Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108.

Chapter 2:

Of course, First Squad didn't take the news of Lin Chung leaving again (even though it was only temporary) well, especially with the War, which was what he kept on referring to, with Twin Masters approaching them in dread.

Second Squad had also been notified, and they had been surprisingly reluctant as well to let him do. Now, they were alone, just flesh and weapons against Twin Master's Chaotic Energy, while the only one that rivalled him, or that even managed to nearly reach his level, Lin Chung, was going to be away. They were dead.

Lin Chung arrived punctually the next day in the same place at the bamboo forest, alone for once, having left his turtle behind. He looked at the still back of Tien Kwan, meditating even though he was, frankly, still only a spirit.

Tien Kwan turned to face him, his face serious. "You do know the complications of cloning?" His student nodded, having already researched the topic in Big Green's Archives with Woo, who although had questioned his intentions, not knowing about the meeting with Tien Kwan yet, had helped him. "There is no backing out of this when you start." Lin Chung nodded once more, before Tien Kwan nodded as well, turning around fully.

"Then let's begin."

Jumpy looked at his friends in stunned disbelief, eyes wide as he glanced at his friends in front of him, urgent and panicking. He was currently in the Eating Hall. Everyone had already left, now doing whatever they did in their spare time, leaving no one but First and Second Squad in there. "What?" He finally managed. He had, apparently, been the last to receive the message.

He felt a little resentment for being the last one to be notified, but then, to be fair, he had been in Rabbit Castle, making sure everything was ok and that no one had attacked. All the animal Kings and Queens had also abandoned their duties for the day to check up on their relative Castles and animals.

"Lin Chung left this morning talking about some War with Twin Masters, and told us to get ready. Says it's got something to do with the birds." Latifah rolled her eyes. The members of First Squad, (Mr. NoHands excluded), had glared at her blunt way of speaking and the way she had put it.

"And we're all alone." Kowloon summed up. "Great." He groaned. "How on earth does he expect for us to hold off?"

A Cheetah rushed into the room, backing away slightly at the curious glances from the people in the room, probably having expected other people inside (maybe Lin Chung). He was a dark purple Cheetah, eyes wide and alert, and seemed eager and maybe even excited at the prospect. "I'm sorry, is Lin Chung here?"

"He left a few hours ago." Mystique Sonia frowned. "What's wrong?" If it had something to do with Twin Masters attacking, Mystique Sonia was going to kill Lin Chung when he got back. The Cheetah nodded his head, and then said the news in a great rush.

"There is news near Cheetah Castle."

"What do you mean?" Apetrully demanded, or at least, how much he could actually demand it. It sounded more like a request coming from his mouth.

The Cheetah swallowed. "Two things. First is that a Cheetah was brought back today, beaten up and badly wounded. He died a few hours ago." He took a deep breath, clearly not used to see his brethren dead. "We do not know who the culprit is, but-"

"Twin…Masters." Jumpy growled, red eyes glaring into the sky, as if glaring straight at Twin Masters himself.

The Cheetah sighed at the horrified looks from around the room, and continued. "And another thing. The ones who brought the Cheetah back." Here, his horror seemed to be forgotten as he brightened up eagerly.

"What about them?"

The Cheetah seemed to be fighting the urge to grin.

"What about them?" Hurricane Lee demanded, getting impatient at the Cheetah's sudden change in behaviour. Did he suffer from being Bipolar or what? Hoenstly. Grieving the first, and then cheering (well, not really, but it gave the indication), the next.

"They were Panthers." Apetrully sucked in a breath. "And there was sightings of a Jaguar nearby."

Silence reigned the room for a few seconds, before Apetrully nodded. "You may go." The Cheetah gave a half bow before running off again. Apetrully seemed truly stunned and yet joyful, resembling something of the Cheetah's expression. Kowloon looked confused at the implication.

"The Panthers? What are do great about them? And why does he want to find Lin Chung?"

Mystique Sonia shrugged. "Lin Chung has the Panther Vision. Maybe he knows the Panthers."

Apetrully nodded eagerly, looking like a small child on Christmas. "Oh yes. He knew the Panthers. Panthers, Jaguars and Cheetahs were the three fastest, strongest, and slyest animals around, a combination of the three, helping where the other two lacked. The Panthers supposedly disappeared in the beginning of the War, having been pulled into something against their will, and the Jaguars followed not too soon after.

The Panthers were known as the most fearsome and finest yet most gentle warriors of Hidden Kingdom. The Jaguars had the same reputation, but they were more fearsome and aggressive than the Panthers, reputated to the be undefeated in battle. Of course, the Panthers and Jaguars never fought, so the statement leaves a lot to find out. They had compassion, yes, but the Jaguars and Panthers were quite different. The Cheetahs had always been the most open of the three animals, and the Panthers and Jaguars were known to help the Cheetahs in times of trouble.

In fact, Lady Green was trained by the Jaguars herself."

Mighty Ray frowned. "Doesn't seem like it."

Mystique Sonia shrugged at the comment. "Makes sense how they could get their reputation. Lady Green as the undefeated warrior in battle, and Lin Chung as the finest."

"Poo." Mighty Ray spat. "What about me?"

Kowloon scoffed. "Please? You?"

Jumpy cut in now, feeling the start of something completely unnecessary. "What…about…Panthers…and…Jaguars?"

"Because, like I said, they disappeared at the start of the War. Now, another one is coming. The Panthers are known to be peacekeepers. When they disappeared, the War started at East Citadel. If the Panthers return again, then…"

"Does that mean the War will end?" Mystique Sonia asked, face lightning up.

Apetrully shook his head. "Generally, yes, but if the Jaguars are also appearing, it means that there is, indeed, a War coming up. And from the sounds of the Cheetah, not a pretty one either."

AN: Ok, just if you notice: I deleted After the War. I want to rewrite it, so I'll post it hopefully once I finish Interference or, at least, During the War.

08/02/14 - And now, about After the War, not sure when I will ever get round to writing it, but I will. Intercessiones is finished, and I plan to get started on the third one soon.