Chapter 16: Don't Count Your Chickens:
Jackie's POV:
The kids and I were in the temple of Alectryon. It's probably the Rooster Talisman. Jade was eating a sandwich.
"NO! NO, CHICKEN!" shouted Kimi as we all looked at her.
"Sorry, I... for some reason, I never like chicken... I don't know why... I just don't," says Kimi.
"So... you think this talisman gives you sun-based powers," asks Jade.
"We won't know what talisman it is," I said, "not until we find it."
"Howdy Chan." The Enforcers show up.
"Just what we need," I said, "kids, look for the talisman. I'll handle these guys."
I took on the Enforcers.
Jade's POV:
I was still eating my sandwich as we were searching. None of us knew it at the time, but something extra fell into my sandwich. "Tastes like chicken, which is weird 'cause it's a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."
Jackie's POV:
We made it back to Section 13.
"So, you didn't find the talisman," asks Captain Black.
"I think Nichang probably found it before we could," I said.
"Who knows what talisman can do," says Uncle.
Shen Du's POV:
"You failed to find the talissssman?"
"Ah thihnk Chan 'as it," ssssayssss Montana.
"My Lord, I will retrieve the talisman..."
"I've heard that before," I ssssaid, "you have all failed far too often, and perssssonally, I think you need a vacation for all the sssstressssss you're getting. My Shadowkhan will do thissss job themsssselvessss."
"My Lord, they are just mindless soldiers..."
"And thosssse with mindssss have failed me. Now, begone!"
I am sssserioussss about her needing a vacation. She doessss look really sssstressssssed.
Jade's POV:
I was on my way to the arcade when I failed to look both ways, so I was almost hit by a car, but luckily, I got out of the way... by floating.
"What the..."
The driver got out of his car and dumped his drink.
. . .
I was at the arcade when I dropped a quarter. I bent down to pick it up, but then it flew into my hand. Something weird's going on.
. . .
"It's a simple explanation," says Dil, "you're psychic."
"Think that could be it," I asked.
"Right now, it seems to be the only explanation," says Kimi.
"Cool," I said.
Then the Shadowkhan came.
"We better get out of here," says Tommy.
We ran and the Shadowkhan chased us.
Nichang's POV:
Forcing me to stay behind? After all I've done for him? No! I will prove myself. I will find the talisman before the Shadowkhan do.
"Ah know what ya're thinkin'," says Hammerhead, "an it's a addle-headed idea. Thuh Big Man won't be too 'appy with ya ifin' ya disobey 'im."
"At least I'm going to do something, Hammerhead. Are you?"
I then left and showed my master that I was what he needed.
Jade's POV:
We kept running from the Shadowkhan. Then I had an idea. I used my new psychic powers to fight against them, but I kept messing up. I ended up breaking everything around us.
"Oops."
The Shadowkhan were about to attack, but then Jackie came out of nowhere and attacked them.
"Come with me," he said.
He ran and we followed him.
. . .
"Jackie, I'm psychic now," I said.
"I don't think so. I think it might be the power of the Rooster Talisman."
"But how...? My sandwich! That's why it tasted like chicken."
"You didn't even notice a rock was in it?" asked Kimi.
I was embarrassed.
"But don't worry," Jackie then turns to Nichang, "it will all be alright."
"Nichang," I said.
Jackie's POV:
I was walking when I noticed the Shadowkhan. They were looking for something. I was hiding. The Shadowkhan then left. What were they looking for? I checked and saw Dil's Yu-Gi-Oh cards. The Enforcers have the kids.
. . .
I secretly followed the Shadowkhan. They entered an old warehouse. For some reason, I thought I could go through the wall like them. I don't know what I was thinking. I then found a door.
. . .
I managed to get in and saw Nichang talking to the Shadowkhan.
"I have the talisman, so you are no longer required!"
A shadowkhan spoke with an unfamiliar voice, "My Shadowkhan will do thissss job themsssselvessss."
"I know what he said, but I have found it!"
The Big Man.
"Chan's niece has swallowed the talisman, and I plan to get it. I don't need your help!"
A shadowkhan phases its hand through a wall.
"Okay, so your way would be... easier, but not as fun."
I noticed her grabbing an extremely sharp sword while she was smiling.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you cut my niece open, thank you," I said as I knocked Nichang down.
"It's Chan, get him!"
I then fought Nichang and the Shadowkhan.
Jade wakes up and sees this and then starts... levitating things around. That must be the Rooster Talisman's power.
"She's using the Rooster Talisman against us," says Nichang.
Jade then levitated me, and I prepared my foot and was heading for Nichang. I kicked her down.
"You shouldn't kick a lady," I said, "good thing I didn't."
Jade then levitated us all out.
. . .
As we were all outside, Kimi walks over to me.
"So, are we sure that you're the real Jackie," asks Kimi.
I then whispered to her, "you have a crush on Tommy."
"Okay, I'm convinced."
Shen Du's POV:
"My Lord, I know I have disobeyed you, but..."
"Actually, Nichang, you taught me ssssomething. The Shadowkhan needssss more training, and I think you'd be perfect for that job."
Nichang wassss then sssscared and the Shadowkhan took her away.
"She sssserioussssly needssss a vacation." I ssssaid.
Jackie's POV:
At Section Thirteen, we put the talisman in the vault. Let's just say the agents managed to get it out.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo."
"Captain Black," I said, "I think I heard the Big Man's voice."
"Was he there?"
"Well, no. One of his... friends... did an impression?"
"So, how did he sound?"
"Kind of hissy."
"If it was an impression, then it probably wasn't the real thing."
Captain Black then walks away, and as for me, I'm not so sure because something within me is telling me that it might be real.
In the next chapter, Achira will make her move.