It was late at night at the Xiaolin Temple. Everyone was asleep and dreaming. Everyone that is except Chakra that is who was tossing and turning in her sleep. She was locked into a nightmare that had been plaguing her for days that seemed to have no end. "No no please not again. I don't want to relive this," she muttered under her breath.
Chakra found herself dressed in her own battle armor battling side by side her husband Lao Shi. Their movements were in synch as her tainto and his katannas slashed their opponents in a beautiful, but deadly dance of survival. "We can't keep this up forever! If we're going to reach the target we need to get moving now!"
"Agreed my love! That is why I shall handle the rest of these guards and you shall take route B and eliminate the target before he can cause anymore harm. Don't argue with me Chakra go now!" Lao Shi ordered her as he did a flying spin slash.
Chakra started to move towards the target, but turned back to check on her husband. That's when she saw one of the their target's bodyguard's fire several rounds into Lao Shi's chest killing him instantly. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Chakra wake up, wake up your dreaming! Wake up!" A voice shouted as Chakra found someone shaking her awake. Her eyes blew open and she shot straight up her heart racing. Panting hard she turned to see Chase standing next to her looking concerned. "Chakra are you okay? I heard you screaming all the way from my room. What's wrong? Did you have that nightmare again?"
"I'm fine Chase it's nothing really. I can handle a silly little nightmare."
"Silly? Chakra you've had the same nightmare for the past two weeks. Don't you think you should talk to someone about it? I'm sure if you just told someone about your emotional state the nightmares would end."
"I'm not blabbing my soul out to a shrink. I know why I'm having nightmares and why my memories are mixed up. My anniversary is only a few days away and once again I'll celebrate it alone because my lover is gone. I really just need some time by myself brother. Now if you don't mind I'd like to get some sleep thank you."
The next morning Chakra was performing her morning workout alone in the training grounds while Master Fung was doing the monks school lessons. Taking a deep breath she kicked, punched, and slashed through her opponents. Sweat poured down her forehead as she pushed past her limits and summoned her most powerful fire attack Fire Storm and incinerate the training dummies. A sudden noise behind her caused her to whirl around hurling her tainto at her enemy.
Chase caught the deadly blade mere inches from his face. "Chakra what is the matter with you? Are you trying to kill me?"
"You should no better then to sneak up on me while I'm in the middle of training! I could have killed you! What is it you wanted to talk about? If it's about teaching the monks to perfect their Shoku moves don't worry I'm on it."
"Actually I wanted to discuss you son with you. Omi has been really depressed by the fact that he hasn't proven himself worthy of being a Shoku warrior. I'm worried that he'll do something drastic to achieve his goal."
"My son is many things including a perfectionist and egotistical at times, but he's not reckless. I've already discussed with him about how long it took me to become a Shoku warrior. He's frustrated, but he knows that when the time is right he'll earn his new rank. Now what did you really come out here to talk to me about."
"Chakra I think that you really should talk to someone about your feelings. I don't know what you went through when Lao Shi died, but I know that you've been keeping in your emotions for a long time. IT must be nearly impossible for you to carry this burden alone especially on the anniversary of your wedding, both your birthdays, his death, and even Omi's. Being in the Order and knowing what happened must have nearly killed you. But you're not alone anymore. We're all here to help you if you would accept it!"
"Enough Chase I don't want to talk about it anymore! How I deal with the grief of losing my husband is my own business and no one else's! You think you know what's best for me and my son, but you don't!"
"I know not telling him about his father is wrong! For heavens sake you've been reunited for nearly sixth months and he knows nearly nothing about what kind of man he was. Were you even going to take him to Lao Shi's grave on this anniversary so he could honor him?" Chase demanded angrily grabbing her arm and turning her so she looked at him.
"I don't know Chase! I don't really know anymore! All I know is that I have to deal with my emotions alone! Now if you excuse me I have to go meet with a guest! Good day!" Chakra said storming passed him and the monks who had just left their classroom.
"Mother wait up! Mom what is wrong? Are you okay?" Omi asked concerned as he tagged after her. He had never seen his mother so emotional before. She was always in control of her actions.
"Omi please go practice your martial arts. I'll talk to you later. I just need to be alone right now. I promise I'll explain everything later tonight after dinner," Chakra told her son gently. She rubbed his head affectionately and scooted him out the door. Taking a deep breath she headed to the gates of the Temple to meet with her guest.
Her guest was waiting for her calmly surveying the Xiaolin Temple with great interest. It was a young woman with long scarlet hair and bottle green eyes wearing black body suit. Her name was Mira Star and she was old friend and fellow member of the Order of Concordia. She smiled as she saw her friend approach. "Chakra Young as I live and breath you still haven't aged a day since I last saw you. Are you still immortal?"
"Not anymore Mira I just age slower then the rest of the world. Its good to see you again, but I have to wonder why you came all this way. I thought I made it clear the last time we spoke I had left the Order."
"You know as well as I do once a member of the Order always a member. You can't walk away from your duties just because you've turned your brother mortal and want to raise your son. Before you get into a hissy fit the Order has known about your son Omi for a long time now. You really thought you could keep him a secret from Concordia?"
"I was hoping to yes. Are you here to kill him Mira? Trust me if you are your not going to get past me before I kill you six different ways!"
"Relax Chakra will you? Do you really believe Concordia would send her top researcher/tactical officer to kill the son of one of her top members? I thought you were smarter then that. No I came because I have some bad news. Do you remember your mission to Afghanistan with Lao Shi to assassinate Abul Hersom?"
Fear flashed across Chakra's face. Oh she remembered that mission quite well. Her nightmares had been about that mission! "I recall that particular mission perfectly Mira even if it was twenty years ago. It was on my third anniversary with Lao Shi that you guys sent us after a terrorist/drug smuggler. He was planning on bombing an entire village just so he could expand his poppy fields! Lao Shi would have died from bullet wounds if I hadn't healed him. We killed our target after a long hard day and ensured with the Orders help that no one took his place. Our success kept that particular area out of war for a long time. Why do you bring that up?"
"Because Abul brother Abdul escaped from our custody last week. We we're in the midst of transferring him over to the government in exchange for half the countries drugs when he broke free. We've have reason to suspect he's out for revenge against you for your part in killing his brother. He won't stop until you and your family are dead. The Order wanted me to warn you about it and ask if you wanted some extra security around to protect yourself," Mira responded.
"I don't need any help, but thank you for asking. I think I can handle one man no matter what the circumstances. I'll keep my eyes peeled for him and call you if I need any assistance. Would you care to stay for lunch?"
"No, I have to get going, but I won't be far. Remember call me if you need anything. See you around," Mira called over her shoulder as she walked off leaving a very anxious Chakra in her wake.
Later that night Chakra was in her room looking over Lao Shi's possessions. After his death the Order had given the items to her per Lao Shi's wishes. As she reread some of his old journals she couldn't stop the rising pain in her chest. "Oh Lao Shi what would you do in a crises like this?"
There was a knock on the door and Omi entered cautiously. "You wanted to talk to me Mother? What are these items you have scattered about?"
"Hello Omi I did want to talk to you. I wanted to apologize for how I've been acting lately. I've been a bit on edge because your father's and I wedding anniversary is a few days away and I will once again be celebrating it alone. It's a difficult time for me, but I know with you supporting me I can keep my nightmares and pain away. Come closer I wanted to show you some of your father's possessions."
"Are these from his travels as a great warrior fulfilling his duties to the Order?" Omi asked quizzedly. He had wanted to know more about his father for ages, but every time he'd asked Chakra would clam up. It probably brought up bad memories.
"You could say that Omi. These journals belonged to him and are a detailed record of his life from the time he was a small boy up to the day before he died. If you would like to you can take them with you and read later. This flute belonged to your father. He was quite the musical prodigy and you inherited his skill. Several of these items are knickknacks he purchased from his travels. He loved collecting the most unusual items he could find. He gave a lot of them to me as presents. The most important item her are his twin katannas that have been in his family for nearly ten generations. They are custom made and very durable. Whenever your father fought it was like watching a dance of deadly blades. He intended to pass them down to you when you were old enough, but he never got a chance to. I like you to have them Omi."
"Thank you mother I will take good care of them. Tell me on your anniversary are we both going to visit his shrine?" Omi asked carefully.
"No you're staying here where it's safe. An old enemy of mine has escaped from the Order and is bent on killing me. I don't want you or your friends to get caught in what should be a private fight. Promise me you won't go running off anywhere without consulting me first. Promise?"
"I promise mother. Please try to get so rest. You look you have suitcases over your eyes!" Omi informed her. He carefully collected his father's possessions and took them back to his room. There was much he wanted to discuss with his friends.
"So your saying your mom just gave you all this stuff without a reason? That doesn't make any sense! She's been holding onto these items for the longest time and to suddenly give them to you without a reason is highly irrational," Auara commented as looked over one of the knickknacks. It was a small statue of Basset and looked extremely valuable.
"Agreed Auara. Omi do you think your mother's afraid this fugitive you talked about is going to kill her?" Stacey wondered.
"I'm not sure. I doubt a convict would be foolish enough to breach our defensives to get at my mother. Still I worry about her safety."
"Not to mention her sanity. Sounds like those nightmares are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. If she's been keeping her emotions locked up tight for years she could be looking for a meltdown." Dagwood pointed out.
"Yo if Chakra loses her marbles we could all be in serious danger man. That girl knows at least a hundred different ways to knock you into next Tuesday before finishing a hit!" Jermaine added.
"My mother isn't crazy! How dare you suggest she is!"
"Chill little partner they didn't mean it like that. We're all just worried that your mother is dealing with too much stress in her life at the moment. She really needs to talk to someone about it," Clay responded.
"You don't know the half of it. Her spirit is in a stare of constant chaos. I've offered her some traditional medicine to calm her nerves down, but she just brushed me off. I think a shrink is just what the shawoman ordered," Callie commented.
"Please I've had to talk to shrinks before and I hated! Those guys want you to be all touchy feely and pump you with God know what drugs. Their all money grubbers who don't give a rats ass about you!" Lu ranted.
"Lu don't you think your being a little harsh? Not all psychologist or therapists are like that. Some of them are really good at their job and actually help people," Raimundo insisted.
"Yeah what about Dr. Freedman? Isn't she helping Kimiko's mom deal with her schizoid so she can return home one day?" Jack added.
"Maybe I could give her a call Omi and see if she could come for a short visit. I'm sure it couldn't hurt to have a professional look your mother over and determine if she's in any danger right?" Kimiko asked.
"Your right it couldn't. My mother is one of the bravest warriors I've ever met, but even a warrior needs to ask for assistance once and awhile. So please make the call ASAP!"
"In the meantime I suggest using the Hypnosis Dreamcatcher to give your mother a good night's rest. If the nightmares persist we can always use the Shadow of Fear to see what's on her mind? No objections? Then I'll go get the Wu," Crystal informed the group as she hurried off.
Meanwhile Chase was talking to Master Fung and Dojo about his concerns for his sister. "She's never been one to reveal how she's feeling, but I'm really worried. From what she's told me the nightmares have never been this bad before and the emotional turmoil is worse then ever. With the impendent threat hanging over her head I'm worried she'll just end it all so she doesn't have to deal with the stress anymore."
"Hey Chakra wouldn't ever perform suicide. Its not an honorable death!" Dojo retorted.
"I understand your concerns Chase, but you have to allow your sister to deal with her conflict in her own way. Anniversaries are always difficult especially on days that are supposed to be joyous. The best thing I can advise is to be there for her and offer her a hand. I'm sure that between you and Omi you two can help her through this difficult time. However with the threat of a terrorist coming here I advised you three not to leave the Temple alone. Here is where you are the safest. Now I suggest we retire for the night. I'll talk with your sister in the morning."
The next morning Chakra did reveal some of her concerns to Master Fung including her thoughts that a hungry ghost was after her soul for all the killing she had done in her past. Master Fung assured her that wasn't the case and added that Dr. Freeman would be coming in a few days time to treat her for anxiety and stress. Convinced that everything would be okay she spent the next three days training with Omi trying to push him to the limits so he could become a Shoku warrior. Between all the training, talking about Lao Shi, and the constant worry over the escaped fugitive she really didn't have time to worry about her mental or physical state. It was going to come back to haunt her.
Chakra was in the Temple Vault doing inventory to make sure that all the Shen Gong Wu was there and that none of them had been misplaced. She had just opened the drawer to check on the Shadow of Fear when a cold wind swept through the stairs. An eerily noise filled the air and she turned around and gasped. "No, no you can't be real. I'm dreaming I'm dreaming!"
"No you're not dreaming you're fully awake. You are responsible for my death and scores of others! You are a demoness, a monster, an abomination, and crime against humanity! You don't deserve to live or be a mother! I should kill you where you stand!" the ghostly image of Lao Shi said as he advanced towards her ready to strangle her. His eyes were filled with hunger and he looked really angry.
"No Lao Shi I didn't kill you! You have to believe me! Lao Shi stop please!" Chakra said backing her way up the steps desperate to get away. She tried to produce a flame, but she was to panic stricken.
"To late Chakra Young. Your judgment is now you evil woman!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Chakra screamed letting loose an uncontrollable firestorm nearly burning down the whole building.
"Chakra! Charka are you okay? Chakra! Hey what the stop!" Chase yelled as his twin sister attacked him in a blind rage. She drove her tainto into his shoulder and left him to die. Then in her crazed mind she took the Shengaroo and hurried away anxious to reach the shrine belonging to her lover and confront the hungry ghost.
Master Fung, Dojo, and the monks raced over to inspect the damages. The Vault was intact for the most part and Chase wound wasn't too deep. While Master Fung took Chase back to the infirmary, the rest of them started to clean up and inspect the Wu for any damage wondering what had caused Chakra to lose her mind.
"It doesn't make any sense! Why would Chakra go crazy like that? She was getting better. Something must have spooked her pretty badly, but what?" Auara wondered as she, Dagwood, Jermaine, Stacey, and Raimundo, and Lu repaired the damage to the vault.
"I don't know what unsettled her, but I can tell you this. There was a spiritual presence here not to long ago. I can sense it! However something off with this spirit," Callie announced to the group.
"Why do you reckon that? Are you saying this ghost was out to devour Chakra's soul like my family at Thanksgiving dinner?" Clay asked.
"No I mean I think this spirit was at rest and someone's forcing it to be a hungry ghost! When I sense spirits I can sense if their management or benevolent and this one is confused. I don't know how else to explain it."
"You know all this trouble started a week or so ago around that time that fugitive escaped. You don't think Abdul Hersom is responsible for this?" Kimiko questioned.
"If he wanted Chakra to pay for killing his brother a revenge killing by torture would be perfectly acceptable for his culture. Remember they don't hold woman in high respect and the killing of a family member by a woman must be the ultimate insult," Jack pointed out.
"Yeah, but if his is doing it how? I mean the only way I could think of someone torturing Chakra by these means would be by the Shen Gong Wu and I doubt he knows about them," Dojo spoke up.
"Don't count on it. Chakra mentioned the order had an extensive archive and I seem to recall prisoners get access to a library to better themselves. It would explain why we're missing two Wu. I've looked everywhere, but I can't find the Shadow of Fear or the Spirit Tiara. They're just gone," Crystal admitted.
"My mother once confessed her worst fear is that my father held her responsible for his death. If this terrorist used the Shadow of Fear to break her spirit and torture her then he will pay most dearly! I gamble my life insurance he's using the Spirit Tiara to control my father's spirit so he'll kill her! I must find her, but where would she go?" Omi asked anxiously.
Meanwhile Chakra had stumbled off the Shengaroo and collapsed next to the Shrine of her fallen lover. His lonely grave marker told the story of Lao Shi and his family and was protect from the elements by a simple temple. "Oh Lao Shi why are you torturing me so? I didn't kill you! Haven't I suffered enough? I need to raise our son why can't you cease these haunting and rest in peace?"
"Because my brother's spirit has no rest because of what you did you foul woman!" an angry male voice shouted. Chakra turned her head and started shaking as she looked at the face of an angry Afghanistan man. He looked so much like his brother except his skin was lighter and his eyes were a shade darker. On his head he wore the Spirit Tiara and in his hands he held the Shadow of Fear. "How does it feel woman to be tormented by the spirit of the one you loved the most? To have your spirit broken and torture again and again like you and your infernal husband did to my brother! You are a monster, an abomination against nature and should be killed for what you did!"
"Your brother was a terrorist! He maimed innocent men, woman, and children! He smuggled thousands of pounds of illegal drugs all over the globe and forced slaves to work for him with no rest! He was going to bomb a village of elderly and youngster just to expand his crops! He was the monster not me! If I hadn't stepped in thousands of innocents would have lost their lives and your country would have been plunged into war a lot sooner!" Chakra screamed back readying the Star of Fate.
"The Koran speaks against abominations like yourself. You aren't worthy to breath air! I spent years in the Order's prison plotting how to kill you. When I stumbled across the archives records of the Shen Gong Wu I knew the perfect way to kill you. You are in no condition to fight after my week of plaguing you with your worst fear. Now you shall die by the hands of the one you love. Shadow of Fear! Spirit Tiara! Lao Shi strike down your woman and cut the body into a thousand pieces so her spirit can never rest!" Abdul ordered his eyes filled with madness.
The spirit of Lao Shi had no choice, but to obey the wearer of the Tiara. He struck as fast as lightening going in for the kill. Lao Shi and Chakra darted in around each other one attempting to kill the other just trying survive. "I don't want to kill you my love!"
"Fight it Lao Shi fight it! I could never attack in life and I certainly can't do it while your dead! Please our son needs one parent please!"
"It's no use begging wrench. Your time is over! Lao Shi behead her at once ow!" Abdul screamed as someone knocked the two Shen Gong Wu from his possession. When he looked up he saw Omi standing protectively in front of his parents. "So you are the product of this bitch and killer. You are even more pathetic then your progenitors."
"Don't you dare talk with such disrespect or maliciousness about my parents! They are great and honorable warriors who did their duty in hopes of preserving the greater good. I don't know who you think you are torturing an innocent woman and disturbing a man's resting spirit, but it ends here and now. If you want to kill my mother then you will have to go through me!" Omi growled.
"If that is your wish so be it!" Abdul hissed as he fired a gun at the trio. The bullets passed harmlessly through Lao Shi and would have struck Chakra in the heart if Omi hadn't intercepted the bullets causing them to lodge in his arm.
"NO! Omi! Are you okay? You will pay for that Abdul!" Chakra shouted.
"No one tries to kill my family and gets away with it! Your time for redemption has passed now face judgment!" Lao Shi growled.
The couple was distracted as golden light surrounded their son and transformed him into a Shoku warrior. As he stood up the bullets fell harmlessly to the ground and his arm was good as new. Omi handed the katannas to his father. "Shall we work together to bring down this monster?"
"You think the three of you can kill me? You are crazy if Allah won't protect me from your demon ways!"
"Shut up will you! Shoku Tidal Neptune Water!" Omi shouted unleashing his new attack. A humongous tidal wave came out of nowhere and swept up Abdul in a torrential whirlpool with no escape.
"Let's see how much you like torture! Star of Fate, Firestorm!" Chakra shouted unleashing a powerful wave of fire that burned away the water and scarred the man while at the same time the tainto soared through his chest leaving a gaping hole.
"My wife and son have no need to dirty their hands with your death so I shall give you an honorable death, which is more then you were willing to do for them!" Lao Shi informed him as he mercifully ended Abdul life. The trio watched as his spirit left his body and was sent away for judgment. "I hope Allah has pity on his soul for I wouldn't condemn anyone to walk this earth forever."
"Oh Lao Shi I'm so sorry about your death. I've missed you so and have kept your memory alive. All these years I blamed myself for your passing and now I nearly lost our son because of it. You must be so ashamed of me!"
"On the contrary I applaud your efforts to protect our son and to uphold our beliefs. Never once have you disgraced anything we believed in. I never blamed you for my passing and I was proud to watch his birth. I love you Chakra and I will always never forget that."
"Father it is an honor to meet you. I'm very impressed by your skill as a warrior and I hope to continue to make you proud and live up to your example. I love you very much," Omi sniffled as he used the Tiara to make Lao Shi solid long enough for a hug.
"I love you to my son. Omi you have grown into such a wonderful person, a great warrior, and have accomplished everything I could have dream up for you. Never forget that I am always nearby if you need guidance. Take care of each. I love you both. Good bye," Lao Shi told them both as he kissed them goodbye before disappearing from sight.
"Come on Omi let's go home. I'll call Mira and have her pick up the body and ask if they will move the shrine closer to the Temple so we can be closer to your father."
"I would like that a lot Mother. You know its funny I thought for the longest time what I wanted the most was to be a Shoku warrior. But now I realize what I've always wanted was for a chance to meet my father and show him how great I turned out," Omi told her as the two of them set off for home smiling to know their family was once again whole.