Chapter Text
The next day after school, Po went with Oogway to the water park. Where they had a big wave pool for people to practice surfing. Po was in swimming trunks and his hachimaki while standing next to Oogway at the entrance.
“So… what now, Mr. Oogway?” Po asked.
“Go stand in the middle and try not to fall.” Oogway instructed with a smile.
“Sure thing!” Po eagerly accepted.
He ran to the pool, actually finding this lesson sort of fun, although not knowing what the purpose was yet. But after last night, he would never doubt Oogway again.
Po walked against the waves, each one getting much stronger than the last the more he went on. The water kept splashing and hitting on Po’s face, but he kept on waking.
Po was in the middle and tried to do what Oogway instructed. He tried to stay as still as possible, but the water kept coming back even stronger.
Finally, Po lost his balance and fell under the water. He resurfaced an caught his breath, feeling a bit bummed he wasn’t able to complete his task as he got sent back to the shore.
Then, Po saw Oogway stand on top of one of the stumps next to the lunch tables. He narrowed his eyes to get a closer glance. Oogway was standing on top of the stump with his left foot before jumping and swinging a kick in the air with his right foot and landing on the stump with the same left foot in stance.
“Woah…” Po admired as Oogway kept repeating the same kick over and over again.
About an hour later, Po was wrapped in a towel as he and Oogway made their way back to the truck.
“What was that thing you were doing on top of the stump?” Po asked.
“It is called the Crescent Kick Technique.” Oogway replied while walking.
“Does it work?” Po asked again.
“If done right, yes.” Oogway answered as they walked to the exit of the park.
“Can you teach me that? It looks so cool!” Po pleaded.
Oogway chuckled. “Ah, ah, dear Po. You must learn to stand if you want to learn how to fly.”
“Aw, but I really want to learn it.” Po slightly complained.
“That is nature’s rule, not mine.” Oogway said again as they got to the truck.
Once they got there, two big boars were standing next to Oogway’s truck and sipping on some beers while having their bottles on top of hood.
“Hey, look. A turtle trying to teach a panda some trick.” One of them joked.
Oogway went up to the boars. “Excuse me, could you kindly remove the bottles off my truck?”
The boar finished sipping his beer and placed his bottle next to the other two, having a row of three bottles on top of the hood.
“Kindly do it yourself, old man.” The boar mocked at Oogway’s face.
Oogway narrowed his eyes and stood in front of the row of bottles.
“HIYA!” Oogway exclaimed before swiping his hand, breaking the top of all three bottles in one strike while they remained standing on the hood.
The boars looked at the bottles, then back at Oogway with disbelief. Oogway composed himself and walked to the passenger’s side as the boars immediately started picking up the bottles and the shattered pieces.
Po gasped and and turned to Oogway. “How did you do that, Mr. Oogway!?”
Oogway smiled and shrugged as he opened the door to get in. “I don’t know.”
He closed the door and put on his seatbelt. “That was my very first try.”
Po smiled and shook his head before going to the driver’s side and getting the truck started.
Po then drove them to where Oogway had guided them to. He took the expressway out of the valley that led into a more rural area of the place.
He followed a road that led to a dirt pathway in between some big trees. Po kept going until the pathway ended and there was a small passageway for them to walk into.
“Come, Po.” Oogway said as he got down from the truck.
Po had changed into some new clothes and followed Oogway in between the trees towards wherever it was that Oogway had in mind.
They kept walking until they reached a staircase that led up to the side of some mountains, making Po groan in frustration due to his hatred of stairs.
“Mr. Oogway… how long until we get there?…” Po panted in exhaustion.
Oogway chuckled. “Just a bit longer, Po.”
Once they got through the staircase, they got to the top. It was a plain landscape surrounded by mountains and engulfed in a deep fog.
“Okay… just where are we?… it looks cool… but I still don’t get it…” Po wheezed as soon as he dropped down to the floor, completely out of breath.
Oogway smiled at Po’s expression before walking past him and standing before a pond with a small canoe on the edge of the ground.
“My dear, Po. This… is where I unraveled the mystery of harmony and focus.” Oogway admitted.
He turned around towards Po. “This is the Pool of Sacred Tears. This… is where I invented Oogway-Do.”
Oogway then motioned towards the pond and stones that stood upon it. As if it was some sort of high calling, the mist cleared up and revealed the much larger plain land and stones that exhibited a mystical and ancient beauty.
Po gasped and widened his mouth in admiration from the sight, not believing he was getting to witness first hand where Oogway had invented his style of Karate.
“Woah…” Po admired.
Oogway smiled again at Po’s admiration. “Come, Po.”
He motioned towards the canoe that stood by his side and pushed it to the pond.
Po titled his head. “Um… we can’t go canoeing here. It’s way too small.”
Oogway chuckled. “We are not canoeing, Po. Just come and get on the canoe.”
“Ooookay.” Po said unsurely.
Po and Oogway got on the canoe as Oogway rowed it to the middle of the pond and anchored it to the bottom of the water.
“Now, Po. Stand.” Oogway instructed.
Po stood in the middle of the canoe. “Okay?”
“Now, bow.” Oogway continued.
Po bowed down to Oogway.
Oogway shook his head. “No, no, Po. Bow.”
Po didn’t understand until Oogway pointed to the front of the canoe. “Bow, Po. Up.”
Po turned back to the front. “Up front?”
“Yes, practice your defense. Left and right. Up and down.” Oogway instructed.
Po extended his arms trying to keep balance and stand on top of the tip of the canoe. He turned around towards Oogway, who sat at the end of the canoe to keep it intact.
“Side to side. Breath in and breath out.” Oogway said.
Po took a deep breath and started to practice his defense techniques be shifting his palms to the sides and extending his wrists from top to bottom.
“So… when do I learn how to strike?” Po asked while still standing on the top and practicing his blocking.
“First, you must learn balance, Po. Balance is always the key. Now that you have mastered your defense, you must master your balance. Once you do, your karate will be much better.” Oogway explained.
“Otherwise… I suggest you just go home instead. Is that clear?” Oogway finished.
“Clear.” Po sighed as he continued his routine.
After a few minutes of parrying, Po got curious. “Hey… have you ever been in fights as a kid?”
Oogway nodded. “Plenty.”
“But, it wasn’t like the problem I have. Right?” Po asked again while parrying.
“Fighting problems are all the same, Po.” Oogway corrected.
“Well, yeah. But you knew karate.” Po kept on.
Oogway chuckled. “There was always someone who knew better.”
Po widened his eyes. “You mean there were times where you were scared to fight?”
Oogway closed his eyes and sighed. “I am always scared, Po. I hate fighting…”
Po halted his routine as he soon realized. “So that’s why you train karate… you so don’t have to fight. Because karate is for defense only.”
Oogway smiled and nodded. “There you go, Po. Very good answer. I have high hopes for you.”
“Right… I still wonder when I’ll be ready to strike.” Po wondered while going back to his routine.
Oogway narrowed his eyes. “You will learn how to strike…”
“When you learn how to keep dry!” Oogway exlaimed as he titled the canoe.
“Woah! Hey!” Po yelped and lost balance before falling into the pond.
Oogway laughed as Po emerged out of the water, completely taken away from the sudden prank.
“OH, GEEZ! IT’S COLD!” Po exclaimed as he jumped back into the canoe.
“Be careful, Po! You might just get water in your ear!” Oogway kept laughing.
Po couldn’t help but laugh at himself too along with Oogway, having a moment of relief and fun while they had their training session together.
A few hours later
Po had showered and changed into his regular clothes as he made his way to the Jade Palace Dojo, wanting to see if his friends were almost done with practice.
He waited outside and looked down at his phone to check the time. They should have been out by now. Po got curious and went inside to see what was happening.
Once he got inside, he saw Tigress jump in the air as Shifu had placed two wooden boards on top of two poles. Tigress did a jumping split kick in between the top of the poles, breaking both boards instantly.
“Woah…” Po whispered in admiration.
Tigress landed in stance while Shifu remained standing unimpressed with his arms behind his back.
“That was rather disappointing. You need more strength. More height. More momentum.” Shifu commanded.
Tigress sighed and bowed down. “Yes, Sensei Shifu.”
“ALL of you. I expect better results starting from now on. The competition is less than 3 months away. I need progress. I need you all to do better. Is that clear?” Shifu sternly asked the rest.
They all bowed down, trying to hide the heartbreak in their faces. “Yes, Sensei Shifu.”
Po narrowed his eyes, seeing how his friends were getting mistreated and disregarded.
He stepped into the dojo. “Would you give it a rest? She did great.”
Shifu perked his ears up and turned to Po, catching the attention of everyone else as well. “You again? Didn’t I say you are not welcome here?”
“Yeah, and? I’m here to stand up for my friends. Even if you don’t like it.” Po crossed his arms.
Everyone looked at him with shock and shook their heads at him, trying to tell him to be quiet, but Po didn’t back down.
“You dare come into my dojo and tell me how to treat my students? I am merely pushing them to their best so they can improve and not end up like you, Panda.” Shifu pointed his stick at him.
“Yeah… because that turned out so well with Tai Lung, didn’t it?” Po rhetorically asked.
The room went absolute silent, the five dropped their jaws at Po’s comment as Shifu froze for a second, twitching his eye in anger and disbelief.
“H-How dare you!? You don’t know about Tai Lung! You don’t know anything!” Shifu angrily exclaimed.
“I know enough! I may be clumsy, but I’m not stupid! I could see it every time he beats me up or whenever he makes a horrible remark! The same anger and frustration that you are displaying! Which is almost no different than Kai!” Po fired back.
The five started panicking at Po’s choice of words since none of them had dared talked back or even remind Shifu about Tai Lung.
Shifu walked up to Po. “Enough! You don’t come into my dojo and tell-”
Po stood over Shifu and raised his voice even louder. “No! That’s exactly what I’m talking about! You senseis think that by treating your students like garbage! Or making them think they’re below when they can be better will elevate them to success!”
Po then pointed a finger at Shifu. “Well, it doesn’t. Because as a wise man once told me, it’s not about changing who you are! It’s about being who you are! Being yourself is just enough! You don’t need to be someone you’re not! Because there is no secret ingredient…”
He looked at the five with a gentle smile. “It’s just you…”
The five looked at Po with amazed expressions, not believing what they just heard. Po turned to Shifu, who had the same look on his face, almost as if he had recognized someone or something.
Po raised his brows at Shifu, waiting for him to prove him wrong or to answer back with anything he had to say if he wanted to stand his ground.
Shifu closed his eyes and sighed. “Students, dismissed.”
He turned to leave. “Class will be on hold until further notice… you may go now.”
Shifu had his arms behind his back as he left the dojo, catching Po and the rest off guard.
“Um… what was that?” Monkey asked to the rest.
“Who knows… but hey! He said dismissed!” Mantis cheered on Monkey’s shoulder.
Everyone then shrugged at the sudden dismissal and headed to the showers as Po waited for them. Once they were done, they changed, they got back to the training room to meet up with Po again before they exited the dojo.
“So… where did that come from, Po?” Crane asked.
“What do you mean?” Po turned to him as they walked down the sidewalk.
“None of us have ever talked back to Sensei that way. It would usually lead to a punishment.” Viper explained.
“Well, I just couldn’t let my friends be talked down upon that way. He’d just be as worse as Kai.” Po replied.
“So, you’ve met Kai already?” Tigress raised her brow.
“Yeah, I’ve met Kai. Such an unreasonable jerk.” Po answered.
“Understatement of the century.” Monkey added.
They all arrived to the park where they could relax and talk, allowing themselves to forget about everything else for a minute as they sat near a cherry blossom tree.
“So, Po. Have you made any progress?” Viper asked out of genuine concern.
Po smile and nodded. “Oh, yeah! I’ve already mastered some defense techniques! Now my sensei is teaching me about keeping balance now!”
Tigress crossed her arms and raised her brow. “Is that so?”
Po happily nodded while moving his paws in the way he was taught. “Yeah! I feel like I can deflect any attack now!”
“Well, then…” Tigress said while getting up.
“Show me.” Tigress motioned at Po to get up and face her.
The group then widened their eyes and turned to Po, wondering if he was really up for it.
Po was surprised for a minute, before smiling with confidence. “Alright!”
He got up and walked to stand across Tigress as they stood in front of the rest of the group.
“This is gonna be good.” Monkey whispered to Mantis on his shoulder.
“50 yen on Tigress.” Mantis replied.
“Deal.” Monkey agreed.
Crane and Viper rolled their eyes and shook their heads before turning back to Po and Tigress. Both bowed to each other making eye contact before getting in stance.
“Remember, I only know defense for now.” Po reminded Tigress.
Tigress nodded. “Of course.”
She then threw a right hand strike, which Po maneuvered by lifting his left wrist. Tigress immediately tried to add a front kick, but Po blocked it by shifting his right palm down.
A bit surprised, Tigress tried to add a right front swing kick, but Po ducked. Tigress tried to finished it with a side left kick, until Po grabbed her foot.
Tigress, along with the rest of the group were equally shocked and surprised at how Po managed to block and maneuver all of Tigress’s attacks.
Po let her go and bowed down to her. Tigress couldn’t help but smirk with pride before bowing down to him as well.
“D-Did she just smile!?!” Mantis whispered to Monkey.
“She smirked but close enough.” Monkey rapidly replied.
“Po! That was great!” Viper happily exclaimed.
“Well done, Po!” Crane congratulated.
Tigress placed her paws on her hips. “Your defense has improved. Although, that’s still a very low standard since you are just starting to train.”
Po blushed. “Well… it’s all a matter of practice. Right?”
Tigress nodded. “Right. Let’s go again.”
Po smiled with pride and confidence. “Alright!”
Po and Tigress practiced against each other while the group watched while sitting down next to the tree. They all couldn’t help but feel proud at their friend for making a lot of progress in so little time.
However, their moment was interrupted as Su and her sisters arrived to the scene and noticed Po and Tigress training with each other. The Wu Sisters laughed out loud as they walked up to them. Po and Tigress confusingly turned to face them before Tigress narrowed her brows in annoyance.
“You finally found someone of your level to practice against, Stripes?” Su teased with her arms crossed.
“No, I’m helping a friend get better. So why don’t you all go to the closest dollhouse and return to where you came from.” Tigress growled.
“How about you return to the orphanage and try to ask where you came from, then we can talk about who really doesn’t belong?” Su fired back.
That immediately hit a nerve as Tigress halted for a second and the rest of the five widened their mouths in absolute disbelief. They knew Su was a bitch, but to say something like that absolutely took everyone by horrible surprise.
Po noticed Tigress shaking while the sisters laughed at her expense. He didn’t know what that was supposed to mean, but he knew it was a deep offense towards Tigress and he wouldn’t let that stand.
He narrowed his eyes and mustered up his courage. “You know what, Su? I think I have an idea as to why you’re such a bitch.”
Tigress snapped out of her trance and turned to Po with widened eyes along with the rest of the team, not really expecting for Po to bring out the swearing.
“Excuse me?” Su crossed her arms and raised her brows in an offended manner.
“Po-” Tigress tried to prevent him.
However, Po insisted. “You see, Su. You always seem so sad and miserable about yourself so you feel like you always have to take it out on others to feel better because it makes you feel stronger and important.”
Po motioned at the rest of the sisters as Su started looking hurt. “Wouldn’t your sisters agree? I mean even I can tell your just jealous that Tigress actually has something you don’t. People who care about her and not about her social status and peculiar body.”
Po continued while Su’s eyes started swelling with tears. “Which soon enough, at the rate it’s going, won’t be appeasable to the most desperate guy in the room. Isn’t that right bun bun?”
Everyone remained in absolute shocked silence at how Po verbally destroyed Su Wu right on the spot. Su started shaking before running away sobbing from Po’s verbal attack. The sisters glared at him before running to Su as Po stood there with his arms crossed.
The rest of the group looked at the sisters running away, then back at Po who stood with assertiveness while shaking his head in disappointment.
Viper slithered to him. “Po… that was great.”
Monkey smirked and joined in. “Dude! You absolutely destroyed her! Well done!”
The group walked up to Po while Tigress stood a few feet away.
“Seriously! Where is all this coming from!? That fiery confidence!” Mantis asked.
“It’s nothing… I just feel like I’ve learned enough to finally set my foot down and say that enough is enough.” Po answered.
“Well… we’re happy you’re learning to be better, Po.” Crane smiled.
Po smiled back before turning to see Tigress looking down at the ground. “Tigress?…”
“I-I have to go…” Tigress said before walking away.
“Tigress. Don’t listen-” Po tried to approach her and hind her wrist.
Tigress immediately yanked her arm away. “PLEASE, Po. I just…”
She exhaled before she fully lost her composure. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Po wanted to go after her, but he knew better than to push it so he just let it be.
“So… anyone hungry?” Crane asked.
“Starving.” Monkey agreed.
“Po. Why don’t we go eat at your dad’s place?” Viper suggested.
“Yeah… let’s go.” Po looked at Tigress leaving before he led them all to Mr. Ping’s shop.
The next day…
Po hummed to himself, feeling a bit more content after getting to his improve on his training and looking forward to the end of the day to train with Oogway as he put some books away in his locker.
Suddenly, Su appeared right next to his locker as she leaned on the one next to him with a smirk. “Hey there, good looking.”
Po jolted and turned to her. He then looked around to see who else she could be referring to.
Su chuckled. “I’m talking to you, Panda.”
Po widened his eyes and pointed at himself. “Me?”
Su rolled her eyes. “Yes, you.”
Po then crossed his arms. “Then I can only assume you’re here to try to mock me too? If so, just walk away. I don’t want to deal with any more trouble.”
“I’m not here to mock you, Panda.” Su reassured, catching Po by surprise.
“Well?” Po asked.
Su got up form the locker and walked up to him. “About last night. No one has EVER talked to me the way you did before. And I have to say…”
Po expected some sort of insult or anything condescending.
“It was really hot…” Su whispered at him.
Po widened his eyes as far as he could, not really expecting THAT out of all things.
“So… I was thinking. How about you ask me out to dinner? If you’re nice enough, I might even let you take me out for a second date. What do you say?” Su asked in a sultry tone while reaching up to rub his chin.
Po was at a loss for words. No girl had ever asked him out, or offered him to ask her out. He slightly shivered at the feeling, not really sure if he was feeling touched or just repulsed.
As much as it boosted his spirits that a girl seemed to show some interest in him, Po knew better than to let himself be taken away by the likes of Su.
Po gently pushed her paw away. “I-I appreciate the gesture, but I’m going to have to pass. Thank you.”
Po started walking away, leaving Su looked bewildered and stunned.
She immediately went up and grabbed him by the arm to make him face her again. “Woah, woah, woah…”
Su narrowed her eyes at Po. “Did you just reject me?…”
“Uh… yeah?” Po glanced to the side then back to her.
Su scoffed in disbelief. “Okay, you’re not listening right, panda. I’m letting you ask me out.”
“Okay? And?” Po asked.
Su widened her eyes before narrowing them again. “And? NOBODY rejects me, okay? If anything, I do the rejecting.”
Po then composed himself, no longer feeling uncertain about his feelings. “Well, there’s a first time for everything. Now if you excuse me.”
Po tried to leave, but Su got in his way. “LISTEN, Panda. I’m being gracious enough to give you the chance to ask me out. You should feel lucky you get a chance with a girl at all.”
Po was really starting to get annoyed. “Look, Su. You’re physically a very pretty girl. But your hideous personality and the way you treat my friends repulses me. So even if you were the only girl to ‘offer’ me a chance, I’d still prefer to be lonely for the rest of my life.”
Su gasped at Po’s comeback before he composed himself and walked past her.
“Now, I really gotta get going.” Po said while walking away.
Su started shaking angrily and stormed up towards Po to shove him against the lockers. “Okay. I tried to be nice but it seems you want it the hard way. Which was hot at first, but now it’s getting on my nerves.”
Su poked her finger against Po’s chest. “So, let me make this clear. You ARE taking me out and you will treat me with the respect that I deserve.”
A lot of students stopped and stared at the scene while Tigress was just arriving. She halted and watched from afar by how Su was pressing Po against the lockers.
“I’ll never go out with you.” Po defied.
Su smirked and held his chin. “Darling, that wasn’t a request.
She then closed her eyes and leaned her face towards his, slowly breaking the distance between them. People were gasping and looking out of disbelief, as if what they were watching was something extraordinary.
Tigress, on the other hand, was shaking out of anger and disgust. Seeing how Su was forcing herself on Po and how uncomfortable he clearly felt was causing her blood to boil.
Po squirmed under her grasp, feeling really uncomfortable and helpless. He glanced at people watching and not doing anything, making him feel even worse. Especially since Su was a girl, and doing anything to her would put him in trouble… so he just let himself.
WHACK!
Po gasped as Su was met with a sudden fist to the face by Tigress. Su fell to the ground and rubbed her face as people exclaimed at the unexpected hit.
“Get away from him, you bitch!” Tigress shouted.
Su growled and got up as she threw herself at Tigress. Both felines then went at it, punching and hitting each other on the face while everyone cheered.
Po snapped out of it and tried to hold Tigress apart as another member of the Cobra Kai gang came to pull Su away.
Tigress and Su were taken to the principal’s office while Po was in between them. Po had explained that Su was pushing herself on him and Tigress said she saw it so she intervened.
With their word against Su’s, the principal had finally decided. “Alright then. Miss Wu. You are hereby suspended.”
“What!?” Su asked in disbelief.
“For 2 weeks.” The principal continued.
“WHAT!?” Su asked again.
“You heard me.” He reaffirmed.
“But I have a tennis game this week!” Su complained.
“Then you should have thought about that before you harassed Po. Now please leave. Or I will have security escort you out.” The principal motioned towards the door.
Su stared at the principal then glared at Po and Tigress.
“You’ll pay for this.” Su angrily pointed a finger at them before leaving.
She slammed the door shut as she had to call her mother to come for her.
The principal cleared his throat and turned to Tigress. “As for you, Miss Tigress. While I appreciate you looking out for your classmate. I’m sorry to to say that I must also home you accountable under a 3 day suspension.”
Tigress shrugged. “I’ll take it.”
The principal nodded. “Very well then. You may leave after school is over. Dismissed.”
Po and Tigress exited the office, where the rest of the group was waiting for them to come out.
“What was that!?” Monkey angrily exclaimed at Tigress.
“What? Standing up for my friend? What’s so wrong about it?” Tigress fired back.
Po intervened. “She came to my defense. That’s it. She did nothing wrong. Su was… trying to lure me into something.”
Viper gasped before angrily narrowing her eyes. “That wench! I knew she would try to do something soon!”
“I mean, if I was in that position. I wouldn’t really complain, you know.” Mantis joked before letting out a small laugh.
Everyone glared at him with annoyance, making him shut up.
“ANYWAYS. What did the principal say?” Crane asked Tigress.
“A simple three day suspension. Nothing I can’t handle.” Tigress shrugged.
“That’s still bull, though.” Monkey complained.
“Well, they can’t just let her off the hook that easy. Rules are rules.” Viper reminded.
“Yeah, how convenient for them.” Mantis rolled his eyes.
The bell rung and it was time for next period. The group disbanded as Po and Tigress made their way to their art class.
“Thank you…” Po said while walking next to Tigress.
“Don’t worry. I just… couldn’t let the same happen to you.” Tigress replied.
Po wanted to asked what she meant, but he then remembered it was definetly her personal experience with Tai Lung, so he decided against it.
Once they got to the class, they sat next to each other and Po turned towards her.
“Hey, Tigress.” Po called out.
“Yes?” Tigress asked.
“You’re…” Po said before staring at her eyes for a few seconds.
Tigress raised her brows and nodded, wanting to know what he wanted to say.
“You’re an awesome friend. Just know that whatever you went through. It doesn’t affect you as a person to me. I’m just glad I met you as you are.” Po said with a smile.
Tigress really wanted to smile, but she fought against it and simply bowed her head in gratitude.
“Thank you, Po. I am glad you’re my friend too and thank you for the support. Even though I have not been the best at returning the favor.” Tigress said while rubbing her arm in embarrassment.
Po shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. As long as you and I help each other out, our problems won’t be so bad.”
Tigress looked at him for a moment before slowly nodding. “Right…”
Class had begun and went to teach her more about painting. How she could balance the colors. How she could make a contrast within the lighting. How to create an idea from scratch.
It all came fluently and clean to Tigress as soon as she had started to understand the concept thanks to Po’s guidance. Just how she was going to help with his training once he completed his task at finding balance.
A few hours later, Po had gotten out of school and made his way towards Oogway’s home to continue their training. Once he got to the door, he saw it was open.
“Mr. Oogway?” Po called out.
All he heard was some slurry singing coming from inside. Wondering what was going on, Po slowly made his way into the house and saw Oogway sitting on the table.
He was wearing his old Admiral uniform and holding a bottle of sake on one hand and a photograph on the other hand. Oogway smiled and sang some sort of unintelligible song Po could not comprehend.
“Mr. Oogway? Are you singing?” Po asked.
Oogway turned his head and slurred out. “Heeey, Po. Come sit.”
Oogway motioned at Po before he came to sit down next to him. Oogway got another cup and served Po some sake.
“Here you go.” Oogway hiccuped.
Po nervously gulped. “Um, I’m sorry, Mr. Oogway. I’m not old enough to drink this yet.”
Oogway laughed. “Oh, please, dear Po. Let yourself loose for a moment. Just one.”
Po raised his brow at Oogway acting out of the ordinary as he held out a cup for him. Po took the cup with slight hesitance and bowed in gratitude.
Oogway raised his cup at Po, making Po raise it too can clank it against his.
“Cheers?…” Po hesitantly said before he and Oogway gulped their drinks.
Po immediately coughed up the sake and felt his throat burning from the alcohol. Oogway laughed out loud and patted Po on the back as he hit his own chest, trying to recover from the massive internal burn.
“What are we celebrating?” Po asked once he regained his composure.
“Anniversary.” Oogway gave him the picture.
Po looked at the picture and widened his eyes. It was a black and white photograph of a young female turtle in a silky long dress holding onto a cane near a waterfall.
“Woah, is that your wife?” Po asked in amazement.
Oogway smiled and nodded.
“I didn’t know you were married.” Po gasped with a smile of disbelief.
“So damn beautiful, right?” Oogway asked when rapping his arm around Po’s shoulder.
Po smiled and nodded. “She looks so pretty.”
Oogway smiled and closed his eyes. “I will never forget the first time I saw her… she was a damn good cane cutter… so beautiful…”
Oogway then took another sip of his cup before Po had asked. “Mr. Oogway? Where is she?”
Oogway halted for a second before laughing and serving Oo another cup. “Come, Po. Drink.”
Po looked down at the cup then back at Oogway with confusion at his sudden change of character.
Oogway had gotten up and grabbed another photo from the shelf. “Ahh, look, Po. Look.”
Po looked at the photo as Oogway sat next to him.
“That was when she was pregnant of our child. It was going to be our firstborn.” Oogway said with a smile.
“Was?…” Po asked, getting slightly worried.
Oogway laughed aloud again. “Drink, Po. Drink.”
Po looked down at the picture before looking back at Oogway, who was laughing and walking towards a dresser.
“‘Admiral Oogway!’ ‘Yes, sir!?’ ‘’Must commend you for your service to this country.’” Oogway spoke to himself before laughing.
Po slightly laughed a bit too, feeling a bit amused at Oogway letting himself go for once.
“Hahaha… ‘land of the free.’” Oogway said while taking out a pistol, making Po gasp.
“‘Home of the brave.’” Oogway slurred before shooting a window, causing for Po to yelp and throw himself at the floor to avoid any possible injury.
“‘Because that is what a good soldier does, right!? Leave their family to serve this country!’” Oogway laughed before shooting again at a vase.
“MR. OOGWAY!” Po screamed in fear.
“Come, Po! Don’t be a coward! Drink! Hahaha!” Oogway laughed and shot at the ceiling before tripping and falling through a glass wall in his living room.
“MR. OOGWAY!!!” Po cried before getting up and running towards him.
Po knelt down to Oogway and held his head up. “Mr. Oogway!?! Are you okay!?!”
Oogway panted and looked around before looking up at Po.
“S-Shuhu?… is that you?…” Oogway asked.
Po was taken aback with confusion at the sudden name.
Oogway then looked at the ceiling. “Shuhu… my love…”
He then gritted his eyes with tears falling down his face. “I am so sorry…”
Oogway cried in Po’s arms before slowly passing out due to the heavy alcohol.
“Mr. Oogway? Mr. Oogway???” Po shook the turtle, but he was completely unconscious.
Po looked over at a scattered pile of documents next to Oogway. One of them caught his attention as it was a telegram.
He slowly laid Oogway down before reaching over and reading it out loud. “Admiral Oogway, we regret to inform you that on August 6th, 1964, your wife and unborn son…
Po gasped before continuing. “Have passed away due to complications arising from childbirth…”
He teared up and looked down at Oogway, who was completely unconscious. “He lost his family… and they treated it as if it was some sort of inconvenience…”
Po gently lifted Oogway up in his arms and set him to bed in his room before slowly tugging him in. He looked at him, then out the window with a look full of determination.
The entire night, Po spent hours trying to master balance on his own. He was planning on skipping the next school day as he stood on top of one of the pillars in Oogway’s garden while holding on to two buckets of water.
Once he was done with that, he placed a small wooden palate in Oogway’s small pond and kept practicing his defense techniques over and over again until he no longer felt as if he was going to fall.
Morning had arrived and Oogway woke up from his drunken slumber. He slowly got up and realized that mess he made in his own home.
Suddenly, he looked out the window to see Po standing on a wooden log in front of the rising sun as his silhouette displayed across the ground, trying to made the Crescent Kick. Oogway gasped at seeing all the empty paint cans other items Po had used to train himself.
Then he saw it. Po managed to sort of land the kick, despite almost falling off the stump. Another person would have fallen off and only someone who had practiced on keeping balance would still remain standing. That’s how Oogway knew Po had managed to master balance.
“He is ready…” Oogway said to himself with pride.