Chapter 3: Enter Mei Ling

Later that night, the village of Wang Fu was in an uproar of festive celebration for their newest hero. The town was gathered in the town hall with food brought out for a great feast to celebrate Kalek's victory over the crocs. He sat at the head of the table with Wong and his staff as they were brought some cuisine he's never seen before. He was told they were bean buns and noodles. Out of the two, the noodles were certainly delicious. The music was wonderful, especially that of the pipa which was a four-stringed, pear-shaped Chinese lute.

Wang stepped up and asked for quiet as the crowd settled down. "My friends, we're here to honor our newest friend and ally: Kalek of the Americas. May he find peace and harmony among us." The people cheered and clapped for Kalek. Smiling, Kalek waved in thanks to everyone. "Well Kalek, please say a few words if you will."

The wolverine nodded and got up from his chair. "I wish to thank you all for accepting me into your town as I promise to be as upstanding of a citizen as anyone can be. And if those bastards ever do back, I promise you all that Imma gonna KNOCK. THEM. DEAD! Thank you." He smiles as they applauded him and cheered.

Kalek raised his glass green tea for a toast. The villagers raised theirs as well and listened to what he was about to say. "To new friends, for may they bring long happiness." With a returning gesture, everyone sipped their tea. As they finished, Kalek looked from over his cup to see a strange female feline walking in through the doorway. He leans over to the village leader and asks him out the side of his mouth, "Do you happen to who that is, Mister Wong?"

"Hm?" The pig looked first at the wolverine warrior with food in his mouth, but when he looked to who he was talking about he nearly spewed his soup. "Oh yes! Yes! That's Mei Ling!" Clearing his throat, he stands and addresses the crowd. "Everyone please! Quiet, everyone. Quiet. We have an unexpected visit from the Lee Da Kung Fu Academy. May we please welcome, Master Mei Ling." He then bowed to her as did everyone else save for Kalek who was unaware of the customs of this country. Looking around, he soon realizes it and also bows down to this mysterious lady. Mei Ling, smiling at his small moment of confusion, bows back to everyone. "Thank you, Master Wang Young. It is always a pleasure to visit you all. I wished to extend my welcome to our new visitor," said Mei, nodding to Kalek.

"Ah yes. Uh Master Ling, this is Kalek, the uhh...what did you say you were again?" asked Wong.

"A wolverine sir. A wolverine is what I am." Kalek answered.

"Oh yes-yes, that." Wong nodded. "He's the one who took out the crocodile bandits today."

Mei walked up to the two and sits next Kalek. "How do you like the village here, Kalek?" she asks him.

"Seems like a good place to stay," he said. "But there is something I am curious about. If you are an esteemed fighter, how is it that you didn't show up to help or assist?"

"I was on my way to, but it looks like you beat me to it." Mei replied with a smile on her face. "I even got to see your skills. Tell me, what form of kung fu do you do?"

"What in the world is kung fu?" asked a confused Kalek. The villagers present looked surprised as Mei seemed amused but understanding.

"Why Kung Fu is a form of a martial arts in which you can study, learning, or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete," she explained. "It's referred to as discipline or as a skill achieved through hard work and practice. Simply put, it is a form of combat that helps better the mind and body. You look like a perfect candidate for more perfection if you don't mind me saying so."

"Do you really think I'd be qualified to learn such a form of combat?"

"Hmmm, possibly," she said thoughtfully. She then got a smile of sudden interest and curiosity. "But I'd say we should test out your skills first before further consideration."

"What are you saying exactly?" replied Kalek with a brow raised.

"What I mean is I want to see what you got so I can see if there's style of Kung Fu that you can learn from, depending on your fighting style. Perhaps tomorrow...we could see what you're made of? If you don't mind a challenge."

Kalek narrowed his eyes and studied her reaction. Seeing this, she puts on an innocent face. "What? You don't trust me?" Mei sweetly asked.

Kalek felt a little surprised at her reaction and then a little sheepish. After giving it thought, he went with his gut and said "Alright, Miss Ling. I accept your little offer. But I wish to do this where no one else can get hurt."

"Oh, there's no need to worry about that, Kalek," she said waving a hand in assurance. "I know of a small meadow which we could have our little sparring session. Shall we say early dawn?"

"Early dawn tomorrow morning? You got it, tuts. I mean uh, Master Ling."

Ling gave a little chuckle as she smiled. "It's a date." She gives him a wink that made Kalek blink in surprise and stood up. "If you will excuse me everyone, I must prepare for tomorrow. Till we meet tomorrow, Mr. Kalek. Mr Wong." The three bowed to each and she left after the people bowed to her. She smiles as nears the doorway and looking back out the corner of her eye. "This might turn out to be fun indeed." she said in her thoughts. "You might just be what we're looking for, Kalek." She then heads to her room in the local lounge and plans for her little test for him.

The next morning, Kalek was up and waiting for Mei Ling to show up for what she had in store for him. He had a light breakfast for the energy for today. He decided to pass the time by stretching out a little bit warming up a bit. In a few moments, the Asian golden cat showed up with two staffs in which Kalek assumed was for the both of them. He stood up and nodded to her. "Good morning, Miss Ling."

"Good morning Mr. Kalek. But please, you may call me Mei," said Mei, her two staffs hanging over her shoulders. "Ready to show me what you can do?" She threw him a staff and he caught it. "Let's first see how well you handle a staff."

She then readied herself in a defensive stance with her staff as Kalek did the same. He wasn't sure how this going to go down, but he wasn't going to puss out so easily. He gets ready for whatever she was going to throw at him as he swings his staff laterally at her. She counters as well as when he tried from the other side. Blow after blow, Kalek was countered by the feline and each time he was struck by her in a different spot. He was getting irritated with himself but had to keep calm, venting out his anger with more controlled thrusts with his staff.

On the other end, Mei was surprised how well Kalek was keeping his cool despite not coming close to hitting her. She remembered seeing his explosive finish and ferocious counterattack against simple bandits. If possible, she could help him curve it more.

Seeing nothing going anywhere, the male wolverine tried a different approach. When Mei came back in close, he grabbed onto her staff and held on tight so that she wouldn't slip away. "Taking advantage of an opening? Good," said Mei. She then stomped on his foot and Kalek winced, but still not letting go. Mei then proceeded to deliver an elbow to the head as he eventually tucked his head in to take less of the force from her. Knees to Kalek's waist soon followed. He took the kicks, waiting for the right moment and grabbed one of her knees and forcing her on her back with a trip. Smiling, Mei replied, "Impressive," before kneeing him in head hard stunningly him for a moment or two making him stagger from the sudden attack.

She then flipped up and waited for Kalek to get his bearings. "I see you're more direct in taking an opponent on, to draw them in close before striking hard," she said as Kalek shook his head to make himself focus while holding the two staffs in each hand. "Let's see how well you are with just your hands." Mei assumed a stance and waited for Kalek.

Thinking about it for a moment, the wolverine dropped both staffs and took up his usual boxing stance. They circle a bit waiting for one or the other to strike. Without a second thought, Mei moved first swiping at his head. Kalek blocked it with an arm and did so again with the other side until barely being able to block her incoming kick to his side but he still felt it. He then began to strike back with a few jabs of his own. Mei dodged and blocked them as she had an opening and swung a kick to his ribs. Wincing from the hit, the wolverine then pushed forward and swung a cross punch at her. No matter which punch he threw at her, her Kung Fu outmatched his boxing. Kalek was getting frustrated, so much that he swung wildly following an uppercut that she avoided and used his punch against him by tripping him over on his back.

"Had enough?" she asked.

"Not yet," said Kalek. "I can do this all day." He wiggles around to get free and has enough room for an opening, kicking her at the waist with both legs. It knocked her backwards and Kalek wasted no time in getting right back up. With a little smirk, Mei proceeded on with their little sparring session. "You never give up do you?"

"Nope, not ever.," was his reply. He went after her again and again. No matter how close he was in connecting a blow to her, he couldn't without being struck down by the more experienced fighter. After numerous rounds and coming close to knicking her, Kalek pants with frustration not happy with himself. "You're more skilled than I imagined?" he said.

"As are you," said Mei. "With a little more skill, you'd be an amazing fighter. If you're willing, I could present your case before the four masters of the Lee Da Kung Fu Academy, one of the most prestigious schools of the Wong Fu province. How does that sound for you?"

"Is there a catch?"

"No, there isn't. All that would be required is for you to pull your weight around with chores and do your share in helping around the academy. Is that fair enough?"

"As long as I get to still visit the village and serve as a protector for them when they need me. That is if you don't mind me helping you in defending them I mean." Kalek requested.

Smiling, Mei shook her head in amusement. "You are an amazing sight, Kalek. I can't wait to see what you're capable of. So we have a deal then?" She outstretched a hand to him. Looking upon it,

Kalek made a small nod of approval and smiled. "Deal." he complied as he shook hands with her. "Just leave it to me. I know I won't have you regret this," he added assuredly with confidence.

"I know you won't, Kalek." Mei said in her thoughts. "I hope to see much of what you're capable of."