A certain Dragon warrior hadn't been able to get much sleep the night after talking with Tigress, tossing and turning in his bed (practically until dawn.) He knew that pandas were supposed to sleep in past noon, but he just couldn't bring himself to do so.

Not when today was the day Shifu and the Furious Five were going back to the Valley of Peace, and Po needed to give them his final answer.

Was he staying or going?

Tigress gave him a glance as they walked together with the group to the village's exit, where Po had first come in with his two dads as Li led them to the village for the first time; Po would never forget the beautiful sight that had met him. The other pandas followed close behind. She tried to read his expression, but surprisingly, Po was hiding his feelings well.

The Five and Shifu were all packed and ready to go on a long journey back, and they noticed that Po hadn't bothered to pack any of his things. It broke Po to see his friends so quiet and...distant. Were they mad at him? He didn't blame them if they were. His dad hardly said a word, which had Po the most unnerved; but he had to do this. He couldn't just leave his second family behind so soon. His other dad had his arm wrapped protectively around his long-lost son.

"I—I have to stay," Po told his master with a solemn smile. "They need me."

Shifu simply nodded in understanding, returning his smile, bowing respectfully along with the Five as Po did the same. "Good luck, Dragon Warrior."

"Stripey baby," Lei Lei cooed as she waddled up to Tigress. She couldn't help it and scooped her up, giving the little panda a small hug.

"We'll miss you, Po," Crane said sorrowfully as they began to part ways.

"I'm gonna miss you guys too," Po replied, "but it's not goodbye forever...I promise."

Crane smiled, Mantis perked as usual atop his hat. Monkey and Viper were close to tears, holding them back and forcing smiles instead.

Mr. Ping walked up to his son as if in slow motion, hardly believing that he was going to have to leave him behind.

"You know I would stay here with you if I could, but...I have a restaurant to look after! Come home soon..." was all he could manage to get out without getting too choked up; he just couldn't believe that he was leaving his son behind! Po bent down and wrapped his arms around the smaller bird.

"I'll be back before you can say noodles."

Mr. Ping let out a choked sob. "Noodles..."

"Ah, come here." Li couldn't help himself, wrapping huge arms around his son and Mr. Ping in a group hug, nearly squeezing the life out of Po. But the Dragon Warrior didn't mind at all. He didn't want the moment to end. "Don't worry. We'll take good care of him," Li reassured Mr. Ping.

"I trust you," Mr. Ping said with a smile, earning a respectful nod from Li in return. "Make sure he doesn't run out of any dumplings," he couldn't help but add. His son wouldn't go hungry while he was gone!

Tigress gently released Lei Lei back onto the ground. "Po...don't be too long," she told him sternly, taking one last look at his bright, green eyes.

Without hesitation, he brought her in for a hug. A hug like the one she'd given him in Gongmen City, and like the one after he'd survived Shen's falling cannon. The rest of the Furious Five and pandas stared on in complete shock as Tigress returned his hug with just as little hesitation.

"I won't," he whispered softly.

Walking away after his dad, Shifu and The Furious Five disappeared from the secret Panda Village was one of the hardest things Po had ever had to do in his life.

Walking away from the Panda Village was one of the hardest things Tigress had ever had to do in her life.

She was leaving the Dragon Warrior behind, leaving Po behind. The one who had changed her into who she was today. No longer a hardened warrior, but someone who now allowed her guard to be let down around the panda, to be a friend.

Now he had decided to stay in the village and even though she knew it wasn't for forever, she was still mildly surprised at his decision.

But just as she'd promised the night before, she was behind him with whatever decision he would choose to make.

Yet why did she feel so let down and disappointed? She was supposed to be supporting him!

The sight of a completely wrecked Jade Palace didn't make things any better as the group finally approached the Valley of Peace, climbing up the long and broken steps. It was still empty after they had evacuated before Kai arrived; almost like a ghost town. It left everyone feeling very unsettled.

"We have a lot of work to do," Shifu said grimly as they reached the top and his eyes landed on the damaged statue of Master Oogway, his heart throbbing at the sight.

A big gasping sound was suddenly heard, like someone else was having trouble climbing up the Jade Palace steps. "And a lot...of work...needs...a lot...of help!"

Shifu, the Five and Mr. Ping spun around in shock to see black-and-white arms reaching over the top of the stairs.

Tigress's eyes widened. "Po?"

Had he followed them back?

How on earth had he pulled it of without them even knowing? She found herself unable to hide a wide smile as it began to form. Of course he would never leave them behind. But what about his family?

The Dragon Warrior gave them a little wave. "Hey, guys."

Mr. Ping instantly ran to his son, enveloping him in another hug that was just as tight as the one he'd given before Po had left.

Shifu took a glance behind Po to see a number of pandas, including Li, struggling up the steps of the Jade Palace, all out of breath and practically on their knees, minus the little bundles of energy that ran past the adults with no problem.

"...What are they doing here?!"