We're going to take a break from our heroes and go back to check on other important characters. This chapter will be focusing on Li Shan and the Siamese family. I want to keep Li Shan important in the story, I did put him under character for a reason. His trauma with Shen still needs to be addressed, they showed what the genocide did to him emotionally but the 3rd film really didn't explore more or have him talk about it. So here's more Li Shan, Mr. Ping, and Master Shifu. Enjoy!

Chapter 11: The Other Side

The restaurant closed early, there have been reports of a storm coming to the village.

Mr. Ping and Li Shan spend the afternoon cleaning and putting away bowls and food. Li Shan goes outside to put away the chairs and move the tables. As he moved the chairs to the sidewall, he paused to look up to the sky.

For the past few days, the sky had been nothing but cloudy and gray. To Mr. Ping's dismay, no customers have shown up due to constant rain. It was very odd weather they were having, Li Shan frowned after hearing loud thunder from the distance.

Something didn't feel right, it was almost like he can feel the universe being off balance. He couldn't really explain it but it was a feeling that weigh down on his mind. This strange feeling made him think of his son, he wondering if Po and his friends are okay.

"Li, come help me with these boxes," Mr. Ping called out.

Li Shan goes to help after finally turning away from the sky, trying to shake off the bad feeling.

As the two men get everything ready for the storm, Mr. Ping glanced at the large panda. He had noticed that had been quiet since Po left on his mission. He didn't say about it as he thought Li Shan may bring it up and talk about it. But he didn't and the duck was now growing a little concerned, seeing how his friend seemed to wander off in his thoughts. He cleared his throat, getting his attention.

"Um Li, is everything alright?"

The panda blinked but quickly changed his attitude. "Oh yeah, I'm fine. It's just all of this rain, it's been crazy weather huh?"

"Yes it has," Mr. Ping agreed, taking a quick glance at the rolling clouds from the open service window. When Li Shan didn't say anything else he continued.

"Anything else?"

"Well, I am a little worried for Po," Li Shan admitted looking away, "With all of these storms I hope he isn't stuck and he's somewhere safe."

"I'm sure he'll be fine, he has his friends with him."

"Right…"

They stayed silent for a minute. The panda glanced somewhere else and fidgeting his figures while the duck stilled stared at him. Somehow he could just tell there was something else troubling the bear's mind.

"…Anything else?"

Li Shan frowned, he knew he couldn't keep this up. His ears were down and his shoulders slumped as he looked down to his friend. There has been something swimming in his mind lingering, something he wasn't sure how to express without having some form of anxiety. He looked at his friend again, biting his lip nervously.

"…I have been worried about other things other than our son's safety. It's just an old fear that stayed with me for a long time."

Mr. Ping tilted his head not understanding and Li Shan explained.

"I've been, thinking about what Po shared with me before he left," he said carefully, "I never told him that I had, nightmares about that night, those wolves…and that man."

He paused for a moment before continuing, Mr. Ping watched and listened to him.

"That day when I showed the picture of his mother, I couldn't bring myself to tell him more, couldn't finish and tell him how we escape from the flames. I just get, so choke up of the whole thing."

Li Shan took a deep breath, he laid his paws on the table as if he was afraid he would pass out. He felt a wing pat his arm and saw Mr. Ping trying to give him comfort. He calmed his mind as he told himself to keep talking.

"Every time I think about that night, I always think about that man. I may not know who Shen was during that time but I still remember what he looked like, and…"

The panda paused again, his breath shaking as he admit his fears.

"And I, I always feared he will come back and finished the job."

Li Shan slowly brought his paws and covered his face. He didn't feel like he was going to cry, but more he was rubbing his forehead thinking it would drive away his silly fears. He didn't want to look at his friend, it was too much for him.

"I know it sounds silly," he tries to play it off, "There's no way he could find us I tell myself. But it's always in the back of my head. And then I would start to think the wolves will find us and burn our secret village. I would think what could I have done differently on that night, how many would I have saved. Still, I tried to keep calm for the sake of my people..."

"I don't think it's silly."

Li Shan finally turned around to see the duck even more worried but at the same time, he stared at him with sympathy. Now with the knowledge of what was troubling his friend, Mr. Ping does his best to comfort him in his own way.

"What happened on that day wasn't your fault. You did the best you could to save everyone, I would have done the same for you and Po," Mr. Ping spoke honestly and then asked, "Why haven't you told anyone about this?"

Li Shan wasn't sure how to answer that. He rubbed his head again, trying to clear his thoughts so he can answer.

"I don't know. Maybe I thought they'll go away someday, and they have, but once in a while, it comes back. It's not just the nightmares but the gripping fear it may happen again."

"And it won't," said Mr. Ping "You have to believe that."

"I do I just…"

"You know I have nightmares too."

Li Shan blinked as this was the first time he was hearing this, "You do? About what?"

Mr. Ping fidget his wings as it was his turn to look away. "My nightmares are about Tai Lung coming back to life and take my son away, or Po leaving me for good…"

The duck tried not to cry, he was a little more sensitive when it comes to his greatest fears.

"Every time Po goes on a mission I always feared that would be the last time I see him. Sometimes I think he'll love kung fu so much he'll never want to make noodles with me ever again. As crazy as its sounds that's my biggest fear."

He put down his hat and turned to the panda, "But I had to remind myself that it will never happen. I know Po will always come back, no matter what. Even though my fears try to tell me otherwise."

Both of the men looked at each other and glanced at the ground, sighing. None of them have ever shared their biggest fears before, yet there something about it that made them feel good. Almost like a heavy rock in their heart was lifted. With this thought, Li Shan managed to smile and face Mr. Ping.

"We sure have a lot in common don't we…" he said.

"Yes we do…" said Mr. Ping, "So if you have any more of those pesky nightmares, you can always talk to me."

Li Shan gave a light chuckle, reminded why he was so grateful this man took care of their son.

"I'll will-whoa!"

Out of nowhere, both the panda and the duck felt everything around began to shake. The bowls, boxes, and utensils rattled uncontrollably. Mr. Ping quacked as he rushed to rolls of bowls, trying to keep everything in place. Li Shan noticed some of the cabbages rolled off and he cached them before they hit the stone floor. They could hear other villages from next door cry out in surprise. They stood very still until the shaking stopped. When everything felt calm the men relaxed but swiftly looked at each other.

"What in the noodle's name was that?!" cried Mr. Ping.

"I, I d-don't know," Li Shan stammered with alertness, "Th-that felt like an earthquake."

"What?" Mr. Ping blinked in confusion, "We don't get earthquakes in the Valley of Peace."

Just then there was a loud clap of thunder making them jumped. The heavy clouds cried down on the valley heavily. The men just watched dumbfounded, nothing about this weather made any sense.

"This weather is starting to freak me out," said a nervous Mr. Ping while he picked his noodle hat, dusting it before putting back on.

"That earthquake was massive, do you think it's happening anywhere else," Li Shan questioned, thinking about Po.

"No of course not," Mr. ping responded mostly convincing himself, "I'm sure Po is fine and finishing his mission and he's coming home right now."

"Y-yeah you're right," Li Shan agreed, "There's nothing worry about. It was just one earthquake."

"Yes, one earthquake is all," Mr. Ping laughed anxiously.

"Po is fine, it's not the end of the world," said Li Shan with confidence.

Then the heavy rain stopped, for a moment both the men smiled seeing this as a good sign, sighing quietly.

But within a second it all went downhill.

As soon as the rain stopped another earthquake emerged, this time much stronger than the first. Mr. Ping and Li Shan found themselves on the ground with all of their food and broken bowls joining them. They covered their heads as more stuff fall to the ground. Li Shan quickly picks up Mr. Ping, moving out of the way from the falling bowls. He tries to crawl to the door leading outside but proven to be difficult due to the shaking. The older panda managed to reach for the handle and pushed the door open, struggling to get to on his feet.

From outside the two could see the destruction, the tables were broken from fallen rebel of buildings, large cracks appears on the ground, and many villagers running in every direction screaming in a panic.

"IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!" a random pig screamed as he ran.

This chaos only served to push Li Shan and Mr. Ping to a peak of no return and made a decision. The panda holds up the duck in front of him and said, "We gotta find our son and bring him home!"

"You're right! I'll go get the bags!"

The men staggered back inside as the ground was still shaking. Li Shan put down Mr. Ping as the duck runs up the stairs while he tried not to step the broken china. He goes to grab a box of untouched food and grab whatever utensils or pans he spotted.

He wasn't sure what else he needed to bring, he quickly rush to the closet to find anything he sees helpful. He pulls out item after item till he spotted something. He pull it out only to see it was an old wooden rake. He had never held one in a while, not since that night-

"No, now's not the time to think about that," Li Shan told himself, pushing those memories aside.

Carrying as much stuff he can under his arms, he runs up the stairs to look for Mr. Ping.

"Did you pack anything we need?" he asked.

The panda spots Mr. Ping, huffing and running back and forth with big clothes. He carried a big pile from Po's room to the backpack in the other room, not realizing he was dropping some. Li Shan helps out, picking up the clothes and packing the food with them.

"I think I got all of his pants, did you pack all the ingredients for his favorite dish?" Mr. Ping breaths out while still carrying clothes.

"I'm still packing those. What about the beets?"

"Yes he loves those, go grab them while I pack out clothes."

"Wait did you grab his stuff bear?"

"Oh, you're right! Where is it!?"

"I'll go get it!"

But Li Shane forgot one pair of paints was still on the floor. His foot got caught and he felt himself falling. Mr. Ping tried to move out of the way but he let out a painful quack after quack as he and Li Shan rolled down the stairs and back outside again.

The poor panda landed on his back and the duck was almost smashed on the bear's chest. He gets up and pulls his friends off checking if he was alright, Mr. Ping gave a slight moan which meant he was still alive. Li Shan straighten him and put him back on the ground.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah…" the old duck said in a daze, "I think my beak is bent."

Mr. Ping's beak was not bent but Li Shan checked anyway, he stopped when he noticed the ground wasn't shaking anymore.

"Hey, it stopped."

They both looked around, seeing everything had gone quiet once more. They walked around the rubble of rocks and went to see the pandas and villagers looking at the destruction. So many homes were shaken from the earthquake, cracks breaking the pathway open and in half. Li Shan and Mr. Ping were shocked all of this happened within seconds. Dim and Slim and some of the elder pandas walked up to Li Shan as they still see him as their leader.

"Li what should we do?" asked a female holding her child close.

"This never happened before," said Dim, "None of us were prepared for this."

"You have a plan do you Li?" asked Slim as others including the villagers turned their eye to him.

The panda didn't know what to say as many people were eyeing him. He opened his mouth slightly but no words could come out, he was just as terrified as they were.

"Uh, I…"

"Everyone!"

Just then a wooden staff appeared and struck the ground. Master Shifu land on his staff gracefully and everyone turned their attention to the red panda.

"Everyone listen! The village is no longer safe, but we need to remain calm."

The villagers were still worried, they gasped after hearing his words and started talking among each other. However, Master Shifu held his paws out, trying to ease them.

"Listen, we need to get to higher ground. Grab your children and anything that is important to you and held up to the mountains. I will get to the bottom of these earthquakes, but I will have the pandas watch over you as I trust their skills and their leader."

The pandas turned back to Li Shan, silently asking him if was approval to do. The older panda nodded.

"You hear him," said Li Shan using his leader voice, "We have mastered chi and we will use it to protect everyone in the village. Now let's move on to higher grounds."

The villagers all agreed, despite being scared hearing the words of the master and the panda leader was enough to motivate them. They all went back to their homes to prepare their things to leave. Mater Shifu lands on the ground with staff in hand, he is ready to take off but he was stopped by the older panda and the duck.

"Wait a minute, are you really leaving?" asked Li Shan.

"I have to," Master Shifu went on explaining, "I have received more letters from the masters. They have been experiencing the same earthquakes. I never thought it would happen here but now I can't ignore it any longer, I must help my students."

"Then we're coming to."

"Wait what?"

"Please take us with you!" Mr. Ping cried shaking the master's shoulder, "Po could be in danger and we're not there!"

"Mr. Ping please let go of me," Shifu said annoyed.

"Never!"

Li Shan gently and easily pulled the hysterical duck away from the master.

"Look Shifu, I know nothing about this is normal," said Li Shan, "I've been getting a bad feeling about this too. Something is wrong and we need to help our son and stop this."

Master Shifu thought about it for a moment, looking at the panda in the eye he could tell he was being serious. He knows the two fathers are not fighters but they did help Po fight off everyone when they turned into jade zombies. He let out a soft hum and nodded.

"Very well, but the journey will not be easy and it may take a while.'

"Then we are better to start packing, right Mr. Ping?"

The old duck stoops up and smooths out his feathers, "You're right, I'll go get the bags."

While Mr. Ping quickly goes back to the house, Li Shan turned back to the master who looked a little concerned.

"Are you sure he can handle journeying far?" asked Master Shifu.

Li Shan just shrugged his shoulders, "He traveled with me to the village before. I think he'll be okay, besides he's got me now."

The older panda smiles and goes to gather his things while the red panda waits for them. He was about to go upstairs when he noticed he never put away the rake. He goes over to it and held in his paw, allowing himself to ponder. If was going to protect his son, he was going to need something besides his chi.

With a stern and determined look, Li Shan held on to the rake tightly as he goes upstairs to help Mr. Ping pack. They had to hurry in case another earthquake arise out of nowhere.

For two whole days Míng Na struggled to properly stand on her own, she mostly spend her time sitting with the cabin behind her. She refuses to leave her granddaughter alone. But she tried to stand once more, this time leading to the pole of the bedframe across from her. When she didn't feel her legs give out, she sigh relief.

"Are you okay grandma?"

Míng Na glanced at the frozen box, "Yes, I'm fine."

She then pushed herself to the cabin and grab the side of it.

"I'll get out Lán lǜ. Just give me a moment."

"No grandma I'll get myself out," Lán lǜ declared, "I'm gonna try to tip the cabin over."

"No don't that, you'll only hurt yourself."

"You can't break the ice," Lán lǜ, "There no other way."

The kitten use her weight and tried to rock the cabin forward. But even with her strength, it was not enough. She could hear her grandmother telling her to stop.

"Lán lǜ it's not going to work-"

Míng Na paused her sentence as her ear and whiskers twitched. She felt something, and before she knew it the whole room began to shake. She quickly rushed back to the bedroom pole to keep herself balanced. She watched as items and picture frames shook and crashed to the solid floor.

Lán lǜ can feel the cabin shake too. She tried standing up but the jolt of the earthquake caused her to slip and felt her whole body vibrate. She can even hear the ice breaking from the other side. That when it hit her like a lit-up paper lantern, the earthquake was breaking the ice. She bounced back on her feet and with all her might she pushed the cabin forward. She repeated this again and again until she heard the thick ice finally breaking. With one last push got the cabin doors open.

"Yes!" she cheered but it didn't last long as the cabin now falling towards her.

"Lán lǜ!" Míng Na shouted but she wasn't fast enough.

The cabin hits the floor with a loud crash. But in seconds a fist breaks through the back of the cabin and Lán lǜ jumps out, landing with grace and a pose. She then smiled at her grandmother.

"Told ya it was going to work."

Míng Na gave a soft yet short laugh, "I guess I taught you well."

The two cats then rushed to each other and hugged. The earthquake had stopped but they didn't pay mind to that, they finally had one peaceful moment with each other. Míng Na petted her granddaughter's head, hearing her purr. The little kitten then glanced up to her, her mismatched-colored eyes filled with love.

"I'm so sorry Lán lǜ," Míng Na apologized, "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from any of this."

"It's not your fault grandma," said Lán lǜ, "None of this is."

The Siamese cat wipes her eyes still feeling guilty. "I wasn't prepared for any of this."

"None of us were."

Lán lǜ didn't want her grandmother to feel guilty, so she distracted her by taking her back to the bed and use her skills to break the chain around Míng Na's waist.

"Rest grandma, "I'll go get some food for us."

Míng Na nodded, feeling at ease now that her granddaughter was close to her.

"Please be careful."

Lán lǜ promised and took off to the hallways. She knows that monkey and her friends were not around but she still wanted to be cautious, stopping a few times to listen for anyone coming. Confirming she was completely alone she heads to the kitchen where she found the medicine. Lán lǜ found a few apples and peaches to take, she also found a tray and use it to carry food and drinks.

She couldn't help but look around the kitchen, it felt uneasy being in an empty kitchen. It was always a loud and busy room in the house but now there was nothing but stillness. The kitten frowned as she wondered what happened to their servants, wondering what Tiān Cháo has done to them. Lán lǜ didn't want to think they were dead, she told herself maybe they were in some dungeon waiting to be rescued.

Honestly, she wasn't sure how they can recuse their people when it was just the two of them. She really hoped Master Pangolin will come with the Dragon Warrior quickly before the crazy monkey comes back. Lán lǜ takes the tray with her as she adventured to another room. It was a storage room that had all of the training equipment and stored herbs which is what she was looking for.

After taking the herbs with her, Lán lǜ goes back to her room with a tray full of everything. She takes it to her grandmother, giving her two peaches and a cup of water while she had the apples. She opens a jar filled with dried herbs and added water, she stir it with her paw till the herbs were mush.

"Does your hip still hurt grandma?" Lán lǜ asked.

"A little," said Míng Na, "Give me a moment."

The old cat gets ups to take off her blue robe and to undo her sash and white under robe, only to show her side. The kitten could see a small bruise, it didn't look too bad so she only applied a small amount of the herbs.

Míng Na sat on the bed waiting for the medicine due to its magic. She hold the side of her robe and watched her granddaughter clean her paws. With Tiān Cháo gone she now had the opportunity to take Lán lǜ somewhere safe. She wasn't sure when her student will come nor did she know when the golden monkey will come back, she had to think fast. She then remembered something very important, she patted her good hip to feel the folded paper she kept in her sash. Her mind raced as a plan put itself together like a puzzle.

She pulls out the folded paper and stares at it. She thought about the conversations she had with Tiān Cháo, this all started since they were kids. This started on that promise, a promise that will never happen, and what she believed drove the monkey on this derange path. Closing her eyes with a frown, she had a plan and she knew what needed to be done.

Opening her eyes, she called her granddaughter.

"Lán lǜ, come here."

The kitten's ears twitched at the sound of her name. She goes over to Míng Na. with a curious look noticing the piece of paper.

"What it is grandma?"

Míng Na unfolded the paper to reveal it to be a map. The kitten glanced at the map, it wasn't just a map but it was also a diagram of their home. She glanced up to her grandmother, not understanding.

"Do you remember that meeting I was going to?" Míng Na asked waiting for Lán lǜ to nodded before continuing, "That day, we were discussing updates on a project we constructed. We have built an underground tunnel under the house."

Lán lǜ blinked, "But Tiān Cháo said there are no escape roots."

Míng Na shook her head, "No, there's one. And I thank the gods she didn't find it. It's deep in the grounds of the basement, hidden beyond the walls. I want you to take the villagers to the tunnel and lead them out."

"What? What about you?"

The old Siamese cat looked down for a second before looking back up, she could tell from her granddaughter's expression she figured it out.

"I'm going to stay here…"

Lán lǜ's eyes widen and shook her head. "What?! No, I'm not leaving you!"

"Lán lǜ-"

"NO! I want you to come with me! We can find Master Pangolin, w-we can…"

Lán lǜ suddenly felt herself being pulled into a tight hug. She hugged back but she couldn't stop herself from crying. Her grandmother spoke softly enough for her to hear.

"This fight is between me and Tiān Cháo, I will not allow you to be a part of this any longer. I don't anybody else getting hurt. I have to face her on my own, and want you to help your people escape."

Lán lǜ tighten her hold, she didn't want to hear any of this, she want to leave her grandma. She never had to lead anyone before. She finally looked up to Míng Na who smiled sweetly at her. She tenderly wipes her tears away. She fold the paper and handed it to her.

" You must be brave."

"I can't…I can't," Lán lǜ tried to convince her.

"Yes, yes you can," Míng Na comforted holding her granddaughter firm, "You stayed strong throughout this ordeal. You are ready."

They stayed still, staring into each other eyes. Lán lǜ tried to calm her racing heart, she could hear it pounding in her ears. She doesn't believe she was ready, but if her grandmother truly believe it, then she has to believe it. Putting the map down, she took her face in her small paws and had them bump foreheads.

"Promise you still be here when I come back, please..."

Míng Na sighed a shaky breath but still smiled for her little kitten. "I promise."

"Love ya grandma."

"I love you too, my granddaughter."

She let go but stood still for few moments to look at her grandmother once more time until she finally pushed herself to move. She grabs the paper map and took off.

Míng Na watched her granddaughter leave the room, she took a deep breath, trying so hard not to let the tears drop. She had to stay strong, for her and for everyone she failed to protect. She had made many mistakes and she was not going to make anymore. Míng Na put her robes back on, getting herself ready for the fight she will have later on.

Meanwhile, Lán lǜ started running on all fours, ran down hallway after hallway but eventually she stopped to catch her breath. She was almost there to the door but she paused. She has been trying so hard to stop crying but it was hard. She rubbed her eyes trying to stop her tears.

She sniffed as she looked down at the map she now holds. Her mind tried to tell her to go back, but in her heart and she knew, this had to be done. Despite being a kid she needs to help the villagers.

Lán lǜ then looked up with stern expression and continued to run down the halls. When she spots the front door, jump and use all her might to kick the door open. She didn't waste any time and went down the stairs leading to the center of her village. When she gets there, she stops to stare at everything around her.

Her village was different. Large wooden poles, weapons, and ropes surrounded the whole area. These must have been the built traps. She noticed the villagers were fixing one that got destroyed from the earthquake.

Just when she was about approach them someone called her name.

"Lán lǜ!"

The kitten turned to see one of the servants rushing towards her. She greeted them and the two immediately hugged. The other villagers noticed the princess was free, gathering in a large group, they were all happy to see her well.

"Oh thanks gods, you're alright princess," said the sheep.

"I'm so happy to see all of you okay," Lán lǜ said to sheep and turn to the villagers, "Is everyone else okay?"

"We're holding up as much as we can," said a lizard, "The earthquake undid a trap we were force make, if we don't fix it that witch is going to kill us."

"Lán lǜ, where is your grandmother?" the sheep asked and everyone else started asking the same question.

The kitten felt a little nervous but she reminded herself of her grandmother's word. As calm as she can be, Lán lǜ explains the situation.

"Grandma is staying behind to take down Tiān Cháo on her own."

The villagers were shocked but she spoke up before they ask even more questions.

"She told me to help all of you to escape."

"How?" ask a deer, "We can't go to the entrance without setting off the traps."

Lán lǜ unfolded the map and hold it up for everyone to see.

"This is a map to a hidden tunnel deep in the basement," she explained, "It's been updated and we can use it to leave. We just have to find it. My teacher is also coming with help. If we hurry we can meet with them and we can save my grandma. But first, we need to get our families to safety."

The villagers studied the map, some looked worried about the plan, some even looked hopeful of the fact they can finally escape. They all looked at Lán lǜ, they chattered among themselves before glancing back with serious expressions.

"Lead us the way, Princess Lán lǜ," said a goat who look at her with loyalty.

The kitten was surprise by the response, they were ready to follow her just like that. This actually gave her more courage than she could ever image. Her grandma was right, she can do this.

With new-found hope Lán lǜ stood tall and beamed at her people.

"All right, let's go everyone," she ordered as the villagers followed her. Holding up the map she allowed the servants to read it to help her understand.

They all followed her to the home of the Siamese cats, heading down to the basement to find the tunnel.

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Sorry if it felt short, I wanted to get this one done because I'm really busy with a new class I'm taking.

There's no facts to share this time. I don't know when I'll have the next chapter ready. But I'm hoping to get two more done before the end of the year, if not then I'll have one more chapter up after Christmas. Thank you for your patience and I'll see you guys in the next chapter. Stay safe out there!