Chapter 11

Familiar Places

The setting was disturbing and ominous. Screams and shouts of agony and pain could be heard everywhere. Violent flames erupted from the sides of buildings and engulfed entire houses in a raging inferno. Above the horrific atmosphere, a voice spoke,

~"Did you seriously think you could go back to your life and live peacefully!? Did you seriously think you could just forget about me and think you were fully absolved of all your sins!? Well, your insolence shall be your downfall… Sister…"~

A figure then came into view, a tall and menacing figure. Their body was shrouded in darkness even though the nearby flames lit the surrounding area in orange flickering light. The only distinguishable color amongst this figure were the two glowing red eyes which radiated with an unnerving supernatural aura.

Another voice was then heard, it like all the others sounded of pure agony and pain.

"Mariko..."

The voice called with a tone that sounded weak and beaten.

"Mariko..."

The voice called again, but louder this time, and with a bit more emphasis.

"MARIKO!"

"GASP!" The female Tiger tried to catch her breath after having experienced a horrific and realistic nightmare. As she looked around, she noticed that she was still confines of her bedroom and was in no inherent danger. She eventually managed to pace her breath and settle down from the traumatic experience. It was then that she noticed that her father was by her side with a worried expression. Her Mother was also there on the other side of her bed, with the same worried expression.

"Was it a nightmare?" Po asked her, putting a paw on her shoulder.

She nodded, "Yes, and it was the worst one I have ever had..." She answered, still sounding frightened from the dream.

Her parents each frowned, they had rushed into their daughter's room when they had first heard her tossing and turning in her sleep.

Tigress asked, "Do you care to share what it was about?"

To which Mariko replied, "I was in a terrible setting, I could hear screams and shouts from people that sounded in pain. There were buildings were on fire and the skies were cloudy and gloomy. And right near the end of the dream, a shadowed figure approached me."

Po and Tigress each looked at one another with worried expressions and Po asked, "Do you know who the figure was?"

Mariko nodded, but seemed hesitant to reply, however sighed and answered sadly, "They were tall, looked like the shape of another feline and had a devilish red aura emitting from their eyes."

She paused for a second before continuing, "It was Genji…"

Mariko hated to admit it, but it was almost certainly an image of her fallen twin brother Genji in her nightmare. For the last year she had reminisced him and though he was responsible for attacking and nearly killing her, she knew he wasn't entirely to blame, had his mind not been corrupted then perhaps things would have gone differently. But it was too late to undo the mistake, for he had been gone for nearly a year now and nobody knew his whereabouts.

Po looked at his daughter, "Mariko, I think it's time you and I pay another visit to Emperor Xiong in Beijing."

Suddenly, Mariko's eyes lit up, "Really!? We're going to the capital!?" She asked, while jumping straight out of bed in excitement.

This brought a smile to Po's face for he knew that ever since he had taken Mariko to Beijing when she was young she always wanted another excuse to return, and now was that time.

"Yes sweetheart, now go pack your things so that we may leave." Po answered with a smile as he watched the facial expression somehow get even happier than it already was.

And with that, Mariko began to pack all of the belongings she would take on their trip to the capital. Not paying any attention to her two parents who watched the scene with smiles.

"It certainly has been some time since you both went to Beijing, she'll enjoy visit." Tigress said to her husband as she watched their daughter packing all sorts of things.

Po looked back, "Will you be coming too? 'Master Tigress'?" He asked, emphasizing the Tiger's previous title.

Tigress pinched the Panda's nose at his silly nature and answered, "I would love to Po, but I think I should stay here to make sure that the Valley is safe. And plus, it'll give me a good excuse to get Hao to train."

"Suit yourself then, I hope you manage to get that lazy chef to even spend a minute training." Po joked as he too headed off to their room to begin packing for the trip. But before he could leave, he felt someone grab his paw from behind and then turn him around and lick the side of his face.

"Just can't let me go before showing me your affection can you?" He asked while rubbing the spot where she had licked him.

"Of course I can't, otherwise I wouldn't get to properly say goodbye to my favorite Panda in this world." She answered as she began to lick him again but wouldn't stop this time.

Po laughed and said, "Hey! Cut it out Tigress! You know how that messes up my fur!"

She stopped at his request and replied, "And? You know I'll always love you no matter what you look like you silly Panda!"

Po smiled and then kissed his wife on the lips, a gesture which she returned. Once they broke apart, Po smiled and said, "We'll be back soon Kitten. See you later." And with this he left to go pack for himself. Leaving Tigress behind who thought to herself, 'You'd better be back soon.' And just like him, she too headed off, but instead of packing, she headed off towards the noodle shop to go find her adopted son Hao.

Inside the noodle shop, business was as usual, with customers coming and going like a colony of ants. From returning customers to new traders and travelers coming by to try the most flavorful noodle soup recipe in the country, this restaurant was packed as always. Today was such a busy day in fact that the one and only employee was actually having a tough time catering to so many customers. Hao slaved around this kitchen day in and day out to satisfy the needs of his loyal customers, and he never seemed to mind the taxing work. It was after all his dream to become the best cook in all the country.

Right now Hao was busy stirring the broth inside the cauldron with a familiar looking soup ladle, one which had characters inscribed in it saying 'Big Brother'. The same ladle which his younger sister Mariko had carved for him when he was younger. As he stirred the broth, he strangely began to hear awes and gasps coming from the inside the shop. He looked up to see what the commotion was about, and as soon as he looked at the shop entrance he saw his mother walking into the restaurant.

Almost all of the customers and villagers in the shop recognize this popular figure with villagers saying all sorts of things from, "It's Master Tigress!" to "The leader of the Furious Five!" Everyone in the shop seemed emphatic about this protector of the valley entering the shop like a common customer.

As she walked in, the children of the villagers horded around her and most prevented her from going any further. When she was younger this would have annoyed the most hardcore master in the country, but after many years of softening up, she had grown to love interacting with the children of the valley. Of course it had helped to have interacted with the Panda children at the village in the mountains, and it also really helped to be a mother of three herself.

As she walked past the citizens, she waved at many of them and even greeted many as she passed by. She walked up to the front counter of the shop where she found a very busy Male White Tiger slaving away in the kitchen.

"Quite the busy day you've had today, isn't it Hao?" She asked from outside the shop.

Hao rolled his eyes, "Tell me about it, so are you here to order something Mom?" He asked as he kept up his work.

Tigress shook her head, "No, I came here for another reason. But seeing as how you're quite busy, it will be difficult to get you away from your work."

Hao nodded, "You're right. I haven't had this busy of a day in a long time… It's like the new year has come already..."

Tigress smiled and replied, "Then allow me to give you a hand, you could use the help, couldn't you?"

Hao looked up from his work and his jaw lay open in shock, "Uhhh is this real right now!? My Mom is volunteering to help me in the kitchen!?"

To which Tigress nodded.

"By all means! Please! I could really use the help!" He answered quickly.

Later that Day, In the Capital City Beijing

Mariko and Po both arrived in Beijing at sunset, the normally busy streets of the highly populated city were much more crowded and with more commotion. But it seemed that many citizens had retreated to their homes for night was coming shortly. Mariko looked around and was happy to see that the city hadn't changed very much since she last visited 14 years ago. Although one thing that was much more prevalent in the city was the presence of the military. With armed imperial soldiers at just about every entrance to the city. And as they got closer to the Emperor's tower, they began to see even more guards which was to be expected from a place of such high importance.

Mariko was quite anxious at the moment, for there was one real reason above all else that she wanted to return here. It was reacquainting with her former friend and the Emperor's own son Haokan with whom she met on her last voyage to the capital with her father. In fact, one of the things that helped her to remember Haokan was the Opal earring which had purchased for her during their adventure out of the tower. It was actually one of a pair of earrings, but she had given the other back to the Leopard in hopes that he would also remember her.

'I wonder if he remembers me at all...It's been over a decade since we last saw one another.' She thought worriedly as her and her father kept on their way towards the colossal tower.

Unbeknownst to her, Po noticed her sudden shift in mood and he asked, "Mariko, is something bothering you?"

Mariko shook her head out of her daze, "Sorry Daddy, I'm just anxious is all. It's been quite a while since I've been here." She replied, looking down at the path towards the tower.

Her father raised a brow and asked, "Is this all that's been on your mind?"

"Y-yes. Yes, that's it Daddy." She lied, trying not to reveal the real reason that stressed her mind.

'Hmm, I can tell that she is uneasy about something else, though what that is I will have to figure out.' Po thought as he examined Mariko's expression.

Back at the Valley of Peace at Sundown

"Thanks for the help today Mom, I fear that I would have had to turn some customers away had you not shown up today." Hao thanked his Mother while scratching the top of his head.

Tigress smirked while replying, "You're welcome Hao, after all, you did say you want to have the shop performing at it's best when that big shot chef comes to the valley to test the shop next month. What did you say that Ram's name was again?"

Hao responded, "His name is Goaton Ramsay and he's possibly one of the best chefs in the world. He goes through all sorts of places around the world and tests the food while reviewing the restaurants. Although I've heard from a lot of people that if he finds anything wrong with the food or the restaurant he gets really angry and tells off the owner in a very rude manner… I really hope he likes Grandpa Ping's noodle soup recipe..."

A drop of sweat escaped the White Tiger's brow as he remembered the advice he had been given by a bunch of other star chefs in the country.

Tigress smiled at her son's nervous attitude, "Don't worry Hao, you will be just fine, and if this 'Goaton Ramsey' doesn't like your food, it doesn't matter since the whole valley will always love this shop." She said as she placed a paw on her son's shoulder.

Hao began to calm down, "Thanks again mom, you always know how to make my day better. Well, you and Mariko that is. Speaking of which, how is my younger sister doing these days?" He asked while washing the dishes and cooking utensils from the days work.

"Your sister and father are both going on a trip to Beijing right now, they've probably arrived there by now." Tigress answered as she examined the wooden ladle soup ladle which was carved by Mariko and was being displayed on the wall of the shop after Hao had finished washing it.

Hao nodded, "Mariko always did want to go back to that busy place, I'm sure she will love to see it again. But why right now of all times?" He asked, changing the topic.

Tigress answered this as simply as possible, "Hao, Mariko hasn't been sleeping well lately. Your father and I have heard her mumbling to herself at night, so this morning we went to check on her only to have her wake up in a panic after a horrible nightmare. A nightmare about Genji."

Hao was skeptical to respond, for the topic of his fallen younger brother was never an easy one to talk about for him. "I see… Does this have anything to do with why you came down to see me?" He asked with a bit of hesitation.

"I'm glad you asked that Hao, because it is absolutely the reason I came down to talk to you. Of course while I enjoy helping you to accomplish your ultimate dream, I need you to keep up your training if we are to defend from what Mariko has foreseen." Tigress answered as she folded her arms and waited for Hao to finish washing the dishes.

Hao frowned at hearing this, "Mom, you know Martial arts isn't my talent… It never was… And besides, there's no evidence that what Mariko has seen will come to fruition…" He ranted as he turned his back to his Mother.

Tigress wasn't happy with this response though and she called to Hao assertively, "Hao! Look at me!"

To which Hao hesitantly turned to face his irritated Mother. She then explained, "Hao, remember when Po had been taken from the Valley when you were just a Cub? When you dreamt that he would return?"

"But Mom! That was differ-"

"It is no different! She described the event just like you did Hao, mass destruction, fires engulfing structures, people's screams and shouts of agony! You claim that martial arts is not your talent, but I beg to differ, what happened to the son I once knew who was eager to master the art of Kung Fu and become the greatest chef in the country!?" Tigress interrupted Hao with a rant of her own.

Hao looked back at her, though hesitant to reply, he answered, "I… Okay Mom, I'll try."

His mother walked up to him and hugged him from behind, "Hao, I know you think this is daunting, but I believe in you. And I will be there with you every step of the way."

He smiled weakly and responded, "Thanks Mom, I just hope that we don't have to fight in the first place."

Inside the Emperor's Tower in Beijing

Mariko and Po waited outside of a meeting hall on the 10th floor of the Emperor's Tower. They had been told by the Tower guards to wait at this door to be greeted by Emperor Xiong shortly. And though Po waited patiently, Mariko was anxious and restless. Without even knowing it she tapped her foot against the ground in a form of habit which Po noticed.

"Mariko, I'll ask you this again, what is bothering you." Po asked while folding his arms and looking her in the eyes.

"Nothing Daddy, I'm just worried is all." She quickly replied.

He wasn't convinced though, "Mariko, you've been avoiding telling me the truth of your mood since we got here. I'll ask you one last time, sweetheart what's bothering you right now. You can tell me anything Mariko." He asked genuinely.

Mariko seemed hesitant to reply, however she soon gave in, "Daddy, do you remember the Emperor's son Haokan? Well I was mostly interested in coming on this trip to see him again. It's been so long though and I'm beginning to wonder if he'll even remember me anymore…"

A smile developed on Po's face with his daughter's confession, "I understand now, so this is what has been bothering you all this time?"

She nodded, prompting Po to smile and think to himself, 'Mariko cares quite a bit for the Emperor's Son, she has the portrait of them together and she wears that earring he gave her everyday…'

But interrupting his thoughts were the several doors that opened from the meeting room in front of them. And out of the door came a group of people who seemed to be of higher class in Chinese society. Each of them looked quite old and they all shared very grumpy and annoyed expressions. As they filtered out, Mariko and Po could hear the old men grumbling and mumbling unhappily. Clearly whatever happened in that meeting had not gone very well.

A moment later, one last person came out of the room, a middle aged Armur Leopard with a very expensive looking outfit on.

"Gods these Chinese nobles annoy me beyond comprehension…" The Leopard mumbled to himself with a less than satisfied expression.

But before the Emperor could say anything more, he looked up and noticed several figures, "It can't be… Dragon Warrior?" He asked in a much more content mood at seeing one of his past friends inside his palace.

Po nodded and replied, "It is great to see you again, Emperor Xiong." He then knelt and bowed in respect to the leader of their country, as did Mariko.

"Oh nonsense my friend! Stand! It has been forever since I saw you!" He said with great enthusiasm as he walked up closer to Po.

It was then that the Emperor noticed the familiar figure standing beside the Dragon Warrior, a young adult Tigress with green eyes and black fur patches surrounding them, along with a blue Qipao vest, and black slacks.

"And you must be Mariko? Gosh how kids grow up so quickly. I remember it felt like only yesterday you and Haokan were just Cubs who would constantly get into trouble…" The Emperor recounted as he looked at the now fully ground female Tiger whom he had met many years ago.

"It is an honor to be in your presence again, Emperor Xiong." Mariko bowed with a cupped fist in respect for the Leopard.

"So why have you both come here again? I suppose this isn't just for a long awaited reunion, hmm?" Emperor Cishan asked as he folded his arms.

Po spoke on behalf of both, "You're right my Lord, as much as I enjoy meeting with acquaintances, we came here for another purpose."

The Leopard nodded, "Follow me to my quarters. We will have much more privacy to discuss this there."

And with that, the three headed off to the top of the structure to discuss the matter at hand in a more secluded and confined location. But unbeknownst to each of them, they were being watched the entire time by a pair of prying eyes.

A/N: There's chapter 11 yall! Chapter 12 will be coming shortly once I finish up with school in about a week. This chapter was a nice step down from the violence, but be warned, for the next chapter is going to pick right up where we left off with Genji. If you're enjoying the story so far or want to stay updated on future chapter releases, favorite and follow!

Also, I put a lot of effort into writing this story guys, and so I would really appreciate it if all the readers could please review and give me criticism and your thoughts about the story. Anyhow, see you all soon!

-Ace_Risk