A final chapter of A New Prophecy is here! This part is where the conclusion begins after a wild resolution! My three-year journey into the Dragon Warrior's world passes through the next gate of Jade Palace! Let's get to it!
Bonus: Huoju's voice matches Khal Drogo!
Episode Finale: Heaven and Hell (41 - 58)
Chapter LVIII
The Vote
His hoof through arm tore into a pale. Huoju silently whizzed into a soft gasp and no sound of a scream. Many eyes felt the drag of their vision. Xing's white dragon went brilliantly blank as the energy star. No torch or lantern could shine like this marvelous creature who flashed like the sun. Each crack suppressed the Ox warlord's dying wail, releasing his sister's necklace. He sensed Wugu's agony, snarling, and freedom from her abusive brother.
The scarlet necklace tore behind the Ox's neck. It sored and yet approached the Collector's hoof. "HE DID IT! Xing defeated that beef Ox guy!" the green insect cheered, clenching his "thingy" into the air he stood above Monkey's right shoulder. Every warrior and master, including the Emperor, encouraged, shouting with their smiles dazzling and bent near their ears, hugging and crying.
The Collector reached for the scarlet necklace from the glass bubble, and he slowly grasped Wugu. Jade Palace masters and the Mightiest Warriors scanned the beast who peered the dying crimson within Kai's hooves, brightening. Tigress closely watched the bull's head, noticing what no soldier, villager, and warlord had ever seen Oogway's brother spawn his single jade tear below Kai's left eye bag.
The bubble shrieked. All eyes looked on Huoju and Xing; the blossoms and ash flames revolved around them and under their feet. Most of the pale cracks went through the Ox's body and under his throat.
No pain.
No wailing.
No suffering.
Xing's dragon glimmered its eyes after summoning itself behind the tiger and glass bubble. Those who surrounded the bubble retreated softly, sensing the warm breeze they felt the wrath of blossoms bursting the suffocation shadows around Huoju. They nearly reacted their furs and garments stun. Tigress and Po held to themselves; they peered the bubble that went shining.
The white dragon spiraled over the bubble, creating a vast of blossoms that dazzle into a pale. The shadows were no more soaring. The Ox warlord's body, from his hooves to two horns, swept away into the light with a soft howl. The bovine figure turned pink and brilliantly shone, left the dark webs of hate. Huoju's body had faded and swam into the white dragon along with blossoms.
The dragon began to arch his neck upward and bolted into the sky, the enchanting song of heaven and bright sparkles soaring underneath the late dusk. Many of them watched the white dragon soar among the mountains as the faint cries and horrors thundered; the souls of the demons cast their bodies away, dissipated, and left with mortal bandits; they knelt and surrendered.
Only two-thirds of the other half of the army dissipated demon warriors while the white dragon roared and flew past among them. One ahead of the white dragon was the bear in black fleeing into the north's forest river. It sensed the moan before advancing toward Phantom, who begged mercy, screaming in agony. The pain was the white dragon's faint cry.
NOOO!
Grasping her right wrist, Phantom plunged into the river. The white dragon diverged its course back to Gongmen City.
The next thing Xing saw in the Spirit Realm was his opponent wash him away. White ripples and gray blossoms surrounded the bovine, fading him. Behind the Prince, the terrain of Yin (otherwise known as Hell or Immorality Realm) pulled away into the Komodo dragon's black hole. Demon warriors soared in and screeched their losses.
Xing's feet flattened something on the wavy floor. It was a lovely gold. Reflections glimmered and copied him, the whole terrain of rugged hills, a peach tree behind him perched further away, and millions of stars beaming above the tiger. Could this afterlife be his Xing's new home? Floatable rocks and abandoned temples soared and revolved around the realm, slowly as the snail.
Xing was not alone. He looked back and witnessed every being stand ahead around him, smirking. He could not count all the souls, for those who died, sacrificed, killed, and gave their lives from pain. His visions had faded to a haze.
Both tigers behind the tree whispered their son's name before Xing rested.
"He's gonna be okay, buddy. I know Xing will," the Dragon Warrior spoke. "He needs rest."
The next day became peace after a terrible battle against the Prince of Darkness. The afternoon shone the intricate windows. The Throne Room was quiet, almost as you could listen to the nature blessing the mountains and one-third of Gongmen City, untouched and remained still as the rest of the districts wrecked and burned. The battle was over, indeed.
Seeking the city, the young peacock Lao lowered his eyes to both talons he contemplated the Masters of Jade Palace. He had dressed his ancestor's robe, silk blue and yin-yang behind the bird's back. Meanwhile, the avian behind the Dragon Warrior browsed his brothers and sisters' eyes. "Why was Kai crying back there?" Crane asked the panda. His injury wing wrapped with an arm bandage. Po's bandages briefly surrounded his rib cages, the wound next to his belly dimmed with light pink. "Did he know someone before?"
"Hard to believe, he knew Wugu," Po guessed. "Do you think Xing had to plunge that dragon? The one who Huoju cried at it?"
"One thing for sure, he destroyed her reasonably, and the other Xing and all of us saved Gongmen City from her, and Huoju," Tigress said.
Leaving the balcony view, Lao sauntered toward his grandfather's sapphire and gold feathers throne. "We saw Kai sobbing a little, and awkwardly, he left the city without turning back at us," pointed out the snake. Viper discussed with the Furious Five as they have many questions of the Maker.
The insect over Monkey's left shoulder raised his head. The monk pressed his forearm toward the multiplex column when Lao perched the throne. "Where do you all think Kai is heading?" Mantis questioned.
Undoubtful, Tigress inaudibly sighed as she glanced to her shoulder. "He might be going after the rest of the Fire Clan members they retreated. For now, it's a better way not to bother him after Kai ventured." Her mind enlightened a bulb as her paw pointed the bug. "And Mantis, try not to insult him when he held the red necklace, and it belonged to someone Kai knew."
The bug held his tips innocently, not to answer that he was the only Furious Five member who spoke a lot. "Kai might have helped us a little, except for the jombie ambush he nearly wiped the bandits and few of us." Monkey spread his arms, the front of his left rib cage stung him he lowered his back. Massaging his bandage, the monk continued. "There's no explanation why, but either Oogway pointed him out, or somebody spoke with him."
'We don't know Oogway had reasoned his brother," the feline crossed her arms. "For now, only time will tell."
Little steps crossed to the right side of the Throne Room. Turning to the stairs, Lao expected of the Nine's Doctor, who ambled.
"Hong?"
The bunny in pink qipao and navy blue pants lowered her long, fluffy ears. "He is alive. Still unconscious," Hong announced. "I stitched his scar over his right eye. The wound will have to mend itself, no other way to heal faster. It was my best way to close his scar, and your brother will have to live with it for the rest of his life. I am sorry, Lao."
"Xing will dislike the scar tissue. He'll be suffering."
"Scars heal, buddy. Wounds heal like your father once said to me," the bear stood in front of the Throne, convincing the peacock. "What matters besides the scar healing, your brother will be alright."
The bunny leveled her drippy ears after considering the Nine's Leader face his difficult recovery. "So, do I have to call you Lord now, eh?"
"Yes," Lao smirked, brushing the sides of the sapphire and gold. "It's a unanimous vote from the Emperor and all of his senators."
Lord Lao. Maybe I should be his Lady and spoon him all day. The bunny sarcastically thought. Nodding with the notable accord, Hong grinned. "I'm gonna get some flowers for your brother. Your wolf sister Lotus needs the rest of them too." She headed down to the stairs and long gone.
"So, what happens now for your father, Lao?" Po pressed his rising eyebrows. "Do they need to hear your grandparents' Will letter?"
Earlier, the young Lord discussed his grandparents' Will letter to the Emperor and read along Huangdi after hours of the end battle. So much emotional as later on the next day, Huangdi gathered a few senators to discuss the Will that kept secret for many years and think of the albino's fate. The decision became pending as the young lord eyed on the panda's green eyes.
"Their last wish is unforgettable," Lao admitted. "Yesterday, he lost one of his family members I've known a little. The soothsayer was a wonderful lady who looked after Shen while his parents were busy. The voting decision is up to Huangdi and all of us for Lord Shen's destiny." The peacock lowered his head, his crests flailing up as if the torch in his head lid. He met the Jade Palace masters' eyes. "Is there a word for Shifu's former student? Tai Lung?"
The panda nodded. "Tai Lung is with us now. The Emperor remembered speaking with Master Oogway before we became the Furious Five years ago," Viper slithered forward. "To Huangdi's discovery, Oogway told him about Tai Lung's depression when that leopard guy once refused from our grandmaster."
"Let's just say that if you have ever dreamed of yourself becoming a sailor one day and once trained by your master, one of the captains refused you to venture the boat because you are unskilled of being a swimmer," the Dragon Warrior pointed out.
"So you saying Oogway made a mistake tear Tai Lung's awesomeness dreams?" Crane determined, his right eye squinting.
"Hard to say," Po shook. "Tai has nowhere else to go, even the Spirit Realm where he'll be alone there, especially the prison he went for twenty years. Imagine days and nights are gone above you anymore. Trees and grasses no longer brushing your knees. Inside the mountain, there is only the void. Guards feed and drink you. You are only in solitude; no one else to talk to you."
Three of the Five murmured Po and Tigress could not catch their surprising moments. "Tai Lung told you that?" Viper lifted her head and met the panda curiously.
"I cannot imagine going through his path, but I do only feel how lonely he is," Po told her, sharing the empathy Tigress listened. "I believe Tai Lung has gone through mental illness after refusal. Not that he wishes to become the Dragon Warrior like me, we can place missing pieces back to him what he has forgotten."
Tigress glanced to Po. "Like what?"
"Peace and love," Po answered.
After a half-hour discussing further when to return home, giant steps from the stairway approached. Not a threatening walk when everyone recognized the bovine's stroll and the presence of a high-rank politician. The water buffalo clasped his hooves. "It is time, my dear warriors," Emperor Huangdi gestured.
For a moment, Masters of Jade Palace and Lao followed the buffalo through the downstairs. Whispers on the tenth floor ranged as they continued to go further. Arriving at Guests and Honorable Warriors Chamber, the young lord caught one gold door of intricate carvings open. The bedroom appeared his tiger brother lying on the bed. While remaining in his sleep, Xing was not alone in the room.
Lao's mother blessed his adoptive son's wounded cheek. To the tiger's left. The Lord of Gongmen turned to his son's eyes, sitting next to Xing.
The vote was unforgiving. No such thing as the Courtroom to slam the judge's hammer, but to decide to have your greatest nemesis on your side who forgives is much difficult to bear. It is only a chance if you are lucky. In that case, mostly everyone hated him. Still, you pardoned the albino who turned wicked enough at a high cost of damage: pandas, his home, metals forged into a beautiful work of lethal cannons, people being intimidated, and his parents he knew, died in their bedroom.
The Emperor's hands summoned masters from Jade Palace, two from Gongmen City, three warlords, and the young lord outside of the Holy Flame courtyard. All thirteen on the square gathered in a circle.
"The decision is yet pending. There were multiple answers of yes and no. However, the court decided the Emperor summon high-rank soldiers, Masters of Gongmen and Jade Palace, and Lord Dongji here," the water buffalo calmly announced all twelve, glancing at every person's eyes. "I, Huangdi, the Emperor of China, start the vote including my answer to decide my old friend's destiny," the Emperor watched the panda clasp paws behind his back. "What say you, Dragon Warrior?"
Many could see the panda lower his head to consider his student's mercy. His jade eyes illuminated. "Yes," Po voted, briefly looking over the Five, including the Emperor. "Shen once asked me from the Harbor: How did I find peace? I want him to seek his good fortune. Not because he killed my people and scarred my soul, but Lord Shen deserves his second chance to learn inner peace, the one he wishes to have in his life so badly."
"Master Ox?" the Emperor studied the bovine's pressuring lips as he looked down to his feet. Master Croc palmed Juren's back.
"Forgive us, Po. Croc and I vote no," Storming Ox shook his head regretfully. "My only objection I cannot discourage Lord Dongji: Lord Shen murdered Master Thundering Rhino in front of our eyes."
The Emperor's open-hoof gestured. Master Ox's body language halted and put up to hold his tongue to not having another rejection and convincible talk. "My greatest triumphs," Huangdi eyed on the colossus brown bear, chicken, and avian warlords standing next to Gongmen Masters. "What are your thoughts?"
The giant bear breathed in his nostril. "Master Chicken and I are undecided. We may not concern which side to support or oppose Shen's life," Quite convincing by two warlords led half of the circle meeting nodded. Master Bear palmed his chest as Master Chicken mounted on his colleague's bold shoulder, grinning. "Lord Dongji. We wish your father a good fortune."
"Thank you, General Bear and Master Chicken," Lao took credit when nodding.
"You seem quiet, Master Eagle," the bovine Emperor hummed.
The brown eagle breathed in and freed his beak.
"Wherever Lord Shen finds the way, his life depends on what he shall see difficulties ahead of him." Master Eagle worded, meeting everyone's eyes to share the facts that intrigued him for many years. "The Peafowls become our allies and respect them for hundreds of years. As for Lord Dongji, now inherited his grandparents' Tower, the people of all of China shall commemorate him, with his mother, Lady Xia. We see the comeback of Peafowl Nobles."
The brown eagle returned his view at the young lord. "I say yes. Let the warrior guide himself out of the shadow. Let the man see encouragement. Let the boy be loved."
"My dear Master Shifu and the Furious Five," Emperor Huangdi clasped both hooves ahead of his belly.
"Yes," the red panda master towered his master's wooden staff. "My student Po will have the honor to train Peafowl Nobles' son. Shen will continue his path through the journey without a misery."
The monk brushed his head behind. "I guess yay," Monkey shrugged. "I share Master Shifu's opinion."
The green insect on Monkey's left shoulder shook. "No."
The feline lightly clenched her paws as Shifu caught her movement. Thousands of pieces within her stumbled to reflect the angry albino who let his head move closer to her personal space. You are going to be part of something — beautiful. Tigress's nostrils bent from the albino's majestic, threatening, and soft tone.
Tigress revealed her fangs as if Shen's voice clenched her paws more, and her amber eyes glared than the fire. "You do not know how I felt losing a friend I cared about, Po." She tendered. "Shen fired his cannon at you. One time, the blast dissipated you alive, and I wished that I could avenge you. And yet, Shen had almost killed you. He returned from the dead, and you are the only one pardoned the mad peacock who murdered your kind."
The feline's master cleared his throat. "Tigress," Shifu calmed her.
"I vote no," her answer prevailed, the feline shaking her head with rational thought. Tigress glazed at the panda hard. "Even if you could redeem him, Po, what if Shen could do such vengeful task?" Again, the Emperor's open-hoof gestured to silence Tigress she obeyed. Breathing in and out the way flames almost grew, Tigress watered her counter thoughts, lowering her head. "I say no more."
The avian next to Tigress brought his conical hat down and placed it in front of his chest. "Yes," Crane answered, murmuring his quiver lips. Neither of the group caught what this avian was saying. "I wanted to disagree with Tigress. But I do expect Po to train Shen and find inner peace."
The reptile held her tongue; her sharing feeling deepened to the fact that her feline sister, Tigress, felt the same shatter as she and the Five almost lost their black and white bear companion. "No," Viper neglected, bobbing her flat head, meeting the rest of the Masters' eyes. The last glance was meeting into the Dragon Warrior, who pressed both lips. "Tigress is right, Po. I fear one day that when we sleep, he could stand right next to you and plunge your heart."
"Then the rest of the Five will make sure Po keep an eye on him, Viper," Shifu pointed out with particular awareness.
Many met the Emperor's dawning eyes, awaiting his and the young lord's answers. The water buffalo straightened his back. "I vote yes. For the actions he committed, there is only a second chance for my old friend to seek forgiveness. I have to agree with the Dragon Warrior's opinion. Po shall educate and redeem Lord Shen from his insanity times. I salvaged my companion, once from our young days. Then he returned a favor, once from his cannon at the front bridge. Shen formed inner peace and hurled the ball at the bandits."
They fixed at the son of Lord Shen, who was concerned about his father's next journey. Perhaps half of China despised the albino more than how the city before Huoju's role invaded within a few days tops, killed one master and most of the pandas (if Shen either let them go or slaughtered them without a quarter).
The young Lord of Gongmen shut his mother's eyes. "I vote yes," Lao answered monotonously. "For my father."
The Emperor's low buzz made Lao open his eyes. "And what is your reasonable answer, Lord Dongji?"
Many of their eyes locked on the newest Lord of Gongmen, who lastly voted for his father's destiny — regarding his grandparents' last wish, untouchable and powerful to negate. The young lord's face rose, his eyes toward the highest tower, the clouds of Lord Feng and Lady Muqin's heads grinned at their lovable grandson, including their eyes glancing at their rebuilt Sacred Flame tower.
Staring at his new home, Lao reflected his father in his mind, who bent his knees ahead of his unconscious brother. The battle was only over for about five minutes of Huoju's defeat, as the former Lord of Gongmen clasped his pale feathers in front of Shen's chest. Never before the panda had ever taught the albino the newest lesson that he could ever do one of Oogway's challenging tasks. Ahead of Xing's heart, it was warmer than the summer's light and fire. The peacock's hand reached out of the dying tiger; every person's eyes grew wider with the reflection of lovely gold.
The young lord's grin broke. "He healed my brother."
The young cub strolled into the open grass field. The woods towered above the child, the branches and leaves dripping light cold tears. The child's father followed him, and giant steps did farther back. Many flowers lied on the natural fields of this prospering village. The boy, his father, and his father's guest raced toward the cub's mother, who called her son and husband.
Shortly, the cub with black stripes and stone eyes loosened the bowstring, the bolt endlessly penetrating every arrow toward the middle black dot. The rest, including the tall tiger about his mother's height, volunteered beside him, aiming their bows.
The boy heard his father's discussion along with the giant, seeming to entertain what this child had capable of, blessed by the child's mother who turned her blessing spirit of the metal, swimming to her husband's water.
One arrow flew over the yard the cub missed the shot. "Only once, " the child's father chuckled.
"I expect your boy soon to be the father's son, my friend," a rough, mighty voice discerned with a sincere. The boy nocking the bow continued shooting. "Is there a train for him to do the sword? He swings your neighbor's bamboo stick."
"There is," the boy's father answered. "My brother educates his students. For this concern, my boy is not ready to spar."
The mighty hummed. "You give many blessings if I may ask the favor you found me, so I return you a good fortune. Will you let your boy practice the sword with me?"
The boy released three arrows. One of the three bolts penetrated the fletchings. The boy made his pupils widen; Xing approved the stranger's optimistic sword training the tiger cub loved.
"I take that is a yes," the boy's father countenanced.
The cub turned to his father. The quill had emptied as the boy stretched his lips to a delightful hope, knowing that he dreamed of sparring with a sword. With patience, the boy's dream came true. The boy's father, Shui, clasped both paws behind his back. He smirked at his son. Beside Shui, his guest stood by.
A lofty ox with the flesh of battle scar under his left eye to black nostril grinned back at Xing.
So there you have it, pandom! This story is where I will end here with a good ending! A very, shocking ending, better than happy endings!
I want to thank you all for reading my book! This is the hardest challenge I have done to write after Kung Fu Panda 3. The actions are complicated, and the climax is indeed nearly impossible to balance the ship's wobble from the storm. For those who reviewed me, I thank you for giving me heads up about grammar issues (going salty and I know you guys dislike headaches, we are not the only ones), I am still learning and avoiding any mistakes what I know. For those who follow and favor my book, I love you guys! I had a wild ride (slow and making sure not falling off the railroad) writing this!
All the chapters will go into betas (which will take a while), and I have one who is eying on my book, so I will have to offer more beta writers! If you have suggestions to help me out writing a sequel (Yes, I am writing a sequel, seriously.) I am working on; you are welcome to PM me!
For now, keep an eye out on the email you follow/favorite me or KFP fanfiction! You will know later on, and two epilogue endings of A New Prophecy will publish soon!
The Mightiest Warriors, Book Two is on the way this week!
