Chapter 10~ Po's Wish
Everyone went outside in the back of the Jade Palace. All dressed in white robes for a funeral.
There was a small hole dug beneath a tree. Everyone looked down sadly. They each got their chance to say a few words and lay their flowers on the grave. Tigress got to go first along with the other furious five. The whole Zodiac and then Po.
Shifu came down the hill on his bamboo crutches. He looked angry.
Shifu: Why didn't any of you wait for me? When there's an old man in crutches needing to go down a very steep hill, you're supposed to help him.
They all bowed in unison.
All: A thousand apologizes, Master.
Shifu: Now, I missed the ceremony.
Shifu hopped over to the grave and ran his paw over the soil.
Shifu: Tai Lung can now rest in peace.
Po: I'm still kind of confused. Why did we bury the fortune cookie when we don't feel sorry for the other warriors in there.
Shifu: That doesn't matter, Panda. As long as Tai Lung is in there, that's all that matters. Please- a moment of silence.
There was a long peaceful moment, when Pig broke the silence. He collapsed onto the soil.
Pig: No! Why!? Why!? WHY!!!!??
Horse: Pig, honey, don't cry. He's now in peace.
Pig: No. It's not that. It's just that when the spirits got sucked into the cookie, so did my rice cakes!
Everyone had a good laugh at this.
The next day was the last day of the Chinese New Year. Word had got out about the incident that had happened. Everyone was overjoyed knowing that the sun was brought out because of Po and the others.
When night came, it was time for the lantern festival. The Zodiac got to parade around the valley. Tigress helped Shifu get to the parade with Po and the rest of the Furious Five following. Before the parade started, Rat made an announcement.
Rat: Everyone, I want to announce that we, the Zodiac, wouldn't be able to be here if it wasn't for Po, the Furious Five, and Master Shifu. Po was the one that came up with the great plan to rid of the awful spirits. I know, it very surprising that I didn't come up with the idea and… Anyway, I want to make Po one of the Zodiac. There is now, a year of the Panda. And it's starting this year!
Everyone cheered. Po was astonished. The Furious Five all congratulated Po and patted him on the back. Rat motioned Po over.
Mantis: Go ahead!
Monkey: Go, go!
Po ran up. Rat took off his silky, red vest and handed it to Po.
Po: Isn't it a bit small?
Po put his finger through the armhole and it grew to a perfect fit.
Po got to paint the dragon's eyes open. (Not Dragon of the Zodiac.)
They watched the little children parade around under the fake dragon. There was music, dancing, and happiness. Pig got to eat his moon cakes. Po went back to the Furious Five.
Po: Well, my wish came true.
Shifu: You wished to become one of the Zodiac?
Po: Yep. What about you guys?
Tigress: I wished that you would stop messing things up. It came true.
Monkey: I wished that we wouldn't be visited by any bad spirits.
Crane: I wished that Po wouldn't mess up anything. Sorry, Po.
Mantis: I wished for good luck.
Viper: I wished that everyone would have a good new year.
Shifu: I wished to be able to see Oogway again.
Po: Well, they all came true. Except for you, Monkey, but they're all gone now.
Suddenly, Po saw his dad come towards him.
Mr. Ping: Po!
Po: Dad!
Mr. Ping: Oh, Po. I'm so happy for you! So proud!
Po: Thanks, Dad.
Mr. Ping: And to celebrate both the New Year and that Po became part of the Zodiac, I want to make everyone noodles.
Viper: That sounds just right.
Rat came over to the group with Ox.
Rat: So, Po, won't you be joining us?
Po: What?
Ox: You're part of the Zodiac now. It's your year. You have to come with us.
Po: But-
Mr. Ping: Po, you can go.
Po looked at Shifu who just bowed his head.
Po: I can't. I need to stay here.
Ox: You know, Rat. Maybe we can bend the rules just a little. You can still be part of the Zodiac, but you can't have it be your year.
Po: That's sound perfect. Here, Rat.
Po took the vest off and handed it to Rat.
Po: It's your year again.
Rat: Po, I couldn't.
Po: Take it. You know you want it.
Rat took the vest. His eyes sparkled.
Rat: Thank you.
Rat and Ox went off and joined the others. Po turned back to his dad and the kung fu masters.
Po: So, who's up for some noodles?
Epilogue
If you are born in the year of the panda, you're brave, strong, full of humor, quick-witted, and are truly awesome.