Check out an awesome homecoming for Musaki and the others!

Chapter 21: Homecoming

Later on, the wolves led them to the boat to set sail and Storming Ox suggested to take the others back to Gongmen City. As soon as they got there, Musaki looks back on them and Xiang said, "Thank you for everything, young warrior. We will never forget what you have done here."

"Thanks." Musaki said, with a smile.

"Arizona is lucky to have you as a friend."

"As am I."

Musaki got on the boat with the others and as they set sail, Musaki looks back and gives them a bow and a wave goodbye and the others cheered, bowed to him and told him a million 'thank you's' and Arizona looks at them and said goodbye to them too.

Xiang sighed happily and said, "We have regained peace...finally."

Hours later, they arrived to Gongmen City and as they step out, Musaki sees it for the first time and he knew that it's where the Five and Po defeated Lord Shen. He chuckled and said, "Okay, this is freakin' radical."

"Yeah. It's changed since the Dragon Warrior defeated Shen." Storming Ox said.

"I gotta say...for a huge panda, he's got the fighting skills." Croc retorted.

"I wish I could've seen that."

Later, Musaki went to this new reconstructed tower and on the front, he sees a symbolic hammer and he recognized that because it was Master Thundering Rhino's hammer. Soon, he read the inscription, 'May kung-fu live on forever.'

"We dedicated this new tower in honor of our master." Croc said.

"I'm sorry to hear about your master's loss. I know he meant a lot to you."

"He has. You know, since he died, we kinda gave up on ourselves because we let Shen take over and looking back, we kinda felt guilty about it because that panda coaxed us to get out, but the helplessness got to us and we know our master wouldn't want us to see us feel sorry for ourselves." Storming Ox retorted.

"You guys eventually defeated him, right?" asked Samurai.

"Well, we were persuaded by Shifu. He gave us some harsh truths, but we had to hear them anyway."

Some of the wolf army came over to them and Wolf Boss came to Musaki and said, "Hey, kid. If it wasn't for that fat panda, I wouldn't be standing here with this bandage on my shoulder. I'm one of them now."

"You're joining the Kung-Fu Concil?" asked Musaki.

"And my pack members."

"How did you manage to join them?"

"Croc here was checking for survivors and I guess he saw me floating on the river, still breathing. A bunch of other doctors healed me up really well and I've been staying here for 3 months now. Since then, I made a turnaround in my life and decided to protect the weak instead of making their lives miserable. My pack are the most important to me and they were willing to turn their lives around as I was."

"Awesome success story."

"We weren't sure if he was sincere, but he was willing to help reconstruct the tower with his pack and after it was completed, they're immediately one of us." Croc stated.

"That's really awesome." Arizona said.

"You and Arizona here...did an awesome job defeating Dai Ling." Storming Ox said.

Musaki chuckled and said, "Thanks."

"I think we'd better get going." Cody said.

"We appreciate your help."

"The pleasure's all ours, kid." Croc said.

"If you ever plan to visit Gongmen City, you know where to find us." Storming Ox said.

"Will do."

"Hey, kid." Wolf Boss said.

"Yeah?"

"Tell that panda me and the pack members said we're sorry and thank you."

"Okay."

They hopped back to the boat and everyone said goodbye to him as it sets sail. Storming Ox looks at the boat and said, "That kid will no doubt be one of us. I can tell that Shifu's proud of him."

Later on, Musaki sees Arizona sitting alone on the edge of the boat and he said, "Mind if I join ya?"

"Sure."

Musaki walks up and sits next to him and asked, "What's on your mind?"

"A lot of things. You came down all the way from the Valley of Peace to save me and you've been on my side, giving me happiness and love."

"I've been where you were. I know what being lonely feels like when no one else cares about you and that they say things about you that are just lies. What matters is who you are and not what anyone else thinks."

Arizona chuckled and said, "It's funny. You told me that you've been through a lot and you seem to just...smile about it and everything."

"After being adopted in the Jade Palace, I feel nothing but joy. You can feel the same way."

"I don't know. I mean...what if...what if they don't like me?"

"They will. Once you find peace, you'll most likely feel like you do belong."

"You seem wise."

"I'm 16, but I'm not too old for philosophy."

Both of them started laughing together and Samurai came from behind and said, "Are we there yet?"

"Almost, I think."

"Hope so."

Musaki turns to Arizona and said, "Once we get to the jade palace, your life will change in a second."

"Yeah, it'll be good."

Minutes later, they see Quiang and Zeng coming in front of the harbor and he puts the rope on the boat to let Musaki and the others out of there. Quiang looks at Musaki and said, "The entire valley is waiting for your arrival."

"The entire Valley of Peace?" asked Musaki.

"Yes. Crane told us that you're coming back and the whole valley heard about what you did and they're excited to see you." Zeng said.

"This must be big." Tsunami said.

Later on, Musaki walks towards the valley and to his surprise, the entire valley cheered as Musaki walks in with the others behind him. He felt surprised and said, "No kidding."

"Is this what it's like here?" asked Ruiz.

"Not really."

"Hey, boys!"

Cody turns around and he sees his dad coming in and he exclaims, "Dad!"

"Uncle Mako!"

Musaki and Zeke came towards him and hugged him tightly along with his cousins and Mako said, "My nephew...the hero! I knew you would do great things."

"I never expected any of this to happen." Musaki added.

"It's a good thing you're safe."

"Thanks. You guys can go on my next mission."

"Next mission? After this mission, we need a rest." Phoenix said.

"Yeah, it's exhausting." Max agreed.

"All right, boys. Let's head home."

"Hey, Max. Come visit me sometime, okay?" asked Musaki.

"I will." Max said.

"Nice meeting ya, Arizona, Ruiz." Cody said.

"Same here." Arizona said.

They went home, leaving Musaki, Zeke, Arizona, Ruiz, Shing and Kazuo to head to the Jade Palace. When they got there, they saw all the steps and Kazuo asked, "We have to go all these steps?"

"Oh yeah." Musaki answered.

They eventually got up there and sooner or later, they entered into the Sacred Hall of Warriors and found Shifu meditating near the Moon Pool. Musaki quietly stepped in behind him and said, "Shifu?"

Hearing his voice, Shifu opened his eyes, turns around and faces him. Musaki chuckled and said, "I'm home."

Without warning, Shifu hops onto him and hugs him tightly. He looks at him and said, "I knew you'd come home in one piece."

"I brought in...Arizona."

Shifu breaks off the hug and sees Arizona for the first time and he said, "Welcome to your new home, Arizona."

"Thank you...Shifu." Arizona said.

"And these are his friends-Ruiz, Kazuo and Shing."

"Nice to meet you." Ruiz said.

"Nice to meet you as well."

"Where's everyone else?" asked Musaki.

"Training Hall. I'll talk with the others while you go find them."

"Okay."

"Musaki? Good to have you back, my son."

Hearing that made Musaki's heart warm up and said, "Good to be back...father."

Musaki and Zeke walked off the Sacred Hall of Warriors and Zeke let Musaki know that he's gonna unpack their things leaving Musaki to walk towards the Training Hall to find the others. While on the way, he sees Po standing in front of him, looking surprised and relieved.

A few awkward silences came in and Musaki only said, "Hey, Po. I'm...I'm back home."

Soon enough, Po immediately gave him a huge hug with tears coming down on his face and said, "Lil' Saki...I'm so happy you're home."

"Me too. Like I said, I'll be back."

"I've been so scared for you while you were gone. I...I thought you wouldn't come back."

"Dude, I'm here now."

"I know. it's just that...you're my little brother. Rescue missions are really dangerous and most kung-fu masters don't make it back home alive. As young as you are, I didn't want you to go because I would be devastated if someone told me you're dead. I wouldn't live with that. You mean a lot to me and I just don't want that to go away."

Musaki never knew Po cared this much about him and Musaki hugged him as well and whispered, "You mean a lot to me too. I love you, big bro."

"I love you too, little bro...and I'm very proud of you."

Later, the Five were excited to see Musaki as they caught him hugging Po and Monkey came to hug him first along with Crane, Mantis and Viper.

"You're back!" Monkey exclaimed.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" Viper added.

"I thought we'd never see you again!" Mantis said.

"Did you get him?"

"Yep. He's with Shifu."

"Awesome. Let's go meet him." Po said.

They immediately went in to find Shifu, but not before Viper said, "Welcome back, Musaki."

And then kissed him on the cheek. Musaki chuckled softly as he felt his cheek was being kissed by Viper and he said, "I don't think I'll ever wash this again."

He made his way to the bunkhouse until Tigress came towards him. Musaki sighed heavily, thinking that she might criticize him for his first solo mission. He rolled his eyes and said, "Look, I did my mission, okay? I know that they're not easy and I see that now. What's important here is that I brought him home and that's all that matters to me. I don't care what kind of negative critic you say to me, but I guess the hardcore will always know that everything I do is not good enough. That's what you're gonna say, right? That I failed miserably. Just like I always do, but I did well. I accomplished it. No matter what you say, I accomplished it."

Tigress stayed silent and to his surprise, she quickly comes up and hugs him again. She then held onto him and gently told him, "It's not what I was gonna say. I was gonna say that...I'm really amazed that you actually succeeded. This may not be easy for me to say, but...I was wrong about you. You do have a lot of potential and it shows."

Musaki felt surprised and confused that Tigress would compliment him on his efforts. He asked, "Who are you and what have you done with the real Tigress?"

She smiled at him and punched him in the face and kicked him in the stomach. Musaki grunts in pain and said, with a strained voice, "Yeah, there it is."

"Congratulations, Musaki. You have done well."

"Thanks, Tigress."

She walks off to find Shifu and Musaki chuckled softly, thinking that he finally felt like Tigress would be cool towards him.

"Ouch! That hurts."

Didn't expect that, did ya? Next chapter, more of the gang in a minute!