Okay! So Mantis's Chapter was okay? That's good to hear...well see...anyway. since a lot of you liked Mantis's Tale so much I hope you feel the same about Crane's. this one kinda just flowed easily for me so I hope you like it.

Chapter 4

Crane's Tale

The Night before the Summer Ball…

"You want me to what!?" Crane asked his master in disbelief. Crane was standing in the Hall of Heroes before his master as Shifu stood before the reflecting pool. "I said that I want you to represent the Jade Palace in the opening dance for the Summer Ball. Did you not hear me?" Crane bowed "No Master, of course I heard you; I just don't understand why you want ME to represent the palace. Surely Viper would be a much better dancer, or maybe Monkey! He's really light on his feet!" Shifu replied "While Viper is indeed a rather skilled dancer; she cannot represent the Palace for the representative of the Topaz Temple is female as well. As for Monkey…well after that prank he pulled at the Cherry Blossom Spring Festival, The Jade Palace does not need a repeat of THAT Incident. Besides, the Lady Legona happens to be avian, and when it comes to grace, you far exceed the others. You are the perfect choice to represent the Palace. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to turn in for the night." As Crane bowed to his master he waited until Shifu left before muttering "Perfect choice…just one problem…I can't dance…"

The next day the morning gong sounded as the masters rushed to the hall saying in unison. "Good Morning Master!" followed by a large Panda falling out of bed as he stumbled to the door, opened it and stepped through saying "Good Morning Master!" as Po bowed to Shifu. Shifu then addressed his students, "Good morning students, and panda, congratulations on ALMOST waking up on time." Po knew by now he was being scolded so he just bowed his head. "As you all know, tonight is the annual Summer Ball, that being said there will be no training since the palace staff will be preparing for tonight." Everyone but Tigress smiled at this. Even Po muttered an "Awesome." Shifu then announced "I have also chosen Crane to represent the Jade Palace tonight for the opening dance." Everyone turned to Crane and gave him a bunch of Congratulations and good jobs, as Po said "Way to go buddy!" Crane just put on a smile and said "Thanks guys." Shifu then turned to Po "Po, do not forget, you need to go and pick up your new clothes for tonight. They will be ready for you at the village tailor this afternoon." Po bowed at his Master saying "I won't forget Master…and thank you for paying for them…I won't disappoint you tonight." Po being poor his entire life, unfortunately had no nice clothes of his own. Shifu nodded and said "Think nothing of it Po; just see that you behave yourself tonight." Po bowed saying "Yes Master."

Shifu then said to his students. "Now you all have the day off. But make sure you all return to the palace and be ready for tonight by sundown, and Tigress." Shifu said looking at the tiger. She answered "Yes Master?" "I do not want you in the training hall today; the servants will be cleaning it in preparation for the Ball tonight. So if you do decide to train you are to do so behind the palace in the Ironwood forest. Am I understood?" Tigress bowed and said "Yes Master Shifu." And with that Shifu turned and walked down the hall, everyone else followed except for Crane. Po noticed this and asked "Hey Crane, you coming?" Crane looked up and said "Um, I think I'm gonna just go for a walk." With that Crane began to walk outside. Now Po wasn't the brightest person by far but if there was one thing he learned from his dad, it was how to read people, well that and how to cook, and he could tell something was bugging Crane. So instead of heading to the kitchen, Po decided to follow Crane outside.

Po followed Crane up to the Sacred Peach Tree. When he reached the avian he heard Crane give a heavy sigh so he asked, "Crane? Everything okay buddy?" Crane turned around and looked at Po with probably the most fake smile Po had ever seen saying "Of course I'm okay, what makes you think I'm not okay!? Heh heh…." Po just crossed his arms raising his eyebrow and said "Really? Do we really have to go through this? Cause I mean we got all day with no training and all, so I'm game if you are." Crane just stared at Po blinking a few times as the panda's expression never changed. Finally with a heavy sigh Crane conceded. "It's about the dance tonight…I'm afraid I'm gonna mess it up for Shifu…" Po then asked "What are you talking about Crane? You're like the most graceful Kung Fu Master in all of China!" Crane then looked at Po and said "Kung Fu sure, but there's just one problem. I can't dance Po…I never have…"

Po raised his eyebrow "You've never danced? Like, ever?" Crane lowered his head "That's right Po, I've never danced before…I don't know how…and now Shifu wants me to dance the opening dance and I just can't! I'm gonna end up making a fool of myself AND disappointing Shifu in the process." Po let out a slight chuckle "Heh heh, Crane is that all that's bothering you? That's not so bad!" Crane looked up at Po confused "How is that not bad! I'm gonna make a fool out of myself!" Po shook his head no "No you won't, Crane if all you need is someone to teach you how to waltz, I can totally do that!" Crane looked dumbfounded "Y-you know how to dance?" Po nodded his head "Sure I do, I've watched people waltz at the Winter Festival for years. I've seen it like a hundred times!" Crane then saw a problem "But have you actually danced with someone before?" Po folded his arms and said "No, nobody ever wanted to be my partner before. But Crane, come on, I'm the Dragon Warrior, I've performed the Golden Lotus Clap, the Mongolian Fireball, and the Wuxi Finger Hold, all after only seeing them once, Plus accidentally learned how used the Thundering Wind Hammer, I think that after watching people waltz a hundred times, that I can show you how to dance."

Crane seemed to consider it for a moment and Po had a point. When it came to Kung Fu, it took him almost no time to master any skill. Perhaps the same could be said for dancing too? Po then said "Come on Crane, what do you have to lose?" Finally with a heavy sigh Crane agreed. "Okay Po, guess I don't really have another option…" Po grew a smile as he said "Great!" and began to step forward. Crane went wide eyed "What are you doing?" Po grew confused "Umm trying to show you how to waltz?" Crane shook his head "No, no, no, not here Po! I can't risk being seen!" Po asked confused "Why not?" as he tilted his head to the side. Crane then explained "Because you're a guy Po! I can't be seen dancing with another guy! I'll never live it down!" Suddenly, realization hit Po as he was finally getting what Crane was saying. "Oh, yeah sorry, didn't think about that…hmmm. I know! What about if we went to my dad's place? We can practice in my old room! No one will see us their!" Crane eased up saying "Perfect, let's hurry up and go, I'm wasting time here." And with that the two made their way down to the village and over to Mr. Ping's noodle shop.

In no time at all the two were standing in Po's old room. Po made some room by moving a few things around and latched his window shutters closed, so no neighbors would come across the two masters. Po stood facing Crane as he said "Okay so the first thing you do is when the music begins to play, you bow to your partner." Po made a bow towards crane as he did the same. "Next you step towards your partner placing your left hand in her right like this." As Po raised Crane's right arm up and grabbed his feathered hand. "Okay now place your left hand on my shoulder. This is what the female partner will do." Crane then asked "Why do I have to do the girls part!?" Po countered "Because you can't dance yet…so until you get the hang of it I'm gonna lead. We'll switch don't worry, you gotta walk before you can fly right?" Crane sighed "Fine…" he muttered Po then went on as Crane placed his hand on Po's shoulder. "Now the guy will place his right hand on his partners lower back like this." As Po placed his hand in the right spot he looked crane in the eyes. "Whatever you do, do not put your hand any lower than that. I've seen guys get kicked in the tenders doing just that! You got to respect your partner." Crane replied "G-got it…man this is embarrassing…" Po retorted "Would you relax already, no one's gonna see us!"

Crane sighed saying. "You're right Po…I'll focus better." Po smiled and continued "Okay so this is the next part. It's real simple. Step like so, and keep a count in your head. Each step you take, your partner is supposed to kinda mirror it. When you step forward she steps back, you step to the left she steps to the right. Got it?" Crane muttered a "Got it…" and Po began "One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two three, one, two, thr-OUCH!" Crane stepped back saying "Sorry Po! You okay?" Po just replied saying "Yeah I'm fine. But you may wanna trim your talons before tonight…just saying. Ready to go again?" Crane just said "If you still want to." Po smiled and said "Okay from the top."

Eventually Crane managed to make it through an entire sequence without cutting Po's feet anymore and Po even showed Crane how to twirl the partner after a while. The two then switched roles and Crane eventually became comfortable with the dance enough that Po felt he would do just Awesome that night.

Evening came and the warriors of the Jade Palace were gathered in the Palace court yard along with members of the Topaz Temple, and many of the Valleys citizens. The Band was all set and it was almost time for the opening dance. Po was standing by his friends on the stage in a Black silk shirt with white trim down the front with a Yin-Yang symbol on his back as he wore matching Black pants. He had never felt so fancy before in his new clothes, and promised Shifu he wouldn't cause any trouble tonight. Tigress was in black Pants with a golden Vest similar to her training vest only with a red dragon on her back. Monkey was in red pants with a plain yellow vest while Mantis wore a small red cape. Viper was wearing some makeup with two new lotus flowers on her head, And Crane was wearing a blue vest but he decided to leave his straw hat in his room. Shifu stood before the warriors in his green Grandmasters robe as he addressed the guests.

"Citizens of the Valley of Peace, and honored guests. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Jade Palace's Annual Summer Ball." As Shifu finished the people clapped and after a moment Shifu silenced them and continued. "To start tonight's event, we will begin with the traditional Opening Dance. Representing the Jade Palace, I present to you, Master Crane!" Crane stepped forward but not before taking one last glance at Po who said "You got this buddy." Crane smiled as he bowed to his Master and flew down to the center of the courtyard. Shifu cleared his throat and spoke again "And now, representing the Topaz Temple, I give you, the elegant and graceful, Lady Legona!" as Shifu introduced her a purple crane flew forward wearing a yellow dress that sparkled in the moonlight as well as two golden ankle bracelets. As she landed in front of Crane, Crane reached for her wing and gave it a gentle kiss. "You look absolutely stunning tonight Lady Legona." Legona blushed saying "And you look rather dashing yourself Master Crane." As the two took their places Shifu nodded towards the musicians, and the music began to play.

Crane and Legona bowed to one another and stepped forward. As the two reached for each other Crane placed his wing on her lower back as she placed hers onto his shoulder and the two began to glide across the courtyard. Po watched on as the two avian danced marvelously. Hard to believe that just a few hours ago Crane was tripping over his own feet. And the lady Legona was an excellent dancer as well. The two moved with such grace and fluidity that only those of impeccable grace could achieve such perfection. As Crane brought Legona into a twirl, Legona laughed saying, "My, Master Crane, you are rather light on your feet." Crane replied "You're not so bad yourself." Everyone watched in wonder at the two crane. As the Music came to a close both Avian bowed to one another and the crowd cheered.

Crane flew up to his friends who were congratulating him on a job well done when Shifu came forward. "Magnificent job Master Crane, you have brought great honor to both me and to the Jade Palace tonight." Crane bowed to his master saying "Thank you Master Shifu." As the people began to dance Crane walked over to Po who brought him under his arm saying "Way to go buddy! You were AWESOME out their!" Crane smiled saying "Thanks Po, but I never could have done it without you…Thanks for having by back." Po just smiled as he brought the Avian closer. "Hey, what are friends for?" as the two watched the citizens dance the night away on that first summer night.

End of memory...

Back with The Furious Five in the Present day

"So wait, Po was the one who actually taught you how to move like that?" Monkey asked in disbelief. Crane answered. "Yup if it wasn't for Po, I'd have made a real fool of myself that night." Crane turned to the unconscious panda. "He's a real brother this guy. I was so embarrassed by the idea of dancing with a guy, but he didn't care. All he cared about was helping me, and I'm never gonna forget that. That's why I want to do whatever I can right now to help him, because I know he'd be doing the exact same thing for me a hundred times over."

The others nodded in agreement when Master Shifu entered the room. As he noticed everyone sitting around the panda he held up his hand saying "Please remain seated. I have only returned because I have some rather disheartening news…"

Well that's Crane's tale! Pretty cool of Po right? Wonder what Master Shifu has to say now? and how am I doing with Po's character?

Please do review so I know how I'm doing with this.