ANd here we go!
Chapter 21: Surprise of a Lifetime
As soon as they made it onto the Jade Palace, Musaki opened up the doors to see what was going on, but suddenly...
"SURPRISE!" everyone exclaimed, as all of Musaki's friends and family pop out.
Musaki's jaw dropped down as he sees everyone he knows so well all appear in the Jade Palace for hi s birthday and he walks by and with a smile, he asked, "What's all this?!"
"It's your 18th birthday!" Po exclaimed.
He was definitely surprised to see all of this and he was the most happiest to know that this is a kick-start to being 18 and Summer comes to him and asked, "How'd you like your surprise?"
Musaki widened his eyes as he noticed that Summer was actually behind the whole thing and he asked, "How'd you know?"
"A few weeks ago, Shifu came to me and asked if he would want me to help out with your birthday and I told him that I can take you out while they put the finished touches in it." Summer replied.
The fact that Summer helped out a little made Musaki's day more special than ever and he kissed her in the cheek and said, "Thanks, Summer."
"Saki's got a mate, I see."
Musaki turns around and he sees his friends and relatives from Shanghai Secluded Valley come in and that brought him in a great state of amazement and joy and he said, "You guys...how long have you been here?"
Liu Shang comes over to him and gives Musaki a hug and replied, "Last night. We wanted to surprise you."
Musaki sees the rest of his friends and he couldn't believe that he'd come by and be there to celebrate his 18th birthday and said, "I am definitely surprised. I'm so glad you guys would get the chance to come."
Soon enough, Zeke comes in and both panda brothers came in and hugged each other and high-fived each other and Zeke said, "I am so glad to see you, man!"
"Same as you!" Musaki exclaimed.
The rest of Musaki's friends from the Valley of Peace came by to wish him oodles of happy birthdays, alongside Mako, Reiko and the rest of his cousins and to his surprise, his grandfather comes in and that definitely surprised Musaki even more to see him come in and he said, "Grandpa? You came."
Oak Sung came over and hugged him tightly and that really made Musaki so happy that he could be there and he said, "I would not miss both of my grandson's birthday for anything."
"Well, I'm really glad you could come." Musaki said, happily.
"Where's the cake? I've been drooling for cake for a long time?!" Po exclaimed, getting all excited.
Shifu sighs heavily and he said to Po, "Keep patience, panda. It's gonna be enough for all of us."
As the day goes by, everyone starts playing some birthday games and have some crazy fun with each other and even both Musaki's friends from the Valley of Peace and Shanghai Secluded Valley came together to pull off this amazing dance routine to celebrate Musaki and Zeke's 18th birthday celebration and both pandas were completely amazed by what they did as they high fived each other.
Soon after, it was time for cake as everyong sings happy birthday to both Musaki and Zeke and when they see this kiwi/strawberry cake, both pandas were really stoked about eating it and they blew out the candles and they shared the first pieces together and passed it all down to everyone else. Zeke witnessed Po gobbling up that one piece of cake and licks the plate as well.
"Haven't changed much?" asked Zeke.
"And then some." Musaki replied.
Then, it came time for some major presents to give out and both of them receieved different kinds of comics, clothes, super-cool necklaces, bandanas and swords and to Musaki's surprise...he received a golden samurai sword and he said, "Who's present is this?"
Arizona raised his paw and replied, "My gift to you."
Musaki chuckled amazingly as he held the golden sword in his paws and Zeke couldn't help but keep his eyes on it and he said, "Must've cost a fortune."
"It's actually a bargain." Arizona replied.
"Well, bargain or not...it's still freaking awesome! Thanks, Zona!" Musaki replied.
Arizona smiled at Musaki and just nods his head in response and Shifu asked, "Is there anything you'd like to say, Musaki?"
Musaki was in a mixed bag of emotions to describe this moment; most range from happy, joy, amazed, surprise and huge love in front of everyone that it's hard to place into words, but Musaki summoned enough courage to say to everyone, "Just the fact that I'm able to celebrate this point in my life where me and Zeke can say goodbye to childhood and hello to a new world that's right in front of us. Who knows what will await for us in the future? That's why I'm happy to still be standing here with all of you guys and be with the people I truly love the most and I will cherish this memory forever."
"I feel the same way too. We've been apart for so long that it feels like it's eternity and I hope we can get a chance to really spend a lot of time together." Zeke replied.
Musaki nods his head in agreement and he said to Zeke, "How about the next three years? I would love more than anything to go back to my old hometown...but I'm needed here. Just for a little while."
Zeke completely understood what it meant and he knew in his heart that he would be glad to see Musaki again when he moves back to the home village and he said, "You got it good here, Saki. When I said that my wish would be for you to move back on our birthday, it was just a wish thing. I would never do anything to let you leave behind your awesome friends...and your Jade Palace family."
Most of the masters were speechless at this and the Hazards were very emotional over this and agreed with the same thing. Musaki then said, "I'll be moving with Uncle Mako until it's time."
Mako comes to Musaki and he said, "You have definitely made the transition from a cub to a man."
"And you have aged very well. Your parents would be very proud of you." Oak Sung agreed.
"As are we." Shifu added.
Musaki looks around everyone and he's definitely appreciative of everything he has here and he said, "I'm the luckiest panda in the world."
"Hey!" Po exclaimed.
Musaki chuckled softly and said, "Although...I am the second luckiest."
He's the lucky guy, ain't he? One more chapter left!