This round robin appeared on the Cadserv Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Fiction list, authored by Trisa Zink, Denise Edge, Shylo, and Alisa Joaquin. The story has been posted here with the permission of the authors.

"Pop! No! No let me help you, you can't do it by yourself. Pop! NOOOOOOOOO!" Peter screamed as he bolted up out of bed. Peter was covered in sweat. He placed his hands over his face and took a deep breath "This has got to stop" he told himself. The nightmares were getting worse, more intense, almost as if they were real, but that was impossible. He had been having nightmares ever since he was a kid, but nothing like this

Peter looked over at his clock. "Great!" he said. The time read 2:34 in the morning. "Now I won't get back to sleep." He looked down at his hands, they were trembling. Peter walked into the bathroom, and looked at himself in the mirror, and didn't like what he saw. His face was pale and there were large circles under his eyes. "Man! I look like one of the undead." Peter said as he splashed his face with water. "This has got to stop, I can't function like this any more." he said as he turned to go put some clothes on. "But I do know one man that can help me." Peter said has he grabbed his keys, and headed towards the door.

******

Peter walked up the fire escape to his father's apartment. He hesitated for a moment before he opened the door

*Maybe this is a bad idea* Peter thought. *It's almost 3:00 o'clock in the morning, I shouldn't bother him tonight.*

Peter turned as if to leave, but someone had placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What is troubling you my son."

Peter jumped, startled by his fathers sudden appearance.

"Pop! you shouldn't scare people like that,"

"I am sorry I did not mean to frighten you." said Canie

"That's all right Pop, the state I'm in right now a mouse could of frightened me."

"Come lets talk." Canie said as he took Peter's arm and dragged him inside.

Peter sat down on a small mat, as his father gathered some herbs to make tea.

"What is wrong. Peter, you are troubled by something?"

"You could say that Pop. I have been having nightmares again, but these aren't just nightmares they're so real, almost as if I was really there." Peter said as his hands began to tremble again. Caine came and placed his hands over Peter to stop the shaking.

"These dreams are very disturbing to you. Would you like to talk about it."

"No not yet, I am not ready to share them, Not now anyway." Peter said in a frightened tone.

Caine looked into the eyes of his son and saw great pain. These Dreams were taking there toll on Peter.

"If you do not want to talk about it, then what is your reason for coming."

"I just wondered if I could stay the night over here, I didn't want to be alone tonight. In case they come back, the dreams."

"Of course, you are always welcome to stay, you know that Peter. Now sleep." Caine said as he handed him a small cup of tea. "Drink this. We will talk about it when you are ready."

Peter drank the tea, and was asleep before his head even hit the pillow.

Caine took ahold of his son, and place him gently on the mat. He put a small pillow under Peter's head and covered him with a blanket. "I will not let anything happen to you my son. You are safe now."

After making sure Peter was conformable and well asleep. Caine took out another mat and laid it next to his son. If Peter had another nightmare he wanted to make sure he was close by. Caine laid down next to Peter and tried to get some sleep.

*******

"NO! NO! leave me alone. Please leave me. NO!"

Caine's head jerked up when he heard the cries of his son. He looked over at Peter to find his son fighting a battle only he could see, his body surrounded in a red light.

"PETER! Wake up it is only a dream," he said as he placed both his hands on Peters chest trying to feel his chi, but something wasn't right. "PETER WAKE UP! " It wasn't working.

"NO! leave me, I don't want it you can't make me. NOOOO! Peter screamed.

"Leave my son alone."Caine hollered in frustration.

Peter was pale and looked very weak as if the nightmare he was fighting, was taking to much out of him. Caine quickly tried to combine their chi's so he could give Peter strength to fight his demons. Then suddenly some unknown force threw Caine away from his son against a wall. Peter was screaming even louder now.

"FATHER, HELP ME I CAN'T STOP THEM. NO!"

Caine quickly recovered and took ahold of Peters hand. With all the energy he had in him he combined his and his son's chi. He felt the outside force that was trying to take ahold of Peter.

"Leave him, he does not belong to you."

With out another word, the red hase lifted off of Peter, as he collapsed into his father's arms. Then the red light took a human form and spoke.

"The boy belongs to us, give him to me and spare more pain."

"NEVER! yelled Caine. "He belongs to no one, and I will protect him. Leave now."

"Very well Caine. But I will be back to take him from you."

"LEAVE NOW!" Caine said as he waved his arm threw the air. As he did so the being that had attacked his son was gone.

"Peter." Caine said as he placed his son's body on the floor. Peter was gasping for air in small breaths, and his heart was pounding so hard that Caine thought it would jump right out of his chest.

"Relax Peter you are fine now, rest the demons will not return tonight."

Caine place Peter back on to the mat and covered him with the blanket again. He sat down next to his son and watched his son's body begin to relax and his breathing began to become regular.

"I will watch over you tonight my son, Tomorrow we will find this demon and defeat him together."

The evening passed unnoticed by the young man. Instead, he had fallen into a peaceful dream where demons no longer chased him. A warm presence kept the demon away, only allowing peaceful thoughts to float through Peter's mind. Caine sat beside Peter in the normal lotus position Caine's body had become accustomed to. The breaking of dawn was like an alarm clock, bringing Caine out of the meditative trance he had fallen into. He quietly arose from his son's side and went into the kitchen. for the task ahead of them, he would need to make a specific tea, one that would help strengthen their chi. Noise from the room he had come out of alerted him to Peter's presence before the young man saw his father. Caine took in the weariness that was evident in Peter's hazel eyes that were tinted brown. Red lines ran across each other in the whites of his eyes, the dark circles under Peter's eyes were more pronounced than they were when Peter had first arrived only a few hours ago.

"I have prepared us some tea." Caine bowed slightly, picking up the small tray that he had set two teacups on then made his way to the balcony that overlooked Chinatown.

Peter followed him outside as he attempted to rub the grit out of his eyes. The movement did not help, but it at least gave him something to do. The silence between the two men was disturbed by the waking city below. A lone dog barked as men and women started bringing out their wares. The produce warehouse on the first floor of Caine's building had started coming to life with the opening of it's huge double doors. Large trucks backed up to the loading docks, their cargo unloaded and packed onto slats, the contents to be sorted out later.

"Pop, uh sorry, Dad, thanks for letting me crash here last night. I just don't think I can handle any more of those dreams."

Caine remained silent, slowly sipping his tea as Peter reached for fresh fruit that had been laid on the table. Peter continued, he could feel his face grow warm from having to admit that nightmares still frightened him.

"I know...this sounds silly. A grown man afraid of dreams, but Damn it, Pop, they are so real. I wake up at night, drenched in sweat after I see some...some...devil trying to grab me."

The words, once released, ran out of Peter' s mouth without further thought of how silly it made him appear. Looking into his father's face, he didn't see any judgment, only love and concern.

"I think, I think he grabbed me last night."

Caine barely heard the last words as Peter spoke them, his voice lowering to a whisper. "He did have you, my son."

Peter's head snapped up at the words, thinking that he had misunderstood what his father was saying, looking for any sign of amusement in the older man's face and saw none.

"He will attempt again to get you and keep you. We must prepare for the fight, my son." Caine replied, setting his now empty teacup aside.

"You saw the demon?" Peter was surprised.

"Yes

Peter felt great relief that his father believed him.

"Pop, I don't understand. Why does this ... this ... Thing want me?"

"I do not know."

Peter was again getting frustrated with his father's common phrase and he began to pace the room like a caged tiger.

"Peter, you must calm your chi. Your fear will only cause the demon to be drawn to you."

"I can't help it, Pop. I've never felt so . . ."

Kwai Chang approached his son and pulled him into an embrace. He was shocked to find just how bad his son's condition had become. Not only had he not been sleeping, he could feel his backbone through the shirt. His heart was also beating way too fast.

"Peter, when is the last time you have eaten?"

Peter pulled away from his father embarrassed to say.

"Since this morning? I don't remember. I haven't had much of an appetite. I can't seem to keep anything down."

Kwai Chang checked his son for fever. He could feel his temperature was elevated but not dangerously so.

"Come, we will go see the Ancient. He may have some answers that we seek."

"I can't, Pop. I have to report in for work."

"Does your captain know you have not been well?"

"No, and I would rather keep it that way. We're short handed at the precinct. Too many cops are out with the flu. Even my partner, Jody came down with it real bad."

Kwai Chang crossed over to his workbench and grabbed a small bag of herbs and handed them to Peter.

"Since you will not rest, you are to make a tea with these. This should help to keep your fever down and to settle your stomach. Drink it twice a day. You must be careful. If you become too ill, this demon will take advantage of it. I do not want to loose you. I will go see the Ancient. After your shift, you come back here."

The look on Kwai Chang's face was a father filled with deep concern. The sound of his voice was one of insistance and invited no argument.

'Beside,' Kwai Chang thought, 'I can protect you better here.'

Peter left for the precinct while Kwai Chang went to see Lo Si. He found that the Ancient was down in one of the rooms in his home practicing his slow moving Tai Chi.

"You are concerned for Peter. A demon tries to take his soul."

"Yes. I do not know why this is so."

"Peter is the Last. The demon knows this. He will come after you once the son is gone."

"But why?"

"To destroy the Line of Caine. The demon knows that you are capable of fathering other children."

"But I do not wish for other children."

A smile came a cross Lo Si's face.

"The demon does not know this. He is aware of only his goal."

"There must be more to this than just that. The demon wishes to own my son."

"The only way you can protect him is to let him go."

Then Kwai Chang saw through the disguise.

"You shall not have my son! Away demon!"

"You cannot prevent me, Shaolin!"

"Where is the old one?"

"The one you call the Ancient is my prisoner. Give me the Last and I shall free him."

"There will be no bargain. The Ancient knows this to be true."

"We shall see, priest." Then the demon disappeared leaving Kwai Chang caught between his Shaolin duty and the love of a father.

Peter sipped tea in between filing reports and interviewing suspects. It tasted bitter, but then his father's remedies usually did. It did help settle his stomach, though, and he managed to choke down a sandwich at lunch. Kermit watched the young cop from his office. Something wasn't right. Peter looked like he needed the services of Nicky Elder, and he hadn't gone near the coffee pot all day. He remained mostly at his desk, every movement seeming to be an effort for him. The Peter that Kermit knew was in constant motion, like a shark who would die if he stopped moving. Kermit rose from his comfortable chair and ambled over to Peter's desk as if he hadn't a care in the world. He perched on the corner of Peter's cluttered workspace and surveyed the bullpen, seeming to be looking everywhere but at Peter.

"Want to tell me what's going on?" the ex-mercenary questioned. Peter looked away, knowing that by making eye contact with his friend, he would tell all of his secrets, even ones he didn't know he had.

"Just having a little trouble sleeping. I must have a touch of the flu bug that's going around." Peter took another sip of the horrible brew. The face he made would have been laughable if Kermit hadn't been so worried.

"Is that why you're drinking one of your father's nasty concoctions?" Kermit could have been commenting on the weather, but Peter read something else in his tone. Before he had a chance to comment, Kwai Chang Caine was standing behind him. Not even Kermit had seen the priest enter the precinct.

"We must go, Peter." Caine's voice, usually calm and soothing, had an urgent edge to it.

"Go where, Pop?" Peter asked, sounding like a petulant child. His mind was spinning from the nightmares and the slight fever he felt creeping up on him. He was in no mood for any of his father's games.

"The demon that seeks your soul has taken the Ancient. We must go to prepare for the battle that lies ahead." Caine was tugging on Peter's arm, now, uncharacteristically nervous. Kermit rose from the desk and returned to his office without a word. His absence went unnoticed by Peter, who was having all he could do to deal with his father.

"What?" Peter's eyes were even more blood shot than they had been earlier in the morning. His fevered skin took on a pale, waxen look. Caine was desperate to get his son out of this place. He felt evil's presence in the precinct. If his son remained, the demon, disguised as any one of the people around him, would surely find a chance to steal his son's soul. The priest pulled harder on Peter's arm until the young cop rose unsteadily to his feet. He wavered a moment, then shook his head to clear it. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he would have fallen had his father and Kermit not caught him. The computer expert reappeared as quietly as he had disappeared only seconds before Peter lurched into his arms. Leaning against Caine and Kermit for support, Peter could feel the outline of Kermit's trusty Desert Eagle at the older detective's side. Karen Simms had observed Caine's frantic tugging on her detective's arm and stepped out of her office to see what was going on. Her curiosity turned to concern as she saw Peter fall against his father and Kermit. She started to say something to Kermit, but he cut her off.

"He's got that damned flu that's going around. Darned kid. Told him he should have stayed at home this morning. Caine and I are going to take him back to Caine's place and get him into bed."

Kermit tossed a plausible explanation at the Captain, hoping she believed him. He didn't want to say anything about demons and curses. Even though he had witnessed the mystisism of the world in which Caine lived, he was unwilling to speak about anything he'd seen or heard. To be honest, he wasn't sure *he* believed what was going on. He sure as Hell was not going to have Karen Simms think he was ready for the looney bin. The priest and the computer nerd/trained killer supported Peter between them as they exited the building. He was barely able to shuffle his feet enough to help them.

"Father, he's reaching for me." Peter's voice took on an etheral quality, as if he were dreaming. Kermit could see that the young detective was no longer aware of his surroundings.

"We must hurry. The demon comes for him. We must prepare him for the battle ahead."

"What battle? What the Hell is he talking about, demons?" Kermit asked the priest not sure he wanted to know.

Caine, what battle? What's this about demons?" Kermit queried Kwai Chang further, even though he wasn't sure he wanted his questions to be answered.

"A demon wishes to possess my son's soul. I do not know why. Before we can even begin to understand we need the assistance of the Ancient."

"I thought you said the Ancient had been taken?"

"Yes. We need to free him."

"Where is he?"

"Within the demon's world."

"But won't that put Peter at risk?"

"No!" Peter was continuing to slip into the etherial world. He began to struggle against the support of the two men. Suddenly Kwai Chang stepped off to the side near the entrance of an ally. He took Peter from Kermit and held him in a tight embrace. Kwai Chang sank to the ground in a lotus position and quickly reached out his chi to surround his son's chi. Kermit watched in fascination as he saw that Peter's face had a red light around him. Then as quickly as the light had been there, it was gone. Kwai Chang struggled to rise still holding onto his son. What battle he had done only helped to prevent the inevitable temporarily. Kermit could see that the struggle had also weakened Kwai Chang.

"We must hurry. We must get back to my apothecary. There are herbs there that will strengthen both our chi's. The demon that tried to take Peter was not the Master. He will be coming for him next time."

Kwai Chang Caine and Kermit made their way to Caine's apartment only to find that something else waited for them. Usually the apartment was a place of sanctuary and peaceful calm. In this sacred space, something had invaded.

"Give me the boy!"

"Never! You shall not have him." Caine tried to stretch his chi farther to block the demon's power but in his weakened state, he did not know how effective he would be. He feared it would not be enough. Suddenly Kwai Chang felt another dark presence and yet this presence also contained light. Kermit advanced with his Desert Eagle and came in between the demon's prey.

"Do not come between me and what is mine."

"You'll have to get past me."

"Intriguing. A dark knight, protects the light."

"Well you know what they say, fight fire with fire."

"It is not over between us dark knight. Before this night is out, I will have Peter Caine's soul and you will give it to me."

"Like hell I will."

Suddenly the demon let up a wail and disappeared from the room. Kwai Chang still holding Peter collapsed on the floor.

"Thank you Kermit. You have gifts not yet realized."

"Is Peter all right?"

Kwai Chang touched his son's face and reached out with his chi. Peter was still with them but had been badly weakened. Another encounter and they would loose him to the darkness.

"We must rescue the Ancient."

"Caine, you can't be serious. You've been badly weakened yourself. If you go up against that demon again, he may kill you. Right now you're the only hope Peter has."

"No, Kermit. The demon reacted also to you. Because of your past, the demon does not understand why someone of the dark would protect the light."

"There's got to be another way. What about Shambhala? What about taking Peter there?"

Kwai Chang thought on what Kermit had suggested. There was the chance that Peter's chi would be renewed in Shambhala. But there was an equal chance that the demon could follow them there and destroy everyone to get at his son. There was also the possibility that they may be able to rescue the Ancient without the risk to Peter's soul. Kwai Chang weighed the possibilities in his mind and chose.

"You will find the medallion hanging on the buddha in the kwoon. Use it to find the book. It will glow when you come close to it."

Kermit did as he was instructed while Kwai Chang continued to hold his son. With physical contact, his son's chi remained strengthened, while his was being drained. It did not matter if Kwai Chang died in the process. He would not let harm come to his son ever, again. When Kermit returned from the kwoon, he was carrying the box that contained the book. Kwai Chang instructed him on where the mechanism was that opened the hidden drawer.

"Now, open the book to the center."

Kermit did as he was instructed. The next thing he knew, they were no longer in Caine's apartment. Steps leading into a Temple could be seen. At the top of the stairs were three monks dressed in white iredescent robes with hoods. They were staring down at the three, and they were not happy.

"I do believe we're not in Kansas any more, Dorothy."

"I do believe we're not in Kansas any more, Dorothy."

Kermit's comment caused Caine to turn his head. The reference he was not sure of but he was able to figure out the meaning. The three monks came forward ready to defend the Temple when they suddenly recognized the newest member of their ranks.

"Kwai Chang Caine, what has happened? Who is this man?"

They eyed Kermit wearily. They were very much aware of the darkness that surrounded the mercenary.

"Do not be alarmed. He is a friend. A demon wants my son. He is very weak. We came here for help. The demon also has the Ancient"

The three monks, though cautious regarding Kermit, listened to what Caine had to say. The knowledge that Kwai Chang brought them was very disturbing.

"We will help but we cannot allow him to remain."

One of the monks pointed a finger at Kermit.

"Just try and make me leave," Kermit replied with anger.

"Stop!" Kwai Chang cried. "I will be responsible for him." Kwai Chang's breathing became labored.

"Please, help my son." Then he collapsed on the floor still clutching his only child in his arms.

One of the three monks signaled and two other monks appears. Four of the monks took Kwai Chang and his son to a place where they could rest.

"You must follow me." The fifth monk said to Kermit with contempt.

Kermit was led to another part of the Temple and placed in a small room with a bed and a small table.

"Wait here."

The door was closed and to Kermit's surprise locked behind him.

"Damn, I should have insisted on staying with Caine."

Kermit thought about drawing his Desert Eagle but when he reached for it, he discovered the weapon was missing. The monks of Shambhala had somehow lifted it from him without his knowledge. Kermit did not like to be without his weapon in any unknown territory, no matter how neutral or friendly. Looks could be deceiving. It would seem, Kermit was being forced to wait, and waiting was not one of his strong suits.

Kwai Chang came to and found himself within the infirmary of Shambhala. His son laid next to him. Slowly he got up and found his energy had been renewed. Kwai Chang approached his son. He touched his face and reached out with his chi only to nearly collapse with sudden grief. His son's chi was missing. Though his son's spirit was still within his body, the life force that fed the spirit was not there. Peter had slipped into a coma.

"No!" Anger rose within Kwai Chang. From all their effort, somehow the demon had stolen that which was most precious to him. They had hoped by bringing Peter here, they could prevent it from happening. The demon must have had part of Peter's chi and when they entered Shambhala, the demon somehow drew Peter's chi to him. They would need the Ancient more than ever if they were to return Peter's chi to his body. At least in Shambhala, the monks would be able to keep Peter alive until they returned from freeing Peter's chi. But where was Peter's chi being held?

"Let me out of here!"

Kermit slammed the small table against the door but it would not budge. Kermit was even surprised that the table even survived the force of his throw. Suddenly the door was opened from the outside and different monk could be seen as well as . . .

"Caine, what's going on here? First we arrive in some unknown mystical place. You collapse with Peter and are taken away. Then I'm forced to wait in a locked room for several hours not knowing if you are alive or . . ."

Kermit was quickly silenced when Caine raised his hand. Then Kermit saw the pain in Caine's eyes.

"It's Peter. Caine, what's happened?" Concern for Peter replaced the anger and frustration Kermit was feeling.

"In my weakened state, I could not stop the demon, even when coming to Shambhala. He has taken my son's chi."

"Where, how?"

"I believe I can answer your questions." Another monk entered the room.

"Who are you?" Kermit's shields snapped into place and his instincts entered mercenary mode.

"The Master of this place."

"Where's Caine's son?"

"He is safe for now. No harm will come to him in this place. It is written that the Line of Caine will not perish so long as the Last still lives. He will remain living."

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Kermit, in his infinite wisdom, did not trust the monk. Cryptic words had no meaning for him when his family and friends were in danger.

"The monks of Shambhala will keep Peter's body and spirit alive. They will not harm him. We, on the other hand, must rescue the Ancient and retreive Peter's chi. We do not have much time."

"Where are we going?"

"To Tatoris." Caine replied. "I have discovered that is where the demon has my son's chi.

"Tatoris? I thought that place was a myth."

"Like Shambhala?"

"Well . . ." Kermit felt somewhat sheepish. The more he was with the Caines, the more he saw things that should have been beyond his realm of understanding. He was learning not to under estimate the world of the mystic

"Caine, how are we going to get to this Tatoris?"

"The same way we came to Shambhala." Caine shrugged in his usual manner.

"Wait, can't you tell me at least how and why the demon took only Peter's chi and not Peter?"

Caine took a deep sigh. He did not want to think about his son's chi being in the hands of a demon who would soon come after the rest of his son. The father in him did not want to take the time to explain, but the Shambhala Master needed to in order so others could fully understand, even himself.

"The demon wishes to control and possess my son, utterly. Peter is Shaolin at least in his training. He has not taken the brands yet. Peter's chi though strong can be weakened. By weakening and stealing Peter's chi, the demon has the opportunity to take my son's soul and possess him. Why he is doing this is still not known. We must hurry Kermit. Peter is running out of time."

The look in Kermit's face was enough for Caine to pick up on one more quesiton.

"You will not need your gun. As I said, you have gifts even you are not aware of. It will work in our favor, however, you will be tempted. You must resist at all cost. Are you ready?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Caine, explain to me one thing. Where is this Tatoris?"

"Do you not remember the "Time Bandits"? The ones that kidnapped your Captain Simms and myself?"

"Oh, yeah." Kermit bowed his head and tried to hide his eyes, even though they remained behind his green protective shields. He still hadn't forgiven himself for the time Karen had been abducted right out from under him in his own apartment. Ever since then, he had Blake secretively install far more security devices than one apartment should have been allowed. The devices were also so small that it would take an expert like Blake to even spot where they had been placed. No one was going to get the drop on him ever again.

Caine continued his lecture. "Tatoris is a world very similar to Shambhala. The difference being it is a world where darkness rules above all else. It is a world where the setting sun is worshiped and where those that rule are wrapped within the cocoon of darkness. In Tatoris, there is no idea of light at all."

"How can a place like that be possible?"

"It was said that when Tatoris was created, Shambhala was also created so that a balance between light and darkness could be maintained."

"I don't understand. You mean Tatoris was created first?"

"No one knows for sure just how or when Tatoris or Shambhala were created. That does not matter, only knowing that they both exist does."

"I still don't understand why they would want Peter."

Caine did not know if he should reveal to Kermit what he had learned. It was almost more than he could bear himself. He knew he would have to reveal it sooner or later, but for now, he would at least reveal some of that information, in hopes that would be enough to satisfy the ex-mercenary. But eventually, without that knowledge, Kermit may not be able to overcome what it was they were about to face and Caine would have failed in his duty as a Shambhala Master.

"Caine what is it that you're not telling me?"

"When Peter and I were separated those 15 years, I learned that Peter had tried to harden his heart against the outside world. One of the reasons why Peter had become a cop was not because Paul Blaisdell was one, but because he sought revenge for my death and eventually he too would seek death because deep in his soul, he believed that everyone he had ever loved would eventually abandon him, leaving him alone and without hope."

You mean Peter would have . . ."

"Yes. If we had not found each other, Peter would have eventually committed the most hanous of crimes against the soul. He would have found the means to kill himself and try to return to the source of all things, thinking he would have been trying to return to me. But that would not be possible. Once rage and revenge have entered the soul, the cycle of ones lives becomes shorter. And in some, it ends. Peter's soul would have been lost to the darkness forever."

"But that won't happen now." said Kermit. "You and Peter are together. That rage that was in him is gone, isn't it?"

"Peter is still capable of deep rage, as we all are. But you are partially correct. The rage that was within Peter's soul had been diminished."

"But why is the demon attracked to Peter? What could the demon possibly want with Peter's chi? Wouldn't bringing Peter's chi into his world cause some kind of chain reaction that would unbalance the fabric of time?" Kermit shook his head at what he just said. It sounded like a bad science fiction movie. He wasn't even sure if he even believed all of this. The only thing he was certain of, Peter was laying in a coma in a strange place and he would die if he wasn't brought back from some unknown mythical demonic place.

"The chi is the life force within us all that feeds the soul. Without that life force, the soul is unprotected and becomes weak. So long as Peter remains in Shambhala, there is a chance that the demon cannot steal Peter's soul, but every hour that goes by, makes it more difficult for Peter's chi to be renewed, so even the Masters will not be able to guard him. Even they can only do so much to keep his soul and what may remain of his chi, if any remains, together. There is more. The demon may have already taken a part of Peter's soul as well as his chi. The soul and the chi are forever linked. Remove one and the other cannot help but follow." As Caine described this new information to Kermit, deep pain and grief was apparent in the father's eyes. Kermit could see that Caine, even though he was trying to remain hopeful, was struggling with the realization that he could lose his son. Kermit was also aware that Caine was still holding back information, information that he could tell was filling the Shaolin with great fear.

"How long does Peter really have?"

Caine stood silently at first, then a pained whisper escaped his lips, "I do not know"

"We'll save him Caine. I swear. Now how do we enter this Tatoris?"

Caine motioned for Kermit to follow. He was not ready to leave just yet. He needed to check on Peter one more time before entering the darkness. When they entered the infirmary, they found Peter had been moved to a low platform. Two monks were seated on the floor with Peter between them. They each had a hand on his chest. Candles surrounded them to give them extra protection. Caine entered the circle and kneeled next to his son. He placed his hand on Peter's cheek and breathed a deep sigh. The sight of Peter like this brought memories at the Temple when a brother would die. It was not a comforting thought. Tears welled up within Caine's eyes. He could not think about that. He did not want to see his son in this position. It was not right. There would come a day when they would be permanently separated from each other again, but not so soon.

Kermit stood in the the doorway and watched, frozen. The scene was almost too much for him. It reminded him of David's death. He had barely gotten to the wake and the funeral on time. Instead he should have been there to prevent even that from happening. Seeing Peter laying there, as if in state, caused a deep rage to build within him. He thought on what Caine said on how he would be tempted to give over Peter's soul. The mercenary in him vowed that on Peter's life that he would do everything in his power to return his friend and little brother.

Kermit watched Caine rise and he stepped in front of the mercenary indicating he was ready to leave.

"Give me a few minutes with Peter."

Caine nodded and waited outside. As Kermit stepped forward, the monks eyed Kermit with distain and caution. Though they understood that this man was a friend to the son of the Shaolin, they were also aware of the darkness that surrounded the ex-mercenary. Kermit kneeled down, brushed a stray lock from Peter's forehead, and whispered into Peter's ear.

"I won't let this demon take you. I won't fail you like I failed David. I swear on my soul. The demon doesn't know what he's up against. It'll be mercenary rules from now on." Kermit rose and he spoke to the two monks. "Take care of him. He's very special. He's a brother to me."

The two monks watched the two men leave together, puzzled looks were on their faces. The man in the green sunglasses was a puzzlement for them. His soul was dark and yet, there was something about him that spoke of the light as well. Perhaps they had been mistaken about the man called Kermit Griffin.

Kwai Chang led Kermit down a long corridor. This particular hallway was filled with doors leading to parts unknown. It was as if they were walking in the corridors of someone's mind. If Kermit opened a door, he presumed that he would see parts of his life or maybe parts of other lives that lived or had yet to live. The thought sent shivers up the ex-mercenary's spine. He did not know if he wanted to even enter such a place, but he would for the sake of his brother, Peter Caine.

Kwai Chang and Kermit came to the end of the corridore to face two large doors that were ornately carved. Images of a sunset and a sunrise graced each door. The door on the right, containing the sunrise showed images of monks similar to the Shaolin. Animals of every description were at their feet. It was a scene that spoke of peace and harmony. In contrast, the door on the left showed a sun setting. The human figures were grotesque and the animals were filled with fear. Terror ruled this door. At the center was the symbol of the Tao, the yin and yang, turned at 90 degrees so both parts touched each of the doors signifying that both were still a part of each.

Caine turned toward Kermit. Determination was in his face. He spoke with a forcefulness of a teacher instructing a disobedient student. "This door leads to Tatoris and to other realms, both peaceful and filled with terror. We must focus only on Tatoris. All other thoughts must be bannished from our minds if we are to arrive at our destination. Before we enter, you must do one thing. Believe in me. The reality of Tatoris is grounded in deception. They will do everything in their power to make you stray from the light. Our goal is to rescue the Ancient."

"I thought our goal was to rescue Peter?" Confusion and even anger played across Kermit's face.

"It is, but not while we are in their world. They will have the advantage. We must make them come to us. While they have the Ancient, we cannot hope to help Peter. We need his skills as a Shamhala Master as well. Here, you must wear this. It will give you some protection. It will help you to see truth from falsehood." Caine held up a jade pendant. It was a duplicate to the one that Kwai Chang was wearing.

"I thought only Shaolin wore these."

"This pendant belonged to Peter's mother. He will receive it in time. For now, you will wear it. By wearing it, you are included within my house."

Kermit was speechless. To be given such a gift, even temporarily, spoke volumes about Caine's feelings toward the ex-mercenary. To have Kermit wear such an offering for his protection and to be included within his house suggested to him that Caine looked toward him as a son and brother to Peter. Without a word, Kermit bowed his head and allowed the Shaolin to place the pendant around his neck.

"Are you ready, my son?"

"Oh, yeah," Kermit said not overlooking the reference. Each said a silent prayer to the source of all things. Then Caine grasped the handles of the doors and opened them leading into the darken mist-filled world beyond.

They were aware. A piece of the light had entered as well as something else, a darkness that was different and yet familiar. It felt like kinship and yet there was something more to that darkness that made them afraid.

"They have entered Master, what shall we do?"

"Nothing. They will come to us to seek out their friend."

"Should we not kill him? We were unable to break him, to turn him away from the Great Rising Sun." There was bitterness in the other's voice.

"It does not matter. He will be dead soon. Without his aid, the Shaolin's son is as good as ours. Then we will have our sacrifice and the wall between Shambhala and Tatoris will crumble."

"What of the other, the man with the green glasses?"

"He is the key to acquiring Peter Caine's soul. You know what must be done. Now prepare."

Caine and Kermit entered Tatoris. They could feel others watching them from deep within the confines of hidden buildings. The fog that surrounded them clung like icey fingers. It caused Kermit to shiver but Caine seemed oblivious to it. While Shambhala was a temple situated within a land filled with warm golden sunlight, peaceful valleys, and serene forests, Tatoris was filled with deep rocky crags where nothing grew and an icy mist that chilled clear to the bone. A crowded collection of small buildings that stretched in all directions could be seen when the mist was at it's thinnest.

"Where are we suppose to look in all this soup?" Kermit was becoming irritated. "I can't see a thing in this fog."

"We must head toward the center," Caine pointed as best he could then began walking ahead through the maze of buildings. "You must stay close."

Suddenly the fog thickened around them. Kermit stopped and pullled off his sunglasses. They were doing him little good in this place, only to cast a greenish haze which did nothing but make the swirling fog look like green soup. Instead of bringing him that customary calm, looking into it made his stomach turn. In this instance, he was better off without them. It was then that he noticed he was alone.

"Caine! Caine where are you?"

"Kermit?" Caine reached out but found only air. Within a short span, the fog had thickened and they had become separated. Kwai Chang thought about going back to find the ex-mercenary but thought better of it. He knew where they were heading and it would be best to simply go forward and not risk becoming more lost wihin the mist. Caine hunched his shoulders and began walking. Sooner or later he would meet up with the ex-mercenary again. He hoped sooner for the sake of the Ancient.

Kermit followed Caine as best he could. He continued to walk in the direction that Caine had indicated but anticipation and anxiety was reeking havock on his senses. He kept seeing faces that he thought he knew. The minute he got a glimps of Caine's brown jacket, he headed in that direction only to find the person had disappeared. Without realizing it, he had turned completely off course. Suddenly an open door loomed before him and Kermit reached for his Desert Eagle only to find the gun had not been returned to him by the Masters of Shambhala.

"I really could use my gun" he said out loud to no one in particular. How were they expecting him to defend himself? He had no skills like a Shaolin, yet Caine had said he had gifts of his own. He had not fully paid attention to the comment and for the first time, Kermit wondered just what Caine had meant by it.

Kermit cautiously walked through the door. He found himself in a hallway leading deeper into the structure. Here torches lined the walls leading to other parts of the building. Kermit followed them until he found himself entering what looked like the temple in Shambhala but the steps led downward to what looked like a throne room. This did not look all that unusual except there was a single person sitting in the center of the floor. Suddenly the person rose and turned to face the ex-mercenary as he descended the stairs. A look of confusion and surprise appeared on Kermit's face and he shook his head in disbelief.

"Hello big brother."

"David?"

Kwai Chang continued forward. He reached out his chi and found that he could sense the Ancient's presence ahead. He could feel he was weak so he quickened his pace as best he could through the fog. Kwai Chang also tried to keep his senses open and alert for Kermit but he soon found that Kermit was no longer following him. This worried the Shaolin. They had already became separated and he hoped that Kermit would be able to find his way and to handle what was instore for him.

Kwai Chang found the center. The Ancient was tied to a table on a platform. His arms and legs spread eagle. Anger rose within Kwai Chang at seeing the way his friend had been treated. He raced to the platform and lept up to the top. Suddenly he was put upon by several beings that could have been men but their grotesque features made them look like somethng out of a horror movie. Kwai Chang kicked out defending himself and Lo Si as best he could. The creatures kept swarming at them until Kwai Chang concentrated and through them all back with the force of his chi. The blinding light from that force caused the creatures to scatter back into the darkness. He then turned to the Ancient and sat on the edge of the table. He examined Lo SI and became alarmed. Whatever had been done to him had brought the Ancient close to death. Kwai Chang pulled out a small jar that contained a mixture that looked like an herbal butter. He then pulled out another leaf and dipped it into the jar. He placed the jar aside and lifted the Ancient's head. Weakly Lo Si responded to his friend's touch.

"I knew you would come, my friend."

"Do not speak. You must eat this. It will strengthen your chi."

Lo Si did as Kwai Chang requested. Then Kwai Chang also took some of the herbs himself to help in replenishing his chi. He saved some for Kermit when they would again meet up with each other.

"Come, we must find Kermit."

"Kermit is here with you? Who is guarding Peter?"

Kwai Chang was surprised that Lo Si knew what was happening. He had already been gone when Peter had been attacked. "The Masters of Shambhala are guarding him. How is it that you know what has happened?"

"I knew of the demon's plans before he tried to take Peter and tried to stop him but he overpowered me."

"If you had continued to practice your skills, he would not have done so."

Lo Si ignored Kwai Chang's teasing reprimand. "You must stop the demon Kwai Chang Caine. I may not have the strength to do so. Peter's chi is here, trapped."

"I cannot leave Kermit to his fate. I must get you to safety as well."

"Take me to Kermit," said Lo Si. "He and I can leave this place while you free Peter's chi. If you do not, Peter will not be able to return and his soul will be drawn into this place and perish."

"Why does the demon want my son's soul?"

"With Peter's soul, a sacrifice can be achieved."

"But why, for what purpose?"

"Tatoris wishes to invade Shambhala. Remember the Dark Warrior, my friend?"

"Yes." Kwai Chang became more serious as his attention was drawn in.

"The Dark Warrior was their leader. By defeating him, you weakened their abilities and strengthened the barrier between their world and Shambhala."

"I do not understand why my son is made to suffer when it was I who defeated the Warrior."

"Peter is most crucial to their plans. By taking his soul and destroying it, they believe it will weaken you so you cannot act against them. It is written: If the Last shall be destroyed and the newest Master perish, so too will Shambhala and the world shall enter darkness for 1000 years."

Kwai Chang bowed his head. "They would be correct. With the death of my son's soul, I could not act. It would also destroy me. We must hurry and stop this madness before it is too late."

"Hello big brother."

"David?"

Kermit stared in disbelief. How was it possible? He had seen his brother buried and yet, here he stood, not looking a day older. Kermit recalled the last time he had seen David. It had been on his 24th birthday. Right after that, Kermit had been called away on another assignment. When he would return, his brother would be dead, an overdose that Larson had conveniently given David as payment for busting up his ring. Shortly after that, he would meet up with Paul Blaisdell again and meet the new addition to his family, Peter. Right now, Kermit was trying to fathom how David could be in this place.

"Don't just stand there big brother, say something."

"How . . . how . . ."

"Speechless huh? You were not one for saying much any way. I still see you have your green sunglasses I gave you for your birthday."

A perplexed look came over Kermit until the kid that was before him indicated his breast pocket by pointing to his own. Kermit looked down to see that he had indeed placed his sunglasses there. Kermit nodded his response, still not sure of what to make of the situation. It certainly looked like David, even sounded like him. Plus, David was the only person in the world who knew the origin of his green spectacles. Still, something did not seem right about this. Kermit could not be sure of what he saw was real. Just to be sure, he decided to play along and really learn what was going on here. Kermit cautiously approached "his brother" keeping his back toward the stairs. He wanted to be sure he had an escape route.

"You don't seem pleased to see me," the man with David's face said.

"It's not that. I'm wondering how you could be here. You died of an overdose."

"Does it matter?"

"Hell, yes!" Kermit was getting more suspiscious by the minute. "You can't be real."

Just then the young man grabbed Kermit by the arms. Warm flesh could be felt through Kermit's shirt. The sensation nearly caused Kermit to jump out of his own skin but he remained rooted to the floor. Even if this person in front of him was flesh and blood, he could not ignore the feeling that something wasn't right here. And yet, it did feel real.

"David, what are you doing here?"

"I'm being given a second chance and you're going to help me."

"A second chance, at what." Kermit questioned, his alarm bells going off.

"At life."

"How am I suppose to help you?"

"It's just a small matter. You do want me to live again don't you?"

The question was retorical. Of course Kermit wanted his brother to live, but that was impossible, wasn't it? The young man continued his persuasive argument.

"We could do all the things we missed out doing. Going to ball games together. Christmas dinners, birthdays, you get the picture."

"Oh yeah, I get the picture." Kermit was beginning to see where this was going and he did not like it. He decided to play it out. "So what am I suppose to do to get you back?" Kermit decided to cut to the chase.

"Oh, I think you already know that. One soul for another?"

So that was it. Caine did warn him that he would be tempted. But to tempt him with the image of his own brother for the soul of Peter Caine was asking too much.

"Just think of it brother. That wouldn't be too hard for you. You've done it lots of times. Remember that raid you went on in the Sudan?"

This was getting to be too much for Kermit. Now he knew this was not his brother. The Sudan raid had happened six months after David had died. There was no way David could have known about that. The young man continued to list other events in Kermit's life as a mercenary as examples, events that David would have had no knowledge.

"It wouldn't be hard for you, being a mercenary . . ."

"No." was all Kermit said.

"What?"

"You heard me. No."

"Come on. I never known you to care about one lousy cop."

That clinched it. A cold chill entered Kermit''s heart for the being in front of him. "David was a cop, and a good one at that. You're not David. The answer is no. You'll have to find some other way to take Peter's soul because you're not getting it from me."

With that declaration, Kermit crouched in fighting position ready to defend himself the minute the demon before him changed.

"Too bad for you Dark Knight."

With those words, the demon revealed himself. He was the very one who attacked them in Caine's apartment. The demon conjured up a sword from nowhere and began advancing on Kermit. Kermit dodged the blade as best he could. Suddenly he saw his chance and he kicked out with a foreward jump kick, knocking the blade out of the demon's hand surprising him. Kermit then brought a forward punch to the demon's chest forcing the demon back and knocking him to the floor. The force from the blow also surprised Kermit. Within it he saw white light being sent from the center of his palm into the demon's chest. From that impact, the demon was shaken and his concentration had been broken. The sword disappeared. At that moment, Kermit took the advantage and raced back up the stairs. He had to find Caine and the Ancient and get out of there if they were to save Peter.

"It is not over Dark Knight. I will have Peter Caine's soul and yours as well. It is inevitable. I have his chi after all."

Kermit turned back to face the demon again.

"You'll never have Peter Caine's soul, demon. As his father says, 'He is not yours to own.' And neither is mine."

With those words, Kermit left the demon to find Caine and return to Shambhala.

As Kermit exited the building, he nearly ran into Caine and the Ancient. Relieved to see that they were both all right, the three of them headed back the way they had come only to find their way was blocked.

"We cannot let you leave, Shaolin. Your light will be swallowed by the dark, your son will be ours, and Shambhala will fall."

Caine pushed the Ancient and Kermit behind him.

"Light will always over come darkness." Kwai Chang responded.

As the beings of that world advanced on the trio, Kwai Chang pulled from his pouch the medalion of Shambhala. The crystal flared to life, giving off the pure white light of the Great Eastern Sun. The light forced them back, and they tried to cover their eyes and hearts. Their true cowardice was revealed and they became numb with fear. The light pierced their minds and they fled from the onslaught. For those that had lived in darkness too long, the light had become a poison to them.

"Quickly, we must leave this place."

"Kwai Chang, what of Peter's chi?"

"We must find another way to return it. This path will be closed to us." Kwai Chang sighed deeply. There was no other way. The ache in his heart threatened to overwhelm him. He felt as if he was abandoning Peter all over again.

"Do not frett, Kwai Chang. Peter's chi will be returned." Lo Si comforted.

"Let's move before they regroup. We don't have much time," the ex-mercenary became a voice of reason and reminder of their dire situation.

Kwai Chang led the way followed by Lo Si and Kermit. Caine kept the medalion of Shambhala before him like a talisman, it's brilliance shedding light within the darkened corners of Tatoris. Those that were caught within its boundries fled quickly away from the trio. Kermit turned back to see if anyone followed. He could see a massive crowd gathering just beyond the light and he wished for the second time during this ordeal that he had his Desert Eagle. It wasn't long before they came upon the boundries. Again the fog rose to surround them. Caine continued to hold onto the medalion until they were securely through the fog and through the great doors that marked the entry into Shambhala. All three breathed a sigh of freedom and drank in the light that surrounded them. As they entered, one of the monks approached them.

"Come Master, it is your son." There was deep sadness within the monk's eyes.

No! Kwai Chang closed his eyes and he found himself teetering. A hand grabbed his right arm and he could feel Kermit supporting him. "We will come." Kwai Chang whispered, his voice betraying the emotion he was so desparately trying to keep under control.

Kermit continued to hold onto Caine, not just to give him support, but to give himself that same ledge to cling to. He suddenly felt as if he was on a precipice. He did not want to think about what the monk was implying. The sadness in the monk's voice spoke of funerals. Kermit was not ready to bury Peter, yet.

As Kwai Chang followed the monk, he pushed Kermit's arm away. Though he valued the ex-mercenary's support, he needed to face this alone. As they moved down the hall, Kermit was aware that they were not heading toward the infirmary. They were again being lead to the inner courtyard. Candles could be seen around the perimeter that had not been there previously. Before they went any farther, the monk that led them held up his hands.

"I must inform you that we did all we could. He still lives but his life force is slowly retreating. We could not stop it. He has not much time. We have prepared him so when the time comes, he will be honored and his remains will be given a place of honor."

Kwai Chang bowed deeply. To have the Masters of Shamhala honor his son in this way, brought comfort.

"I wish to be with my son in his last hours." Unshed tears glistened in Kwai Chang's eyes.

"Oh my old friend. I am truly sorry." Tears also were apparent in the Ancient's eyes. He had grown to love Peter as a grandson.

Kermit's heart sank. Too late. They had been too late. The only thoughts that came to him was how was he going to break the news to Paul.

Kwai Chang Caine could sense the ex-mercenary's distress. "Come we shall watch over Peter together."

Kwai Chang and Kermit approached the raised platform that had been placed in the center of the courtyard. The monks of Shambhala had formed a circle around the young man who lay as still as death. They dressed him in the white robes of a Master though he had not earned that honor. At his feet and head were vases of flowers, plates of fruit, and candles. Surprisingly, the scent of jasmine filled the air.

Slowly, Kwai Chang approached and could see that his son still breathed, but it would not be long before he would be stilled forever. He placed one hand on Peter's chest and with the other, brushed Peter's brow with his fingers, running them down the side of his face to his cheek. His son, a young man whose life should have seen love fulfilled, his destiny realized. Never again will Kwai Chang hear the word Pop. He found he would miss that most most of all. At least this time, he would get the chance to say goodbye. As Kwai Chang bent down to give his son one last kiss on his forehead, he could feel the warmth still radiating upward from his son's skin. Knowing that warmth would soon turn cold finally caused the tears to fall, spilling onto his son's face. Kwai Chang could not help but reach for his son and hold him one last time.

As Kwai Chang was saying his goodbies, Kermit did his best to keep his emotions under control. He had restored his green protective sunglasses to their proper place, not so much out of habit, but to truly hide the tears wihin his own eyes. He felt someone needed to be under some semblance of control. He knew soon enough that it would be his turn to say goodbye. Kermit watched and realized that Kwai Chang was going to need the Ancient. Without a word, Lo Si came forward and coaxed Kwai Chang away from his son but he would not leave. Not if there was a breath left in Peter's body. Instead, Kwai Chang sat on the floor in lotus position still holding onto one of his son's hands. He would not let go until the very last minute.

At that moment, Kermit came forward. He did not know what to say. Just being there, seeing this happening made Kermit feel that it was not right. There had to have been more that they could have done but there would not be. All Kermit knew at the moment was that he was losing a second little brother, partner, and friend. If that was to happen, the least he could do was feel his passing and let Paul know that Peter had not suffered.

Kermit gazed down at his friend and took off his green glasses. He wanted to see Peter, not through a haze of green, but through his own eyes. He carefully folded them and placed them on Peter's chest. He then lifted Peter's free hand and placed it on top of the green spectacles, then placed his own hand over his. As he did this, a faint tingling sensation came from Kermit's hand. At first, Kermit thought it might have been one of those electrical shocks that one got from the weather being too dry on a cold winter day, but the sensation continued to grow. Kermit suddenly became alert with wonder. Did this normally happen near death? As the sensation grew, Kermit was aware of something else, something that he thought only Caine was capable of doing. He became aware of something being drawn from him. It was as if some force had taken hold and was pulling what life force he had into Peter and yet, he had not felt a drain on his own energy. As the energy grew, Kermit looked down to see white light again eminating from his hand. He was awestruck at how this was like the same light that had thrown the demon back when Kermit struck him in the chest. Suddenly, the energy reached it's peak and Kermit's body arched, stiffened, and then he found himself falling toward the floor.

As this was going on, Kwai Chang had slipped into a deep meditation. He was trying to reach his son's soul to say his final goodbies when suddenly he was brought out by a force not unlike that of being thrown from the Bardo. He barely reacted in time to catch Kermit from falling to the floor. He was about to question what had happened when a sound he had never thought he would ever here again called softly.

"Pop? What happened?"

"Pop? What happened"

Those were the sweetest words that Kwai Chang would ever hear. How it was possible to have Peter back with him was, at the moment, one question that would have to wait to be answered. For now, Kwai Chang wanted to laugh for joy, instead he slowly climbed onto the platform and lifted his son into his arms. He rested his son's head on his shoulder as he had done when Peter was a young boy and stroked his hair. One world escaped his lips.

"Peter."

The feel of his son's heart beating strongly and his chi returning to its natural level of strength, brought Kwai Chang the feeling of deep gratitude and relief. He turned his head toward Kermit, eyes shining bright with that gratitude, acknowledging that Kermit had, in some way, returned his son to him. He let the silent tears that he shed express what he felt at that moment.

Peter let his father's emotions of relief and joy wash through him. He could not remember what had happened at the precinct. All he could recall was that the demon had tried to take him and he found his energy suddenly drained from his body as if it had been sucked by a vacuum. Peter pushed out of his father's embrace, even though he wanted to remain. The feeling of safety, warmth, and love had helped to alleviate any residual fear that might have remained. As he pushed away, he looked around to see several pairs of eyes surrounding him in a circle. The eyes were all wide with varyng degrees of disbelief to astonishment to deep wonder, and even admiration. Whispers and questions could be heard among the circle. What had happened? How could this be? He was near death, how was it possible?

Then Peter was aware of where he was and he looked around and down at the clothing he wore. The realization that he was on a funeral pyre struck a chord and he remembered when everyone at the Temple thought that Ping Hai had died. It had been a ruse to ferret out an assasin. Except in this case, Peter had actually nearly died. Peter laid back, placing his hands over his face. This was the closest he had ever come. It nearly overwhelmed the young man that silent tears of relief ran down the sides of his face.

Sensing his son's distress, Kwai Chang took his son by the hand and pulled him back into his arms once more. Then without a word, he lifted him off the platform to carry him to another place where they both could talk in private. This time, Peter allowed his father the need to hold him. In truth, he did not want his father to let go. He clung to him as he had as a child, feeling his strong arms, giving comfort and protection. For now, all he wanted was to be that child and to feel his father's strength and love.

Kermit, Lo Si, and the rest of the monks of Shambhala watched Kwai Chang as he carried his son fiercely but tenderly through the open door to another part of the Temple. Kermit was about to follow when he felt a small but strong hand on his arm restraining him.

"Please Kermit, they must have time alone," the Ancient pleaded. "Kwai Chang nearly lost Peter this time. He needs to know that all will be well."

Kermit turned to the Ancient and simply nodded. He was even speechless himself. Moments before, Peter had been near death. What had happened while he rested his hand on Peter's had been astounding to say the least.

"Master," one of the monks came forward. "How was it that this man, a man of darkness, was able to save Master Caine's son?" There was still a hint of contempt within the young monk's voice and yet, he could not help but be astonished at what had transpired. Still, the monk, out of rudeness, turned his back on Kermit.

"Young man," the Ancient unashamely dressed down the monk. "You must ask him yourself." Lo Si then turned his back on the young monk and faced Kermit and winked at him. Kermit could barely stifle the laugh that was forcing its way upward and outward. Instead, he looked away to regain his composure and waited patiently.

"Well?" the young monk in his rudeness continued to query. He turned to face the ex-mercenary.

Kermit did not pay him any attention, instead retreived his green spectacles that had fallen on the floor.

"I wish to know how it is that you were able to save Caine's son while we were not."

Kermit did not answer, at first, but cleand his sunglasses with his hankerchief then replaced them on his nose. Only then did he turn to face the young monk.

"I do not know," Kermit said in an imitation of Caine. In truth, Kermit really did not know. He felt he should have seen the obvious but something was missing in the equation. The white eletrical charge that seemed to eminate from him had been as much a shock to Kermit as it had been to everyone else. Right now, he had no intention of answering the rude young monk's question. The only one he would try to solve the mystery with would be Kwai Chang. Kermit knew he deserved to know more than any other and Kwai Chang would help him find his own answers.

"Master Lo Si, Kermit Griffin, forgive the monk's rudeness," the Master of the Temple came forward. "What has happened here has been no less than miraculous. Something of this nature is usually done by the highest of the Masters. It was astounding. We only wish to learn how it was possible."

Lo Si bowed to the Master of the Temple, "We understand. Come Kermit we need to check on Kwai Chang and Peter."

****

Kwai Chang laid his son on the cot in the sleeping quarters reserved for guests. When he tried to pull away, Peter clung harder. Kwai Chang knelt on the floor and stroked his son's hair. He could feel his son's deep fear and the need to reconnect with life. The reaction to what nearly happeneed to him caused his heart to ache. He did not want to see his son suffer in any way.

"Ssshhhh, my son." Kwai Chang gently whispered. "You are safe now. The demon cannot harm you any longer."

"Father, I . . . ," Peter could not finish the words but broke down and cried. When no more tears would fall, Peter finally pulled partially away and placed his forehead against his father's. "I love yeah, Pop. I could not have survived without you. Whatever you did, I can never say it enough."

"It was not me, my son."

Peter pulled away with a puzzled expression. Kwai Chang turned to see Kermit followed by Lo Si enter the room.

"Lo SI? Peter queried. "Did you . . ."

"No Peter, I did not."

Peter's eyes became wide with wonder as his father's and Lo Si's eyes turned towards Kermit.

"Kermit? It was you?"

"Oh yeah, but I'm damned curious myself on how I managed it. I usually don't go in for this kind of mumbo jumbo, but . . . I'm beginning to see the light, if you know what I mean."

"As I said before, you have gifts not yet realized. To know the answer, we must try to understand what had happened when we became separated in the fog in Tatoris." Caine stated. He suspected that it was related somehow but he needed to guide Kermit back to that time so he could discover the answer for himself.

"You were right, Caine. I was tempted."

Peter listened to the exchange, confusion on his face. "Tatoris, tempted you, what are you tallking about?"

Kwai Chang was about to silence his son, when Kermit spoke up. He felt Peter had a right to know all of it. After all, they risked their lives to save his. "The demon just didn't take you. He took the Ancient as well. The demon knew that Lo Si and your father together could have prevented him from taking your chi. So your father and I went into Tatoris to rescue the Ancient, only we were separated."

"So what happened?" Peter demanded with impatience.

"Your father continued to go rescue Lo Si. I, on the other hand, found the demon. He tried to get me to give over your soul by trying to trade me with the soul od my brother." Kermit did not relate to Peter just how the demon tried. "When I refused, he tried to kill me. I fought back. I hit him in the chest . . ." Suddenly Kermit recalled just what had happened when he did. ". . . and white light shot out and . . ."

Kwai Chang became alert with interest. "Did the light eminate from you or the demon?"

"I couldn't tell. It was as if it was coming toward me but at the same time leaving me as well." Even Kermit was puzzled by what he said.

Kwai Chang rose from the floor. "Please, let me have your hands."

Kermit held out his hands to Kwai Chang palms up. Kwai Chang then placed his hands over Kermit's, palms facing downward without touching. Suddenly Kermit was aware of a sensation as if it was passing between them and yet coming from himself. It intrigued and frightened him at the same time. When they finally lowered their hands, Kermit rubbed his against his pant legs as if they itched. "What just happened there?" he said.

"Your chi is very strong. At another time and place, you would have been trained as a Shaolin. I believe what you call instinct, is much more than just that. It what makes you a good cop and even a good . . . mercenary? The demon that had my son's chi was slowly taking his soul. He wished not only to possess it but to use it as a sacrifice to gain entry into Shambhala. Peter in his own way must have continued to fight the demon and when he felt your presence, he was drawn to you. You became a vessel to hold him until he could be returned."

"If that's the case, why didn't I sense him?"

"You must believe that you can in order to do so. Though you are skeptical, Peter must have felt that you would do what was necessary despite that skepticism. You have seen much, though it is diffucult for you to believe, you do not . . . rule it out?"

"And because of you, Shambhala is also safe." Lo Si continued. "Without Peter's chi and soul, the demon's power had been weakened. No invasion would be possible."

"That is correct. The Masters of Shambhala owe you a great debt, as do I. You have returned my son to me." Kwai Chang then placed his hand on Kermit's chest, covering the medalion that still hung there. "I give you this and name you brother to my son. What I have is also yours. I am forever in your debt."

Kermit was again speechless. Kwai Chang had formally brought him into his house. He was now officially a Caine in all but name. All Kermit could do to reply was, "I am honored."

Peter had watched the exchange with deep pride and love. "Just don't start calling him, Pop. That's my department. Can we go home now. I'm starved."

All three turned toward Peter and bowed.

Finish