua looked back at Lei Lei and then smirked at Po. "You know... The tiger isn't going to be happy with you. Leaving the child unattended. Not very becoming of the Dragon Warrior."

"I know," Po said. They stared at each other. Lei Lei clutched her Tigress doll tightly. The adults' glare made her poor stomach churn. The large panda took a great breath and stepped out of the way. "Go."

"What?"

"Go. Next time, let's not bring the kids into this."

Jiaohua's brothers looked at him. The lead wolf slowly nodded and the four silently walked passed the panda. But Jiaohua paused as he looked back at the anxious-looking little girl. He made a loud sigh and looked at the sky. "I'm going to regret this."

"Brother, no," Hao firmly said.

"Whatever you're thinking, don't," Xuyao added.

"You two told me to think about Lin whenever I make these decisions. And this time, I am." Jiaohua turned to Po. "I want Lin to continue to meet Lei Lei without any damage to his home life. You can arrest me, but you can't arrest his mother or him."

"I understand, but why are you telling me this?" Po asked.

"Because you and I both know friends are hard to come by. Especially for kids like Lin. My son shouldn't have to bear my mistakes. This is something I must do. Hurting his home life will only make the criminal cycle go on. Besides, you know how rebellious kids are when you tell them not to do something. You know that more than anyone else," Jiaohua explained.

Po sighed. "I can't promise that. But once I talk with the others... and after I get yelled at... I'll see what I can do." Jiaohua's reasoning was flimsy at best but there was a more urgent reason why the panda didn't say no. Throwing him in jail for stealing would put Lin on the path to crime and revenge, Po knew that. But Po didn't know Jiaohua's motives and none of his actions made sense. And why would the wolf want this arrangement in the first place? What was he after? Po needed to figure out who the real villain was before making things worse. Jiaohua nodded and left with his brothers and son.

"Bye Lei Lei," Lin waved.

"Goodbye, Lin," Lei Lei smiled. Po gently picked the little panda up and gave a great sigh. "Am I in trouble?"

"Nope, but I definitely am."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was my fault," Po smiled. "But I'm going have a looooot of fun trying to explain this to Tigress."

Continued...