The past
"Wait up you know the Mandarin?" Syaoran asked "Yes I did but once he became that monster I no longer knew him" Tao said bitterly. "What happened?" Sakura asked. "I knew one day that he would be back and I would have to tell my story of that incident again" Tao said "Well come on then start the story!" Kai said.
When I was around your age I was chosen to be a protector of the book, however I had a partner someone who was like Clow Reed part western part eastern and his name in China at least was Zhang Khan, as we fought thief after thief we became friends and ultimately like brothers. We travelled from the Himalayas to what the Australians call Dingo Woop-Woop to protect that book. However Zhang didn't believe that one clan should keep that book and then he tried something that even every magical being disagrees with, the forcing of Technology and magic together, I knew he had plans but never any solid evidence until that fateful day.
50 years ago Hong Kong
"Zhang are you ready yet we have duty in five minutes" said a young looking Tao, his chocolate brown had was tied into a ponytail, he wore white robes with a blue sash "Alright I'm here happy now?" Zhang said who had his onyx black hair in a ponytail as well and wore grey robes with a black sash. "Yes I am, now move the Li Clan elders don't like to wait after the appointed time" Tao said grabbing his sword as Zhang grabbed his staff. "Please we are the next generation, and speaking of which when are you going to ask her out?" Zhang replied "You know that as Guardians of The Clow we cannot have interference, however I must say the Ming Li is quite the stunner" Tao said as a young woman in a pink dress walked past "Ni Hao Ming" Tao and Zhang said "Ni Hao Tao, Ni Hao Zhang another big mission hey?" Ming asked. "Yes it is" Zhang said nudging Tao forward "um Ming I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to the Li clan dance tonight?" Tao asked "I would be delighted to go with you Tao" Ming said "Yes" Tao said "So un-protector like Tao" Zhang said "Shut up" Tao said
When Tao and Zhang reached the Elder's chamber they saw Elder Quan was reading a book Tao assumed was to be a old philosophy book until he heard the elder laugh "Umm Elder Quan?" Tao said "Oh I'm sorry Tao I was just reading one of those joke books you brought me last year on your trip to New York" Elder Quan said "Now to your assignment; the Li clan dance is held tonight and, you know that brings all the high ranking Li Clan members together so you must work together and keep a sharp eye out for trouble, even if you have dates" Quan said "Yes sir" Tao said "Sir, I was just wondering if Elder Liu will be there?" Zhang asked. Liu Li was the most powerful warrior teh Li clan has ever seen or heard of "yes he will be you two will meet him" Quan said.
"Elder Liu Kung Li the dragon fist here I thought he was still handling the yeti problem in Tibet" Zhang said "I know this is so cool" Tao said, "Yes it is" Zhang said vaguely "What's up with you?" Tao asked "Nothing" Zhang said unconvincingly "Okay now the dance is in a couple of hours so get ready" Tao said "Of course" Zhang said.
Once inside his room Zhang moved over to a table hidden by a cloth "Soon my Magi-tech shall soon be complete all I need now is the power of Clow and a target and I have the perfect one in mind" Zhang cackled evilly as he looked at his monstrosity. With the power of technology in the form mechanized glove he would channel the power of the book of clow in the glove and fire a shot at Elder Liu and Elder Quan.
Tao was curious was to what Zhang was working on today "I'm going crazy Zhang wouldn't attack the dance" Tao said as he wore tradional white robes "But still" Tao said before hearing a knock on the door "Hold on" Tao said opening the door "Ming, you look" Tao said "Too stunning for words, why thank Tao" Ming giggled "you look most handsome tonight" Ming said smiling from behind her fan. She wore a red silk Chinese dress with red shoes. "Shall we?" Tao said escorting Ming down to the hall where the dance was being held.
When Tao and Ming got there they saw Zhang in his emerald green robes with gold embroidery on it "Ni Hao Zhang" Ming said "Ni Hao Ming Tao" Zhang said "Shall we?" Tao asked walking into the hall as Zhang held back and went left. To everyone Zhang looked like he was patrolling the east side while Tao had the West side covered "Soon I shall seek revenge on you for destroying my father Elders" Zhang said bitterly.
Tao was enjoying his dance with the lovely Ming every so often he would look up and glance around for trouble and then drop his eyes back to Ming's green eyes. The pair was oblivious to the fact they were the only couple dancing in the hall. The elders looked at the young heir "Thos two look beautiful together" Elder Liu said "yes they do, don't they?" Elder Quan said.
A half hour later Tao heard the clanging of swords "Zhang!" Tao said grabbing the nearest long sword and charging into battle. The Li guard were right behind Tao was they raced to the source of the fight. Zhang was doing battle with animated terracotta statues "What the enemy must be using these statues as soldier prepare men for the book will be defended" Tao said to his men dress in black and red. "I hope the grand guard have things under control in the main hall" Tao thought. "Zhang what happened?" Tao said "I was walking down here whne the statues came to life and attacked me, what about the main hall?" Zhang asked before they realized no one was protecting it "Back to the hall!" Tao ordered.
Once there Tao saw Elder Quan in the arms of Ming "One of those statue attack and gravely injured him" she asked "Elder Liu?" Tao asked "Right here me boy" Liu Hung Li said standing in his blue and grey robes "Who could've done this?" Zhang asked. "I don't know" Tao said "We'll look at things tomorrow" Zhang said before helping Elder Quan to his room of the mansion 'too bad the old man won't make it tonight' Zhang thought.
Tao passed Zhang's room to see a glove on the table "What is that?" Tao asked as he noticed notes and various other things and one of them was a page on how to animated statues. Tao knew the attack was a betrayal "Guards find Zhang now!" Tao roared "What's wrong Tao?" Ming asked "Zhang attacked us" Tao said "So true my old friend" Zhang said "But why we're your friends" Ming said, "The elders killed my father so I just wanted to uphold the old law;" Zhang said "An eye for an eye" Tao scowled. "How could you?" Ming asked "easy and now I must say my goodbyes" Zhang said disappearing in an orb of green smoke. Tao stopped coughing to see Zhang's room cleared out.
Present time Japan
"How awful" Sakura said "Yes I regret that day as I should've seen it coming" Tao said "Hey Elder Tao you stopped him once you can do it again" Tomoyo said smiling "Thank you I see Syaoran has many a good friend here and now we must depart" Tao said as he stood up "After all it is a school night" Tao said as Fanren and Syaoran stood up "I should go too" Tomoyo said "Alright goodnight guys and see you tomorrow" Sakura said seeing their guests to the door "Dai Jin" Tao and Fanren said "Goodnight Sakura" Syaoran said kissing her "Goodnight my precious wolf see you tomorrow" Sakura said "Hey guys, remember we're going to the aquarium for that excusion tomorrow" Tomoyo yelled as her limo pulled up.