Buffy the Vampire Slayer

POISON CLAN

By Bryan "Blade" Bonner

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and related characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Productions, 20^th Century Fox, and Warner Brothers. Original concepts of the Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, and Toad are the property of Chang Cheh and Entertainment Programs International (EPI). All other characters and story concept is the property of the author, Bryan A. Bonner. This story is not intended for sale or commercial profit. Any unauthorized reproduction, copying, or use of any portion of this story, without the author’s express permission is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 - Venoms

China 3,000 BC

In the heart of the Iga mountain forest, the Lin Qwue Shang dojo stood silent, a graveyard to fallen heroes. The ghosts of pupils passed still echoing in the halls, blood spilled still staining the walls. For centuries this clan was a proud one: respect, honor, loyalty…these things defined the Lin Qwue. Now, there was only fear…only darkness. Since the decent of the corruption, the clan strayed from the ancient path, seduced by the pleasures of the flesh, the power of death, the taste of blood. Sifu Quan Chi, last teacher of "The Way", committed his life to rectifying the dishonor brought by the clan. For years he searched for one pupil to whom he could impart all of his knowledge, all five of the poison clan techniques. His life long quest was realized in Lin Chang. For 20 years, Lin Chang studied all of Sifu Chi’s techniques, preparing himself for the inevitable battle to restore honor to the clan. For many years, Lin Chang traveled the path of The Way with his teacher, mentor, …friend. Today, he would begin his journey alone.

"Master, these latest treatments…are they working?" Lin Chang continued to fan the flames beneath the man made clay pot in which his teacher rested.

"The poison continues to move about my body, Lin Chang. The treatments have only slowed the process. Time slips rapidly from me, soon I will begin my journey into the twilight. I must complete your final lesson, my humblest student." Sifu Chi was a small man. His tiny frame further emaciated by the poison, which decimated his body, slowly choking off his body’s defenses, smothering his will to live. Sifu Chi stepped from the healing pot, nearly stumbling to his knees.

"Master!" Lin Chang’s reaction was quick, stepping his body between his mentor and the dojo floor.

"My time with you Liu Chang is nearly at an end. You must prepare yourself to travel the path of The Way and restore honor to the Lin Qwue", pulling himself upright with his walking cane, Sifu Chi headed towards the garden, to the Learning Tree, a centuries old oak which symbolized where it all began.

"Master, I’ve still much to learn. How can I recognize The Way without you to guide me?" Lin Chang stopped before the Learning Tree, the beginning of his journey 20 years ago.

"The Way that can be told is not the eternal way. It cannot be explained or defined, only experienced. You will not find The Way, it shall find you. Your heart is pure, your spirit free, your mind nimble. Remember what I have taught you, remain true to the clan and its teachings, and you will never stray from the path. Now, I shall review your final lesson and teach your last" Sifu Chi sat beneath the cooling leaves of the old oak tree, watching the sunset over the land of his birth, enjoying what might be his last sunset.

"The Lin Qwue clan was once honored and respected, it’s techniques sought out by warriors the world over. For years, the Lin Qwue protected the weak, the innocent, until the iniquity arrived. A power so sadistic, so evil, it plunged our land into complete darkness. Unfortunately, the wickedness and its promise of freedom from morality, pleasures of the flesh, and power of death seduced members of our clan, causing them to stray away from the path. Unlike you Lin Chang, their hearts were not pure, the shackles of weak mindedness bound their spirits. For several dark years, the clan raped, murdered, and desecrated our land, our people. Myself and several other masters stopped all but five members of the clan" Sifu Chi’s voice dropped his heart in pain remembering the loss.

"The losses were great, only I survived, but not without being poisoned by the evil. Now I have poured all I know into you, teaching you all five clan techniques. Begin!" Lin Chang recognized his Sifu’s change in tone, the teaching had begun.

"Number one…The Centipede." Lin Chang began moving at lightening speed, his hands and feet flowing in perfect synchronicity. His body a harmonious blur of mind, body, and soul. Sifu Chi continued.

"The Centipede is extraordinarily fast. Her techniques and movements mimic that of the insect itself. When used properly, The Centipede technique can be used to strike several areas of the body, nearly simultaneously, with devastating force and mind boggling speed, before an attacker can respond." Sifu Chi began his techniques, attacking his pupil with strength and speed not suspected from an old, dying man. Blow for blow, Lin Chang and Sifu Chi moved against one another, up and down their bodies, striking and blocking from head to toe, with an infinite number of movements, all in a matter of minutes.

"Number two…The Snake." Lin Chang’s stance changed his right hand curled in a venomous fang, his left rigid with one spear finger protruding.

"The Snake… he is a combination fighter, the head and tail always act in unison. While one distracts, the other defends or counterattacks. Although not as fast as The Centipede, The Snake is very fast, focusing on pressure points to immobilize and incapacitate its victims." Sifu Chi altered his teaching fighting technique accordingly, this time focusing on Lin Chang’s eyes, throat, heart, groin, and knees, the deadliest of pressure points. The fangs of his Snake’s mouth grabbing and locking muscles, the tail striking towards death dealing pressure point blows. Employing his master’s teaching Lin Chang countered each technique, narrowly avoiding death.

"Number three…The Scorpion." Lin Chang’s stance altered again. His arms and hands becoming rigid, equi-distant from his body.

"The Scorpion is very strong. His hands and feet mimic the movements of a scorpion’s pincers. Like The Snake, The Scorpion is a combination fighter, choosing to strike both high and low, sometimes simultaneously. The Scorpion is the most dangerous, as his techniques may only require one strike. When done correctly, The Scorpion can kill in one blow." Sifu Chi’s hands and feet moved together with a determination not seen in his earlier technique demonstrations. Each movement had a distinct purpose, strength, and power. Moving high and low, but for Lin Chang’s training, the day may have been his last sunset.

"Number four…The Lizard." Not only did Lin Chang’s stance change, a sense of uncanny grace surrounded him.

"The Lizard, like his brother an sister The Snake and Centipede is very fast, but his true strength lies in his agility and grace. When done properly, The Lizard can scale nearly any surface, defying the binds of the earth for a short period of time. The Lizard is the most adaptable of all the techniques, the most versatile of the poison clan." Sifu Chi and Lin Chang ran up the side of the old oak, simultaneously scaling the Learning Tree without effort, their bodies parallel to the dojo floor, spear hands in perfect fighting stance. Thrusting his legs from the tree, Sifu Chi’s spinning roundhouse kick, twisted through the air like a bird’s feathers, a tribute to perfection. Following his master’s lead, Lin Chang’s front tuck into a flying sidekick sliced the air like the sharpest katana blade.

"Number five…The Toad." Lin Chang’s body hardened his iron like fist techniques ripping through the air like hurricane winds.

"The Toad is the most powerful of the poison clan. When done properly, The Toad is the strongest. His chi power is incredibly, unnaturally focused, making body virtually invulnerable to any weapon. What The Toad lacks in the speed and agility of other techniques, he makes up for in raw strength and power. His command of the chi power can make him the quintessential unstoppable force or a juggernaut of immovable power." Sifu Chi struck several devastating blows to Lin Chang before his actually finished his words…the blows absorbed by Chang’s body. Spinning gracefully, Sifu Chi revealed the tai-chi sword hidden in his cane. As he struck Lin Chang death dealing blows, the sword bounced from his student’s body, the sounds of metal striking metal.

"Daaaaahhaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!" Lin Chang focused his concentration, using his fearless yell, hi chiyup to channel his chi, into one blow. Chang’s hammer fist shattered Sifu Chi’s tai-chi sword, sending the ancient master careening into the unforgiving body of the Learning Tree.

"Master!!!!" Abandoning his technique, Lin Chang rushed to his mentor’s aid.

"I’ve no techniques left to teach you Lin Chang" Sifu Chi struggled to his feet. "However, I’ve one last lesson to enlighten you with. The five remaining clan members have mastered their individual techniques. Alone, you are no match for them. When the time is right, you must find a Chosen One. Only together, with the Chosen One, will you be able to stop them and restore order to the clan."

"But Master, I’ve never seen the clan members, how will I recognize them? How will I find a Chosen One?"

"The five remaining clan members have given their souls completely to the sin. Feeding off the lifeblood of others, they will live forever, never aging, living completely in darkness, until destroyed. Each bears the mark of their technique here," Sifu Chi pointed to the nape of his neck. "The Way will lead you to a Chosen One, however, you must make one last sacrifice." Sifu Chi heart grew heavier.

"I do not possess the magicks necessary to allow you to live forever, like your fallen siblings, until your task is complete. However, I am not completely powerless. During your training, I have continuously blessed your spirit with the Renewing Phoenix by channeling my chi to you that is why my battle with the poison was short lived. In each generation, your spirit will be reborn anew, when required, by The Way, to find a Chosen One, to battle this incomprehensible evil. Only when the clan’s honor has been restored will your spirit finally rest." Sifu Chi stumbled to the ground, the light of his full, bright life fading from his eyes.

"M…m…Master…?!?" Lin Chang could sense the inevitable, he knew this would be his last lesson.

"I’ve nothing left to give you Lin Chang. Promise me you will honor these teachings, honor the clan, restore…it’s" the words choked in his throat "…honor, honor my memory."

Lin Chang forced himself to look into his dying teacher’s eyes. "I will Master. I will."

With that, Lin Chang was finally alone.