A/N I apologize for not updating sooner. I've been busy w/ midterms, and I tried to write another chapter but google docs deleted it AGAIN. (Which is really, super annoying.) But here we go w/ a new chapter! We'll see a couple mentions of Macey's parents as well.

Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures. Any characters you recognize belong to the original creators. I am only associated w/ my OFC, Macey Chabert.

"So many times it happens too fast

You trade your passion for glory

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past

You must fight just to keep them alive"-

Survivor, "Eye of the Tiger."

Chapter Twenty-Six - Day of the Dragon (episode 13, completed)

I felt a sort of sense of adrenaline rush through my veins as the Section 13 plane lifted off, grazing the ground as it soared into the air.

"I call window seat!" I dived into the nearest window seat as if claiming my territory.

Jackie sunk into the plush seat next to me, crossing his arms behind his shoulders and stretching his legs out. A touch of worry etched his facial expression, and he was beginning to get dark circles under his eyes. Uh-oh.

"What's up with you?" I dropped the childish demeanor and turned to face him. "You haven't said a word since we boarded. Something wrong?" It was a stupid question, I know, but it was at least polite to ask. Besides, there are no such things as stupid questions- only stupid answers. He was man of few words, but he wasn't usually this quiet.

He shrugged his broad shoulders. "I'm worried about Jade," he admitted softly. "She may get into trouble. I won't be there to protect her if she does…"

"I'm sure she'll be fine, Jackie." I refrained from telling him to just "stop worrying" because what good would come out of that? It's easier said than done. Any person with anxiety would know that. "We called a sitter, remember? Anyway, there's no way she can follow us all the way to China." I tried to imagine Jade attempting to cross the border to China, (even getting to the American airport in the first place) and cringed inwardly. "There's no way she can make it to China on her own."

"I'm not even a parent and I am already worrying over her." He smiled sheepishly, and I couldn't help but laugh, trying to conjure an image of Jackie as a parent.

"I think you have bigger fish to fry besides Jade," I said half-jokingly. "If it makes you feel better, I'll call her once we get to Hong Kong to make sure she's okay."

Jackie automatically looked relieved, and I sat back in the seat, closing my eyes.

"GO AWAY!" Uncle's shrill scream sliced through the air. "I am busy!"

Irked by the commotion, I peeled my eyelids open and sat up, glaring in the direction of the argument.

A black-clad agent lingered near the bathroom door, a narrow, tall grey door in the wall of the plane.

"Uh, you've been in the lavatory since take-off," the agent pointed out.

"That is right!" Uncle's booming voice reverberated against the door. "Laboratory! Do you want Jackie and Macey to defeat evil demon? Yes? Then go away! Let Uncle work!"

I sighed.

It was going to be a long flight to Hong Kong.

*JCA*

We landed in Hong Kong just a few hours later, arriving near Shendu's castle.

The castle in front of us was grey and towered to the sky. Ahead of us lie a grassy yard. The sky was already darkening, black and ominous. I felt a sense of dread overcome me, and I scooted closer to Jackie, who grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze of reassurance as he gazed at the castle. Hazy fog circled around the edge of the castle, the view seeming like something out of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

"Any last words?" I murmured as a grey cloud rolled overhead, shadowing the grass.

"Don't be silly," Jackie replied softly. "It isn't going to be that-"

A colorful gateway suddenly split in half just on the border of the castle, and small, green dragons piled out like the Red Sea from the doorway.

"-bad," Jackie finished more doubtfully.

"Now do you have any last words?" I felt my heart beat faster and faster against my chest, thumpthumpthumpthump. I pulled out my inhaler and sucked in some extra air, pocketing it in case I needed it for later. "Jackie, I really don't think I'm-" (cut out for the job.)

Uncle sprinkled a bit of potion on our palms, claiming it would break Shendu's skin and help defeat him if we removed the Rat Talisman.

"Good luck, you two," Uncle told us as Jackie and I walked toward the castle, side by side. Without Jackie, I probably would have bolted by now.

A black, intimidating shadow lingered over our heads. I gasped, my gaze raising to the sky. A large, green dragon (identical to the minions, but much, much, bigger) was hovering over the castle.

I immediately felt my stomach drop, and knelt down, my hands clasped against my knees. I suddenly felt something vibrate in my back jean's pocket. (I'd dressed in my black hoodie, skinny jeans, and boots, not knowing what a person was to wear specifically for defeating a demon dragon.)

My cell phone was buzzing. I plucked the vibrating device from my pocket and pressed the "TALK" button, lifting the said object to my ear.

"Hello?" Maybe it was a scammer and I could hang up and get down to business.

"Macey, honey?" My mother's Worried Parent voice emitted through the crackly speakers. "Is everything alright?"

"Uh...yeah, everything's fine, Mom!" I prayed the white lie didn't show through my voice. I was so bad at lying- if I did manage to slip out a lie, my hesitance peeked through my voice.

"No, it isn't." Sure enough, my mother was able to see right through my little facade. "You're in trouble, aren't you?"

"No, no I'm not!" I laughed nervously. "I'm at a work emergency. Can I call you back later?"

"Oh." I couldn't tell if it was disappointment or confusion that muddled her voice. "Oh, well, call me later so I know you're okay."

"Okay gottagoloveyoubye!" I squeaked, switching off the cell phone (purposefully) and slipping it back in my pocket.

Jackie was smiling at me wryly as I came back to his side.

I glared at him. "You shut up."

"I didn't say anything," he protested, stepping back.

"You were thinking it, though."

"Fair enough…," a low rumble interrupted our banter.

"Shendu," Jackie whispered as I timidly crept behind him.

The green dragon leaped down onto the ground in front of us, causing the earth to tremble under his weight.

Jackie, for the first time since I'd known him, looked truly afraid. "Who...what...are you?!" His voice quivered with uncertainty as he spoke.

Shendu's eyes glinted bright red. "I am the keeper of the talismans," he hissed, his sharp tongue snaking out from between his lips. "I am the Apocalypse of which the Legend speaks. And I am, once and for all, your executioner!"

"Let's turn up the heat," Captain Black murmured behind us, and his army lifted their weapons. Lighting sliced through the grey air.

"Forgive me father for I have sinned!" I screamed, dodging the lightning bolt and falling onto my behind on the ground. Broken tailbone.

Rubbing my bruised butt and wincing, I sat up. "Please let this be a bad dream...please let this be a bad dream…," I mumbled, rubbing my head. But it wasn't a dream, and I knew I finally had to face reality. I stood, my legs trembling, and tried to steady myself.

"No!" Uncle howled, leaping between the army and Captain Black. "Magic must defeat magic!"

"Are you crazy?!" I shrieked as Captain Black groaned irritably.

Meanwhile, the heat was on between Jackie and Shendu, each throwing equally as powerful kicks and throws toward one another.

"Jackie!" I yelled, running toward Jackie and Shendu.

"Think fast!" Jackie whipped around, throwing a talisman- well, several, in my direction. I dropped a couple, but knelt down to retrieve them off the grass.

"Dammit," I spat as I pocketed the grey objects. "How many freaking talismans are there?"

Someone screamed from behind us, and I was suddenly thrown down to the ground.

"Macey!" Jade exclaimed as we untangled each other.

"Jade- how- wha?!" I gawked at her in disbelief. "How did you get here?" This girl was absolutely unstoppable.

"There's a new thing called walking," Jade scoffed, folding her arms across her chest.

"Jade Chan, if you don't explain to me-"

"Not now, Macey!" Jade's eyes widened. "Look!"

I turned my head into the direction in which her index finger was pointing and gasped.

Shendu had grabbed Jackie, pulling him by the shoulders and shaking him violently, preparing to throw him to the dragon minions.

"Jackie, no!" I screamed as I ran toward him.

Jade leaped onto Jackie's back, plucking the Dog Talisman from Shendu's grasp, meanwhile Jackie took that moment to wriggle free of Shendu and yanked the Rat Talisman from Shendu, collapsing to the ground.

"That tears it!" Captain Black bellowed, raising his palm in the air. "Men!"

The army prepared their weapons; cocking their guns toward Shendu.

Before they could fire, Uncle clapped his fist down onto Captain Black's shoulder, knocking him out instantly.

Uncle smacked one hand against his knuckles. "Who else wants a piece of Uncle?!" The demand was met with blank stares, followed by the soldiers stepping back.

"Whoa," I murmured. "Go Uncle, I guess?"

"Macey, here!" Jade flung the Rat Talisman at me, and I caught it between two hands.

"Yes!" Grinning with renewed triumph, I clutched the talisman to my chest.

Shendu let out a roar of pure rage, falling to the ground. Jade raised the Dragon Talisman to the air, smashing Shendu to smithereens. In the distance, the castle began to disintegrate, and Jackie grabbed Jade and I, pulling us both to safety.

Nearby, Captain Black was surfacing from unconsciousness, moaning audibly.

"See?" Uncle turned to the wriggling man. "What have we learned?"

"Magic must defeat magic," the agents murmured amongst themselves, as fireworks lit the night sky.

"Happy New Year, Jade! Happy New Year, Macey! Happy New Year, Uncle!" Jackie exclaimed happily, but his moment of euphoria was ruined by Uncle smacking him upside the head. "Ow!"

"You destroyed the demon!" Uncle bellowed crossly. "Yin and yang! Now the world is out of balance!"

"Jade did it," Jackie and I accused in unison, pointing to Jade.

"Hmph…," Jade scoffed, sticking her nose in the air.

Uncle sighed. "Now there is a void for a new, stronger evil to fill! Nobody told you to destroy the demon!"

"Sorry, Uncle," I stated feebly.

Glittery talismans poked out of the earth as the sun slowly began to rise.

We decided to relish the peaceful moment.

Jackie and I held hands as we watched the fireworks, staring up into the now-colorful sky.

"We did it," I said softly, and he gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

Jade stood beside us, gazing into the sky.

"You should visit your parents," Jackie suggested to Jade.

She shrugged. "They might want me to stay with them…," she muttered, her voice strained.

"Why would that be so awful?" Jackie looked down at her.

"Tch… for you…," Jade began to cry, silent tears streaming down her face.

I used my free arm to give Jade a motherly side-hug, knowing shifting houses would be more difficult for Jade than we originally believed…

*JCA*

I was near the brink of exhaustion once we arrived back in San Francisco the next day.

"I hope Jade is okay with her parents," I said sadly as Jackie, Uncle, and I walked in through the doorway of Uncle's Rare Finds.

"It's so...quiet without her…," Jackie added glumly, sighing.

"We can always call her, I suppose," I chimed in. "Still-"

"It won't be the same," Jackie finished, appearing as if he was going to cry.

"What are you two talking about?" A familiar voice piped up from the doorway. "I'm right here!"

Jackie and I gasped, both looking up to see Jade lingering in the doorway.

"Jade!" I squealed, running to hug her.

She laughed, returning the gesture. "They permitted me to stay another year! Isn't that the coolest?"

Jackie breathed a sigh of relief, and we all laughed, knowing it was the start of an amazing new year.