The Countdown

A blissfully oblivious reunion

Po approached the noodle shop where his dad was waiting for him. Scorpion came out and gave the goose a kiss before waving goodbye and setting off down the road.

"I'll see you in four days, Pingy!" Scorpion called out as she went away.

"Where's she going?" Po asked as he approached his dad.

"Scorpion has to go to one of the harbors to get fresh supplies," Mr. Ping explained. "She needs to take them home immediately and put them somewhere so that they don't dry out."

"Are you sure?"

"Po...."

"Sorry. Still getting used to her not being evil and stuff."

I'm sure you two will get along perfectly fine, someday," Mr. Ping assured him, going into the noodle shop. "Scorpion really enjoys spending time with you."

Po sighed. "I'm sure she does," he replied. "But that doesn't mean that I'm comfortable with her."

"You'll be fine with it soon. In the meantime, we have hungry customers to feed and I want your help in serving lunch."

"I know dad. You were screaming it halfway across the valley."

"I just wanted to make sure you hadn't gone up the stairs before I got to you."

The two reached the kitchen where Mr. Ping directed him to the soup pot that was currently cooking on the stove. Po stirred it for a moment before turning to help his dad with some of the vegetables and the dumplings that the customers ordered. The two talked as they served lunch, discussing the new training that Po was doing, some of Scorpion's new friends and newly discovered medicine, and Mantis' girlfriend Quan-Ying. (They wanted to avoid mentioning anything about Po's crush on Tigress after the rumor that had occurred over a month ago). Mr. Ping was curious as to whether or not anyone else in the Jade Palace had a new date, but not wanting to mention Crane or Viper, Po kept his mouth shut and feigned innocence on the subject. When the lunch rush hour began to slow down, the Dragon Warrior took to cleaning the counters and keeping the kitchen in order for later.

"Thank you, Po," Mr. Ping told him with a smile, serving another customer some soup. "This old shop gets busier every day!"

"Hey, it's no problem!" Po assured him. "I love cooking!"

"And I know that my future grandkids will love it too," the goose said happily. "Broth runs through our veins!"

"I know dad," the panda replied. "But I'm not even in a relationship yet; you don't need to keep bringing up grandkids!"

"I'd like to be a grandfather some time soon and I'll keep bothering you until I see him! Or her."

Po shook his head with an amused smile and said nothing else.

"Oh, Po," Mr. Ping said suddenly. "I just remembered: I found that old blanket you used as a kung fu cape when you were thirteen. I put it on your bed if you want it."

"Seriously?!" Po exclaimed happily. "I've been looking for that thing! Thanks dad!"

"You're welcome, son!" Mr. Ping called up as the Dragon Warrior went dashing up the stairs. He continued to chop and serve food when a loud and boisterous voice called out, "Excuse me! Is the food here decent?!"

The old goose looked up with a scowl on his face, seeing a giant panda standing in the doorway. He wore green pants that were tied around him with a thick, brown rope and he wore a long, short-sleeved coat that fell nicely around him.