Now we get to where Max sneaks out in the morning to see his dragon friend. His intentions were to check on him and see how he's doing without anyone knowing. However...he does need to find a way to get there.

Chapter 8: Heading Back

The next morning, Max was hanging outside for a bit to have some fresh air and since both Mako and Reiko are at work, he thought it would be best to sneak out and see that dragon again...all before going to the kicboxing class with Logan and Tae Kwan Do later that afternoon. As he left the house to take a little walk around the valley, he had this feeling that maybe he can waltz out of the Valley of Peace and to the bamboo forest because that's where the cave is at.

The only thing standing his way is how can he get there very quickly. and that's something he's pondering for a while...until he saw Crane walking past him and figured this would be a good idea because he'll get there quickly and he walked behind him and the number-one way to get his attention was tugging his tailfeathers. Once Max tugged Crane's tailfeathers, that obviously surprised him and he turned around and saw the cub behind him.

"Good morning, Crane." Max said, innocently.

Crane lets out a sigh of relief and glared at Max for a second and he said, "We talked about this. Don't tug my tailfeathers to get my attention."

"I'm sorry, Crane. Hey...can you do me a little favor?" asked Max.

"What is it?" asked Crane.

He motioned Crane to come closer and he said, "Think you can take me to the bamboo forest and drop me off there?"

Once Crane heard that request, he froze for a second and had no idea how he can respond to that and asked, "I beg your pardon?"

"Take me to the bamboo forest, please." Max replied.

"Uh...I don't know, Max. You really want me to drop you off at the bamboo forest all by yourself?" asked Crane, a little worried.

Max nodded his head at this and Crane knew that Max was getting older, but never thought that he'd be ready to wander around the bamboo forest alone already and Crane said, "Aren't you worried that someone might kidnap you or something?"

"Crane...I'm 10 years old, remember? Sometimes you have to take a few risks." Max said.

"What's the reason?" asked Crane.

Max wasn't sure to tell Crane this, but he knows that Crane wants the truth and nothing but the truth and he said, "If you can fly me there, I can tell you."

Crane sighed at this because that would require actually taking Max there, but if it's enough to tell him the reason, there's no excuse why he shouldn't and he said, "Grab ahold of my legs."

Max smiled and with that, he grabbed Crane's legs and as the avian bird spread his wings, he takes a deep breath and manages to fly all the way out of the village and Crane said, "Better tell me quick because this could take seconds."

Before long, Max explained to Crane everything about what had occured yesterday about meeting a dragon for the first time and helping him with removing a thorn from his foot and wrapping it up with bandages and the reason to come back to see how he was doing. Once Crane got his explanation, he was completely shocked and amazed by taking that ultimate risk.

"And that's why you wanted to come back? To see how he's doing?" asked Crane.

"Yeah. Why else wouldn't I have done it?" asked Max.

Crane had to admit that Max could take a lot of risk, even if it meant doing stuff for the right reasons and said, "You're an unusual cub."

"Embrace my weirdness, Crane." Max added.

Once they finally made it to that cave, Max released himself from Crane's legs and he said, "Thanks, Crane. By the way...don't tell this to your comrades. Including Master Tigress. If she finds out for herself, I will never hear the end of it."

"Good point. But you know she can sense who's keeping a secret without even questioning us." Crane added.

"That's why I don't tell Tigress anything because she just doesn't understand anything about me...because she might think that I can't accomplish anything because I'm small and I'm just a kid. I know I'm a kid, but who cares? I'm not out to prove anything to anyone or even myself. I do what I feel is right...even if it's at a high price or things like that. Don't you guys do the same?" asked Max.

Once all of Max's words set in, Crane knew that it was very true and he made a very solid point on this...counting the hundred times Crane and the other Five save China and the Valley of Peace and he lets out a sigh and said, "I guess you're right, Max. You really have a way of following your heart, don't you?"

"Always." Max replied.

Crane nodded at this and as soon as Max entered that cave, the cub waved bye to him before walking forward and the avian bird sighed heavily and whispered, "I hope you know what you're doing."

Crane flew away and looked back for a second at that cave and he was not only worried for Max's safety, but also the dragon he helped and he wasn't sure how he could tell the Five and Master Shifu...but the last thing he would do is betray Max's trust after that speech Max gave him and just thought to himself, "That cub always surprises me a lot."

Well...there he goes. What's gonna happen once they meet again? You'll find out.

Voice of Max: Ben Diskin

Voice of Crane: Amir Talai