There is a twist near the end...you'll be surprised...or maybe not. I dunno.

Chapter begins now.

(Flashback)

There was a large village just a few miles away from Lee Da Academy, not far enough that the complex could not be seen. It was a village that had plenty of rain and sunlight that was sufficient enough for adequate farming. Against the mist, crops would have little to no chance of growing around Lee Da Academy grounds, so any farmers will have to stay down in the village and do their farming there. It' not like many are allowed near the Lee Da Academy, anyway. They tend to let only those who show some true potential in Kung Fu were allowed entry. If someone was interested in Kung Fu and yet showed no potential, they weren't even given a glance.

Though people couldn't really complain much about it, because most people in the village were not too interested in Kung Fu at all. They were fascinated, but it didn't go too far from that. As in, they might have interest in Kung Fu, they aren't too interested as in people wanting to actually learning much about it. Most were just that laid back about the subject.

Though the villagers are not the main focus. That belongs to only one person, along with his family.

"Crane! What's the matter?!" Yan Fan said in a slight panic, as she was bandaging the young bird's injured head. He tried playing outside with the other children, though try as he might, he just couldn't bring himself to kick a simple ball without hurting himself when he falls down. Being more fragile than most children, he hurt himself incredibly easily. After that, they decided not to play with him anymore...hence why his eyes are flowing with tears.

"They didn't want to play with me, anymore...just because I messed up a little. I fell on my head...and they laughed at me. Then they just left me there on the ground and didn't bother trying to help me up. They just...left me there...in the dirt. It hurt my feelings more than my own injured body..."

"How can they hurt more than your wounds?" his mother asked. "You're obviously very much hurt, so how do your feelings hurt more than your body?"

"You wouldn't understand, Mom. You can see your friends when you walk outside. But...when I walk outside...I have no friends to meet. Most of them think I'm not worth the attention. Being weak is their only reason for ignoring me..." Crane said sadly.

Yan Fan lowered her eyes and finished bandaging up her son. She then brought him closer in order to kiss his forehead and hug him. "Dear Crane...please don't cry anymore. I can't bear to see you cry."

Crane sniffed, and wiped his beak with his wing. "I really wish I wasn't so weak...so fragile...why did I have to end up this way...why...?"

"Yan Fan! Stop making that boy feel so crappy on accident." A male voice entered their home, and they both turned to the door. There would be an adult crane standing at the door. His wings were long but skinny, and so was his legs. He wore green pants and yet no shirt. And the most significant detail on this adult crane...was the rice straw hat on his head. He was week, he was skinny, and just as fragile a his son Crane was...But he smiled nonetheless. "I know you mean well in trying to prevent him from getting hurt, but you don't have to derail his self-esteem."

Yan Fan huffed. "Línghún, come now. I'm just trying to protect Crane. He's in serious pain, which is something I'm trying to prevent him from experiencing! This is exactly why I have to keep him sheltered!"

Línghún just smiled and kissed her beak, making her blush. "Pain is indeed an uncomfortable experience, but it's a necessary one. You can't keep the boy under wraps forever. Because if you do, he'll never be able to face to world when he goes out there. Because if he doesn't go after the world...the world will force him to."

"What are you talking about?"

"You can't expect to safeguard him from the world's danger his whole life. Either he confronts it himself, or something or someone makes him. And it had a high chance of being absolutely painful. I'd rather pick the former option." He looked towards her. "If he cannot get the experience he needs to face the world, he will never be able to leave the nest you carefully built around him. That nest cannot last forever. It will crumble one day, and he will be completely helpless. He'll then be taken apart in no time." He looked at her with a smile. "Sorry, but I'd rather not let that happen. I want our son to be ready to face the world."

Yan Fan was quiet for a long time. She was wondering about his words, processing them, trying to understand them. But before she could as him a question, he had already moved on from her, much to her frustration. "Hey! Don't just walk past me and leave me with riddles! Línghún!"

He cheerfully ignored her, as he approached Crane and patted his head with his wing. "Don't listen to your paranoid mother so much, Crane. I know she's just being protective, but there is indeed a line between that and smothering. She needs to let you out of protective gaze all the time. You won't grow that way. I'm trying to get her to understand this, but she is a very stubborn bird...but that's okay. I really love that part of her."

"At least you're honest." Yan Fan folded her wings, blushing shyly.

"Anyway, take it easy, son. Don't give up on making friends just yet. You just need a bit more time, is all. You can endure it a little while longer. You do not need to be worried. Soon...soon someone will stand by your side. Someone will pick you up when someone else knocks you down. And they'll never leave you. You can trust me on that, Crane." He smiled.

"Dad...?" Crane said quietly, as his father petted him slightly.

He yawned while setting his hat on a nearby table. "I'm gonna go take a nap. Go on and think about my words for a bit, son." He went away and onto bed, leaving his confused son behind with his mother.

Neither of them could ever understand why he's always so relaxed about everything. He only says what he thinks, it has nothing to do with wisdom.

Nothing had changed. Crane continued to be a primary target of much bullying for a couple of weeks, as he always endured. He honestly wondered if what his father said had any truth to it at all. He even began doubting if he was merely saying that, like he tends to do a lot. He had very little hope in making any friends at all. At this point he's almost given up, and decided he'd be better off alone to spare himself any more disappointment.

Then she decided to come down from the Academy...

Crane has made a very bad call. He tried getting home, but somebody was blocking his path, more like his bullies were preventing him from going home. This was really getting tiresome, and not because he keeps getting beat up. But because this happens so many times, that he begins to believe that these other kids seriously have nothing else to do but torment him. It's not like he can do anything about it though. He's still not strong enough to offer any fair amount of resistance to them.

They had already knocked him down once again, as he feebly tried to get back up. The response was to kick him back down,while they laugh at him. "Come on, get up already, Twig! We wanna see what happens when a part of you snaps!"

Crane, in a huge fit of annoyance, forced himself to stand up and glare at his tormentors. "Look, leave me alone! Don't you have better ways to spend your day than picking on someone weaker than you?!"

"We could...but we're enjoying ourselves too much."

"I should have known. You're just a bunch of mindless brutes who find enjoyment in hurting others! It's the only thing you know how to do, and I'm the only one being subjected to it! Can you PLEASE just back off!?"

They now growled at the bird. "You don't order us around! Someone who has a hard time simply standing up can't tell us what to do!" The rhino child reared his fist back and was about to throw another punch, which looked strong enough to knock him out. He closed his eyes and waited for it to painfully connect.

It never came.

Crane slowly opened his eyes, and they slightly widened in shock. Someone had jumped right in front of him and caught the punch with little effort. The one standing before him was not someone he expected. In fact...he was pretty sure that he didn't know this person at all. But he was sure that whoever this person was, is a girl. She was wearing an eternity mandarin dress colored teal with small buttons, suited for children. The attire seemed to match her color preference. She also carried a small staff of the same color. She looked like an Asian golden cat, to him. She was staring back at Crane's oppressors, looking bored.

"I really hope you all aren't trying to bully someone weaker than you. Because that's a very successful way to get on my bad side." She said with a hint of annoyance.

"Ah crap...! Mei Ling! Why are you here defending this bird?! He's far too easily broken!" Crane could see the rhino child wince in pain as the one named Mei Ling hardened her grip on his fist.

"And you honestly believe that an excuse to be a jerk to him? I don't think so." She snarled. "I'm letting go of your fist. And you're going to leave. Or else I will send every one of you into the medical house...AGAIN." They took full heed of her warning, as her other paw gripped the staff on her back. They ran away with little to no hesitation. Having Mei Ling as an enemy was not worth it. She released the grip on her staff as she turned to Crane, all traces of hostility gone. They were never aimed towards him. All that's left was a cute, honest, and friendly smile on her muzzle, and her eyes were also filled with warmth. Crane didn't not know how to respond to this. "Hey, sorry about that. Those guys are in my class, and they are huge JERKS. I hope you're not too hurt."

"Uh...don't worry about it. It's not the worst that's ever happened to me."

'You mean that you take that kind of stuff on a regular basis? You can't just let them do that!"

"I'm too weak to resist them, and I can't even fly yet. Escaping them is impossible, for me. What other choice do I have? My parents already know about what's been happening, and they can't do much about it, either. I have no hope of getting away from them."

"Then I'll just have to put a stop to that, will I?" Mei Ling said with a stern tone that said she wasn't bluffing. Coming from a girl her age, this was surprising to Crane. "If they won't stop bothering you, then I guess I'll have to get it across to them myself that it's not right to use you as a punching bag."

Crane needed to make sure he was hearing this right. She was willing to defend him, simply because she could. There was truly no other reason that he could see. Then he could see her smile. "Since 'll be your bodyguard until you can get stronger, you might as well become my friend."

"W-What?!" Crane beak-dropped, then slapped himself to calm down. "You're just gonna be my friend? Just like that?"

"Might as well. You look like you really need one." She smiled, holding onto his wing. "I'm not taking no for an answer. Now come on!"

"What?! You mean I don't have a choice?! How is that fair?!" he shouted in protest, but she was just laughing cheerfully, pretending not to hear him complain about his lack of choice. But inside he truly felt warm and a bit at peace. He knew her words were genuine, if not a little bit forceful. She said she would defend him until he could defend himself. So that's what he would do. She wanted to be strong.

Unfortunately, this happy trail of thoughts wouldn't last for long. No one could have seen it coming. But just merely four days after these two became official friends, there was a bandit raid all around the village. They had ransacked everybody and everything, not giving any care on whether or not they've hurt people. Crane and Mei Ling were lucky enough not to get caught in any of the crossfire, as Yan Fan put them down below in the basement where they couldn't be found. However,Crane was confused when his father came down looking solemn.

With little to no explanation, Linghun placed his hat on Crane's head. He pushed it up in confusion, as his father smiled sadly. "Dad...?"

He would not lie to Crane, but he won't tell him the full truth. "Sorry son...I won't be coming back home after this. You just got a friend, and there's no way I'm going to let you lose her after so long." He pulled Crane in for a hug. "Be strong, Crane. Be strong." He let him go, turns around to kiss Yan Fan for the last time, then leaves the basement, his mind made up.

"Dad...where are you going?" Crane's legs moved him forward, but Yan Fan reluctantly held him back. "What did he mean he won't be coming home?! Dad?!" Both he and Mei Ling were scared, they couldn't understand what was going on.

Linghun stood right in front of the large crate, which was possibly bigger than a small house, at best.'Ah boy...there's enough gunpowder in there to wipe out half the village, isn't there? i swear, bandits are crazy. And by the sounds that hear inside of it, there isn't enough time for me to move it out of the village, especially when everyone is just taking cover or straight-up left." he sighed in disappointment. "Shoot...and I really wanted to bond with Crane's new friend. What bad timing this is..." He stood still for a moment...then he smiled. "What I'm about to do is probably gonna make my wife and son really angry at me. But there's no one else here who can do it. or rather...there's no one else here who has the bravery. Luckily I was never really worried about my well-being."

He fly atop the large crate, and grabbed a hold on the handle. Securely gripping it, he began to flap his wings. It didn't budge for a couple seconds, and there wasn't much time. "Well I gotta hand it to them, they were smart enough to make it so heavy that it can't be easily lifted. However..." He steeled his gaze towards the sky, as he did an mighty flap of his wings to summon a gust of wind towards the ground, the wind being so powerful that it propelled both him and the crate off the ground. "There isn't anything wind can't move!" He began going straight up, straight towards the sky. He didn't have time to change course, nor could he afford to drop it. He had seconds left, at best. His wings and legs ached horribly, due to them never experiencing this sort of strain before. But he did not stop. For his resolve would not allow it.

'Sorry, guys...' he thought to himself as his mind flashes to Yan Fan and Crane. 'This is a rather unfair turn of events. But...you're safe now. And in the end, that's all I really care about. Yan Fan...I beg of you. When the time comes for Crane to leave the nest...let him leave. Come with him or don't, but he can't stay there. Mei Ling...I didn't know you very long at all...which makes me regret this even more, because you seem like a nice young lady. I wanted to know you better. And Crane, my son...you don't have to worry about, being forced on the ground for long. You'll soar through the sky. Flying i one of those freedom's you'll cherish over any treasure. Other than family of course. Family always comes first.' He chuckled slightly. "Look at me. I'm rambling on as I'm about to get blown to bits. My wife was right...I'm a goofball who doesn't take things seriously. Heh, even right this moment, I'm being far too casual. But..."

He could feel the crate in his talons begin to sizzle and crackle violently, but he merely smiled. "It's why my family loves me so much. Yan Fan called me brave because I was never afraid to be myself. I just hope Crane can do the same, despite what he goes through..." He closed his eyes, now ready for what happens next.

"Farewell..."

The resulting explosion was close to deafening. All people could see was a fireball in the sky, which they recognized as the bomb they thought would completely wipe out the village. But due to the sacrifice from one bird who they thought was the weakest of all, they were still alive. Their opinions of him changed drastically, and many of then were hurt to see that they could never take back all the hurtful things they said about him.

Though the one most devastated by this was Crane. his mother had fully accepted what would happen net, but he refused to. he managed to get past her in order to try and see what his father was up to. But all he saw was Linghun flying high in the sky with a crate, then a large explosion that engulfed the bird entirely. There would be nothing left of him. The emotional strain was too much on him.

He fell forward, only being held up by his wings. The straw hat dropped to the side, almost forgotten. With tears leaking, he closed his eyes, his beak was wide open, and what came out was a scream full of anguish. Which was a direct opposite of his mother, who couldn't make a sound at all. Mei Ling kept her mouth covered with her paws, as her own tears leaked out her eyes. She thought that when she became friends with Crane, his pain would finally end. However, that is no longer possible Not after this.

The funeral was eerily quiet, as most couldn't even summon up the heart to speak. They had badmouthed his man for so long, only or him to prove all of them wrong. They were too ashamed to say anything. Yan Fan was passed out, due to crying the most.

Crane and Mei Ling stood in front of a picture of Linghun, after everyone left. They were very quiet for the longest time, until Crane broke the silence. "Mei Ling..."

"Yes, Crane...?"

"Do you think...you could get me into Lee Da Academy...?" His father always wanted him to learn Kung Fu. He may not like fighting, but Linghun thought he could at least learn to defend himself. "As a student...as an audience...even as a janitor. I don't care. I can learn things from there just by watching and trying. I know it probably sounds stupid now...but it's what I want."

Mei Ling lowered her eyes as he gently held one of his wings. "Of course. I'm sure your Mom will understand this. At least a little."

"Yeah...it's just...I spend so much time being the weak one...now I want to begin breaking out of that. I just HAVE to. I never had a big problem with it before, but I do now. Dad did a very brave thing. He was strong, despite what his body suggested. it's crazy...but he inspired me. Which is why in body, and in heart..." He slowly tipped his hat over is eyes. If he had teeth, he would be clenching them right now, as more tears escaped his eyes. But he managed to look to the clear blue sky anyway."

"I won't be fragile anymore..."

(Flashback End)

Crane sighed, as he placed his hat on the table and shrugged. "So anyway, that's my story. I've just been a janitor ever since, when I became confident enough to actually get inside. Though I still had a hard time, I had Mei Ling to help me out so it wasn't too bad. Anyway Po, is there anything else that-"

He was swiftly caught off-guard as the panda promptly wrapped his arms around him in a soft bear-hug. He looked a bit confused. "Po...?"

"Sorry for spooking you a bit. You were telling your story in a very sad tone...it felt like you needed a hug. So, I decided to hug you." Po said quietly. "Your wings...they feel so majestic...and so awesome..."

"Oooooookaaaayyyy...?"Crane said in confusion. Mei Ling was giggling just slightly as Po's silly behavior managed to lighten the mood after a retelling of an uncomfortable memory. She could see that Po's reaction was sincere...which made it look that much funnier. Yan Fan couldn't help but smile. Crane couldn't help but feel awkward. "You...don't have to keep hugging me. I'm fine."

"Alrighty then." Po immediately lets go, folding his arms. "Now we get to the majorly important part...and that's me visiting the Lee Da Academy."

Mei Ling tilted her head to the side. "Uh...why do you want to go there? Do you want to watch us?"

Po shook his head, and held up one finger towards Crane. "In a way, yes I do. Because I wanna see your high levels of awesome. Though I'm not the one testing you or something like that. Though Shifu is coming, he's not the one doing that, either."

"What the heck? Tested? Who am I being tested by?" Crane heard a couple knocks on his door. "What? Who's that?" He put his hat back on his head and walked over to open the door. When he sees who it is, he screeched and fell backwards out of shock. "H-AH?!"

"Yo." Fenghuang waved her wing as a lazy greeting. "Panda, I trust you've gotten these two on your side now?"

Po rubbed his neck. "Er...making good progress. Still working on it."

"Still working on it. Pfft. If you were eating, you would have taken a couple seconds, at best."

"I did kind of eat about half of their food."

"Yeah...that figures."

"Hah...? Wah...? Gah...?" Crane gaped and babbled at the scene before him, his beak repeatedly opening and closing, signifying his disbelief of the scene taking place before him. He finally regained his nerves and managed to ask his question. "Am...Am I missing something here? How is it that you are on casual speaking terms with Great Master Feghuang? I thought that she went rogue a long time ago."

"Don't bother with that formal crap, really. Just call me Fenghuang. And as for being formal with the Panda...well...that's I'm his Master. Have been or 15 years." The owl said while preening her feathers. "As for the whole 'rogue' thing...I won't deny that part. In fact I intended to stay that way. But I changed my mind. Now I actually have other things to do, such as right now." She pointed to Crane. "We're here for you." Then she pointed to Mei Ling. "And the girl, too."

"Both of us, huh?" Mei Ling wondered.

"If the Panda told you stuff about wanting to be your friend, then I can verify that he's being truthful. Plus he sucks at lying."

"It's true." Po added with no hesitation.

"Anyway, as for other thing that immediately need your attention, there's going to be a raid the Lee Da Academy is the target." Fenghuang said as if it wasn't an issue. Though for Crane and Mei Ling, it was an issue for them, as the former again beak-dropped.

"WHAT?! Why didn't you tell us sooner?! Better yet, why didn't you stop them yourself?!"

"Because I'm not hanging aroun to fight petty battles. I'm sticking to Po simply for evaluation. I'm sure he can handle the situation by himself, if he really wanted to."Po nodded to this while stuffing a dumpling into his mouth. "But he also wants to fight alongside you. He'll fight them either way, but he wants to do it with you two. And you get bonus points if you can drive the raiders off before the Midget gets there. And if you're wondering who I mean when I say 'Midget', I mean Shifu."

"So what do you say, guys? Can we fight together?" Po asked them. "Because I'm pretty sure you guys don't appreciate your school being attacked." He wrapped an arm around Crane, pulling him close. "Ya also get to prove all of those jerks wrong at long last. You're perfectly capable of doing what you have the potential to do. All you need is the confidence. And I'm pretty sure that Mei Ling has been breaking her back trying to provide you with that. Maybe you should cut her some slack. But then again, I'm not gonna force you to do anything you don't wanna know. Just saying, it might suck for everyone else if you don't do something."

Mei Ling stood up, grabbing her staff. "That's right. We won''t just let our school get ransacked. We're gonna cut off that bandit raid before they even reach the Academy!"

"We?!" Crane jumped. "We. No, you guys don't want me out there. I'm not ready. Maybe you should just take Mei Ling-"

"Crane. Listen." Mei Ling gripped his shoulders. "You don't even have to say anything to the Academy. Just stop the bandits, then we just disappear. It's like you said, you're not doing this for them. This is for you. Now it's finally time to put those words into action."

He pulled away nervously, shaking his head while laughing awkwardly. "No, that's...craziness...talking. No."

Fenghuang groaned, now he was just being difficult. But Mei Ling wasn't discouraged by this. She just smiled. "It's like what I've been telling you for years, Crane. You'll never know unless you try." She turned and walked out the door, while Po followed right behind her.

Crane was left with Fenghuang and Yan Fan, at odds on what to do. To further push Mei Lings point, the owl spoke up. "Both of them are leaving the choice up to you, Crane. You don't try to do anything drastic because you're afraid to fail. That shouldn't stop you from doing what you want to do, as well as doing what you need to do." Fenghuang walked past him, and into the doorway. She looked back at him for the last time. "Your hesitation is understandable. I was in the same situation. I was honestly too afraid to leave the comfort of safety solitude granted me. I knew that once I left that sanctuary, I can never get it back again. But so far it's proven to be a pretty good decision on my part. And I made it on my own. You however, were sheltered by your mother ever since your father was lost, therefore you're honestly too afraid to go out to the world. Mei Ling is gently persuading you to make your mind up now, because it's your last chance." She turned around and flew off after Po and Mei Ling.

Zeng, who had been resting his body after his rather painful crash into the ground, tapped Crane's leg to get his attention. "Shes right, Crane. Every bird has to go through this stage. We leave the safety of our nest in exchange for seeing the world through our own eyes. It's a worthwhile experience...but you need to be willing to take the risk. Are you?"

The avian was further breaking through his restraint, as he took his hat off, staring at it with wonder rather than sadness this time.

This really is a rare chance, isn't it? Dad...should...should I take it? I'm afraid of failing...but if I don't take the risk, I won't advance. I kept saying that, but I never actually made a move like that. I was just making excuses...I was...being a coward.

With these thoughts in mind, Crane placed his hat on his head, stepped out of the house and flew out with a large flap of his wings. But that ends now!

Yan Fan watched her son fly off without warning, she naturally had motherly concern course through her. But she smiled nonetheless. He needs this. As much as she wants to deny it, he truly needs this experience. She just turned and cleaned the dishes to patiently wait for his return. Because she knew that once he gets back...it would be time to part ways at last.

(Meanwhile: Jade Palace)

Oogway was standing beside the Peach Tree, overlooking the Valley from this side of the Palace. He always appreciated the view it offered, along with a sense of peace. It was always his favorite spot, for a variety of reasons.

He just wished he had more time. But he knew that was time he didn't have. Oogway was understandably sad with how things are turning out.

Tigress...Po...Mr. Ping...Fenghuang...Fung...and Shifu most of all...they were going to be devastated.

His body has finally given out, and now he had to leave this world. He had already set his staff next to the Peach Tree, as well as a letter of his last words to Shifu and Fenghuang. Even he did not expect for this to happen, and so soon. But it was out of his control.

Master Oogway's time has finally come.

The Peach Petals swirled around him, and he could feel his body begin to disappear. He really didn't want to. Because once he does, the Valley would be completely defenseless. No one could protect it. No other Master was around. No one knows what happened to him. No one would be warned of the tragedy that would befall the Valley. And he was feeling guilty, for he could not stop it.

"Everyone...my time to leave this world has come far sooner than I expected. This is a very painful lesson indeed. The universe...is not always kind. I do hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me one day." He closed his eyes and he completely disappeared in a swirl of Peach Petals.

Especially you two, Shifu and Fenghuang...

(With Fenghuang)

Fenghuang suddenly stopped mid-flight, as she turned towards the direction of the Valley, her eyes wide.

"Oogway...?" She said, in a whisper. She shook her head and continued flying. "No. It couldn't be..."

(With Shifu)

Shifu and the others were in a rush, as they were going on to prevent the raid on the Lee Da Academy. Suddenly, he stopped right in his tracks and he turned around in the direction of the Valley, his eyes wide. "Master...?"

Tigress noticed Shifu stopped moving, and she checked to see if he was alright. "Master?"

Shifu shook his head to regain his focus. "I'm sorry. I must have been imagining things." He turned and continued to run alongside the others. He felt that an important piece of his heart had suddenly vanished, but he discarded it for now.

Mr. Ping was confused to as to why Shifu stopped. Then the next moment, he looked up to see a Peach Petal fall right into his wings. He could feel the slight aura emitting from it, and his eyes were filled with shock, and slight sadness.

"Oh dear..."

Were you surprised? Were you? No? Okay...(awkward silence)

I really went to town on Crane's backstory, didn't I? Kinda let my mind wander, I guess. Sorry. Anyway, now Crane and the others will attempt to defend the Lee Da Academy against the BlackHoof Boar Clan. Then he'll make the choice on whether or not he'll leave. Maybe, maybe not. But he probably will.

Reviews if you like. See you soon.