Four Another Way

Long Ago

Flashback ~ 8 Years Ago 

It was Chinese New Year. The village was decorated beautifully with red and gold as fireworks of many colours lit up the dark sky. The festival was lovely with booths and vendors of many games and food being served to the locals. 

Ming was in the crowd, wearing a red Chinese dress with gold and blue flowers. The night was lovely as Ming strolled the street with kids, parents, and couples alike playing and laughing together. Many had smiles, while others had laughter. Everyone was so kind with hellos and comments being tossed around constantly. 

Ming was given many of these comments and hellos with many of them coming from men and some from women. Ming gotten used to this attention but wished it dim down a bit. Ming has always been a beautiful and calm soul, but her looks was the last thing she mention. Her skill in combat, however, was more than enough to admire. Being skilled in many fighting styles really helps Ming in many ways, one of which is understanding. 

The night continues on with the energy in the air beginning to calm down and the chattering quieting. It was peaceful for few moments when, all of a sudden, a large boom erupted form the far side of the festival. Groups of individuals began fleeing on the mass with some grabbing others. 

Ming ran in the opposite of everyone to see what she could possibly do to control the situation until the proper authorities can arrive. When Ming arrive on the suspected location, she was met with a large crater with a glowing blueish green liquid pooling inside of it. 

Ming notice that the light was attracting small field mice to it. Cute little creatures with a fast speed and a quick moment.  

"Isn't it interesting site, Ming?" A voice a from a far spoke up. 

Ming titled her head up from the glowing pool in search of the source of the voice. When she did, her eyes connected with another pair that had nothing but a vengeful spirit within them. It was a rival of Ming. A rival that held a grudge for so long.

"What is this, Hai-Lun?" Ming asked as her body unknowingly stiffens for anything that could happen. 

Hai-Lun didn't speak but stroll along side crater with a wicked smile forming. Hai has been waiting for this moment. To finally be superior. 

"This is my trump card, Lian. For too long you and your clan has had the spotlight, that ends today. Starting with you." Hai-Lun said as her smile turns into a smirk. 

Suddenly, the swift sound of footsteps came quickly from behind Ming. A figure dressed in black lounged towards Ming with a sharp short blade, but dodges the attack. Ming grabbed the figure by their arm and bends it behind them before tossing them towards a different direction from her.   

Many other began appearing as Ming fought them off, with three or more being fought at the same time.  As Ming came to last fight, Hai-Lun came from Ming's left and lands  a strong knee strike to Ming's side. 

The force of the strike launched Ming right into the glowing pool as her left hand and right leg sprang on impact. Ming splashed in the unknown liquid as her hand and leg began to ache. She struggled against the liquid as it pulls her deeper into itself. The ache in hand and legs began to spread toward her entire body as the ache turn into pain. 

Ming began to scream as the pain began to take its toll on her. Her screams echoed through area, hoping someone will come. Ming's screams soon mixed with a sudden sound of sinister laugh as she gets pulled deeper and deeper. With only her head mere inches of her face left above the surface as the light begins to blind her, she heard one last line before being submerged completely.

"Xīnnián kuàilè, Ming." 

A Hours Later

The night was completely quiet as the only sounds was there was the quiet singing of the crickets. The crater of the glowing liquid was still there with little to nothing around it. Nobody has came, since everyone was too scared to see. Hai-Lun and her group has already left, caring little of what or who else falls in. The moon's silver ribbons shined brightly on the glowing pool until the surface of it began to ripple. 

In a quick motion, a large animal-like being emerges from the illuminated liquid and struggle against it. The being, with all their strength, swam through the thick water until it reach the far end of the pool. 

The being looked at the edge of the crater with it's gasping breath  filling the air around it. Shortly, but unknowingly, sharp dagger like claws attracted from the being's fingers and pierce the hard dirt. The being's breath hitched as they began to scale the side of the crater as the claws ripped and tear through the Earth. 

In what seems like forever, the being final came close to the top of the crater and collapse onto soft green grass. They lay their for some time, their body aching as their breathing swallow and release bags of air. Soon, the aching stopped, the breath was controlled, and energy was regain. 

The being pushed themselves off the ground and struggle a bit to stand but soon succeeded. With little strength they had, the being began moving. Heading towards anywhere their feet will take them. The roaming lasted for some time, passing destroyed vendor booths and shattered antiques. 

After a while, the being's body ached again as their stomach twisted and rotate. Quickly looking around, the being spotted an booth with food that was salvageable. It was a Bao stand. Traditional Chinese soft bun filled with a meat and veggie mixture before being steamed. The stand also had some bottled water, which was very lucky for them. 

The being began to eat as much as they can before something shiny catches their eye. It was a half destroyed mirror. A mirror that had a reflection of something that could be feared by many. The being took and closer look at themselves with the half destroyed mirror and was stunned.

Staring back at them was a humanoid mouse with brown and white fur, shining amethyst eyes, and a hourglass body frame. Its body was covered by a torn and destroyed Chinese celebration dress. The being took in sharp gasp as it stared at itself. But this being was no stranger. 

It was Ming 

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Okay, long story short. I wasn't able to post for a while since I coming back from a family vacation from Florida and I was using my older sister's laptop to write my stories.

In my luck, my grandma gave us a desktop to have so I wouldn't have to half ass any of my chapter on my phone. 

Anyway I hope you enjoyed it 

And until next time

Stay Sweet.