The Moonlight Palace.
Many a century has it's secret been kept.
As legend has it, deep in the mountain of 1000 dragons,
there lived a little child emperor, suffering from an incurable illness.
His mother loved him so very much, that she wanted to bestow on him
the greatest gift on earth: eternal life.
There was talk of some miraculous elixir,
that shone like the sun's rays.
Even today, nobody knows how to get into the palace.
It was locked away forever with three precious keys.
600 years later
Yes, ladies and gentlemen...
Experience the ultimate thrill.
- Help. My purse. - Hey, look.
- We'll catch him. - He's just in front of us.
Hey. Where are you off to?
- Where is Luk? - No idea. He was just behind me.
- There. - Let's go, we'll get him.
He went in over there.
Tiger-Team The Mountain of 1000 Dragons
- Let's go into our headquarters. - I'm really hungry.
- There's only one thing to do: eat. - Mae probably has something for us.
- I'm first. - Hold on, wait.
This statue is from my father.
- Take really good care of it. - What a beautiful statue.
- Hello, Mae. - Hello. The spring rolls are fresh.
- Come and visit me, Mae. - Too much work. The shop's not doing well.
It'll get better.
- See you this evening. - She didn't mention her money problems.
Ah, Biggi, you're just kids. How could you help?
- But we're the Tiger-Team. - We solve the toughest cases.
We are really good.
Oh, no.
Sorry.
- We're really sorry, Mae. - Interesting, huh?
What is this? I don't know.
The main thing is to clean this mess up.
We'll fix it so it holds up.
- Weird, huh? - The dragon was hidden in the statue.
I'll upload the photos to the Internet and go to 'Compare Pictures'.
Maybe we can find a match.
- Hm... - Do you have the glue? - Yes.
Based on the dragon's head, it dates back to the Ming dynasty.
From the 14th century. Over 600 years ago.
Similar images have something to do
with old Chinese legends about a treasure...
and the story of the Moonlight Palace.
- Hey, what's going on? - What are you doing? - Nothing.
A treasure? Where?
Moonlight Palace? Never heard of it. Ask my cousin Bai.
- The man who was here? - Yes. He's the head of a research center.
For pandas, in China. And what's he doing in Vienna?
The zoo's getting two pandas. Look.
Bai is here to help set things up.
- Was the statue a keepsake? - No, a gift from his father, Cheng.
- He's my godfather. - Maybe he just wanted to smuggle
- the statue out of the country. - Ah, kids. I've got work to do.
Hey, listen. The zoo's holding a competition.
The one who chooses the best names for the two pandas,
gets to go to the Mountain of 1000 Dragons to help pick them up.
- Let's enter it. - It's not very likely that we'll win.
And who do we know who can mathematically
- better our chances, Professor Luk? - We'll submit more entries
than everyone else.
So, let's get busy, guys.
Boss.
Our search program just found
one of the keys. There's a photo on the Internet.
What? Where? After all these years? Impossible.
Oh, wow.
It really is one of the keys.
- Get it for me. Can you do that? - Yes, Mother, I...
I must have it. Whoever has the keys to the Mountain
can enter the Moonlight Palace and find something more valuable than
all the gold in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, welcome to the Vienna zoo.
'Beaming Sun' and 'Little Moon'. These two most delightful names
have been chosen out of more than 2000 entries.
- And at least 1900 were ours. - Smile, please.
- I ache all over from all that writing. - But we've won.
So, if the parents of these two young poets agree...
And now, with the kids.
Yes, very good.
So they'll be going with me, Mr Bai and the keeper,
Mr Krops, to fetch the pandas from China.
- Thank you. - Weren't you at Cousin Mae's?
- Possibly. - Uh-oh.
We've found out who uploaded the photos. An organization called the Tiger-Team.
- Never heard of them. Who are they? - They just have a small web page.
Tough cases, discrete inquiries, some sort of detectives. They're work out of Vienna.
Just 3 employees: Lukas Kampinsky, Birgit Borge and Patrick Steinbrenner.
- Go over and get the key from them. - We don't have to, the 3 names...
are on the passenger list for the next flight to Beijing.
That can only mean one thing.
They know all about the keys
and want to get into the Moonlight Palace, themselves.
- What's so valuable in there? - Nothing very large.
Maybe just so big.
But whoever possesses it
can become the most powerful ruler of the world.
- It's really big. - Birgit, Lukas, Patrick, don't dawdle.
What a great start.
Kids. They're just kids.
We'll be in Beijing for a couple of days to take care of the paperwork...
for transporting the pandas. And then we're off to the panda station.
- How come you speak such good German? - I studied biology in Hamburg.
China is 9,600,000 square kilometers and has a population of about 1.4 billion.
It has the largest population and is the third biggest country in the world.
Yes, that's right. The Chinese call their land
'Zhongguo' and they call Peking 'Beijing'.
That's where we are. We're happy to welcome you.
Come along.
It's beautiful here. I like it.
Eat up, okay? It's getting cold.
Traditional Chinese food. Especially for you. Enjoy.
They are good. They look like the crowns from a rooster,
but they're really tasty.
You're right, they are rooster crowns. How quaint.
The ducks hearts are good, too. Try some, Luk.
And don't forget, after the meal you have to burp and fart
That's what they do here.
- No problem. - Don't you dare.
- What about China interests you most? - Stories, palaces and legends.
Oh, let me introduce you to my dad? He also speaks German.
Father, this is Mrs Papus, Mr Krops, Biggi, Patrick and Luk.
Tomorrow you could go on a sight- seeing tour. We'll take care of the,
formalities and my father could go with you. Is that okay, dad?
He doesn't talk much.
Father, I gave Mae your present and she was delighted.
- About the present... - We had a slight mishap.
- Something bad? - We dropped it.
But we glued it back together. And gave it back to your cousin.
Ouch.
Hey, quieter.
- What's the matter? - Someone was there.
- Hey? Where? - He wore a mask. - What?
Where's the key? You didn't bring it along, did you?
- Key? What sort of... - The dragon is a key?
I sent it to Mae so that it would be safe.
No sweat, it's back in our...
It's gone.
What did he say?
Tell us why you hid the key in the statue?
I've guarded it for a long, long time. But now I'm getting old.
I wanted to make sure it was safe and never fall into the wrong hands.
- What's it the key to? - I don't like tea.
The key can open the Mountain of the 1000 Dragons.
But...
- That's the name of the panda station. - As a child, I liven by the Mountain.
That was a long time ago. I was about your age.
I was playing with my friends Lin and Wang right in the yard.
Suddenly a frantic old man came up to us and gave us a package
where he had hidden something.
He begged us to take good care of it and never let it get into the wrong hands.
These keys protect the secret that's inside the Mountain.
The Moonlight Palace.
Hosts of people have tried in vain, to enter the palace.
If only we'd known that, we'd never have...
Who could have stolen the key?
I didn't recognize his face, but he had a tattoo on his hand.
A big, black snake.
That sign belongs to a secret society.
Shortly after the strange man left,
they showed up.
That was about 60 years ago.
I wonder how they found me after such a long time?
Mother will be very happy.
So now we've got something to work with. Myths about snakes.
Apothecary associations. And what's this?
The logo of a cosmetic conglomerate. It doesn't look like a snake.
- It has the same shape. - And its headquarters is in Beijing.
We could buy a moisturizing cream for Luk's forehead.
Very funny.
Just look at this.
His hand. A tattoo of a snake.
What now?
We need to distract these guys a bit. And how?
- What's up? - These kids are creeping around.
The Tiger-Team. No idea how they found us. Should I grab them?
The key.
- What brought you to my office? - It is purely by chance.
We're just tourists.
So, tourists.
Really, yes?
I could have you arrested for unlawful entry.
- Are you interested in dragons? - It's a monitor lizard
Inquisitive creatures. Too inquisitive. That's why they're dying out.
So, tell me. What do you want with me?
We're looking for something we've lost.
A key. Old, about so big, with the head of a dragon.
Are you quite sure?
That's very interesting.
So, what's it the key to?
The.. the... the bathroom.
- Do you have a problem, mother? - On the contrary.
Show them to the toilet and then throw them out.
- Do you have the key? - They're all in it together.
I hope her lizard bites her.
Lady Q's family was originally from
Europe and emigrated to China.
In Beijing, she donates millions to various charities.
She's known as an art collector and as a gourmet.
Also she's crazy about weapons. Supposedly she invests the profits
from her corporation into developing weapons systems.
- How sick is that? - Why her intense interest in a legend?
And what does the palace in the Mountain have to do with moonlight?
A child emperor's mother had it built many hundreds of years ago.
The little emperor suffered a strange allergy, and couldn't bear sunlight.
It would have meant his certain death.
So he had to spend his days hidden deep in the mountain.
He could only leave the palace by moonlight.
His mother sent the best doctors in the land to search for a cure that
would free her son of the disease.
They carried out many experiments and came across a strange discovery.
The glowing liquid brought dead moths back to life.
And that's why the liquid was called 'The elixir of eternal life'.
Look, this is the little emperor with his mother.
And the Mountain of 1000 Dragons.
Maybe there are some hidden clues. I'll take a couple of pictures.
Who has the other two keys?
My two friends.
I have a photo. That's Lin and that's Wang.
- And where are they now? - We lost contact with each other.
Lin got married to a girl who was a gardener in the Temple of the Four Winds.
- And Wang? - His family has a fish market here.
He is an architect and lives in America.
- We have to find them. - And before Lady Q finds them.
Now we're the keeper of the keys.
And what did the little emperor's mother do with the elixir?
That's still a mystery.
It's said that she gave some to her son
- to make him immortal. - Cool.
That means he could never be harmed.
Never be sick. Live forever.
- Don't turn around. - How come? - A tail, black snake, at 7 o'clock.
- Is he alone? - I think so. - Okay, then let's split up.
- A shark can only chase one fish. - Fish? Okay.
Sometimes you talk in riddles, Mr Cheng.
Lin worked here in the temple grounds.
Who here's going to tell us about Lin?
Maybe the personnel office have a registry of workers.
- I'll take care of that. - I'll keep our tail busy.
We'll find out about Wang. Yes.
I'm looking for a woman who worked here as a gardener about 30 years ago.
Her first name was Lin.
My grandmother.
On my father's side.
Mission accomplished, I have everything we need.
Lizards are delicious.
You've been hunting for the keys for decades, Mother. What's this elixir?
Your grandfather's been trying for years to get his hands on it.
A couple of times he came close.
But the keys were nowhere to be found.
Until today.
I'll have the elixir analyzed so that, we can produce it ourselves.
A single drop would be enough to make a single soldier invincible.
You would be the most powerful woman in the world
With an army like none before, made up of immortal soldiers.
Hey, you were just dreaming
About Lady Q's black army.
Just picture it - they'd be immortal.
Invulnerable.
- Invincible. - Lady Q must never get the elixir.
Is this really the address?
I hope that Patrick and Cheng find out something about Wang at the market.
Hello. This is Luk, and I am Biggi.
Lukas.
We're looking for Lin Chengping.
I don't think that Cheng's old girl friend is still alive.
Well, there's no key here.
Didn't she leave anything else?
This looks promising.
A key.
We're looking for a key, not a bowl.
Wait a minute.
Bingo.
Wang came back from America a long time ago. He teaches at the university.
And where does he live?
Okay...
Cheng? Cheng?
Cheng.
We lost him. He fell for it.
There.
You think I should go?
Thanks.
Hasta la vista... Baby.
Cheng? Cheng.
- Isn't Cheng here? - Wasn't he with you at the market?
- Where are the others? - They'll be here any time now.
Then come here and get it.
Stop. Wait.
Let me let you in on a secret. Come here.
It's still good.
For you.
Luk. At last. I think Cheng's been abducted.
- Abducted? - Probably by Lady Q.
Wang will also be in danger, if Q's men find out he has a key.
- Maybe they've tortured Cheng. - Why Wang?
- I thought he was in America. - He came back to Beijing.
- So now what? - And you're not imagining it all?
Not at all.
Hello? Patrick here, I... Great to hear your voice.
Is he okay? I'm in Wang's office.
We've got so much to tell you. I lost you in the crowd...
and went straight over to Wang's. I wanted...
I understand. And did he have the...
- The third... You know what? - Unfortunately not. Wang is old,
- a jokester. - Is everything really okay?
- Somehow you sound... - It's the joy of meeting Wang again.
Don't worry. How are things here? You mean, how is it furnished?
Do you know the old Chinese proverb? 'You made your bed, now sit in it'.
And don't wait up for me. Till tomorrow, then?
You're imagining things. He seems to be doing okay.
- Well, kids? How was your day? - Fascinating.
- Really relaxing. - Mr Bai and I were really busy.
Krops is still at the customs office, but we're almost through.
That means that tomorrow we can set out for the panda station.
- You'll enjoy the boat trip. - Super.
- So, back to my question. - We won't talk no matter what you do.
I always get everyone to talk.
Cheng would never leave me in the market and go to his friend's.
- But he already told you that. - I know. However.
He talked so strangely. And I...
Biggi presents: Lin's key.
And so the Tiger-Team and Lady Q are tied 1-1.
- Where is Cheng? - Cheng is at Wang's.
- Still, without the 3rd key. - Hey, look here.
A labyrinth. And there's a path.
I've filtered out the red content and increased the contrast.
So here's the entry point into the mountain.
We have to show it to Cheng immediately.
Open.
- Go easy, okay. - Relax, guys, nobody's here.
- Grandfather Cheng said, "a lot to see". - But nothing, that'll help us.
And he talked about sitting down. 'You made your bed, now sit in it'.
- Lie. - That's it. So "sit"... Chair.
- Nothing there. - Here.
- Found something? Let me see. - 40-21-15-116-025.
What's that supposed to mean? They have Cheng and Wang.
- Hello? - You have something that I want.
- Who's speaking? - And I have someone,
- whom you'd like to see again. Right? - Cheng.
If you want to see Cheng alive again, then find the third key.
Wow, it's really big.
40-21-15-116-025.
- What does that mean? - Perhaps some sort of numerical code.
- Or a phone number. - Patrick tried that already.
'You're call can't be completed as dialed'. Not that either.
- Could it be a password? - Or a date.
The 40th of February in the year 115 million.
Numbers. Just like maths. School, physics. It makes me sick.
Aha. School. That's it. Not physics, but Geography.
It could be longitude and latitude. Aha.
That would point to a specific point. Cartography maps the whole world.
- Just fitting for an architect. - Give me the map from the backpack.
116 longitude passes right through China. and so does 0 minutes 25 seconds.
And 40 latitude. Both lines meet
exactly... here.
At the Great Wall of China. Crazy.
Bamboo groves are the natural habitat of pandas.
That's the problem. Today they're much too scarce.
That's why pandas are threatened with extinction.
Yes, unfortunately.
The state has done a lot, but...
- A panda eats 40 kilos of bamboo a day? - Yeah, that's right, Biggi.
I didn't think anyone ate more than I do.
That's the Mountain of 1000 Dragons over there.
Wow.
There they are.
- Cute, huh. - Currently we have 68 pandas.
- Wow. - 20 pandas were born here last year.
I can't tell one from another. Look at that one.
He really likes trousers, huh?
This little one was born just a couple of days ago.
- He's really tiny. - We're really proud of him.
Look, there are some more.
Get out.
So, there they are. 'Beaming Sun' and 'Little Moon'.
They've got fleas, too. Yeah, in their fur.
I itch all over, too. Oh, man are they sweet.
Which one is 'Little Moon'?
- The one on top. - They look like kids in bear skins.
Yes? I have the information you need.
- Good news. - Where is the second key?
We were so close, but then those damn kids...
- You were outwitted by kids? - We know where the 3rd key is.
- I paid off the animal keeper. He's sticking with the kids... - Where?
- Where? - It's hidden on the Great Wall.
Then bring it to me.
Are you sure you want to take such a long trip?
Mr Bai says it's a 3-hour drive. You only come to China one time.
- I think it's too far. - Not visit the Great Wall?
That would be like going to London...
and not seeing the Eiffel Tower.
But all on your own? I don't know. Just with a driver...
I've finished the feeding schedule. I can go with the kids.
- Yes, super. - You? Good idea, Krops.
Thank you very much. Leave my chair...
- Where has Krops gone off to? - He's taking pictures of butterflies.
Wow.
- Man, is that big. - And over 2000 years old.
Fantastic. All built without cranes and cement.
- They must have found it boring. - According to the GPS, it's...
right by that watchtower back there.
But there are some people there. What are they doing?
We just need a couple of minutes at that watchtower.
That's not your wall.
We just want to...
- That could take hours. - If it's hidden in the watchtower.
I think I need to get married.
That's good.
Someone here must have a suit.
Not bad. I'd hire him immediately.
These kids are really gifted.
What? Excuse me? A kiss?
Hey.
Key, dragon key.
Where would I hide it?
There are only 10,000 bricks.
But only one bell.
Yes, you're absolutely right.
I'll give you back the dress, if you help me.
Then just do like this.
No. I told you, the second exit.
Patrick.
Luk.
We've got it... Biggi.
Thanks.
Now we've had it. How did he find us?
So? Have you seen enough?
We'll never get the elixir with that key.
- Nor will Lady Q. - And what's become of Cheng and Wang?
A Chinese number?
- Hello? Biggi, here. - Biggi.
Grandfather Cheng. Where are you? How are you doing?
- He's not doing so well. - Let him go.
Sure. We'll exchange him for the third key.
- And then you'll drop the case. - Agreed.
Very wise. Li will come and pick up the key
- and then we'll let the other two go. - No. We'll only trade face to face.
We'll meet at the Mountain of 1000 Dragons, in the old foundry.
A car will pick you up tomorrow morning at 9. Don't forget the key.
Charming place.
- The key. - A good day to you, too.
Where is grandfather Cheng?
You can't give them the key. No way.
- First the key, then you can have them. - Why should we trust you?
Because you don't have any other choice.
No. Don't do it.
Give it here.
The last key. Here.
- You know too much. Throw them in the river. - What?
Perhaps they do have the 3 keys, but we know the way to the palace.
- Let me go. - Slowly, slowly.
Munroe, what will the kids think of us?
They were so helpful in getting the keys.
And there's enough for us all in the Moonshine Palace.
- And what about the elixir? - I propose you let me have it.
- But we can share the rest. - Never.
The way into the mountain...
is fraught with danger even for those who have the keys.
Yes, that's right.
That's why we'd like our young
friends to please come with us.
No, we won't.
We need a good meal. That way we can think more clearly.
I was just going with my chef,
to get the ingredients for our supper.
- What's he fixing? - I made it just like you said.
Great. There's a quaint but well-prized dish.
- Panda paws in a honey sauce. - What?
If I'd known that, I'd never have brought the animals.
- You can't do that. No. - You cook them at 425 degrees...
in a fennel and honey sauce, until they're crisp.
- We'll do it. - And you take the pandas back at once.
Of course, we'll take care of it.
As long as your friends stay as our guests.
Should we shake paws...
just joking, hands on it?
Together we make a fine team.
Why did you do that? She's capable of anything.
I made a big mistake.
Go ahead.
Slowly.
Here it is. But I can't see the gate.
Give it to me.
Go ahead, show me how clever you are.
I've got it. Come here, just look at this.
So, stick the key in. It's a dragon's head.
It fits.
Luk.
Come on, give me your other hand, I'll pull you up.
I can't hold on.
I'm not going to make it.
Thanks.
- See how easy that was. - Is everything okay? - Yes.
Wow.
- Just what is this? - Fascinating.
- Apparently some sort of fluorescent algae. - Aha.
And now where to?
To the left.
- The palace gate. - Yes.
Come on now. Why do you think I brought you along?
Open it.
I'll do it.
Just be careful, Biggi.
Everyone, take cover.
Where's the light coming from? Probably from the algae.
We don't need it any more. Okay then. Keep going.
Don't be afraid.
We have to inform the police. Quickly.
What was that?
I don't want to know.
If the child emperor is still here, then so's the elixir.
There's the emperor behind it.
- We have to lose Monroe. - What are you whispering about?
It's your turn. Go ahead.
- Who was that? - What did she say? - That was the child emperor's mother.
She told us to keep going.
- She's right. - Spirits can't harm us.
- I've heard other things. - Stop chattering.
You go in, and he's staying here.
- You have to destroy the elixir. - You'd better not,
if you want to take your friend
back home with you. Here.
You'll need this.
Patrick.
Is everything okay?
Of course. Super. Fantastic...
Something might have happened.
Run, Luk.
Damn.
You can't get out of this. You're trapped.
Okay, I give up.
Come here. Forget it.
1000 dragons.
That is incredibly beautiful.
It must be the throne room. Yes.
The child emperor.
He's holding the elixir.
- It's just a statue. - Of course it was. What else could it be?
- Get the elixir and bring it to me. - And if I don't?
Hurry, Biggi.
Come down at once.
I wouldn't do that. I don't think the elixir would survive the fall.
Come down immediately. No.
Now what's up?
Let Biggi go, or I'll destroy the elixir.
Not so fast!
Yes.
Now nobody and nothing can stop me.
Who will dare lay hands on the elixir?
One gulp and you'll be damned, Unworthy one.
The child emperor is alive.
Wait.
That's enough.
Thanks.
Tiger, Tiger, Tiger-Team.
Luk. How... Where did you come from?
From the command cockpit, unworthy one.
- Awesome. That really is... - A robot.
- A sort of medieval robot. - That can't be.
This whole haunted palace is one big contraption...
of mechanical horror effects. All old, Chinese inventions.
And you were controlling the little emperor.
Basically with two joysticks.
Only it had an echo effect and a voice changer.
- Fascinating. - Technology, huh.
Here.
Thanks for being there, to capture Munroe
- before he could get away. - Of course, I'll testify against him.
If you could only just forget, that I was briefly on the wrong side.
- You bet. - I tracked down the palace.
- Yoohoo. - No. No. No.
No. No. You're going to regret that.
We'll talk later. No one locks up Lady Q.
I have the best lawyers in town. No one. No one. No one.
No.
They really thought, I'd destroy the elixir.
- Nobody noticed us replacing it. - And what will we do with it now?
If it really works, it would be too dangerous to entrust it to mankind.
Just imagine it falling into the wrong hands.
So?
Perhaps someone could use it to help animals that...
...are threatened with extinction.
So, now for something good. Look at him staring at it.
Yes, it's all for you. Enjoy.
And how did the Tiger-Team carry it off?
Yeah.
They discovered an underground palace and got a criminal gang arrested.
Biggi, Luk and Patrick.
- Just one question: Weren't you afraid? - Tell us some more of your adventures.
What are you going to do with the reward?
We're going to buy some land by the Mountain of 1000 dragons.
And have the area dedicated as a conservation for pandas.
That way the animals will have their freedom and be able to breed naturally.
And we'll name the park after the child emperor, Ming Shu.
Then his mother's wish will be fulfilled. This way he will become immortal.
Ladies and Gentlemen: The Tiger-Team.
Thanks to the Tiger Team we now know,
what really happened in the Moonlight Palace.
The emperor's mother never did give he son the elixir.
The emperor led a long and fulfilling life.
He spent his days in the Moonlight Palace.
But every evening after dusk, he left the palace...
and mixed with the people, who loved and honored him.
After his death, the palace was locked up for ever
so that the elixir would never fall into the wrong hands.