Threads of Fate.

The first thing I notice is the breathtaking beauty of the snow-covered landscape. The second is the biting cold that seeps into my bones.

Once I stop admiring the view is when I notice my current situation, which could be resumed in two words.

Pure confusion.

Countless questions come to my head.

Where am I? What am I doing? And more importantly… Who am I?

I stop for a moment to recollect myself and take stock of my current predicament.

First things first, I look around me to take notice of my surroundings more clearly.

All I can see around me are trees, an innumerable amount of them. I can't quite recognize what kind of trees they are. Their names are lost in the current haze in my head. The dense forest feels oppressive.

The landscape is filled with snow, probably the source of the cold I'm currently feeling, giving the forest an otherworldly feel.

Now that I think about it, I doubt my current clothes are appropriate for the weather, given that all I'm wearing is a short-sleeved black T-shirt and black pants, a pair of gray socks and no shoes. They are not doing much to guard me from the cold.

Now that the "where" part is somewhat resolved, though I still don't know where exactly I am, I need to think about what was so important that I needed to do, important enough for me to go out in this weather with this wear.

But no matter how much I think about it, I draw a blank. The freezing cold is not helping me think, I'm sure.

My body feels weak, like I have weights tied to my limbs, but I'm not sure if it is from the cold or some other source. My legs feel tired, like I have walked miles.

Nevertheless, I continue to the most important, and urgent, question… Who am I? It's not a philosophical question of some sort, I seem to have forgotten my own identity, which leads me to think that I must have some sort of grave head injury.

At least, I can remember what I think is general knowledge.

But when I try to picture myself in my mind, to remember my own name or image, all I get is a blank answer and some minor discomfort, like I have forgotten something essential.

Now that I have oriented myself a bit, I realize that I can't keep standing still until I get all the answers currently swimming in my head. I must act, and quick, if I don't want to die of hypothermia.


I have been walking for a while now, searching for some shelter or semblance of civilization, while trying to keep my hands warm.

I'm not sure of the current time, or even the date for that matter, but the day seems to be nearing its end given the little light available, which makes this situation more dangerous.

The snow is making walking hard and I'm starting to lose feeling in my feet, but just as I begin to lose hope that I would survive enough time to answer my questions, I see the forest start to grow thin.

With my hope somewhat renewed and at the limit of my strength, I quicken my pace and finally exit the forest.

"Whoa.." I cannot help but exclaim.

The scenery I'm looking at leaves me breathless.

A deep valley surrounded by high peaks, with a multitude of small rivers crisscrossing along the bottom. Groups of small houses dot the bottom of the valley, with small sources of light among them.

And more impressively, there seems to be a stair from the bottom of the valley to the top of a nearby mountain. And at the top of said mountain rests a majestic palace.

When I look at it, it gives me a sense of serenity and tranquility, like time has stopped at the peak of that mountain.

Once I finish taking in all the details of this fantastic vista, I take a step to start the journey down, and maybe find some answers to the burning questions that keep piling up in my mind, but before I can begin my legs give out and I fall to the ground.

It seems my body reached its limit before I could feel it. My legs don't respond to my commands to rise up and my arms feel sluggish.

My vision soon starts to dim.

"Not yet… I'm so close..." But it seems determination is not enough this time, and soon after I black out.


The Furious Five are returning from a successful mission with high spirits, just another request for help from a village that is having problems with bandits.

It is a sad matter that such requests are normal for them, but as long as innocents are in danger, they will help them and fight to bring the criminals harming them to justice.

They are always ready to help citizens of China against bandits and any other threats.

Those are their duties as protectors of the Valley of Peace and students of kung fu.

With those thoughts in her mind, Tigress keeps walking to her destination, the Jade Palace.

Along her walk her comrades and friends, the other members of the Furious Five.

Mantis and Monkey are joking and talking about whatever subject passes around their minds, Mantis going on top of Monkey's shoulder as is their usual formation, and from what little she is interested enough to hear, it seems they are planning on going to the bar upon the completion of their journey home.

'They could use that time to better themselves in training,' Tigress thinks but doesn't say aloud.

She is aware that some people think she is boring and the only thing on her mind is training, which has a smidgen of truth.

Of course, she has more things on her head, but if she is to accomplish her goal then kung fu is to be her main focus. That is not to say that relaxation and hobbies are not important. A healthy mind must find more activities to occupy it, otherwise it gives way to obsession and stagnation.

That is why she doesn't reproach her comrades' activities. If they find drinking and socializing to be their favorite pastime, then who is she to judge.

"You look distracted Tigress. Are you feeling tired?" Viper questions, interrupting my thoughts, her voice laced with concern and curiosity.

"No, I was merely thinking that we are almost home. We made good time." I answer with a stoic and almost stern voice.

Viper is walking, or rather slithering, along Crane and Tigress, making small talk here and there to make the journey a bit easier.

She is quite a mature and friendly individual, oftentimes playing the role of peacemaker in the group of five. She always has a positive attitude and is the first to show compassion and kindness.

Crane is of the same character, if a little more reserved. He often likes to keep to himself, practicing calligraphy and painting in his free time.

That is not to say he is antisocial,unlike me who is more reserved, I often see him go with Viper or Monkey and Mantis to the valley.

With my thoughts running around on inane things like that, and with Monkey and Mantis' banter as background noise, we finally find ourselves nearing the steps into the valley.

But before we can begin our descent into the valley proper, and finally home, we find something quite unexpected.

"Look! Someone has collapsed!" Viper says, her tone alarmed.

We quickly approach the fallen form and find something even more unexpected.

"Cousin of yours, Monkey?" Mantis comments on the looks of the person on the ground in a joking manner. Monkey bites back with a "Very funny wise guy" dripping with sarcasm.

"This is no time for jokes!" I finally put an end to the foolery.

"What should we do, Tigress?" Crane asks me, a look of uncertainty on his face.

"What do you mean 'what should we do'? We have to help him, of course!" Viper makes her opinion clear.

I am not so sure, mainly because I have never seen or heard about a species with this kind of look. I am certain everyone else is thinking the same.

The stranger crumpled on the ground has silver fur on his head that reaches his shoulders, and a bit over his eyes, but nowhere else on his body. He seems tall, maybe about my height or perhaps a bit more. His paws, if they could be called that, are strange-looking. And his clothes are strange and clearly insufficient for the winter weather since he clearly collapsed from the cold.

All in all, he is clearly a suspicious individual. But that doesn't seem to matter to Viper or the rest.

"There is no time to debate. If we wait longer he will die. I suggest we bring him to the Jade Palace and let Master Shifu decide if he is a threat or a helpless stranger." Crane says with a resolved tone.

I think for a moment while everyone looks at me.

This suspicious individual could be a threat to the valley, but he could also just be someone in need.

Against my better judgment, I reach for the fallen form of the strange creature. I put him on my back, though he is quite heavy, I can carry him without a problem, and start a quick pace to the palace.

He feels cold to the touch, and his skin is starting to turn blue. The first signs of severe frostbite.

The Furious Five make haste for the warmth of the palace before the unconscious form on Tigress's back loses his fight against the cold of the winter.