Magnificent Mistake: Uncut Version Ch 10: Magnificent Mistakes & Alien Love, a kung fu panda fanfic

Magnificent Mistakes and Alien Love

A/N: Thank you for the nice reviews for the last chapter. They were much appreciated, k thnx! WARNING!! This chapter contains violence and horrific descriptions of depraved acts! Not meant to be erotic, so don't think I get off on this stuff. Just cause I write doesn't mean I support it, and, as you will all figure out soon, there is at least one character in the Kung Fu Panda movie I cannot STAND! This is also the end of Magnificent Mistake, and I've got to say that I'm proud of it. It's become like a child to me, and now that it's done, it's like the time all parents fear. I have to let go and let it live on its own. Hopefully you were able to take something away from this, I know I did. I'm going to miss writing this story, and hearing all the wonderful concrits you all came up with. Thank you all for reading, and even more if you reviewed, and please enjoy the last installment of Magnificent Mistake: Uncut Version.

The night air in the mountains cut into his thick hide, chapped lips coated in frozen blood, stinging like tiny needles pricking his skin, but none of this registered as he scanned the surrounding area, noting the nine hundred ninety-nine guards strewn about in various states of disarray. One thing was for certain, though. All nine hundred ninety-nine were dead. Whether it was from decapitation, burns, or the cold, they were all dead. His comrades, his friends, his support. Dead.

And all because of that coward, Tai Lung.

Walking over to one of his closest friends, he found his jaw had been snapped off, spiked mace shoved all the way up into his cerebral chamber. A single, silver tear fell, only to freeze as it contacted the rhino's cold armor as a sob echoed loudly in the snow-peaked mountains before they descended back into silence.

Standing, the lone rhino straightened himself, and, with newfound resolve, set off for the Valley of Peace.

That same night found Po and Viper sitting on the roof of Mr. Ping's shop, watching a meteor shower in the distance, talking animatedly about where the falling stars come from.

"No way, I think they're the stars that wanted to visit Earth," Viper guessed, eyes never leaving the shimmering sky.

"Well, my grandpa used to say they were spirits, new lives that came down from the heavens, giving life to all the new and unborn children, but sometimes, there aren't enough, so that's why some babies are born dead," Po countered, tone soft in amazement.

"I guess it might make sense. You know, to send them down from the heavens," Viper agreed, liking the idea.

Mr. Ping was at an old friend's inn, taking care of the place while he cared for his ill son, so the Kung Fu masters had free reign of the house. Viper smirked slyly as she discreetly slipped her tail around one of the loose ends of the sash that held up Po's pants and tugged, undoing the bow quickly and efficiently as Po picked up on her intentions and smiled softly, pulling her face up to his own.

A disheveled rhino marched into the Valley of Peace, heading for the closest inn, ironically named The Lone Rhino. Entering, he walked up to the front desk and rang the bell. An elder goose with a strange-looking noodle hat appeared, smiling jovially. The innocence that radiated off the man was lost on the hardened soldier as he listened to the goose babbling to some unknown being about noodle consistencies.

"Hello, sir! How may I help you?" he questioned, grin nearly splitting his face in half.

"I'm looking for someone, maybe you've heard of him? His name is Tai Lung," the rhino asked gruffly.

"Oh, yes, I know him. He lives up in the Jade Palace. What a nice young boy, it's hard to believe he could hurt a fly, much less wreck our village. Did you know my son, the Dragon Warrior, is his lover? Why do you ask?" the goose informed, and the rhino smiled as he replied.

"No reason, but I would certainly like to meet this son of yours."

Viper laid atop Po, panting, as they rested in his room, gazing into each other's eyes as Viper broke the warm silence that had fallen over them.

"I can see why Tigress was so off balance the day after your date. How did you learn to do that?" she questioned, eyes half-lidded as she placed a small kiss on his cheek.

"My dad's friend owned a spa and I used to help out, so I had to learn a lot about anatomy and what makes what feel good. Glad you liked it," Po replied, grinning softly, giving her cheek a quick lick.

"Hmm, that's cool," Viper sighed, curling up on the panda's chest as her eyes closed.

"G'night, Viper," Po mumbled, shutting his eyes as he fell into a light sleep.

The morning came and Po woke alone, Viper having left to go to training earlier.

Po stood, stretching as he was rewarded by a series of satisfying pops and snaps from his spine. Walking downstairs, he found his father speaking to a rough-looking rhino animatedly about something both seemed to find fascinating.

"Morning, dad! Who's he?" Po questioned, nodding at the rhino.

"Oh! Po, this is Vachir! He's come a long way to visit an old friend, so be nice and fetch him some tea," Mr. Ping instructed and Po raced off to the kitchen, grabbing a kettle and setting out some tea cups, annoyed at the fact he knew the name Vachir from somewhere, he just couldn't remember where.

Po brought out the tea and served both Vachir and his father before grabbing a cup and seating himself beside the elder goose.

"So, Po, is it? Your father has had many interesting things to say about you. You have two mates? That's odd, but I think the world could use a hero like you. We need someone who stands for the minorities, and, in my opinion, you are the perfect example. In fact, I was wondering if you would be willing to make an appearance in my village. We are plagued by wolves and crocodiles, and perhaps a visit by the Dragon Warrior would inspire hope to the villagers and strike fear into the gangs. What do you say, Po?" Vachir questioned, watching the young panda's face light up with excitement. Too easy.

"Of course Po will go with you. Gather you things from you room, I will send a messenger up to the Palace. You should leave immediately, Po! They need your help!" Mr. Ping all but shouted, ushering his son upstairs.

"Thank you, Mr. Ping, your generosity is appreciated. Rest assured I will take good care of Po for you," Vachir thanked, bowing deeply before he turned to see Po race down the stairs, bag on back, ready to go.

"Alright, let's go!" Po shouted, leaning over to give his father a quick kiss, crying out, "Bye, dad! Love ya!"

And the two left the village, Vachir mentally grinning. This really was too easy.

Mr. Ping reached the Palace and, after taking a moment to gawk at its beauty, knocked on the massive gate. The doors pulled apart to reveal the master of Crane style.

"Mr. Ping, can I help you?" Crane asked kindly.

"Actually, I'm looking for Master Shifu. Can you direct me to him? It's about Po," the goose replied, smiling. "And I thought I told you to call me dad, or at the very least Tzu. Mr. Ping sounds far too formal for a future son-in-law."

"What's wrong with Po? Is he sick?" Crane pried nervously.

"Oh, no, but I'm glad you care so much for him. You haven't disappointed me yet!" Tzu cheerfully answered.

"Thank you, Tzu. Um, Master Shifu is right this way," Crane lead the goose to the training yard where Tigress and Monkey were currently locked in a delicate dance, matching each other move for move, Tigress giving a high kick that Monkey bent back to avoid, throwing his feet across the ground only for Tigress to leap back, keeping her balance and avoiding his attack. Mr. Ping sat beside the Kung Fu teacher, allowing the battle to continue, waiting his turn to speak.

"So where is your village, anyway?" Po questioned shortly after giving up on trying to recall whom Vachir was.

"Not too far, just about a day and a half's hike," he replied, tapping his pocket where a sturdy chain and hand cuffs sat, wrapped up so as not to make noise. If he couldn't hurt Tai Lung directly, then he'd do it through those he cared for.

"Cool. You know, I've never met a rhino before," Po mentioned, switching topics to keep a conversation going.

"Well, I've never met a panda before, either," Vachir would put up with conversation because the kid seemed nice enough. It was the least he could do considering what was going to happen after dinner.

Clutching the bottle of sleeping powder in his other pocket, Vachir shared a secret grin with the emptiness of the forest.

The masters finished their sparring and Shifu turned to Tzu, asking for a moment to critique his students. Tzu agreed, telling him to take all the time he needed, there was no rush.

After Shifu was finished assisting his students, he turned back to the goose, Tai Lung and the Furious Five looking on expectantly. They wondered if it had something to do with Po.

"I was just going to tell you that Po has left for a short while. Some poor rhinoceros arrived in the village earlier today looking for protection from bandits and I sent Po off to help, so he should be back in a few days," Tzu explained.

Shifu smiled lightly as Tai Lung scowled. He didn't trust rhinos one bit. He wanted to know more about this supposedly distressed village.

"Did he give you his name?" Tai Lung asked. Maybe he could check the archives, just in case.

"Of course! He said his name was Vachir. Seemed very nice, though a little odd, he kept smiling to himself, but other than that –" Tzu was cut off by Tai Lung's screech.

"Impossible! I killed that wretch! I know I did! I saw him die! You're lying! He's dead!" shouted the snow leopard furiously, shaking his head as he backed away.

"Well, he did seem singed, a bit cut up, but I'm certain he was alive when I spoke to him just a few hours ago. Why? Who was he to you? I'm sure Po can handle him, he's a strong boy," Tzu reassured himself, praying he hadn't sent his only son to meet his end.

"You don't know Vachir! He was the warden at Chor Gom! He hates me, and if he knows Po is with me . . . " he looked to the goose to see if he had told.

"No, no, no, no, no! You didn't tell him, did you?" he cried, pulse racing, fur bristling at the thought of what he could be doing to Po.

"I didn't know he was dangerous! Oh, Tai Lung, is there anything I can do?" Tzu begged, tears forming in his eyes as Master Shifu cut in.

"I'll tell you what we're not going to do. We're not going to panic. Now, Mr. Ping, tell us which way he took Po. We'll split up into search teams and look for him from there," he conducted, but worry was evident on his face, too. He had grown fond of the giant panda and it hurt to think of life at the Palace without him.

Mr. Ping nodded, a small sob escaping his clenched beak as he pointed in the direction he had seen them go.

"Alright, you stay here in case he comes back. We'll go look for him," Shifu instructed and Tzu could only nod numbly. His baby boy was in danger, and he had put him there.

The sun was beginning to set and Vachir decided it would be a good time to make camp. Po agreed and set to work making dinner, talking about how excited he was to go somewhere new.

"Hey, Vachir, look at this!" shouted Po, lifting a tiny piece of rock from an enormous crater. It was round and smooth, a deep green with swirls of neon purple coating its outermost layers.

"Well, it must have been from that meteor shower," Vachir replied, gazing at the rock and noting how, bathed in the pale light of the moon, Po looked kind of cute. That thought in mind, he decided he'd have a bit of fun before he killed the panda.

"Which one? The one last night or a couple months ago?" Po questioned, remembering how the night before he had met Crane, there had been another meteor shower, the rocks had seemed to glow different colors, leaving what Po had called a midnight rainbow in the starry sky.

"The one last night happened miles and miles away from here, and it would probably still be warm. I think this is from the rainbow shower," he answered, examining the stone closer.

"Cool! I'm gonna show it to Crane and Tai when I get back!" Po exclaimed, shoving the alien gem into his knapsack.

"You know, you're quite an attractive panda," Vachir commented as Po turned around, blushing slightly.

"Thanks, you're not too bad looking, yourself," he replied, sending the rhino a lustful smile.

All Vachir could think was that this was far too easy.

He thought of how arousing the panda would look, trapped in the handcuffs and chains, begging for his mercy, pleading for release, and felt his pants tighten. Po, mistaking his thoughts for ones of love, allowed his hand to graze the rhino guard's thigh as he walked by, disguising it as brushing some lint off his pants.

Vachir crept behind the panda, wrapping his arms around his middle, giving his neck a small lick. Po growled slightly, grinning as he put the tofu and crackers aside and turned toward the larger male, feeling small and excited.

"Lay down," Vachir commanded and Po complied without a moment of hesitation, watching as Vachir roughly straddled his hips, pulling something wrapped in a cloth out from his pocket. Po wondered what it could be, thinking it could be some new, erotic toy.

"Close your eyes," instructed the guard and Po did, feeling him stand up, walk away a short distance, then return, again resting on Po's powerful hips. Suddenly, he felt something hard and cold wrap around his wrists and found he couldn't move his hands at all.

Eyes shooting open, he looked up to see handcuffs around his wrists strong enough to hold Tai Lung, chain of solid titanium tying him to a giant boulder. He had been tricked and trapped.

Po began struggling before a harsh hoof collided with his face, leaving a red line dribbling crimson liquid across ivory fur.

"What's wrong, Dragon Warrior? You don't like my game? You whored yourself to so many others, and from the looks of it, you were willing to do the same for me. Why the sudden change of heart?" Vachir tormented, leering at his prisoner.

When Po didn't answer, Vachir slapped him again, demanding, "Why the change of heart?"

"You're too rough! I-I don't want you!" Po shouted, panicking. Mentally, he was ashamed because, truth be told, he had become a whore. He had given what should have been reserved for his mates to all who asked it of him. He had been unfaithful.

Vachir chuckled, running a hoof down Po's chest, stopping at the rim of his pants before he heard a gasp that he knew hadn't come from Po.

Placing a knife against Po's neck, Vachir shouted, "Show yourself or I'll slit his throat!"

Two figures emerged from the brush, Tai Lung and Crane. Vachir smirked at the snow leopard and asked, "Lose something?"

The leopard didn't respond, instead opting for glaring daggers at his childhood lover.

"Hmm, not talking, are we? Well then, in that case, I think I'll just play a little game with your boyfriend. You so much as squawk and I'll kill him. Panda," he turned back to Po, still holding the knife's cold blade against his neck. "beg me to take you."

Po looked defiantly up at the rhino and spat at his face.

Vachir scowled as he dug a small chunk of Po's skin out, hissing, "I said beg, whore."

Po's eyes watered with humiliation and fear as he gasped, "Take me."

Vachir sat back, shaking his head as he growled, "Now, now, now, if you want me to spare you, you'd better put on a decent show. Wouldn't want to disappoint a customer, would you, wench? Say it, tell your lover you're a wench, and beg me to take you. And this time, really beg for it."

Po sobbed as he cried, "I'm a wench! Take me, please, take me!"

Vachir undid his trousers with one hand while the other held the knife against his throat, pulling off the garment as he, himself, stripped, noting how Tai Lung and Crane seemed ready to tear his brain out through his kidneys. Good, let them suffer.

"That's more like it," Vachir mumbled, playing with the panda as he watched the smaller male fight against his growing arousal. It was, in his mind, quite an enticing sight. The panda writhed and moaned, tears streaming from his eyes as he was brought to the edge of involuntary pleasure.

Vachir's hand then left his centre and drew another knife from his pocket. Flipping the panda over, he sat upon the backs of his thighs, holding the threat knife against his spine, dragging the other lightly along the side of his belly, then around one, black, furred cheek, before doing something that had the two onlookers cringing, covering their ears as Po screamed. He plunged the dagger deep within Po's entrance, pulling the serrated blade out and pressing it back in, repeating the process until Po's voice was hoarse, his energy completely drained.

Vachir pulled the blade out, poking the tip into one of his ears, earning a gasp and sniffle from his victim before he returned the bloodied knife to its sheath in his pocket. Positioning his arousal at the panda's entrance, he thrust in, a deep moan escaping his chapped lips. Having his way as a new bout of shrieks tore through Po, Tai Lung could only watch in horror as he tried to think of a way to help his panda. He had to get him out of this alive. But no matter what he thought of, it always ended with Po dead by that damned knife. Vachir was fast. He hadn't been named head of Chor Gom for his stunning personality, after all. He could easily kill Po by the time Tai Lung made a move, and he knew it.

Po felt something empty inside him as a sense of unutterable filth washed over him, making him feel as though he'd never be clean again. He heard Vachir groan in satisfaction and pull out, torn skin stinging the whole time. He was flipped onto his back, grunting in pain as Vachir took his arousal in a hoof and spoke, knife against his throat.

"Tai Lung can't save you, and if he wasn't your lover, you would never have to go through this. I want you to turn and look him in the eyes, and tell him exactly how much you want his love, now that you know what it leads to," he whispered in Po's ear.

Po felt his blood boil, renewed strength within him as he realized this was all a plot to hurt his Tai Lung. Turning to look at the weeping snow leopard that was certain he was about to lose one of his lovers, Po began to speak in a voice that was both steady and loud, to the surprise of all those present.

"Tai Lung, Crane, I don't want your love. I never have, and I never will. I don't want your touch, and I don't want your kisses, and I don't want your approval. I need them. I need your love like I need air. I need you and Crane to survive, and I've neglected you both. I don't care if this is what happens to me, so long as I always have your love, because you will always have mine," he declared, watching Crane and Tai Lung's shamed expressions change into ones of complete adoration.

Vachir, on the other hand, was not amused.

Plunging the dagger into the panda's ribs, he leapt up and ran off, leaving Po gasping for air as he clawed desperately at the ground beneath him.

Crane and Tai Lung rushed to his sides, shouting for help as a sickening 'crack' echoed in the forest, Tigress emerging from the direction Vachir had run in, blood splattered across her tunic. She froze at the sight before her.

Po, the gentle, kind, caring, lovable idiot, lay in a pool of his own blood, hilt of a knife sticking out from his lower ribs, writhing on the forest floor.

"Tigress!" the shout from Tai Lung broke her horrified daze and she looked to the snow leopard.

"Get Viper, she'll be able to help!" he cried desperately, holding his lover's hand gently as he stroked his furred knuckles.

Tigress nodded, racing off to search for her scaly friend.

Crane knelt beside Po and draped a wing over his chest, bowing his head to nuzzle Po's arm, tears streaming down his feathered face. Right about now, Po would make some joke about how he had won the game. Where was the witty, funny Po that never seemed shaken by anything?

"C-Crane, Tai, help me, please. It hurts. It hurts so much. I-I can't breathe. Help me, please. I just want it to stop hurting. Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop!" he pleaded, pawing at Tai Lung's chest as he sobbed shamelessly.

Crane grabbed his head and pulled his face against his chest, rocking him back and forth, cooing sweet words to him as Tai Lung petted his back, whispering softly in his injured ear.

Several gasps alerted them to the presence of the remainder of the Furious Five and Master Shifu. Tai Lung looked to Crane before standing up to address those before him. Giving a short, detached account of Po's injuries, he watched their expressions range from horror to disgust to rage. Finishing his story, Tai Lung watched as Viper slithered slowly over to Po and placed her tail on the knife's hilt. Giving a swift, hard tug, the knife exited his body and blood began to spill from the wound as his breathing became regular once more. Pulling off a bit of Po's pant leg, she pressed it against the bleeding slit, eyes distant as she worked carefully, Mantis hopping over to check the wound for shrapnel. Finding none, he leapt onto Viper's midsection and wrapped himself about her neck, the two sobbing as they held each other, Crane still supporting Po's head while Tai Lung held the cloth against the injury.

"How are we going to get him back up to the Palace without being seen by the Villagers? I don't want to make him go through any more humiliation," Tai Lung asked Master Shifu, who hadn't so much as twitched a whisker since Tai Lung's story.

"I – I don't know. I don't know what to do. I've never heard of anything like this before. I guess we could take the long way around the Village and up the back of the mountain, if we want to worry about appearances. Crane, fly ahead and explain to his father that Po will be staying at the Palace, under quarantine, for the next week or so. Tell him I will explain things to him when we get there, understood?" Shifu mumbled managing to barely keep his composure.

"No! Don't leave me, Crane, he'll come back! He'll come back and get me! Please, don't leave me! Don't leave! Please!" Po begged, grabbing at his avian lover's from.

Crane meekly nodded, hugging the panda's battered form close to him as he nuzzled his face with his beak. Master Shifu sighed and turned to Monkey, who understood the meaning behind his look and bolted off into the thick brush of the forest.

Tai Lung slipped strong arms under Po's trembling body and lifted him up, shushing him as he groaned in pain, backside stinging and burning. Tai Lung gripped the panda close to his chest and followed the others back to the Jade Palace, through the back door only to find Mr. Ping waiting for them, Monkey at his side, face blotchy and eyes puffed up.

Shifu entered first, followed by a blood-splattered Tigress, a silent, professional-looking Viper with a sobbing Mantis on her back, a hollow-looking Crane, and, finally, Tai Lung, carrying someone wrapped in shredded cloth and shaking in fear and torment.

"Where is he?" Tzu breathed, approaching not Master Shifu, but Crane and Tai Lung. "Where is my son? What happened to him that is so horrible his father cannot know?"

Tai Lung glanced over at Crane before the bundle in his arms whimpered, "D-dad?"

"Shh, Po, we need to get you inside so Viper and Mantis can help you," Crane whispered, pulling back a few of the rags to reveal the blood stains on Po's fur, jade eyes dark with fear.

"Son?" Tzu choked, following Tai Lung and Crane into Po's room, where they laid him down on his bed, kneeling by his sides.

"Dad, it hurts, make it stop, please. Make it stop. I don't want to hurt anymore. Please, please, make it stop. Dad, make it stop," Po sobbed as his father wrapped his miniscule wingspan around his son's neck, the two weeping openly as Crane and Tai Lung bowed their heads, praying to the spirits to protect them.

"Mr. Ping, we're going to have to ask you, Tai Lung, and Crane to leave, now. We need to work on Po's injuries. As soon as he's stable, we'll let you know," Viper ushered them out, all three crying as Viper, Mantis, and Master Shifu entered the room, locking the door behind them as they got to work.

Tzu reached the Hall of Heroes with his son's lovers before he turned on them, a frightening amount of rage evident in his small form.

"You two swore you would protect my son! You said he would be safe with you! I trusted you with my only child, and look how you have betrayed me! You just stood there while he was –" he cut himself, not willing to say it out loud, the two warriors, simply standing there, know it was true. "Once my son is healed, I am taking him back to my noodle shop. Before you two came along, he was happy, healthy, and safe! Look at what you have done to him! Did you see him? He is broken! His spirit is shattered! And it is your own fault! Kung Fu masters, eh? Then how is it that you could not save my son! If I ever see either of you so much as glance at him again, I'll have a bounty on your heads faster than you can abandon your honor! And clearly that is an impressive speed!"

The enraged goose stomped off to wait outside his son's door, leaving the feline and bird alone in the sacred hall. Crane looked over to Tai Lung and before he knew what was happening, found himself wrapped up in a crushing bear hug, the normally composed leopard kneeling before Crane, who had joined him on the ground, wrapping his wingspan around the larger male as Tai Lung buried his face in Crane's chest, tears soaking his pearly feathers as he felt Crane's chest heaving sobs in time with his own.

"I wish things could go back to how they were," choked Crane, thinking back to how cruel he had been to Po on several occasions when he had first arrived at the Palace. "Things made sense, then. The bad guys acted like bad guys and we knew we could always beat them. They never had anything to hold over us. Why'd it have to change?"

"I miss Po. I just want to see him smile again. Crane?" Tai Lung hiccupped, looking into the flier's mystifying eyes.

"Yeah?" Crane stared back into Tai Lung's warm eyes.

"If we get another chance with Po, not that he'll ever forgive us, but if we do, promise me something?" he asked, realizing now that he could have taken out Vachir. He was fast enough, but fear had clouded his judgment.

"Anything, love, anything at all," Crane replied, watching the silver snow leopard through tear-filled eyes.

"At least one of us will always be with him, no matter how insignificant the task may seem. I don't want to give him another chance to be hurt. I love him so much. We can't let anyone get him. Even if we're not allowed to be with him, if he doesn't want us, I mean, we've at least got to watch over him. I never want to see him hurt again. Promise me you'll help?" he begged, biting his lower lip.

"Of course, Tai. I think that's a great idea," Crane agreed, hugging his feline lover.

What they didn't realize was that Mr. Ping had heard their entire conversation.

Waddling out into the hallway, a sad smile on his face, he stood before the masters and spoke.

"I heard what you two were saying, not intentionally, I assure you. The point is that if you care that much, then, if he still wants you, you have one more chance. But I hear of one more injury you could have prevented my son, I don't care how minor, I'm letting the bounty hunters have at you, if I don't take you apart myself!" Tzu laughed through tears, trying to be strong for when he saw his son.

"You don't know how much he means to us, Tzu. He's more than a lover; he is the love in our relationship. And should we allow him to be hurt again, I'll personally hand myself over to you," Tai Lung announced and Crane simply nodded in agreement. Mr. Ping smiled, a sob betraying his fear, and the three sat in the Hall, awaiting a time when they could see Po again.

Several hours passed and Master Shifu entered the Hall of Heroes, three sets of eyes instantly upon him.

"Po is stable, for now, but he is very weak. Physically, he should be healed in a month or so, as for his mental state . . ." Shifu left the line open, not wanting to believe what had happened was real.

"Thank you so much, Master Shifu. You and your students saved my son's life. Speaking of which, where are Viper and Mantis? I want to thank them, too," Tzu looked about, searching for the other students.

""I sent them to their rooms, though how much sleep they will get is up for debate, I have to at least try to help," he replied, sounding slightly out of it.

"Can I see him? Please, Master Shifu, I won't wake him, I swear. I just need to see my baby, please," Tzu practically begged, bolting toward the bedrooms the instant he was given an okay.

"I assume you two want to be with him, also? Go," Shifu nodded toward the room, watching his son and student race off after the goose.

And there, alone, in the Hall of Heroes, Master Shifu allowed himself to do something he hadn't done in twenty years. He cried.

Tzu quietly slid the door open to see Po lying on a tatami mat, light blanket pulled up beneath his arms, a cool blue that draped over his sleeping form. The three seated themselves around the defiled panda and watched contently as he breathed in shallow but steady breaths.

Po bolted up from a horrific nightmare, recalling what Vachir had done to him, tears already falling down his face, to see Tigress sitting beside him, Monkey beside her, both watching him with concerned looks.

"Where – where're Tai 'n Crane?" Po gasped out, despite the protest in his chest.

"They're safe, Po. H-how are you feeling? Is there anything we can get you? Are you hungry?" Monkey questioned worriedly.

"Ngh, where is . . ." Po felt the query open, but they knew what he was asking by the fear in his eyes.

"Don't worry, I took care of him, myself. He can't ever hurt you again, Po. Is there anything you'd like? Anything at all, we'll get it, just let us know," Tigress offered, wanting to see Po get better just as much as the her primate companion.

"H-how long ago?" Po asked, wishing Crane and Tai Lung were there. They'd make it better, he knew it, but he didn't want to insult Tigress and Monkey.

"About three days. Would you like some tea, soup, dumplings, more blankets, anything?" Monkey answered, glad that Po wasn't freaking out like they thought he would.

"S-some more blankets would be nice, if it's not too much trouble," Po requested, feeling a chill wrapping around him. Maybe if he buried himself beneath enough of the sheets and comforters he could disappear within them and never have to fear cold blades and deep, sinister, sadistic laughter again.

Monkey practically leapt up from his spot, causing Po to whimper in fear and anticipation of what his next action could be. Freezing in place, Monkey turned to apologize to Po, only to have the panda scoot himself off the matt and across the floor until he was up against two of the walls, one paper and one stone, huddled behind his blanket in the back, left corner of the room.

"Po, it's okay. We're your friends. We wouldn't ever hurt you, we love you too much for that," Tigress cooed, crawling toward the panda slowly.

"W-wha-?" Po seemed to calm slightly as the feline cupped his face, the primate right beside her, placing a hand on his arm.

"Po, we love you," Monkey repeated, placing a light kiss on his shoulder.

Po was panicking. He loved Crane and Tai Lung, but what was he supposed to do? Would they stop? He hoped they would.

Leaping up, ignoring the pain that surged through every inch of his body, Po grabbed his knapsack from the corner and raced out the door. Reaching the Hall of Heroes, Po sat down, panting with effort. His body needed time to heal, and running around wasn't helping.

A tickle on his shoulder alerted him of Mantis's presence and he turned his head to see the insect smiling softly at him.

"Hey, Po, what's wrong?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"You wouldn't believe it, Mantis! I-I woke up and then Monkey and Tigress were trying to kiss me! And I don't know what's wrong with them, but it's something huge!" Po shouted.

Something about Mantis didn't seem right, but Po was hurting too much to really care.

"Wow, sorry to hear about that, Po. Is there anything I can get you? Would you like a drink, maybe something to eat, or, maybe some fun? My room isn't that far from yours, or we could just do it here?" he offered, and Po felt his eyes growing large as he threw the insect off him, racing out of the Palace and up to the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom, begging Grand Master Oogway for answers.

A swirl of petals formed his body and Oogway appeared before Po, smiling in that all-knowing way that seemed to follow him in life.

"You wish to know what is going on with the Palace, why they are all showing such affection towards you," he guessed, and Po nodded, panting in exhaustion.

"Look in your backpack, young one," instructed the elder tortoise.

Po did so and saw the meteor piece glowing brightly, shining its light on him.

"But what does it mean, Master Oogway?" he asked, worry in his voice.

"That, Dragon Warrior, is a love stone. They only fall once every thousand years, and when they do, they pick one person and anyone who gazes upon them falls in love with the chosen one. It is normally a gradual thing, but when you found the stone, it sped up the process at an alarming rate, so much so that all near you will be attracted to you beyond their own control. Po, you must find a way to fix it if you wish things to be right again," the wise teacher explained.

"Wait! If it made people fall for me before, does that mean that, if I fix it, Crane and Tai Lung won't love me, anymore?" Po questioned, fear wrapping about him. What if their whole relationship had been a lie? Po didn't think he could take it if his lovers no longer wanted him, but he knew he couldn't force them to love him.

"Well, it's possible," drawled out the former Grand Master. "But it's also possible that they really do love you."

And with that, Master Oogway was gone, a breeze carrying the petals away in a spiraling wind.

"Was that Master Oogway?"

Po spun around to see Viper approaching him, eyes half-lidded in a lustful smirk. Po shook his head, spotting Master Shifu, Tigress, Mantis, and Monkey all heading up the hillside.

Where were Crane and Tai Lung?

"Quick, Po, this way!" shouted the voice of a snow leopard. Po could have kissed him, but settled for bolting after the feline and flier, several Kung Fu masters chasing them. "You can thank me for this later, Po."

Oh, no. He was going crazy, too! All Po wanted was for things to go back to how they were before. He'd even accept being a fatso again if only it would just stop!

And it did.

Light engulfed the entire scene, pausing it as Po saw the stone that had given him this curse float before him, hearing a silent voice in his mind tell him that he had learned his lesson. He was free to live and to love once again.

And with that, the light disappeared.

"Wha-?" questioned Po, the word falling from his mouth as though it were rehearsed. He was standing in the Hall of Heroes, heading toward the bunkhouse, Crane shifting nervously from foot to foot before him.

"Injuries, Master Po. I asked if you would allow me to check you for injuries. We can go to my room where I have bandages and such, if you would allow me," Crane offered again. Po knew this moment. The spirit, stone, alien thingy had sent him back in time. He had another chance!

Smiling while his inner self threw a private party, Po nodded, thanking Crane as he followed the avian male to his room. Watching him walk by, Po saw the bright blush beneath his feathers and realized that, despite the fact that the spell was gone, Crane still loved him. Master Oogway had been right, and now things were looking pleasantly bright.

"You know, my back feel a little odd," Po mentioned as he sat on the tatami in his room.

Crane took a look and gasped. Po had to keep himself from laughing at the familiarity of it all as he asked, "What? What's wrong?"

"Master Po, please, don't move. You're bleeding, more than is safe. I'm going to get Mantis to help me. Stay here, please," Crane begged, but froze as he felt soft, warm lips upon the side of his svelte beak, planting a kiss on the side of his mouth.

Crane's eyes grew wide as he touched the spot Po's lips had just been and stuttered, "Y-you, I mean, do you?"

Po smiled, positive that this was the right thing to do as he replied, "I love you, Crane."

Crane stilled for nearly a full minute before he wrapped Po up in his wings and nuzzled the side of his face, whispering, "I love you, too."

Two months later, Po said he wanted to go on a little adventure, promising to be back in a month. Crane, though he didn't want to part with his new lover, agreed and the whole of Jade Palace bid the chubby panda fair well.

For an entire month, Po trained harder than ever before, working to lose weight safely, running until he felt his heart would explode. Eventually, he heard the familiar groan and knew the time was coming.

Two mornings later, Po woke earlier than he had the last time to get the cinnamon apples ready before Tai Lung awoke.

Seeing the leopard exit, Po took a bite of one of the sweet treats and stood, toned muscles flexing beneath thick, lush fur. Pressing his mouth to Tai Lung's, he caught the snow leopard as his knees gave out and finally pulled back, smiling at his former enemy as he held up a tray.

"Cinnamon apple?"

With father and son reunited, Po, Crane, and Tai Lung announced their relationship to Po's family, and were disowned for the same reason as last time by all but Mr. Ping, who had valiantly stood up for his son, earning himself a place on the list of disowned.

This was later celebrated at the Jade Palace as 'The End of the Cheek Pinching Terrors Day'.

And, for the moment, things looked good. Not bad, for a bunch of magnificent mistakes.