Chi Mage Po Chapter 2

Chi Mage

Chapter 1

Chapter 2 Bad Influence?!

Shifu did not like Po, didn’t like him one bit! He was the minority as Oogway liked him and Tai Lung seemed to like him, which was part of the problem.

Tai and Po were spending more and more time together. “Shouldn’t you be studying your magic!” Shifu would say, and try to get Tai Lung back on the task at hand.

“I’ve been studying, is it okay if I watch you practice?” Po asked.

“Sure.” Tai said. Shifu was surprised.

“Ugh, fine just don’t disturb us.” Po got excited and sat down.

Tai went through the obstacle course, showing off his speed, power and skill. Shifu nodded. ‘Good, good…’

“Go Tai, so cool!” Po cheered. Shifu twitched in annoyance.

Tai put his focus on Po, for a bit and got an idea. He pretended to slip from the course, which would have been VERY painful. “Tai!” Po gasped.

He was fine, he casually reappeared using the moving parts of the obstacle course. “Something wrong?”

“So cool!” Po clapped his hands excitedly.

Shifu groaned.

There was no real danger, Tai had done this obstacle course so many times, he’s done it backwards, forwards, blindfolded, legs tied together, arms tied behind his back, he even did it once in his sleep. He did what he did to show off for the panda. “I’m going to meditate!” Shifu walked off.

“Are you hungry?” Tai Lung rubbed his stomach.

“Starving.” Po eagerly went to the kitchen and began to prepare some noodles. The smell alone increased Tai’s hunger threefold.

Po hummed to himself as he cooked. He clearly knew his way around a kitchen now.

The panda cooked a healthy bowl of noodles. “This looks amazing.” He’d come to really love Po’s cooking, getting seconds and thirds. ‘So Yummy!’

“Wait till I learn the secret of my dad’s noodles, they’ll be even more amazing.”

Tai didn’t think it could get better, Po’s food was so satisfying. Po made a bowl of soup for Master Oogway, and checked on Shifu to see if he was hungry. “I’ll prepare my own food Panda, you’re excused.”

“Okay…” Po was down, seeing this Tai decided to take a break from training and play a game with Po cheering him up.

-x-

Things were getting worse for Shifu. He expected to find Tai Lung training, but the male wasn’t in the training areas, but was instead with Po. ‘The panda…’

They were playing a game with cups and jelly beans. “Tai Lung, we have training to do.”

“Yes sir!” He stood up and gave Po head pats. “See ya later Po.”

“Bye Tai…” Shifu gave Po a look.

Tai finished the round, pointing the cup with the jelly bean under it. “Hey!” Tai chuckled and ate it. Shifu’s eyes widened.

Tai gave Po a wink and left.

“I hope you’re not skipping out on your lessons, Master Oogway is trying to teach you, you best not waste his time.”

“I’m not I swear.”

Shifu huffed. “We’ll see.”

-x-

Things were changing and Shifu didn’t like. “He’s distracted he’s lost focus.” Shifu was complaining to Oogway.

“Who?”

“Tai Lung, ever since that panda came here, he’s been distracted, skipping out on training and meditation sessions.”

“Has he?” Oogway knew Tai was spending more time with Po, he just didn’t see it as a bad thing. Tai was certainly happier.

“He broke his diet, that fat panda is feeding him noodles and lord knows what else.”

“I have noticed his coat is looking healthier.” Oogway said. Po’s cooking combined with the training Tai was still doing was leading to a very healthy and strong body. “Have you tried his cooking? Po makes a very delicious and nutritious soup.” Oogway has been feeling a pep in his step since eating Po’s cooking.

“Bah as if I’d ever eat what that panda considers food, it’s likely all junk!” Oogway rolled his eyes. “Is he really worthy of being a mage?”

“Of course, Po is learning well. He is like a sponge, so eager to learn.” Oogway repeated Po’s father’s words to Shifu.

“I just worry he’s a bad influence on Tai Lung.”

Oogway wanted to object, because he saw the opposite. He saw a light growing in Tai Lung, the boy was finding a balance in his life that wasn’t there before. “Perhaps, maybe we must wait and see.”

“I know he’s your student Master Oogway but…” The turtle stopped him.

“And Tai Lung is more than a student to you, so I know how much you care, but perhaps you are trying too hard to control something you can’t.” Oogway gave him the growing tree speech, but Shifu didn’t get it, believing he could control things, regardless if he should. “Old friend I believe you are worrying too much.”

They decided to check on the boys and much to Oogway’s amusement and Shifu’s horror Tai Lung was teaching Po some basic martial arts. Oogway could see “something there” between the two. The way the two looked at each other it was…

“What is this?!” Shifu snapped.

“Fa...Master I was just showing Po some basics.” Shifu approached them.

Shifu took some calming breaths. “Tai Lung I’m surprised at you, you didn’t tell me you wanted to become a master and take on students?”

“I didn’t I…”

“This place is for serious training, not for amateurs. He could have gotten hurt!” Like Shifu actually cared about his well being.

“We were being very careful.” Po said.

“I thought you wanted to be a mage, why the sudden interest in martial arts training?”

“Well Tai Lung and so many other fighters are so amazing, I thought by learning stuff I could be amazing to.” Tai Lung looked at Po. The panda doubted himself, often seeing himself as less, when he was awesome.

“You should focus on becoming a Chi Mage, you allow yourself distractions from your path you will fail, I trust you will not drag others down with you.”

Po flinched, and he scooted away from Tai Lung.

“Now Shifu there was no harm done.” Oogway said.

“This time! I think it’d be safer to bar your presence from the training hall, so there will be no accidents.” He smirked, feeling proud of himself. With this he could force Po away from Tai at least when training here. ‘No more distractions.’

Oogway warned him about trying to force control.

While it was true Po stayed away, that absence made Tai chase after him. He shared his knowledge with Po, coming up with games they could play together that doubled as training.

If Po couldn’t visit him while HE was training, he’d visit Po when he was practicing his magic. It took awhile but Shifu noticed.

-x-

Time was marching on, and Shifu refused to see the truth that was right in front of his face.

The two were meditating, but Tai was thinking about Po.

“Tai Lung!”

“Yes sir!” He tensed.

“You haven’t lost sight of your goal have you?” Shifu opened an eye. “To become the Dragon Warrior?”

“No...no I haven’t…”

“This is what you’ve been preparing for, we’ve worked so hard.” Tai twitched in annoyance. “The last thing you need is some waste of a panda causing you unnecessary distractions.”

“He’s not!” Tai snapped.

“Tai Lung!” He didn’t apologize.

“I’m tired, I’m going to bed.” He went to his room to rest.

Shifu sighed. ‘Is it some kind of rebellious phase? No it must be that darn Panda, everything was perfect before he showed up.’ It had begun to storm out. A turbulent end to a difficult day.

It wasn’t the pouring rain or the thunder that stirred him but a knock on the door. Thinking it was Shifu Tai snapped. “Go away!”

“Sorry!” Po gasped.

“Po?”

“I...I...I didn’t mean to bother you!” He teared up and sniffled.

“No sorry, sorry! I was still half asleep, I didn’t know it was you.” He got up and opened the door. “What’s wrong?”

“I was having a bad dream, and then the thunder and…” Crash-Boom!” Po tensed and began to shake. “Can...can...I sleep with you…”

‘So cute!’ Tai clutched his chest.

“Sure, come on in!” The two cuddled together. Po’s softness was very relaxing, while Tai’s muscular form was very comforting.

It was the best sleep Tai had.

Shifu had gone to meditate in the rain, trying to connect to the universe for answers. He remained in his spot even when the storm passed.

The next night Po was greeted with a knock at his door. “Tai?”

“Hey...I uh...had a bad dream…” An awful lie, he just wanted to sleep with Po again.

Po let him in and the two had cuddle time.

-x-

Shifu came to check on Tai, only to find his bed room empty. “Tai? Tai!” TAI!” He looked all over the temple. (Of course not checking Po’s room and Oogway was meditating)

The kung fu master went looking for his adoptive son and student, but everywhere he looked there was no sign of Tai. He felt Oogway come out of his trance and came back to ask where Tai was. “Tai Lung? He’s with Po, the two went to bed together last night.”

“WHAT?!”

He was about to pitch a fit. Oogway stopped him. “Old Friend, I believe it’s time you take on new students.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve raised Tai...well...it’s time you train other students and allow Tai Lung to find himself.”

“Oh...Ohhh…” Shifu was about to twist this all the way off. ‘The next phase for Tai Lung to become the Dragon Warrior, he needs a proper rival, to push him to the next level. I can train the perfect rivals for him, and when the time comes Tai Lung will be chosen!’

So Shifu began his journey training other warriors, this would be the birth of the Furious Five.

Truth of it was Tai was at a critical point, he was learning things about himself which was good for him as a warrior and as a man. By sharing his martial arts with Po he was getting an appreciation for his strength and skills he hadn’t before.

Shifu could continue to think Po was a bad influence, but Oogway thought the opposite.

To be continued...Getting Paws Dirty

Tai starts taking a more active role in the land, helping people and fighting bad guys. Po’s skills as a Chi mage have grown impressive, to the point he can help with training in different ways.

(Po goes to visit his dad with Tai Long acting as a body guard. He ends up getting roped into helping and Tai does delivery, using his skills to make stylish deliveries all over the village. Po’s father approves saying his new boyfriend is very handy, right in front of Tai Lung)