A/N: Alright guys, we're nearing the end. And after a year of working on this story, it's finally coming to a close. Please note, this isn't the last chapter, I still have an epilogue in the works. But I would love to thank everyone who has reviewed/favorite this story! This was the first real story I ever started, and I'm sorry for all the hiatuses, but it's always worth the wait in the end! Thank you all, and enjoy!

"Are you serious?" Lord Shen scoffed.

"Yes, I am, you have definitely proven yourself over these past few days, and I'm sure you can redeem yourself even more. That is why you'll continue to live," Oogway said to him.

Shen's mind raced over all the events that had taken place. How could've a mere seven days change him as much as it did, even though Shen himself didn't think he changed at all, but of course he had softened at heart. Shen looked over to Oogway, whose face was always brimming with that smile. "So, that's that. I've finally changed, hm? Given up my ways of wanting to rule China? Even after all I've done, you still want me to live."

Oogway nodded his head, "It's not the fact that I want you to live, it's the fact that you need to live. Believe it or not, but the city needs you. I've been foreseeing events going to happen in Gongmen City for some time now, and in those times the citizens will need someone to look to, someone that will guide them through those times, and make them see that everything will get better in time."

Shen laughed heartily, "Are you serious? In case you don't know, everyone and their children despise me, they may have had some high respect for my parents, but I know if I show my face to them, after they believed me to be dead, they will most likely have me executed on the spot," Shen looked down, the light green grass waved across his talons. It was true what he spoke, if they would not execute him, they would run him out of town, or better, get that panda back to finish what he started. Whatever they would do, the one thing they would not do is suddenly idealize him as if he was a god.

Oogway turned away from Shen, and closed his eyes to feel the soft breeze. He breathed in deeply, and slowly exhaled, "It is certain that they will not give you their loyalty, and trust at first, but in time they will. In fact, a few of them have even seen the battle between you and Lang, and even them cannot believe it."

That surprised Shen, had a few of them actually saw what took place? "How? It was nearly the middle of the night." Shen's heart started to quicken a bit, if only a few saw what happened, then it would only be a matter of time before word got around. Maybe it would just be better if he stayed dead.

"You best not fear, it is true that a few of the citizens witnessed your fight, but it was not the fact that you were alive that surprised them, though I must admit they were definitely surprised, but it was rather your actions this time around that stunned them."

My actions? Shen thought. He did just redirect a fireball to defeat Lang, even though his intentions were probably way different than from what they were probably thinking. He heard Oogway's voice speak up from beside him, "Your actions were just the beginning for them. You've just proved to them that you have changed. They will spread the word. Some will not believe it at first, but in time they will come to."

Shen sighed, he could feel a small smile form on his beak, "You were right, even though I feel that I have not changed, I have. It's all thanks to Meili, I guess she did help me." Shen's mind was than brought to Meili. She was so sad when he saw her last, there was no doubt that she was afraid that he was going to die. She did care about Shen, in the short time that he'd gotten to know her, somewhere along the road, they did begin to trust each other.

"If I am alive, then where am I now? I know my spirit is here, but what about my body?" Shen questioned.

"After you fainted, those few citizens came, and helped Meili pull you from the rubble. What was left of the wolf pack ran off, they probably might not come back. As for your body, it is currently being healed. The Soothsayer, and Meili are awaiting your return." Oogway raised up his staff, "When you are ready, I will send you back."

Shen looked towards the sky. Not only was Meili awaiting him, but the Soothsayer as well. He was finding all of this hard to believe. Not just one week ago he was the most hated being in all of China, and now, now he's really getting a chance to begin again, and rule the way he was suppose to. All of it was real surprising, even though he had to admit his desire to rule China was still there, but it wasn't there, it wasn't a goal anymore, it was turning into a faded memory. Meili had changed him, she made his heart soft, not like he was hating it or anything, it was just that he hadn't noticed any changing taking place within him.

Shen looked down at the grass once more, maybe this is what truly needs to happen. He remember one time his mother spoke to him about fate. They say that fate works in mysterious ways, you never know what the future holds until it happens. But in the end, your fate will always work out for the better. His mother was right, in the end, things do work out for the better.

Shen looked back to Oogway, and nodded his head. Oogway raised up his staff, and extended it to gently tap Shen's head. At the moment it did, everything went black

Shen's eyes opened slowly, his head was pounding, and his vision was fuzzy at first. This whole feeling seemed oddly familiar to him, than he remembered this is how he first felt when he awoke by the river. Shen sat up, and let his eyes get used to the lighting, it didn't take him long to realize that he was inside one of the small temples that were in back of where the Tower of the Sacred Flame once stood. He recognized the dragon painting along the wall. He put his wings to his head, feeling the ringing leave his ears.

"Glad to see you're finally awake, Shen," a voice peeped from beside him. He turned his head slightly to see the Soothsayer handing him a wet cloth, which Shen gradually took. He dabbed the cloth across his head, and felt much more better, and at ease.

"What happened," Shen spoke, of course Shen know knew exactly what happened to him, but not much of what took place after.

"Meili, and two others, brought you back from the factory. They told me what took place there, and about what you did," she paused for a moment as she saw Shen's head turn away from her, as if he didn't want to hear what she would say next, but the Soothsayer continued on anyway, "Shen, I am so proud of you."

Shen swiftly turned his head back to her, "You're what?" He breathed out. She was proud of him? Those were words he thought no one would ever say to him, not even his parents ever did once tell him they were proud. A strange feeling came over him when she said that, it almost felt like he was going to cry.

"I'm proud of you Shen. For the first time in your life, you're starting to find peace within yourself. Also, not to mention, you saved Meili, and stopped what could've been another takeover of the city," the Soothsayer stopped as soon as she saw Shen get up, and walk towards the door.

"Where is Meili?" He asked, not turning his face to the Soothsayer.

The Soothsayer chuckled warmly, "She is outside, up on the roof actually, she has been waiting for you to awake."

Shen hid a soft smile as he continued out the door. It was still dark out, but hints of soft orange light was beginning to color the sky. He looked over to the side of the house where a ladder had been placed, he walked over and climbed up it. As expected, he saw the white vixen staring off into the eastern sky. The sky was a brighter pinkish color off in the horizon, it almost reminded Shen of how the sky looked the day that he and Meili set off for the city. Shen walked up beside Meili, the two stood in silence before Shen spoke up.

"Meili, I-," Shen started off before he stopped himself. Shen wanted to say what he felt, but he was having a hard time trying to put it into words. He silently thought over it for a moment before he opened his beak to speak, but before even uttering a single word, Meili spoke.

"There's no need for words Shen, I know you're thankful, and I am too. Ever since the accident, I've been afraid of myself. I've been afraid that I would go off into a psychotic rage, and do things that I would regret, and hurt others," she shook her head getting rid of the memory, "But thanks to you, I'm not afraid anymore. I knew at first isolating myself wasn't the best idea, but now I'm glad I did it, because it brought me to you. Because of you, I feel more, at peace with myself."

Shen felt a twinge in his heart, and remember what Oogway first said, "How you both will help each other, and find peace." He was right. He and Meili both felt more at peace with themselves after the events that had taken place. His mother was right, in the end, everything works out for the better. He smiled as he spoke up again, "But I would still like to thank you properly Meili, after all you've done for me. I'm glad to have met you, and I'm even more glad to call you my friend. Thank you, Meili, for everything."

Shen didn't even know what to expect after what he said, but Meili wrapping her arms around him was least expected. Shen was surprised by this, he hadn't felt one's embrace in so long, but he slowly returned it. They continued embracing until Meili pulled back, "I know it may be hard for you to believe, but I wasn't the only one who save you."

Shen nodded, "I know, two others helped you, citizens of the city no doubt."

Meili looked to Shen surprised, how did he know? She shook away the thought, and continued, "Uh, yes. Anyway, I told them about what you did, and they're probably spreading the word already. It'll be known you're alive in Gongmen City by time the sun is high."

Shen looked out to the rising sun. Soon everyone will know he's alive. How would they react? Would they even believe it? He was a bit frightened of how they will react once they hear the news, but he thought back to what Oogway said, how soon they will need him, even though they may not want to at first.

"I'll be going out into the city later, I'm going to tell them, and confirm it that you are indeed alive," Meili spoke up to him.

Shen closed his eyes, and sighed deeply, "What if no one believes you? What if they think you're crazy?"

"They won't, because you're coming with me," she said with confidence.

Shen gasped quietly, and turned his head to Meili, "What?" Before he could respond, Meili interrupted.

"I know what you're thinking, but please, it's the only way. Look, I promise that if they try anything I will protect you."

Shen looked away from Meili, "Listen Meili, I'm not ready to be seen out there yet, just one week ago these people believed me to be dead, and now they're being told I'm alive. There's already two who know, and are already telling everyone else. There's no doubt they'll tell about you. You will be the one who'll confirm it, but I won't be coming with you."

Meili was about to argue, but she stopped herself. Shen was right, as much as she wanted Shen to show himself to be alive, he can't. If anything, it will take some time, and a whole lot of convincing, before Shen can show himself again. But Meili was confident, all it will take is convincing, and proof, thankfully she had the factory to take care of that.

For now, at least, Meili shook away those thoughts from her head, there was a beautiful new sunrise in front of them. They both glanced over at each other and smiled, it was a new beginning for both of them, and after everything that has taken place, one thing was for certain, they were thankful for meeting each other.

A/N: And that ends it, well not officially. There's still one more chapter to get up. Thank you too all who read/review! It truly means a lot!