Chapter 5: Letting out all Feelings
Early in the morning, after looking back on that awful memory he's been keeping for 9 years, Mantis wandered around the Valley of Peace, hoping to get away from all that tragedy. When the thoughts of his mother kept coming through his head, he can't seem to get over it.
In order to make this go away, he wrote a song in order for him to help heal his broken feelings and heart.
I don't wanna be the boy who laughs the loudest
Or the boy who never wants to be alone
I don't wanna be that call at four o'clock in the morning
Cause I'm the only one you know in the world that won't be home
Ah, the sun is blinding
I stayed up again
Oh, I am finding
But that's not the way I want my story to end
I'm safe
Up high
Nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over
No pain
Inside
You're my protection
But how do I feel this good sober?
I don't wanna be the boy who has to fill the silence
The quiet scares me cause it screams the truth
Please don't tell me that we had that conversation
Cause I won't remember, save your breath, cause what's the use
Ah, the night is calling
And it whispers softly, 'come and play'
Oh, I am falling
And if I let myself go I'm the only one to blame
I'm safe
Up high
Nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain
Inside
You're like perfection
But why do I feel this good sober?
Coming down, coming down, coming down
Spinning 'round, spinning 'round, spinning 'round
Looking for myself, sober
Coming down, coming down, coming down
Spinning 'round, spinning 'round, spinnin 'round
Looking for myself, sober
When it's good, then it's good, it's so good till it goes bad
Till you're trying to find the you that you once had
I've heard myself cry, 'never again'
Broken down in agony, just tryin' to find a friend
Oh-oh
I'm safe
Up high
Nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over
No pain
Inside
You're like perfection
But how do I feel this good sober?
I'm safe
Up high
Nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain
Inside
You're like perfection
But how do I feel this good sober?
He feels as if all of the emotions he's been feeling inside, have finally been released. However, Mantis turned around and saw Po, Crane, Shifu, Monkey and Viper overheard everything Mantis sung to.
He asked, "How long have you guys been standing there?"
"Long enough, Mantis. I didn't realize you had it in you." said Po.
"I forgot, I guess."
"When did you write this?" asked Viper.
"I wrote it 2 years after the incident with my mom's death."
"Whatever happened between you and your mom?" asked Crane.
Mantis sighed and said, "I think it's better to show it to you on the Moon Pool."
Later that night, when they arrived at the Moon Pool, the ripples of water came through and the moon shined through the river, they saw the scenes of a young Mantis witnessing his mother getting beaten up by her abusive grasshopper boyfriend. When they saw Mantis' tragic childhood, they soon realized why he's been in isolation throughout his 9 years missing out of celebrating his birthdays. By the time they saw scenes of his mother's death, they felt really sorry for Mantis.
"Did that really happen to you?" asked Po.
"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Shifu.
"Every freakin' year, 2 weeks before my birthday comes, I can't seem to get over that stupid grasshopper abusing my mom. Do you know what it's like waking up every night knowing that your mom has been assaulted by some dude who's jealous because of an only kid? Being almost 12, these eyes were witnessing every single horror that keeps coming back in my life. So for 9 years, I spend most of my birthdays isolated and I really missed out all my years because of that tragic experience." said Mantis.
The others felt as if that's been the depression and sadness Mantis has been feeling and felt as if he doesn't want to have a birthday anymore.
"Is that what's been bothering you?" asked Po.
Mantis nodded and Viper comforted him with her tail wrapped around his head. She said, "I'm sorry that ever happened to you."
"Why didn't you tell us in the first place?" asked Crane.
"I didn't want to talk about it. I... I was just too scared."
"Mantis, you're never scared." said Tigress.
"Do you know how much damage that grasshopper done to my life? Probably so much wreckage and every memeory has been sticking to since I was 12 all through 20. Now, my 21st birthday coming, I feel like I should be left alone and I don't want to."
"We know you don't want to." said Shifu.
"We all care about you, no matter what." said Viper.
"Really?" Mantis asked.
"Of course. It really hurts to see you this depressed every year when your birthday comes." said Crane.
"I just don't want to be alone on my birthday."
Po sat down next to Mantis and said, "It's not gonna happen this time. Your birthday will be the most awesomest birthdays ever."
"How do you know?" asked Mantis.
"You'll just have to trust us."
"We promise you, we'll make it more special." said Shifu.
Mantis felt as if all these years, missing out on 9 years of birthdays, felt as if his 21st, will be special. He stood up and said, "Thanks for doing this for me."
"Hey, anything for you, we'd do it." said Viper.
Just so you know, that was "Sober" from Pink. I had to put in some minor changes to the song, and I hope it works. Thanks to 's idea for that "Moon Pool" sequence. Appreciate it!