May 18th, 2002

At home, Mei prepared to go to Tyler's party but under the guise of going to a mathletes meeting at Miriam's house. Mei told Adler all about this in her room with Ming not knowing about it.

Adler: A birthday party? Really?

Mei: Come on, Adler! This will get us enough to go to that concert!

Adler: But Mei, what happens if something bad happens there?

Mei: Relax, Adler. It's just a simple in-and-out!

Adler: Just like Cuba in '81... [sighs] Alright, let's do this.

Adler and Mei went out the room and walked to the doorway. Ming and Jin were at the dining table with dinner on the table.

Mei: Okay, I'm heading off to mathletes! See you later!

Ming: Wait, what about dinner? I made all your favorites.

Mei: [gasps] Thanks, but Miriam's dad is, uh, ordering pizza. Save me leftovers?

Ming: [suddenly] What if I come with you?

Mei: Whaaaa-?

Adler: That wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Mei: Adler!

Adler: What? We need all the help we could get for this competition.

Ming: What is Adler going over? Linear equations? Geometry? I have a double-jointed elbow! Look! [makes a circle with her lower arm] I can make a perfect circle!

Seeing Ming do that made Adler and Mei a little dizzy.

Mei: [sarcastically] Wow! Yeah, but it'll be super boring. Uh, wouldn't you want to hang out with Dad?

Jin: [mouth full] Huh?

Ming: [after a few seconds] Let's get my flashcards.

Mei: But...

Adler: Let's get going.

The three went out of the house and while they walked to the entrance to exit, Ming bragged about her feats as a professional mathlete when she was Mei's age. During this, Mei tried to think of excuses to prevent her mom from going with her and Adler.

Ming: I was mathletes champ when I was in the grade, you know.

Mei: Uh-huh.

Ming: They called me the "Uncommon Denominator."

Adler: Sounds like mines for the CIA: the "monster of America."

Mei: Cool. Oh, uh, Jade Palace is on tonight. Can't miss that, right?

Ming: Now, who's the weakest link? Priya and Abby seem bright enough, but...

Mei: Oh, and traffic's a nightmare. I can just take the streetcar. You stay and rest.

Ming: [inhales] Miriam... I mean, she's a nice girl, but maybe she's slowing you down.

Adler: With all due respect, everyone played an equal part.

Ming: Is that so?

Mei: Oh, Mom, you don't really have to come. I already have Adler.

Ming: Don't be silly. We're already on the way.

Mei then stepped in front of Adler and Ming and extended her arms.

Mei: But I don't want you to!

Ming gasped. As Mei hesitated to figure out why she said that, the lock to the entrance started rattling. The cats that sat by the entrance yowled and ran away in fear. That was when the door exploded open, revealing four women with shades.

Ming and Mei: Oh! What...

Adler: What the?

All 4 Women: Hey, cuz! Surprise!

Mei: Aunties? What are you doing here?

Ping: The ritual, silly.

Lily: She's lost weight.

Chen: No, no, she gained weight!

Helen: She looks like her mother.

Chen: She looks like her father!

???: Ladies.

The four aunts moved out of the way to let an old woman through.

Ming: Mother.

Mei: Hey, Grandma.

Wu noticed Adler standing by Mei.

Wu: And who may you be?

Adler: Russell Adler. We spoke on the phone several weeks ago. [extends hand for a handshake]

Wu: [shakes Adler's hand] So glad to finally meet you in person. [to Mei] Poor dear. It must be so difficult keeping that unruly beast at bay. Your family is here now, Mei-Mei. And we will take care of everything.

--------------------

Meanwhile, Tyler's birthday party had already commenced. However, everyone waited awkwardly for Mei's arrival. There was some modern pop music in the background and the disco but nobody moved or said anything aside from a cough.

Tyler: Ugh. Where is she?

Miriam: [chuckles nervously as she picks up a board game] Who's up for some Boggle?

--------------------

At Mei's house, her aunts and her grandmother got caught up with Mei's life, which now included her ability to turn into the red panda. They also got to know Adler more, who entertained them with stories of his time in the CIA from the Vietnam War to hunting Perseus. Adler learnt of the aunts and Wu formerly having the ability to turn into red pandas before sealing it into their talismans. It wasn't until Ming went back to the topic at hand.

Ming: What a surprise that you all came so early.

Adler: There's a saying that family comes first.

Wu: You need all the help you can get, Ming. [to Mei] So, Mei-Mei, you've been managing to keep the panda in?

Mei: Yep. Totally.

Lily: [scoffs] Really?

Ming: What's that, Lily?

Lily: Well, it's a little hard to believe that Mei-Mei could control such a beast. She's just a child.

Ping: It's true. And if Mei-Mei's panda is anything like Ming's...

All the aunts groaned and shuddered upon reference to Ming's red panda. This confused Adler as there was no mention of Ming's red panda to him before.

Ming: Mei-Mei's better than any of us at controlling the panda.

Adler: We gave her a test a while back to see if she could control it. Mei passed it with flying colors.

Ming: Even the kitten box.

The four aunts were impressed of how Mei had passed the control-the-red-panda test and even the ultimate test.

Ming: She just thinks of my love for her, and it gives her strength to stay calm. We should thank Adler for that.

Mei: Exactly.

All 4 Aunts: Aww.

Chen: How sweet.

Mei then let out a tired yawn that was obviously fake to Adler.

Mei: Anyway, thanks for all the gifts, but I think I'll go to bed early. [chuckles] Keeping that animal locked down sure takes a lot of energy.

Ming: Okay, sweetie. Get some rest.

Mei: Night, everyone.

All 4 Aunts: Good night, Mei-Mei.

Adler: Have a good night's rest.

Mei grabbed her aunts' gifts and scurried to her room. As Ming and Adler conversed more with the aunts, Wu got up from her seat and went to Mei's room. After a few minutes, Wu came back to the living room.

Time Skip

After a few hours, the aunts all left the house. Before leaving, Wu left an important message for Ming regarding Mei.

Wu: Ming, this is a critical time. Mei-Mei needs a strong hand, now more than ever. Don't let her out of your sight.

Ming: I won't, Mother.

Adler: We won't let you down, ma'am.

As Wu left them, Ming went back into the house to check on Mei. She then noticed the room's window open. However, as she went to close it, Ming stepped on broken glass from the picture frame that Mei had knocked down earlier to sneak out to Tyler's birthday party. She then saw a T-shirt underneath the bed and when she picked it up and examined it, Ming was shocked.

Ming: [gasps] "Fur baby"?

Ming then grabbed the lamp and used it as a flashlight to view under Mei's bed. She then saw the grand operation: the red panda merch, Mei's pictures with her friends (which were taken by Adler, unbeknownst to Ming), and the red panda chart. Even several of Mei's school papers were there, but with grades ranging from 75% to a B, compared to her straight A's a month earlier. Ming found the poster for Tyler's birthday party, which was that night and had the address on it.

Ming: [shaking the bed cover] Mei-Mei. What is all-

Ming flipped over the bed cover, revealing Mei's stuffed animals to make it look like Mei was sleeping underneath the bed cover. Ming then ran out to the living room where Adler was, who was busy cleaning his 1911.

Ming: Adler! You need to see this!

Adler: Ming, what's wrong?

Ming took Adler to Mei's bedroom and showed him the contents underneath Mei's bed.

Ming: Did you know about this?

Adler: No, I'd never knew she did this. I thought it was just mathletes Mei was doing after school. Wait, where is she?

Ming: I'm sure she went here! [points to the poster]

Adler grabbed the poster and recognized Tyler's face. Ming rushed out the door to get the car running.

Adler: Should I get my gear?

Ming: Whatever you want!

Adler: Okay!

Adler got dressed in his same combat gear that he wore on Day 1 in the future. He got in Ming's car and they drove off to Tyler's house.

Adler: What do you think is happening there?

Ming: I don't know, but whatever it is, Mei-Mei could be in trouble.

Adler: I don't like the sound of that.

After a few minutes of driving, they were close to the destination.

Adler: [points to the house] There! That house!

Ming parked on the driveway and got out of the car. Adler followed her. They went to the front door and knocked on it. No response.

Ming: What? But I thought-

Then, the two heard a distant roar, followed by a scream. Adler rushed out to the source of the roar and scream.

Ming: Adler! Wait!

As Adler went to the backyard, he was shocked at what he was seeing: Mei, in her panda form, had pinned Tyler down in front of the other partygoers and was hurting him. Despite Mei's friends' pleas, she kept her grip on Tyler, screaming at him. Adler dropped his XM4 and rushed over to get Mei off of Tyler.

Adler: Mei! Stop! Calm down!

Mei looked back with red eyes of anger, pushing Adler down to the ground. Adler hit his head hard on the ground, which then triggered a series of flashbacks and numbers. He had not been bothered by the numbers and "Stitch" until now.

"Ah, it feels good to be back, right Adler? What did I miss? Oh, I see. Stuff happened. A hard situation you are in, no?"

Adler held onto his head in pain as the voices grew louder.

5. 5. 7. 2.

Sims (flashback): Darn. Through the eye socket. You sure about this, Doc?

...12. 25. 20. 3.

Belikov (flashback): They're on full alert, locking the building down.

Adler (flashback): Think, Bell. Perseus. Do you remember coming face to face with Perseus in Vietnam?

...6. 1. 15. 8.

Mason (flashback): We clear to move on the target?

Woods (flashback): Thousands dying in a flash and you're talking about fricking infrastructure.

...21. 10. 4. 1.

The flashbacks and numbers stopped. Ming then came into the backyard and saw the scene unfold.

Ming: Mei-Mei, stop!

Mei: [to Tyler] I hate you! I hate-

Ming: What is going on here?!

Mei, upon hearing her mother, calmed down and looked back to see her mom standing there, and then saw Adler on the ground, holding onto his head. Tyler began sobbing.

Tyler: I'm sorry. Just get off of me. Please.

Mei got off Tyler. She looked around as the kids around her slowly backed away in fear. Adler recovered and went over to Tyler to apply first aid to his scratches from Mei.

Adler: I got you, kid.

--------------------

Soon, Tyler's parents found out about the incident and shut down the party. Adler, Ming, Mei, and her friends were outside now as Tyler's parents were with their son, expressing their complaints to Ming about Mei attacking Tyler. Adler stood by Ming as she continued to be yelled at.

Tyler's Mother: I cannot believe you would let your daughter do this!

Tyler's Father: Do you understand what she did to my boy?

Ming: I am so sorry. She's never done anything like this before. I don't know what came over her.

Tyler's Father: I don't want to hear your apologies, okay? And even if your friend stopped her, this changes nothing!

Tyler's Mother: She is an animal!

Once Mei heard that comment, she tensed up and began sniffling.

Ming: I'm sorry again.

Tyler's Father: All right, party's over! Everyone, go home!

"What such bad parents to leave a child home by himself."

Both Tyler's parents led Tyler inside. Ming turned around and looked at Mei. Adler went over to the car to wait. Mei braced for a shouting but instead, her mother walked past her and went straight for her friends.

Ming: I can't believe you girls would use her like this!

Miriam: What?

Priya: But we didn't!

Abby: No, we'd never.

Mei went over to them but Ming put an arm in front of her, stopping Mei. Adler went over to Mei.

"Things are not looking good for Miriam and the others, hm? Are you going to help them or not?"

Ming: I knew you were trouble. Putting all these thoughts into Mei-Mei's head, parading her around. Now she's lying, sneaking out. She attacked a defenseless boy! You think this is a joke? Do you know how dangerous this is?

Miriam: We didn't mean to, we just wanted to see 4-Town.

Ming: 4-Town! You manipulated her for a bunch of tacky delinquents?

Miriam: No! She wanted to...-

Ming: Don't you blame her. She is a good girl and you've taken advantage of her.

Miriam: Mei, tell her.

Mei looked at them and then to Ming and Adler. She took another look at them, gave them a look of sorrow and leaned into Ming. Before Priya and Abby reacted, Adler stepped in.

Adler: It wasn't their fault.

Mei: Adler?

Adler: It was mine.

"Always trying to play the hero. Of course. Typical Americans."

Ming: [gasps softly] What... What are you saying, Adler?

Adler: It was my idea to get them to see 4-Town. I planned everything. The operation, the mathletes as a front. Sure, this birthday party was a first, but it was all me. For the first time in my life, I have done things here that I'd never considered would be fun. Your daughter's an amazing kid, Ming. I wished you could see that.

Ming was shocked to hear Adler's revelation. She moved Mei to the car, went up to Adler, and slapped him in the face.

"Ouch. That must hurt."

Adler (mind): I deserved it.

Ming: How dare you helped them! After everything, how could you do this to Mei-Mei?! You were supposed to look after her, and this is how you repay me?! [sighs] You are never welcome at our place again. Don't ever come near Mei-Mei again, you hear me?

Adler nodded in solemn.

Ming: I trusted you, Adler. I really did. [glares at Miriam and the others] Come on, Mei-Mei. Let's go.

Adler stood there in silence, processing what just happened. Ming started the car and left Adler and Miriam and the others by the driveway, seeing Mei gone. Miriam spotted something on the ground and picked it up. It was Mei's tomogachi. As the friends looked at it, Adler started having a mind conversation with "Stitch".

Adler (mind): This was all your fault.

"How could it be? You were the one who got yourself in trouble."

Adler (mind): If it weren't for your darn revenge scheme, then this wouldn't have happened in the first place!

"What wouldn't happen?"

Adler (mind): Me coming to the future!

"We know that's not true, Adler. The numbers program and I did not have anything to do with it. You found that door. You opened it. You entered it. I did not make you do it. You did it yourself."

Adler: [shouts] I wished I never came here in the first place! Now get the heck out of my mind!

Upon hearing Adler shout that randomly, Miriam and the others gasped and went up to Adler.

Miriam: Adler, what are you saying?

"If you hate it here that much, and you want to go back, be my guest."

Adler turned around to see the girls with a solemn face.

Adler: I... I can't be here anymore.

Priya: W-What do you mean?

Adler: I've done more harm than good in this world. It's not worth it staying here.

Abby: [walks up to Adler] We know that's not true, Adler.

Adler pulled out his 1911, making Abby and the others step back a little. His hands were shaking as he held the 1911.

Adler: Stay back! Please. For your own good.

Miriam and the others stood back as Adler holstered his 1911. Visible tears were in his eyes but did not drip out.

Adler: Tell Mei I'm sorry... and goodbye, will ya?

Miriam and the others nodded with sad faces.

Adler: It was an honor being with you guys.

Adler then ran off into the distance, disappearing into the night.

Miriam: Adler!

Miriam and the others went after him, but by then, he was long gone.

---------------------

Adler made his way to downtown Toronto. He had to find a way to get out of here. He couldn't take it anymore. Not only did he lose his friendship with Ming and potentially Mei but he again is suffering from his brainwashing too. Adler needed to get home.

After walking for hours, he finally found the red door in the alleyway. He was about to open it until he stopped himself.

"What's the matter, Adler? Too scared to leave poor Mei behind?"

Adler: Stitch, if it's really you, hear me out. When I get back, I will stop at nothing to stop you and your grand scheme.

"[laughs] I'd like to see you try, Adler. See you on the other side."

Adler took a deep breath, opened the red door, and jumped in. The red door then disappeared from the Toronto alleyway.

He was finally home.

Verdansk, Soviet Union
July 27th, 1984

The red door opened, bringing Adler out. He sighed in relief as he recognized the same hallway that he went through before going to the future. As he walked out, he noticed someone was watching him. Adler and the figure pulled their 1911s on each other.

Adler: Hudson?

Hudson: Adler.

Adler: What are you-

Mason knocked Adler unconscious with his Grav rifle's buttstock.

Woods: We got him. [picks up Adler]

Mason: Where should we bring him?

Hudson: [holsters his 1911] I know a place.