A/N: …Hey…it's me, Shen's General…I know some of you guys are wondering why this update took so long…it's just…eh…I was worried about this chapter…deeply worried. I mean, did you ever have a chapter typed out, and was unsure if it was any good? It just that my story Between Brothers was a excellent hit…and I was worried I would disappoint you guys if I showed you this chapter…but thanks to a new friend of mine, I became inspired enough to finally finish this chapter. I'm sorry if this chapter is not up to par with my other work…and I am sorry for keeping you all in the dark for so long.
REPLY REPONSES:
Animation Universe 2005: Indeed, there are dark schemes afoot. I'm glad that I managed to get you fired up!
TheEasilyAmusedOne: Yes, they are indeed.
sonicfighter21354: I never seen Avatar except from the commercials, but I found the series to be…weird. And yes, I intentionally had the mysterious figure sound like Shen there for a reason. As for the heroes who will save Mei Ling…you are partially correct.
Master Crane: Thank you, I am glad that you were able to lend your two cents. As for that joke, you would had to read Synchronized Harmony's story The Return of Lord Shen to find out. Charlie told me he would be unable to come on often. The German Sheppard bit was unintentional.
ExplodedPotato: Yes, that was intentional for a reason. It will be revealed later on.
Synchronized Harmony: Oh, yes, indeed, Sync. I am glad I was on the ball with Aang's behaviorism and outfit and I am glad you liked my tiger OC. I can understand the bit with Mei Ling and Gang a bit strange timing-wise, but I figured I try to take a slight different approach to the Mei Ling and Crane dynamic.
Aniu16: Well, I was thinking of Squint when I made Loz. The boar I was just aiming for a lazy character. I am sorry for have making you wait for the Between Brothers updates, but now I finished it.
jjhatter: Sorry about spoiling a bit for you. And yes, Mr. Gold as Aang certainly works. As for the name…I should tell you that the OC's name isn't technically a name, per se, but a title, but the name Siwang Deimos does have a nice ring to it. Also, the mask of the beast should be more like Bane's mask from the Dark Knight Rises, without the strap between his eyes and over the head, but I digress. Thank you.
Crazybird101: Again, EPIC WIN on your review.
MOVISION: Glad you find it interesting.
Guest: Thank you.
Note: I disregard the reviews that were made for the special note chapter…and that guest who said I did not plan this thoroughly…I did plan the story…it was just the matter of making it work.
I do not own Kung Fu Panda, wished I did, but I don't.
I do not own the song Second Chance or Shinedown.
I do own the Siberian Tiger and the mysterious character yet to be revealed, as well as Zhou and Loz.
Synchronized Harmony owns Aang.
Chapter Three: The Disturbance In The Peace
"Redemption and second chances are two of many things sought by people."
My eyes are open wide and by the way, I made it through the day.
I watched the world outside, by the way, I'm leaving out today.
I just saw Hayley's comet, shooting.
Said, "Why you always running in place?"
Even the man in the moon disappeared…somewhere in the stratosphere!
Tell my mother, tell my father, I've done the best I can!
To make them realize this is my life, I hope they understand.
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...sometimes goodbye is a second chance…
Please don't cry one tear for me, I'm not afraid of what I have to say.
This is my one and only voice, so listen close, it's only for today
I just saw Hayley's comet, shooting.
Said, "Why you always running in place?"
Even the man in the moon disappeared…somewhere in the stratosphere!
Tell my mother, tell my father, I've done the best I can!
To make them realize this is my life, I hope they understand.
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...sometimes goodbye is a second chance!
Here's my chance! This is my chance!
Tell my mother, tell my father, I've done the best I can!
To make them realize this is my life, I hope they understand.
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...sometimes goodbye is a second chance.
Sometimes goodbye is a second chance! Sometimes goodbye is a second chance…
Second Chance, Shinedown
About a hundred miles away and a few days later from the events that occurred at Lee Da, there laid a small and peaceful valley known as the Valley of Peace. If the name in itself sounds familiar, it should, for it is home to the great Jade Palace, the sacred training grounds of the late Grandmaster Oogway and current Grandmaster Shifu and his students, The Furious Five. It is also home to the legendary Dragon Warrior, the famous hero that had saved China…twice even.
The first was when a student by the name of Tai Lung, a once-prized pupil of Shifu, not to mention his adopted son, sought for the power of the Dragon Scroll and the title Dragon Warrior, and would had been willing to reduce the valley into ashes and he would have succeeded, had not Oogway chosen the real Dragon Warrior, a fat panda who was there by a strange turns of events. After a long, hard fight and the use of a very dangerous technique known as the Wuxi Finger Hold, he defeated Tai Lung and finally was accepted as a true warrior by his peers and his master.
The second time was when a certain peacock (as you may recall) took over Gongmen City and planned on taking over China with his newfound weapons. After hearing news of Thundering Rhino's death at the hand of his inventions, they immediately traveled to the city, and after chasing his commander, getting caught, escaping a shot-down tower, and after the Dragon Warrior realized his past, he managed to defeat Lord Shen by redirecting his cannonballs, and Shen perished at the hands of his own weapon…but there shall be more on that later.
Only a year had passed since the warriors ventured off to Gongmen City to put a stop to Lord Shen's evil plans, and since then, bandit raids and invasions had been reduced significantly, and to say the least, peace had actually reigned over the Valley of Peace and the warriors hadn't face any particularly dangerous foe since then (except for Ke-Pa of course)…but all that was about to change for a certain hero, for he shall be called upon to take a role in a quest designed by fate and prophecy…and it all started with someone flying towards the valley…
A good distance from the said valley, on a hanging tree in the side of a mountain, a beaten-up pigeon landed on the branch, letting out deep, exhausted pants. In case you don't recall, this is the same pigeon that was smashed under a door that was blasted open by the mysterious attacker that raided the Lee Da Academy a few nights earlier.
"…S-shit…only a few miles further…gotta get this message to the Jade Palace…" The pigeon whimpered, as he spread his wings (resulting in a hurting crick) and took off towards the Valley, for he was on a mission…
Elsewhere, atop a big mountain and up a thousand steps from the valley below, within the training grounds of the prestigious Jade Palace, all was quiet…too quiet…when a soothing song began to play…
In the courtyard, there sat a elderly red panda, playing his bamboo flute, seemingly unaware of his surroundings…especially given how he was failing to notice a couple of figures closing in on him, like a prey surrounded by a plethora of predators…the old man continued to play his flute until his left ear began to twitch…
Instantly in that moment, a tiger and a viper burst out from behind a rock, a monkey and a mantis from a nearby tree, and a crane swooped down from the sky as they all attacked the old man at once, but this was no ordinary old man, for he was Grandmaster Shifu, one of a select few that was trained by Grandmaster Oogway himself. Being the trained master he was, Shifu immediately went on the defensive, first off by blocking the female tiger's attack, then repelling a tail swipe by the viper, and utilizing his flute, shoving the monkey away as he tried to attack him, and with another flick, he knocked off the mantis that hopped onto his shoulder. Then as the crane swoop down at the red panda, Shifu immediately whacked him on the head as he dodged his attack, and repeatedly deflects each of his foe's attacks and eventually pushed all of them back, as the five attackers and him adopted battle stances…
But then, Shifu commented, breaking his pose, "Well done, students, you are all seem to be improving." The five students went into a bow, as Shifu looked upon all of them with approving glances…before realizing something, "Where's Po?"
A loud sound of scraping shingles answered his question as a panda, who was hiding atop one of the roofs, leapt out and was about to pounce at the red panda…before tripping and stumbling down the other side, landing hard at Shifu's feet. The mantis and monkey could not help but give a slight chuckle…while the red panda gave a sigh.
"Panda…this ought to be the third time you tried the roof…and honestly, it is pathetic given how everyone can hear you up there."
Po, who was still on the ground, face muffled, raised his hand, defending, "At least it's an attempt…"
The five and Shifu rolled their eyes, as much as they had grown to respect the 'Dragon Warrior', both as a kung fu master and a friend, he always was the same lackadaisical, fanboyish panda that came from the sky in a burning fireball a few years back. Normally Shifu would have viciously reprimanded someone for trying to make such excuses…but ever since he met Po, he had softened up a bit…he was still strict, but not as much as he was, especially after Tai Lung…
"Yes, Po. It was an attempt." Shifu answered with a defeated sigh, as he took note of the sun setting, "Well, it is high-time we stop for the day, you may report to the barracks for dinner."
Everyone were in the kitchen, as Po prepared some noodle soup, as he usually did, for he was really gifted in the culinary arts, while the five were discussing matters regarding many things. Shifu was busy in his room, meditating, as always.
"So, Po… that was…quite a stunt you pulled today." Tigress addressed unsurely.
Po flushed a bit, as he cut a radish, "Well, yeah…I really couldn't think of any way of sneaking up on him. So I thought, hey, I was close with the roof idea."
"Face it, Po; you are no good at stealth mode." Monkey quipped.
"In fact, you bombed it…a lot." Mantis added, chuckling a little.
Po merely frowned when Crane, the most mature of the group, just sighed, "Give Po a break, some people is good at stealth, some aren't; it's that simple."
"Well thanks, Crane…I think…" The panda nodded, not quite sure if Crane was really defending him or just saying he sucked. But that thought didn't matter, as he finished the soup, "Ah, SOUP ON!"
Within a matter of moments, Po quickly passed five bowls of soup along the table, each of them stopping in front of the five masters and placed one in front of him. Soon, dinner had begun.
"Hmm, Po, you did it again, this soup is so delicious!" Viper complimented.
"Yeah, only wish I could fit more of it in my mouth!" Mantis chirped.
"You can say that again!" Monkey agreed.
"Indeed." Tigress, who was the other most mature member of the group, simply nodded. She didn't admit it at first, but the panda's soup was certainly…awesome, as he would put it.
These compliments were nothing new for Po and his soup. Everyone always seems to get a kick out of this delicacy, especially when prepared by either Po or his father, Mr. Ping, who own a noodle shop down in the valley.
Po merely smiled at the compliments, glad that his other skill made up for the lacking in his kung fu today…but then he noticed that Crane, who was not really eating, but looked like he was patiently waiting for something.
"Hey, Crane, is everything alright?" Po asked, "You haven't made a comment on the soup with the others."
Crane quickly snapped out of his focused gaze as he turn to face Po, "Huh…oh, oh no, Po, everything is fine. I am just waiting…"
"Waiting? For what?" The panda questioned, obviously confused.
Suddenly, instead of Crane answering, the doors into the kitchen burst open, as Zeng, the head servant and messenger of the palace, called out, "MAIL CALL!"
"Oh." Po answered. He forgot that at least once a week, Zeng would come in to deliver letters from other people to them. Given their positions, most of the letters they receive were either fan mail from fans from other villages, death threats from their enemies, and rarely a few personal contacts.
Zeng went around the room as he passed a scroll to Viper, "To you, a letter from your parents." Then, he went to Mantis and Monkey, rolling his eyes, "To you two, a scroll about some immature pranks." He goes to Tigress, "To you, a letter from Zan." The Zan he was referring to was a young goose that she and Po had saved a while back. Eventually, he then arrived at Po, "And to you, Po…oodles and oodles of fan mail." The elder goose reached into his bag and pulled out a pile of mail and places it in front of Po, much to his delight.
Crane watched him expectedly as he nears him, for he himself was expecting a letter as well for a while. Zeng was moments away from approaching him…but to his shock, the goose just walked by him.
"Uh, Zeng…isn't there a certain letter for me? You know, from Lee Da?" Crane confronted.
Zeng sighed, "Sorry, Master Crane, still nothing."
The crested crane stifled a disappointed sigh as he whispered, "She usually writes back by now…"
For those who wonder about whom our avian friend was referring to, it is none other than Mei Ling, his friend and classmate back at the academy. Ever since he had left their halls and on to the Jade Palace, he had made it his monthly ritual to send a letter concerning his well-being and current events to his dear friend and at least a day or two later, the mountain cat usually responded with likewise contents. But this time, his friend seemed to be taking longer than usual to write back…
"Oh, come on; Crane, so your girlfriend is late in returning your letter." Mantis chuckled, "The mail system back at Sun-Lo is probably backed up or something."
"She's not my girlfriend!" Crane snapped. Ever since Monkey and Mantis had learned about his 'lady friend', they always seemed to tease him about it, and even went on to play 'keep away' with it once…that resulted in a major beating. But despite that, what Crane said was not the entire truth. Sure, she was not his girlfriend…but as Mei Ling had for him, he had a crush on her. No matter how he denied it to his friends, they were no fools, including Po, who had only learned of her shortly after his arrival at the Jade Palace, he always felt for the mountain cat, but couldn't work up the courage to say how he felt…completely ironic when he thought of it; he took on bad guys aplenty without fear yet he could not tell a girl he liked his true feelings. Either way, it annoyed Crane when they pestered him about her, not because what they said wasn't true, but the seething fact that it wasn't true to him. "She is just my friend who happens to be a girl!"
"Whoa, easy, Crane, we were joshing ya!" Monkey quickly stammered, raising his hands in defense.
The bird sighed, "Sorry…it's just that I am beginning to worry. I know Mei Ling; she never takes this long…except for that one time around the winter solstice with that blizzard."
"Look, Crane, it is probably fine." Viper tries to soothe, "Mei Ling is probably busy with her duties, she is a grandmaster, you know."
"Viper's right." Tigress nodded, "I'm sure her letter will be here shortly."
"She's right!" Po exclaimed, "I bet Mei Ling is busy kicking butt right now!"
"Yeah…" Mantis nodded, "…but we cannot cross out the possibility that Mei Ling is busy dating a fellow mountain cat."
The room went silent as soon as those words uttered from the bug's mouth, as Crane and the others glared at him, as the avian, whose glare was the most seething, simply left his place at the table and exited the room without so much as a word, while the others continued staring at the bug…
Mantis winced under their angered gaze as he asked, "What?!" His question was simply answered by a smack on the head by Viper.
Crane, as soon as he was out of the kitchen, let out a heavy sigh, when he turned to go to his room. What Mantis said really did offend him, not because it was insensitive (it was, make no mistake), but the fact that it was a possibility, no matter how improbable it was. He never read anywhere in her past letters about a possible suitor, but honestly, that could simply be because Mei Ling chose not to mention him (I mean, would you tell one of your longtime friends that you were seeing someone?).
The avian soon arrived at his room, opening the paper-thin doors with ease as he entered it. Soon as he did, he let out another sigh…was if what Mantis said was right? What if she did move on? For crying out loud, it was twenty some years since he last saw her, surely in those years, she could have easily found a male that made her as happy as he did and more, and who could blame them? Mei Ling was perfect: she was kind, strong, compassionate…beautiful…Crane shook his head, why did he feel this way? It was obvious that he was not meant for her. He was a crested crane, she was a mountain cat, he was a janitor, she was a star pupil, this infatuation should have faded away…then why does he have a crush on her?
With that thought in his mind, he went to a trunk that he kept in his room. Upon opening it, its contents revealed to be organized sets of paper, the left side containing all the calligraphy drawings he made, while the right side…where all scrolls that contained letters that he had kept from Mei Ling.
Without much thought, Crane grabbed the first letter on top, which was the last one he received from her last month. He unfurled it to read it:
Dear Master Crane,
I am glad to hear that things had been going swimmingly since your last letter, even gladder that nothing that could destroy China had shown up since then. As for me, things had been normal…too normal you might say. It's just that back at the academy, when you're a student, you seem to learn something new everyday…while as a grandmaster, routines is nothing more than clockwork. Sometimes, I just wish that something unexpected would just happen…hell, I wouldn't mind if some dumb ol' bandit tries to rob the place…hehe, just kidding. Anywho, I guess besides that, everything is just fine. I look forward to your letter next month…
Love,
Mei Ling
This letter was different from his previous letters, as Mei Ling always signed off by saying 'Till then', but as he read it, she said 'love'. Crane just figured that Mei Ling wanted to mix things up…but a part of him wondered if she changed it for another reason…the monochromatic bird just sighed as he rolled it up and placed it back in his chest…he wished he could just flat out say 'I love you', but he hadn't seen her in so long, and with what his fellow bug comrade said, he feared it would be useless now to say it. The bird just mentally kicked himself for being such a coward, and wished to himself that he would get another chance to see her face to face…but he just shook the thought, what were the odds of that happening?
In another room in the palace, Shifu was doing his daily meditation within his chamber, as no sounds except the winds blowing through the leaves outside were heard…as well as the quiet yet profound whispers made by the red panda as he proceeded with his meditations.
"Inner peace…inner peace…inner peace…" Shifu muttered, feeling the warmth of the lit candles in front of him, "Inner…inner peace…" A sound of wingbeat suddenly begins to echo, "Inner peace….inner peace…" More wingbeat sounds echoed, as the red panda's ears started to take note of it. "Inner…peace." A flurry of wingbeat sounds was made. "Zeng, if Po did something wrong again, I am in no mood to-" Shifu growled as he turned to see who was disturbing his session only to see a roughed-up pigeon flinch at his sudden about-face.
"Oh." Shifu uttered, somewhat embarrassed that he almost lashed out on a stranger, "Who are you"
"Bolin, sir!" The pigeon immediately squacked as he gave a salute, "From Lee Da Academy in Sun-Lo, sir!"
"Lee-Da?" Shifu asked, recognizing the name of one of his student's old school, "That's an awful long way from here. And what of you? You look like you were crushed by a door or something."
Bolin gave a shudder when Shifu said that, as he explained, "Well, Shifu, sir, that is kinda why I am here. Master Gang sent me to deliver this to Crane..." He pulls out a crumpled up letter from his pocket and handed it to Shifu.
The red panda take it, and after opening up the piece of paper, he takes a look at it…and his expression immediately turned to that of concern.
"Oh gods…" He whispered.
"I know. Trust me…I know…" Bolin droned as he suddenly fell to the ground out of exhaustion, shocking the red panda, as he quickly caught the slightly bigger avian.
Quickly working, Shifu shouted, "ZENG!"
Then suddenly, as if out of nowhere, Zeng quickly burst through the doors as he questioned, "Yes, Master Shifu?!" His eyes widened upon the sight of the unconscious pigeon in his arms.
Unable to find time to explain, Shifu just barked, "Get two gooses and take this young man to the spare room! And tell Crane and the others to report to the Hall of Heroes immediately!"
It was merely a few minutes later when Crane was surprised by the intrusion of the goose, even more so surprised when he told him that Shifu demanded his presence in the Hall of Heroes. Quite confused, the avian made his way to the hall, and as he entered it, he was more surprised to find Po and the others, along with Master Shifu, standing there as if they were waiting for him. It became even more shocking as they were all staring at him with sympathy and sadness…
"Master Crane." Shifu addressed, as his face was grave.
"What is it? Why did you call me, master?" Crane asked, genuinely confused.
"Crane…I'm afraid I have some bad news…" The red panda admitted with sadness.
"Bad news?" The avian repeated.
"Yes. A few minutes ago, a student from Lee Da came into my room on his last legs…" Shifu explained
"Lee-Da?" Crane jumped, recognizing the name of his and Mei Ling's school.
Shifu nodded, "I didn't get much from him, as he almost immediately fainted. But he did give me this letter." He held up a crumpled note.
"Sir, I don't understand. What's going on? Did something bad happen?" The monochromatic bird demanded.
The red panda let out a sigh as he gestured to Po, who stepped forth, "Crane…I think its best that you sit down…"
"What?! Why?!" Crane asked, growing more agitated.
The grandmaster groaned inwardly as he passed the note to Crane, who quickly brought it up to his beak as he began to read it…
Dear Grandmaster Shifu & Furious Five of the Jade Palace
Please forgive this sudden message, but…but something awful happened a few nights ago. As of earlier tonight, the Lee-Da Academy was attacked…by who, I do not know, but he was a beast, a cold-blooded beast! Me, Master Mei Ling, and the students tried to fight him, but he overwhelmed all of us, unable to faze him the least…even I couldn't stop him. Worse so, I would have died if Mei Ling had not saved me…but I was unconscious. When I woke up…I found the entire academy in total disarray, and our grandmaster…Mei Ling…she's gone…I don't know if the beast killed her or not, but she is gone! Please, I beg of you, we need your help to find this monster and bring him to justice!
Please…
Master Gang of the Lee-Da Academy
The avian's eyes widen in horror, and his beak dropped in a mechanical fashion as he dropped the letter...
"Crane..." Shifu began, but the avian interrupted him, his shock replaced with anger.
"How did this happen?!" Crane barked, his eyes burning, "Who is responsible for this?!"
"We don't know, Crane." The red panda explained, before adopting a stern glare, "But rest assured, we will find him and Mei Ling. I had already arranged us to meet with the Anvil of Heaven. I pray that they might know more about this monster."
"Then what are we waiting for?!" The bird exclaimed angrily, as he began to walk towards the doors, "Let's find this beast and bring him to justice!"
"Crane..." Po tried to say, as there were more to be said, but Tigress beaten him to it.
"You can't come." The Chinese Tiger stated coldly.
Crane stopped mid-step, as he looked back at Tigress, his face marked with shock and outrage. He asked, trying to keep calm, "What? What did you say?"
Tigress sighed, "You must stay here, Crane."
The avian turned around as he demanded, "Why?! Mei Ling is my friend, and some bastard have her held captive, that's-"
"Why you must stay behind, Master Crane." Shifu finished his sentence, his expression grim, yet sympathetic, "I understand your relationship with Master Mountain Cat, and I find it quite admirable that you are willing to come to her aid...but this situation at hand leaves you emotionally compromised."
"Emotionally what now?" Po asked dumbly, not understanding the word.
"He means that Crane probably won't be able to think clearly." Tigress explained, her expression just as sympathetic, "And if someone is unable to think clearly in battle, it will not end well for them."
"That is completely absurd!" Crane snarled, much to everyone's shock, "You can't possibly expect me to just stand here and do nothing!"
"Crane, please..." Viper tried to soothe, never seeing the bird this upset.
"No!" Crane shook his head, "She...she needs me! I can't just...I can't just..." His anger began to fade as despair took it's place, as he fell to his knees.
"Geez, he's taking it pretty hard..." Mantis quipped to Monkey, who only nodded in agreement.
Crane looked up and faces Shifu, his eyes practically begging him, "Please, master...you have to let me join you..."
Unfortunately, Shifu held firm as he approached the bird and placed his hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Crane...but my decision is final. This is strictly for your safety, Crane." The monochromatic bird merely winced at his rejection, "But I swear, we will find her, and the moment we do, you will be the first to know. Do you understand?"
The crane nodded.
"Good...I think it is best that we all get some rest before heading out tomorrow. So off to bed with all of you..." Shifu ordered, as he walked past Crane and left the hall to return to his chamber.
As soon as he left, the other masters followed suit. When they passed the now-despondent Crane, Tigress, Viper, Monkey, and Mantis merely gave sympathetic glances, while Po whispered, "Sorry, Crane…"
With that, the four masters left the hall, only the crested crane remaining in the vicinity…the bird wanted to let out a loud cry of anguish, but doing that would change nothing…but doing nothing wouldn't help either.
After spending a few minutes in the empty hall, he got up and, doing as his master told, decided to return to his room. It was only a few minutes later that he was walking down the hall of the barracks. Hearing the sounds of light breathing and Po's heavy snoring, Crane figured that they were sleeping, and seeing how late it was getting, he decided he should get some as well, although he highly doubted that he would, especially now...
"I understand your relationship with Master Mountain Cat, and I find it quite admirable that you are willing to come to her aid...but this situation at hand leaves you emotionally compromised..." The voice of Shifu echoed in his head.
Emotionally compromised? Of course he would be emotionally compromised; this was his long-lost friend they were talking about! But that should not be any reason to stop him from helping! Crane only growled, he cannot simply stand here and not do anything, Mei Ling was out there in need of his help...but what could he do? He knew no more than the others about where to begin their search for this mysterious beast, and asking around was out of the questions, time was of the essence. Crane sighed, maybe he can find out what to do tomorrow. With that thought said, he went to his door, and was about to open it...when he heard shuffling. The avian looked at where the sound coming from, only to find a pigeon, who was looking at him in surprise.
"Oh...Master Crane, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." Bolin apologized.
"No, it's fine…say, aren't you that pigeon that came from Lee-Da?" Crane asked.
"Yes I am." The pigeon nodded…before continuing, "I'm sorry…"
"For what?" Crane asked, a bit mystified.
"Well…for what happened to Master Mountain Cat. I hadn't been at the academy long, but I heard that you and her were good friends, is that right?"
"That's true." The crested crane nodded, not bothering to say to tell the whole story.
"I see…I also heard that Master Shifu is asking you to stay behind, is that right?" Pidge asked.
"Yes…" Crane bitterly muttered, his glance darkened.
"Well, I am sorry to hear that…but maybe it is for the best," Bolin stated, "I mean, this guy that attacked us, he was a monster…he made Master Tigress look like a kitty cat compared to him."
Crane groaned as he heard more of how powerful this 'monster' was claimed to be.
"I mean, not only did this brute beat us all up and kidnapped the grandmaster…but he also took every bit of metal we had in the academy…"
"Wait, what?" The avian immediately jolted up when he heard the last bit, "What did you say?"
"The brute beat us all up and kidnap-"
"The other part!" Crane nearly shouted, before realizing the others were still asleep.
"He took every bit of metal we had?" Bolin asked, a little frightened by his outburst.
"Metal?" Crane muttered to himself. Thieves raiding places were not unheard of…but why would someone attacked an academy filled with kung fu students and masters and steal something as invaluable as metal? As Crane thought about it, he could only remembered one instance where metal was being looted from villages all over…by wolves working for none other than Lord Shen, in order to forge his cannons…but that was completely absurd! Shen was dead, crushed by his own diabolical invention…there was no way that he could possibly hired this monster to loot metal and kidnap Mei Ling…is there? Crane wanted to deny it…but the more he tried to shake the thought, the possibility became more and more plausible. There was only one man who would have a great need for metal…and if he was alive…then something bad was coming…
Bolin took notice of Crane's pondering expression, "Uh, Master Crane, are you alright?"
Crane snapped out of it, and nodded, "Yes, Bolin. I was just thinking…"
The pigeon gave a small frown, "Did I say something wrong?"
The crested crane looked at the pigeon, as his mind, now with a better understanding of what he was dealing with, came to one conclusion…he had no idea if this was a good conclusion…but he will not simply do nothing.
"No…you said exactly what I wanted to hear…" Crane replied…as he suddenly turned around and ran off, leaving the pigeon alone in the hall…
The pigeon simply stood there in confusion as he said to himself, "Why do I have a feeling that I just did something wrong?"
The moon was shining brightly over the valley, illuminating almost everything within it, including a sudden blur that was now flying through the valley, quickly weaving through the village without making so much as a sound. That said blur was a monochromatic crane as he was flying as hard as he can, for a mission and a destination was now etched deep into his mind. He had no idea of what he was getting into, nor of the risks he was taking…but all he did know is that he had to do this…not only to stop this threat…but for someone he cares deeply about…
"Don't worry, Mei Ling…I'm coming…" Crane whispered to himself as he disappeared into the night…
A/N: …Eh, again, I'm sorry if this chapter sucked…and I really don't have any idea why I became so disarrayed when writing this chapter. So…again, I apologize, and I hope you guys will forgive me.
Voice Cast for OCs (Instead of doing it in the middle of the chapter, I will just post it here.)
Bolin – Lee Norris (Mouth from One Tree Hill)
Artworks stuff is appreciated, deeply appreciated.
