Shift

Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures or it's Characters

Okay, people. I have to slow down. I have two other stories I need to write as well. I'm not going to stop writing them just to finish this one faster than the others, I will not leave those readers. I'll update this story when I finished updating the others. But thank you for the great reviews and enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 3

The night of her highnesses parade came quickly, and a certain Chinese girl wasn't looking forward to it. Her wounds still hurt beyond compare, and Drago wasn't showing her any mercy in preparing her. Finally, she was able to take her place, hidden among the large crowd gathering. Her armor was discussed by the uniform of a business worker.

She recalled what Drago had said earlier. "When the parade starts, head to the roof." He had handed her full head covering mask. "Put that on, and keep it on. We don't her to get tipped off on our advantage."

As she recalled the plan, she was quickly pulled out of her thoughts when loud trumpets blared into the streets. A boom of cheering escaped the crowd as they greeted their queen. Jade took that moment to head to her place. She quickly climbed to the top, with skill and pulled off the uniform. She grabbed the mask she kept in her bag and pulled it over her head.

The cries of the crowd became louder, causing Jade to turned and look. A large platform was being driven down the street, surrounded by her guards. One guard in particular stood out, because he had the highest ranking badge, as well as he was standing next to this world's Jade. She easily smiled and waved, unaware of the danger around them.

The masked Jade waited. When a roaring flame came and burst in front of the queen, Jade pulled out her grapple and shot it at the base of the platform. She glided down it and landed in front of the queen, taking a fighting stance. The queen glared at the fighter in front of her.

"How dare you take on your queen?" She stated as she pressed a button on her wrist, changing her formal gown into a suit of armor.

Jade threw a punch at her. "I'm ruled by no one."

Her fist was caught by the bone crushing hand of the empress's. She grunted in pain, but was able to knee her in the gut, causing her to double over. Her gauntlet was pulled off as Jade pulled back, showing her bare hand. The masked woman quickly reached into the metal glove and pulled out one of the Talismans.

Without checking which one it was, she dodged an energy blast. Looking back to the queen of this alternate universe, she saw her other gloved hand extended and smoking. Before she could react, her feet were taken out from under her.

Jade was slower, thanks to the wounds she had sustained. She only managed to glance up to see the captain of the guard standing above her, his helmet covering any face she could manage to see. She couldn't stand, for he was holding down her hand with his boot. Jade tightly grasped the Talisman, not knowing what to do.

Suddenly, she felt her strength return, and the pain she was suffering disappeared. Shifting her weight, causing the captain to loose balance. She easily could kick his other foot out from under him. By this time, she was able to stand once again, glancing down at the rock in her hand. The horse, just what she needed.

The captain stood once again and took his fighting stance, allowing the queen to escape with several guards protecting her. Ice and Drago were doing well in terms of keeping most of the guards busy for Jade to do her work. Sadly, she was doing her best to defend herself against the leading guard. She was able to block most of his attacks, but something seemed strangely familiar. Like she had fought him before. Then it hit her, literally, she knew right after a right hook connected with her jaw.

She had often spared with her uncle, training for missions, and to learn new things. The fighting style of this man in front of her was exactly like Jackie's. Did that mean that this was Jackie? Did he betray Section 13 like this world's Jade? Or is this an imposter?

"D-man, it's time to go!" Ice called over to the reptilian.

Drago ran over to Jade and picked her up by an arm around her waist. He sprinted away with Ice, making their way back to base.

Once at safety, Drago placed Jade on her feet, feeling slightly sorry for the rough travel. "Sorry. We better check your wounds to make sure they didn't reopen."

"I don't think that will be necessary." She held open her hand, showing the horse Talisman.

His eyes grew wide. "You got one?"

"It was in her gauntlet." She explained. "The dragon is in her other glove. And knowing myself, I would have the chicken and rabbit near my chest. The pig will be in the helmet. The ox, snake, tiger, and sheep will be on her belt. The rat and the monkey will be on her forearms."

Drago gave her a strange look, but that quickly changed to pure joy as he grabbed her waist and spun her around. "This is great, we have the advantage."

Jade panicked. "Drago, please, put me down." She grabbed on to his arms.

"Sorry," He said again as he set her down. "It's just been a while since I was last able to hope. You brought that back, thank you."

He smiled as he turned away from her, walking into another room. Jade's heart was racing, No, I can't fall for him. He's my enemy in my world. Once this mission is over, I'll most likely go home, and never see him again.

She suddenly remembered. "Hey, Drago!"

He turned to look at her, question in his eyes. "What is it Jade?"

"What did you say happened to Jackie, again?" She ran to catch up to him.

"He disappeared shortly after you-" he stopped. "Sorry, her highness came to rule. No one knows if he's alive. Why?"

Jade looked down at her hands, and squeezed them together. "I think he's still alive." Drago gave her a confused look. "I entered combat with the captain, and he has the same fighting style as him."

"No, that's impossible." Drago shot down her hopes. "I've seen the face of the captain, it's not Jackie. I'm sorry, Jade."

"Stop that." He jumped at her sudden outburst. "Stop apologizing. You can't completely control what has happened. I understand that you tried."

With that, she turned and left him alone. The disappointment hurting deep in her heart, if she at least had Jackie with her, she would feel loads better. Before she was able to comprehend what had happened, she felt Drago's clawed hand grab her shoulder. She was enveloped by the leathery arms of Shendu's son.

"I know this is hard, Jade." He whispered. "I know that it's hard to be alone, lost, and scared. But you have Ice and I to help you. I understand if you don't trust me because of what you've been through on your world. But I would hope that someday you could count on me when you need help. I promise that I will be there when you need me, and I will never hurt you in any way."

Jade pushed him away. "You only say that because I look like her. I know that your feelings for her are only being reflected to me because I look like this worlds Jade."

He made a sound of disgust. "She and I were only friends. I treat you this way because, as I said, you gave me hope. I lost that hope when Jackie went missing."

"So, you're doing this out of sympathy."

"No."

"Than what makes me so different?"

Drago rubbed his forehead. "I don't know, you give off this light." He tried to explain. "You radiate this feeling to not give up. Your eyes shine with something that I can't explain."

Jade gritted her teeth before leaving him alone. Drago watched her go, his heart feeling heavy for some reason. He rubbed the back of his head in confusion and turned to the other room, running into Ice.

"What is it?" He growled.

"You don't know what's going on, huh D-man?" He chuckled slightly.

Drago growled like a dragon at him.

He laughed again. "Do I need to spell it out? You're in love with her."

"That's not possible. We've only known each other a few days." The dragon scratched the back of his head.

Ice shrugged. "Ever heard the quote, it takes only a day to love someone?"

"I don't believe that, plus there's no chance she would want to be with me. Not after all she's been though with what her world's Drago." He felt his heart ache again. "She wouldn't even think of falling for me."