Chapter 7: Making the Right Choices

A great celebration was held for Mei and Kalek later that night. Each of them were praised for saving their village once again. Kalek was feeling more and more at home with all that greeted him with warm praise and thanks. He couldn't take all the credit and he assured them of that. Yet, amidst the merrymaking, his mind went back to his fight with Lidong.

He felt like he should have had that chump easily, all muscle and small brain. Sure, Kalek beat the bastard in the end. But he felt that if he had trained more or built up more strength, it would have been all too easy. Conflicting thoughts soon filled his mind, drowning him out of all that was going on. As it started to feel overwhelming, he politely got up and left the crowd for a moment of peace.

Coming upon the high turn of the path he once stood at, Kalek took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. The wolverine crossed his legs as he sat on the ground to meditate. He breathed in and out a few more times, then closed his eyes to clear his mind. Just as he getting into his mantra, a familiar voice interrupted him. "Celebrity status getting to you?" He opened his eyes as his ears swiveled at the direction it came from. His head followed suit as he saw it was Mei. She cleaned up after the little scuffle from earlier as she wore a nicer tunic of red with gold lacing that encompassed everything but her bare, lovely arms of golden fur.

"Naw, I uh just wanted to clear my thoughts for a bit," Kalek answered.

"You okay? You've been awful quiet throughout most of the celebration."

"I'm fine, really," Kalek said half-convincingly.

Mei knew it from the tone. "It isn't about earlier, was it?"

"What about earlier?"

Mei walks over to where the wolverine was sitting, taking a seat along with him. "I noticed you've hardly said anything, especially to me. What's been troubling you?"

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong, okay? I promise."

Mei placed a hand on his. "Kalek, please tell me."

Turning his head, Kalek looked to see the look of sincerity on the golden cat's face. He lets out a sigh. "The truth is I feel…I feel like I'm still not good enough."

Mei looked confused. "What do you mean?" Mei asked gently.

Kalek hesitated for a moment. "If I had been stronger, I never would have got you hurt."

"Got me hurt? What do you me-" Mei realized what he meant now. "Oh! Is that what this was all about?"

Kalek nodded a little, looking away from her feeling ashamed. With a look of compassion, the golden cat gently turned his head so he could look at her. "Hey, look at me. YOU did nothing wrong. You're very sweet being concerned about me. But there's no need to be so hard on yourself," she said, her hand still on his cheek. "This is what we do. What we as martial artists are trained for. And besides, I've been through tougher messes than what that over-sized hand bag can do to me."

"I understand. I just-"

Mei placed a finger over Kalek's mouth, shushing him. "I'll be all right," she emphasized. "But what I want from you is to stop worrying." She gave him another warm smile. "I understand how much you care. But nothing horrible happened to me or to anyone today so relax and just enjoy tonight, okay?" She kissed him on the cheek and used a paw to stroke it.

Kalek relaxed with a sigh, his worries ebbing away. "Alright, I will," he assured her.

"Now promise me you won't overthink today or anything else."

"But what if-"

"PROMISE ME."

He didn't want to lie in his heart about it, but he understood what she was telling him. Taking a deep exhale, he smiled and said "Okay. I promise."

"Good. Now come on, you silly thing. They're probably looking for you." Mei grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him back to the village with him following her. Both were welcomed back by the happy town and the festivities went on. At ease, Kalek went back to having fun. The flickering light of doubt now only a small weak ember.

The next day felt like it was another ordinary day at the academy for Kalek. He just woke up from a crazy night from just previous. Groggily, he rubbed his tired eyes and cracked his back. He got dressed and stepped out of his room to enjoy the fresh air. Just as he opened the door, however, he was startled to see Master Oogway standing at the door. "M-M-Master Oogway! I-I-I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming!" He immediately bowed quickly to him.

"It's quite alright," he said with a cheerful and calm demeanor. "It's good to see you up and about."

"Thank you, master. So uh, how can I help you?"

"Do you have a moment? I have a special herbal tea I wish to try and I hoped for you to join me if you could."

Kalek blinked in surprise. "Ye-yeah. Yeah. Yes, sir. I would be happy to."

In a matter of moments, he was in the guest room of a prestigious master of the martial arts enjoying some tea. It felt like an extreme honor and pleasure to drink tea and have a moment of calm with a revered legend. That calm was soon broken by old turtle as he spoke. "So how have you enjoyed learning kung-fu, my friend?"

"Oh yes. Absolutely master," Kalek replied. "It does indeed help perfect myself." He took another sip from his cup.

"And yet you continue to train even harder."

"I do indeed, sir."

"You're not so different from another student of mine. He, like you, trained himself to be the very best and now teaches his students back at the valley. However, you learn for a different reason, do you not?"

Kalek paused mid-sip, then lowered his cup enough to speak. "Yes. I do." He was surprised that Master Oogway could have sensed that about him so easily.

"You want protect those nearest to you, those have shown the kindness that you wish to fulfill for yourself. And yet, something worries you."

Kalek held the small cup in his hands, his thumb tracing along its smooth rim. "I cannot lie to you, master. I do worry that I'm not…not good enough to protect everyone," he admitted.

"Ah yes. You mean with the bandits yesterday." Kalek looked over with an incredulous expression just as Oogway placed a hand up. "It wasn't just Mei Ling that told me. I sensed it when watching you. You cannot always prepare for whatever fate lies in your path."

"I understand, master. But I still want to be able to change what fate presents me, or at least prepare for the inevitable."

"It takes three years to learn to be a man of integrity; it only takes three days to degrade. We all have a road to what destiny puts before us, even if we choose another path we take to avoid it."

Kalek sighed. He didn't feel like admitting to it fully, but he knew that Oogway was right. "I understand. I just wish I didn't feel so doubtful about everything."

"One cannot manage too many affairs. Doubt is like pumpkins in the water, my friend. One pops up while you try to hold down another and another and so on. It goes in hand with guilt. If you allow it to continue to add weight to it like an anchor, the more it will continue to drag you further and further down."

Kalek focused on his attention on the old turtle. In spite of learning all that one can of someone such as Oogway, a person can still be impressed and filled by what wisdom can be bestowed upon him. Kalek closed his eyes and sighed long after absorbing this. He opened them up again. "I will do better. But I shall do so without doubt holding me back."

A smirk formed on the old master's aged face. "Good. I should hope so. Are you ready then?"

Kalek's brows furrowed in confusion. "Ready for what sir?"

"For the Jade Palace."

"Me?"

"You?"

"But why?" Kalek did not think he would be given such an honor. Nor did he felt like he deserved it. "No disrespect, master, but surely there are others more worthy than I."

"You have potential just the same as everyone who wants to learn. But what makes YOU special," Oogway said as he gestured to him, "is that you have a great amount of selflessness. But more so, because of your unique style. I've sensed that you have a great anger within you that you channeled through your attacks. And yet, you showed restraint. For he who controls others may be powerful, but he who mastered himself is more mighty."

It felt reassuring to Kalek, but one other thing bothered him. "What about Mei Ling? Surely she deserves it more than I do."

"Ah yes. She knew you would say something like that. It was her that suggested that you were to go."

"Wait. Ming said that? But why?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly which threw Kalek off a little bit. "Perhaps she saw the same thing in you." The old turtle arose from where he sat and grabbed his staff as he placed his finished cup down on the drawer. He rested a hand on the wolverine's shoulder. "Whatever you decide, it will be your choice." He gave it a small patting and shuffled on outside.

Kalek was alone in the room now, the small bit of tea growing cold in the cup that he held. Back and forth went his thoughts on the matter. All the pros and cons thrown at him like throwing stars. Would this really be better for him? Why would Mei, someone who's more skilled than he, want to pass this opportunity up just for a stranger like himself? It didn't make sense. Kalek rubbed his chin as he thought. She surely deserved it more than he did.

Then again, if she saw something in him just the same as Master Oogway, how could he possibly deny it? After all, he made it this far. What's not to say he could go further? Maybe it was time to cast aside all this doubt and become something more. Maybe it's time to see if he can be that great warrior indeed. If not for him, he would surely do for Anna. His heart felt warmth again just thinking of her. He saw that bit of that squirrel in Mei also. If this is what fate giving to him, so be it.

Making up his mind, Kalek gulped down the last of the tea and slammed it down before rushing out the door. He scanned around the school until he saw Oogway and ran over to him. "Master Oogway? Master Oogway!" The old master was talking to the four masters when he heard him calling for him. He faced the young wolverine running up to him. "I wish to come with you," Kalek said to him. "I wish to come with you to the Jade Palace and learn to be a greater master. That is with the permission of the masters, of course."

The four small masters looked at each other for any objections the other may have and all four nodded their heads in approval. When looking at Oogway, he saw that he got his approval as well. The grin Kalek had was as wide as his reach. He repeatedly bowed again and again to his new mentor. "Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for this. I'll go and get ready immediately." He ran back to his room in a hurry to pack.

Oogway chuckled, watching him leave. This, indeed, was going to be interesting. He certainly hoped that Shifu was of the same mind. Oh yes, he was sure to have fun with this one.