Alright, guys… Here's your last update for a while. If you need more details, I've added some to my Profile. So rather than bore you with that and apologize for the lateness of this update – I am sorry, but I can't help it if time gets away from me, and I have so much more to do, such as sorting out college – I'll just skip right to the Chapter. This was fun to write, as Jamey contributed a fair amount to this one… But I contributed my fair share, too. Later on, Jamey may get his own Episode to write for, but more details on that later.
I hope you enjoy. Please feel free to Review – we won't ignore you. We appreciate all you readers. ~Yaxon
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"Long ago, in an ancient age, eight Demon Sorcerers appeared. Humanity did not know what to do with the Demon Sorcerers, so humanity mingled with the eight Demon Sorcerers, and, for a time, peace reigned. However, it soon became known that the Demon Sorcerers did not wish to live peacefully with humanity, and humanity warred against the Demon Sorcerers for decades. Until finally, eight Immortals rose up and sealed the eight Demon Sorcerers away, and the one and only key to unlocking the Sorcerers' prisons was left on the human side. The Sorcerers vowed that they would return to seek vengeance on humanity, but the vow never came to pass. And so, cohabitation between humanity and Demons ceased, with the humans being free, and the Demons being locked away for eternity…
Teku closed the book he had been reading and smirked.
"Hmph… A quaint tale, wouldn't you agree?"
All members of the Jyutlong nodded in agreement.
"So, it is our job to pen the next Chapter, no…?" Mallah asked, knowing the answer already.
Teku stood up and donned his cloak.
"Yes… It is time for the eight Demons to finally have their revenge…"
Teku held up the Panku Box and laughed…
- At the Helm's Fish Cannery -
Valmont frowned at his reflection in the window of his third hideout in only a month. He went from his posh office complex to an abandoned factory, and now to this, a fish cannery. At least here, everything was working, so it was a step up from the factory. Unfortunately, his luck as of late has been horrid.
He got caught trying to steal Shendu's Lost Treasure of Chin Cheung inside his Palace, and was then forced to fight Section 13 alongside his Enforcers to keep them from assisting Chan as he fought the dragon Sorcerer. In the end, Shendu was stripped of his Talismans and blasted back into medieval China by Chan. Shendu's Palace crumbled to the ground, taking the Lost Treasure with it, and Valmont escaped capture while his minions were arrested.
So, no treasure whatsoever, but in this situation, there WAS a reward for his work with Shendu.
He turned around, and looked at what he had brought back from Hong Kong. Shendu's twelve Talismans, all lying on a crate in the room. They were his and his alone.
Much better than a Silver Medal.
The Englishman smirked, and walked over to the Talismans, standing over them.
"At least I can thank you, Shendu, for leaving your most valuable possessions behind for me to make use of. Never mind all of those goons I have lost to Section 13. They can wither away in prison for all I care. As long as I have the Talismans, neither Section 13 nor Chan can stand up to me."
He gave a dark chuckle, and picked up the Snake Talisman, turning invisible in the room.
He laughed.
- At Uncle's Rare Finds -
"Jaccckkkiiieee! Why do we have to leave Section 13? I don't WANT to go back to Uncle's!" Jade whined, as she and Jackie Chan walked down the street to Uncle's Rare Finds.
Jackie looked at her, and answered, "Why do we need to be in Section 13 any longer? The whole Talisman thing is over with. I have to get back to my real life."
Jade put her hands on her hips and retorted, "Yeah, the Talismans! We never recovered them from Shendu's Palace! Don't you think we should have checked over the place to get them?"
Jackie rolled his eyes at his niece's persistence. He said, with a slightly exasperated sound, "The Talismans were buried with the palace. No one will ever touch those things again."
Jade then asked, "What about Valmont? He got away."
Jackie responded, "But we got his goons. He is all that is left of the Dark Hand. Captain Black is the one that needs to worry about him now."
They reached the door to the shop, and Jackie walked in.
"Jaaackiiieee. So nice to see you!" yelled Uncle, as he walked to the door.
"We are moving back in, Uncle!" cried Jackie. The response he got was a strike to the forehead, with an "Ow!" to go with it.
"Then Tohru will have nowhere to sleep in here!" said Uncle. Tohru, along with the aides, was in the backroom, and overheard Uncle yelling. They all turned towards the door, and gave "sorry" looks.
Jackie groaned. Jade decided to act like a wise-guy and said to him. "Oops. Overlooked that detail, Uncle Jackie. Oh well… Guess we WILL have to stay in Section 13 after all."
Jackie did a face palm, and turned to her and said, "No. We will find someplace else to live. I do not want to stay in Section 13 any longer." He threw his arms up, and then said, "My trouble with Magic, thugs, and Demons is over!"
- In the Demon Netherworld -
A pair of ghostly red eyes glowed in the empty void that was the Demon Netherworld. The spirit form of Shendu muttered to himself, "Once I make Jackie Chan pay, I will tear that buffoon Valmont to pieces!"
A crack of lightning frightened the spirit dragon, causing him to stop speaking. The booming voice of Tchang Zu, the Thunder Demon, rang in his ears.
"First, you must pay for your own treachery, brother." He spat out the last word of that sentence with contempt.
A demonic mermaid, Bai Tsa, the Water Demon, swam up behind Shendu, and looked him in the face as she said, "It is time for you to endure," she paused, then finished slowly, "eternal torment."
Shendu floated away from his sister, yelling in fear and shock, "T… Torment? Eternal?"
A red robed demon with long black hair, a long tongue, and four arms hovered towards him from behind. The Moon Demon, Tso Lan, then spoke to Shendu as well.
"To punish you for betraying us, Shendu. You chose to spend your time ruling China."
A batty demon, Hsi Wu the Sky Demon, then flew past Shendu, shouting with anger, "While we had to float and fly around this pit with absolutely nothing to do!"
A frog-like being known as Xiao Fung the Wind Demon leaped onto the rock Shendu was closest to at that point, and mocked, "No wind, no air, there is nothing in this realm to keep us entertained, Shendu."
Xiao Fung leaped away, and a huge burly demon called Dai Gui the Earth Demon took his place on that rock, and hammered his fist down on to it, breaking off a piece and startling Shendu, again.
"You didn't even try to attempt to release us!"
Shendu looked at Dai Gui in the eyes. He stared back at him, his own eyes narrowed in anger and interest.
Shendu weakly replied, "I… I was getting ready to start the quest to release you all, but a warrior named Lo Pei revolted against me and-"
"We all know that is an egregious lie!" yelled the last of the demons, towering behind Dai Gui. This demonness was the largest of all of them, and went by the name of Po Kong, the Mountain Demon.
"You just want Earth all to yourself, don't you, Shendu?" the gargantuan Demonness bellowed.
Shendu was then showered with ice cold water from Bai Tsa, who then asked of him, "You can't even be bothered to let me have my precious seas on Earth while you demonstrate your tyranny over land? You really need to learn to share something, Shendu."
Shendu shuddered as he recovered from the cold water. Once he could think again, he said, "I… I can try to free you now, if you let me."
Tchang Zu crossed his arms, and answered, "And how will you accomplish that? The doors to this realm must be opened from the other side."
Hsi Wu added, "The side where the humans dwell."
Shendu nodded in acknowledgement, before continuing himself, "I am aware of that. But I am a spirit now, so I can cross back to that side and possess any human I wish. I will then proceed to unlock those doors that keep you in here and let you out into the world yourselves, if you allow me passage..."
- At a Wells Fargo Bank -
An explosion rocked the San Francisco street. Smoke billowed from a freshly made hole in the side of a bank, and Valmont emerged with several bags of loot hovering behind him. Valmont cackled.
"Too easy! I've already got enough to make a fine base of operations, having looted five banks thus far! And NO sign of Mon Capitan! I'm disappointed…"
Police cars swarmed the area and screeched to a halt. A Police Chief with a megaphone shouted at Valmont.
"FREEZE! You have the right to…"
Valmont scoffed and aimed the Rooster Talisman at the police, raising all of them in the process.
"Blah, blah, blah… You authority-type are always the same… Where's the Good Captain when you need sport…? HE knew that words got you nowhere…" Valmont muttered to himself. Then he swung down the hand with the Rooster Talisman in it, and all the police cars exploded upon contact with the street again. Valmont chuckled darkly as the sound of screams flooded the streets. "No one can stop me now, not even…"
- At Section 13 -
"JAAACKIIIEEE… Why can't we stay here? It's free, we don't have to play Section 13 a dime!" Jade whined and offered up. Jackie just shook his head.
"You'll finally experience what a normal life is like, Jade… Once you experience that, you won't want an action-packed one." Jackie chuckled at the thought of Jade living a normal life. … He'd be darned if he couldn't make that happen starting that day.
Jade snorted and growled at the same time – a fascinating sound. She was sitting in her corner of the room, arms crossed, and stuff still all unpacked.
"Well, I'm not going. YOU go and live in some apartment…" Jade pouted. She knew it was an idle threat.
Jackie shook his head and put his hands on his hips.
"Jade… Your parents asked me to look after you, not Section 13. If you don't start packing, there will be…"
Jade still didn't move, and she gave Jackie a defiant glare.
"…"
Jackie sighed and dropped his arms.
"… consequences." Jackie knew THAT was an idle threat, because Jade always found some way to make punishment 'fun', whether that punishment was being grounded for some period of time or just 'no TV'. Turning back to packing his things, Jackie resolved to pack Jade's things and drag Jade out of Section 13, if he had to.
"Jackie!" Captain Black called as he put his head in Jackie's room.
Jackie looked up from packing his bags, and Jade's eyes fell on Captain Black the minute poked his head into the room. Jackie blinked.
"What is it Captain Black?"
Captain Black stepped into the room and put one hand in his pocket.
"Got a robbery in progress… It's Valmont."
Jackie blinked again and appeared confused.
"Uh… Good luck?"
Captain Black sighed and shook his head. He said, "Valmont's packing heat. … Talisman heat."
Jackie grimaced at the thought of the Talismans being abused again. Captain Black walked over to Jackie and placed the hand that wasn't in his pocket on Jackie's shoulder.
"I know you want to get back to real life, my friend… But I need you, Jackie… One last time."
Jackie sighed exasperatedly, but nodded in consent.
"… One last time."
Jade pumped her fist into the air and cheered.
"Alright! We're finally gonna get the Talismans and keep 'em! Let's-"
Jackie and Captain Black both turned to Jade and pointed at her simultaneously while stating, "NO."
"Jade, Valmont will be too dangerous to be around this time. If he possesses all twelve Talismans, then only I can take him on. You must stay here, where you are safe."
Jade groaned and pouted.
"Aww…"
With that, Jackie and Captain Black rushed off to battle Valmont. Jade, meanwhile, waited a few minutes, and then dashed out of the room herself, bent on alerting Unc and the Aides…
- In the Demon Netherworld -
"So, we all understand the battle plan, brothers and sisters? I am most humbled to be your servant now. My destruction means you will take my place as the Ultimate Evil in the human world now." crowed Shendu. The faces on his siblings did not change, though.
"So, shall we begin?" he added.
The Demons all held out their hands, and blasted him with yellow energy. The spirit dragon squirmed from the tingling sensation of being hit with this spell.
"Wh… What did you do to me?"
Bai Tsa answered, "You think we can trust you, after you abandoned us? We need to keep you on a chain to make sure you don't do anything stupid again."
Xiao Fung then told Shendu, "That spell we just cast on you will bind you to the human you possess. It will stay that way until we are all free."
Hsi Wu flew up, and giggled at him.
"Hahaha. A little insurance policy so we will know EXACTLY where you are."
Tso Lan finished the briefing with, "In the event we deem it necessary to resume your eternal torment."
Shendu replied to all of that with, "Very well. I will go along with your requirements. I will be sure to choose the right vessel for me. And there is only one who fits that quota."
He narrowed his eyes darkly.
"Jackie Chan…"
- At Another Well's Fargo Bank –
Valmont burst through the backside of yet another Well's Fargo. They were numerous in California, and Valmont was thinking of hitting each and every one and then moving higher up on the 'Money Chain'. If Section 13 was going to be fashionably late, why should he be in a hurry to get to the big heists? He had all the time in the world with the twelve mystical Talismans of Shendu.
Valmont sighed dejectedly and paused mid-hover outside of the bank. Shaking his head and looking down at the sidewalk, Valmont lamented, "It's just not the same without Chan or Black… I mean, now that I'm all-powerful, I WANT a challenge. What's wrong with me? I should be HAPPY that things are going smoothly… that I'm getting back every cent that was taken from me…"
Valmont landed on the sidewalk and dropped the cash that had been hovering behind him.
"I should seek them out, test my power…" Valmont shook his head again and smacked a palm to his forehead. "Of course, I have no idea where Section 13 is located, or where Jackie Chan lives… My lackeys know where Chan is, and they're most likely rotting away in Section 13…
Valmont crossed his arms and shook his head wildly.
"No, no, no… I'm done bailing those imbeciles out. From now on, I fly solo. And I do it with the Talismans. End of story."
Valmont took a deep breath and levitated into the air once more, money and all. However, just when he decided to do that, tanks, vans, and helicopters could be heard approaching. Valmont visibly brightened at the sounds. Valmont cried out joyfully, "FINALLY!"
Moments later, those tanks, vans, and helicopters came into view. Valmont smirked as he spotted Captain Black driving a van, and Jackie sitting in the shotgun. Valmont said not a word, but he found himself getting increasingly ecstatic, even when some other agents spoke through megaphones and told Valmont to stand down.
Jackie saw the floating Valmont, and wished that the report about the magical Talismans had been false.
"Bad day…" Jackie muttered. One thing was certain: With Valmont holding the Talismans, things were about to get ugly.
Captain Black shook his head and opened his door.
"Like I said, my friend… We need you. Now, c'mon. With our teamwork, we can take down Valmont once and for all."
Jackie paled a little, still thinking about the deadly weapons Valmont had at his disposal. Yet Jackie put on a determined face and nodded.
"I hope you're right… We are San Francisco's only hope… Let alone the entire world's…"
Jackie and Captain Black got out of the van. No sooner had they gotten out, than heat beams and combustion had begun to rain down on the vehicles of Section 13, with maniacal laughter coming from Valmont.
"Oh… YES! BURN! SUFFER FOR WHAT YOU PUT ME THROUGH!" Valmont bellowed and cackled as random tanks and vans started blowing up.
Captain Black called out to all his men with his megaphone.
"All agents! Take down Valmont, no matter what it takes! Don't let up, he's packing dangerous-"
Valmont continued his barrage and interrupted Captain Black's commands.
"Oh, I think they GET IT, Captain Black… Do shut up." Valmont snickered as he managed to get a scowl and growl from Black.
Jackie took this time to make his way through the vehicles not being assaulted by Valmont, and to the building behind Valmont. Leaping up and running along the side, Jackie pushed away from the wall and lunged at Valmont, who was in the air. Valmont thought he had been ready to stop Chan, but it turned out he mixed up the Tiger Talisman with the Rooster Talisman, and so got tackled to the ground, instead of stopping Jackie mid-lunge. In the process, the bags of money ceased levitating, and fell back on the sidewalk. The Rooster, Pig, Dragon, and Tiger Talismans went flying after Valmont and Chan hit the pavement.
Valmont cursed and attempted to kick Chan off, but Jackie instead grabbed the Dog Talisman dangling around Valmont's neck and tore it away from him.
"Valmont, you're making this too easy." Jackie smiled and laughed a little, and then leaped off of Valmont.
Valmont cursed again, and got to his feet.
"Oh, I'm 'making this too easy', am I? Well, allow me to step up my game a bit, old chap…" Valmont said ominously. Seconds later, Jackie was on his back, and the Dog Talisman was back in Valmont's hands. Apparently, Valmont used the Rabbit Talisman to ram into Jackie.
Section 13 agents used this time to gather up the Rooster, Pig, Dragon, and Tiger Talismans, but no sooner than they had, than Valmont used the Rabbit Talisman to collect them from the agents.
"Nice try… But, please, try and be more subtle about it next time." Valmont snickered. Valmont was unaware that Captain Black was really close to him, though, and so, was unexpectedly tackled AGAIN. This time, though, the Rabbit Talisman went flying with the Rooster, Pig, Dragon, Tiger, and Dog Talismans. Valmont seethed and used the Ox Talisman to heft Captain Black off of him. Valmont shook his fists in the air and declared, "ENOUGH!"
Jackie Chan was quick on the draw, though. After securing the Rabbit Talisman, Jackie managed to retrieve all the other Talismans that scattered after that second tackle, and then promptly knocked Valmont into a brick wall with the speed of the Rabbit Talisman, which made Valmont drop the Ox Talisman after the impact. Jackie picked up the Ox Talisman and smirked at Valmont, who gave him the evil eye.
"I don't know, Valmont. Are you sure you can do ANYTHING without your henchmen? I mean, you're losing Talismans left and right. Not exactly making us 'suffer', is it?"
Valmont chuckled and drew another Talisman out of his pocket.
"Well, Chan… I guess all I have to say is, stop monkey-ing around…"
And with that, Valmont zapped Jackie at blank-shot range, and turned Jackie into a monkey with the Monkey Talisman. All the Talismans that Jackie had collected were up for grabs. Again.
Captain Black grabbed the Talisman nearest him, and aimed it at Valmont.
"Valmont… Just surrender. You're outnumbered, and you're running out of mystical trinkets."
Valmont held his forehead back and laughed at Black's poor choice of Talisman to threaten him with.
"Oh, please, Mon Capitan… Threatening me with the Tiger Talisman? It'll keep you balanced, I'll give you that. But… even if it was something you could threaten me with, would you REALLY carry out your threat? If you ask me, I think you're too… CHICKEN!"
Captain Black's eyes widened. He leaped out of the Monkey Talisman's path just as Valmont fired it, which caused a tank to turn into a fairly sizable metal chicken sculpture. Valmont sighed and picked up the Rooster Talisman, which was nearest him, and levitated all the Talismans so that they would all come to him. But, of course, Valmont underestimated Chan, AGAIN. Even as a monkey, Jackie was capable of picking up a Talisman and using it. 'Lucky' for him, the Rabbit Talisman was closest to him, and Jackie used it to snatch back the Monkey and Rooster Talismans, and used the Monkey Talisman to change himself back. Jackie used the Rooster Talisman to levitate Valmont into the air and pin him against the brick wall.
"It's over, Valmont. All you've got left in your pocket is the Horse, Snake, Sheep, and Rat Talismans. You couldn't do anything with those in your current position, and you sure can't do anything without your henchmen. It's OVER!"
Valmont clenched his teeth and screamed. He would not admit defeat. He would get himself out of this situation. Somehow. … He just didn't see a way out, yet.
It was at this time that Shendu's ethereal form materialized into the human world, around the general area where the 'battle' was taking place. Shendu's glowing red orbs spotted Chan pinning Valmont against a brick wall. Shendu giggled with glee. This was too perfect…!
"At last, Jackie Chan… I shall have my revenge…!"
Shendu, with a burst of speed, flew at Jackie Chan. There seemed to be no hindrance to his objective. But at the last moment, Jackie levitated Valmont away from the wall and did a complete three-sixty. Shendu had no time to arc left or right in his flight path, and he screamed angrily when he flew straight into Valmont and unwillingly bonded with him.
Jackie chuckled some, and smiled at Captain Black.
"I think this belongs to you."
Jackie had no idea of what just happened… but he was about to.
Captain Black smiled back and sighed with relief. Captain Black held up a pair of handcuffs for Valmont to see. Valmont currently had his eyes closed, and his face was emotionless.
"For years you've given Section 13 trouble, Valmont… But now, your 'fun time' is finished. We'll have you in a nice, cozy cell back at Section 13, don't you…"
At last Valmont's eyes opened, but they weren't his. They were glowing red eyes. Shendu hissed.
"Enough, insolent human!" And with a breath of fire, Shendu made Captain Black fall over, and proceeded to whip around, mid-levitation, and send a fireball at Jackie.
Jackie cried out, "WAH!" and dropped the Rooster Talisman out of shock as he dodged reflexively to the right. The fireball singed the brick wall. Shendu, now free of the Rooster Talisman's levitation, landed on the ground on Valmont's feet, and collected all his Talismans, after picking up the Rooster Talisman. Jackie recognized the voice coming out of Valmont's mouth, but couldn't believe it.
Shendu declared, "Jackie Chan… There is no doubt that we will meet again… I would enjoy nothing more than to KILL you for ending my reign permanently… But I have more pressing matters. So, I will let you live for the moment. But know this: You will perish if you intend to get in the way of my conquest… Farewell, Jackie Chan…"
With another burst of speed, thanks to the Rabbit Talisman, Shendu, in Valmont's body, flew off, leaving Jackie Chan and Section 13 very confused. Minutes later, Jade showed up with Uncle, the aides, and Tohru. After seeing the devastation, and no sign of Valmont anywhere, Jade whined and stomped her right foot and crossed her arms.
"Aww… Don't tell me we missed the action…"
Uncle and Tohru made their way over to Jackie, while the aides and Jade went over to Captain Black, who appeared completely spooked. And covered in soot.
"Yo, Cap! Why do ya look so… bewildered?" Finn asked innocently enough. Ratso and Chow stood behind Finn, wanting to know the answer to that, too.
Jade exclaimed, "Yeah! If it was 'cause of the Talismans, you shouldn't be so surprised!"
Captain Black shook. His voice was shaky.
"Th… that… wasn't Talisman Magic… Valmont was stripped of all the harmful Talismans, but he still… b… blew fire…"
Jade, Finn, Ratso, and Chow all blinked in astonishment. Jade asked, to make sure.
"Are you serious? Valmont did THIS?" Jade said, motioning to the amount of soot on Captain Black's person.
Captain Black only nodded wearily and didn't say another word.
Uncle and Tohru helped Jackie to his feet. Tohru was the first to speak up.
"Jackie… What happened here? Where is Valmont?"
Uncle frowned.
"And why do you look as if you have seen ghost?"
Jackie continued to blink in astonishment with wide eyes and shook his head, eventually. When he spoke, there was a certain amount of disbelief in his voice, yet there was just as much certainty.
"Uncle… I think Shendu has returned."
Uncle's eyes widened, and Tohru appeared shocked.
- At the Helm's Fish Cannery –
Shendu furiously kicked the door open and stormed into Valmont's latest abode.
"HOW did that happen…?" Shendu growled, referring to his mistaken possession of Valmont. It was as if fate mocked him. First, his nemesis destroyed his physical body, and then, in an effort to repay said nemesis, Shendu failed to possess him and got Valmont instead, thanks to that nemesis. Shendu despised failure, but Valmont even moreso.
Just as Shendu was making his way further into the Fish Cannery to think out his next move, Shendu lost his grip on Valmont's body. Valmont's body twitched and Valmont groaned as he regained control. Looking about, Valmont blinked in astonishment.
"Wh-What…? Where am I?" Valmont recognized the surroundings as his latest hideout after staring at them for a while, but the question was… How did he get there? The last thing he remembered was battling the Chans, and then… nothing.
Valmont's eyes widened as he just remembered something important.
"And WHERE is the money…?" Valmont looked about the Fish Cannery once more, but didn't see any loot from his latest raid. Valmont fumed and clenched his hands into fists. "I should have won! I had Chan on the ropes! I KNOW I wouldn't just give up a battle with Chan if I was WINNING it… So just what is going on…?
Valmont walked over to the only mirror he possessed in the Cannery and looked himself over. Maybe he could find some clue in his personage. However, when he looked himself over, nothing looked out of the ordinary on his person. Clothes were intact, flawless. And when he reached his hands into his pockets, he found he still possessed the Talismans, all twelve of them.
"Was the raid all just a dream, then…?" Valmont wondered and rubbed his chin.
"… No. I was standing up, and I KNOW I don't sleep walk…"
Finally, Valmont decided to look at his face in the mirror. It was the only part of his body that he had yet to look at, but Valmont seriously doubted he would find anything out of the ordinary on what he thought was his perfect face. That is, until…
"Oh… Oh no… Oh no. OH NOOO!" Valmont shrieked. In his reflection, he saw not only his face, but Shendu's disembodied spirit head, red eyes piercingly gazing at him, daring him to say another word. However, Shendu didn't have to wait for Valmont's horrified response, because he regained control of Valmont's body. Once Shendu was in control once more, he groaned.
"Oh, great… I was hoping to be in PERMANENT possession of this wretched body, but fate must scorn me further…"
Valmont's body twitched again and Valmont took over again.
"W… What are you DOING inside of me, Shendu? You are SUPPOSED to be DEAD!"
It was at this point that Shendu wished he could roll his eyes. Without taking control again, Shendu replied, "Well, Valmont… It appears we aren't quite done with each other yet. Though I WANTED to possess Chan… YOU got in the way… So now it looks like things have to be done the HARD way, thanks to YOU."
Valmont seethed and punched Shendu's image in the mirror.
"How is it MY fault, you albatross? Everything was all fine until you came back into the picture! I nearly had Chan on his knees, begging for mercy! Then, somehow, you possessed me and made me retreat! Why in the world didn't you destroy Chan when WE had the chance?"
Shendu growled and still did not take back Valmont's body just yet.
"Call me an albatross again, and you will be punished severely! And as for your assertion… You seem to be looking back on that battle with rose-tinted glasses, Valmont… Chan had YOU on the ropes! Or, at least, you scrambling for MY powerful Talismans! You'll be happy to know that I recovered all twelve before retreating…
When Valmont didn't make any sort of reply, Shendu huffed.
"You're welcome. ANYWAY. We have more important matters to attend to, Valmont, namely my brothers and sisters. We need to release them, and I needed a body in order to do that…"
Valmont motioned to himself and stared at Shendu in disbelief.
"So you chose ME? Haven't you ever thought that I'm tired of all this Magic business? Working with you? Sure, I appreciate your leaving behind the Talismans for me to use, but…"
Shendu hissed and made Valmont's body twitch as he forcibly took over again, not being able to take Valmont's constant complaining anymore.
"I didn't choose you, you buffoon! I had chosen Jackie Chan, but he put you in my way! Now we both must suffer. Frankly, you deserve to suffer. If you think I WANTED to leave my Talismans behind for YOU… You are sorely mistaken. Besides… Forget the Talismans. We have more pressing matters, as I've already stated. My brothers and sisters…"
Valmont's body twitched yet again and Valmont blinked.
"Wait… You have brothers and sisters? Why didn't they help you when you had the Dark Hand hunting all over for the Talismans…?"
Shendu narrowed his glowing red eyes at Valmont and hissed.
"They are in limbo, you ignorant human. And besides, even if they were free, they would not have lifted a finger to help me. If nothing else, they would have made me a spirit much faster than Jackie Chan did… Moving along… You will be assisting me in releasing my brethren, whether you like it or not. I have a binding contract with them, and we CANNOT separate. Believe me, if I could separate from you, I would have the instant I set foot in your body…"
Valmont frowned and crossed his arms.
"So, until all your brothers and sisters are let loose, you and I are bodymates…? And how exactly do we go about setting free all these other Demons…?"
Shendu replied, "With the Panku Box, of course… And, yes, we are bodymates. Why?"
Valmont smirked.
"Oh, just wondering…"
Shendu narrowed his red eyes again at Valmont.
"What are you planning now…?"
Valmont punched himself in the gut and winced. Surely Shendu would have felt something…?
"H-How was that, you…?" Valmont couldn't finish his insult, because Shendu forcibly took him over again.
"You do realize that you're only hurting yourself…? Not too many things can hurt me whilst I possess your body… For your insolence, you will be punished…"
And with that, Shendu took possession of Valmont's body and looked for some object to smack Valmont with. After locating a hammer on a nearby table, Shendu swung the hammer at Valmont's head and surrendered control of Valmont's body at the last moment, so Valmont felt the full force of the hammer as it smashed into his forehead. Valmont cried out in agony, dropped the hammer, and clutched his head.
Seething, Valmont raged, "Oh, you are going to PAY…"
And so, a battle comprised of Valmont wounding himself over and over ensued. Shendu delighted in making Valmont suffer, and Valmont was only spurred on to get revenge.
A knocking on the front door caught the two fighting bodymates' attention.
The Englishman growled, and then yelled, "Who is there? I am busy!"
No response came from beyond the door. Now curious as to who would come disturb him now, Valmont stomped over to the door. He pulled it open, and yelled, "I said, who's there?" before seeing there wasn't anyone.
He prepared to slam the door, when he caught sight of some blue object on the ground.
His eyes turned red, and Shendu muttered three words as he stared at the object and smiled.
"The Panku Box."
Shendu's eyes faded, and Valmont did a double-take at seeing the box Shendu wanted.
"Wha? We don't have to go all the way to wherever to get this forsaken piece of junk? Who the heck would take this thing from whatever shrine it was in and leave it outside a dump like this?"
He grunted as Shendu took back control, "Who cares! We have the key to my siblings' freedom! That's what matters right now!"
Valmont grunted as he regained control over his body. He proceeded to reach down and grab the box. As soon as he touched it, though, it emitted some green energy that covered his hands.
Valmont withdrew his hands and yelled from touching the Box. Shendu took back control, and yelled, "Valmont! That hurt! That Box is forged of Good Magic! I cannot touch it!"
Valmont groaned as he regained control. He rolled his eyes, and retorted, "That would have been nice to tell me before I reached for it. Touching that thing was like grabbing an electric fence!"
Shendu made a gleeful chortle before taking control again and searching for something to rake the Panku Box in. Spotting an old unused pipe, Shendu shrugged and deemed it enough to at least get the Box into the Cannery. Getting it off the ground would be a more arduous task. Looking around once more, Shendu spotted a cardboard box sitting in a corner.
"Alright… This will sting. A lot. But it must be done…"
Shendu walked over to the cardboard box and bent down to pick it up, but before he could complete that simple task, Valmont took over again.
"Are you MAD? I TOLD you that touching that thing was like touching an electric fence! I'm NOT touching that thing again, even indirectly!"
Shendu hissed and forcibly took over Valmont's body again.
"Oh, you'll do it, Valmont… My siblings' future rides on this very box, and it is up to us to release them… Insubordination will be punished severely! I will endure the pain, too, so that should give you a LITTLE satisfaction, but do not become complacent…"
When Valmont didn't re-possess his body, Shendu went about collecting the Panku Box. And when the pipe touched the Panku Box, green energy streamed up to Valmont and shocked him. Badly. Shendu hissed in irritation and sped up the process by whacking the Panku Box. Doing so sent him flying backwards, but accomplished what he wanted: The Panku Box was now inside the cardboard box, and that box was even standing upright, now.
Shendu shook Valmont's head and stood up. The first test had been passed, but there was a second one that he had overlooked…
After retaking his body, Valmont blinked and looked down at the Panku Box inside the cardboard box.
"… Do we even know where to start looking for your brethrens' 'Doors'? This is the key, great, but what about the Doors? Where are they?"
Shendu took back over and smacked Valmont's face. He'd forgotten their respective locations over the millennia. However, he had to appear confident, even here. Shendu would NOT allow Valmont to lord this situation over him.
"W-Well… Obviously the Panku Box will show us the way."
Valmont took back over and laughed.
"You don't know where they are, do you? Oh, this is RICH!" After hearing Shendu growl, Valmont coughed and ceased laughing. "… Ahem. But aside from that moot point… How do we even get this thing to show us the way?"
Shendu took back over and was ready with a snappy comeback, when it dawned on him that they really would need assistance.
"… We will need help… Valmont, where are your slaves?"
Valmont took back over and huffed in irritation.
"They're not SLAVES… sometimes I wish they were, but…" Valmont paused and shook his head. "… Section 13 captured them after your short-lived reign came to an end… I was the only one to evade capture. They're likely serving time at Section 13 for their crimes…"
Shendu growled and took back over again.
"Well, we obviously don't know where Section 13 is… at the moment… But the Talismans that were locked up in Section 13 should have left some residual Magic behind… If I can detect even the faintest trace, we should be able to find it..."
Valmont took over one more time.
"And what if you can't find some of that 'residual' Magic? What then?"
Shendu took over Valmont's body yet again and narrowed his glowing red eyes.
"We'll burn that bridge when we get there, Valmont… We're going out. Now."
And without another word, Shendu forced Valmont out into the streets of San Francisco, on a quest to locate Section 13. Unbeknownst to the bodymates, their whole conversation and all their actions had been witnessed by two men.
"They accepted it…" A gruff voice addressed Teku.
Teku nodded.
"Of course they did… Shendu likes having things handed to him on a silver platter…"
A smoother voice replied, "Bah… And he never suspected anything. What a hopeless…"
Teku stopped Specter.
"Enough. We've fulfilled our quota, so let's get back to base. It won't be long before the Demons are released, one by one… And then, it will be our turn. We must prepare."
Specter nodded and teleported himself and his leader back to HQ…
- At Section 13 –
Jackie, Uncle, Tohru, the aides, and Captain Black and a handful of Section 13 agents were in the main room of the government institution, going over what had happened that day, and how to go about dealing with their current predicament. Jade, of course, was also there, against everyone's wishes for her to not be involved, even in the 'planning' stages. They really didn't have a clue as to what to do next, now that Shendu, supposedly, was back.
"Ah, c'mon, guys! Why don't we go Demon Hunting? We're bound to find him, eventually!" Jade exclaimed.
Jackie shook his head.
"Jade… We don't even know where Valmont's current base of operations is, let alone if that is where Shendu would take Valmont first, after returning to the world of the living. We don't even know what Shendu is plotting! It's best to just wait and see if Shendu will make a move somewhere."
Finn quirked an eyebrow.
"What if Valmont makes a move instead, Mr. Chan? Do we even know if Valmont has any sort of possession of his body? Maybe Valmont will take back over, and go back to hittin' banks. It's possible, right?"
Jackie shrugged, but shook his head again.
"We don't even know that, Finn. But I have a feeling that if Valmont DOES have any hold on his body, it is limited. Shendu would probably not even let Valmont tie his own shoe. From what we've seen when those two interacted, it wasn't exactly the best of relationships. Valmont loathed Shendu, and vice versa."
Captain Black sighed.
"Jackie's right. Looking for Valmont now would be pointless. They could be halfway across the world by now, with Shendu possessing Valmont's body. It's a waiting game, now. The minute they make a move, though, we have to be ready."
Chow punched his left hand and crossed his arms.
"And we'll be ready when he does. I'm not gonna be 'late' again. We let you guys down." Chow said, indicating Jackie, Captain Black, and the Section 13 agents that had fought.
Ratso rubbed the back of his head. His voice sounded remorseful.
"Yeah, we're really sorry about that… Unc was lookin' for somethin' to blast Valmont with…"
Uncle snorted and crossed his arms.
"Uncle was not going to fight Talisman-powered Valmont hand-to-hand. And Uncle refuses to be useless in important battle! Ha-cha!"
Jade jumped up and down.
"Grr… C'mon! Let's just go looking for the big, bad Demon! I HATE waiting!"
Jackie shook his head and crossed his arms as he looked down harshly at Jade.
"Jade… You won't be doing anything more. You will be waiting here at Section 13, when Shendu makes a move anywhere. And our decision is final. We won't be doing any 'Demon Hunting', because we don't even know where to begin to look!"
Uncle grinded his teeth together and narrowed his eyes at Jackie.
"Decision NOT final! Uncle hate waiting, as well. Demon could be doing ANYTHING at this moment… Uncle will not allow Demon to bring harm to world again! We have Valmont's men, yes…? Then Uncle says to question men on whereabouts of Valmont! Aiyah!"
Captain Black rubbed his chin and appeared to give the suggestion some thought.
"Well… The Enforcers may not know where Valmont's hideout currently is, but they might be able to think of somewhere that it might be. Although I wouldn't get too excited, they might still be loyal to their boss, too."
Uncle shook a fist and scowled at Captain Black.
"Let Uncle question Enforcers! Uncle will make them talk!"
Captain Black sighed and shrugged.
"What do we have to lose? It's not like Shendu will come to us…"
- Outside of Section 13 -
It didn't take Shendu long to follow the 'trail' of residual Magic left behind by the Talismans that led to Section 13. Once Shendu was positive he had 'bingo', he made his entrance. Literally. A big, gaping hole in the side of the building that housed Section 13 was made after Shendu was done.
The Chans went along with Captain Black to question the Enforcers about 'possible' hideouts, and only Section 13 agents remained behind in the large main room, to go about their daily lives. Everyone's eyes were on Valmont when he made his entrance. Shendu hissed, and the few agents that were easy enough to scare were sent sprinting away like gazelle away from a leopard. The rest who were 'man' enough took out their pistols and aimed them at Valmont.
Black's second-in-command turned to one of the few brave, and said, "Go and inform Captain Black that questioning the Enforcers won't be necessary… Valmont's here."
The agent nodded, and was about to run to inform the Captain, when Shendu stopped him with a fireball dangerously landing right in front of the agent, having heard the little order the second-in-command agent had given.
"That will not be necessary… I will not be here long, as I am here to pick up Valmont's pathetic underlings. If you will be so kind as to direct me to their cells, I will be happy to take them off your hands."
Black's second-in-command, having not been at the battle earlier that day, did not know that Shendu now resided in and shared Valmont's body.
"Valmont… Are you feeling alright…? You're talking like Uncle a little there…"
Shendu hissed.
"I am not the buffoon known as Valmont! I possess his body, true, but I am not the oaf you speak of. I am Shendu, the Fire Demon, and you WILL obey me…"
An agent who was also not at the battle that day spun his index finger around one of his ears and rolled his eyes at Black's second-in-command. Black's second-in-command, having 'met' Shendu before, only shook his head at the agent and looked back at Shendu.
"I'm sorry, Valmont…
Shendu blew fire at the second-in-command, and the man winced at the big stream of flames that could scorch and kill any human. Perhaps several humans. Black's second-in-command nodded nervously and ordered everyone to put down their guns and stand down.
"R-Right… Mr. Shendu, I-I'll take you to those underlings you want… Just please don't harm any of our staff. Please." Black's second-in-command begged.
Shendu wished he could roll his eyes, again, but smiled at the man's pleading voice.
"… I make no promises. Now, take me to the buffoons."
Black's second-in-command nodded again and motioned for Shendu to follow him.
"R-Right this way…"
- At Cell Block A -
"I'm tellin' ya, we don't know nothin'!" Ice shouted as Uncle twisted his ear painfully. "OWWW!"
MC Cobra nodded in agreement, as Uncle had 'asked' Tohru to give him and DJ Fist a big hug. A very painful hug.
"Y-Yeah, man… You captured us, 'member? Valmont got away! We don't know nothin'!"
DJ Fist made a slight growling noise, but remained silent, as usual.
"…"
Captain Black rubbed his chin and looked the Enforcers over one by one.
"You're sure you don't even have the slightest idea of where he'd hide next…?" Black said, not sounding totally convinced.
Hak Foo growled, irritated. He was being held against the wall by the three aides, and Ratso was twisting his arm.
"We said we don't know anything! Black Tiger pleads for mercy…!"
Uncle scowled and harrumphed.
"You must know something…!" Uncle said while twisting Ice's ear even harder, which caused the leader of the Enforcers to cry out in pain even more.
"G-GAH!"
Moments later, Jade, having snuck down even after being warned to NOT come down during the interrogation, tugged on Jackie's sleeve. Jackie was standing outside of the cell, and didn't seem to consider that the Enforcers might know something. They appeared clueless to him.
Looking down at Jade, Jackie groaned just a bit.
"Jade… What did we tell you…"
Jade's eyes were frantic, and she continued to tug on Jackie's sleeve, even after grabbing Jackie's attention.
"Um… Jackie… Valmont's here, and…"
Jackie turned at the sound of a pair of people coming in. One was Black's second-in-command, and the other was… Valmont. Or, Shendu possessing Valmont. Shendu smiled in a very creepy, yet obviously demonic, way.
"Chan… I am here to relieve you of the buffoons. If you would be so kind as to hand them over…"
Jackie raised an eyebrow and stared at Shendu in confusion.
"The Enforcers? What would you possibly want with them?"
Shendu narrowed his eyes at Chan and hissed.
"It is not for you to know, Chan… You are to remain out of my way, remember…? Or do you wish to be destroyed? Hmm? I can do so right now… And your family will join you…"
Jackie's eyes widened, and he shook his hands defensively.
"No, no, no! NO killing!"
Uncle let go of Ice's ear and exited the jail cell.
"If Demon Shendu is willing to destroy us… Why wait…?"
Shendu gave a sick grin with Valmont's body.
"Because I DO enjoy it when pitiful humans plead for mercy before their deaths… It makes my job… worthwhile."
Jade's eyes bulged, and she pointed accusingly at Shendu.
"YOU'RE GONNA KILL US ANYWAY?" Jade screeched.
Valmont looked irritably at Jade, but answered nonetheless.
"Child, of COURSE I will eliminate you all… I can't have any of you standing in the way of my brothers' and sisters' release from limbo. I only hesitate, because I need the buffoons to come with me… Once you surrender them to me, however..." Shendu trailed off, to let his enemies assume the demise that they would endure, when it happens. The sick grin returned to Valmont's facial features. Everyone shuddered, even just a teeny-tiny bit.
Tohru narrowed his eyes at Shendu.
"What makes you think that we will surrender the Enforcers to you…?"
Shendu's red orbs widened in heightened excitement, and he continued to grin.
"Well, Tohru… You don't want this pitiful man…" Shendu grabbed Black's second-in-command by the arms and twisted them uncomfortably behind the man's back.
"… to meet an unfortunate end, do you…? I will not hesitate to break him in two. And even if you continue to defy me after this man's unfortunate end… I will always have more… hostages…" Shendu chuckled as he indicated ANYONE in the room could be a hostage, except for the Enforcers and Hak Foo.
Jackie cringed. He didn't want to just hand Shendu the Enforcers, but Shendu was giving them no choice. Too bad Uncle seemed to think different.
Uncle crossed his arms and scoffed at Shendu.
"You think Uncle will hand over Enforcers, even with hostage situation…? World is more important!"
Captain Black shook his head and made his way over to Jackie's side. He sighed before he surrendered. Black was not in the mood to lose anymore men, having lost a few to Valmont's ballistic assault.
"No, Unc…" Captain Black motioned to his second-in-command. "His life is just as precious as ours, or anyone else's in the world. I will NOT lose another man today…"
Uncle narrowed his eyes and was about to smack Captain Black upside the head.
"Uncle refuses to…"
Jackie shook his head at Uncle.
"Uncle… We have no choice. I don't want to lose anymore comrades, either…"
Uncle growled and was about to retort back that the world was more important, but Shendu cut him off.
"Wise decision, Chan… If you promise to not come after us, perhaps I will spare your miserable lives…" Shendu chuckled darkly as the Enforcers and Hak Foo walked over to and past him.
Jackie crossed his arms and looked at Shendu in contempt.
"Well… You have your 'buffoons'. Will you let us live…?"
Shendu laughed.
"Chan, I have said that it would be foolish to let you all live…
Jackie and everyone else in the room but the Enforcers and Hak Foo looked rightly scared and shocked at even the suggestion of Shendu wiping them all out, here and now. … But Shendu laughed at that, released Black's second-in-command, and continued on.
"… But it would not be fun to destroy you all, before having you meet my dear brothers and sisters… So I will let you all go."
Shendu laughed even louder as the Chans continued to be shocked and stunned. Shendu sadistically enjoyed messing with the head of his nemesis. Shendu finished off the confrontation, with a mere, "Farewell," and left Section 13 with the Enforcers and Hak Foo.
Jackie was relieved that no one else had to die, but he was now faced with the overwhelming revelation that…
"Shendu has brothers and sisters…?" Jackie questioned aloud.
Uncle seemed to remember reading something about that, and so, his face remained stunned, while everyone else's relaxed after Shendu left.
"Yes… Earth is doomed, if we do not stop Demon…"
To Be Continued…