Chapter Twelve: Crickets

Small, cramped and badly lit, the tavern was plain, save for the four glossy black tables that circled the center. The Soothsayer stroked her beard, half-listening to Mr. Wan drone on and on about some obscure Gongmen City bylaw. While a fine historian, the Soothsayer thought him better off as a humble innkeeper. Hardly anyone knew about his Cherry Blossom Inn, but alas, the ones that did visited frequently.

"…that incident lead to probably one of my favorite laws: 'No dolphins allowed in Gongmen harbor during shipping hours.' This made a number of dolphin merchants understandably irate, since…" Mr. Wan enjoyed speaking, so the Soothsayer let him.

She noticed she was stroking her beard again; the habit was too entrenched to break, so she paid it no mind. Pops echoed as she stretched her tired legs. Old age had no kind reminders. Delicate, her forehoof lifted a cup of cold tea. Under it, a small ring of moisture had formed.

"…which is also why… Ahh! Sooth! Table, table!" Mr. Wan sprung from his seat across from her, and used his apron to wipe the accumulated water. She leaned back in displeasure and adjusted her multi-layered robe.

The pig waddled away supported by his cane.

"I'll get a coaster," he said, disappearing behind the bar.

"You and your trivia. It's just a piece of wood." The soothsayer gestured rudely to the table.

"Do you know how much this 'piece of wood' is worth?" Mr. Wan said, sticking his head out from the under bar, "it's a Shen family—"

"Yes, yes, a Shen family heirloom. I know." The Soothsayer massaged around her horns.

"Oh right, you were at that auction. Hard to believe it was nearly thirty years ago." Mr. Wan frowned and resumed his rummaging.

"Expensive wood is still wood," The Soothsayer mumbled, hovering her cup over the table. Mr. Wan chucked a cork square under the cup. The goat set her drink down as it passed by.

Mr. Wan snorted. "Bah. And bad people are just good people in disguise."

The Soothsayer cracked a smile. "Thanks for the company."

Mr. Wan, the old mottled pig, nodded and took his seat again, stirring his steaming cup. Golden light streamed through a small barred window, twirling with dust in the pleasant autumn breeze. It carried not the scent of cherry blossoms, but rather of tree sap and moss. Last night's storm had since cleared, and the Soothsayer suspected it would be one of the last before winter. Crickets made the last of their chirps as the midday sun journeyed ever further up.

"So… how long do we have?" Mr. Wan took on a sober tone and gripped his tea in his cloven hooves. The Soothsayer closed her eyes.

"No one can say. With the Scarlet Robe's reemergence… the disappearances will start soon."

"You have to tell the Masters." Mr. Wan's soft eyes had an innocent quality to them. Pausing for a moment, the Soothsayer peered into her tea mug. Air left her long nose and smote the surface of the liquid.

"You're right." She said. "But I won't."

"Curses," Mr. Wan said, "people will get hurt the longer you hide things."

"You know as well as I that this is larger than any of us. Before long, The Robe will be able to take control of as many people as it desires. Not even the Masters will be able to stop it then."

"Which is why something must be done. What of the Panda? He defeated Shen Jieru single-handedly."

"We both know that isn't quite true." She eyed him curiously.

"You know what I meant."

"No…" The Soothsayer breathed deeply.

"But there is something. The Scarlet Robe… The demon, the Gu Gui… it is but one half of an ancient dyad. If it has returned… the other half might have as well."

"The River Witch," Mr. Wan said with wide eyes, trailing off his volume.

"Yes. She has the power to stop the Scarlet Robe, and send it back to the realm it came. And I have a feeling it was no accident that Shen survived."

"You think that Shen has some connection with the River Witch?"

"Perhaps. Merely a hunch. Which is why he must be kept safe."

"Well, leaving Shen with that… that bird from the Jade Palace seems like an accident waiting to happen," he said with a pout, "he may not be up for it."

"His name is Crane," she said, resting her hoof on the polished black tabletop.

"Not all accidents are bad. I think we will find meaning in this yet. Perhaps their acquaintance will prove… beneficial."

"If you'd cast a fortune, we'd know for sure."

"Unfortunately," She said, "trying to see the future only clouds it. Besides, observation is always the best fortuneteller."

"So… You're basing the future China—and countless lives—on a hunch."

"Yes! Yes," she said, temperament failing.

"I've spent my entire life looking for answers, only to realize that there are none. A good friend of mine used to say 'there are no accidents.' I disagree. I believe that life is nothing but a series of endless accidents. With a good look, they can begin to make sense, but all we really can do is guide our own accidents toward benevolence."

"Well, then, I hope you are right, for all our sakes." The pig sipped his cup.

Me too, she thought, glad to rest her weary legs. At least for now.


Nothing, Crane thought.

There was nothing by the harbor. Nothing by the Aristocratic Quarter. Nothing by Black Dragon alley. Nothing by the old palace ruins, and nothing by the fireworks factory. Just like the previous fifty times he had flown over them, there was nothing disturbing them: no wolves, no gorillas, no bandits, and no sign of a yellow-eyed, red-robed demon.

The Scarlet Robe. He played with the name in his mind, uneasy. Something that powerful could not be faced alone. Splitting up might have been a bad idea.

Pleasant, cool air soothed Crane's strained wings and neck. Thin, wispy clouds painted the sky's ceiling. Afternoon sunlight cast a neutral varnish on Gongmen City. Browning leaves spiraled lazily in the streets, knocked loose by errant currents. Another season was changing. While tedious, his rounds had felt himself liking the city a little bit more. Common Gongmen rabble was bustling, compelling, and charming.

Boredom was soon overruled by his aching belly. Flying was a lot less enjoyable on an empty stomach.

I need a break anyway. He doubted any of the other Masters canvassing Gongmen City had found anything either. He would've noticed, were that the case. So, he circled down to a quieter area of Gongmen city, letting the air cushion his raggedy wings' descent. The left one was still not fully healed, but it did not bother him anymore. Maybe the scars of that injury would fade soon as well.

In the distance, workers continued to clear the ruins of the palace. His face flushed. All day he had purposefully avoided thinking about… No, about nothing. There was nothing to think about besides the task at hand, so he would think of nothing else. Well, except for maybe food.

Taking a hard dive to further distract himself, he leveled out and sailed between jagged mossy buildings into a clear courtyard. Steam from cookware flurried among the bricks and wood, augmenting the salty air with mouthwatering aromas. Alighting on the cobbles, he stretched his tired back and went to adjust his hat. His foot grabbed nothing but air, and he was hit with a pang of loneliness. Around him, other creatures slowed their paces to gander at the tall, wiry bird. Crane hunched and made forward, head jutting with each twitchy step.

Then, he saw it. The sign couldn't have been more clear: Fresh Tofu Buns.

"Auh," he said, perking up and quickening his pace. Already he could smell the moist dough and soy: the components of deliciousness. Behind the stand, a goose was busy chopping scallions on a worn cutting board.

"I thought you might come here." A voice beside Crane startled him, causing him to snap open his wings. Viper had coiled up next to him undetected. She smirked, obviously enjoying his fright.

"Please," Crane gasped, holding his chest with his wing, "don't do that, I almost stomped you."

Viper just chuckled, but soon returned to seriousness.

"You seem jumpy."

"I am jumpy."

"Try the buns. They help." Viper gestured her tail toward the countertop.

Crane paid with a silver coin, and walked with Viper to a shady lanai.

"Ew," Viper said, watching him eat with a long foot.

"Like how you eat is any less gross," he said as he snapped up another bun.

Viper chuckled and stole the last one, throwing it into her tulip-like mouth with her sinuous tail. She swallowed it whole. Crane smirked back at her, admiring her patterned coils. After a weird pause, he pawed at the ground, stretching his toes on the gravelly cobbles.

"I'm sorry about last night," he said, aware of the grief he had caused her by flying away.

"Don't worry about it. I know you tried to do the right thing. You always do; it's what I like about you."

"Sometimes, I'm not quite sure what the right thing is."

"Maybe so," Viper replied, "but that doesn't stop you from trying to help people, even if it could hurt you."

He could feel himself blush, and was glad his feathers would cover it.

"Thanks," he said. "You're the kindest snake I've ever met."

"Just how many have you met?"

"Uhh… you and your father?"

Viper laughed in her flowery tone again. But soon, her smile faded.

"Crane, I have to get back to the library. But I really liked seeing you today."

"Me too," Crane said. Viper flashed a grin and started to slither away.

"Wait!" He stuttered, improvising.

"Uh… meet here tomorrow for lunch, maybe? Same time?"

Viper nodded, grinning from flower to flower. She then sprung onto the rooftop, and vanished. Crane felt a bit of worry melt away.

With a shake of his feathers, Crane sought a well to get a much needed drink. He didn't notice the onlookers anymore. He was full and content, having seen Viper. Wherever she slithered, the flowers of hope blossomed.


"Twenty years!" Master Ox boomed in the smoky tavern, "twenty years we've kept Gongmen City safe, and the Trade Authority happy. And you got Kung Fu masters banished in less than a week!"

Crane sighed as another shouting match erupted. All of the masters had gathered in the lower Broomstick Inn, and the meeting dragged. At the laborious request of the innkeeper, it had been cleared of all customers.

"What's done is done!" Master Shifu said, ire breaking.

"It is unwise to dwell on the circumstances of our situation. What we should concern ourselves with is what to do with it."

"I am concerned. Concerned with your training methods, if your students' actions are anything to go by."

Crane dropped his head. He looked up to a small shrine that Ox and Croc had made for Master Thundering Rhino. Candles surrounded a triumphant painting of the stalwart rhinoceros. Crane had hardly known him, but he knew Ox and Croc had trained with him for over two decades. And he knew that kind of companionship was hard to forget.

"My students will have their due punishment, but again, it is unwise to dwell. Redirect your anger, Ox, and center yourself. You trained under Master Oogway, just as me. You know what he would want."

Ox glowered.

"Sorry, Master Shifu, but Oogway isn't here."

Shifu glared back.

"Ox," Master Croc said in his peculiar accent, "remember, it was us who told the young ones about the bar."

"The young ones," Mantis grumbled, crossing his claws.

Candles sputtered as Master Ox puffed. Whimpering flames lined the pushed-together tables. Smoke pooled timidly on the short ceiling. The shop was squat, and Crane's head nearly brushed the ceiling. Bulkier masters like Ox and Po had to hunch. Tigress leaned against a beam on the far wall where the candlelight scarcely reached.

"Code violations aside," Master Shifu continued, placing a palm on the rough wood. Shifting shadows danced on his dish-like ears.

"We have a very pressing situation. I confronted the Trade Authority, hoping to reverse their order. It seems they are in denial about the existence of any 'Scarlet Robe.' They blamed the attack at the factory on wolves. However, they did give us four weeks to remove ourselves. I can only assume that the time coincides with the arrival of the Imperial contingent that they requested. All of us should stay in Gongmen City for as long as possible."

Poorly hidden sounds of surprise emanated from around the table.

Crane lamented the vast timescale. He felt he hadn't had a moment's respite for an entire week. Another four sounded extreme.

"Four weeks!" Mantis said, "we can beat that 'Whatever Robe' thing in a fraction of the time."

"Yeah!" Po said, "it's all of us together, against one, uh, dream-powered bird thingy." He scratched his bulbous belly.

"What is it again?"

"A demon," Viper said, sitting attentively. Tigress had her eyes closed, but Crane knew she was listening quite closely.

"Listen to me," Shifu said, "Whatever it may be, The Scarlet Robe nearly defeated all nine of us simultaneously. I have no idea what it is or what it wants, but there is something else."

The red panda shut his eyes and made a steeple with his hands.

"Three people have disappeared since we last saw The Scarlet Robe."

"What, really?" Po said, placing a paw on the ceiling, "you think the Scarlet Robe took them?"

"I do not know, but it is entirely too likely. All of them were men," he said somberly.

Anxious murmurs wisped through the low tavern.

"Crane, did you uncover anything from the air?"

"No," he looked to his master.

"Nothing."

He wondered how he could've missed that; but it was three missing people, and the city was large. Maybe he couldn't watch the entire city all at once.

"Unless we stop the Scarlet Robe, the disappearances will continue," Tigress said opening her almond-shaped eyes. Stepping forth, she relinquished a tattered scroll from her tunic.

"Viper found this at the Gongmen library. It tells of an ancient Gongmen City legend; a demon that protects the city."

She unrolled the scroll for all to see.

"Hey, I recognize this layout," Monkey said, dropping a finger on the old paper, "I used to perform these; it's a play. How can this possibly help?"

"It tells of a demon that steals the life force of men" Viper said, "a bird-like creature that wears a robe of scarlet."

"Sounds familiar," Po said.

"Indeed," Master Shifu echoed, taking an up-close look.

"This is very valuable. Viper."

Crane looked around the table at the assorted species.

"I don't know if you've noticed," he said, "but most of us are men."

"I don't want my life force stolen," Monkey said, "sounds like it hurts."

"It would seem that The Scarlet Robe's main tactic is possession," Shifu said, "somehow it can incapacitate us, and force us to do it's bidding."

"How are we supposed to compete against that?" Mantis said.

"It must have limitations," Master Shifu stood on his stool and adjusted his green sash.

"For one, we know its power does not affect Viper or Tigress."

"Cool, cool… so, only two of us can actually fight it!" Mantis said, curling his claws.

"Perhaps it has a counter," Croc said, raising a claw, "I want it to stay out of my head. What I saw in my dream was painful."

"I liked what I saw," Po said, "I love cooking with my dad."

"It's best not to dwell on our dreams," Shifu said, "we saw only what it wanted us to see, nothing more."

Crane wondered if that were true. He had seen his friends laughing and enjoying a hard-fought peace. Somehow, The Scarlet Robe knew what they all wanted. It saw what they desired. He recalled the last thing he had heard in the dream:

Is Shen coming? We saved him a seat… No, that wasn't right. Crane didn't want that.

He wanted to forget.

"What are we to do then?" Ox asked.

Shifu contemplated for a moment, clasping his hands in a familiar repose. Crane had seen Shifu take that stance many times; always before sending him and the Five on a mission. He and his friends glanced at each other, understanding.

"The city will require constant surveillance. If the Scarlet Robe attacks again, or tries to kidnap any more citizens, we have to be ready immediately. In the meantime, I will conduct more research on this creature, and try to find anything that might help us fight, and defeat it."

"And what of the Imperial Army, master?" Tigress said.

"Regretfully," Shifu said, looking her way, "I think Gongmen City is better under imperial control. Our goal remains in protecting the people. This danger is greater than our need to control the city."

"Really. You want us to just give Gongmen City up?" Ox said, eyes igniting, "this city is ours to defend. I'm not going to lose it again."

"Hopefully, you won't have to," Shifu said, "but in the interest of the citizens, I believe this to be our best option."

"We can protect them better than a thousand soldiers, and you know it. You just want to be done with this city, all of you do. I can see it in your eyes."

Crane studied the storming Ox, worrisome. He did want to leave, and finally have everything return to normal.

"You're tired." Ox sighed, and set a hoof on Rhino's shrine.

"I am too. In Thundering Rhino's honor, we should challenge the Trade Authority. The Master's Council should be reinstated."

"And how has the Master's Council fared?" Tigress said, still lounging on the wall. Everyone looked her way.

"After Master Rhino's death, you did nothing while Lord Shen terrorized Gongmen."

Master Ox bared his teeth, eyes welling with spite.

"You have no idea of the things we did to protect this city. What he had to do." Ox said, glancing to the painting of Master Rhino.

Tigress took a strong step forward.

"If he were still here, you know that he would see reason, unlike you."

"Say that again, cat." Master Ox said, taking a sturdy fighting stance.

"Quiet! This is hardly a time for bickering," Master Shifu said, outstretching his thin arms at the feuding masters. Everyone else froze in stunned apprehension.

"Things may yet change in the coming weeks." Shifu continued, "there will be time to think on this further."

Ox stepped back with a thump and a sneer. Croc joined him, and they whispered amongst themselves.

Shifu growled and massaged his scalp. He mumbled something about "acting like children."

"All of you, listen," he said, addressing his students.

"We will be staying in Gongmen City for a few more weeks. I don't want to hear any more complaints out of you. And Tigress, do keep your tongue in check."

She just shut her eyes.

"You will be staying here in this inn, together. Lodging has already been arranged. Get some rest, and I will send for you in the morning."

With that, Shifu hobbled over to the older masters: stern words gruff on his practiced tongue.

Po gathered their eyes and flicked his head toward the stairwell. Harsh but hushed tones snaked through the air as the Five and Po fled up the steps.

"That sure was something." Po said.

The warriors stood in silence, spaced elbow-to-elbow in the awfully small, door-lined corridor on the second floor of The Broomstick Inn.

"You know, this place is turning out to be a real pain," Mantis said.

"Is something wrong, Tigress?" Viper said. Everyone looked at her, waiting for her answer. She crossed her arms.

"No. Everyone, get some sleep." Aloof as always, she disappeared in her door. The others looked at each other quizzically, and did the same.

Funnily enough, they chose their rooms in the same order they shared at the Jade Palace. Out of habit, presumably; it was a small comfort that was nonetheless strengthening. At least Crane couldn't hear the others every move through the walls here. He could however hear Tigress and Po speaking quietly in the hallway. Those two sure had gotten close over the past week…

Outside his window, the air was quite cool: a welcome respite. The last supple rays from the sun pleasantly fell, not harsh, but reassuring. Chirps and tweets signaled the waking of nocturnal insects. Maybe his worry was unfounded, and the worst was already over.

Crane sighed, and set to preparing for a much-needed rest. The familiar nighttime routine was monotonous and boring; a relaxing combo. With orange-blue twilight fading through the window, he set the stool upended on the table, and organized—and re-organized—his bundle of supplies. He picked up a fallen candle with his foot, and set it atop the table, where it belonged. Scrolls on the floor lay unfurled.

I thought I rolled these yesterday. He braced them on the floor and rolled them up with one set of toes.

Most of the scrolls were short histories. Perhaps they contained some useful information. One title caught his eye as he moved it, though: Lord Shen's Banishment: A Shadow Play.

Crane held the porcelain tube in his foot, gripping it tighter, until he feared it would crack.

Damn it. He thought. Though tired, strained and oh-so-weary, there was another rice grain in the basket: one he had wanted to forget, but just couldn't.

He set the scroll with the others and quickly stretched his wings. Reaching, he went to adjust his hat, before remembering. He fluttered his wings discontentedly. Memories he had made with that hat somberly paraded in his mind. Losing it was like losing a friend. Maybe he could find it out there, somewhere. Or maybe losing it was his punishment for what he had done.

Crouching, he bent before the small windowsill. He clasped his wings tight against his body and took a deep breath. A powerful lunge darted him through the small opening. Nothing but a whisper left his wings as he fell out of the window, letting the dense ground-air catch in his huge wings. Without flapping once, he soared within Gongmen City's inner alcoves. Purples and dark blues painted the streets under red lanterns. He shot through a stairwell, and had to weave around ladder-topped lamp-lighters.

He adjusted his wings' angle and feather position to optimize silence: a technique he had studied greatly. Gentle flaps echoed over the water as the air cooled. Crane was far enough from the city now that he wasn't worried about making too much noise. Between mysterious trees, the glassy, clear water steamed in the blue night. Crane reminisced of a simpler time of training with his friends and defending the Valley of Peace. Longing pierced his heart.

Soon, Crane spiraled up through the curious natural archway in the wilderness. At its apex, an octagonal structure squatted beneath large, run-down roofs. He hoped that somehow he had dreamed this whole thing, and that there was no one inside.

At the door, Crane's beak clenched. He only stood there. He faced the door. It seemed to pull at him with its own vicious gravity. His heart leapt as the attraction won. He set a wing on the door handle and tentatively pulled it aside.

The paper-walled room glowed an ominous blue. It felt like he was participating in a crime by being there—and he might as well have been. He kept his tired eyes locked on the rug on the floor. He expected to hear a greeting from the Soothsayer, but there was only the chirping of crickets outside the thin walls. Careful not to face the direction of the bed, he looked up. His feathered chest tightened as he tried to forget what might be there.

Where is the Soothsayer? Crane thought. Maybe he had just dreamed. But he could smell more of her herbal brew, and sure enough, there was a cauldron in the fireplace. But he saw something else on the chair next to it: his hat.

Crane furrowed his brow with surprise, and a ray of delight. He stepped to grab it, and held it in his wings, inspecting the frayed straw. It was in decidedly good condition. Fastening it to his head brought a rush of relief. Then, he saw something on the chair, something that had been hidden underneath his hat.

It was a paper with a note. Elegant characters jumped off the page. They formed a list of instructions: healing instructions, specifically.

Soothsayer must've left this… he thought, but then he saw the words at the bottom of the page.

"It's up to you," it read.

It's up to me? What's that supposed to…

Then it hit him.

"No, no, no!" Crane shouted aloud, jerking up.

"AAAHHH!" A scream tore behind him. Crane's blood went cold. He spun around, and nearly choked.

Upright in the bed—staring with a single red, devilish eye—was Lord Shen.

Crane ran from the room and slammed the door behind him. Merciless crickets continued their nightly chorus. Crane panted heavily with his back against the door, wings holding the doorframe like something might try to bust it down.

"Argh-I can't do this!" He shouted, and kicked the air. He had no idea what he should do. He looked toward the star-brightening sky—anything for an answer.

I could leave him right now, Crane thought, relishing in the tempting idea. It would solve everything: Shen would die, and he could get back to his friends. He would never have to tell a soul. No more secrets, no more hiding. He could get back to fighting for justice, and he could get back to—

He tensed his neck.

Back to doing the right thing.

Crane slumped against the door until his rear met the bricks. Uncomfortable, his crushed tail feathers prickled. He removed his hat, and squeezed it against his chest, like a child with a beloved doll. The crickets continued chirping, unaware of his plight. He wanted to sit there forever, so he wouldn't have to chose. And though it pained him, he had to.

He couldn't forget any longer.

With a single steadying sigh, he rose.

He didn't bother to dust himself off. He stood slowly, afraid. Reseating his hat, he entered the room again. Light headed, he crept on. This time, he wouldn't avoid it. If this was to be his choice, then he would have to uphold it.

He forced himself to look at Lord Shen.

Mummified, the peacock sat up in his bandages. Stray joints and limbs angled strangely like an undead abomination. His stalk-like neck supported his meek head, also tightly wrapped. No crest, no tail, no robe; so different from the enemy Crane hated so completely. But that eye, that vibrant red eye, it dominated over all. Crane froze as a chill rode up his spine.

Lord Shen screeched again, hoarser this time, but still deeply unsettling.

Crane breathed.

"H-hello," he choked. Lord Shen's eye flicked to examine Crane, but he said nothing. Crane shifted under the relentless gaze, and gulped.

"Listen, um, I'm not really supposed to… You see, there's… ah," Crane struggled to make a coherent statement.

"A-are you hurt? I mean, are you in pain?"

Again, Lord Shen didn't answer. The peacock continued to drill his stare into Crane like an auger. His face, where visible, was locked in a supremely furious grimace.

Crane was puzzled. He wondered why Shen didn't answer.

"Hello?" He said again.

Lord Shen sunk his head lower, and opened his grey beak. But no sound came, and he shut it, glancing off to the side for a brief moment.

What in the world is wrong with him? Crane wondered.

"Can you hear me?"

No answer.

"Uh… blink once for yes, and twice for no," Crane said.

Lord Shen narrowed his eyes and sunk his head even lower.

"You can't talk…" Crane said, the realization sinking in.

Lord Shen's eyes never left him.

"Um… maybe there's something here for you." Crane said, turning his back to the peacock. The feathers on the back of his neck stood up like hackles.

This is insane. Insane! He thought, retreating to the Soothsayer's medicine corner. The next time he saw her, he would have about a dozen unkind words on his tongue. Shakily he perused her lengthy list of instructions. From his long nights spent studying, he recognized most of the medical terms and procedures. Though, he had never had a patient before, and certainly not one thrust upon him like this. Not only that, but it was the very last person he would ever want to treat.

However, in spite of his hate, pity began to seep over fear. Lord Shen, while menacing, terrible, and evil, could barely even move, let alone speak. Sadness and empathy iced his breast, very much against his will. Crane was surprised to realize that he felt like helping. Though, he wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

The list's first item was to administer the Soothsayer's brew.

Administer? Crane thought, ohhhh boy.

He topped off a bowl and brought it over, balancing it on a wing. He suddenly felt very unsure as the displaced Lord's glare continued. Shen glanced between him and the bowl, obviously scornful. He made a wary screech.

"So, I guess I'm supposed to…" he trailed off, "look, I'll just leave this here." Crane dragged a crate over with his talons, and scooted it close to the bed. Timidly, he set the bowl down, as if Shen might snap at him like a steel trap. He backed up and awkwardly adjusted his hat. Lord Shen just stared.

"I want to help," he said. Voicing the words made him feel more sure. Quite a tenuous certainty it was. He could have sworn he saw Shen's eyes soften, but when he looked, he only saw that same, deadly stare. The bedridden bird seemed relatively alright, at least for now.

"I'll be back tomorrow. Feel better," he said.

It struck him how messed up the situation was. Never could he have dreamed to actually help Lord Shen. Walking backwards, he slowly exited the cottage and entered the night. A dominion of crickets welcomed his return. Too much had happened; with the adrenaline gone, exhaustion netted him with its full weight. He leaned against the door, wondering why things had to happen this way.

The flight back to the sparkling Gongmen City was a joyless one. Unbridled emotions churned within him, threatening to sink him into the silver Yangtze. He wondered what it must have been like for Lord Shen, left on that riverbank, near death, for almost three days. Crane's pity nullified as he reminded himself all that Lord Shen had done to him and his friends. Master Thundering Rhino was dead. Ox and Croc had lost their friend.

Lord Shen didn't deserve to be pitied.

Then why do I want to help him.


A/N:

I hope you enjoyed my words today. I didn't expect this chapter to be so hard to write, but it sets up a lot of future things. I slacked off hard getting this one done, but I am hopeful that the next few will follow my grand plan with the groundwork I have lain.

I have to apologize for the big delay. I want to get these out much sooner, but I only rarely have the gumption to achieve the quality I am aiming for. Rest assured, I am still very much interested in finishing this story. Be glad to know that I have even more planned after this one concludes. With a little luck, the subsequent chapters will be out more timely.

Feel free to critique this one. It's possible I made some narrative mistakes, so do point out any inconsistencies you may uncover. Also, if you are uncertain as to the direction of character relationships in this story, do edify me, I'm prone to sappy and dramatic romance storylines. Lmao. Until next time.