(XIII) The Way Home

After he was knocked unconscious, Po lifted him up by drifting in the calm flow of the spirit world. Everything was just where it should be. The current pushed directly towards a small islet, on which stood a brilliant golden peach. Po looked at himself and realized that he was wearing an extravagant kimono with a white chest and black sleeves, accompanied by a long golden cape. Something that he thought was very exaggerated, but he could think little about it, since a well-known voice spoke to him behind his back.

Oogway: - Dragon Warrior. -

Po:- Oogway. - He said, shocked as he floated on the calm golden waters.

Oogway: - Very well done, Po. You have grown. -

After: -Well yes. These last few weeks I have eaten too much. - He said looking at his grown belly.

Oogway: - Grown up. - He told him while they both landed inside a boat that Oogway began to row towards the islet. - How I expected when I sent the message to your father. -

Po: - It was you. Incredible. - Po seemed somewhat animated, but after hearing about his father Li his spirits vanished.

Oogway: - What is it, Dragon Warrior? -

Po: - It's... my father. I never got to say goodbye. -

Oogway: - Good. You can do it now. -

Po looked up and saw with teary eyes how the old turtle looked ahead. Po turned around and there he was. His father Li was waiting on the islet, just below the golden peach.

After: - ¡Bye! -

Li: - Po! - The two gave each other a big hug.

Po: - Pa... lo... I'm so sorry... Because of me... you... you... - He said stammering, but Li stopped his words.

Li: - Oh, son. It wasn't your fault. What I did was for love... and I would do it again if necessary. -

Po couldn't hold back her tears and hugged her father tightly again. Li reciprocated thehug with a complacent smile on his face. And when they both calmed down, Oogway spoke again.

Oogway: - You finally became the panda you were meant to be. -

Po: - But... How did you know that I could? -

Oogway: - On the day we met... I saw the future of Kung Fu... and the past. and I saw the panda that could unite both of them. And that's why I chose you Po. Both sides of Yin and Yang. And my worthy successor. -

Oogway approached Po and offered him his impressive jade staff, which Po hesitated to take.for first turn.

Li: - Take it, son. You deserve it. -

Po: - Are you sure? -

Oogway: - Of course I am. Besides - He whispered in her ear. - I have a bigger one -

The three present let out a slight laugh at Oogway's joke and then, Po grabbed the staff, and felt immense power emanating from it.

Po: - Good. And now what should we do? -

Oogway: - Well... we live here. You are the one who must decide if you should stay or go. -

Po: - Is it really possible? -

Oogway: - I don't know. I have never tried. -

Po: - Pa. Come with me. - He said enthusiastically to Li, but he looked at him smiling.

Li: -Po. My site is now here. This is where I belong now. -

Po: - I'm going to miss you, Pa. - Po hugged his father

Li: - And I to you. Son. - Reciprocated the hug.

Po slowly backed away and dipped the staff into the still water. With a slight movement, the water began to swirl around him, forming an impressive Yin and Yang symbol, which engulfed Po and sent him back to the underworld.

Po came back through the circle of Yin and Yang shaped peach petals, forming a huge ball levitating several meters above the ground. Those present were stunned by such a wonderful sight: the petals traveling at high speed around Po, while he wore the fabulous black and white kimono. But after a few moments, everything disappeared and Po landed on the ground, resting on his legs and his new staff.

When Po looked up, the first thing he saw was Mr. Ping and Viper, both of whom desperately pounced on him.

Sr. Ping: - Po. Are vivo. -

Viper: - Don't disappear like that again. Never. -

They both said as tears began to well up in their eyes. I never know had felt so happy to see them, and hugged them both as tightly as she could. But it would not last long. Since all the residents of the village, the remaining Furious Five, the other teachers, and Shifu, who had previously returned to the world of the living, joined the group hug with Po in the middle.

Po looked at each and every one of them with joy, then slowly got up and approached Li's body, who was still covered by a cloth. Po loaded it, turned around and went back through all those present.

All. Teachers, friends, relatives and strangers,they opened the steps with the head squat as a sign of respect before such a sacrifice of Li. Po approached theshould from the precipice and looked at the cloth with sadness. Po took a strong puff of air and blew on Li's body, which turned into peach petals and dissipated into thin air, leaving only the piece of cloth, which Po grabbed and squeezed hard.

Viper: - Po. I'm so sorry. - He said as he slowly approached where he was.

P: - It's okay. At least I was able to say goodbye. -

Po reached down and picked up Viper and held her in his arms. The snake was extremely sorry, but when it raised its head to look at Po, the panda was staring off into the horizon.

Viper: - And now what? - He asked when he was able to get over his grief a bit, looking with some relief at Po's serene face.

Po: - Now?... we will return home.

https://youtu.be/2eb8fxxF5V0

----O----

Very well. Now a little bit of improvisation.

----O----

Years passed and the Jade Palace had been rebuilt, and most of the treasure had been recovered. Inside the Hall of Heroes, a panda already in his forties or more years of age was sitting on his knees, meditating in front of one of the walls of the room. She was wearing an elegant black kimono, with an intricately woven golden dragon, when suddenly.

Children: - Master Po. Master Po. -

Po wakes up and sees how four children entered running to where he was while constantly calling him. And behind them, the Viper teacher who was trying to reach them.

Viper: - Excuse me, honey. But they wanted to say goodbye to their teacher. - Po rested his hand on the floor, allowing Viper to climb up his arm and rest on his neck.

After: -it is good. There is no problem. Tell me, children. Did you learn a lot today? -

Child 1: -Yes Master. Today we learned a lot. - He said something enthusiastic.

Girl: - The classes are very fun. -

Boy 2: - And amazing! -

Child 3: - Teacher. What's that? -

Po averted his gaze and saw that the boy was pointing at something with his hand. Po looked up and it was nothing more and nothing less than his father's stone hammer, which now rested on a pedestal in the Hall of Heroes.

Po: - That... belonged to a very brave panda. A panda who gave his life to save China... and me. - He told them as he walked with them towards the doors of the room.

Children: - Wow. -

Child 1: - Teacher. Teacher. Can you tell us a story about him? -

Po: - I will. But it will be tomorrow. It's already late and your mothers are waiting for you. Go. -

Children: -it is good. - They said something unpleasant while they went down the stairs of the palace.

Po: - Children. - He said after a long sigh.

Viper: - Always so witty. -

Po: - Yes. I am. -

Po raised his head and saw with joy the statue of Oogway that had been rebuilt. and right next to it, a statue from Master Shifu... and another from his father Li.

----END----

Well. This is where the story ended. I have to say that I really enjoyed writing it... even these last scenes brought a couple of tears to my eyes.

I can only tell you: Thank you very much for having read up to this point. I hope you liked the proposal as much as I did, and I invite you to review the other stories I have written. Thank you so much.