Author Note: Since Wednesday was the 4th of July, I've been seeing a lot of fireworks going off, and I've even launched a few myself (whoo!). Unsurprisingly, this all totally inspired my KFP muse so here's a fic about Shen as a chick watching fireworks.

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Prince Shen was eight years old when he finally saw his first summer solstice fireworks display. Well...that was not quite true. If he was well enough to be out of bed, he would always watch the summer fireworks with his nanny, the Soothsayer Lan. They would stand on the balcony of Shen's quarters and enjoy the dazzling colors together. The lights were beautiful of course, but it still wasn't the same as attending the festival that the fireworks were a part of.

Shen had attempted it once when he was six, but due to his poor constitution, he'd grown weak and dizzy before the sun had hardly begun to set. Then, the following year, it had been too hot to even bother trying.

But not this year. The sun had gone down a little while ago, and the fireworks would soon start, and Shen still felt fine. He had attended the solstice feast, watched the musical performance that followed, and was still in good spirits. This year the summer solstice was cool, and for the sickly little prince, the weather made all the difference.

Though the winter brought its own aches and troubles, Shen hated summer most of all. His nanny could always bundle him in more clothes if he was cold, but the young chick could hardly thwart the hot months as easily. The summer heat wilted him and sapped what little strength he had. What was a discomfort or a minor concern for others brought nausea and fainting spells for the young prince. So many summer days had he spent confined to his room—and usually to his bed, cold compresses plastering his forehead and chest. Shen had lost count of those miserable days when the only times he'd had any strength was morning or dusk.

Just thinking about it, the young prince shivered. Then he felt a slim hoof lightly tap his shoulder. It was the Soothsayer.

"Are you alright, my little prince?" she asked him kindly.

"Yes, Nanny, I'm not sick!" Shen blurted out. Not that he thought she would take him back to his room, but this was such a rare occasion to be outside for a festival that Shen did not wish to ruin it.

"I didn't think you were." One hoof smoothed the downy little feathers on the top of Shen's head. "I was merely checking," she chuckled.

"I'm fine. Honest." Shen liked her laugh. It was a very friendly sound, not like the titters of gossiping servants or the unkind teasing of the other peachicks that Shen had foolishly tried to befriend. The prince forced those comparisons from his mind though—this was a special night, and he wanted to enjoy it.

And yet he couldn't completely shake off the stares that followed him or the whispers that he couldn't quite make out. It wasn't fair—Shen couldn't help the way he was. A part of him almost wanted to run and hide back inside somewhere. Instead he just curled closer to Lan as they walked through the courtyard.

"Shh, darling, you're safe with Nanny." She gave his tiny shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Now hold your head up, Prince Shen," Lan continued with gentle sternness. "These are your people, and you need not feel like an outsider here."

Shen nodded and stood a little straighter. He still kept one wing holding on to Lan's sleeve, but at least now he looked less like he was trying to hide behind her.

Fortunately, Shen did not need to endure much further scrutiny. All around the courtyard servants began to put out nearly all of the lanterns, an unspoken signal that the fireworks were about to be launched.

"It's starting, it's starting!"

The old goat grinned. "That it is, my lord. Look."

The air whistled with projectiles as the first volley was launched, bursting into the night sky in a series of loud bangs and gleaming brightness. Red, gold, and purple bathed Shen's white feathers, and he secretly marveled at the effect.

More fireworks were launched, and they bloomed in the sky like flowers before their petals fell away in a shower of sparks. They were launched in steady succession after that—sometimes just a couple and sometimes nearly a dozen but always the night sky was alight, a glowing garden blossoming and blossoming until at last culminating in one pinwheel screaming swirl of lights.

The finale left Shen—not to mention many of the other audience members—awestruck and speechless. Over too soon as always but still beautiful. So beautiful...

"Come along, Prince Shen," Lan urged, nudging him gently toward the front of the crowd.

Toward his parents.

Shen turned to look up at the Soothsayer as though asking permission—his parents were busy people after all, and although the prince was sometimes disappointed, he didn't want his mother and father to think he was a nuisance... However, Lan smiled at him encouragingly, and if she said it was alright, then it must be. "I believe I shall take another stroll through the gardens, Shen. You go on ahead and see your mother and father, and I'll come get you later."

The prince didn't need telling twice, but he tried to contain his excitement as he reached the king and queen. Bowing, Shen greeted his parents formally as he had been taught to do when in public.

"Did you enjoy the fireworks display, my son?" King Jiang asked as he scooped Shen closer so that the chick was standing between his parents.

"Oh yes, so much!" Shen chattered happily about all the lovely things he'd seen that night from the banquet to the decorated gardens to the firework finale. His mother and father nodded in agreement, interjecting with the occasional comment when they weren't also fielding questions from visiting aristocrats and others of importance. Shen rather wished the interlopers would retire for the night so that he could have his parents' full attention for once, but at least he was here with them at all, and that had to count for something.

"We are glad that you were able to attend the festivities," his mother said fondly. Queen Nuo was a lovely peahen with topaz-brown eyes and dainty elegant features. With her wingtips tucked delicately into her wide sleeves, she was the very picture of royal grace.

Shen attempted to imitate her posture but failed because his sleeves weren't nearly long enough. "Don't fidget, dear," the queen told him, but Shen barely noticed her remonstration because even as she said it, his mother also stroked the curly feathers on top of Shen's head much as the Soothsayer had done earlier.

After that, Shen was content to be quiet, cheek pressed against his mother's wing.

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The night's celebrations had officially ended with the fireworks display, but even after that, dignitaries and aristocrats still lingered hoping for a chance to speak with the king and queen. And since Shen was reluctant to leave his parents' sides, it was rather late indeed by the time the Soothsayer walked her charge back to his quarters.

The corridors were dim and quiet, and Shen leaned heavily against his nanny as they made their way downstairs. "My poor prince is all tuckered out," she chuckled. "You are well though?" she asked with a touch of concern.

"I'm fine," came the sleepy reassurance. "Just tired."

"As long as that's all. I'll let you sleep in a little longer tomorrow morning, shall I?"

"Mm...thank you," Shen replied, stifling a yawn. "And Nanny..."

"Hmm?"

"I wish to go to the library tomorrow. I...I want to learn more about the fireworks."

"Of course, Prince Shen. We can take our lunch there after you finish your morning lessons."

The peachick nodded his agreement, eyes drooping. By the time the Soothsayer got him to his bedroom, the little chick was only half awake. Despite his anticipation for the next day, Shen fell right asleep practically as soon as he lay down, and his dreams that night were bright, sparkling like stars.

If he couldn't be normal the way his parents wished, then at least Shen would be brilliant. After all, had his tutors not regularly said he was quite smart for his age? And the fireworks—their science would be his saving grace.

Shen decided that very night that his new goal would be to learn the family trade. In the grand dreaming way of children, Shen could already imagine the far off future where he would rule Gongmen City and be showered with respect and admiration. He would show everyone that he was worthy of his royal title, and then his parents would be so proud of him.

-fin-

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Author Note: Aww, I thought this was sweet to write but also kind of sad since we all know how Shen's future actually turned out... ;_; And I hope young Shen didn't turn out too OOC. I tried to make him innocent and happy while still providing a couple hints of how he'll end up less innocent and happy later on. Mm, hopefully I struck a believable balance.