Chapter Ten
Tigress slowly awoke in the morning to find herself in Lokahviing's arm, his hand resting on her side. She smiled when she didn't hear him snoring. "How sweet of you to wait until I wake up," she told him. Lokahviing chuckled.
"Tried to stand up ten minutes ago, but could barely get to my feet," he said, "Wasn't going to test it, so I laid back down. Didn't want to hurt myself any more than I already was."
"That's... actually a good sign, considering you've been on bed rest for only a day," Tigress remarked. "But still, don't rush it, Kyle."
"Wasn't trying to; I was going to get on the computer," Lokahviing responded. "For one thing, someone tried to contact me, earlier, and for another... during the recovery process, it's vital to keep the mind occupied."
Tigress shrugged, stretched, yawned, and rose from bed. "Good point," she said, helping Lokahviing up and getting him to his chair. He went to work, and accessed the communication log, curling his lips with a somewhat surprised expression.
"Hm. Look at that – Thel called," he commented.
"Your old Sangheili friend?" Tigress asked. "Are you going to call him back?"
"I was thinking about it, yeah," Lokahviing responded. "And I'm sure he'll want to meet the woman whom I gave my heart to." Tigress smiled, knowing her agreement need not be spoken as Lokahviing accessed the relay and sent a call to Thel. It didn't take long for him to answer, and when he did, Tigress was greeted by an alien face, one that had aged, leathery brown skin, four jaw-like mandibles, and yellow eyes. He seemed surprised to see Lokahviing.
"Kyle... are you... are you alright? What's happened?" Thel asked, his voice sounding deep and throaty. "And who is that with you?"
"Old friend, I apologize for... the long silence," Lokahviing apologized. "Much has happened since last we spoke. The injuries... are a recent development. And the woman with me is my... my new girlfriend, Tigress."
Thel's expression lightened – or Tigress thought it did, she didn't know how to read a Sangheili face – and Thel made what Tigress assumed was a smile. "Pleased to meet you, miss Tigress," Thel greeted her. "I imagine Kyle told you who I am."
"He did," Tigress spoke, "Thel 'Vadam, of the Sangheili. He told me you were one of his closest friends."
"I'm curious – what happened to Kyle? Did he get into some sort of scrape?" Thel asked.
"It's a long story, Thel, so bear with us," Lokahviing sighed, and began to recount the tale of his tenure in the Valley of Peace, with Tigress explaining some bits and being emotional support. When Lokahviing finished, Thel sat back in his chair.
"So... it seems that, after all these years, you have finally found that which you sought," he said. "Peace of mind, peace of soul... and the love of a woman who understands what it means to be you." He chuckled. "Master Tigress, you have accomplished something that no one in three hundred years has ever done. You have calmed the raging storm of this dragon's mind, and opened his heart for the first time since he left his home. Consider me impressed; that's no small feat."
"It wasn't easy," Tigress commented. "And I didn't think it would be."
"Indeed," Thel stated. "And I would not have expected it to be any easier for you than it was for me. Kyle... can be a hard man to know. But in the end, it's all worth it. Speaking of which... old friend, while you've been away, your initiative has been successful."
Lokahviing frowned. "My initiative?" he asked in confusion.
"Yes – the one that revitalized the UNSC and Sangheili peoples, our fleets... everything. And you'll be pleased to know we've kept it out of Covenant hands," Thel reported.
"What is he talking about?" Tigress asked Lokahviing. Lokahviing thought for a moment, then closed his eyes and chuckled.
"The Shipyard Initiative," he explained. "I had forgotten about that. When I met the Sangheili, they and the UNSC were having a hard time rebuilding their factions, which were largely depleted by the end of the UNSC-Covenant War."
"A war that was started by the lies of the Covenant Prophet Hierarchs," Thel said solemnly. "The Leaders of the Covenant, at the time – the Prophets of Regret, Mercy, and Truth," Thel stressed Truth with a degree of anger, "Lied to the Covenant and mandated the UNSC's extermination. It was genocide that the Sangheili were tricked into partaking in. In the waning months of the war, I uncovered the prophets' treachery, and lead my people against them, forming an alliance with the humans of the UNSC to end the war. But a lot of damage was done, and in the following conflicts, the UNSC and the Sangheili found themselves in a difficult spot, which is when I met Kyle."
"Remember the Electronic Forge I told you about?" Lokahviing asked Tigress. She nodded. "Between the electronic forge, and the holographic crew of my ship, Thel and I came to realize that those technologies would potentially revitalize the UNSC and Sangheili fleets, and better combat the Covenant Remnant."
"It took three years to convince him to lend us such technology," Thel said. "He was understandably concerned that if such technology fell into the hands of the Covenant or some other enemy, it would cause far more damage than the UNSC-Covenant war ever did."
"So why tell me now?" Lokahviing asked. "Is the Covenant Remnant now gone?"
"Getting there," Thel affirmed. "The new fleets are pursuing them across the galaxy. But, in honor of you, who brought us the means to rebuild our people, the UNSC and the Sangheili decided to collaborate and commission a flagship for you, so that you may sail among the stars as a leader. And it seems more important now than before, seeing as you have a lover, a family, and a new home."
Tigress' eyes lit up. "You mean, you could give us the means to defend ourselves from threats among the stars?"
"That is exactly what I imply," Thel answered.
"And what ship did you have in mind? Or were you going to ask me?" Lokahviing asked.
"That was Plan A, but you never picked up, and that was months ago," Thel responded, "But I had an idea of the kind of ship you ordinarily favored." He worked on his computer, and on Lokahviing's computer, a 3D image of an arrow-shaped starship appeared.
"Is that what I think it is?" Lokahviing inquired.
"Indeed it is," Thel affirmed. "Predator-class Star Battleship. We found it among the computer files you left behind, and decided it would be perfect for you. We named it the Iron Regent, after the one warship you told the story about, the one you told my grandson of." Lokahviing smiled and chuckled, and Tigress wrapped her arms around him.
"So we will be able to protect our home from threats foreign and domestic," Tigress said before Lokahviing could.
"Be careful what you pick up from me, dear," Lokahviing lovingly warned her. "And Thel... thank you. Perhaps, after I recover, we might see you on Sangheilios."
Thel grinned. "I'd look forward to it, Kyle." He paused, looking elsewhere, then back at Lokahviing. "In any event, old friend, I must go. Give my regards to Master Shifu, you two. 'Vadam out."
Tigress chuckled softly, holding onto Lokahviing as he signed out of the comm. "If you have a ship on the way, I imagine you need a title other than Captain."
"I already have one," Lokahviing said with a smile. "It was discussed with my holographic crew and with the Sangheili and UNSC, many years ago. If my presence was required in the field... I would take the title of Lord-Admiral."
"Lord-Admiral?" Tigress repeated. "As your girlfriend, would that make me Lady-Admiral?"
"Now you really are getting ahead of yourself," Lokahviing chuckled. Tigress chuckled with him, nuzzling her nose on his. She was just leaning down for a gentle kiss when Shifu's voice could be heard from the doorway.
"Well, since the two of you are already up, there's no need for me to wake you," he said.
Lokahviing raised an eyebrow. "There was reason to wake us?" he asked.
"It seems someone let slip the translation of Fal Dovah Kulaan – and the people are starting to hail you as the Dragon Prince," Shifu said.
Lokahviing shrugged. "Eh – a par for the course at this point," he remarked.
"... Par for the course?" Shifu repeated the phrase, confused. "What does that mean?"
"It's a golf expression," Lokahviing said. "Don't worry about it."
"Anyway, breakfast is ready," Shifu stated. Tigress smiled and chuckled as she got Lokahviing to his feet and helped him down the hall to the dining room.
"Enjoy your first night sleeping with a man?" Song asked with a smile.
"You tell me," Tigress responded as she gently sat Lokahviing down, sat next to him, and tenderly kissed him, eliciting smiles and chuckles from those present.
"You two really are smitten, aren't you?" Viper asked with a broad smile.
Tigress and Lokahviing looked into each other's eyes and responded, "We really are."
"Amazing," Mantis commented. "A tiger and a dragon."
"Something few ever knew about me – I may be dovah, but deep down... I have a soft spot for Tigers," Lokahviing said. "Always did." The comment broadened Tigress' smile. But it made another question form in her mind.
"Sweetheart... can I ask you something?" Tigress queried.
"Ask me anything, Tigress," Lokahviing replied.
She summoned her courage, gathered her breath, and asked, "You said, some time ago, that you had a vision before you went into exile – a vision of a paradise, a place of peace and healing. Can you... tell me what it is you saw?"
Lokahviing smiled, and for once, his face held an expression of passion and peace. "You already know the answer, darling. You always did. You stand on the very grounds of the place I saw as paradise."
Tigress closed her eyes and softly chuckled. She saw where it was going. But she wanted the others to hear it from him. "There were other places – places that could have been home. Places where you'd be at peace. What made the Jade Palace – and the valley – any different?"
Lokahviing took Tigress' hands into his own, and kissed both her wrists. "Because, baby, in that vision... I saw you. In that vision, I felt a small measure of peace, and an echo of something I'd long wanted to feel for three hundred years. And we both know you know what that is."
Tigress opened her eyes to look in to Lokahviing's. "Love," she said. "So... you came all this way looking for me. All the pain and torment, the traumas, the wars, battles, friends and enemies alike... all of it you braved just to find me."
"Well, to be fair, you found me first," Lokahviing chuckled. "I admit, I was just passing through here when we met. Sure, this place fit what I saw, but I had been fooled before."
"But it was me who compelled you to stay," Tigress surmised as food was beginning to be set on the table by Po.
"Compelled?" Lokahviing shook his head. "No.Convinced. When I heard your voice, saw your face for the first time... it was then that I realized that it was no illusion I was in."
"How did Oogway fit in?" Tigress asked. "When we met, you said he sent you here."
"He did," Lokahviing affirmed. "He pointed me to the last place I thought to look for you. Admittedly, I was in Russia at the time."
"The run-in with the Wu sisters," Tigress deduced. "And I imagine Oogway paid you a visit while you recovered from that incident."
"Mm-hm," Lokahviing stated. "So after I recovered and was on my feet again, I scouted this area out – transported in a good distance away so no one would see it, and walked into the village on foot; the rest, you know."
Shifu sat down. "So... we know the full story," he said. "Now that we have all the pieces assembled, what will you do now?"
"Well, the immediate concern is to rest up, recover from the events of two days ago, but besides that..." he looked at Tigress. "... venture forth on a new path with Tigress at my side – explore this new relationship."
"Did you have any other visions?" Viper asked.
"Aside from those that gave me glimpses of where my relationship with Tigress would go..." Lokahviing's face turned serious. "There was only one other; the return of Tai Lung." Silence settled around the table.
"Tai Lung will return?" Po asked.
"For what purpose?" Shifu inquired. "Vengeance for his defeat at Po's hands?"
"I don't think so," Lokahviing said with a shake of his head. "In fact... the vision suggested his return would be a quest of... atonement. How he returned to the land of the living is, frankly, beyond me, but in that vision, I could swear he felt..."
Tigress put a hand on Lokahviing's. "He felt... what?" she asked.
"... Touched by the Force," Lokahviing responded. "I speculated with Thel that the Force had something to do with his return."
"Could Thel have heard anything about Tai Lung since you've been here?" Shifu queried.
Lokahviing downed a bit of his breakfast and shrugged. "It's possible," he admitted. "But I can't imagine why Tai Lung would die here then resurface as a force-sensitive on another world."
"A question for Tai Lung himself," echoed the voice of Oogway. "As with Kyle's arrival, my students... Tai Lung's return is fate."
"How did he return from death?" Lokahviing asked.
"My dear friend, there is little I can tell you that cannot be explained by Tai Lung himself; all that you need know is that he will play a... prominent role, in events to come. Both in your future with Tigress, and an incident with an old enemy of yours, Kyle."
"An old enemy of mine..." Kyle sighed. "That'd be a hell of a long list – care to be a bit more specific?"
Oogway shook his head. "As I said, there is little I can tell you that cannot be explained by Tai Lung. Show the same tolerance, empathy and forgiveness you have shown Kyle, my students – the legacies to be written on the currents of time since Kyle's arrival have only just begun." After that, Oogway vanished.
"Cryptic, as always," Po sighed.
"The currents of time..." Lokahviing repeated. He sighed deeply. "Interesting that Oogway would reference the Venesetiid as Paarthurnax once did."
"What are you thinking?" Song asked.
"I'm not sure – but I suspect old Paarthurnax may have been in contact with Oogway at one point or another," Lokahviing suggested.
"It certainly seems possible," Shifu admitted. "In fact, it would explain how Oogway knew of you and why he sent you here."
"That would have to mean..." Tigress started.
"... Paarthurnax may still be alive," Lokahviing finished. He hummed to himself in concern, stroking his beard.
"What of this enemy of yours?" Shifu asked. "Who could it be?"
"I'm not at all certain – I have a lot of enemies," Lokahviing responded. "Only a handful were force-sensitive, none of whom should still be alive."
"How do you know?" Viper inquired.
"Because I still remember killing them," Lokahviing answered. "They were all force-users who had given in to the Dark Side; first was Skotia, and I decapitated him when he came after me; then was Zash, who was dabbling in shit she really shouldn't have been, and I was forced to kill her – cut her in half and stabbed her through the heart; then came Skorpeon – guy who was once a friend who decided to wage a one-man war against the Jedi, and I had to bring him down... cut him down, and I felt the life leave him; it was after those three that the Jedi Council decided I had more than proven capable enough to join the ranks as a Jedi Knight; that was before Order 66."
"Were there any others after Order 66?" Tigress asked. Lokahviing thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Indeed, there was one other, but he's dead, too – Thanaton. The only dark force user who I knew used the title of Darth," he explained. "Real traditionalist kind of Sith, tried to get me to join him on several occasions, but after the... eighth? No, ninth, time, he decided it was better to just destroy me. The battle that took place between him and I was short-lived; I tracked him down, cut him in six different pieces and disintegrated the pieces."
"And you're sure there was no one else you missed?" Song asked.
"Positive," Lokahviing affirmed. "I can't think of anyone else."
"We'll have to ask Tai Lung when he gets here," Shifu stated.
"Regardless of whether or not he knows... we'll want to raise my ship from it's hiding place, bring it here," Lokahviing said.
"Patience, Kyle," Shifu told him. "You should recover, first – knowing you, you have your ship hidden in a place... difficult for mortals to reach."
Kyle smiled, sighing contentedly as he sat back. "Very well. But I should tell you – the ship I have now is... different than the ship I mentioned to you."
"Really?" Tigress asked playfully. "The advanced-model bird-of-prey wasn't enough?"
"It got to the point where I decided to re-materialize the ship as a much larger vessel in order to better combat bigger threats; the N'kal-class Advanced Bird-of-Prey was a nice ship, but... the VoodieH variant of the Negh'Var-class Battlecruiser was a much sturdier warship, much larger and much more heavily-armed," Lokahviing explained. "And I decked that motherfucker out. I'll have to show you – I have the schematics and modifications manifest on my computer."
"What made you change ships?" Tigress asked.
"Again – combating larger threats. Had a few run-ins with the House of Duras and one rather memorable occasion with a Borg Cube. Not a ship you'd want to face one-on-one. Anyway, after that incident with the Borg, decided I need a bigger ship," Lokahviing replied.
"What is your ship called?" Viper asked. "As I understand it, all naval vessels – even those that would sail the stars – are named according to the captain's desire."
Lokahviing smiled. "It's called the Chimera. Creature from ancient Greek Mythology – nasty beast."
"I can see why you named it such – it fit your rage at the time," Po commented, earning him a swift swat upside the head.
"Yeah, actually, that was the reasoning behind it, thinking back," Lokahviing chuckled. He paused as Tigress gently squeezed his hand. "Amazing, how I now live the vision I was beginning to think was never going to happen." He looked up at Tigress. "Now... I am interested in – not afraid of – what lies ahead."
"Well, for now, we keep moving on," Shifu said. "We still have Tai Lung's return to get through, and I, for one, am interested to know how he returned to life... and what he knows of this enemy of yours, Kyle."
"So am I, master... so am I," Lokahviing stated. Tigress could see the apprehension in his eyes, but absent of the real fear – he dreaded what lay ahead, but at the same time was not afraid of it; rather, he was ready to face it.
Tigress smiled, realizing how much she'd influenced him. She, too, felt ready to face the trials ahead...