Author's Note: I am aware that I have missed out the Monkey Talisman episode, this being that it did happen in my story, but it happened exactly the way it did in the show, and plus Valerie was stuck in the shop whilst Jackie and Jade went on that little adventure by themselves. So therefore it is not worth me writing out a WHOLE chapter for something that was exactly the same. I hope this is okay, and hope you enjoy the chapter!
The Black Tiger
It was only a few days later that the Chan Clan had reason to be excited: it was nearing Uncle's birthday! Despite the fact that the old man had not mentioned this fact before, Jackie had told Valerie and Jade, who had been ecstatic and quickly got onto the notion of throwing a surprise birthday party. Jackie had reluctantly agreed, and for once, Valerie had given in to her more "girly" side when she had excitedly started planning with Jade. Getting Uncle to the party would be no problem, for they decided to hold it in the shop, and Uncle never left the shop for more time then he could possibly help. So the next question, was who to invite? Jade had quickly said for it to be just family and friends. So Valerie's main problem, was figuring out what to get him…
Two days before the party, Jackie had received a call from Captain Black to say that the Dark Hand had been sighted. Jackie had left immediately with the promise to Jade to be back in time for the party, to which Valerie hoped he would be able to keep. Whilst he was gone, Jade and Valerie still helped out around the shop and organised the party. Though on the morning of Uncle's birthday, Jade had to give in to her nervous insecurities and call Jackie to make sure that he would be home in time. Unfortunately, Jackie's flight had a layover to Bavaria, but the good news was that the plane would still arrive in San Francisco in time for the party that evening.
And true to his word, Jackie was home just an hour before they had scheduled the party. Jade had been so happy to see him, and Valerie had been relieved. Uncle had come to see Jackie's arrival, before Jade had literally pulled them all into the kitchen.
"Happy birthday Uncle!" they had all exclaimed at once, making the old man give a small and polite smile, unusually subdued and quiet… which unnerved Valerie. Jade quickly passed over her card and present, which Valerie had helped her in acquiring. Uncle still had that small smile as he opened up the present, revealing a picture of Jade, Captain Black and a Section 13 agent as they all stood in Moose-World, the two secret agents laughing whilst Jade was scowling, a red look in her eyes. Uncle frowned at the picture in confusion.
"Hehe," Jade chuckled nervously, her cheeks heated with embarrassment. "I was all possessed that day… but my hair looks good – and hey, funny moose!" she added quickly, thinking the situation terrible and trying to fix it, causing Valerie to chuckle as she nudged the child playfully.
"I will cherish it, Jade," Uncle told her with a fond smile and a pat on her shoulder. Valerie felt her heart warm at seeing a genuinely happy smile on the old man's face, a complete contrast to his usual grumpy self, or his more sombre mood he had been in the last few days.
"My turn then!" Valerie said, quickly reaching behind her to gather her present from the counter, a small box with a bright blue wrapping paper, and deposited it in front of Uncle. "Hope you like it,"
Uncle was a little surprised but his smile returned as he began to tear the wrapping paper and open up the box. A puzzled expression was on his face as he pulled out a tea pot. It was old, yet not an antique, with painted on Chinese symbols on both sides, one a symbol for hospitality, and the other a symbol for luck.
"I know it's not an antique," Valerie said a little sheepishly. "But seeing as I broke the last one, I thought it only right to replace it. Hopefully this one is a bit more sturdier,"
"Thank you Valerie," he smiled at her as he placed the tea pot carefully on the table. "What did you bring me?" Uncle asked Jackie with a pointed look at the young man who was leaning over his shoulder.
"Oh – Ta-da!" Jackie said excitedly as he placed a basket onto the table in front of uncle, filled with all sorts of foods and other pieces of junk.
"A gift basket?" Valerie whispered under her breath with a glare at Jackie.
"It was the only thing I could get!" Jackie whispered back.
"Chocolates stains my teeth, and cheese makes my… none of your business," he muttered irritably. Valerie gave Jackie another glare.
"Err…" Jackie fumbled nervously under her heated gaze, before fishing something out of his pocket. "I brought you one more thing!" he then handed the Dog Talisman over to Uncle, who held it in his hand with an almost disappointed look in his ancient eyes. "It's your sign," Jackie offered, trying to get out of the whole he had dug himself.
"It's his birthday!" Valerie snapped at Jackie. "You're not supposed to bring him more work!"
"So how old are you Uncle?" Jade asked suddenly and loudly, trying to distract from the growing tense mood that had fallen over the room.
"Jade!" both Jackie and Valerie snapped in unison.
"Err… in dog years?" she tried to supply.
"I will do research now," Uncle sighed sadly, a tired look on his face as he stiffly got up and walked out of the kitchen towards the backroom.
"But Uncle we have cake!" Jade tried to call him back.
"It's your birthday," Valerie said.
"You have to celebrate!"
"When I am another year younger… then I will celebrate," Uncle sighed, before closing the door behind him.
Valerie blinked in stunned surprise. So that was what had Uncle so upset the past few days? What with the business with Lo Pei, Jackie and Jade going to find the Monkey Talisman, and now Jackie just returned from finding the Dog Talisman, Valerie had been rather preoccupied, her mind hadn't let her stop for a moment and see that her grouchy old boss was… old. Uncle was certainly an old man, his health and stamina was not what it used to be, and obviously for someone such as he had supposedly been (if his seemingly tall tales were correct) that was something to mourn over. Valerie could only imagine what he was going through, even though she was still in her early twenties, she was terrified of growing too old that her body began to slowly shut down on her. She sighed, knowing that there was nothing she could do for Uncle, and only hoped that these depressive thoughts of his would go away in their own time.
Valerie got to the shop earlier than usual the next morning, it was a Saturday, and she was up to date on all her current research projects for the University. Her teachers were actually rather impressed by the quality of her work, even if they were more than disappointed at her attendance record. Valerie was simply amazed that she had gotten that, what with all this business regarding the talismans, school-work had not exactly been at the forefront of her mind, though she was determined to make sure her grades were as high as possible. If they fell to any worrying degree, she knew that her mother would pull her out fast then a cowboy at a rodeo and drag her back to Toronto. And Valerie knew she wasn't ready to go back, she and her mother were still sour after… She quickly banished the thoughts, not wanting to linger on them for too long.
It was just as she was opening up the shop – Uncle being rather quiet in the back room – when Jackie and Jade came barrelling into the store, Jade bouncing with excitement, whilst Jackie looked rather worried.
"Guys, what's up?" Valerie asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"We found another Talisman!" Jade exclaimed.
"What?! Already?" Valerie asked in disbelief.
"Well, not really," the kid mumbled as she thought. "But we know where to go to get it!"
"Jade was going through my present to Uncle," Jackie began.
"The gift basket?" Valerie muttered a little sourly.
"Yes," Jackie agreed. "She found a chocolate Talisman,"
"What?" Valerie blinked, her mind struggling to comprehend what she just heard. "The Talisman of chocolate?" she snorted in amusement. "Sorry, but I don't remember the coco-plant being part of the Chinese zodiac,"
"But the pig is!" Jade exclaimed excitedly as she held up an octagon shaped chocolate piece wrapped in blue foil with the picture of a pig on the front.
"The pig is one of the signs of the Chinese Zodiac that we haven't yet located," Jackie said with a serious expression as he plucked the chocolate from Jade's fingers to hold it up so that Valerie could see the familiar shape. "And, these fercles chocolates are clearly modelled after the pig talisman!" he explained.
"Weird…" Valerie murmured, her interest peaked at how a European country could model their chocolates from an ancient Chinese talisman.
"So once again," Jackie groaned. "I am off to Bavaria," he hung his head, clearly not enjoying the idea of the trip.
"I could use a change of scenery," came a voice, and they all turned to see Uncle standing there beside a suitcase, smiling at them. "I will go with you!" he said happily. Valerie's eyes widened in surprise and confusion.
"Wha-?!" Valerie just barely managed to choke out. As if just noticing her, Uncle looked over at her and beamed excitedly.
"And you will come to!" he said.
"What?!" Valerie exclaimed. "Oh, no-no-no!" she spoke in a rush, panic flying through her. "I can't go! Who will watch the shop?"
"Shop will be fine, we will just be closed – think of it as a holiday." Uncle waved a hand dismissively.
"Remember what happened the last time I came on a mission with you guys?! The bruising on my face has only just gone away!" she pleaded desperately, wringing her hands together. "And what use would I be, I'd just get in the way!"
"You will be fine," Uncle told her reassuringly with a smile. "You can help Uncle with his books for research,"
"Awesome!" Jade suddenly shouted excitedly. "No babysitter means I get to go too!"
"B-b-b-b-b-but UNCLE!" Jackie fumbled, clearly as taken aback as Valerie, trying to find a coherent sentence in his attempt to unscramble his brain. "You NEVER leave the shop! And what about the Dog Talisman?"
"Valerie is coming with us to do research on the way," Uncle once again waved his hand dismissively, leaning against the ladder of one of his bookcases, his weight however, pushed it too far, making it roll away and bumping into an expensive antique vase on the top of the shelf. Valerie gasped as she watched the antique titter to the edge, and slowly began to fall. She was about to call out for Jackie to do something, when suddenly something prevented her.
Uncle suddenly leapt up onto a chair, propelling himself in the opposite direction as he pushed off from it, sailing through the air as he caught the vase, before skidding along the floor to a safe stop. Valerie felt like screaming, surely the old man had broken something in such a risky move for his ancient body! But then, Uncle calmly rolled onto his back, and flipped himself back onto his feet to put the vase safely on a counter. Valerie's jaw practically hit the floor.
"Whoa..." Jade murmured, Jackie looking on in a state of shock.
"You guys are not normal, I swear…" Valerie mumbled.
"So, what are we waiting for?" Uncle asked cheerily.
"You failed to retrieve the talisman," Valmont muttered sourly as he looked up at a dejected looking Tohru, who had returned from his mission in Europe, empty handed again. Thankfully though, Valmont had had enough foresight in him to meet Tohru down in one of the other offices away from Shendu's prying eyes. He knew that the dragon-statue was in enough of a bad mood as it was, and declairing that Valmont didn't have another Talisman would only surely seal his doom. Valmont repressed a shudder as he remembered that he still couldn't get the stench of burning flesh out of his office. "And you sat on this!" Valmont dropped the magical seeking device that Shendu had made, broken and cracked from where Tohru had accidentally sat on it thanks to Jackie Chan.
"Apologies, Master," Tohru said softly, closing his eyes like a dejected puppy as he bowed his head.
Valmont set his jaw in frustration. He couldn't afford anymore screw ups, the only way he would get his hands on the Lost Treasure and by extension keep his life, would be if he brought Shendu the Talismans. But as of the last failure, Shendu had raised the stakes. Valmont was beginning to regret his decision to help the demon, but now he had no choice, and he was going to stick to the course no matter the cost. Tohru's failures would no longer be tolerated, Valmont would need to clean up this mess and attempt to salvage what he could; if not, then he would feed Tohru to the dragon's growing frustration. Valmont briefly wondered how long it would take for a man of Tohru's stature to burn down to nothing but ash and dust.
Sighing, Valmont rid himself of such morbid thoughts and decided to put his plan into action, pressing a button on his cell-phone before turning back to Tohru.
"Perhaps the time has come to have a freelancer lead future missions," Valmont said aloud, noting the hint of panic and heartbroken look on Tohru's face.
"N-no need Master," he pleaded quickly. "I will do better,"
"Too late," Valmont snapped irritably. It was then that the door to the sub-office opened and the shadow of a large man entered the room. "Ah! Tohru, meet Hak Foo."
The new man entered the office, standing only a little shorter than Tohru, yet slimmer and packed with muscle. He looked like a championship wrestler, with huge arms and shoulder and a large chest and six-pack abs on display for all the world to see. He wore a blue jacket open to reveal his torso, and loose red pants and dark boots to allow easy movement. He had a mane of red hair cascading down his back, with a thin red moustache and a slight chin beard as the only facial hair on him. Tohru raised an eyebrow as he looked the man over.
"Hmm, 'Black Tiger'," Tohru translated the name with a thoughtful look. "He doesn't look so ferocious," Instantly, the man seemed to become enraged, eyes going wide as veins popped out of his forehead, growling savagely.
"ANGRY CROW TAKES FLIGHT!" Hak Foo shouted suddenly, leaping into the air and sailing across the room. "EAGLE STANDS ON MOUNTAIN TOP!" He shouted in the same war-cry tone of voice as he laned with both feet planted on Tohru's shoulder's before the big man could do anything. "MONKEY PLUCKS TWO PEACHES…" he thrust his hand down to Tohru's face, two fingers jutting out, ready to poke Tohru's eyes out.
Tohru flinched, knowing he wouldn't be able to stop him in time. But the blow never came, the fingers stopping literally a centimetre from his eyes. Valmont had to smirk in approval.
"Looks can be deceiving…" Tohru mumbled shakily.
"Very good," Valmont said to break the tension in the room. "Now gentlemen, if you don't mind…"
Hak Foo jumped down from on top of Tohru, facing Valmont with ramrod straight posture, his face composed and calm, though still looking threatening. Tohru stood beside him, shuffling his feet awkwardly.
"Now, after gathering a little information," Valmont went on to say. "I have seen that the main-frame indicates that one, Mr Chan, has purchased four airline tickets to Bavaria." He said, holding up a sheet of paper with the information on it as he looked at Hak Foo. "The Dark Hand jet awaits. Tohru," Valmont said, with a smirk at the big sumo. "Be a good sport and tag along, in the event that Hak Foo requires your services." Tohru nodded humbly.
Shendu was in another one of his restless moods. His impatience to be free was gnawing on his sanity, making him even more irritable and unstable than ever before. And now he was kept mainly in isolation, after his stunt at proving to Valmont who he was dealing with, the crime lord had since kept his distance from Shendu wherever possible. The human now only came into the office when necessary, which suited Shendu just fine, seeing as he loathed the human for his incompetence; though Shendu was twitching for news as to the whereabouts of his talismans. But Valmont had not been forthcoming with updates, merely choosing to tell Shendu a few days ago that Tohru had been sent to find the dog talisman. Seeing as Valmont had not come to the statue with news, Shendu assumed that the behemoth had not returned yet. And so isolation lead to Shendu's next problem: boredom. After spending centuries in confinement and hardly talking to anyone, Shendu had escaped the maddening empty mindedness by withdrawing himself. However, as of the past few years of talking with Valmont and being more mentally active, especially with the new excitement of his talismans finally being discovered, Shendu found it very hard to push away his boredom. And now, he would drum his claws if he could, and his immobility only frustrated him more.
With no other option, Shendu activated the Sheep Talisman, activating his astral form as he floated from his stone prison and left through the walls of the office and ventured into the evening of San Francisco. This had now become Shendu's pass time to relieve his boredom: to watch his latest investment and study his prey. Shendu now knew the way to her apartment off by heart, and easily found his way there as he slunk through the walls and entered completely undetected.
The apartment seemed to be in a mess, with dishes stacked in the sink in the kitchen and history books scattered on the coffee table. Shendu did not immediately spot Valerie but he heard her voice coming from her bedroom, and so followed her. His ghostly form melted through the closed door, to see that her room was in the same scruffy outlook as the rest of her apartment, and then he saw Valerie standing at her bed, stuffing clothes into a duffle bag. For a moment, Shendu panicked that she was leaving the city. He couldn't allow that, she was to be his power boost once he regained his living body, if she left the city it would be all the more difficult to locate her, wasting his valuable time. He rashly almost called for the ShadowKhan, determined that if she was to force his hand then he would lock her up now, place her in a dungeon until he could perform his ritual to bind her to him, then lock her away forever more. The command was almost uttered, when suddenly, Shendu heard her speak.
"No mom, I told you it's for work," Valerie said with an agitated tone, and Shendu noticed how her head was clocked at an angle to press a phone to her ear. Shendu hesitated in his order to watch her, to see if he could learn anything from this. "I'm only going to be gone for a day or so, I'll be back in time for my afternoon classes on Monday,"
There was a pause as Valerie listened to the voice on the other end of the phone chattering away. Shendu had wondered as to the whereabouts of Valerie's mother, her only living relative, just in the case that he needed any leverage over the girl. As Valmont had now proven to him: burning bodies sent quite the message on how serious you were. If Valerie would not conform to his plans, then there was the option of giving her the opportunity to see her mother burn.
"Yes mom," Valerie growled out, and Shendu was surprised at the ever so slight icy chill in her voice. "I am well aware of how important my studies are but this is import–"
She was cut off as Shendu heard the other woman on the phone snapping something at her daughter. Though he couldn't make out the words, the tone was impatient, yet almost desperate.
"Don't you dare!" Valerie exclaimed, and Shendu was again surprised, this time by the amount of venom he heard in the young woman's voice. "Don't you dare pull that card on me! You know I am working my ass off to be able to…"
Valerie trailed off as her mother spoke over her animatedly.
"I don't want your money, mom!" she exclaimed, throwing her clothes into the duffle bag angrily and straightening her head as she held the phone in her hand. Although she couldn't have known it, Valerie had turned her head enough to look straight into Shendu's eyes, and he held her gaze, fantasising of the look of fear he would enjoy there when she beheld him for the first time. "I'm not moving back to Toronto. It's not going to happen, so you can quit pestering me with it!"
The woman on the phone began shouting, and Valerie's eyes glistened with angry tears as her face pinched into a scowl.
"I don't want anything from you!" Valerie cried almost desperately, as if she were trying to tell the world's most ignorant man that the sky was above and the ground below, yet he refused to listen. "You're a success, you've made your point! But I don't want a lawyer, I want a mother!"
There was a long pause as the woman on the other end began to cry angrily into the phone, and Shendu watched in fascination as Valerie tried to hold back her own tears, her pride warring with her guilt as she refused to allow herself to cry.
"You know what mom? Don't bother." She muttered, her grip on the phone tightening. "I didn't need you when dad was here, and I don't need you now!"
There was a deathly silence.
"Mom, I'm…" Valerie whispered, mortification evident on her face as her eyes widened and he face paled at her words. With a cold calculous, Shendu noted that this was a very interesting development. The apology was right there on the tip of her tongue, but once again, her pride got the better of her, and the young woman forcibly swallowed it as a look of sad determination crossed her features. "Look I gotta go. My flight's in a few hours and I gotta catch some sleep while I can."
There was no farewells, no affectionate goodbyes, not even a declaration to speak soon; Valerie simply snapped the phone shut, ending the call before tossing the phone onto the bed. Her face suddenly looked exhausted as she slumped where she stood with a sigh, suddenly appearing as if she had already cried a thousand tears, even when none had flowed. Once again, Shendu admired her strength, though he cruelly made a mental note to make a move on this weakness should he need to exploit it. Valerie may appear as if she and her mother were not close, but Shendu was no fool. Valerie then placed the duffle bag by the front door of her apartment, as well as her handbag and a few other little accessories, before returning to her room and curling up on her bed. She set an alarm on her clock, before trying to sleep, sully clothes and on top of the covers. Shendu's astral form circled above her, though he did not try to enter her mind. He knew that she would not truly be in a deep enough sleep to allow him to enter her dreams, so instead he coiled his serpentine astral form above her head, leaning his head down as if he could physically sweep his tongue by her ear so that she might hear him hiss. He watched her for a while, an odd contentment settling over him as he watched her sleep with a wicked smile.
"Rest now, child," his voice hissed out in a sickly sweet manner, a wicked grin lighting up his face as his red eyes glowed. "You destiny awaits, and I want you ready for when it comes. Because when it happens…" he leaned closer, brushing his fangs against her cheek though he could not touch her in this form. "I will burn your world around you, and all you will ever know again, is me."
Valerie was rather restless on the late night plane journey, unable to sleep even as Uncle and Jade snored loudly beside her. She'd always been unable to sleep whilst in motion, either by plane or car, she could never sleep, just one of her little quirks from childhood. Jackie had tried to make conversation, and although Valerie had wanted to, her heart wasn't in it. Though Jackie seemed to respect her silent plea for space, and left her to her thoughts. She was grateful, feeling a tug of guilt on her heart as she thought that Jackie was such a good guy, and he'd done a lot for her in the past few weeks, so she should trust him but… it wasn't that easy. Her phone call with her mother had not gone well, though Valerie had been expecting it to. She and her mother hadn't been as close as what was normal after her parents divorced; her mother had chosen a career over her family, moving to Toronto in order to follow the path of law. Valerie had been raised by her father, he'd been all she'd ever needed. But… as of last year, when her father had been killed… Valerie had been back in the arms of a woman who'd seemed almost like a stranger to her. Since then, they'd been trying to reclaim what had been lost to them by time. But… Valerie sighed, a piece of her heart refusing to budge at the thought of anyone replacing where her father had been in her affections. She tried to blame it on the fact that they'd been separated for too long, that it was all some psychological crap.
With each phone call it became harder and harder to convince herself of that.
So, Valerie decided that the only way she was taking her mind off of her current state, was to read. She read the tourist guide for the little town they would be visiting, her mind taking in every little detail. She read everything from the origins of the more wealthy families, the clock tower, the chocolate factory, the town appreciation for pigs, etc. Her eyes became glued to something she found particularly interesting, her eyes widening as she beamed. She excitedly turned to Jackie, to exclaim to him what she had found, but saw that he was fast asleep. She debated waking him, an impatient itch in her stomach, but then she saw that he had his own tourist guide in his lap, crumpled in his hands where he had fallen asleep whilst reading. Valerie breathed a sigh of relief. If Jackie had been reading the same thing, then he already knew what she would tell him.
They landed rather early at the airport, and managed to get a cab to the little town where they would to find the pig talisman, only an hour and a half away. Valerie was very excited at seeing such a place, having never left the United States other than to go to Canada or Disneyland. She marvelled at the history that seemed to be carved into the very stones of the buildings, each with their own fascinating stories. Once they arrived, Jackie left to meet with the manager of the chocolate factory, where the talisman-pig-chocolates were made, and Jade and Uncle happily went about their own business in the town.
Valerie was mightily confused by the old man. She'd never thought to put "Uncle" and "happy" in the same sentence. But he was acting very strangely indeed. He was livelier, a spring in his step, he didn't complain, he often complimented Valerie instead of scolding her, he even ate foods that he had often yelled at her before and said they did things to his old body that were very unpleasant to think about. This was a complete turnaround, if Valerie didn't believe in such things, then she would have said that he was abducted by aliens and replaced with a clone. Perhaps she was over thinking things, could it just be that Uncle was happy to finally get out of that dusty shop? Was it the adventure? Spending quality time with his great-niece? Valerie had to admit, the old man did look happier… perhaps she shouldn't think too negatively if all it did was bring Uncle just a little bit of fun. God knew the cranky goat needed it; it was rather refreshing to not worry about him yelling at her.
Putting her thoughts aside, Valerie had taken all their bags to the traditional inn where they would be staying. Even if they found the talisman rather quickly, Valerie wanted to stay in order to interact and study with these people. They all seemed so different from her own culture, yet not, the scholar in her simply HAD to explore and study!
She waited in the room for the others to return, and they soon filtered in. Jackie looking a little frustrated, and Jade and Uncle seeming to be in high spirits, even though Valerie noticed a slight uneasy look pass between them every now and again. The foursome went to dinner at the inn's pub-restaurant, and Valerie actually liked the food, though the others merely picked at their plates – apart from Jade, who as always wolfed down her meal like an animal. They all then went back to the room, each complaining of jet lag and wanting an early night, Valerie assuming that they would retrieve the talisman in the morning, and so didn't think much of it… until later that night. It was past eight, when Valerie heard Jackie climb out of his bed, stirring her from her restless slumber. She watched him almost suspiciously as Jackie quickly pulled his jumper on and went to the room door, quietly sneaking out. Valerie felt her insides itch again, knowing that something important was stirring. So, finding herself a large sweater and comfy slip-on flat shoes, Valerie quietly tiptoed out of the room and followed Jackie as quietly as she could.
He was heading across the square when she stepped out of the inn, and Valerie held her breath as she looked around to see if anyone was watching, before hesitantly following him. Jackie made his way through the town back towards the chocolate factory, and Valerie felt her confusion and suspicion grow by the minuet as she continued to watch Jackie as he expertly jumped between the two pig statues on either side of the front door, bouncing off of them before landing on the balcony above and sneaking in through an open door.
Valerie felt her heart sink, knowing there was no way she could do what Jackie just did. But why would Jackie be breaking into the chocolate factory?! What was he up to? Looking around frantically, Valerie soon found a dumpster, and quickly dragged it over towards the front entrance, trying to be as quiet as she could, and wincing every time the dumpster squealed or made a loud thump that she could have sworn was loud enough to wake the entire town. Once the dumpster was in place, Valerie quickly climbed up, before jumping towards the balcony, her fingers catching the bottom. She swung her legs towards the pig statue and used it to walk her way upwards towards the balcony. She grunted, and her arms shook, upper-body strength never being her strong suit in gym-class. Pulling herself onto the balcony with no amount of grace or dignity, Valerie crawled away from the edge, before quickly standing up and heading through the unlocked door that Jackie had entered through.
Valerie watched from the railing overlooking the main floor as Jackie quickly went from place to place, looking into the machines, up in tubes and presses. He was searching for something, but what could… The obvious answer made Valerie sink into a hip as she frowned with disapproval.
"Jackie?" She called out. Jackie jumped with a startled cry, hitting his head on one of the machines with a loud clang. He spun around to look at Valerie as she calmly walked down the stairs and came towards him.
"Valerie? What are you doing here?" He asked in that cutely innocent voice of his.
"Don't you give me that!" She snapped as if she were his mother. "Why are you breaking in to the factory?"
"I'm not breaking in!" he said defensively.
"Oh sure," Valerie rolled her eyes. "Being in a closed factory without permission is sooooooo not breaking and entering. We could get done for this!"
"Not if we're quick," Jackie smiled mischievously. "You can help me now,"
"Help you with what?" Valerie asked. "Jackie, what are you –"
"Seeking a Talisman?"
Both Jackie and Valerie spun around at the sound of the new and deep voice. Valerie's eyes widened as she beheld a man as he stepped out from the shadows, as if he had been there all along. Tall, broad, incredibly muscular as if he were a weight lifter, muscle packed on muscle all over his body. He wore a blue vest that was open to expose his severely muscular chest and abs, large dark red pants and black boots on his feet; his red main of hair looked like something out of Sonic the Hedgehog, and he looked upon them with a cold and dismissive gaze, as if they were beneath him. The man was calmly flipping something in the air between his fingers, and Valerie saw that it was a pig chocolate, the one in the shape of the talisman. That could only mean one thing: Dark Hand. Just even that knowledge was enough to intimidate Valerie as she took a step back, the man's imposing appearance only adding to her unease.
"Only counterfeits here," the man muttered as he held up the talisman-shaped chocolate.
"Do I know you?" Jackie asked slowly as he looked up at the new man in confusion. Valerie felt like shaking him in order to realise what situation had just been dropped into their laps, she edged closer to Jackie, hoping that it would make him more serious.
"I am Hak Foo," the man said seriously, as if he were a Japanese warrior about to utter a death battle. "And the last human either of you will ever lay eyes upon." His tone was so calm, so serious, that Valerie felt her spine stiffen as she gave a little squeak of fear.
"Look out!" Jackie yelled, pushing her out of the way as Hak Foo threw the small chocolate at them, before leaping into the air and flipping towards them at impressive speed. Jackie just managed to get Valerie out of the way before Hak Foo was upon him. "Please –"
"MANTIS BOXING STYLE!" He shouted as he assumed some martial arts position in the air before jabbing his fists at Jackie. "SERPENT TONGUE TECHINQUE!" another jab with one hand to Jackie's back. "FLOAT LIKE LOTUS BLOSSOM!" he shouted again as he leapt back into the air. "STING LIKE SCORPIAN!" he flew towards Jackie, feet arching over his back and flipping him through the air until he hit Jackie square in the chest with both feet. Jackie stumbled back, clutching his ribs as he tried to gain whatever space he could from the huge man. Valerie's shock at the sudden events wore off as she quickly ran over to his side, trying to help hold him up.
"Are you okay?" she asked frantically.
"I've been better…" Jackie groaned quietly. Valerie looked back as the huge man came pacing towards them.
"Where the hell did this guy come from?!" she murmured.
"I don't know –" Jackie began but was stopped when his eyes widened as Valerie felt a hand on her arm. She looked up in horror to see Hak Foo's enormous hand wrapped around her arm, reminding her of a giant holding a twig as she morbidly thought he could snap her arm in two.
"TIDE SWEEPS ASIDE SEASHELL!" He yelled and Valerie screamed as she suddenly found herself flying through the air as the man threw her aside, where she landed heavily against one of the work benches. She groaned, winded as she looked up to see Hak Foo balance on leg with the other foot right against Jackie's nose, ready to push him aside at a moment's notice. He smirked arrogantly. "Flamingo stance!"
"Oh, these little piggy's went to the market!" Jackie smirked as he grabbed the foot in his face and quickly twisted it, forcing Hak Foo to turn with it or risk a broken ankle.
"FLYING DRAGON CORKSWREW!" Hak Foo yelled as he spun in the air before landing quickly on his feet with a scowl at Jackie. "CAT LANDS ON FEET, AND BARES CLAWS!" he held up his hands as he lunged forward.
"Does this guy never shut up?" Valerie thought aloud as she continued to watch with horrified fascination.
Hak Foo tried to strike at Jackie, though he was clocked, and so tried with the other arm, only to be blocked again. It repeated over and over and over and over, quick succession and rapid fire, as the blows were continuously blocked with the soft thudding of flesh on flesh. Valerie was amazed at seeing someone who was equal to Jackie in martial arts skill, and she didn't know whether to be awed or terrified. But then, suddenly the two men broke away, both rubbing their arms and shaking their hands and wincing from pain. Valerie would have laughed if her heart was not beating frantically with fear.
"Cat shakes off water…" Hak Foo muttered, seemingly a little shaken by the pain. "CAT TEARS SQUIRREL'S HEAD OFF!" he roared as he charged at Jackie, who's eyes widened in their sockets as he quickly dodged and ran for safety. Hak Foo cornered him against one of the machines, though Jackie quickly ran up it and flipped over his opponent, landing behind him. But it seemed Hak Foo anticipated this, and quickly spun around and kicked Jackie in the behind – literally. Jackie yelped, clutching his butt as he stumbled forward.
"Baboon leaves toocus exposed," he muttered.
"I think you're enjoying this," Valerie said, not sure whether to be amused or disapproving. However, before Jackie could say anything, Hak Foo roared as he lunged for the smaller man, and Valerie shrieked in fright as the ferocious beast of a man came speeding towards her friend.
"HUNGRY CRANE DIVING FOR SHRIMP!" he landed right beside Jackie, arms enclosing around him before the other man could do anything to stop him, he was that fast. With a fierce war cry, Valerie watched in horror as Hak Foo spun Jackie around before throwing him against the brick wall. Jackie fell against the ground, hard, groaning softly as he struggled to get up. As she saw Hak Foo advance on her friend, Valerie felt her own anger boil, over-riding her caution as she came charging up behind the bigger man.
"Hey!" she shouted as she approached, causing Hak Foo to turn in time to see her furious face bearing down upon him. "MOTHER OF ALL BUTT-WHOPS FINDS BULLY'S FACE!" she shouted, mocking his earlier commentary as she swung her fist, remembering all the times her father had taught her about defending herself: twisting her body and throwing her weight behind the punch, going for under the jaw to make his teeth smash together. Hak Foo had been unprepared for the force of the blow, and stumbled back. Valerie, ignoring the sudden screaming pain in her knuckles, took her opportunity. "HORSE KICKS FOR THE CROWN JEWELS!" She screeched as she kicked her leg perfectly into the junction between his legs. Hak Foo howled in pain as he doubled over, face going blue as he held his breath he cupped himself with his hands. Believing him down for the count, Valerie quickly strode past him and helped Jackie to his feet.
"Jackie!" Valerie exclaimed worriedly, trying to help the man to his feet, though he seemed to be having trouble finding his balance. "Jackie, come on, we have to – Argh!" she screamed as she was suddenly thrown aside again, landing several feet away in a heavy heap. She looked up in time to see Hak Foo place his feet on either side of Jackie's head. Valerie felt a sickly feeling like ice in her stomach, she'd seen this move in the movies: the neck breaker.
"Black Tiger crushes Chan…" Hak Foo smirked in his victory, and Valerie was about to scream as she saw the awful moment before she would see her friend die. When suddenly, there was a loud bang, and everyone turned to see Uncle strolling into the factory, Jade at his side as they looked over the scene.
"You… Tiger-man," Uncle murmured in a serious and dark tone. "Remove your feet from Jackie!" he ordered with a pointed finger to Hak Foo.
"What's a Jackie…" Jackie asked deliriously.
"Take your leave, or feel the burn," Hak Foo growled out dangerously.
"Uncle!" Valerie exclaimed. "Get Jade out of here!"
"No," Uncle didn't take his eyes off of Hak Foo as he spoke, even though his answer was directed at Valerie. The young woman felt her insides turn to stone with dread as Uncle spoke to Hak Foo. "You talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?"
"Uncle, this guy beat Jackie…" Jade murmured nervously, Valerie was relieved that at least one of them had a lick of sense. Uncle gave no response, merely gently pushed her aside so that the girl stumbled in Valerie's direction. Without further warning, Hak Foo leapt into the air, coming straight towards Uncle like a rhino charging.
"MONKEY PLUCKS TWO PEACHES!" The huge man screamed as her came at Uncle, two fingers out as if he meant to pluck the old man's eyes out. Valerie was about to scream, when all of a sudden, Uncle held up his hand in front of the centre of his face, and calmly blocked Hak Foo's attack. There was a moment of stunned silence, as everyone stared in awe, Hak Foo especially, as if this couldn't possibly be true.
"What the…" Valerie murmured.
"Whoa…" Jade murmured in awe.
"GORILLA STAMPS FRAIL TWIG!" Hak Foo shouted in determination, leaping into the air and bearing down on Uncle with all his weight. Yet strangely, Uncle dashed out of the way, leaving Hak Foo to smash into the cement floor, cracking it, and letting him wobble on unsteady feet for a moment. He turned to look at Uncle in amazement.
"Twig may be frail, but roots are slippery," Uncle said as he faced Hak Foo and balanced perfectly on one leg in a ready combat pose. Valerie had to blink, to make sure that this was really what she was seeing. What on earth was this?!
"Jackie?" Jade asked, bringing Valerie's attention back to her downed friend as the child came up to her uncle. Valerie got to her feet and came to sit with them, helping Jackie into a sitting position as he man rubbed his aching head.
"Uncle?" Jackie asked in wonder and confusion as his eyes recognised the elderly figure now facing off against Hak Foo.
"I swear he's got a death wish," Valerie mumbled.
"RABBIT PUNCH! MULE KICK! LOBSTER CLAW! COBRA COIL! OISTER SHOCK! MOUNTAIN FALL!" Hak Foo yelled each attack, trying his hardest to land at least one blow to his new opponent, getting more frustrated with every time he failed. Uncle always seemed to evade him, and Valerie felt a grin light up her face as she silently cheered for the old man, amazed beyond words at his ability. She promised never to make fun of his old and frail body again if he beat this jerk. As Hak Foo flew past him, Uncle slapped him upside the head with two fingers, making Hak Foo flinch and his eyes went wide with surprise. He landed, turning with a furious growl as he once again leapt back into the air. "ANGRY CROW TAKES FLIGHT!"
"Thank you for sharing, Angry Crow!" Uncle yelled back with a smirk as he too leapt twenty feet into the air, striking out with his foot as he caught Hak Foo in the stomach, making the man cry out as he doubled over in pain and fell to the floor with a loud and heavy "thud". As Uncle landed neatly on his feet, Valerie could have sworn that her jaw hit the floor.
"Jade!" Jackie exclaimed in confusion and wonder. "Uncle just leapt twenty feet into the air!"
"Go Uncle!" Jade cheered.
"He's awesome!" Valerie chimed in. Uncle gave them a small grin. But then, Hak Foo was back on his feet and growling to himself; though this time Valerie smirked triumphantly, knowing that Uncle could more than handle himself. Hak Foo leapt into the air, and held out his leg towards Uncle.
"ELEPHANT THRUSTS ITS LEG!" He shouted, flying across the room towards the elderly man. But then, suddenly, Hak Foo spun in the air and now his fist was pointing directly at Uncle's face, the elderly man unprepared for the cheat as he had made a move to grab the leg lower down, and left himself completely exposed. Valerie couldn't breathe as her eyes widened in disbelief, as she watched Hak Foo smash into Uncle, and send him flying across the room and into a wall, bricks and plaster raining around him until he fell onto the floor. "I meant fist…" Hak Foo smirked with triumph as he landed.
"Uncle!" Jade and Jackie yelled in unison. All Valerie could do was scream as she ran over to the pile of rubble, horrified to see a limp and bony hand sticking out from the rest of the pile. Tears welled up in her eyes as she was quickly joined by Jackie, and they all frantically began to try and dig him. "Uncle are you okay?!" Jackie asked desperately as he uncovered his Uncle's face, his spectacles cracked and scrapes and bruises dotting his face. Valerie felt like she was going to vomit – no matter if Uncle had been a little more springy lately, no one of his age could survive something like that. Her tears were streaming uncontrollably down her face, and she couldn't even mutter any words, her voice refused to work, and she had to hold onto Jackie and Jade with tight fingers in order to keep her balance.
"Say something!" Jade pleaded desperately, and Valerie had to look away, she couldn't bare the sight of it any longer.
"Retire from Talisman hunting, Chan," the voice of Hak Foo said calmly, as if nothing had happened. Valerie glared up at the bigger man, lips pushed into an angry line, her gaze murderous as she stared at his smug smile. "It is a hazardous occupation…"
"MURDERER!" Valerie screamed as she launched herself towards the bigger man, uncaring if her knuckles were probably already broken, uncaring if she knew that she had no chance to do any damage to him, she just wanted to hurt him, she wanted to make him pay for what he'd done! But before her feet could even leave the ground, she felt arms wrap around her waist and pull her back to safety. Jackie held on tightly to her, pulling her against his chest even as she kicked and struggled. She screamed as tears ran down her face, watching as Hak Foo gave her one last sneer before turning and leaving the factory. Valerie lost all fight in her when she no longer saw the man's retreating back, her limbs going limp, and her sobs coming fresh as she turned and buried her face in Jackie's shoulder, her arms wrapping around his neck as she collapsed against him. He held her gently, though she knew he was hiding his own grief, he gently comforted her in hers. Valerie had prayed to never again experience death, she couldn't take it anymore! It wasn't fair! Once again that dreadful night came back to her, and she held on to Jackie as tightly as she'd wished she'd been able to hold on to someone that night. And suddenly, she didn't know who she was crying for: Uncle, or her Father.
"Ow!" came a sudden yelp, and Valerie and Jackie turned in time to see Uncle rise from the pile of bricks, rubbing his head as if all he had done was knock it. Valerie stared in speechless shock, all colour draining from her face for a moment as she wondered if Uncle was some sort of vampire. But then scolded herself, her new world of magic was already fragile in her sense of reality without adding such impossibilities.
"Uncle! You're okay!" Jackie exclaimed happily.
"But… how?!" Valerie whispered, disbelief in her voice as she hesitantly reached out touched his shoulder, as if he might be a ghost.
"Err, see!" Uncle suddenly exclaimed with a big and very false grin. "Lots of garlic is good for you!"
"What?!" Valerie shook her head as she frowned in confusion at the old man. "That can't be right! You just got smashed into a brick wall and act as if you only bumped into it! What is going on here?!" she didn't mean to sound angry, but her confusion and earlier grief were becoming too much for her tired mind to handle.
"That is not important now," Uncle told her seriously, before standing up and walking away quickly as if nothing was amiss. "We must get the Pig Talisman before the big-mouth finds it!" he said gravely.
"Let's roll!" Jade said happily.
"Am I the only one who is just a little concerned by what just happened?!" Valerie held up her hands as she looked to the ceiling in exasperation.
"But we don't know where it is!" Jackie told the others. "I was trying to look for it, but it's not here,"
"That's what you were doing in here?" Valerie asked with a frown.
"Of course, what else would I be doing?" Jackie said innocently. "But it's not here, and we have no idea where else it could be,"
"Oh yes we do," Jade smiled triumphantly.
"What? Where?" Jackie asked in shock.
"The clock tower!" the girl exclaimed.
"Yes, I know," Valerie murmured.
"WHAT?!" Jackie's eyes widened further as he turned around to stare at her. "How did you know?"
"Yeah, you weren't with us when me and Uncle saw it earlier," Jade said.
"Did nobody read the tourist guide?!" Valerie asked them as if they were idiots, looking at them as if they'd just grown another head. "On the page about the clock tower, it has a picture of the pig – you can see the talisman stuck on its head!" she exclaimed.
"Oh…" the others murmured, cheeks heating in embarrassment. Valerie sighed.
They then made their way out of the chocolate factory, and quickly ran through town towards the centre square. Seeing as the clock tower itself was public property, it didn't have the greatest security system, and therefore it was all too easy to break in. They quickly made their way up through the tower towards the inner working of the clock face itself, hoping to be able to get to the Talisman from there. Jade was the first up as she climbed the rickety wooden stairs, Jackie and Valerie not far behind her.
"See the oinker at twelve o'clock?" Jade smiled as she pointed to the dormant marionette of the pig in a lederhosen outfit on the spinning deck, which worked like a coo-coo clock with the pig chiming the symbols. Right now, the pig was bent over as it waited for the chiming of the next hour, giving them all a brilliant view of the pig talisman in its hat.
"Told you so," Valerie grinned at Jackie.
"Ellen's sporting a pork pie hat," Jade held up her hand for high-five, which Valerie eagerly gave her. "Me and Uncle spotted it when the clock chimed – Tohru!"
Valerie spun around in time to see Tohru pinning a struggling Jackie against his chest. Valerie grabbed onto Jade and pulled her close and out of harm's way in case any more of the Dark Hand were about. And sure enough, out of the shadows walked Hak Foo.
"Many thanks," the red haired man smirked, and Valerie repressed the urge to growl as she pushed Jade behind her protectively. "For leading us to the prize,"
"You are not welcome," Uncle growled out as he stepped out from behind Tohru's shadow and crossed his arms as he glared at Hak Foo. Valerie was sickly pleased to see the colour drain from Hak Foo's face as he bumbled for a way to explain this.
"You?! But… elephant fist –"
"Not as good as you thought, bully?" Valerie sneered at him.
"Why so afraid?" Tohru asked Hak Foo, and everyone noticed how Tohru seemed to not like Hak Foo either if his mocking tone was anything to go by. "He is an old man,"
"Heh," Uncle grumbled as he calmly walked up to Tohru and grabbed Jackie's arms. Tohru seemed confused as he watched, not doing anything to prevent Uncle from getting close. Uncle then cocked Jackie's elbows at a right angle, and then began to drill them repeatedly into Tohru's stomach, causing the large man to grunt continuous as the blows came in fast succession, winging the behemoth as his eyes widened with the pain. And then, Uncle leapt up onto Tohru's shoulders and head butted him. Valerie wanted to yell something; for logic dictated that Uncle would have broken something from hitting a man like Tohru in such a fierce head-butt, but Uncle merely leapt off and landed lightly on his feet as Tohru hit the ground heavily, groaning, his arms going limp and allowing Jackie to go free.
"Four against one," Jade said fiercely. "We can take 'em!"
"Jade!" Jackie whispered frantically, reaching for his niece and pulling her towards him. "The talisman!"
"Err… right!" she murmured before turning around and running off behind them towards the stairs that would lead her to the talisman. Valerie contained her nerves, knowing that Jade would be safer retrieving the talisman then she would in the fight, and so Valerie put her fists up, ready to fight. Though she wasn't the martial artist like Jackie, she still knew a few dirty tricks, even with her eyes scanning the room for anything she could use as a weapon.
"You, family size, stop the girl! Sit on her – do something!" Hak Foo ordered, and Valerie saw the way Tohru's eyes twitched with anger at the insult. The large man got to his feet with a growl, before stomping towards where Jade was headed.
"I got Jade!" Valerie said as she quickly followed the larger man, her mind screaming at her that she was being stupid, she couldn't take on Tohru! But then, it was either that or get in the way as Uncle and Jackie took on Hak Foo. She managed to catch up to the big man as he tried to corner Jade, though the elusive little girl managed to duck under him and move out of his way before the big man could catch her. Jade thankfully ran into Valerie's arms, as the woman put the girl behind her, hoping to block her from Tohru, though she gulped loudly as the big man came stomping towards her. "Get to the stairs!" Valerie told the girl, focusing on Tohru, and noticing a workbench not too far away, littered with maintenance tools. Valerie quickly darted towards it and hefted a crowbar, ready to swing it as soon as Tohru came too close. The sumo seemed to weigh the new level of threat she posed, and began to advance carefully. Valerie managed to sneak a quick look towards Uncle and Jackie, noticing how they were both holding in their own in stalemate battle between the pair of them and Hak Foo, Jackie getting caught in the mechanisms of the clock before Uncle had to pull him out.
"Argh!" Tohru roared as he charged, forcing Valerie to spin back around to face him with a shriek of surprise and fear. She barely managed to dodge out of the way of the man's hands that tried to grab her, her slimmer figure easier to slip out of the way at just the last moment. Spinning Valerie swung the crowbar into Tohru's wrist, smacking his arm away from her. Tohru cried out in pain, shaking his hand to relieve himself of the throbbing hurt.
"What's the matter with you?!" they both heard Hak Foo shout at Tohru as he blocked blows from Jackie and Uncle. "Make that fat of yours useful for something and squash her!"
"Never thought you would be the one taking orders from such a jerk," Valerie said almost thoughtfully as she dodged out of the big man's grasp when Tohru angrily made a swipe for her, though she could tell that the big man's anger wasn't focused on her.
"Believe me," Tohru growled out in frustration. "This is not something of my choosing,"
"You know Tohru, you really should consider joining the good side," Valerie said as if she were talking about the weather as she backed up away from Tohru, hoping to lead him further away from Jade's position. Valerie quickly cast her eyes upwards to see Jade walking across the plank to the pig and jumping to try and reach his hat. She turned her attention back to Tohru as she swung at him again, causing him to hesitate in his attack. "Section 13 has a marvellous dental plan, and every Thursday is donut-day!" she winked at him cheekily.
"ARGH!" everyone turned to see Hak Foo leap through the air, landing on the decking beside Jade as he greedily snatched at the Talisman that she couldn't reach. Valerie felt her heart drop as she saw the triumphant look in Hak Foo's eyes, an evil smile spreading across his face.
"Jackie!" Jade called out in warning.
"Jade!" Valerie called out, abandoning her fight with Tohru and running towards the rickety stairs. But then, she felt Tohru's massive hand clamp around her arm, pinning her in place, no matter how much she struggled. She saw Uncle and Jackie make their way upwards through the mechanisms of the clock, at least they were on their way.
But then, Valerie was distracted by a flash of light, and her heart sank as she looked up to see Hak Foo holding Jade at bay easily with one hand… and the talisman glowing in the other.
"Give me – whoa…" Jade cut herself off from her struggling, recognising what Valerie had. With quick desperation, Valerie swung her crowbar with her free arm, smashing it onto Tohru's upper arm. He cried out and loosened his grip just long enough for Valerie to wriggle free and sprint after Jackie and Uncle, soon joining them on the plank leading to Hak Foo and Jade. They all froze when they saw that Hak Foo's eyes had started to… glow?
Suddenly, bright beams shot from Hak Foo's eyes, coming straight towards them, Valerie screamed as Jackie tackled her to the ground, the wind being knocked from her lungs on impact. They barely managed to miss the beam, and hearing a loud crash behind them, all blood drained from Valerie's face when she turned to see that the path way behind them had been incinerated. She gulped: this was why she didn't like work in the field.
"The lucky pig was how grand-papa Furcle melted his coco-beans!" Jackie gasped in amazement. Uncle gave him a dead-pan stare, Valerie surprised herself when she did what she liked to call the 'uncle-thing', and slapped Jackie upside the head with two fingers.
"Heat-beam eye blast?" Hak Foo said thoughtfully as he looked at the talisman in his hand. Then, he turned to the others, baring his teeth as he pumped his chest with mounting anger, eyes beginning to glow once again, and Valerie felt her heart stop. "HEAT BEAM EYE BLAST –!"
Dong! Chimed the bell in the clock tower, so loud that Valerie had to duck her head and cover her ears, even as the entire room seem to tremble with the force of the sound. The bells continued to chime, and Valerie was only aware of the need to move when Jackie hauled her to her feet and pushed her forward as the rest of the walkway beneath them began to crumble. Then, the lucky pig came to life, the springs and mechanisms making it stand straight as the wheel it was on began to turn, Jade just hopping clear as Hak Foo and the pig where spun until they went out a door that led outside. Jackie quickly came to set Jade right, before all four of them hopped onto the wheel and went with it as it turned once again, taking them all outside just in time to see Hak Foo dizzily teeter towards the edge, before falling off. They all leant over to see Hak Foo clinging to the hour hand of the clock face, his hands gripping on for dear life.
"Time is not on his side," Uncle murmured.
"If this situation wasn't quite so serious, I would laugh," Valerie snorted.
"Pft, Freelancer," came a voice, and everyone turned in surprise to see Tohru standing behind them smirking down at Hak Foo. But then, Tohru's eyes seemed to catch on something on Uncle. Valerie saw something in his eyes, and quickly latched onto Uncle shoulders, just as Tohru snatched at Uncle's shirt. Valerie felt Uncle bounce in her palms, as if he'd been preparing to jump, but couldn't help it now, she swung Uncle around, Tohru going with them as he kept his grip on Uncle's front. Suddenly, the big man yelled as his foot slipped over the edge, and he quickly fell from the perch; a soft 'snap' accompanying him as his hand was ripped from Uncle's shirt, though the clothing itself was undamaged. Valerie held on to Uncle as they backed away to safety, watching as Tohru fell, clutching on to the minuet hand on the clock face to stop his deadly fall.
"Heat beam eye blast!" They heard Hak Foo growl up at them just in time.
But before he could blast them, Tohru shifted in place… and the minute hand moved, and then more, and more… And then, Tohru was screaming as he fell backwards with the minute handle, smashing straight into Hak Foo, and sending them both falling towards the market square below. Unfortunately, Hak Foo's beam was still in effect, and as he fell the beam sliced through the clock tower in a zig-zag pattern. The two men luckily fell onto a truck of Furcles Chocolates, which managed to break their fall… with Tohru squashing Hak Foo. There was a moment of silence for the four still on the clock tower… before Valerie could have sworn she felt a rumbling beneath her feet.
"Look out!" Valerie shrieked as the clock tower began to crumble and fall as the supports crumbled where they had been blasted apart by the heat blast. The tower was falling backwards, and Jackie and Uncle were looking over the edge worriedly, even as Jade clung to Valerie.
"Save Jade!" Uncle called out to Jackie as he parted the two females and handed Jade to Jackie. "Quickly!" without another word of encouragement, Jackie jumped off of the edge of the falling tower and began to run down the wall that was levelling out with the tower's fall. "Come on!" Valerie's head snapped back to Uncle as the old man grabbed her wrist and dragged her with him to the edge, Valerie shrieked as Uncle threw them both over, his hand tight on her wrist as he pulled her along. They began running too, Valerie panting from both exertion and pure terror as she realised that she was running on a collapsing building, one that could potentially kill her! They were perhaps fifteen feet from the ground, when they saw that the tower was ripping as the foundations stayed in the ground even as the rest of the tower fell. They all screamed as Jackie leapt into the air with Jade, and Uncle pulled Valerie along as they clumsily jumped up… only to land on the soft cloth overhang outside the nearest shop.
Valerie lay there for a moment, catching her breath, blinking her eyes as she took a moment to wonder how on earth she was still alive… and then whispering all of her thanks to the heavens for her continued existence. She would have kissed the ground if she were on it, a hysterical giggle bubbling up her throat at the thought that she had once again come close to death and had survived. She looked to the others as they panted to regain their breath, feeling like cheering so that they too could share in her happiness. But as she looked to Uncle, she saw the old man patting his shirt and then his pockets, as if he were looking for misplaced keys, a worried and almost frightened expression coming over his face. Valerie frowned, all mirth draining from her as she felt something suspicious well up inside of her, her stomach forming into a solid pit of dread.
Uncle quickly climbed down from their makeshift landing pad, his movements a little more stiff then before. He then hobbled his way towards the truck, Valerie, Jackie and Jade at his heels, each exchanging suspicious and confused glances. They arrived at the truck to see a Hak Foo laying crumpled and unconscious, his face bloody and bruised, his breathing a little uneven and ragged, it was very clear that Hak Foo wouldn't be back in action for anytime soon. Yet noticing something, Valerie looked around, believing herself to be mistaken, but… but there was no sign of Tohru anywhere.
"Aieya!" Uncle whispered in horror, hands going to his face with a look of despair. "It is not here!"
"What is not here, Uncle?" Jackie asked suspiciously.
"The Dog Talisman!" Uncle exclaimed in panic as he spun to face Jackie.
"The Dog?" he asked.
"Yes! Tohru took it from me when we were at the top of the tower, now he is gone, and with him the talisman!" Uncle said hurriedly.
"Wait, wait," Valerie said, holding her hands out to stop the old man's panicked rambling. "Why would you have the Dog Talisman here?"
"I… I…" he looked between their faces, fear evident there, the only time Valerie had ever seen it.
"Uncle, tell them," Jade said softly. Uncle sighed, a defeated look in his old eyes.
"I discovered that the Dog Talisman is the talisman of immortality," he murmured softly. "It makes its holder unable to die and restores youthful energies… I… I just wanted to be young again…"
"And now the Dark Hand has it…" Valerie murmured uneasily as she glanced at Jackie's worried face.
"At least they didn't get the pig," Jade chimed in as she stood up from where she had been crouched behind one of the wheels of the truck, the Pig Talisman in her hands, plucked from where it had rolled out of Hak Foo's hand and hidden in the shadows. "And between Immortality and Heat-beam eyes, I think I know which one I would rather the Dark Hand have,"
"Yeah," Jackie murmured, before turning back to Uncle with a soft smile. "I guess so,"
"Jackie… thank you for letting me re-experience my youth," Uncle murmured gratefully, a look of calm and gratefulness upon his elderly face. Which was shattered in the next second when Uncle yelled: "But being young is too dangerous! And EXHAUSTING! Uncle needs a nap…"
"You earned it Uncle," Jade said with a loving smile as she hugged the old man.
"See Jade," Jackie turned with a smile towards his niece as he gestured towards the destruction of the clock tower. "As Tohru demonstrated: One cannot turn back the hands of time," Valerie laughed.
Shendu had seen how nervous Valmont had been as they waited in his office. Valmont had come to tell him that a freelancer by the name of Hak Foo was leading a mission in Bavaria to retrieve the pig talisman. Shendu would have drummed his claws with impatience just to watch as Valmont fidgeted uneasily under the strain of having to wait with the demon statue. To any other eyes, it would appear as if Valmont was as collected and calm as ever; but Shendu knew better: the constant twitch of fingers, the furrowed brow, or the way he crossed and uncrossed his legs. It was very easy to tell and Shendu almost enjoyed each second of it. He wanted to see the fear in the human, although it wasn't at the level with which Shendu would have liked.
Finally they received the call from Tohru that he was returning, and the pair waited in the office in silence for the hours until Tohru arrived. It was like a silent battle of wills, neither willing to give in or address the other to see who would hold out the longest. Shendu knew he would, obviously, he'd had centuries of practise on this. But eventually the sumo finally stepped through the doors of the office, a little worse-for-wear it in his appearance, which Shendu had come to know meant that Tohru had had a run-in with Chan. Which in turn meant that he had lost the Talisman. Shendu tried to hold back his anger enough so that he might at least hear their pitiful screams for mercy; obviously Valmont was in need of another reminder as to how serious Shendu was in his threats.
"I have the Dog Talisman, master," Tohru said with a bowed head.
Shendu had been about to activate the dragon talisman and incinerate the sumo, when his words cut through the dragon's mind. He paused, staring at the large human in shock.
"You did?" Valmont asked, seemingly just as surprised as Shendu himself. Without a word, Tohru placed something onto Valmont's desk: the Dog Talisman, the power of immortality. Shendu would have grinned if he could. "And what of Hak Foo?" he heard Valmont ask.
"He failed," Tohru murmured, and Shendu thought he spied the faintest of twitches in the enforcer's lips that could have grown into a smirk. But just as quickly, it was gone.
"Here we are then Shendu, you're third Talisman." Valmont said coldly as he turned to place the dog talisman into one of the slots on Shendu's body. Shendu felt a warmth spread through his stone scales as the talisman activated and he felt its power fill him, settling into his very core and giving him more energy than he seemed able to expend in his still form. He was silent as regarded Valmont for a long moment, drawing out the tension as he studied the human with a mental sneer.
"One talisman is better than none, I suppose," Shendu muttered. Valmont and Tohru visibly breathed a sigh of relief. "But do not misplace my leniency for complacency." He snapped. "I still demand that no more talismans be lost. Is that clear?"
"Yes Shendu," Valmont muttered.
A/N: So, I apologise for my long absence. Unfortunately, University work and completing one of my other stories got in my way. But now I'm back and I hope to be updating on a much more regular basis! :) I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and the little twists I put into it. Please review, as I would love to hear your thoughts!
Also, someone asked in the reviews how long this story would be. To answer for all readers: I plan to make this story span the first and second season, so I hope that's okay!
Until next time! :)