Here's where we end this!

Chapter 19: Forever Grateful

As they neared the end of the fourth week, Lazarus felt like this was a great program that he was able to go to because of the fact that he got out of his comfort zone of anxiety and self-doubt about his one arm and replaced it with confidence and excellence that he can do anything with one arm based on his kung-fu moves. The red Husky lets out a slight chuckle as he contemplated on what he has been taught over the course of four weeks and they changed him a lot.

He lets out a small sigh as he walked across the Peach Tree and as he sat down, he felt the wind blowing through his fur and blinked a few times, letting him relax and ease up a little bit. He scratched the back of his head and sees one cherry blossom gently float down to the ground and he couldn't believe that time went by so fast.

Just then, he saw Kenji coming in towards the tree and when the grey Husky found him, he sat down next to him and he asked, "Whatcha thinkin', Laz?"

Lazarus lets out a huge sigh and replied, "I don't know. It seems as though the last couple of days have flown by quickly because it'll never be the same once we leave here."

"Yeah, but at least we got some cool skills that we never knew we had." Kenji added.

Lazarus takes a look at his prostetic arm and has come to terms that despite that limb, he can most likely do whatever it is he sets his entire mind into and he lets out a small smile and then turns to Kenji and said, "I'm starting to like this place and I'm sad that this is the last day here."

Kenji couldn't agree more with what Lazarus told him and he said, "Yeah, I know. I wish we could like stay here forever."

"Hey, Kenji?"

"Yeah, Laz?"

Lazarus smiles at Kenji and replied, "Thanks."

"For what?"

Lazarus walks towards Kenji and replied, "For dragging me into this camp in the first place. I mean, it gave me a chance to actually prove myself that I can do anything with one arm."

"No probs, Lazi. We're best friends, aren't we?" Kenji said, putting his paw on Lazarus' shoulder.

"Yeah, we are."

Musaki then comes over and sees the two of them laughing with each other and he said, "Hey, I thought I'd find you here."

Lazarus and Kenji turns around and sees Musaki standing there and as he sat down, he looks at them and said, "You know, you guys have shown me a lot in these past four weeks here. I can see a profound change in you, Lazarus. You went from shy and timid to now being like...unstoppable and amazing. I'm really glad that you're able to come over and see that you can do this with one arm. You too, Kenji."

"We really owe you for everything you've done. I don't think any of this would be possible." Lazarus added.

"Like I said, you make the impossible become possible and before you know it...you'll accomplish it." Musaki said.

It became sort of a personal mantra for Lazarus to not let anything get in his way and he will most likely remember it and keep it for the rest of his life and he said, "Thanks for everything."

"We're gonna miss ya, man." Kenji added.

Musaki smiled at both of them and said, "I'm gonna miss you guys too. But you guys in the Valley of Peace, so stop by if you wanna visit, okay?"

"We will." they said, in unison.

Later that day

All of the students gathered around in Hall of Warriors in front of Shifu, Po, Musaki, Arizona and the Furious Five as Shifu went in to give out his closing remarks to all of the kids in the summer camp.

"I am deeply honored to have all of you come to our palace and participate in the kung-fu summer camp. You've shown great skills and amazing moves you have been taught in such young ages. I'm pretty sure it'll give you all the tools you need, whether or not you may be a kung-fu master. But I'm hoping it'll give you strength, courage, perseverance, discipline, confidence and self-acceptance to whatever you might overcome in life. And in the road ahead, I hope you will find yourselves to become anything you want to be." Shifu added.

"You are all warriors in your own right. Always keep that in mind and remember those words." Tigress added.

"You kids are the future of who you are and who you'll become." Crane said.

"Kids, take it from your Uncle Mantis...rise above for your own destiny." Mantis added.

"And be yourselves because you are born to be you and only you. Do not let anything stand in your way." Monkey stated.

"Give the courage to say 'I can' and 'I will' and you will empower yourself into being your own master." Viper added.

"Remain awesome as you are." Po said.

"When in doubt, always follow your heart for it'll lead you somewhere you're most likely to go." Arizona said.

"And just remember, your destiny...is to be free and be whomever you wanna be, regardless of disabilities or anything. Always stay true to who you are and don't let anyone tell you any differently." Musaki added.

All of the students bowed to them all and suddenly, Musaki calls out Lazarus and Kenji to which in an unexpected way, gave out a thunderous applause and cheers as they came in front of them and Kenji looked at all of them and said, "Wow...big crowd."

Shifu went up towards both of them and said, "You boys came in showing that despite your limbs, you can still do anything. And I think that it shows bravery and courage to set your mind to anything you want. I think you two have inspired us to believe that kung-fu should always be for everyone...amputees and all and I think you may inspire a whole group of amputees in the future."

"I got that wisdom from my grandfather." Lazarus added.

"I'm proud to say he's taught you well. We will never forget you boys." Shifu stated.

With that, they bowed to Shifu and got back in front of the children and Shifu said, "In short, thank you all for coming out and hope to see you all next year. You're dismissed."

All of the students left the Hall of Heroes as Po, Tigress, Musaki and Arizona escorted them out of the palace while their parents were waiting to pick them up and as Musaki looks at Lazarus and Kenji...he sees them as his first students that he ever taught in a four-week period. Suddenly, he looks up and sees Lazarus' brothers and sisters and Kenji's brothers coming in to get both Huskies and he could see they got a big family.

Lazarus and Kenji look back and waved at Musaki as they walked out and he waved back as well. After they were gone, he lets out a big sigh and figured that this became the best experience of his life and he's lucky to be able to do it again.

"Looks like I was wrong. You're a good counselor and trainer." Tigress said.

Musaki lets out a smile and said, "Thanks. I guess I've done a few things right."

"A few? More like a lot. And I wish I could take your example really well."

"You will. Just don't be a pain in the tail."

Tigress chuckled softly at that as she made her way back up the stairs and as Po and Arizona went back, Musaki took a little trip down memory lane to reminisce on the times he trained with Lazarus and Kenji and it became the best experience he's had in a long time and will cherish these moments forever.

"Hey, Lil' Saki...you okay?"

Musaki turns around and sees Po from behind and he lets out a chuckle and replied, "Yeah, I'm cool."

And that's it! Thank you all for reading, reviewing, favoring and subscribing this story. It is most appreciated. Got more fics coming up soon so until then...AniUniverse is out!