Hey! It's finally here! Sorry for the wait. Reviews are good motivation... ;)

Once again Ice led his crew in to face Daolong Wong. He didn't think this was going to end well for them. The dark sorcerer stood facing out one of the huge windows in the chamber atop the Citadel. They waited in silence for a few minutes, then Daolong Wong spoke, "Do you know the secret to defeating a weaker, yet resourceful foe?"

No one answered. Ice figured it was wretorick-retoreic-whatever, and kept his mouth shut. Daolong continued after a brief moment, "You learn their methods, their resources, and their plans. When they put all their hope on one gambit, you ensure that it fails, and then crush them in what was supposed to be their moment of triumph. Thus you break both their capacity and their will to resist."

Ice officially had no idea where this lecture was going. Daolong Wong went quiet again. A minute dragged by, and then another, eventually he couldn't take the tension anymore, "What do you need us to do, uh, master?"

"I do not need you to do anything," he replied, "However; I am not in the habit of throwing away things because I merely do not need them. You are useful for a small distraction, and there's no such thing as too many advantages."

He turned to them, "Events are coming full circle. The sword returns to the Temple; so shall the one who brought it forth. The great champion of the light against a Demon Lord. Again, darkness shall triumph, and I will claim what was stolen from me..."

"Huh?"

Daolong Wong strode forward, and they parted to let him pass, "but we have one last stop to make first..."

Once she reached the top of the hill, overlooking the temple's valley, it took Jade a minute to catch her breath. Why couldn't the Ben Shui monks have built their temple somewhere more...accessible?!

Unfortunately, Captain Black had only been able to get them to the border of China. The government wasn't about to let an American spy organization's plane or helicopter into its airspace. In any case, the end result was them traveling the miles to the temple on foot or whatever transportation they could find.

Everyone in the party sat down on whatever rocks or logs looked comfortable, taking a quick drink break before the final hike. Hsi sat down next to her. She glanced over at him, but her demon friend was gazing off into the distance, again. He'd been super-distant since Stonehenge, and she was almost starting to worry. So, she nudged him, "Hey, whatcha looking at?"

He blinked, and glanced at her, "Nothing, just thinking..."

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"...No."

Well that was sure convincing. Jade put a hand on his shoulder, "If something's bothering you, you can tell me. We're supposed to be friends now, remember? And I promise I won't laugh."

He turned to her and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, maybe a little laugh, but only if it's really, really silly."

Hsi chuckled, "Really, it's nothing," he glanced up, "Looks like we're moving again."

He stood, and reached out a hand to help her up. She took it, but something was still off about him. Maybe he'd tell her after thinking some more. Hopefully.

A half-hour later they reached the temple. Uncle stood at the entrance, and Jade bounded up the steps to give him a hug. Uncle patted her head fondly, and looked down at the J-Team assembled below, "I was worried you would not arrive here before Daolong Wong does."

Jackie led the tired group up after Jade, "What is happening, Uncle? You did not explain anything. Have you found out Daolong Wong's plan?"

Uncle nodded and turned. Two monks pushed the large doors of the temple open, and the old Chi wizard led the party inside, "I have learned much here. The Ben-Shui order is far older than their histories teach."

Jade remembered this place well. The huge golden couch was at the end of the hall, and a number of monks stood around it. The short, fat one, whose name Jade could never remember wore the garb of the Lama, and there were several chairs set up. As everyone took their seats, Uncle began.

"We know Daolong Wong seeks the Relics of Khemreswet. With them, he will have the power he has always wanted. Yet," Uncle lifted Limingchien from where it rested on the couch, "Khemreswet was defeated. I believe that the warrior who defeated the Archdemon is the Chosen One of the Ben-Shui order."

"Ah," exclaimed Jackie, "So we need to now find the Chosen-ow!"

Uncle whacked him, "Do not interrupt! The old Lama knew who the Chosen One is. He recorded his discovery in his writings, which I found. It is Jade."

"Huh?" Jade glanced around her, "Me?!"

Everyone else looked as bewildered as she did, save for Hsi Wu, who nodded sagely. Tohru was the first to speak, "I thought the Chosen One was a wise teacher, and a pacifist, not a warrior. From what I know, he's not anything like Jade."

Jade nodded, "And anyway, I'm a girl, he was a guy."

"But the warrior who fought Khemreswet was female," interrupted Hsi. Startled, everyone turned to look at him. He shrank back under all the attention, "I'm sure I mentioned that..."

Uncle snapped his fingers to refocus the group, "The ancient Ben-Shui masters knew that Khemreswet was not gone, and thus her spirit was needed. They started the cycle of reincarnation, and to hide her from the Demon Lords they..."inverted" her soul. Female becomes male; the warrior becomes a sage; Yang becomes Yin. Now with Daolong Wong gathering the Relics, the Warrior is needed to prevent him from becoming another Archdemon. We must awaken her dormant Chi so that she can defeat him!"

Jackie stepped forward, "This is too dangerous; she's just a child!"

"Heellooo! I'm right here you know!" interjected Jade indignantly.

"No," continued Jackie, "Running around with artifacts and demons is bad enough, but I'm not letting you pit her against Wong like this, it's crazy! We've dealt with him before, and we'll beat him again, and Jade will stay as far away as I can make her!"

Jade stepped around to face Jackie, "Hey! Remember who pulled a fast one on Tarakudo? Who brought the cavalry against Drago? Who actually killed Shendu? Just because I can't (legally) drive a car doesn't mean I can't save the world anyway! I beat Hsi here in his own element," at this the sky demon glared at her, "and we can unleash a can of butt-whoop on Wong if he shows up. That said," she finished, turning to Uncle, "What does this "awakening dormant Chi" mean? I'll still be...me...won't I?"

Uncle hesitated, "Yes," he answered after a moment, "It should return your memories of your past lives, though I think that will only include the first where you were a warrior, there is some separation between the two aspects, not even the Chosen One himself knew his true nature. I must be honest; there is much I do not know here. The memories, if not dormant until awakened, would drive the Chosen One made before they learned to walk. I think you are old enough, and the awakening ritual will reinforce your mind as well. There is risk, but it is minimal."

Jade turned back to Jackie, "See? I'll be fine. Heh, maybe once I've got an extra set of memories maybe I'll even pick up some responsibility with them!"

"Ha, not likely..." Jackie looked at her, then bent down and hugged her tightly, "You're really growing up fast, Jade, be safe."

She hugged him back, "Ok, just don't beat Wong before I get to do anything awesome!"

Uncle patted Jackie's back gently, "We must begin the ritual."

Jade nodded, and the monks parted, drawing her towards the golden couch at the end of the hall. She walked up to it and sat down. Limingchien lay on it, and she picked it up, "I take it I'll be needing this?"

Uncle nodded, "I hope that the ritual will restore its full power as well."

"'Kay," Jade picked it up, and lay back on the couch. After a moment's consideration, she rested the sword on her chest, blade towards her toes. I bet this looks really cool, she thought, should've brought a camera...

Outside, a bell began to toll. Uncle glanced towards the doors, "Daolong Wong is coming..."

"He can't enter the temple though, right? Didn't you cast a spell last time?" Jackie asked.

"He should not, but he will try..." replied Uncle, "We must hold him back until the ritual is complete."

Jackie nodded, focusing on that, a straightforward task. He turned to the rest of the J-Team, "Alright, let's assume Wong can get in, El Toro, you and I will hold the first line of defense. If they come in; we come down like a hammer."

The wrestler cracked his neck and grinned fiercely, "I can do that..."

"Uncle, Tohru," Jackie continued, "We can fight Ice and his crew but Daolong Wong is likely more that we can handle. Keep him from bringing magic into the fight and we've got the upper hand."

"Magic must defeat magic...you learn," the corner of Uncle's mouth curled up in a proud smile, "Come Tohru, let us begin!"

"Viper, you're reserve, someone runs into trouble, you get them out of it. And keep an eye on Uncle and Tohru if they need anything."

She gave him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, "I've got your back, nothings getting through to Jade, or Uncle."

"And me?" asked Hsi Wu.

Jackie looked at him, "Daolong Wong's going to have some trick up his sleeve; deal with it, by any means necessary."

The demon grinned, "Any means necessary..."

He almost made it sound a question.

Meanwhile the monks had gathered around Jade, and the chanting began, the Lama laid his hands on either side of her head, and everything faded.

Something struck the doors, a thunderous knocking, and a deep voice, "Be opened!" The heavy doors burst apart, the thick beam barring them splintering into hundreds of pieces. Daolong Wong stood outside, flanked by Strikemaster Ice and DJ Fist. He carried a long-bladed spear and dark shadows moved beneath his skin, like sharks swimming just below the surface.

"Aiya!" Uncle yelled angrily, "Go away! You are not welcome here!"

"Oh, but I am," replied Daolong Wong, stepping forward. A green chi barrier sprang up instantly, but Daolong Wong smiled, and casually lifted a finger to brush the wall, dissolving it into sparking motes that faded and died, "No magic can prevent the true master of the temple from entering..."

Jackie blinked; he'd expected Uncle's magic to buy them a bit more time.

"True master..." mumbled Uncle, "No, that's...who are you?"

"Once I was the Last Keeper of Limingchien, the Eighth Immortal, who battled Shendu long ago. Now I am the bearer of the Eye of Khemreswet, the Sum of Light and Darkness. Once I have reclaimed what is mine, I will become greater than any being that has ever walked the earth! Greater than Lo Pei, greater than Shendu, and certainly," he smirked maliciously, "greater than you. Attack!"

Ice and Fist charged forward and were met by Jackie and El Toro. A green ball of light leapt over their heads from where Uncle and Tohru worked, followed by three more, but Dalong Wong batted them away with his spear.

Jackie fought like never before. Throwing lightning-fast blow after blow at Ice, it was all the dark warrior could do to parry as he drove him back. Jackie didn't even register when El Toro flew past him, stepping out of the way without breaking his barrage. The wrestler landed-more precisely flattened- some furniture, and shouted, "Señor Jackie, he wields the Ox Talisman!"

Jackie feinted right; Ice, expecting another blow, danced backward. Instead, Jackie ran at DJ Fist, who swung his hammer down. He missed by a yard. Jackie slipped past and kicked him in the back of the knee. The Ox only gave you strength, not the skill to use it. Fist's leg buckled, and he flailed wildly with his hammer, forcing Jackie away as he turned. Suddenly, Viper was there too, striking from the other side. They danced, around, evading the hammer, and hitting him whenever he glanced away. Jackie's muscles burned, but he couldn't slow down. Jade was relying on him.

High above in the rafters, in full demonic form, Hsi Wu watched the fight play out. One of Wong's minions was conspicuously absent. This was the endgame, where Wong would win or lose, so he would be bringing every edge he had. He turned his hawk-like gaze to the sides of the room. As a spirit of the Sky, he had incredible vision. After a moment, he easily picked out the track of indentations in the thick rugs at the edges of the room, seemingly appearing out of nowhere and heading down towards the golden couch where Jade lay. He grinned wickedly, and leapt off the beam into a long arcing glide that would bring him on the source of the footprints from behind; drifting death on silent wings.

Jackie caught DJ Fist's weakening arm as Viper delivered a series of strikes to various pressure points, nerve clusters, and other anatomical weak points. The Dark Chi warrior sagged and went limp, in too much pain to stand. Jackie rummaged in his pockets for the talisman, retrieved it, and turned just in time to see the El Toro suplex the unfortunate Strikemaster Ice into smoke. The luchadore stood and dusted his hands, "Weren't there three of them before?"

"He's been dealt with," said Hsi Wu, materializing beside Jackie and handing him the Snake Talisman. "An assassin with a frontal diversion is hardly original."

Daolong Wong sighed dramatically, "Oh well, I suppose we'd best get to the real business now..." He shuffled forward, leaning on the spear like a cane. Jackie snarled and attacked.

Moments before his fists landed, Daolong Wong moved. His back straightened, his grip on the spear became firm; all traces of frailty now gone. He lashed out suddenly with the weapon, catching Jackie across the chest with the haft and throwing him aside.

Hsi Wu backpedaled out of reach. "The Spear grants Power of Body; he's faster and stronger with it," he called belatedly.

"We take him together!" shouted Jackie, rolling to his feet. He charged along with Viper and El Toro, coming at the Dark Chi wizard from three different directions.

Wong smashed the butt of the spear into the floor stones. There was a thunderous boom, and everyone was thrown back, ears ringing. Jackie lifted his head to see Uncle hurl a green beam of magic at Wong, but the sorcerer blocked it with a wave of his hand, and returned fire with a blast of black lightning. Luckily Tohru dragged the old man out of the way in time.

But that left their pieces of the Orb unattended on the ground. Wong reached into his robes and withdrew his half. The other half and the Core leapt into the air, flying towards him. El Toro tried to grab them, but only managed to graze them with his fingertips. The pieces met in a blinding flash, and Wong laughed. He swept his gaze over his enemies, before coming to rest contemptuously on Jackie.

"I win."

He turned, and threw a globe of red miasma down the hall. At Jade.

"NOO!" Jackie's cry galvanized Hsi into action. He threw himself into the air, drawing the power of the Sky around him and lashing out with magic. Faster.

He reached Jade in a heartbeat, as if he had simply not bothered with the intervening space. Ramming his shoulder into the back of the golden couch, he tipped it over backwards. As it fell, he grabbed Jade's limp form, pulling her close and into the cover of the massive seat.

The roiling energy splashed against their hiding place, but failed to reach them. The monks around it were not so lucky. They fell, twitching, to the ground. Jade thrashed violently. Suddenly worried, Hsi cradled her head and shook her gently, "Jade, wake up! Please!"

He started to breathe a sigh of relief as her eyes opened, but it cut off. Something was wrong. Her eyes were unfocused, and she screamed in pain and horror.

Oh no...