Elements
Part II
Arrival
By: Shade

Prologue:
	A week had passed since the Enforcers had officially dropped the case
of those mysterious deaths. Now, with them out of the way, the Swat Kats
could begin to look deeper into this themselves and in doing so found
the situation to be even stranger than previously thought. 

	"The truth is that the story of Konobei and Maya is just that, a
story." Tania sat back.
	Jake shook his head, "If that was all just a tale to get Feral out of
the picture then what really happened? I mean, those throwing stars
couldn't have caused all those deaths."
	"No, they did not. All those stars did was to serve as a distraction, a
random element thrown in by the killer to confuse the authorities."
Timothy explained. 
	"What about the poison found in the blood, wouldn't that have..." 
	"Also a distraction, Chance." Tania interrupted, "The true cause of
these deaths, or at least what seems to be the cause is much stranger
indeed."
	"How so?"
	"Well, Jake, what really caused all those deaths was an ancient power,
a dark power that spans back many centuries." Timothy paused, "This
power is known by very few today but, none the less, is very real for it is
the fabled dim mak."
	"Dim mak? What the hell is that?" Chance looked baffled.
	"The death touch." Tania fell silent.
	"Death touch? You mean that thing in kung fu movies where a master of
the death touch can kill with one tap?" Jake's feature contorted to show
his doubt and his fear. "You mean that thing is real?!"
	"As real as you and I." Tania replied. 
	"Then whom, if anyone, could deliver such a blow?" Chance asked.
	"Only the rarest of kats can, you see, it requires years of training
to master the skill. It entails learning to use an internal power which
we all have to such a degree that it can be 'shot' out of ones own body
and into a target. When charged with the right intent, it kills within a
specified time span which could be seconds or even years after the blow
is dealt." Timothy explained, "As to whom killed these kats just
recently I've no idea. There really is nothing more too it than that."
	"So we've a killer on the loose with the power of this dim mak?" Jake
asked.
	"Probably, though the killer could be anywhere, depending on his skill.
You see, if one masters the technique to its highest then a physical tap
is not necceccrey. Instead a sort of psychic tap could be used to
deliver the blow." Tania explained.
	"Oh great! So its possible we may not be able to capture the culprit!" 
	"Not so fast Chance, there's one possibility." Timothy stood up and
stretched, "Tania and I could trace the killer by psychic means when he
makes another attack which is bound to happen but probably not for quite
a while. After looking over the case's history I found that the deaths
occurred every three months. Based on this my best guess is the next
attack will be some time in the end of January. Unfortunately Tania and
I would not likely be present at the place where the victim is killed
when the killer strikes, however, you tow might be."
	"It's a wild chance but there is a possibility to catch him next time
and if you tow are present we can link up psychically through you and
trace to the source. That's the only way we can help you out I'm
afraid." Tania said.
	"Well, its a wild plan but it looks like we've no choice." Jake turned
to Chance, "What you think buddy?"
	"I'm all for it but, well, what about protecting ourselves from this
killer if they happen to sense the psychic touch or if physically
present, go after us?"
	"That is the catch, Timothy and I already can defend ourselves either
way but you tow can't. I know you are trained in karate but that would
do no good in a physical confrontation with the killer and as far as
psychic defense goes, you have none. So to over come this obstacle I
need to ask you...would you be willing to come with us for some special
training?" 
	"Come with you where?" Chance asked.
	"To the orient where the Shaolin temple is located. There you could be
trained to defend yourselves effectively in either situation." Timothy
said.
	"If that's what it takes then yes, we will do it." Jake replied.
	"Yeah, besides, its our duty to protect this city and if this is what
it entails then so be it." Chance added.


The next day...
	The roar of the engines echoed in Chance, Jake, Timothy, and Tania's
ears as the jet powered up to full and speed off, lifting front then
back end off the ground as it climbed into the bright blue sky above. As
cruising altitude was reached the seat belt signs blinked off and the
foursome unlatched their safety harnesses. 
	"So where exactly are we headed once we arrive in the orient?" 
	"Well Chance, we will be meeting up with some old friends of Tania and
I's at the airport whom will be taking us to the temple."
	"Oh, will they be monks?"
	"Yes, of course they are. After all, this is the Shaolin temple,
remember?" Jake teased.
	"Very funny Jake." Chance returned his attention to Timothy, "So what
will we be trained in?"
	"A couple things. First you will be taught enough kung fu to
effectively defend yourselves if the need arises and then will undergo
some special mental training." 
	"How long will this take?"
	"About three months, Chance. We will be there for quite a while."
	"Oh, that is quite a long time. I hope the enforcers can hold out that
long without the Swat Kats." Chance glanced out the window, "At least
we've nice flying weather for the week end. It's supposed to be like
this all the way there."
	"I hope your right, I hate flying in storms." Tania glanced out the
window herself, taking in the view. "It really is beautiful out there, I
just hope it stays that way."

Tow days latter...
	Chance watched out the window as the plane began final approach. From
what he could see the air port appeared quite small indeed, a long
narrow strip of a building with only about ten gates. He turned his
attention from the window and back to Jake, "Damn is that a small air
port."
	Jake glanced around him and out the window, "Holy kats! Your right, it
does look small."
	"It would be, after all, were landing in one of the city airports. They
are generally built smaller and are mainly designed for convenience of
the citizens, not running several large air lines as well as round world
trips. This just happened to be a stop along the way for this flight,
only picking up a few passengers and probably only dropping us off."
Tania said.
	Timothy glanced outside, "We're pulling into the gate, better gather up
your bags as soon as we can stand up." 
	A moment later the seat belt signs blinked off and the foursome stood
up to retrieve their bags, the only luggage they had brought, then
started toward the front exit. Upon entering the air port they were
bombarded with a relatively deserted air port. Only a few personnel
stood
near the gate where a group of ten passengers was ready to board. To the
left of them was a waiting area in the middle of which stood tow kats
dressed in jeans and T-shirts both of whom waved toward Timothy, Tania,
Jake, and Chance. 
	"Hello, over here." The taller of the tow, a brown colored kat of solid
build with matching brown eyes waved again. "Good to see you."
	Tania smiled, "Bruce, nice to see you made it up."
	"Yeah, glad I could." Bruce looked over in Timothy's direction, "Its
also good to see you, Timothy."
	"Likewise Bruce," Timothy indicated Jake and Chance, "Jake Clawson and
Chance Furlong, our good friends."
	"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Clawson, Mr. Furlong." 
	"Likewise Bruce..." Jake paused.
	"Bruce Steelclaw's the name." 
	"Yes, nice to meet you Mr. Steelclaw." Chance said.
	Bruce indicated he other monk with whom Tania had started to speak,
"This is Linda, my mate."
	"Hello." Linda said.
	"Greetings to you Mrs. Steelclaw." Chance said.
	"Nice too meet you." Jake added.
	"I'm honored to meet you both. Bruce and I've heard so much about you
from Tania here." Linda said.
	"Then you know why were here." Jake said.
	"Yes, and you've come to the right place for the training you require."
Bruce replied, "Come, we should start heading out to the temple, its a
good tow hours drive from here."
	
Tow hours later...
	Chance and Jake couldn't believe it when they saw it, the very temple
where martial arts began stood right before them, gate open in welcome.
"Holy kats, I can't believe that were actually standing at the gates of
the legendary Shaolin temple." 
	"Well, believe it Jake, this is where it all began. I'll tell you the
history later but for now we need to get settled in." Timothy said.
	Bruce smiled, "You'll be staying at the temple, right?" 
	"Umm, I don't know, are we?" Chance turned to Tania.
	"Yes, you are. Timothy and I wanted to surprise you so we arranged it
so
you could stay here at the temple."
	"You'll have your own sleeping quarters as do all of the monk's and
nun's here, other than that everything is used by all." Linda explained.
	"We're very honored to be staying here." Jake replied.
	"Yes, thank you. This should prove to be a very interesting
experience." Chance added. 
	"We should start heading inside, the abbot wants to meet you both."
Bruce lead the way through a giant court yard where the stone was worn
in various areas from monks feet practicing there through the centuries.
Around the perimeter were many trees through which one could glimpse
several other buildings, and to the front a large pagoda shaped
structure that lead back into he main temple. 
	"This is the main hall where some of the training takes place and
visitors, mainly tourists can meet the monk's themselves. We have daily
tours set up at specific times during which many kats come through the
temple to see and learn of its history. Don't be surprised if you see
the public wandering around with various monks during the course of the
day, as long as they are with one of our monk's or nun's then they could
pop up just about anywhere." Bruce explained, "Other than that nothing
out of the usually happens very often around here, and even the tourism
is considered part of the every day life. At first it may seem awkward
with all the people around but you'll get used to it in no time." 
	All the while Bruce was talking Jake and Chance had been looking
around, taking in the surrounding scenery. There was an seemingly
endless variation in the different buildings they saw along the way.
Some were small while others were as large as a major department store,
each with its own function as different signs outside indicated.
Finally, after ten minutes of walking they stopped toward the back of
the
temple where another gate lead into the living quarters of the monks.
	Here were various groups of smaller buildings nestled around a central
building that served as the communal dinning hall/ bathroom facilities/
and an indoor gym for colder months. Each of the smaller groups was
divided into about ten private living quarters with sleeping areas and a
living room of sorts in each one.
	"It was nice meeting you but Linda and I have to get going. We've a
class to teach around this time every night. You see, there is a program
for kung fu students whom wish to come and study here at the temple and
we're both part of the teaching staff for it." Bruce said.
	"See you around then." Jake said.
	"Likewise." Chance added.
	"Bye," Bruce and Linda waved then made way back toward the front.
	"Well, what do you think?" Tania asked.
	"It's certainly...traditional." Chance replied.
	Timothy chuckled, "Yes, I know, but you'll get used to it soon enough.
Come, let me show you where you will be staying."
	He lead them to one of the near by buildings and showed them to there
room. "This is where you'll be staying for the next month and a half. It
is small but don't worry about that, you won't be doing much more than
sleeping here. Tania and I will be next door to you."
	"All right, thanks Timothy, Tania." Chance looked inside, "Like I said,
this should be interesting." 
	"No problem, when you get settled in you'll find several things in the
bedroom. One of them is a sort of schedule of how this place runs and
the other is your uniforms. Your names are in the packages along with
directions on putting the garment on." Tania explained.
	"You have about four hours to get settled in and explore the temple if
you like. Around six o'clock you'll need to meet us up front at the
main hall we came in through, the first building you saw. From there we
will go to meet with the Abbot, an old friend of Tania and I's."
	"Ok, see you at six then." Chance went inside but Jake stayed out a
second longer.
	"Do we need to put on our uniforms?" 
	"No, but it would be a good idea so you can be identified as students
while your about." Tania suggested. 
	"Ok, then we will. See you later." Jake disappeared inside as Tania
turned and followed Timothy into there quarters.