The team had just walked out of the gates to the emperor city. They were all distraught by today's events. Po was holding tears back as he carried his lost father on his shoulder.
The trip back to the Valley of Peace was silent. If Po was silent, so were the others.
At first they walked back to the tiger village. They took the same path as before. After hours of walking it had finally become evening and rain was pouring down on them. Soon they reached the entrance to the tiger village. "I'm back!" Kang shouted. Tiger heads popped out of windows, only to get back in and come out of the door instead. Tigers were running to Kang, as did Liu Jie, their hidden marshal.
"Hello, my fellow people!" Kang shouted.
"How did it go?" Liu Jie asked.
"Pretty well, up until.. that." Kang said in a sad tone and pointed to Po whose shoulder was rested on by a goose. "I had only known him for a couple days and he was already like a close friend to me!" Kang said loudly, almost shocking the villagers.
He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I uhh, wanted them to stay here for the night being. I will let them sleep in my castle."
"Understood, Kang." Liu Jie replied.
The team got to sleep for the night being at Kang Ye's castle.
The Furious Five went into the room they had before. Li Shan slept with Shifu for the night. Tigress had gone to the ruby suite. That left Po, once again. Po stood in front of the door to the Ruby Suite. But he only stood there, gathering the power to knock, but he couldn't. He sighed.
It was night outside, the rain had gone by and the stars were scattered across the sky. Po walked through the hall, down the stairs and outside. He was alone as far as he knew. He had left the goose under a blanket on a table in the throne room for the night.
Po sighed once again and walked through the mountain village. It was eerily quiet. No owls, no birds, or wind could be heard. It was just him and the sky. He walked toward a cliff and sat down, letting his legs dangle over the precipice. Po looked into the forever infinite sky. One dot probably home to many other creatures. But some could be closer, planet close, in fact. He looked over at the moon rising up from his left. He felt someone watching him although he swore no-one was near him. "Oogway?" Po asked. No answer, not even those pink petals flowing beside him.
He sighed. "Dad?"
A sudden gust of wind hit him. Was that him? Po couldn't think about it too deep though before he felt the presence of someone nearing him.
Po looked behind him and saw a shadowy figure coming his way.
"Tigress." Po said.
"I'm not Tigress." A manlier voice said.
"Wait what, Kang?"
"Indeed."
"What are you doing here?" Po asked.
"Figured you would take a walk or something, judging by recent events." Kang explained. Po nodded.
"Wanna talk?" Kang asked.
"Okay."
The tiger nodded and slowly walked towards Po's side, sitting down at last. "So.." Kang started. "How's it going so far?" He asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you know, the incident down in the city. Your father."
"Oh, I suppose I'm doing alright."
"From what I can tell I don't really think so." Kang said, he leaned back down onto the ground, laying down beside Po. "I've been told you are really extroverted. You single handedly turned that palace of yours from a cold and dark environment into a happy, humorous and smile-filled one. When walking back here yesterday you barely said anything. That's why I have reason to believe you are not doing alright."
"Fine, you got me." Po joked lightly and even cracked a little smile, which soon faded. "Truth be told, I am scarred. Yesterday I lost my life long father. Adoptive. He has taken care of me as far as I can remember and he has made me to what I am today. I don't know where to go from here." Po explained, feeling a tear breaking through.
Kang turned his head to look at Po. "I am sorry for your loss."
"It's fine. I feared his death would come one day, but not this soon."
"That's totally understandable. But hey, Dragon Warrior, what was your name again?" Kang asked.
"Po."
"Po, right. Continuing from where I left off, I wanted to remind you to look from the bright side."
Po turned his gaze at Kang.
"The bright side is that we've defeated Huang, and from this tragic day we will grow together even stronger than before. You'll see."
"I guess you're right."
Kang laughed. "Yeah. Hey, let's get some rest, shall we? We'll see what to do tomorrow." He said and gladly clapped Po on the back.
"Okay." Po answered and smiled.
When the duo rose up and walked back to the castle, Po had to turn around to see what caused the gust of wind that hit him earlier. Upon looking back, a small figure resembling a goose stood beside another familiar tortoise he's known for long. Both of them gave a nod and smiled. Po couldn't help but smile back at them.
His dad was free from pain and he will forever be protected, and that's all that mattered to Po.
Eventually the two broke off. Having gotten new motivation, Po finally gathered the courage to knock on the door to the Ruby Suite.
*knock knock knock* "Tigress?"
Rustling could be heard in the room, eventually footsteps neared and the door opened. "Hey Po."
"Hi Tigress. Can I come in?" Po asked.
Tigress nodded and opened the door further, gesturing him to come in.
After Po had walked in Tigress closed the door.
"So, where have you been?" She asked. "I have been waiting for you to come here ever since we went to bed."
"Just outside, like uhh, thinking about my errr... father, and I had a small conversation with Kang."
"What were you talking about?"
"Nothing special, just some.. talk."
"Uh-huh, just talk." She nodded and lifted the blanket up, crawling into bed.
Po stared at her, which didn't go unnoticed.
"Come on we've been through this already, get in here already."
"Alright, fine."
Po lifted the blanket up and crawled in aswell, turning his back against Tigress.
Po soon felt two strong furry arms surround him from behind.
"I am sorry for recent events, Po." She said. "I really am."
"Thanks, Tigress. It means alot." Po answered as he felt her breath slightly blowing on his shoulder.
"Also, thanks for everything, Po."
"What do you mean?" Po asked.
"For Tai-Lung, Lord Shen, General Kai, and now Huang. And with your arrival to the Jade Palace everything has grown for the better. You changed Shifu, you changed our friends, and you changed me. I have no-one but you to thank. I am forever grateful, Po."
"Oh Tigress stop, you're flattering me.."
"Can.. Can I, erm.. We.. like... you know.. cuddle together for the night?" she lightly asked.
"If you insist, I'm okay with it." Po answered and cracked a small smile.
The two then dozed off to sleep in the warmth of each others embrace.
The next day
Tigress woke up from her slumber, feeling unusually at peace.
She realized she still laid down with Po in their embrace.
She reflected back.
When Po had shown up from that ball of fire she had only thought of him as a nuisance to the palace.
Out of everyone Oogway could pick he chose a fat, flabby panda who was so clumsy he ruined the urn back in the Hall of Warriors, aswell as going for a mighty ride in the training hall, leaving him ruined for the rest of the day.
Once Oogway had left them Shifu had gotten some new hope in the dragon warrior. I had left together with Viper, Mantis, Monkey and Crane to take on Tai-Lung but in the end Shifu was right. It wasn't our duty to take on him, it was the Dragon Warrior's.
Eventually the Dragon Warrior had shown what he's made of and officially become our partner. He had brought Shifu inner peace, he had lightened up the entire palace with his positive energy.
Although he still remains clumsy from time to time he had shown what he was capable of. He had taken down multiple other villains like Ke-Pa for example.
I had grown quite attached to him at the events of Gongmen City. He had told me his past and I swear I could see myself when he explained it. That hug I gave him was entirely out of sympathy for him, but the one he gave, I'm not quite sure. Maybe he was in the heat of the moment or something, but it did feel good, that I can tell.
He only came to grow better the upcoming months as we at last faced General Kai.
I thought he had died when he did the Wuxi finger hold on himself but being the wizard he is he came back stronger than ever. I should have known, Po is unpredictable, to say the least.
He also faced Jin-Diao but I wasn't there so I can't really tell what happened. Now, upon facing Huang, I've realized how attached I've grown to him. He, in a way, brought me to my biological father. And I am forever thankful.
Now to top it all off, I think I've at last gotten Inner Peace. The Dragon Warrior is truly a miracle. And I am glad to have and have had him in my life.
Tigress sighed. Their story is long, perhaps it's worth writing down in some history scroll or something.
She felt the panda awake.
"Morning sleepyhead."
"Morning." he groaned.
We broke contact and he rose up in bed to stretch out and yawn.
"Let's start the day, shall we?" Po asked.
Tigress nodded. They rose up and walked out the door, down the stairs and into the throne room where Kang lazily slept on his throne.
Tigress approached him and gently tapped her father on his hand.
"Wh- what? Who's there?" Kang groggily asked.
"It's me, father." She said and wore a smile.
Po gazed at her.
Has she changed or something?
"Oh, Yeah. Morning Tigress, let's walk out of here and see where our friends are."
Po heard someone walk beside him and stop. He looked to his left only to see a semi-circle shaped wooden staff.
"Down here, Dragon Warrior." Shifu said and smiled.
"Hi Shifu, slept well?" Po asked.
"Yes, other than the fact that I had to wake up and comfort your father between times, otherwise I have indeed slept well."
"Ah. I will take care of Li very soon. I'm sure he won't bother you afterwards."
"That'd be appreciated, Dragon Warrior."
The Furious Five (four) came up from behind.
"Morning Po, slept well?"
"Yyyes. I have. Very well, in fact."
"Did you hear that? He said very well." Mantis joked.
"We heard, Mantis." The other three said.
"Well then, my friends, let's go outside and I will have a little speech for the village to hear." Kang said loudly across the throne-room.
The group nodded and they all walked out together.
"Attention, village!" Kang shouted.
The Tigers, who were already outside and already have started their day, listened and walked up to their leader.
"What is it, our great leader?" one of the tigers asked.
"This might be hard to take in, but anyway, here we go." Kang said and cleared his throat.
"I've decided to move our village."
"What?"
"What?!"
"WHAT?!"
Po, Tigress, and the others looked quite shocked, not to mention the faces of the villagers.
"That's right. I've decided we should move from this mountain." Kang said.
"But why?" One of the tigers asked.
"Because with the defeat of Huang, we no longer need to live in isolation from the rest of this world!" Kang said in a loud tone, to then switch to a lower tone. "I've finally found my daughter, and I do not wish to leave this village, nor can't I force them to stay here either. Our friends over here has a town to protect, and I don't want to stand in their way. That's why the only solution is to move."
"He's got a point." Someone said.
"He does." Another voice said.
"Plus, if we live in their town, we are protected aswell!"
Shifu stepped in. "We are low on space there, you might have to build another quarter."
"That's no problem, we can live in the outer rim. Close to nature, close to town."
Liu Jie stepped in.
"What about us, then?" She asked and pointed at her wolves.
"Don't worry, Liu, I suppose they need someone to patrol their town, right, Tigress?"
"Patrolling could be a great addition to maintain our peace within the town. So, I actually agree. You are free to live within the Valley of Peace." She answered and gazed at Shifu, who nodded.
"Great. Then who is with me? Shall we move and rebuild our village beside the town, having patrolling in the area, these kung fu masters nearby, and the fact we are close to nature, rivers and mountains aswell?" Kang at last asked.
They looked at the villagers.
Silence.
"I'm in." One tiger said and stepped forth.
"Me too." Another said.
More and more Tigers stepped forth, showing that they have accepted his offer.
Afternoon came, and everyone stood ready, ready to abandon the village.
An army of Tigers walked behind the group of kung fu masters and dads.
Shifu walked with Kang, Tigress with the rest of the Furious Five. Po walked with Li Shan.
"Dad, are you alright?" Po asked.
"Not really." Li sighed. "Why did he have to die?"
"There was nothing we could do, dad."
"I know, but still."
Po patted his father on his shoulder.
"I had a talk with Kang earlier tonight.
He lightened me up. Before we went back to sleep I looked back and I could see him standing there, gazing at me with a happy smile beside Master Oogway."
"That wise turtle you've talked to me about?"
"Yes, him. Look, dad.. The important thing now is, he is now invulnerable. He is guarded by Master Oogway and somewhere up there.." Po said and pointed to the sky. "Dad's gazing down and waving at us happily."
"Maybe you're right."
Silence went between the two, until Li broke it.
"Hey son."
"Yeah?"
"Before we started the fight at that plaza, Mr. Ping shared some words with me I thought you might want to hear."
"Okay." Po said, anticipating what the goose had said.
"He had said something about how proud he was of you, and that if stuff were to go wrong that day he said he was grateful for everything, that he had raised you and that you out of everyone in this world, became the one and only Dragon Warrior. In short terms he was very happy of you. He even went as far to say that he would gladly give his life in order to save you."
"Woah." Po said and thought back of what Li had said.
"Thank you dad." Po said and went in for a hug which his father gladly returned.
Li Shan had finally begun to accept Mr. Ping's death and move on. As Po's grandmaster had said, nothing could be done about the past, and the future was not to be worried about. You could only live in the now. And that's what changed him. For the rest of the journey back home, Li finally felt relieved in a way.
At last, the entire mountain village of tigers and our kung-fu masters of the Jade Palace, including the Dragon Warrior's dad, reached the Valley of Peace.
The people of the valley had gathered along the buildings, all gazing at the tigers coming in.
"Woah... Tigers..." A little bunny said.
"They are so cool!" The bunny's friend shouted.
The grown people gathered around the incoming group and they all bowed.
"Welcome back, Dragon Warrior, Li Shan, and the masters of the Jade Palace. May we ask, who are the tigers..?" One bigger pig asked.
"Great question, dear villager!" Po answered. "These are the last remaining tigers of China who we- or I mean they, stumbled upon us. After the chaos that happened in Nam Binh they have decided to not live in isolation anymore and come live by us."
The villagers all started speaking to each other, all glad by the news.
"That's fantastic, are they building a new quarter of our town?" The pig asked again.
"Yes, indeed they are!" Po shouted.
"That's great! I am willing to help, if that's the case. And I'm sure more of us would like to help aswell!" The pig proudly said.
"Awesome! The building begins tomorrow, for now they will sleep in the Jade Palace." The people nodded.
A bunny walked up to Po. "Where's Mr. Ping?"
"Oh, uhh.. Unfortunately..." Po began, feeling a small tear breaking through. "Unfortunately he, he..." Po muttered.
Li Shan walked forth. "He passed away after the battle had ended." He said.
The town gasped. "We are so sorry, Dragon Warrior!" Some of them said.
"Hey hey hey, it's okay. I plan to hold the funeral later today, at night." Po said.
And with that, the tigers and our friends continued their walk.
Li Shan came up to Kang. "Hey Kang."
"Yeah?"
"How about a job?"
"What kind of job? Engineering? Painter? Chef, oh please chef I have always wanted to cook.. Or should I lead something again? What am I up for?" He asked.
"Chef, at Mr. Ping's old restaurant." Li Shan said and smiled.
"Wait, what?" He asked, not believing what he was hearing.
"That's right. I suppose the ownership of this restaurant goes over to me, so that means I have the right to hire you. Po had his old room on the 2nd floor and I think it is enough space for the both of us." Li Shan explained and smiled.
"T-Thank you very much, Li Shan, thank you."
"No problem, what wouldn't one do for a friend?" Li asked and patted Kang on the shoulder.
The poor tiger had stopped in his place, still not believing it.
Li Shan looked back. "Hey, you coming or not?"
Kang fell back into reality. "Woah, Yep, Yeah, I'm coming."
Po looked at his father, who seemed to have gotten himself a new friend.
Po was the last one left of the group, the Tigers had already begun their trek up the stairs together with Shifu and The Furious Five.
"Po."
Four.
"Po?" one tiger asked.
"Yeah?"
"Are you coming or not?"
"I'm on my way." Po answered and ran up to Tigress.
They began their walk up the stairs.
"So, how's it going for Li?" She asked.
"He didn't take the death of Mr. Ping so well, to be fair, I didn't either. But he seems to have gotten himself a new friend."
"To be honest, I've got to admit that I didn't know my father loved cooking.
"Well, I guess you learn something new every day." Po said.
"Hey, Po, just wanted to ask, where did we bring Mr. Ping's.. Body?"
"I think Crane and Monkey took him for now, I think I told them to gently put him down at the foot of Oogway's statue in the master's garden."
"Oh."
The duo finally reached the Jade Palace. The Tigers had settled down temporararily in the Hall of Warriors. Shifu, wanting that peaceful sleep, decided to live at the barracks for the time being.
"Off we go then, see you at the funeral." Po said.
"See you there, Po."
They parted ways and she went into the Hall of Warriors, and Po down to the left of the palace, into the master's garden.
Po walked to the statue of Master Oogway, at which his deceased father laid upon.
"I miss you, dad." Po whispered.
A gentle breeze passed by.
Po noticed it and gave a little smile, before heading up to the barracks where he met some hungry friends.
"Hiya, Po!" Monkey greeted.
"Hello, big guy!"
"Hi Mantis and Monkey, Crane and Viper. Hungry?"
They nodded.
"Well, time to get going then." Po said and smiled.
The day was growing darker and darker as the sun went lower and lower. The blue and orange fading sky went to a mix of dark blue and purple.
The stars were making themselves shown one by one.
The arena below the Jade Palace was filled with torches. And lots of people.
The people standing in the arena were Tigers and the people of the Valley of Peace. They stood below the platform that rises over the flat floor.
They were all wearing white clothes, that includes Po, the Furious Five, Master Shifu, Li Shan and Kang Ye, who were all standing on the platform.
They all took turns to walk up to the deceased body of Mr. Ping.
Crane, Mantis, Viper, and Monkey had already spoken their words.
Up next was Master Shifu who spoke to him in silence.
"I wish you a peaceful and eternal afterlife Mr. Ping. It has been an honor to train your son and I am proud to have considered you a friend of mine." He said in a low tone and walked back to the group.
Up next was Kang Ye.
"I may have known you for a couple days, but you welcomed me into the family quick, you made me happier than ever before. I am also honored to continue the legacy of your restaurant. I will make you proud. For now, I wish you a peaceful and happy afterlife."
As Kang walked back, Tigress stepped forth.
She cleared her throat.
"I haven't established a deeper connection with you, but you and your son are two of the reasons I've lightened up and changed as a person. I sincerely wish you a happy, eternal, and peaceful life in the spirit realm."
She walked back, and Li Shan took over.
"I have known you for a couple months now, and I am sad to have lost you, but don't worry, I will make new connections, and I will let Kang work at your old restaurant, don't worry, we will take good care of it. Po may not have taught me everything yet but I'm sure he will sooner or later. I am also very grateful that you raised my son when I had lost him. I couldn't have asked for any better adoptive father." He whispered.
"And with that, I say farewell for now and I hope to see you again when death comes my way. Have a peaceful afterlife, friend."
The older panda walked back to his place, now, only Po had to mutter his words.
The Dragon Warrior walked with heavy steps to the small wooden coffin.
He sighed, and he spoke. "Hey dad, I'm sorry I couldn't come and save you in time, I wish I was there. Your death.. broke me apart in a way, but thanks to Kang Ye and Li Shan I have recovered a little." The panda said and inhaled deeply. "I, really miss you dad. I really do. I wish you nothing but the best, that includes everything everyone said. Love you, dad." He muttered and walked with slow steps back.
Shifu walked forth and alerted the village; you may now release your lanterns."
Out of nowhere, the villagers had brought paper-lanterns out of thin air. They lit them and released them, where they slowly ascended over the arena and into the sky. Po watched, amazed at what he saw.
The villagers said in unison (except the tigers); "We thank you for your food, Mr. Ping. You will be remembered."
Po shed a tear. This was beautiful. The now black, starry sky was now filling with orange lanterns ascending second by second.
The villagers really loved their noodle- and dumpling making chef. This alone, showed how much he meant for the valley.
The masters sat down, watching the lanterns as they ascended.
At last, the funeral had ended. Po, Li Shan, Kang Ye, Shifu and the Furious Five now stood at the master's garden.
"Shifu." Po began.
"Yes, Dragon Warrior?"
"Is it possible to have a statue of my dad here in the master's garden?"
"Po, you do know this is the Master's garden, right?"
"Well, yeah, but that's not what matters."
"Then, what matters, may I ask?"
"The meaning. You see, all of the statues here resembles Kung-Fu masters, right?"
"Correct."
"Yeah and it's not all of them."
"Also correct."
"Do you see what I am trying to get at?"
"Not really."
"Well, there are only few statues here because they are people who really mattered, like Master Oogway over there, and Master Thundering Rhino.. right in front of us."
"So, what you are implying is that your father Mr. Ping should have a statue because he mattered?"
"Yes. I mean come on, he is after all a ¨master¨ of cooking, and he meant ALOT for the valley."
"I.. suppose you're right, Dragon Warrior, perhaps we could make it a thing. I will talk with our local sculptors and I will see what they can do."
"Thanks, Master Shifu."
The red panda simply nodded and walked up the path to the barracks with the five after him.
That left Po and the two dads left. "So.." Li began. "Can we help building tomorrow or do you want us to do the cooking?"
"Hmm.. Isn't it better if you do the cooking? I mean, the tigers will start building tomorrow, and they will get hungry."
"You're right. We will go down and sleep, good night Po."
"Good nigh- wait.." "Huh?"
"Dad, come here for a second, there's something I have to tell you. And Kang, could you be kind and close your ears for a second?"
"Will do."
"Great. Now listen, dad."
"What is it?"
"You know the secret ingredient soup?"
"Oh, that super delicious, heavenly good noodle soup Mr. Ping made all the time?"
"Yes, that one!"
"What about it?"
"I will tell you the secret ingredient, on one requirement."
"And what's that?"
"You must make sure to not tell ANYBODY, and I mean anybody, okay, not until someone who is deemed worthy enough and works at the restaurant becomes worthy, okay?"
"You have my word."
"Great. Now, come closer." He whispered. Li bent his head down a little so Po could reach.
"The secret ingredient is.. Nothing."
"Nothi-" "schhh! quiet!" Po shushed.
"Whoops, sorry, but again, did you say nothing?" Li whispered.
Po simply nodded.
"In order to make something special, you simply have to believe it's special. To believe in yourself, that's what my.. other father told me."
Li nodded, and smiled in comprehension before he went back to Kang, leaving Po by himself at the Master's garden.
He decided to walk on the path to the training hall and down to the left, between some trees until he reached a little cliff with a pink tree standing tall above it. The Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom.
Po sat down and leaned against the trunk of the tree.
He gazed at the stars above.
He asked himself one question.
"How much further can he go with his life, how much further can he go as the Dragon Warrior?"
That question is something he might ponder on for a while.
For now though, he felt relieved, and at inner peace once again.
Steps were beginning to make themselves heard.
Po looked toward the palace yards where he saw Tigress making her way to the peach tree.
Before Po could speak, she came first.
"Hey Po."
"Hi."
"What are you doing out here?" She asked.
"Just.. Thinking about life."
"Life, huh?"
"Yeah, about how much further I can go as the Dragon Warrior, I've accomplished pretty much everything as a warrior, what is left for me?"
"You still haven't trained your own students."
"Yes I have. I have trained you." Po argued in a friendly tone.
"That's different, we were already trained by Master Shifu since we were young. You haven't trained your own set of young warriors.. yet."
"You're right, actually. Looks like I still have something more to do after all!"
Tigress smiled at him.
"So Tigress, why did you come here?" Po asked.
"I.. just had something to say."
"Okay, and what's that?" Po asked.
"I know this might sound weird, forced, maybe? But it has something to do with our friendship."
Po nodded, as if he was gesturing her to go on.
"We've been through alot, and our bond has grown stronger for every villain we've faced."
"It has, you're right." Po said as he gazed at Tigress' warm and happy eyes.
She found it hard to keep eye-contact, so she quickly shifted her gaze at different stuff, everything but Po.
"I've come to the conclusion that, I've grown to... like you, likemorethanfriends." she quickly muttered.
"I know this sounds forced." She muttered. Looking down at the ground, with small grass straws peeking out of the ground.
Po remained calm, unusually calm.
"Tigress, no.. It doesn't sound forced." He said as she finally gathered the courage to look into his jade-green and friendly eyes.
"In fact, it might so happen that I've growntolikeyouaswell." Po muttered.
Her eyes shot up.
The panda leaned toward her, as did she.
With mere millimeters apart, Po began laughing.
"Hah, hahah! sorry! hah!" Po began laughing as his muzzle was tickled by something.
"What?" She asked in confusion.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Po said as he returned to his normal state again.
"What happened? Was it too embarrassing or something?" She asked with one eyebrow raised up.
"No, Tigress, I'm sorry, I was just.. tickled by your whiskers..."
Tigress huffed in amusement.
All of a sudden she took hold of Po's back and slammed her lips against his.
After a few seconds she released him. "There we go." She said. "Our first kiss."
"Yeeeeaaah..." Po said.
"Anyway, let's go to bed." Tigress said.
"Yup." Po replied. "Off we go."
The duo walked up to the barracks, both happy.
And at last.. The lights of the barracks went out, one by one, until the last one remained.
A slight blow was heard in the panda's room, and the last remaining candle went out.
They could finally put Huang's Conquest behind them.
