((()-()))
"There's a time to live, and a time to die. A time to laugh, and a time to cry."
((()-()))
The front doors to the Jade Palace lawn opened, and in came the furious five, bringing in trays of food and decorations. Each of them carrying a number of items they were sent to bring for a most joyful occasion. Tigress, Monkey, and Crane placed down trays of treats and food, cooked and ready for the party's host and guests. Palace servants hung paper lanterns of all kinds of colors, attaching them to ropes that were connected between trees from across the lawn.
Zhong stood in the middle of all the preparations, with a list in his paws of what needed to be done before the event started. He walked over to every station and inspected it with an almost uncanny attention. Of course this party was very special to him, so he wanted everything to be the best it can be.
A duck servant came and showed the one eyed wolf a tray of food, after looking it over Zhong said "These bean buns need honey with them, it's one of Erdan's favorite foods."
The duck understood his instructions and took the treats to the palace's kitchen. Zhong took a moment to look at the decorations. Tables were set up with colorful spreads, posters hung on the trees and walls in the outdoor area, and a large banner was set up that read 'Happy birthday Erdan!' from the rate things were going it seemed the party will be ready by late afternoon.
Zhong checked listed off the tasks that were finished, all that was left was the games and food. Shifu walked out and noticed how the area was coming. He noticed that Zhong was talking with Po and he went over to talk with them.
"Do you think we should end with some fireworks?" Po asked.
"Well… I don't know. Back in Gongmen Erdan was pretty scared when Shen fired on the city. We'll ask him before deciding." Zhong replied.
"How are the preparations coming?" Shifu said, with Zhong and Po noticing who joined them.
"Very good, we should be read in time." Zhong answered.
Shifu then turned to his right and saw the banner and lanterns. But when he looked to his left, he noticed a group of leopards in uniforms. "And who are they?" Shifu asked while raising an eyebrow.
Zhong made a nervous face and said "A… traveling fire dancing act…"
Shifu then made a face that instantly made the two feel uneasy. Zhong then quickly said "It was Po's idea!"
"Hey, you're the one who agreed to it!" Po shouted back.
"Enough!" Shifu yelled, making his students silent. "Zhong, I understand that you want to do this for your son, but I don't want anything causing trouble because of this party."
"I understand master, don't worry, their trained professionals, they know what their doing." Po explained, coming to his friend's defence.
"I hope they do, cause I'll be having a talk with both of you if things go south." Shifu stated.
The panda and wolf understood, and the five came over to talk with Zhong. "Did you all send the invites?" The wolf said while looking at a list of guests.
Tigress answered "Yes, Fang and his parents are coming."
Po said "My dad is coming over, in fact he's even working on half of the food as we speak."
Monkey explained "Mr. and Mrs. Yung said they'd be happy to come."
Crane added in with "And Jimbo and his sons are coming too."
"Are you people talking about us?" Said a familiar voice form the entrance.
The group of animals turned to see Jimbo, and his two sons, Kenny and James. The goat family that at first, didn't like Erdan, but later begun to see the wolf boy as their friend.
"Why are you guys here? You weren't supposed to come for another three hours?" Po asked while the three goats walked to the group.
"We had nothing else to do today, so we thought we could come early and help out." Jimbo answered.
Zhong looked at the preparations and then his list, and after a moment said "Your boys can help setting tables and bringing the food in a bit."
"Ok, we can handle that right james?" Kenny asked his brother.
"Nope, can't." James answered.
"What?!" Kenny replied.
"I'm kidding I'm kidding. Yeah I'll help." James answered bringing a sense of relief to his father and brother.
The two goat boys walked off to help the other warriors and servants. Meanwhile Jimbo got to have a quick chat with Zhong.
"Hello Zhong." Jimbo plainly greated.
"Hello Jimbo, how have you been?" Zhong replied with the same plain tone.
The goat sighed before answering with "Alright, well as alright as a man can be while raising two boys."
Zhong noticed the face Jimo made and asked "Are you thinking about her?"
Jimbo remained silent for a moment and said "It's been two years since she died. I just wonder if, if I could-"
"Could have done better?" Zhong said before Jimbo silently knodded.
Zhong patted his right paw on Jimbo's shoulder while saying "I know, I know how it feels."
Afterwards Jimbo simply said "I'm gonna… help the others."
"Ok." Zhong replied as the goat father left.
The afternoon continued as the large group of warriors and villagers worked hard to get everything ready. This was a celebration of a special boy who had helped all of them time and again. Big or small that wolf boy always went out of his way to help someone in need. Later in the afternoon guests arrived, bringing food with Mr. Ping, and gifts for their young lupine friend. The presents were put in a special box to keep them safe. After awhile, things were finally set. The decorations were set up, the food was ready, and all the guests arrived. All that was left was to bring the birthday boy. Po went to fetch Erdan from his house, where his mother, Shu, was keeping him busy.
((()-()))
Po walked down the main road in the village, arriving at Shu's pottery store/house. He knocked on the door and after a minute, was greeted by the friendly she wolf Shu.
"Hello Po." Shu greeted.
"Hey Shu, Everythings ready, where's Erdan?" Po said in a hushed tone.
Shu bore a troubled face and answered "He's in the back garden, but I don't know if he's up for a party."
"Why? Is he hurt or something?" Po asked with a worried look.
"No he's fine. But… he has been feeling, down all day." Shu explained while letting the panda in.
"Why is he so sad?" Po asked while walking through the house.
"He told me it's about his parents." Shu explained.
The two reached the back where through the window they saw Erdan, sitting alone by Shu's rock boarded pond. Po could only feel sorry seeing his young pal in such a depressed manor. Like all the joy was stolen from his sol.
"Have you tried to cheer him up?" Po asked.
"Yeah, but… I don't know how? My parents are still alive, so I've never gone through what he's been." Shu explained.
Po thought for a minute and then said "Head up and join the others in the palace. I'll try to talk to him."
Shu nodded and left to the party. Po then walked into the back garden to talk with Erdan. The wolf cub just sat there, staring at the water. Then he noticed a shadow and turned.
"Hey buddy." Po greeted simply.
"Hey." Erdan replied.
A moment of awkward silence lingered in the air, so Po sat on the grass next to his young friend.
"Are you alright?" Po asked.
Erdan continued to stare at the water, then after a moment he turned to his panda friend and answered "It's been a year now."
Po pieced it together in his mind and said "Since you lost your parents?"
"Yeah." Erdan replied.
Po could see what Erdan was feeling, he felt the same thing no more then two years ago. The panda then wrapped his large and plushy arm around Erdan, and the cub hugged back.
"I, I just miss them soo much, right now, all I want is to see them. Even just for five minutes." Erdan said while tearing up. Po just comforted the boy as he continued.
"I, I…I." Erdan continued to cry.
"It's ok, it's ok kid." Po said while comforting Erdan.
"I know that feeling." Po said, and Erdan looked up at him while the panda continued. "during my mission in Gongmen, I learned the truth about what Shen did to my parents, and the village I was born in. I was like I felt all that sorrow come back at once. I know how you feel."
"Do… do you get that ever now and then, Po?" Erdan asked while calming down.
"Whenever I think of them, yes. But, there's something that helped me with that, every time." Po explained.
"What?" Erdan asked.
"I think of what I was given, rather then what was stolen." Po replied while looking at the boy.
"Me to." Erdan said.
"Well, I guess we're two of a kind." Po said while smiling.
Erdan smiled back and was starting feel better. He remembered his foster father, Zhong. His foster mother, Shu. His family, friends, and the very good life he has now. He remembered what Shu told him once, that by being alive and happy, he's honoring his parent's wishes. After a while the two got up.
"Feel better?" Po asked.
"Yeah, yeah I am. Thank you Po." Erdan said with a smile.
"Great cause Shifu needs some help at the palace. And an extra pair of paws would be good." Po asked.
"OK,ok I help out." Erdan said with a lighter tone.
As the two left Shu's home, Po explained the Shu went to help too. But when the panda and cub walked out into the street, Erdan bumped into someone. He turned and saw a goat wearing an all black robe. He fell and knocked some jars over.
"Oh my, I'm sorry,, are you ok?" Erdan asked while helping the goat up.
The goat stayed silent until he saw the wolf cub and asked "Huang? Is that you?"
Confused, Erdan said "Umm no, my name is Erdan."
"Hmm, Erdan, that's a nice name." Was all the goat said before putting his jars on his rickshaw and walked away.
"Who was that guy?" Erdan asked.
"Probably some old coot, every town has one." Po replied.
((()-()))
The two reached their way up the stairs and Po asked Erdan to wait a minute. A few seconds later Po shouted and told Erdan to come in. And as Erdan came in a large group of familiar faces yelled "HAPPY BITRTHDAY!"
Erdan's jaw dropped and he was greeted by all of his family and friends. His parents Zhong and Shu, Po and the five, Master Shifu, Fang and the Haos, Mr. and Mrs. Yung, Mr. Ping, and Jimbo, Kenny and James.
After receiving hugs form all of them, Erdan looked at Po and said "So this is what you brought me for, was this your idea again?"
"Well. The real person to thank is your dad." Po answered.
Zhong walked up to his sone and no words were needed between them, Erdan hugged his dad and afterwards the party started. A large feast was served, featuring all of Erdan's favorite foods. Everyone enjoyed the massive meal, although Po ate half of it pretty quick. Erdan spend time witih his village friends. Talking with Mr. Yung, the nice elderly goat who became his first friend when he arrived at the valley. The elder woman was always so nice and sympathetic for the boy. Erdan also caught up with Jimbo and his boys. For twenty minutes the wolf cub and goat father talked, Jimbo learning more about being in a wolf pack and the way Erdan's people lived and their beliefs. After eating enough food, Erdan played some party games with Fang, Kenny, James, and Po. Even though the panda was an adult, at times he still possessed the mind of a boy. The whole evening was filled with food, fun and family.
After awhile, it was time for Erdan to open his gifts. Some were nice like a painting from Mrs. Yung. Others were more… comical, like Fang's gift of an I.O.U. Then came Po's gift.
Erdan opened the box and was surprised. Zhong asked "What is it son?"
Erdan pulled out a small figure, one made out of wood. "It's-" Erdan said before being interrupted.
Po, who couldn't handle the excitement, suddenly said "It's your own action figure!"
Erdan examined the collectible toy. A small wooden wolf kid, who had a bandana with a bow in one paw, and an arrow in the other. Painted very well with attention to detail.
"You like it?" Po asked.
Erdan looked at his panda friend and said "I love it."
"You can pose it too." Po said back.
Erdan then took a bow and arrow and made a pose himself, and Po matched the figure with the boy. Erdan retured to the table and said "It's awesome Po, thank you."
"Glad you like it, cause I made two, just in case." Po said before Erdn reached in the box again to find another figure that was almost identical to the first.
As the party continued, a group of fire dancers performed for the group. Doing flips and trick with ignited batons. The show went great… until an accident and some of the weapons and supplies caught flames. Luckily no one got hurt, and only a few things were lost before the flames were put out. But while Fang shouted "Now that was a great show!" Po and Zhong began fearing for their lives as Shifu made an unforgettable face to them. But the master of the Jade Palace didn't want to ruin Erdan's day, so he kept his anger for later. Much to Zhong and Po's relief… for now.
The performers decided to end the show, fearing for if they cause another accident. Although it wasn't Zhong's fault one of the performers never told he was new to this. Everyone was enjoying the night, talking and spending time with each other. Erdan sat down at the table, and tooka moment to be thankful for what he has. Looking at his family. One filled with kung fu masters, nice goodhearted villagers, children, man children (well sometimes they are). Erdan remembered what to be happy for, and he wished his parents were happy as well, wherever they are now.
When the evening got late, Erdan gathered everyone in a circle. And together they all howled up at the moon, a tradition his people made for after a party. Erdan, Zhong, and Shu sung together beautifully, a song, though from wild dogs, still was about love, joy, and family. All the others we not as good at howling, since their not wolves. But Erdan didn't care, he was surrounded by his family. His pack, no matter how weird, funny, or annoying, they were his. And he couldn't ask for anything better.
After everyone left for home, while being escorted by one of the five for safety, Zhong and Shu took Erdan home. On the way Zhong asked his son "Well, did you have a great birthday?"
Erdan hugged his dad and Zhong held his boy and Erdan answered "The best birthday I've ever had. Thank you dad."
The father and mother wolves hugged their pup, happy that this day was so joyful for their son. But erdan felt exhausted, and fell asleep in Zhong's arms. The middle aged wolf carried his son home while singing a familiar song to him.
"When someone in the dark reaches out to you, and touches off a spark that comes shining through, it tells you never be afraid."
The wolf father had a gift for song, despite his gruffy tone, he could sing and sound nice and calming.
"Then somewhere in your heart you can feel the glow, a light to keep you warm when the night winds blow! Look for the rainbow in the sky"
"Oh I believe that you and I, could never really say goodbye."
But next to her, Shu, Erdan's mother lightly patted her son's head and then joined in, and sang with her mate to their son.
Wherever you may be, I'll look up and see, someone in the dark for me. Whenever you may be, I'll look up and see, someone in the dark for me"
Zhong and Shu smiled at eachother and their son, and the wolf family walked home together. On this beautiful night with their beloved boy, Erdan.
Author's note:
The song Zhong and Shu sing for Erdan is "Someone in the Dark" by the late Michael Jackson. This song was in "Erdan 2 A father's love" just giving proper credit. RIP MJ.
