So...its been a couple of years...about two, some of you are probably wondering what the hell happened. Well...honestly, I got caught up in work and in other stuff. I have a found a calling in which I pursued voice acting and got involved in a pretty big fandom. Yeah I'm a pegasister. Applejack best pony. All the same I was bored and read some fanfics and then looked at mine. And well after reading some of my old stuff it just got the inspiration going. So I'm gonna try again see if I can finish this. I'm actually working on some original stuff now, a cartoon series that I am writing with a couple of friends. I of course can not tell any of you about it but that is also a reason for my absence. But you've all probably waited very patiently and so here I am. Time for Chapter 2 of "The Dragon's Path".

Clay wasn't sure what had happened, one moment he was with his friends and Master Fung, and the next everything became black. He couldn't remember a darn thing other than this strange green light that flashed in his eyes much like one taking a photo before someone was ready. To him it seemed like time had stood still in the blackness, and he wondered if he'd ever wake up, but that question would be answered in one moment where he was broken from this estranged reality.

Wet.

The only word that struck his mind, the pressure of a single rain drop enough to wake the giant cowboy with a gasp, his body bolting upright with a hand to his chest like an old man coming out of cardiac arrest. Slowly he breathed taking big gulps looking around in earnest, only one question plagued his thoughts.

"Where am ah?"

A simple question but it said a lot, for he was no longer at the temple, but in the middle of a great forest, moist grass and moss ridden ground with patches of dirt turned mud puddles. Rain leaked through the cracks around him the sound of pouring rain was clear, but with how thick and close the tree's were together they served as a very good umbrella. But that was the most unsettling thing about this place, it was the tree's, at first they seemed like ordinary pine tree's, but once Clay got a closer look more so when looking up. He wouldn't be able to help but gasp. They were far taller than any normal tree's he'd ever seen, they were as tall as mountains and thick as a silo off his family's farm. They just seemed to stretch on for miles, above and around him, though it was odd there was also something calm about the area as well. More so given that there was a clear path in front of him. A winding road of the only dry dirt and grass.

"Well I reckon I'm suppose to follow this here path", Clay said to himself standing up to wipe off any mud and grass. "Now given that there is nothing behind me" he continued hand to his chin in thought. "I best mosey on down this road in front of me".

And so he did traversing forward, there was really no way to measure time, and the tree's seemed to go on forever. Truly he didn't know if he was going the right way, but the more he stepped forward the path behind him disappeared. He did try to step back a couple times, but whenever he did he'd be met with unruling weeds and slick mud, the road becoming more treacherous if he fought too hard. He could only go forward and so he wasn't stubborn for long and didn't question the unbeaten path. Clearly there was a reason, and soon enough he'd find out why, as a noise would catch his attention.

He'd pause listening, the rain having softened quite a bit before it stopped, leaving only his beating heart and the noise. There was a moment where it was deathly silent, and he wondered if he was just going stir crazy from all these tree's, but the sound would pick up again. And soon he would recognize it, the unmistakable sound of someone crying, he wasted no time picking up his feet and running towards the noise.

There were no doubts, he knew the crying was from a girl, a young one, and Clay always the gentlemen and a big brother made him want to comfort her. Perhaps she was hurt or scared, this place unnerved him, he couldn't imagine a younger girls feelings. The noise would get louder and louder and the path grew wider and the rain had stopped completely everything drying around him. But he didn't pay much attention to the signs, he had just one thought, find the girl.

And soon enough he did.

Up ahead he could make out the crouching figure in the middle of the path, his sprint slowing down into a walk gently striding behind her not wanting to startle the poor thing. When he drew close enough Clay couldn't get much of a look, only that she had dark brown hair in a braided ponytail and was wearing a green dress. Inch by inch he drew till he was close enough to tap on her shoulder.

"Excuse me miss are you alright?", he asked his tone warm and caring.

But the girl froze, she was but a trembling ball before, but as soon as Clay had touched her she froze. Slowly oh so slowly she turned her head and he'd finally get a good look at her. She may have sounded young but she couldn't have been older than him or the others, and though she was crouched Clay was comfortable enough to say she was about the size of Kimiko, her skin a light reddish brown. An affinity he knew from those either hispanic or native american. But her eyes were something else he hadn't seen anything like them, one was almost a golden brown and the other a forest green, framed behind a pair of glasses.

"Umm miss...are you alri", Clay had continued concerned the girl not at all moving but was just staring at the cowboy, his words however were interrupted when a light shriek broke through causing Clay to jump back in surprise, while the girl crawled away from him in fright.

"S-Stay away from me!", her voice light and feathery, a contrast to Kimiko who was more shrill when she was startled. "Just go away! Leave me alone", she had continued curling up again in a trembling ball like before.

This confused the monk greatly, staring wide eyed at the sight, never had Clay seen anyone reduce themselves like this especially not a girl. All the females in his life were strong, independent, and fierce from his momma, to his sister, and of course his close friend Kimiko. But this girl was something else completely. The only person he could think of in comparison was Jack Spicer, but the varmint often reaped what he sewed, his cowardice the work of karma. He felt oddly drawn to this girl.

"Now easy little lady I ain't gonna hurt ya", Clay promised traversing forward though slow so as not to frighten her more. "Are you lost? Like I am?"

Slowly she lifted her head up eyes wide in that of fear though soon narrowed in disbelief, "Yeah right", she scoffed. "You say that...but...you're probably here to make fun of me. Like everyone else. People are always laughing at me and hurting me for no reason…"

So that was it. That was her reason. The girl was being bullied this opened Clay's eyes as he came to understand. But it still left many questions that he wanted to delve deeper into.

"Well I promise you, on my Grandpappy's grave, I ain't gonna do that nor have a reason to. I'm just lost and saw you cryin', I couldn't leave a sweet gal like you alone".

He smiled seeing her slowly but surely uncurl herself from the safety of her human cacoon, though he could see she was still wary, however it appeared she was starting to trust him.

"I'm Clay, Clay Bailey," the cowboy introduced tipping his hat towards her like a gentlemen. "What is your name darlin? And pardon for askin, but why would anyone make fun of you? You seem like a sweet little thang to me".

At first he wasn't sure if she was gonna even answer him, but her form was relaxing, in a way the girl felt drawn to him much like he did towards her. For some reason the two felt a sense familiarity with each other. Like this was suppose to happen. A long silence drew on just the two looking at each others eyes. There was something about him that she knew she could trust. And so with a sigh stood up, taking off her glasses to clean them and wipe away remaining tears, after she put them one she'd talk.

"Sequoia", the girl said left hand rubbing against her right arm. "My name is Sequoia Rivers. And well...they laugh at me because...because", a pause and a blush she seemed to be embarrassed for what she was about to say. "Because I can hear the tree's", she finally blurted looking away not wanting to see anyone else give her a look that made her feel like a freak.

Clay was a little stunned by this but only because it seemed so familiar. "Beg pardon? Did you say you can...hear the tree's?", he asked not meaning for it sound like he didn't believe her.

Sequoia's face only grew more red one more person was going to call her crazy, "I know it sounds strange but, please, I don't know why or how but...for some reason I just hear them", the girl had gone on to explain still looking away however a new expression took place one of calm.

"Whenever I'm around tree's and nature, I just...hear them, they talk to me share with me stories. Not in my head but...in my heart. I feel like I'm one of them, like, they are part of me in a way that goes beyond everything. Whenever I'm sad, or lonely, or afraid...I always come to the tree's. And they listen to me like I do with them", she again paused looking at Clay who stood with a dumbfounded look on his face. "You don't believe me...I can tell you just think I'm crazy! I knew it, I knew this was gonna"

"I understand".

And like that Sequoia once again froze it was her turn to look at him in disbelief, the slightly older monk who smiled so warm and strong, there was no pity or disdain he was telling the truth. This shock is what kept her rooted even as he moved closer towards her.

"The tree's are to you, what the earth is to me", Clay continued he hadn't really spoken of those events with the others, he started to wonder if they all experienced this strange sense. "Back on my family's farm, I would often sneak away from chores, and just go to someplace deserted and just listen. It didn't matter what it was I just did it. And somewhere deep inside I could feel something, a connection to the ground underneath me, it was like I was a rock on the land. Like you no one understood, my own family thought I was going crazy, they made sure I didn't skip out on chores but I'd sneak out at night anyway."

With all that had happened to him in the past few years, he had nearly forgotten those days, they were the most lonely of his life. He loved working on the ranch with his family that was true, but there was always that part of him that just felt like it didn't belong, it was only in those moments where he snuck away and listened to the earth that he felt at peace. And then...Master Fung came…

"Well I'll be...I know exactly why I'm here now", he mused with a chuckle it was quite obvious when you thought about it.

Meanwhile Sequoia just stared she wasn't sure what to think, no one had ever felt remotely the same as she did, but here was this person who not only understood but had lived part of her life. "I...never thought a day would come when someone else would truly feel what I have felt", she whispered.

Clay again smiled all the doors and walls Sequoia built around herself were gone now, and he was confident enough to where he could rest his big strong hands on her shoulders, the action made her gasp and for the first time they looked each other in the eye.

"Sequoia, you don't know the half of it", he told her causing the girl to blush, though he didn't seem to notice or mind and continued. "I've felt what you've felt, and I can proudly tell you, that you are not alone. See...someone found me, someone who taught me about this feeling inside, this connection that we have with nature. He told me that I had a gift, and a destiny, and without question and the promise for him to nurture and teach me all that I'll ever know...I followed him.

"That's when I met my friends, they made me feel at home, and I never felt alone again. They are like us, you have a gift and a destiny, and like the man who became my teacher I'm gonna make the same promise to you."

He paused to smile towards her, and the girl, well she just stared in awe no one had care so much about her before. No one showed such compassion and it was just so much to take in. She...wanted to believe him but wasn't this all just a dream?

"Sequoia," he continued but paused again he felt...different...lighter...as if something was pulling towards him. It didn't take much for him to put two and two together, his time was almost up. "I know this seems confusing but soon, very very soon, your life is gonna change. You are gonna have weird things happen to you, be able to do what you could never do before, but you won't go through it alone. When the time comes, I beg ya, let me help ya and I promise you will never feel alone again."

The girl didn't know what to say this was all so overwhelming, it was clear that her mind was racing in thought on what to do or say, "I...I don't know what to think...but...if you were real maybe I could…", she started to say thoughts interrupted when she gasped in shock, Clay was starting to fade his form no longer physical but becoming a ghostly apparition of some kind. This was not lost on the cowboy hissing at the lost time.

"My time is almost up, Sequoia, think about what I said long and hard. You're gonna see me really soon and I expect an answer when we meet again", smiling towards dropping his hands and stepping back.

The girl just stared his form disappearing more and more with each passing minute, a ray of light would then shoot from the sky above, claiming the earth dragon.

"Wait! How will you find me! I've never told you where I live!", the future dragon of wood cried out not sure if she believed he was telling the truth but it was a glaring oversight all the same.

To that he was concerned and nearly chastised himself how could he forget something so important? He wouldn't have to worry for long, the information just appeared, almost immediately as it was brought to his attention did suddenly he just know. 'That's a relief', he thought.

"Don't worry, the tree's will tell me", and like that he was gone.

C…la….y….

Cl...a...y…

Cl...ay…

CLAY!

Voices once distant would ring loud in his ears, a few blinks and the green that glossed over his eyes were gone, leaving him to look at the wide eye worried gazes of his friends.

"Clay my friend are you feeling alright?", Omi was the first to ask noticing the strange glow of his eyes were gone.

Silence the wudai warrior was a tad overwhelmed, it was taking him awhile to register it all, but while their stares lingered including Master Fung's and Dojo's he couldn't keep them waiting much longer.

"Yeah Omi I'm fine", he told the shortest dragon and thus all would breath out a heavy sigh of relief.

They were all kind enough to give Clay a few moments to recollect from the experience, however it would be Master Fung who would break the silence, coughing into his hand and bringing attention to himself.

"I know this experience is overwhelming Clay", he said to his student remembering when he went through this same trail four times over. "But I'm afraid we don't have time to waste, the forces of evil could sense a shift in the balance at any moment, it is most important that we get to them before the forces of darkness get curious enough to find them for themselves".

Clay sighed but nodded, Master Fung was right, especially after meeting Sequoia himself. "Sorry Master Fung, I'll tell ya everythang...first her name is"

"WAIT!", Dojo all of a sudden shouted causing everyone to turn towards the little green dragon, who was twitching up a storm, they all knew what this meant...and the timing couldn't be more horrible.

"I'm sensing a new Shen Gong Wu, a powerful one too", he added enticing groans from the students and a pinch on the nose from the Master.

"Of course a wu activates...at least tell me it isn't one that will bring a thousand years of darkness or something", Raimundo quipped if it was nothing too serious to worry over maybe they could let Jack have a freebee, after all he was the only one that was really still hunting for them.

Dojo not wasting a beat pulled out the sacred scroll, upon opening it the familiar picture of the activated Shen Gong Wu appeared, "Well it won't bring a thousand years of darkness I will tell you that much. But don't think you want Jacky boy to get his paws on them either", pointing at the image that read "Demeters Gloves".

"Ah yes the Demeters Gloves", Fung stepped in reading over the dragon's shoulders. "It enables the user to manipulate all of nature around them. A small bush could become a dense jungle in a matters of minutes", he further explained and the animated picture displayed this ability as well to further cement it.

Thus the three wudai warriors and their leader cringed faced with a difficult dilemma, "This sucks...what do you think we should do Rai?", Kimiko asked hoping he'd have an idea.

It was still kind of hard for Raimundo to adjust being a leader and having others turn to him with such ease whereas in the beginning he wasn't exactly the most trust worthy. Still it felt good and well a plan was already starting to formulate.

"Hate to say it but we may just have to split up depending on where each of them are", he voiced the others nodding in agreement it was the obvious answer that they didn't like splitting up if they didn't have too especially since they all wanted to meet with the new dragon themselves. "If it comes to that then Clay," Rai continued his attention focusing towards his friend. "We'll have you go it alone to find the Dragon of Wood, you are the only one who knows the location and even who they are, so obviously you have to go. This wu is more powerful than the last couple, so we may not have just Jack to worry about, but who knows with any luck Wuya or Hannibal won't try to make any grabs. If that's the case, we can just easily grab the wu, defeat Jack if we have to, and then come back to you immediately."

The others nodded agreeing to the plan, it was clear and practical so long as no unknown factors came into play, Raimundo was banking on the wu's activation energy masking any other disturbances. Cause he knew while Chase didn't fancy the Shen Gong Wu, the presence of a new dragon would probably entice him to crawl out of his hole, so in the end this might have been for the better. Even if he had to send Clay off alone. But again luck could be on their side.

"Well let us find if this plan is necessary", Fung stepped in looking to Clay once again. "As you were saying before you were interrupted young monk. What is the name of your student and their location?"

Shaking off any lingering thoughts Clay rubbed the back of his head trying to remember where he had left off, "Uhh right…", he said then turned to Kimiko. "Can you bring up a world map on your PDA Kimi?", he asked her.

The dragon of fire quirked an eyebrow a little curious but only to shrug and bring out the device she carried with her almost at all times, "Sure like this?", she asked messing with a few buttons before a map of the world came on the screen.

"Yeah that's mighty perfect", Clay commented with a smile pausing and closing his eyes. "Alright here we go", taking a deep breath he focused as he relented towards his instincts that guided him towards his soon to be pupil. His mind's eyes slowly at first but then vastly revealing her location. "Zoom in here", he said pointing to the North American continent.

Without saying a word but giving a nod Kimiko did as instructed focusing the screen on North America. "Okay now zoom in further on the Pacific Northwest of the United States", Clay further instructed and again the screen would zoom, he had to pause and again focus listening to his element to guide him before pointing right on the state that said "Washington". "Alright, here, at Washington State, focus the screen right on this strip of water between the land", nodding Kimi did as he was told the others crowding in behind her watching the screen zoom in further and further over the area called "Puget Sound". It wouldn't be till some of the islands came into view that Clay would know exactly where she was.

"Right there!", he exclaimed his finger hovering a place called "Vashon Island". "That's where she is, that's where Sequoia lives", he continued a little excited he didn't know how but he just knew he was right.

"Vashon Island…", Kimiko mumbled looking into some information about the place only to pause when she registered the rest of what Clay had just said. "Wait...she...Sequoia? Oh my gosh...we are gonna have another girl on the team?", Kimi asked really excited to no longer be the only female among the group of boys.

Clay could only smiled not surprised and nodded, "Eeyup, Sequoia Rivers, sweet little gal about your height but from what I gather she's very shy", he said recalling their encounter.

"This is great! I'll finally have a gal pal", Kimiko again spoke out excited but would calm down and let herself get serious. "Alright Dojo its your turn, can you tell me exactly where the Wu is", walking over to the little dragon who was happy to oblige.

Meanwhile Clay would feel someone tugging at his pant leg, one sideways glance and he'd see Omi, motioning him to lean down so that he could whisper.

"I am most sorry my friend", Omi said in the most hush of tones so that Kimiko wouldn't hear. "How unfortunate to have a girl as a student, it will be quite the challenge to train someone so weak".

And wouldn't you know before Clay could make a statement to argue against the young and naive warrior, even though Omi was being extra careful, that didn't save him from a small fire ball shooting at his pants causing the youngest member to scream out in panic and pat against the flames with him ranting the words "hot hot" over and over.

"You were saying Omi?", she asked annoyed just knowing he would make that kind of comment, thus the other two male members had to hold back chuckles, the little guy really did put it on himself. "Anyway guys looks like we caught a major lucky break", she said whilst Omi had used his water element to put out the flames and Kimiko pointed back to her PDA. "According to Dojo the gloves are on the exact same island. Freaky coincidence isn't it? A wood type Shen Gong Wu and the Dragon of Wood on the exact same island. Almost like it was destiny".

"That or the writer is just lazy", Raimundo quipped but a cold shiver would run down his spine as if he could sense a pair of angry eyes glaring at him from the heavens. "Alright fine no more fourth wall jokes".

"Destiny or not, we are most fortunate, this way we don't have to separate at all! Right Raimundo?", Omi asked his pants slightly charged but otherwise fine.

"Yeah", Raimundo replied and nodded in agreement. "This might even be better, we can lead any evil off the trail of...Sequoia was it?", asking briefly but continued when he received a nod in confirmation. "They'll be focused on the Wu and leave, so I say the best thing to do is get the Wu first, and then we can talk with Sequoia. Clay she's your pupil so it'll be up to you to convince her that training here is the safest thing for her and her family. We can't force her obviously but we can't exactly leave her there defenseless either".

To that Clay's reply was a simple nod, this was probably going to be more difficult than he thought, but he could never resist a challenge and once he set his mind to something Clay wouldn't quit till he succeeded. "Don't worry Rai, you can count on me partner".

Master Fung smiled he too was a little excited to have new pupils in the temple again, after all his young monks were growing so fast, they had more to learn true but he was finding they were starting to learn all on there own without his guide. "Best be off now young monks, before evil catches wind, remember its best to keep all new dragons a secret as long as possible. For not just their best interest but the worlds".

With that as their cue Dojo was quick to slither off of Master Fung's form, transforming instantly into the great dragon and main source of transportation. Off they had scurried some changing into more normal attire while others grabbed some Wu just incase of a showdown. In but fifteen minutes they would be aboard the dragon's back ready for take off.

"Once you meet with the Dragon of Wood, if you should feel the need to collect me, do not hesitate to send Dojo or use the Golden Tiger Claws should her parents need further convincing", Fung further employed and after one last confirming nod from Raimundo, the team of warriors would be off, the green dragon wasting no more time and in moments they would disappear from sight. Thus Fung was left alone standing at that spot for some time. His calm features slipping away into a state of worry.

"Good luck young one's, I hope that you do well, and that fate is truly on my side".

Blargh...there...I'm finished. I was gonna continue more but this is already a long chapter. So now we know who the Dragon of Wood is and are introduced to an old Shen Gong Wu of mine of my own creation. Also it may have been lazy writing it might not have been. WA is the evergreen state why wouldn't Dashi put the gloves in a place full of tree's and what better place in America for the Dragon of Wood to be at? Huh? Yeah so take that.

Anyway what do you think is gonna happen?

Will more than Jack Spicer come to much things up?

Spoiler no, growing tree's isn't evil enough for Wuya or Hannibal, too much of a green peace thing. But there will be Jack and there will be more Sequoia so stay tuned for that. See ya!