The following Characters are owned by Ken Penders(King Gong, Dark Legion, and Lien-Da(referenced)), Ian Flynn(Relic Pika, Jacques D'coolette, Belle D'coolette(Also Tracey Yardley for the siblings), Shinobi Clan), Michael Gallagher(Barby Koala) and Frank Storm(Monkey "Ken" Khan, Lau Khan, Li Yuen). Also I think the four clans are owned by all of these people one way or another. If I'm wrong on any of them, please correct me.

Chapter 2: Present day

Ken rested soundly in his bed as the morning sun began to rise through the window in his parents room, the light reflecting slightly off the cleaned hardwood floor in the hallway in front of his open door and slightly against his face. Said sunlight was enough to wake the 14-year-old instantly, the boy's eyes shooting open as he sat up and got to his feet in quick succession, maintaining a crouched karate stance, one arm forward and prepped for defense while the other was pulled back for offense. Rather than any kind of attack, Ken was simply met with an empty hallway while someone, assumingly his dad, was in the kitchen prepping bacon flavored paua and rice cake. It was enough for the monkey to let his guard down right as his mother jumped at him from the other side, startling him as she pinned him down with a smile.

Bunnie chuckled down at the boy. "Looks like ya still need to work on minding your surroundings, sugar-chimp."

She kissed his forehead, causing him to blush in embarrassment as she got up. "Hey, I was paying attention." Ken looked outside in embarrassment as he sat up. " I just... got distracted by other senses, that's all."

Bunnie smirked back at him. "Uh-huh. Sure thang, sugar. Now hurry up and get dressed. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Yes, sensei-wait what?!" Ken looked down in horror. Had he really been naked this entire time?! Much to both his relief and lack of amusement, he had been wearing a pair of sweatpants. And a hoodie. Ken gazed out the open doorway as he heard Bunnie giggle. "Mooooom!" He pouted.

Ken would then look at his phone a moment, tucked under his pillow and still charging. But still no message from his friend. Ken frowned and pulled back his left sleeve, a birthmark on his wrist shaped like a tiger claw. He slumped and sighed. He had been waiting five months ever since he had asked his friend Relic to look it up for him and see if she could find anything. Even let her take pictures of the mark long enough for it to be awkward. Research nut that she was though, Relic definitely got a kick out of it. Still, how much longer was he gonna have to wait to know where he came from? His current parents sure as heck didn't know. They even told him when he asked them about the obvious differences. As far as they knew, someone knocked, left him on the doorstep and ran. All he could wonder now was why or if he would ever really know the answers to any of the dozens of questions he and his family had.

Ken was out of his room a couple minutes later in a new change of clothes, a red hoodie and green sweatpants, passing two open doorways in the hall, the room on the left being an add on for a new bedroom while the family saved up for a house, before then walking into the small kitchen where his mother spoon fed two infant bunny-coyote hybrids and his father, sporting a navy blue karate robe from Bunnie, cooked the aforementioned breakfast. An image Ken did his best not to laugh at as he took a seat next to his siblings and pet their heads with a smile, earning a happy yip from the two as he greeted joyfully: "Morning, dad".

Antoine smiled back at the young teen. "Ah, and a fair morning to you, mi boy." Antoine ruffled his hair a little, earning a chuckle. "You slept well, I hope?"

Ken smiled in return as Antoine continued cooking. "Yeah. Sparring with you and mom just about wore me out last night. Still fun though. Can we do it again tonight?"

As masochistic as that question may have sounded, Khan considered it a way of spending quality time with his folks. And it was a good time as far as he was concerned. Stories shared, a way to relieve tension, a couple good laughs, plus it was good exercise. On top of that, he kinda felt he owed as much time as he could spare with them too. Khan still wasn't quite sure what the story was behind a bunny and a coyote adopting him, and lets face it, the fact that he was a monkey made the theory that he was "adopted" more obvious than anything. But his parents were practically legends now. They could've picked anyone to continue and honor the legacy they had made for themselves and uphold their continued example as both were now employed in the royal guard. But for one reason or another, they chose him. A monkey who just so happened to be similar physically in a way to his mother.

"Only if ya get yer homework done before dinner, yungin." Bunnie responded, keeping her smile.

Ken pouted a little. "But mooom!"

Bunnie gave a slightly stern look, though kept the smile. "No buts, mister." She narrowed her eyes a little at Antoine as he snickered. She looked back at Ken. "Sides, you've gotten better grades in class as of recent, cept history anyway, and I'd like to keep it that way".

Ken smiled shyly. "To be fair, my history grades have gotten better since Relic started tutoring me".

"Ah know, hun. Ahm glad yer still tryin at least. And as sweet as it is that you like spendin time with us, you gotta spare a little time for yerself too." Bunnie smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Find another hobby. Get some more friends."

Ken smirked a little. "Is "hobbies" what you and dad did during the Robotnik war?"

"No, but that was different. We were fightin for our survival an school wasn't an option no more by the time it ended." Bunnie smirked. "Plus yer dad spent half that same war a wuss."

Antoine pouted. "Hey!" There was a pause. "Alright, I admit to being a greater wuss. But I got better. Why must you remind ze boy of zis!? He looks up to me!"

Bunnie and Ken both chuckled as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. As Antoine and Bunnie began to bicker, Ken took a moment to look at his phone, a highlighted text popping up on the screen. Text from Relic, and for once it wasn't a paragraph on history or whatever their history teacher got wrong. Then again, the school day hadn't even started yet so Ken really couldn't be sure whether or not that was a good thing. At least not until he read the single line of text: I FOUND IT! Ken's eyes widened in excitement as he hurried through his breakfast. A plan that proved to be folly as he began to cough, earning both of his parents attention and concern.

"Aw mah stars, sugah! Ah you alright?!" Bunnie asked.

Ken smiled at the two through the coughing. "I'm-COUGH- fine! Just something went down the wrong tube! That's all." Ken finished that with a nervous smile.

"Well try not to be rushing through your food, spork!" Antoine said, patting Ken on the shoulder. "Ze food is not leaving ze plate anytime soon".

"It's sport, Antoine."

"I am aware. And a dangerous one at zat!"

Bunnie groaned and rested her head on the table. "Sometime, I don't know why I gotta keep tryin with you."

Ken simply chuckled before resuming his breakfast.

Ken ran quickly down the sidewalk in front of his house, hanging on to the single strap of his black book bag slumped over his shoulder and eager to meet his friend after the text. Then again would it really be right to call her friend. He usually only hung out with her to study. Then again studying was something the pika actually considered to be fun so maybe she was his only friend. By technicality anyway. Ken couldn't exactly imagine her in any social setting that wasn't a library. Maybe a theater that was playing a historical drama. But considering how much he had seen her vent over the history channel for its inaccuracies, he wasn't sure he wanted to see that.

In record time, Ken managed to make it to the stop. Before the bus had even arrived this time. Ken stood still, his foot tapping on the floor and his expression somewhat excited. This was it! Finally! After all those years spent wondering where he came from(Admittedly it was only four years, but still), he was finally about to get some semblance of an answer! Was his family rich? Were they famous? Ken frowned. What if they were really bad people who wanted nothing to do with him? Regardless of the answer, Ken had to know. And it's not like he didn't love the family he had currently. Regardless of the answer Relic had, leaving them definitely wasn't up for discussion. Ken wasn't ungrateful. Only curious. All he needed was closure and he could put the matter to rest. Still, it was fun to wonder who they were. What if they were politicians? What if he was the result of a scandal?

Ken was so deep in his thoughts and wonders that he almost didn't notice the bus pull up in front of him. The monkey snapped back to attention as he saw the yellow vehicle pull up in front of him and open its doors, walking up the steps into the passenger area. Ken took a moment to look for his tiny blue friend, not wanting to wait too long for the answer she had. Eventually, he spotted the small blue pika, in her usual attire of a black with a light brown jacket and purple spectacles, an excited smile on her face as she stood on the seat and waved to him. Ken waved slightly back as he approached, being careful to take a long step forward as one of the other students tried to trip him. Undoubtedly because of his friendship with the quote unquote nerd. 'Thank you, mom for teaching me to mind my surroundings'. The monkey thought.

The bus took off shortly after Ken took his seat next to the pika, her expression still excited. Almost more than his was. Ken couldn't be sure if thagt was good or bad for him, but he was definitely intrigued.

"So what do you got?" Ken asked as she plopped down onto the seat, being about half his size.

Relic widened her eyes and held a finger to her lips. "Sh Sh! Not here!" She shouted quietly. "Too much attention here and you definitely won't want it"!

Ken nodded. "Okay, but you have it? Like indefinitely?"

Relic nodded excitedly. "Yeah I made you a sectional portfolio."

Ken slumped and groaned a little.

"Relax. It's just fifteen pages of reading. It won't kill you."

"Yeah, cause reading a research project on your lineage definitely isn't a bad time". Ken remarked with slight teasing.

Relic stuck a tongue out at him. "Whatever, you're the one who asked for my help and you knew the risks."

Ken sighed and sat back, rolling his eyes. "Right".

Relic smiled up at him, lightly punching his shoulder. "Hey, relax. This is pretty big. You're gonna love it."

Ken smiled slightly back at the pika. "Thanks."

"No problem." The pika cringed a little and shook her hand. "Also OW! What are your bones made of? Steel?"

Ken smiled shyly, immediately opting to look outside the window on the opposite side of him where the seat was empty. Despite having gotten to know the pika quite a bit, including the fact that her parents were both super rich people too busy to be around on days other than holidays(Her dad being a archeologist on the discovery channel and her mom a literal rocket scientist), though they spared more time where they could, Ken hadn't exactly come clean on the being a cyborg bit. Heck, everybody knew he was the adopted son of Antoine and Bunnie D'coolette, a fact that tended to get unwelcome attention on occasion. Sometimes from people bored and wanting to pick a fight, and other times from people who were the kids of whoever his parents put away on a daily basis. Due to these encounters, and the fact that his cybernetics would make fighting him difficult for anyone with a normal bone structure, Khan figured it would be best for him to keep to himself where it could be managed. Awkward family reunions with Uncle Beauregard in the baronies and friendly get-togethers with the other freedom fighters were one thing. Spotlight at school definitely wasn't an experience he wanted any more of.

He figured if he kept his distance, the worst thing he would have to worry about were the slits over his ribcage that would open and exhaust steam if he were ever stressed or flustered. Something he definitely didn't want anyone to ask about as he hardly understood the mechanisms himself. He had actually shown his Uncle Tails on one occasion and even he didn't understand it. Hence why he always wore a shirt as opposed to the mainly fur-reliant male population. It was details like that he wasn't willing to part with. At least not easily. But with Relic? Maybe. Someday. If he could figure out a way to keep her quiet about it.

For now though, Khan would keep that specific detail close to the chest until he could be sure that he could trust her not to ramble. Not that he didn't want to though. As mentioned earlier, Relic was the closest thing the monkey really had to a friend despite the fact that he couldn't really care less for history. But in spite of that difference, the two had managed to be there for the other where it counted. There were at least one or two anime the two had in common and even without that, the two could always talk to each other about more personal matters like Relic missing her parents or Ken wanting to share a story or a cringe joke from his dad. All of which she genuinely found funny by the way. It was a little shocking at times. Relic also managed to do her best not to ask about any of his family if they themselves weren't the subject matter in a conversation.

Now that Ken really thought about, maybe he could trust her on that matter. It wasn't like being different wasn't something she could relate to anyway. But not right now. 'At least not on this crowded bus'. He thought, looking around nervously.

Hundreds of people cheered in a massive coliseum of jade green, as Gong swung and attacked at his opponent, a smaller grizzly bear with his bladed mace and large square shield. Though the grizzly tried his best to stay on the offensive, the gorilla had proved to be too efficient of a fighter. His attacks were quick, precise, and ruthless, and his armor of pure gold was both near impenetrable and a testament to his strength as a warrior. Yet still the grizzly, a prisoner in the war between the nation and Barby's freedom fighters, tried, figuring this could be the nations best chance at salvation. At best, maybe he could wound the tyrant king in a way that could later be exploited.

The effort proved fruitless however, as Gong swung the mace mercilessly and quickly, smacking him across the face and forehead before slamming him into a wall with his shield. The cheers grew louder as Gong didn't even give his opponent a chance to respond, grabbing him by the neck and tossing him roughly to the ground before slamming one of the bladed edges of the mace deep into his opponents gut. The bear roared in pain, unable to respond as the gorilla yanked the mace blade from the grizzly's belly, stomping on the now profusely bleeding wound.

"Give me the answer I desire, and your death will be painless." The gorilla warned. "Where is your commander?"

"Long live the line of Khan.", the grizzly groaned weakly, being met with a mace swing to the head.

Gong gazed ahead at the setting sun as multiple mobians, all female, bathed him in the massive royal pool, cleaning him of the blood that stained his opponents body. Though restrained, Gong's expression displayed a great and unresolved anger. It had been fourteen years now since the start of his and Barby's meddlesome war. Fourteen years of endless fighting and victims who simply refused to bend the knee to him after fighting for and truly earning the right to rule the dragon kingdom. But more importantly, it had been fourteen years since the brat had escaped his grasp and avoided death. A death that would have ensured his lineage and their right to rule forever. So long as the boy lived, that right was threatened and his days as king potentially numbered if he were to resurface and gain influence. Or worse, if he were to claim the legendary atom bat and win back the trust of the dragons and their queen: The Bride of Roaring Skies.

Of course that was just a matter of trial by combat. By right of blood, the boy could claim the throne once he turned sixteen. Of course even then, Gong would fight tooth and nail to prevent such a thing. But if two more years were to pass before the boys arrival, things had potential to be more problematic. More people would surely come to his aid purely out of tradition with Barby's ranks skyrocketing as a result. His remaining forces would be the ones serving him out of fear, everyone else serving out of uncertainty as far as he knew, with very few having any genuine loyalty for the king who brutally overthrew their last.

Gong released a small growl as he heard a set of footsteps approach from behind. "I am not to be disturbed while my concubines bathe me." Gong warned.

"Yes, your majesty, I understand." The messenger replied fearfully, lightly clutching an iPad he was instructed to bring for proof. "But you gave specific instructions to inform you immediately if potential news of the past kings heir ever surfaced."

Gong was silent a moment before turning his full attention to the messenger. "You found the boy?"

"In theory, sire. Our technical exports discovered a photo online being cross examined with the royal birthmark of the Khan lineage."

Gong growled in interest, slamming his fist slightly into the water as the women continued to clean him as if nothing were transpiring. "Show me."

The messenger approached slowly and carefully, reaching out with the iPad that Gong hastily grabbed before looking down at the presented evidence displayed on the screen. Indeed, the photo appeared genuine, as well as a cause of concern. The photo displayed the royal birthmark, or at least one very similar to the royal birthmark, planted on the wrist of a mobian. One of very familiar caramel brown fur with a bald hand. Much like that of a chimpanzee. The gorilla growled again, his eyes focused on the birthmark. IT was him. It had to be! The descendant of Lau Khan was indeed alive and well. And now Gong was finally in the position necessary to snuff the threat out before it begame too big a problem.

"Where was this taken?" Gong questioned.

"Mobotropolis, sir. In the suburban area."

Gong tossed the iPad back, the messenger catching it as he instructed: "Send a message to the Shinobi Clan." He narrowed his eyes with a sinister grin. "Tell them to find the boy and show him no mercy."

Ken held the port folio and gazed at the Pika in shock as the two stood together on the roof of the school, completely isolated from anyone who might overhear this conversation. 'Really?' Ken thought. Sure, based on their prior conversation on the bus, Relic definitely made it sound like this revelation was gonna be a pretty big deal, but the lost prince of what was basically modern day China? That one was definitely a bit well... big. Like bigger than big. Ken was literally the prince of an entire continent.

"How sure is this?" Ken asked the Pika, an almost worried expression on his face.

"Pretty sure". Relic told him with an excited smile. "The birthmark is a perfect match and according to the limited information we have, you've been missing for fourteen years." She pointed her hand towards him. "Plus you know, chimpanzee."

"Huh." Was all Ken could respond as he held the open file, gazing down at its contents with a conflicted expression.

While the monkey was certainly glad he finally had some semblance of an answer to his curiosities, this didn't quite feel like closure. Especially not as he read further into the roles and responsibilities of the prince of the dragon kingdom. 'Required to take the throne at sixteen? Managing the nation and the four clans? What is this about four brides? I need to find a wife before the age of 16 otherwise be married to a concubine? Isn't that a little young?!'

But despite all of this shocking information, it had been the requirement to take the throne at sixteen that had caught his attention. He was currently fourteen, and he had already gotten used to his current style of life. If given the option, could he really adjust to that kind of lifestyle? Or worse, could he move away from the family he had come to know? Before he was given the chance to graduate? Before they could see him celebrate his eighteenth birthday? What about his younger brother and sister? What about their birthdays or graduations? What if Jacques and Belle needed a babysitter and no one else was available? What if something happened to one of his parents and they needed help raising them? What if Belle got the wrong kinds of boys chasing her as a teenager and she needed someone watching her to make sure they didn't hurt her?

"Ken?" He heard the pika ask. Ken blinked out of his train of thought and looked over at her. "Are you okay?"

Ken frowned a little. "I don't know yet. But can you do me a favor and not tell anyone about this?"

Relic blinked in confusion and tilted her head. "What? Why not. This is a big deal. You're the lost prince of the Dragon Kingdom. Your uncle might be looking for you."

"I know, and I'd like to keep it that way. Preferably forever."

"Why?"

Ken gazed at the pika a moment, trying to decide whether or not he could trust her to take the answer seriously.

As if knowing what he was thinking, Relic dropped her curious demeanor, replacing it with a frown. "It's okay. Whatever it is, I won't judge you."

Ken looked her over a moment longer before slumping and keeping his gaze low and to the side. "I just don't want to leave home. My entire life has been here, you know? My family too." Ken looked over at Relic. "I mean, what if it was you in this situation? With how rare your family visits, they're still around. Would you want to leave that so soon?"

Relic gazed to the side at that, hugging herself in thought. Though she would definitely get a kick out of being royalty, deep down Relic knew she couldn't give up the life she had now for that. The idea of being away from her annoying siblings definitely made the idea tempting, but not tempting enough. Not enough to keep her away from engaging in the studies she participated in to, while history was definitely a subject she loved, spend quality time with her dad. Or the encouraging calls she would get from her mom on her bad days. Or her talks with Ken, her only friend in this entire district. Though she could definitely manage her time better without having to tutor him, she'd be lying if she said her life would be less boring without him.

Finally, Relic looked back up at her friend and responded. "Okay. My lips are sealed."

The pika was surprised with a hug, the monkeys way of showing gratitude for the gesture. "Thanks, Relic. I owe you one."

Relic chuckled and hugged him back. "Not this time. Just don't let it go to your head."

I have to work next weekend, so I can't guarantee chapter 3 will be out by then. But nonetheless, I'll do my best to get it out as soon as possible. What did you all think of this chapter and the story so far? Please feel free to let me know in the form of a review or DM me if you have any questions. I thank you all very mauck and pray you all have a blessed day! ^^