Disclaimer: I do not own JCA, it is the property of its owners. Along With Nocturne No Kitsune I do stake a certain creative claim to Project Dark Jade and its member stories. But we are not lawyers or money makers here, so stop worrying and enjoy. Enjoy I say! To my reviewers: Please message at bottom.
A P.D.J. Story:
Chapter II
Recruits
or "How They Learned to Stop Worrying and Sign on the Dotted Line"
"This is unexpected," The Queen stated. Bending over, she inspected her leg and found the blue skin unblemished. She grinned again at the sight.
"I don't know how or why, but I'm glad," she snickered. Her face became serious as she drew herself back up and regarded Jackie pensively.
"Well now, what to do with you? I do owe you a bit so I can't be too harsh, I guess. Maybe have them only break all four of your…" she pondered before trailing off. Her head started to tilt forward as her eyes drooped half shut. Whatever force made her float gave out and she would have fallen to the ground had the Shadowkhan behind her not caught her under the shoulders.
"Jade!" Jackie cried out. The terror and confusion over the transformation was forgotten as he saw his niece practically collapse. After a moment that seemed far longer to him she stirred, her eyes popping wide open.
"Have to answer," she spoke in a strange monotone. Floating again, her stature nearly rigid, the girl ducked under the hospital bad and vanished into the shadow as if it were a black lake. The pair of demon ninjas lingered for a moment, as if uncertain how to proceed at this turn of events. In the end they departed as they came, silently melting into the shadows, leaving Jackie to pick himself up and the doctor to keep muttering to himself.
"Bad day," Jackie moaned as he fished his cell phone out of his pocket. Before he could hit the speed dial a half dozen agents charged in, pistols drawn. Knowing from experience to just freeze and let them secure the room Jackie impatiently waited. Thankfully it was not long until a bald man in a black coat entered the room at a brisk pace. The Chief of Section 13 took note of the slight signs of a disturbance, Jackie on his knees in the midst of operating a cell phone, and lastly a member of the medical staff curled in a corner mumbling something.
"Jackie?" Captain Black asked.
"It's Jade, she… she's gone ninja again," Jackie managed, recalling Black's own words from last time. For a moment the Section 13 chief's brow furrowed in confusion, and changed to worry as he connected the dots. He was not about to forget how easily Jade had taken his base from him with an army of ninja at her command. Frankly the experience had been quite humiliating.
"In that case we're going on full alert; your Uncle and the big guy placed some spells after the chi wizard broke in. However with these situations nothing ever seems to go like it's supposed to," the captain responded. Come to think of it the man he had later learned was a reanimated statue also tore through Section 13 like a wet paper bag.
"Good idea. I need to talk to Uncle," Jackie told his friend. The secret agent nodded his assent; it had taken a great deal to take the Chans' superstitions seriously – a fire-breathing dragon to be precise. However, while a skeptic by nature he did not deny facts, and the fact was that the old man and Tohru were vastly more equipped to deal with this than all of section 13. Hearing Jackie screaming into the cell in panic, he really wished they had some more options.
Perhaps he should try and get the budget to retain their own wizard? They had clearly fallen onto the wrong side of a magic gap.
Prison Kitchen:
Daolon Wong grinned shamelessly as the dark chi overflowed from the pot before him. The potency of the dark purple energy was low, swiftly becoming nothing more than odd steam as it left the caldera to swirl around the seated wizard. Still, he felt the undeniable satisfaction of all dark wizards, the knowledge that he had just bent the shape of the world to his will. Had he cared to notice he would have been satisfied to see the Enforcers properly awed/intimidated by the display of power. Despite their unusual amount of experience, they are some things you just do not get used to.
It was with silence that a figure rose from the purple, black hair tossed about in a nonexistent wind. The chill that had descended over the kitchen broke with a gust of wind as the chi contained in the spell was released, its purpose achieved. As a side effect the air was cleared, which along with the lights flickering back on allowed him a better view of what he had summoned. A smaller entity than he had expected to be sure, and… wearing an orange hoodie?
"Eh?" The wizard commented, tilting his head. As it turned out, it was one of the Enforcers who first made sense of what they were seeing.
"Wait, isn't that Chan's girl?" Ratso spoke up uncertainly. Jade's eyes snapped open at the sound, revealing the crimson orbs beneath; though the intimidation factor was diminished significantly as she glanced about the kitchen with apparent confusion.
"Wait, you're the one who put me back in business!?" Jade exclaimed as she focused on Daolon Wong. While the Enforcers continued to regard her with slightly dropped jaws the wizard had already recovered from the surprising turn of events.
"This is… unexpected," the dark wizard commented. Rising from his lotus position he towered over the demonic child. Interpreting some challenge she bared her razor teeth, with four Shadowkhan rising from her own shadow to flank her. To his credit the wizard was undaunted by the display and merely scowled his displeasure, a critical gaze sweeping over all five figures.
"Regardless, I have called you to my service. I command you to use whatever power you possess to liberate me from this place!" the fallen wizard decreed. He emphasized the dramatic declaration by sweeping his arms wide. Jade responded by lifting an eyebrow, holding out her right hand and snapping her fingers. The demon ninja on her farthest right sprang forward in a blur of black, landing a powerful punch into the wizard's gut. As the old man nearly folded in half and fell to the ground, Jade gave him and the Enforcers a fanged sneer.
"All you idiots did was dial my number; I had to pick up, but that's it. Knock him out," Jade stated. The assailing Khan kicked Daolon Wong in the head apparently achieving his objective. The Queen smiled at the offending ninja in apparent approval for his technique.
"Bad day for him," Jade commented, floating up to the prone man. She turned her attention now to the Enforcers, who had been edging towards the kitchen door. They froze, realizing they had lost any chance at a get away. Jade pursed her lips, her gaze roaming over the three criminals as she seemed to size them up.
Chow and Finn recalled a similar feeling when Wong recruited them, and feared they were in for some kind of repeat. Ratso, either foolishly or wisely, was wondering just how in the hell Chan's brat had gone all red eyed and spooky. All three felt dread as Jade's expression morphed into a smile, which frankly came across as rather creepy. Sharp pointy teeth will have that effect, and glowing red eyes do not help.
"You three seem to be caught up in everything that happens to me. True, you're losers, but you have been able to keep up with Uncle Jackie. After last time I think I need some assistance, and you three idiots are not really a threat. So how'd ya like some jobs?" Jade offered.
"What, no way! We're getting clear of all this magic crap!" Finn shouted, waving his hands in a desist motion.
"Yeah, and last time we made a deal like that we ended up as orange elves," Chow added. Ratso ran a hand though his hair, recalling how his childhood dread of baldness had been realized.
"Why are you all evil? You play for the other team," Ratso put in. Jade ignored the large man's question, turning her attention on the others.
"I'll pay you in cash, lots of cash," Jade offered.
"…An advance?" Finn offered as a question. Jade narrowed her eyes in consideration. Finn took a step back; he did not really think he could escape the hammer that was getting ready to fall, but why not try?
"If I had a powerful magic book, would you try and steal it?" Queen Jade asked. Finn and Chow stood still trying to figure out if she was serious or not with a question out of left field; while their comrade, still being himself, seemed to consider the query briefly.
"What would we do with a magic book?" Ratso answered. He received a, thankfully, closed mouth grin in return for his answer.
"Alright, an advance, but if you betray me or steal from me I will have my ninja feast on your brains… where did that come from?" Queen Jade murmured the last bit.
"Deal," the Enforcers chimed. Working for criminal organizations, death threats in the event of betrayal were standard after all.
"Sweet. Is Hak Foo around?" Jade asked, glancing about for the red haired mercenary.
"Hak's in Solitary," Ratso volunteered. The Queen sighed at the news but then her grin returned.
"We'll just have to get him out then," Jade floated forward, looking down on Wong's unconscious form with contempt.
"Shendu made the mistake of leaving loose ends lying around; I won't. Take him to the roof of the old Dark Hand hideout, I'll meet you there later," Jade instructed one of her ninja. The indicated Shadowkhan walked up to Wong and placed a sandaled foot on the fallen wizard's shoulder. Without further ceremony the two of them sunk through the floor and out of sight.
"You two will also wait there while I finish up here," Jade stated, indicating Ratso and Chow with her extended index and middle fingers.
"See you there, uh, boss," Ratso affirmed some uncertainty on the last word. Following the indications of one of the remaining Shadowkhan, the two walked up to a wall and with some hesitation stepped into it with the ninja. Which left goof old Finn in the unenviable position of being alone with two Shadowkhan and his worst nightmare's niece, the latter hopped up on evil apparently.
"Well Red, for your sake you better know the way to Solitary," Jade remarked. Still hovering, she made her way towards the door, the two remaining Khan flanking her two steps behind. Falling back on currying instincts, Finn closed the distance between himself and the door, opening it for Jade to pass through.
"No need to worry, nothing gets by the Finn," the Irish-American proclaimed. When life gets in your face the best thing to do is to roll with the punches and hope for an opening, Finn's personal philosophy once more came to the front.
"I can think of many, many things that have gotten by you, leader among fools. This is why I want a human possessing some kind of competence in my service. Now move it," Jade commanded.
Uncle's Rare Finds:
The sounds of yelling frantic pacing and general one-man panic pervaded the antique store as Jackie Chan proceeded to lose it.
His panic attack was derailed as a pair of fingers struck the top of his head. While Jackie rubbed the newly throbbing spot he realized the strike had been more forceful than usual – that was not good. Looking over to the wizard his thoughts were confirmed; the usual irritation was absent, instead his eyes were weary. Jackie found a teacup forcefully thrust into his hand.
"Tea. Sit." Uncle commanded sharply. Jackie promptly sat himself in the nearest chair, and noticed Tohru leaning against the doorway. The giant of a man looked shell-shocked… in fact considering the news that could accurately describe what he was feeling. Uncle himself took a sip of his own tea before turning to address his nephew.
"Jade has fallen under the powers of darkness once more. We have no time to waste panicking; either help or go away until you can do something useful," Uncle told Jackie. Jackie nodded; he was still bowled over by his niece's condition, but Uncle was right, for her sake he had to try and keep a grip.
"How did this happen?" Jackie asked the question that had been plaguing him since her skin began to darken.
"You are certain tattoo has not reappeared?" Uncle reiterated.
"Yes, at least not were it used to be. Jade also did not find the tattoo, she was surprised," Jackie told them. He reflected grimly on his brief one-sided conversation with Jade as he was pinned down.
"Hmm, mostly bad news but some good news. Without tattoo there is no simple source of bad magic to wipe out. We will have to catch her and do research if we hope to return her to her proper state. Good news is that she is not receiving flow of dark chi from dark forces. Jade will not be so formidable as he was last time, but a clearer mind could make her more dangerous," Uncle announced. He did not announce an "I told you so" as would have in character for the old wizard. Normally he found it beneficial to humble/humiliate his too secular minded nephew, but under the circumstances he was certain such words would do far more harm than good.
"After Tohru destroyed tattoo Uncle examined Jade to make sure no bad magic remained in her. Sadly there was a scar left," Uncle announced.
"What?" Jackie spoke up, only to be smacked down again. Uncle inspected his own teacup and frowned.
"Tohru! More tea, Uncle's nerves must not be frayed," the shopkeeper demanded.
Uncle waited for the tea in silence, arms crossed, with his right index tapping his left shoulder. When his assistant returned with the tea the wizard took a sip before resuming as if there had been no interruption.
"Jade's metamorphosis was no mere shape changing. Like with Monkey Talisman, only form changed, mind and chi left untouched by process. But Demon Archive is very powerful and dangerous, even the outside. Though Jade only drew the mark on her skin its inherent power was strong enough to make the ink seep into her skin bonding to her as tattoo.
"When she changed, she did not only gain power and new appearance, her chi was warped as darkness flowed into her. She turned on us, invaded Section 13 and was willing to ally with Shendu to gain power. Jade stopped being herself and became a darker reflection. A shadow, same shape and many similarities, but defined by darkness.
"Such things do not leave one unscathed. Fortunately Tohru was able to destroy tattoo, and without it the darkness withered before Jade's own too abundant chi. But still, a scar of sorts was left behind in her very chi. It was no threat to my eyes, a black grain on a white beach; nothing more than a marker of what she once was.
"Uncle was mistaken it would seem. Somehow, power was poured into that scar returning that vanquished darkness to life. It has been part of Jade since then, not an outside infection. Uncle does not know for certain what her mind and power is now."
A ringing sound interrupted the wizard's theorizing. Jackie withdrew his cell phone and after checking the caller ID answered it. Only the fact it might be important kept Uncle from smacking him for the interruption, he decided to wait till later for punishment.
"Captain Black," he greeted. Listening, a look of wide-eyed surprise appeared on his face followed by steely determination. Recognizing the change for what it was Torhu pulled himself from the frame and drew up to his impressive full height.
"We'll meet you there," Jackie answered, hanging up.
"Jade has been spotted, at the prison holding the Dark Hand," Jackie told his uncle and friend gravely.
"Daolon Wong," Uncle whispered, his eyes flashing with grim determination.
Prison:
Shouting, breaking glass, metal chiming against metal, and general sounds of chaos filled the prison. A riot was well under way as freed convicts ran wild, either making a bid for freedom or just raising Cain for laughs. Amidst the confusing brawl between guards and convicts two figures walked calmly, and undisturbed – a pale pointy red head and a blue girl floating at eye level with him.
The convicts were surprisingly the smart ones; taking a single look at the bizarre sight they decided they wanted no part in that. Some of the guards, though, seeing another prisoner out ignored the girl to focus on their duty. Only to have a Shadowkhan pounce upon them before they got with in spitting distance of Finn and incidentally the girl.
"What did I tell ya? A brief detour and a few flipped switches and you have all the time in the world. Want to break out, you start a riot, that's a lesson they don't give you in school," Finn remarked, slicking back his hair. He was affecting cool composure as he walked in the eye of the storm, but he was truly making use of his skill at bluffing.
In a way he felt he should be used to this crap by now, he realized. After all, ever since Big V acquired Shendu sanity had been leaking out of his life. Jackie Chan might have been the beginning of the end for the good times, but that lousy dragon was where it had really started.
First working for a possessed statue with delusions of grandeur, and the loot goes and turns to dust in his hands; literally! After that, you get some sweet magic talismans to make up for squandered time only for your boss to get possessed and drag you on a quest to release still more ancient jerks in the world. This time, no loot at all and you're left deep in the red. Next job offer you take results in you turning orange and being enslaved to a dark elf with a bad attitude. Then you get arrested.
Finn was starting to think he should have kept solo. True, on his first job the jewel was not only cursed, but also somehow connected with Jackie Chan! Still he had clearly had the right idea, get away from Jackie Chan and all things associated. Frankly, if DW had pulled off an escape Finn had been planning on high tailing back to Boston, put the whole 48 between him and Chinatown.
But now here he was, in all likelihood caught up in yet another world domination scheme involving the "m" word. With Chan's brat as his new boss no less, apparently going through the preadolescent rebellion from hell.
"Should I be surprised? Should I really still be surprised?" Finn wondered to himself. Oh well, he thought, at least he was getting out of jail and she said something about paying him for his time. Take what you can get was practically holy writ among criminals.
"And here we are, Solitary Confinement! Population Hak and Foo, delivered as requested," Finn exclaimed, making a presenting gesture to Jade as they reached the labeled steel door. Jade rolled her eyes at his antics.
"You three remain here," the Queen hissed. Floating up to the door she brushed it with her hand, setting ripples through the metal like liquid, and phased through it. Finn glanced at the two Shadowkhan standing near him.
"So, you guys get dental?" he asked.
The Queen of the Shadowkhan's vision cleared of the swirling black mist that marked her transitions, revealing the solitary confinement cells. In all honesty she was underwhelmed, before her was a relatively small hallway lined by steel doors. Granted they were tough looking, and even possessed the eye slits and dish doors like you see in the movies. But come on, this was supposed to be punishment for convicts already in freaking prison, at least pull out a few of the stops.
At least it was easy to locate her quarry; of all the cells only one held a paper card in the setting next to it, which identified the occupant. Sliding the slit open she stared into darkness. The room was barren save for a battered old toilet and an excessively plain wooden cot, upon which sat Hak Foo himself. The mercenary seemed to be meditating in the lotus position; she found that quite amusing for the loudest martial artist she had ever meet. He seemed uninterested in the noise from the riot, and unaware of her presence.
"Jade Chan," he remarked evenly. Okay, not unaware of her presence. The Queen blinked in surprise – either his eyes were slightly open or he had been improving his senses in spades.
"It's Queen Jade now, I no longer need a second name. But how nice of you to remember, I don't think the others even bothered to remember my name," she chuckled.
"I never forget a name or face, not when it belongs to one I intend to destroy," the mercenary answered. His eyes opened fully now and he gazed through the slit meeting Jade's crimson orbs steadily.
"That's no way to start off an interview," Jade chided.
"I see the wizard's pathetic spell managed to go horribly wrong," Hak commented.
"Oh I would have to disagree there. He corrected a great wrong by restoring me to the glory I was so unfairly stripped of by my so called friends and family," Jade laughed.
"So you are opposing Chan," Hak observed.
"He's opposing me, trying to hold me back and keep me weak like always!" the Queen hissed.
"I despise Chan, but against all odds he has prevailed against powers that brought ancient empires to their knees. A mere child like you as an opponent is like a rabbit facing the wolf," Hak sneered.
"Ah, but he had me helping him back then, without my Jadeness he would have failed sooo many times. I would like to see the pathetic effort they put up without me spurring things along," Jade chuckled.
"Arrogant brat," Hak Foo stated. Jade scowled at that, her hair stirring as she drew closer to the door slot.
"I'm not the one in prison, big talker. Finn told me that you're in here because you got caught trying to break out. I guess 'cat does not get out of bag'," Jade sneered. Hak answered her with a glower.
"How long will it be till you get out? How much will your skills and power diminish inside these walls? That is assuming you escape at all. Pledge yourself to me, and you get out here and now," the Queen of the Shadowkhan declared. He was on his feet in the blink of an eye, his face twisted in anger.
"Submit myself to a child?! The blood of a man I have sworn to destroy? You are not arrogant, you are mad!" he roared. She only smiled at his reaction, showing off all those pointy teeth. Despite himself Hak Foo felt unease at the sight.
"Of course you have your pride, bruised and battered as it is you still nurse it. You had your moment after all. As a Dark Chi warrior you surpassed even Jackie, going from 'elephant smashes wall' to 'asteroid wipes out dinosaurs'. You dream about that power, and how much further you might have taken it, before it was taken from you.
"I too want power, and unlike Shendu I am willing to share with those that are deserving. Serve me and you get your freedom, and a promise that I will grant you power," Queen Jade offered. His expression did not ease, but she could see it behind his eyes. That pride of his warring with the driving need to surpass others – especially Jackie Chan.
She said nothing when he went down on one knee. He had stood by Valmont when the Enforcers left; even if he hated her he would not break his allegiance. Without comment she slipped through the door and laid a hand on his shoulder, drawing both of them down into the darkness.
Author's Note:
Well here is chapter zwei, if you follow my activities on this site you are probably quite surprised to see it so soon. I know I am. Working on this felt more than a bit like a cheat, after all fans of Jumping Fox have been waiting since December for an update, and January for KTLW readers. But thankfully having finally gotten this story online and out of my head my creative river seems to have burst a dam. Thus the long parched valley of production is once more divided by the flow of nurturing inspiration and fruit may be borne in abundance once more.
And of course a big thanks to the ever reliable Zim'smostloyalservant, for having my back as a beta.
So if you agree here from my other stories and wondering Jumping Fox is in full swing, I have a new beta and the rough draft is almost completed and hopefully you will see a new chapter in the near future. My strange Avatar story is also back in business with the rough draft being written.
To my reviewers: You people are magnificent! Going into this project I realized I would be in one of the less used fandoms. The fact that Nocturne's wonderful Queen of Shadows gained only five reviews made me fearful that my lesser contribution would be lucky to gain a single piece of feedback. (If you have not taken a look at Nocturne's contribution please do so, as his masterful imagery puts my own skills to shame.) As such each review has boosted my morale; and likely the reason I felt compelled to disregard line up to get this chapter out is to express my gratitude for you proving my fears wrong.
The appreciation you have expressed and hopefully continue to show gives me hope that Project Dark Jade will eventually be completed in its entirety.
You had best return soon Nocturne, or I might be overcome by eagerness and breakout the fourth.
Please Review.