Callie took a deep breath and smiled. The group was spending an entire week at the Thousand Island Lake to work on their survival training. No powers, weapons or Wu, or even their Soul Pendants or Legacy Scrolls. Just good old fashion wit and cunning to survive on their own. Dojo was here to chaperon incase things got out of hand. "Isn't this great. Survivor China took place here. I'm sure if some Americans could survive out her for thirty nine days we can last seven."
"Yo those Americans had more supplies then we do home girl. All we have is a first aid kit. We don't have any utensils, food, or any tech to help us survive. What is the point of this training anyways? Haven't we done this before?" Jermaine demanded angrily as he tried to help Dagwood, Raimundo, and Clay set up a shelter of sorts.
"Master Fung thinks we relay to much on our powers and Wu to survive. Frankly he's right. A week on our own out here will teach us the skills we need to survive no matter what. So stop you're complaining already Jermaine. It isn't that bad. I've been camping loads of times. It's a lot of fun really," Dagwood tried to assure his buddy as they finished assembling their shelter.
"Well I have to agree with Jermaine on this point. Who wants to spend a week living like savages? I mean we don't even have bug spray to keep away the mosquitoes. I just know I'm going to end up with a tape worm in me," Raimundo pouted.
"Come on you two stop dragging your bellies like a gopher and smile will you. If we work together I'm sure we can have a good time. Now where are Omi and Jack with the water and the girls with our food? I'm starving," Clay said.
"They should be back in a few minutes. Meanwhile I better go help Dojo light a fire otherwise were not going to have anything to eat or keep warm with tonight. While I'm gone why don't you make our shelter more comfortable if you can?" Callie remarked as she headed over to the clearing where Dojo was furiously rubbing two stones together in an attempt to get a fire going. So far no luck.
"I don't understand it! I'm a mystical fire-breathing dragon and I can't make a simple fire? It would be so much simpler if I just made the fire myself!"
"That would be cheating Dojo. Come on I know you're sore with being separated from Master Fung again, but it's only for a week this time. You still have your Fung doll don't you? Give me those rocks will you already mate. You need to strike them like this to get a spark going. Hand me that kindling will you? I'm so glad I spent those summers in the Outback. With my survival skills will make it through the week and I might actually get to practice that new move I read about in my Legacy Scroll."
"What move would that be? We're back and here's the water. I'm glad to see that fire because this water is disgusting," Jack said as he lugged a bulging water skin up the trail.
"We wouldn't need a fire to boil the water if we were allowed to use my powers. I could make that water sanitary in the batting of a lash," Omi proclaimed as he came over with a second water skin.
"That's blink of an eye Omi and wouldn't that defeat the purpose of this little adventure? Hey Callie glad to see someone got the fire going. Kimiko is bringing more wood incase the fire goes out tonight. I managed to find some interesting plants that I think would make a good stew. What do you think?" Crystal asked as she strolled up to them carrying an armload of bamboo, berries, mushrooms, and a few plants.
"I really hope they aren't poisonous because I have no plans on searching for more food this close to dark. I managed to make us some utensils and bowls out of rocks, twigs, and bark. I really hope I didn't permanently damage my hands otherwise I'll be very angry," Stacey informed the group as she displayed her items.
"You guys did very well. All of this stuff is edible and has no poison or other disease organisms living in them. They'll make an excellent stew. It will even taste better if Lu managed to catch some fish," Callie told them as she started boiling water and sorting out the ingredients.
Their question was answered a few minutes later when Lu and Auara entered the campsite together. Lu was grinning like a mad woman and was soaking wet, but in her hands she carried two fish. Auara carried a bundle of thick leaves with her that she was going to use to make blankets. Kimiko greeted the girls having just returned with the firewood and was now working on some weapons to defend themselves from the local wildlife. "Move over Tarzan, Jane is the new provider of meat around these parts!"
"Well Jane if you don't start gutting that fish with your bare hands none of us are eating tonight. If you excuse me I'm have to attempt to make some warm clothes and blankets out of grass with nothing, but my bare hands," Auara chided softly before sitting down and tackling her task.
"You know this test of survival reminds me of a series of books my mom read to me during my visits. The first book was called the Hatchet and it was about a boy named Brian surviving in the woods by himself after a plane crash. There was also one called the River, Brian's Return, and Brian's Winter. They were exceptionally good books and while we may not even have a hatchet we can still take a page out of the book and use it to help us survive," Kimiko remarked as worked on making a spear.
A few hours later everyone's bellies were full, the camp was finished, and they were resting underneath a lean two shelter with two thick leave blankets. Their first night alone in the wild had been harsh, but at least they had made it. Another six nights couldn't be all that bad.
The only one not sleeping was Callie. In the clearing underneath the starry night sky she was practicing the move she had read about in her Legacy Scroll. According to the Legacy Scroll one of the past Dragon of Darkness had invented a Shoku level move that involved using a lunar eclipse to super power them making them nearly unbeatable. With her boyfriend now a Shoku warrior Callie was fiercely determined to match him.
"Take a deep breath and let it out. Focus and let the power of the nighttime darkness enter you body. Now let's try it. Shoku Lunar Eclipse Darkness ahh!" she screamed as the power of the move flung her into the nearby lake. Her sputtering caught Dojo's attention and he slithered over to see what was making such a racket.
"What in the name of the four ancient dragons are you doing this late a night? Are you trying to catch a cold or something?"
"No, I was trying to perform a Shoku level move. I hoped if I mastered it before the lunar eclipse at the end of the week I would be able to bend its power to my use."
"Well that's all fine and dandy, but right now isn't the best time. People are trying to sleep and you have no idea what could be out there. Why don't you come back to bed and will see about training some more tomorrow night with the rest of the gang okay?"
"Fine Dojo, but I highly don't there's anything really dangerous out there," Callie grumbled as she changed into her spare robes before going to bed unaware that someone was watching them.
"So the monks are here on survival training are they? Ha they won't last another day let alone a week. At least Dashi knew a thing or two about surviving. He managed to avoid me for a week when he used this place for survival training. Still I'll have to keep those monks busy otherwise they'll discover my reason for being here," Wuya chuckled to herself as she used her Heylin powers to spy on the monks.
After seeing this place on TV she recalled that Dashi had hid a powerful Shen Gong Wu, The Map of Revelations, somewhere along the banks of this lake. The map was the sister Wu to the Compass of Erised and was the ultimate blueprint/GPS device in the world. Whatever map you wanted appeared on it showing you how to find your way. With the Map Wuya would be unstoppable.
"Just so there are no interruptions while I'm searching I'll think I'll be in need of some assistance," Wuya whispered. With a wave of her hand the glowing green flame flared before producing an army of terra cotta soldiers all ready and willing to follow her commands. "I have a mission for you. Keep those annoying monks occupied while I search for the Map of Revelations. Don't kill any of them; just keep them busy and away from me. Well what are you just standing around here for get to work! I swear good help is so hard to find today."
The next morning the monks woke up tired, cold, and cranky. Sleeping on bamboo rods with only a bunch of leaves for warmth was not their cup of tea. Another thing they weren't happy about was the bathroom conditions.
"God I never thought I miss indoor plumbing as much as I do right now! I can't survive the rest of the week in these conditions!" Lu whined after returning from bathroom clean up duty.
"What are you complaining about? I tried to take a bath in the lake and nearly had a crab pinch in me in a place I don't want to think about!" Raimundo barked back angrily.
"Now you two calm down will you please? You two are the leaders of the group and as such it's your responsibility to lead the group in this time of need. Look I know none of you are particularly right now, but I swear it's going to get better. So why don't we have something to eat and we can work on your survival skills okay?" Dojo pleaded to the group.
After much arguing the teens relented and did what they were told. For the remainder of the week they worked on learning how to track, fight off threats, to live off the land, and other necessary survival traits. Several times though they had to avoid near disasters that seemed to pop up everywhere. They had no idea that Wuya's soldiers were watching their every move and trying to stop them from accidentally wandering across their mistress.
Wuya was not very happy at the moment. She had been searching for days for the Map and still hadn't had any luck in finding it. Instead she kept stumbling across remains of the Survivor challenges and startling wildlife. "Stupid American reality TV! Because of them messing around in this area they've made it ten times harder to find that Map! If only that blasted Shen Gong Wu would go active I could sense where it is! Ahh! So the Map finally has activated! I better warn my soldiers to keep the monks occupied while I claim my prize," she chuckled evilly.
The monks were settling down for their final night of survival training. They had a roaring fire going and were sharing stories or gazing at the stars trying to find constellations.
"Yo I can't believe we managed to pull this off. I thought for sure we'd bail long before now," Jermaine commented as he lay near the fire. His tracking skills had greatly improved since coming here.
"I'm glad that we managed to stay so healthy during this time. I've been praying hard for our health and I'm glad that Shiva was listening. When we get home the first thing I'm going to do after a long nap is paint a picture of this beautiful lake and send it back home. Hopefully it will be enough to earn membership to the Bombay Art Society," Stacey said.
"I collected a few new plants for my garden and I can't wait to send my observations on the pandas we saw to the World Wildlife Fund. I'm hoping the information will help with the conservation of this place," Dagwood said as he passed out his herbal tea and plant medicine to the group.
"I can't wait to test out my new sewing skills with real cloth. Hopefully I won't stab my fingers so much," Auara added as another barb pierced her skin.
"Personally thing I miss about home is having a roof over my head that doesn't leak. When I get home I'm going to double check to make sure the roof doesn't leak. After repeatedly rebuilding our shelter I should be an expert," Raimundo added as he stoked the fire.
"Well I don't know about the rest of you lazy bums, but I would have appreciated a chance to use our weapons out. Its been way to quiet around here if you ask me," Lu growled in frustration.
"I think you're about to get your wish. Oh ah I only start turning see through when the Map of Revelations is activated. I knew that this place looked familiar!" Dojo gasped as he continued to flash transparent.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get that Shen Gong Wu before trouble arrives," Omi exclaimed.
"I think trouble has arrived in the form of the past! I guess its time for a field test! Come on you cladodes let's dance," Crystal shouted launching into the middle of the frenzy. She spun around decapitating a few of the soldiers and then brought her legs straight down slicing two in half. Brushing back a strand of her hair she vaulted into action once more.
The terra cotta soldiers poured into the clearing swinging their swords or whirling their chains about. Their eyes glowed green and they let out an ancient war cry as they hurled balls of green fire at the monks.
None of the monks used their powers intent on proving they could survive without them. Using their bamboo bo or spears they drove their weapons into the terra cotta soldiers chest and ripped them apart. The more soldiers that marched in the more that got obliterated by weapons as simple as hand made slingshot.
"We can't keep this up forever. These soldiers keep charging like cattle herd out of control! We've got to find the bull and grab him by the horns and wrestling him into the ground pronto!" Clay shouted as smashed his boot into one soldier and suddenly found himself stuck. The soldier raised his blade ready to slice him in half when he found himself cut in half.
"Yo owe me mate. Your right about one thing Clay, none of this is going to end until we find the source of the problem. I'm willing to bet my entire supply of vegemite that Wuya is behind this little escapade. After all terra cotta soldiers aren't a far cry from rock creatures. Hiyah! I'm tired of this! Dojo come on! We're going to get that Shen Gong Wu before Wuya and put an end this right now!" Callie bellowed as Dojo flew the two of them to the opposite side of the lake. "Are you sure you know where you hid the Map?"
"Oh yeah I recall quite clearly where I hid this one. I nearly died trying to escape from the cave where I hid it. Dashi had to pull me out and my tail took two months to heal. Ah there it is."
"Looks like Wuya was already here if that pile of rumble is any indication. Come on double time Dojo!"
The two friends slowly inched their way through the tunnels squeezing past stalagmites and avoiding deep crevices in the ground. A few times they had to find an alternative route due to cave-ins, but finally the two emerged in vast cavern. Callie spotted Wuya attempting to pull out a very old rolled up piece of parchment that was wedged between some rocks. "Stop!"
"Well isn't this a surprise. How did you manage to get past my terra cotta soldiers?"
"That's not important right now. What is you stepping away from the Map of Revelations right now!"
"Don't try anything funny Wuya we outnumber you two to one."
"Once again scale breath your wrong. Arise my rock creatures and crush them!" The ground shook and the cave started to crumble as two rock golems rose from the ground. The two dimwitted creatures looked puzzled for a moment about who they were suppose to attack. Growling Wuya fired an energy blast at Callie and Dojo to help the golems figure out who they were after.
The two golems lumbered across the cavern swinging their fists. Callie rolled out of the way and then sweep kicked her first opponent trying to unbalance him. Instead she started hopping on one foot screaming how she almost broke her foot. The golem was confused by her actions and leaned in closer to see what the problem was.
That was a mistake. Dojo who had grown just a bit had wrapped his tail around the second golem and flung him into Callie's golem. As they debris started flying through the air Callie managed to deflect some of upward creating a hole in the ceiling letting the moonlight stream into the room empowering her. "Its over Wuya hand over that map or I'll unleash my Shoku attack on you!"
"I don't think so shawoman. I would take another look at the sky if I were you. Your power boost has just disappeared behind the sun!" Wuya laughed as the lunar eclipse began. The look on the Dragon of Darkness face was priceless. She looked like she had no idea what to do. "Now that your powerless I think I'll be on my way now."
"Wrong Wuya the moon may be hidden, but I'm not powerless. In fact I'm even stronger now that the eclipse has begun because no matter if it's a solar or lunar eclipse the earth is still plunged into darkness! Shoku Lunar Eclipse Darkness!" Callie shouted.
The shadows and darkness swirled all around engulfing her as they transformed her into a Shoku Warrior. Raising her hands above her she released the shadows, which darted through the air slipping past Wuya's shield and twisting and twirling around the Heylin Witch. She let loose a screech of agony as the shadows dragged her away and forced her to drop the Map. "Did you see that Dojo! I was awesome! I hope I didn't kill her."
"Nah all you did was send her back to the Nilyeh City. You should be proud of yourself Callie. Very few dragons have the ability to bend a natural phenomenon to their will. It's quite an accomplishment. So what do you say we use this Map to get back to the others and go home?"
"Will do. Map of Revelations! Whoa a three D free floating holographic map! Dashi certainly knew how to be high tech. We go that way!" she proclaimed happily. She couldn't wait to return home not only with new survival skills and Shen Gong Wu, but also as a Shoku Warrior.