The Jade Palace Warriors soon realized that the jade copies of the kung fu masters were just as skilled as the originals. The snow leopard's fist slammed into the ground, jetting tile into the air. Mantis slid across the ground and glanced towards Monkey. The ape nodded and Mantis dashed in. The green bug went low, hitting her ankle. He jumped back, launching himself into the air. Monkey kicked at her head and she ducked, grabbing onto his leg and throwing him into the ground.

Mantis landed on the ground as Monkey sprung to his feet, dodging a few more strikes and backflipping away. "We need a plan! This isn't working!"

"I know. It's like my attacks aren't doing any damage. She must be made from actual jade!" He narrowed his eyes as he lifted his arms in front of his chest and face. "Her technique is similar to Meile's technique. They must be direct copies."

Mantis nodded. They had met Meili just after Shen's defeat at Gongmen. Now that he thought about it the Moon Bear was there as well. He had a feeling in his gut that something was very bad. He launched forward, sliding in front of her. She punched down and he zipped out of the way. "Monkey! Follow my lead!" He zipped out of the way of a few more strikes before jumping into the air. Monkey jumped onto her back and grabbed her head, pulling it back. Mantis landed on top of her head and jabbed at her neck. He reeled back, shocked. "What?"

Monkey was grabbed by a jade paw and flipped onto his back. "Ow." She slapped a paw on her head, but Mantis was already in the air. "What happened?!"

Mantis landed next to his, eyes wide. "I don't know. I-" His shoulders fell, "Oh. They're jade. They don't have pressure points." Meile stood to her full height, slamming her tail into the ground and flexing her jade muscles. "New plan?"

"I've got one." Monkey turned his head towards Mantis, "Let's tire her out."

"Right!" The two warrior jumped forward, lading in front of her. She twisted her body and punched at them, but the jumped out of the way. Her tail lashed out, smacking Mantis. His body hit the ground and he skidded a few feet before coming to rest. "Ugh." He pushed himself to his feet, wobbling a bit before stabilizing, "Don't get hit. She hits really hard."

Crane slammed backfirst into a pillar. He coughed and fell to his feet, his knees shaking. He looked up as the moon bear's fist was heading straight towards him. He flapped his wings and took off into the sky as the moon bear made contact. His fist tore through the pillar, coming out the other end with a large sweeping motion. Dust trailed his fist as he swung his body around and stared up at Crane. The jade glow in his eyes brightened and his now open paw slammed into the pillar and ripped a chunk of it out. He reeled back his shoulder and chucked it into the air. Crane's eyes widened and he swerved around the rock.

Viper let out a battle cry as she wrapped herself around the jade bear's arm. Her tail shot out and wrapped around his neck. She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled, but the resistance was too strong. A jade paw clasped around her neck and she squeaked, "Crane!" He tore her off his arm and squeezed on her neck. Viper screamed out in agony.

There was a gust of air and Crane slammed his body into the moon bears chest, throwing them both back and causing Viper to fall. Crane fell onto the floor in front of the moon bear. Can't forget it's not Xióng. He won't show us mercy. Crane felt two jade paws grab him by the shoulder and leg. He was lifted into the air above Xióng's head and slammed back into the ground.

"Crane!" Viper wrapped herself around Xiong's neck and pulled back, but to no avail. The moon bear placed a foot on Crane's chest and made no more move. "Fight me! Only me!"

Crane's breathing was rigid, he had heard cracking and was sure that something had broke. These jade warriors were stronger than them, he was sure of it. His eyes zeroed in on the jade mist emitting from Xiong's body. "Fog." He winced, "Jade fog. The same . . . Kai, it's him. It's Kai."

Xiong's month opened and Kai's voice came forth, "Very good. After centuries of being forgotten it's nice to get a bit of recognition."

Crane narrowed his eyes, "Too scared to face us on your own? Had to send in these jade copies of our friends to beat us down first?"

The laugh that came from the warrior scared him. "Copies? No, no, little avian, I assure you that these warriors are the real deal. What did you think happened to them when they crossed over to the spirit realm?" Crane felt the foot on his chest push down a bit harder. "Now, sit tight, I will be there soon. Very soon."

Viper's eyes shot open and she sprung off of Xióng's neck. "Enough!" She spun her body around and slammed her tail into the side of Xiong's head and there was sicking crack as the moon bear's head whipped to the side and he stumbled back. She landed on the ground, hissing. Crane rolled over, every breathe exuding pain and pushed himself to his knees. He waited a moment before standing to his feet, his breath was labored and his eyes darted to Viper.

"That noise. It wasn't Xióng." Her turned his head towards her. "Viper, what did you do?"

Her eyes stayed locked on the jade creature, "What had to be done."

Shifu legs pounded on the ground and he continued to run. He his arm shot up and his neck twisted. He jumped into the air and the tiger jumped after him, continuously throwing punches and kicks in his direction. Shifu had to admit, it took everything he had in order to just dodge the jade warrior. His eyes darted to the side and he grabbed onto the jade leg and pulled himself over it. The both landed on the ground and he started running in reverse, twisting his body out of harm's way at a moment's notice. What truly bothered him was the fact that this Master Fuqin was indeed weaker than normal. He had less focus. If it was any normal fight Fuqin would have got in a few solid blows by now.

They were puppets.

Shifu jumped forward and pounded his arms into the ground, launching himself towards the doors. He kicked them open and rolled out into the night air. He did a couple of back flips before landed on his two feet. Fuqin stopped moving as well, standing a few feet away just staring at him. Shifu's ears twitched and he looked off to the side.

Two jade eyes pierced through the dark as the hulking mass of muscle approached him. He could dozens of Jade Amulets strung across his belt and a single one on a necklace. That one shined just a bit brighter than the others. He chuckled darkly, "You must be the Master Shifu. I'm getting some mixed feeling about you."

Shifu went to turn to face him, but Kai crossed his arms, "Relax. I don't intend on breaking up your fight. Go ahead," His eyes glowed jade and Fuqin twitched forward, rushing towards the red panda. "I'll just watch."

His eyes widened and he jumped back, avoiding a sharp slash of the old tiger's claws. He jerked his body to the right, rolling across the ground. Fuqin smashed his paw into the ground and lunged at Shifu. Shifu's feet touched the ground and he narrowly avoided the kick. He turned around and ran away from Kai and the jade warrior. He needed to lead the battle elsewhere. There was no way he could damage it here. He jumped from rock to rock, finally landing in the middle of a group of statues, currently in front of Oogway's memorial. He waited for Kai and Fuqin to land. "Welcome to the Master Garden. I thought we could use a change in scenery."

Kai looked up at the statue, "A bit tacky, don't you think?"

Shifu rubbed his paws together. Time to get serious. Fuqin dashed forward and kicked at his head, causing the small master to twirl out of the quickly grabbed onto the jade warrior's leg and pulled, throwing him to the ground. He let out a shaky breath before dashing towards the jade manifestation. His paws glowed a bright gold and he shot out his palms.

Kai covered his eyes as a burst of golden light covered the two warriors. He swiped his arm down, a scowl covering his face. Fuqin's body hit the ground and rolled to Kai's feet, golden smoke coming off the crystalline skin. He called back the old master, grabbing the pendant from midair.

"What have you done to them!"

Kai chuckled, "I've taken their chi, just as I'm about to do to you." He tightened his grip on the pendant in his grasp, "You and this tiger. You were close." Shifu's body tensed up. "Yes, very close. Brothers, in fact. I can feel it." He put the pendent on his belt. He flexed his muscles, "Time to reunite you with your family!" He jumped forward and punched the spot where Shifu had been. He turned his head as Shifu threw his leg out, snapping Kai's head back into place. Kai twisted his body and slammed his arm into the ground. Shifu had barely dodged, standing straight and with his arms behind his back. "Don't mock me!"

Shifu continued to dodge Kai's attacks. They were definitely slower than Fuqin's, but Shifu could tell one thing. He slid out of the way as Kai's fist embedded itself into the ground. The ground shook and the rock around the impact shattered, huge chunks of it jetting upwards. Even a single hit could do a ton of damage. He dashed forward and landed on Kai's back. His paws seared with chi and he repeatedly punched him in the back.

Kai's eyes widened and he ripped his fist from the ground. "What are you doing?!" His pendants all glowed green and he flung chi from his body, knocking Shifu off his back. The lights dimmed and he scowled. "You won't be doing that again."

Using chi he could move faster, hit harder, but chi alone couldn't cause that type of damage. Golden smoke rose from Kai's back as he looked on Shifu in annoyance. Yes, Shifu understood now. Even after escaping from the Spirit Realm Kai was still weak. He was still dead. "Even if you beat us here, you won't last. The Spirit Realm will reclaim your soul; after all, the dead can't remain in the world of the living." He didn't expect to see Kai chuckle and then start to laugh. Shifu narrowed his eyes, just what was going through the yak's head?

"You're smart, but you really didn't think I didn't know that, did you?" He held his arm out towards the Jade Palace doors, his hoof glowing jade. "I know what I am and I know what has to be done. Do you want to know something, red panda?" A jade pendant flew into his grasp and Monkey and Mantis rushed outside, landing next to Shifu.

Mantis looked up at Kai, "Woah, this guy is huge!"

Monkey eyes his muscles, "I've seen yak's before, but this guy . . . he's jacked!"

Kai clipped the pendant onto his chain belt and turned to look up at Oogway's statue. "I didn't have a normal death, not by your standards. Oogway may have killed me, but our battle. It left a mark. A rift if you want to call it something so mundane. My chi mixed with his and tore a hole through realities." He took his right jade sword off his belt. "I will go there and absorb what Oogway left behind. I will become mortal again!" He turned and started swinging his sword by the chain connected to it. It sliced through the ground and he thrust his right arm out, shooting his jade sword at Shifu.

The three warriors split. Shifu jumped and flipped in the air, landing on the hilt of the sword. Kai pulled on the chain, bring the sword back into his grip and Shifu closer. Shifu jumped from the hilt to his shoulder and japped his neck. He jumped back and onto the ground. "Mantis, pressure points won't work."

Mantis zipped across the ground, "Figures!" He jumped off the ground and pounded off of Kai's sword, kicking him across the face. Kai's head snapped to the side and he shot out his arm to grab the bug. Monkey fell down from above and grabbed Kai's arm, swinging around it and landed on top. He punched Kai in the snout before backflipping off as Kai swung his arm to get rid of the ape. "Ha! Take that big guy!"

Kai's eyes darted between the three of them., "Don't mistake this. You're not winning. In fact, if I wasn't distracted you'd already be in my grasp. The bear it taking a lot of my attention right now." He lunged forward, slicing his sword through the ground, causing Mantis to jump to the side. He slammed his foot into the ground and Mantis jumped into the air. Kai's gaze snapped upwards and he backhanded the bug, knocking him into a wall of rock. "Besides, I haven't tapped into my true power as of yet. Nor, do I plan to. You lot are too weak to permit that amount of power."

Monkey lunged forward, but his neck was instantly grabbed by Kai. Kai smirked and slammed the monkey into the ground. It cracked underneath the pressure and the cracks went up the statues. Kai let go of Monkey's neck and turned to Shifu as the red panda lunged at him. Kai threw his sword at him and Shifu lifted his legs into the air, allowing the strike to miss and pass under him. The sword hit the statue behind Shifu and the red panda landed on the chain and broke into a sprint, heading for Kai. Shifu reeled back a fist to strike.

Kai raised his hoof, jade energy swirling around it. He flicked Shifu in the chest and the red panda was launched backwards. He hit the ground and bounced into the air, flipping to his feet. Kai ripped his sword from the statue and let it come back to him. He held Monkey up by his arm, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent, now ignoring the others. "Your chi . . . little ape, it is worth taking." Monkey's eyes opened slightly as Kai held his other hoof to his head. Kai smirked and Mantis pushed himself up. He turned to look at the scene, his heart beating fast.

Kai let go of Monkey's arms and his hooves glowed a sickening jade. Monkey levitated just in between Kai's hooves and a jade light poured out of his eyes. His chest pulsated and a green mist foamed from his mouth. Mantis moved to lunge forward, but Shifu stepped into his path, shaking his head. "It's too late." Several Jade rings burst from Monkey's body and his physical form turned to chi. The golden light burned softly, and a shot of corruption shot through it, turning it jade.

The pendent fell into Kai's palm and he held it up for inspection. Shifu snarled, "I won't let you take any more of my students!"

Kai turned his head to face him, "They're just the bonus. If I was going after chi all willy nilly then I would have gone after the two near the rift. But, you see, I'm after a huge level of power right here in this village. I'm after you, rodent. With your chi I will be even stronger than Oogway and I were in our prime!"

A small jade light flew towards Kai and automatically clipped onto his belt. With a flap of his wings Crane landed on the ground, Viper coiled around his neck. "So . . . Kai, by soon, you meant very soon." He was leaning heavily to his right side, his eyelids lowered, his body oozed fatigue. "Whatever you've done, you won't get away with it."

Viper's eyes darted around. "Where's Monkey?"

"Let me answer your question." He held up the pendant flicked it forward. It hung in the air before bursting into jade light. A jaded Monkey hit the ground on all fours, his back arched. His gaze turned towards Crane and Viper, eyes glowing green. A jade mist oozed from his feet and his tail pounded into the ground, kicking up dust. "He's part of me now. And his fate," He leaned forward, "is shared with you."

"No! Monkey!" Viper slithered from Crane's neck before the avian could react. "You monster!"

Crane moved to her side and lowered into a fighting stance, ignoring his injuries. "Viper, listen to me. We need to think before we act. This guy . . . can't you feel the power radiating from him?" She nodded slowly, but her eyes didn't change, still burning with a deep rage. "Be careful." Mantis landed next to Crane, "Mantis?"

"Together we can do this! For Monkey! For the others he has taken!"

Shifu walked up to them, not taking his eyes off the jade Monkey. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting the world sway around him. HIs breathing evened out and his foot dragged across the dirt. "He's still there, his presence is still intact." His eyes opened, a very light blue. "Don't lose your focus for a second. Kai may not be killing you, but each small victory makes him stronger." He turned his gaze to Kai, "I want you three to fight Monkey, I will fight Kai. Alone."

Mantis's shoulder sunk, "Uh, what? But, there's three of us! Surely we'd be better to face him."

Shifu didn't break eye contact with the yak. "No. He is much too powerful for you to fight. I should've done this before he assimilated Monkey. For that, I am sorry." He dashed forward , running up to Kai. He said nothing as Kai punched the spot he had been. Shifu landed on the tip of the yak's fist, his eyes darting around anyilizing Kai's every movement. Kai dropped his sword and swung his fist at Shifu. The red panda dodged again, ducking under the strike. He sprinted up Kai's arm and jumped at his chest. He kicked the larger animal in the chest and launched himself a few feet up, coming eye to eye with Kai.

"What do you think you're doing? I can see— " Shifu quickly jabbed him in the eye and he reeled his head back, "Ah! My eye!" Shifu landed on the ground and harshly kicked Kai's legs out from under him. Kai fell on his back, shaking the ground beneath them.

"I won't let you besmirch Oogway's memory."

Kai picked his head off the ground, staring at Shifu with eyes full of malice. "Why not? He destroyed mine." He pushed himself to his feet, effectively looming over the small panda. "How long can you stall?" He sent a series of punches at Shifu, all of which the red panda danced around. Kai's left eye twitched, "How are you doing this?"

"Inner Peace."

Kai's eyes widened, "Inner Peace?"

Shifu folded his arms across his chest, "Oogway meditated for thirty years to attain harmony and focus like the world had never seen. He accepted the world around him and finally understood who he was and his place in the universe. The grand acceptance that led to his Peace of Self. I too have attained this understanding and with it a certain strength to combat those who stand against the way of life."

Kai closed his eyes. Oogway. Harmony. Focus. Accepted. Understood. Universe. Those words rungs through Kai's mind. He tilted his head as the words poured into his very essence. Pain flooded through his skull and the pendant around his neck lit up.

The young yak pushed open the hanging cloth and walked into the tent. He looked down to see the turtle wiping clean a spearhead. "Oogway, I— uh . . ." Oogway continued to scrub harder and harder. It was far more aggressive than the yak was used to his friend being. "

Are you alright?" He settled himself on the floor next ot the reptile. "Oogway?"

The turtle finally looked up from the spear, seemingly knocked out of his trance. He groaned, letting the spear reside in his lap and placed his head in his palms. "I'm never going to do it." His claws tightened around his face.

Kai didn't really have experience with helping people, even as much as he wanted to sometimes. "Listen, whatever 'it' is, I'm sure you can do it. You just need to believe in yourself more."

Oogway raised his head and looked up at Kai, "Harmony and focus. I'm sure of it, Kai. They are they key to total power. Maybe then . . ." He eyes seemed to miss Kai entirely, looking past the warlord-to-be. "Maybe then I will finally be accepted."

Kai wanted to tell Oogway that he would always be accepted, but something totally different came from his mouth, "You don't need need to be understood by anyone from that hellhole. You've found your place in this universe and it's not by their side. They won't care if you conquered all of china in their name. They'd still treat you like garbage." His expression turned for the worst, his eyes containing hatred and his lips curling into a snarl. "I wonder if they've ever felt that way. Maybe I should show them!"

"Enough, Kai. Those are my parents you're talking about."

Kai folded his arms, "They sure act like it." His expression turned soft, "I don't get it. They have such a wonderful son. How could they not love you?" His eyes darted to Oogway, to see the smale smile that warmed his dark heart.

The glowing dissipated and Kai's eyes snapped open. Shifu lowered into a stance, watching Kai's every move. The conqueror's eyes were darting around, as if he forgot where he was. Their eyes met and Kai laughed bitterly to himself. "Right . . ." He stood straight up and eyed Shifu. "So he finally did it, then. He got the power he seeked." His jaw tightened, "And he did it without me."

Monkey slammed his fist to Crane's stomach, knocking the avian to the ground. Mantis kicked his chest, causing the jombie to take a step back and Viper wrapped herself around Monkey's hands. "Snap out of it, Monkey! It's us! Your family!" The monkey ignored her and tried to stomp on Mantis, who zipped around. Viper squeezed around his hands tighter, slightly wincing as the tip of her tail flashed in pain. Crane jumped to his feet and flew at Monkey.

The ape jumped into the air and kicked Crane to the ground. He flexed his arms, causing Viper to gast in pain and fall to the ground. He turned and dodged Mantis's strike. Crane stood to his feet as Mantis excalmed that he never thought Monkey was so strong.

"He's not." Crane narrowed his eyes as he let out a few labored breaths, "We're tired and injured. Mantis, you're the only one in good shape. We're fighting a downhill battle."

Shifu slammed his foot into the base of Kai's neck, before jumping back, twirling in the air to dodge Kai's fist. With every breath he took he could feel universe around him, whispering. His feet made contact with the ground and he slid backwards. "Tai lung, Shen, and yourself. There is a reason none of you could ever attain Inner Peace." He sidestepped Kai's attack, his body a blur, and shot himself into the air. He landed on top of Kai's head, his eyes looking off into the distance. "You are too self-absorbed. All you care about is yourself!"

Kai's eyes constricted, "WRONG!" The amulets around his belt shined a bright jade and chi flooded from his body. Shifu was thrown into the air. Kai grit his teeth and stomped froward. Shifu landed on the ground, bouncing off his shoulder and rolled across the ground. "You are wrong and so was Oogway." Shifu pushed himself to his feet as Kai neared. "Everything I did I did for him. I saved him. I abandoned my dreams for him! I only stayed in that filthy village for him, no one else!" He slowed to a stop, "And what does he do?"

Shifu's paws glowed as he pumped chi throughout his body. He dashed forward, a golden trail of energy left behind as dust kicked into the air. Before Kai had time to respond Shifu was already on him, digging his fist into the yak's stomach. A mixture of golden and jade chi twisted around them, the golden lighty quickly overtook the menacing jade. Shifu's eyes flashed a bright gold before returning to their full blue color.

Shifu reeled back from Kai, his body spent of energy. Not only had he used the last of his chi reserves with that attack, but he fell out of his inner peace, as well. He stumbled in his steps, his breathing erratic and his body flaring up in pain. He could feel his muscles burn and his focus wavered. All of the sudden he was starting to lose his grip on conscientious.

Kai stood to his feet, his knees shaking. When he opened his eyes all Shifu could see was a blinding rage. He reeled back his fist, "He denies me my destiny!" He slammed his fist forward, hitting SHifu square on in the chest. Shifu flew back, his body scraping against the ground and tearing through a statue of the last Master Thundering Rhino. Shifu's body flew over the edge of a cliff, plummeting.

Viper snapped her head to follow Shifu's body, "Crane!"

"On it!" Crane flew into the air, curving in the air to follow Shifu off the cliff. He pumped his wings, getting closer and closer to the falling Master. "Gotcha!" His talons gripped onto Shifu's shoulders and the old master coughed. "Shifu, you alright?"

Shifu shook his head, "Quick, get us back up there!"

Kai turned head to Viper and Mantis, holding out a glowing hoof, "Bring them to me." Monkey grabbed onto Manti and jumped towards Kai. Mantis didn't have time to scream as he was quickly jaded. Kai stalked towards Viper, placing both pendants of Monkey and Mantis on his belt. The less chi they have, the easier they go." Viper hissed and lunged at him, whipping her tail across his face. Kai's head jerked a bit, but soon returned to look at her. He grabbed her by the tip of her tail. She winced and hissed in pain.

Crane dropped Shifu, who collapsed onto the ground, and thrust himself towards the confrontation. "Viper!" He watched as her eyes flicked to him. His heart pounded as a jade light covered her body and condensed into a pendant. "NO!" His talons touched the ground and he moved to strike, but a weak call caught his attention. He turned his head to Shifu, who had a paw outstretched. He turned his head to heavy footsteps as Kai walked past him towards Oogway's statue.

Kai pulled his sword to him and it flew into his grasp with a jerk of his arm. He plucked his other sword from his belt and started swinging them. "I will show you the true power of chi, brother." He thrust his arms forward, shooting his swords out. The chains twisted around Oogway's statue and the swords embedded themselves into the back of Oogway's shell. With a shout, a burst of jade energy travelled along the chain and into the stature. Kai pulled on his chains and ripped it from the ground. He pulled on it, pulling the statue through the air and directing it into the Jade Palace.

Shifu and Crane looked on in horror as their home was destroyed. Countless artifacts and scrolls were shot out of the Jae Palace along with the debris of the structure itself. A few scrolls landed next to Shifu, nothing but paper and ash. His head turned to follow Oogway's statue as it crashed into the stairs leading to the valley. He shook his head and called out for Crane, urging him to come closer. Crane landed in front of him and SHifu pulled out a jade scroll from his robes. "There is a map. Follow it. Destroy the rift."

Crane took the scroll in his talons. "But, Shifu, what about you?"

Shifu looked over to Kai as he approached, "I will stall. Go." Crane nodded and took off, heading to the valley. Shifu narrowed his eyes at Kai as he stalked closer. "You m-may have defeated me. But you will n-never succeed. There will always be one to stop you."

"Who? The avian?" Kai's eyes flickered to the side for a brief moment, in the direction that he had gone. "He's not nearly strong enough to best me. Or, are you talking about the others?"

Shifu's eyes widened. The two near the rift. "They're alive." Shifu laughed to himself. "I'll have to berate Po for giving me a heart attack, but that comes later." He held his paws together, barely cupped apart. A brilliant golden light sprouted between them A yin-yang symbol of chi flashed before swirling into a ball of chi, constantly rotating.

"A final attack?" Kai snorted, "When will you just cease struggling and accept your destiny?"

"I am." Shifu closed his eyes. In the palms of his paws he held his own life essence. The very thing Kai wanted to become stronger. He smiled, "And I accept it with only one regret." I only wish that I spent more time being a father to you, Tigress. If only I could have another chance to love you like you deserved. Goodbye, my daughter, live well. The chi in his palm started to fade and his body cried out in pain, wishing for him to stop. But, Master Shifu of the Jade Palace, greatest teacher in all of china, didn't surrender, didn't stop. His love was too great for him to quit when it mattered.

Kai watched as Shifu's life energy became weaker and weaker. His eyes snapped open in realization. "NO!" He rushed forward, lighting his hooves ina jade light and held them to Shifu. Instead of subcomming to Kai's will, the red panda slumped over, breathing his final breaths. "This cannot be happening! I can't— "

Shifu chuckled. "I . . . win." He fell over, his arms falling lifelessly to his side.

Lightning struck and Po's eyes snapped open. He had been roused from his his sleep. Something was wrong, he could feel it. The universe was screaming at him and a feeling of dread came over him. He stood to his feet walking over to the door and opening it. He walked outside into the rain, letting his fur get soaked. His body trembled and he closed his eyes. "What is this feeling? What's wrong?" He clenched his fists. Why did he feel a great sense of loss? What was the universe trying to tell him? More lightning struck and his eyes flashed open. He lifted a paw to his eyes to see he was crying and the thing that scared him the most was that he didn't know why.

He continued to stare into the night sky as the storm crackled around him.