Hello, my friends, I am back! And I'm not gonna waste time, let's jump into the chapter right now and I hope all of you enjoy it!


Chapter 17: Relief at Last

He only came by to check up on her, but the moment he entered the front door, Ah-ma had asked him to by some items she needed. He groaned, not wanting to do anything for today but goes back to the city. Lang has been giving multiple tasks since the Kung Fu Council took charge again. Whether it was helping the citizens or to clean up the ruins of the tower. He was still the leader of the pack but he was kept watched by guards, as they made sure he was doing what he was told. Eventually, Master Ox and Croc gain some trust with the wolf and allow him to have a day off. About an hour later Lang came back with bags full of herbs and powders.

"Oh, thank you, darling," said Ah-ma.

The old goat took the bags and set up her ingredients around her bowl. While she was mixing her bowl, Lang couldn't help but look over her shoulder to see what she was doing. He knows she had a vision but asked with some curiosity.

"So seen anything new?"

"I have," she said, "It happened the other night."

The wolf folded his arms and cleared his throat, "Anything good?"

"It wasn't very clear," she replied, "I'm trying to see if Shen is all right."

The wolf's ears flatten upon hearing the peacock's name, his eyes glared at the ground and his tail flicked a little aggressive.

"I'm sure he's fine…" Lang grumbled under his breath.

Ah-ma noticed Lang's tone changed. She glanced at the corner of her eye, seeing the wolf's back. She placed the jar back on the rug and grabbed her cane, very slowly making her way to him. She looked up to see Lang's face, he knew she was there but didn't turn around. She patted his back with sympathy.

"Lang, it's not healthy to keep your emotions bottled up."

His expression softens. Lang let his tail rested on the wooden floor, letting himself cool down. It was hard for him, thinking about his only friend only brought him back to the night where he was stabbed. He rubbed the scaring; the pink skin was still healing.

"You know, I sometimes wondered if I was a better friend to Shen, maybe none of this would have happened."

"Lang," Ah-ma spoke, "None of this is your fault…"

"But I still should have said something" the wolf finally turned to face her, "That night in this village, I knew something didn't felt right. But I followed his orders, like any other dog."

Lang sighed, letting his ears fell once more.

"I knew he was gone when he ordered me to fire the ship, where all of my brothers were on."

Ah-ma gently took his paw with her hoof and slowly guided him to her rug to sit. He let her guide him, sitting next to her and watched her prepare her bowl. The soothsayer looked up to him and smiled, the kind of smile Lang had not seen on her face in a long time.

"No one is really gone forever," she said, "They can be lost but with a helping hand, then old bonds can be fixed."

Lang doubt it, he has been doubting many things but he couldn't hide his smile. "Heh, you still carry wisdom in that old mind of yours?"

Ah-ma lightly chuckled and playfully punched his arm. Lang actually flinched and rubbed his arm, he was not expecting the punch to be that strong.

"I may be old but I still have some energy left in me," Ah-ma stated with confidence. She added powder and a few crushed herbs in the bowl before mixing it. Finishing up, she picks up the bowl and stares into it. She took a measured and steady breath, ready to foresee the future as she closed her eyes.

"You alright?" Lang couldn't help to ask with hinted worry.

The soothsayer opened her eyes, noticing her hooves were shaking a little, her nerves were getting the better of her. She sighed and lowered the bowl.

"I just want the best for Shen," she clarified, "I hoping to see at least something good in his future."

Lang only grunted in response, he placed his paw on her back reassuring her that he was here for her.

"I'm sure it will be okay."

Ah-ma exhaled a shaking breath she didn't know she was holding in. She looked in the bowl again, staring intensely. She then closed her eyes once more, letting her mind flow.

For while she was in the dark, but ever so slightly a light began to show in front of her. As the light grew brighter, the soothsayer felt the warmness of the light and its colors. It was very relaxing but it didn't last. She was then given many and many images. Her mind her racing but she stayed calm and looked through them one at a time.

The images that played in her mind were oddly peculiar. There weren't about Shen as she hoped to see, but different people that she has never met. The first image showed a crow in a village holding some sort of weapon. She wasn't sure what it was, but it was menacing looking. She could sense darkness within the bird.

"Farewell, you fools!" The bird had said before using the weapon to fire at someone, creating a flash of light.

In an instant, Ah-ma found herself in a different area. She was standing in a mellow of green grass. She was also surrounded by tall mountains covered in snow. It was a very beautiful sight Ah-ma had ever seen. When she turned to what was in front of her, she saw another person she didn't know. He was big, hunched over and covered with a green clock. She noticed the fur was black and white. At first, she thought it was Po's future she was looking into but when the creature swift around, she heard herself gasped. This was not Po she was looking at, but a completely different panda.

This panda was older, his face was full of disbelief. His expression soon changes to overwhelming glee, as if he came to some realization. The older panda spoke softly to himself but Ah-ma picked up what he was mouthing.

"My son is alive…."

The soothsayer felt her heart dropped when she heard this. This was not dreamed at all, what she was seeing was real. She watched the panda stood up and walked down the hill. What she saw down that hill, made her overwhelmed with emotions. She felt so much joy that she almost started to cry.

She was about to open her eyes but she soon realized the vison was not over. In another flash of light, she was in a different place. The place she found herself in was very surreal as if she was in a different world. Rocks and ruble of mountains floated around her, there was nothing else but endless skies of greens and yellows. Ah-ma spotted another person standing on the floating ruins and already she could tell this creature was not friendly. The creature was a yak, he was built, with long horns and ragged hair. He stared down at a piece of jewelry in his hands. The jewel glowed green which made the yak grin a sinister smile. He laughed and looked up, his eyes were glowing green as well, it made Ah-ma feel very uneased.

"Soon, all their chi will be mine!" the yak bellowed and laughed even more.

Ah-ma had seen enough, whatever this creature was it was nothing good and she did not want to see any more of it. She wanted to open her eyes so badly but it seems the visions kept going, not wanting to let her go. She was about to give a struggle but as soon she blinked her eyes two new figures stand before her. The two figures were the ones she wanted to see, standing in front of her were Po and Shen.

The two looked different, almost like they have slightly aged. It made the soothsayer wondered if this new vision is taking place somewhere in the far future. The panda and the peacock had warm auras around them. Po's aura was pure white, while Shen's aura was completely dark. But when both turned to look at one another, they smiled and their aura moved around them, becoming one and soon became a bright golden color. Po and Shen then turned to what was behind them, their backs facing the old goat. Something appeared that made them switch to a fighting stance. Ah-ma could not see what Po and Shen were looking at. She can't see what kind of animal they were facing, but it was a female and she can tell by the sound of its laughter. A sudden aura of royal purple surrounded the three of them and the evil laughter became louder. The last thing Ah-ma heard was the voice of the female.

"You can't save me!"

Finally, Ah-ma felt her eyes opened and she gasped. She felt her heart racing like she ran a marathon. She stood up dropping the bowl on the rug, spilling the herbs and powder all over. Ah-ma stood up so fast that it made her light-headed causing her to fall back.

Lang saw this and caught her just in time. He knew whatever the soothsayer had seen, drained her fragile body.

"Ah-ma! Hey are you okay?" he said worriedly as he lays her down on the rug, "Ah-ma say something!"

After calming down and feeling her heart rate slowed, Ah-ma looked up to the wolf with an exhausting expression.

"Lang?" she whispered.

"What happened, what did you see?" asked Lang.

Ever so slow and gentle she sat up but the wolf still kept his paws behind her back. She rubbed her goat bread as she remembers every vision she had seen.

"I saw many things. I never expect to see so many of them."

"Did you see Shen?"

"I did, he was with Po but the visions weren't about them, I only saw people who will pose as a threat in the future."

Land didn't like the sound of that.

"A threat is coming? When?"

"I don't know but…" the soothsayer paused, remembering the only vision that was peaceful. As it came back to her, seeing the mellows, the mountain and the panda who claimed to be Po's father she gasped again.

"Lang, we have to go! we need to see Po, I have to tell him the vision" she exclaimed excitedly.

Lang was surprised by the sudden change of mood. "Wait, you mean right now?"

"Yes now," Ah-ma got off the rug and grabbed her cane as she toddled to the door.

"Whoa hold on," Lang stopped her, "What's so important that you have to tell the panda?"

"There was one vision that was positive and he needs to know," Ah-ma said, "But I need your help to take me to the Valley of Peace."

Uh, in case you forgot, I can't go anywhere. I'm under watch by the council remember?" Lang reminded her.

"Oh, don't worry dear I'll talk to them," Ah-ma smiled.

With that, the soothsayer walked out of her home and was already outside. Lang had to keep up with her, he saw that she was not kidding when she said she still has some energy left.


Shen woke up by the sound of water. When he opened his eyes, he saw that he was laying down on a rough surface. He sat up to see he was in a cave. The sound of water was coming from outside, it was raining.

He looked down, finding his feathers and his robe had been wet for a while. He doesn't remember being in a cave. His crest twitched after hearing a noise beside him. He saw Po, who was also wet, sitting on the ground while pouring cooked noodles into the bowl. The panda turned to see Shen and smiled.

"Hey," he simply said.

Surprisingly, and despite his tiredness, Shen smiled back.

"Hey…" he replied.

Po poured more noodles in another bowl and made his way to the peacock. He handed the bowl to him. Shen said thanks as he took it gratefully and ate, it was the best noodles he had.

"How are you feeling?" Po asked after finishing his food.

Shen took a moment to think, it came back to him that he had a breakdown and Po had comforted him. He stared down in his half-empty bowl and sighed.

"I, I'm not sure" he finally said, "I feel…strange."

Shen did feel very different inside as if a heavyweight was removed from his heart. He felt lighter and more relaxed. He began to wonder if this what it likes to be at ease, to not have any worries.

"What happened?" the peacock asked with his brows lowering.

Po frowned, "Well after you cried you kind of pass out, I had to carry you to cave."

Shen didn't say anything for a moment as he thought back to his breakdown. He couldn't remember the last time he cried like that as a kid or if he ever cried like that at all. He was shockingly not ashamed about it either. He was just tired of holding everything back for so many years and it felt good to admit now. The comforting hug Po gave him felt warm and welcoming, no one hug him like that except for the soothsayer. But now he wasn't so sure what he should do after this. He guessed now would be a good time to something he never had done before.

"Po?"

"Hm?"

"…I'm sorry."

Po's eyes were wide and he turned his attention to the peacock, "What?"

"I'm sorry" Shen had made himself repeat what he said. He still wasn't used to admitting he was wrong, but he had to do it. The panda has done so much for him, Shen knew he had to at least make amendments for what he did.

"I'm sorry I turned away your kindness," Shen continued, "I'm sorry I tried to plot revenge against you, I'm sorry I took everything from you."

Po couldn't believe that Shen was apologizing to him, he shook off his shock. "Shen it's okay, you don't have to-"

"No, I need to say this" Shen cut him off, "You have done no wrong to me, I have had no right to take your family. I'm sorry."

Shen had to pause because he felt his emotions raise up in his throat. It was another thing he wasn't used to, being able to open on how he really felt. Taking a shaking breath, he went on with his apology.

"And if I were, to be honest with you, I was having my own doubts with my plans."

Po raised a brow in question, "You have?"

Shen's crest fell in shame. "When you and the others said you trust me, I found myself thinking about what my future lies ahead. Thinking about other possibilities I could follow, thinking maybe, I could find happiness. Now I'm not so sure what my future lies on. I have failed many times, I am still weak and pathetic…"

Before Shen could continue on, he noticed Po stood up and faced him.

"Okay I'm gonna have to stop you right there," Po said in a stern tone, "Because I told you this once and I will tell you again, you are not weak and pathetic."

"Yes, I am," Shen stated with a frowned.

Po almost laughed, "Are you kidding me? Back at the lake, you were kicking my butt like it was no big deal. And then you threw away that scroll and now you're saying you're sorry. That's not being weak, that actually takes strength."

As Shen started into the panda's green eyes, he could see that the bear meant every word, even if it's too hard for him to believe it.

"Shen, you are a lot stronger than you think," Po declared with sureness, "I'm proud of you for that."

Shen felt his whole body stiffened upon hearing these words. He almost shook with emotion but was able to control himself, not wanting to be too emotional in front of the panda. He did let out-breath as he smiled to himself.

"D-do you know, ho-how I waited to hear those words," he stumbled on his sentence, "I-I thought I would hear those words from them…."

Po titled his head in confusion. He was putting the pieces together and understanding that this was about Shen's parents. He knows he shouldn't be asking this since he knew now it was a touchy subject, but Po was willing to risk it and ask. He was too curious that he couldn't stop himself.

"What were your parents like?" Po asked.

The panda sighed in relief when the peacock did not snap at him, probably because he was still weary from his breakdown. Shen stared at him for a second trying to come up with some answer. He wasn't so sure what his parents were like when they were not busy, just bits and pieces. He tried to look deeper into his mind, trying to find some evidence that the soothsayer's words were true, but nothing came.

"I'm not entirely sure," Shen said with honestly, "I can't remember, I can only remember glimpses of them. Even if I try to remember, I always go back on thinking about that day."

"The day you got banished?" Po frowned.

"Yes. The soothsayer even said to me that they still loved me, even after what I did they still loved that it killed them."

Po felt his heart tighten.

He looked at Shen as he sighed in dismay.

"I don't even know if that is even true. All my life I lead myself to believe that they hated me, but since I realized my mistakes I don't know what is true anymore. Maybe they tried to help me but it still hard to believe it."

Po nodded in understanding. He kept staring at the peacock as he thought about Shen's parents and the Soothsayer's words.

"Maybe the Soothsayer was right Shen, I mean she never been wrong before," said Po.

Shen let out a groan at the reminder that Soothsayer was always right, it always annoyed him. He still doesn't want to believe it though; his parents must have hated him if he can remember any good memories about them.

"Po, how can you be so sure? You never even met them" She asked with some denial in his voice.

"You have a point, I never met them but I know one thing and that parents never stop loving their kids. My dad still loved me even though I had a different dream then taking the noodle shop. So, I don't think your parents banished you because they hate you, they were disappointed by what you did."

"That still doesn't make me feel better," Shen remarked sadly, "If they tried to help me then I didn't see it, I was so angry at them."

The peacock made his wing into a fist and then unfolded it as if he was releasing the last bit of his anger and then throwing it away. He was now wishing he could make things rights with his parents, even with the lack of memories of them he wished he could say sorry to them.

"I wish there was some way I could find more memories of them," he said.

Po's ears twitched as an idea came to him. The one technique that can help him find his memories of his past.

"Actually, there is one thing that can help."

Both of them then notice the quietness from outside of the cave, they saw that the storm has passed. All that was left from the rain were puddles and dewdrops falling from the trees. Po then turned to his friend with a knowing look.

"Shen, do you still want to find peace?" Po asked with a smile.

The peacock then returned a grateful smile, "Yes."


So sorry if this chapter seems short, but I promise that the next one will be longer. I just want to say thank you all for your patience and as always if you see any mistakes let me know and see ya in the next one!