a/n: Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter, I must say that I honestly didn't expect so much. Anyway, here's the next one, tell me what you guys think!
D: I do not own any Jackie Chan Adventures copyrights.
Hsi Wu landed nimbly on a nearby boulder, temporarily forgetting his plans to recharge the camera; this was too interesting a subject to ignore after all, no matter how undesirable its speaker may be.
"A way out?" Tchang Zu asked with a voice laced with subtle menace, promises of unimaginable horrors lest this be a ruse inevitable in his tone, "Would this release be like the incident of the eighth door perchance." The thunder demon growled loudly; and though the smaller demon stopped one of his own from emerging, Hsi Wu still narrowed his eyes at the mention of Shendu's last act of treachery. Much like his other brother, and surely like the rest of their powerful kin, he remembered clearly how their brother had lied the last time he had been relied on. Even the dragon himself seemed to have no trouble recalling the very same incident; if the way he shifted uncomfortably and scratched at his scales were any indication.
"Not at all brother," The lizard oozed piteously. He turned slightly so as to have his next words address both demons present, "I have come across a spell much like the one you helped to place on me, I believe it will be adequate enough." There was a tinge of bitterness to the words that the fire demon didn't bother to remove, obviously Shendu remembered his little adventure for more than simple lies.
Hsi Wu grinned as that particular memory played throughout the cobwebbed theater that was his mind, the pathetic image of his brother's spirit bringing him nearly to tears, pity he had never died entirely. Still, all humor aside, Shendu must hold a rather low view of their intellect if he thought for one moment that they would swallow this new load of shit. The spell that had been used on him? He couldn't possibly be serious, there was no way that that would be their exit ticket.
Tchang Zu must have had similar thoughts, as the thunder demon barked a sharp laugh, looking at their dragon brother as though he had just waved something quite foul under his nose. "A binding spell?" He raised an incredulous eyebrow and gave another barking laugh, "You're stupider than you look Shendu."
Hsi Wu nodded his agreement as the fiery demon seemed to grow rather red in the face. "Just how is a spell that affects spirits supposed to aid seven full bodied demons?" The sky demon asked pointedly, as whatever interest the topic had held for him began to fade. Idly he wondered if still he could lure Tchang Zu away for the charge up he had originally came for. Though just by looking at the thunder demon he could see it probably wouldn't be all that hard, Shendu seemed to be boring him as well.
"I assure you that there are differences between that spell and this one, dear brothers," Shendu pressed on, trying in vain to recapture his audience's interests. "Through research I have discovered several ways that the spell can be modified, tweaked so as to allow a living, breathing demon to enter the real world." The dragon seemed to pick up confidence as he continued, "There are also ways to ensue that no human be needed as a host." The speech faltered slightly as the topic neared what Hsi Wu knew too be a great embarrassment for Shendu, the incompetence of his host, Valmont, had been the reason the dragon had failed so thoroughly after all. Hsi Wu grinned maliciously at the thought of the arrogant and blunder idiot, oh how he enjoyed seeing his brother stuck in that baboon of a human.
"Let me guess," The sky demon prodded cruelly as his grin took on an evil tinge, "Will we also become statues as a bonus?" An evil laugh escaped his lips as his brother's expression became one of outrage. Just in case Shendu snapped again and rethought his decision to fry him, the smaller brother glided effortlessly to a boulder that would prove slightly harder to aim at.
"No," The grinding of the fire demon's teeth were quite audible by this point, his eyes seemed to glint menacingly as they followed Hsi Wu's progress, "Though if you would rather not risk my potion, my beloved brother, you are free to remain imprisoned like a caged bird."
A growl built up in the winged demon's throat, coming out as a low and threatening rumble. Was this bastard implying that he was anything like those dull witted creatures? The lord of the skies would never allow himself to be caged! Whoever was stupid enough to dare would be quick to meet his grave.
"You say the others know about this?" Tchang Zu asked calmly, not even showing the slightest reaction to the tension in the air. Both brothers shot him incredulous looks, why was he ignoring them now when he had practically ripped them apart the lat time they were at each others throats. When neither answered however, the look of calm turned murderous, revealing that the thunder demon was not so oblivious as he pretended to be. "Your childish jibes are getting on my nerves," He snarled loudly as both of the other demons were fixed with his intimidating gaze, "KILL EACH OTHER WHEN THERE IS LESS OF A CHANCE THAT WE WILL ESCAPE THIS BLASTED CESSPOOL!"
Shendu gulped noticeably and seemed to shift even more upon his taloned feet. For once, Hsi Wu came to the realization that he felt much the same as his brother, camera or not, the act of fleeing was beginning to sound very tempting.
"My question is still waiting to be answered." The statement was given in a much quieter voice, but it still seemed to be all the motivation needed as far as Shendu was concerned. The dragon obviously knew quite well that Tchang Zu could kill him if he wished, talismans or not.
"Y-Yes Brother!" The reptile stammered before he seemed to collect himself once more, "Our other brethren all have been informed, they are simply waiting for the opinions of those of us who had not heard as of yet." He nodded smugly as if he had just become greatly pleased with himself, though Hsi Wu did not miss the hoping look that the dragon gave their brother. He seemed immensely relieved when the thunder demon nodded his approval briefly.
"If there is a chance of freedom then we will take it," Tchang Zu stated simply, speaking for Hsi Wu though the sky demon had not voiced his own opinion yet. Not even bothering to wait for a response, the older demon marched off towards their brethren favorite gathering local. Shendu took after him almost gleefully, like he was thrilled that his idea was fast becoming a hit amongst their twisted family.
Sighing, Hsi Wu launched himself into the unchanging air so that he too could follow. The little moose camera in his claws smashed against his tough skin roughly, making him swear silently. In his initial irritation and rush, he had forgotten to be as gentle with the device as he should have been. As it was, the impact seemed to jump start the neglected batteries for barely a moment.
In the duration of under a second a voice screeched out of the machine, much louder and faster than usual but still undoubtedly that of Jade's.
"THE DEMON NETHERWORLD!" Hsi Wu scrambled frantically to shut the thing up, cursing as the old camera became stuck and started to repeat 'the demon netherworld' as loud as it could manage. Shit! Shendu wasn't that far ahead of him, what the hell would happen if he of all his siblings found out? The humiliation of it all would never reach a conclusion, as the dragon would not withhold the information. Finally banging the stupid electronic enough to quiet it, the sky demon looked up frantically for any signs of his brother, breathing a sigh of relief as he realized that Shendu had left him behind quite some time ago. Chuckling a little at his mad scramble and assumptions, Hsi Wu hurried to catch up, knowing that the only suspicions would come if he did not attend the meeting.
What he did not notice was an adolescent dragon seething with fury no more than ten paces from where the sky demon had stood, shaking slightly as he stared after his uncle and that insipid little camera. A stupid machine that had just sued the one voice that he despised above all others.