Voyagers Saga: Null Chi

by Cydra

Turmoil occurs in San Fransisco when a group of mercs from another universe arrives. Now the Chans will have to deal with resurfacing demons, ancient dragon magic, and a whole lot of alien things, with little chance of normalcy in sight.

10. That's How the Wind Blows

Voyagers Saga

Null Chi

Chapter 10: That's How the Wind Blows

Despite Drago's absence, Jade was getting better control of her dragon powers...for the most part. However, like any teaching session, there were good times...and then there were what Matt called 'Grade A screw ups'. One such Grade A was taking the form of section 13's very own indoor monsoon.

"Jade, you do know it's unlucky to open an umbrella indoors, right?" said Matt, "And on that same page, IT SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARY!"

Jade glared back. "Yeah...like you haven't had trouble. Chloe told me about the extra door to your room and how it was made."

Matt said, "I had a cold, ok?"

"Anyways, I don't get what's the big deal," said Jade, "It's just some water."

Just then, Morph went by in a little rowboat. "Hi guys," he said before he kept rowing on.

"Yes...in an underground facility. You know what that is? Somewhere where water DRAINS TO?" said Matt, finally snapping.

"Well, why don't you do a dry spell or something, Mr. Nova Dragon?" retorted Jade.

"Because I'd destroy half of the base. Can't you just...tell it to stop?" said Matt.

"I've been trying to, but I think it's gotten all sorcerer's apprentice on me," said Jade.

Matt glared up at the clouds and said, "You gotta show it who's boss...I can't believe I said that."

Just then, Morph came rowing back, paddling much more frantically. "Gangway, gangway, gangway!" he shouted as he passed them.

Matt watched Morph row round a corner. "Why's he in a hurry?" he said to himself.

Just then, there was a roaring sound heard and the two of them turned to see a wave of water coming towards them. Riding it on a surfboard were Draco and Chip. "Cowabunga!" they shouted.

"Oh hell," sighed Matt before the wave hit them.

Not long after that, Captain Black called for a staff meeting after everyone had a dry set of clothes on. "This is insane. I thought you were supposed to have the necklace off," he said, tired for good reason. When a tidal wave sweeps you out of your office, you tend to be stressed.

"Hey, dragon magic's hard to remove," said Jade.

"Couldn't you have snipped the link or cut the clasp?" asked Captain Black.

Matt said, "We've tried everything that we can use without removing the head as well. Nothing worked." Capt Black looked skeptical till Matt waved to Techo who dropped a pair of industrial padlock cutters, with their blades smashed.

"Well, given our insurance doesn't cover internal storms, particularly of the magic variety," said Black, "If something's not done soon, I'm afraid I'll have to ask Jade to move out of Section 13."

Matt said, "Now hang on..."

"HA CHA!" Everyone jumped and turned around to see Uncle. "Uncle has found spell we needed," said Uncle.

"To get the dragon charm off?" asked Matt.

"No, to keep Jade's weather powers at manageable level," said Uncle.

Matt whimpered before banging his head on the desk a few times. Chloe said in a deadly calm voice, "Anything else?"

"One more thing," said Uncle, "Uncle has been researching for possible powers Xian Vang Necklace may have that does not require change of wallpaper afterwards."

Matt had his face down on the desk, saying in a tired voice, "Good...now we just need wallpaper."

Chloe glared at him before saying, "That's good. No more late night water slides or mid day blizzards."

"As well as being bringers of rain and creatures of great strength and speed, the Chinese dragons were known as being symbols of prosperity," said Uncle.

Matt shot upright at that. "As in cash?" he said hopefully.

"Possibly," said Uncle, "Might be crops, might be money, luck is hard to predict."

"Luck?" said Matt, the hope rising like a thermometer in the desert.

"If you are thinking of taking Jade to a casino, think again," said Jackie, "No matter what she looks like right now, she's too young to gamble."

"No...you have no idea how my life has been. I'm thinking of a Murphy's Law free day," said Matt with a dreamy look.

"Not till she's 21, really 21," said Jackie.

"I don't care about that. I just want ONE DAY...without something evil trying to kill me...PLEASE!" said Matt, breaking out in hysterics at the last part.

"Welcome to my life," said Jackie.

Matt's comm beeped at that, making him scream, "I'M NOT ANSWERING IT! IT'S PROBABLY GODZILLA!" before throwing it at Chloe and running out.

WARDEN's voice came out of the comm, "When Matt's over his little hissy fit, you may tell him that things are getting extra windy in Chicago."

…

Chicago

Matt said, "So...where's the luck?" looking over at Jade. The two were on a skyscraper roof with a good view of the rest of the city.

"Dragons don't need luck for hunting," said Jade.

"You'd be surprised," said Matt, peering out at the city. "I'm talking about the luck that gives me a day off for freaking once." he added sulkily.

"You don't have any down times?" asked Jade.

"Nope...being a half-dragon mercenary sucks," said Matt.

"Tch, what could suck about that?" asked Jade, "Fighting monsters of all kind, seeing the galaxy, that would be totally cool."

"EVERY day...every damn day," said Matt, his eye twitching.

"What about vacations?" asked Jade, "And the paydays?"

"No vacations," said Matt, gloomily.

"You're joking," said Jade.

"I wish I was. Of course, sometimes you get days like this: an army of robots that have never even singed you, led by a guy with the brain power of a cheese sandwich to vent all that frustration on," said Matt, gesturing to the city. The reason they had come to Chicago had not, surprisingly been because of Ghoulwyrm...instead being the Empire team from several weeks ago instead.

"So, if they have an army of robots, why aren't they blowing stuff up or something?" asked Jade.

"Because the NSC at the Antarctica base would pick up the ships needed and the entire NSC fleet would vaporize them," said Matt simply.

"So why are they here in Chicago?" asked Jade, "By the sounds of them, they'd go for some place bigger, like Washington DC."

"They were the guys you met when Drago got loose," said Matt.

"The ones with the big ugly black monster?" asked Jade.

"Yup...and the suave idiot with a blade like mine," said Matt.

"Didn't you say those blades are ultra-rare?" said Jade.

"Yup...Anton's older then he looks." said Matt.

There was a long pause before Jade said, "Ok, this is getting both boring and drafty. Doesn't anyone know where to look?"

"Uncle said he needs more research. He and WARDEN are racing...again," said Matt, adding "Still...it's not like they'll come to us..." before hearing something and pulling Jade into cover.

Jade said, "Wait...what are you...?" before Matt pushed her down out of sight as an Empire dropship flew into view before landing on the helipad and a dozen or so droids jumped out, followed by Anton.

Matt ducked down just before Anton looked at their cover of a rooftop vent. "Your luck's broken...this isn't good luck," he hissed at Jade.

"Hey, you wanted to find these guys and now you've found them," said Jade.

Anton however was talking on his comm. "OmegaMorph...we're in position," he said.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" replied OmegaMorph.

Anton glared. "Sorry...'general'," he said, adding, "We're in position and the droids are setting up the dimensional cutter laser."

"Are you certain you know what you're doing with that thing?" asked OmegaMorph, "Would want to carve into the wrong dimension, would you?"

"It's easy enough. We'll either cut to the underworld or get its portal frequency," said Anton in a tired voice.

"Just try not to make a big flash," said OmegaMorph, "We don't need unnecessary attention."

"I'll be fine..." said Anton, before adding, "Why aren't you gracing us with your 'expertise'?"

"Reassignment," growled OmegaMorph, "Apparently, the Empire wants its officers on as many different missions to gather...biological resources as possible."

Anton smirked. "Well...you enjoy that..." he said before turning it off.

A droid said, "We're ready to begin, sir. The cutter will transmit the frequency to any wrist computer within 100 meters."

"Very well," said Anton, "Begin at once. We've got some demons to collect."

Matt and Jade peered out before a green beam shot out, making a multicolored whirlpool appear in the air. The droid in charge said, "It's not stable. We will need more power for the stable portal...but we will have the frequency in 5 seconds."

Anton smirked as his wristcomp chimed loudly and a frequency code appeared. He was about to say to leave when he heard another chime from nearby. Anton paused and said, "Droids, can you do a quick bio scan of this rooftop?"

The droids all beeped before their optics glowed green...and they then all aimed at a vent on the other side of the roof. "Two organics detected...One class 3 magi organic and one class 20 magi organic," said the lead droid.

Anton raised an eyebrow. "Class 20 you say? Then care to explain why you didn't notice them before?"

"You did not order us to scan," said the droid.

Anton slapped his forehead and said, "Ok, two things. First of all, as a standing order, you are to scan the surrounding area of every landing spots for possible intruders/spies. Second, seize those two."

The droids began to advance on the vent. "You will surrender or be destroyed," said the lead droid before twitching...and exploding.

Anton pulled out his ion blade and called, "Let me guess, it's you there, right Matt?"

Matt peered out. "Yup...nice light show...does it do movies?" he said.

"Well, one movie I'm working on is 'Demon Sacrifice' and guess who's going to be the star?" said Anton. Matt stuck his tongue out before trying to blast the bots. Anton laughed and said "I upgraded a few of them. No plasma control for you. Oh...and these ones CAN kill you, let me demonstrate."

"Bet they aren't crash-proof," said a voice before Jade leapt out and did a flying kick on one of the droids, causing to fall over the side of the roof.

Anton jumped back at that. "What the hell? I thought you guys were trapped in that bunker dimension," he said.

"That what?" asked Jade.

"Not a good time to be confused," said Matt.

Anton said to the droids, "Shoot her till she stops squealing." The droids all leveled their cannons and fired at Jade who shielded her face, the blasts all being deflected an inch from her.

Jade eventually opened one of her eyes when she noticed she wasn't getting hit. "Whoa, the books didn't mention anything like this," she said.

One of the droids said, "Error...magi deflection field detec-" before Matt cut one of them in half.

Another droid said, "Hey...no cheating," before aiming at him.

"And you call yourselves Empire droids?" said Matt before sending a plasma orb at the droid's head.

Anton however was taking advantage of Matt's distracted nature to advance on Jade. "Hmm...not bad looking. If I didn't have to kill you, I'd definitely date you," he said, changing to his anthro dragon form as he advanced.

"Sorry, I swore off dating bad guys," said Jade before conjuring a snow flurry to blow in Anton's face.

Anton glared. "Hmm...all flash, no substance. Has Matt been teaching you? This is how a dragon fights," he said, sending a sonic blast out.

Jade had her shield back up, but she was still knocked two feet back. "You want flash? I'll give you flash," she said before throwing a white fireball at Anton.

Anton grunted before staggering back. "Gah...you little wyrm," he said before blasting her off her feet. "It's a shame Taleth didn't do a good enough job helping to chase you freaks off," he said.

Suddenly, Jade's eyes flashed white again. "You have betrayed your own kin and sown misery on this world," she said in an echoing voice, "You are no longer welcome on this world."

Anton looked confused. "Oh crap," he said before someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"It's worse than you think...this is yours," said Matt, giving Anton a droid head that said, "We lost, sir," before Matt kicked him back.

Anton looked at Matt and decided to at least rouse some tempers out of this. "A bit greedy, aren't we, Lynch?" he asked, "I thought you already had a girlfriend."

Matt said, "I do...bye," before kneeing Anton Megan style and pushing him off the edge of the skyscraper.

Anton was so shocked by the sudden pain that he nearly forgot to unfurl his wings and stop falling.

Matt peered over as Jade walked up, a bit unsteadily as she got full control back. "He's going...going...oooh and he's just pulled out of the dive," said Matt.

"Didn't you say something about the Shar-Virk working against the Empire?" asked Jade.

"They work against everyone...unless it benefits them in some way. Talking of which...let's see what we got off 'em," said Matt, walking over to the dimensional cutter. "Cool," he said.

"What is it?" asked Jade.

"I don't know," said Matt, "But I'm about to." He activated the dimensional cutter, but not at full power. The beam it produced created a small portal and a fish-like creature tumbled out of it.

Matt looked confused before sticking his head in the portal and pulling it back it what looked like a demonic jellyfish on it. "Definitely hostile," he said in a muffled voice as the creature looked around.

"Oh...back here again?" it said in an English tone of voice.

"You again?" asked Jade. The creature looked at Jade before screaming and running back into the portal.

Matt pulled the jellyfish off which made a 'whee' noise and jumped off the skyscraper.

"Uh, did shouldn't we have sent that jellyfish back to the void from whence it came?" asked Jade.

"Nah," said Matt, "I have a feeling that it'll go permanently splat once it hits the ground. Nothing to worry about."

The door to the roof burst open at that and Chloe, Kala and the rest of the gang came out. "We handled it...and nothing vital exploded this time," said Matt cheerfully.

"Where'd they go?" asked Kala.

"Over there, over there, over there, and I think they're also over there," said Jade, pointing around the roof.

Chloe said, "Nothing blew up, eh?" glaring at Matt who shrugged.

"I said nothing vital exploded."

"What's that you have there?" asked Chip, looking at the device in Matt's hands.

"Something that might get McNeil to listen to us and get some support," said Matt.

"How so?" asked Chip.

Jade said, "That Anton creep said it was called a dimensional cutter."

"A dimensional cutter? You mean something that could alter the time-space?" asked Jackie.

"Portal maker...a flying brainsucking jellyfish came through," said Matt before noticing Chloe's furious glare

"You let that thing out in Chicago?" demanded Chloe.

"Oh, it's probably road pizza by now," said Matt.

The group looked at the edge as a faint 'wheeee' was heard and the jellyfish flew back into view, apparently enjoying itself before flying out of sight.

"What do you know, it really can fly," said Matt.

Chloe glared before hitting Matt. Techo however looked down at his comm. "Hey, it's McNeil," he said.

That immediately caught both Chloe and Matt's attention. Having not yet captured the Empire forces would not make them look competent. And in Matt's case, letting loose an interdimensional jellyfish creature would look even worse.

"I want an update," said McNeil and he jumped back as Matt screamed "I SEE NO JELLYFISH...PROVE IT!" only to be tackled to the ground by Kala and Techo.

"Er, we've managed to disarm, and disleg, a fair amount of Imperial droids," said Chloe, "Not to mention acquire a rather unique device that was on their possession."

"Is it something to do with the dimensional instability at your location?" said McNeil.

Chloe said, "It's some kind of space-time device. Looks like they were trying another demon portal with it."

McNeil seemed pleased with that. "We'll have a team secure it at once. It's probably not the only one. Find its twin device and destroy it along with any notes."

"Uh, the dimensional instability you just mentioned," said Chloe, "Does that mean that Chicago's more vulnerable to...unexpected visits?"

"I don't know, we've never even heard of this technolo..." said McNeil before he had to lean away from his comm as Chloe said loudly, "WE'LL MAKE SURE THERE'S NO MORE JELLYFISH...I MEAN PORTALS!"

"Yes, well, also I advise you to hold back on your...dragon powers," said McNeil.

Chloe said, "Ok...why?"

Matt said, "Because they're allergic to facehugger jellyfish...ooph!" Chloe pushing him back down.

"Because the dimensional walls in the Chicago area have been severely weakened by their prodding," said McNeil, "Enough energy focused in one area, particularly magi energy, could create a major reality tear."

Matt managed to push his way back into view, a manic look on his face. "Then, the day of the jellyfish begins..." he began before Chloe lost all patience and hit him over the head with her rifle.

"We'll try to keep Hell off Earth," said Chloe.

McNeil nodded. "Good...but if I even suspect you of slacking off, I'll have your hides," he said before terminating the connection.

Chloe gulped and asked, "Matt, do you have that jellyfish yet?" She turned around, only to see that the jellyfish was now covering the top half of Matt's head.

"Get the peanut butter," said Matt.

Chloe was about to grab it when Matt sneezed and was electrocuted by the jellyfish that proceeded to fly off again. Chloe glared at Matt and said, "Matt, get that jellyfish or we lose our jobs."

Matt said, "Yes, Commander Marmite," before falling sideways.

"Uh, maybe we should check out the rest of the city," said Chris.

Chloe gave him a suspicious look. "Er, to check for any more anomaly leaks," he added.

Chloe sighed. "Fine...if you see an electro jellyfish...shoot it," she said.

…

Not long after that, Jackie, Kala, and NegaMorph headed to the Art Museum. "They say that some artists get their inspiration by inadvertently painting another realm," said Kala, "If that's true, the weakened space-time fabric could turn them into portals."

NegaMorph scoffed and said, "Of course 'they' is referring to crackpot conspiracy nuts who don't use the right drugs."

NegaMorph looked over to see Matt talking to Techo saying, "You heard NegaMorph. We'll need the Pulse RAD cannons."

NegaMorph said, "I rest my case."

Jackie however said, "I have been hoping for a chance to see that collection.

"Which collection?" asked Kala.

"The Far East exhibit, duh," said NegaMorph.

"Do I question your hobbies?" retorted Jackie.

"You'd be better off not knowing," said NegaMorph.

…

Anton however wasn't happy. "Stupid blob...back in my day, we'd have vaporized him for insulting me. Taleth would have gutted him," he muttered

He had gotten off the 'phone' about OmegaMorph, who was intensely displeased about the loss of the dimensional cutter. OmegaMorph hadn't exactly yelled...more taunted.

"Why did I have to be the mole? Surely Taleth could have found someone else to do his dirty work," grumbled Anton.

A droid came up. "Sir...the secondary device is prepared and ready," it said.

"Have you got the dimensional frequency set?" asked Anton.

"We have keyed in the file from your wrist comp. Sir, I must advise against this course of action. General OmegaMorph will be back in a week..." said the droid.

"I am not waiting for that pompous overgrown wardog," snapped Anton, "We're getting this demon. I will override any attempt to undermine, the manual way. And if that's not enough, it's the recycling bin for you lot. Do I make myself clear?"

The droid said, "I simply want to make clear that, thanks to Capt Lynch, we are undermanned."

"Well, we can always salvage more of you," said Anton, "Especially if we melt you down for smaller versions."

The droid made a sighing noise, "Very well...we will proceed."

"Good. Keep on guard," said Anton, "Bottom dollar says that Murphy's Law will try to intervene."

"We will be on guard for Murphy's Law enforcement units," said the droid.

Anton paused and said, "Are VIs capable of using sarcasm?"

"Negative," said the droid.

"Ah, well, carry on then," said Anton.

Anton walked in as the portal was forming. The lead droid said, "The portal has stabilized...however many of the subjects seem to be unable to use the portal."

Anton said, "Probably that old man's chi spells."

At that moment, a huge face came through, making even the droids take a step back. Anton looked shocked. "What the hell?" he said, before saying "Retune the portal...quick,"

"Mmm... wrapped candies," said a deep but surprisingly feminine voice on the other side.

"Erm...I'm sorry...we're low in fat," said Anton nervously.

An enormous green hand tried to reach through the portal, but it got wedged about halfway through.

"TURN OFF THE PORTAL!" screamed Anton, in terror.

"We can't, it's jammed," said one droid.

Anton yelled in terror before sending a blast of sonic energy out to force the hand back through. "YOU'RE TOO BIG, GO THROUGH ANOTHER PORTAL!" shouted Anton in a display of panic that was disturbingly similar to Matt's.

The hand vanished back before one of the droids said, "Thank the motherboard...hmm...another target approaching."

"Mass amount?" demanded Anton.

"Compatible," said the droid. Anton gave a sigh of relief.

A shape began to appear on the other side. "Finally...I'll get the respect my species deserves," he said to himself before a perimeter alarm light appeared on his wrist comp.

"Oh, not now," moaned Anton.

The droid said "Perimeter units under heavy fire...warning...power destabilizing...Capt Lynch is locking onto the plasma core of the cutter."

"You'd think the research team would have learned to put a dragonproof covering on all their plasma cores by now," said Anton.

The shape said, "Who are you? What is the meaning of this?"

"Can we keep pleasantries short? We're on a rapidly shrinking schedule," said Anton.

"That is no way to address the mighty demon sorcerer, Xiao Fung," said the shape, starting to take solid form.

A nearby explosion caused the portal to ripple. "Do you want out or not?" snapped Anton.

Xiao Fung seemed to consider it. "Very well," he said.

A purple hand emerged from the vortex before another explosion sounded right nearby. Suddenly, the portal started to rapidly shrink. "No...you fool..." said Xiao Fung. The portal soon shrank to a point where Xiao Fung either had to pull back or lose a hand. He opted for the latter.

Anton roared angrily at that. "That...FOOL!" he said as Matt and a squad of the Bladestorm's marines ran in.

"You rang?" asked Matt.

Anton roared angrily, shifting to fill dragon form and blasting Matt and his squad over before leaving via the roof...but not before blasting a structural support in the hope the building would crush Matt.

"Geeze, someone's in a bad mood today," said Matt.

…

Anton finally landed a few miles away and flew into a draconic tantrum. Luckily nobody was within range to see the damage. "HOW? HOW? IT SHOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE FOR AN IDIOT TO BE SO...LUCKY!" he roared, smashing an abandoned building down. "FOR ONCE, FOR ONLY ONE SMEGGING TIME, CAN'T HE EVER LOSE!" he bellowed.

His wristcomp, mistaking it for a request said, "Registered weaknesses for Capt M, J Lynch: Capt Lynch is known to show extreme ineptitude against magical methods."

Anton paused and said, "Come again?"

A list of incidents hacked from the NSC showed dozens of magical incidents Matt had caused or failed to stop.

"Hmm...interesting, but irrelevant. My own magical skill's a century out of use," said Anton.

"Local reports indicate that subject 'Ghoulwyrm' is within the vicinity," said the wrist comp

Anton grinned and said, "Like Taleth always said, 'When in doubt, let some oblivious sap do the work for you'."

…

Not far away, another portal was in progress. Drago watched as Ghoulwyrm worked at the portal to summon Xiao Fung. "How long will this take? I'm sure I heard explosions earlier," he said.

"The Shadowkhan are actually meeting very little resistance with this one," said Ghoulwyrm.

The two stopped as they heard the doors into the warehouse they were using open and a figure holding a ion blade walk in.

"Figures Matt will show up," said Drago.

The figure chuckled darkly. Ghoulwyrm said, "Crap, it's Draconus. I'll deal with him."

Suddenly, the sound of Drago screaming and bones cracking caught Ghoulwyrm's attention. One eye swiveled back to see Drago in a position painful for anyone but a yoga master, which Drago was clearly not.

The figure pushed him out the way. "Zyvar...you've fallen on worse times then me," said the voice.

"Anton? What brings you into town?" asked Ghoulwyrm.

"I need your help with a little demon recruiting. Of course, if you don't, I'll tear your spine out and give it to Master Taleth," said Anton.

Ghoulwyrm turned his other eye towards Anton and said, "I'm sort of in the middle of something. Can't this wait-" Suddenly, the shadowy portal flared up. "Wow, that was fast," said Ghoulwyrm.

Anton turned before squeezing Ghoulwyrm's throat so he couldn't speak till it was healed.

Then several Shadowkhan emerged from the portal, the ones with razor sharp fingers and pointed feet. They were soon followed by a demon resembling a large purple toad that walked on his knuckles like a gorilla with green growths on his head and back and wearing black bracers, pants, and curly toed boots.

Anton said, "Xiao Fung...we didn't get a proper introduction last time."

"You again?" said Xiao Fung, "Who are you?"

"Colonel Anton, at your service. Me and my assistants freed you," said Anton smoothly before absently punching Ghoulwyrm's backup mouth before he could speak out.

"Word has been among my kin that my prodigal nephew has been seeing to our attempted liberation," said Xiao Fung.

"You mean the scaled pretzel? He cannot be doing a good job," said Anton, pointing to where Drago was getting up, unsteadily.

"No, wait, wait, wasn't it the necromancer who was aiding us?" asked Xiao Fung.

"My assistant...he was acting on my orders," said Anton, covertly making a gesture to Ghoulwyrm to go along with it unless he also wanted a little 'yoga'. Ghoulwyrm glared at him but with his temporary muteness, he couldn't call Anton out on it. Anton continued, "I decided, seeing as he kept screwing up, I'd come and handle things...personally."

Ghoulwyrm gave a silent cry of outrage and electricity started crackling on his lightning rods.

To add injury, Xiao Fung seemed to agree. "Indeed...I had a feeling that this necromancer was obviously an underling," he said.

Ghoulwyrm's eyes blazed and fire started flickering out of his mouth.

Anton smirked at Ghoulwyrm before hearing Xiao Fung's next words. "Since you are the master here, I suppose you would be more worthy of becoming my apprentice," said Xiao Fung.

Anton's smile abandoned face at that. "I'm sorry?" he said. It was Ghoulwyrm and Drago's turns to grin this time.

"Well, Shendu's proven to be less...dependable recently. What with his two disappearances in the last few years," said Xiao Fung, "So we need agents of our own in the mortal realm to make sure he does not think about leaving us out of ruling the world. Someone more dependable than potentially traitorous offspring."

Anton said nervously, "Now...I'm sure there are people more suited then me."

Ghoulewyrm got his voice back at this though and said, "But I think you'd be perfect...'boss'."

"Consider yourself privileged," said Xiao Fung, "Now many have experienced such Wind powers are you're going to receive."

Ghoulwyrm actually let a tear drop. "This is gonna be beautiful...nothing nice ever happens to me usually," he said to Drago.

"Uh, sorry, I've, er, got to have my tonsils looked at," said Anton before turning around and finding himself facing the Razor Khan.

Ghoulwyrm said, "But that's not till next week," before finally laughing Matt style.

"Now hold still," said Xiao Fung before breathing out a black mist towards Anton.

Anton twitched as the mist flowed around him before down his throat. "If I live through this, you're dead," said Anton to Ghoulwyrm.

…

At the art museum, a pair of patrons were peering closely. "Very interesting," said one, "I'd say it's a representative piece, exemplifying how man is a twisted creature beneath his outer shell. But I can't quite place it's style."

The 'piece' turned to glare at them. NegaMorph (for it was he) glared and said, "It's my style, get lost." The two of them jumped before walking away rapidly. "Stupid art nuts," muttered NegaMorph.

Matt wandered up, looking nervous. He just got back from foiling Anton's second attempt at releasing a demon and had come to the museum to meet up with Kala. "I don't like being weaponless. I feel naked somehow," he said.

"Matt, you can make my head explode with a snap of your fingers, you'll be fine," said NegaMorph, "Besides, I don't there's gonna be a gunfight in an art museum."

Matt covered NegaMorph's mouth and said in a twitchy voice, "Murphy is listening."

A bust turned to them and said, "Nobody here but us statues."

"See, nothing to- BWAH!" Matt and NegaMorph spun around to look at the now inanimate bust.

"Did you see that?" said Matt in a 'one inch from losing it' voice.

"No, only heard it," said NegaMorph, "At least I think I heard it."

Jackie wandered over to the two after that. "Is everything ok?" he said.

"The statue just talked to me," said Matt in a worried voice.

"Oh, that's crazy, Matt," said Jackie, "You're crazy."

"Yeah...all the talking statues are on East Wing," said the bust before saying "What?" to the shocked trio.

"Uh, this really happening or have the years of excitement and stress driven me mad?" asked Matt.

"Both," said NegaMorph.

Matt said, "Ok..." faintly before walking off a little stiffly.

"I did not think there were any magical artifacts here," said Jackie.

"If it was magical, don't you think it would have talked to someone before?" asked NegaMorph.

Kala walked round the corner looking spooked. "One of the pictures just wolf whistled at me," she said faintly.

"Take it as a compliment," said NegaMorph.

Kala said, "But pictures shouldn't talk."

"Not painted ones," agreed Jackie, "Something very weird is going on around here."

Kala nodded. "Maybe magic?" she said hopefully, given the alternative was that she'd gone totally crazy.

"I don't think these things are so much magic as they are enchanted," said NegaMorph.

"Excuse me?" asked Jackie.

"Someone's putting a spell on them, or something. Is Jade practicing her magic again?" asked NegaMorph

"She's not even here," said Jackie, "This doesn't seem like her.

Kala said, "It's probably some evil force that was inadvertedly brought to the museum where it is bringing the exhibits to life to run amok and rule the city," before she noticed their looks. "Was it something I said?"

"Oh please," said Jackie, "Just because some of the exhibits are coming to life, doesn't mean that something evil's in here." He was about to walk away when the curtain grabbed his leg, causing him to stumble and fall into a person was just walking around the corner.

The person said, "Jackie...fancy seeing you here."

Jackie took a better look and saw he collided with a woman with black hair, dark skin, and a semi-formal business suit. "Viper? What are you doing here?" asked Jackie, getting up before helping her up.

Matt had wandered back in this time. "I found a suit of armor that does charades...who are you?" he said, seeing Viper.

"Viper, a superthief," said Jackie.

"Ex-superthief," reminded Viper, "I do security consulting now, remember?" Jackie didn't look too convinced. Viper said, amused, "What brings you to Chicago, Jackie? Did you miss me?"

"No, I did not come here to see you," said Jackie, "In fact, it's none of your business."

"Geeze, why are you so uptight all of a sudden?" asked Matt.

"Oh, it's nothing, he just doesn't trust me because of my past career. Who are you?" asked Viper.

Matt said, "Matthew Lynch...everyone calls me Matt. I'm a professional mer...OW!" hopping as Kala kicked him from behind.

"And I'm Kala Triseptus," said Kala.

"Call me NegaMorph," said NegaMorph.

Viper froze and said to Jackie, "Jackie, there's a demon right there."

"I'm not a demon, I'm an alien," said NegaMorph.

"Right, and I'm a river goddess," said Viper sarcastically.

"I assure you, I grew up in a test tube, or seven to be exact. I...am...an...alien," said NegaMorph.

Matt said, "Trust me, he's an alien."

Viper turned to Jackie and said, "So where'd you pick up your new friends?"

"They turned up not long after that old book was stolen from the San Francisco library," said Jackie.

"Which old book?" asked Kala.

"The one that told about the Demon Sorcerers," said Jackie, "I knew I shouldn't have lent it out to them."

"Well...that explains how Omega-dufus found out about the demons," said Matt.

"Omega what?" asked Viper.

"OmegaMorph, he was made from my vivisected flesh and he's a living war machine," said NegaMorph in a sour tone.

Matt said, "Just a second, ma'am...company meeting," before pulling NegaMorph after him and round a corner. "I thought we agreed: culture shock is bad," he said.

"She obviously knows Chan," said NegaMorph, "She's probably seen weirder stuff than we think."

"That doesn't mean she's met aliens," said Matt.

"Which is weirder, demons or aliens?" asked NegaMorph.

Matt opened his mouth before pausing there. "Hmm...I dunno," he said

"Well, I'll tone it down, try to keep it as 'normal' as possible," said NegaMorph.

Matt shrugged. "Fine, let's go," he said, walking back into view of the others.

Apparently, the conversation hasn't improved much since they left. "After all this time and all we've been through, you still don't trust me?" said Viper incredulously.

"Once a criminal, always a criminal," said Jackie.

"You gave Tohru and Valmont's other former flunkies another chance," said Viper.

Matt said, "I agree. Take Nega, he's a complete kleptomaniac. That's why the safe on my ship has a landmine on it."

"Really?" asked Jackie.

"Oh sure," said Matt, "He'd steal anything not nailed down; picture frames, handguns, soaps, silverware, perfume bottles..."

"Your belt," added NegaMorph.

"My belt," agreed Matt before pausing, "My belt?"

Viper smirked as Matt's pants, minus belt, fell down. Matt glared at NegaMorph as he pulled them back up before snatching the belt back off him. "I know where you sleep," he muttered.

"Anyways, I was thinking of calling you anyways," said Viper, "As you may have noticed the displays are...doing they shouldn't be able to do."

Matt said, "We noticed."

The bust said, "Oh yeah...talk like I'm not here...cheek of some people...just cause they can scratch their own noses."

"Well, they're not doing anything harmful," said Kala, "All they're doing is freaking people out, right NegaMorph? NegaMorph?" They heard muffled screams nearby and turned to see NegaMorph's legs kicking out of a painting he was being dragged into.

Matt said, "How old is that painting?" as he pulled a blaster from a foot holster and then seeing their glares. "What?"

"Grab him!" shouted Jackie. They each grabbed a foot and started pulling back. Pretty soon, NegaMorph was back outside of the painting.

Matt said, "Speak to me...how many finger?" holding up his hand.

NegaMorph looked annoyed and said, "Would you stop shaking your hand around? I can't count them clearly."

Matt bashed the side of NegaMorph's head. "How is it now?" he asked

NegaMorph shook his head and said, "Better, thanks."

Matt said, "Ok...so now the paintings EAT PEOPLE!"

"That's a new one," said Viper, "I think we may want to close the museum until we find out what's causing this."

Matt was poking the painting. "Yeah...this painting's ok. What did you see, NegaMorph?" he said.

"Uh, you ever seen that one painting with all the melting clocks?" asked NegaMorph.

Matt said, "Well...yeah," before he looked at the painting.

"Pretty much like that, only with really twisted people grabbing me. They looked uglier than me," said NegaMorph.

Matt looked back at the painting again. "Ooookay…" he said, stepping away,.

"I'm going to talk to the curator," said Viper, "I need to give him a plausible reason to have the museum closed."

Matt looked up at a fire alarm and shot it, setting off all the others. "Oh look...a fire," he said dully. Viper glared at him. "What? You wanted a plausible excuse," said Matt. Already people were filing towards the exits. "Why don't they hurry?" said Matt, annoyed.

"Maybe it's because there's no smoke or anything to really motivate them into going," said NegaMorph.

Matt glared. "Right...set something on fire," he said.

"Let's focus on the big picture," said Viper, "Do you know anything that could have brought the artwork to life?"

"Couldn't be the Rat Talisman," said Jackie, "It's at Section 13 and can only bring one thing to life at a time, at least in talisman form."

Matt said, "Yeah...not much else that can do it. Maybe McNeil was right?"

"Right about what?" asked Jackie.

"He said that funky beam machine we wrecked mighta caused some dimensional problems...and I caught Anton trying to set up another yesterday," said Matt

"You think he had a third?" asked Kala.

"I don't think so," said NegaMorph, "Empire scientists rarely consider something needing a second backup. But something is making a disturbance in the fabric of reality around here."

"Could be residual, that device looked a bit experimental to me," said Matt.

"Or maybe it's that jellyfish you let loose," said NegaMorph.

Matt looked panicky. "Ixnay," he said desperately.

"You're letting demons into Chicago?" asked Viper.

Matt said innocently, "It's not a demon. It's just a jellyfish that can fly."

"Maybe its presence is disturbing the natural order," said Kala.

Matt said "Whose side are you on? Anyway, its not close enough...it;s have to be in the building to mess with the place."

Just then, a small spot on the ceiling burned open and the jellyfish creature drifted down. Matt knew it was behind him and said stubbornly, "That proves nothing..."

The creature made a squelching sound before latching onto the back of Matt's neck. Matt's eyes crossed before he said calmly, "It's sucking my BRAIN OUT!" screaming the last part and dancing around trying to pull it off.

"And me without my camera," muttered NegaMorph.

Kala, however, took a more thoughtful approach and grabbed the jellyfish with a fiery claw. The jellyfish made a happy squelching noise and the fire seemed to vanish...as did the claw, it changing back to human form before the jellyfish jumped on her face. Kala's screamed were muffled as she tried to pull the jellyfish off.

Matt tried to pull it off before his and Kala's skeletons were briefly outlined as the jellyfish lit up and electrocuted them before floating off with an annoyed snorting noise.

"Ok, that thing's a lot more powerful than it looks," said NegaMorph.

The jellyfish vanished via another wall, burning a way out with a hissing noise. The jellyfish turned back around and made what looked like a rude gesture with one of its tentacles before vanishing with a 'wheee' noise

"It's more intelligent too," said Jackie.

Matt said, "Why that little..." before trying to ignite a plasma orb...and failing. "Hey...what gives?" he said.

"Matt...I don't feel so good..." moaned Kala.

Matt said, "I think I'm about to..." before he grabbed NegaMorph's hat.

"Matt, no!" shouted NegaMorph before Matt emptied his lunch into it. "Ah man," said NegaMorph, "My hat is not a barfbag."

"Ah...much better..." said Matt, weakly.

"Not for me," said NegaMorph, "How would you like if I decided to hurl in your cap?"

"You don't get sick," said Matt.

"Want me to make you really sick?" retorted NegaMorph.

Kala moaned and said, "Not right now… I've got such a headache…"

Matt looked at her. "You look like hell...get back to the hotel before you need to be carried back," he said.

"Yeah… I need to lie down…" said Kala.

Matt said, "I vote we catch that jellyfish and mail it to Anton."

"And what do you plan to catch it in?" asked Viper, "That thing can burn through walls and it's got a nasty shock."

"Never say 'never'…" said Matt confidently before falling over as what was effecting Kala caught up with him.

"And know your limits," said Jackie before picking up Matt, "We better take them back. Maybe Uncle knows of a remedy."

…

"Does Uncle look like dragon doctor? How should Uncle know how to treat them?" snapped Uncle.

"Chinese medicine doesn't cover jellyfish stings? Ow!" said NegaMorph as Uncle thwacked him.

"Jellyfish stings, yes, demon jellyfish stings, no," said Uncle.

"I hope that thing eats Ghoulwyrm…" Matt said weakly.

"Can you least tell us what it did to them?" asked Viper.

"That I can do," said Uncle, "This creature apparently feeds off the energies of others. This feeding leaves its prey drained and exhausted."

Jackie said, "Like the chi vampire?"

Uncle said, "No, chi vampire steals all energy, this has left some behind."

"So it's going to come after us as well?" asked Jackie.

"I think not," said Uncle, "Human beings do not produce enough energy to feed the creature. It will only go after those who have inhuman energy."

"So why is Kala more drained than Matt?" asked Viper.

"Because Kala is less human than Matt or Chloe," said NegaMorph, "She has far less protection."

"How do we make it go away?" said Matt.

Kala agreed, saying, "Yeah...I don't want this thing turning up at the wrong moment…"

"I will devise capturing spell to contain the creature until we can banish it," said Uncle, "But first a locater to find it."

NegaMorph said, "Why not just have Draco stand outside till it turns up?"

Matt said, "Not a chance...it'll be even worse on him."

"Right, only a demi-human can be left standing after a draining," said NegaMorph, "We could get Chloe or Chris to-"

"No!" said everyone else but Viper.

"Nobody is using my sister as bait," said Matt, stubbornly.

"By the way, where's Tohru and Jade?" asked Viper.

"Tohru's watching shop," said Uncle, "Uncle can't leave shop closed every time Uncle has travel. Too much business loss."

"Ok, so where's Jade?" asked Viper.

Matt opened his mouth to speak when Jackie said, "She stayed in San Francisco...lots of homework."

Viper gave him an 'are you kidding' look. "Since when has Jade ever stayed behind?" she said.

NegaMorph said annoyingly, "Rumbled."

"Well, uh, you see," said Jackie before the bathroom door opened and let out a lot of steam.

Jade walked out in a dressing gown and said, "One nice thing about being a dragon lady, no water's too hot for you." Then she noticed Viper and said, "Viper, it's so cool to see you again!"

Viper just stared. Matt waved a hand in front of her face. "Culture shock," he said knowingly before yelling, "SNAP OUT OF IT!"

Viper shook her head and took another look at Jade. She quickly noticed that she was now the same size as her, if you didn't take in the tail. "Jade? Did I miss too many birthdays?"

"Not really," said Jade, before taking out the necklace, "It's this magic necklace, it made all grown up and scaly."

Viper looked at the necklace and was about to reach out when Matt said "I wouldn't...it's very picky about who gets touchy feely rights."

Viper said, "It much be worth millions."

"Far more than that," said Uncle, "It is the Xian Vang Necklace, an artifact of the Celestial Dragons. It is a very sacred relic AND NOT FOR SALE!"

"Not like it can come off," said Jade.

"Take it from me...it ain't moving…" muttered Matt, who admittedly had also had cash-related thoughts about the necklace.

"Well, at least it looks good on you," said Viper, "Jade, I should take to this salon. They do miracles with hair."

"No thank you," said Jackie, "Jade has already had enough bad influence from you."

"Oh, not this again," said Viper and Jade at the same time.

Matt said, "Kiddies? Let's remember the problem at hand...time and space falling apart thanks to Bob the vampire jellyfish." He stopped as everyone looked at him. "I let it in...I can name it," he said sulkily.

"I think that name's taken," said NegaMorph.

"I don't care," said Matt sulkily.

His comm started beeping at that. "Sir and...old man...I have detected some interesting readings from an abandoned automobile factory on the outskirts of town," said WARDEN.

"Interdimensional jellyfish energy?" asked Matt.

"Demon energy actually," said WARDEN.

"Impossible," said Uncle, "Uncle would have known if there was demon in city." Just then, something in Uncle's bag started to glow. He opened it up and pulled out strings of Chinese cash which were glowing and spinning.

Matt said, "I think we have a problem."

"Demon sorcerer is near," said Uncle.

"Which one?" asked Jackie.

The coins spun a bit more before holding still. The top two layers had the same sides facing forward, but the bottom coins had opposite sides. "The trigram for wind, Xiao Fung is near," said Uncle.

Matt said, "So he's a blow hard...he can't be much worse than the last one."

"No demon is to be trifled with," said Uncle, "I must prepare a chi spell as soon as I can. You must go and find Xiao Fung."

"But you already know the chi spell- Ow!" said Jackie after Uncle whacked him.

"I know how to banish the Wind Demon. But I can't do so until I know which Shadowkhan were used to free him."

Matt said, "Fine...demon hunting time…" before falling down again, obviously still not fully recovered.

"You're in no condition for any hunting," said Jackie, "I'll go."

"Sounds like you could use some help," said Viper.

"No, I do not," said Jackie, "You can go now."

Uncle snapped at that, "Stop being stubborn like mule. Thief lady can help you."

"But, but," said Jackie.

"Relax, I'll call Chloe and Chris for backup," said NegaMorph.

"Oh, you aren't coming?" asked Jackie. "I have no bones or skin, remember?" said NegaMorph, "If that Wind Demon's like I think he is, he'll spread all over the walls like paint."

The others all shuddered at this lovely mental image. "Thanks for that NegaMorph...pass the hat," said Kala.

NegaMorph grinned before saying, "Sure," and handing her Matt's hat.

…

Sometime later, Jackie, Viper, Chloe, and Chris were heading in the direction that WARDEN had indicated. "So, how do we find a Wind Demon in the Windy City?" asked Viper.

"We're not after the demon, we just need to see which Shadowkhan he's using," said Jackie, "I would not want to stay longer than that."

Chloe said, "So...we just find and take a picture...easy."

"Tch, when is it every that easy?" The group turned around and saw Jade there.

Viper said, "That was impressive. You've gotten better."

Jackie finally snapped out of his usual speechlessness and said, "Viper, don't encourage her. Jade, you were supposed to stay at the hotel."

"Uh, it got kinda rowdy when Matt found out what NegaMorph did with his hat," said Jade, "Besides, you need my dragon luck."

Chloe said, "How do we know this 'luck' thing works?"

"It helped us find those droids," said Jade.

"Yeah...Matt wouldn't count that as luck. After all, that jellyfish thing got let loose shortly afterwards," said Chloe.

"Small detail," said Jade.

Chris said, "Look...this could take ages if we're lucky...I...what?" noticing everyone glaring.

…

Meanwhile, Xiao Fung had decided that he must assist with the releasing of his demon brethren. But first, he will need a headquarters, at least temporarily. So while he and his new apprentice searched for one, he sent Drago and Ghoulwyrm to find...appropriate decor for when they find it.

Ghoulwyrm said, "This is demeaning of a necromancer of my stature," as he melted the alarm on a shop.

"A necromancer? I'm a Demon Sorcerer," said Drago, "This is henchmen work. He should have just sent his new Shadowkhan."

"Shadowkhan have no personalities, no taste," said Ghoulwyrm.

Drago nodded before looking past Ghoulwyrm and dragging him into an alley with him. "What are you...mmph?" began Ghoulwyrm before Drago pointed as Chloe and Chris walked into view.

"Predictable," said Ghoulwyrm with his other mouth, "They're like fleas."

"Fleas with assault rifles...plus where she goes, her brothers probably not far behind," said Drago before pointing to two more silhouettes on the ground.

The two of them tensed, only for Jackie to walk by instead. Only Ghoulwyrm relaxed. "It's just Chan," he said.

Drago said, "Huh...we should deal with them...Ghoulwyrm?" He looked to see Ghoulwyrm with a crosseyed look and a jellyfish creature floating in front of a hole in said necromancer's forehead. "Loook...fiiishy…" said Ghoulwyrm in a dazed voice.

"Hello? Don't tell me you're undead and braindead," said Drago, snapping his fingers in front of Ghoulwyrm's face.

Ghoulwyrm said, "I see dead people," before falling over.

Drago glared at the jellyfish that was poking him with a feeler. "Buzz off, you little creep," said Drago, swatting at the jellyfish. The jellyfish made a squishing noise before going 'squeee' and jumping on Drago's face.

…

Chloe stopped as she heard a crash from an alley. "Cats," she said to herself.

"So how exactly are we to find a tribe of ninjas who are made of and can move through shadow?" asked Viper.

"We find the demon. Lord Ego probably has them all guarding him," said Chloe.

"Would be a lot easier if Uncle could make a locater spell," said Jackie.

"Locaters aren't that simple," said Jade, "Finding a magical thing is harder than finding a normal person, not to mention Uncle doesn't have anything that is related Xiao Fung." She noticed the others looking at her and she said, "What? I read Uncle's books."

Chris said, "WARDEN still has the location, we could look there."

"Is he that accurate?" asked Jade.

Chloe said, "He hasn't steered us wrong before."

"I hope he's better than a GPS," said Jackie, "Last time I used one, it told me that Wyoming was in the heart of the Sahara Desert."

"Nah...there was just one accident a few weeks before we came here...but that was Morph's fault," said Chris

Just then, Chloe's comm spoke, "It's rude to talk about me as if I'm not here."

Chloe glared. "How long have you been listening?" she said

"Just long enough to pick up the old man's...antiquated method of locating," said WARDEN.

Chloe glared. "Just grow up, you tin can. We need to find some of those Shadowkhan...preferably without being minced," she said.

WARDEN was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Hmm... This is more difficult than I thought. These Shadowkhan don't appear to stay in one location for very long. However, I picking up a collection of their magi energy near your location."

Chloe stopped at that. "Near our location?" she said slowly.

"The signal is scattered, but it's growing more focused, not that far from you, actually," said WARDEN.

The group all looked around at that. Chloe said, "I was afraid you were gonna say that."

Several red slashes appeared in the shadow, remind Chloe too eerily of eyes. Then figures emerged from the shadow. They resembled the Ninja tribe they've fought before, only skinnier, with pointed heads, spike-like feet, and fingers like daggers.

Chloe said nervously, "Oh...there they are."

"Ok, we know which tribe's working for Xiao Fung, bye-bye," said Jackie before they turned and ran.

Chloe and Chris took one look at the Shadowkhan before following at high speed. The Shadowkhan ran after them. Their pointed legs were a lot faster than the mercs would have expected as they rapidly approaching. "Crap, crap, crap," swore Chloe as their pursuers gained on them before she sent a lightning bolt at them over her shoulder. The Shadowkhan it hit burst into tatters of darkness.

Chloe was about to throw another when another Khan tackled her from the side. Chloe was knocked to the ground, tumbling a bit from the impact. "Ok, ow," she said. The Khan surprisingly was just holding her down.

"Miss Lynch, I was hoping my new friend would have grabbed your brother, but you'll do," said Anton's voice...though the voice sounded off somehow.

"Anton, I thought you blew out of town after Matt busted your toys," said Chloe.

"Funny that you should say 'blew'," said Anton.

Chloe quickly got that. "He didn't..." she began before Anton walked into view. Anton's armor had certainly changed. It was hard around the torso while baggy on the arms and legs. But his head drew the most attention, seeing how his face was purple, his eyes were red, and his cheeks and neck looked swollen, in a rather frog-like way.

Chloe stared and would have laughed had the Khan not had its claws on her chest. She did however manage to say, "What wrong? Got a frog in your throat? Or are you really toadying up now?"

"I'll be doing the puns here, Miss Lynch," said Anton, "For instance, you're not as tough as you think. You're light as a feather." His neck swelled up before he expelled a huge amount of wind from his mouth.

Chloe was thrown from the Khan's grasp and across the street. "Ok...ow," she said in an annoyed voice.

"And you know what's the best part?" said Anton, "Dragon power mixes with demon power very nicely." Chloe got up unsteadily as Anton shifted to his dragon form, it looking alot more demonic now complete with red eyes.

"Oh...crap," she said, slowly. Anton's throat swelled out like a frog's before he let out a powerful and long-lasting sonic blast. Chloe luckily managed to avoid it, which was just as well as the blast pulverized the wall that it hit. Chloe gulped and said, "Good combo."

Anton smirked, "And for my next trick...a demonstration of it on human flesh."

"Uh, sorry, gotta fly," said Chloe before changing to dragon form and taking to the air. Anton smirked before starting to suck the air in, forcing Chloe back towards his mouth. "Talk about a big mouth," said Chloe through gritted fangs as she tried to fly away, "Guys, a little help here!"

Anton stopped to say, "What are they gonna do? Tickle me?"

The others had their hands full with the Shadowkhan, as the rips on their clothing showed. Suddenly, Jackie's cell phone rang. "One moment," said Jackie to the Shadowkhan before taking out his cell phone, "Hello?"

"Jackiiiie...have you found out what clan Xiao Fung has enlisted?" said Uncle's voice.

"The really sharp ones," said Jackie, "With the knives for fingers."

"Ah, then we'll need Japanese silk," said Uncle.

"Where will I find Japanese silk in Chicago?" said Jackie panicking before the Khan cut his mobile in two.

Viper leaped back towards Jackie and asked, "So what did your Uncle say?"

"We will need Japanese silk and a fan to get rid of Xiao Fung," said Jackie, "But where are we supposed to find any silk, let alone Japanese?"

Viper said, "The art museum was hosting an exhibition of Japanese fans."

"Are they silk?" asked Jackie.

"At least a few of them," said Viper.

Chris punched a Khan down and shot it. "Close enough. CHLOE, LET'S GO! Chloe?" he said.

Chris looked back to see Chloe apparently flying backwards slowly. "Guys, I need help!" she yelled.

Chris looked to see Anton and jumped back. "Wow...that's new," he said before seeing a power line above Anton. He took aim at the power box and fired, sending a live cable onto Anton's back.

Anton roared with pain, causing him to lose his suction momentarily. Chloe shot away before landing on a nearby roof. "Oh, does Mr. Thunder not like lightning?" she said before spitting a lightning bolt at him.

Anton staggered back under the onslaught before roaring another blast at them. The blast threw them all back and made slam into the sides of the nearby buildings. "What big lungs you have," said Jackie.

Anton peered down at Jackie. "I also have some big teeth...wanna see?" he said before a plasma and firebolt hit him in the back at the same time.

Anton snarled and looked up to see Matt and Kala fly down in dragon form. "Hi, Anton...you look a bit ill...frog in your throat?" said Matt, circling.

"Your sister already did that one," said Anton.

Matt said, "Meh...I was just distracting you." Anton looked confused before another fireball hit the back of his head.

Anton growled before turning around to see Kala. "I see you're still the Emperor's toady," she said.

Anton growled and said, "I'm giving the orders now!" before firing a concentrated sonic pulse at Kala.

Kala rolled to avoid the blast and said in a taunting voice, "I've been practicing...unlike you. Your aim sucks."

"Who needs aim when you have range?" said Anton before sending sonic waves in every direction.

Everyone was knocked down. Unfortunately for Anton, it also caused a wall to collapse...on him.

"Ow, now there's an instant earache," said Matt.

"Let's go before he gets loose and decides to deafen us permanently." said Chris.

"WHAT?" yelled Chloe.

"C'mon, we need to get that fan," said Jackie.

"YES, WE'RE UP TO SPEED!" shouted Jade.

"Oh hell's bells...MOVE IT!" roared Matt. Everyone understood that and got moving.

Anton smashed his way out of the rubble a second later to see Drago and Ghoulwyrm. "And where were you fools?"

Ghoulwyrm pointed at him and said, "Froggy lizard."

Anton said, "And so you should be...what?" He looked at Drago. "What the hell's wrong with him?"

"A jellyfish burned a hole through his head," said Drago.

Anton said dully, "A jellyfish."

"It drained me of my energy," said Drago.

"A Convexity jeller? How in hell did one of those get loose?" said Anton.

"I don't know, maybe you let it out with your not-so-subtle knife," said Drago.

Anton glared. "No, it was locked onto the underworld, only if someone... Lynch, only he would be stupid enough," he said.

"Didn't he take one of those gizmos?" asked Drago.

Anton said coldly, "I hate that guy."

Just then, a literal voice on the wind said, "Apprentice, what is going on over there?"

Anton said, "A little problem...a magic eating lifeform has come through a rift and has lobotomized Ghoulwyrm and temporarily drained Drago.

"Ghoulwyrm's a vampire," said Xiao Fung's voice, "All he needs is some fresh blood and he can heal from his injury. Though his memory may be slightly impaired for a while. But this magic eater is a greater concern. I do not wish to see if it can affect a being like myself."

"It's obviously a baby. The adults would dwarf this city," said Anton assuredly.

"Then you should have no trouble in killing it," said Xiao Fung's voice.

"That...may be harder. Their home sector breeds...hardy lifeforms, and magic attacks will just feed it," said Anton.

"Just keep it out of our way," said Xiao Fung's voice, "I'm guessing it wasn't responsible for the large disturbance down there."

"No...Mr. Lynch survived the ambush. He has a nasty habit of doing that," said Anton

"Mhm, the full story please," said Xiao Fung's voice.

Anton said, "I would have destroyed them...but they received reinforcements. I believe they are heading for the art museum."

"Why would they bother going there?" asked Xiao Fung, "With the chi waves as disrupted as they are, the museum will be a virtual haunted house."

Drago said, "They're probably working with the old man to get a chi spell together."

"Then I suggest you stop them. I have no intentions of returning to that ghastly limbo."

Anton saluted. "They won't survive the night," he said confidently.

…

The museum was very quiet when they go there. Apparently, something spooked away all the tourists.

Matt looked around. "Hmm...I have a feeling that this museum isn't much better since we were last here," he said.

"We just need to get to the Asian exhibit and get the fan," said Viper, "Let's not stop for the sights."

Matt nodded. "Ok...I'm just asking here...but what else is in the exhibit?" he said, looking at, or more precisely past them

"Well, there are a few terracota statues," said Viper, "Nothing to worry about, right?"

Matt said, "Yeah...what about storage?" as a grating growling came from behind the others.

The others turned to see a Chinese statue resembling some sort of dog creature approaching and growling at them. "Uh oh," said Jackie, "The shishi is a guardian beast, it must be thinking that we are intruders."

"Jade? You're a Celestial...tell it to sit or something," said Matt in a careful voice.

"Uh, nice doggy, heel," said Jade.

The shishi's eyes narrowed at that before its growling got more urgent. "Time to slowly back away." said Chloe.

"Where's a dinosaur bone when you need one?" muttered Matt.

Matt then said, "Wait...is it looking at us?"

Kala glanced over her shoulder and said, "Actually, I think it's looking at them." The whole wall behind them has turned back, with red eyes peering out of it.

Matt gulped before the group dodged aside as the shishi lunged at the Shadowkhan emerging from the wall. "Let's let Fido deal with these guys," said Chris.

"I hope it'll last long enough," said Jade.

The group ran deeper into the museum. "If the shadowkhan are here, how much do you wanna bet that demon features is here too?" said Matt.

"Hard to say," said Jackie, "Most would just stand back and let their Shadowkhan do the work."

Chloe said, "I wouldn't count him out, all the others were pretty hands-on in their approach."

"Then we better keep moving," said Viper.

Matt turned a corner and stopped, stepping back into view with Ghoulwyrm peering at him. Chloe was about to send a bolt of lightning when she noted that Ghoulwyrm's expression reminded her of someone who had been pricked by Spike. "We've got a little roadblock ahead," said Matt.

Ghoulwyrm said "Silly," before licking Matt.

"Ok, gross," said Matt. However, the innocent part didn't last too long as Ghoulwyrm apparently liked the taste of him. He licked Matt's face a couple more time before he tried to chomp him.

"AAAAH...GET HIM OFF." yelled Matt before hitting Ghoulwyrm with a fire extinguisher.

"What the heck is that?" asked Viper.

"Ghoulwyrm...usually he's trying to hex, kill, or do both to us. Why he's like this, I dunno," said Chloe.

Chris however said, "Hey, Ghouly, wanna play a game? It's called 'blast the shadow ninja's'. The prize is a donuuut."

Ghoulwyrm gave her a blank look and asked, "What's a donut?"

"It's nice...it has ja...blood in it," said Chris, changing the word as he remembered the audience.

"Mmm... blood," said Ghoulwyrm, "I'm so thirsty."

Matt said, "We don't need dead head over here. Buzz off, Ghoulwyrm," before hitting Ghoulwyrm on the mouth. "Ow...he pricked me," said Matt, looking at his finger.

Ghoulwyrm licked his tooth where Matt's blood was. Then the hole his forehead started glowing purple as it healed up. Matt stepped back as Ghoulwyrm's eyes focused...however nobody expected what happened next. Ghoulwyrm twitched. "I suddenly have an urge to do something rash but heroic that results in extreme property damage or an explosion," he said.

"Why does that sound so familiar?" asked Chloe.

Ghoulwyrm turned to look at her. "I now have an urge to vaporize anyone who even sneezes at you violently," he said to her before turning around stiffly as several Shadowkhan came into view. "DIE, SMEGHEADS!" he yelled, charging them and vanishing round the corner.

Matt said darkly, "I cannot help but fell that I've been insulted."

"Could have been worse," said Jackie, "He could have tasted Jade."

"Ha, ha," said Jade sarcastically.

"Well...at least there's a decent distraction on the loose...I do not blow up things," said Matt, before absently blasting the exhibit security gate to pieces.

"No comment necessary," said Chris.

Matt was standing in the middle of the exhibit room, a hole at the far end probably showing how the shishi had originally left. "Ok...which one's silk?" he said, looking around.

"Hang on a minute, I think the Japanese displays have been moved around," said Viper.

Matt looked around before saying, "Didn't you say there were terracotta warriors around?"

"A few, not some of the thousand terracotta warriors, but pretty decent representations of Chinese warriors," said Viper.

Chloe said, "Chinese?" before pulling her blaster out.

"Or was it Indian, hard to tell them apart sometimes," said Viper.

"It was most certainly Chinese," said a voice behind them.

The group turned around to see Xiao Fung towering over them. "How the heck did we let a giant frog sneak up on us?" asked Matt.

Xiao Fung said, "Ah yes...Mr. Lynch...My dear brother, Shendu sends his regards," before blasting Matt flying.

Matt hit the wall with a slight crunch. "Ok, that thing I said about this guy being easy...I was wrong," said Matt.

Xiao Fung however had turned to look at Jade. "Hmm...a Celestial, after so long. I thought my brother had destroyed the Celestial bloodline. No matter, that is easily rectified," he said.

"Uh, would you believe it's just a costume?" asked Jade.

Xiao Fung said "Not a chance," before a fireball hit him.

Kala said, "You step away from her, you froggy creep."

Xiao Fung glanced at her and said, "I've not time for candles," before blowing her down the hall.

Matt snapped at this and was about to blast Xiao Fung when he was beaten. Ghoulwyrm bashed through the floor and flipped Xiao Fung onto his back. "He couldn't have just phased through?" asked Jackie.

"Just like Matt," said Chloe, "He'd never rather use a door to get into a fight."

Xiao Fung sounded more than a little angry as he tried to right himself. Ghoulwyrm could have finished him there, but again, like Matt, he couldn't resist the last word. "Nobody touches my bushi boo...huh?" he said before a thrown fire extinguisher arrived from Matt's direction, followed by an angry Matt.

"She's not your bushi boo, I do not act like that, AND STOP STEALING MY LINES!" yelled Matt.

Ghoulwyrm twitched before parroting Matt, saying "She's not your bushi boo, I do not act like that, AND STOP STEALING MY..." being cut off as Matt started jumping up and down on him, screaming "SHUT UP!" with each landing.

Chloe picked up a nearby mask on the wall and put it over her face. "Tell me when I can show my face in public again," she said.

The mask said in a Brooklyn accent, "Sure thing, babe...but you're missing a great show." Chloe stared at the mask which said "What?" before she screamed and tossed it away frisbee style.

Matt, meanwhile, was now literally slapping Ghoulwyrm silly. "STOP...ACTING...LIKE...ME!" he yelled, slapping Ghoulwyrm with every word. But then Ghoulwyrm opened his mouth and snapped down on Matt's hand as it came in for the next slap. Matt looked confused before screaming. "AAARGH...GOTOFFMEYAUNDEADTHINGY!" he gibbered, trying to pull free.

"Should we help him free?" asked Chloe. Kala gave her an 'are you kidding' look. "What? He's really annoying sometimes," said Chloe.

Ghoulwyrm's headwound started glowing again, this time finishing and his eyes refocusing properly. "Oh...what happ?" he began before the theater of memory recall put on reel one. "Oh...dear...ancients," said Ghoulwyrm in a horrified voice. "Oh, I can't believe I really did that," said Ghoulwyrm, his voice thick with chagrin, "How degrading."

Matt however wasn't finished. "Time to die," he said in a twitchy voice before Xiao Fung, who had finally righted, blasted him.

"Enough foolishness," said Xiao Fung, "You, wyvern, take them out."

Ghoulwyrm gave an annoyed look at Xiao Fung and said, "I do have a name you know."

Xiao Fung glared and said, "I don't care, destroy them."

Ghoulwyrm growled and sent several bandages at them. "Oh great, another paper fold-up?" asked Viper.

"I don't fold, I braid," said Ghoulwyrm before wrapping several bandages into an arm which grabbed at her.

Viper jumped and dodged the arm's lunges until Ghoulwyrm managed to score a lucky graze with his claws. Ghoulwyrm brought his arm back and noticed a little crimson liquid on it. "Mmm...should be much better tasting than Matt's," he said before licking it off.

Matt punched down the Khan he was fighting to say, "Oi...no call for that," before he was attacked by another Khan.

Suddenly, Ghoulwyrm paused. A soft growl started coming from his throat. Suddenly his pupils blazed blood red and he roared like a savage beast.

Jackie and Viper noticed this. "Erm...I don't think he's supposed to do that," said Jackie

Ghoulwyrm said, "Blood...MORE BLOOOD!" before lunging clumsily at the duo. The pair of them dodged the attack, but Ghoulwyrm get coming after them, howling like an animal. The second lunge had Ghoulwyrm ram into a Japanese gong. "Grah...I NEED MORE BLOOD!" he said, practically frothing at the mouth now. The crash had also knocked over the fan display, mixing them all up.

"Which fan's the silk one?" asked Chris.

"You figure it out," said Chloe before barely avoiding becoming crunched by Ghoulwyrm.

Matt threw a Khan at Ghoulwyrm before yelling "JADE...NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO BE LUCKY!"

Xiao Fung looked around at that. "Jade...I remember that name. Chan's niece," he said.

"Uh, no, not at all," said Jade, "Jade's a common girl's names these days. All the boys are Jacks and all the girls are Jades."

Xiao Fung wasn't fooled however. "Now I remember you. I thought there was something strange about you when I first saw you...and now I know," he said before getting ready to smash her.

However, Chris suddenly shouted, "Got it!" as he held up the silk fan. He then started fanning it at Xiao Fung and said, "Time for you to blow out of town." However, the only thing it did was create a small breeze.

Jackie dodged Ghoulwyrm and said, "We still need to add the chi spell to it."

Chris said, "Oh...yeah," before Xiao Fung blasted him with a wind blast.

"I'll take that fan," said Xiao Fung before sucking in the air.

He, and everyone else, stopped as a little cylinder of ceiling fell down and the jellyfish floated into view before going through the floor...literally. Chris took advantage of this to throw the fan to Jackie.

Xiao Fung increased his suction. Then the fan flew over and landed in his mouth. He took it out and said, "Now my liberation is secure. Minions, we leave, but take the Celestial. Then see to it they won't feel a cool breeze ever again."

Matt pulled out his blaster and tagged several Khan before the others, rightly aiming him as the top threat dogpiled him. The rest of the Khan advanced on the group. Ghoulwyrm however, after a second meeting between his face and the gong, had his senses back and grabbed Jade. "Boss wants to see you," he said before opening a shadow portal to follow Xiao Fung. But then he paused and said, "And while I'm at it, a snack for later." He stretched out a bandage and wrapped it around Viper before reeling her in.

With that he vanished into the portal. The Khan however seemed to prove that they did have an intelligent streak...or at least a vengeful one, one of them throwing a ninja star at one of the alarms, setting it off before they all vanished.

"Uh, that's really not good, right?" asked Kala.

Matt said, "Not really...how long do you think until CPD get here?" before the far doors burst open to let in a CPD squad.

"Fast response, I'll give em that," said Chloe

…

Chicago Police Department HQ

"You were supposed to be finding fan to cast chi spell with, not get caught!" snapped Uncle.

Matt glared through the visitor room window. "Yeah...so...I should have shot at the cops? That looks bad on a resume."

"One more thing, you let Jade get captured! How could you let such a thing happen!" snapped Uncle.

"I was under a pile of...you know what," said Matt, peering over at the watching guard, "Why would frog features want Jade anyway? He already has an apprentice."

"The Demon Sorcerers fear the Celestials," said Uncle, "They see Jade's presence and Xian Vang Necklace as threat."

"Oh please...what could they do?" scoffed Matt.

"Jade may be dragon now, but she is not immortal," said Uncle, "Uncle fears the very worst."

"That'll do it..." said Matt weakly.

"But all is not lost. I know how to free you and-" started Uncle when a guard walked up.

"Visiting hour's over," he said.

Matt said, "Hold up, I need to hear this."

The guard glared. "After the mayhem at lunch, not a chance...move it," he said, dragging Matt away.

Later, in the guys' cell, the three of them were trying to think of what to do. "We could plead temporary insanity," said Chris.

Matt said, "For some reason, they didn't believe me."

"I'm more worried about Viper and Jade," said Jackie, "Their lives are in great danger."

Matt twitched and for a second his eyes blazed red. "I could get us out," he said in a colder voice.

"Uh, we want to save the city from destruction, not destroy it ourselves, Draconus," said Chris.

"Despite what you think, I can be more...precise. Allow me to demonstrate..." said Draconus, getting up and neatly melting the hinges on the cell door.

"But breaking out of jail is a crime," said Jackie.

"Weren't you in jail the first time Old Windy got out?" asked Draconus.

"That was different," said Jackie, "I was under cover."

Draconus sighed. "Semantics...let's just go..." he said before leveling his hand, palm out at the far wall.

Jackie gulped and said, "Uh, shouldn't we get Chloe and Kala first?"

Draconus raised his other arm and blew the connecting wall into the next cell wing apart. Several dazed guards could be seen in the rubble as he strode in. "Ladies...are we leaving?" he said.

Chloe sighed and said, "Draconus, right?"

"Who else? Hold on," said Draconus before blasting the door lock to stop several police getting in.

"Matt's taking over as soon as we're out of here, you got that?" said Kala.

Draconus grinned at her and said, "Then maybe we can wait a little longer.

Chloe glared before punching Draconus on the nose. "Ow...okay...damn, there was no need for that...I was joking," moaned Draconus. holding his nose.

"Joke on your own time, we need to go," said Chloe.

Draconus said, "Fine..." before blasting the outer wall to pieces...and showering NegaMorph and the experiments in rubble.

"What? Hey, we were coming to break you out," said NegaMorph, "You have any idea how long it took us to draw up the plans and get ready?"

Draconus twitched as Matt took control back, apparently in the middle of yelling at Draconus "...AND WHEN I HAVE CONTROL, DRACONUS I'LL…I'll...oh...we're out," he said.

"Yeah, let's go," said Chris.

As they walked away, Matt asked, "Why does my nose hurt?"

…

Meanwhile, Anton was looking at the two hostages that had been brought back. "Master, I must ask. Why bring that Celestial back?" he said.

"Because she may bring about the return of the other Celestials," said Xiao Fung, "And we don't want that, do we?"

"Of course not, the Shar Virk have as much reason to prevent that as you do. But that necklace is practically sentient in itself. Destroying it and its host will not be easy. Ghoulwyrm claims that he nearly corrupted the host a fortnight ago," said Anton

"Well, Ghoulwyrm isn't in much of a mood for spellcasting right now," said Xiao Fung.

"He's a second-rate necromancer who's incompetence prevented the Shar-Virks' victory the first time. If he can do it, anyone can," said Anton.

"But I suppose not as many has as fine a sense of hearing as he does," said Xiao Fung.

Anton said, "I'm sorry?" before Ghoulwyrm tackled him, screaming "LUNCH TIME!"

"In case you were wondering, I believe that's why he brought the other girl," said Xiao Fung, "He's in a bloodlust right now."

Anton simply screamed, "GAH...NOT THE FACE...ANYTHING BUT THE FACE!"

Xiao Fung sighed and said, "Competent minions are hard enough to find. Disciplined ones are nearly impossible."

Ghoulwyrm simply got up and burped. "Mmm...tasty," he said happily before walking off again.

"Shall I have the Shadowkhans rob one of those, what are they called, blood banks, again?" asked Xiao Fung.

Anton said dizzily, "Would you, mumsie? I'd love that."

Viper turned to Jade and said, "Well, the accommodations aren't much, but the entertainment's top notch."

Xiao Fung turned to look to them. "Enjoy the time you have left wisely," he said.

"So what do you think they'll do with us?" asked Jade.

"My best guess, you're going to be crypt-breath's next meal and I'm the appetizer," said Viper, "So we need a plan to stall them."

Jade said, "I might have an idea."

…

Meanwhile...

Matt and the gang had gotten back to the hotel and were currently enduring another yell from Uncle. "Why did you blast out of prison? You were to wait for Uncle's plan! Now police will be looking for you everywhere!" snapped Uncle.

"Well...we can't just sit around. Not to praise my darker side, but at least he was constructive," replied Matt.

"Very well then, where is fan?" asked Uncle.

Matt said promptly, "Xiao Fung ran off with it."

Uncle studied Matt's face for a second before beckoning him closer. When Matt leaned in, he got three finger whacks and a loud yell in his ear, "HOW COULD YOU LET THE WIND DEMON TAKE THE FAN?"

"Ow...what the...we were kinda busy not getting killed," said Matt, wincing.

"How can you expect Uncle to banish Xiao Fung without the fan?" snapped Uncle

"Hey fans aren't exactly rare," said NegaMorph, only to get whacked as well.

"Japanese silk is. Without silk, spell will not work," said Uncle."

"So? Let's just go get it off him again," said Matt.

"But we don't know where he is," said Jackie.

"Actually, I think Viper planned ahead for this," said NegaMorph, "She left this for you." He handed over a tracking device to Jackie with a note on it.

Jackie read the note:

Jackie,

If you're reading this, I managed to stowaway and followed the demon, hopefully. I left this tracker so you can find me and by extension, the bad guys. I'll be seeing you soon, tiger.

Viper.

Matt peered over Jackie's shoulder "She thinks ahead, doesn't she?" he said.

"I like that girl," said NegaMorph, "You should definitely go out with her."

Jackie just stuttered a bit. Matt grinned, "Nice one, NegaMorph," and high fived him.

"No time for matchmaking," said Uncle, "We must find them before Xiao Fung can inflict unspeakable things upon them."

Matt said, "Ok...where's the tracker say to go?"

NegaMorph took it and studied it closely. After about a minute, he said, "Got it."

Jackie said, "What are you doing?"

Draco said, "I think we're about to get an express trip. I hope you didn't eat."

"Uncle has not had time, to busy with spells," said Uncle.

"Good," said NegaMorph before making a shadowy portal appear.

Uncle said, "Uncle not like using dark magic," staring suspiciously at the portal.

NegaMorph scoffed, "It's not dark magic, it's just a rift into a torturous dimension of pure darkness."

"That's what we've been using this whole time?" asked Matt.

"More or less...in you go," said NegaMorph, pushing Matt in.

"Uncle not using-" started Uncle before NegaMorph grabbed him and tossed him in.

Jackie was next. Chloe and Kala grabbed an arm each. "Don't worry...it's almost perfectly harmless," said Kala, cheerfully as they dragged him towards the portal.

"Uh, that's fine, I'll just take a taxi," said Jackie.

Chloe said, "What are you? A ma...human or a mouse?"

"Uh, squeak, squeak?" said Jackie.

Chloe and Kala exchanged a grin before changing to hybrid and lifting him literally off his feet before dropping him into the portal.

Chris shrugged before taking a deep breath, pinching his nose, and jumping in.

Chloe and Kala looked at each other before diving in, popping out in the parking lot of an abandoned warehouse complex.

"Everyone alright?" asked NegaMorph.

Jackie said, "I feel ill," his face an interesting shade of green.

"Yeah, that happens the first few times," said NegaMorph.

Matt said, "It happens every time, you genetic idiot."

"Oh, don't be such a big baby," said NegaMorph.

Chloe said, "Ok...the tracker should lead straight to the building old Frog Features is in."

"It's bound to be swarming with his Shadowkhan," said Jackie.

"Ok...and we still have to get that fan off him," said Chris.

"How do we know he hasn't destroyed it by now?" asked Draco.

Uncle said, "We must hope that he has not...or world is doomed."

Draco gulped and said, "Given our track record...we're dead."

The group made their way inside the warehouse complex as quietly as they could. "How do we know which one Xiao Fung is in?" asked Jackie.

Draco said, "Matt's here...he's like a magnet for trouble...or those canaries you send down mines."

"Oh, that's an exaggeration," said Matt, "I do not draw trouble."

Chloe pulled him aside as a door almost blew shut in his face. Matt said stubbornly, "Coincidence."

"I would prefer to find the Wind Demon in a way that isn't entirely to his advantage," said NegaMorph.

Kala said, "Hey...do you hear music?"

The group paused and listened for a while. "Hmm...sounds oriental," said NegaMorph.

Matt pointed to a door to the main area. "There," he said, carefully opening the door and peering out before making a funny noise.

Chloe pushed him aside and peered out before closing the door. "Oh boy." she said in a tired voice, "Matt...you're not allowed to talk to Jade anymore...this stinks of your planning."

The interior had been richly decorated with various Asian trappings. Xiao Fung sat upon a 'throne' that had been made of discarded tires. Surprisingly, he did not draw the most attention in the room. The cage in the middle did, which had Jade and Viper in it. The two women were wearing kimonos and doing a Japanese geisha dance with fans.

Chris stopped Jackie before he could see. "Erm...before you look...this is probably nothing to do with Matt's escape plan lessons," he said.

"Wait a sec..." said Kala, her sharp eyesight focusing on the fans Jade and Viper were using, "Viper has the silk fan."

Jackie pushed her aside at this and got a good look. Jackie gawked a bit before he whispered, "What is Jade doing?"

"I believe that's a geisha dance," said NegaMorph, "An ancient form of dance from Japan. But I think what she's really doing is stalling for time."

Matt looked at Jackie before saying, "Let's do something before Jackie's blood pressure causes him to explode."

"Viper isn't that gorgeous," said Draco, "She may be easy on the eye but I don't think-"

Chip hit Draco across the back of the head at that. Matt however was saying to Chris, "What do you mean you forgot the bazooka?"

"Hey, the old man kept saying 'magic must defeat magic'," said Chris, "Besides, from what I've heard, I think a bazooka blast would only make the amphibious hurricane angry."

"I know...what do I always say? 'Angry people screw up.' If you want something done, shoot it yourself," said Matt, igniting a plasma ball.

Chloe turned and said, "Matt, don't you dare. For once, we've got the perfect element of surprise. Do no blow it."

"I know...surprise time," said Matt.

Matt leaned back his arm and tossed the plasma orb in. "MATT, NO!" shouted nearly everyone.

Xiao Fung turned in time for the orb to blow him through the warehouse wall. Anton jumped at that, though Drago and Ghoulwyrm just sighed. Xiao Fung glared and said, "I do not appreciate my entertainment being disrupted." He started inhaling, creating a vacuum-like effect.

The others were sucked in a heap into the warehouse. Draco, from the bottom of the pile said, "I hate you, Matt...sooooo much right now."

"It is very rude to linger in doorways," said Xiao Fung, "And even ruder to demolish one's private quarters. Shadowkhan, teach them a very painful lesson about manners."

Matt got up unsteadily. "Ah, shut up, ya big wind bag..." he said in a slurred voice, Chip having bounced off his head.

"What was that?" asked Xiao Fung.

"You tell all the other guys to do the fighting, but you don't lift a finger to do anything yourself, you pompous bag of hot air," said Matt.

Chip sighed and said, "Sometimes, it's an embarrassment to know him."

Xiao Fung was actually rendered speechless. This was mostly cause he was impressed by the sheer suicidalness of this hybrid. "Go back and play with the other tadpole...giant...blob thing," said Matt, dizzily as concussion went to work on his brain.

"So, you want to see my full power, do you?" said Xiao Fung. He started waving one hand, causing the air to spin violently around it. Then he gestured towards Matt, sending the rapidly-growing tornado at him.

Chris watched as Matt was knocked out of sight. "I saw that coming," he muttered before getting up as the Shadowkhan appeared.

Anton smirked. "I'd finish him off, lord. He has a nasty habit of winning," he said.

"Oh I will," said Xiao Fung, "The twister's strength will increase until he is torn limb from limb."

"I'd watch him carefully...his darker sides more...competent," said Anton, before drawing his ion blade, "Allow me to make sure he stays down."

"As you wish," said Xiao Fung, "You, vampire, attend to his sister."

Ghoulwyrm actually gulped at this. While sounding an easy job, Chloe didn't just disobey Queensbury rules, she had incinerated the book. "Do I have to?" he said weakly.

"Don't tell me you've lost your bloodlust already," said Xiao Fung.

"No...I just want to keep my fangs," said Ghoulwyrm.

Drago, who had only faced Chloe once said, "Fine, I'll deal with her."

Ghoulwyrm actually grinned again. "This'll be good," he muttered. Drago had teased him over his...allergic reaction to Matt's blood in the museum.

"You think you're capable of handling a few mortals?" asked Xiao Fung mockingly to Ghoulwyrm.

"The others didn't warn you about these guys...did they?" said Ghoulwyrm as Kala used her hybrid form to rip several Shadowkhan apart.

Xiao Fung sighed and said, "Must I do everything?" He breathed up into the air, causing several clouds to suddenly form and winds to quickly pick up. Only the air closest to him remained still. The group slowly began to be whipped around, several of the Shadowkhan digging their claws in to prevent their own wind aided flight.

"Nicely done," said Ghoulwyrm appreciatively. The Shadowkhan stuck their pointed feet into the floor and walls and started advancing on the closest members of the group.

Meanwhile, several plasma bolts shot out of the tornado holding Matt, causing it to collapse. Matt, still spinning staggered around before looking unsteadily to see a Shadowkhan. "Hey...you...you four stop," he said, firing a plasma ball that missed completely, instead hitting Jade and Viper's cage, vaporizing the front of it.

"Well, that's convenient," said Jade.

"Too bad there's a storm out there," said Viper as Draco and Chip blew by.

Matt looked around, his eyes still spinning before losing control of his form and shifting to dragon form and falling over. "Ow...make the world stop," he said.

Anton landed next to Matt and said, "I'll make something stop alright," before trying to spear Matt with his ion staff.

Unfortunately, it turned out the spinning had also given Matt the hiccups, one such causing Anton to get a plasma blast.

Anton was knocked back a bit from that. "It seems you've lost much of your equilibrium," he said, "How about I eradicate the rest?" He then shot a concentrated sonic blast at Matt's head.

Matt dodged to the side before aiming a plasma blast in return, which shot past Jackie and hit Ghoulwyrm who was sneaking up on him

"Where is Uncle?" called Jackie.

"Jackie!" Jackie looked towards the main door where Uncle had managed to avoid being sucked in. "Where is fan?" called Uncle.

Viper pulled out the fan. "Here...catch," she called before tossing it into the hurricane where it circled round into Uncle's waiting hand.

"Hot cha," said Uncle before he started taking out vials filled with variously colored formulas and started mixing them together.

Xiao Fung saw this. "Apprentice...stop fooling and stop the chi wizard!" he yelled.

Matt had at least enough focus to say, "Taking orders from the big toad guy? Aren't you supposed to be working for the gerbil king?"

Anton said, "Hamsterviel's a furball with a few tincans and a Napoleon complex. He isn't worth anything, let alone taking orders from."

"Ooh, naughty, naughty, naughty," said Matt dizzily.

Anton glared and tried to turn dragon. However, his body didn't seem to respond to his mental command. Anton gulped as he heard a voice only he could, saying 'Nanite error 24-b...please contact nearest technomage guild representative.'

"Ha, ha, frog boy can't go dragon," taunted Matt.

"But wind demon power is more than enough to take care of you," said Anton before blasting Matt.

Matt slid back on the ground a bit, tucking his wings in and digging his claws into the ground. He looked up once Anton stopped. "Not as tough as the genuine article...eh? Bye-bye," said Matt, before tail whipping Anton across the warehouse.

Meanwhile, the others were attempting to fight back at the Shadowkhan. Which was pretty hard since the hurricane was blowing them all over the room. The only ones who could get a decent fight in where Chloe and Drago who were hanging onto the cage.

Chloe kicked out at Drago. "Didn't you learn last time we fought at Section 13 vault that you shouldn't piss off a dragoness?" she said.

"Show me a real dragoness and I'll be sure to avoid her," said Drago.

Chloe's eyes glowed before shifting to hybrid form. "If I remember correctly, I left you squeaking last time," she said.

"Ancient history," said Drago, "Just like you're about to be."

Chloe and Drago ended up locking hands and pushing against each other. "Oh? I always like re-enacting it..." she said, kicking Drago between the legs.

Drago winced and said, "You know, you shouldn't fight dirty against a lady."

Chloe snorted and said, "Chivalry's as extinct as your kind."

Drago sent a fireball into an extinguisher next to Chloe, causing her to stagger back, wiping the extinguisher dist from her eyes. "Then again...you're not a lady," he said.

"Why you-" started Chloe before Drago grabbed her tail and flipped her down onto the floor. Chloe glared and tried to get back up only for Drago to get her in an arm lock. "You really should let go. I think you're forgetting something," she warned.

"Oh yeah? What's that?" asked Drago.

"This," said Chloe before channeling an electrical charge through her skin and into Drago. Drago was sent flying backwards and out of the eye of the storm.

Xiao Fung looked down at Drago with a little disgust. "I can see how you are your father's son. You are as competent as him," he said.

"You really shouldn't talk about your own brother that way," said Chloe to Xiao Fung.

"As if your own brother's a shining example of brilliance," retorted Xiao Fung.

Chloe ignited an electrical ball in her hand. "He gets the job done...and please don't try the demon temptation mind whammy," she said icily.

"My brother, Tchang Zu, told me of your hardheadness," said Xiao Fung, "I'd no more get an ideas into your head than get a needle into a stone." Chloe growled at that. "Besides, I already have an apprentice I can rely on," said Xiao Fung.

Chloe looked over at where Anton was trying to gather his marbles after Matt had punted him. "Yeah...you need better help."

Xiao Fung suddenly smirked and said, "Did you know there is a spell designed to steal all the air out of another's lung? Allow me to demonstrate." He chanted a little bit while waving his fingers in an odd fashion. Chloe began to gag as she started to feel like the air was being drawn from the room.

Suddenly, Viper came up behind Xiao, jumped up, and kicked him in the back of the head. The demon roared angrily, the spell cutting off as his concentration broke. The Demon Sorcerer turned to see Jackie, Jade, Viper and the remains of Matt's team. "Chan...do you really think you can stop me this time?" he said, smugly.

"Not me, him," said Jackie, pointing. Xiao turned and saw Uncle chanted while unfurling the now-glowing fan.

Xiao Fung's eyes widened as he sensed the spell. "No...NO...NOT AGAIN!" he yelled, preparing a spell...too late as Uncle began chanting the banishment spell. Xiao Fung resorted to a concentrated gale in Uncle's direction.

Too late however, as a green beam shot from the fan, pushing the Demon Sorcerer's spell aside and hitting Xiao Fung. A portal opened up behind Xiao Fung and he was pulled back towards it. "NOOOOOOOOOO!" he screamed before he was sent through.

Anton also yelled the same as the chi in his body was pulled out. He immediately shifted to dragon form and sent out a large radius blast. However, his blast quickly petered out when Anton found his strength rapidly dwindling.

Jackie said, "What's happened to him?" when they noticed he wasn't ripping them apart.

Ghoulwyrm said from where he was, "I know...wait for it...there it is," as Anton shifted to human and fell over, revealing the jellyfish demon happily sucking on him

"Huh, the little jelly came in usefulness after all," said Kala.

Anton pulled it off. "That's it!" he yelled, readying a blaster.

The jellyfish suddenly made a loud screeching noise. "Uh, Anton, I'd put it down if I were you," said Ghoulwyrm.

"Why should I?" demanded Anton.

"Because it just called for its mommy."

A portal opened in the middle of the room, to what Ghoulwyrm recognized as convexity. "Better him then me," Ghoulwyrm muttered. A very large tentacle came out said portal and slammed down on Anton, the baby making a happy squish and going through the portal.

"Uh, I think now's a good time to leave," said Ghoulwyrm.

Drago said, "Yeah...before they get over seeing that..." Ghoulwyrm opened a portal, allowing the two to escape.

Matt however had walked over to the imprinted Anton. "I don't usually care but...you wanna borrow a medipak?" he said.

Anton glared at Matt and said, "I don't need your-" The pain in his body made him wince and realize that now was not a time for pride. "Give me that stupid medipak," he grumbled.

Matt grinned evilly. "Not just yet...this has a little fee attached," he said.

"What?" asked Anton.

"The armor, hand it over," said Matt.

Anton glared. "You have got to be kidding," he hissed, gesturing at the girls of the group.

"Relax, you still have your underwear, right?" said Matt.

If looks could kill, Anton's glare would have vaporized the entire city. "Fine...I swear I'm gonna kill you one day," he said.

"Take a number, there's a lot of guys who want that," said Matt.

Anton glared before limping behind some boxes. "I am not coming into sight," he said from behind it, tossing the armor over the boxes.

"One more thing," said Draco, "Get out of Dodge, and this dimension while you're at it and don't come back."

"Fine...just smeg off. I am not coming out in just my pants," replied Anton.

"Oh, and we'd like whatever data you got from your wormhole-making experiments," said Chip.

Anton said, "Fine...just bugger off. I'd offer the shirt off my back but you already have that," his wrist comp's CPU bouncing off Draco's head from where it was thrown over the boxes.

"One last thing," said Chloe, "Clean off NegaMorph from the walls." She gestured around to where the hurricane had smeared NegaMorph thin all over the walls.

Anton's reply was in Avalarian, negative and certainly rude.

"Now that was hardly polite," said Chip, "But then again, neither was this." He then started producing a recording of Anton, "Hamsterviel's a furball with a few tincans and a Napoleon complex. He isn't worth anything, let alone taking orders from."

Anton heard that and said, "You wouldn't dare, ya little tin can."

"I might, I might not, unless you'd rather I hold it over you for something bigger," said Chip.

"...what did you have in mind?" said Anton, walking back into view, wearing a jump suit he'd gotten from somewhere.

"Oh, I don't know," said Chip, "Something exclusive, something secretive...something hi-tech."

"This is why I hate you guys...fine..." Anton said, "The third dimensional cutter's in Warehouse 12. Can I go now?"

"Ok, you can go," said Chloe, "Matt, you pick up NegaMorph."

Matt nodded, "Chris...pick up NegaMorph."

"Oh no, you don't," said Chloe, "You blew our element of surprise, you can clean up NegaMorph."

Matt said, "I'm a bigger rank then you...I..." he said before jumping back as Chloe, who was still in hybrid form, growled. "Erm...yeah, alright," he said dully before walking in NegaMorph's direction.

…

Back at the hotel, everyone was trying to relax after the battle, particularly NegaMorph.

Uncle said, "We should not be waiting. I need to return to shop to research where next demon portal will be opened..."

However, the only response was Matt to say from where he was laying on the room's couch, "No...too tired...Matthew need sleep or Matthew go insane and shoot everything."

"Hey Jackie," said Viper, "Thanks for saving my butt back there."

Jackie said simply, "You were in danger."

"Where'd you come up with that Japanese kabuki thing anyways?" asked Draco.

"It's geisha," said Viper, "Did a job a while back, required me being undercover while scoping, long story. I taught the most basic points to Jade so we can keep Balloon Face occupied."

Matt said, "It definitely worked," from where he was laying.

"Speaking of Japanese," said Viper, "I know this great sushi place in this town, fresh as it gets. You should come with me there, Jackie." The experiments all turned to look with mischievous looks.

"Well, I, er, uh..." stuttered Jackie.

"He'll see you at 7," said Contrinus.

Viper grinned at Jackie's shocked stuttering. "I'll see you there." she said with a smirk.

Just then, Jade walked in, holding a piece of paper in her hands. "Hey guys," she said, "Look what I found. It's a lottery ticket for a big prize. Turn on the radio, maybe I've won."

Matt said from his seat, "For heaven's sake...the last 48 hours have proven that while dragons exist here...dragon luck does not...especially Jade's dragon luck…" before he reached over and turned the radio on anyway.

The DJ's voice came on, "Alright, you crazy fans, it's time for the big lottery to see who gets a luxury house in San Francisco and $500,000. And the winning number is... 1-2-8-1-2-9-8."

Jade looked her ticket and shouted, "I WON!"

Matt peered up over the edge of his seat with a manic look in his eyes. He said in a calm voice (in the same way the eye of a storm was 'calm') "Where was that luck earlier?"

"Uncle said that dragons were symbols of prosperity, Uncle did not say they were lucky for martial reasons," said Uncle.

Matt's eye twitch started to get worse. "What?" he said.

"Uncle did more research," said Uncle, "Chinese dragons can have good luck getting money or good crops, but not for martial reasons like defeating enemies or winning battles."

"And why not?" asked Matt, sounding on the brink of a breakdown.

"Dragons need no luck for that," said Uncle.

Matt gibbered at that. "Why? I wanna get a break," he gibbered before looking at the ticket. To his addled mind, the ticket started laughing at him. Matt's eye twitch and he yelled, "DIE, MOCKING TICKET!" He threw a plasma orb at it.

"No!" shouted NegaMorph jumping in front and taking the blast.

Chloe sighed before electrocuting Matt. "I'd put that somewhere safe. This happened last Halloween with the jack-o'-lantern," she said, having not looked up from her book.

"Matt, that ticket's worth 500,000 dollars, plus a sweet house," groaned NegaMorph as he tried to get up.

"It's taunting me...in French," said Matt, gibbering a bit.

"Big piles of money are worth any taunt," said NegaMorph.

Matt stopped, "Money?"

NegaMorph said, "Yeees...lots of lovely money...you could buy that ion rifle you always wanted."

"Jade, can I borrow a couple hundred dollars?" asked Matt.

"She should invest for something good," said Jackie, "Like her college fund."

"I just want happy times...I'M SICK OF THE SME..!" he began before Kala kissed him on the cheek.

"Better?" asked Kala.

"Much, thanks," said Matt.

---

Here's the next chapter. Sorry for the extra-long wait. Last week was midterms week and I had a lot of studying to do. But I'm on spring break now, or rather halfway through it, and I should be more active. Anyways, with this chapter, you'll notice we have the Razor Khan, which were the first new tribe of Shadowkhan summoned in the fourth season. And of course, we have Viper appearing. I had wanted to do something with Viper since El Toro got so many more guest episodes than she did. The only time she reappeared outside of a J-Team episode was that Origami episode. Besides, she and Jackie make such a cute couple. And the Convexity jellyfish are from The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning. Anyhow, even though the Empire's not likely to show up, that doesn't mean there won't be more evil. Stick around for the next update on Friday and please review.