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Madeline Liu moved with her mother to San Francisco at a very young age after her father died. When she was grown and after the death of her mother, which left her all alone, she got a job as a valet parking cars where she made friends with...
"Vaffanculo Xialing!" Madeline shouted at the woman as she stuffed her face into Shang's neck (Fuck you Xialing!).
"I'm coming home, Mummy" Trevor grabbed an old blanket and brought it up to his nose, not really inspiring any confidence in Katy.
They all closed their eyes but opened them when the car broke through the bamboo a fell into a deep pond.
They all relaxed and sighed in relief.
"Morris says, Great job, everyone. Now, all we have to do is go through that waterfall and were pretty much there" the car advanced slowly forward and into the waterfall as he had said to do.
"Sorry Xialing" Madeline muttered even though the girl hadn't understood her Italian swear, which must be why she received a confused look.
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The water swirled around the car's sides to create a portal through which they drove.
They came to a beautiful land that looked like paradise. Madeline pried her hand out of Shang's (to the dismay of the male) and pressed her hand to the window as a pair of bright orange birds flew past them.
"Bloody hell. I think those birds are on fire" Trevor said in shock. Morris chirped at him "Really? Oh. Morris says its normal. They're old mates of his"
As the car moved along they passed other creatures like pure white foxes with nine tails, a pup of them staring down from the ledge it was on. Morris jumped to the window when the passed more creatures like him that cheered and chittered at him.
The car suddenly stopped making Madeline look to see what had stopped them.
It was a large horse like creature with blue colouring and dragonish features.
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"That's a weird horse. What's it looking at me for?" Trevor asked.
The horse like creature snorted and moved along with the rest of its herd allowing them continued down the path.
They entered a small village where people were line up in front of it decked in red armour and weapons.
Katy pulled the car to a stop and Shang and Xialing came out first.
"Hi there! I am Xu Shang-Chi. This is my sister, Xu Xialing. We're Ying Lis children" Madeline and Katy came out of the car and moved to stand on either side of the siblings "These are my friends, Katy and Madeline"
"Get in your car and go home!" an older man ordered, advancing forward with his spear still in hand.
"Please. You don't understand..." Shang tried reason with them, taking one step closer so they could hear him out only to have them all jump to their fighting stances. A large lion like creature growled from in the lines of people.
Madeline felt another surge of adrenaline, although bigger this time, and she felt the cool metal of her bracelet begin to unwind from around her wrist, the magical weapon coming to life and flicking its cold tongue against her wrist's pulse.
"Guang Bo! What are you doing? Put down your weapons!" an older woman that looked younger than she was strode forward. The people did so and the woman continued her way to them and stopped in front of Shang Chi and his sister "Shang Chi. Xialing. Im your aunty Nan" the woman hugged Xialing and then hugged a surprised Xialing and then Shang Chi "I've waited so long to meet you. You look like your mother"
The woman paused in front of her, a glimpse of recognition shining in her eyes momentarily before she brought her into an embrace and then the woman moved on to Katy
"Hi, Im Katy" Katy said in English sheepishly.
"Welcome to Ta Lo, Katy and Madeline" Ying Nan welcomed the both of them.
"Oh, thank you" Katy said, bowing her head slightly.
Morris jumped out of the car and ran over to the older woman with excited little jumps.
"Look who has found his way home!" she said as she crouched down to pet his back.
"I'm not a threat. Just an entertainer. Morris can vouch for me" Trevor said as he came out of the car with his hands held over his head.
"We don't have much time. Our father is coming" Shang Chi said, making them turn their attention back to him.
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Ying Nan led the four to the body of water at the very edge of the village that stretched over to the other shore where a mountainous region went from side to side.
"Our people have been here for over 4,000 years, preparing for something we hope will never happen" Nan explained "We are the keepers of the Dark Gate, sworn to protect this realm and yours from the evil that's locked behind it.
"Our dad is coming here to open that gate. He thinks you're holding our mom there" Shang Chi warned her.
"Why would he think that?" the woman furrowed her eyebrows.
"She told him" Xialing explained "He says he can hear her asking for help"
"Is he wearing the rings?"
"He hasn't taken them off since she died" Shang said "What do they have to do with all this?"
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Ying Nan walked them over to one of the many corridors they had in the main building that had some sort of history engraved in them.
"The realm of Ta Lo stretches far beyond the shores of our small village. We have cities that surpass any in your universe, rich with culture and history"
Madeline was glad that she and Katy had been allowed to come along with them.
"Thousands of years ago, all of our people lived in peace and prosperity, until the attack of the Dweller-in-Darkness. He came with his army, devouring every soul in their path, and with each kill, they grew stronger. After decimating our largest cities, they were headed to your universe to do the same. The leaders of Ta Lo sent their strongest warriors here to stop them from reaching the portal to your world. But our ancestors were no match for them"
They stopped in front of the largest engravement which was of a dragon attacking a flying monster with the humans of Ta Lo.
"Until The Great Protector joined their fight and turned the tide. Together, they pushed the Dweller and his army into the Dark Gate and locked it behind them. Our people have guarded that gate ever since, empowered by the magic of The Great Protector and the gift that she gave us" Ying Nan finished the story and led them to the armoury.
