A/N Good news: I got my inspiration for this story back, and will be updating regularly again. I know I've been horrible about it, but I unfortunately lost my muse for awhile. I may start watching the show again so I can get more ideas on where I can fit Macey and her sub-plot in. I was also wondering, should I do Jackie's POV again sometime soon?

To answer your question, Omnitrix 12: Yes, that line was a Balto reference! I was hoping someone would catch on.

Bad news: I'm sick. :(

Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures. All characters you recognize go to the original creators, respectively. I only own my character(s).

"I got no friends cuz they read the papers

They can't be seen with me

And I'm gettin' real shot down

And I'm gettin' mean

No more Mr. Nice Guy

No more Mr. Clean

They say 'he's sick, he's a scene'"-

Alice Cooper, "No More Mr. Nice Guy."

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Tiger and the Pussycat (episode 12, completed)

Tires skidded abrasively against the black asphalt.

The Dark Hand, crowded together in the limo. The air was tinged with negative energy and excitement of their latest misadventure.

They weren't alone, however- Dark Jackie was trailing close behind them, just a few feet away from the bumper.

"He'll never catch us," Finn vowed confidently, as the rest of the gang peered anxiously out the black-tinted window.

Chow lifted a finger. "Weren't we supposed to catch him?"

The proposal pricked at Finn's already-heightened senses.

"Shut up!" he seethed, as the limo turned another corner.

Dark Jackie slammed against the car window, hands screeching against the glass; meanwhile Light Jackie frantically pleaded for them to slow down.

The limo skidded to a halt, but not to succumb to either Jackie's requests.

The Dark Hand leaped out of the car, surrounding both Dark and Light Jackie.

"Get in there," Ratso snarled, gesturing to the car.

Light Jackie's gaze averted to the plush leather seats. "Are those seats real leather? Oh, those poor cows," he howled sympathetically, sobbing with his head in his hands.

The Dark Hand and Dark Jackie emitted equally exasperated sighs.

*JCA*

MACEY'S POV

I swallowed my second helping of ibuprofen and downed it with a side of chai tea. The hecticness of today was summoning my headache, but I needed to get Jackie in line. Or should I say Jackies.

Jade appeared in the doorway, worry coloring her face. "Macey, we need to get Jackie Light and Jackie Dark!"

"Both?" Great. This would be interesting to write about, for sure. "What happened?"

"They both were captured by the Dark Hand!" Her voice shifted from worried to frantic.

"Jade, you stay here." I grabbed my sweatshirt and pulled on, adjusting the sleeves. "I'm gonna see what I can do about Jackie." I at least had the knowledge of the talismans. Hopefully, this one would put Jackie back together again. It was interesting enough with one Jackie. But two? I don't think I could handle that.

"Both Jackies have the talisman," I remarked aloud, more to myself than to Jade. "If the talisman is cut in half, we'll have to find a way to put it back together."

"Can't I come?" Jade pleaded as I opened the front door.

"No." This mission seemed more dangerous than the ones Jade had insisted upon joining Jackie and I on previously. What if the Tiger Talisman somehow affected Jade, too? The thought caused my heart to race against my chest.

"Why can't I come?" Jade tugged at my sweatshirt sleeve impatiently. "Two in a team is better than one!"

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "You're right. But this is more dangerous than the last time. I will let you know if I need your help. Thank you for your moral support," I added jokingly, and she laughed at this.

"No problemo!" Jade did a goofy salute before darting to the other side of the apartment.

Hopefully she would stick with her word…

*JCA*

"...and when the fish hit the road, you guys all went 'BWAH!'"

Snide laughter filled the limo as they turned yet another corner.

Finn grinned. "You know, Chan, you're all right." Dark Jackie, that is. Light Jackie was a disgrace- a pussycat, for sure.

"Too bad we gotta eliminate you," Chow added through loud laughter. Dark Jackie would have made a good ally- if only Light Jackie and that girl didn't exist-

Dark Jackie's eyes twinkled with menace. "Eliminate me?!" The exclamation was both smug and aghast, causing the Dark Hand to burst into evil laughter once more...

*JCA*

MACEY'S POV

I jogged down the sidewalk, my boots jarring against the cement. The Dark Hand's limo was just a few feet away, and I assumed both Dark and Light Jackie were in their grasp. Light Jackie wouldn't be a problem defeating, but Dark Jackie was another story. Dark Jackie frightened me, while Light Jackie was slightly amusing.

I knew the Dark Hand wouldn't stop on my request. The talisman was in their grasp, and I had to find a way to get it back.

An invisible light bulb glinted above my head as an idea popped into my mind.

Act as if you have a split personality as well- Dark Macey, Light Macey. I could use Dark Macey as an ally, while Light Macey distracted Light Jackie. If the plan succeeded, the Talisman would be back in our hands in no time.

Of course, I wouldn't actually have a split personality- but the Dark Hand didn't have to know that. Ignorance is bliss, after all. What they didn't know wouldn't kill them.

The limo suddenly screeched to a stop, and I halted mid-stride, gasping.

The door opened, and Light Jackie was thrust out onto the sidewalk, landing with a resounding thud.

"Ow!"

"There she is!" Time for Dark Macey to rise.

I smirked, darkening my gaze and lowering my voice. "Hello, boys," I crooned, doing my best to make my voice as low as possible.

Finn peered at my curiously. "Who're you?" His voice dripped with a mixture of scorn and amused curiosity.

"Name's Chabert, Macey Chabert." Finally! I got to act like James Bond. "I believe I know who you are." I circled the Dark Hand as they studied me.

"You're Chan's sawed-off sidekick," Chow remarked with an eye roll.

I'll show you sawed-off. I bit back the retort. If I wanted this plan to work, I had to act as manipulative as possible, which meant showing little to no emotion. "I believe you have something of mine."

"Oh?" A smirk curled Finn's lips. "And what is that, exactly?"

"The Tiger Talisman." I wasn't proud of what I had to do next, but it was necessary. "I have a master plan in mind."

"So, you've finally joined the Dark Side, huh?" Chow laughed. "Welcome aboard! You'll help us defeat Chan?"

"Now, now, I don't know about that." I smirked at him. "I have my own doings. I need the Talisman in order to conquer the world." This was so unrealistic, but with minds as narrow as theirs, they'd find it believable. Their goal in life, after all, was to please their master and conquer the world. I'd at least be able to help Jackie out in the end.

"Hmm." Finn enveloped his arms over his chest and scrutinized me. "What is it gonna take for us to believe you?"

I hadn't planned this far. "Uh…" I cringed inwardly at the slightly feminine squeak that lingered after. "Valmont needs it for his own doings." Smooth, Macey, very smooth.

The Dark Hand glanced at each other hesitantly.

"If you say so…,"

"Macey! Don't!" Light Jackie reached out from behind and pulled me aside, causing both of us to careen to the sidewalk.

"Ow!" I scowled at him, rubbing my now-bruised behind. Thanks to Light Jackie, my cover was blown and plan shattered.

Frustration immediately colored my emotions.

Finn and Chow narrowed their eyes at me.

Finn emitted a snarl: "Get her!"

Hands grabbed at my shoulders, and I was pulled into the limousine.

"You deceived us," Finn said unhappily, while Chow glowered at me from the corner.

"Dammit!" I struggled against their grasp.

"You know what I say when I feel like swearing?" Finn's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Fudge."

"You leave us no choice."

A sharp pain snaked through my head, and before I could protest, my world faded to black.

*JCA*

I awoke slowly, my head spinning.

"Ugh...where am I?" My voice was still slurred from unconsciousness.

"You're with the Shadowkahn. Thank goodness you're awake!" I recognized the younger voice to be Jade's.

I shot up, almost hitting my head on the low ceiling. "Jade! I thought I told you to-"

"Stay home, I know." Jade's eyes rolled skyward. "But you and Jackie were kidnapped, and you were passed out, so I had to rescue you one way or another."

I gave her a grim smile. "I could have saved myself, you know."

Jade grinned in return. "I know. I tried waking you, but you just kept sleeping. It was weird...anyway." She gestured to Light and Dark Jackie, who were standing in the corner of the room.

"These two defeated the Shadowkahn together! It was amazing."

I blinked as my vision finally cleared. "Dark Jackie and Light Jackie? Together?" I missed all of that? I'll have to start passing out less in the future.

"I know!" Jade rocked back and forth on her heels. "Light Jackie got the talisman, too."

"You have pretty decent chups for such a big baby," Dark Jackie remarked to Light Jackie.

Light Jackie threw an arm around Dark Jackie. "Oh, I owe it all to teamwork," he crooned.

Dark Jackie's eyes narrowed. "Don't touch me," he said flatly, jerking away from Light Jackie.

I laughed halfheartedly at this exchange- they were like children.

"I guess we can put it back together now, huh?" Jade extended a hand and helped me up. Light Jackie timidly handed the talisman over, and Jade held the two grey pieces in her hand. On the front was carved two white tigers in the depiction of yin and yang.

I grinned at Jade. "I say we do this together."

"Me, too." She nodded vigorously, and we raised the two talismans together, clasping the two.

A familiar voice sounded from behind us. "Ugh...Where am I?"

"Jackie!" Jade and I ran to Jackie's side, helping him up.

"Are you okay?" I asked as Jackie leaned against the wall, regaining his footing.

"More or less," Jackie answered, puzzled. "What's going on?"

"You really don't remember anything?" Jackie shook his head. I explained his split personality. When I got to the part about Dark Jackie, his gaze softened.

"Macey, if I hurt you or Jade…" The statement emitted apologetic.

"You didn't, I promise." I smiled and hugged him. "Besides, even if you did, it wasn't you, right?"

"You ate my candy," Jade scoffed, turning her nose up. "You'll have to pay me back for that!"

Jackie and I looked at each other and laughed, relieved that, at the end of the day, that everything was okay.