Original subtitles

Uh...

I know we've been in these mountains a long time,

but we can all see that, right?

What is that?

-Is that a cat? -A dog?

That is our new star.

-You won again? -So lucky...

Ginseng! Seahorses!

Lotus seed!

-One, two, three-- -Ah!

But there was one ingredient you missed.

A kiss?

Sorry, but even a drop of human saliva would dilute this medicine's effectiveness.

So, just to be safe...

Yes, sir boss. What are we mixing?

Scalp cream. You know how fierce Mr. Shao's dandruff gets.

Oh-oh-oh , don't forget Mr. Shao's allergic to licorice root.

Thank you, Sam.

Soon, we really will be working for you.

But until then, sorry.

-It's your turn. -Ah.

Here we go. Grandpa?

Uh, it's time for your medicine.

-Grandpa? -Gotcha!

Wait, you can get under the bed?

Under? Yes. Back up without help? No.

Oh. Wow. You're growing strong.

How many monsters did you slay today, huh?

Same as always. Zero.

That is a fake human skull, right?

Nope. It's from a grave I robbed.

Now what is my daughter poisoning me with today, huh?

Arthritis tea.

I slipped in some goji berries to make it go down smoother.

Ugh...

-For surviving grandpa. -Without screaming... much.

You can go ingredient shopping with your father.

Shopping? But it's not every other Tuesday. Ooh, exciting.

If this counts as exciting, we have failed you, my grandson.

By your age, I've already broken out of one jail,

survived two ship wrecks, punched three sharks

and began my life as a treasure hunter!

Yes, and look around at all the treasure you brought back.

Ten yuan should cover what we need.

You know what, Sam, your work ethic is inspiring me.

Maybe I can contribute more to this family.

I'll go shopping with Sam today.

But Dad always shops with me.

We even have a shopping song.

♪ Shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping ♪

Oh my Gosh!

♪ Shopping, shopping, shopping ♪

Okay. We mostly just say "shopping" a lot.

Daughter, you said yourself you got your hands full, right?

So you mix, while Hon delivers

and the boy and I shop. Triple victory!

Plus, we can go shopping with my old adventures box.

It's seen the world, saved my life and has 88 secret compartments,

including one that houses a... never mind.

The Scorpion died.

Ugh!

Your adventurer's box?

Whoa!

Still, it's yours now, Sam.

Sam, before you leave, promise me, run home

the second grandpa brings up adventure. Or magic. Or knives.

We let him have knives?

-Promise. -I promise.

And pass out some flyers.

Hon, tell me Sam is safe with my dad.

Fong, you told me never to lie to you.

Okay. Okay. Wild idea.

If we get ginger and ginko at Miss Lin's,

we have enough time to go to Mr. Fan's for-- Hey!

Eh, I could get all of this for half the price at the South market.

Mom says South Market is filled with thieves and freeloaders.

She's not wrong, but it's the only way we can have money left over.

Money left over for wha-- Hey! What?

An adventure.

I was afraid you'd say that?

Have fun, be safe, I'm gonna run--- Ow! My ear!

Wow. That arthritis tea is working.

Grandpa, where are we?

And can I have my money back?

Not until you've learned your lessons.

First lesson,

never leave your coins unguarded.

Second lesson,

you want to be a great doctor like your mom?

More than anything. It's the culmination of my 21 year plan.

Then you need to discover the world's mysteries.

And that won't happen if you never stray beyond your parents' sight.

Right. Which is why I plan to do just that in year thirteen.

Third lesson, life waits for no one, Sam.

Better to act today, especially when today

has a circus.

Feast your eyes,

amaze your ears and shock your nostrils

with all the wonders from certain parts of the world,

here at the circus of the uncanny!

See? Not all adventures are scary.

Hailing from the deepest regions of the north

and known to live for ten thousand years,

I bring to you, the White Mountain yeti!

Grandpa, that yeti is a monkey.

And that "invisible tiger spirit"

-is just an empty cage. -Probably.

But once in the while, these circuses have something worth the price of admission.

And at my age, I'll take whatever magic I can get.

Sorry, magic is one of Mom's "runaway words,"

so... yeah. Ow!

Eh, magic gets a bad rap.

Only half of it is dark and deadly.

Oh, I know magic isn't bad. Because there's no such thing.

Your parents want you to think that,

but they've never even left Shanghai.

I have traveled the world to meet, and to bravely fight,

all manner of supernatural creatures

and I'll tell you this... magic is all around us.

But you'll never see it if you don't go out and look.

Okay, that one might not be magic.

Gather round, brave souls.

From the deepest regions up the Yangtze River,

I bring you a creature only whispered about

in myth and legend...

the singing Tianjing cat-dog!

Whoa! You're kidding... A cat dog?

It's not magic, but it is cute...

And sad. Very sad.

Nah, he's an entertainer!

Aha!

Huh? Mm...

You rang?

Whatever you brought me here for better be good.

I was about to crash a very fancy wedding

full of very unguarded valuables.

Huh, that does look like the thing the boss was searching for.

Send word that we found it,

then find that wedding and steal me some cake. Corner piece!

Huh?

Thief!

Take a bow, cat-dog.

It can't be.

-That's it? -What just happened?

Who wants to see me eat fire?

-Let's... go. -No. Come, Sam.

If we leave now, Shanghai is doomed.

You ungrateful twerp! If you didn't bring in

so many gawking idiots...

I don't sound like that.

Exactly as I feared. Sam, that is a mogwai.

So like a type of rodent.

Oh no, mogwai are the rarest mystical creatures.

No mortal has seen one for centuries, and with good reason.

They might look cute, but the last time one of those was left in humanity's care,

cities burned, people died and China was nearly obliterated.

Sam, if you care about your parents or our city or me--

That's literally all I care about!

Then we must take the mogwai.

Diva!

-Eh, wrong way, big guy. -Hey!

Get lost. We don't do handouts.

I can see you also don't do teeth.

But let's stop the small talk before feelings get hurt.

I want to buy that dancing, whatever you're calling it.

And before you ask a dumb question...

Well then, I can absolutely certify

that this tiny beast is 100 percent cat-dog.

-Oh well, we tried, let's give up-- -Never! I have a plan.

Mom said no knives.

Your mother doesn't understand the fine art of creating a distraction.

My back!

-Grandpa! -Who's there?

Backstage costs extra.

New plan.

Your new plan is a marble?

Hmm?

Hold it!

Until I get new money for my old money, that critter's mine!

Funny because he's in my-- Hands! Ow!

Huh?

-Are you okay? -Of course not.

-Now, you need to grab the mogwai. -Me?

I can't do that without you.

You have to do this, Sam.

I know you can.

Hmm...

Got any more of those explodey thingys?

Go, go, go, go, go! Now!

Get that cat-dog!

Great show, cat-dog! Smile!

Ahh! Bright light! Bright light!

Who are you? Huh?

Sorry for what I'm about to do!

Hi! I'm Sam and I'm here to take you!

Uh, sorry!

Huh?

Sam! Get the mogwai!

Sam!

Oh...

We won't hurt you, Mr. Mogwai.

-Mogwai? -That's right.

We know what you are and we want to help.

Eh?

Don't worry, you're safe now, Mr. Mogwai.

Can I call you Mr. Mogwai?

-Mm-hmm. -Do you have a first name?

-Gizmo. -Gitchmoe?

-Gizmo. -Gizno? Geezmo?

-Giz...mo. -Gizmo?

-Mm-hmm. -Okay. Gizmo.

Hi Gizmo. I'm Sam.

Um, Grandpa. What are you doing?

-Packing. We must leave at once. -To go where?

We just got back home.

And we never did our shopping.

No. Shopping is pointless.

Everything is pointless next to this mogwai.

His species is wildly dangerous?

Oh, admit it. You are.

I know how your kind turned Fengdong

from a thriving metropolis to a decimated ghost city.

So we must return him to his home,

the Valley of Jade.

Wait... The valley of Jade? That made-up place from all your old stories?

Grandpa, is this all just an excuse to drag me on an adventure?

No. This and the Valley of Jade are very real.

Now, pack up for our long, possibly deadly journey.

Did you say possibly deadly?

How dangerous can he be?

-No, no, no, no, no, no. -Sam!

I told you to run if Grandpa got into trouble!

-Cat! -Dog!

Listen carefully now. The mogwai also come with rules.

Rule number one, never, ever, ever get them wet

Oh no! Okay.

Your filthy associate said you found me a mogwai.

I did, but then, I can explain.

Well, actually "explain" would be to offer me greater clarity.

What you're about to give me is an "excuse,"

which is an attempt to lessen your personal blame.

I have zero interest in excuses.

Any interest in finding the guys who grabbed your mogwai?

Oh.

-Oh. -Okay.

I see why we don't wanna get them wet.

Grandpa,

please tell me that's the only rule.

You wish.

Mogwai rule number two.

Ahhh!

No bright light.

What? How? How?

Questions later.

Rule number three.

Never feed them after midnight.

Hey, I didn't make the rules.

Dad, I always thought your stories were made up.

Just excuses for why you were always away from home.

But they're not, are they?

Oh, some were.

But not the mogwai,

which is why Sam and I were about to leave for Fengdong.

Once it was a thriving city to rival Shanghai.

Then came the mogwai.

Now it's a ghost city,

but also the key through the... homeland,

the Valley of Jade. So that's where we need to go.

Oh, you can come too, huh?

-I'll pack snacks. -A two-legged rat shows up.

So we have to take it home to Danger Valley.

And I'm the only one not on board.

Nobody else has concerns?

Our only concern should be the mogwai

falling into the wrong hands.

Who's that?

The wrong hands.

Elle?

Please. You're in my employ.

What you do reflects on me,

so act like you've used a door before.

I slept on the street

before sleeping in your warehouse.

Doors are still new to me.

Always with a clever quip.

I only hope today isn't when we find

the limit to your cleverness.

-That scary girl is back. -Of course, yes.

Everybody who knows of the mogwai,

wants a mogwai.

Hmm, but only the purest of heart

can be trusted to care for one.

And that's you, Sam.

-Me? -Huh?

Yes, him.

Stay close to my grandson.

He will protect you.

I know this is a lot,

but you are the most responsible

and kind hearted person I know.

You can keep them safe.

I promise that I'll try.

Good enough.

Keep packing.

We'll leave once I scare off

these wrong hands.

Oh.

Sorry, we're closed.

Nothing in Shanghai is closed to me, old man.

Then look, I would love to take your money,

but our shop, it's incessant with fire and--

It was the best way to get rid of the bedbugs.

-Ouch! -An interesting shop.

You're a medicine man?

No, my daughter's place.

She's a genius with the cures.

It's too bad she's out until the morning

and can't help your guessing

but, but...

So not a medicine man. Hmm.

No, I see it now.

Knobby knees. Sun scorched skin.

The terrible posture of a man

who wasted his peak years crouched in caves.

You were a treasure hunter.

And based on the holes in your attire,

not a successful one.

I'm always curious about my opponent.

Do you even know the value of what you stole from me?

You must have traveled near and far.

But where are my manners?

My name is Riley Greene

and I too am something of a treasure hunter.

So as a professional courtesy, I offer you this.

Give me the mogwai and I leave.

You've got me, Mr. Treasure Hunter.

I do have the mogwai.

However, while I never found the fortune,

I never came home empty handed.

Grandpa knows magic?

Take this.

Huh?

Adorable.

I learned that trick as a child.

Here's something I mastered as an adult.

Pearl magic.

Yeah. I freed you of your frail human shell. You're welcome.

Let's see if you know anything I don't.

-Oh! -No, no stepping out this time.

I want you to witness

what happens when cleverness fails.

No!

Back there. The mogwai! Back there!

Elle, find my mogwai!

Fong, Sam, go!

Oh.

They must have run out the back!

Do I need to know who your are?

He went through there.

I saw them go that way.

Ah! Watch where you're going.

Quit running, lady!

You too, kid!

Sorry.

They're too heavy.

Come on, this way.

Oh!

I know it shouldn't bother me,

but I think Greene likes that girl more than us.

Huh?

Hey, you, with the basket. What's inside?

Oh.

No. No, no, no. I don't need a rug.

Hey, what's inside your basket?

Sam, new plan.

-Step one, you're going to hide. -What?

Step two. I'm going to run somewhere these goons will follow.

-No, we can hide together. -And both get caught?

You saw what that man did to Grandpa.

He would do anything to get these mogwai.

No. I don't wanna buy one!

Sam, you must keep your promise

and take them safely to the Valley of Jade.

-Ma. -I love you.

Elle, what're you doing? Get over here!

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I know, you want to get back to them.

And I know my grandpa and my mom,

and at this point, probably even my dad want me to do it,

but I don't think I can.

I don't even know how.

Huh?

Gizmo?

Oh, no. The other mogwai.

Gizmo!

Get back here.

I really need to see yesterday's obituaries.

I get wanting to find your... kids?

Siblings?

What are they to you?

But your sibling-kids could be anywhere and scary people

are looking for you.

Plus, there's a lot of dripping water

and bright light in the city,

not to mention stuff that's dangerous to every creature.

And I promised grandpa I'd keep all of you safe.

Okay.

Um, my urchins got, um, a lead on the mogwai.

Oh, um, your sleep writing?

I was digesting that old man's knowledge.

I expected a mere appetizer but received a full meal.

However, I can finish later.

A treasure like the mogwai waits for no one.

How about that?

Since this critter's so valuable,

I'm thinking it should cover the rest of my debt.

I mean, I'm so close to being paid off already,

so--

I sense you're still unsettled from what you saw last night.

If my actions seemed extreme,

that's only because of your ignorance.

Everything I do

is about far more than merely one mogwai.

That creature is the key to leading us

to the untold treasure of the Valley of Jade.

Untold treasure?

Wait, us?

I was serious about having my debt paid.

I mean, after I get you this mogwai,

I kinda say we're even, right?

Please, Elle.

After all you've learned and seen about me during your employ,

do you really think we could ever be even?

That I would ever let you leave alive?

Look, I didn't want to say this in front of the other henchmen.

You know how jealous they get.

But you, you shall forever be my left hand.

Don't you mean your right hand?

No, you're my left hand.

Useful, but not essential.

Still, it is an honor and your best option.

Now, take me to my mogwai.

You hired me to get rid of rats.

Those things ain't rats.

Whoa.

The other mogwai did this?

What are those?

That's what happens when you eat after midnight?

No wonder there's a rule against it.

Hello, Sam Wing.

You know my name?

Chinese black magic knows everything.

And I know Chinese black magic.

Now, further demonstrate your intelligence

by allowing me to take the mogwai

without a struggle.

No! You ate my grandpa.

Well, actually, I swallowed your grandfather.

Please respect semantics.

Gizmo stays with me.

Of course he named it.

No, Gizmo already had a name because he is a living creature

who's staying far away from you.

My grandpa told me--

I know exactly what your grandfather told you.

"And only the purest of heart can be trusted to care for one,

and that's you, Sam."

Good impression, yes?

You see, when I ingest someone, I learn everything they knew.

That includes your grandfather's plan

to travel with the mogwai to the Valley of Jade.

If I may be candid, it's a good plan...

for me.

But not for you, Sam Wing.

You're far too scared to go it alone.

Deep down, your grandfather

wasn't really sure you could do what he asked of you.

In fact, that doubt was his second to last thought.

His last being...

"What is this monster doing to me?"

So, now that we've found the limit to your cleverness--

I'm coming with you.

Wait.

I'm still coming with you.

But you're Greene's daughter.

No, I'm his employee.

And I'm pretty sure you just saw me quit.

You brought him to my home.

He killed my grandpa.

You helped him capture my parents.

Look, I didn't know he was going to do any of those things.

I swear.

I hear your home has tons of treasure.

Is that true?

Then, when I get you there,

I want enough gold or jewels or whatever

to make sure I can outrun Greene for the rest of my life.

Deal?

How do I know you're not going to knock me out first chance you get?

Because Greene is going to come after us both. Okay?

Like it or not, we are on the same side now,

and I can get us to this valley of Jade place.

So if you're done worrying,

deal?

I'm not done worrying, but deal.

And I can get a message to your parents.

No, I can't free them.

Greene's got your folks trapped in some magic nonsense.

But I can send word to them that you're okay.

Stupid magic.

It's from Sam.

Dear Mom and Dad, I'm abandoning my 21-year-plan

to do what you both told me to do.

Keep my promise to Grandpa.

So I'm a embarking on my new two month plan.

Travel to the Ghost city, find the Valley of Jade

and safely return Gizmo to his home to save humanity.

And I will be back for you...

somehow.

Your loving son, Sam Wing.

So where to?

We need to go to Fengdong. The city of Fengdong.

Huh?

Are you crazy? We need to get there alive.

All aboard!

-Wow. Your plan worked. -Yeah, that's what my plans do.

So, Gizmo,

what happens to those mogwai in the cocoons?

Hello.

What have we here?

Be a good sport.

This is just mogwai being mogwai.

And there are so many mogwai.

Easy there, little buddy...

I got one, boss!

But it got my finger.

Look at you.

Such joie de vivre.

Soon I shall share your passion.

Apprehend the rest--

Uh, boss, we got word the Wing boy and Elle

were spotted hopping on a train with the mogwai--

May they have a long annoying journey to The Valley of Jade

and all the trouble it brings.

I only need one mogwai and look,

I now have my own ripe supply.

Wow...

You ever see anything like this?

Eh. They're pretty for hunks of rock,

if rocks are your thing.

They are! Geology is like a good novel that never ends.

So we ride this to the end, then hike to Ghost City,

and inside there is The Valley of Jade?

Elle, I think Grandpa was pretty clear about this.

The Valley isn't in the Ghost City,

"The key to the Valley is."

And what does that mean?

I have no idea.

But I guess Gizmo does.

Wonderful.

We have a map that no one understands

except a magical squirrel that speaks gibberish.

Tickets! Tickets, please.

You said we didn't need tickets?

Yeah, I couldn't believe you went for that.

Okay, nobody panic!

So, do they throw us off?

Or do we throw ourselves off?

I'll talk to the conductor.

Okay.

Tickets, everyone needs a ticket.

Two first-class tickets, please.

Hm, first-class...?

Right this way.

Oh, she's good.

Stealing's wrong! And dishonest! And it's against the--

Wow!

Bright light! Bright light!"

Okay, yes, this is the nicest room I've ever been in...

Whee!

But that doesn't mean I'm okay with stealing.

You're making me miss Greene.

-Oh, come on, I was kidding. -And I'm not.

You aren't working for Greene anymore. You can retire those "skills."

I can? You mean it?

Kiddo, I was using my "skills" long before I met Greene.

And without them, we'll never make it to the valley.

Hmph. Well, I'm earning my money!

Come on, Gizmo!

Well, have fun "earning." I'll lounge here and watch the critter.

Bye-bye!

I'm done with Gizmo.

Huh?

Pocket knife, rope, mortar and pestle, more rope,

another dead scorpion, spare underwear, ginger root, dice,

wow, he really had a lot of rope...

Squid ink?

Shoeshine? Shoeshine?

Touch my coins, and I'll make you into a purse, furball.

I'm guessing this doesn't translate to "everything's fine."

Shoe shines! Um, half-price shoe shines!

Quarter-price shoe shines!

Any price shoe shines? Hello?

I've been needing a polish. These trains are dust traps.

Happy to help, sir, with a shine or anything else you may need!

Do you suffer from headaches? Dandruff? Earwax clogs?

I can cure it all! Sam Wing, of Wing Family Medicine.

"We have the brains to cure your pains."

I also do haircuts and nose trims for, oh, umm...

Public servants?

You're looking at a Ministry of Railways Inspector, son.

A train cop.

But you can call me Yao.

Now, Sam, did I see you earlier? With a gal-friend?

I wouldn't call her a friend.

She's more of... A travel companion?

A travel companion that travels with other people's wallets.

Oh! Wallets? This crime wave is out of hand! I know nothing about it.

I saw her do it.

Me too! I'm sorry, sir! I have no control over her. Please don't arrest me.

I can tell you're a hard-worker. I'll let it slide this time,

but, son, I don't mean to tell you your business,

but that kind of two-bit punk is not to be trusted.

I wouldn't leave anything important with her.

Or anyone...

Sorry, sir, I have to go.

There's, uh, an earwax emergency in first class.

Hey! You only did one shoe!

Something freaked you out and you wanna hide. I get it.

But that was the first time I slept in a bed in years.

Years, Gizmo. Let's go back.

Sam.

And where are you two off to? Gonna steal more stuff?

Kidding! It's not a question.

You'll definitely steal again.

Sam okay?

Oh, wowsies! He talks. Of course, he talks!

I love it when the little guy talks!

I missed you too, little guy! Can I get that mogwai back now?

You're acting really strange.

First time on a train, that's all!

Goat feet!

Sam?

Give me the mogwai!

Gizmo? Elle?

I knew it!

I knew I couldn't trust you!

Not a step closer.

Gizmo? What's going on?

Don't talk to him. I don't know who or what you are!

What are you talking about? Is this a con?

Or is this sarcasm? I still don't get that--

You know what? I don't even care. Gizmo, come here.

-Where did we meet? -What?

"What" is not a place!

The circus! The circus! The circus!

Why, Elle?

First you steal Gizmo and try to ditch me,

then you stab me--

There's a monster on the train that can morph into you.

He's after Gizmo. We're running from him, not ditch--

You expect me to believe that?

Making that deal with you was the dumbest thing I ever did.

We don't have time for this.

I knew you were bad.

And you're weak!

He belongs with me!

Give him to me!

Sam, what's going on?

We can hear you in the dining car, buddy!

Who the heck is-- never mind.

Your shoes scream "train cop."

Yes, he is a train cop and my friend...

Who looks out for me! More than I can say for you.

Thank you, son, for handing me the mogwai.

Now for my curtain call, do you like dramatic irony?

Dramatic what?

Huh?

You may wonder why you're here.

Assuming your species wonders.

The answer... history.

You are going to help me...

make it.

So, you really never guessed?

Never had a clue?

That instead of a cop, you're a giant, spiky monster?

No.

Well, that's why, Yao, is my go-to role.

Love being that guy.

You just add some baritone to the voice.

A little old guy arm crossing,

throw in some dad jokes, and hello, Yao.

But being you, Sam?

Shoe shine, shoe shine.

Happy to help you, sir, with the shine,

or anything else you may need.

So chipper, so sweet, so not my thing.

Inept victim roles don't suit my talents.

I couldn't quite pull it off, right, Elle?

Eat scum and die, freak show.

Let's save the constructive criticism for later.

I can't focus on anything with this guy so close.

I've been riding this thing for years

and never found anything more magical

than a very rude, three-legged crow.

But now, I'm grateful there's no one else.

You're all mine.

You're gonna... eat Gizmo?

But why?

Many know...

the three rules of the mogwai.

Water, light, food.

But after swallowing many pearls,

actually human souls,

I discovered there's a little known fourth rule...

Life.

Unless mogwai are wounded or hurt,

they will naturally live forever.

And thus,

if you eat a mogwai, you...

Live forever.

If you eat a mogwai, you live forever?

The moment you boarded the train, I caught a whiff

and I couldn't believe my luck.

Mmm... Like happiness and love in a coconut bun.

Now the important thing is to get the whole mogwai in your mouth at once.

Kind of like eating a Xiaolongbao.

The beauty of your hideous kind is that your immortality is an unlimited resource.

With mere water, I can multiply and sell your eternal gift

to the highest bidders over and over again.

But first, a volunteer for the honor.

You do look like you'll go down the easiest.

With a little assistance.

Yes, yes, it's... it's working.

I feel it.

The immortality is... rising up in me.

Of course, make sure it's a furry mogwai.

You do not want to eat a scaly one.

Eugh, you also don't want to boil the mogwai.

It will kill the flavor and--

Mr. Monster, you're a shape-shifter, right?

I go by the name of Odd-Odd,

or the amazing Odd-Odd.

I'm credited as both.

Okay, Mr. Odd-Odd, if you wanted Gizmo,

why didn't you just take him when you had the chance?

I was... really hoping you'd ask.

Oh, that was absolutely awful, why is gaining knowledge always so disgusting?

Change of plans.

Ready my steamship.

We're traveling to The Valley of Jade, after all.

I was born a performer.

All shape-shifters are. I played the greatest parts

in the greatest stories for the greatest audiences.

Eventually I needed fresh material to perform.

So I stole the Lord of the Wind scroll from the celestial realm.

Performed it. Best reviews of my career.

But the theft came with a curse that makes it impossible

for me to take anything ever again.

Whatever I need, must be given to me.

So I pivoted to a new stage.

This train.

There was a new audience every day.

And travelers were easily tricked into giving me whatever I needed.

However, age is unkind to those in my profession.

No matter your talent, your star fades.

Unless that is, your star can never fade.

Your mogwai's immortality

is the best motivation I've had in years.

Uh, amazing.

Can you tell me more about your process?

You're such a master.

Yeah. Have you thought about teaching classes?

You know, I have considered teaching but my heart isn't in it.

I love the stage too much.

Now what?

Now we save Gizmo.

We all have roles to play here.

I am the diner.

You are the meal.

Let me eat you.

Really not the time for reading.

Grandpa told stories about shape-shifters.

There could be something in here that could help us.

Here, I found something.

There's a spice mix that strips its powers.

We have to douse him with it.

So, we season him to death?

We need pepper, goji berries,

uh, we need a gourd.

Huh?

What else?

Okay, last ingredient, fox fur?

How? I've never even seen a fox.

Yeah, it's stolen. Deal with it.

We gotta get up there.

Hey, world's ugliest hedgehog.

Whatcha got in that gourd?

Old family recipe.

Oh.

Sam, throw the gourd.

Sam, now!

Bye-bye!

He's actually... tiny?

He's an actor playing a part!

Hey.

Show's over, Spikey.

Alas, my final bow.

Elle, you saved us.

I don't know what we would've done without you.

Probably die.

I'm sorry I dropped the spice mix,

but at least we beat the Odd-Odd.

Let's get off the train.

Uh, I've seen that look before.

Still upset about me swallowing your dad?

Why are you taking us with you?

Well, actually, I wasn't planning to. I was going to bury you in a ditch.

Thanks for taking us with you.

Great ship you have here.

I know.

I know a great many things.

Where Arabian ostriches go to breed,

the secret of French cooking, it's butter.

And of course, children always want their parents.

Leverage.

It's the key to any negotiation.

It's why I never dispose of anything,

until I'm absolutely certain, it is trash.

Speaking of, meet your shipmate.

In the ghost city, I will catch your boy, take his furry mogwai,

and gain entrance to, The Valley of Jade.

These creatures may prove useful in my endeavors.

And if not, I'll bury them in a ditch.

You'll never catch Sam.

My dad taught him well. You have no idea.

Stop. When I swallowed your father,

I gained his knowledge.

I know exactly who Sam is.

He's a boy that's never walked around the block alone after dark.

How is that child going to survive this journey?

Elle, I'm sorry for not trusting you

and for the things I said.

Here, hold him any time you want.

Thanks.

Grass, tree, dirt.

Wow! The countryside is so... the same.

The city was right to cut this stuff down

and put up street signs.

Where should we go, Gizmo?

You still mad about Sam?

Yeesh, you'd think I ditched you on the train.

Oh, so I'm the bad guy?

The Odd-Odd almost ate-ate you

because Sam was too scared to do anything.

Fine.

But if you want to reach your "Ghost City,"

you gotta work with me.

Hmph.

Hey, no need to panic.

This isn't just a weapon.

Okay, panic a little.

Seriously, can the countryside get any worse?

Finally, shelter!

Those bandits wouldn't stop chasing me.

Oh, my goodness!

You're soaked from the rain and tears.

Let's get you cleaned up.

You're safe here, Miss Dandelion Puff.

No bandits allowed at my inn.

But I, I can't pay.

The bandits took everything Grandma gave me.

-And, and maybe even Grandma. -Aw! So sad.

So here's something happy,

Meng Po's Inn isn't only bandit-free,

it's also free-free.

-Free? -You heard right.

Hugs are the only acceptable currency here.

And I require payment up-front!

And the fun surprises just keep coming because...

tonight, we're having crispy duck

in honor of the Mid-Autumn Festival!

-Yay! Thank you, Meng Po! -Happy Moon Festival!

Oh, I love crispy duck.

I hate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

-Who doesn't like a festival? -Maybe she hates moons.

Or autumn.

Hey, judgy junipers!

Don't you all have plates to clear?

Here, sip this, little lilac.

Thanks.

-Wow, what a chandelier! -Aw, cherish.

Oh! It is unique, isn't it?

My sister designed that.

Oh, does she work here too?

Once. My parents did too,

but that was all very long ago.

There I go, being a Sappy Sally.

Oh? You drank it all?

Fear makes me thirsty, but now I feel... fine?

Must be good tea!

You do seem more relaxed.

Yin, show our new guest her room?

Welcome.

It's my first day too!

Hmm.

Step one, find Elle and Gizmo.

Step two, apologize to Gizmo for losing him.

Step three--

What are those things doing to themselves over there?

Doesn't matter. What we need to do is get out of here.

Step one, we find a way out of here.

Step two, we find a way to help Sam.

Step two-point-five, I hug him and never let go ever again.

Huh!

Still mad, huh?

Yeah, same to you.

But look, we're stuck here till the rain lets up,

so you and I need to find out what we're dealing with.

There's something off about Meng Po, and her guests,

-and definitely her tea. -Huh?

-I say we sneak around and maybe-- -Uh-uh!

Oh! You want to stay here, alone?

Sure, I'll miss you.

Yeah, you know, didn't the Odd-Odd say

that magical beings could smell you and your yummy immortality?

It would be a shame if I wasn't there to save--

Shh!

Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh!

Hmm.

Hmm.

New girl!

-Wanna see a neato trick? -Oh, um, sure.

Huh, neat.

Name's Wei, by the way.

Elle. Super nice inn, huh?

Know how long Meng Po's been running it?

Eh, no clue. Just got here today, like you did.

All of us did.

But, boy, I sure am glad

I'm not the only teenager here anymore.

All the other guests are so old.

Sometimes people think I'm 17, but I am actually 15.

Ah... Yup. I would not guess that you're 15.

Uh, well, I'm going to go get to know this place

a little bit better.

See you around, uh, fellow teenager.

Has anyone seen a girl with shaggy hair and a catdog?

Because I have business with her.

Oh, come in, Mr. Cutie Bao.

I'd be angry too, out there in the rain.

Oh. Thank you.

Drink, drink.

Hot tea will cool that temper.

Ooh, I do love a good herbal blend.

Ah.

Oh, cutie bao, you have lived more life than I expected.

There. I think you feel happy now.

Yes... I do feel happy now.

Now maybe do some chores?

All my guests like to help out.

I like to help out.

Hmm.

Huh.

See, Giz? No horses. No trails in or out.

It's like no one has come or gone in a long time.

But everyone thinks they arrived today.

Hello?

Is someone here?

Meng Po asked me to clean the stables.

Sam's here?

He must want to kill me.

Or at least lecture me to death.

Whoa! Aw, he's such a cute baby panda dragon?

Huh?

-I'm Sam, by the way. -I'm--

You just got here?

-Yep. Arrived today. -'Course you did.

And you've never seen us before?

Nope. But I'm excited to get to know you guys.

Tell you what, after I'm done cleaning,

let's have a cup of Meng Po's tea.

It's dee-lish!

Huh, the tea.

Hey, Sam, is it? Let us help you.

You take that side, and we'll clean over here.

It's the tea, Giz.

You know, I never asked,

can I call you Giz?

I've heard angrier chirps from you,

so I'm gonna take that as a yes.

Giz, what if the tea is wiping people's memories?

Maybe that's why Sam doesn't know who we are,

why everyone thinks they got here today,

and why Meng Po keeps pushing her tea.

Everything else in our lives is magic these days,

so why wouldn't the tea be too?

So, Giz, it's time for you to fix it. Magic away!

Huh?

Eh, figured you're magic, the tea's magic...

Know what, it was worth a try.

Hmm.

Sam could help, if Meng Po's brain-suck tea

didn't erase all of his herb knowledge.

I mean, that guy who's the world's oldest 15-year-old

still remembers his card tricks, so...

Hey, Sam. Got a new chore for you!

Meng Po told you she wants us to organize all of this?

What an honor! Look at all she has.

Ginseng, gingko, leeches.

Ooh, that's thunder god vine. Great for arthritis.

That mushroom cures itchy feet. That one makes feet itch.

Not sure why you'd want to do that, but you can.

You know how to use all of this stuff?

Ooh, these leaves. I've only read about them.

Supposedly, they can wipe memories.

Oh, and here's five-spice powder.

That's dangerous... -ly tasty!

Mmm-hmm. Back up a bit.

If someone, say, had their memory wiped with this stuff,

-there a way to undo it? -Hmm.

It's tricky, but there is one powder

that can reverse any bad effect.

There. Just eat or inhale this,

and all the toxins should clear out.

This chore is fun. And you're pretty cool.

Oh, yay! It's time

for the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner.

I hate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Festival time!

I knew something was off about you.

No, no, no, no, no.

I was just looking for, uh... the door!

Gizmo?

Gizmo!

Wait.

Where are we? Is Elle here?

Precious patrons, stop her!

Whoo!

Look, if I'm going to be honest,

I'm really more of a coffee drinker.

My tea is an acquired taste, but you'll love it soon.

Ow!

You, Henchman Number One.

It's Sebastian, sir.

Don't humanize yourself to me. Apply the water.

Ah!

Interesting.

Not only are these hideous mogwai stronger,

but I can make more whenever I want.

Easier than recruiting new henchmen.

I simply need to channel their destructive energy.

Whoa, look at 'em! They're kinda cute when they--

Sir, I'm not so sure they can be channeled.

Oh, you have no vision.

That's why I'm the boss, and you're Henchman Number Two.

And don't you dare tell me your real name.

After a few days trapped here without food,

they will become compliant.

You shall see.

-Now's our chance. -To do what? Also scream?

Just so you know, that arm will get infected.

He'll lose it if it doesn't get treated.

Uh-huh. And just so you know, I don't care.

Sure, but it's going to smell. Oof, really bad.

Like rotten chicken mixed with rancid milk.

The kind of smell where you sorta taste it too--

Stop! Stop!

I can prevent that. I just need astringent, fresh bandages,

string, and my assistant.

This is a two-person job.

Especially if we need to amputate.

Fine.

But as soon as you're done providing medicinal services,

you're back in the magic bubble.

That's actually what it's named?

Actually, its proper name is a curse,

only spoken by demons of the 7th Court.

If you do amputate, I want the arm.

I only give my tea to the ones who need it.

The ones without family or friends.

Lonely lost lambs.

Back before I made this tea,

we would go weeks, months without a guest.

It broke my parents' hearts.

And after they passed, my sister left as fast as she could, so I...

I had no choice.

Anyway, the isolation started to get to be too much,

until I discovered a way to get people to stay.

I could keep them here.

I could make sure no one would ever feel pain

like I did, ever again.

Drink.

Oh, a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration.

How beautiful.

No, it's not.

The worst thing that ever happened to me

was during that Mid-Autumn Festival.

I was seven years old.

My parents and I were celebrating as usual.

Then we got separated.

Oh, dear, whoever you're looking for is long gone.

But you're in luck.

I repurpose all kinds of trash.

Daddy!

Mommy? Mommy!

I waited days and days for them to come get me.

But they never did.

Later, I heard why.

Every year, we would steal floating lanterns

and resell them during the festival.

Easy money.

But without a kid slowing them down,

my parents got greedy.

They grabbed too many lanterns, and before they knew it,

they were floating high above the city.

No one ever found out how long they held on for.

But their cries echoed through the night.

Weeks later, a fishing net caught my mother's left shoe.

They never found the right one.

Okay, that's a good reason

to hate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

But it's still no excuse.

She abandoned me, left me alone, and...

Oh. Just like how she was left. We've got to save her.

Hmm.

Ah!

Gizmo, I really missed you.

There, there...

Let it all out.

Crispy duck time!

What? It is?

Huh, who are you?

Stop! Don't eat that, cutie baos!

Sam? What do you...

Wait. You still don't remember me, do you?

Who can forget the girl that disconnected them from a moving train?

Ooh, is that sarcasm, Sam Wing?

Do you want me to save you or not?

No. Let go.

Sweet sprout, help me!

We are not listening to you anymore.

I helped you!

The tea of forgetting took away your pain.

No.

She stole years of your lives,

all to satisfy her own selfish needs.

The tea of forgetting is too good for her.

Without her magic trapping people here,

Meng Po will soon be left all alone.

No one to talk to, no one to boss around,

no one to give a fig about her.

But if you take her memories,

she won't even know what she's missing.

Her punishment should be remembering that she had

everything she ever wanted and she lost it all.

Fine. I just want to go home.

I just want clothes that fit.

I just remembered my real name.

Come back. Come back.

Come back.

Come back...

Come back...

Come back...

You coming?

You still want me to go with you?

We need you. Who else is going to sneak us onto trains?

Plus, after seeing all you've been through--

Please spare me the sad boo-boo eyes. Ugh.

You know, I liked it better when your memory was wiped

and you just thought I was cool.

Um, never thought that, and lying is definitely not cool.

Giz, didn't Sam say I was pretty cool?

Gizmo!

Who's side are you on? And are you okay with being called Giz?

Oh, he loves being called Giz!

Well, only I can call him Giz, actually.

He won't let you call him Giz. We're really good friends now.

I got you as soon as I figured out who was missing.

All of them except at one in the jar.

Exactly how long did that take you?

Let's see, one, two... Huh?

Stop straining your few remaining brain cells and search the ship.

And empty that jar.

Its eyes are laughing at me.

So... being a henchman must be hard work.

It is, but the camaraderie is nice.

We call ourselves, "The Greene Team."

Oh, that's sweet.

Must be fun too. I mean, you have access to...

How many rooms does this ship have?

Ten cabins. Plus the engine room, boiler room, kitchen,

and Greene's quarters.

Not that we're allowed inside.

Not to sound cruel,

but it'd help us more if they caught gangrene.

No. This is how we learn what we need to know for step three.

We're on step two? I thought this was step one.

Anyway, Step three is where we escape?

There's no escape until we get Sam.

Wherever he is, I hope he's okay.

We're okay!

Grandpa's map says this should take us straight to the Ghost City,

once we walked through... the scary forest.

So we're on the right path.

Hmm. He really did label it "the scary forest."

Gotta give your grandpa credit for being honest.

Yes, and I'm sure Grandpa also gave us tips

on how to survive it.

"When you meet danger in this scary forest,

stab it or run.

Always stab or run."

It's okay, Gizmo.

That's probably just a bird.

Run!

Ha!

All right, kids, give me everything you got.

Money, food, socks, that umbrella, your toothbrushes...

You want our toothbrushes?

I want anything.

They say it's easy to rob people in a dark forest.

But what they don't say is, nobody walks through a dark forest.

Now empty those pockets!

Uh, yes, sir, Mr. Bandit.

Huh, smart dog.

How about you? That umbrella still work?

Elle, Grandpa says it's always safer to give thieves what they want.

He might have been giving this advice as a thief.

But still.

I'm not giving him anything,

because this guy's not a hardworking thief.

He's a bandit.

And bandits are like rats.

Lazy, dirty, scavengers.

See, this isn't the Scary Forest, it's the stupid forest.

Guess Grandpa wasn't so great after--

What is that thing?

And what did it do to Mr. Bandit?

Stop calling him Mr. Bandit. He's not your friend.

Jeez, how fast is that thing!

It's not fast. It's got friends.

There, over there!

What are you doing?

Following Grandpa's advice, always stab.

Or run!

Sam, move.

-Now what? -I'm open to crying.

Blue Mahua, this is Greene Alpha.

Reply 42, over.

Aah.

Ooh.

Huh, it's the lights.

Huh?

Hello? Who's there?

You, get out of here, now!

You, get out!

You can't do this to me.

I am the captain!

I captain.

No, don't stand up if you wanna live.

You're at a very delicate stage of the healing process.

I'll check on what's happening.

You keep constant pressure on that.

His life is in your hands. Hold it firmly, but gently.

You know, as someone who's hidden behind

a lot of locked doors in my life,

this one's not gonna hold much longer.

Gizmo, you know kung fu?

Elle!

She'd jump in after us.

Hiyah!

We're not alone.

Hi!

I almost hurt a kid.

Nah, you almost hurt his feelings.

I'm Radish.

Been a long time since we had company.

"We"?

Me and my best pal, Theodore.

Oh, hi, Theodore.

Nice place you got here.

How are you?

I'm the outgoing one.

So, welcome to our home.

I'm so glad you dropped in.

Get it? Of course you do, You're the ones who fell.

Let me give you the tour.

Here's our pantry.

If you're hungry, have a carrot.

They're fresh from our garden where I'm growing, carrots.

Here's our library.

Only instead of books, carrots!

And behind that curtain is our outhouse.

I wouldn't eat the carrots in there.

How bad was it upstairs again?

Home. You live here?

I do now. Speaking of which, help me patch my ceiling.

I ran away from the orphanage,

which is good, because the other kids were so weird.

But then those hopping guys chased me into here,

where Theodore was already hiding.

Thankfully, he let me stay.

Don't worry, it's safe down here.

They never get through the door.

Until now.

Boy, you guys really messed things up.

Boss, I'm pretty sure this is just a momentary outage.

We are dealing with creatures

who, unlike you, are good at their job, and their job is chaos.

Sound the alarm.

Where are you going?

Away from that magic maniac who can create

floating balls of light.

Lawrence the henchman said there are lifeboats up on top.

Hon, we need to get Sam, and this ship is taking us straight to him.

But if we don't have a way to fight Greene, it'll all be for nothing.

How are we supposed to fight magic?

With magic.

This must be Greene's office.

Grab anything that looks magical or deadly.

Psst.

Which is deadlier, a giant dried bat or a giant pickled scorpion?

Come on, Grandpa, tell me what to do.

Kid... You had enough time to plant a garden down here,

but you never thought to dig another way out?

Why would we?

Me and Theodore built the perfect life here.

Carrots, friendship, being alive.

What more could a boy want?

Besides, maybe less of those undead hopping guys upstairs.

What did that other guy call them again?

"Kid, kid, let me in before I'm killed by the Jiangxi!"

Yes, the Jiangxi, Grandpa told me about these things.

Ah!

Come on, Grandpa, I'm trying to work.

And I'm trying to save your life from the Jiangxi!

The what?

Legend has it, the first Jiangxi

was a government official in the Qing Dynasty.

This official always followed the rules.

Oh, too scared to ever think for himself.

So much so that when he died,

his soul could not even decide to leave his own deceased body.

Oh, so instead, he turned into an undead corpse.

Now the Jiangxi reside in only the darkest corners of our country,

wondering aimlessly and indecisively.

But if they scratch you,

you become one of them.

When you encounter a Jiangxi,

oh, you can only defeat them with this!

A receipt from the knife store?

Uh, yeah.

This talisman will freeze a Jiangxi right where they hop.

Oh. You can just stop them with a well written note? That's not so bad.

Uh yes, but you must also do, what they cannot do,

be brave.

The talisman must be placed on its forehead,

and to do that, you have to get right up to it's horrible face.

We need paper.

And ink.

Come on.

No! You can't have him!

Let it go. It's just a radish.

No, I'm Radish. He's Theodore!

Sam, he's not gonna survive out there.

Come on, come on, talismans.

Pen? No talismans.

Ugh, that dead scorpion.

Yes!

Sam, what are you doing?

Saving Theodore, uh, Radish.

I got paper, I got ink.

The only thing I still need is bravery.

Where are you going?

Not sure if Sam picked right now to be brave or go crazy.

Either way.

Hello!

Ha!

Ah, get it off me, get it off!

Not acid, just pureed toad.

Aah!

Uh, oh.

Get away from my wife.

I can take 'em.

Hey! Jiangxi! Over here, you no good bureaucrats!

That's right! We're using bureaucrat in a bad way!

Theodore.

Come get us.

Aah!

Too many! Split up and lead them away from Radish!

Hey! Jiangxi!

Over here!

Huh?

Oh.

Just be brave. Be brave! Be brave.

Huh.

Yes!

Woah.

Woah. Woah, woah!

Grandpa was right! The talisman stops them.

Okay great, I slow them down, you pin the talisman on the Jiangxi.

I need a minute to make more.

Heads up!

Yeah!

Good job, everybody.

Whoa! Yeah!

Whoa!

Get him, Theodore!

Thank you for the save, Theo.

I mean, Rad.

Actually, I mean both of you.

Sure, anything for a houseguest.

You know, if you don't want to live in a hole

and don't mind facing other terrifying dangers,

you can come along with us, if you want.

What? What's that? Mm-hmm, Mm-hmm.

We're in!

Look, the Ghost City.

Grandpa's directions were right.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But it was you who got us through the scary forest.

Your grandpa would be proud.

Even though Grampy was also insane.

Please, I'm not a strong swimmer.

Oh, hello, doctor.

You will not eat us!

Oh, no, bright light! Bright light!

The Wand of Sunlight is instant death to a mogwai,

but to me, it's a glorified reading lamp.

Now watch while I restore order.

Hello! I wish to parlay with your leader.

Ah, Hello, Captain... Let's say, Claw.

Now, I could crush your uprising right now.

However, since you've thrown my captain and all but one...

No, please...

...All of my men overboard,

I need a crew to get me to the Valley of Jade.

What would you like in return?

Ship.

My ship?

What do you want with a ship?

Ah, you wish to see the world.

And I cannot tell what your people are doing to the Eiffel Tower,

but it seems unpleasant.

Yes.

Fair enough.

Get me the furry mogwai, and the ship is yours, Captain Claw.

Deal?

Deal.

Deal, deal, deal, deal...