I don't own Jackie Chan Adventures.
NI TANG
Chapter 23
That night was unusually quiet in Isabelle's pub, only few people were around and there was enough room for everyone. The sounds of conversations weren't very loud, but all had the possibility to say anything without someone hearing. If they weren't eavesdropping, that is.
Ratso sat leaning on the wall and watched as Finn drank something he didn't know and how Chow tapped the table with a toothpick. Nowadays they were rarely together like this, they all had too much worries and thoughts to concentrate in the others.
Finn had grown away from them, before all this they had joked with the Irishman and everything had seemed so easy. Now an uneasy silence had fallen on them and no one knew what to say.
He knew he was considered to be the stupidest of the trio and he admitted he might not be as bright as them, but he had never thought he was stupid. A bit slow, yes, but never stupid.
And if those two were more intelligent, why didn't they understand this situation led to nowhere? They couldn't hide here forever, they had to leave at some point and find another way to survive.
Every time he told about this Finn told him to shut up and keep his stupid thoughts to himself. That hurt Ratso, he was just trying to help!
Finn sighed and put his glass on the table. This was a usual night for them, no one said anything and everything seemed so unbelievingly useless. And bitter too, no matter how much he tried he couldn't forget the bad news Chan had brought.
The demons were back and up to something evil again. Just thinking about it brought a bitter taste in his mouth, those cursed creatures! He would have given anything - if he had something - just to see Shendu in pain and for a moment he had even considered offering Chan his help.
Then he had come to the conclusion that he didn't really want to do it. No matter what they did they would end up in jail. He had been in prison few times and would never go back again.
But that didn't mean he shouldn't tell Chow and Ratso what was going on. He had been a bit unsure, but the two deserved to know. Chow might be shocked, he was finally starting to get rid of his nightmares and getting a hold of the real life, would it be right to remind him of everything?
Well, if he didn't do this the Chinese man would just get mad at him.
"You know... I have something to tell you guys," he admitted and from the grim look on the man's face the two knew something was going on.
"What is it?" Chow asked breaking his tooth pick and taking a new one, not very interested in his friend's possible news. During this whole time nothing important had happened and slowly he was starting to feel that the time had stopped, just like in his dreams.
He flinched and did everything not to show it. He couldn't allow himself to seem weak, he'd never be the baby of the trio. He could take care of himself and that was fine.
"Chan stopped by one day," Finn said and both Ratso and Chow turned their attention on their Irish friend. Well, this sure was something special!
"He didn't see you, did he? The whole Section 13 would be here if he did," Chow saidin worry, after all this he didn't want to end up in prison. Finn shrugged.
"Well, actually..." he said and it was enough, both of his friends understood.
"But wait... Why didn't he arrest you then?" Ratso asked after a while and Finn sighed.
"He had better things to do, a new demon is on the loose," he admitted and noticed immediately how Chow stiffened on his chair. The Chinese man swallowed and the tooth pick fell from his numb fingers.
"A demon?" he asked and Finn nodded.
"Yeah, one who has something to do with Shendu and his group," he said feeling sorry, this had to be even harderfor Chow, who was the most sensitive one of them. The man licked his lips and Finn hoped he'd take away his glasses so that he could see his eyes.
"Chow?" Ratso asked worried turning to face his companion.
"I'm fine... but..." he said.
"Yes?" Ratso asked when it seemed like Finn wasn't going to take part in this conversation now when they were talking about emotions. Chow shrugged.
"I've seen the demon," he said quietly. Finn and Ratso glanced at each other, what was Chow talking about? When had he had the chance to...?
"He is... just like him." Chow continued swallowing and cursing himself, why did he have to be such a weakling? Everybody probably despised him...
"Who?" Finn asked in curiosity. Chow drew a deep breath.
"Valmont," he answered.
"Valmont is dead," Finn said after a while.
"I know that, I'm not stupid!" Chow snapped angrily and the Irish man frowned. "But he still looks like him," the Chinese man muttered.
"Brother Tso Lan's portal is in space. Last time we got there by breaking into a shuttle in Florida," Shendu said to Bai Tsa, who had appeared in the early hours. It was noon now and the water demon had pretty hard headache and she was on a very bad mood.
"In that case we use the same tactic," she announced angrily and hoped there was a way to clear her head with just a snap of her fingers. The demons had many advantages, but they too had to suffer the hangover.
The fire demon shook his head.
"Might not be a good idea, the security is tight and we really had luck to get in last time," he said.
"Silence! I'm not in the mood to listen at you!" Bai snapped covering her ears and Shendu sighed. Very well then, Bai could do whatever she wanted and ruin everything, he wouldn't be there to get blamed.
Then again, it was a very tempting idea to go with her to see how his sister made a fool of herself, but Shendu's back protested against it. Of course he was already much better, but he didn't want to open his wound by doing something stupid before it was well healed.
Neither Po Kong or Ni Tang would come, the mountain demon had something else in her mind and the presence of the inexperienced polar demon was a huge risk. He would stay with Shendu when the others left.
Tso Lan's portal was in the most difficult place, in space not so far from the Moon. Just getting in space was difficult, but they also had to hit the right spot if they wanted to open the portal. And they had to overdo the spell Uncle had cast before the Pan Ku box even worked.
"Whatever you say, sister dearest," Shendu muttered poisonously and hoped something would go wrong. He had nothing against Tso Lan, he would be happy to seehim joining them, but if Bai somehow screwed up he'd be even happier.
Bai Tsa frowned, but didn't say anything. She knew what Shendu was thinking and would have thought the exact same if she was in the fire demon's place. Po had made her the leader and if something went wrong it would be her fault.
But she wasn't as short tempered as Shendu or as stupid as Dai Gui, she would make this whatever happened. Opening the portal of brother Tso was challenging, but she would manage.
She rubbed her temples and sighed in annoyance.
"Let's go then if we want to get back too," she said. They all, minus Ni Tang, were in their human forms and the water demon had planned they'd get to Florida by plane. It would work out pretty well, the hard part was to figure out how they'd travel to the space.
Space flights were very expensive and it was unlikely one would be arranged just at the same time when they were there. So they would be forced to improvise and it was possible they'd have to find another way to get to their destination.
She had thought about it the previous night and come to the conclusion that the easiest way was to step into the shuttle and charm all the idiots they faced and who might want to stop them. Shendu had managed to get into a very well guarded shuttle just like that, she would be damned if she couldn't do the same!
It was of course possible to cast a spell and make the trip that way, but it took a lot of energy and had to be very well prepared to work. In the ancient times Tso Lan had spent most of his time in his kingdom and sometimes one of his siblings had decided to visit him.
Tso Lan was the only one of the demons who didn't have to breath and he had drawn into loneliness of the Moon where the others didn't like to go. They could cast a spell to protect them from being choked, but they didn't like it. Especially when Tso didn't need spells like that.
Bai thought she knew a spell which would take them to the Moon, but she didn't want to waste her power by teleporting herself, Hsi Wu and Jade there. Everything was too difficult with the slave anyway, she would never survive the coldness of the space without help.
"Let's go," she said stepping out in the lead. Hsi Wu gave Jade a push forcing her to move and climbed after her leaving Ni Tang and Shendu alone in the darkness.
Jade walked right next to Hsi Wu and kept a close eye on her surroundings. The sky demon rested his hand on her shoulder and glanced at her a few times,as iftrying to tell her all stupid attempts were doomed to fail.
The girl hadreluctantly noticed that she hadn't even tried to escape even though her home was this close. It disturbed her, where had her rebellious nature disappeared and what was drawing her back?
Here was nothing she might desire and according to her common sense all she wanted now was freedom. The demons were cruel and evil; after this adventure they would allbe banished back and she'd never see them again.
And for some reason that thought, which should have brought her happiness, made her feel somehow sad.
Stupid.
Hsi Wu, who was walking with her, didn't feel that confused at all. He thought he was going to explode with excitement and if it had been possible on the street, he would have grown his wings back and flown up high just to spend some energy.
Brother Tso Lan would be there soon! The sky demon had waited the return of the moon demon as soon as he himself had been free and soon he would finally be able to talk with the older brother and ask forsome advice.
First hewould have to find out what was happening to Ni Tang. The condition of the young brother worried him, though he tried not to show it too much. He couldn't say why, but he felt like the brother was going to leave soon and never come back...
That was of course stupid and Hsi Wupushed the thoughts back. He didn't have time for them right now when he was about to have his favourite sibling back.
Bai Tsa had awooden tube of some sort with her. It was full of beans and decorated with red pearls. Hsi didn't know wherehis sister had got it, but he believed it had something to do with the spell they had to cast before Tso Lan could step through the portal.
This would be very difficult, but Hsi was in a positive mood and thought they would manage this. And if they got this portal open, opening the rest wouldn't be a task at all.
Bai Tsa leaned against the desk and tilted her head a bit, letting a small smile play on her lips. Her honey eyes twinkled playfully and the young man selling the tickets had forgotten everything else for a while.
"Yes? How can I help miss?" he asked, sounding like he had just stepped through the gates of Heaven. Bai shrugged. She knew this pathetic human was all hers now and she enjoyed it greatly. It was surprising what she could get if she just played her part right!
"I and my companions have to get to Florida as soon as possible," she said pointing at Hsi and Jade, who stood behind her. The expression of the man turned suspicious and he now had a sharp look in his eyes telling a part of the spell had broken.
"Your children?" he asked unsure and not sounding very excited.
"Oh, of course not. They are my siblings. Do I really look that old?" Bai asked laughing and leaned a bit closer. The man blushed and turned his eyes away.
"Not at all, I just wanted to be polite," he said. Bai smiled friendly.
"Yes, I understand that and appreciate it," she said making the man almost glow with happiness.
Jade followed this small play with interest. Bai's show was something much better than Shendu's pathetic attempt of the same. The fire demon had just embarrassed himself, but Bai seemed to have a natural skill to charm all males when she wanted.
"The tickets?" Bai asked and waited tapping her fingers while the man checked from his computer if there were any free places. He looked disappointed and Bai frowned.
"I'm very sorry, but all flights to Florida are full. But I could check tomorrow - " he started, but Bai shook her head.
"Are you sure? We are in a great hurry." she demanded.
"Yes, unfortunately - "
"Really sure?"
"Well..."
"If some people cancelled their flight there would be room for us, right?" Bai asked.
"Yes, but - "
"In that case you can probably delete some files from that thing of yours," the water demon said with a silky voice and the young man frowned unsure.
"I don't know..." he muttered quietly when his common sense fought against the spell. Bai pursed her lips and blinked.
"Not even for me?" she asked looking so cute and helpless that the man was sold. Not understanding what he was doing he deleteda few people and told the three to have a nice flight. Jade frowned, a skill like that would be very useful and she hoped she too could master it one day. Well, she wasn't a demon so shewould just have to grow to be as beautiful and charming as possible.
Florida was a warm and sunny place favoured by many tourists. When a foreign person thought about this state the first images in his mind were beaches, orange fields and wet swamps. Everything was exotic if you didn't live there and maybe that was why Florida was so popular.
There was also a space centre, which was of course very well known. And there Bai Tsa, Hsi Wu and Jade were heading.
They, or the demons at least, were not interested in beaches or other tourist stuff, but they wanted to go to the centre as soon as possible to get familiar with the situation.
Jade was in a pretty good mood. It was very unlikely that a space flight would bearranged in the near future andtherefore freeing Tso Lan would completely fail. And maybe they could even go swimming or something, Florida was a great place and the demons could have some fun too.
And then she realised how naive she was, of course the demons didn't want to do anything cool. Well, Bai Tsa maybe, but what she considered fun was something Jade didn't want to enjoy in many years. Hsi Wu then, he was such a square and it would be ofno use to ask him.
"Tourists are not allowed in today. Try again next week," they were told on the gates and Bai stopped to look at the soldier, anannoyed look on her face.
"But we really want to get in," she cooed and the soldier looked a bit unsure, but didn't give up. He was trained and had been in the army; he was not as easily tricked as a common manbehind the desk.
"I already told that is impossible, I have to ask you to leave," he said sharply and Bai frowned. It seemed this mortal could resist her pretty well.
It was a challenge and if she hadn't been in such a hurry she would have taken it and charmed the man no matter how much work it required. But now was a very bad time for that.
"Then let's do it the old-fashioned way," she sighed and leaned closer to place her fingers on the man's temple.
"What are yo - " he tried but couldn't continue when he fell on the groundin an unconscious heap. Bai smiled darkly.
"Pity, he was kind of cute," she stated and Jade glanced at her.
"Did you kill him?" she asked in fright. This would be the first time she had to face that the demons really were evil and her enemies. Bai looked down at her and shook her head.
"Unfortunately not, he will wake up soon and remember nothing if this. No one is allowed to know we were here and a body would be a pretty good clue," she said stepping over the fallen man.
"Come on!" Hsi snapped at Jade when she was about to stop to check if the man was okay and the girl rushed after the demons hoping that Bai had told the truth.
The water demon led them self-confidently like she knew where she was going. Jade knew this place better that she did and could have told herwhere the shuttle had been last time, but she didn't give the demon any hints.
There were lots of people around, most of them looked likeworkers and it seemed they had something really important going on. Someone carried sheet of metal, someone tools which were completely unfamiliar to Jade.
Bai Tsa grabbed the sleeve of a man going past them, making him drop the box he had been carrying.
"What - " he started but Bai silenced him with her stare.
"Silence, you may talk when I say so," she said and the man nodded slowly. What a crazy woman!
"Right, when does the next shuttle leave?" Bai asked like she wanted to know the goings of a common bus. The man frowned.
"Why do you need to know that?" he asked suspiciously. This woman and the kids with her seemed strange... Bai tightened her grip on the man's shoulder making him grimace with pain and the demon's eyes flashed red. Usually she would haveavoided such a short tempered way to get what she wanted, it was much more like Shendu, but she was running out of patience. This had to work!
"Okay, okay! We are preparing the shuttle, but it's not ready to leave in weeks," the man said quickly.
"Weeks?" Bai Tsa repeated to Jade's joy and the girl had to smile. Excellent, in that time the situationmust have been solved and no one would ever be able to free the moon demon!
"Yeah, I know nothing else, I'm just a common worker," the man defended himselfwhen Bai looked disappointed enough to tear someone's throat open.
"You pathetic creature!" she snapped angrily and pushed the man away.
"What are we going to do now?" Hsi Wu asked being unsure. Should they try their luck with another portal and leave Tso Lan to be the last one?
"We are going to the space," Bai announced and Hsi and Jade glanced at each other.
"But didn't he say the shuttle is not ready?" Hsi reminded carefully. BaiTsa was close of exploding and that was never good.
"That doesn't matter, we will be going anyway," the water demon snapped and started to walk towards the scaffolding that was built around the shuttle.
The shuttle looked like it was ready, but around it were so many workers thatit couldn't be what it seemed. Jade didn't even want to think about what would happen if they tried to travelin it. It would probably fall apart in the cold space and that would be it...
Then again, then the world would forever be rid of two demons and the Pan Ku box. Three demons would still be free, but they wouldn't be able to free any of their siblings and sooner or later Uncle or someone else would banish them back.
But did she want to die for the world? Jade wasn't selfish, but she was a child and she had the whole life waiting for her. She wasn't sure if she wanted to throw all that away just like that. And what would her parents do if she died?
"Civilians are not allowed here. How did you get in?" they were asked when they were about to enter the work yard.
"We have a special permission," Bai answered and took care of the man the same way than with the soldier. Then she told Hsi and Jade to follow her when she started climbing the scaffolding. The sky demon watched his sister go and sighed shaking his head.
"That's really dangerous," he muttered and Jade glanced at him sharply.
"Isn't the whole thing? Only idiots would go to space with a half-finished shuttl,." she commented.
"Are you trying to say something about my sister?" Hsi asked slitting his eyes.
"Of course I am, isn't that pretty clear?" Jade answered with a question. Then she looked up. "And I'm not going to climb there using just one hand," she said pointing at the Pan Ku box.
"Then don't. I have a much better and faster idea," Hsi said and suddenly his grey wings grew out from his back. Jade grimaced.
"That's disgusting!" she replied. Hsi Wu lifted the girl in his arms, even in his child form he had at least some of his strength and he was able to carry her. Then he jumped in the air, flapped his wings and they were flying.
Hsi flew next to his still climbing sister and he had to admire her determination. The sky demon was pretty sure not all of his capricious siblings would be able to climb the scaffolding.
Bai wasn't very fast and she had to stop afew times. She was a mermaid in her real form and not used to climbing. That still didn't mean she was ready to give up whenshe had decided that she would be able to free Tso Lan.
When she finally arrived on the top, tired and arms aching, Hsi and Jade had been waiting for her a good while. The wind made their hair and clothesflap and just staring down made Jade feel dizzy. If she fell...
"Quickly in before someone comes to stop us!" Bai hissed and she was worried for a good reason. Their little stunt couldn't havegone unnoticed and soon the whole shuttle would be surrounded by forces who tried to stop them.
Hsi Wu opened the door and they stepped in. The sky demon closed the door after them making sure it really was closed. He had visited the Moon many times and knew what would happen if the door wasn't properly closed.
Jade looked around and sighed. Everything looked so familiar and she remembered her previous adventure in space. Back then she had come along freely and Jackie had been there, everything had felt just fun and exciting.
Now all that was gone and the shuttle felt like a trap. They didn't knowif it wasready to fly or not and it was possible it would fall apart when they started their trip. Jade didn't even want to think about that. Everything would be just fine.
"Couldn't we just cancel this?" she asked Hsi Wu, who just shrugged. It looked like the sky demon wasn't very happy about this either.
But Bai had made her decision and nothing would change her mind now when they had got this far. She walked to the controls looking darkly determined. The ancient water demon didn't have a clue about how to use the shuttle, but she wasn't going to let that stop her.
Last time the shuttle had been guided by an auto-pilot, but this time they had to trust themselves and that wasn't something that made Jade feel better. None of them knew anything about shuttles and if everything was really against them they would never get back to Earth.
Suddenly the whole shuttle shook and Jade realised Bai had done something. She reeled and grabbed the nearest object and hung to it, trying tokeepher balance.
Unfortunately that object happened to be Hsi Wu, who had problems with his balance too and after a brief moment of confusion they fellto the floor. The rumble and banging grew louder until both of them were sure everything would fall apart and destroy them.
They didn't see or hear Bai Tsa anywhere and even if the water demon had said something, the rumble would haven eaten her voice. Jade kept her eyes closed and hoped this all would end soon, it was frustrating to just be and wait.
"We should have taken Shendu with us, he knows something about these wicked mortal vehicles," Hsi Wu muttered angrily and cursed his sister in his mind. He didn't want to die here just because of her.
Bai Tsa wasn't the most short tempered of the demons, but when she decided to do something she did it not caring about the consequences or who she destroyed. Now it seemed she was ready to sacrifice both her own and her brother's life just to reach the portal of brother Tso Lanas soon as possible.
Finally the noises grew silent and the two dared to stood up. It was a pleasant surprise to notice that the shuttle really was still in one peace and they alive. Of course, how long it would last was an entirely different question.
Their stunt had of course been noticed and it didn't take too long until all important people knew someone had stolen a half-finished space shuttle. They weren't going to tell about it officially until they found out who had been behind this.
Captain Black was informed too and even though he was pretty sure what had happened he couldn't say it aloud. This reminded him of the last time when the portal of the moon demon had been opened. Shendu with the Dark Hand Enforces had invaded the shuttle and travelled to free the demon.
And that time Jackie had been there to make sure the fire demon didn't win, but now the archaeologist was here and could do nothing. Not that anyone could and despite the fact he had informed Jackie they could just wait.
Jade had managed to get the auto-pilot working by meddling with the controls and now they were supposed to be heading to the right direction. If she had wanted she could have taken them anywhere, but there was no return from there. The girl had thought about it and decided she was not ready to sacrifice herself as long as there was a possibility the demons could be defeated some other way.
She didn't have a space suit of any sort, there wasn't any in the whole shuttle and she had to survive without. Usually it would have provided problems, but Bai Tsa had created a bubble of some sort and inside it she felt like she was still on Earth.
The two demons had no problems with the trip now when they were on the move. Both of them were a bit worried though, but at least everything seemed to be going on well. Bai had beat the air with her tube and sang some complicated song at the same time. It was a language Jade didn't recognise and if it hadn't been that beautiful she would have laughed at the weird dance of the water demon. Besides, now when she thought about it the meaning of the performance wasn't funny at all.
"Brother Tso will be pleased with us," Hsi Wu said and Bai glanced at him in amusement.
"With me actually. I'm in charge of this operation," she corrected.
"Not for long, sister. When his portal is open he will be the oldest of the free demons. Then you too have to do whatever he wants," the sky demon pointed out.
"I'm still higher than you," Bai hissed and even though it was true Hsi didn't let it disturb him. Usually none of them talked about who was higher than others, but in the boring Netherworld they had been forced to find something to do. And it was of course tormenting the younger siblings. That was all they had been able to do there.
Jade followed the small argument of the two demons. Space was fascinating, yes, but nothing happened there. They could just wait until they arrived to the portal of Tso Lan or were killed with the shuttle.
And Jade wasn't very goodat waiting.
A loud bang was heard from somewhere and it sounded like something really important and made of metal had just fallen apart. All three passengers flinched and glanced around. The sound didn't promise anything good...
"I think this thing has made its last trip," Jade commented weakly and Hsi Wu nodded.
"I never thought I would be forced to say this, but I agree with the slave," he said. Bai Tsa bit her lip and looked worried. This wasn't a part of her plan. If everything went wrong she could keep them alive, but without the mighty powers of Tso Lan they would never be able to return without a good spell, which they didn't have.
"We have to survive until we get our brother free," she saidin determination,as iftrying to force the metal around them to obey.
"How long will that take?" Hsi Wu asked and the water demon shrugged.
"Not too long I hope. I mean if we are in the right course," she guessed and glanced at Jade.
"Of course we are! Do you really think I'd like to die here with two demons?" Jade asked in mock hurt. Bai Tsa snorted.
"Just checked." After she had spoken another bang was heard and she frowned. This wasn't good...
Some time flew and none of them said anything, but they sit there quietly as if afraid that their voices could make everything fall apart faster.
And then the Pan Ku box rose in the air from Jade's hands and all watched it in relief, even Jade, who understood that only Tso Lan could save them. The box glowedwith green light and a symbol appeared next to Bai Tsa. The water demon jumped away quickly, she didn't want to be there when the portal opened.
Opening this portal had been difficult because of the location, but also very easy. Because Uncle hadn't been there himself, but had cast the spell trough a radio it wasn't as strong as with the other portals and had been easier to overdo.
When the green portal opened afew new bangs were heard and the shuttle trembled. The red Netherworld greeted them, but they didn't pay any attention to Tso Lan when they realised the shuttle was really betraying them now. It had been a miracle it had stood the departure, but now it had got enough.
Tso Lan stepped through the portal looking around and smelling the air with his long tongue when the portal closed behind him. He had waited his own turn patiently and had even been a bit surprised when it had come this quickly. He had expected Po and Bai free Xiao Fung before him.
Only three persons were there with him and that didn't please him. He had known all of them couldn't be there greeting him, but only two demons? He immediately recognised them as Bai Tsa and Hsi Wu and frowned, at least Po should have bothered to come.
But the presence of Chan's niece was a nasty surprise. The girl had been just trouble last time and he didn't want to risk anything by keeping her alive. The girl was probably there to carry the Pan Ku box, but Tso would have chosen another slave to do that.
"Brother Tso! We need your help! This shuttle is falling apart and we will never make it back!" Bai Tsa hurried in worry and Tso Lan glanced at her.
"Falling apart? I'm disappointed, my sister. Shendu didn't have problems like this last time," he commented. The water demon frowned annoyed.
"Shendu didn't have to use a half-finished vehicle," she answered.
"And he didn't have to use slaves as dangerous as her either. You know who that girl is, don't you?" the moon demon asked pointing at Jade with one of his four hands. Bai shrugged.
"Not my problem, Ni Tang took her to himself and no one has got rid of her. Shendu tried, but Hsi stopped him. He is very protective of his little brother's property," she replied making Tso frown.
"So I see," he muttered. Then something banged and the shuttle trembled dangerously. It didn't affect Tso Lan, who flowed in the air, but all the others almost lost their balance.
"Hurry Tso! Take us out of here!" Bai told really worried now, she would survive a while with her own powers, but only Tso, whose element was the Moon, could save them now.
"Don't worry, we have nothing to fear," the moon demon said and even though his words were warm and his voice pleasantly soft there were no hints of affection. Tso Lan raised his longer arms above himself and closed his eyes.
A dim light surrounded them all and Jade felt dizzy. She wanted to see and hear what was going on, but something inside her forced her to just stare, not understanding anything.
Ni Tang leaned against the wall and stared at the ceiling. It was dark, but it didn't disturb him. He didn't feel as homey as before, something seemed to be bothering him all the time.
"Shendu?" he asked.
"Yes, brother?" the fire demon asked mocking and raised his head so that he could see his little brother.
"Tell me more about my powers. How can I learn to master them as soon as possible?" the polar demon asked unsure.
Shendu hid his grin, he was sure Ni would never learn to use his powers on any level, but he couldn't tell him that. Yet.
"I'm not a teacher Ni. Wait until brother Tso comes, he will tell you what you want to know," he said and Ni nodded and was quiet before talking again.
"Shendu, why can't I transform into a human? You others make it seem so easy."
"How should I know? I already told you I'm not a teacher!" Shendu snapped angrily.
"Then again..." he continued like he had just got a new idea.
"Yes?" Ni asked interested.
"They say the best way to learn something is to remember the past. That everyone already knows how to do everything, you just have to make yourself believe it."
Ni Tang frowned. "I don't think I understand," he said.
"You are not meant to. But tell me Ni... Do you remember anything if your past? An image, sound or smell?" Shendu asked allowing himself to finally grin.
"No... Why do you ask? You know more about my past than I do, right?"
"Yes, yes I do. And I was just interested in the well being of you, my brother," Shendu answered and Ni could have sworn the fire demon sounded really malicious now.
To be continued...
AN: a bit slow, but... oh well, we'll just have to see what happens!
