“*Growth*?”

“Yes – all the more in that you are the Catalyst, the Green Leaf. Like the seedling or young plant, the most important thing you must master is growing – and not just growing but the *way* you grow. Bad roots equals bad fruit – understand?”

“Yes, *Sifu*. How should I use this form in real-life fighting?”

“It is for facing many opponents, as a young plant must face many dangers in its first years of growth. Nicholas, Slate, and Bakbuk after his fashion are all very good external fighters, but they usually have to stop the combo moves to deliver the killer move. They like to set you up for the big one, so to speak; but to do so calls for a redirection of energy, sometimes a pause in action to draw from the body the power needed to deliver the blow.”

“How is the broadleaf different?” Chris Alan wanted to hear this explanation.

“A plant does not get life and power from itself, but from the ground, the water, the sun and the air. Like the plant you must learn to use your body in such a way to maximize growth.”

“I’m listening, *Sifu*.”

“The broadleaf begins with one soft simple move, but the power for the next move is generated from the momentum of the previous one and is stronger than the first, all moves that follow, flows off the raised energy of the last, gradually, ever increasing over time. In this fighting form, there is no need to stop. Your combos can go on forever, always growing, always coming with more force than the last. You do not tire because it takes minimal energy on your part to continue the flow; gravity and momentum take care of most of your needs.”

“If they strike early enough, couldn’t they gain the upper hand?”

“True, but they would be opening up their way of fighting before they need to. The fitness you are gaining is to help you with stand such blows. Remember, they are limited in the power they can deliver; they are relying on their strength and that has limits. The broadleaf teaches you to grow on the power gained from outside yourself, even energy from your enemy. Yes, I have seen rocks and boulders crush many a plant; but leave a rock there long enough and the plants will claim it. Time is on your side in this form; use it. You know they have to strike early to have a chance, so be prepared for an early strike.”

“I am ready.”

“Good!”

***************************

The training session ended and Chris Alan was able to get the first five moves well; which would be one part of the form. The form itself contained over one hundred distinct moves, which could be put together in unending combinations.

Autumn ran down the stairs holding her mouth as if she had come from vomiting; she looked pale and sick.

“What’s wrong? What’s the matter?” Chris Alan caught her.

“I think I’m pregnant…”

“Rafael? Amber?” Both Guardians had come to their side quickly. “Can you scan her?”

Amber took care of the biochemical readings while Rafael did the equivalent of a resonance scan. “There seems little doubt, Chris Alan,” said Rafael when they were finished.

Toa walked up to the couple and touched Autumn’s forehead with a glowing blue hand: the Gift of Healing. Autumn’s queasiness passed for the moment.

“You cannot always count on my assistance in this way, dear one,” Toa said. “You have guessed rightly: the Chemist has been implanted in your womb, and the White Hand is with her.” Toa nodded with a most searching look in his eyes. “Now, my children, the Web of the Realms has changed.”