I'm so sorry for the long wait, I know it's been a while but there were some troubles in life, there isn't anything I ca say that will not make it an excuse. On with the tale...

Chapter 1

A New Enemy

It has been two months since the defeat of Lord Shen and his naval army, and words of the Dragon Warrior's victory has spread far across China. Few dare challenge the might of the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five.

In a village near the edge of China

He was in a small inn getting some sweet dumplings, a stranger hid beneath his cloak the only visible detail one could see was that he carried a sword. His sword gave a soft glow in the evening sunlight, from the decorated handle of gold and silver to the golden dragon design on its sheath. The sword was beautiful in every aspect, being clipped to the side of the stranger.

"Your dumplings sir, would you like anything else?" a small female bunny came out bring with her a ceramic plate with five white dumplings. "No, thank you." The bunny gave a slight nod before tending to her other customers. "Did you hear about the Dragon Warrior's victory in Gongmen City?" a pig spoke to his friend behind the stranger. "Of course who hasn't, I heard that he single handedly defeat the crazed bird and his entire army, even after the Furious Five where defeated." His friends replied.

"I know, since then not so many bandits or crooks has reared their heads up, makes sense considering they would get their tails handed to them." The first pig said with a chuckle. This conversation had peaked the stranger's curiosity, as he continued to listen in intently. "Still, don't you think that China has been awfully quiet, I mean think about we have not been so peaceful for years." The other pig questioned with concern. "Don't be foolish, you should enjoy the peace, are you looking for trouble?" his friend shoot back.

"Your right maybe it's just because I'm paranoid." With that both pigs returned to their meal. The stranger had placed the last three of his dumplings in his bag and left a generous tip for the waitress. Making his way over to the two pigs, "Tell me where can I fine this warrior who is undefeatable?" the voice was smooth and yet it carried pain and weight behind it. Both pigs looked up to see him with his sword, "he lives in the Valley of Peace with the Furious Five, why?" one of the pigs asked see as the other was busy stuffing his face with noodles.

"I wish to meet this mighty warrior." The stranger answered truthfully. Giving the pig a slight nod, he began his journey to the Valley in search for the Dragon Warrior.

In a Temple located high in the snowy Mountains of China

A lone figure stood before the temple's fireplace enjoy the warmth and comfort as the flames danced across the wood. His ears perked up as the front door was opened then closed followed by gentle paws approaching him. "Tell me are you here to kill me?" the figure turned around and faced the stranger in a cloak. "No brother, I'm here for a little talk and I will be on my way." The stranger pulled back his cloak revealing a tiger with a scar running vertically across his left eye. The tiger was wearing a black slacks and tunic, his tunic being decorated with a couple silver bamboos running vertically on the right side. His sword clipped to his sash as the hilt shine from the fire.

The figure nodded and left the shadows created by the fire to reveal a snow leopard with a similar scar running across his right eye. The leopard had ring piercings on both his ears and was wearing a dark blue pair of slacks and a white tunic with similar bamboo designs. The leopard too had a sword clipped to his sash though the handle was red with black laces running crisscross and the sheath was black with a single lily flower near the top.

"It has been a while 'brother' what have you been up to?" the leopard ask as he pulled a table and two chairs for them to sit by the fire. "Nothing much, I've been doing what I always have, trying to fine a way to kill you." The tiger answered as he took out the bag with three sweet dumplings. "And you, why are you still here?" the tiger waited for the felines answer as he took one dumpling and took a bite.

"I have been here, trying to find a way to kill you. But we both know this is not going to work, we've tried and look what we got." The leopard turning his gaze from the fire to the tiger's fierce orange eyes, in turn the tiger stared at the leopards aqua eyes though his right eye was crimson. "Yes our last fight lasted a whole day with no rest and we only manage to meet at a stalemate." The tiger finished his dumpling as he gestured for the leopard to take one.

"We did manage to give each other this and at the same time too." The leopard gestured to his scar with a small chuckle as he too took a dumpling. "Now tell me why are you here?" this time the snow leopards locked onto the sword that was next to the tiger. With a sigh the tiger finished his last dumpling, "I'm here to warn you, I've heard news of the Dragon Warrior and I think he is key to this long struggle between you and me." The tiger waited for the leopard to finish his dumpling before demanding an answer.

"And what is so special about this warrior of yours?" the leopard shoot back anger now surfacing. "He is strong, I plan on seeing how he fights before my next move." The tiger stood up and began his way towards the door. "And if you find his skill unsatisfactory?" the leopard shoot back as he return to stand by the fire. "Then I will kill him and anyone who stands to protect him." The tiger said before moving a chess piece on a table by the door. "Let the games begin, and this time Lěngzhàn dòushì we shall not stop until one of us is dead."

Leaving the leopard to his though the tiger left and continued his journey for the Valley of Peace. "Hēi'àn what are you trying to start his time my brother?" Lěng made his way over to the chessboard by the door seeing the move his brother made. Hēi'àn had moved his king forward the shadow of the piece covered the black king on the other side. With a heavy sigh Lěng moved his black king forward out of the shadows.

Lěng knew that who ever the Dragon Warrior was is not going to satisfy his brother. Lěng began to pack an extra pair of cloths and some food in a pack. Grabbing his cloak by the fire he left his home to find the Dragon Warrior before his brother did.

Once again please rate and review your words mean a lot to me and how I will continue on with this story. I don't know for sure if Chess existed during traditional China but it is a key piece on this story. Also I don't speak Chinese so I had to use google translate for the names, I'm sorry for anyone that does speak the language and I messed up somewhere.

Lěng – Cold

Hēi'àn – Darkness

Lěngzhàn dòushì – cold warrior

Hēi'àn wǔshì – dark warrior