Chapter Text
The Jade Palace stood fully restored, with a new statue of Oogway replacing the old one. Many said the likeness was uncanny. "Awesome!" Po shouted, leaping into the air with a karate kick. "HI-YAH!" The Five, all except Tigress, laughed as Shifu shook his head at Po’s usual antics. "Po, calm down," Shifu said.
Tigress rolled her eyes, trying hard to look annoyed. "Sorry, sorry." Po clasped his fist to his open paw, bowing slowly toward the statue. "It’s great to see you again, Master Oogway. One day, I’ll have a statue just like yours... and it’ll be AWESOME—"
"Po!" Tigress snarled, cutting him off. Po cleared his throat and closed his eyes again, resuming his respectful stance toward Oogway’s likeness. "Not to burst your bubble, buddy," Monkey chimed in with a smirk, "but do you realize what you’re saying?"
Po blinked. "That my awesomeness will be so totally awesome that they’ll build a statue in my honor just like Master Oogway?" Tigress let out a snort, quickly covering it by pinching the bridge of her nose as if something was bothering her.
"No, dude..." Mantis hopped onto Po’s shoulder, giving him a light slap on the head. "Sometimes, I swear this thing’s empty. It means you’ll be dead, Po." Mantis chuckled. "So yeah, a statue for you—waaay down the line. You won’t even be around to see it."
Po frowned, crossing his arms. "No fair! What’s the point of a statue if I can’t even see it?" Crane opened his beak as if to say something but closed it with a sigh instead. Just then, Shifu tapped his staff on the ground, commanding everyone’s attention.
"I’ve been lenient while the palace was being rebuilt, but now it’s time to refocus. Po, you are to teach the Five inner peace." The Five exchanged brief glances of surprise before bowing to Po in unison. "Master," they said respectfully. "Ha... come on, guys! Just ‘Po’ is fine. Seriously, cut it out." Po rubbed the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable. "Y-You can stop bowing now."
"Uh, Master Shifu?" Po called, but when he turned around, Shifu had already disappeared. "Ah, come on! Not again..." He muttered, flattening his ears and covering his eyes with his paws before peeking through his fingers and dropping his hands dramatically.
"Okay, uh... so," Po began, facing the Five. "Inner peace... well, as you know, it’s not easy. I had to go through a near-death experience before I found it. And then, Ti..." He hesitated, glancing at Tigress. "She took what should’ve been a fatal blow for me. I—I wouldn’t have made it without her. Anyway, I’ll cut to the chase. Inner peace isn’t just about mastering stances or moves. You have to master yourself." The Five watched him, waiting for him to continue.
"You know what I’m trying to say. Y-You have to find peace. Open your mind, remove any blockages, and accept them. Only then can you achieve inner peace. It’s a state of mind, and once you’ve attained it, you have to maintain it—just as easily as it’s gained, it can be lost." The Five stared at him in awe. "Woah, dude!" Mantis said, breaking the silence.
Tigress quickly cleared her throat. "What Mantis meant to say was, you sound very wise. Thank you, Master." She bowed, and the rest of the Five followed suit. "Master," they all echoed. Po groaned. "Guys... okay, okay, let’s make a deal. When we’re in an official training session, you can call me 'Master.' But any other time, just ‘Po,’ okay?"
The Five glanced at Tigress, who shrugged. "Fine. So, what now?" Po scratched his head. "Your next task is to confront your past. Meditate or visit a place that’s meaningful to you. You can do it alone, or with others. I didn’t find inner peace by myself, so it’s only fair that I’ll be here when you need me."
He paused, looking at the group. "In the meantime, I’m going to say goodbye to my dad and help out at the restaurant." The group began to disperse, but one remained. "What’s wrong, Ti?" Po asked. Tigress hesitated for a moment before her usual stoic expression returned. "Nothing," she replied, her voice firm as steel.
Po walked up to her and, without warning, pulled her into a hug. She didn’t hug him back, but she didn’t push him away either. After a moment, he stepped back, smiling. "You can come with me, Ti. I know you want to say goodbye to Lei Lei too."
For a brief moment, Tigress’s eyes softened, almost as if they were made of glass. "Thank you, Po," she said quietly. She had never been great at expressing her emotions, but everyone knew she was going to miss the little cub. Whenever Tigress wasn’t at the palace and was in the village, Lei Lei was always wrapped around her leg, clutching a Po action figure of Tigress.
The two of them walked down the palace stairs in silence, close enough to feel each other’s presence but far enough to avoid touching. Po, usually talkative, remained quiet, something Tigress appreciated. After a few pauses when Po wheezed and claimed it was "Panda asthma," they finally reached Mr. Ping’s restaurant.
"Hey, dads!" Po called out, waving excitedly. "I brought Master Tigress with me. We’ll have the usual—a justice platter and spicy noodle soup for Ti! Extra sauce on the side, please." They sat near the counter as the familiar sound of little footsteps approached. "Big stripy baby!" Lei Lei toddled over to Tigress, arms outstretched toward the feline.
"Hey, little warrior," Tigress cooed softly, a low chuff rumbling from her throat. Po’s eyes widened—he had never heard Tigress make that sound before. She didn’t even seem to notice, her attention fully on the little panda cub. Po grinned at the scene, his heart melting at the sight of the usually stoic Tigress cradling Lei Lei in her lap, speaking to her in the gentlest voice. Who knew the hardcore Tigress had such a soft side? Po mused to himself, watching as Tigress listened to Lei Lei's rambling with surprising patience.
Mr. Ping arrived with their food, setting it down in front of them. "You may be my son, but this meal isn’t free," he warned. "That’d be bad for business! I can’t have people thinking I give out free food." He shuffled back to the kitchen, muttering to himself. "In honor of Master Tigress, spicy noodle soup—fifty percent off!" The restaurant cheered, but Mr. Ping quickly raised his ladle to halt their excitement. "With additional purchases, that is!"
A collective groan of disappointment followed, and Mr. Ping chuckled to himself. Li Shan sat down beside Po, smiling warmly. "Looks like little Lei Lei is quite attached to Master Tigress." Tigress glanced up, a rare, soft smile crossing her face. "Please, sir, you can just call me Tigress. And yes... I’m rather attached to her as well." She looked down at the now-sleeping cub, gently stroking between her ears. "I’m glad Po let me come to say goodbye."
"Don’t worry, Tigress. You’re welcome to visit anytime," Li Shan assured her. He then turned to Po. "Son, I know we’ve only just found each other, and I understand you can’t stay with us in the village but do come visit when you can. Just make sure to cover your tracks. The village has to remain a secret for our people’s safety."
Po nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! And I’ll make sure to bring Ti when I visit. I’m sure Lei Lei would love that." Tigress chuckled softly. "Careful, Dragon Warrior. You’re starting to sound like you enjoy my company." Po laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "No, I was just thinking of Lei Lei. Well, I mean, of course, I like your company, Ti. You’re my... you’re my best friend."
Tigress turned her gaze to Lei Lei, grateful that her fur hid the faint blush creeping across her face. Why does it feel so nice to hear him say that? she wondered, slightly flustered by the thought.
They continued their meal, chatting quietly until it was time to say their goodbyes.
Tigress walked to the edge of the village, where she gently handed Lei Lei over to Li Shan. "I’ll come visit you, little warrior. I promise." She softly stroked the sleeping cub’s head one last time, a sad smile tugging at her lips. After bidding farewell to the others, she turned to Po. "I’m heading back to the Palace now." Without another word, she was off, disappearing into the distance.
Po watched her leave and scratched his head. "Huh, I guess goodbyes were harder on her than I thought." He then hugged his dad tightly. "See you later, Dad. We’ll visit soon—maybe even sooner than you think."
Li Shan smiled, patting his son's back. "Take care, my little Lotus."
[ Scene ]
Tigress sat alone atop the Jade Palace, her eyes wet with unshed tears. She sniffed softly, staring out at the peaceful landscape. I’ve grown more attached than I expected. I’m really going to miss having the little one around.
For a moment, she allowed herself to wonder what it would be like to have a family of her own. It was a thought that rarely crossed her mind. She had never been around her kind since she was a cub, and the idea of family had always felt distant, even foreign.
Suddenly, her ears twitched at the sound of someone struggling. Wiping her tears quickly, she turned to see Po clumsily rolling the rest of the way onto the roof, panting heavily. "Panda asthma," he wheezed, sitting down next to her without saying a word. Minutes passed in comfortable silence before Po finally spoke.
"My dad said you should come by the restaurant more often. Apparently, he’s never sold out of spicy noodle soup so fast."
He cleared his throat, doing his best impression of Mr. Ping. "Tigress Tuesdays! In honor of Master Tigress—spicy noodle soup, fifty percent off… with additional purchases, of course. Oh, Po, that’s better than any Dragon Warrior deal I could ever come up with. We could include mini Tigress dolls with every kids’ meal, just like the one you have."
Po paused dramatically, switching back to his normal voice. "They’re not dolls. They’re action figures. Mine is a limited edition!" Tigress laughed, despite herself. The sound of her own laughter surprised her, and she found her eyes watering slightly, this time from amusement rather than sorrow. As her laughter died down, a small smile remained on her face.
"There we go," Po said absentmindedly, kicking his legs as they dangled off the roof. "You’re finally showing that pretty smile of yours." Tigress felt a blush creeping up her cheeks for the second time that day. Pretty? she thought to herself. He usually says awesome when he’s describing something, not pretty. No one’s ever used that word to describe me before.
Po continued, unaware of her thoughts. "The Five are worried about you. Well, Viper is worried about you. The others… they’re convinced you’re indestructible and just need some alone time. But I’m worried too, Ti. You’ve been up here for hours. Is it the inner peace training that’s on your mind?" Tigress didn’t meet his eyes, but she could feel his warm, understanding gaze on her. "I’m fine, Po," she said softly. "I just came up here to clear my head."
Po didn’t push her further, but the weight of his concern hung in the air, unspoken but deeply felt. He stayed by her side, his quiet presence offering comfort in the way only a true friend could.
Po silently held his arms out, offering a comforting gesture. "Come on," he said softly. Tigress rolled her eyes but moved towards him, albeit slowly. "If you tell anyone about this…" The panda chuckled nervously. "I know, I know… you’ll make me regret ever opening my mouth. Gotcha. Just relax. It’s okay to accept comfort, Tigress. Even the toughest animals need someone sometimes."
She let out a small hum as she leaned her head on his shoulder. Ever since the incident in Gongmen City, she’d been more open to hugs, if only slightly. She had hugged him back in the prison, then on the dock, and when Po returned from the spirit realm, the whole group had embraced him. But outside of those moments, Tigress only hugged Po when it was a group thing. Now, though, she was snuggled up with him, convincing herself it was purely for emotional support. Yeah, that’s it, she thought. He’s my emotional support panda.
Her mind wandered as she rested against him. He’s fluffy, understanding, supportive, loving… Her thoughts suddenly took a turn. Handsome? Where did that come from? She pushed that thought to the very back of her mind, determined to forget it.
They sat in silence for what felt like hours, the minutes blending together. Eventually, Tigress sighed and lifted her head from his shoulder. "We should head back." Po pouted, pulling her back gently. "Aww, come on. I was comfortable. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt, Ti."
She swatted his arm playfully, letting out a low snarl. "Unhand me, Panda. I will not explain to Master Shifu or the Five why we’re cuddling on the roof. Let’s go, or I’ll leave you here." Tigress stood up and offered her hand to help him. "And don’t call me 'Ti' in front of the others. I can already hear Monkey and Mantis teasing me."
Po accepted her help, getting to his feet with a grin. "Got it. I promise, no calling you 'Ti' in front of the others." He shook her hand as if sealing a deal. "Ladies first," he added, gesturing with a small grin.
[ Scene ]
The next morning, the Five were already lined up outside their rooms. "Master," they greeted in unison. Po stumbled out of his room, yawning. "M-Master," he echoed, mimicking their stance, still half-asleep.
Shifu stood before them, hands clasped behind his back. "Good morning. Your training with Master Po resumes today. I will be focused on mastering my own inner peace while he guides your training. From now on, I will no longer wake you each morning. Your training schedules, leniency, and discipline will be entirely up to Master Po."
The red panda padded down the hall, leaving the Five and Po to their own devices. Po clapped his hands together. "Alright, Five, step one: go back to sleep." They blinked at him in confusion.
"You must be rested for what’s to come. Today’s focus is on unearthing your past, and that requires energy. Meditate when you wake up, eat a good meal, and then meditate again. Remember, inner peace is a mental battle—you must accept every part of yourself. This isn’t a race. You may stop if it becomes overwhelming, and you don’t have to do it alone. I didn’t achieve inner peace on my own, and I’ll be here for you when you need me. We’ll have one-on-one sessions, and you can lean on each other as well."
The Five stared at him, surprised. Was this the same Po they’d come to know? The one who was so fond of food and childish antics? There was a new wisdom and discipline in him that they hadn’t expected.
Tigress was the first to bow, her fist pressed against the palm of her hand. "Yes, Master." The others shook their heads, snapping out of their surprise, and followed her lead. "Master." This time, Po didn’t protest. He smiled warmly at them before returning to his room, quiet—well, as quiet as Po could be.
Tigress smirked when she heard him groan as he flopped into his bed. The others chuckled, happy at the rare gift of extra sleep.
[ Scene ]
Who knew sleeping could be so hard? Po thought as he tossed and turned in bed, trying to settle down for what should’ve been a restful nap. Tigress sat restlessly in her bed, her tail twitching and her fur on edge. After what felt like an eternity of trying to relax, she couldn’t take it anymore.
She stormed to the training room, her frustration boiling over. Each strike against the training dummies was fueled by her pent-up emotions, and she didn't stop until the sound of wood shattering echoed through the space. She didn’t even realize Po was approaching until she felt his paw on her shoulder.
In an instant, her reflexes kicked in, and before she could stop herself, she had flipped him over, slamming him to the ground. Her foot pressed into his back, her arm twisting his painfully. Her breath was ragged, her eyes wild with intensity, but then she registered his voice.
"Po!?" she gasped, immediately releasing him and pulling him up swiftly. Po winced, rubbing his arm. "Ow… I totally deserved that for sneaking up on you." He gave her a sheepish grin, but his concern was evident in his eyes.
Tigress's chest heaved, her ears flat against her head, claws still unsheathed, and her tail stiff with agitation. She looked fierce, but beneath that, Po could see something more. "What’s wrong, Ti? You’re supposed to be resting. We don’t have combat training today."
He took a cautious step toward her, but she stepped back instinctively. "Ti, it’s okay. I know you didn’t mean to," he said gently, taking another step, and this time she stayed still. He pulled her into a hug, and gradually, the tension in her body melted away. She allowed herself to relax in his arms for a brief moment before stepping back, and clearing her throat.
"I couldn’t sleep," she admitted, looking away. "I’m not used to being so... carefree."
"That’s okay, Ti. How about we practice the inner peace form instead?" Po suggested, his tone soft and reassuring. "I was going to teach everyone tomorrow, but I can show you now if you want." Tigress nodded, and Po led her outside, stopping at the very tree where Master Oogway had last been seen. "Alright, just follow my lead."
He began moving through the form slowly, his movements fluid, almost like a dance. Tigress mimicked him, trying to find that same grace. "Feel the life around you, from the swaying grass to the tiniest drops of water falling from the leaves," Po instructed.
But the steady drip of rain from the tree onto her snout was testing her patience, and with a frustrated growl, she wiped at it roughly. Without a word, Po moved behind her and gently took her paws in his. Tigress stiffened immediately. "Po! What are you doing?" she snapped, her voice sharp. "I’d rather not be seen in such a compromising position."
Despite her words, she didn’t pull away. Po continued, his voice calm and soothing. "Relax, Ti. Close your eyes and focus on my movements."
Tigress hesitated but followed his instruction. Slowly, the tension left her body, and she tried to ignore the closeness between them, the way his body pressed lightly against hers. She focused on his guiding paws, on the way they moved in sync, collecting droplets of water as they went. It was strange how natural it felt, how calming.
Before she realized it, Po had let go, and she was moving on her own, completing the form perfectly. As they finished, they guided the collected water onto a nearby plant. Po stepped back, smiling proudly. "That last part was all you, Ti! You’re awesome!"
Tigress blinked, surprised. She hadn’t even noticed when he’d stopped guiding her. Her ears flicked, and a slight blush dusted her cheeks. "Thank you, Po," she murmured, quickly looking away.
"Are you okay, Ti?" Po asked, stepping closer again, concern in his voice. Before Tigress could answer, Monkey’s familiar voice rang out. "There they are! What are you guys doing out here?" he asked, crossing his arms with a smirk. "We were meditating, Monkey," Tigress replied coolly, her usual stoic demeanor slipping back into place. Monkey shrugged. "Well, looks like you're done. Come on, we’re hungry."
With that, the duo joined the rest of the Five, the peaceful moment slipping away as the day carried on. But for Tigress, something lingered—a quiet realization that maybe, just maybe, she was finding a new kind of peace.
Tigress didn’t dare look at Po. She was trying to push down the weird feelings she had just felt. It was so unlike her to feel anything. She was the hardcore… feelings weren’t her thing. The group made their way to the kitchen. Po immediately perked up at the sight of the ingredients being laid out for dinner. "Alright, everyone. Who's hungry?" He rubbed his paws together, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"You always ask, but we’re always hungry," Mantis quipped from atop Crane's wing. Po laughed, grabbing an apron. "True, true. But today’s special. Tigress, come here!" He waved her over with a wide grin. She blinked, hesitating. "Why me?"
"Because" Po began, placing a ladle in her hand, "I’m not always going to be here to cook for you guys. Someone’s gotta take up the mantle!" Tigress raised an eyebrow. "Why would that be, panda? Where do you plan on going?"
He chuckled, a teasing gleam in his eyes. "Well, you know, one day I’ll retire, take over my dad’s restaurant. ‘Po's Palace of Awesome Noodles’ or something like that. It’ll be legendary. I’ll make noodle history!" Tigress shook her head, a rare smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. "You? Retire?"
"Yeah! I’ll have my face on bowls, chopsticks with my signature, maybe even limited-edition action figures!" He winked, nudging her shoulder with his elbow. "But don’t worry, until that day, I’ll teach you all my secret recipes."
She sighed, holding the ladle awkwardly. "I don't need to know how to cook, Po. That's what you're for."
"Ah, but Ti," Po smirked, waggling his finger, "what if there’s a time when I’m not around? What then?" Tigress glanced at him, her face slightly softening. "You'll always be around," she said quietly, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment.
For a split second, Po paused, taken aback by her tone. He quickly recovered, plastering on a grin. "Well, you never know! So come on, stir the soup! I'll walk you through it step by step."
Despite her protests, Tigress found herself stirring the pot as Po chattered away. He playfully narrated her every move as if it were an epic battle. "Look at that technique! The way she stirs with precision, with strength! The soup doesn’t stand a chance!" The others snickered in the background, amused by the playful dynamic between the two.
After a while, Tigress stopped, looking at the ladle as if it were a foreign object. "This…is pointless."
"No, no, no!" Po exclaimed, grabbing her wrist to guide her hand. "It’s all in the wrist! See? You’ve got this, Ti! Who knows, maybe you’ll be cooking at my dad’s place one day when I need a vacation. It'll be you and Lei Lei running the show." He winked again, and this time, Tigress didn’t pull her hand away, allowing him to guide her movements as they worked together over the pot.
As the night wore on, the soup simmered, filling the room with its savory aroma. The Five, gathered nearby, exchanged amused glances, their laughter echoing through the kitchen. They teased Po mercilessly about how he was turning into Mr. Ping—while complimenting Tigress on her surprising adaptability. “Who knew the fierce master could be so graceful with a ladle?” Monkey quipped, nudging Mantis, who was nodding in agreement.
Yet beneath the lighthearted banter, there was an undeniable warmth in the air—a bond strengthened through laughter and shared moments. Tigress could feel the tension of their earlier journey slowly melting away with every playful jab and encouraging word. As Po continued to guide her through the intricacies of cooking, she found herself relaxing into the rhythm of the moment, reveling in the companionship they had built over time.
The aroma wafting through the kitchen seemed to enhance the feeling of camaraderie, wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. It was a welcome contrast to the weight of their recent adventures, and Tigress couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her friends enjoying themselves. Po’s cheerful demeanor was infectious, and even as she focused on the task at hand, she couldn’t help but sneak glances at him. His enthusiasm was a stark reminder that even in the midst of chaos, joy could be found in the simplest of tasks.
As the soup thickened and bubbles danced at the surface, Po leaned closer, his excitement palpable. “Just wait until you taste it! My dad will be so proud. He always says a great cook can turn any disaster into a delicious meal. And believe me, I’ve had my fair share of disasters.” He chuckled, and for a brief moment, Tigress found herself lost in his laughter.
“Disasters, huh?” she teased, a small smile breaking through her usual stoic facade. “I can’t imagine how bad it must have been.”
“Oh, you have no idea!” he replied, waving a hand dramatically. “One time, I tried to make dumplings, and I ended up with a doughy blob that could have doubled as a paperweight.”
The room filled with laughter, and Tigress felt warmth in her chest. It was these moments—shared laughter, lighthearted teasing—that reminded her of the strong friendship they all had, a bond forged in both struggle and joy.
After dinner, the group dispersed. Tigress stayed behind in the quiet kitchen, her thoughts unusually scattered. She glanced at the ladle, still sitting on the counter, and Po’s words echoed in her mind.
She couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of warmth and discomfort. What would she do if Po weren’t around?
[ End ]