The Curious Tale Of Momoda

It Makes No Sense

Po threw the doors of the Hall of Heroes wide open like they were thin wheat. "What the heck was that?!" He shouted. 

"Sources said that Momoda was at Mr. Ping's shop. I thought you were capturing her."

"I was trying to figure out what she's trying to do!"

"Po, you're getting too close to this woman."

"Oh! And spying on me was the way to tell me that?!"

"Watch your tone."

"No," Po shouted. "Master Shifu, we don't know anything about this tiger other than her name. She's doing nothing wrong."

"We still need to be cautious. The villagers-"

"She was in broad daylight, Shifu," Po cut off, dropping the pretenses, "If the villagers had such a problem with her, they would've been screaming their heads off. You said it yourself, we don't know why she's doing all of this and tackling her to the ground isn't gonna help with that!" 

"I know my tactic wasn't the best-"

"It was more stupid than anything I would ever do!"

"Okay, that's enough!"

"What's going on in here!" Tigress asked. The others followed in behind her. Po noticed the tiger was panting. Most likely from training again. "We heard shouting."

"Shifu," Po spoke up, "Probably messed up any chances I have of trying to help Momoda."

"I thought we were trying to catch her for her own sake, Po," Shifu argued. 

"And you think forcing her like that is going to do it?!"

"Po, Master Shifu!" Viper said loudly, "Yelling your emotions won't help!" 

"She's right," Tigress said calmly. "In any case, this might hurt us in the long run. If this tiger was comfortable enough to appear in broad daylight, then the opportunity to restrain her peacefully is no longer there. She'll probably hide for a while."

"Which makes catching her harder," Monkey completed. 

Shifu sighed, "And it's my fault." 

Po took a deep breath, grumbling as he massaged the muscles around his eyes. "Master Shifu, why would you pull something like this?"

"She has to answer for her actions."

"And those actions are bad?" 

"They're causing disorder and chaos." 

"Disorder? She's not even hurting anyone innocent. Would you just listen to me for a moment?!"

"People don't change, Po."

"Funny, I was gonna say the same about you."  

"What's that supposed to mean?" Shifu glared. 

Po crossed his arms as he glared back, "You know, judging a book by its cover? Not hearing other people out? You did the same thing when I first came here! I know it looks like I'm over the moon with Momoda, but I am trying to do this peacefully. I mean, which is better? Trying to fight an opponent that can disappear in thin air, or trying to make it so they don't act up again? Better yet, making her an ally! You keep saying that people don't change. Maybe it's you who hasn't changed since..."

"Since. What, panda," Shifu grunted out. 

Po took a small sigh and softly said, "Since Tai Lung... and me." 

Shifu, finding himself panting from the anger, slowly let the panda's words rest on his mind. He settled back, groaning as he rubbed his eyes. "Maybe I have a lesson to relearn," He sighed quietly. "Again, you prove that you're much wiser than I am, Po."