Author's Note: I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, everyone. So, get comfortable. This chapter is an extra-long, but READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE at the end when you finished reading this chapter. I've been double, triple checking this chapter for any misspelling that I missed. Hopefully I didn't. I rewatched the episode where that rhino opened up his own restaurant and it was just fine in my opinion.
This gave me an opportunity to shed some light on Leo's past for this chapter.
With that out of the way, let's continue the story!
Dead End, New Team Member
After what happened last night, Leo requested to head to Gongmen City. He remembers that Panther has a friend who specializes in making pendants back on their world. It might shed a little light. Shifu agreed to Leo's request and he and the Furious Five will be coming with him to Gongmen City. Shifu has a meeting with the Master's Council while the Five is being sent to a village to stop a bandit raid.
Leo assured Tigress he'll be fine without them. Then the warriors left for Gongmen City. Po said he'll watch the valley for them while they're gone. This time they went by boat. Leo had to pack a bag containing several important scrolls. It was a nice and smooth ride on the river.
And seeing how Shifu is with them this time going on the way into the city, Leo suggests that Shifu and all of them should have the cabin themselves and he'll sleep outside. They agreed and slept inside the cabin.
Tigress lets out a small yawn. She saw the rest of the Five still sleeping. Shifu wasn't inside the cabin. The feline made sure not to wake up the others up and slowly walks outside. Shifu was having a peach while Leo was still sleeping. His diamond sword was resting against his arm while his body was leaning against the wall.
Leo yawned and stretched his arms. "Good morning, Master Shifu. Tigress."
"Good morning, Leo." Shifu said.
"I trust you both slept well?"
"Yes. And you?" Tigress tosses him an apple.
"Yes, I have."
"Good."
The rest of the Five joined them for breakfast. Tigress notice Gongmen City in the distance and tells them they're here. As they continue to sail to the city, Mantis notices something at the harbors. "What's going on over there?" Mantis pointed out.
"I'm not sure. It looks like some of the docks are closed right now." Tigress replied.
"Because of that. Look." Leo points at the beach.
They could see a destroyed helicopter being hauled out of the water. There were a few gorillas, wolves and crocodiles over at the beach.
After saying goodbye to the Furious Five, Leo and Shifu began walking in the city. The citizens saw Leo and Shifu. Most people greeted them while others smiled and waved. On the way, Leo and Shifu saw the wolves doing hard work around the city. Shifu saw the surprised look on the human's face.
Waiting for them in the city square was Master Ox, Master Croc, Soothsayer, Panther and a couple wolves. Leo recognizes Suki, but not the other wolf.
"Master Shifu and Leo. It's good to see you two again, but this is unexpected to see you here, Leo." Ox said.
"Yes, it is." Panther agreed.
"My apologizes, Master Ox. There were many things that kept me busy for a while. Plus, I have some things to discuss with Panther." Leo said, eyeing some wolves to his right.
"How long will you be in the city?"
"Until tomorrow night, I hope."
"That's good to hear. We'll see you all later tonight for dinner." Ox said.
Leo, Panther, Suki and the other wolf watched the Soothsayer and the masters leaving the square. "Come on, we'll head to my place." the other wolf said.
The human took notice of the other wolf. Her fur is white and has blue eyes that matched the ocean. She was wearing a blue police uniform. Her standard sword was tied to her waist. The white wolf saw Leo staring at her. "I don't believe we've met before."
"No, we haven't." the she-wolf officer said to him.
"What is your name?"
"I'm Lieutenant Jie. I know your name already, Leo. Panther has mentioned you before."
"Interesting."
"Let's not stand around out here. You did mention you had something to discuss in private." the white wolf replied.
Jie brought them to her house that was near the beach. Her house was big and farther away from the other houses. Inside her house was a kitchen that was connected to the dining room. There was a living room. Two chairs were across from the other inside the living room. Jie gave Leo a tour of the house.
"Leo, your room will be the last door at the end of the hallway where you can get a view of the city and the beach." Jie said.
"Thank you, Jie."
"And the hot springs are located right outside the house as well." the she-wolf added.
Everyone sat down in the chairs.
"I see that Shen's wolves are working hard." Leo pointed out.
"That's right. We have them fixing the damage they caused to the city. And we have half the soldiers of Gongmen City to help rebuild the tower. Right now, the tower is half complete."
"I see. So how did you three met?"
"After you left with the masters of the Jade Palace, I met Jie organizing the wolves into different groups to work on the city while the rest helps rebuild the tower." Panther replied.
"And I just met these two today because I wanted to see how the others were doing." Suki added.
"How did you and Suki meet?"
"I met her after receiving a fake report on a bandit raid that was created by Scarlet. But the battle was cut short by another person to tell Scarlet to give me message. A message that says, "Get Strong". Then they both went through a black portal."
"Who were they?" Panther asked curiously.
"I'm not sure. They didn't even bother to give me any information about them."
Jie folds her arms. "That message does sound a little strange and a little confusing. It could mean anything."
"Exactly what I was thinking about."
"Did you have any contact from them after that?"
"No. That was my first time meeting them."
"But the other person that stopped the fight mention a mission."
"Then we should be careful. We don't know how strong they are." Jie said.
"I agree." Suki agreed with the white wolf.
"And there's something else as well." Leo said.
Panther gestures her hand to him.
"Last night, I had remembered a memory when I was meditating. Sying's helicopters firing at two giant figures in the dark smoke. Then a Yang pendant appeared before I felt a sharp pain in my head. It was painful, to say the least. I had a feeling I've seen it somewhere before."
"Leo, are you talking about the pendant you had back at the orphanage?"
"Yes. Jenna found it in the blanket I was in when she was doing laundry on the day she found me. She gave me the pendant when I was six years old."
"I remember seeing that with you when we first met."
"But I felt the pendant was familiar somehow, before the day I was found. I just can't put my finger on it."
"And this pain you felt is new too." Jie said.
"It never happened before the first time we all went to Gongmen City. I would've said something if it happens again a second time."
Jie drank her tea.
"Which is why I've came to Gongmen City. Didn't you have a friend who makes pendants?"
Panther began to think. "Yes. I showed Joe the pendant and he did examine it thoroughly. He doesn't remember making it, even his son."
"I remember meeting his son. He wants to make pendants like his father."
"You don't think any store or company would remember making it? Or selling it?"
"I don't think they would remember that pendant."
"What about the Yin Pendant, Leo?" Jie asks him, catching their interest.
"I don't remember that one, unfortunately." Leo admitted.
"And I don't think I would see that at the markets around here or China." Jie added.
"So we don't know who made the pendant then." Leo lowered his head.
"I'm sure we'll find another clue." Suki said.
"Since you're staying here until tomorrow night, we can show you around how the city is doing." Jie suggested.
"That would be fine." Leo nodded. "Is it alright if I put this in my room?"
"Go right ahead."
"Thank you, Jie." Leo thanked her and left the room. He heads upstairs and enters his room. Before he could set the bag down, Leo heard the door closed behind him.
"So, did you have any luck the last time we spoke? On Kaira?" Panther asks him.
Leo tosses his bag on the bed and shakes his head. "Not yet. I haven't even reach to the halfway point. I've been rereading the scrolls if I missed anything."
"Leo, if you can't find the answer, what are you going to do?" Panther approaches her friend and places her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not sure." Leo lowers his head. "I don't want to know if the answer is not here or back on our world. And you know I can't let them know about Kaira."
She could hear his breathing was deep and slow. He was right about Kaira; there wasn't that much info about her. Sure, she helped Leo several times and Leo offered to be friends. The look on his face was concerned.
"Leo, we'll understand one day when you find the answer." Panther wraps her arms around his waist. She heard him sighs softly and the touch of his hand on her arm.
"But there's something else you should know." Leo said. "Enya appeared a few nights ago."
"Leo, we all saw Enya fell to her death."
"I don't believe it." Leo looks over his shoulder. "We know that she is a skilled warrior, a mercenary and assassin. Enya used to be an ally to our two grandmasters until they found her actions unworthy and dishonorable."
"Leo, you don't have to worry about that bitch. She's dead and come on, Suki and Jie are waiting for us."
The four of them were walking in the city. All of the inhabitants were enjoying their day. They said morning to them. Leo saw several wolves carrying materials to the tower. Some of the wolves recognize Leo. One of them walks up to Leo and apologizes for what they did.
Leo said nothing and brush by the wolf. Jie and Suki look at each other confused.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No, you haven't." Jie assures the wolf.
"Oh. Before I forget, we're almost finished building the bridge. Do you want some of my men to patrol tonight?"
"Yes."
That caught Leo's attention and he stops to turn around and looks at them. "Patrols?"
"In case Saber attacks. Panther told me when she got back from the ceremony that happened in the Valley Of Peace." Jie answered.
"How much do you know?"
"She knows everything about the clone." Panther said. "It's fine."
"Alright then."
An hour later, Jie took the three of them to a great restaurant. The four of them sat down at a table near the railing. A waiter took their order, and their food will be arriving in a few minutes. Leo was sitting next to Panther while Jie and Suki were sitting across them. Panther decided to strike up a conversation.
"What do you think of the city so far, Leo?"
"It's good to see that the city is being repaired. But what about the helicopters that was destroyed?"
"They're piled up right outside the factory as we speak. And to the ones in the harbor, we have those gorillas pulling all the helicopters with the wolves and the army, even Master Croc had to help."
"I'm sure that you notice we had close off a few docks because of all the gas in those machines. I also told them to be careful of the electric wires, so they won't shock themselves."
"Good."
Their orders have arrived, ranging from a steamy vegetable rice, a baked sweet potato and four cups of tea.
After paying for the meal, they headed over to the market square. Jie said that she'll be meeting her father here. Panther notices a white wolf was walking towards them. He seems taller than an average wolf and was about Shifu's age.
"Hello Jie." The wolf smiles at his daughter.
"Hello, Father." Jie hugs her father. She turns to face Leo, Panther and Suki. "I'd like you to meet my father, Kwan, Chief Of The Gongmen City Police."
"Nice to meet you, Chief." Suki shakes the chief's paw.
"Thank you. It is an honor to be in your presence, Master Leo."
"You don't have to call me "Master", Chief. Just Leo will do."
"My apologies. Panther mention that you didn't want to be called "Master". I respect your decision."
"Thank you, Chief."
"Are you almost finished with work, Father?"
Kwon turns his head to her. "Almost. There's a couple things left I have to check up on the factory to see if they can get those blades out of the machine."
"Please be careful."
"I will."
Panther and Jie led Leo and Suki to the Tower of the Sacred Flame. The bottom half of the tower was complete and other sections of the tower were still being worked on. Ox and Croc believes the tower should be done this year or next year. Leo saw many workers rebuilding the tower. It was a mix of ibexes, wolves, gorillas and rhinos. There were many different groups being ordered by the guards.
Panther heard Leo growling softly as he watched. "Leo." Panther muttered under her breath, her voice sounding concern.
The four of them left construction site and goes back to the city. They spent the rest of the afternoon visiting local markets, clothes stand, weapon stores and a library. There were several weapons that caught Leo's eye. But he didn't bother buying a weapon since he had the diamond sword with him. They followed Jie to the City Square where there was a museum. Inside the museum were big golden statues of themselves.
Jie notices it was almost nighttime and suggested getting back to the house. On the way back to Jie's house, Leo wanted to head to the harbor to see if the Five has arrived. The Furious Five arrived just left the boat and saw Leo, Panther and the two wolves at the entrance of the harbor.
"Furious Five, welcome back to Gongmen City." Jie bows her head to the Furious Five. "I'm Jie, a lieutenant of Gongmen City Police."
"Good to meet you, Lieutenant." Tigress said.
"I'm sorry that we couldn't stop the invasion. We were no match against those canons and the metal winged beasts." The white-she wolf apologized.
"You don't have to be sorry." Leo said to Jie. "You did all you could. Everyone is glad that Shen and saying are dead now."
"Thank you, Leo. Since all of you are here, you're invited to spend the night at my house. I have some extra rooms for all of you."
"We appreciate it." Viper smiled. She notices Suki behind Leo. "You must be Suki. Leo told us about you. It's nice to meet you."
"It's good to meet you as well." Suki smiled.
Everyone left the harbor for Jie's house. As they were all walking towards the house, there was a familiar black panther sitting on the path. The black feline was waiting patiently. The Furious Five, Suki and Jie were surprised, even Panther seeing the black feline here. But Leo was even more surprised to see the black panther.
"Hello." The black feline spoke.
The Five were dumbfounded. Leo mentioned months ago that animals don't talk in the human world.
"I see you're doing well." The black feline addressed to Leo.
"I have." Leo responded.
"So, who are you?" Crane asked.
"You may call me Fumi." The black she-panther said.
"That's a nice name." The green snake smiled. "I'm-"
"I'm fully aware of who you are and along with the rest of you team, Master Viper." Fumi interrupts her.
"What brings you here?"
The black panther walks up to Leo and places a paw on his thigh. "I'm here to help you, Leo."
"Help me?"
"Yes. To help you unlock your memories."
"Unlock Leo's memories?" Mantis sound confused.
"But how is that possible?" Panther asked her.
"I'm not sure." Fumi looks at the female human. "Someone powerful must've done it when Leo was a baby. I'm not sure."
"Hm." Leo folded his arms and began thinking.
"What are you thinking, Leo?"
"If I received that pain in my head last night, how come it didn't happen back in the musician's village, the barracks or the boat?"
"That is a good question. I'm not sure." Monkey shrugs his shoulders.
"Then you and I shall meditate, Leo. If we meditate together, we'll find the source of this pain."
Leo thought about it for a moment and nods his head in agreement.
"Excellent. You and I shall meditate on that hill near the beach. Panther and Tigress, I want you to watch us in case something goes wrong." Fumi turns and starts walking towards the hill.
"What about the rest of us?" Suki asked.
"You'll have to wait." Fumi turns around to look at them.
"We'll see you later." Leo said to them as he, Tigress and Panther followed Fumi to the hill.
The hill they arrived was wide and big. Fumi turns to face the three warriors.
"Now Leo, I want you to sit down in front of me." She instructed him.
"Ok." Leo sits down in a lotus position.
"Next, I want you to meditate to the last memory that triggered the pain. Panther, I want you to observe us in case something goes wrong. Tigress, I want you to hold Leo down in case the pain gets too strong."
"I understand." Tigress nodded.
"Leo, once you get that memory, hold it in place and I'll join you."
Leo nodded his head and closed his eyes as Fumi closed her eyes too and the two of them were about to meditate until Tigress knelt beside her boyfriend.
"Be careful, Leo." Tigress said to him.
"I will." Leo replied.
She leans in and kisses him before breaking away.
"Shall we begin, Leo?" Fumi asks him.
"Yes." Leo closes his eyes at the same time with Fumi and began meditating.
"You got this, Leo." Panther whispered.
Leo found himself standing in the middle of the beautiful field like before. Fumi stood beside him.
"What the hell, Fumi?"
"I used an ability to get inside your head. I'll explain at another time." She took a look at their surroundings. "Is this where you first got that pain?"
"After I found the pendant."
"Hm. When did it appear?"
"It appeared after I saw some helicopters firing at two beasts in a heavy fog before I found myself standing in this field."
"Perhaps if you go a little deeper, then we'll find out more."
"Don't bother." a voice said.
Leo turns around and was punched in the face. He was sent to the ground and rolls back onto his feet. Fumi runs a couple feet away from the attacker and started snarling. Standing in front of them was a man in his forties. He was wearing a orange Chinese robe. The man smirked, staring at them with his black eyes.
"You'll be both dead before that could happen." he smirked.
"Who the hell are you?" Leo growled, getting into his stance.
"I am Jian, a Memory Warrior." Jian answered.
"A Memory Warrior? Why are you here?"
"I was sent to bring you back with me after I prevented you to find out more about your past. It took me a while to find you until I found out you ended up here. I took advantage of sneaking into your memories when you were meditating. I hope you liked the pain I gave you last time, you fucking prick. What a pathetic warrior you are."
Fumi quickly lunges at the man with her paws, but he blocks it with one arm and kicks her away before blocking Leo's palm strike. He grabs Leo's neck and slams into the ground several times before kicking him away in the stomach.
"Damn you...!" Leo coughs as he stands up. "I'm not going anywhere with you! Who fucking sent you?!"
"As if I'm going to tell you." Jian sneers at him, drawing out his two silver Chinese swords.
Leo lunges at Jian. He quickly stuns him with a powerful headbutt and pokes both of Jian's eyes. Leo grabs his silver sword and starts to slice Jian. But Jian was quick to recover and blocks it just in time. Leo was on the offensive to force Jian to block. Jian parried a stab and cut both of Leo's arms.
"You should know that every attack you receive from me, your body will have the spot I attack every time while you two are meditating."
"Then we'll beat the living shit out of you!" Leo shouted.
Fumi snuck up from behind and attack Jian. She started scratching him. Leo rushed in with a dive to grab his free hand and attacked. Jian was able to do a backflip kick to Leo's jaw and grabs his head by throwing him on the ground. He elbowed Fumi in her stomach hard as they both landed on top of Leo, forcing him to grunt.
Leo felt his right arm cut, including his chest. He gets back on his feet and blocks a multi-hit stab combo from the warrior. Jian anticipated Leo to do a backflip kick like he did but Fumi lunge into Leo's face in the middle of the flip to give him an extra boost. Leo's feet connected with Fumi's two back paws and gave her a boost to jump to the surprised Memory Warrior.
"Grah!" Fumi landed a few good scratches all over the man's face. She even scratched his eye out.
"ARRGH!" he yells in pain.
Leo did a quick kip-up and slices Jian's hand off, but felt his own arm was stabbed. Leo growled in pain and slices the other hand off. Fumi landed near his side. He proceeded to stab Jian ten times and slice his feet off. Jian fell on his back, moaning in pain.
"Now tell me who sent you." Leo snarls at him.
"Tch. Never..."
"You're in no position to refuse to answer his question." Fumi glares at the injured warrior. "Now answer his question."
"I won't answer to the likes of you two!"
"Then burn." Leo said. He spreads his fiery wings and touch the man's forehead, causing Jian to scream in pain. Leo fired a beam to the man's throat and stabs him through the chest. They both back up a little and watch the corpse burn before them. He closes his eyes for a few moments and opens them up to see Tigress looking down at him with concern and worry.
"Leo!" Tigress exclaims. She helps him to sit up.
"What happened to you two?" Panther walks up to them with Fumi. "And who attacked you two?"
"Leo and I were both attacked by a man named Jian." Fumi explains. "He's a Memory Warrior."
"A Memory Warrior?" Tigress tilts her head a bit.
"Jian was the one who gave me that pain in my head last night, even these cuts just now. He prevented me to know more about my past. And get this; Jian was sent to bring me back with him." Leo said, causing the two warriors to be surprised.
"But how the hell did up inside your memory or ended up here?" Tigress questioned him.
"Jian got inside my memory when I was meditating. I don't know how he ended up here." Leo explains.
"Whoever sent him won't like to know Jian is killed." Fumi replied, licking her wound.
"How the hell did you kill Jian?"
"I burnt that fucker with my wings and stabbed him in the chest with his own sword. At least that's one problem has been dealt with." Leo scratches the back of his head.
"Come on. We should get back to Jie's house, so you can put some bandages on." Tigress said to him. "Can you stand?"
Leo stands up, wincing a little. "Yeah, but I'm fine. These are nothing."
"Then let's get those bandages on you, Leo." Panther said. "Fumi, I can take a look at those wounds of yours."
"I'm good. These are nothing compared to Leo's wounds. And besides, I don't think he needs my help now since the Jian is dead."
"I appreciate you helped me out like last time." Leo bows his head to her. "Thank you."
"Now that your memories are unlocked, you shouldn't have any problems."
"I hope so. If my parents survived, that'll be good. I still can't figure out what those two giant monsters in the smoke is about." Leo said, folding his arms.
"Rest assured, Leo. We'll help you find out what it means one day in the future." Tigress places a paw on his shoulder, causing him to turn.
"Thank you, Tigress."
"I will see you all again." Fumi turns around and walks away before disappearing into thin air.
The three warriors were surprised that the black panther disappeared.
"I have to say that Fumi is a little strange." Leo said.
"I agree." Tigress agreed.
"That's true." Panther added. "So, shall we head to the house and get you some bandages before dinner?"
"Sure." Leo said as he began walking down the house.
Panther was walking down the hall with a bowl of water, some bandages in her pocket and a towel hung by her shoulder. She slides the door open to Leo sitting on the floor with his bare back towards her. He was reading a scroll. "Ahem."
Leo looks up from the scroll and looks over his shoulder. "Oh, Panther. Hi."
"I got you a bowl of water to wash the blood off those cuts and bandages." She slides the door closed and walks up beside him to kneel down next to Leo. "Is that the scroll you've been working on the last time we spoke?"
"Yes, it is."
"Is it alright if I take a look?"
Leo nodded his head, allowing her to pick up the scroll and read it.
"Was there anything new that happened in the past few months?"
"No. Nothing new happened."
"Fiery Wings, Laser Beam, Red Palm Strike, Rage Combat, Sword Slash and..." Panther didn't read that last part.
"..."
Silence took over the room. Both of them knew about the last one. The one that started it all five years ago. The one that made Leo to leave the Tao Palace in the first place. He couldn't control himself that night.
"Leo, have the nightmares stopped or... are you still can't sleep well?" Panther slowly looks at him.
"The nightmares haven't still stopped." Leo crossed his arms.
"And they're getting worse, right?" She asked. The tone of her voice was full of concern and worry. Panther places the scroll on the bed and dips the towel in the bowl of water. She began to proceed to wash his cuts. Leo didn't wince.
"Yes... Every single damn night and they've gotten worse."
"Well, I have an idea."
"What is it?"
"You could talk about the nightmares. That way you can sleep better as the rest of us. There's no reason for you not to talk about it."
"Talk about my nightmares? Panther, you and the others saw what happened five years ago. Not just the others, the whole fucking world saw it."
"Mmm." Panther then proceeded to wash his forearm. "I know. But after saving the world a couple times, people started thanking you for saving the world."
"And yet there are those other people who are still afraid me."
"It'll take time for them to not be afraid of you."
"I know Tigress and the others saw my arms and legs on fire when I fought Sying. I really don't want them to see that other side of me."
"You haven't became like that in the past five years. People began to forget about it when Draco was defeated."
"And they still call me a bloodthirsty monster." Leo stands up and walks away from her to the window.
Panther said nothing and slowly walks up to Leo, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Whatever I felt deep within me, I feel it underneath my skin. I kept this secret underneath lock and key." Leo growls softly.
"It would be better if you talk about it to me and the others, Leo. You don't need to do this on your own." Panther said, squeezing his shoulder gently. "We're here for you."
"Hm." Leo turns his head to her.
"Come on. We shouldn't let our dinner get cold."
"Sure. I can finish up the rest myself."
"Sure." Panther hands him the towel and walks back to sit on the bed. She picks up a scroll from the bag and opens it. "You think you'll get a weapon soon?"
"I have a weapon." Leo started washing his cuts, wincing a little.
"I know about the diamond sword, Leo. I'm talking about your own weapon you can use."
"I don't know, Panther."
"Come on, Leo. I know how well you are with a sword. Your skills with a sword has still improved."
"True."
"But who knows. Maybe you'll change your mind about it one day." Panther said. She continues reading the scroll.
Leo continues to wash his arms. He winces a little as the wet rag wash his stab wound. He sets the towel in the bowl and began to wrap his wound.
Panther looks up from the scroll and began staring at him without him noticing. His body is strong. He worked really hard on it. Panther knew he went through training with Master Lee and Ju Fen was much harder than Master Lee's regular strict training. He had to land a good solid hit to pass the test.
Leo even trained with Crimson Dusk. Especially with Crow in sparring matches. He is the one to use his blood to form a crystal to contain Crow's father, Drake. Throughout the years, Leo has a nice, strong and healthy body.
As Leo was almost finished wrapping up, he took notice of Panther staring at him. "Panther?"
She didn't say anything.
"Panther, are you in there?" He tilts his head a little to the right.
"Hm?" Panther snapped out of her thoughts. "Yes?"
"You've been staring at me for a while." He said as he finished up wrapping his bandage.
"Sorry." Panther chuckles sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it." Leo puts his shirt back on.
Panther notice the knot came undone. "Before we head downstairs, that knot came undone." She pointed out.
Leo looks at his bandage on his right arm. "I thought I tied that good."
"No, you haven't. Come here, I'll tie it for you."
Leo did as he was told. Panther undid the knot and the bandage fell into her hands. She began to wrap his bandage on the wound. Panther took her time wrapping up the bandage. Leo simply watched her.
"There you go. Good as new." Panther said as she finished the knot.
"It feels good. Thank you, Panther."
"Don't mention it, Leo. I made sure not to make it too tight for you."
"Good to know."
"Now come on. Tigress is waiting for us with our dinner."
"Sure, in a second." Leo said. He closes the scroll from the bed and puts it back in his bag.
"Here." Panther hands him the scroll she was reading and Leo places it in his bag before closing it. "We don't want to keep your girlfriend waiting, Leo."
"I certainly don't want to keep her waiting." Leo agreed.
The two humans left the room and heads downstairs to see Tigress bringing her plate of food to the table. There were already two plates of food when she sets her plate down on the table. The dinning room table big and brown with six brown chairs.
"I was wondering what you two were doing up there." Tigress took her seat.
"We're sorry for making you wait, Tigress. Leo and I were just talking about some stuff after getting the bandage on." Panther said, taking her seat across from the table as Leo sat in between them. "I see we got some tofu, dumplings and rice with vegetables tonight."
After eating dinner and washing the dishes, Panther strikes up a conversation.
"So Tigress, is the village saved from that bandit raid?"
"Yes we did. The villagers didn't get hurt, but the bandits did get hurt after we defeated them. Those bandits are on their way to Chorh-Gom Prison as we speak."
"That's good to hear." Panther smiled.
"It would've been even more great if you came with us, Leo. But I understand why you have to come to Gongmen City."
"I know and thanks."
"So, what about you two? I heard that the wolves from Shen and Sying's army is helping repair the city from Jie." Tigress drinks her tea.
"Today was good. And yes, we have them in groups in different parts of the city. Each police officer is assigned to a group to keep an eye on them with the city's guards."
"And what about the Yang pendant? Did you find any new info about it?"
"Apparently, no. I showed the pendant to Joe and his son several years ago and those two never seen it before."
"Even Jenna and her sister were trying to figure that one as well Jenna found the pendant on the floor from my blanket."
"You had a pendant with you when you were a baby?"
"Yes."
"Hm. Then what about the other half of the pendant? Yang?"
"I'm not sure. It never appeared from that vision." Leo answered. "Looks like I'll have to add it to my list of "Mysteries And Connections To My Past". Oh, by the way Tigress, where's Jie and the others right now?"
"They went to visit Liling at her restaurant. Shifu, Ox and Croc are over there too after they finished up their meeting."
"Then maybe we should go there after this conversation is over."
"I like the sound of that, Panther." Tigress said.
"Thank you, Tigress." Panther sets her cup down and chuckled.
"What are you chuckling about, Panther?" Leo looks at her.
"I was just remembering about what happened at Sheila's birthday three years ago."
Leo's eyes went wide as he realized what she was talking about. He turned his head away from her, causing Tigress to be curious.
"What happened?"
"Well, Zoe brought the birthday cake out. Everyone sang, except for Leo. John came over and pulls the candles out. Jane was coming with a knife to give Sheila to cut the cake. Before she could hand the knife over to Sheila, Jane trips and pushed Leo's face into the cake by accident. It was funny."
"Heh heh heh. That is funny, Panther." Tigress chuckled, looking at her boyfriend.
Leo rolls his eyes. "At least it was just an accident."
"Everyone had a good time." Panther said. "The cake was all over his face and he had some frosting in his hair."
"Ha ha! I could imagine that!" Tigress laughed.
"I even saw Crow chuckling under her breath when she gave you a towel." Panther said.
"Thankfully, they had another birthday cake to cut and Jane hands Sheila the knife." Leo replied.
"It's good to hear you had a great time three years ago." Tigress commented.
Leo took another drink of his tea. "Thanks. Are you two ready to go?"
"Yeah."
The three of them finished their tea. Tigress and Panther tells Leo they'll wait for him in front of the house since he volunteered to wash the dishes. Several minutes later, Leo was done with the dishes. He came out the front door to see Tigress and Panther waiting for them.
The three warriors left the house and heads into the city. There were many colorful lanterns hung above the citizens. It was nice and peaceful. They passed several citizens and a few wolves that was being led by a ibex guard.
"Good evening, Masters." The ibex bows to the three warriors.
"Go-"
"Don't call me "Master". Just call me Leo." Leo cuts Panther off.
"My apologies, Leo."
"Thank you."
"Are you enjoying-"
And just like before, Leo brushed by the wolf away from the group like he did earlier today. Panther and Tigress exchange glances to one another. They know why Leo didn't say a word to the wolf. Panther knew why Leo doesn't trust anyone who was a villain.
"I'm sorry about that." Panther apologizes.
"Don't worry about it."
Panther and Tigress caught up to Leo. He didn't say a word. After walking about forty-five minutes, they arrived at Liling's bar. The rest of the Five were sitting down at a large table with Shifu, Ox, Croc, Suki and Jie. They were all having a drink as Liling was cleaning up the counter.
"Good evening." Leo announced.
Liling turns her head around and smiled. "Leo!" She places the rag on the counter and walks over to the three warriors. "It's good to see you again."
"Good to see you too, Liling."
"I was wondering when you were coming to visit Gongmen City again."
"I've been extremely busy since we left Gongmen City."
"Would you like something to drink?"
"I'll just have some water."
"Me too."
"Me three."
"Ok, just give me a minute and I'll bring your drinks over."
"Thank you, Liling." Leo thanks as he heads over to the table and sits down next to Viper.
"Here you go." The ibex gives him his drink. "I heard Po is watching over the Valley right now. I hope he comes again when you all visit Gongmen City next time."
"I'll keep that in mind." Leo said.
"So Leo, how do you like Gongmen City?" Ox asks him.
"It's good so far. I have to admit I became surprised to hear that Shen and Sying's army was working to fix the damage they cause to the city." Leo admits. "How did that happen?"
"After Shen and Sying's death, I told them they can use their skills for good and their head wolf is dead. Jie saw Shen killed him before firing his canon on all of us." Panther explains.
"All of them were surprised and shocked. So they decided all to help and rebuild the city for the damage they caused." Croc added.
"And what about the metal pots they stole?"
"We've been sending out new ones to replace the old ones that were stolen." Panther said.
"I made sure to add two officers and two guards for each group to go with." Jie explains. "And with the gorillas, fifteen officers and guards."
"That's good to hear." Viper said.
They spent talking and drinking for a couple of hours. Shifu and the others became surprised that Fumi appeared to help Leo unlock his memory from the Memory Warrior. It did left them wondering who sent him to bring Leo back. After receiving this information, Shifu had to leave early to make the journey back to the Valley Of Peace. He told his students they can leave tomorrow night. Monkey, Mantis and Crane will be staying at Liling's place and the rest at Jie's house.
They left the bar and heads to Jie's house. Once the house was in view, Tigress spotted another white wolf.
"Good evening, Kiba. Did you just get off work?" Jie greets him.
"Oh, hey sis." Kiba turns around and yawns. "Yes. Hang on." Kiba notices Leo and the rest of the Five and Suki. "No way. It's the Furious Five, Suki and the human. Good to meet you all."
"Thank you." Viper smiles at him.
"Everyone, this is my brother Kiba." Jie introduces her brother. "He works with me at the Gongmen City Police Station."
"It's good to meet you." Leo extended his hand out. "I'm-"
"Leo. I've heard about you. You saved this country a couple times." The wolf shakes his hand with his paw.
"Don't mention it."
Kiba notices Leo's arms were cut and there was a bandage. "What happened to your arms?"
"Come on, everyone, let's get inside to get some sleep." Jie quickly said before Leo could answer.
"Alright if I take the first bath, sis?"
"Sure, Kiba."
"Thanks." Kiba turns around and unlocks the front door and heads inside the house with the everyone else.
Once inside the house, Leo heads to the window in the living room. He looks over his shoulder to see Panther and Viper talking in their seats behind him while Tigress was talking to Suki and Jie in the kitchen. Leo opens the door and walks out before closing it behind him halfway. He leans against the wall, enjoying the fresh air.
It was nice. There was a small hill that was a couple feet away from the house. He heads over to it and sits. He remembered looking at the stars above in the sky when he was only eight years old. Grand Mistress Suzu brought Leo and Panther to gaze at the stars outside of the Tao Palace.
But since Fang Hua died, Leo stopped looking up at the stars. Over time when he was a teenager, Leo looks up at the stars.
"Hm." Leo lets out small sigh and looks up at the stars. There were many stars out here tonight. He felt a gentle breeze coming by. Leo began thinking about himself. His whole life changed when Lee adopted him. He made two friends when he was a kid. The strict, intense training made him strong and tough throughout the years. When there were good and happy times, Leo would tend to stay away from a distance away from everyone else.
One of his masters of friends would either convince or persuade Leo to join them. But when there were bad times, Leo will definitely stay away and not show any sign of sadness and guilt. He displayed that at Fang Hua's funeral. Leo trained his body and mind very hard to push beyond his limit. But that limit broke two times; in the snowy mountains and the field.
And that was something he'll have to live by. Leo made several reckless decisions along the way. The choices were questionable. He started keeping secrets to face whatever threat that will come or return to kill. But not all secrets can be kept when Po saw Saber for the first time.
Leo couldn't tell anyone the truth. He'd rather take care of it on his own without anyone's help. It was better that way. Better for him to pay the price instead seeing his friends suffer. No matter how powerful an enemy is, no matter how much pain he'll receive, Leo will become fiercely determined to bring them down once and for all.
There were others he won't fully trust until they gain his respect. He was surprised to hear Master Croc was the leader of the Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits. Croc used his kung fu skills for good to protect the weak after he was moved by Master Thundering Rhino's compassion.
After witnessing Croc help them fight against the wolf army and taking care of Panther, Leo had given his respect to him as an ally. Having a friendship was easy but can be tough to fix. Leo still meant what he said to Peng. But even with all that training, Leo couldn't get over his fear of felines before he ended up here in this world and the nightmares have never left him.
The years passed that Leo came to question himself to be a family member of the Tao Palace, Crimson Dusk or the Jade Palace. Or even call them as a family altogether. That was an answer that he had trouble coming up with. He saw children with their own parents; ones that they call family. At that point, Leo hadn't thought about his real parents when he first crossed paths with Sying.
He considered himself different than anyone, even to a point if he may be a human or something more. Leo kept his emotions in check, but sometimes his rage, hate and anger can blind him. That was something he kept working on. Leo has kept training as any other warrior would do.
Leo remembers that talk he had five years ago with Crow.
Five Years Ago
Leo was sitting down in the Central Archive. There was the big central computer along with other small screens. He was watching a video that was posted seven months ago. People were still talking about what happened seven months ago.
Luckily for him, the rest of the team were out right now at a nice restaurant before going to the movies.
The teenager was wondering how he not got burned from the fire. There were no scorch marks on him. Even his hair was still intact. Leo wrote that down in his black notebook. Whenever he looks up at the screen, his expression was serious, but also a little fear.
After watching the video for the thirteenth time in a row, Leo took a look at what he wrote in his notebook.
- No hair loss
- No skin loss
- No burned clothes
- No scars
- No breathing problems
And that's that for all Leo know.
"Leo?"
The teenager quickly spun around and rose out of the chair with the sword in his hand and pointed it the intruder. "Crow, what are you doing here?"
"I didn't want to go with them to the movies." Crow replied. "What about you?"
"I just got back from training today with Ju Fen. I wrote down a couple of things about what happened seven months ago."
Crow stares at him from head to toe. He was covered in scratches. "Were you planning to do more training tonight?"
"No. How about you, Crow?"
"I was going to make some tea in the kitchen before I do some meditation. And that's when I saw the door to the room here was open." Crow gives him a glance. "You should come and join me. Training may be good, but so is staying hydrated as well, Leo. Take a water break."
Leo scowled a little.
"Water is a necessity just as your breaking the bones of your enemies as is to you." She could read him like a book. That would have him at a disadvantage for the sparring tomorrow. The teenage girl watched Leo think for a couple moments. He didn't have a drink on the way back. She could sense Leo was exhausted when he trained with Ju Fen today and he was trying to look he didn't need a drink.
But his throat says otherwise.
Leo nods his head once. The two of them both left the room and heads up to the kitchen. The teenager did have some plans when he arrived back. Going through the videos, training and finish it all off with meditation in peace, solitude and quiet.
Leo was beginning to not mind being disturb by Crow. It made him to be relief it was just her. They arrived at the deserted kitchen. Leo turns the switch on and heads over to the large windows while Crow went over to the kettle. From here, he could see the ocean reflecting the light of the stars above with the crescent moon.
He could see Crow in the reflection, pulling out two bags of tea as the water was beginning to boil. Leo realized he is staring at her and shift his attention back to the sea. Crow sets down two cups. "The tea is ready."
"Hm." Leo walks away from the large window and joins her on the couch. "I need to be fully alert if someone breaks in here."
"It's overkill if you do too much physical training. But you are training your mind and emotions to be healthy, which is a good thing right now."
"Maybe you could do physical training from time to time."
"I don't think it would work, Leo because I'm an empath. If I don't control my emotions, my powers will overwhelm me."
"Hm."
Leo picked up his and blow it gently. He took a sip and felt the heat scalds on his tongue. Leo places it back on the small table. He didn't mind the wait for it to cool off. Crow took a sip of her tea before setting on the table. "How did the training go today?"
"It was fine."
"What did she have you do?"
"Three hundred pushups, three hundred crunches, sparring and a few lessons to assassinate an enemy."
"I see... Is the training going well for you?"
"Yes."
"Good."
There was silence between the two of them.
"How come you didn't go with the others tonight?"
"You think I want to smell like popcorn? I'd rather train." Leo replied. "But now I wonder, what are you doing?"
"I'm only talking to you, Leo." The teenage girl tilts her head to the side.
"How come?"
"We never ger the chance to talk to one another and I enjoy talking to you."
"What about the others?"
"Only a little bit."
Leo didn't say a word to her answer. It wasn't a surprise to him. "Why?" He watched her eyes lower to her cup and began tracing the edges of her cup.
"I thought it would a good idea to have us talk one-on-one while the others are not here. It'll be easier for me."
"I think it's a good idea for us to talk one-on-one." Leo replied. "We both hardly talk to anyone."
"I know you talk to some of the others back at Tao Palace."
"But here is different. You and Sheila convinced me not to quit on kung fu and offered me to stay here with all of you."
"That's true."
Neither of them said a word, allowing the truth to sink in. Leo spoke up to break the silence. "It's not hard to say that we have Misty and Jill to talk to." He was simply pointing out a fact. "If Misty didn't have abilities to control water, she'd be living a normal life. And not to mention Jill's sword that is possessed by a very powerful spirit. Then there's Zack who has the Mysterious Animal Amulet that allows him to use any animal strength from the animal kingdom."
"Our lives are different than regular people, Leo." she commented.
Leo listened and paid attention to Crow. To him it was memorizing.
"If everyone had an equal amount of pain, any life wouldn't be worse or different to one another." She took a drink from her cup. "I believe I find you are the easiest person to talk to. But I know there's a difference between the two of us."
Leo took another drink from his tea. "That's true there's a difference between the two of us. While you're an empath, I'm a warrior trained in the Kung Fu Tiger Style to focus my strength of power. Even my emotions when Master Lee was training me at the Tao Palace. I don't let my emotions to get in the way of battle since I was blind by my own anger, hatred and rage seven months ago."
Leo laid his head back on the couch. "You, on the other hand, knew about your family when your father slaughtered them all at the age of nine. Me, I never knew about my real parents or my real family. You had one destiny you've been running from. One as a portal and one who is a bloodthirsty monster."
"I agree about the portal, but I disagree on about the "bloodthirsty monster part"." Crow commented. "Talking about my life to you seems easy."
"I see." Leo replied. "I'm a little surprised you want to talk about this." His eyes met hers.
"Well... it was nice to have someone that doesn't make me feel alone."
"I never believe in fate or destiny."
Crow could tell he was being serious.
"And we're different than the humans; you're half human and half demon. I don't know if I'm human or something more."
"But along the way, you still have someone to help you in a different way."
Leo nodded his head. He turns his away from her. "Is your father still yelling at you?"
"I've been blocking out his voice when I meditate in private alone sometimes."
"That's good."
"So, what were you writing in that notebook of yours before I entered the room?"
Leo takes out the notebook and hands it to her. He watched her open it and read his notes. "I was writing several notes about what seven months ago."
Raven read through his notes. "It is strange. A normal person would've died from the fire, let alone surviving somehow."
Leo scowled and walked up to the giant window. "This is the second time that has happened to me. I don't want anyone else to see me like that for a third damn time."
Crow could see his expression is serious. His tone sounds a little scared as well.
"Which is why you're here with us. To train."
"I know. I can't believe I lost control like that. And there's no way in hell anyone could forget that."
"It'll take time for them to forget what they saw, Leo." Crow stands up and walk up beside him, placing her hand on his back. She knew that Leo didn't allow anyone to touch his shoulders after Zhao attacked and ended up being defeated. "We just have to live with it."
"That's true."
"Even though all of us are different than the human race, we're still humans with special abilities and powers."
"That's your opinion."
"I'm just stating the fact, Leo."
Leo turns his head to her.
"You may not know if you're human or not, but I do know that you are a human and a kung fu warrior, Leo." Crow stares in his jade green eyes.
He stares right back at her. Leo notices the time on the clock was 7:03pm. "Seeing how it's just the two of us here, perhaps we should meditate before the others get back?"
"Of course." Crow paused. "That was a good talk."
"Yes, it was." Leo nods his head. He follows her back to the couch and sits down.
Crow watched him finished his tea.
"Thank you for the tea, Crow." Leo thanked her.
"You're welcome." Crow replied, finishing her tea.
"While I'm at the Tao Palace, you are welcome to use my room to meditate if the others get too loud for you when you're meditating." Leo blurted out. It took him two seconds to realize what he said just now and looks away. "I, uh, apologize for what I just said now."
"Leo."
He turns his head to see a smile on Crow's face.
"I'll take you up on your offer. Thank you."
Leo nodded his head. "You're welcome." Leo said sheepishly.
"I'm glad that you're here living with us, Leo." Crow replied. She watches him stands up and brings the two cups to the kitchen to wash. "I'll see you in my room, Leo."
"Got it." Leo said, washing the cups as she stands up and left the room.
As Crow was walking in the hallway, the teenage girl knew that Leo was happy here with them but disturbed of what he did seven months ago.
Present Day
While Leo was distracted thinking about their conversation five years ago, a pair of arms quickly wrapped around him.
"Huh?!" Leo whips his head around surprised.
"Gotcha!" Panther laughed behind him.
"Panther, what the hell?" Leo's voice was mixed with chuckling and a little bit of anger. "What was that for?"
"I saw you come out here a couple minutes ago and saw you were staring at the stars. It was a good opportunity to pull a friendly prank on you." Panther chuckled while smiling at him. "And your girlfriend got it on film for my iPhone."
Leo saw Tigress with Panther's phone out recording them. She was chuckling too.
"It was Panther's idea." Tigress smiled innocently at her boyfriend.
"Erase that footage."
"I don't think so, Leo." Tigress hands the phone over to Panther and kisses Leo on the cheek.
"Fine." Leo shrugs his shoulders in response.
"Jie's brother should be almost done with his bath, meaning all of us girls should get ready too." Panther said.
"That means I'll be taking my bath last." Leo replied.
"I'll see you in the bath with Jie, Viper and Suki, Panther." Tigress tells Panther.
"See you in a few minutes, Tigress."
Leo watched his girlfriend walks back inside the house and closed the door behind her.
"You have to admit it that was funny, Leo." Panther chuckled.
"Alright, fine, that was funny." Leo admitted. He shifts his gaze to the sea. "I have to say it's nice down here."
"True." Panther replied as she moves her arms away from his waist and sits down next to him. "You know, I've been thinking about something."
"About what?"
"How do you think the others would react about you and Tigress?"
"You mean the others back on our world?" Leo stares at her. "They'll be very confused, surprised and shocked at the same time to hear I'm in a relationship with the leader of the Furious Five."
"And what about your... father? Lee?" Panther asked, lowering her head a bit. "Do you think...?"
"..." Leo turned his head away a bit. He didn't say a word. There was nothing but the gentle breeze. "I..." Leo tried to say something. He lays down in the grass and puts his hands behind his head. "He'd be angry at you, but Lee will be extremely furious with me to a point where he'll just disown me after I slept with you and Tigress in the same bed for one night and Tigress and I kept sleeping in the same bed for the past several months. That'll be his reaction right there without question."
"What?" Panther gasps softy. She turns to look at him surprised. "I don't think he would disown you, Leo. He cares about you, Leo, like we all care about you. Especially Tigress because she loves you. I know you made some questionable choices and reckless decisions back in the past, but Lee would understand."
"And do you think Lee will understand why I have to kill Zhao? His first adopted son? They should've killed Zhao instead of sending him to his own prison. And Sying? Everyone wanted him dead after what he caused."
"I understand Sying should be dead because he's a wanted man all over the globe, but having Zhao killed would hurt Lee. Lee's pride has blinded him to see what he was creating. After Zhao was sent to prison, Lee disowned him. Leo, I know there are villains who will commit crimes, but we must be better than that."
"But there are those who are too powerful that can't be contained and there is one foe that was contained five years ago. I know that my blood was used to summon Crow's father with her magic. And it was my chi to help create a new crystal."
"That's something I agree with." Panther nodded.
"So why did you bring this conversation up, Panther?"
"Because if Lee and our friends does show up out of nowhere into this world like James and me did, or if we end up going back to our world, there's going to be loads to talk about in the future. And we can't avoid it when that time comes, Leo."
Leo knew she was right on that. If their masters and friends does end up here or they end up back on their world, there's going to be loads to talk about. "There is that possibility." Leo said, sitting up.
"I know." Panther said. "I should join the other girls right now."
"I'll see you in the morning, Panther."
"Goodnight, Leo." Panther said, rubbing his head and entering the house.
"Any chance you'll erase that footage?" Leo looks over his shoulder to her.
"There's no chance I'll erase that footage, Leo." Panther gives him and closes the door.
Leo gives out a light chuckle and turns his head around to feel the gentle breeze.
Leo steps out and closed the door behind him. He had a brown towel wrapped around his waist. Leo took a look around the area to see he's alone in the hot springs. Leo proceeded to remove his towel and steps into the water. The towel was tossed near the edge, and he sits down where the water could reach his shoulders. The water feels nice to him.
What Panther said is true. They somehow ended up here in this world. He doesn't have a clue of whose voice it was when he lost conscious. Who would have that kind of power to end up in this world?
The only clue Leo had was that voice he spoke to. And there was another clue as well, The Fierce Warrior. He didn't come across any information that could be contained in the scrolls back at the Jade Palace. Leo spoke to Shifu and the others about it. No one knows, even Shifu.
Leo hopes he'll find out why in the future. But for now, he just wants to lay back and clear his mind. He didn't want to overthink about it too much. So, Leo decided to hum the song Hotel California to pass the time. He spreads his arms out to be in a better position for his back to lean back on the wall and taps his hand to the rhythm of the beat.
After spending several minutes in the hot springs, Leo walks over to his towel and begins to dry himself off before proceeding to the changing room. He threw the towel in the basket and heads upstairs to his room. Leo untied the rope and looks through his bag to see everything was in order. The scrolls were untouched, thankfully. His iPhone wasn't touched either, along with the diamond sword.
Leo lays down in his bed and closed his eyes.
Panther lifts her heavy tired eyes. Her throat felt a little dry. She got out of bed and leave the room to get a cup of water from the kitchen. Panther came back upstairs several minutes later after she felt better from drinking some water.
When she was walking back to her room in the hallway, there was a soft moan that made her stop. Panther knew that soft moan. She slowly tiptoes at the end of the hall and peeks inside. Leo was wearing his shorts, and he was shirtless.
"...Ah..." Leo moans softly in his sleep. He was tossing and turning a bit.
Panther felt sorry. It hurts to see her childhood friend to go through this suffering and never talk about the nightmares. This has been going on for five years now. She enters the room and kneels besides him. "Leo..."
His eyes open in a snap and sits up quickly. Leo notices her. "Panther..."
"It's okay." Panther spoke softly, placing her hand on his shoulder. "You had the same nightmare again, didn't you?"
"I-"
"And don't try to lie as well. I heard and saw you moaning in your sleep just now."
"Fine."
"Do you want to talk about it? Or could at least talk about it? To Tigress... or to me?" Panther places her hand on his shoulder.
Leo removes her hand from his shoulder. "You know my answer is not going to change."
"Come on, Leo. Is it really that hard for you to do?"
"Yes, it is." Leo slowly nodded his head. "It's better this way for not to let the others know about this. I'd rather let these hellish nightmares continue to torture me."
Panther kept silent. Meanwhile, Tigress wakes up and was a little thirsty. She leaves her room and was about to head to the kitchen, but she notices Leo's door was open a bit. Tigress slowly walks up to the door and heard Leo and Panther talking.
"And it's why I left the Tao Palace and had you to be leader of the new team." Leo replied.
"Leo..." Panther wraps her arms around his neck. "I don't want you to go through this alone. It upsets me to see my childhood friend to be tortured and not letting me worry."
Leo said nothing in response.
"So, just for tonight, I'll sleep with you in here." Panther spoke softly. She felt his arm wrapping around her waist.
"That's your decision to make, Panther."
Tigress peeks inside to see Panther hugging Leo while lying in bed together, not as lovers. His back was to Panther. Panther moves away from the bed and sets the blanket and pillow on the floor before laying down next to the bed. Tigress could see her boyfriend's expression was serious and a little afraid. The feline continues to watch in silence until she left. She enters the kitchen and makes a cup of water. Tigress wondered what those two were talking about. She only heard a little of their conversation.
Tigress began thinking of she heard so far. Leo leaving the Tao Palace to have Panther to be the leader of the new team. Going through something alone to be tortured and not letting Panther to worry about him? And what about sleeping together? She knew Leo patched up their relationship and there wasn't anything going on between him and Panther. The three of them all slept together in the bed after Leo defeated the exiled prince.
But there was something that was making Panther worry about her childhood friend. And why was Leo looked a little afraid? This made Tigress to grow concerned and worried about Leo.
Tomorrow she'll talk to Panther about it. Did Leo remembered anything related to his parents that made Leo be a little afraid? Or is there something else? Tigress wasn't sure. She knew Leo has spent his time training, meditating and reading in the library at the Jade Palace whenever they have free time. Leo knew about the clone and kept it from them when he fought James and Saber in that triple fight.
The feline finished her drink and went back upstairs to check up on Leo one more time. She took a peek inside. Leo was tossing his head a bit, letting out a soft moan. Tigress steps inside the room quietly, causing Panther to stir and opens her eyes to see the leader of the Furious Five coming in the room. She lets out a soft gasp.
Tigress held a paw up to silence her and points at Leo. Panther nodded her head once and the two women didn't say anything. Leo stops and continues to sleep. The two warriors look at one another. The orange feline slowly walks up to her and kneels down. "Can we talk alone tomorrow?" she whispered.
"Yes." Panther replies softly.
Tigress nodded her head and stands up. Before she left the room, the feline warrior kneels next to Leo and kisses him on the cheek softly. Then she left the room. Panther took one last look at Leo before laying down and drifting off to sleep. Things are going to be interesting tomorrow.
Sheila has entered the computer room. There was a young man sitting in the chair while watching the screen. He has short black hair and brown eyes. The man was wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.
"Thank you for coming over, Rick." Sheila approaches him.
"Don't mention it." Rick looks over his shoulder. "I'm surprised that Rose came here to hand over this flash drive. Plus, there is some interesting information on it. Here." He pulls up an article. "Seems like Enya has several files that is heavily encrypted. It'll take hours for the computer to crack these files. What?!"
The article and files began to self-destruct. Rick taps several buttons on the keypad. "I manage to save one file and the article."
"Is there a problem?" Rose enters the room.
"Yeah. The files self-destructed just now, and I manage to save one file and an article." Rick answered, turning the chair around to face her.
"Damn it. I should've known she would do that." Rose cursed.
"How did you get this flash drive?"
"I found it in her old base of operations last week. I found it the way it was." Rose answered. "I'm sorry I didn't check if those files would self-destruct."
"It's not your fault." Sheila said to her.
"So what's in the file you just saved?"
"Let's take a look then." Rick turns around and opens the file. He lets out a whistle. "Damn. Enya made a lot of deals in the past, hasn't she?"
"Hmph." Rose folds her arms.
"What do you think was in those files?" Sheila wondered.
"Nothing good, I bet."
"Do you think it has something do with Leo and Panther's disappearance?"
"Might be."
"I've been looking into that for a few months now." Rose said. "I bet one of her old contacts may know something about it."
"If it can help us understand how Leo and Panther ended up in another world, that'll be great." Rick said. "I'll stay here and try to recover some of the data. It might take a while."
"Good. Now Sheila, I was wondering if the offer of joining Crimson Dusk is still available?" Rose asked her.
"It is." Sheila sticks her hand out. The two women shook hands. "Welcome to the team, Rose."
"Thank you." Rose smiled.
"I'll show you where you'll be sleeping." Sheila said.
Rose follows Sheila out of the computer room. They were walking down the hallway and made it to the elevator. After riding the elevator, they step inside another hallway and walks up to a door.
"Rose, your room is next to Leo's room." Sheila opens the door as they both step inside the room.
There was a queen size bed against the wall with a small brown table next to it. Across from the bed was a flatscreen tv and a closet. The bathroom was next to the closet.
"This a good room."
"Tomorrow we'll be training outside and I decided we'll be in pairs for tomorrow's training." Sheila informs her.
"That's good." Rose sets her black bag down along with her twin blades. "Who am I paired up with for tomorrow?"
"You're paired up with me for tomorrow's training." Sheila answered.
"Alright."
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes."
The two girls left the room and heads to the kitchen that was in the central room. They both Zack saw making a cheeseburger at the counter. Zack has short black hair and was wearing a blue tank top and blue jersey shorts. He turns halfway to get the buns and his brown eyes saw the two girls.
"Hi Rose." He greeted her.
Sheila and Rose walk up to the counter.
"Hey Zack. How many burgers are there left?"
"There's one more left. I can make you a plate if you want."
"It's fine, Zack. I'll do it myself." Rose walks to the other of the counter.
"Zack, I need you to go see Rick after dinner. Some files self-destructed on the flash drive." Sheila informs him.
"Sure thing." Zack nodded. On his plate was a cheeseburger that has lettuce, tomato and ketchup with a side of fries.
Rose didn't put some lettuce and tomato on her cheeseburger with a side of fries and an ice-cold glass of soda.
"I'll see you back with Rick later." Sheila said as turns around and walks away.
"Mm. This is good, Zack. Did you make it?"
"Yes, I did. It was my turn to cook for tonight They missed my cooking sometimes."
"Did you hear I'm a now an official member of Crimson Dusk now?"
"No way!" Zack smiles. "Welcome to the team."
"Thank you." Rose took a drink of her soda.
"Misty and Jill will be happy to hear that when they get back from sparring outside." Zack said, taking a bite out of his cheeseburger. "Those two were looking forward to have you on the team two years ago."
"I know." Rose said. "But there were some personal stuff I had to take care of. Anyway, did you find out where Leo and Panther is right now?"
"Leo is in another world, according to Crow. But we have still no idea where Panther is right now. All of us are still hoping they're doing okay right now." Zack took a drink of his soda.
"I met their childhood friend two weeks ago. She's still training after she heard her two childhood friends went missing."
"I see. I hope Leo and Panther comes back from wherever they are in that world. It would make her happy to see them both again."
The two of them finished their meal and put their dishes in the sink. Rose sits down on the couch, waiting for Zack to be done with the dishes. He was finished washing the dishes and sits down on the couch.
"Thank you for the dinner, Zack. It was delicious." Rose thanked him.
"You're welcome. What's on the flash drive by the way, Rose?"
"My mother's dealings she made in the past. Some of the files are encrypted and they self-destructed."
"That shouldn't be a problem. I'll have those files restored back to the way they were." Zack nodded. "Speaking of the files, I should get to work on it now. I'll see you later."
Rose watched him leave the room and it was just her now. She notices several pictures on the wall. Rose became interested and got off the couch for a closer look.
The pictures contain the original members of Crimson Dusk and the new members. Next to the picture contains Sheila, Misty, Jill, Zack, Crow and Leo with Panther and a few other warriors from the Tao Palace.
The picture that caught Rose's eye was a picture of herself, Panther, Crow, Ava, Serena and Leo were in the middle between Panther and Crow. This picture was taken two years ago. She didn't contact them in two years because of personal stuff. It would've been greater to see Leo was still here, but he's not.
Leo and Panther could take care of themselves. She wonders if Leo ever got over his fear of felines since she saw him last time. Back to the picture, it was funny to see Leo's face blushing after Rick took the picture and told Leo it wasn't for a project and just took it to get him and the girls to take the picture and asked him who he really likes to be his girlfriend.
Leo told him it was none of his business.
But the reason for that is Leo suggested to Sheila that Rose should join the team. He knew that he has a hatred against villains or working together on dire situations. Sheila knew Leo wouldn't admit it.
The leader of Crimson Dusks approved his suggestion after thinking about it over and offered Rose to be a part of the team. And now she's here, three years later. A member of Crimson Dusks. Rose picks up the picture and lets out a small smile.
"It's been two years since that photo was taken." Rick approached her from behind with Sheila.
"I know. He's still afraid of them, right?" Rose sets the picture down and turns around.
"Leo is still afraid of them when he was attack by that tiger."
"I hope he gets over his fear someday." Rose replied.
"Me too, Rose. Me too."
"We all miss him and Panther." Sheila said. "I'm sure they're still trying to figure things out wherever they are right now in that world."
"As long as Leo and Panther got each other's backs, they'll be ready for anything that gets thrown their way." Rick said.
"How long do you think the files will be restored?"
"An hour or two." Rick simply replied. "It'll take a few minutes to restore one file Zack was working on when I left him. Hopefully we'll find out what those files have your mother left before she died."
"Alright then. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." Rose said to the two of them and left the room.
She made it to her room and takes out her silver pajamas from her bag. The young woman walks to the bathroom and turns the shower on while removing her clothes. Once she got her panties off, Rose steps into the shower. It felt good to have the warm water running down on her.
Rose began to wonder what was in her mother's heavily encrypted files on that flash drive she brought with her. Perhaps there might be a clue in there that could help. A clue that could tell what made Leo and Panther end up in a different world.
But why?
The answer to that question is hard to come to up with. Hopefully the team will find out about it tomorrow. After she spent some time in the shower, Rose dries herself off and puts on her pajamas. Her silver hair fell to her upper back. Stepping out of the bathroom, she heard the door being open outside right next to her room. Rose takes a peek outside and Leo's door was open. She left her room and entered Leo's room.
The queen size bed was against the wall. There were two lamp desks on either side of the bed. Rose could see outside from the big windows and a computer desk. The drawers were across from the bed with a flat screen tv hanging on the wall. A black smooth shelf was located near the closet right next to the white file cabinet. There were several books and scrolls on the black shelf. Leo's room was big like everyone else here. Standing in the middle of the room was Crow.
"Crow, I didn't know that you were in Leo's room." Rose said to her.
"I'm only in here to make sure everything is just the way it is for Leo if he comes back with Panther." Crow replies. "And what about you? What brings you in Leo's room?"
"I heard the door open, so I came to check it out."
"Sorry if I disturbed you." Crow apologized.
"It's okay." Rose replied. She looks around the room. "I have to say Leo's room is nice. Hm?" She notices a couple pictures on the drawer. In the picture was Sheila, Misty, Jill, Zack, Crow and Leo. The next one was a picture of Leo standing in between Panther and Crow.
"That photo was taken by Sheila five years ago when Leo first joined the team." Crow approaches besides her, causing Rose to turn her head towards her.
"It's nice. Do you think we'll know what made Leo and Panther to disappear from our world to a different world, Crow?"
"Hopefully. I'm heading to Zack's house tomorrow afternoon to see if there was anything we missed. The magic that conjures up the portal to appear in Zack's own house is pretty powerful. I don't think my father has something to do with the portal."
"Alright. Is it fine I come with you tomorrow to check it out?"
"Sure. I don't mind if you come." Crow answered.
"Thank you. I appreciate you allowing me to come."
"Don't mention it." Crow replied.
"I'll see you in the morning then. Night." Rose said to Crow and left the room.
Then it was just Crow alone by herself in her close friend's room. She picks up the picture and stares at it, thinking about her two friends. Crow remembers Leo was leaving that night five years ago. Sheila and the rest of Crimson Dusks became happy to hear that Leo will join the team with them and stay.
But as they grew close in the past five years, she wondered a little bit of who Leo really likes. Crow doesn't read his mind to find out. Panther knew him since the night Lee brought him to the palace. When it comes to that kind of stuff for Leo, he wouldn't say anything about it.
She recalls Panther telling her how John and a friend of his, Kevin, pranked Leo. John's other friend, Sam, fired the confetti in Leo's face with the banner in his room. John said it was worth it to pull a prank on Leo in a good way. She chuckled.
Sam told Leo, Rick and Zack that the three of them are lucky living under the same roof with Sheila and the other girls. Leo didn't mind about it because he and Panther slept in different rooms at the Tao Palace.
To her, it was funny and good when Panther told her about that. But Crow does wonder a little bit of who Leo really likes. The empath doesn't read his mind and respects his privacy. She's been close to Leo for five years now. Panther, on the other hand, known Leo since the night Master Lee brought him to the palace. And she knows that Leo and Panther's other childhood friend hasn't still talked to Leo.
John has given out a few tricks to Crow and a few people to pull a friendly prank on Leo. It brought some fun and laughter to everyone. But with Leo and Panther not here, it seemed like things went back to the way they were before she met Leo.
The room she was standing in used to be a guest room until Leo found it on the day, he met Crimson Dusks. And now it's still his room. Crow has been taking care of his room every day since Leo disappeared. Misty and Jill thought it was nice of Crow to take care of Leo's room. Even Sheila appreciates it too, but the leader knows Crow care's deeply for their friend's safety and return. She would see Crow staring at the picture of herself with Leo and Panther in her room, Leo's room or the central room from time to time.
The team notices Crow has been meditating more frequently in Leo's room after a week he disappeared. They all know how close Crow is to Leo. Crow wondered if he'll get over his fears and let go of the past someday. And may become a Kung Fu Master. Crow sets the picture down and takes a look at the room. It was always peaceful and quiet whenever Leo is here or not.
Crow takes out a small red blood crystal. This is the same crystal that Crow used her magic along with Leo's chi and blood to trap her father. She could hear her father's voice, threatening to kill her and everyone. It wasn't easy to ignore him. Putting the crystal away, Crow looks at Leo's room again. She and her friends hope they have more clues to Leo and Panther's disappearance. After looking at Leo's room again, Crow retires to her own room right next door to her closest friend's room.
Author's Note: Before I end this chapter, there's a few things I want to get out of the way. Wow! There were so many ideas that I wanted to put in for this chapter. Unfortunately, I can't put all of them in a single chapter. So I came up with a few ideas and worked on them for the length of this chapter for each section.
It gave me the opportunity to have Leo visit Panther in Gongmen City since Panther visited the Valley Of Peace several times. After thinking about what I should write for this chapter when Leo visited Panther at Gongmen City, I threw in a couple more characters because I believe that Panther should have some friends in Gongmen City like Jie, her brother and father, for example. Now I did shed a little bit of light about Enya. I thought it was a good idea for the chapter.
I'm sure you notice a little reference in this chapter that I added.
Fumi's name has been revealed at last and whoever sent the Memory Warrior is a mystery right now. It's unknown how did Jian ended up in Leo's memories. Kind of creepy and weird, but very interesting to say the least for this chapter. I did wanted to look up certain characters online that would be a memory warrior, but I went along with my original idea.
Now for Rose, she officially joined Crimson Dusks as a new member now! Yay! But who knows what's in those encrypted files. It could help Crimson Dusks.
Leo and Panther's friends are worried and will hope they will find the two of them or come back from whatever world they're in right now.
I know that this site has some bugs that prevent the traffic graph going up whenever a new chapter is publish by everyone. Some decided to move on to different sites like Watpad or AO3 in case this site goes down. Hopefully they'll fix it.
Which brings me to my next topic. After carefully thinking about it, I will not work on Kung Fu Panda: The Paws Of Destiny after Kung Fu Panda 3. Things could've done better for the show. I'm still going to be on this site. I still have plans to work on Kung Fu Panda 3 once this story is complete. But before I can work on that story, there is a story or two that I need to work on first when I'm done with this story. I'm just taking one step at a time. I did hear a rumor of how long the time run is for the upcoming film, Kung Fu Panda 4. It's one hour and twenty four minutes in total. Hopefully we'll see more information online in a few months.
I've been thinking about doing a Kung Fu Panda 1 Extended Edition or not. That decision hasn't been made yet. I think that's all I have to say. Geeze, this is a long chapter I've worked on and it's at fifteen thousand words in a single chapter. I better get used to it when I work on my other stories.
I hope all of you are enjoying the story so far as much as I am! Don't forget to Follow, Favorite and leave a review, everyone! I'll see you all in the next chapter!