-Chapter 268-

A Kat's Tale


Knothole

It had been a few days since the Summit, which was a success after Drago was taken out. Since then, Kat had been reacclimating herself to Knothole and being back on South Island in general. She'd gone back to school and returned to her Guardian duties with eager enthusiasm. Of course, some were more than a little stunned by Kat's change in attitude, none more so than Sticks. The badger stood behind a tree, watching Kat with suspicious eyes, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Sonic.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"She's not our Kat," Sticks gestured. "Just look at her!"

Kat was sitting in front of the Lake of Rings, completely still and doing breathing exercises. Sonic quickly realized that she was meditating.

"Sticks, she's been gone for weeks. People grow and change."

"Not this much. When has she ever sat still like that? Even when watching TV, she's always fidgeting."

Sonic shrugged. "She got help with her issues. It's that simple."

Sticks was still unconvinced. "Oh yeah? And what about that?"

She pointed at Kat's arm, the one that was once covered in burns. Now, it had a massive sleeve tattoo of a phoenix surrounded by tribal patterns that matched her headband.

"So what? She got a tattoo."

"Those kinds of tattoos are only worn by Yakuza!"

Sonic gave her a blank look. "So you're saying Kat's part of the yakuza. Yeah... Sophia, ya mind coming back to Mobius with the rest of us, please?"

"Don't call me Sophia! And I'm being serious!"

"You're being loud," Kat's voice cut in.

Sticks screamed and jumped into Sonic's arms. Kat chuckled

"Hey, Sonic," Kat turned to him. "I just got a message from Dulcy. She managed to secure a meeting with Hikari for the follow-up summit in the Dragon Kingdom. She says we can head over whenever."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Sonic said.

Kat smiled. "Sweet! You're gonna love Hikari. She's another old friend of mine. Trust me, having her support will be gold."

She walked off, humming under her breath.

"See?!" Sticks exclaimed. "The Kat we know doesn't hum, or sing!"

At that moment, she blinked, seeing she was still in Sonic's arms. After a moment, she chuckled awkwardly. "Um... I ever tell you how strong your arms are?"

Sonic just dropped her on her tail.


On the Special, the group kicked back, enjoying some of the leftover food Kat cooked at the summit.

"Man, this stuff is still good even after a few days," Keith mused.

"I gotta say, Yurashia did wonders for Kat," Amy said. "She seems so much happier."

"I have to agree with you there," Sally remarked. "She doesn't look nearly as tense or antagonistic as she had been before."

"The cooking thing surprised me, honestly," Shorty noted. "I never thought she'd have the patience for it."

"I'm tellin' ya, it's a trick! It's gotta be another Auto-Automaton or some-" Sticks' rant was cut off by Sonic nonchalantly jamming a pork bun into her mouth.

"That badger is... incredibly noisy," Jian said flatly.

"I think she's funny," Cinder said, getting a pat on the head.

"Her experiences have led her to develop an instinctual mistrust of everyone around her," Bunker remarked. "In truth, I pity her for having such a life."

"Just ignore Sticks," Johnny told them. "Nice girl, good friend and teammate, but she's…" He twirled a finger around his ear while making a cuckoo whistle.

"Hey!" Cinder piped up, glaring at Johnny. "That wasn't very nice!"

"Nah, even she admits it. Watch." Johnny turned to Sticks. "Hey! You're crazy, right?"

"Uh, yeah, duh." Sticks gave him a look before shaking her head. "Where have you been these past two years?"

Johnny turned back to Cinder. "See?"

"So Kat, what's this Hikari like?" Sally asked.

"She's from the noble class," Kat answered. "My dad used to work as a gardener for her family. Her parents encouraged us to become friends, and we did. She is the sweetest person ever, always supporting the community and trying to do good."

"Noble class, huh?" Knuckles mused.

Kat nodded. "Yeah, Yurashia is pretty class divided. It's real difficult to raise your standing. Luckily, Hikari's family isn't like many conceited nobles. They legitimately care about the common people."

"Indeed," Dulcy added. "They've already offered their full support to the Shijin Warriors, and they even supplied most of the funds we needed to rebuild Shengchun."

Sonic smiled. "Can't wait to meet her, then."


Dragon Kingdom

The Special touched down on the edge of the Dragon Kingdom, everyone following Kat and the Shijin Warriors as they made their way through the capital. They stuck to the main road, passing more and more mansions and small palaces along the way.

"How much further?" Sonic questioned.

"Trust me, you'll know it when you see it," Kat answered.

Eventually, they reached a massive set of nine staircases that almost seemed to run for about half a mile upward. There was a pathway right through the center of the stairs, which seemed to be set up for carriages or palanquins. Both sides of this path were covered in murals and reliefs, telling stories of ancient battles or Yurashian legends. Ornate lanterns dotted the sides. At the top of these stairs, they could see a magnificent palace complete with a hip-and-gable roof overlooking the entirety of the capital.

"No matter how many times I visit, those stairs are always so daunting," Kat chuckled, beginning to climb.

"Well... good thing I've been working on my cardio," Tails declared.

One by one, everyone began their trek up the massive flight of stairs. As they walked, Knuckles stared at the palace, slowly piecing something together.

"Hold on… This… This is the Ryuese Imperial Palace."

Kat gave a nod of affirmation as Amy perked as well.

"Wait a sec. Hikari... As in Hikari Tokimiya ?" Her jaw dropped as she grabbed Kat's arm in shock. "A-are you saying your friend is the freakin' princess of the Dragon Kingdom?!"

"It's Tokimiya Hikari ," Kat corrected, carefully freeing her arm. "Yurashians put a great deal of emphasis on their family names, so that name always comes first. And yes, I am friends with her. Have been since I was…" She did a quick count on her fingers, "Five? Six? One of those."

"Huh," Keith remarked. "Learn something new every day."

"But I thought you were Chun-ese," Chris said. "How do you know the Ryu-ese Princess?"

"My village sits pretty much on the border," Kat explained. "And I wandered. A lot. Don't ask me to speak Ryuese, though. I am beyond rusty."

They made it to the door when two fox samurai guards crossed their blades, blocking their path.

"State your business," one ordered.

Kat waved. "Oh hi, Mamoru."

The fox, Mamoru, perked. "Who- Kaitian?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"We're here on official business with Her Highness," Dulcy told him. "A Summit with the Shijin Warriors and Knothole Freedom Fighters."

"Oh right!" Mamoru nodded, remembering. "She's in the garden with General Seiko."

"Is she now?" Kat grinned, rubbing her hands together. "It is about time for their post-lunch meditation…"

"Yareyare…" Mamoru sighed. "You're gonna get stabbed one of these days."

Kat shrugged. "Been there, done that. Got the scar somewhere. C'mon, guys!" She scampered off.

They followed Kat to a garden in the back. There, a human Yurashian girl around Kat's age with long black hair sat, wearing a yellow kimono with an orange maple leaf pattern, along with a red obi and headband with white heart patterns. She was seated next to an older woman in her mid-twenties, wearing a black ninja gi with yellow lightning bolt patterns on the sides, the two meditating. Kat shushed everyone, then silently crept up behind them, taking a deep breath.

" AM I INTERRUPTING SOMETHING?! " she screamed at the top of her lungs. Flickies scattered in the wake of her shout. Hikari's eyes snapped open, falling over with a cry as Seiko just sighed in mild annoyance.

"Hello, Kaitian," she greeted civilly.

"Hi, Seiko!" Kat had a massive grin on her face. "Miss me?"

"Yeah, okay," Sticks conceded. "That's definitely Kat."

Hikari pulled herself up, dusting herself off before smiling.

"A-Tian! Hi!" she exclaimed before hugging Kat.

"Hey, Hikari," Kat returned the hug in kind. "Hope I didn't scare you too bad."

"I've had worse," Hikari pulled away, turning to the Knothole crew. "And these must be the Acorn Kingdom Freedom Fighters."

"That'd be us," Sonic confirmed.

"Your reputation precedes you, Sonic-san," Hikari bowed politely. "It's an honor."

Sonic shrugged. "Eh, I just do what I can."

"And all of the Dragon Kingdom thanks you."

"Your Highness, perhaps it would be best to move this conversation to the assembly hall," Seiko suggested. "I'll have the servants prepare some tea for everyone."

Hikari nodded. "Yes, of course. Please, follow me, everyone."

-X-

In the assembly hall, they gathered around a sizable table. A brown-haired servant in a blue kimono and purple obi passed out cups of tea to everyone.

"That will be all, Kikuno," Hikari told her.

The servant bowed before leaving. Sonic looked over the cup in his hand.

"This doesn't look like any tea I've ever seen…" he mused.

An offended-looking Seiko began to say something, but Hikari placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He's new here, Seiko. Keep that in mind," she turned to Sonic. "Yes, I suppose it does. We use different leaves and different utensils, and even drink tea differently than you in Northamer or the Acorn Archipelago."

"Yeah, the Ryuese people take tea pretty seriously," Kat chimed in. "Would you believe there are entire schools devoted to the art of making it?"

Sonic blinked. "That sounds a bit... excessive."

"Some do see it that way, but Teaism is an art most don't wish to give up," Hikari replied.

Everyone looked at their cup, then Sally took a sip. "Mmmm… this is quite good."

"I should hope so," Hikari said. "Kikuno is one of our best tea makers. We're lucky to have her."

"Indeed," Seiko agreed. "Compared to her recipes, any other tea is nothing but hot leaf juice."

Hope raised her hand. "Forgive me for sounding ignorant, but... isn't that basically what tea is?"

Seiko looked absolutely horrified and Kat quickly gave her a cut motion with her hand.

"It would seem that Kaitian's companions are just as barbaric as she is," Seiko muttered.

"Excuse you?" Sonic let out, eyes narrowing dangerously.

Sally placed a hand on his shoulder. "We are not sparking a repeat of Meropis. Control yourself."

"Seiko, apologize this instant," Hikari commanded. "Just because A-Tian's friends are unfamiliar with our ways and cultures doesn't make them barbarians. Kintobor-san was simply asking a question."

Seiko bristled at the reprimand, then bowed deeply. When she spoke, her tone was self-deprecating and humble. "Please forgive this servant's words. I acknowledge I could afford to be more... open-minded."

"Um... yeah." Hope looked very uncomfortable by the kowtowing. "You're forgiven."

"Yeah… Propriety is another big thing here in Yurashia," Kat told her quietly.

"Indeed," Bunker nodded, sipping at her teacup. "It is not uncommon for servants who speak ill of their betters to lose their tongues, or barring that, their heads."

Sticks raised an eyebrow. "And this chick's calling us barbarians?"

Seiko gave her a dirty look while Sally sighed, facepalming. Sonic held up a finger.

"Excuse us for just a sec, will ya?" He stood up, grabbing Sticks' arm. "Sticks, let's go for a walk."

He dragged her out of the room. They heard blows landing and grunts of exertion, along with the sound of tape being stretched and snapped before said grunts became muffled. A moment of silence passed before they came back, Sticks having an annoyed expression on her face, as well as at least three layers of duct tape wrapped entirely around her muzzle

"Please excuse her," Sonic requested as he returned to his seat, Sticks doing the same. "Honestly, I have no idea why we brought her along."

"Because she thought Kat was leading us into a Yakuza ambush and stowed away on the Special," Tails answered with a deadpan voice.

"Oh yeah."

"Well, she's certainly…" Hikari cleared her throat. "Eccentric."

"That's one way to put it," Kat muttered into her tea cup.

With that out of the way, everyone settled down so the meeting could begin.

"Let me start this off by saying that this Global Freedom Fighters Initiative is an excellent idea," Hikari began, "Especially with the events of the previous months to consider.

"Ugh, don't remind me," Jian grumbled, toying with her teacup with a claw. "Things have finally settled after that debacle."

"Indeed..." Bunker let out as Cinder curled up in her chair.

"Hey, don't be like that," Kat insisted. "It's done now."

"You don't get to say anything," Jian growled, pointing at Kat. "You have amnesia and don't remember half of what happened.

"I remember almost dying, so don't go acting like I was out for the entire saga!"

"True, but you didn't have to face off a horde of zombies, samurai, and a monster while trying to put out a fire," Dulcy reminded her, which only made the girl huff indignantly.

"I dealt with the zombies!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Sonic waved his hands around to get everyone's attention. "Hold on a sec, time out! What's this about you almost dying !?"

"And fighting samurai!?" Knuckles added.

"And monsters !?" Amy chimed in.

"And zombies !?" Sticks shrieked, ripping the duct tape off her mouth.

"Oh uhh..." Kat chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of her head.

"Kat, I thought you came here for a healing sabbatical!?" Sally questioned.

"I did! I mean, at first! Then… well…" Kat deflated slightly. "It's a long story."

"We have time," Sally declared.

"Plus, it sounds like whatever happened is really serious," Sonic pointed out.

"Duh! Zombies!" Sticks shouted, waving her arms in Kat's direction. "Of course it's serious!"

Sonic turned to the badger in annoyance. "How did you get out of the duct tape?"

"You left my hands free, idiot," Sticks deadpanned.

"Alright, alright, everyone calm down," Bunker insisted. "Indeed, this situation was quite serious, and perhaps it would be prudent to tell our story. If you do not mind, A-Tian."

Kat nodded. "Of course, Shizun."

"Perhaps I should see to some snacks," Seiko offered, rising to do just that, "I get the feeling we're going to be here for a bit."

She left to procure the snacks as Sally gestured for Bunker to begin. The tortoise rose to her feed, clearing her throat.

"I suppose I should start at the beginning when Kaitian first arrived at my doorstep…"


Flashback...

Kat stood on the front steps of the Shijin Temple, nervously toying with the strap of her duffle bag. She was anxious as hell and seemed hesitant to knock.

"Aunt Kitty?" Kaen called out from behind her, sensing her trepidation.

"It's okay, Kaen," Kat assured him, offering a weak smile. "Just…" she sighed. "Aunt Kitty is very nervous right now. Very, very nervous."

"You need to do this," Cinder the Dragon insisted, nudging her toward the door. "You know you need to do this."

Kat grimaced, then carefully knocked on the door. A few moments later, it opened, revealing Bunker the Tortoise.

"Good day, how may I...?" the old tortoise paused when she saw who it was.

"Ni hao, Shizun..." Kat greeted with a small wave.

"Wang Katian...?" Bunker let out, covering her mouth in shock. "You live!?"

"Yeah, though…" Kat coughed and a little ash trickled from her mouth. "...not that well."

Bunker's eyes widened in shock. By the Ancients... she whispered before taking the girl's arm and pulling her inside. "Quickly, come. This is too serious to waste time."

Flashback End…


"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Knuckles interjected. "Hold on a sec… You two knew each other already? I thought you just met during your trip or something?"

"Far from it, Echidna-gongzi," Bunker corrected. "Kaitian is my student, and has been since she was eight years old when I treated her for a... similar ailment."

"How did you think I first learned about qi cultivation and deviation?" Kat asked him.

"I just assumed it was from those Wuxia novels you like."

"While they do contain such things, Shizun is my main source of information on the topic."

"So, you're the expert Cinder mentioned?" Keith realized.

"Indeed," Bunker said with a nod, "And I am an expert with Kaitian especially."


Flashback

"Yeowch!"

Kat was splayed out on a long, wooden table, several needles sticking out of various parts of her body. She kept squirming, despite trying to keep still as Bunker carefully placed more needles.

"Can't you at least pretend to be gentle with those things?!" the girl groused.

"If I do not use the proper amount of force, the treatment will not work, A-tian. You know this." Bunker placed a needle right in the center of Kat's forehead. "Perhaps you should have thought of that when you let yourself get this bad."

"I thought I was handling it," Kat argued, "I was in therapy for Gaia's sake!"

She got jabbed again, just barely biting her lip in time to muffle the squeal.

"Fugging needles…" she cursed under her breath.

Bunker sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, what am I going to do with you?"

"Help me fix this?" Kat asked hopefully.

"That was a given. Now, last one. I suggest you close your eyes.

Kat did, and Bunker placed the final needle on the top part of her throat. She groaned at the feeling, the air around her growing hazy from heat. Bunker was quick to take notice, gently pressing two fingers to the inside of the girl's wrist to check her qi. Her eyes widened when she felt the power pulsating through them.

"My word… Your qi… This intensity is…" She looked down at the girl. "How could it have grown this powerful so quickly?"

"You remember the legends of Angel Island?" Bunker nodded and Kat let out a tired chuckle. "I live there now. I'm the Guardian of an artifact called the Master Emerald, and have regular contact with Chaos Emeralds, Chaos Shards, Power Gems, Power Rings…" she poked at her necklace, "This here is Chaos Shard, actually. Needless to say the... extended exposure has… well…" she tiredly spread her arms before letting out a weak, sing-song "Ta-da."

Bunker took all this in, then let out a sigh. "I would call you insane, but honestly, that is the only explanation that makes any sense. Truly, Mobius is a wondrous world. Even after three centuries, it never ceases to amaze me."

Flashback End


"Say what!?" Amy exclaimed. "You're three hundred years old!?"

"Three hundred seventy-five, to be precise." Bunker sipped at her tea. "I will be three hundred seventy-six next week."

"Uhhh… Happy Birthday!"

"But...how?" Sally questioned after picking her jaw off the ground.

"Like the dragons, the tortoise race is incredibly long-lived," Dulcy explained.

"Master Bunker is one of the eldest of the elders in Yurashia outside of the Nest," Hikari added. "She has even witnessed one of the Days of Fury."

"Days of what now?" Sonic asked.

"Global disturbances that periodically affect Mobius," Knuckles explained. "The Brotherhood described them as 'nature's way of adjusting to environmental changes it undergoes over a certain duration'. One of them is said to have been the coming of the Chaos Emeralds."

"Not relevant to this conversation though." Kat turned to Bunker. "Shizun?"

"Yes, where was I?" Bunker perked slightly. "Ah yes, I remember now."


Flashback

"And what are these?" Bunker held up one of Kat's bracers

"They... contain my power," Kat reluctantly explained. "Help me... not hurt my friends."

"Inhibitors…" Bunker turned it over in her hand, taking a closer look. "But not like any I have ever seen."

"They're... ironically, a gift from Eggman. Well, his better half at least."

That made Bunker pause, lowering the bracer with a quirked eyebrow. "Egg...man?"

"Oh. Dr. Robotnik, the guy who…" She hesitated, looking away as her eyes clouded with pain. "Who… you know…"

"Ahhh… Yes…" The tortoise's expression grew dark. "... him ."

"He's not all bad," Kat quickly interjected. "Not… well… It's... hard to explain. it's... like he's possessed, and the guy he's possessing is... honestly not that bad a guy."

"I will take your word for it." Bunker set the bracers aside, taking a seat on a small stool next to the acupuncture table. "Right now, we have more serious issues to discuss."

Kat groaned at that, looking away. "I hate when you use that tone. That's the 'I'm about to get the lecture of a lifetime' tone."

Bunker nodded. "Now then...Wang Kaitian. Tell me… What exactly have you been doing since you came back from the dead?"

Kat winced but began her tale.

-X-

One, long story later...

"By the Ancients, Gaias, Kami, Buddha, and every divinity in Yurashia!" Bunker exclaimed. "Wang Kaitian...I have lived for nearly four centuries. In that time, I have studied and mastered nearly all the mysteries and techniques of the way of qi… But I cannot, for the life of me, after everything you have just described, understand how you still exist on this mortal plane!"

The tortoise took a deep breath as Kat let one out, sagging onto the bed.

"Honestly Shizun... neither can I. But right now, that's not important. What is important is getting myself under control. I need to get better control of my powers so I don't have any more flare-ups, episodes or… or deviations.

She looked over at the tortoise.

"I need help, Shizun… And you are the only one who can get me what I need." Silent tears began to run down her face. "Please... help me."

Bunker sighed but smiled. "Of course, A-Tian. That's what I'm here for."

Her expression turned serious.

"That being said, this is not something that can be treated overnight. Or even anytime soon."

"I know…" Kat let out morosely.

"So long as you understand that. But, that is a worry for another day. For now, why don't you regale this old reptile with some of your lighter adventures, hm?"

Kat smiled. "Happily."

Flashback End…


"After that, I began working with A-Tian to help better stabilize her qi," Bunker went on.

"But...didn't the needles help?" Tails asked.

"They helped, yes, but they can only alleviate the symptoms." When that didn't seem to offer a sufficient explanation, the tortoise tapped her chin, trying to find the right words. "Let me explain… The source of her issues stems from her Yin, what you in the West call Dark Chaos Energy. It is a manifestation of her negative emotions: fear, jealousy, anger… all of that festers, eventually becoming Yin. When that Yin becomes too much…"

"Deviation," Knuckles concluded, getting a nod from Bunker.

"The root of Kaitian's affliction was not one of her body, but her mind and soul. So, we began training to help mend them. However… She ran into some problems."

"Bunker couldn't handle me all on her own, so she assigned me a mentor." Kat smiled slightly at the memory. "Someone who could help me find my balance.


Flashback

Kat stood on the steps leading to a small training area, watching a session between two of the Miko at the shrine. The two were firing arrows at various bullseyes and targets designed to look like Badniks. One of the Miko was a girl around her age with waist-length black hair with caramel highlights and blue eyes. Her features were highlighted by pink eyeshadow and lip gloss and she wore white earrings and had two blue ribbons tied on either side of her head, just above her ears. She wore an outfit that bore more than a passing resemblance to the uniform of a kyūdō practitioner, consisting of loose gray pants and a white long-sleeved shirt under a black gi top, with a traditional Yumi and a quiver filled with arrows on her back.

The other was an older woman in her early twenties with long black hair and hazel eyes, dressed in a white haori and red hakama with tabi socks and sandals The two fired their arrows with expertise, nailing each target perfectly.

"Brilliant work as always, Mizuki," the older woman complimented as her companion bowed in respect.

"Arigato, Sensei." She then spotted Kat on the steps and perked, waving to her and ushering her closer. "Oh! Hi, Kaitian. Didn't notice you."

"Hey Mizuki," Kat greeted, bowing to her friend in a subdued manner.

"I thought you were dead." She looked Kat up and down. "You look dead."

"I feel dead." The redhead chuckled weakly before putting on a half-hearted scary face, complete with claw hands. "Maybe I'm a fierce corpse risen from the grave to exact my vengeance on the living."

Yukiko approached her, looking her over before resting a hand on her head.

"Wang Kaitian…" she said sadly. "What has the world done to you?"

Kat was silent for a bit, then just lowered her arms and dropped her forehead on Yukiko's chest. "Too much…"

-X-

Later, they were seated outside as Kat told Yukiko what she had been through as of late.

"I see why you deviated," Yukiko remarked, concern coloring her voice. "Shame and rage have clogged your spiritual pathways."

"Shizun said you could help me," Kat told her, afraid to show how hopeful she was.

"I will certainly try."

Kat sighed in relief, bowing politely to the older woman. "Thank you, Yuki-furen."

Yukiko returned the bow, then took her arm, ushering her off to a quieter part of the temple. Soon, they reached the base of a statue of the Black Tortoise.

"Come, meditate with me."

The two sat down across from one another, assuming meditative positions. Almost immediately, Kat was showing signs of restlessness.

"I'll admit, I've never been good at this, even with Knuckles…"

Yukiko cracked an eye open. "Well, we're going to have to work on that."

Kat nodded, closing her eyes and beginning to meditate. She spoke quietly under her breath, trying to settle her spirit.

"Breathe in… breathe out… No thought… no fear… no worries..."

Her mantra was interrupted by dark laughter all around her. Her eyes flew open as she found herself in a dark void. She looked around frantically, body tense and full of fear.

"Who's there?!" she demanded, only getting another laugh in response. "Who's laughing?! Show yourself!

"Turn around…" a dark version of her own voice taunted.

She did, reaching for a bat that wasn't there. Just as that registered for her, she caught sight of the source of the laughter. Standing right behind her was a massive, black tiger. Its body appeared to be made of shadow, wispy plumes of pure darkness drifting off its legs, tail, and back. Its eyes glowed a piercing, eerie yellow.

"What... what are you?"

The tiger said nothing. It just stared down at her, impassive and imperious. With a growl, Kat charged at it, pulling her fist back for a punch. She prepared to punch, but the tiger vanished into mist as she hit stone instead.

"Kaitian!"

With a gasp, Kat snapped back to reality. She had her hand through the stone base of the statue, her spiritual tutor holding her shoulders in a vain attempt to stop her.

"Yuki-furen!" She pulled her hand back, panting as she clutched it to her chest. "I- I'm sorry I… What… what just... happened?"

"I was about to ask you that." Slowly, Yukiko ushered Kat to sit back down. "What did you see?"

"I don't know, I... I was… there was this... tiger and it… it felt... wrong."

"A tiger?"

"It was twice the size of an actual tiger, made of darkness and shadow. It was laughing at me and… and it was right behind me."

"Kaitian, there was nothing here."

"But… but I could have sworn... It was right there! It couldn't have just..."

"Kaitian, perhaps what you saw was a vision. A manifestation of your accumulated Yin."

Kat blinked. "An accumulation… Then… why was it so big?"

"Because its size is a representation of its power. Your qi levels are already immense, so for you to deviate, your Yin must be equally as strong."

"Then... how do I get rid of it?"

"That is something only you can do. You must find whatever is giving the tiger its power, and stop it."

Flashback End


"And for a month, that's what I did," Kat said. "I meditated pretty much every day, I trained, but nothing was working. I could never lay so much as a finger on the tiger. And all the while it just...kept...laughing! That's all it ever did." She took a breath to calm herself. "I ended up leaving scorch marks on pretty much every mat and stone I used during these sessions, and my imbalance was just getting worse. Then one day… We received a visit."


Flashback

"Dammit!"

Loud shouting and repetitive strikes on wood could be heard all across the temple. It was originating from the training area and a certain angry gaijin.

"Stupid, smug, pompous, arrogant, overgrown pussycat bastard... Liú kǒushuǐ de jìnǚ hé hóuzi de yúchǔn érzi ! (1)"

Kat was training with a Wing Chun spinning dummy, striking at it while a piece of paper with a crude tiger drawing was nailed to it. She kept this up until she slipped up and it hit her in the face. With that, Kat's temper exploded, and with a yell, she punched through the picture, shattering the entire dummy in the process. In the wake of it all, she was left panting and surrounded by splintered wood.

"Feeling better?" Bunker asked her as she stepped into the area.

"If by better you mean too tired to be angry, then yes." Kat flopped onto the dirt with a long groan. "I don't get it, Shizun. No matter what I do, I can't seem to beat the tiger. No matter how much I run at him, I never feel like I'm getting anywhere. And in the rare moments I do reach him, he vanishes as soon as I touch him."

She rolled onto her side, sighing in defeat. "I feel like I'm never going to beat him."

Bunker sat down next to her. "A-Tian… If you continue facing him as you are, you never will."

"How else am I supposed to face him? I can't change who I am."

"Maybe not, but you can change how you approach things."

"What am I supposed to do then? Hug it and sing Kumbaya at some Kid Scout bonfire?

"I would not go that far. But you are on the right track."

Before the conversation could continue, the tortoise perked up, turning in the direction of the temple's main gates.

"Ahh...it would appear we have a guest. That is likely Yukiko or Mizuki with those talismans I requested."

She got up, making her way to the entrance. Curious, and in need of a distraction, Kat did the same.

-X-

Bunker opened the large doors, a smile on her face. She began her greeting, only to pause halfway through when she saw who she was addressing.

"Shizun, is something wrong?" Kat asked as she caught up with her teacher. "Who is...it...?"

To the pair's surprise, their visitors were a pair of Mobian pheasants clad in ornate samurai armor. Both of them were standing at attention, hands resting on their katanas as they seemed to look down their beaks at the two. Bunker was the first to recover, clearing her throat.

"May I help you, gentlemen?"

"Are we in the presence of Master Bunker the Tortoise, Keeper of the Shijin Temple?" one of the samurai asked.

"That is me. Is there a problem?"

The samurai turned to his partner and nodded. The second samurai pulled a scroll off his belt, opening it up.

"Master Bunker the Tortoise… By order of his Imperial Majesty, Entei Flare (2), you have been summoned to the Kingdom of Suzaku."

"Suzaku?" Kat repeated quietly. "I thought that kingdom was completely isolated from the world. Why would they be seeking you out, Shizun?"

"A question I'm interested in, myself." Bunker turned back to the Samurai. "Tell me, what business does the Entei have with me?"

"That is classified information," the second samurai declared as he closed the scroll. "All will be revealed when you meet with the Entei in person at the castle."

Bunker shook her head "I am afraid that without more information, I am not comfortable traveling that far from the temple."

"You will be given twenty-four hours to find someone to tend to your…" The samurai looked around the Shijin temple with poorly disguised disdain, "...temple. Afterward, you will be escorted to the kingdom immediately."

'Hold on a sec!" Kat interjected, stalking forward. "You can't just walk up to somebody and order them to come with you!"

The samurai immediately drew his katana, holding it millimeters from Kat's neck. She choked and stumbled back, putting her hands up to keep herself from losing her head.

"Damare, ningen!"

Bunker was immediately on damage control. "Lower your weapons. She is my student.

"A human ?" the samurai holding Kat at sword point scoffed. "A student here?"

"And a gaijin at that," the other one sneered. "The outside realms truly have fallen into ruin."

Kat grimaced at that, but wisely kept her mouth shut. Bunker continued her efforts to calm the situation.

"If you wish for me to aid your Master, then do not threaten those under my charge."

"So, you will answer the Entei's summons?" the hostile samurai questioned.

"Only if you cease hostilities with Wang Kaitian and sheathe your weapon."

The samurai turned to his companion, who nodded. The blade was withdrawn and sheathed, allowing Kat to lower her arms and back away without so much as a scratch.

"We will be waiting at the village to the south of here," the samurai declared. "Remember, you have twenty-four hours. Do not be late."

They turned and took their leave, Kat glaring at their backsides.

"Shizun, you can't be serious about going, can you? Everything about this screams of a set-up. I mean, it's no secret that Suzaku is completely isolated from the world, so why call for an outsider's help?"

"That, A-Tian, is exactly why I must go." Bunker turned and began walking back to the temple. "Suzaku never calls on its neighbors for aid. The Entei would sooner commit seppuku than do so. If he is turning to outsiders for help… Then whatever he needs it for must be serious. Very serious."

Kat thought on that for a bit, then her eyes went wide. "Eggman! Shizun, it must be Dr. Robotnik! People have been going missing all over the world, and Suzaku may have been his Yurashian target! You have to let me come with you! Please!"

Bunker stopped in her tracks, turning to her student with a horrified expression. "Take you to Suzaku!? Absolutely not!"

"Shizun!"

"Kaitian, you are in no condition to be involved in anything dangerous. Furthermore, Suzaku is the very epitome of Yurashian isolationism. Whatever hardships and prejudice you faced in your village will be nothing compared to what could happen to you there."

"I know that, but I-!" Kat grimaced, forcing herself to calm down. Her hands were in tight fists. "I can't just sit here while people are getting hurt, especially if Eggman is involved. I can't just stand by and let it happen… Not again.'

Bunker looked at Kat's trembling fists and the desperation in her eyes. She thought for a moment, then sighed.

"Knowing you, you will just follow after me on foot the entire way..."

"Damn right I will."

With one last sigh, Bunker relented. "Very well. You may come."

Kat visibly brightened, but the tortoise held up a hand to cut her off.

"But! I expect you to be on your absolute best behavior."

"Of course, Shizun," Kat promised, nodding almost frantically.

Bunker nodded at that, then resumed her trek toward the temple.

"Come, let us see Yukiko."

Kat silently followed after her, already trying to figure out what Eggman's plan could be for Suzaku.


Author's Note:

(1): This translates roughly to "stupid son of a drooling whore and a monkey."

(2): Japanese for Flame Emperor. Flare is the actual name of said Emperor.

Well, Kat went through some crazy shit in Yurashia, eh? This next arc will be a flashback scenario detailing her adventures with the Shijin Warriors while Sonic and co. were fighting in Sand Blast City and the like.

Hikari, Seiko, Yukiko, and Mizuki are all my OCs; you may recognize Seiko and Mizuki from my TMNT fic, and Hikari from my Kingdom Hearts one.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Hikari - Jenny Yokobori (Kumiko Albertson from The Simpsons, Xiaomei from Edens Zero, Miki from Pokémon Evolutions, Dashi from Octonauts, Yoshino Somei from Spriggan 2022, Yoimiya from Genshin Impact, Pupil from Akudama Drive, Kuromi from Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures)

* Seiko - Patricia Ja Lee (Cassie Chan from Power Rangers Turbo/in Space, Jill Valentine from Resident Evil 5, Mizuki Okajima from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Patricia Martin from Lucky Star)

* Mizuki - Kari Wahlgren (Robin Sena from Witch Hunter Robin, Saya Otonashi and Diva from Blood+, Fuu Kasumi from Samurai Champloo, Charmcaster from Ben 10, Kagami Hiiragi from Lucky Star, Haruko Haruhara from FLCL, Ashe from Final Fantasy XII)

* Yukiko - Willow Johnson (Kikyo from Inuyasha, Kasumi Tendo from Ranma ½, Lalah Sune from Mobile Suit Gundam, Android 18 in Dragon Ball Z's Ocean Group dub, Yugo Gilbert from Project ARMS)

Please R&R. Until next time!