Peter Caine struggled with the three men. It was the second attack in as many hours. During the first time, Peter was able to defend himself without any problems but it had left him drained. With this second one, it was harder for Peter to get his limbs to move the way he wanted them to. They came out of nowhere, large and imposing. Trying to corner him. What did they want? Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Peter saw a fourth man holding a syringe. It was filled with a blue liquid. Peter struggled harder to try to break free but the attackers pressed their advantage.

"Hold him!" demanded the man. The three men pressed Peter into a corner against the wall. One of the men yanked on Peter's arm and drew it out. The pain of a needle being inserted shot through the already haziness that threatened to cause Peter to black out.

"Let him go!" The familiar voice of his father, Kwai Chang Caine came through. A fifth man joined the group to try to delay Kwai Chang so the others could finish what they came to do. The man was quickly dispatched as Peter's father came closer to aid his son. When the man was finished with the syringe, the others shoved Peter into the arms of his father and quickly dispersed. As Kwai Chang supported his son, the man with the syringe watched from the shadows and smiled. The master will be pleased, thought the man. It would not be long before the drug that was designed to do the job would take affect. Then the instrument will be prepared and the master would have his revenge. Just as before, though that one failed, this one will not. A fitting end wouldn't you say?

"Peter," Kwai Chang said gently. "Easy. You have had a busy night. I have something that will take care of the bruising." Peter tried to stand but his legs were shaky. Better to let someone support him than to fight. After all, the one supporting you was your father, he thought.

Peter tried to focus on what had happened as his father lead him home. It wasn't easy for someone to get the better of him since he continued his Shaolin training. Still, two attacks in one night had been unusual. The first was through the usual course of the night while on duty trying to stop a robbery. The second, however, was a deliberate attack. Being so close to his father's apartment in Chinatown also played an important role in that attack. Then Peter remembered the sting of the needle going into his arm. What had they given him? Poison? Heroine? Or some other unknown drug. Right now he had to clear his head and try to think but that was becoming more difficult as the minutes slipped by. Plus, what was happening in his head didn't seem real. Voices or at least one voice was trying to tell him something or was it trying to compel him to do something. Something that he knew he could not do at all cost, even to his own life. He knew he had to fight whatever the voice was compelling him to do. The voice and the drug, however, were taking its, toll. Peter did surmise that this attack had one purpose and one purpose only. Peter tried to tell his father but it came out in mumbled fragments. They reached Kwai Chang's apothecary and home without any other incident.

"Come, Peter, sit. I will make you some tea." Peter could hear his father's words but they soon became just as fuzzy as his vision. The next thing Peter felt was the sensation of falling.

Kwai Chang Caine tried to support his son as best he could. Something was wrong. Peter usually recovered very quickly from a fight. This one, however, was different in some way. Kwai Chang quickly recalled the event that he came upon. Peter being pushed up against the wall by three men while a fourth came menacingly close and did something that Kwai Chang could not see. A fifth man tried to stop him but that did not seem to matter. Then after the fourth man was done, they shoved Peter into his arms and scattered, leaving Peter in the state that he was in now. As Kwai Chang caught his son and tried to support him as he lead them home, Peter mumbled something about being stuck with a needle? Kwai Chang did not think anything about it at first. He could have been mistaken. At the time, the safety of his son was all that mattered. As soon as they were back in Kwai Chang's apartment, Peter would be able to explain what had transpired and why he had been attacked. Kwai Chang had urged Peter to sit on a nearby chair while he went to fix some tea. Within seconds, Kwai Chang was again trying to catch his son before he fell to the floor. Something was terribly wrong.

"Peter!" Kwai Chang cried in surprise and even with concern and fear for his son. At that moment, the Ancient came in seeing what had happened. Concern was also mirrored on his face. Kwai Chang picked up his son and carried him over to his raised sleeping area. "Peter, can you hear me?"

"Kwai Chang, what has happened?"

"Something is wrong with Peter, Lo Si. He does not respond to my voice."

"Have you examined him carefully?"

"I have not had the chance. We just returned. Peter had been attacked. He usually recovers quickly but this attack was different."

"Let me see." The Ancient touched Peter's face, saw it was filled with pain. and then was drawn to Peter's right arm. A small red mark was present where the needle had done its work. "Look, Kwai Chang," the Ancient directed. "Someone has injected him with something."

"We must get him to a hospital. It could be some kind of poison."

"I do not think it is. Peter is feverish. It could, however, prove to be just as bad. Maybe the doctors can determine what it is."

The Ancient strained to help lift Peter. Kwai Chang, with the love of a father, picked Peter up in his arms and cradled him there just as he had done when Peter was a baby. There wasn't much time. They needed to get to a hospital quickly. The nearest hospital was several blocks on the edge of Chinatown.

"I will call a taxi. You cannot carry him all the way."

"A taxi will take too long. I will be faster." Kwai Chang carried Peter as if he was a single bowl of rice. The Shaolin could carry many times his own weight without thinking if the mind was set within. Kwai Chang would not let anyone else carry this burden. The life he carried was more precious than his own. While Kwai Chang carried his son, Peter struggled within to regain control of his thoughts as well as struggling against the hold that his father had on him. In his weakened state, however, Peter was unsuccessful. Soon he was drawn deeper into his mind and into the dark.

Kwai Chang arrived at the hospital within 10 minutes. No one looked at him as he carried his son through the streets of Chinatown. He had tried to make it as easy and quick as he could. The emergency entrance was the fastest route. Even though he came in carrying Peter, no one seemed to see that he was there. Kwai Chang walked up to the admitting desk.

"Excuse me, I need . . ." A nurse not looking at him tried to hand him a clip board.

"Fill this out and wait over there."

"I cannot."

The nurse looking up to see Caine standing there holding a man in his arms.

"I need a stretcher for my son."

"What's wrong with him?" The nurse's compassion was lacking only in the fact that she seemed to have seen too many of his kind. Probably a drug overdose or drunk.

"I do not know. He simply collapsed." Caine knew enough not to tell this person everything.

"Caine!"

Kwai Chang turned to see Dr. Sanches coming toward him. The doctor was smiling widely, happy to see her friend until she noticed what or who Caine was carrying.

"What happened?" The doctor immediately started to examine Peter before Kwai Chang could place him on a gurney.

"Temperature elevated. Pupils dilated. What's the problem?"

"Someone injected him with something." The doctor brought her head up and looked at Kwai Chang.

"Do you know what?"

"No." The doctor signaled for another nurse.

"Draw some blood and begin a detailed analysis right away, including toxicology. How did this happen?"

"He was attacked," Kwai Chang's voice revealed the pain of regret.

"And . . ." the doctor prompted.

"I was too late to stop them from hurting him . . ."

"Kwai Chang. Don't blame yourself. At least he wasn't killed. We will do everything we can to find out what they gave him and stop it." Kwai Chang breathed a sigh of relief even though he wasn't so sure.

It was several hours before the toxicology report came back. The doctor shook her head and went to the lab to check the results, again. Kwai Chang was not going to like this. By now they had Peter settled in a private room. Kwai Chang was sitting by his son's bedside. Peter was tossing and turning. Pain and anguish showed on his face. Several times he tried to cry out. His fever continued to rise. Kwai Chang tried to soothe his son's restless sleep with a quiet hand and a thoughtful voice.

Images came back to Caine of the Temple when Peter became sick. That time it had been the candles. They had been laced with cyanide. During that time Peter almost died. And now . . .

"Caine," the doctor spoke softly with concern in her voice. "We need to talk." They left Peter's room and moved to a nearby lounge area. The Ancient was there waiting. Concern on his face.

"How is Peter?"

"Could you stay with him? The doctor and I need to talk. I will let you know." The Ancient moved into Peter's room. The doctor urged Kwai Chang to sit. "Nurse," said the doctor. "See that we aren't disturbed."

"Yes, doctor."

Doctor Sanches sat in front of Kwai Chang. A look of indignation on her face. "How do I begin. First, You were right. Peter was drugged. It looked at first that he had been injected with some kind of poison but that was not the case. I double checked the results. This is no ordinary drug we are dealing with. It's one that I am not familiar with. Without extensive tests we don't know what needs to be done to counteract it. I can't even begin to figure out how the drug was made. The only thing I do recognize about it is that it seems to have a signature base of hemlock. That's why we thought he was poisoned at first."

"Hemlock?" Caine was brought up short with that news. He only knew of one drug with a Hemlock base. That drug lead to a young priest's betrayal and destruction of the Temple. There had been a counter agent but by then, it was to late. Could this be the same drug? He had to find out more.

"That is a very powerful poison. Mixed with other substances, however, it can either break down the body's resistance to illness, cause great hallucinations, or break down other forms of resistance." Kwai Chang was reluctant to say anything more, not sure how the Doctor would react. "Will the drug wear off?"

"That's just it. We don't know. Usually within a few hours most drugs do. This one seems to be getting stronger and it seems to be affecting Peter's mind."

"How so?"

"Peter right now is sedated but not from anything we gave him. This may be some of the drug's affects. We do know it is affecting his mind in some way. He may have moments of lucidness and other times he may hallucinate. I am afraid this drug without knowing much may begin to attack other areas within the brain that control motor function or even his breathing. He may even require to be placed on life support if that happens. But I am only speculating. We just don't know what will happen with this drug in his system. I must be honest with you. I never saw anything like this. This drug is somehow torturing him. If an antidote is not found soon, Peter will die or he will become insane."

Kwai Chang listened to what the doctor said. The reaction that the drug was having on Peter sound the same that was given to Tan but there still wasn't enough information to go on. Then, all color drained from Kwai Chang's face as what the Doctor said registered. No! This could not be happening. Who could have done such a thing? Then again, there were many enemies out there that they had both made. Which one could it be? One of Peter's, or one of his, or both? It would take time and time was something Peter did not have.

"We will do the best we can." The doctor's voice though was not convinced that what they did would do any good.

"Kwai Chang. It's Peter. Come quickly."

The doctor and Kwai Chang quickly came into Peter's hospital room. Peter was trying to fight whatever imagined enemy. Somehow he had succeeded in coming back from the dark void only to find the voice trying to tell him to kill his . . .

"Stay away from me!" Fear was in his eyes. "No! I will not submit! I will not do it! No!" Peter had managed to get out of bed and into a nearby corner of the room. He held his hands out in defiance as if he held a weapon.

"Stay away from me! I won't do it! You can't make me do it! Help me father!"

"Nurse! Get two orderlies and get some restraints."

"No." Kwai Chang slowly approached his son. "Peter. It is your father. Please, Peter, let me help you."

Peter's eyes were wide with fright. His body tense for action. Desperately trying to hang on to whatever sanity was left to him. He could hear his father's voice and yet he could hear another in his mind, laughing at his futility. Trapped within, how could he let his father know who was doing this to him. Then two words sprang to his mind. His father surely could read his lips. Slowly Peter tried to calm his mind but the fire within would not quench. I must try, Peter thought, and slowly Peter willed his mouth to form the words that only his father could know.

"It is all right, Peter. I am here." Kwai Chang tried to soothe his son's frightened mind but Peter did not seem to know him. It was as if Peter was fighting someone within him. Then a hoarse whisper came across.

"Pop, help me. The drug . . . blue in color. Singh Wah . . . Damon . . . Forcing me . . .No! I will not . . .I will not . . . " and with that, Peter collapsed into his father's arms.

The Doctor rushed up and checked Peter's vital signs as Kwai Chang lifted his son back onto the bed.

"He's slipped into a deep comma. It's not good. This kind of comma almost no one wakes from it. If we don't get an antidote within 48 hours, Peter will never wake up again."

Gently Kwai Chang placed his hand upon his son's cheek. Pride and love swelled within at the effort his son made. Within that effort Peter was able to tell him who it was that drugged him and even what the drug looked like. Kwai Chang's voice was low as if only Peter could hear. "I know what is needed to stop the drug, my son. I will bring you back. I promise. I will not loose you a second time."

"Caine, do you know what's been given him?"

Kwai Chang did not seem to hear the doctor.

"Lo Si, please go to my apothecary and get me these ingredients as well as these items. Caine wrote what he needed and handed the list to the Ancient.

"Of course, Kwai Chang." Looking at the list the Ancient became concerned. Recognition of what was required, what kind of drug was being used, and who used it dawned on the Ancient. "Are you sure they are responsible for Peter's state?"

"Yes. They are powerful. It took a lot of effort for Peter to fight through the drug. I know who is responsible. We also must alert the authorities. This will not be the only attempt on Peter's life. If we are successful, we can at least purge the drug from Peter's system without any lasting effects. With the help of some of Peter's co-workers, we can track down the ones responsible before anything else happens."

"Caine, you have to tell me what is going on? Who is responsible for this? Plus, if you have the means to create an antidote, you have to tell me." The doctor tried to intervene.

Kwai Chang turned to the doctor. "I cannot speak it here. It is not safe for Peter. I do have the means to purge his system of the drug. There are certain herbs that are required. The Ancient will get what is needed. I must go and alert the authorities. Please, have someone stay with my son at all times."

"Sure," stated Doctor Sanches. "I was planning on having someone in there with him anyway."

Kwai Chang and the Ancient both left the hospital on their needed errands. It was only ten minutes to Kwai Chang's home. The Ancient hoped that Kwai Chang had enough of the herbs he needed and that there was enough time.

Lo Si entered Kwai Chang's home and began searching through the many herbs. He knew with the type of base the drug had, it would require a certain root to aid in counteracting the drug's affects. There were also other herbs that were required. The Ancient hoped that they would not be required to make another batch and all he would have to do is find one small brown bottle. He knew what bottle Kwai Chang needed but he hoped most of all there was enough. Both Kwai Chang and Lo Si had seen this drug before. Lo Si thought back to the Temple. A young monk had "confiscated" it so the Shaolin could develop the means to counter it. It had not been easy to break down. The only way they could know for sure if they had the right antidote was for someone to take the drug first. That young monk had been Tan. It seemed all was going well. The antidote they created worked. But it was given to Tan too late. The damage to his mind could not be stopped. For all appearances, Tan had been healed. It would be months before the Shaolin realized their mistake. Though they tried to help him, in the end, Tan became the instrument of their destruction.

Suddenly a noise was heard and soon two men began their own effort to stop Lo Si from retrieving what he needed. One of the men came at the Ancient with a club but the man was soon dispatched. The other man tried to come from behind but he too did not succeed in bringing the Ancient down. Without success, the two men soon vanished. The Ancient continued to search for the much needed items for Kwai Chang.

*****

Kwai Chang walked to the 101st precinct. Activity within the station was brisk. One officer noticed Caine. "Peter's not here." the officer called out.

"I need to speak to Kermit?"

"In there." The officer pointed to an office and Kwai Chang made his way to there. A man wearing dark green sunglasses sitting at a desk in front of a computer was talking to himself.

"Come on, I know your hiding somewhere."

"Excuse me?"

"Kwai Chang! Here to see Peter? He hasn't come in. And if you ask me, he better soon before the captain finds out."

"I did not come to see Peter. I came to see you. It is about Peter." Kermit could see the concern in Kwai Chang's eyes.

"Let me close the door so we can talk." Kermit got up and did just that. "Something's happened to Peter." It was a statement of fact.

"Yes."

"Don't tell me. He's in trouble and you need my help."

"Yes."

"Where is he and what's happened?"

Kwai Chang began to explain when Captain Simms burst into Kermit's office.

"Caine! You tell that son of yours if he does not report in within one hour he will be suspended for the rest of the week! I don't care where he is, I want him to report in."

"Peter is in the hospital."

"What?!"

"Captain," Kermit started. "Caine was just about to me what has happened. Care to listen to this?"

Kwai Chang explained where Peter was and what had happened to him. He tried to explain of the mutual enemy without mentioning names. The one thing that could not be explained at that time was the motive for the attack. "I hoped to have learned something from Peter but I was unable to."

"Don't worry about it. We'll figure it out. You said he had been attacked near your home. Do you think you could lead us there?"

"Yes, but I do not see . . ."

"Well, from what you told us, we may be able to find some clue to who did this."

"I know who did this, I just cannot speak their name without the proper rotection."

"Can you spell it out?"

Kwai Chang took a pen and paper and proceeded to write out the name and show it to Kermit and the Captain.

"I don't understand. Who is the . . ."

"Do not say the name."

"What will it do? Bring on bad luck? I don't believe such superstition." The captain stated.

"I am familiar with them," stated Kermit. "They are quite powerful and they are not to be taken lightly. Are they the reason why Peter is in the hospital?"

"Yes."

"What kind of help do you need?"

"I do not know what their plans are but I know they involve Peter somehow. I need help in finding them to stop them. While they are about, Peter will be in great danger."

"Why don't I do some research on this. See if I can dig up any information through the Net. Usually a group like that needs some place large and well hidden. You go back to Peter and I'll meet you at the hospital with any information that I find."

"I will do as you ask and I will await your information. Thank you."

Kwai Chang left the precinct and headed back to the hospital. Peter was a lucky man to have developed such good friends. It had not always been such. Images of young Peter and himself at the Temple came to mind.

Peter was upset. He was only four years old. He had come in from the yard crying. "What is troubling you my son?"

"They won't let me play with them and their sticks."

"They are busy with their lessons. It is not a game they are playing. But I can see that isn't all that happened."

"They said I was too small and weak."

"That does not sound like the students to criticize. Who said this to you?."

"It wasn't one of the students."

"Who was it then"

"It was Master Damon. He said I will always be a weakling like you because you teach me dumb things like meditating instead of learning how to fight like a tiger."

"It would seem I will have to talk with Damon."

Kwai Chang was brought back to reality. Damon had not been with them long. He had said he was visiting each of the temples throughout the United States. Bringing new techniques, at least that is what he claimed. At the time Kwai Chang did not know who Damon was. Peter was later to learn that year that Damon was involved with more than just fighting. Peter found Damon in the forbidden artifacts room searching for something. Peter watched him from a hiding place and discovered Damon had been studying another more dangerous art. And for that, Damon had been banished from the Temple. After that, rumors floated about. Rumors that even Kwai Chang had a hard time believing which later proved to be true. Damon was one of the Singh Wah. He swore that he would get revenge for his banishment.

Years later, Tan had come back from a mysterious journey, bringing the drug and a few new "friends." That year brought chaos. There was also talk of the Singh Wah, of Bon Bon Hi, and Damon. Over the years, many things happened that could have been attributed to the Singh Wah but the presence of Damon seemed to have vanish. Then last year, Kwai Chang had been summoned by the "Brotherhood of the Bell." Damon was there and Kwai Chang learned not just one truth but two. Damon was Kwai Chang's brother and a leader of the Singh Wah. The results of that encounter, however, had been turned for good. At least, on the surface. With a hopeful note, Kwai Chang and his son returned home. But it wasn't to end there. Later, Peter had been kidnapped along with his new friend and lookalike the actor, Wolfe Gannett. That time was a nightmare for Kwai Chang. He lost all awareness of his son. Kwai Chang learned someone had given him a drug and tried subverting him by opening his mind to a psychic awareness. Peter was unprepared and it nearly killed him. Kwai Chang was grateful that some friends from Chicago had rescued Peter. But sorrow engulfed him when Peter told him it had been Damon. Kwai Chang had hoped his brother would have embraced the light, but Damon continued to embrace darkness. And now he was again using Peter for some unknown purpose, but this time, Damon was doing much more than trying to subvert Peter. Why was Damon doing this? It was obvious he wanted Peter, but for what? The key to stopping Damon was knowledge but it would take a lot more than that if Kwai Chang was to save his only son and hopefully try to turn his brother away from the darkness and back to the light.

Kwai Chang arrived at the hospital and was soon on the floor where Peter's room was. As he emerged from the elevator, confusion was on the floor. A feeling of dread came over Kwai Chang and he rushed to Peter's room. The bed was empty and the doctor was assisting the nurse laying on the floor.

"Where is Peter? Where is my son?"

The doctor rose to speak to Kwai Chang. A look of distress and sorrow on her face. "I don't know. I left a nurse here so I could attend to my rounds and when I came back . . ."

Anguish, pain, and fear pierced Kwai Chang's heart. No! He has been taken from me. Then his eyes fell upon the bed and a note that had not been noticed before was spotted. Kwai Chang picked it up only to crumple it up in anger after reading it.

"Kwai Chang," it was the Ancient. "I have what you need. What . . ." Kwai Change thrust the crumpled paper into the Ancient's hands, and what he read filled him with dread.

"'I have your son, brother. Soon my revenge will be complete. He will be mine even in death. Damon.' Kwai Chang, you must find him. Remember Tan? We could not figure out what made Tan go berserk and destroy the Temple. We suspected someone influenced him. Someone who had been trained by. . ."

"The Singh Wah," Kwai Chang finished. "Damon had been interested in the Singh Wah. It was possible . . ."

"Kwai Chang!" Kermit came rushing up. "I came as soon as I could. I found something that you should read."

Kwai Chang read what Kermit had given him and finally understood. Since the day of his grandfather, someone tried to kill the Caines for one reason or another. Sometimes it would be in single combat. Other times innocent people got hurt in the process. Kwai Chang handed the paper to the Ancient.

"Yes, I see now." said the Ancient. "I do not understand how he could have gotten this information. You have told me some of the history but this account could have only come from your grandfather's journal. How did you get ahold of it Kermit?"

"My family also goes way back. Your grandfather gave my great-grandfather some things for safe keeping. This was among them. I remember a story that my grandfather related to me. I didn't give it any weight at first until you told me about Peter and the way he's been acting."

Kermit handed Kwai Chang the information he had gathered. The paper described a "madness potion" that would take over leaving a person suseptible to another's will. Many of the same symptoms were described. More importantly, the paper contained a list of the ingredients.

"Peter kept crying out 'I will not submit.' The drug that was given Peter was suppose to illicit the same kind of control but Peter fought through it. Now Peter is gone. Taken by Damon."

"Who is Damon?" Kermit questioned.

"Damon is my brother and he is a leader of . . . Do we know where their hideout is?"

Kermit smiled. "Oh yeah, but it won't be easy getting in so I brought some insurance with me." Kermit patted the lining of his coat.

Kwai Chang understood. He was familiar with the type of "insurance" that Kermit referred to, having worked with Kermit in the past with his son.

Suddenly Kwai Chang remembered that Doctor Sanches was still there listening and waiting for an answer to her question. More questions were mirrored in the Doctor's eyes. "Doctor, I will make the "antidote" available, but I must go and find my son first. There is not much time." The three left the room before the Doctor had an opportunity to respond.

Kwai Chang, Kermit, and the Ancient left the hospital and headed for the center of Chinatown. There an old building stood since the late 1800s. The building was a mystery to the people of Chinatown and even to the people of Sloanville. Though it had been built without modern materials, it survived some of the worse disasters the city had ever seen. It was as if the building was protected by magic.

The three men approached the building with caution. Kwai Chang learned that the building had several secret entrances from when opium lords used it as a base during the time of his grandfather. Though the opium trade was usually known to be coming from the west coast, very few people knew that the trade also was spreading to other towns and cities during that time period. To accomplish it, new bases of operation had to be established so the smuggling could continue. There was said to be a network of tunnels leading from old abandoned mines to the center of Chinatown. Kwai Chang approached an area that seemed familiar. He had read about the place in his grandfather's journal. Though the information was sketchy at best, it had been during one of his travels. "Over here." Kwai Chang found an entrance leading to a hidden alley. It was obscured from bushes that had been planted years ago when several new buildings had been built around the old. "We must watch our step. There could be traps set."

Kwai Chang went first, followed by the Ancient. Kermit covered their backs. Before they entered, Kermit pulled out his "insurance" to be sure that no one followed them. They had not gotten very far when they came upon another hall with a set of stairs leading down. Something in the way the building was designed forced them to always turn to the left. It felt like a labyrinth. The first level had been easy but the next changed direction entirely. Soon they were within a torch lit hall. It was apparent that modern conveniences like electricity had not been applied to this part of the building. It was possible that area had not even been discovered by those that put in the electricity for the rest of the building. Yet there were people there. The torches gave evidence to that. Plus, the condition of the area was perfect. The ornate Chinese carvings contained no dust. Suddenly the sound of fighting could be heard. Light could be seen through a richly carved screen, creating patterns on the opposite wall. The three men approached with caution and looked through the screen. Several men dressed in red and black were training. Kwai Chang recognized the technique the men were performing. It would not be hard to counteract their moves. Kwai Chang motioned the Ancient and Kermit to observe the men. As they watched, a set of doors opened in the far wall.

Kwai Chang caught his breath. The doors opened to reveal another large room. It looked just like the great hall within the Temple. That only registered for an instant. What drew Kwai Chang was what was in that room. Laying on an alter like table with candles at his head and feet was Peter. Kwai Chang had seen such scenes like that before. Whenever a brother at the Temple had died.

"There does not seem to be any other way in. We must cross the yard."

"I'm ready." Kermit stated holding up his "insurance."

"Yes, Kwai Chang." a familiar voice called out. "I knew the minute you had entered the House of the Tiger. I could have attacked you but I thought it best that you come to me instead. We meet again, brother. The Tiger and the Crane. Can a single crane survive with so many hunting tigers about? We shall see. The crane's young lays within the den. Can the crane save him before the tigers make a meal of him?"

"Enough, Damon." Kwai Chang cried with anger. "Let my son go. Your quarrel is with me."

Suddenly there were four men approaching. Two at each end of the hall. Blocking their path. They carried spears. The Ancient and Kermit prepared to fight but the men were too fast. All three were driven through the doors into the exercise yard and surrounded. Kermit's weapon had been easily dispatched. The "tigers" circled their pray, waiting for an opening. The three men kept their backs to each other to keep from being separated. The "tigers" had no intention of attacking for they knew the "cranes" could fight them to a standstill. In this way they could herd the "cranes" to where they wanted them to go. As they circled, they continued to move toward the other door leading into the inner hall. The rescuers knew that if they did not enter the inner hall, they may not have a chance at saving Peter or themselves.

"Come in, gentlemen." The man that took Peter was sitting up on a throne-like chair up a flight of stairs. The "tigers" that circled the three men spread out among the perimeter of the room. The doors were closed and barred to prevent escape. Kwai Chang approached Peter laying on the alter, but several men barred his way. Anger rose in Kwai Chang and he swept two of them aside but more took their place.

"Stop!" cried Damon. "Any more attempt at saving your son will result in his death, now. Look."

Damon pointed to the ceiling. Hanging above was a spear decorated with ribbons. The spear was directly over Peter's heart and was rigged to fall at the slightest touch.

"Do you know what that is? It is the very spear that your grandfather threw at the Emperor's nephew. I received it as payment for killing another Caine. Our father's brother. I can see by your face that you did not know we had an Uncle. Our grandfather didn't know he existed either, till one day he showed up with a Manchu master. His goal was to kill his father though he did not know that grandfather had sired him. He failed in his mission. "

"What does Peter have to do with this?"

"Haven't you guessed? A pity. You at least figured out that the drug given to Peter was the same that was given to Tan? And yet you can't figure out why. I thought you were smarter than that my brother. But I know someone who knows." Damon looked straight at Kermit.

"He had intended Peter to be the instrument of your destruction, Caine, just like Tan was the instrument that destroyed your Temple. With the drug, they can plant in a man's mind fears that would drive him crazy. Crazy enough where that man becomes the means for the Singh Wah to carry out their destruction without needing to be there. Am I right?" Damon gave a single nod of confirmation.

"What I don't understand is if that drug is so powerful, why didn't it work on Peter?" Kermit asked.

"Because of his Shaolin training, and he is a Caine." was all the Ancient said as if that was enough.

"That is true. Still, with Peter in my power, I had hoped that things would have been different, but he has failed me. It would seem that history does repeat itself. I guess I will have to finish the job myself. I intend to carry out what all other men have not been able to do. Destroy the Caines once and for all. Don't you think that is payment enough for the nephew of an Emperor?"

"You cannot do this. The Emperor has absolved our family name. You also forget. You are a Caine."

"That may be so. But Mathew Caine, our "father" never claimed me." Damon spit through clenched teeth. "My mother raised me. Do you know who her family was? The woman that was my mother was a Manchu. That name mean nothing to you? She was the grandaughter to the man who used our uncle to try to kill his own father, our grandfather. Awe, I can see in your face that it does have meaning. And I can see by the look on your face that there is still the unanswered question why I am doing this. I intend to exact revenge for my great grandfather's dishonor and defeat. So you see, we have come full circle. You and your son will pay for the dishonor that was done to the Manchu clan."

"You cannot do this, Damon. Let Peter and the others go."

"You are wrong, Kwai Chang. Someone must pay, one way or another. I will make a bargain with you. If you defeat me in combat, you and your friends may go, but Peter will remain here with me. He is mine anyway. The drug has seen to that. Sooner or later Peter will respond only to me. If you want Peter, you will have to kill me. But, I forgot. If you kill me, then you have to walk the earth in absolution and you would never see your son, again. Either way, Peter is still mine because if you kill me, Peter will still die. Or better yet. Since the drug has done its damage, why not put Peter out of his misery right now. But then again, if there is a chance that he could be saved, you certainly don't want him dead. So the only way out is to fight me. But what if I were to defeat you? Let's see, you will remain and serve not only me but the Singh Wah. You will do as I or they bid. Of course, Peter will remain as he is to be sure of your loyalty. Knowing you, and I do know you, a Shambalah Master is not so easily defeated so I may have to kill you regardless. Of course with you dead, the only "family" that Peter will have will be me, so Peter will still be mine and the Caine Clan will cease to exist."

Kwai Chang stared back at his brother. Sorrow and pain was in his eyes. He then turned to look at his son. There was another option that Damon had not chosen that Kwai Chang had observed. The option of surrender. But Kwai Chang knew in his heart even that was not an option. The Ancient and Kermit watched as Kwai Chang warred within himself on what was best for Peter, warred within and won. He had to stop Damon but at what cost?

"Kwai Chang, you can't do this. Think of Peter."

"I must for Peter. I will accept your challenge on one condition. No one must interfere. And no one must retaliate if I defeat you. And if I defeat you, you must do something for me. "

"And what may that be?"

"You must let me help you to reclaim your heritage as a Caine. You must let me help you to fight the demons that are harming you. There is so much more we could do together. You are my brother. I do not want to hurt you."

"Spare me the brother speech. I told you, I have renounced that part of me. I am no longer a Caine. I am a Manchu. Do you accept my challenge?"

"Yes."

"Good. But if my people cannot interfere, the same must be with your friends. You have one hour to prepare. During that time I will allow you to say goodby to your son. Only you can, no one else." With that Damon left the room.

Kwai Chang crossed the room to his son and quickly pulled out the small brown bottle that contained the antidote. Before the guards could react, Kwai Chang pored the liquid down Peter's throat. Hopefully, the antidote would take affect and Peter would soon respond. The dose was small. Kwai Chang hoped it would be enough to at least to begin counteracting the drug. Damon was true to his word. No one interfered, including the Ancient and Kermit. They would not dare for Peter's sake. Kwai Chang studied the spear that hung menacingly above. Low enough so it would not miss its mark, but high enough where it could not simply be reached and moved out of the way. Kwai Chang gazed down on the face of his son. Then he lifted the amulet that he wore from around his neck and placed it around his son's neck, laying the amulet over his heart.

"This amulet possesses some of the essence of my Chi and my love for you. May it protect you my son." After that Kwai Chang sat on the floor by his son and prepared.

A place was set aside for the two men to do combat. A selection of weapons were brought out. Kwai Chang handed his satchel over to the Ancient.

"If I do not survive, you must help Peter."

"If you do not survive, no one will be able to help Peter. Do you think the Singh Wah will let us go afterwards? You know how I feel about this."

Kwai Chang breathed deeply. The Ancient was right. "Then I will make sure I am not killed."

"It is time. Choose your weapon."

Kwai Chang chose none, even though Kwai Chang had been trained to use all the weapons associated with combat. To prepare, he took his shoes, jacket, and hat off. Kwai Chang took a deep breath and began concentrating. The two men faced each other and circled. Each trying to judge what move the other would make. Kwai Chang watched Damon trying to anticipate which system he would use. Damon knew if he did not strike quickly, the Shaolin would counter him. Though Damon was proficient at every weapon, he still could not anticipate how the priest would react. When Damon was ready, he began with numchucks. Swinging them with great speed and accuracy, Damon struck. Most blows that Damon tried to land, however, were somehow countered. A few reached their marks but Kwai Chang continued as if to say they did not matter.

Soon other weapons were used. Some not so obvious. Weapons of the mind and spirit. These were harder to counter or overcome and anger began to take the place of concentration. As the battle continued, both men were showing signs of fatigue but neither would give the other quarter. Though Damon's skilled were equal to the priest's, Damon was soon weaponless both in actual and metaphysical. Damon, however, continued to still use whatever was at hand. This also proved to be ineffective against the Shaolin. Suddenly, Damon was engulfed with rage and the Shaolin knew at that very moment, Damon was defeated, and so did Damon. Still, that did not stop him. Damon had one last chance to take revenge on the Shaolin. A signal was sent and suddenly the spear began to fall.

"Kwai Chang!! The spear!!" It was Kermit.

At that instant Kwai Chang launched himself and connected. The spear clattered to the floor useless. Kwai Chang turned to the man who would kill his son, even after giving his word but Damon had disappeared along with his "tigers." It would not be the last time they would meet.

"Kwai Chang." Kermit and the Ancient approached the alter where Peter lay. Peter was still in the drug induced comma. It would appear the anitdote was not enough. Kwai Chang picked up his son and cradled him tight. This was the second time he regained his son but for how long, there was till a chance that they would still loose him.

"We must get back to the hospital," said Kermit. "Maybe there wasn't enough and maybe there is something else they can do." Kermit's face, even with the sunglasses hiding his eyes betrayed the worry and fear that Peter was not going to make it.

"No," Kwai Chang stated. "We are going home." And with that, Kwai Chang again carried his son through the streets of Chinatown.

It was still night when they emerged from the building containing the underground temple of the Singh Wah. Soon they arrived back at the apothecary. Kwai Chang placed his son on his raised sleeping area and proceeded to mix the necessary herbs to purge Peter of the remaining drug. Slowly he coaxed Peter to drink. Hoping they had not run out of time. The small amount they had given Peter earlier, hopefully did part of the work of purging Peter's system. It would be several hours before they would know.

Kermit and the Ancient stayed as long as they could. Daylight soon was peaking through the windows. Kermit got up and stretched. He had to get back to the precinct and let the captain know how things went. He would return that evening to check on Peter. The Ancient also had to leave. There were others that needed tending. He would help them until Kwai Chang was ready. He tried to urge Kwai Chang to sleep but he was determined to stay by his son until he woke up. Kwai Chang approached his son after the two men left. He could see that the pain in Peter's face had gone, replaced with the peacefullness of sleep. He hoped it would not be too long before Peter would soon wake. Kwai Chang got up and made his way to his workbench. A cup of tea would do him some good as well as some food. It would not do him or Peter any good if he became ill. As preparations were being made, a soft sound came from behind.

"Ohh, Where am I?"

"Peter!" Joy came over Kwai Chang and soon he was gathering his son in his arms. "I am pleased you are unharmed."

Peter, weak from the drug, felt his father's embrase but confusion and relief filled him. Something had happened, but for now, hunger was calling his attention. Peter gently pushed his father away, not out of rejection but to ask a few quesitons and to satisfy his rumbling stomache.

"Pop? Is that food I smell? You wouldn't have anything to eat, would you? And could you tell me something? I remember the fight in the ally and getting stuck with a needle. There was at least one instant where I was in a hospital room and I was trying to tell you something, at least I think that's what happened. Everything seems so fuzzy. I don't remember very much after that. I had these strange dreams but I can't seem to remember them." Peter layed back down suddenly feeling very tired.

Kwai Chang smiled, tears shining bright in his eyes and relief filled his soul. Peter was going to be all right. Without realizing it, the ordeal that Peter was able to survive was due to his Shaolin training. He had reacted by protecting his own mind by retreating into it rather than giving in to Damon and the drug that surely would have killed him. Kwai Chang longed to tell his son but it would have to wait. Peter needed time to heal. Kwai Chang knew that it was not totally over. There was a chance that Peter could suffer from nightmares and Kwai Chang wanted him close so he could help his son through them. For now, Peter was hungry and he found that he was, too. With that, Kwai Chang went to the workbench and prepared a meal for both of them. It would be here that the sharing and the healing would begin.

End