I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures or Fate
My English is not the best so expect spelling errors. If anyone would like to volunteer as a Beta reader it would be appreciated.
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and advice, sorry I took a break, but I felt that I needed to take a step back from this fic and rethink where I wanted it to go.
Please leave a comment.
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Valmont stared dead ahead with cold eyes, his face not even showing the slightest worry or fear. Before him was a desk meant for authority, but he wasn't staring at it for it was his. No, what he was staring at was on the wall behind said desk. It was a statue, its back in the shape of a circle, its front containing a perfect portrayal of a Chinese dragon. The mighty creature had its slender thin body curled with its head at the forefront and centre. Its scales formed a natural crown atop its head, regal, mighty, divine even, and most of all dark. Its diamond shaped eyes dark and cold lit up in solid ruby red fire, there was no detail in them, only blank, solid, absolute red.
The statue spoke, "Valmont what is the status of your enforcers?" Its voice was sly and lean, quick and deadly, almost giving of the impression that it was moving freely every time it spoke.
"I don't know Shendu, but I assure you they will have your Talisman here before the end of the day." Valmont said his tone portraying no doubt whatsoever as years of experience in the criminal underworld came into full use.
However, the dragon could not be deceived as he detected the slightest hint of worry, "you best be right Valmont. However, that is not my main concern as of this the moment."
"Oh?" Valmont asked intrigued for Shendu had been solely focused on the acquisition of the talismans at whatever cost since his family had acquired him all those countless decades ago.
"I sense a power that I have not felt for countless centuries, it appears that we may have a new player, most likely one of a future many." Shendu said his reminiscing on magic in ages past causing an aura of mystery to cover the entire room.
Valmont listened closely his worry about a potential third party in the Talisman chase causing him to frown slightly, the ancient dragon continued to speak. "You see Valmont during my reign magic was used to grasp notable individuals from other worlds and enslave them to my will."
"Impressive Shendu but what made or in this case makes these individuals so notable?" Valmont asked, his curiosity intensified.
"Their physical prowess, magical knowledge, and most importantly historical significance." Shendu replied his tone somewhat distasteful at that last fact. No doubt a reminder of how history had forgotten him while his previous thralls had persisted across many worlds.
"So, these individuals are no doubt a serious threat to our little expedition." Valmont concluded as he reached for his cellphone.
"Your normal men will not be effective Valmont." Shendu stated absolutely, "These individuals are renown in their worlds history and in this one as well possibly."
"I assume you have a course action then." Valmont stated knowing the cunning dragon to hold many a nasty secret.
"I have many options before me I assure you but to choose which path to take will depend on a few factors." The dragon became unusually silent for a second as if he was doing something before once more speaking up, "When I captured these individual's they were constrained through a variety of methods be it through limiting their powers or through altering their vary beings."
"Altering their vary beings?" Valmont asked a hint of doubt in his voice which the dragon took notice of not to kindly resulting in his eyes seeming to shine a little brighter.
"Indeed, depending on what individuals we are dealing with the factors could vary by quite some margin. From gods who would dance to my every word to so called heroes who have been shown their rightfully weekend place." Shendu's tone at the end was clearly directed at Valmont, if the master criminal didn't know that his doubt was wrong then he did now.
"So, what shall our course of action be?" Valmont asked wanting to get the conversation back on schedule from his accidental detour.
"As you said we will need scouts and we will need information from your men." Valmont began punching in the enforcers number on his cellphone as the dragon continued, "you will also need to do research." Shendu finished his tone somewhat condescending making Valmont raise an eyebrow in confusion.
Just then the floor of the room was engulphed in living shadows whose blackness could swallow the world whole. They morphed and bent with elegance and silence as humanoid forms began to immerge, the Shadowkhan. In their hands emerging from the darkness the shapes of massive books could be seen containing hundreds of pages.
Ancient texts or tomes of great value Valmont wondered or perhaps maps to hidden treasures and artifacts worth a fortune. The possibilities were vast and even though he had work to do there was nothing saying that a small fortune couldn't be made in the process. Valmont watched as she shadows receded and the ancient treasures lay before him, they were, "History books?" The world criminal said as he picked one up and checked it. Correction history books from the downtown library. So that was what Shendu ordered he thought.
The shadowkhan bowed with the deliverance of vast knowledge and then once more receded into the ground, their shadows moving across the wall before disappearing completely.
"You best do your research to help find what notable individual we are dealing with Valmont. Now listen as I explain how this new magic works." The royal dragon said his tone pleased at the putdown of his subordinate.
Valmont sat down at his desk book in hand with grace, the rest of them piled up high before him making him wonder if the Shadowkhan simply took everything in the history section without concern. He finished dialing his enforcers number and the cellphone began to ring, one ring was all it took and an answer came through.
"Hey what up big V." Came the voice of Finn.
"I assume you hunt for the shield has gone well." Valmont said.
"Ah, ya, we already got part of it." Finn said his tone desperately optimistic as is if he was trying to sell something.
"Part of it?" Valmont replied his voice on edge and demanding answers as Shendu's eyes glowed ever more.
"Ya, don't worry big V we already got the centre part and you'll have the rest by the end of the day, no worries." Finn said, his voice practically sweating in worry.
"The Talisman!" Shendu said with a hint of deadly pleasure and excitement.
"Does the fragment you possess contain the image of a rooster?" Valmont asked in a cool and controlled fashion, none of his internal excitement showing.
"Ya boss, don't worry we already have a plan to get the re" "Forget the rest just come here at once. We have information of a third party involved." Valmont said interrupting Finn his voice clear and powerful as his body stood up his knuckles on the desk.
"Ya got it boss were on our way! No problems!" Finn said in relief as Valmont heard him over the cellphone shout Score! Followed by three clapping noises. Unfortunately, Valmont also heard another vary particular sound of weeeeewooooo, weeeeewooooo!
Valmont in an iron ice cold voice simply asked over the phone, "Finn?"
Three audible gulps could be heard over the other end.