"You may always see what a person is on the outside, but sometimes never on the inside."
Episode 9: Holiday high jinks
Ringing sounded in the young wolf's ears, his vision foggy, and soreness could be felt on his back. Erdan gained consciousness, his eyes began to see much more clearly again. He found himself lying on his front on the floor. The events of before seem murky, Erdan put his paw to his forehead, he felt a slight ache in his head. Spots of white paint were still on his fur, some of which had been brushed off.
Erdan mumbled to himself before quietly saying "Wha-what happened?"
He then stood on his hind legs and immediately noticed the floor didn't feel right. Something was very wrong, and as he looked out a nearby window, he saw the snow covered mountains and cliffs. But the window itself was strange, it was like it was on its side. Suddenly a piece of plank wood fell down right in front of Erdan, and the floor he was on begun to break off. Erdan tried to grab something but it was too late, the floor broke off and the wolf boy fell while yelling.
Erdan saw a piece of wood and grabbed onto it, and he hung for dear life, knowing that below him was a very long fall that would definitely kill him. The building he was in was a tower, but now it fell on its side, with one half laying on the snowy cliff, and the other dangling on the edge and above a mist filled abyss.
"OH MY GOD! OHMY GOD! OH MY GOOOOD!" Erdan screamed as he held on.
Suddenly he felt the whole tower slide a bit, and then a grave thought came its way in Erdan's mind. The building was sliding from the snow, and soon it will fall over. Knowing there was no chance he'll survive a fall like that, Erdan mustered his strength and climbed upward. He made his way up the inside of the now hollowed out building, his paws and limbs ached with pain, but the boy knew it was his only chance of getting out of this mess. He made it half way up, but he grabbed on some weak boards without knowing, and he was sent outside. Luckily he grabbed on the outer wall and continued, making sure to not look downward at the abyss. Erdan climbed up and got back inside the tower, and he could see the way out.
Just then he felt the whole building slide, faster than before, the whole tower was about to go over in a matter of seconds! Quickly, Erdan ran on all fours thrpugh the falling building and jumped onto the cliff, right when the whole tower went falling down. Erdan gripped the cliff's edge and pulled himself up, afterwards he laid on his back and took a well deserved breather. Erdan breathed heavily, half shocked by the ordeal he just survived.
After a five minute rest, the wolf teen got up and saw the fort wreckage before him, half of it on fire and the other half crumbling. Erdan walked through the wreckage and found a special silver fan on the snowy ground. If it weren't for it reflection of the fire's light, the cub wouldn't even notice it. Erdan picked it up, looking at the ancient kung fu artifact.
"You know, I'm beginning to think you're more trouble than your worth." Erdan said with a cocky smile, being humorous in the face of danger once again.
Erdan saw the wreckage and looked outward. "I hope the others are ok, well, let's go." Erdan said to himself as he proceeded to navigate through the burning ruins, and locate his friends and family.
((()-()))
Earlier that day
((()-()))
Snowflakes slowly descended from the sky, joining hundreds of its kind in covering the Valley of Peace in a white blanket of winter beauty. It was now the beginning of winter, the cold times. When villages would bring out the stores of food that have been saved for these chilling seasons. But the people of the valley have a holiday for the year's final month. A celebration of family, friends and all that is warm and good in the world, The Winter Feast. When family from all around come together to feast and make more memories. Decorations of all kinds brightened up the village homes, and children of all ages play in the snow, throwing snowballs or making snow people, although winter could bring hardship, it can also bring joy.
Erdan reached up the Jade Palace steps, making sure to not slip and fall on the way up. When he came inside the palace, he noticed many servants were setting up banners and getting the palace ready for a special event. He also noticed that many of them were wearing silver clothing, strange since they always wore normal attire when working at the palace. Erdan made his way to the training hall, but no one was there. He then went and searched in the barracks, but again nothing. The wolf boy decided to go where the servants were going, thinking he might find Master Shifu in the center of all this.
After a few minutes of following the servant ducks, Erdan found Shifu and the other masters. They were looking over some plans on a large round table. The wolf noticed that this room was decorated the most in the palace. Banners and painting adorned the circular room, and fancy silverware were placed on the table.
Erdan approached the masters and greeted "Hey guys."
The group turned and saw their young friend arrived. Po first greeted back with "Hey Danny boy." And afterwards the rest of the Five greeted Erdan, then his dad, Zhong, gave a warm hug.
"What's with all this?" Erdan asked.
Shifu walked over with cane in hand and answered "This is all for the masters feast, we're getting the preparations ready for the other master's visit."
"Wow, I've heard about that. All the kung fu grand masters together?" Erdan pondered out loud.
"Yep, so we gotta get everything set up for tonight." Po said.
"Um, do the students get to join them?" Erdan asked his master.
Shifu then sighed and replied "Erdan, the feast is for masters only."
Erdan then made a disappointed face before replying "Oh, ok. I-I'm sorry I asked."
Seeing the sad face he made, Po came and put his large paw on the cub's shoulder. "Hey kid, don't worry, you'll be a master before you know it. But you can help get things ready?"
Erdan cheered up just a bit and said "Ok panda, I'll help."
The next couple hours was spend getting the preparations set, and even though he could join the grand dinner this evening, Erdan was still glad he could spend time with his dad and his friends while they got the Jade Palace ready.
((()-()))
Meanwhile, on the road to the village, a group of bandits plotted their next score.
"Everyone know the plan?" The head bandit asked.
"Umm, I have a question Fu-" One of the bandits asked before being interrupted.
"Excellent, now let's go!" The leader yelled.
The group headed for the village, taking advantage of the holiday season. Or rather, the people in the holiday season.
((()-()))
After two hours the decorations were set, the table and silverware were set, and the food would be cooked and ready in time. But as Shifu looked over the room, he noticed that something was missing. He walked to his students, who were resting from all their hard work.
"Does anyone know where the silver fan of Yin is?" Shifu asked.
"I don't know? Master sheep was supposed to bring it here by now?" Crane replied.
Puzzled, Erdan asked "What's the Silver fan of Yin?"
Shifu answered "It's an artifact used in the masters feast ceremony. Master Sheep was doing repairs to it, he planned to bring it back today."
It was odd, since it was the middle in the afternoon. And Master Sheep was known for always being on time.
After stroking his chin and thinking, Shifu ordered "Po, Crane and Zhong. Go and search for Master Sheep, he could be just delayed, but we can't be sure. Find him and bring him and the Silver fan safely."
All the assigned warriors gave a short head bow and got ready to set out for the search. But Erdan wanted to help so he said "Master, if it's ok, can I go help in the search?"
"No Erdan." Shifu answered.
"What? Why?" The boy questioned.
"Because every time you go out to help on a mission, you end up in danger and almost get killed." Shifu said calmly and sternly.
"But I help a lot with Po and the Five. Like how I saved Po's life from those weird goats. Or when I helped Tigress settle a prison riot." Erdan protested.
"I know Erdan, and your courageous deeds have not gone unnoticed. I'm just concerned about your safty. It seems trouble has a habit of always finding you." Shifu replied.
Zhong joined in, saying "Like the time you almost got eaten by that monster."
"Or when you almost got kidnapped by river pirates." Monkey added.
"Or when you got lost in those foggy hills." Mantis said.
"Or that time you… I no wait, that was my fault. Heh heh." Po said embaressly.
Erdan then said "Ok I get it!"
Shifu could see frustration in the boy's eyes. The old red panda said "Erdan, we only want you to be safe. I know your growing stronger, but your still a boy in training."
Zhong knelt down to talk to his son face to face. "I know you love adventure, but I get worried about you going out of town now."
"I guess the shoe's on the other foot now." Erdan replied.
"Please son, just stay in the palace or the village. We want you to be safe and well, ok?"
After thinking it over for a minute, Erdan nodded his head. And afterwards the heroes ran off on their mission. With the preparations done, Erdan decided to be with his mother, Shu, and help her out in her pottery shop till Zhong comes back. Shifu was glad Erdan did as he asked. He was proud that he could have Erdan as a student. Although he was just fifteen, he's accomplished great things, and with more training, he could become a great kung fu master. But Shifu was worried that the boy was biting off more then he could chew. But the old master had other things to worry about, so he returned to getting ready for the event tonight.
((()-()))
In the middle of the village, stood Shu's pottery shop. The she-wolf has being making good sales with the holiday season. She put a nicely painted bowl in a bag, afterwards she gave it to her customer.
"Thank you, happy winter feast." Shu said after receiving her coins.
"Happy winter feast." The customer goose said back.
Shu placed her earnings in a safe box with a lock, h she was proud of the successful life she made for herself. She heard the door open and she saw her son returned.
"Hi Mom." Erdan greeted with a smile.
"Erdan your home!" Shu said with joy, right before hugging her pup.
"How was your day?" The mother lupine asked.
"Well… not much." Erdan answered.
Shu could tell her son wasn't in a bright mood, so she asked "What's wrong?"
"It- It's nothing." The boy replied.
Shu didn't know what was bothering him. But she had just the thing that might cheer him up.
"Well, I have to get back to work, but something came in the mail for you." Shu said while grabbing a scroll.
"What?" Erdan asked.
"You got a letter from Yingyu." Shu happily said.
Erdan's face lit up and his mother handed him the letter. Erdan then went into his room to read it. He sat at his desk and read the words on the paper written by his friend from afar.
Dear Erdan
I've been well lately, and so has my father and mother. Although he's been very careful of what people he hires, after that whole Jade Palace incident, I don't blame him. But because of our efforts in exposing that assassin, my father now has a lead on shutting down those slave mines.
I have been continuing my archery, now that I don't have to hide it from my father. I enjoyed sharing archery tips with you, and I hope we can share them again soon. Hope you remember them, or I'll have to come and stuff them in your head again.
I hope your family and friends are well and enjoying the winter feast season. I've told my mother and friends all about you and our little adventure. She really wants to meet you someday. I think she shares my father's ideas of us being more then friends. I guess parents are just like that sometimes.
I'm spending my winter feast at the royal palace, the Emperor invited my family, he is my father's brother after all. So I'm sure I'll have a great time, dining with royalty, in the biggest palace in China. But it'd be much better with a great friend like you.
And guess what, I'm now a big sister. My mother had a baby, and I now have a little sister. She gave birth a week after our stay at the Jade Palace. If you were wondering why I haven't visited, that's the reason. I'm sorry, and I'm sure you'll understand. We named her Yuing, but I just call her blossom, since I think she likes the cherry tree in our garden.
I hope we can see each other again soon. My father wanted me to write that you and your family are always welcome in our home. You could meet my Mom and little sister, and we could practice archery again. I'm training for my first tournament, and the tips you gave are very helpful. Maybe someday we might compete together.
Well, I hope you're happy and healthy. Tell your family I say hi, and give my regards to Shifu, He's a very good friend of my father.
Your friend; Yingyu
PS: Happy winter feast!
After reading the letter, Erdan was relieved that his good friend was doing well. But thoughts spiraled in his head. Deep down the boy always wanted a brother or sister. Even though Erdan has many friends now, he's been told that having sibling can be something special. Erdan was invited to a sleepover a week before. Him and Fang had a sleepover at Kenny and James place, and Erdan could tell the two goat brothers had a bond that was something special, much deeper than simple friends.
When Erdan was born, he was an only child. He was the only offspring his birth mother and father had. Which others thought was strange, since wolves often had litters of puppies. Erdan's birth mother was mocked and verbally teased by some of the other woman, since they had three or four pups while she only had one. But Erdan remembered she didn't care for their mocking. He remembered her saying that the second she laid eyes on him, she greatly loved him. It didn't matter she only had one pup. He was her baby, and she couldn't be any happier.
Deciding to change his train of thought, he went downstairs to talk with his foster mom, Shu.
Erdan went downstairs and saw his Shu in the kitchen.
"Hey Mom." Erdan greeted.
"Hi Erdan." Shu replied just after finishing work with her shop.
"Can we talk for a bit?" Erdan asked.
"Of course." Shu responded.
The two sat down in the living room, and sat in chairs in front of the warm fireplace.
"Are uhh. Are." Erdan nervously said.
"What is it?" Shu questioned curiously.
"Are you and Zhong gonna… get… married someday?" Erdan asked.
Shu was surprised by her son's words and replied with a question of her own. "Why ask something like that?"
"Well, if you married Zhong, then you two could have a baby, and I would have a sibling." Erdna explained."
Shu thought for a moment and said "Well... that idea has been in my mind more than once. But I think Zhong wants to take our relationship slow and steady. We've been dating for a year now, and he married his first wife, Helen in just five months. He wants to do things differently, now that he has a second chance."
Erdan stayed silent.
"So, is Yingyu well?" Shu asked, trying to change the subject.
Erdan took his eyes from the fire and answered "Yeah she's good. She wrote that her mother had a baby."
"Really? Is it a boy or a girl?" Shu asked.
"A girl, and from what the letter says, Yingyu is very happy." Erdan explained.
"Well I got a letter too, my family won't be able to come visit for winter feast, their fine and well, but they need to stay and help the village." Shu sadly explained.
"Hey Mom, what are your family like?" Erdan asked.
Shu thought a moment and said "Well, I've told you before that I grew up with three brothers. But I also had my mother and father, and a grandmother from my dad's side. She passed away before I left the village though."
Erdan listened, hearing about Shu's childhood and the people who raised her.
"My mom and I fought every now and then. Whether it was about my clothes or a guy I was interested in, it seemed there was nothing we couldn't argue about. But at the end of the day we would make up like always." Shu explained.
"Now my father, he's a farmer, one of the best in our village. He was the one who helped me pursue the independent life I have now." Shu told her son. With light from the fire continuing to lay on them.
Erdan then sat with Shu, and the mother and son lupine cuddled. "Hey Mom, can I tell you about my parents?"
Curious, Shu asked "Will you be ok if you do?"
The boy paused for a moment before answering "Yeah, I think, with you here."
Shu smiled and replied "Ok, then tell me all about them."
Erdan then told about his birth family. "My mom made crafts, she would make things like wind chimes, and baskets and sell them. She also would make me toys when I was a little puppy. She was… kinda like you, always there to comfort or give advice."
Shu smiled and said "Well that's what us mom are for." And Erdan smiled back before continuing.
"And my dad was a builder. He would make and repair the houses in our village. I remember when I was… five I think, I thought my dad was super strong when he lifted big logs or tree trunks, but looking back now, I don't think my younger self noticed the three other men who were helping him."
Shu laughed at that story as did Erdan.
"Did you have any friends?" Shu asked.
"No. Growing up I was mocked by the other kids. They said things like, if I meditated for too long my brain will go dead. I was a lonely boy." Erdan said with a hint of sadness.
"How did you get into kung fu?" Shu asked.
"My parents gave me some scrolls about kung fu and meditation. They said they saved them for when I was grown enough." Erdan explained.
"But, were they kung fu people?" Shu questioned.
"Well… no. I was the only person in my village interested in martial arts." Erdan answered.
"Then… why did they have those scrolls?" Shu asked again.
Erdan pondered about it and said "I… don't know?"
After a few minutes, Shu asked Erdan to go to the market and fetch some things for dinner. Erdan left with a pouch of money and a list. When he got there, he shopped for a bit, finding veggies and bread. But he heard something in a nearby ally, and his curiosity got the best of him. But when he turned a corner something hit him on the head and the wolf boy passed out, and his boy was carried off.
((()-()))
Erdan regain awareness and realized that he's in an old house. When his senses returned, he saw that he had his wrists tied. It was strange. He remembered being at the village market, and then he investigated a sound he heard down an ally before everything went black.
"Well well. Look who woke up." A familiar voice sounded.
Erdan looked to his right, recognized who the voice belonged to and said "Fung."
The crocodile bandit was sitting in a chair by a table, with a few of his reptile goons with him. Erdan then figured out his wrists were tied from behind a basement beam, keeping him confined.
"And I thought we'd only get a few coins for that job. But we ended up getting something much better." Fung said as he walked towards the trapped wolf boy.
"How did you guys get out of Chor Gom?" Erdan asked.
Fung grabbed his chair and moved it right in front of Erdan, so he could sit and talk to his prisoner.
"Some big bison guy called Temutai was busting out some of his men, so we took advantage of the moment." Fung explained.
"Well what are you gona do with me?" Erdan yelled.
Fung stoked his chin before answering. "Well… I was thinking we could hold you for ransom. My plan before was so great, but I made a big mistake with it. We should have just kidnapped you instead of Zhong, why capture an adult when we could just nab a child?"
"I'm fifteen now." Erdan protested.
"Whatever. When we sent the message, it won't be long until Shifu comes with all the money his jade Palace doofs can carry." Fung proudly said.
Erdan raised an eyebrow while commenting "You're really going all out for round two, huh?"
"Well yeah. I may be a thug, but I'm not stupid." Fung said in protest.
But then, out of nowhere, Fung's chair broke apart. Everyone in the room looked and saw the croc leader fall on his butt. "Ow! Darnit!"
Erdan laughed a bit upon seeing that. But Fung was becoming angry, so he got put and slapped Erdan's face with his scaly hand. Fung then yelled "Garry!"
The skinnier croc come in the room and said "Yes Fung?"
"Take the brat to his cell, and bring me a better chair afterwards." Fung ordered.
"Um, Fung, all the chairs are the same size. If you sit on them for too-" But Garry was interrupted when Fung yelled "Right now!"
And the croc untied Erdan ropes and grabbed his wrists. He tied them up again, and took another croc to walk their captive to another room. All while Fung was rubbing his sore bottom from the brooken chair.
As the crocs were walking Erdan through the old fort, Erdan noticed that Garry didn't tie the ropes as much as Fung did. Since Gary had his back to Erdan, and the other croc couldn't see the boy's paws, Erdan used his claws to break the ropes. As he sliced through the rope he thought about what to do afterwards, and devised a plan.
Erdan turned to the other croc and the reptile said "What?" Then Erdan said "Catch" And he tossed the now broken rope in the croc's face. When he was fiddling with the rope Erdan performed a low sweep with his leg, tripping the croc down to the ground. Then the young warrior gave a hard punch and knocked the guard out. Then he did the same with Gary.
But only a second later, Fung came in the hall with his men. He saw what was going on and Yelled "Get him!" And all the crocs rushed to catch Erdan. Quickly the boy ran down the hall and into a room. He closed the door and blcked it by pushing a bookshelf in front of it. Erdan looked around the room, and realized he trapped himself in a space with only one exit. He searched around and found a window, but it was two stories high. Since the ground below was covered with snow, it wasn't far-fetched to say that the boy could survive the fall. But Fung and his bandits were knocking on the door, trying to get in. As Erdan look back, he saw buckets of paint. He searched them and found white paint, than an idea popped in his clever and sly mind.
Fung and his bandits grabbed their weapons and bursted into the room, chopping down the door and bookshelf the blocked it. But the kid wasn't there. Fung saw that the window was left open, and when he looked out, he saw a large dent in the snow.
"He's outside! Find him!" Fung shouted.
All the croc bandits rushed outside and searched for their now escaped prisoner. But after five minutes of search, they found nothing. All the crocs circled to hear from their leader, however, just ten feet away from them, a pair of eyes popped form the snow and a now white wolf cub emerged from the snow. The boy covered himself in white paint for winter camouflage. Even though he had to take his vest off, his thick fur coat kept him warm in the cold. While the crocs were talking, Erdan made his move and ran off on all fours.
After five minutes of running, trying to figure out where he is he noticed that, on top of a small mountain, was an old wooded military tower. Erdan figured that he might be able to see where the village is from the top of the tall building. He then rushed over there on all fours.
Meanwhile Fung was getting nowhere with his men. He couldn't stand it anymore and walked a few feet away. But when he looked down, he saw tracks. Wolf tracks. And then the crocodile sported a grin and he ordered is men to follow.
((()-()))
Dashing through the forest, on all fours, Shu was hurrying to find her son. When he didn't come back from the market, even though he should have been back in a half-an-hour made the mother wolf very scared. She found tracks that had Erdan's sent. And with her lupine senses, Shu rushed off to find her cub. But the tracks she was following seem to belong to crocodiles, and she began to fear the worst as she rushed off.
((()-())
Erdan ran up the small mountain. White paint was still on his fur and clothes, but it was a life saver knowing that he could conceal himself easily. The boy approached the tower and tried opening the front door, but it wouldn't budge. He thought that maybe there was a window where he could climb in from. So he looked around the tower, and found one. But it was quite high, as much as two stories. So Erdan wiped his paws with his vest (which was folded and half tucked in his pocket the best it could.) and climbed the tower. His claws allowed him to grip the wooden structure, and he if he fell He'd fall on soft snow, so there wasn't much risk.
After five minutes of climbing, Erdan reached the window and quietly pushed it open. He climbed in and closed the widow's covers back up. Erdan took a moment to notice that the room he was in was filled with chests. He opened up one, and found it was filled with gold coins. He opened another, and saw it filled with spices and various goods. But when he looked around some more, he saw something shiny on a nearby table. A silver fan. The cub pick it up and thought back to earlier. Shifu said that an artifact was missing and was needed for the Master's Feast. Master Sheep was supposed to bring it, but went missing. ("Could this be the same sacred fan? And, where am I exactly?") Were Erdan's thoughts at the moment.
Erdan put the fan in his other pocket, and put his vest on his torso. He then heard voices from the other side of the only door.
"How long are we gonna stay here?" A gruffy voice complained.
"Who knows, Temutai wants to take the goods back after a coming storm, so we may be here awhile." Another voiced answered.
"Great." The first person said sarcastically.
Erdan was shocked. He was in a fortress owned by Tenutai, the warrior king of the Chidong! Erdan heard stories about him from Po, but he never met him in person.
But then one of the voices said "What do we do about the prisoners?"
"You mean the Dragon warrior and his friends? Huh, leave them I say." The other guard replied.
Erdan was once again shocked. Shifu sent Po, Crane and Zhong to find Master Sheep, but they were captive in this tower. Erdan then knew what to do. Climbing outside again, Erdan climbed the outside of the tower, and he found another window. He got in and sneaked through the fortress, being as quiet as he could. He found the cells, where his friends were held captive. There was only one guard and he was asleep. Erdan quietly grabbed the keys from the guard's belt and went to free the masters.
He sneaked over to a cell and found the masters in it. "Psst, Po."
The panda looked up and saw a… white wolf cub? "Er-Erdan? Is that you?"
"Yeah It's me, I'll have you out in a sec." Erdan replied as he unlocked the door.
Po came and hugged his (honorary) kid brother. But the first thing Po asked was "Uhh, Erdan, why are you white?"
But Erdan hurried and unlocked the other cells, and Zhong came and hugged his son before asking "Erdan! Wait, why are you white now?"
"I covered myself in white paint to blend into the snow." Erdan answered, only to be asked another question.
"Why are you here? Shifu ordered you to stay home!" Zhong quietly asked.
"I did. But then I got kidnapped by Fung." Erdan explained.
"FUNG! I'm gonna beat him." Zhong said with an angry tone.
"Well, what happened to you guys?" The cub asked.
Crane then explained "We were looking for master Sheep, who's here with us now." Erdan looked and saw the fluffy master right by Crane as the bird continued. "But we were ambushed by Temutai's forces."
"Well, now we need to get back home." Erdan suggested.
"We can't leave, they have the Silver Fan of Yin." Master Sheep said.
"You mean this Fan?" Erdan said as he pulled the artifact from his pocket.
"How did you?" Master Sheep asked stunned.
"I found it before I learn you guys were here." Erdan explained.
"Awesome, let's get out of here!" Po said, fired up for a thrilling escape.
The group then made their way down the tower, until they came at the ground floor. There they came across Temutai, and another person.
Erdan saw the warrior king for the first time, and he was a bulk of a fighter. Large and strong, with a massive torso and big horns. But beside him was Fung and his goons.
"How did they get out?!" Temutai shouted.
Fung saw the boy and answered "That kid!"
"Men, kill them all!" Temutai shouted.
"Whoa whoa, you want your men to kill a kid?" Fung asked shockingly.
"He set the prisoners free! He's nothing but an enemy." The large bull yelled.
"But he's a kid?" Fung questioned.
"Just fight them!" Tenutai shouted.
A large fight broke out, with the masters faced against Tenutai's men, and Fung's bandits. Po, Zhong, and the rest fended off the bandits. But during the fight, one of the henchmen knocked a torch on the floor, and it rolled over to some explosives.
Temutai saw this and yelled "RUUUUUN!"
Po saw what was going to happen, and yelled "GUYS THIS PLACE IS GONNA BLOW!"
All the masters ran out, but Erdan was in the back, since he was busy with a croc goon and before he knew it.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
((()-()))
Erdan walked along the snow, navigating through the now ruined fortress. The cub's muscles ached and he felt exhausted. After surviving the explosion, climbing his way up the dangling tower and jumping of right as it fell over, he felt like he couldn't do anything anymore, his energy was completely gone. He put the Silver Fan tightly in his pocket for safe keeping. As he moved through the flaming ruins, he worried if his dad and friends survived.
He heard footsteps and yelled "Guys I'm here!"
But instead of the masters or his dad, Fung appeared from behind a ruined wall.
"Oh great." Erdan said while feeling fatigued.
"Hold it right there you little brat, you-" Fung's words stopped when he saw Erdan fall face first in the snow.
Fung approached and saw the young wolf was passed out from his lack of energy. Some thoughts made their way in Fung's mind. In the past he never liked kids. Sure he's taken them hostage and held them for ransom, but he wouldn't kill someone so young. He looked at the boy's condition and saw scrapes and bruises on his arms and legs. He was still breathing, but he was on his last leg before passing out.
Fung looked at him, and thought about what Erdan just went through. "Man, you got it pretty hard wolf kid."
Fung's men came and Gary asked "Fung what do we do?"
Suddenly, Temutai's men showed up, yelling "There's that kid!"
Fung looked at the approaching oxen, and then the unconscious Erdan. After a moment of thinking, he muttered "Darnnit." Before yelling "Croc bandits, keep those horn heads from the kid!"
All the crocs equipped their weapons and charged at their enemies. A battle started between bandits. Fung and Gary stayed close to Erdan, protecting him from the men who were ordered to kill the boy.
((()-()))
Shu ran up the mountain, rushing to the scene. She saw and heard a big and loud explosion at that tower, and she got a feeling that her son was there. A kind of special sense she developed after caring for Erdan after a few months. But she hoped the worst didn't happen as she ran on all fours.
((()-()))
Zhong helped Crane out of some wreckage, as did Po with Master Sheep. When they were up and on their feet Zhong yelled "Where's Erdan?!"
Po looked around some ruins and saw a sight not to be believed. Croc bandits protecting Erdan from Tenutai's men. "Zhong look!" Po shouted.
Zhong saw what was transpiring and yelled "ERDAN!" before running towards his son, quickly Po, Crane, and Master Sheep followed. Although Crane's wing was broken form the explosion, so he couldn't help much in a fight. Upon seeing the masters joining the fight the ox men ran off. Retreated to join their leader who escaped.
Fung breathed heavily, since that was one of the most tiring fights he'd ever been in. But he saw Zhong rush to him. Quickly Fung told his men to make way, and Zhong saw his son on the ground and snow. Terrible thoughts spiraled in Zhong's mind, fearing the worst.
"Erdan! Erdan." Zhong shouted as he bent down and checked on his son. He saw the boy was still breathing, but he had bruises and scratches all over his arms and legs.
Zhong then made a face of fury, looked right at Fung and yelled "What did you DO TO HIM!"
Nervous, Fung said "I-I Uhh, I c-can e-e-explain."
And Zhong made a face like he was going to tear every croc in front of him to shreds. Then suddenly Po got in between of them and yelled "Zhong, is Erdan ok?"
Fung said "Look Zhong, me and my men were only protecting the boy."
"Like I'd believe you." Zhong shouted.
Po held back the furious, one eyed wolf while saying "Zhong, hold it HOLD IT! Fung's telling the truth, I saw it myself."
"It's true man." Fung added.
Po managed to calm Zhong down (he was surprised it was possible) and he let Fung explain himself. Zhong held his son in his arms while asking "Why? Why did you do that? After taking him earlier?"
Fung stayed quiet for a moment, and answered "Tenutai wanted to kill the kid. I disn't what that to happen."
"Because he's your hostage." Zhong said loudly.
Fung made a confused face, one that Zhong especially noticed and said "I… I don't know why I protected him."
"Just don't come near my family again." Zhong said while showing his teeth.
Fung tried to be brave and said "Whatever, you don't scare me."
But then, a female voice yelled "FUUUUUUUUUNNGG!"
Then from the right, everyone saw Shu charge at the crocodile leader. "Ok her I'm scared of!" Fung fearfully said.
Po held her back, trying to keep her from mauling the reptile. But then she saw her son in her boyfriend's arms and rushed to his side. "OH MY GOD! ERDAN! WHAT DID Y-"
But Zhong put his paw on Shu's shoulder. After explaining what happened, Shu couldn't believe it herself.
"Yeah, I didn't want to see the kid die. I don't know why, but I didn't."Fung explained.
"So, what do we do?" Po asked.
After a minute of thinking, Zhong said "We take Erdan home." Then he looked to Fung and his bandits and said "Fung. Since you saved my son's life, right after kidnapping him, we're letter you off the hook. For now."
Surprised, Fung replied "Uhhh, that's good."
But Zhong looked at Fung right In the face while Shu held their son, and the one eyed wolf darkly said "But if you ever, ever go after my family again, I'll kill you!"
Fung just stood there in fear and nervously said "Ye-yes I- I won't."
"Good." Zhong said, right before the master and Shu took Erdan home, and Fung and his bandits walked back to their hideout.
While Shu was holding Erdan, she felt something in his pocket. She pulled out a silver fan.
"Oh my gosh!" Master Sheep said in shock.
"I guess he kept it safe this whole time." Po said. The panda then patted the sleeping Erdan's head and said "Nice work Danny boy, nice work Erdan."
((()-()))
Zhong and Shu took Erdan home and treated his injuries. Meanwhile Po, Crane and Master sheep arrived at the Jade Palace. They gave the Silver Fan to Shifu and explained the whole ordeal. After learning of what Erdan went through, even though it wasn't his fault, Shifu figured that Erdan will always be one to get into trouble. But he also was very good (or very lucky) at getting out of trouble, and helping others along the way.
Master sheep expressed how he was impressed with this young warrior. "Shifu I have to say, you're really teaching that boy well, very well indeed." Master Sheep praised.
Shifu knew that few were able to make a good first impression on Master Sheep. And after thinking it over, he asked the other grand masters if the feast could be put on hold for a day?
((()-()))
The next day, Zhong carried Erdan up the Jade Palace stairs. Although the boy insisted his legs were well and healed of scratches, his foster dad was overprotective as always. Shu came along as well, the three of them were asked to come to the Jade Palace for something.
When they reached the top they met Shifu at the main hall.
"Hello Erdan, how are you feeling." Shifu asked as Zhong put Erdan down.
"Much better master, again, I'm sorry I got into trouble." Erdan apologized.
"It's alright Erdan. But I've heard of what you've done while you were 'in trouble'." Shifu said.
Erdan nervously said "You… know of that?"
"Yes." Shifu plainly answered.
"Am I in tr-" Erdan asked before being interrupted.
"You're not in trouble Erdan, it wasn't your fault after all. But there's something I do want to give you." Shifu replied.
"What?" Erdan asked.
"Erdan, since you helped greatly in saving Master Sheep, your friends and recovering the Silver Fan of Yin. Because of all that, and the trouble you went through, I believe you've earned a seat at the table." Shifu explained.
"What table?" Erdan asked.
The palace servants then opened the doors to reveal the masters feast. The whole table was surrounded by kung fu masters from all over China. Three extra seats stood there and Erdan couldn't believe his eyes.
As they walked in, Master Storming Ox shouted "So this is the young warrior we've heard so much about."
Master Chao, a lizard master said "Ah, I've been looking forward to this all day, welcome Erdan."
Master Bear then added in with "Come young hero, we shall share stories together."
Erdan was speechless, but Shifu insisted, saying Erdan deserved to have this, even though he wasn't a master. The boy, his father and mother sat down, and for the wfole evening Erdan ate, drank (with tea since he's still a kid) and talked with all the kung fu masters. All of which we're impressed by the stories Shifu and his students told about the wolf boy. This was an evening Erdan would never forget, as that for a night he was treated like a grand master. And everyone at the table agreed that the boy had the makings of one.
((()-()))
Meanwhile, in a tavern located in a low life settlement, Fung and his bandits treated themselves to all the food and wine they could have. During the get away from the ruined towers, Fung and his men found one of the chests Tamutai had, still intact with its gold coins. While they were drinking, Fung ordered his men to never go after Erdan. When Gary asked him if it was because of Zhong, Fung replied by saying he didn't know? Something about the crocodile wasn't the same now. But Fung brushed those thoughts away, and celebrated winter feast his own way, with his gang.
((()-()))
The holiday season continued to be a stressful time of year for Erdan. Shortly before the celebration at 's, the boy got roped into another adventure involving Temutai and his army. And Erdan had to survive an avalanche while helping his friends in battle. And on top of that, he couldn't find a good present for his foster father Zhong. When at the holiday party, Zhong told Erdan that him being his son was the best gift he could ever have. And the wolf family of three partied for hours.
The holidays were definitely a stressful time of year for Erdan, but through thick or thin, he'd always spend it with his family.
