Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108.

February 2032:

Lady Green smiled at Mystique Sonia as she passed, on her way to the Courtyard. As she got there, she noticed someone walking in, a hood covering their face. She frowned and approached, hand on the hilt of her swords. Although she knew that the soldiers weren't gullible, they were far from war-trained.

"Who are you?"

The person turned, hood falling off. Lady Green's eyes widened as the woman hugged her tightly. "Lady Green!"

"Lorelei!" Lady Green beamed. "You got my letter?"

Her cousin was looking fairly well, the only difference from the 5-year-old child she remembered being Lorelei's now short hair. "Yep!" Lorelei grinned. "It took some time, but I finally managed to make it here. So surprise!" She hugged her cousin tighter. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you." Lady Green smiled. "It was quite a shock."

"I'm sure." Lorelei smirked. "Now, where's the long-lost brother?"

"Probably training the Navy." Lady Green answered. "How long do you plan to stay?"

Lorelei shrugged. "I'm not too sure. Maybe for an extended period of time? We have a lot to catch up on."

"My thoughts exactly." Lady Green nodded. The last time she had seen her cousin had been before the Civil War, back at East Citadel when the Animals had attacked. Lorelei had been snatched away by her mother and father, and Lady Green hadn't had the opportunity to see if she had gotten away safely. She had found some Imperial records, and managed to track down her cousin.

"So…navy, huh?" Lorelei asked, nudging her playfully. "I would've thought you would stay on land more, considering your love of swords."

"I would have." Lady Green admitted. "But I love the water even more. Besides, it's what father would have wanted."

Lorelei's smile turned sad. "Actually, I think he would've rather you didn't even join the army. He could've taken good care of his little girl that way."

Lady Green smiled wistfully. "True." Her thoughts drifted to Llewelyn. "Ah yes, you need to meet Llewelyn."

"Who's Llewelyn?" Lorelei asked curiously.

"My son."

Lorelei's eyes widened. "You got married?"

"Yes." Lady Green laughed, showing her the ring nestled on her finger. She sighed, eyes downcast. "Not that you'd ever meet my husband, though."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Lorelei murmured. "How?"

"He was getting information during the Second Sino-Manchu War and was killed."

Lorelei growled. "Did you avenge him?"

"My friend did." Lady Green answered. "Speaking of which, you need to meet him when he gets back."

"And who is this friend?" Lorelei asked, sparkle back in her eye. "Someone special, perhaps?"

Lady Green slapped her arm, huffing out a laugh. "He's just a friend."

"That's what they all say." Lorelei shrugged. "So…a name?"

"Lin Chung." Lady Green replied.

Lorelei's eyebrows raised. "Wow. The rumours were true. A Peasant General, after millennia of tradition."

"He's a good man." Lady Green defended.

Lorelei raised her hands in surrender. "Not saying he isn't. But it's still a surprise. The people speak about him as if he were a god."

Lady Green laughed. "To be honest, I myself can't believe the amount of miracles he pulled out to allow us to win the wars."

"Well, I gotta meet this miracle-man then." Lorelei grinned. "And see what has you so enamoured."

Lady Green elbowed her. "Shut up. I'm a widow, remember?"

"Denial is always the first step." Lorelei commented, as if she hadn't registered her cousin's comment. "Considering how long you know him, must be a very long step."

"Samurai Bushido?" Lin Chung entered the private Hamster residence, having been let in by the children. The former Hamster King smiled at him from where he was playing with his grandson, Pax. Pax stood up and left, but not without giving Lin Chung a quick hug; the First General often travelled there, though not as often as everyone would have liked.

"Lin Chung. What can I do help you?" Bushido asked, inviting him to sit as he himself poured out some tea for the both of them.

Lin Chung took the seat, nodding in thanks. He picked up the cup, allowing the tea's fragrance to soothe him. "I…have something a bit of a dilemma, and I was hoping that I could talk to you about it."

"Of course." Bushido leant back.

"You…you knew Tien Kwan before I did. Quite well, if I remember correctly." Lin Chung stated. Bushido nodded. Lin Chung hesitated. "Has he ever talked to you about Wen Yuan?"

Bushido nodded again, a relaxed smile on his face. "His adopted son. He regularly talked to me about him. Sounds like a fine man, much like yourself."

Lin Chung ducked his head in modesty, but looked up again with a worried expression. "Not as fine as people would believe, Bushido. He's been caught massacring villages. Several in fact, beginning near the end of the Sino-Manchu war."

Bushido's eyes widened as he leaned forward. There was some suspicion there, but he wasn't flat out denying it, making Lin Chung feel slightly relieved. "That does not sound like the man Tien Kwan told me about."

"No, it isn't." Lin Chung said, taking another sip of tea. "And that's just it. I'm fairly certain this is the same Wen Yuan, but he is not what I expected. He seemed to have no conscious or mercy for human life."

The former Hamster King's eyes softened. "And you do not know what to do."

Lin Chung nodded. "My duty is to the people, and that mandates that I take him back to Capital for trial. And it almost certainly means death for him. However, if I try to respect my master, I will be responsible for thousands more lives than I could have stopped, but didn't."

Bushido looked at him with compassionate eyes, his tone gentle. "You need to do what you think is right, Lin Chung."

"Even if that includes condemning a man to death?"

"From what you have told me, he has condemned himself to death."

Lin Chung nodded again. "Yes, but I worry about Tien Kwan. If this was brought to light in trial, I would be dishonouring his name. For all I know, this could have been a misunderstanding."

Bushido sighed. "Lin Chung, you possess a kind heart, one which has and always will serve you well. However, not going after Wen Yuan would be dishonouring the principles that Tien Kwan has instilled in you, and your own moral code. I and many others trust in your instincts, and you have not let us down so far."

The First General set the cup down. "I don't know if I should talk to Tien Kwan about this. Or even how address this with him."

"Love will blind all, and Tien Kwan is of no exception to this rule. We are only mortal, after all." Bushido leaned forward. "You can only do your best, Lin Chung. That is all that you can do. And if that does not work, you will have to do what you have to do."

Lin Chung rubbed his temples as he looked down at his desk. He stood up and craned his neck from side to side. He still needed to go and talk to the Panthers about the sudden vision change. And meet up with Lady Green and Lorelei for dinner. He sighed.

"Lin Chung."

Lin Chung startled, turning to meet the smiling face of his master. He bowed. "Tien Kwan."

"You have done well from the last time we met." Tien Kwan seemed to glow with pride.

The First General ducked his head modestly. "I couldn't have done it without the others."

"Of course." Tien Kwan nodded. "Now," He hesitated. "I'm here to talk about a delicate matter."

"What of?" Lin Chung asked, though he already knew. Wen Yuan had told him himself. Tien Kwan was going to try and dissuade him from going after Wen Yuan. But that wasn't happening. He told himself. Tien Kwan was not above reason.

"Wen Yuan." Tien Kwan said.

Lin Chung turned to his desk, absent-mindedly shuffling through reports. "Then you know that I can't."

"Lin Chung." Tien Kwan pleaded. "Wen Yuan is misguided. His heart is in the right place."

"By burning down five villages and killing everyone in it?"

"He did not mean to."

Lin Chung turned around incredulously to his master. "Surely you cannot be so blind to believe that."

Tien Kwan's eyes narrowed - the first sign of anger Lin Chung had ever seen directed at him. "Lin Chung, Wen Yuan can be changed. He just needs the chance to."

"You gave him the chance." Lin Chung spoke. "He wasted it."

"I gave you a chance, Lin Chung." Tien Kwan said.

Lin Chung turned back to his desk. "No. He has killed far too many people to simply be let off with a tap on the shoulder."

"You're not the Lin Chung I know." Tien Kwan murmured. "You've changed."

"Yes, master." Lin Chung nodded. "War tends to do that to people."

"He is like my son, Lin Chung." Tien Kwan said. "Surely you can understand that, with Llewelyn."

Lin Chung's shoulder tensed. "But Llewelyn has not killed five villages worth of people."

"And if he does in the future?" Tien Kwan prompted.

"Then I will put him down myself. But he has not, so I do not have to. Wen Yuan is a different story." Lin Chung said firmly.

"Everyone makes mistakes." Tien Kwan tried again.

"Yes. But this mistake is unforgivable."

"Like how you created Twin Masters?"

Lin Chung tensed, his hands halting their movement. He inhaled sharply, knowing the look on Tien Kwan's face before he saw it. They both knew it was a low blow. "Yes. And I have tried to repent for that ever since."

"Let Wen Yuan have the chance to repent, Lin Chung." Tien Kwan said. "He is like you in many ways, except that while your crime is hidden with your many secrets, Wen Yuan's is out in the open."

"No." Lin Chung said. "I'm sorry, master, but if Wen Yuan attacks one more village, I will act."

Almost on cue, there was a knock on the door, and Rosefinch's head poked in, expression solemn as she saw only Lin Chung in the room. "Wen Yuan's attacking the Eastern villages. We have to go."

"I'll meet you at the hangar." Lin Chung nodded. Rosefinch nodded and left.

Lin Chung grabbed his sword and turned to leave, but felt an arm grab onto his own. He turned to find the face of his master.

"If you have any respect for me as your master, Lin Chung, don't do this."

"It is because I respect you and what you taught me that I am doing this." Lin Chung responded, Bushido's words echoing in his head..

"Know that when you face him in battle, you will also be facing me." It was a last ditch attempt at getting his best student, almost a son, to not attack the man more like his son. He knew. He knew that despite him teaching both of them the same thing, Lin Chung had worked on refining the techniques while Wen Yuan depended on natural skill and what he had already learnt.

Lin Chung tugged his arm free. "Then so be it."

Lady Green hurried to the hangar, meeting Lin Chung there. She could instantly tell from the expression on his face that he was not happy. He was watching solemnly as the rockets were prepped for take-off. "Are you alright?"

"Tien Kwan visited."

Lady Green's eyebrows raised. She had heard about this legendary master from the rest of First Squad, but had never thought that he would actually show his face now after so many years. "And?"

"He tried to stop me from hunting Wen Yuan." Lin Chung said emotionlessly. "Said that if I were to fight Wen Yuan, I would be fighting him as well."

"Hm." Lady Green looked as Rosefinch beckoned them over. "It seems that love truly blinds all to the truth."

"Indeed." Lin Chung sighed. He vaguely noted how Bushido had said the same thing to him, and looked down. Lady Green got onto a rocket behind him, and leaned against him in an almost physical display of comfort. She heard Lin Chung sigh again before they took off.

It was almost laughably easy to find Wen Yuan. He was near the cliff edge, dropping children into the gorge. Rosefinch's eyes widened as she zoomed down to collect a child that had just been dropped. Seeing them, Wen Yuan laughed, opening his arms wide.

"And here come the grand heroes of Big Green!"

Lady Green frowned. It seemed like this man was familiar with Big Green. They landed quickly, Lin Chung drawing his weapon. Everyone waited for his signal. Wen Yuan laughed dismissively, and then charged at Lin Chung. Lin Chung blocked it, easily getting the man onto his back, blade at his neck.

Suddenly, his eyes widened before he was slammed into a cliff-side nearby. He groaned, looking to see Tien Kwan watching him apprehensively. Lady Green's eyes widened as she rushed to Wen Yuan with her blades gleaming, but Tien Kwan too had her against the wall with a familiar purple aura.

Lin Chung was trying to reason with Tien Kwan, but it was clearly helpless. The soldiers were frozen as they quickly herded the civilians behind them - this was out of their depth.

Lady Green caught Rosefinch's eye as the Third General emerged from the gorge. Nodding discreetly, Rosefinch set the child down safely before landing on the floor and flinging several blades to Tien Kwan with frightening accuracy. Seemed like those lessons with Lin Chung was paying off.

At the surprise, Tien Kwan loosened his grip. This was enough for Lin Chung's eyes to flash purple (a new development) before rushing over to Wen Yuan as Lady Green grabbed ahold of her blades and tackled Tien Kwan. To her surprise, he was solid and fell to the ground in surprise. Lady Green wasted no time in stabbing downwards, but it was not to be.

Tien Kwan was faster than she had thought. Within seconds, he had Rosefinch cornered with a blade in his hands, prepared to finish her off.

But then Lin Chung came to their rescue, however indirectly. So occupied was she that Lady Green didn't hear or see Wen Yuan being executed until she saw his head rolling on the ground, separated from his body. Lin Chung's blade was bloody.

Lady Green immediately reacted as she saw Tien Kwan turn to fling the blade at Lin Chung, knowing somehow, instinctively, that Lin Chung would surely be hit. She threw one of her own blades, which pierced the back of Tien Kwan. He looked down in surprise, turning to meet Lady Green's hard gaze before he fell to the ground, choking and finally falling still.

Lady Green retrieved her surprisingly bloody blade from the ground, wiping it against the floor. Tien Kwan was dead.

Lin Chung watched, before turning back to the villagers and barking out orders. Lady Green sighed when she saw that mask, the one that he wore after a particularly tough battle, the one that screamed First General, slam up and attach itself firmly to Lin Chung's face.

She'd have to seek him out later.

Lord Darian Green whistled to himself as he walked to where Mystique Sonia was waiting for him. Both had grown close due to their similar experiences, and were now dating. He wondered whether and when it would be appropriate to ask for her hand - and from whom? The most obvious answer was Lin Chung - he was, after all, like her older brother.

But would it be appropriate? They were in their late thirties now…but, then again, his sister had gotten married only several years younger and had Llewelyn. As long as they didn't plan on having children, all should be alright.

Now, just to figure out how to ask Lin Chung, her de facto older brother, without fearing a blade through his back.

Master Chou stretched his old limbs. He would not last for long, that was for certain. He headed into the room, where Burly was still lying in a coma and had been for the last year or so. The poor boy had been under his command for as long as he could remember. And now? Now he was lying in a vegetable state due to some stupid missile.

Burly had been in treatment for nearly a year, and there was no saying how long more it would be before they had to pull the plug on him.

A figure lounged back in his chair, rubbing at his temples. The latest set of orders didn't bring any good news. He was worried that if he did more, the First General would find out. Lin Chung had proven that he was sharper than most people gave him credit for.

Luckily, if worse came to worst, then he could still pin the blame on Gao.

Lin Chung left his room, taking a route down to the caves that only he knew. He had been thinking about the caves for a long time, ever since he found Yang Tu's statue there a few weeks after he became First General. He had wanted to ask Tien Kwan on what to do, but now, he didn't have a chance to.

HighRoller was an option, but until they could fully trust him, it wasn't wise to try anything. Highroller was too inquisitive for his own good, and Lin Chung worried that he would be influenced by the Chaotic Energy into doing something stupid. He glared at the statue. He hated the fact that he had been the one that had made Yang Tu into Twin Masters, but there was nothing he could do now.

As he had told Tien Kwan, he had and was still doing all he could to make up for it. Now that Tien Kwan was gone, he couldn't ask anyone what to do with the statue. Despite his lack of a formal education, he knew that energy couldn't be created or destroyed and had to disperse somewhere, and he didn't want to try trapping all of Yang Tu's power into a sword. That would only be begging for history to repeat itself again.

He sighed. Maybe he could move it somewhere far away? Somewhere where no one was ever going to go to. The further away from Hidden Kingdom, the better. It would have little influence on everyone here. But where was a place that the Chaotic Energy would not affect anyone else?