A/N: Hey!Nice to see you all again, yeah! Okay, I've talked enough already !To the replies!
Anonymousrules;
Great review! Yes, you're absolutely right! I'm glad you liked the funny parts! I know that there should be more chatting between Po and Shen but that will happen for sure!
ShootingStar;
I'm glad you liked, thanks a lot!
Holoispartain23-Carzynuts-strange dude-Raccon Girl;
Yeah, I laughed a lot too just by thinking about it. Glad I made it right.
International-Wonderland;
Hehhe, the jar was a random idea but appears to be that it was funny after all.
Alpha tiger;
Wow, thanks! I wasn't sure if I had made them well.
Unrealistic23;
I just love that line, I got it from a video in Youtube.
Charlie B. Barkin;
Yeah, I got your full review, thanks a lot man! It's good to have you back!
eld mcm;
Lol, of course not. I want a hug too!;U; I really need one.
Kungfusion;
heheh, that was hilarious indeed. But I bet he didn't though the same. :P
There were days that Crane could stand well no matter how hard or exhaustive they were. There were days were he could feel finally at peace and thanked for being alive and able to see the sun rising again. Others days he would just want to be someone else, no matter who.
Today...Crane wanted to be a rock.
A rock was something simple, it could be small or large, it could be white, green, blue..whatever. Nobody would care about a rock. It was something to be easily ignored thanks for the insignificance that it had to the world. It was just something ordinary that makes part of the nature. Maybe some people can talk about the importance of the rocks but the rest wouldn't give a damn.
Crane, in the other hand, knew that he was far from being ordinary. Far from being insignificant or ignored. And thanks to his latest actions now he was the center of the attentions of one of the most important towns in the Chinese Empire and a part of the most respected kung fu warriors of all time.
Shamefully most of them weren't looking at him with good eyes.
Crane tried to remember the last time he saw Master Shifu looking at him in such way. He couldn't. The waterfowl never disobeyed or disrespected his master before. Apart of Tigress he was the biggest example of how a great kung fu warrior should behave. Not that Crane did that to call attention of his master, he just feel that he wouldn't want to get Shifu angry with him. The avian could remember when Mantis and Monkey made a play-out with Tigress once and after the two almost got killed they got a terrible punishment from Shifu.
Mei Ling was next to him. She was nervous with the situation. Crane suggested her to stay close to Shen, the peacock somehow was still unconscious. Crane honestly prefer Shen to be that way instead of awake facing what was happening at the moment.
There were some loud noises right next to them and it became clear that Tigress was still trying to help Po with whatever had hit the panda. Inwardly Crane swore revenge against whoever thrown the object, if he manage to get out of this alive of course.
"Po!Keep quiet!I can't take it off with you shaking like that!" Tigress was having very difficult to help Po. The two approached of the group of guards that were surrounding Crane, Ling and Shen. Master Shifu watched while raising an eyebrow Tigress and Po arguing and acting rather strangely.
"I demand an explanation right now!What you people are doing?And how HE is alive?And why were you hiding him?" Master Shifu's voice was loud but controlled. The first question was more about Tigress and Po's actions. The second was for all, and the third was more to Crane and Mei Ling.
"Master!I'm so sorry!I can explain, we..Po stop already!" Tigress started but Po was throwing her off-balance." I swear that when I find who thrown this!.."
Ironically Mantis and Monkey had reached to the area to check if they prank had worked. In the good side it did!In the bad side..well, they could see the results. After hearing Tigress last speech they froze in shock. Afraid of being caught the two decided to leave without calling attention. For their bad luck Crane saw them.
"Hey!Mantis, Monkey!We need a hand here."
"Coming!...damn." Said Mantis while moving along with Monkey. They reached to Po and Tigress first. The feline stared at them while trying to take her hand off the panda's face.
"Do you two idiots have any idea of how to take this off?I got stuck!" She said angrily while placing her leg over Po's chest and pushing her arm the strongest she could. Po moaned in pain and agony, if she keep doing that Po's face fur would be removed at once and it wouldn't be a nice view.
Monkey laughed nervously looking at Mantis with pleading eyes. Mantis returned with a death glare.
"Hum...looks some kind of special glue.." The insect said taking a close look by jumping over Po's head. Tigress growled furiously.
"NO?REALLY?HOW I TAKE IT OFF?"
"Maybe some hot water can do it." The insect said jumping to his simian friend shoulder.
"That's great. Po, let's go. We can resolve Crane's matter later." The feline dragged Po along the street in the direction of a bathhouse.
Mater Shifu was going to order the two to stay but when he heard "Crane's matter" it was obvious with who he really need to talk. Crane gulped nervously.
"Tigress...did I ever told you how much I'm thankful for your help?" Though Crane with a mix of anger and sarcasm.
"CRANE!" Called Master Shifu. The avian was shaken off of his thoughts instantly."We need to talk very seriously. Master Ling, I'll ask you to stay here while I talk with Crane inside the palace. The guards will take Lord Shen to his cell."
At this some guards approached of the peacock. Mei Ling snapped instantly and placed some direct kicks on the antelopes. The guards flew some meters away. The mountain cat assumed a defensive stance next to Shen's body that was laying on the ground.
"I'm sorry boys, you'll have to pass through me first." She said playfully while taking her staff off of her back.
"What the hell you think you're doing Ling?" Though Crane while looking at her with clear desperation. When she prepared to use the staff Crane knew that she mean it. Of course the avian wasn't expecting her rebellious side to take place right now, that was another problem to deal with.
Master Shifu didn't like it a bit. Master Ox eyed the feline carefully and Master Croc laughed softly at the female cat.
"Oh, so the girl knows how to play hard, huh?Let's see what you got." The Crocodile went forward the mountain cat. Mei Ling wasn't smiling anymore but smirking instead.
"Oh, no." Though Crane while his eyes widened in realization.
Master Croc apparently tried to make the first move by attacking her through the sides with his large tail. Somehow Mei Ling moved with blindly speed jumping over him and placing a strong hit with her staff over Croc's head. Master Croc could only see stars for few seconds and before he could recover Mei Ling launched an assault of striking hits on the Croc, sometimes with her hands other with her staff. Angry enough Master Croc decided to use his spear. The crocodile stop dead in his tracks when his hand sensed only air instead of metal.
"What?Where's..?" He said trying to look over his back.
"Looking for this?" Said a joking voice. Master Croc turned around to see Mei Ling holding his large spear in her left hand while the other had her staff. The crocodile eavesdropped slightly and gulped nervously.
"Er...can't we talk about this?" He asked nervously. The mountain cat chuckled. Mei Ling throw the spear back to Master Croc that seemed surprise and confuse.
"Master Shifu, I understand that the situation is very...ankward. But there is a good reason of why this is happening. Me and Crane would be very glad to talk about it but only if Lord Shen comes along. I can't really tell of why but it needs to be this way."
The red panda nodded carefully. His eyes were fixed in the mountain cat. There was something in those eyes that Crane didn't saw in a long time. Shifu was impressed. Not very happy about it but impressed anyway.
"Maybe so. Very well then. You two carry Shen along with you to the palace. Master Ox, Master Croc. I know that you want to have a part in this but just this time let me handle it. It's my student that got involved in this so it's my responsibility." Shifu said formally while still glaring at the mountain cat and back to Crane.
"So be it Shifu, tell us soon what's going to be of all of this. We'll come later." Agreed Master Ox while leaving along with Master Croc. Croc was still trying to understand how Mei Ling got the upper hand so easily.
"What are you laughing at?She's tough!I never saw someone fight like that before, not since Maste..." Croc's voice died in the distance while he tried to justify himself to Ox who must had been laughing of the crocodile.
Shifu sighed. The Five, Po and him would be leaving in the morning but then this happened. He didn't know what it was worse, the fact of Shen still be alive or that it was Master Crane who had hidden the fact. Of each one of his students Crane was surely one that Shifu would always be proud of training. The bird's dedication, loyalty, discipline and bravery along the years were enough to earn the deep respect of his master.
But now everything was on the table and placed in a bet. How Crane found Shen?Why he saved the peacock?Why he hide it from Shifu and some of his colleagues. Shifu strongly believed that besides Ling some other members of the Five knew about it. Po surely knew since the avian and the panda were close friends.
"Follow me." Ordered Shifu leading the way to the palace's main entrance. Crane helped Mei Ling to carry Shen.
"Thanks...I..did not expect that you would care so much about-
Crane was starting to express his gratitude towards the mountain cat but she cut him off quickly.
"I'm not doing this for him but for you Jien," She said with a serious expression."You own me two now."
The waterfowl chuckled. Same old Mei Ling, things hadn't change much in her personality. But he wondered why he owned her two, it was supposed to be one. When was the first one?
The guards that Mei Ling had knocked out before were escorting them along the way. Most were still unhappy with the fact that they took a beat, especially from a women.
Crane's mind was racing a mile per hour. What now?Would Shifu ask for his story?Would him want to know the reason behind saving the peacock?And...would he allow Crane to still keep caring of the Lord?What about Mei Ling?Would she be allowed to come to the Jade Palace this time?Would Shifu ask if anyone else had part on this?
The red panda stood still in front of the stairs of the palace. He turned around and ordered the guards to return to their positions, the guards bowed respectfully and carried the order by leaving immediately.
"Crane, Mei Ling," Shifu said calling their attention. "Normally we would head upstairs to discuss the seriousness of the situation but I'm afraid that I'll request the presence of the Dragon Warrior and the rest of the Five before starting anything. Wait for me at the Royal dinning room. I'll return shortly. If you need anything ask for a palace servant. I'm not sure why they still have them here since...well, I'll be back soon." With that the red panda jumped over the huge wall and left.
"O...kay. Then, let's go." Crane suggested. The trio moved towards the stairs to reach the third floor where the dining room was located. Once they get there Shen was placed over the very large dining table. The peacock apparently was fine, at least he didn't have any other injuries caused by the fall of the jar.
"Why you don't make him wake up and tell the good news?" Suggested Mei Ling while sitting in a chair next to her. Crane nodded.
"Shen...Shen, hey!WAKE UP!" The bird yelled over his ear making causing the albino bird to open his eyes abruptly. He slowly raised and go to his feet. A loud metal noise was made and it was clear that Shen was still using his foot coverings. The noise caught Crane's attention.
"What's that?" The avian asked pointing with his wing to Shen's feet.
"Doesn't matter." Shen responded with extreme ignorance. Mei Ling smiled gently at Crane as if she was saying 'why do you still try?". Crane pretended to ignore her.
"Doesn't hurt to ask you know..." The avian said while taking a chair for himself and placing his straw hat over the table."Well, I have good news and bad news."
Shen eyed the crane with suspicious.
"Like what?" Crane played with his hat distractedly before answering.
"The good news..you're still alive." Shen looked away while acting as if he was shocked.
"That's a surprise indeed. I was sure that your stupid plan would result in nothing," The peacock said with short patient."What else?"
Crane and Mei Ling shared a quick look at each other.
"We...got caught." The bird said while looking to the other way as if he was ashamed of his failure. What the waterfowl wasn't expecting is that the peacock would look at him with such superiority.
"That's...not a surprise. I knew that you would mess up after all." Crane didn't saw any fairness in Shen's words.
"What?I didn't mess up! It wasn't my fault!" Crane said in his own defense. Shen didn't believe on him of course.
"Aren't you afraid?" Asked Mei Ling suddenly. Shen laughed evilly.
"Afraid of what?I maybe not be at my best form but I feel good enough to put over a fight. I can handle myself! I don't need a nanny to tell me what to do!Why you two don't just go away and let me handle of this?" The peacock was letting again his pride blind his eyes to the reality of the situation.
"Wow, you sir is really a confident guy." Mei Ling said. If Crane wasn't present at the moment he would not believe at what he just heard. There was no sarcasm or mocking in the mountain cat's words, there was something else. Crane knew Mei Ling for a long time and he knew what it did sound like. Admiration.
Before the waterfowl could make any attempt to take an explanation from Mei Ling they heard several footsteps. It appeared to be that they were coming from the hallway. After few minutes the huge doors opened revealing Master Shifu along with the Five and Po.
Instantly Crane went to Shen's side as mother would to protect her child. Shen almost freak out with that.
"What the hell you're doing?" Muttered Shen angrily to the other avian. The peacock didn't want to speak loud and call the attention of everyone else.
"What?Oh..I just...sorry." Crane took a step back while blushing. The waterfowl didn't know why he did such strange move. Shen pretend that nothing happened and focused his attention on the newcomers.
"Everyone may sit," Master Shifu said with authority and they all did it so." Very well then, let's resolve this."
A/N: Gahfhagk(being strangled by someone who hates cliffhangers)That's!dkafm all!gmska for!lhdjhn today!gshh, see...you all! Next mon...day!Heellpp!