Chapter 6: Asking for Rose's Help

Rose (a.k.a. Huntsgirl) was back at the Dream Realm reporting to the Huntsmaster. "Jackie Chan's uncle is what they call a Chi Wizard." She reported.

"I've heard about them, Huntsgirl." The Huntsmaster replied. "You know how Chinese people believe all things alive emanate some sort of life energy they call Chi?" Huntsgirl nodded. "Some wizards allegedly use that energy to intensify their magic. Be careful around him."

"Yes, Master."

"I have a feeling they'll let you in soon. Anything else to report, Huntsgirl?"

"No, Master."

"Then return to your own dream, Huntsgirl." They said their goodbyes and then she left. Instead of going to her own door, she went to Jake's. "Hi, Rose."

"Jake, I found out Jackie Chan's uncle is a Chi Wizard."

"The dude makes cheese?" A confused Jake asked.

Rose couldn't believe a boy of Chinese descent wouldn't know what 'Chi' is. "Jake, Chi is how Chinese people call the life energy of everything alive. Your Grandfather must have mentioned it to you at least once."

"Rose, I'd remember if G ever told me that." A scene from his subconscious memory revealed Jake pretending to pay attention while Lao Shi tried to tell him about Chi. "Well, I did remember G telling me." He added with a guilty smile. "Well, any more news about your daddy's demon issues?"

"Follow me, Jake." Rose replied and then led Jake into Augustus Black's dream door. Inside there, Jake was treated to what Capt. Black saw of Jackie Chan escaping the Bavarian castle. "Is this Jackie Chan an archaeologist or an actor who doesn't need stunt doubles?"

Laughing at Jake's comment, Rose showed him the scene where her father told Jackie Chan about the Dark Hand. "Man, this Valmont character is even worse than the Huntspunk." Jake commented. "At least he's just under some misguided belief he's doing what he does for the sake of humanity while Valmont only cares about money." Rose then showed the moment Jackie's uncle told Capt. Black about the Talismans being what the Dark Hand wanted. "Man, your Dad really didn't know about magic back then." Jake commented.

"The Talisman hunt lasted almost a year before he started believing magic is real, Jake." Rose explained and then showed a scene of Augustus Black seeing a recently restored Shendu leaving the Dark Hand hideout.

"Jade, please explain." Captain Black asked.

"I think it used the power of levitation talisman combined with the speed talisman so it could fly." Jade explained.

"What?" Capt. Black was really confused now. "What did all that so it could fly?"

"Got me, but it used to be a statue." She answered.

"Yep, more confusing than when I learned I'm a dragon." Jake commented.

"And that's because you still didn't see the scene where he told the Chans about the demon." Rose replied.

"Did the demon have any specific markings?" Uncle asked.

"Red eyes, great big claws, and razor sharp teeth isn't specific enough for you?" A very upset Captain Black asked in reply.

"And it wasn't?" A shocked Jake asked.

"Several recorded demons fit the descriptions, Jake." Rose explained. They then saw Tohru showing up and revealing the demon's name as Shendu. Uncle then picked a book on him.

"And all this time, the Chans never suspected this Shendude was behind this?" Jake asked.

"Jake, the talismans are powerful enough to earn the attention and interest of several evildoers not affiliated to Shendu." Rose explained. "The idea of the Dark Dragon possessing the talismans gave me nightmares the first time I ever heard about them."

"Has your father already let you in his secret connection to the Magical World, Rose?" Jake asked.

"Not yet, but the Chi Wizard recognized my mark." Rose answered. "He'll probably talk my father into asking for my help. Either that or caution him against trusting me." She added with a bitter smile.

"Let's hope for the better, Rose." Jake replied.

In the next morning, Capt. Black approached Rose. "Rose, do you consider yourself ready for anything that can't be explained by anything other than magic?" He asked.

"Yes, Dad." She simply answered, secretly hoping he'd finally let her know he knows about the Magical World. He then produced some octagonal stone with the picture of a snake. Then, to her surprise, he disappeared right in front of her eyes. "I can be here, or here, and you have no idea of where I am."

"D-dad?" She asked out of genuine shock. "How?"

Capt. Black then became visible again. "The Snake Talisman grants its holder the power of invisibility." He explained. "There's one magical talisman for each animal of the Chinese zodiac and each talisman has a different power."

"Do you mean the Talismans of Shendu?" Rose asked, shocking her father.

"How do you know about Shendu?"

"The Huntsclan makes a point that everyone who is a part of it knows about every dragon that became eviler than most, Dad."

"Then I'm surprised the Huntsclan never interfered with the Talisman search so far."

"Hunting dragons keeps us busy, Dad." Rose commented. "You should have seen the dragon I used to hunt before fleeing the Huntsclan. Not that I hope it'd impress anyone used to Shendu."

Knowing that dragons are real, Capt. Black was quite scared about Rose stating she actually fought one. "Did it hurt you, Rose?" He asked out of parental concern.

"Not as much as I hurt him, Dad." Rose answered, hoping to impress him.

"Rose, I don't care how cool you think hunting magical creatures might be, you should let it to professionals." Capt. Black sternly replied. "Look, Uncle Chan said someone of Huntsclan upbringing might be useful in our demon hunting, but I won't allow you to offer any help other than explaining whatever you know about magic. If you want to take an active role once you're an adult, fine. Until then, no magical creature hunting for you. Is that clear?"

Rose didn't know what to do. She never imagined a parent who knew about magical creatures would act like that. She eventually said. "Fine."

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