Disclaimer: I do not own any Kung Fu Panda Characters

The Light and Dark of the Children's Hearts

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Many Years ago

I awoke to the sun. Blinking I placed my hand over my eyes but I didn't feel the sun on me. Getting up I dusted my fur off and stood and looked around. Last night was a blur as I remembered something bad happened. Then it hit me the fire the orphanage was on fire. "Joey, Kyra, Lee, Pona, where are you guys?" I called. I got up and looked around and I saw the orphanage burnt down. Tears stung my face as I remembered the others trapped inside. Falling down to my knees I remembered sobbing. It was my fault I should have done more to protect them. Then I saw some of the cooks at the orphanage all dressed in black. Some sad music was playing and I saw people walking down to the old cemetery.

They were probably burying the children that died. I got to my feet and decided to go and pay my respects it was the least I could do. I don't remember feeling the ground or walking but I followed behind someone and went down to the cemetery. The gravedigger had two men carry one lone coffin with them as people cried. I was confused why weren't their more coffins? Four children got trapped in the orphanage but was their only one coffin? Maybe they could only find one body.

I moved silently over to the front and I saw the preacher giving the service. Soon I will learn of the children that I failed to protect. He was an old goose with gray feathers. He too was wiping tears away as he spoke. "Today is a sad day not only did we lose a fine orphanage and many children have no place to go. But thankfully all the children are alive but one sweet angel that was taken from us," he said.

I looked around and I saw Ms. Carrington an old goat lady holding the rest of the children. They were all shedding tears and I decided to walk over to them and comfort the children I could. Then I heard the preacher say the name of the child. "Amelia was a sweet girl, she came to this orphanage many years ago and even though she was only 13 when she died. She gave her life to this orphanage and the children. Amelia helped cook meals, raise children and even got them adopted and stayed at the orphanage instead of trying to get herself adopted. When the fire came four young children were trapped inside and Amelia ran back inside and got them out. It was her bravery that saved them. So, now today we say good bye to Amelia may she rest in peace forever," the preacher said.

I froze when I heard that I shouted, "I'm not dead I am right here!" No one heard me I went over to Ms. Carrington and said, "Ms. C I am right here I am not dead". I tried touching her but my hand went through her. My eyes widened as I saw this. "What happened to me?" I asked. Just then Pona, a little pig looked up and her eyes widened.

"Amelia, you came back!" she exclaimed and hugged me. I felt her as tears stung my face.

"You can see me?" I asked her.

"Of course I can, silly" she told me.

"Who are you talking to Pona?" Ms. Carrington asked.

"Ms. C Amelia is not dead she is right here," Pona said. Ms. Carrington got down on her knees shedding a tear.

"No sweetie, she is not here she is gone but she will always live in your heart," Ms. Carrington told her.

"But she is too real turn your head to the right Amelia is right there," Pona argued.

"It is true I am right here," I added. But Ms. Carrington led Pona and the children away. Pona looked at me with a sad face and I called out, "Don't worry Pona I am not going anywhere I will be with you and the others I swear". This made no sense could I really be dead? My answer came when they were opening the lid so people could put flowers in it I saw me. It was true I really was dead. A million emotions entered my body as I saw my own body before me. I had no idea what was going on so I took a walk.

Down by the woods near the orphanage I focused and was able to skip rocks. Figuring out what to do but I had no clue. Just then I heard a noise and felt a great pain in my heart. Walking towards the noise I saw a tiny fox child crying. Then by him was a baboon with wild gray hair and mean red eyes. The baboon looked like he was breathing in some white light. The fox child was crying more and I grew angry. Hurting children was the quickest way to get me angry. "Hey stop that you are upsetting him!" I yelled. The baboon stopped and saw me.

"Who are you?" he asked. He slowly walked towards me his eyes seeing right through me. "You smell of death but I see you haven't passed on. Oh don't tell me you are a spirit guide," he said with an amused look.

"My name is Amelia and you will leave him alone," I said firmly.

"And what are you going to do to stop me?" he asked. "I have eaten spirit guides bigger than you," he said.

"Oh yeah eat this!" I yelled. I formed a fist and was about to punch him except a huge ray of light shot out of my hand. The baboon screamed out in pain. He seemed weakened as he looked at me with eyes of fear.

"How did you do that?" he demanded.

"I don't know but unless you get out of here now I will do it again," I told him.

"You have no idea what you are dealing with. I am Mavet, eater of Children's souls. I steal their light and innocence with fear and once I steal their souls they become soulless themselves and do my bidding," he said.

"Well you are not getting this child's soul so get lost!" I yelled. I formed another fist and even more light came out blinding Mavet. He yowled in pain and ran into the darkened woods.

"This is not over Amelia we will meet again," Mavet growled and disappeared. Once he was gone I walked over to the fox child.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

"Is the baboon gone?" asked the child.

"Yes, he is my name is Amelia what is your name?" I asked him.

"My name is Eric and I want my Mommy," he whimpered.

"Come on I will take you to your Mommy," I told him. I smiled at him and he smiled back and held my hand. We walked out of the woods and saw a female fox calling out Eric's name.

"Mommy!" Eric yelled and ran to his mom. She held him tightly and he saw me and waved good bye. I waved back and walked back to the orphanage. I saw a bright light beckoning to me and I was walking to it but I saw no one waiting for me. I realized yes I was dead but I still had a reason to stay and that was to protect the children from Mavet. And that is what I was going to do. I turned away from the light and walked back to the orphanage. Little did I know my story had just begun.

Author's Note: Hoped you all enjoyed this chapter and please review. Special thanks to KungFuPandaFanatic for giving for the title for the story.