The Weight of the Panda

"So, let me get this straight," I said, narrowing my eyes at the floating teddy bear-sized panda in front of me. "You're saying I don't control my powers. They control me?"

Pogo sat cross-legged on my bed, chewing lazily on his bamboo stick like he hadn't just turned my world upside down. "Exactly! You're catching on quickly. I'm impressed."

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," I said, throwing my hands up in frustration.

"Dumb or not, it's the truth," he replied, unfazed. "The panda doesn't just grant you power, it is power. A force of nature. A balance between peace and rage. And I'm the guide to help you navigate it."

I stared at him, my mind spinning. "So, you're telling me that I have this unstoppable power… but I don't have full control over it?"

"Bingo!" Pogo said with a grin, pointing his bamboo stick at me. "The panda decides when and how to act, especially when it senses a threat. That's why you kicked that bull into next week without even knowing it."

"Great," I muttered, pacing the room. "So, basically, I'm a ticking time bomb?"

"Not exactly," Pogo said, tilting his head. "You're more like a volcano. Dormant most of the time, but when you erupt? Let's just say people will notice."

I stopped pacing and glared at him. "And what happens if I lose control?"

"Well," Pogo said, leaning back like he was about to deliver bad news. "If you let the rage consume you, you could destroy everything around you. Buildings, towns, people. The panda's power isn't just about strength—it's about balance. If you can't find that balance…" He trailed off, letting the silence fill in the blanks.

I sank onto the bed, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "So, what you're saying is, I'm not just the panda—I'm responsible for not destroying everything in sight?"

"Now you're getting it," Pogo said cheerfully, clapping his little paws together. "And don't forget, people are going to expect you to protect them. The panda is a symbol of peace, after all."

"Peace?!" I shouted, jumping to my feet. "I almost killed Nelly out there! How is that peace?"

"Hey, don't blame me," Pogo said, shrugging. "You're the one who let your anger get the better of you. That's why balance is so important. If you can't learn to manage your emotions, the panda's power will manage them for you—and trust me, it's not picky about collateral damage."

My head was spinning. It hadn't really hit me before—what it meant to be the panda. I wasn't just a cripple who got lucky in a fight. I was the panda. The guardian everyone whispered about. The legend. And now, the responsibility was mine.

"What happens if I fail?" I asked quietly.

Pogo's playful demeanor faded, and for the first time, he looked serious. "If you fail, the balance of the world tips. Darkness wins. And trust me, that's not a road you want to go down."

The weight of his words crushed me like a boulder.

"You okay?" Pogo asked after a moment.

"No," I said, glaring at him. "I'm not okay. I didn't ask for this. I didn't want this. Why me?"

"Why not you?" he replied with a smirk. "You think anyone else would've done better? The panda chooses for a reason, kid. Maybe it's time you figured out what yours is."

Before I could argue, I heard a knock on my door.

I opened the door to find Mom beaming at me. "Honey, come downstairs," she said. "I know you didn't want to celebrate, but this is something memorable."

"Mom, I—"

"No buts! Just come," she said, pulling me out of the room.

When I reached the living room, I froze. The house was packed. Streamers and balloons filled every corner, and a giant banner reading "CONGRATULATIONS, NANTORI!" hung above the fireplace. A table groaned under the weight of food, and familiar faces filled the space.

Jenny and Jake waved from across the room. Jenny looked thrilled, and Jake had his usual lopsided grin. The mayor of our town, a tall man with graying hair and a commanding presence, stood near the center of the room.

"What is all this?" I asked, overwhelmed.

"A party!" Mom said, clapping her hands. "You became the panda, honey! That's something to celebrate."

I wanted to be mad, but the warmth of everyone's smiles made it impossible. Even Phoebe was here, standing awkwardly in a corner and avoiding eye contact.

The mayor approached me, her expression serious but kind. "Nantori," she said, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "I need to speak with you. Privately."

The room went silent as everyone turned to look at us. I swallowed hard, the weight of my new reality crashing down all over again.

"Uh, sure," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.