"A good neighbor can make a difference in the quality of life."

Episode 15: Store wars

A bubble of light appeared in the transporting hub. Then a leopard in a suit emerged from the flash and entered the building. As he returned to the agency's place of residence, he saw various workers and fellow agents move around the room, weather to report for duty or leave for time off.

As the leopard man walked down the hall in front of him, a rabbit woman in a tux walked up to him and said "Agent Wilson, the Commander wishes you to meet her in her office."

"Alright, just let me-" Wilson responded before being interrupted.

"She wants you right now." The rabbit sternly said.

Wilson nodded and walked to and elevator that would take him to the upper floor he needed.

After riding the vertical shaft Wilson approached the entrance to an office. Beside the door was a machine built for security purposes. The leopard held his head closely to the machine, and it scanned his eyes to verify if the agent in front had clearance to enter the office. When the machine recognized the individual's eyes the sliding doors opened and Wilson entered.

The office was nicely made, with chairs of wood and cotton, a couple small plants in vases, and in the middle, a desk with chairs. Sitting in a work chair was the commander, wearing a light gray suit and checking information on her desk computer.

The Commander noticed the agent she wanted to talk to entered the room, and she said "Agent Wilson, take a seat."

The leopard man did so, and the Commander closed he computer to talk face to face.

Feeling a little nervous, Wilson started the conversation with "C-commander, is this about my latest mission?"

"Yes, William it is." The woman answered.

"When will I be disband then?" The leopard asked with his head down.

"You won't be disbanded, not yet." The commander surprisingly said.

Shocked, Wilson looked up and asked "What do you mean?"

The commander stood up, walked over to a window that oversaw a giant city. "You remember that boy from ancient China, right?"

"Yes." William answered.

"And his name was… Erdan, correct?" The commander questioned.

"Yes." William simple responded.

The commander paused a moment and then changed the topic. "Do you remember what happened just a few months ago, at the C.O.V.E?"

"Yes, they had a containment breach, and one of their S.P.C's got out, and made its way onto a time jumper. What about it?" Wilson questioned.

"William, I've never liked your… reckless methods, but it seems that today, your habits may have turned the tables in our favor." The commander explained.

"What do you mean?" The agent asked.

"That boy, Erdan. He may be the answer we've needed." The woman said.

"How so?" William asked.

"Report to the briefing room in two hours, then I'll explain the situation to everyone." The commander ordered.

Wilson gave and understanding head nod and proceeded to leave the room. But before he could, the Commander said "Wilson, this is will be a mission of level 9 class. We must proceed with extreme caution."

"Understood commander." William responded before leaving the room.

The woman then just looked out her window thinking. In the next twenty four hours, the fate of this bright and prosperous future will be the hands of not just them, but of an unlikely alley from the ancient past.

((()-()))

Noodles boiled in a hot pot, then a young wolf took a serving spoon and used it to create a culinary masterpiece. A soup that tasted like it was blessed by the gods, rich in flavor and form. Erdan then took the broth filled food and placed it will some others of its kind on a tray, then the teen went out and presented the customer's orders. One by one the citizens of the Valley of Peace were served their lunch, relaxing and enjoying a warm and nicely cook meal.

"Erdan, we have more customers!" Shouted Mr. Ping from the kitchen, seeing more people arrive.

"I'm on it." Erdan replied back.

As the boy arrived at the newly seated table, Erdan noticed some familiar faces had joined them.

"Jimbo." Erdan greeted with a friendly smile.

"Hello Erdan." The goat father warmly said back.

"Hey dude, what up?" Kenny, Jimbo's son greeted.

"How's it going Erdan?" James, JImbo's other son asked.

"I'm doing good, how about you guys?" Erdan asked.

Jimbo sighed, and said "Well, not so good."

"Oh, what happened?" Erdan asked with a worried tone.

"Well, let's just say that we're having some, trouble will money, and well, I may not have much left to keep us sufficient." Jimbo explained with in a shameful tone.

"What? You never told us that?" Kenny said in shock.

"Is it true?" James asked.

Jimbo just nodded his head and replied "Yes, so this might be the last time we came eat here in a long while. So enjoy every second of it boys."

After taking their orders, Erdan went and prepared their soups.

"Mr. Ping?" Erdan asked while coming into the kitchen.

"What is it Erdan?" The goose asked while copping vegetables.

"Let's make Jimbo and his son's soup extra special." Erdan said while preparing to cook again.

"Why?" Ping asked.

"Well, they told me they're going to be going through some hard times, so this might be the last time they can eat here." Erdan explained

"Well then let's make their soup special. Jimbo has always been one of my most loyal and longest customers, so let's get to it." Ping said, which made Erdan smile a bit.

While the goose and wolf teen were cooking, Jimbo's sons were feeling worried about what will happen?

"Dad, are we gonna be ok?" James asked.

Jimbo did his best to look hopeful and replied "Yes, we'll be just fine. Let's enjoy this lunch and forget all that for now."

His sons agreed and after five minutes their orders arrived. The soups seemed to taste extremely fine today, and Jimbo smiled as he saw his boy's faces upon tasting their meals. But for the whole lunch, the goat father's mind was plagued by worry and fear for the near future.

Erdan noticed this and put his paw on the father's shoulder before saying "You know, If you're having trouble, maybe you could try a different line of work? Just saying."

The middle aged goat smiled, thanking Erdan for his support. As Jimbo ate his food, he noticed how Mr. Ping was very successful with his noodle shop. And then an idea popped in the goat's mind, and idea that could help him and his family greatly.

((()-()))

One week later

((()-()))

Erdan exited his home with a fresh feeling face and a satisfied belly. After a delish breakfast made by his foster mother, Erdan ran off down the street for his part-time job. Like every weekday he passed by villagers and the market, always greeted by smiles and waves from his fellow peace loving people. But today something was different. As the teen reached the noodle shop, he noticed another store opened just across the street.

Curious, Erdan desided to take a quick look. When he approached the store, he saw an area filled with tables and chairs. As well as a sign that said "The Dumpling Hut". Erdan looked around a bit and found Jimbo working in the store.

Jimbo turned around and saw that the young wolf joined him. "Oh, Erdan you startled me."

"Sorry. Jimbo what is this place? I've never seen it." Erdan asked.

"That's because its brand new." Jimbo answered.

"Really?" Erdan asked.

"Yep, you're looking at the owner of the newest Valley of Peace restaurant, The Dunpling Hut." Jimbo proudly said.

"Wow. So I take it you found a new line of work?" Erdan asked while looking around the new place.

"Yeah, I kinda did. I took my life savings, bought this old place, and with the help of my boys and a few other friends, I've turned it around." Jimbo explained.

"What about your sons? What do they think about it?" Erdan asked.

"They're fine with it. And They're also helping out from now on." Jimbo said. "I hope this really keeps us going."

Erdan placed his paw on the man's shoulder and said "Well, I hope you'll become very successful." And Jimbo smiled upon hearing that.

Erdan then returned to Ping's, but when he entered the kitchen, his boss came to him with a cross face and said "Erdan what were you doing!?"

"What do you mean Mr. Ping?" Erdan questioned.

"That!" The goose said as he pointed his feathery finger across the street.

"Jimbo's new restaurant?" Erdan questioned with a puzzled tone.

"Jimbo is running it!?" Ping said with shock.

"Yeah, I just had a talk with him about it a few minutes ago." Erdan inclined.

'That traitor!" Mr. Ping shouted.

"T-traitor?" Erdan questioned.

"Yes. He used to be one of my best customers, but now he's started his own food shop and is gonna steal all my customers!" Mr. Ping said in both worry and fear.

"Oh come on Mr. Ping, Jimbo wouldn't do that." Erdan replied.

"He's gonna take away all my supporters, and I'm gonna go out of business." Mr. Ping shouted.

"Come on, everybody loves your soups, you won't be going out of business any time soon." Erdan said trying to reassure his boss.

"I don't know Erdan.: The goose said as he stared at his new competitor. Then he turned around and said "Come on Erdan, get to work!" And the two started the work day.

Despite Erdan's attempts of reassurance, Ping's noodle barely had any customers. Everybody went to the new Dumpling Hut for lunch. Leaving a sour taste in Mr. Ping's lunch. Erdan decided to pay a visit and try Jimbo's food, despite Mr. Ping protesting otherwise.

As Erdan walked across the street he saw that the Dumpling Hut was now a full house. With people from all over the village enjoying the food. As Erdan walked toward the front counter, he heard the opinions and voices of the customers.

"I'm glad we have a new restaurant, finally some place different then Ping's." A duck woman said to her friends.

"Howard, this food is delish. Reminds me of when my mother cooked for me years ago." Mrs Yung, a nice goat woman said to her husband.

"This is so good, why hasn't this place been here sooner?" A pig man complemented.

Erdan approached the front desk and saw Jimbo writing down orders while his sons waited tables and helped cook.

The goat father saw his lupine friend and said "Hey Erdan."

"Hi Jimbo, I see business is booming for you." Erdan said looking at all the people eating nearby.

"Yeah, I didn't think we'd get this popular so fast." Jimbo replied as he passed an order to a cook he hired.

"How's your food?" Erdan asked.

Jimbo then picked up a sample tray and said "Try it."

Erdan then took a dumpling and ate it, feeling its shape and flavor in his mouth. He finished, swallowed and said "Wow, that's really good."

"It's from one of my wife's recipes…" Jimbo said before taking a minute to think of his deceased love.

Seeing his face and mood change, Erdan tried to change the topic and keep Jimbo's mind from grim memories. "So, what do Kenny and James think about this change?"

"It's hard is what it is." A voice from behind answered.

Erdan turned and saw James, one of the goat boys, who was wearing a hat and apron, as well as serving food and water.

"Dad, how long do we have to do this?" James asked.

"I don't' know, right now this may be our best shot at keeping our home here in the Valley. Now you've got orders to serve, get to it." Jimbo said back.

James grumbled and did as his father ordered. The father then looked back at Erdan and said "It's not very easy for my boys, what with their lives changing so quickly." Erdan nodded in silent and then Jimbo got an idea. "Hey Erdan, can you talk with Kenny and James, to help them with adjusting to all this?"

"I can, but I don't know if it will change their minds instantly." Erdan replied.

"Just be a good friend to them, tell them how you adjusted to change so much." Jimbo commented.

Afterwards Erdan went out back where Jimbo's boys were having their break. The two young goats were sitting at a table with their own lunches. They saw that Erdan came to join them and they scooted over and gave their friend a seat.

"Hey." Erdan greeted.

"Hey" Kenny simply replied.

"How are you guys doing?" Erdan asked.

"I don't know." James answered.

"If you guys need someone to talk to, someone that's not your dad, I'm here." Erdan said.

After a minute, the two brothers looked at each other and silently made an agreement. "Our dad is making us work in his new restaurant. I'm beginning to hate it." James explained.

"Because he's making you two work?" Erdan asked.

"I don't know, it's just all, so… sudden." Kenny said.

Erdan thought about it for a minute and then said "Yeah, change can be pretty hard."

"It's just that, we knew what our lives were and now it's all jumbled and different now, I hate it." James commented.

"Well, you guys have it pretty good, I mean, not much has changed for you has it?" Erdan pondered out loud.

"What do you mean?" Kenny asked.

"You guys still have your home, your neighbors, your friends, and your dad. When I left Gongmen, after Shen was defeated, I had nothing. I was all alone." Erdan said while his goat friends listened as he continued. "My life changed so much just a couple years ago. All o my own I had to learn to take care of myself, cook in the wild for myself, travel and track, hold jobs to earn more money. Sometimes I had to dig through garbage for my dinner, and I spent a week alone on a snowy mountain."

Kenny and James could only stay silent at what they heard. Sure they knew Erdan had went thought soo much after becoming a preteen orphan, but they never really realized the weight of it until now.

"Trust me, you guys got it really good." Erdan said before leaving for his job.

The goat brothers just stared at each other, and suddenly they got a new perspective on their family's current situation, then returned for their jobs.

((()-()))

The sun begun to set in west, beginning the period of rest called dusk. When many shops and stores close for the day and safely put their earnings away. Jimbo's Dumpling Hut on its first day made a good profit, while Ping's noodle shop barely had any customers. The middle age goose looked at the bag of today's earnings. While there were some profit, it dwarfed compared to how the Dumpling Hut turned out.

Then something inside Mr. Ping just snapped. And then the goose marched over across the street to have a talk with the traitor.

Jimbo finished counting his first day earnings, seeing he had more than he ever expected. But as he closed up his new business, he saw Mr. Ping walked up to him.

"Hey ," Jimbo greeted with a tired voice.

"Don't hey me traitor." Mr Ping said back.

"Excuse me?" Jimbo questioned, half believing what he just heard.

"This valley isn't big enough for the two of us." The goose rudely said.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Jimbo asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It means; take your Dumpling Hut somewhere else, you'll drive me out of business." Ping shouted.

"And what makes you think that will happen?" The goat said back.

"Today was just a prelude, and before you know it, you'll be riding in riches while I'll be a failure." Ping answered.

"You still have loyal supporters!" Jimbo said back.

"For now, so get out of my area before you drive me out of business." Ping shouted.

JImbo couldn't believe what he just heard, and whom he heard it from. The goat got angry and verbally fought back. "I can't believe this. I'm here, struggling to keep my home, to keep my boys healthy and happy, and you tell me to just quit it?!"

Mr. Ping just stayed quiet as his face changed while Jimbo continued. "Ever since my wife died three years ago, I've been struggling for my sons. Now I may have a second chance at success for my family. And you want me to just leave?!"

The goose then felt a regretful felling inside as the goat finished his comeback. "I supported you when you struggled. I thought being a good neighbor you are, you'd do the same for me."

And the goat father walked off to home, while Ping just stood there. A few minutes ago he was focused on protecting his business, but now it seemed like none of it mattered to him.

((()-()))

The following night, Mr. Ping just sat on his bed. He couldn't sleep, not while his mind and heart was filled with regret. He looked at a painting of his father, who always told him that financial success was of upmost importance. But now the goose was having second thoughts. Ping held the bag that had his earnings from today, and couldn't stand to look at it anymore. So he threw the money bag across the room, and held his feathery hands on his face in shame.

Meanwhile, Jimbo placed the bags of money he earned from his first day of business. After thinking a bit, he decided to see his sons before they hit the hay for the night. The father walked into his son's room, leaving the door slid open. They were both talking when their dad came in.

"Hey boys." Jimbo greeted.

"Hi dad." Kenny replied while James did the same.

"Do… do you two want to tell me anything, about all this?" Jimbo asked.

The two boys stayed silent for a moment, than James spoke first. "We've been talking and thinking, and… we thinking it would be ok if we worked in your new restaurant."

"Are you sure? Maybe after a little bit, I might be able to hire some workers." Jimbo said.

Then Kenny took his turn to speak."Dad, we know of the trouble you've been going through now. And, since you do so much for us, we think that now it's our turn to sacrifice for you."

"Are you boys sure about this?" Jimbo asked.

"We're sure." The two boys said.

Jimbo then hugged his sons, wrapping them both In his arms. He was proud to have such considerate boys, and this was a sight that their mother would smile at, wherever she's at now.

((()-()))

Erdan reached Mr. Ping's once again, ready for another morning of part-time work. But as he entered the kitchen, he didn't find Mr. Ping anywhere. So he looked around the goose's home, and found him in his bed room, sitting in a chair and looking out a window at the Dumpling Hut.

"Erdan entered and asked "Mr. Ping, are you ok?"

The goose just stay silent before saying "I'm a terrible person."

Erdan, in a curious and concerned tone asked "What makes you say that?"

"I called Jimbo a traitor. But the only traitor is me, for not helping him when he needs it. I only looked out for myself." The goose explained.

Erdan could piece together what happened. So he sat next to Ping, and said "You know, we always make mistakes or regretful actions. But from I learned when I first reunited with Zhong, is that we can always ask for forgiveness. No matter how hurtful our words were."

Mr. Ping thought about it for a minute, then got up and said "You can have the day off Erdan, I won't be opening the noodle shop today." Then walked down stairs and across the street.

Jimbo was getting ready for a second day of work, then he saw Mr. Ping approach. When the goose reached the front desk, Jimbo said "And what are you doing here?"

Ping became nervous as he said "I…um, I want to apologize for yesterday. I… I'm s-sorry."

Jimbo couldn't stay mad and said "Accepted."

Mr. Ping looked at the place close up for once and said "You know, this isn't a bad set up."

"You really think so?" Jimbo asked.

"It really isn't bad. But if you're going to run a restaurant, there are things you'll need to know." Ping said while scanning his eyes on Jimbo's establishment.

"I'm willing to learn?" The goat asked.

"Well first you need to have proper routes and space for your waiters and-" Mr. Ping explained. For the whole day he oversaw Jimbo's new business, giving advice and pointers, rekindling the neighborly friendship between the two. All while Erdan looked from across the street and smiled, happy to see Jimbo embark on a bright future, and having a seasoned pro to help him and his family along.

((()-()))

In Ocean paw high school, some students were getting ready to move some things from the tech lab. As one kid moved a crate, he set it down by a table next to an open window, and the pushed a few object outside. One being a strange watch. As it fell down his rolled onto the sidewalk and right in front of a wandering fox. Curious he picked it up and opened it. There were screens that lit up on the watch's insides, and the fox closed it, but when he did, a flash of light appeared out of nowhere. The fox took a moment to breath and think, he didn't know what happened?

Then he heard a familiar sound and when he turned the corner, he saw himself! When he was picked dn beaten by those bikers. He realized he time traveled!

After a five minutes of thinking, he realized something; All of this was caused by that one heist gone wrong. Back when he and that idiotic boar tried to steal from the Jade Palace. But the fox knew that in this time those artifacts are priceless, worth much more than in the past.

The fox saw the bikers, and then looked at the necklace he got from that goat cult.

He remembered the artifacts, and then looked at the time device.

And then a thoughts came into his head… and he smirked.