And we finally see a huge breakthrough that Sage reveals his true self that has been hidden for so long.

Chapter 20: Breakthrough

Sage and Luna ended up sitting at the bamboo forest and from there, Sage lets everything out of the open and even things that he never told anyone about before and in Luna's point of view, he's been misunderstood his whole life and he's been a loner for most of his life, even after his parents' death and she lends her paw to Sage's and she said, "You've been through a lot, have you?"

"Too much." Sage replied.

"Have you even talked to your dad about it?" asked Luna.

Sage scoffed at this and he said, "He just doesn't really understand. Him and I always go at odds with each other and it's like...I can do anything I want and someone just stops me from it. I've never dealt with authority before. In South China, there's no authority. We take a dump on it. Here...it's different. From discipline, groundings, boundaries, limits...how can you deal with these things anyway? It's like...leave me alone and let me do what I want to do whenever I want it."

"So...you don't like being told what to do?" asked Luna.

"I hate being told what to do. We're not even on the same page and I've had to put up with him for 2 years now. I just can't wait until I'm 18 and that me and crew are gonna get out of this dump and live our lives the way we were living." Sage replied.

"I think I can see your problem. Do you like living in the Valley of Peace?" asked Luna.

"Somewhat...but I really don't know." Sage answered.

Luna blinked a few times and she turned to Sage and asked, "There must be some good parts there."

"Well...I'm not really sure. But...I do like that noodle shop in town and there's you." Sage answered.

Luna blushed a little bit the minute Sage mentioned her as one of those good parts in living in the Valley of Peace and she said, "Thank you."

"I have to ask...why do you put up with me so much? Most of the others wouldn't want anything to do with me because I'm such a jerk." Sage added.

"Well...you know how I know you so well? Because you're always friendly and nice towards me. How come you can't be the same way towards the others?" asked Luna.

"I can be very stubborn and headstrong. Immature at times. Towards you...I don't know. For some reason, I feel like I can talk to you about anything. And you're always one to listen." Sage added.

"I think the one thing you needed was someone that's willing to accept you for who you really are. You have a heart, Sage. Just try to show it more. You're really sweet, nice, funny and really easy to be around. Anyone would be lucky to have a friend like you." Luna said, with a smile.

That literally surprised Sage the most and he never got complimented before, nor has someone seen the best of him before and it took one person to break through that barrier he put up with just her presence and he looks her in the eye and asked, "You mean it?"

"Of course I do. You're my best friend, Sage." Luna replied.

Sage's eyes widened up and he never had a best friend before and he was truly overwhelmed with emotion as someone finally gave him a chance that he's been denied before and Luna could see that in him and she hugged him tightly and Sage was a little teary-eyed and eventually gave into the hug as tears came out of his eyes and just hugged her tightly like he could never let it go.

'I never thought...that I could have a best friend.' Sage thought, tearfully.

Wow...we all knew that Sage had it tough, but trying to move on from what he's been and giving up on it...really speaks volumes. Stay tuned for more!