A/N I just watched an episode of JCA and let's just say it inspired me to write again. I'm also in a good mood (for once, knock on wood), and that makes it easier to write. Here we begin season 2, where we will learn even more about Macey, and Jackie and Macey will become closer as they defeat evil together! I will be starting the new season as chapter 1- just to clarify that so you don't get too confused.

Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures. I only own my OFC, Macey Chabert.

"I do the getting rid of

Don't tell me why

Don't need to hear the truth

Don't need the lies

Now pay me quickly now we're through

It brings me great pleasure to say my next job is you"-

Megadeth, "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!"

Jackie Chan Adventures: Season 2

Chapter 1 - The Stronger Evil (episode 1, part 1)

All was quiet in the Netherworld, the demon sorcerers laying low now that Shendu was now a spirit. However, feelings of dissatisfaction were prominent, especially among Shendu and his brothers and sisters.

This was visible as a debate was sparked among Shendu's siblings.

Shendu practically radiated with anger. "Once I make Jackie Chan pay, I will tear that buffoon Valmont to pieces-!"

The declaration only resulted in more anger from one of Shendu's brothers. "SILENCE," one of them, known as Dai Gui, roared. "The only future you have is here with us, brother."

"Indeed," another, Xiao Fung, agreed. "Let the eternal torment begin!"

Shendu shook with renewed rage. "Torment?!", he screamed. "ETERNAL?!"

"To punish your betrayal, Shendu," Tso Lang chimed in. "You chose to spend your time ruling China."

"While we withered in this bone-dry pit!" Bai Tza seethed, eyes reflecting his frustration.

"Bored out of our wits all those centuries, each exactly like the one before it!" Hsi Wu cried.

"You never even attempted to free us," Po Kong added sadly, a disappointed glint on his face.

Shendu shook with anxiety as he struggled to defend himself. "I….your rescue was in the planning stages, but I became imprisoned in a statue-"

"Excuses!" Tchang Zu bellowed, his fist shaking with rage. "You desired the earthly realm for only you!" He extended his hand, dropping lightning onto Shendu.

Shendu trembled with a mixture of fright and pain, charred with lightning and writhing on the ground.

"A shame you never learned to share, brother," Hsi Wu murmured glumly.

"No, wait!" Shendu struggled to regain his footing, his muscles aching with the aftermath of electrical shock. "I can free you-!"

"Do not toy with us!" Bai Tza spat, glaring at his injured brother. "The doorways can only be opened from the other side."

"The human side," Dai Gui spoke up quietly.

Shendu licked his lips. "Precisely," he confirmed thoughtfully, finally mustering his strength. "As the humble spirit you now see before you, I am free to cross over and possess any human I please, enabling me to undo the sacred spells that keep you here…" he hesitated before concluding, "if you deem it."

Shendu's brothers glanced at each other, wheels in their head beginning to churn.

A new plan was awakening.

*JCA*

Meanwhile, in the human world, a robbery was taking place, that of an armored truck. Hak Foo, a member of the Dark Hand, had previously planned to overpower the American police after stealing another Talisman. Things didn't look good for the Chans.

Each of the Dark Hand had received a Talisman from their main ringleader, Hak Foo, however, saw no need to rely on a silly grey object to enhance power. After all, he was powerful on his own, wasn't he? The villain saw himself as a masterful being, and the rest of the human race were simply pawns he used in his little game. The mindset of what society called narcissist, for sure, but he was an exception. Hak Foo recalled the exchange between the Dark Hand earlier that morning, when Valmont subsequently gave the stolen Talismans to the Dark Hand:

"Twelve Talismans, four Enforcers, three each," Valmont murmured to himself as he distributed the Talismans among his staff.

"Uh, boss…." Ratso piped up apprehensively. "There's only three off us since Tohru cashed in his frequent flyer miles."

"So, I'll just hang onto these-" Finn volunteered, groping for the Talismans. However, the action failed, as a tall, broad-shouldered man snatched all of the Talismans away from the Dark Hand.

"Hungry crane spears fish," he declared with a self-satisfied smile.

Valmont was amused. "Everyone remembers Hak Foo?"

The proposal was met with hesitation as the said man stepped forward, ominous and looming over the rest of the Dark Hand.

Ratso chuckled nervously. "Uh...hiya, Hak!"

"Or do you prefer Foo?" Finn inquired, eyes widened.

"Master Foo," Valmont corrected smoothly, clucking his tongue in disapprovement. "The Black Tiger shall be your new lieutenant."

Now, Hak Foo smiled mercilessly to himself, pushing aside his distaste for society, feeling all the more powerful.

He had a job to do.

He wasn't going to allow society's petty attitude to get in his way.

*JCA*

MACEY'S POV

I yawned, allowing my eyelids to slide shut. I'd gotten a decent amount of sleep last night, but still I was somehow tired. Maybe I should see a doctor for this. Or maybe I needed to go back on my meds. My thoughts raced, and my heart began to beat faster every time I tried to relax, my mind being my only enemy.

"Am I going insane?" I mumbled, my head falling to the desk. I folded my arms and allowed my head to rest on them.

Footsteps reverberated against the walls. "Macey! We must go to Section 13, immediately."

I opened my eyes slowly, my vision blurry. "Why? What happened?" I really wasn't in the mood for another battle. We had just defeated a demon sorcerer, for Chrissakes. My anxiety was through the roof, of course- why at a time like this? I knew I had to repress my irritation. Jackie needed me, and I wasn't going to let him down. He'd become, not only an ally, but my best friend, in the past few months. Maybe I should tell him that later. He'd like to hear something like that after a long day like this. Who doesn't like to be told they're appreciated, anyways?

Now was not the time for confessions. I rose my fatigued self from the desk chair.

"Are you ready?" Jackie asked gently, and I nodded, preparing to follow him. I yawned, lethargically ambling over to him.

Jackie hesitated, lingering in the doorway. "What's wrong, are you alright?"

Aww….how sweet. Concerned Jackie was cute. But I couldn't worry him. He was already under enough stress as it was. "Yeah, I'm fine. At least for now." I couldn't clock out now. I wanted to help Section 13, more than anything. It would give me something to write a column about.

"Do you need to take a rest?" Jackie proposed, but I shook my head.

"Jackie, I'm fine. Seriously, quit worrying." I gave him a smile to show him I was sincerely alright. "We have work to do."

Jackie nodded, worry still glinting in his eyes as we walked down the metal steps to Section 13. Our footsteps clanked against the stairs.

A wild-eyed, frantic Captain Black sprung forward, approaching us with panic. "Jackie! Macey! Robbery in process," he cried, obviously frightened. "Financial district! It's the Dark Hand?"

"What?" I stepped back, unnerved by his panicked state. If he wasn't calm, I'd panic, too. Control yourself, Macey. Control.

I repeated this mantra in my head silently, willing myself to calm down. If I panicked too much, an asthma attack would come on, and that would just make things worse. We couldn't afford that now.

An alarm blared overhead, and I covered my ears with my palms. I may never hear again.

"Uhh...good luck with that?" Jackie stated hesitantly.

"They're packing heat," Captain Black told us. "Talisman heat."

I groaned.

If the Dark Hand had the Talismans, I knew that wasn't good…

To be continued….