Years Later
A twenty-six year old duck-falcon looked over the finishing touches of an act in his governmental system. He still had his red headband on but he now had a golden robe with a flowery pattern woven on the back. He looked over the document. The way the system was set up now was a lot different from before. Zan was more of a executive figure head than emperor. The council that he had established controlled the majority of the kingdom now. It was a move to make sure the rebels didn't rise up again. As a result, the kingdom ran a lot smoother thanks to Zan's brilliant plan. Zan yawned. He hated doing work on a tired brain. Suddenly, he felt a cloth come around him. He looked up into the sparkling blue eyes of his wife. Ai's smile was still captivating and she was still kind as ever. Not to mention that Zan found out some interesting characteristics about Ai that he didn't know about before they were dating. Now six years of being married, they really did love each other deeply. Zan smiled back. "You know that you've been working late," Ai observed. Zan yawned again.
"I know, but I have to make sure the kingdom's doing okay," Zan replied. Ai lowered the document he was holding.
"The kingdom can run itself thanks to you. You need a break," Ai declared, with a smile. "And I know just the place to vacation at."
"The Bai Goo tar pits," Zan muttered. It had been Ai's favorite place but not his.
"Nope," Ai smiled mischievously. "Guess again." Zan thought for a moment.
"I give."
"What would you say if I told you we're going to the Jade Palace," Ai said happily. Zan's eyes grew. He rushed into his chamber quickly. "Zan," Ai said, wondering where he was going so fast. When she got to his chambers, he saw him with all his things packed.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go," Zan rushed as Ai was pulled by the hand out the door.
The royal procession came to a stop just outside the village boundaries. "Shall I be announcing your coming, Emperor Master Zan," said an old goat official.
"No, that won't be necessary," Zan said brightly as he changed his clothes into normal people attire. Ai did the same. "I'll see how everything is going with my old friends." They walked down, without the royal procession, to Mr. Ping's shop. The village had grown over the years. The shop now had four stories instead of the two stories it once had. The tall buildings allowed for strings and hangers to go across from building to building.
"Wow, it's completely different," Ai said, straining her neck to look up at the buildings. They came into the shop, which had more customers, a bigger kitchen, and more workers. One of the workers looked way too young to be carrying a plate. He looked to be about three years of age. Zan stopped him and gave the customer his meal.
"Thanks mister," He thanked. The boy was a dog type, though Zan couldn't make out which kind. He had red fur all dark orange fur all around him. It looked like he was a fox, but foxes usually aren't that big at that age. And they didn't have that kind of snout. Foxes' snouts were more pointed and other dogs' were wider or rounder.
"No problem. Now who are you," Zan asked.
"My mother told me not to talk to strangers," the boy replied, "Unless it's a customer."
"Well, I can get to know your mother," Zan smiled. "Where is she?" He didn't have to look for long.
"Zin!" Exclaimed a voice from the back. "I've told you not to pester the customers." The voice produced a red adult fox with a beautiful, but worn, green vest with black pants.
"But mom I wasn't 'perssuring' the customers. I was just talking to one of them. He asked about you," Little Zin replied. The young adult fox stared at the two.
"Can I help you," She asked. Zan laughed.
"Always the one to never know who's at the door. You were always a little insightful," Zan chuckled. The fox wasn't amused.
"I'm sorry," She said. Zan smirked his cocky smiled. The fox's eyes lit up. "Zan," She screamed as she hugged him tightly.
"Of! It's good to see you too, Ruby," Zan smiled. "So you and Vick finally got married I see. And with child."
"Children," Ruby said, picking up Zin in her arms. "My mother in-law is taking care of the baby while we work." Zan was confused.
"As much as we use to work, you should have enough money to relax," he said.
"I know and we do, but since Mr. Ping has expanded, he's hired new hands but they aren't experienced, so he's called us." Before Zan could speak again, Vick and O came from the kitchen.
"Hey, hey. If it isn't our two lovebirds," Vick exclaimed as he hugged the two.
"It's good to see you Vick," Ai smiled. "And you O. You've grown." The ox seem to tower over them. Zan looked behind him and saw a lady ox working with him. Zan smirked while O sighed.
"She's just a good friend of mine. We haven't come to...that yet," O replied, nervous a bit.
"Ah, I've retired from the romance business," Zan jested. "Where's Aang and Zang?"
"They've been working at Mr. Shin's place. What brings you two here," O asked.
"We needed a vacation," Zan sighed, "Ruling a kingdom is hard." Ai rolled her eyes and elbowed him in the ribs.
"You act as if you work. The council does most of the work," Ai said.
"Yeah, and even then it's a headache," Zan complained.
"Well, it's great to see you again. I'm guessing you're also here to see-"
"Zan!" Said a voice from the front entryway. Zan spun around to see Song and Qiang with what looked to be a five year old kid. Song hugged the day lights out of him.
"What is it with this village and hugging people so tight," Zan wheezed. Song slowly released him as Qiang brought the little child up to him. "And who are you?" Zan asked as he found an expose tickle spot on the child. The boy giggled and ducked into his father's chest.
"His name in Hun," Qiang said. "He's a little shy."
"Like someone I know," Zan smirked.
"Oh um Zan? Thank you for warning me about the tail thing," Qiang quickly said.
"The what," Ai asked. Qiang couldn't say anything because Song elbowed him in the side.
"Nothing," He grunted, as Song looked very annoyed. Zan just laughed.
"So he did pull it," Zan smirked at Song.
"You say anything about that and I'll kill you," Song replied. "I still can't believe you and Po told him about that."
"It helped didn't it," Zan said.
"Speaking of Po," Qiang started to change subject, "Have you seen him and Tigress?"
"We just got into town. We're going up the mountain right now, actually," Ai replied.
"Oh, well we'll let you meet the others," Song said leaving the restaurant.
"Song, what did you wanted to come here for," Ruby asked.
"Oh I just wanted some food, but seeing Zan reminded me that we have some food in the pantry," Song replied.
"Oh no," Qiang and Hun squeaked, "Not the pantry."
"Come on, you two," She said dragging them back home.
"Anyways, we'll be heading over to the palace," Zan said as the two flew up the mountain. O saw them fly up.
"Zan is still the fastest bird I've ever seen," He commented. Zan and Ai finally got to the gates, where Zeng opened the door.
"Oooh hello. Who are you," Zeng said, not recognizing them.
"We're friends of the masters. Is it okay if we see them," Ai asked. Zeng brought them to the Training Hall, where the masters were training. Zan could see Po had changed. The scar of his eye was lighter but his attire was different. He wore a red robe with a golden dragon pattern. Tigress wore her golden attire. Po, it seemed to Zan, grew a bit taller and currently Po and Tigress were sparring. Po swung his foot at Tigress, who ducked and rolled out of reach. She jumped into the air and came down foot first. Po blocked the flying kick. Clearly they were going at it. Then Shifu clapped his hands together ending the spar. Po sighed in relief as Tigress smiled. "Seems like their still together," Ai observed.
"You can't tell from the outside," Zan said. "We have to make sure." But for now, they had to be introduced formally.
"Well hello," Shifu said as the masters lined up. "And who are you?"
"Really," Zan replied. "As long as I've been here you don't recognize me?" Everyone, save Po, were confused. Po just held a smile. "And you Tigress, I thought you should know me the most."
"I'm sorry, do we know each other," Shifu asked.
"You should, Oh Red one," Zan smirked. Shifu didn't pick up on it, but Tigress did. She could recognize that smirk anywhere.
"Zan!" Tigress exclaimed. The line of recognition fell like dominoes. Everyone now knew who the 'stranger' was. Tigress hugged him.
"Wow, she's the only one that can hug me with out killing me," Zan commented.
"It's so good to see you," Tigress said, releasing him, "And it's good to see you Ai."
"It's great to see you again, teacher," Ai bowed.
"So how has my favorite matchmaker doing," Monkey teased.
"Working," Zan muttered, "But it hasn't been that bad."
"I see you're still wearing that headband, Master Zan," Crane smirked. Zan smiled.
"It's good to know that you don't call me 'little' anymore," He said. "How have things been here?" The gang looked at each other with smiles. "Anyone care to fill me in on what's going on?" Tigress took Po's hand.
"Well, guess," Tigress said smiling.
"Hmm, let's me see," Zan thought, "I've never seen Tigress this happy, everyone has knowing smiles, Tigress and Po seem closer to each other than when I left them, Tigress just took Po's hand, I'm guessing-"
"You two got married," Ai said in surprise.
"I was going to say got a new member to the team but that works too," Zan said.
"Yes, we got married a while ago," Po explained.
"You got married and you didn't tell me," Zan said upset, "After all I did to get you two together?"
"Sorry," Tigress apologized, "We knew you were busy with the kingdom and everything, so we didn't want to bother you."
"I can handle the kingdom and visit my two favorite people's wedding," Zan exclaimed. "When exactly did you get married?"
"Shortly after you left when you were seventeen," Tigress confessed. She suddenly became a little mischievous, smirking. "Zan there's something else we have to tell you." Then suddenly, Zan felt a pull at his robe. He looked down to see a little white tiger boy in some black pants.
"Hello, I'm Ping, who are you," He introduced himself.
"I'm Zan," the duck-falcon said as he stooped down to the kid's level. "What are you doing here?"
"I live here. Do you want to see my room," Ping asked.
"Sure," Zan said happily.
"Should we tell him," Po asked Tigress, as Zan went out the door wit his new friend.
"Wait for it," Tigress smirked.
"YOU'RE WHOSE CHILD!"
"Yep, he figured it out," Tigress smirked. A shocked and seemingly angry Zan came storming back in with the child on his arm.
"You had a child and didn't tell me about it," Zan said outraged.
"Oops," Tigress smiled innocently.
"I guess this is payback for all the times he caused trouble, huh," Ai laughed. Tigress smirked. Zan grumbled.
"I told Po that we should name him Zan, but Po wouldn't let me," Tigress replied smugly.
"We can pay my mom back if you want," Ping whispered to Zan. Zan saw the kid's smirk. It looked exactly like his. Zan smiled back.
"Nah, I'm okay with it," Zan replied. "I guess that you're going to tell me that he acts just like me, too."
"No, he is exactly like you," Shifu murmured. Zan finally put down the child.
"Well, its' good to see everyone is doing okay," Zan smiled. "And I see that you and Po are still together, Aunty."
"You're my Uncle Zan," Ping asked. Zan glared at a smirking Tigress.
"What was your idea to get her back, again," Zan asked the little boy. Po laughed.
"It's good to see you, too, Zan," he smiled. "Come on, we're just having dinner." As everyone was going to the kitchen, Ai couldn't seem to stop laughing.
"What's up with you," Zan whispered to her.
"Zan," She said. "It means nourished in some foreign countries. It just seems that you've really nourished everyone around you. And for that, we appreciate you." Zan blushed.
"Thanks Ai," He replied. Ai smiled.
"You're welcome Zan."
The End
This story wasn't really something to be prized in my opinion, but all stories must be told.