The Epilogue:
(The Stalemate)

Jack stepped out of Tessa and yawned. He patted his chest and walked to his forest surrounded home. The Alaska wind picked up speed, pushing back his short hair until it lay flat against his skull.

As the man entered his home (built out of logs, mostly, along with the usual contraptions that he had made to help make his home even better,) the heat that radiated from the faux-fire in the fireplace was a welcoming sensation compared to the bitter air that twirled outside.

His scarf was taken by one of the many service robots and hung in the closet (technically, it was a super high-tech coat-hanger.)

Jack sat in front of the false, glowing coals. He hefted his still-wet-with-snow boots on top of the squat coffee table that sat in front of him. He turned on the television, checking the news.

"Today, communist ruler of China, Zu Seimei bombed both France and London. As a result, the UK has organized a mass blockade at China's major ports and has cut all trading ties as well. The blockade is rumored to be up later this week…

In the United States, the President has announced that they will help their allies if an official war were to be declared.

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to World War Five."

Jack groaned and did the ever-usual face-palm. To him, the whole WWV thing was utter nonsense and completely silly. Just because China attacked the UK, it didn't necessarily mean the whole world were to be involved. And anyway, China knew what would happen if there were to be another World War. America would intervene and beat them. (They ended all of the other World Wars, why would this one be an exception?) No, China knew better than that. He should know! He was stationed in Alaska for a reason!

As yes, he remembered the day he was asked to infiltrate the United States very well. One of Zu Seimei's generals had found him one day shopping (He had to get food and materials somehow. Of course, he made sure not to be too noticeable. Apparently he didn't do that great of a job.) After a short chat, he had asked him to come with him back to their temporary military base. Well, he wasn't really in the position to decline, so he followed the general (taking Tessa, because he didn't want to lose her again.)

Long story short; he arrived at the base, talked with the general, finally met the big cheese himself: Zu Seimei and was convinced to help them "break America" (or something like that, he wasn't really paying attention at the time.)

He groaned and dug the heels of his hands against his sore eyes. He turned around and laid down on the sofa. He closed his eyes and made sure to breathe slowly. All he wanted to do right now was sleep.

--

It was odd, having him standing atop plush gray clouds with a clear night sky above him. Generally, he dreamt about much more dangerous things. Brain stimulating things that made his heart pump wildly in his chest despite that fact that he was sleeping. Of course, he'd soon wake up after that but still. He as not expecting to find his dream to be so calm and… Peaceful.

What an oddity.

He could live with this, though…

Jack titled his head up; very much glad his logic didn't get the best of him in his dream. He wasn't particularly in the mood for falling straight through the cloud and becoming a splatter against the cold earth below.

He looked at the constellations and, idly pointing out each one to himself; heck, he even took the time to see if he could make his own. Like the Umbrella from the movie A Beautiful Mind. Now if only he had a mate hooked under his right arm, asking for him to make constellations for him or her in an attempt to be romantic.

Oh, that would be oh so wonderful.

Not.

He let out a warm breath, watching, as it turned visible and floated away from him. He blinked away all of his pictures and peered back up into the sky with a clean slate.

Much to Jack's displeasure, he found a giant picture made from the stars. It made the image of a man he hadn't seen in quite a while. It made the picture of a man, which he wouldn't ever want to see again.

He slowly connected the lines and groaned sadly. Jack slowly looked back up at the constellation and named it, hoping for closure.

Chase Young.

--

Wednesdays were his 'off' days. He didn't bother himself with going to meetings, or making better inventions, or even bothering to go outside. No, Wednesdays were his 'off' days, and nothing was going to change that—

Well, with an exception for Chase Young.

--

Jack skyrocketed up the mountainside, relaxed within Tessa's soft seats. His insomnia drooped eyes were half-lidded, sleep trying to creep up on him once more.

No, no, no, no— He needed to stay away. He needed closure once and for all.

Period.

He wasn't sure if he had nodded off, but the next thing he knew, his dear Tessa was skidding to a stop on the slab of rock jutting out from the mountain he was just climbing. He opened his eyes and looked at the wall of rock that lay in front of him. He spotted the small outline of a door and smiled.

Jack stepped out of his car and walked over towards the wall. He slid his hand across the slab, searching for a handle or intent or anything else that would open the door.

But, the door opened all by itself and he frowned shallowly to himself. Jack straightened out his lab coat (which he wore twenty-four/seven) and walked within Chase Young's lair.

He found himself walking down a long hallway. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, he continued on his way, keeping as calm as he possibly could.

The man entered the throne room (which, he noted, was exactly the same as it was when he was a teenager) and looked up at the immortal man. Jack's mature, square jaw cracked, the tension in him building to the extremes. His fingers twitched at his sides, with other small nervous ticks overtook him.

His Adam's apple quivered as he swallowed roughly; his palms were wet.

Despite that fact that it was scarcely silent within the lair, Jack felt overwhelmed.

Chase didn't move. He just sat on his throne, still as regal and young as before, and looked down at him with a kind of arrogance in his eyes.

"Hello Jack," The man greeted, making the other cringe inwardly.

The tai-chi master grinned, and stood up from his throne with an amazing grace.

In all honesty, it was kind of haunting. (At least, in his opinion.)

"Hello Chase," Even as he voiced out his words clearly, he couldn't help but feel his old infatuation for the men rekindle just a little. Chase Young just had that sort of 'aura' to him.

"Why, it's been quite a while, has it not been?" He crossed his arms across his chest as he stepped down the long stairwell. "What? Six years?"

"Eight." Jack corrected immediately.

"Oh, that long?" He said, almost in a condescending way.

Jack's jaw tightened even more, his eyes narrowing at the immortal. He had the distinct feeling of Chase messing with him. "Yes, Chase, that long."

The other man's smile grew a little wider. "Alright, why are you here then, after eight long years?" He questioned; toying with him slightly.

Jack froze. He felt his hands heat up more, and water drip down his palm. He gulped several times while his stomach clenched and unclenched with panic.

"I-love-you!" He cried out, pushing the words together.

Chase looked at him sharply, almost as if he were surprised, and quirked an eyebrow in response.

"B-But, I hate you!"

Chase continued to give him a questioning look.

Jack exhaled sharply and turned a heel so he could face the exit.

"I feel better." Jack said with a calm sigh and started walking towards the exit.

He was spun and slammed against the stonewall; fear filled him, freezing him.

Chase grinned as he spotted submission. "Why run from it, when you could easily indulge it?" He asked, leaning closer.

Jack clenched his fists and scowled at the other man. He shoved Chase away from him (obviously startling him) with the assistance of the robotic skeleton that rested on the top layer of his skin, boosting his particularly nonexistent strength.

"Don't touch me, Chase Young." He growled defensively.

Chase brushed some dust off of his armor and looked at him. "Oh really?"

And in a very dramatic movement, the immortal was kissing the man.

Very Apollo-esque in Jack's opinion. But seeing as how he was no longer a boy, he really couldn't compare.

And, even though he was enjoying this no longer a forbidden fruit moment, Jack still would not accept having any sort of relationship with Chase Young.

He attempted to push Chase away once more, but found that impossible. Trapped between the wall and Chase (who, apparently, was using some of his strength to keep Jack in place) there was nowhere he could go.

--

He paced back and forth in his former bedroom; the one he had harbored so dearly when he was a teenager. He felt like a prisoner, but not necessarily in a bad way, though. It was a very odd sensation.

Jack sat back down on his bed and stared at the shoji designed door, wondering if he would ever build up the confidence to walk out of the darkened bedroom.

He had wanted to admit his true feelings and then just run from the source. But, considering that was no longer possible, he had only seen one more option. And option which he wasn't happy considering. In fact, he was dreading this sort of option; fearing that if he actually went through with it, he himself would perish afterwards. He didn't know what would happen to him if he were to do it. He didn't even fully understand his emotions, let alone what actions would trigger such emotions.

He was in a tricky predicament.

But, there was option number two: the one that seemed the most logical and healthy. He could live with Chase, and they could be a couple (God, that sounded so disgusting, referring to both of them as a couple. It sounded too feminine.) He'd probably get stronger in his field of evil, and become more successful by working with the man who was pretty much the founder of evil and evil ways.

Ah, there was his problem. He could see it so clearly now.

Chase Young was evil. Everyone knew this. Would this get in the way of a relationship (even that sounded wrong, though not as back as couple)? True evil people (such as Chase, he believed) did not care for others, just for themselves. If they were to get together, would Chase not take advantage of Jack's weakness (he admitted it, one of his many weaknesses was his emotional state when in 'love') and kill him?

He wasn't really willing to take that chance. He just couldn't.

Jack groaned and rubbed his eyes.

He knew what he had to do.

--

Jack stepped out of his room and towards the dinning room: it was dinnertime. He entered the room and sat down at the circular table. He grabbed a plate and took his share of food.

The two of them ate in silence, for which Jack was glad. He wasn't really in the mood to talk to the man sitting across from him.

He looked at the bowl of soup (very much resembling pea soup, but with a disgusting looking dragon's tail within it) Chase was eating and started to wonder how many bowls of soup that man had. Surely he'd run out of it sometime, would he not? Especially considering how dragons no longer existed...

--

He crept out of his room, hoping the cover of night would keep him from looking too suspicious. At least, as unsuspicious as walking around at night can get. He walked past the dinning room, and, he hoped, entered the kitchen like area.

Thank goodness it was, because he didn't know what he would do if it weren't. Chase's palace was so large, he was positive that he would become lost if he had to search around longer.

So, as he crept through the kitchen (if you could really consider something like this room a kitchen) and searched for the item he was looking for. Chase's special soup, whatever it was called... Loa-Mang-Long or something like that...

He looked over at the long curtain, which, of course, was guided by several jungle cats, and smirked slightly.

The cats watched him with sharp eyes, calculating his moves carefully.

"Hello felines." He greeted in a whisper. He slowly pulled back his sleeve, exposing the metal skeleton, which was pressed down his skin, and pulled off one of the slender rods of metal. He pressed in the small indent which was cut into the metal and watched as the circular tip started to glow a hot looking red.

"Sorry for this." He muttered, obviously lying, and pressed the indent once again. Watching in amusement as the cats jumped up only to be stopped as the beam struck them, destroying them; Jack grinned brighter.

The curtain was burnt, and the cans, which lay behind it, were incinerated.

Jack stepped over towards the still steaming area and pushed back the curtain more (being sure not to actually touch the edge) and discovering the cans of dragon based soup.

He pointed his weapon at the others and pushed the trigger, shooting the cans. The heat, which was emitted, melted the metal and vaporized the liquid inside it.

A sharp chill ran up his spine, and he suddenly knew who was in the room with him as well.

"What are you doing?" Chase growled, rage burning out of him in large tendrils of energy.

Jack winced, his body beginning to tremble subtly. His chest pounded with adrenaline, his lungs growing quickly until they rammed into his ribcage and shrinking back into his center sharply.

"Winning," He answered, amazed by his voice and how confident it sounded. He remembered, from his younger days, how low his self-esteem was; how he stuttered and faltered in speech.

Now he was in a pickle. He had yet to vaporize the rest of the cans, and now Chase was there... If he continued his work, the immortal would get him for good. But, if he were to attack Chase, he was pretty sure that Chase would dodge it then finish him. He couldn't run either; he was too slow.

Oh boy, what was he going to do now?

Chase's eyes narrowed and turned a glowing yellow.

Jack saw with horror as the man changed into his inner form: into an upright standing reptile.

He gasped harshly, a claw gripping around his throat. His old goggles dug into his neck, cutting off his air and making him want to vomit.

Jack made a quick decision, hoping it would work. He pressed the 'trigger' to his 'laser' and aimed it, as best as he could in such a position, at the older man's solar plexus.

Young skidded back, his reptilian armor smoking.

He gasped for air and fell to the ground. The genius gripped his throat and slowly turned towards the shelf. He shot the heat towards the remaining items and watched with a strange sense of sour victory as the last reaming items were destroyed.

He ribs cracked as Chase stomped on his back. Jack ground his teeth together, keeping in an outcry.

"Welch! Look what you've done!" Chase growled, voice so loud it stunned Jack completely.

The cats arrived in the room by this time, lulled by the chaos. They growled, an unwelcome sound to Jack's ears.

Outnumbered, injured, overpowered, and immobilized.

God was he at a disadvantage!

Jack winced, his chest and stomach burning intensely. He knew what this meant, all too well.

He had punctured something; something vital.

"Fuck," Jack whispered, hot copper dripping at the back of his tongue.

"You're plan in backstabbing me has failed, Jack."

He frowned, nails digging into the marble floor. Jack despised admitting it, but he had lost.

"Go on, admit defeat." Chase ground out, crushing Jack under his foot harder.

He grinned, enameled teeth painted red, "Stalemate,"

End.

Author's Note: I see that many of you are confused with the ending. And, one of the recurring questions was "Where is Wuya, Bean, Kimiko, and Clay?" The reason why I didn't explain what happened to them was simply because the reader didn't need to know. They wouldn't have played an important role and I couldn't have Jack ask about four people he didn't even know. He pretty much knew their names (sort of) and that he didn't particularly like them. I wasn't going to have Chase explain to him what these four people were to him, only to have nothing relevant happen after wards! But, for those who are still wondering; I'll tell you! (: Since Kimiko and Clay weren't really worked on in the show, I was under the impression that they weren't too powerful. So, in this line of thought, I was thinking maybe they'd die like normal people! And, since Raimundo and Omi were shown as the more powerful, I thought that maybe they'd be like Guan or something. As for Bean and Wuya, Chase killed them. Pretty simple and what not.

I noticed that some people didn't particularly understand what Jack committed suicide with. And really, I'm ashamed of you! (Not really, just kidding!) But anyway, it was a Shen-Gong-Wu, for one, and it took me a long time to look up a picture reference for it! Drove me insane trying to look for a good picture of it! Anyway, know that I've complained a bit, I might as well tell you!
He used the Kazusu Atom and the reason why Reincarnation!Jack couldn't hear Older!Jack was because Older!Jack was speaking Old English and Jack only understood New English. I'm not going to get into a whole discussion about the whole New English thing, because I just made that up. Really, after hundreds of years, the language is bound to change!

For those who were looking for some good Chack, I'm sorry that I wasn't particularly able to write it. The way I see their relationship is one that is very close to the one they have in the show. Except, Chase might be a bit nicer towards Jack. I cannot see a sexual relationship between them because I wouldn't think Chase would be into that (and Jack might freak out a bit.) And having them kiss is a bit awkward. Maybe this is just me and my slight discomfort with age different relationships or something, I don't know.

And, finally, as for why I killed them both off; well, I wanted to make the point across that even his reincarnated self still held his old self's inability to trust. Reincarnation!Jack trusted Chase the most, but still held that unknown feeling of mistrust towards him until it drove him insane with paranoia. He knew and understood that Chase Young was the most evil person on the face of the planet and he didn't know if he could trust the man's word or not. He wasn't sure if Chase was tricking him or not, and took action before he could. (Chase wasn't really tricking him, but Jack thought so.) And, having his immortality risked, Chase retaliated. Hence why he attacked Jack with such brutality.

I hoped that cleared up some things! Thank you for reading!
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