Yep, this is chapter 19. It's a bit longer than usually and after this one I try to put Ni Tang in every chapter I write. And I still don't own JCA and am not getting any richer by writing this.

NI TANG

Chapter 19

Jackie took a bite from the roll he had bought and thought about his next move, frowning. He had to be very careful, now he was facing something much more than just the Dark Hand. Three demons would be very difficult and if they managed to free Po Kong... He didn't want to even think about it.

He wished that Jade was okay and would have given anything to be sure. But he could do nothing now, he had to wait the night.

The demons couldn't try to open Po Kong's portal before then sunset, at day the small temple was full of people and only a complete idiot would have tried something then. And he would be ready, if the demons really tried something this night they would be facing him. He had made it last time, he would make it now too.

He and Hak Foo had parted in Hong Kong, the Black Tiger had said he was fine on his own and Jackie was not sorry. He had never been happy about the thought of having to work with someone he still considered an enemy.

Jackie had no idea if the man had got to Tokyo or not, and he wasn't sure what he hoped. It would of course be useful if there were two if them instead of just one, but he was not ready to team up with Hak Foo.

Of course he had accepted Tohru despite what the Japanese man had done and his conscience reminded him of that, but if Hak Foo didn't want... If the warrior asked for forgiveness Jackie could agree. Especially if he helped him to save Jade.


Hsi Wu and Shendu argued about who had the right to decide what they watchedon TV when Bai Tsa stepped in. The water demon was beaming with satisfaction and she showed them a thin book, smiling in victory.

"Is it...?" Shendu asked and Bai nodded.

"Yes, with this I can undo the spell on Po's portal," she answered and put the book down on the table throwing everything else on the floor. Hsi Wu leaned closer in interestwhen his sister opened the book and watched as the water demon read the text.

"Have you found the spell already?" Shendu hissedin excitementand Bai Tsa glanced at him, slitting her eyes.

"Of course I am! You might not be able to do it, but that doesn't mean the rest of us are just as unable to manage anything than requires intelligence," she commented sharply and Shendu's dark eyes flashed red. Bai Tsa was so annoying!

"You can not talk to me like that!" the fire demon hissed angrily and Bai Tsa shrugged.

"Why not? I'm older, I have the right to do whatever I want," she answered and Shendu clenched his fists, not caring when his nails dug into his palms. It was nothing compared to the pain he had suffered in the ancient times.

Hsi Wu watched as his two siblings argued and frowned in worry. Shendu and Bai Tsa had not argued this much in the Netherworld, this had started just now. Of course they had never got along, but this was starting to go too far. Wars had been lost before because the alliancesdidn't get alongwith each other and the sky demon could only hope the situation would get better when Po Kong was free.

He also hoped they would get the portal open as soon as possible, it was already too long since they had left San Francisco and Ni Tang on his own. He couldn't help it, but he was worried about his little brother, he could be in all kinds of trouble and he was sure that if something was really wrong the rest of the family would not risk all this just to help him.

"We will open the portal of our sister tonight. After that it will get easier, Po Kong knows for sure the right spells for the rest of the portals and we can free whoever we want to," Bai Tsa said closing the book.

Shendu tilted his head in thought and suppressed his desire to snap something at his sister. He knew the same than Hsi Wu and didn't want to return to the Netherworld ever again, especially not because of his own mistakes.

"Who will we free after sister Po Kong?" he asked and he and Bai Tsa glanced at each other.

"Not Tchang Zu," they both said aloud. Neither one of them wanted the oldest brother there to rule over everyone else, everything would be ruined if that happened.

Tchang Zu was a good leader, they had to admit that, but he was also impatient and he had a nasty way of doing and then thinking. He could come up with something really stupid and ruin all of their plans with that.

"How about brother Tso Lan?" Hsi Wu asked making the older siblings pay some attention to him. Bai Tsa nodded slowly. She had nothing against her older brother, she could get along with him. Besides, they needed someone really intelligent in their forces.

"Let's see what Po Kong says," she decided, even though it was pretty sure what the mountain demon would want. Bai could make their sister agree with almost everything and if she wanted Tso Lan out, it would happen.

"Tso Lan's portal is the most difficult one to open, it's in space," Shendu remarked. It would be very difficult to get to the space again and if needed, the moon demon could be the last one of them to be freed.

Bai nodded in thought, they would reconsider this when they were back in San Francisco. What kind of city was it anyway? It had not been built when she had been banished and she, of course, had never visited it.

Well, as long as there was water everything would be okay. The city could be their hide out for a while, there were good connections to all of the remaining portals.

Jade listened carefully the conversation of the demons and frowned. She was starting to think that if Jackie did nothing it was up to her to take the matters to her own hands. Normally she would have done that already, but now something had stopped her from doing it.

She couldn't say what it was, according to her common sense there shouldn't even be a reason. She had not really talked to any of the demons, except Hsi Wu, and the mere thought of being forced to stay here was driving her nuts.

If Jackie appeared this night she would do everything to escape with him.


Night had fallen upon the city of Tokyo, but the place was not any more quiet. Lights, noise and people were all around and it was almost impossible to find a peaceful place.

There seemed to be magic in the night and Shendu drew a deep breath. Walking in this human form made him feel embarrassed and he would have given almost anything to be allowed to take his own form and show these mortals their place.

But he was not Tchang Zu, who might have done something like that, he understood when it was time to wait and when to have some action. And now wasn't the time of action, but planning and keeping low profile.

They had left the hotel in silence not paying the bill and headed towards the small temple where Po Kong's portal would be found.

Bai Tsa had her huge book in her arms and she had made Hsi Wu carry the jars with black and red paint. To get the portal open again they had to paint some very complicated symbols around it. So they were lucky to have the artistic Bai Tsa with them, without her they would never make it.

If they made it even now, Shendu kept an eye on their surroundings all the time and with every noise he turned around, ready to attack. He knew Jackie Chan would come, he was the only one of them who truly believed in it. He had seen it and knew the man would never leave him alone if he had the chance to ruin everything. So Chan would come tonight, he just had to be ready.

On top of that he had to make sure none of those stupid assassins surprised him. He was not going to surrender to any pathetic guild or their soldiers, he would kill them all one by one until no one was left.

But no matter how fun that would be, the fire demon hoped he would not be forced to fight with them tonight. There were already too much risks and things to do.

"You seem nervous, my brother. Afraid?" Bai Tsa asked smiling.

"I'm sure Chan will disturb us tonight somehow. I'm not going to let him have the advance of a surprise on his side," Shendu answered. Bai shrugged, not really caring.

"It would be fun to meet a mortal man who has been able to ruin so many of your plans. If he arrives here I could have some fun with him," she commented cheerfully and Shendu hissed angrily.

"No! Chan is mine and only I can take care of him! He has made me look like a fool more than enough, if someone plays with him it will be me!" he snapped and Bai's smile grew wider. She shook her head teasing.

"But Shendu, I didn't even know you had such desires. I thought only brother Xiao prefers male lovers," she said. Shendu wrinkled his nose and snorted.

"You ever think anything else?" he asked. Bai laughed.

"Is there something wrong with my way of thinking?" she asked.

"Some of us consider at least some things taboo and don't throw themselves on everyone that walks near," the fire demon snapped.

"Shendu, you have no right to tell me anything about being decent. Or gave you already forgotten about Ko Ha and what happened to you in our father's party?" Bai Tsa asked and Shendu felt his blood boiling.

"At least I don't behave like a mere mortal whore," he answered making Bai Tsa shook her head.

"You never understood art. So I guess I can not expect you to understand anything," she sighed.

They arrived to the gates of the temple and after making sure no one was watching climbed over the walls. Hsi Wu took his real form and carried Jade on the other side while Bai Tsa and Shendu climbed nimbly.

"Here again," Shendu said smiling in victory. Sister Po Kong would be free soon!


Jackie followed the doings of the small group and suppressed his desire to rush in the battle. He felt himself incredibly relieved, Jade seemed to be totally okay. He saw how she held the Pan Ku box against herself keeping her head proudly up.

"Soon, soon..." he muttered and waited for the right moment. He knew he had to hurry, the demons didn't have to waste any time in looking for the portal, they already knew where it was.

He watched as a blue haired woman, who had to be water demon Bai Tsa, placed a book on the ground and opened it. The winged demon who had carried Jade gave his sister a jar of red paint not receiving a 'thank you'.

Jackie's eyes shifted to the fourth member of the group, who was peering around himself looking like he expected a huge army to attack them at any moment. The archaeologist frowned angrily. Shendu.

How could he get Jade to safety without making them face useless dangers? If the situation got too bad Jackie was ready to sacrifice his own life for his niece, but then there would not be anyone to help Jade. So he had to be really careful and come up with something.

The best opportunity was of course right after the mountain demon's portal was opened. Then everybody's attention would be in Po Kong and no one would notice how he performed his dangerous stunt. The price was that a new demon would be released, but Jackie was ready to pay it. He and Uncle would banish Po Kong and the rest back.

He had arrived to the temple in time to be there before the demons. This way he had the chance to get familiar with the place, find himself a good place to hide and investigate the advances of the garden. Right now he laid on his stomach on the roof keeping an eye on everything that happened below him.

And suddenly he noticed new movement from the corner of his eye and turned to look. He frownedin surprise. Hak Foo! Jackie had not believed the warrior would bother to come this far, he had not taken seriously what he had said about his hurt honour.

But it seemed like the man had told the truth and would not rest until had avenged Valmont's death. A difficult mission, Jackie would not have taken that very easily and despite the uneasiness he felt towards the man he had to respect him.

Hak Foo moved soundlessly in the shadows and it had been a mere coincidence he had seen him. Jackie followed for a while when the man crept as close to the fire demon as he could and held his breath expecting him to attack. He knew quite well thatHak Foo was a man of action and would not hide in the shadows for very long.

And maybe Po Kong would never be freed? If Hak Foo charged at Shendu soon Jackie could use the situation to his advance and escape with Jade when everyone had something else to do. Before opening the portal the demons had to undo Uncle's spell and they had not done very much, if Jackie understood anything.


Shendu sighed impatiently and eyed his sister who was bent over the book. Bai Tsa had read the characters for quite a while already and both of her brothers were starting to lose their nerves.

"Are we going to stay here and enjoy the sunrise?" the fire demon asked sarcastically and Bai Tsa raised her look for a while frowning. She pointed at the symbols in the book.

"This is important, I can not rush. Every symbol has to painted perfectly or we can not open Po's portal," she answered tightly. Shendu rolled his eyes and crossed his arms on his chest, he was not very patient demon.

Not that Hsi Wu was any better and just the simple fact thathe was the youngest demon around made him keep his mouth shut. The situation was stressing, their whole mission depended on this and nothing could go wrong. If anything happened they three and Ni Tang would be the only free demons when most of them were left in the Netherworld forever.

His red eyes glowed in the dim light and he watched his reading sister. His sensitive ears heard how Shendu drew a deep breath and the sky demon turned around to look at his brother.

The fire demon was staring to left from them and Hsi Wu slit his eyes. In his own form he saw better in the dark than Shendu with his human eyes, but it was clear the fire demon had seen something he had no idea about.

"What is it?" he asked and Shendu nodded towards the shadows.

"I saw something, or someone," the demon answered. Jade turned to peer in their direction, was it possible that..?

"Go and check it," Shendu said to Hsi Wu, who glanced at him sharply but when anyway. The sky demon knew Shendu was not afraid, just careful. If there was a danger in the shadows he wanted to be ready. His worthless little brother could play the martyr.

Hsi Wu spread his huge wings and rose in the air with afew light flaps. He wasn't stupid either and was not going to let anyone to take him on surprise. It was the best to observe the situation from the air where he was in his own element and safe.

He flew easily where Shendu had pointed and slit his eyes. Now he saw something too, but whoever it was, was totally motionless and didn't show any signs of life.

"Rabbit punch!"

Hsi Wu shouted more in surprise than in pain when someone rushed forward and hit him in the chest. He lost his balance in the air and was about to hit the hard ground, but managed to spread his wings just in time and soften the landing.

He had not been hurt, he was just incredibly angry. Someone had surprised him and he was not going to let than person see the sun risingthe next morning. He turned around, ready for the next attack, but the mysterious attacker had totally lost his interest in him.

"Hak Foo!" Shendu hissed in surprise, he had not thought he would see any of Valmont's pathetic men ever again. Oh well, Hak Foo had been a bit better than the rest and Shendu had seen the soul of a true warrior in him.

"Shendu," Hak Foo said nodding and eyed the dark haired man in front of him. This was the first time he saw the fire demon in such a human form and it would be the last one too, after this the demon would have no form at all.

Shendu slit his eyes facing Hak Foo's cold stare, why had the man come? Had he somehow found out their intention and was about to join them? The man had served him well and it was possible that he was ready continue.

"Shendu, who is this mortal? Why did he attack us? Let me kill him!" Hsi Wu exclaimed and Shendu glared at him angrily.

"Silence! You've been asked nothing!" Then he turned to face Hak Foo again.

"Why are you here?" he asked watching as Hak Foo frowned. The man had changed a bit, he seemed to be even gloomier and Shendu could sense some kind of new determination in him.

"I have a responsibility," the Chinese man said quietly and in the next moment he was moving. "Angry monkey attacks!" he shouted and hit Shendu with his whole weight. Shendu yelped in surprise, his human body was not made to take attacks like that. But that didn't mean he would be the under dog, not at all. How could Hak Foo even think he had a chance to win?

The fire demon's brown eyes flashed red and he started to grow taking his own form. The hair, clothes and skin disappeared just to be replaced by the dirty brown scales, sharp teeth and claws when the fire demon turned back to what he was, a huge wingless dragon.

Jackie saw that everyone's attention was now in this clearly unfair fight and he jumped soundlessly down with no one noticing. He crept carefully towards Jade thanking his luck because he didn't have to go past any of the demons.

Jade followed the fight her eyes wide, where had Hak Foo come from? And what would happen to him? Despite that the man was part of her enemies, or had been, he had attacked Shendu and no one who did that could be truly evil.

She felt a hand on her mouth and drew a deep breath, what now? This reminded her how Ni Tang had captured her and at first she thought she was facing another new threat, but then she saw who she was dealing with.

The girl's heart made a happy jump, Jackie! So her uncle had come to help her! She felt her lips trying to fold into a smile and she gave up, everything was fine now.

Jackie didn't say anything, just pressed his finger on his lips and lifted Jade in his arms, that way they were able to move faster.

Bai Tsa sighed and shook her head, she was not that interestedin seeing the fight between Shendu and this mortal man. She had to agree that the man put up quite a performance, few had ever survived this long against her brother. Of course he had not done that without receiving a hit or two, but he was still fine enough to continue.

She was about to concentrate in her book again, but then she noticed something from the corner if her eye. She turned quickly around, the Pan Ku box! Someone was going to take slave and the box!

"Hsi Wu! Don't let them escape!" she shouted and attracted the sky demon's attention. He slit his eyes, how did someone dare to steal his brother's slave? He rose quickly on his wings forgetting the fight and rushed after the escaping couple.

"Shendu! Let the human be and go to help your brother!" Bai Tsa snapped at the fire demon, who just glanced at her not even listening. He had never escaped from a fight and would not do it now, he was way too proud and angry.

"Do as I say, everything depends on this and you won't be feeling very good if we fail because of you!" the water demon raged, but looked really fragile in her human form. She crossed her arms in front of herself, she would show Shendu who was the boss here!


At the same time Jackie had totally forgotten everything about being careful and ran as fast as he could, Jade and the Pan Ku box in his arms. Adrenaline gave him strength and he wouldn't be very slow even without it. He thought he was going to choke in happiness, he had finally got Jade back! He wanted to stop and make sure everything was okay, but knew that they had to hurry. The demons could come after them at any time.

Now they had to get back to San Francisco and Uncle to make a new plan to banish the demons. It would be difficult, but now when they were together again they would make it. And after that he would make sure they never again got involved in situations like this.

"So you decided to come to help me," Jade commented and didn't really believe she was free. She had thought she would never get away from the demons and here she was, on the run with her uncle!

She was just about to continue when a shadow fell on them and Hsi Wu landed some distance away. Jackie stopped immediately and put Jade down, this could be a nasty fight.

Hsi Wu grinned and his red eyes glowed making Jackie hate the sky demon even more.

"So you actually thought you'd be able to escape, slave. It won't happen," he stated simply and snorted. "You've just got your saviour in trouble too, he won't survive this night, he will be killed just like the idiot who attacked my brother." He tilted his head like considering something.

"Let's make a deal, give me the slave and the Pan Ku box and I'll let you go," he suggested to Jackie, who just frowned and took the fighting pose.

"Never," he said tightly and nodded at Jade.

"Leave, run as far as you can," he said. Jade opened her mouth to protest but Jackie interrupted her sharply. "Don't question me! Now!" he said and eyed the threatening sky demon. How long would he last?

Hsi Wu nodded, if this weakling wanted to die, what could he do? He rose on his wings not wasting his time. He flashed towards Jackie as fast as he could, ready to rip him apart.

But Jackie was ready and the demon didn't even scratch him when he dodged the hit. Hsi Wu growled in frustration and anger, this human was so arrogant! He turned around quickly preparing himself to take his enemy's attack, but it never came. Jackie was not going to attack, just defend. That way he could win more time to Jade, who hopefully would be able to escape.


Jade had heard how serious her uncle was and for the first time she didn't even consider talking back. She knew she would be no use in the fight against Hsi Wu and she had to make sure the demons would never get the Pan Ku box again. She really hoped Jackie would survive, the girl couldn't imagine her life without him.

She pressed the box better against herself and stumbled on not paying attention to where she was going. She didn't know anyone in Tokyo and had no idea about what was a safe place and what was not.


Shendu yelped when something hit him on the shoulder making a sharp flash of pain go through his body. He knew Hak Foo could not have done it, the man had no weapons with him and he couldn't do any magic.

He turned his attention away from the man for a while and hissed in surprise when he saw who had attacked him.

"Bai Tsa! What is the meaning of this?" he asked sharply totally forgetting about Hak Foo. Was his family against him too? The water demon faced her brother's raged stare coldly.

"Shendu, you are an idiot. The slave and the Pan Ku box are gone and only Hsi Wu is after them. I have to stay here to prepare the spell, so it's your responsibility to help your brother. Or maybe you want to take the blamefor the failure, hm?" she asked and Shendu's brows were lifted when he understood what was going on.

"Chan!" he shouted, his voice breaking from hate and rushed to the direction where Jackie, Jade and Hsi Wu had disappeared. Finally he would have his revenge!


Even before he saw anyone he could smell the scent of fresh human blood, someone was hurt. When he came nearer he saw Hsi Wu fighting with Chan, but there was no sign of Jade or the Pan Ku box.

Jackie pressed his side where the sky demon had hit him. When he lifted his fingers in front of his eyes he saw the red blood shining in the moonlight, but didn't care. Jade needed time...

Hsi Wu licked his claws and enjoyed the soft flavour of blood on his tongue. He grinned and shrugged.

"I lead, human. Want to give up?" he asked and Jackie shook his head.

"Never, I'd rather die!" he snapped and they were both surprised to hear a new voice.

"And that is what will be your part anyway," Shendu said and Jackie raised his eyes. Shendu was huge in his true form and looked as dangerous as possible. If he had ever had any chance to win they were gone now.

Shendu took a glance around and frowned when he saw Jade nowhere. That pest was always there when he didn't need her, but now when she was supposed to be here...

"Hsi Wu, find the girl. I and Chan have matters to discuss," he said and Hsi Wu bit his lip. He had started the fight, this kill belonged to him! But... If they didn't get the slave back they would never find success and then he would not be allowed to kill as much as he wanted.

He didn't bother to say anything, but rose in the air rushing after Jade.


Bai Tsa took the brush in her hand and dipped it carefully into the red paint. She frowned in concentration, one mistake and everything would be ruined. She pressed the edge of the brush on the stone wall and drew the first line, then the second.

She didn't let anything disturb her and paid no attention to what was going on around her. She was completely dedicated to her work and that's why she didn't notice how Hak Foo left the scene.


Jade shouted, scared, when she felt someone grab her hand and lift her in the air. After the shock was over she didn't have to guess who that someone was, she knew only one person who could fly.

"Hello again," Hsi Wu whispered in her ear and Jade felt the demon's warm breath on her skin. She shuddered and bit her lip in desperation, this couldn't be true! What had the demon done to Jackie, was he...? No! She wouldn't believe it!

"What did you do to Jackie?" she half shouted, half asked. Hsi Wu laughed.

"I'm sure drinking his blood would be a lovely experience, but unfortunately I had to pass that pleasure to Shendu. But maybe I'm the one who is allowed to enjoy killing you," he said and hit the air with his wings when they flew higher.

Hsi Wu was a fast flier and Jade followed how the ground flashed under them. She swallowed, everything had been ruined again. For a moment she had been allowed to enjoy freedom and now it was taken from her again. It wasn't fair, why did the demons have such a luck?

It didn't take long before they were in front of the temple again and it was difficult to believe they had ever left.The painting Bai Tsa waited them, but Jade saw Hak Foo's body nowhere. Either Shendu had eaten him or the man had been able to escape. The girl didn't know which one had happened, but shehoped for the last one.

"I brought her back," Hsi Wu announced proudly but Bai just snorted. The sky demon frowned, no one appreciated him at all! He had just brought the Pan Ku box back and he was thanked like this?

Bai Tsa dipped another brush in the paint and finished the symbol she had drawn. It was the most difficult one of them, kind of a heart of the spell which would make the others work too. The work was not over yet, but she was pleased with herself anyway. Hsi Wu and Jade watched as the water demon painted in silence. Shendu was nowhere to be seen and it was difficult for Jade to hold her tears. Jackie could be already lyingat the fire demon's feet! She swallowed and clenched her fists, if she lost her uncle because of the demons she would avenge him!

"Yes!" Bai Tsa exclaimed in victory and stepped back to admire her work. She watched as the heart symbol started to glow bright red light which spread to other symbols making the whole wall glow in red.

Jade had to cover her eyes, but the two demons could follow the happenings without any pain. Both of them wore a satisfied smile, they had now undone Uncle's spell and taken the first step to freeing their sister. The Pan Ku box took care of the rest, sensing a portal was nearby it rose in the air hitting the symbol of the mountain demon making the huge green portal open.

And it really was huge, Po Kong was the biggest of the demons. She was way bigger than a house and a was a green creature much like a piece of mountain. Her hair was actually made of shining black stone and her red lips spread into a smile when she glanced at the ones standingat her feet.

"Bai Tsa?" she asked bending to stretch her hand to the water demon, who climbed on it. Po Kong lifted her up to meet her own face and watched her. Bai Tsa smiled and winked.

"Hey Po, the world has changed so much. Can you believe it, women can now wear trousers in public! You should see the costumes people wear on beach! There you don't have to wear anything at all!" she announced happily making the mountain demon wrinkle her nose. She was not as excited as Bai, she preferred books and spells much more.

Somehow Po Kong was very much like her brother Tso Lan, but they still didn't get along too well. Tso thought Po was too barbarian, and Po couldn't stand Tso's dry sense of humour.

"On top of that many otherthings are now accepted. Xiao Fung will really love this!" Bai continued happily and Po took a glance around herself.

"Where is Shendu?" she asked.

"Taking care of an unwanted guest. He will return soon," Bai Tsa answered.


Jackie really had work to do in dodging Shendu's hits and he didn't quite manage that. He was of course agile and strong, but Shendu was much bigger and had huge claws that gave him an advantage in the fight.

"Give up already, Chan, your niece is with us and you can never have her back!" Shendu suggested knowing Jackie would never listen. But that made this much more enjoyable, it was great to see Chan suffer like that.

"If your brother has hurt her..." Jackie warned, jumping away from Shendu's way when he slashed at him. The fire demon's claws dug into the ground next to him and Jackie shuddered when he thought about what would have happened if they had hit him.

"Hsi Wu? Don't make me laugh, he is a young and inexperienced demon who doesn't know anything about having fun. He just thinks so you don't have to worry about him. It will be someone else who cuts the girl's neck," Shendu laughed flaming Jackie's rage. How could someone that heartless even exist?

He swallowed with difficulty and considered his options. The best thing to do was to try to run away so that he could try freeing Jade again, but how would that happen? Shendu would not give up and he was not fast enough to just run from him.

But he knew he had to at least try. He would never survive if he stayed here, in time he would get tired and then he was no use for himself or someone else. This was his only opportunity...

Jackie made a brave dive under Shendu's legs, rose on his own feet and started to run as fast as he could. He didn't feel his legs touching the ground and was afraid he might stumble, but that didn't make him slow down at all.

Shendu watched him going for few minutes and if dragons could smile he would have done that. "You can not escape that easily," he said and took few long jumps catching up with Jackie easily.

Jackie yelped when he was caught in Shendu's hand and the fire demon lifted him in the air. He tried to struggle free, but he knew it was useless, he had lost the game.

"Say goodbye to the world, Chan," Shendu said maliciously and raised his other hands to slash his enemy's throat open. Jackie closed his eyes ready to take the pain and feel his life escape, but to his surprise that never happened.

Shendu screamed in surprise and agony when something dug deep into his back and he dropped Jackie, grabbing that something instead. Hak Foo jumped down the demon's back, where he had just moment ago jumped and pushed a sharp iron stake.

"I wasn't going to use that, but I don't think I could havedone any good against him without," the warrior stated darkly when meeting Jackie's questioning look. "But I'm not going to stay here and wait for Shendu's total explosion," he continued going to turn away and escape. Jackie grabbed his shoulder and frowned.

"What about your honour?" he asked. Why would Hak Foo give up now when he had got this far?

"I'm not stupid Chan, a fool would not have made it this far. I know when I'm not in the condition to face a raged demon in a fight," he said and just then Jackie noticed the man was covered in different kind of scratches, he limped badly and the corner his right eye was starting to swallow. He felt a sting in his conscience, he had not given the man a thought when he had been in such a dangerous situation.

"You are right, better to get out of here before Shendu gets really mad," Jackie admitted and together the two enemies fled in the night.

Shendu sharpened himself and pulled the stake out of his back yelping when the pain flashed through him. Warm blood gushed from the wound and wet his scales, but he didn't care. He was way too angry and considered going after the two men, but felt a flinch in the air.

Po Kong was free. They would miss him soon and it was no use to leave anywhere in this condition. The wound was not life threatening, the stake had not hurt any important organs, but Shendu didn't want to take any risks. He had to be in good shape now when everyone seemed to be after him.


Jackie lowered his head and sighed. He had failed, Jade was still imprisoned, Pan Ku box in the hands of the enemy and a new demon was freed.

"I'm totally useless," he muttered desperately and Hak Foo glanced at him. The man pressed a piece of cloth against his worst wound and shrugged.

"You'll get another chance, Chan. We both will," he said.

To be continued...