A/N So…*puff*...freaking…*puff* tired…*sigh* I should probably be studying for school tomorrow but here I am working on my fanfic, just because that's how much I love you guys. I need some constructive criticism. How am I doing with character development, are there any plot holes I need to fix, etc. Be sure to tell me in the comments!

"Though you're a self-confessed fool

No celebrity death pool

Is gonna make a buck on you

Turn up your distortion

The fame and misfortune

And you still haven't got a clue"-

Steve Conte NYC, "Dark In the Spotlight."

Chapter 7 - Rumble In the Big House (s2 ep5 part 1)

The Dark Hand was currently undergoing their next mission: go undercover as criminals (no argument about that- they were, in fact, prisoners, but it was not obvious to the outside world) who were sentenced to 50+ years in prison. The reason?

For the purpose of opening a demon portal, which would allow them entrance to the Otherworld.

Shendu's mental state was that of a pleased god. He'd been granted partially of what he desired- to be human, yet he had no access to a human, at least not yet- but on the silver lining, the bright side of things, as humans called it, he had gotten what he needed to become human. He was finally free from his prison- tha blasted gol statue- and yet he was not satisfied, and this was evident in his angry red eyes.

"The portal of Xiao Fung the Wind Demon lies on the southern land mass," Shendu murmured, adrenaline pumping through his veins, "four million and one cubits above the southern hemisphere, beyond the blasted forest, nestled between the rolling hills."

His minions blinked at him incredulously.

"Uh...the only thing I see nestling…" Ratso babbled hesitantly.

"Is Hollowlands Penitentiary!" Finn chimed in in a mixture of amusement and shock.

A look of skepticism crossed Valmont's face. "Uh...are you meaning to tell us that the demon portal lies within those prison walls, Shendu?" The question, both defiant and in doubt, was layered with a hint of sarcasm.

Shendu fumed. "Do not take that tone with me, Valmont!" he hissed, his body language so cinched that anger practically radiated from him. "I did not build the fortress!"

"I've heard of breaking out of prison," Ratso remarked quizzically, "but breaking in…?"

Although the Dark Hand did not usually question their master's doings, morally good or bad, this was quite a strange formula indeed.

*JCA*

WITH MACEY AND JACKIE

"...thank you for joining me." Jackie bowed, clasping his hands, and I followed suit.

To say that my muscles were killing me would be an understatement. For the past two hours I'd been stretching, kicking, punching, with Jackie, nonstop. Since six o'clock in the morning. The only break I got was to get water. I wasn't complaining or anything, but he made it look so easy. If I ever got on TV and they asked me what the hardest thing I ever did was, this would be it.

Jackie stretched, hands above his head. "I must go to Section 13 now. Are you coming with?"

I nodded half-heartedly, although I felt like I was going to fall over. I awaited the sudden wave of vertigo to pass before I followed Jackie down the grey steps to Section 13. My legs felt like Jello.

Captain Black, who looked slightly uncomfortable, stood near Jade. I'd long since given up on any attempts of trying to keep Jade upstairs while discussing missions. "Valmont and his pals have been spotted downtown," Captain Black announced, looking at me warily. (He still didn't seem to trust me for some reason.) "You in, Jackie?" The previous statement was evident when he'd questioned Jackie.

"We're there!" Jade volunteered, pumping her fist enthusiastically.

Jackie frowned at her. "Is your name Jackie?" He turned back to Captain Black. "Captain Black, I thought all Dark Hand matters had been reassigned to Section 12!"

"Section 12?" I repeated, previously unaware such a place had existed.

"That may be so," Captain Black snapped, eyes angry, "but I'm not going to sit pretty while the Dark Hand strolls into my backyard and hands a hall pass to a hobgoblin!"

"Hobgoblin?" I echoed incredulously.

"Captain Black is in the house!" Jade exclaimed again, and Jackie and I gave her a weird look.

"Someone's had too much sugar."

Captain Black informed us that, in order to successfully complete this mission, we were enabled to sneak into the Hollowland Penitentiary.

"A prison!" I exclaimed, shocked. "Captain Black, it's probably not legal- or moral- to do that! Besides, who would want to spend a night willingly in a prison?"

"Don't worry," Captain Black responded lightly, as if we were discussing the weather, "All you have to do is fix your way into Valmont's gang, and get ahold of that Pan Ku Box before they open the portal with it."

Jackie looked annoyed. "Oh, is that all?"

*JCA*

Prison was no laughing matter, but it was difficult, to say the least, to stifle a snicker at the sight of Jackie's new makeover- a young, muscular man who bore a striking appearance to the Dark Hand, with exaggerated broad shoulders and muscles so built they almost seemed fake. (They were, but the fellow inmates didn't know that.) I'd pulled on my black tank top, jeans, and boots, and allowed my hair to reach my shoulders freely, appearing unkempt, tangled, and shower-free. I slipped on sunglasses to shield my eyes. Not a very good cover, I know, but it would have to do for now, or at least until I got caught. According to Captain Black, safety came first, (this, however, seemed to delude him otherwise) and the code word we were supposed to use if we needed to get out immediately was "chinchilla."

"You so owe me one after this," I hissed at Jackie as we were non-too-gently thrust into one of the cold cells.

"Yeah, well, don't blame me," Jackie returned, leaning back against the wall. "Take it up with Captain Black when this is over."

"I should have got that job at the grocery store," I muttered under my breath, sinking down to my knees in the middle of the floor. May as well get comfy- I was gonna be there awhile.

As Jackie sulked in the corner, his poster akin to a pouting child, I leaned against the wall, humming "Jail House Rock."

I wished I had a book to read.

My parents were never going to believe this when I finally got around to writing back to them.