It was raining outside the palace. It had been raining for nine days now.

Zhang Xiaoyu was looking out her window at the cascading droplets as they plummeted down to the wet earth below. Her thoughts were interrupted by her sister.

"Xu, there you are. Everyone is searching for you, dear sister. Our guests from Russia have arrived. It is good that you are already dressed."

Xiaoyu was wearing the ceremonial Chinese wardrobe worn while receiving foreign dignitaries. It was an old custom, but her father, the emperor of China, liked old customs.

"Yes," said Xu. "Shall we go and meet these foreigners Ming?"

She nodded. "We do not wish to be late."

They walked out of the room and down the hall to the stairs. The palace was bustling with activity. Preparations were still being completed.

At the bottom of the stairs, Xu and Ming made their way to the throne room. The emperor entered a few minutes after they did.

"Ah, Ming. I see you were able to find Xu. And not a moment too soon." In walked a Russian man, a samurai, an American man, and a Swedish woman. Xu looked at the samurai and he looked right back at her and smiled as he sat down along with his companions.

"Greetings Your Majesty. My name is Roberto Stalin," said the Russian man. He resembled a clean shaven Boris from the cartoon Rocky and Bullwinkle. "Allow me to introduce my colleagues. This," he said while pointing to the samurai who sat on his right, "Is Kusomaki Furikake. And sitting behind me are Ben Dover and Tiffany Svendish."

The emperor bowed lightly. Motioning to his right, he said, "This is my eldest daughter, Xiaoyu. This is her sister, Mingxiao." Xu and Furikake locked eyes again. They were oblivious to the world.

It was not until the armed men Roberto Stalin had brought with him were right above Furikake did their gaze break. He unsheathed his sword and struck down the two gunmen who came up behind him.

Stalin called more of his men in. "Seize the palace!! Take everyone prisoner!" he yelled. Unbeknownst to Furikake, Stalin had brought his army with him. He surmised that they had travelled a different route. They surrounded him, the emperor, his daughters, and, confusingly, Tiffany Svendish as well.

"Princess Xiaoyu, you will be coming with us back to Mother Russia. Think of it as what the Americans call, how do you say...ah yes, an insurance policy," said Stalin.

"I won't let you take her!!" yelled the emperor.

Stalin snapped his fingers and one of his men shot the emperor in his right leg. He howled in pain. Stalin motioned to another one of his men to grab Princess Xiaoyu while Ming rushed to her father's side.

"Mr. Dover, make sure the palace is secure. I will take the princess back with me to the Kremlin. Once I arrive, I will contact you. The palace is yours," said Stalin.

"Thank you Mr. Stalin. You two, take him to the infirmary, then lock him up. Take the others to the jail."

Furikake flew into action as soon as Dover finished talking. He dispatched three armed men and deflected bullets that flew at him from both sides. Then, Stalin snuck up behind him and knocked him out with a lead pipe. He then departed with Princess Xiaoyu. The last she saw of Furikake was of him lying on the ground with armed men picking him up.