I don't own Jackie Chan Adventures and am not making money with this.

NI TANG

Chapter 12

Jade sat in the plane next to a window and sulked. She had imagined Hsi Wu wouldn't understand anything about the airport and its modern things, but the demon had turned out to be more cunning than she had believed.

They had no tickets or money, but the sky demon had used his special trick again to get them into the plain. Even at this point Jade had believed they were about to fail, Hsi Wu could not possibly know what an aeroplane was, but acting like a confused tourist he had got all the answers he needed.

And so, here they sat side by side in a plane, which was on its way to Rome. They of course didn't have any luggage expect the Pan Ku box and they were allowed to keep it in the cabin. Jade hadn't said anything to the demon after they had left and Hsi Wu wasn't very talkative either.

She couldn't believe this! Where was her incredible luck, which always saved her from everything and made things go right? Where was Jackie who would kick this bat's ass, where Uncle whose job was to finish everything with the right chi spell?

Why didn't anyone come to help her and get rid of these two demons who had caught her? Someone had to do it pretty soon or they would have three demons instead of just two and the number would keep growing. And the fight would get more dangerous with every new demon.

It would be so much more difficult to escape in Rome, the city was unfamiliar to her and she didn't know anyone there. Even if she was able to run away she had no money or place to go and she would be under the dangers of the street. Jade wasn't afraid, everything would be better than helping a demon, but she wasn't so sure about living in the streets of Rome.

"Enjoying the view, my sister?" Hsi Wu asked pleasantly and Jade frowned at him.

"Don't call me like that! I have a name too," she snapped angrily.

"You had, you won't be needing it for very long. When we return I'll ask Ni to give you to me and then we'll have some fun."

"Oh, I can hardly wait."

That was all they said to each other during the flight and when the plane landed and it was time to go Hsi Wu turned to face Jade.

"Come, my sister is waiting to see you," he said grinning and held out his hand as if he was a gentleman. Jade didn't take it, butstood up on her own giving the demon an angry look which just made Hsi Wu'sgrin grow wider.

Never before had anyone this young acted this rudely towards him and it fascinated him. He had been involved with children before, but had usually killed them after learning their names. This girl wasn't afraid of him and even if she was she hid it very well and allhe could do was to give her some respect for it. But the girl would not be an exception, Hsi would enjoy tasting her brave blood.

No one paid them any special attention, to others they were just two normal Chinese tourists and no one had any reason to suspect anything. Hsi Wu rested his hand on Jade's shoulder to make sure the girl would not try anything stupid and like you could guess, Jade didn't really like it. She walked glaring daggers at everybody and holding the Pan Ku box as if afraid of losing it.

There were lots of people on the airport, many more than in San Francisco. Hsi Wu looked around, he had never seen so many races represented in one place at the same time. When he had last time walked free in the world travelling had been difficult and it had taken time, now it seemed to be part of people's everyday life.

He tried not to let the achievements of the human race to impress him, demons could do much better and would immediately after they were all free. He squeezed Jade's shoulder more tightly, in this crowd it was tempting for her to try to escape if he didn't keep an eye on her.

Rome was a huge city, finding the portal would be difficult, but Hsi Wu didn't let it bother him. He had the whole eternity, he would find it no matter how long it took. He wasn't the most patient one of the demons, but he could think clearly and knew the portal would not just appear somewhere.

"So, where to next?" Jade asked sulking even if it was difficult to be in a bad mood in a city like this. She was cheerful by nature and seeing Rome, with a demon or not, was always a magnificent experiment. Hsi Wu glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

"We'll find Bai Tsa' portal and open it," he answered and Jade sighed.

"I know that already. But where do you think it is?" she asked.

"That's not slave's business," the sky demon snapped and tightened his grip making the girl drew a deep breath.

"That hurts! Can't you talk about anything else than that portal?"

"And what else should I talk about? Especially with a slave?" Hsi asked angrily and Jade frowned.

"How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not a slave? But I understand why you can't learn it, a stupid demon like you can't probably even spell his name!" she snapped and the sky demon hissed at her.

"Don't talk to me like that!", he told and forced Jade to stand in front of him. Jade pressed her lips into a tight line, it was kind of difficult to be afraid when the demon looked so normal and harmless. Then again, even as a human there was a flame of anger in his eyes and the girl didn't know at what point Hsi Wu would explode.

"I have tried to respect the property of my brother, but now I'm starting to feel I've been way too generous. You are now a nameless slave of Ni Tang and nothing can ever change that. If you understand and accept this simple truth it might not be that bad, who knows, maybehe never gets bored with you if you serve him loyally. Keep this in mind, more valuable slaves have been slaughtered for much lesser things," Hsi Wu said slowly and Jade forced herself to watch him in the eyes.

Hsi Wu noticed this and he had to smile. The girl had stamina, he had to admit that again. Even though he usually respected this characterisation he knew stamina was not meant for slaves. It had to be eliminated before they were perfect and some times violence was enough to do the job. Always that wasn't enough and Hsi had many times witnessed the death of a human and other creatures when they were too stubborn to give up their independence.

Training this girl would be a pleasure and every one of the nine demons would gladly do it. Hsi Wu decided he would buy the girl from Ni Tang and take care of it himself, it would be very refreshing even if the girl died in the end.

"Let's go," he said and grabbed Jade's wrist forcing her to follow. And the girl didn't really have a choice in the matter, Hsi Wu was much stronger and escaping was almost impossible.

Jade had tried to avoid thinking about it, she had told herself her mysterious luck would soon start to work and something unexpected would happen. Even in the plane she had believed Jackie would dive from somewhere and kick the air out of Hsi Wu, but now here in Rome, in a huge and unfamiliar city, she understood how hopeless the situation was

But she would not give up, that would never be an option. She would find a way to get away and after that everything would be easy. She would run away and return to San Francisco where they could together banish all the demons to the Netherworld.

She had enough time, it was impossible for them to find the portal in a big city like this. It would take very long, if they even found it, and they needed magnificent luck, or bad luck actually.

Jade followed Hsi Wu trying to get used to his long steps. She hopedhe would take his childform again, she like it much more and it made her feel the demon was not that strong after all. Or evil.


"I'm hungry," Jade said after they'd be walking around with no success. It was hot, the sun shone right above them and there was no wind to cool them.

"I want ice cream," she added when the demon didn't seem to care about her.

"Slaves don't want anything," Hsi Wu remarked angrily, the hot air and lack of success made him feel grumpy too.

There were humans everywhere, most of them stinky tourists and they were incredibly curious. The city was so different than the Romehe had known and he could not help but feel hatred when seeing the ruins who now amused these mortals.

What did the Roman gods think about this? Hsi Wu had not really liked them and it seemed he had been right if they didn't bother to do anything now. If this was his city he would not allow anything like this.

They had been wondering around not really caring where they were going. The Pan Ku box didn't react at all and just now the sky demon started to realise their situation. Rome had grown to be huge during the years and the portal could be anywhere.

He glanced at the box in Jade's hands and frowned when it still didn't show any signs of opening. It might have been a good idea to take Ni with him after all, the younger demon might have been some use.

"This is useless.", he muttered gloomily and Jade glanced at him lifting an eyebrow.

"I've been trying to tell you that all the time! This whole demon thing is doomed to fail so let's give up before you make yourself even a greater fool than Shendu," girl suggested cheerfully and yelped in surprise when the demon slapped her.

"Quiet! We will find the portal even if it takes centuries!" he snapped angrily and Jade didn't bother to comment that. Idiots were idiots, she could not do anything about it.


The sun started to set and made the sky beautifully red. Everybody was on a good mood, it was the time of restaurants, music and culture, time to have fun. Who could be sulking right now?

Well, at least someone was. Hsi Wu dragged Jade after him muttering something to himself and Jade didn't bother to even try to hear. She was way too tired and her legs hurt after the long walk in the city.

"I'm tired," she complained and yawned.

"Let's call it a quit, this is no use," she continued and was very surprised when she heard Hsi Wulet out a soft sigh.

"Maybe this is enough for today," the demon said quietly and took a glance around.

"So we can go to eat and sleep?" Jade asked hopefully but for her disappointment the sky demon shook his head.

"I have a better idea," he said and turned around in the next corner dragging the disappointed and hungry Jade after him.

Hsi Wu had liked Rome when it had been a wonderful and beautiful city, but one of the buildings had fascinated him and his siblings even more.

The Roman Colosseum.

A whole arena was meant for amusement. They were not interested in the plays, but blood and killing. Almost daily people faced a violent death in the sand field the crazed crowd encouraging and asking for more. When he had been there for the first time he had been surprised because of their behaviour, he had never believed he would see sensible and emotional humans losing their self-control like that.

But that made it even more amusing. Everyone of his siblings had enjoyed the bloody shows and how down the humans had sunk and had visited the arena many times, always in a different disguise. Shendu and Hsi Wu had even taken part in some fights to give the people something different, but the others had not bothered. But they had got their fun too, Bai Tsa had been the lover of a certain member of the senate and had enjoyed it very much.

All that was lost now, Hsi Wu didn't believe humans would like mindless slaughtering anymore. It made him feel sad, the world had changed so much and to worse and he didn't think he would find that much amusement anymore. Well, it just meant he and the other demons had to come up with something and resurrect the old fun.

He hoped the old Colosseum was still standing, it would be sad to find a new place for the fights. Besides, the place was full of good memories and the sky demon would really have been disappointed if it was destroyed.

He remembered well where the arena was and it wasn't difficult to find the right direction. They were pretty far away from it and it took a while until they arrived there, but the sky demon thought it was worth it.

It was dark already, but he could see the building well as if it was still day. It was dilapidated from what it had once been, but Hsi Wuwas happy for it still existing. He was sure it was in the favour of tourists as well, but it seemed it had been closed for night and nothing would have fit him better. Now he had a good chance to take a look inside.

Jade snorted.

"The Colosseum. What's so special in it?" she asked tiredly and Hsi told her to shut up.

"You don't know what a masterpiece it is," he continued and moved closer.

"We will go inside now," he told and Jade sighed,

"I'm sure it would be fun, but it's closed. And we don't have money to pay for entering. Can't we go to sleep?" she asked and for the first time during the whole day she had a hint of desperation in her voice. She couldn't stand this anymore, if they expected her to play this stupid game she had to get enough food and rest!

Hsi Wu glanced at her amused and led her to shadows where the light of the street lamps couldn't reach. If it had been someone else Jade would have thought this was very suspicious, but somehow she knew Hsi Wu was not one to do her anything. Some other demon perhaps, but not the sky demon.

"I have my way to get in," the demon said smiling and even in the dark Jade saw how he grew, his mighty wings opened and the red eyes started to glow. In a moment the young Chinese man had turned into the bat-like demon and Jade took a surprised step back.

"Woah..." she muttered and felt how all tiredness was gone. This was an adventure and excitement had always affected her like a shot in the arm.

"Come, I can not leave you here alone. Who knows what you might come up with," Hsi Wu said and lifted Jade in his arm and all the girl managed was a surprised yelp. And before she had even truly understood what had happenedhe had spread his wings and jumped in the air.

Jade had imagined the grip of Hsi Wu's clawed hands would be unpleasant and maybe even painful, but now resting in the demon's arms she noticed how gentle he actually was. She felt the demon's body against her own and even though it really disturbed her it also made her feel warm and somehow safe.

She glanced down and noticed they were flying high above the Colosseum and for a while Hsi Wujust flew around it either to enjoy the wind or just to show off, but finally he drew up his wings and they started to land. The wind made Jade's black hair flow and even though the flight hadn't lasted as long as what Ni had given her when leaping around Jade liked this more. The polar demon was forever chained in the ground, but Hsi Wu was free to fly wherever he wanted and freedom was something Jade respected.

They landed softly and Hsi put Jade down. It was a disappointment to be in the ground again, she would have wanted to fly some more and if it had been anyone else than a demon she would have asked. She turned her back to him instead and looked around.

Hsi Wu drew a deep breath. The place was in a very bad shape, but he could recognise it. With a good planning and some slaves it was possible to repair it, but that had to wait. First they had to free the rest of the family and take the world to themselves.

Jade frowned.

"What's so special in this?" she asked sarcastically. Hsi Wu shook his head like an adult who was amused because of a child's stupid behaviour.

"You haven't seen this place when it was full of fame and glory," he said.

"Luckily not," Jade muttered but Hsi Wu didn't answer her anymore, he wanted to have a look around in peace.

Well, if the sky demon was not going to give her any attention she could do the same to him. She walked around for a while trying to get interested in something, but it was difficult in the darkness. And she would not have been interested in Colosseum even during a day without a proper guide with some good stories. Well, she had one, but the girl would rather die than ask Hsi Wu.

And suddenly it wasn't that boring anymore. The Pan Ku box in her hands rose in the air glowing bright green light, which immediately caught Hsi Wu'sattention. A pleased grin appeared on his face and he flew quickly closer. Jade backed away bitterly, why did this have to happen? Last time she had been the one who accidentally opened the portal, why again?

The box hit the green symbol and the portal opened in the air in front of them. It didn't take very long before Bai Tsa slithered out from the red Netherworld and the portal closed after her.

Jade watched her curiously and in awe, this was the last demon she wasn't familiar with. Bai Tsa was a mermaid-like creature coloured in a mixture of blue and white and her tail was beautifully deep blue. She had long arms and her body was coveredin decorative patterns and her red eyes glowed in the dark.

"Sister Bai Tsa!" Hsi Wu greeted happily and Jade hurried to fetch the fallen box. The water demon nodded at her brother and took an interested look around. At first she didn't recognise where she was but then her eyes widened a bit when she finally understood.

"The Colosseum?" she asked surprised and Hsi Wu nodded.

"The world had changed very much," he said a bit bitterly, humans had even taken over his kingdom the sky.

"I see," Bai said deep in thought and then noticed Jade, who had moved to stand behind Hsi not noticing it herself as if the demon would protect her.

"Who is she?" the female demon asked curiously and Hsi Wurested his hand on Jade's shoulder.

"Ni Tang'sslave, she carries the box for us," he answered.

"And where is he?"

"He still can't transform into a human so I thought it would be the best to leave him in San Francisco to trick our enemies. We have to return there as soon as possible and start looking for the portal of brother Shendu," Hsi Wu said eagerly. Bai Tsa nodded, but noticed then how Jade tried to suppress a yawn. The water demon frowned not pleased.

"Hsi, haven't you still learned anything? You have to take care of slaves, especially if they aren't yours, or they will slowly die. This slave will be sleeping on her feet soon, she needs to rest," she scolded and Hsi Wuturned to look Jade.

"You are right, my sister," he said with a small bow.

"So, we are in Rome. I guess I will have to find a better outfit," Bai said glancing at herself and shrank into a black-haired woman in toga. Hsi and Jade looked at her for a while until the water demon understood something was wrong.

"What?"

"Um... Those are notworn anymore. Fashion has changed dramatically from what it used to be," Hsi said uncertainly. Bai Tsalost it rarely but if someone didn't approve her the situation could get really nasty. Fortunately the water demon was too excited about her new freedom to care.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"Well, how do women dress up nowadays?" she asked. Hsi Wusuddenly hoped he was somewhere else, anywhere. He had no idea what would please the older sister and would not look strange.

"I - I don't know," he finally admitted and sighed believing he would soon receive a hit.

But BaiTsa didn't care at all. Instead she bent down next to Jade and raised her chin so that they could look each other in the eye.

"In that case I'm sure this young lady is willing to help me. And men are no use in fashion anyway, right?" she said cheerfully and Jade glanced at her not knowing what to think. What kind of trick was this?

But it might be a bad idea not to answer. Hsi Wu seemed nervous around this new demon and Bai might not be as gentle as the sky demon.

"Well... you could wear a dress, no matter how short, and some shirt with it. And shoes can be almost anything, but I think walking shoes or sandals would be the best."

Bai thought for a moment, she couldn't understand the walking shoes, were there shoes meant for something else? But she knew what sandals were so with a small wave of her hand she had brown shoes made of some kind of root. Jade didn't comment them, it was unlikely for anyone to notice.

"How long has the dress to be?" Bai asked in interest, this was fun.

"Uh... it doesn't really matter as long as you are wearing something. And you can have all these cool patterns and colours," Jade answered rather liking this too.

"So short? Won't it attract attention?", Bai asked. She was used for women not allowed to dress up like that, especially in some countries. She had always considered it was stupid, she didn't know anything what was more fun than catching men's attention and having some fun before killing them.

"So this is fine?" she suggested changing her toga into a deep blue dress reaching her knees and Jade nodded.

"Nothing wrong with that."

She understood now the demon seemed to prefer her own colours as much as possible so she suggested her a white T-shirt and a light blue waistcoat with it. It took a while when she explained her what a T-shirt was and then Bai had clothes she really liked.

"Your hair can be blue too," Jade commented quickly enjoying this game. Bai gave her a surprised look, wasn't that unusual anymore either?

"Blue?" she made sure not quite believing, what had humans achieved while she had been gone?

"Yeah, almost everything is possible!" Jade said proudly, this was herera after all.

Not even thinking anymore Bai Tsa changed her hair blue so that it hung on few nice plaits reminding everyone of her actual style. She was rather disappointed when she heard she could not have her blue skin too, but decided this was much better than she had thought. She couldn't have her red eyes either, but had turned them honey brown, which was one of her favourite colours after blue.

Bai Tsa looked at her pleased and smiled.

"You know, I thin I'm going to enjoy this period of time," she said.

To be continued...