by Shinn A. H.
“Where did you learn your kung fu?” Mulin asked.
“Uh…the monks taught me,” Kellie answered, puzzled. She expected Mulin to ask her more about the monkey and wondered why she was asking about kung fu.
“Who do you think the monks learned kung fu from?”
“I don’t know…old ancient masters, I guess.”
“And who do you think these old ancient masters learned kung fu from?”
“I really don’t know,” answered Kellie, more confused than ever.
“From animals. From animals like Zurich and myself.”
“You mean to tell me that thousands of years ago, the first kung fu masters learned kung fu from animals?” asked Kellie, as she laughed loudly.
The tiger flashed her a stern look. “And you think that is funny?”
“How could animals teach Chinese martial art to people?”
“Are you not talking to an animal?”
“Point taken,” said Kellie, becoming intrigued with this information. “You said only the selected know about you….Why — Why did you select me?”
“I didn’t select you or any of the others before you. You were born selected. It is always a mutual encounter.”
Intense seriousness developed in Mulin’s eyes as she began to speak. “There has been good and evil since the beginning of time. Good has always battled evil. Evil uses the weakness of humans to do its deeds. Let me tell you something never to forget. You will experience moments when it is more difficult to choose good over evil. It takes a strong willed person to do the right thing, when it would be easier to make the other choice — This battle between good and evil will continue until the end of time — We are here to help. Fate chooses the ones we reveal ourselves to.”
“How do you know Bao Yu…er…me?” asked Kellie.
“We watched you when you were being raised by the monks,” answered Mulin. “One day you were not seen again.”
“I went to America with Master Chen after Shifu Lau was killed by the monkey.”
Mulin’s ear twitched, but said nothing. She stood up, stretched her muscles, and said, “It is time for your training.”
“Training?” asked Kellie, baffled. “What do you mean, training?”
“We are going to train you,” answered Mulin.
“Who do you mean by ‘we’?” asked Kellie.
“Zurich and I,” said Mulin. “This is why you are here.”
“I’m here because I have to find something.”
“Hence, that is why you are here,” said Mulin, getting a little impatient. “It was to be.”
Just then, Zurich landed beside Mulin.
“Where did you take Jake and Jory?” Kellie asked.
“They are safe, and you will see them shortly,” he said, straightening his feathers. “Have you started?” he asked Mulin.
“Not yet.”
“Good, then I haven’t missed anything.” He took a few steps back as Mulin advanced toward Kellie.
Kellie noted the change in the expression in the tiger’s eyes. Her natural instinct was to put up her hands and to start circling her opponent. She had no clue what she was doing and started to sweat. She just witnessed how easily Mulin prevailed over the other tigers, and attempting to fight this powerful animal was absurd.
“First rule in fighting,” said Mulin, “is to stay confident. Don’t doubt yourself. It’s all over your face — fear and hesitation.”
“You’re bigger and stronger than me,” Kellie griped. “I saw you fight those other tigers. I don’t have a chance. This is ridiculous. I can’t fight an animal!”
“This is going to take longer than I thought,” Mulin said to Zurich.
“You have an advantage over me,” Mulin said to Kellie. “You saw how I fought. You saw my strengths, but you should have watched for my weaknesses. We all have them. Bigger and stronger does not always win. Smarter does.”
She circled Kellie, and without warning, sprang at her.
The startled girl tried to move out of the way, but she panicked and couldn’t react fast enough. Her back was scraped and blood quickly soaked through her shirt. Kellie grimaced in pain.
“That hurts!” Kellie yelled angrily.
The tiger went at her again. Kellie tried to duck underneath, but the tiger pawed at her hair, pulling out some strands.
“Hmmm,” said Zurich, as he observed. “Messy, very messy.”
“Yes, I am bigger than you,” said Mulin, “but you should be faster. When you fight someone much bigger, use your small size to your advantage. Now, are you going to just stand there all day? Attack! The strike of a tiger is one of the most powerful.” Mulin jumped at her and Kellie barely got out of the way, but this time, she struck the cat across the face.
Kellie got the tiger! Although, it wasn’t a fight ender…and probably from luck.
“Not bad, but it could be better,” said Mulin, as she shook off the minor blow. “A tiger’s strike has power because we use the muscles not only in our forelegs…or in your case, your arms, but also our abdomen. Feel the tiger inside of you, Bao Yu.”
“One moment, please,” Zurich interrupted. “I think she needs some crane training.”
“Now?” asked Mulin. “I thought we decided that she would learn the way of the tiger first.”
“Yes, we did, but her evasions are very messy. Very, very messy. She needs to learn some crane. It’ll help her much, indeed.”
Mulin conceded and stepped back. She sat down and her front paws rested on a rock, as her tail waved back and forth in the air.
While rubbing her stinging back, Kellie watched as Zurich took over the lesson.
“Ignore the pain,” said Zurich.
“Easier said than done,” complained Kellie. “It hurts.”
The graceful bird moved around Kellie almost like he was waltzing around her, his feathers barely grazing her. She felt his presence on her right side; when she turned to her right, he was gone. She felt him on her left; when she spun left, he wasn’t there. Then when she flipped around, the crane was standing right in front of her.
“When you are evading strikes, make smaller movements. Not so big and erratic — Take control of your body — That’s why you get hit. The movements of a white crane are very elegant…like a dance.” The crane moved around Kellie, hopping on one leg to the other.
“When they least expect it, I use my wings to strike.” Zurich opened up his magnificent wings and struck Kellie down onto her hands and knees.
“Are you ready to learn how to fight like a crane?”
“I haven’t learned crane, yet,” Kellie whined, as she got back up, patting her legs. “I’ve been mastering the tiger.”
Mulin erupted in laughter. “You are not even close to mastering the tiger!”
“Well,” said Zurich, “you are going to learn crane from the crane himself.”
Kellie wasn’t sure what to think of this. She was learning animal style martial arts from the animals themselves! She didn’t understand the world she was in, but for some reason, she felt she belonged there.
Ignore the pain, she told herself, which reminded her of the time when Master Chen said the same thing. The wounds all over her body stung, including the scratch on her arm from the wild tiger earlier, but she bit her lip.
Zurich trained the eager student for the next couple of hours. He taught her how to skirt attacks and strike back as if she had expansive wings herself. She thought she was acquiring the crane’s way until she saw Zurich shaking his head, displeased. She continued to try her hardest, and when she was about to ask about her progression, he gave her a nod.
“Not bad,” Zurich said to Kellie. “I am satisfied.” He acknowledged Mulin and said, “It is your turn.”
“With pleasure,” said Mulin.
“Now,” Zurich said to Kellie, “use both the crane and tiger at your own will — Evade with the crane and strike with the tiger — Or evade with the crane and strike with the crane. Just feel thes
e animals in you and do what comes natural.”
Mulin propped up on her muscular legs, readily revealing her aggressiveness, and locked in her gaze with Kellie’s. The grand tiger displayed such fierceness in her eyes, but the deep wisdom that lied behind them couldn’t be missed.
The tiger jumped and swiped at Kellie, and even tried to bite her. Kellie’s heart thumped hard from the adrenaline and she told herself, Let it come natural. She moved out of the way using the crane technique and struck back hard, as if it was second nature. Although her movements were far from perfect, it was working!
“Bravo!” said Zurich in delight.
The tiger went at her with an open jaw. Kellie got behind Mulin using the crane evasion. Mulin skidded to a halt, turning her head from side to side. Kellie pounced from behind and held onto her massive neck. Mulin tried to wiggle her off, but couldn’t. The tiger fell to the side and they went tumbling on the dirt with Kellie still attached to the animal’s back. Finally, letting go and rolling off, Kellie got quickly back on one knee and was ready to fight again. Mulin hit a large rock, jarring her, but shook it off, got back on all fours, and started circling the young girl.
Kellie saw the definition of the tiger’s muscles as she was about to attack. With bent knees, Kellie was ready for it.
“This is going to be good…” Zurich said under his breath.
The tiger sprang into the air while Kellie took a giant leap head-on at her opponent. Kellie was able to get higher than the tiger and struck down with all her might, as she roared a loud fighting cry. Her abdominal muscles contracted and she looked like a real tiger in motion.
Mulin fell straight down, hard on the ground. Kellie also landed with a whack, and breathed so hard her stomach cramped. She didn’t have an ounce of energy left and her body was weak with exhaustion, but she didn’t let her eyes leave her opponent’s position. Master Chen’s words rang in her ears: “Never let guard down.”
Mulin launched herself, attempting to get the fallen girl, but Kellie rolled out of the way.
The crane fluttered in merriment. He went up to the unsuccessful attacker and asked, “Isn’t this wonderful, Mulin?”
“It is,” she said.
“You are right,” Zurich said to Mulin, “she is the one.”
Zurich glided to Kellie. “You are done for today. We will take you to your friends.”
“Are we there yet?” Kellie asked. She now understood the meaning of dog-tired; her body ached and her legs quivered. The three of them walked for what seemed like a mile. They went beyond the destroyed bamboo forest and nothing was visible in sight. Where could Jake and Jory possibly be? They were in a desert-like area where there was only sand. Kellie was dragging her feet in it, when Zurich and Mulin suddenly stopped walking.
“We have arrived,” said Zurich.
“I don’t see anything,” said Kellie. “I don’t see my friends.”
“Not yet, you don’t,” said Zurich. “Just follow us.” He marched straight ahead and disappeared.
“Where did he go?” asked Kellie, flummoxed.
“Through the entrance to Spring Meadows,” answered Mulin, as she followed the crane’s lead. Kellie watched as the tiger disappeared too, and quickened her step so she wouldn’t be left behind.
Kellie felt an instant change from dry warmth to fresh cool air. She blinked hard, not believing her eyes; she had never seen a more splendid place. Where she was standing was the complete antithesis of where she was a second ago: fragrant flowers and fruit trees were everywhere; the bright green grass felt soft as fur; the air was calm and crisp, like an early spring morning. A stream of crystal clear water flowed over perfectly etched rocks and rather large Monarch butterflies chased each other around above it.
She took notice of a shrub full of bright yellow flowers shaped like bow ties and a red pollen center. Taking a whiff, she said, “Smells like peaches.”
“This is Spring Meadows,” said Zurich. “It’s always like spring here — every minute of every day….And there are your friends.” He waved his wing in their direction.
“Hey!” yelled Kellie as she ran toward them.
The two boys woke up from their nap under a shady tree when they heard Kellie’s voice; they jumped up, elated to see her, apple cores and large apricot seeds scattered at their feet.
“What happened to you?” asked Jake, noticing her scratches and blood stained clothes.
“I was being trained by Mulin and Zurich,” said Kellie.
“Trained?” asked Jake, scratching his head. “You mean kung fu?”
“YES! I learned tiger and crane kung fu from the tiger and crane themselves!”
Jory walked over to a natural fountain of water near the stream, shooting up from an area surrounded by iridescent rocks. He cupped water in his hands and brought it over to Kellie.
“Jory,” said Kellie, “how is it that you are not limping…and your head — ?”
Jory sprinkled the water all over Kellie and she felt her wounds tingle: her injuries faded instantly.
“I see they discovered the Healing Fountain,” Mulin said to Zurich.
“What did you do?” Kellie asked Jory. “I-I feel amazing!”
“It’s magic water,” Jory said. “It heals wounds. Zurich healed me with it.” He skipped around, showing her that his ankle was good as new.
“Mulin,” said Zurich, “these are Bao Yu’s friends — Jake and Jory.”
“Nice to meet you,” greeted Jory, staring breathlessly at the spectacular animal.
“What’s up?” said Jake. Kellie and Jory flashed him a look. “Uh, nice to meet you,” he corrected.
Mulin gave them a respectful nod.
Still in fascination with the garden, Kellie savored the fresh air with deep breaths, while the water from the Healing Fountain provided her with a sense of rejuvenation.
“What is this place? How come I have never heard of Spring Meadows?”
“This place is known only to the mystical animals and to certain people,” said Zurich. “Only privileged humans are allowed to enter Spring Meadows….It has been a long time since the last person has been brought here…perhaps decades.”
“Why are we so lucky to be here?” Jake asked.
“Ahhh,” answered Zurich. “I felt that the three of you would appreciate this place. I listened to my inner chi and knew it was the right decision…and Jory needed the miracle of the Healing Fountain.”
“I learned about chi from Master Chen,” said Kellie. “It helps me to hit harder.”
“There is more to it than just hitting harder, dear child,” said Mulin, as she laughed. “You have a lot to learn about chi. Do you know there are seven types?”
“Seven?” asked Kellie. “No,” she said embarrassed.
“That will be for another time,” said Zurich, ending the subject.
“Well, what brought three kids to a forest filled with dangers?” asked Mulin.
“I had to get my necklace back,” said Kellie.
“And we wanted to help her,” said Jory, meekly, his wide eyes roaming back and forth from Mulin to Zurich.
“And the necklace is very important — er — to Kellie,” Jake added, pulling out an apricot from his pocket and taking a big bite.
“Who is Kellie?” asked Mulin.
“Kellie is Bao Yu,” answered Zurich. “That is her other name.”
“And why would Bao Yu’s — er — Kellie’s necklace be here?” asked Mulin.
“The monkey stole it!” Jory uttered barefacedly.
“Yes,” Kellie said, “the monkey grabbed it right off my neck! He disappeared into the forest after, so we came here to get it back.”
Zurich shot Mulin a look of alarm.
“Why would the monkey want your necklace?” Mulin asked, sounding befuddled.
Kellie exchanged glances with Jory and Jake. “Well…uh…I —” She didn’t know what to say. Should she tell them? Kellie hoped to get an answer from the expressions on her frie
nds’ faces, but they looked unsure themselves. “Well, he recently began raiding Taiping Monastery…and he killed Shifu Lau when I was seven….” Kellie noticed Mulin stiffen up. “And he shouted the word ‘Bao Yu’ every time he attacked them. The monks thought it was me he was after and wanted me to stay away from here…to keep me safe. The monks are moving and I couldn’t let them leave the monastery because of me…so I came back to China…to help. Last night, the monkey attacked again, and when he saw my jade necklace, he snatched it. It must’ve been what he’s been searching for…the ‘precious jade.’”
“That is very brave and admirable of you to put yourself in danger for the sake of the monks,” said Zurich, looking at her like a proud parent. “But, that doesn’t answer the question. Why did the monkey seek your necklace, and why would the three of you risk your lives to find it in Shenmi Forest?” His long sharp beak pointed at her, then at Jake, and then at Jory, analyzing their reactions.
Kellie stared into Jake’s eyes, but he returned a vacant response. She was trying to read Jory’s countenance when he gave her a slow, semi-certain nod.
“The jade stone on my necklace is Anguo,” she revealed.
Zurich and Mulin shared their own private, silent visual communication.
“How do you know this?” asked Mulin, sounding doubtful. “No one knows where Anguo lies….”
“Unless you have the Seer and are a Protector!” Jory blurted, confidently.
Mulin’s large body turned to Jory as she marched up to him. Jory’s confidence quickly dissolved and he took a few steps back.
“You have the Seer?” she asked him boldly. Zurich floated toward Jory to hear his answer.
“Y-yes,” he stammered, “I-I found it.”
“And this makes you a Protector?” asked Zurich.
“Well, I…um…think so…” he said deflated, cornered by two mystical animals.
“Yes…you are,” said Mulin, walking away from him. Jory’s face brightened up. “But you have no idea what you are up against.”
“Yes, the monkey was a mystical animal,” Zurich said with grief in his voice. “His name is Hagos. He used to be one of us…a member of our family. He is a clever and highly skilled kung fu master. He trained some of the best human kung fu fighters.”