Hi!
Well I am back. Sorry for the lateness of new chapters and new stories, but still having computer problems and lost most of my stories. So yeah, this hasn't been a good month for me. So I am going to save up and buy a new computer with a Windows 7 Operating System. Windows 8? BAH! Anyway I would like to thank those who have reviewed the last chapter. Made me so happy! Now onward!
Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures, only my original characters. Except for Sarah, she belongs to my fellow Deviantart friend TheLastUnicorn1985 who kindly let me borrow her to make this story a bit more interesting.
Please Read and Review!
Enjoy!
"Are we there yet?" Jade complained.
"For the last time, no." Jackie stated from his seat. The young girl groaned and turned to look out the window of their plane craft. Sarah sighed, brushing the few strands of her orange hair out of her face. They had been on the plane for almost twenty hours straight, heading off to another expedition. The find of the century as the museum had said in the news.
"Patience Jade. We will get there once we do." Uncle said, looking up from his magic books. Being a Chi Wizard, the old man needed to prepare and be on his guard so he could fight off the forces of Darkness.
"Sensei is right. We only have another hour to go." Tohru replied with his kind face. Sarah smiled looking up at her sumo husband. The giant man could bring her comfort wherever they went, if she was scared or sad.
"OHHHHHHH!" moaned Jade.
"Don't worry Jade, we'll get plenty of excitement when we get to explore the Temple." said Sarah, as she saw a bright sparkle in the brown eyes of the ten year old girl light up.
"That's why I want to get there right now!" Jade exclaimed. Sarah laughed.
"Girls, this is not only a find of a lifetime, since no one has entered the Tomb of Emperor Shu Lo since his death close to three hundred years ago, but a mission as well." stated Jackie, the more logical man of the group. "We have to keep our guard up at all times. So no playtime."
"Why is it so important? It's just another ordinary Tomb." Jade scoffed.
"Shu Lo was no ordinary man. He was great Chi Wizard who ruled Asia peacefully during his time, obtaining many magical objects during his life, making him all powerful and knowing." Uncle explained fixing his glasses. "Who knows what powerful items lay in those walls?"
"Or what valuable artifacts that can be stolen." Jackie added. "The Temple has been big news since the Monks of the Ben-Shui monastery are finally allowing us to open it up after all this time. It has caught a lot of attention."
"Including unwanted attention as well." said Tohru getting to the point. Jackie nodded. "I'm assuming that why all of us are here."
"Not only did the museum send me here to help with the dig, but Section 13 as well. Especially since the Dark Hand has risen again."
Everyone gasped. The Dark Hand was a dangerous criminal organization, run by one crime lord by the name of Valmont. The organization had stolen everything known to man: ranging from valuable jewels to priceless artifacts. Valmont would do anything to get what he wanted. Sarah knew this all too well.
"What?!" Sarah exclaimed.
"I thought the Dark Hand became bankrupt, because of Shendu, talismans, and the Demon Portals." said Jade. "I mean they are literally broke. Homeless beggars. They have zippo! Nothing! Nada!"
"That's what we all thought." Jackie sighed.
"What is it?"
"It seems the Dark Hand has gathered some generous amount of funds, allowing them to restart their old business before Shendu ever came along."
"Where did they get the money?" Sarah asked.
"Probably stolen."
"Not even by a long shot." said Jackie. "According to Section 13 informants, the Dark Hand have been receiving this money from one Christopher DeMon."
"Who?" questioned Jade.
"Nobody really knows a whole lot about him. All Section 13 could gather, was that DeMon is one powerful man, has many influences over high positions everywhere in society, and has more money than the eye can see." explained Jackie.
"Sound no good if you ask me." huffed Uncle in his seat.
"I have only met DeMon a few times in my life." Tohru said. Everyone looked at him. "This was way before you came to join us Sarah. DeMon and Valmont met at a conference in Tokyo a few years ago. They have done a few business deals in the past, but that is far as I know. They help gather information for one another from time to time. As a matter of fact, DeMon even gave Valmont a few of his men to help with some of the operations."
"Sounds like a generous man." said Sarah.
"Far from it. The man was cold as ice, but his temper was that of a raging fire. He is a man you don't want to mess with." said Tohru.
"Sounds like you were afraid of him Big T." Jade stated.
Tohru shook his head. "Not really, there was just something…not right about him. Something that made you feel unsafe and in grave danger."
"You know all this from meeting him a few times?" questioned Uncle.
"He's someone you never want to forget, though you wish you did."
"Well we can't afford to forget him. Since he is the one who is sponsoring for this expedition." stated Jackie.
"What?"
"Why would he be interested?" asked Jade.
"I'm not sure, but that is why we must keep our eyes out for anything unusual. They will not open the temple till we arrive, but already DeMon is there watching over the dig, supervising what is going on."
"We'll do our best Jackie." said Sarah.
"You can count on us!" exclaimed Jade.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Welcome! Welcome! We have been waiting for you!"
Jackie, Uncle, Jade, Tohru, and Sarah were unloading their things off from the old wagon cart that had delivered them to the camp site. They plane had landed hours ago, and to find a ride that would take them to the Temple had taken even longer. Jade was just glad that they didn't have to walk again, which everyone was grateful, remembering that long trek to the Monastery oh so long ago.
"It is good to see you again Oh Holy men." Uncle said bowing to the monks, as they did the same as well.
"The honor is ours! Especially since you are greatly needed here!" exclaimed the smallest of the monks. "Horrible men have been most disrespectful to our Holy Emperor Shu Lo's tomb! They are being chaotic, stomping on sacred ground, digging and breaking stones, and not to mention Mr. DeMon."
"What has he done?" asks Sarah. The monk looks at her.
"He has been ordering everyone around, like a slave driver! He dishonors our land and our ways. He hurts the workers, and yells at anyone who dares touches anything from the Tomb. He has to look over everything. Our head ruler is most displeased with him."
"He's certainly not going to be picked for most popular." Jade said.
"Please, you must hurry and quickly! You must do something!"
"I promise you, we will do everything in our power to honor the Temple of Shu Lo, and deal with DeMon. I promise that." Jackie stated to the monks. They smiled and bowed before them.
"Oh thank you! Thank you!" said the monk, bowing again. "Come we will show you to your tent. A Professor Hawkins has been expecting you."
"Who?" asked Jade.
"A colleague of mine from the museum. He's also a good friend as well. If you want to know something about anything he is the man you go to." explained Jackie, as they followed the monks to a very large tent. They looked around to see workers and other archeologist relaxing or going over artifacts that had been found at the Temple. Soon an old man appeared waving at them when they reached their tent.
"Jackie it is so good to see you again." He said, shaking Jackie's hand.
"It is good to see you as well, Professor Hawkins."
"And tell me who are your friends that you have brought with you?"
"This is my uncle, my niece Jade, and our friends Tohru Kurosai and his wife Sarah."
"How do you do? I hope the plane ride wasn't that bad."
"Oh it wasn't that bad." said Sarah.
"We had turbulence!" cried Uncle.
"And Uncle's antics." mumbled Jade.
Tohru glance over to see workers busying themselves with crates. "There seems to be a lot of people here."
"Yes, the best archeologists in the world have come to see this dig."
"Since the best are finally here, then why hasn't the Temple been opened yet?"
They all jumped, turning to see the one who spoke so harshly to them. What they saw made Sarah gasp. There stood before them with a strong intimidating pose was a pale man wearing the most expensive black suit that they had ever seen. He was tall towering everyone (except for Tohru that is), and from close up, he was bulky. Blond hair was ruffled up, though it looked like someone had been trying to flatten it down. Cold silverish blue eyes stared right at them, menacing and annoyed. He was a menacing figure to look upon.
No, what scared Sarah the most was the dreadful scar on the man's left cheek; such awful disfigurement on a handsome face. It was curved in weird c-shaped crescent form, as though someone had used a knife to cut the man's face up.
Professor Hawkins sighs, "Mr. DeMon I have told you many times that we have to wait until the others get here before opening up the Temple."
"It has been three days, since I have arrived and not a single bit of progress has been done while I've been here. Now if those doors aren't pried open by today, there are going to be consequences that you're not going to like Professor Hawkins." hissed DeMon.
Professor Hawkins sighed once more. "We will have those doors opened in one hour. Let the last members of our party get settled and we'll start right away."
"You better." DeMon glared at Professor Hawkins then moved his eyes towards Jackie. "Mr. Chan, I presume?"
"Yes, I am." Jackie offered his hand, which DeMon took with a firm grip making Jackie flinch in pain, and ending the handshake quickly.
"Christopher DeMon, of Darken Industries. I hear you're one of the best."
"Well…" said Jackie sheepishly his cheeks becoming red, "…I wouldn't say that…"
"Never the less, I want to see mass results. I didn't waste my money or my time on this expedition to see shabby workmanship."
"There is nothing shabby here. I know, I own Antique shop." Uncle stated. DeMon glared at him.
"Uncle, maybe its best that you don't say anything right now." whispered Jade.
"I would listen to the child if I were you, old man. That wiry mouth of yours might get you into some serious trouble… one that you can't get out of."
"Hmmmph!" scoffed Uncle, raising one of his fists in the air, "Let old man show off his wiry fist!"
Tohru grabbed on to the Chi Wizard, before he could cause some serious harm to himself. "Sensei, please! Now is not the time for fighting." Uncle huffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking incredibly annoyed. Tohru turned back to face the glaring businessman. "Mr. DeMon"
"Tohru Kurosai. When Valmont told me you left his employment, I was quite shocked to hear, but here you are right in front of me. You seem to be changed man from the last time I saw you."
"For the better, actually" replied Tohru. DeMon nodded his head and was about walk away, when he spotted Sarah. He walked closely to her, with some strange countenance in his eyes that Sarah could not tell what it meant.
"And who might you be?"
"I'm Sarah Janise Kurosai, Mr. DeMon."
The gentleman raised an eyebrow but took her hand and kissed it, such a gentle action that quite shocked Sarah and the others. "It is an honor to meet you Mrs. Kurosai. I think I'm beginning to understand what the others meant about you two." Tenderly letting go of her hand, his gaze went back to Tohru. "I suggest you keep your eyes on that beautiful wife of yours Tohru. I hear she is quite special." With those words, he crossed his hands back and walked away from them, leaving startled expression on their faces.
"Was that a compliment…or a threat?" Jade questioned.
"With him you never know…"
Professor Hawkins cleared his throat trying to break away the slight tension in the air. "Well, let's get you settled quickly before the hour is up. I will be with the workers so I shall see you soon!" And with those words, he departed to head back to the site. With vigorous amounts of energy they quickly unpacked their belongings in the tent and headed straight for the Temple doors.
Jade's eyes widen in amazement as she looked at the Doors to the Temple of Shu Lo. The doors were carved into the mountain side, making them over twenty feet tall and thirty feet wide in diameter. Markings were etched into the doors, giving it a decorative and magnificent appearance to its smooth hard surface. Yet she knew those symbols meant more than just for show. Uncle came closer to inspect some of the designs. He tilted his glasses.
"Interesting…very interesting…"
"Out of the way old man!"
"We're working here!"
English along with Chinese shouting and cursing intertwined as workers came to the entrance with ropes, pulleys, and machinery as they tied several lines to the old rusted rings of knockers on the stoned walls. Several men in rows of four lined up the ropes in straight lines and held on to it waiting for orders. Jackie and the others watched as a few of the archeologists came to the sides of the workers giving out the command. Soon the workers were pulling at the stone doors with all the strength they could muster. While doing so, Uncle skedaddled over to his family. They observed DeMon on the other side, with his arms crossed and a strong emotion shining in his eyes while keeping his face neutral as he looked intensely at the stoned doors of the temple. He had several bodyguards all around the area, wearing dark clothes and sunglasses while on high alert. Jade and Sarah wondered if the men and the women had guns strapped on to them as well.
"Isn't this a little bit unnecessary to have all these bodyguards?" Sarah asked, nervously watching the stoic guards at their posts.
"Yeah, you would think that jerk was waiting for something bad to happen to him? Kind of extreme paranoia don't you think?" Jade scoffed crossing her arms.
"Not to men like DeMon. They always have to be prepared for everything if things do not go according to plan."
"What can go wrong?"
"Everything."
No one said anything to that.
Oh Man, can you feel the excitement or what? What is in there that has everyone wanting to seek it out so badly? What is DeMon up to? You are just going to have to find out in the next chapter. I hope that I have kept everyone in character so far. If I haven't, please kindly let me know so I can make changes to it when I have the chance.
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Thank You!
Dreamcreator