A/N I'm really excited for season 2, because I'll be able to work on Macey some more. I'll also be able to bring Jackie and Macey closer. I don't know why, but I love Jackie and Macey's friendship. There will be a lot of Jackie and Macey interaction in this chapter, and Jade, of course, will pop in a couple of times as well...much to Jackie's dismay. ;) Speaking of Jackie, I've been wondering if I should do Jackie's POV again. Tell me in the reviews if you think I should!

"Now I'm naked

Nothing but an animal

But can you fake it

For just one more show?

I want to change

And what have you got

When you feel the same?"-

Smashing Pumpkins, "Bullet With Butterfly Wings."

Chapter Two - The Stronger Evil (s2, episode 2, completed)

The alarm was still shrieking in our ears. By then I'd managed to gain control of myself, after discreetly sucking in some air from my inhaler. What can you say, it's better safe than sorry.

Captain Black gazed at Jackie solemnly. "I know you're eager to get on with your life, my friend," he stated warily, "but you know more about these Talismans than anyone."

"Uh, but-" Jackie's muddled protest was cut short by Captain Black:

"I need you, Jackie." There was a pleading note to Captain Black's usually gruff overtone. "One last time."

"One last time…," Jackie murmured, rubbing his neck.

"Just when you think you're out, they pull you back in," Jade remarked, causing me to jump. I wasn't even aware that she had crept into Section 13- go figure, I guess. I still wanted to know how she got all the friggin' way to China. I made a mental note to ask her later. (Like she'd tell me willingly, I'd probably have to tickle it out of her.) An evil smile tugged at my lips as this idea ran through my mind.

"Macey, what are you smiling at?" Jackie was giving me a weird look, squinting.

"Nothing." Slightly embarrassed, but mostly amused, I wiped my face free of any humor. "We've got some Dark Hand butt to kick, right?"

Jade looked up at us. "So, can I-"

"No!" Captain Black, Jackie, and I exclaimed in unison, preparing to leave.

Jade folded her arms over her chest, nose in the air. "Didn't even let me ask," she mumbled under her breath, but disappointment was soon replaced by a plan. "And if I didn't ask, how am I supposed to know what they said 'no' to?"

*JCA*

Darkness enveloped the Nether realm, murmurs of discontent flickering about Shendu's brothers.

"So, I trust you would agree that my...er…," Shendu paused, fumbling momentarily for his words, "martyrdom has left a void for a new, stronger evil to fill- namely you, my brothers and sisters. Shall I proceed then?"

His request fell on deaf ears. His siblings mumbled a spell under their breath, and Shendu gasped as it was cast upon him.

"Gah!" He spat, red eyes glowing. "What trick is this?!"

"You have proven crafty, brother," Hsi Wu stated in a chillingly calm voice. "So we require a safety measure."

"Our spell will keep you bound within a human of your choosing," Bai Tza proclaimed, "until you release us."

The irritation of being kept against their will began to build up among the demon brothers, becoming quite apparent on their faces and in their voices. Indeed, they were quite unhappy with their current status- it wasn't exactly Home Living. Of course, their true desire would be to roam the earth freely like their elder brother, but until Shendu was fully defeated, no one would be free.

Xiao Fung's eyes lit up with excitement. "A precaution, so we know exactly where to find you!"

"In the event we deem necessary to resume your eternal torment," Tso Lan said.

Shendu snarled, "I accept your terms! I will choose my vessel well to best serve you." His expression darkened. "And the human most capable for this task is my nemesis...Jackie Chan!"

*JCA*

MACEY'S POV

Jackie and I crept alongside of the storage building, pressing our backs up to the wall in a feeble attempt to hide ourselves.

I'd become more or less used to hiding, but I hoped it wouldn't become a habit outside of "work"- although a lot of things I thought wouldn't have happened have happened, like rain on your wedding day. Kind of like that Alanis Morissette song- isn't it ironic, don't you think?

Jackie suddenly gasped. "There-" He pointed, and my eyes followed the direction of his finger.

The Dark Hand had crowded around a nearby army truck, in a football-like huddle group.

An orange and black blur zipped past us, and I sighed, not even bothering to look up to know that it was Jade. "How on earth does that kid follow us?"

"Got me." Jackie shrugged his broad shoulders, just as puzzled as I.

Jade did a 180, screeching to a halt on the cement. "Captain Black!"

The said man was flying toward us on a getaway car. Jackie picked both Jade and I up, pulling us onto the car. Although Jade had managed to plop down into the seat solo, Jackie was still pulling me up by the hand.

I stood, but didn't release my hand from his grasp."Next time, I'm pretty sure I can handle myself," I teased, sitting down on the leather seat, but secretly I was relieved that I didn't have to crawl onto a moving car alone. "Thanks anyway, though."

"I just realize we're wanted dead or alive," I said aloud, my hands on my hips. I examined my surroundings. "At least the scenery is nice." We had crapped out onto a beach, the cool wind grazing across the rippling water. A natural rock wall fading into a grassy woodland loomed to the left of us.

"Come on, we need to get to safety." Jackie, Jade, and I leaped off the getaway car, heading toward the cliff. Just before we climbed up the wall, I turned around.

"Thank you, Captain Black!" I called, my hands cupped over my mouth, as I had just realized he'd literally saved our butts from the Dark Hand.

Although his facial expression still read distrust for me, Captain Black allowed himself to smile and gave me a friendly wave in return.

We clamored to the top of the cliff, me receiving a few scratches and a bruised knee on the way. (Today was just not a good day.) Panting, I collapsed dramatically on the ground and pulled out my inhaler to prevent another asthma attack.

An ominous green shadow crystallized suddenly, swooping down onto the cliff.

My breath hitched in my throat. "Jackie- look out!" I squeaked, my mouth dry.

Jackie, just a tad late, looked up, standing and prepared a punching stance.

Shendu leaped forward, subsequently knocking Jackie off the cliff, and turning his dark gaze on me.

"Human," he hissed, his eyes fixating on me for a bit longer than I would have taken a liking to.

"You don't want to eat me." I chuckled nervously, stepping back toward the edge of the cliff, and put my hands up; my palms facing Shendu. "I taste really bad. Plus I'm all scrawny, not much meat on me at all…," I drifted off awkwardly, my cheeks reddening. Sweat beads began to form on my forehead, dripping down the bridge of my nose, and sweat snaking down my back and sticking to my shirt. (I was wearing jeans, a black muscle T-shirt, and combat boots. My hair was done in a simple ponytail- I'd put the outfit together this morning, knowing I'd need something easy to move in if I was going to defeat evil with Jackie.)

Shendu continued to stare at me, as if I were an appetizing snack. Wincing inwardly, I stepped another foot backward, and immediately regretted it. I tumbled onto a gravelly landscape, rolling down the cliff. Jackie and I were going to suffer the same fate.

Jackie, however, had picked himself up off the ground long before I.

"Bad day," I mumbled, my head hitting the rough ground.

"Now is not the time for a nap!" Jackie jerked me up off the ground. I rubbed my sore head, grimacing. "I'll feel that tomorrow." My head throbbed again, and I gripped my head in my hands. "Actually, I think I'm feeling it now."

I rubbed my eyes and then opened them. My vision was slightly blurred, and split down the middle. "Jackie, why am I seeing two of you?"

"Need a lift?" Jackie and I looked up to see Jade hovering over us in a Jet Pack.

"Jade, I told you to never to play with things you don't know how to-" Jackie's scolding was cut off by Jade.

"Ignition, steering, throttle, breaks." She smirked at me arrogantly.

"Kid knows her stuff." I grinned at Jackie, who sighed as we climbed onto the Jet Pack.

"Faster," he ordered, and Jade obeyed. (Hey that rhymed!)

*JCA*

With the Dark Hand

"We must have left millions on that beach!" Finn seethed, frustration visible. "What is the deal, big V?"

The villain in question appeared, however possessed by Shendu.

Valmont's eyes glistened over with red. "Valmont cannot hear you!"

The rest of the Dark Hand gasped in surprise.

"Uh-oh," Chow murmured.

"He's back," Ratso muttered warily.

Chow laid out the stolen Talismans in front of Valmont. "Your Talismans, Mr. Shendu."

"We was takin' care of em for you." Ratso chuckled nervously, tense with anxiety, as the Enforcers turned to leave.

Valmont, still possessed by Shendu, blocked their way. His large, burly body was a block in its own way.

"Wow," Chow whispered in a mixture of fear and awe.

Valmont's red eyes faded, returning to their normal, green color. "How did I- where's the money?!" The demand caused confusion among the Dark Hand, puzzled by the sudden shift within him.

"Uh, Big-V?" Finn volunteered hesitantly, "Shendu is back."

"What?!" Valmont exclaimed angrily. "That's preposterous." He marched over to the nearby mirror, nonetheless, and gasped- his reflection had been replaced by Shendu's. "GET OUT!"

Valmont's request was unheeded.

"Trust me, Valmont, the feeling is mutual," Shendu crowed, as Valmont's eyes returned to their previous red state. "But for now, you and your thugs will assist me- or perish!" Valmont exhaled, and yellow-ish orange flames emerged from his mouth.

"Got it!" Chow sputtered, surrendering willingly.

"We're swingin' to your beat!" Finn agreed manically.

Shendu grinned to himself inwardly.

His plan was falling into place.

Just as he'd wanted.

Now, all he had to do was find Chan, and his plan would be complete.

*JCA*

BACK WITH MACEY AND JACKIE

Captain Black, Jackie, and I had landed on the rooftop of Uncle's Rare Finds, deciding that it would be best to look out for trouble from the very top. It wasn't a bad idea if I did say so myself.

To be quite frank, I felt safer off ground, considering we were being tracked down by a group of Valmont's thugs. My dislike for the Dark Hand was growing more intense by the millisecond. But I knew I had to reserve all feelings for after the mission. The sooner this was over, the sooner we could all kick back and relax.

I came to Jackie's side. "Jackie, I have something to tell you," I announced hesitantly, my eyes still locked on the edge of the rooftop in case of danger.

"Yes?" He turned his attention to me, watching me intently.

"You...you're my-" Before I could complete my sentence, a group of Shadowkahn appeared, and within a matter of seconds, we were surrounded.

Perfect. I gritted my teeth in frustration, biting my lip until it bled.

"But- I don't understand!" Jackie stammered. "Valmont can't summon the Shadowkahn. Only Shendu-" His eyes widened with realization as Valmont, complete with red eyes, appeared next to the Shadowkahn.

"Whoa," I murmured, nearly passing out from dizziness induced by fear.

"Destroy them," Shendu ordered the Shadowkahn calmly, striding away and leaping off the roof. (Good. Maybe he'd die before he hit the bottom. Okay, so maybe that was a bit morbid, not to mention harsh, but all our troubles would be reduced if he vanished forever.)

Jackie and I leaped to safety, and, just as Shendu/Valmont disappeared, the Shadowkahn did as well.

"Whoa," I said. "I guess that's helpful." I sighed in relief, stretching. "God, I'm exhausted." I'd probably pass out as soon as I got back to my apartment. However, I found myself relaxing, and I looked out over Chinatown, relishing the peace and quiet.

Jackie returned to my side. "What is it you wanted to tell me, Macey?"

I wiped sweat beads off my face. "Well...Jackie, even though these past few months have been kinda crazy, with the Dark Hand and all, you've kinda...well, you've kinda become...my best friend." I hoped I wouldn't regret telling him, but I didn't know why I would. Maybe it was just my anxiety getting the best of me.

His reaction was better than I'd originally speculated. "Macey, that's wonderful. You are the same to me."

My muscles relaxed, no longer tense with anxiety. "That's a relief!" I laughed half-heartedly, and he joined me.

"It's going to be hard to say goodbye when you leave," Jackie said softly, and I felt a pang of sadness at the thought of having to go back to New York City.

"Thankfully, that's a long way from now," I reassured him. "I have to work on my thesis, after all. Now that we've defeated Shendu, we can have a pretty good time."

"The best of times," Jackie agreed, and with that, we headed back to Uncle's Rare Finds. I gratefully slipped into my apartment, crawling into bed.

I succumbed to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.