The sun was lowering in the sky over the Valley of Peace. The villagers, going about their normal business, innocently made way for a delicate figure surrounded by a shimmering silver-blue cloak. This figure walked carefully through the village, observing everything it saw. Eventually it came to the bottom of the thousand steps of the Jade Palace. As it began to climb the obstacle before it, the figure smiled gently: "Something is coming, masters of the Jade Palace. And it will change your lives forever."
"Come here, everyone," Master Shifu ordered. "I have someone important whom I would like you to meet."
Po and the five immediately stopped their training and lined up in front of him.
"Thank you. The person I would like you to meet is called Storm."
"Good morning everyone," the cloaked figure purred. "It is an honour to meet you."
The figure took down her silver hood to reveal searching blue eyes and the sleek coat of a snow leopard.
"Storm is a master, as you are," Shifu continued. "But of a different kind. Storm is a master of the mind."
The warriors bowed in respect. "Master Storm."
"Master Storm has made a long journey," Shifu informed. "I have offered her a place to stay here at the Jade Palace for a time, which she has accepted.
"It was very kind of you, Master Shifu," Storm thanked. "I will try to interfere with your routine as little as possible."
"Hey, it's no problem," Po said easily, going forward with his usual open friendliness. "Welcome to the Jade Palace, Master Storm. I'm the Dragon Warrior, but please just call me Po. Would you like me to show you around?"
"Yes thank you, Po," Storm smiled.
As they walked away, Tigress turned to Monkey. "She seems a little strange, don't you think?"
"What do you mean? Don't you trust her?" Monkey asked.
"It's not that exactly... I can't really describe it," Tigress replied as she walked away lost in thought.
Tigress' radar had picked up on something. And she really wouldn't have trusted her if had she heard Storm's earlier conversation.
"You are a master of the mind?" Shifu inquired. "Then you must stay at the Jade Palace."
"Thank you Master, you are very kind," Storm accepted gratefully. "But there is one thing you should know. I am not a master of the mind as you would think of it. I am a master of emotions."
"Emotions?" Shifu pondered. "I have never heard of this before, yet emotions can be among the most difficult of things to master. Very well, the invitation is still open."
"Thank you," the leopard replied softly. "And perhaps, if you do not think this intrusive and inappropriate, I could observe some of your students. It would help me a great deal. But," she added. "I would deeply appreciate it if you said nothing about me being a master of emotions. A master of the mind only."
"We shall see," Shifu answered. "Let us first see how you settle in here."
Storm nodded silently and picked up her small bag of luggage, ready to meet the warriors.