Chapter 2: Making One At Home

Kalek slowly stirred himself awake. He smacked his lips as he realizes that they were no longer feeling dry. After rubbing his eyes, he sees that he's surrounded by a large group of geese, rabbits and pigs all looking at him in wonder. As he sat up, the crowd of little critters backed up not knowing what this stranger would do or say. After looking about, Kalek could see that he was in what looked a building of a government official. One of the villagers went off somewhere for a moment as the others muttered amongst themselves.

"Any idea what he is?"

"Not really sure."

"Maybe he's some kind of skinny bear."

"A bear?"

"Well he does look a little like a bear."

These were among the things said by these villagers that caught Kalek's ear. Just as he was about to say something, someone was making their way through the crowd. It was a pig with a long thin mustache with small mineral lenses (bifocals without temples or stems) and wore some kind of robe that was like some of the villagers but looked smooth and green with yellow gold lines. Clearing his throat and asking for silence, the pig spoke in a formal tone. "Welcome stranger, to our humble village," he said bowing to him, as did the others. "My name is Wang Yong, the leader of Wang Fu village. What name do you go by, young sir?"

Kalek, swinging his legs over the bed, raised a hand in greeting. "My name is Kalek. I am not sure what land this is, but I thank you for your care and hospitality." He then offered them a smile, showing a bit of his predatory teeth.

Some of the villagers flinched in fear from the smile, but Wang smiled and continued. "And what province are you from, Mr. Kalek?"

"Province? Not from any province here, sir. I'm new to this land. Could you please tell me what country I'm in?" The villagers were now more curious about this new bit of information.

"You're in China, my friend," said a befuddled Wang. "Just...where exactly are you from and how did you get here if what you say is true?"

"I'm from the Americas. I sailed over to whatever part of the world I could sail to to start a new life. My ship ran into a storm and now I'm stuck here. If you doubt me, I can still show you the wreck. It should still be here somewhere near the path I came across before arriving here."

Just before getting an answer, a bell was ringing from the courtyard that got everyone's attention. "What is it? Trouble?" asked a concerned Kalek.

"I'm afraid so," said a fearful Wang. And right he was. For soon, the cry of bandits in the village stirred up panic. Kalek stumbled out of bed and looked to see what kind of trouble these bandits were. Six crocodiles, one of them wearing a helmet and Kalek took as the leader, were going from one place to another stealing gold from the villagers. He grimaced, his hand clenching the doorway.

"It's like home all over again. But I'm not going to let that happen. Never again." He walked up to them, both fists clenched and a stern look on his face. Some of the villagers that were hiding, looked to see Kalek approaching the crocodile bandits.

Meanwhile, the croc bandits were taking hold of one of the vendors; holding him by his cotton tail. "And that's how you man handle a vendor guys. It's real simple, okay?" said the croc with the helmet.

"Do we just...toss him away when we're done or squish him?" asked one of the not-so-bright crocs.

The leader frowned in dismay. "No Irwin, you, like, sit him in a chair and give him a cookie," he said sarcastically.

"Oh, do we have a cookie to give him now?" asked one of the other dimwits.

Letting out a groan, the leader of the crocs threw down his helmet in frustration. "Darn it, guys! Know sarcasm when you hear it, okay?"

"I've got a better idea. Why don't you guys put the bunny down and just walk away?" said Kalek now about three feet from them. "Or do I have to crush your heads in?" The crocs turned to look at Kalek, this strange looking animal that was interrupting them.

Meanwhile, a female Asian golden cat was headed down the usual quickest way to Ning Quan village when she got word about the bandits. She was near the bottom of the path leading to the village when she saw some weird looking creature standing up against six crocodile bandits. She waited to see what would happen, curious about what this character would do.

"Hey uh listen guy, we're in the middle of a robbery here. We can, like, rob you after we handle this guy. We're kind of doing this one at a time," said the leader.

"And I thought I told you to put. The bunny. Down. RIGHT NOW!" the wolverine demanded sternly, holding his ground. A serious look was on his face as he clenched his fists tightly.

"Ugh. Guy, we don't really want to, like, hurt you okay? We're not really use to...uh...what you're doing with right now."

"Uh I think the word you're looking for, Fung, is confrontation," said the skinny looking croc.

"Gah! I knew that, Gary! I was just thinking of the right word to say!" said the frustrated leader known as Fung as he threw down his helmet, upset.

"Actually, it's Gahri. Gah-ri." Gahri responded.

"Just...gah! Just stop with the smart talk, Gary!" Fung picked up his helmet and placed it back on his head.

"EXCUSE ME! I WASN'T MAKING A REQUEST. I WAS MAKING A DEMAND." Kalek's brows furrowed and his teeth bared, being aggressive with each step he took towards them.

The cat, still watching what was going on, was rather impressed at the amount of courage this stranger had against these bandits. "He's got a brave heart I'll say that. Still..." she thought, keeping ready in case things went south.

The croc bandits, not use to this sort of approach, were a little nervous about Kalek. Kalek approached with caution but showed no fear. He held his hands up in defense, readying himself in a stance. He wasn't going to back down, no matter how this was going to turn out. "Uhh should we...attack him Fung?" asked one of the other bandits nervously.

Fung, seeming to lose focus for a moment, shook his head back to his senses. "Gah! Duh! Of course we attack him, Wong! Of course attack him! We're bandits! It's, like, what we do guys! So take him!" Two of the crocs came after him and Kalek prepared himself for the first attack. Both of them attacked him as they both took a swing at him. Kalek ducked. As the punches flew over his head, he rapidly punched each of them in the jaw knocking them over.

The smallest croc bandit jumped on him from behind and started pummeling his head. Irritated, he grabbed the little gator and hurled him at one of the building walls. Even more frustrated, Fung had his other two remaining bandits to help him take on Kalek (after putting the rabbit down, of course). Gahri and Wong grabbed his Kalek's arms so that Fung could pound away at him.

Kalek wasted no time lurching up and kicking the bandit leader hard on the snout, knocking Fung hard on his scaly tuchus. Coming back down, he stomped hard on the other two on their toes. They yelped in pain, letting go of him. Taking this opportunity, he first punched Wong hard before swinging around and landing a hard elbow at Gahri who yelped in pain. Kalek then swung a hard right hard at the smart croc, sending him flying to the ground.

As this was going on, the villagers watched in amazement as this wolverine was holding his own against six bandits. As was the mysterious female golden cat, being rather impressed by Kalek's performance. "If he's able to keep this up, he could be a possible great prospect for kung fu," she said to herself.

The bandits now surrounded the wolverine in a circle, and Fung was getting more irritated. "Gah! Darn it guy!" he said, throwing his helmet down again in frustration. "This was our first day of being bandits and we just wanted to get through it without any problems."

"Get use to disappointment, friend," was Kalek's smug response. He readied himself for another assault, aware of them surrounding him. With another frustrated cry, Fung ordered his bandit buddies to attack him all at once. Kalek was fending them off the best that he could, but all of them jumped him, pummeling away. As they were, it brought back memories from back home to Kalek. The very thought of it made him snap! "No! Never again!" his brain told him, leading him to shout "NEVER. A…GAIN!!". With one mighty heave and cry, he hurled the bloody bandits off him; hurling them to the ground. Kalek now stood there, fury burning and fuming in his eyes!

The mysterious feline bystander gasped, her eyes widening in awe and amazement. He was looking more impressive as this was happening, and yet she was worried about this getting out of hand. Nevertheless, she kept ready in case if it did.

Two of the crocs came up from behind Kalek and grabbed him. He, looking fiercely at them, grabbed their arms and hurled them at the other two that were just getting up. Kalek then hurled himself at the four crocodiles and what followed was the worst beating Gahri, Fung and all of the villagers witnessed. They each winced and flinched at the pain delivered upon the poor souls. Gahri and Fung were looking more terrified at the sheer tenacity of the wolverine. When the smoke cleared, the four bandits laid wincing in pain and groaning with the fearsome wolverine towering over them panting.

He glared at Fung, who in turn went from being frightened to terrified. Especially with Kalek stomping over to him. "Ah crud!" thought the bandit leader, pupils showing the sudden worry and fear he had just as Gahri was. "Okay uh, buddy...guy just take it easy," he said nervously, putting a hand up in submission. "Just calm down. Maybe we can work something ou-" he yelped in pain as the unwavering mustelid grabbed his wrist tightly.

"My name...is Kalek, 'friend'. And if you and your pals want to live another day,..." He then choke-slammed him into the wall of a building before he continued in a menacing growl. "I suggest you bums get out of here now before I do something WORSE to you! And if I ever see you or anyone affiliated with you and your miserable, little band,..." he leans closer to him, teeth bared at him. " I WILL KILL YOU ALL AND MAKE YOU INTO HANDBAGS. Are we absolutely clear on THAT?"

Fung, who was not wanting to be taking Kalek's words as a bluff, fearfully nodded fast. "Yeah yeah! Clear gu-I mean Kalek! Sure-no-problem!"

"I hope so for your sake!" Kalek released the bandit leader, letting him fall to the ground. In a fearsome tone, the wolverine pointed to a direction down the road and growled "NOW GET OUT." With one last 'darn it' from Fung, he and his crocodile buddies scattered faster than you could say 'chopsticks'.

As they fled, Kalek calmed down as he breathed in and out several times. Once calm, he took a deep sigh. He looked over to see the villagers staring at him in silence, with faces of uninterpreted awe. Feeling like it was more of fear of him, he sighed as he sagged in disappointment and turned to walk away with his head down. "It's like home all over again," his thoughts mocked him. "These guys will probably be fearful of me just like the last time."

No sooner had he just taken a step, a loud roar of applause and cheering came up from behind him. Stunned, he turned to be welcomed by joyful and happy villagers charging up to him. Before he knew it, the happy villagers had him surrounded and were praising him for what he did.

"That was amazing!"

"Awesome!"

"You scared those bandits off good, pal!"

"You were amazing!"

"Show me how you did that throw!"

So much praise was bestowed upon this great defender, for he never had this happen to him before in all his life. Still processing this, he was led to the main hall to celebrate.

From her perch, the ominous onlooker who watched everything that happened was amazed and impressed by Kalek's display of courage. The feline wanted to know more about this stranger and hopefully have a promising prospect on her school's hands. "Time to give a warm welcome to this stranger," she said, smiling as the villagers were happy to have a valuable new friend.