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Night fell quickly in the Valley of Peace. As the gang prepared for dinner, Justice decided it was time to reveal to Esau what type of training he was going to undertake. She knew he was going to be excited, but there was one aspect he was not going to be happy about.

"I HAVE TO DO WHAT?"

"Now Esau, survival is the key to becoming a Laiokan warrior."

"So you had to practically starve yourself for two months, with only water to drink?" asked the grey wolf, who was still traumatized by the news he was just given.
"Yep," replied Justice. "Only mine was actually six months."

"A year for me." added Zoran

"Mine was two years," said Trey as he chimed in.

Esau mulled it over before realizing that he was getting the least amount of malnourishment time possible. He still had some more questions, but he was willing to let them wait until after dinner. Until then, he needed to stock up on as much fat as he could.

When they reached the dining room of the dorms, Jo and all of the masters were eating. They all sat together with Esau sitting next to Jo.

"So, what would you like?" asked Po as he got up to prepare their bowls.

"Give me twenty-one bowls of your famous noodle soup, please." said you-know-who.

"Uh," the Dragon Warrior just stood there amazed. He had never filled that big of an order for one person, other himself, before. "Coming… right … up."

Things just got weirder when the small, muscular wolf started eating the noodles. Esau started gulping the broth down, breaking every speed-eating record Shifu could name, many of them held by Po and himself. Worse yet, he wasn't even full once he finished eating enough noodle soup to feed a whole army.

No one dared to talk while the slaughtering was taking place, but once it was over, Justice felt it was necessary to tell both Esau and Jo about the second part of warrior training.

"During the starvation process, I will be teaching you the arts of fighting that deal with weaponry. That means swords, maces, axes, shields, and spears. I would expect for both of you to know how and when to wield any of the weapons that are stored in the Hall of Warriors. Are we clear?"

Both the warrior novices nodded their heads in agreement.

"Good, you're training starts tomorrow at dawn. Master Shifu, I will hold all responsibility for Jo's actions and punishments while under my guidance. I will also do his share of chores around the Jade Palace. Is that alright with you, Master?"

The old red panda nodded, showing his approval. "That's fine by me. That gives Po more time to study the 1000 Scrolls of Kung Fu."

"864," corrected the panda. "I study them sometimes when I can't sleep."

"So, it's settled then. I expect to see both of you at the Pool of Sacred Tears, ready for your first lesson. Goodnight."

And with that, she walked outside to the training grounds to meditate.

It was calm in the valley, a rare occurrence during the dark of night. A figure sat just outside of the Jade Palace's walls, watching over the valley in silence.

Maybe they're still shocked by that fox's amazing feat of skill. The figure laughed at the mere thought of it. I should have known better than to let those overgrown pigs attempt to take down those two.

The figure stood, careful not to make a sound that would give him away. He turned towards the palace, leaping silently into the tree that branched over the jade barriers.

Luckily, they led me to my intended prize.

He blinked as he heard the main doors to the dormitory open. He clutched the hilt of his crimson blade and drew it, keeping the moon's beams from shining on its metal shaft. He smirked as he saw Justice walk out towards the center of the arena, preparing to sit in Midnight Lotus Meditation. His lilac eyes glittered as he thought of an infinite number of ways to end the snow wolf's life, but he decided against one.

Nah, too easy. Besides, what fun is it to kill her in cold blood?

He waited for the next strong breeze to blow by before taking his leave back to the village.

We are, after all, kindred spirits.

The moment you've all been waiting for has just arrived. The bad guy from the nightmare finally makes an appearance. What kind of family connection does he have with Justice and why does he want to kill her? All will be revealed in time. Please R&R and no flames.:-K