OK, so I'm sure that you're all on the edge of your seat now, with what happened to Shadow! Well, here is the next chapter! Oh and one thing I'd like to say. With the help of my awesome friend, Hero! (Thunderbolt015. Check out her AMAZING story sometime!). I've picked out a theme song for this story! Now I've got a warning. This song might make you cry! So you've been warned! Here's the Youtube link to it!
watch?v=2UWx-shGM0g
And now that I've rambled on and on and have taken up your time, I'll shut up and let you all get to reading!
Chapter twenty one: True Heritage
Leon quickly ran out of the cave, following after his kids. He fought back tears, that threatened to come to his eyes. When they got through the trees, down to where they had left the others, Leon saw his friends look up suddenly, when they heard them.
"Leon!" Tigress cried, running up the small incline, towards him and his cubs.
She stumbled a bit, when her eyes fell on the unconscious White tigress, in Leon's arms.
"How did this happen?" she asked, as she looked Shadow over.
Leon could hear worry, fear and anger in is sisters tone. Leon took a moment to get his composure together.
Leon shook slightly, as he stuttered, "I-I don't know. She just blacked out all of a sudden, a-and-"
"The guardian of the Time Stone," Master Shifu said, walking over to the group of Tigers, followed by Po and the rest of the Five. "needs sacrifice to fulfill a certain task."
Leon felt his heart drop at that. He felt that all hope was gone at that point. What more could they do?
The South Chinese Tiger stared down at his unconscious wife. He couldn't lose her. He cared so much for her, he just couldn't lose her. Then Leon looked up and saw the young female Cheetah limp over towards them.
Silver looked over at her, with tears in his eyes. The Cheetah stared down at Shadow with fear and worry in her eyes.
Her father, Shujaa, slowly walked over to them and placed a comforting paw on the young Cheetah's shoulder. She looked up at him and forced a smile up at him. Then she turned her gaze back to Shadow.
Then without warning, the young Cheetah suddenly crumpled to the ground. Her father let out a startled yelp, as she did.
"Azure!" Silver cried, as he ran over to her.
He quickly knelt down beside her and shook her. But she was out cold.
"Daddy. What do we do, now?" Blaze asked, very worried.
Leon looked down at his young daughter. "We head for home. It's all we can do now!" he said sadly.
Everyone nodded and Leon got a tighter grip on Shadow, while being careful not to hurt her more. While Tigress walked over and picked up the unconscious Cheetah from the ground. Azure's father hovered nearby, clearly worried about his daughter.
"Come. Let us go home!" Shifu said to the group.
They all nodded sadly, then the group started back to the Jade Palace. Po and the rest of the Five surrounded the Lion, named, Ajani. He growled at them and bared his teeth. But they weren't fazed by it.
'Tanis. If you don't come and get me outta this mess. I'll never forgive you!' Ajani thought, as he walked along.
Leon carefully led the way back to the Jade Palace. Lost in his thoughts. 'Shadow... you've taught me so much. Please don't leave me! I can't lose you. Not again.'
And all the while, Shadow was dreaming.
*Shadow's dreamscape*
Shadow slowly opened her bright blue eyes. She sat up and looked around. It was dark and there was no one around. She slowly rose to her feet and stood there. She was very unsure of where she was. But she soon found out.
A female White Tiger appeared in front of her. Her eyes were as blue as Shadow's. And her smile, just as kind. Shadow smiled as she ran to the White tigress.
"Mama!" Shadow cried, as her mother embraced her in a tight hug.
"Oh. My wonderful baby girl!" her mother said, as she held her daughter.
Shadow looked up at her mother and smiled. "Oh, mama. I'm so happy to see you again! But why are you here?" Shadow asked.
Her mother sighed and gestured, that Shadow sit down. She nodded and did as she was told. Her mother sighed again and slowly sat down in front of her.
"I am here, to tell you that... you are dying!" her mother said.
Shadow's face fell at that. She was shocked. She didn't know what to think or say!
"Wh-what do you mean?" she asked.
Her mother looked at her, very confused. "Didn't, Aniu tell you?" she slowly asked.
That's when Shadow realized what was happening. "My sickness." she said quietly, with realization on her face.
Her mother nodded. "That's right. And now, you must fight it off again!" she said.
"But how? The closet place that, the Water Bloom, grows is Japan!" Shadow exclaimed.
Her mother nodded in understanding. "Yes. But there is another way. Come with me!" her mother said.
Then she rose to her feet and walked off. Shadow jumped to her feet and ran after her mother.
"There is a way to stop this sickness, Shadow. You must find, Oceania!" her mother said.
Shadow cocked her head to the side and asked, "What's that?"
"It is a legendary sword. One that controls water! If you can find it. You can stop the sickness!" her mother explained.
"But... how can I find it?" Shadow asked.
"Because, my dear. You are a Shadow-Cat!" her mother said.
Shadow looked up at her mother, confused. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"Let me explain. Long ago and still to this day. A clan of cats would roam the forest. They are called the, Shadow-Cats, because of their ability to hide in the shadows. They would sneak and creep. They would scare and harm people. Just for the fun of it! But long ago, there was a cat born into their clan. She was different. She was a White Tiger. But she did not have the power to bend in the shadows. She had the power of water! She did not agree with her clans choices. And soon, she fled to India. Where she became the personal guard to the emperor himself! Then she and all her children, were appointed an important job. You see. We have a great Heritage. My father and your father's, father were great warrior's!" her mother explained.
"You mean, they were Kung Fu Master's?" Shadow asked.
"No my dear. Your grand father's were Knight's!" her mother said.
Shadow cocked her head again. Then asked, "Knights?"
"Yes. They were the great protectors of India!" her mother said, proudly.
"So, how does that help me?" Shadow asked.
"You see, my dear. Your fathers, father knew my father. That is how your father and I met. And your father was trained to be a Knight. As well as I! But when we found out that I was pregnant with you, and what with the great war, we feared for your safety. So we fled from India, in search of a peaceful home. But we still carried our great heritage with us!"
Her mother stopped and stared at her daughter. Shadow stood tall, proud and brave. She had fought through so much pain and yet, still she knew how to love.
"My daughter. Since your father and I never taught you, your true heritage. It has made a path to your healing! I'm afraid that it is very hard to explain. But you must trust me. You must find, Oceania! Or suffer the consequences." her mother said.
Shadow raised her head proudly. "I won't let you down, mama! I will find it! And I will make you proud!" Shadow said.
Her mother smiled kindly at her. Then hugged her daughter one last time.
"I know you will. Because you are a Shadow-Cat. You can do anything!" she said.
Shadow smiled. She knew she would do well. If anything, she had to do it for her family.
"Now. You must rest and prepare for your quest. I love you very much. Good luck, my wonderful daughter!" her mother said.
Then she left in a flash of light. Leaving, Shadow to her dreams.
And the hard fight and long journey ahead of her...
*Real world*
Leon silently led the group back to the Jade Palace. He wasn't sure what had just happened to his wife, but he knew that it wasn't good at all.
He looked back to his sister and saw her eyes held fear. He knew she was scared for Shadow. He was too. Then he looked over and saw Silver and Blaze, hanging tightly with Lance and Kira. They smiled just a little. But Leon could see how scared they were, for their mother.
He glanced down at Shadow. She seemed so peaceful. He was so scared for her. He just couldn't lose her. He loved her so much. He just couldn't.
Leon looked up and saw the Jade Palace, slowly come into view. By the time they reached the top of the stairs, the sun was just rising. They had walked all night long. They all gathered at the top of the stairs and waited for Po to catch up.
When he finally did, badly out of breath, Master Shifu addressed them all.
"Well, we have a lot to do, and I know that you're all very tired. As soon as we have someone look after Shadow and Azure. We can all get some rest! Crane, well you please go and fetch Shawna! I believe we'll need her expertise on this. She is one of the best doctors in the Valley!"
Crane bowed his head and then took to the skies, to find the Red Fox, Shawna. Leon turned to face Master Shifu. Shadow still cradled gently in his arms.
"What do you want us to do, Master Shifu?" he asked.
Master Shifu sighed. "I supposed that we should wait for Shawna! Tigress, take Azure and find her a spare room. Leon, take Shadow to your room!" he said.
The two siblings nodded and quickly headed for the Student Barracks. Azure father followed after Tigress, as she led him to one of the spare rooms. While Leon quickly sprinted to his and his wife's room. He looked back and saw his twin cubs bounding after him.
"I thought you two, were going to stay with your friends!" Leon said, as the two Tiger cubs caught up with him.
They both shook their heads and stood up and walked on two legs.
"No daddy. We're coming with you!" Blaze said.
"Yeah! We want to know how mama is!" Silver added.
Leon smiled at them. "Alright. Come on!" he said.
The two cubs smiled and nodded once. Then they quickly headed for their room.
When they got there, the twin cubs, opened the door and let their father walked in. Leon walked over and gently laid Shadow down on the bed. He bent over and gently ran his paw across her forehead.
'She's got a bad fever.' he thought.
He watched her and could see she was sweating and breathing heavily. Silver and Blaze walked over and they each grabbed a hold of Leon's paws.
"Daddy, is mama going to be ok?" Silver asked, with tears in his eyes.
Blaze looked up and nodded. She had tears rolling down her face. Leon bent down and hugged his cubs close.
"You bet she is. She always pulls through!" he said.
"What about, Azure?" Silver asked.
Leon could see that Silver was worried about her. He forced a smile at his son.
"Don't worry. I'm sure that she'll be just fine! She probably was just worn out, is all!" Leon said.
The two cubs nodded sadly. Leon glanced over at Shadow and could see her writhing slightly on the bed. He knew she must be hurting, especially with that fever.
Then Leon slowly rose to his feet. "Come on. Let's go check on, Azure and see if she's ok!" he said.
The two cubs looked up at him, then looked over at their mother.
"But what about mama, daddy?" Blaze asked.
He smiled gently at her. "Mama will be fine. We can come back and sit with her, after we check on Azure!" he said.
Though really. He didn't want them to see their mother in such pain. He didn't want them to see her hurting.
After a moment's thought, the two Tiger cubs slowly nodded and grasped their fathers paws. He smiled at them and led them out. Taking one last glance at his wife, before he shut the door and quietly walked away...
Aw, poor Shadow! Seems like she has quite the fight ahead of her! But will she be alright? What will happen next? Guess we'll just have to wait and see! I'll TRY to have a new chapter up soon, but I can not make promises! So yeah. Hope you enjoyed it and please don't forget to review!