Return of the Old World
Ch6: Welcome to the New World!
On the rooftop Capstone Industries of nightmare San Francisco, Jackie Chan slowly comes too. He looks around to see his allies Tohru, Armon, and Ja-also all restrained by some sort of black magic straps. His vision is foggy at first but then looks up to see the Post Apocalyptic future version of Rath menacingly staring down on him with crystal ball containing Uncle's soul also looking down on him.
Jackie: Uhhh… My head…
Once the group realizes he's awake Jade and Wrench both walk up. Jade is hesitant but she puts out the palm of her hand revealing the Dragon Talisman while Wrench aims his AR at Jackie's head. El Toro and Juniper Lee are standing over the edge of the rooftop looking out and making sure there are no nearby threats and Viper is nowhere to be seen.
Jackie: This is how you greet your guests in the future?
The anger in Uncle's voice shakes the crystal as he replies with "DO NOT DARE SPEAK ABOUT CUSTOMS AND PLEASANTRIES SHAPESHIFTER! FIRST YOU TAKE JACKIE AND TOHRU FROM US NOW YOU TAKE THEIR FORMS?!". The bass tin he apparition's voice wakes the others, Tohru looks up at the deceased variant of his sensei with a great sense of fear for their own life lives.
Tohru: Sensei it's us! Jackie and Tohru!
Future Uncle: Uncle does NOT believe you!
Ja-Kal: If I may, you are both sorcerers with a great wealth of knowledge over the mystic arts. Surely you must know spells to verify we are speaking the truth!
The now adult Jade raises an eyebrow and looks at her chained Uncle. The fear in their eyes are very apparent, even in Ja-Kal's foggy whites it conveys a sense of trouble.
Meanwhile back in the real world, Uncle and Rath now have multiple spell books and scattered across the floor. Uncle is skimming through the various textbooks while Rath peers into the minds of the unconscious heroes.
Uncle: I think I find the spell that will allow to communicate with them. Have you located them?
Rath then turns his ally with a concerned look on his face. He tells Uncle, "Yes but it looks we already found them…". Uncle lowers his glasses and raises his eye brow confused at what he just heard so Rath waves his hand and transparent image of what's going on in Ja-Kal's mind hovers the group's heads. Uncle raises his glasses because he is in pure disbelief.
Uncle: Oh no, this not good.
Rath using his magic is able to zoom in on their future counterparts and look at how unkind time has been to them. Rath begins to touch his own nose checking to see how firm it is upon his body and Uncle looks closely at the crystal ball that holds his soul.
Uncle: I did not like being in a crystal ball before, I can only imagine what has happened.
Rath: We must act and quickly! They must leave through the nightmare's version of the Western Gate!
Uncle then nods and the two of them begin to cast the spell. The two sorcerers begin to wave their arms almost in sync causing a breeze to enter the Sphinx seemingly out of nowhere. This breeze eventually turns into a small but power mystic vortex illuminated by green energy. The vortex encompasses the entire group. The two of them begin to hover, their eyes glowing green.
Back in the nightmare of Ja-Kal Jackie and the others plea their case to the others. Armon even tries to reason with them pleading with Rath, "Rath look ol' buddy, I know I haven't been the best tombmate. But I promise you it's really me! Let me out of these chains and I'll-" but as he says this Viper materializes behind him using the Snake Talisman, she puts her hands on his shoulder which scares Armon.
Viper: I'd pipe down a if I was you big boy.
Armon then decides shut his mouth and begins grimace. He turns to Jackie and Ja-Kal who he's counting on to speak for him. He leans over with his head as a gesture to speak with the post apocalyptic version of their allies. Jackie nods and then turns looking up at the decaying Rath and spirit Uncle.
Jackie: Please you have to understand this is all dream inside Ja-Kal's mind! We can help you!
This statement catches the attention of El Toro who was leaning on the edge of the rooftop railing while looking out alongside Juniper Lee. He looks at them with disgust, the former wrestler asks the imprisoned heroes, "A DREAM?!". Jackie and Tohru look to see their ally walk over to them oozing out grief with every step.
El Toro: When the first Apathocans came they ravaged Los Almas. I did what I could to hold them off but so many died. Later Paco and I lead mass exodus to this very city!
As the former Luchadore gets closer to the group the tears he's failing to hold back become more visible. The group of captured heroes can feel the sadness and the anger from where they are sitting. Jackie and Tohru look to see El Toro's eyes are filled with rage and sadness. He leans down to Jackie's level, the tears are now streaming down his cheeks. Jackie feels a great sense of pity for his friend and grief over the fact that Paco was killed in this cruel future.
El Toro: I held him in my arms… As he faded away…. HOW DARE YOU?!
Jackie: El Toro, I am sorry for your loss I truly am. But you have to believe us please!
Ja-Kal: Rath I watched you kill a zombified Armon! How could Armon be here if something wasn't wrong with this world?
The adult Jade then turns to the two undead sorcerers she looks at the concerned. She turns to the Crystal Ball holding her Uncle's spirit.
Jade: Uncle I know you can read his mind or do some kind of truth spell or something!
Future Uncle: Eh, Does it look like if Uncle has Diana's lasso?
She shakes her head and shifts her focus towards Rath and he clearly begins to ponder the request of Jade. The mummified scholar strokes his chin and looks up at the sky almost as if he's looking for something.
Future Rath: It wouldn't hurt to peer into their minds.
From behind the group the voice of adult Juniper is trying to get the attention of the group, "Uhh guys…." only to be waved off by Rath who begins to chanting in Egyptian. Juniper's eyes widen in shock as she tries to get everyone's attention.
Juniper: Guys!
Future Uncle: Not now!
The pair of surviving sorcerers peer into their mind and see the memories of the group in the dream world and the nightmares Ja-Kal has been having. They see their battle on the Western Gate and they are all defeated by an unknown force but not before they destroy the Western Gate once and for all. Their bodies lay around the dried up Bay. They then see the bodies of their captives unconscious in the real world. The two future sorcerers snap out of the trance and look at each other nodding. Juniper yells out one more time "GUYS!". The group of heroes both post apocalyptic and captive look to see two ginormous floating holographic heads of both Uncle and Rath floating across from their view. These are projections of the real current day Uncle and Rath.
El Toro: So it's true, we are not real…
Uncle: Yes and No.
Rath: You are visions based on a future that has yet to come. Someone has been tampering reality including time, space, and magic.
Uncle: This is why Ja-Kal and the others are here physically.
Future Uncle: We are destined to die?
Rath: Yes, but that can be prevented. The Western Gate in this nightmare is actually a portal back to the dream world. Once there we can talk back our 4 companions and find you a new world, a better one.
Wrench takes his mask off in disbelief revealing that now both sides of his face have been burn almost like a brand mark. They all look at the group of captive heroes somewhat confused except the future variants of Uncle and Rath. This version of Rath waves his hand releasing the heroes of their chains. They all begin to pick themselves up but before Jackie can do that the future variant of Viper offers him a hand up, Jackie nods at the version of his old flame and takes her hand up. They all gather in a circle and the Raths and Uncles create a hologram of the ruins of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Western Gate below it.
Rath: The spell you use to close the Western Gate in the future should give Ja-Kal's subconscious the jump start it needs.
Future Uncle: You know of the spell we plan to use?
Future Rath: So it does work?
Uncle: That we are unsure of but the mystical energies should be enough to seal the Western Gate shut.
Jackie: So what is the plan?
Future Rath: Chuckles and I prepare the spell while the rest of you defend us and then we enter the Wester Gate in the nick of time!
The group all look at each other, somewhat surprised that the two future sorcerer variants aren't divulging too much of their plans. The present day pair of sorcerers then turn their eyes to the group.
Uncle: Are there any questions?
Armon raises his regular arm and the projection of the real Uncle nods his head letting the mummified gentle giant take the floor for his question.
Armon: Can those of use from the real world die in the dream world?
Uncle rolls eyes and sharply responses with "Aiyah! YOU ARE DEAD IN THE REAL WORLD OF COURSE YOU CAN DIE IN THE DREAM WORLD! Anymore questions?….". The group all tell the sorcerers non verbally they have no questions either shaking their heads, shrugging, or just slowly backing up.
Uncle: Good, now go to the western gate!
The projections of the present day Uncle and Rath fade and the now collective group of heroes makes the trek to dried up San Francisco Bay. The group of heroes walk through the dried up with the exception of Ja-Kal flying above them, the futuristic version of Rath holds the crystal ball of Uncle while walking alongside Wrench taking point. Jackie walks alongside a now adult Jade and the post apocalyptic Viper while taking the rear is Tohru, El Toro Fuerté, Juniper Lee, and an armored Armon. Jackie looks at the group of these heroes doing their best to survive. He sees the defeated looks in their eyes so he finally asks the question that has been on his mind since entering this nightmare.
Jackie: So… What happened?
The two women both look at Jackie kind of dumbfounded at the question so they both respond at the same with equal bitterness in their voice, "The end of the world…", which causes Jackie to awkwardly chuckle.
Jackie: Well yes of course but, I guess…. HOW did it happen?
The women look at each other nodding and begin to tell their ally what they know about the world ending.
Jade: Well, one day the Apathocans started coming out of the sky. They attacked large population centers, focal points of lay lines, and any group of people that they considered a threat to their rule. The uglies barged into the shop that day while we were cleaning you held them off while we escaped.
Jackie: Oh… But what about-
Viper: The talismans? Well there's some backstory to that. For starters, it took sometime but eventually basically any surviving hero, soldier, criminal mastermind, monster, politician, and their mother banned together not just this world but across worlds to fight these Cthulhu knockoffs. We were so desperate for a win that Uncle and a few other sorcerers decided to make a deal with a devil we know…
Jackie: Shendu?
Jade: Yep, about fiveish years ago Uncle and a handful of surviving sorcerers like our ol' buddy Daolon Wong freed not just Shendu, but they also busted out Draco and the extended family.
Viper: Uncle pleaded with the leaders of the resistance movement to provide back up for this massive siege they were planning out but they said they couldn't spare anyone else. So Uncle and the demon sorcerers lead the charge anyway against the Apathocans.
Jackie: So what happened then?
Viper sarcastically retorts, "Ah what didn't happen?!". The group gets closer and closer to the Western Gate the translucent statues of Egyptian soldiers under the split in half Golden Gate Bridge. Viper continues the story as they march closer to their destination. She tells Jackie, "Shendu and his family lead the assault and it was a bloodbath. It's how I got this shiner right here.", as she says this Viper points at her now one blind eye.
Viper: It's how El Toro lost Paco, how Juniper lost her family, Captain Black and most of Section Thirteen, Wrench lost the remainder of his buddies at Deadsec, the mummies lost Nefertina, and we lost Tohru.
Jackie looks shellshocked at them as processes the loss of all these different people some of them he hasn't even met yet in the real world. He looks down for a brief moment in absolute disbelief that this could possibly be the future.
Jade: Before Daolon Wong kicked the bucket, he transferred Uncle's soul into a crystal ball knowing that they would have a better chance of surviving with Uncle.
Jackie: That doesn't sound like Daolon Wong…
Jade: He was eaten alive by Margwa's literally right after.
Jackie: Oh makes sense.
Viper: After the blood bath, Uncle sent myself and Juniper to retrieve some of the talisman's off Shendu. We couldn't get all the good ones but we were able to get the ones you see us you. The rest were taken by the Shadowman…
Jackie: The Shadowman?
Jade: Leader of the Apathocans, think if a pile of tentacles in a dapper suit and bowler hat.
Jackie slowly begins to process everything he's been told, a sadness washes over him as hears all the nonstop death that has happened.
Jackie: I'm so sorry.
Jade: Don't be we're not technically real! We're just visions of the future brought to life because the fabric of the universe is all jacked up or whatever Uncle said.
Jackie: You're here aren't you? You all look. Pretty real to me and that's all that matters.
The group of heroes arrives at the very foot of the Western Gate.
Future Uncle: So what we thought was a portal to Duat is actually the subconscious of a deadman, I am not sure which is more terrifying…
The spirit of Uncle looks up from his ball to see Ja-Kal hovering right at the Western Gate. The mummified warrior puts his hand up right at the metaphysical barrier causing it to rippled like a stone dropping in the water.
Future Uncle: Ja-Kal, you have relived this moment many nights… what should we prepare for.
The sound of a shrill screech can be heard in the distance and the group turn to the right and Ja-Kal murmurs to himself "Right on time". A small group of what looks rather large flies glowing yellow and frantically toward them but leading the charge are three Apothiconian sorcerers in robes flying with parasitic insects. The sound of roars off in the distance behind them can be heard, the group looks to see a large heard of zombies and various other Apthiconian monsters stampeding toward them.
Future Rath: I need time to prepare the spell so they don't follow us into the dream world!
Juniper: We can give you time!
Future Uncle: Tohru! I may require your assistance help us! Jackie, you and the others form a perimeter!
Jackie, Viper, Jade, and Armon form a perimeter around the sorcerers while Wrench, El Toro, and Juniper Lee look on at the encroaching herd of monsters.
Wrench: You think we survive this?
Juniper: According to them we've died doing this before… I don't really care what happens.
Wrench then cocks his gun putting his finger on the trigger and Juniper begins to lean her body like she's about sprint. El Toro is the most quiet of the three he looks at the Ox Talisman one last before clenching it in his fist, he closes his eyes takes a deep breath and he thinks about Paco cheering him on all those years ago. The Luchadore opens his eyes and a deep fire of rage sits behind them.
El Toro: PACOOOOO! IM COMING HOME!
The wrestler leads the charge into the stampede of monsters with Juniper and Wrench trailing behind. El Toro collides with a Margwa while Juniper jumps into the fray and Wrench starts running and gunning. Ja-Kal begins to fight the various flying monsters with his fiery arrows and the claws of his gauntlets he zips around the battlefield as fast as he can fly. Despite the best efforts of El Toro and the others there are monsters that are able to sneak past and charge at the two sorcerers working to close the Western Gate. They however are lit up by the fire of the Dragon Talisman and energy blasts from Tohru's Pufferfish. Jackie and Viper both look at each other smiling, Viper asks Jackie "Like old times?" to which Jackie replies with, "Just like old times!". The two of them jump into the fray alongside Armon who yells out "Let's kick Tut!" which elicits a small chuckle from the two adventurers.
Ja-Kal begins to grapple with one of the Apathocans midair, the mummy crushes the creature's stone hands and as floats back Ja-Kal shoots fiery arrow in the direct center of the creature's forehead. Ja-Kal begins to shoot down the various Parasites that are flying in mass but is then caught by surprise by an energy blast from across the battlefield causing him to be flung back towards the Western Gate, as he is hurdled towards the portal to Duat something catches they eyes of the two sorcerers working on the sealing spell. Ja-Kal catches himself midair but as hovers by the gate an astral form of Ja-Kal leaves his physical body while he simultaneously "glitches" until he falls on the ground dead at Armon's feet.
Armon: JA-KAL! WHAT HAPPENED?!
The Future version of Rath looks at mummified ally telling him "The spell is working! Your Ja-Kal has left our Ja-Kal's body!" to which Armon then asks the sorcerers "So should he be waking up now?". The ground then shakes beneath them and off in the distance two figures are floating in the air. Although they can't see who they are one is very clearly a man and the other a woman. The man is wearing a suit of some kind, his hair and beard a grey and he wears a bowler hat. This the Shadow Man leader of the Apathocans. The woman levitating alongside is a pale white she wears a blood red jacket and black leather pants and her hair was as dark as the night sky. The woman is Stephanie Edgley more commonly known in the magic community as Valkryie Cain but she has clearly relapsed back into Daquesse.
Future Rath: We need to get you all out of here!
Darquesse crashes down into the horde of monsters and goes straight for El Toro, using her arcane abilities she pulls him toward her telepathically. El Toro strains trying to break free but nothing seems to work he stares back into her pitch black eyes fearing nothing. He yells back at her, "DO YOUR WORST!" which causes the evil sorceress to grin and punches right through El Toro's gut. Juniper and Wrench both see this and immediately charge at Darquesse. Wrench is able to pop some shots off but the dark alter ego of Valkryie uses her powers to stop the bullets midair just by simply putting her hand up. The pair still charges at her is then halted by two Margwa, Wrench is shoulder checked by one of the large beasts with such force you can hear his legs breaking and his mask falls off his face and rolls onto the ground the zombified masses gather around Wrench who tries to take out some of them but has ran out of ammo the former grey hat hacker dies screaming as he's devoured by the undead. Juniper is able to jump around the two Margwa, she is about to jump Daruqesse but from behind is impales a large rock that Darquesse summoned. Juniper tries to pull herself out of the rock but dies before she is successful. The remaining heroes watch all this from afar and see Darquesse march over towards them.
Future Uncle: Aiyah! You must all leave! Quickly!
Armon: You don't have to tell me twice!
Right before he runs into the portal Armon lifts massive chunk of rock from the ground throwing into the massive horde charging. He runs back into the Western Gate now presumably safe, Tohru but he creates an invisible barrier that separates them from the horde.
Tohru: This should give you enough time to finish the spell and crossover!
Tohru then bows at the variant of his Sensei and their newfound ally Rath before crossing over into the Western Gate. The future version of Rath raises the crystal ball of Uncle and it begins to levitate into the hair floating above their heads and glowing. Light begins to shine out from the ball and the spirit of Uncle begins to snicker to himself. The various monsters begin to beat on the invisible barrier but then stop as Darquesse approaches the barrier. She stands at the barrier and begins to punch the invisible barrier causing the ground to shake and cracks in the barrier to appear.
Viper: Jackie you have to go!
Jackie: But the spell is not finished!
Jade: We can protect Uncle and Egypt's Merlin knockoff but you need to get back to the real world!
Jackie: No! My Uncle and Rath can still help find a new home!
Jade looks back to see Darquesse doing some serious damage to the barrier to the point where it's now visible and looking like it's about to shatter at any moment. Jade hugs her Uncle and looks at him with tears in her eyes, "She tells him get home safe! We need you to save Presley and stop this from happening! Don't let them use the Summoning Key!". Jackie is dumbfounded by this unsure of how to react.
Jackie: Jade, no listen! We can find you all a new dream world to stay just-
Viper then takes Jackie by surprise kissing him one last time and then pushes him into the Western Gate, as she does the force field falls and the masses of undead charge at the small group of survivors. Jackie is able to see Viper fight off some of the undead while Jade uses the Dragon Talisman one last time engulfing many of the monsters in flames. Rath points the palms of his hands up towards Uncle's crystal ball and beams of light shoot down from the ball into the palms of the mummified sorcerer causing a large explosion that engulfs the entire Bay. Jackie finds himself in the white void of the dream world again. He frantically searches for his allies.
Jackie: JADE! UNCLE! TOHRU! ARMON! VIPER! WHERE ARE YOU?!
Someone then grabs his arm seemingly from nowhere telling Jackie, "I am right here Jackie!". Jackie then awakes back inside the museum's Sphinx, he looks up to see Uncle is holding his arms and looks to see Ja-Kal is now awake and picking himself back up. Jackie sees Armon and Tohru discussing what just happened in the nightmare. Jackie without second thought quickly hugs Uncle, the old Chi Wizard slowly hugs him back patting him on the back as he does. Jackie is very clearly shaken by this experience he tells Uncle as fights back the tears of knowing the fate of his niece, Uncle, and other allies.
Jackie: It felt so real...
Uncle: It is real, unless we do something about it!
Jackie and Uncle let go of each other, Jackie pulls his phone from his pocket to see that he has ten missed calls from Amanda. The good natured archeologist murmurs to himself "Oh no!" and he quickly gets up on his feet and rushes to call her back. Inside the chalk circle, Ja-Kal picks himself as Rath walks over to him to check on his ally.
Rath: How do you feel?
Ja-Kal: Like I died!
Rath: Well, you're not wrong. Take sometime to rest you will be needed out in the battlefield soon enough.
Ja-Kal: What has happened while I have been incapacitated?
Rath: Rapses has been taken!
Ja-Kal's eyes widen in anger. He is angry at himself for being occupied by visions of the future and not being around to protect Rapses. The mummy's fists are now clenched and his face has now curled up into a scowl.
Ja-Kal: Do we have any leads?
Rath: Scarab is the prime suspect as usual.
Ja-Kal: Where is Nefertina?
Rath: She dropped off Chan's niece at the antique shop and presumably once she's done with that she should be looking for Rapses!
Ja-Kal then leans over to Rath assertively and his body is tense, almost as if he's about to pounce at any moment. Ja-Kal looks at the room and sees Jackie on the phone with Amanda trying to calm her down on side of the room. Ja-Kal then turns his gaze to the other side of the room to see Uncle, Tohru and Armon discussing what they saw in his nightmare. Ja-Kal takes a moment to regain his composure realizing they all need some respite before venturing out into the world to find Presley. Ja-Kal now stands up straight and puts his hand on Rath's shoulder telling him, "We shall take a few moments to rest but when Nefertina returns to the Sphinx... We go to war!"