"Tirai, take Patch and the others and go!" a voice called from the battle raging within the Jade Palace. The fortress of protection no longer stood in glory but now stood on the verge of collapse. The Furious Five and the mighty dragon warrior were in the midst of the chaos, coughing against the amount of smoke that filled their senses.
"But Dad…" a cloaked girl shouted back. She hugged a small panda cub closer to her.
"Now!" Tirai hesitated for a moment but regained her composure as she rushed to a hole in the side wall.
"Violet, Loti, Maek, let's go!" she called to her friends. They hadn't been allowed to partake in the fight, but as two snakes and a dragonfly rushed to her side, Tirai was grateful that they were free to escape and perhaps come back with reinforcements.
She led them out and around the Jade Palace. They had to reach the back garden unnoticed; they had to retrieve the Vessel of Time before the enemy did.
"Vi, Loti, go and scan up ahead," she commanded. As the twin snakes slithered up ahead, Maek landed on Tirai's shoulder.
"What are we going to do once we get the relic?" he asked. Tirai slowed her pace and stopped before the edge of the building.
"We get help of course."
The twins came back soon after. "There is one on the stairs, three pacing in the yard, and one right above the cellar to the Vessel of Time," Violet told them.
"Shouldn't be too hard for us to handle," Loti gave a sly smile.
"Then let's have some fun." Maek flew over to the first enemy; his wings creating a soft buzz which none of them heard. He landed at wolf's feet, and, with a quick flick of his small arms, flipped the intruder. On the ground, Maek gave a light tap to the back of his neck paralyzing his foe instantly.
This attack didn't go unnoticed though, and soon the rest of the group was in action, save for Tirai who was still holding tightly to Patch. The twins made quick work of the three men in the yard and Maek continued on to the last one. Tirai moved swiftly toward a small portion of grass, no different than the grass around it, and kicked down. A board flipped up and remained vertical so that she could reach down and grab a paper covered item.
"Got it," she told the others.
"Good now let's get out of here!" Loti called making his way into the nearby forest. A blast sounded from behind, and a piece of the nearest wall began to crumble.
"Boom!" Patch shouted into Tirai's shoulder. She sighed. If only he knew what had caused that explosion. She gripped the vase harder, but carefully as not to break it.
With each step the forest got thicker, the Jade Palace became more hidden and the exterior wall got closer. They bounded, slithered, and flew over it with ease. They didn't go to the town; wolves, alligators, and who knew what other animal would be residing there. So the five ran for hours toward the setting sun, through the forest and into the mountains, and when they decided to look back all they saw was billowing smoke inhabiting the air where the palace once stood.
"What now?" Violet asked, coiling herself into a more comfortable position.
"We move forward," Tirai replied letting Patch down to play. She was still holding the vase.
"Obviously, since we have nowhere to go back to," said Maek.
"Thanks for the friendly reminder," Loti commented sarcastically.
"Come on, guys, let's not fight," Violet interjected.
"Sorry, sis, I'm just tired. Anyway we can take a break before we continue?" Loti asked curling up also.
"Might as well." Tirai placed the vase in between her crossed legs. The others gathered around, and Patch entertained himself with trying to catch a butterfly.
"Sooo," Maek started slowly.
"No."
"You don't even know what I was going to ask!"
"You wanted to ask if we could look at the vase and to which I replied no."
"More like no fun." Loti whispered to Maek.
"Come on, Tirai, one look? Please?" Violet continued. The rest of the group looked at her pleadingly. Tirai's resolution stood strong for a moment but as she glanced at each of her friends, that resolution began to die until it was nonexistent.
"Fine, but only for a second," she said finally. She unwrapped the vase of its paper covering, revealing a light purple exterior with gold handles and gold bamboo designs decorating it. The gold glinting in the sunlight attracted Patch back to the group and sit wide eyed staring. Everyone chuckled at his short attention span before examining the vase with the same awe as the young panda.
"Cool." Maek moved to touch it, but was stopped with a glare from Tirai.
"Remember no touching."
"What does it do?" Loti asked.
"Legend says that it can surpass time," Violet told them.
"And?"
"And what?"
"What do you mean 'and what.' That can't be it!"
"Well what did you want it to do, bro? Let us travel through time?"
"Now that would be seriously cool!" Maek gave a high five to Loti. Patch moved closer as the older kids began to argue about the importance of keeping the vase safe and that time travel was impossible.
"Pway, Pway!" Patch giggled as he touched the vase. A light began to shine from it, which made Patch laugh even louder.
"Patch, what are you …" Tirai began to ask him, but her question was cut short as they were all captured by the ever growing light.
What was once white luster turned to black, inky darkness. The group's screams became muffled as their senses dulled and their consciousness' began to fade. The last thing Tirai remembered was her father's words to watch over Patch and the sadness she felt when her body would not move to grab for her little brother.
