A/N Good morning/afternoon/night to wherever you are! To answer your other question, Omnitrix 12: (I apologize if I spelled your name wrong) I would love to have an editor! I've been looking for one for awhile now and would be honoured if someone volunteered. Message me if you're interested in editing!

"Who am I, and why am I here?

What's the meaning of life

What's the meaning of it all?

You gotta learn to dance before you learn to crawl"-

Meatloaf, "Everything Louder Than Everything Else."

Chapter Twenty-Five - Day of the Dragon (episode 13, part 1)

"Macey, wake up! It's an emergency!" Jackie's voice lulled me out of a troubled slumber.

"Huh...wha?" I stirred, sitting up. I'd fallen asleep in the red velvet chair, my neck still sore from the awkward sleeping position.

Jackie helped me stand. "A demon has the talismans, and Uncle cannot figure out who." A flicker of worry flashed in Jackie's eyes.

I rubbed my own eyes with my fists. "What's going on?"

"Uncle and Captain Black are in the office discussing the demon," Jackie replied, turning to go. "Are you coming?"

"Do I have a choice?" I yawned- I am definitely not a morning person. Or a night owl for that matter, it was already dark out and I was still half-asleep. Hopefully they had an espresso- or two- in the kitchen. That would have to wait, I guess.

Jackie and I entered the office, where Captain Black and Uncle were already seated, both appearing as worried as Jackie.

(Was this job taking more of a toll on Jackie than I realized?)

"Did the demon have any specific markings?" Uncle proposed, flipping through one of the textbooks. He didn't seem to notice Jackie and I's presence.

Jackie and I sat side by side on the sofa.

Captain Black's fist made contact with the surface of the desk, causing me to flinch slightly at the abrasive sound. "Red eyes, great big claws, and razor sharp teeth isn't SPECIFIC ENOUGH FOR YOU?!"

"Thousands of demon sorcerers have existed throughout history! I need more information!" Uncle stood, slamming the book down on the desk. "A symbol, a name, ANYTHING!"

I stood, preparing to back out of the room, shakily. I wasn't used to yelling. As a child, yelling or hostile disagreements were almost non-existent in my home. All discussions were held in low, indoor voices and in family meetings, and hostility was out of the question.

Jackie seemed to sense my discomfort. "Uncle, lower your voice," he chided softly, averting his eyes to me.

"Chan!" a low voice rumbled from behind us, and Jackie and I whipped around to see Tohru standing in the doorway, scratches littering his face.

"You look pretty banged up," I commented, finally managing to get my breath back.

"Go away." Jackie folded his arms over his chest and glowered at the taller man. "We have no more talismans!"

"The demon's name…," Tohru took a deep breath as he spoke, "The demon's name is Shendu!"

This was getting too, too much. Breathing heavily, I sauntered into the kitchen, preparing the cup of coffee that I so desperately needed. I needed to work on this caffeine addiction, though.

I tried to calm my racing heart while the coffee ground. I couldn't decipher if it was an asthma attack or panic attack, since I got both in hostile situations.

"Macey?" Jackie lingered in the doorway, worry flashing across his face. "Are you alright?"

I turned to pull a coffee mug from the cupboard. "I am now. It got pretty bad back there. I guess my anxiety isn't quite used to that."

He leaned against the doorway. "You have anxiety?"

I grimaced. "The worst," I answered, smiling at him grimly. "I'll be okay, though."

Once the coffee was brewed, I followed Jackie into the office, gripping my hot mug.

"Shendu's former palace is located near what is now Hong Kong," Uncle told us as we all took our places again. "His vengeance is to begin at the toll of midnight, ushering in the Chinese New Year."

"Chinese New Year?" Captain Black echoed, leaning forward. "That gives us only a couple of days!"

"Less," Jackie murmured. "Hong Kong is sixteen hours ahead of San Fransisco."

"We'll take Section 13's fastest transport," Captain Black added warily.

Uncle stood on his tip-toes, leaning over to the bookshelf. "Finding the demon is not enough. One must have a means of...defeating it…" His words were strained as he reached for a book.

Sighing, I got up and knocked the book into his hands.

"Thank you!" Uncle looked at me appreciatively. "I will come with you!"

"Come with us?" I repeated, biting my nails.

Tohru grunted. "I will come, too."

"Why are you coming?" Jackie and I glared at the thug, certainly not happy about the malicious company.

Tohru stared at us blankly. "I heard Section 13 serves donuts on Tuesdays."

*JCA*

I zipped up my suitcase and stood back with finality.

"I do believe I am ready to go," I announced to no one in particular. I had packed my sweatshirt, jeans, and my boots- along with my iPod and cell phone in case I got bored on the flight.

"Do you have your inhaler?" Jackie asked out of nowhere, and I jumped.

"Jackie!" I whipped around, hitching my fingers on my jeans. "You scared me. Yes, I have my inhaler."

Jackie sighed and sat down on my bed, appearing confused and worried.

"Jackie, if you're worried about me, don't be." I sat down beside him, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I'll be fine. If things get out of hand I can…," I drifted off, gazing at my hands. I can...what? I didn't have a back-up plan in case this whole trip went wrong.

Jackie lifted his head. "You said you're afraid of flying?"

I smiled. "Only when there are a bunch of Dark Hand guys hanging around."

Despite his stress, Jackie chuckled. "Fair enough."

"Jackie, are you scared?" For the first time since I joined him, I realized that all this mess could be scary to him, too. He wasn't just some kung fu guy from a movie, after all.

"Maybe a little," Jackie replied, raising his eyes to meet mine. "But we will be escorted to Hong Kong with the aid of Section 13."

"Cool."

Although my answer seemed satisfied, that reassurance somehow didn't make me feel any better.

To be continued…..