Authors Notes: Hello and welcome! 'In the Shadow of Love', my first Jackie Chan Adventures story, is going to be a multi-part story arc set slightly AU. In the 'normal' JCA universe, Shendu was contacted by Dalong Wong and the events that followed put the Talismans back into their proper homes and imprisoned most of the Dark Hand, Dalong Wong and Shendu within Section 13's walls.
However...suppose Shendu was not around to 'help' Dalong Wong claim the power of combustion? What if another 'noble dragon' was chosen to bear the Talisman power? What if the J-Team went to claim that power before the forces of Darkness?
And what if it all went horribly wrong?
PG-13 for most of the chapters, but later entries might well be 'R' . Such chapters will be noted at the beginning.
Thanks for reading, and please read and review if you could!!
FortressMaximus
**********************************
In the Shadow of Love
by: Fortress Maximus
Chapter 1
_________
"J..Jackie..pl....please...hurry!"
"We are hurrying Jade! Try to hold him back....just a little longer!"
"It....hurts!"
"I know it does, but you have to hold him back for a few more moments...!"
"I...I don't know....if I..can....". the young girl countered through clenched teeth.
Paco ringed the tail of his shirt between his hands, palms sweating as he watched Jade collapse to her knees. Hopelessly, he watched her writhe in agony as her silky black became a tangled mess. Whimpering softly, she clutched her head in a desperate attempt to hold back the darkness within.
Off to one side of the antique store, Uncle chanted at a faster pitch as Torhu and even Captain Augustus Black struggled to help finish the Chi spell in time. The trio kept up their chanting, making steady progress as the three's harmonic Chi lines merged into one. Moments later, slender tendrils began to curl and wrap themselves around each chanter, slowly interlocking as the trio focused all of their remaining willpower on one simple goal--to save Jade's life.
"Yade, please listen to me!" Paco begged, his accent getting thicker as his worry continued to grow. Taking the young girls' shoulders into his hands, Paco ignored the fact he faced certain death should Jade lose the battle inside her mind. "I know you are strong enough to do this!..." he began..."even El Toro is impressed, and El Toro is the strongest there is!" he teased through tear-filled eyes, trying to show support in the only way he could think of.
With a strength of will Jackie would have thought impossible, Jade lifted her head and smirked at her friend. "N..No...Jackie is..." she teased back. It was only then Paco saw how dull and lifeless her eyes truly were; their normal sparkle having drained to almost nothing.
It broke his heart to see her...of all people...look like this.
It was then an earsplitting scream erupted from the possessed girl, forcing El Toro to snatch his protégé by the scruff of his shirt and place him out of harm's way. The pair of warriors assumed defensive stands, determined to guard Uncle and the others.
"Jade....?"
The shell of a body that once had Jade Chan looked up at Jackie, her...its...eyes now mixed as one was blue and the other now gleamed muddy white. A dark chuckle escaped the lips of the figure as El Toro snarled at who had assumed control of Jade's body. All present watched in horror as the golden tone of Jade's skin now paled to a sickly white. Even Uncle and the others to stared aghast at the change as their chanting quieted to shocked silence.
"I am sorry Jackie Chan, but your niece is not here at the moment. Would you care to leave a message...?" Dalong Wong mocked as the figure looked around the room.
"Release her now, Evil One...!" commanded El Toro, unable to take the sight of the possessed Jade or heartbroken Paco any longer... "or you will face the power of the Bull!" With that the wrestler stepped forth to strengthen his position on the matter.
"You can not defeat the Master of Dark Chi with physical force foolish brute! Besides, I doubt this tender young body would withstand your famous Warez Piledriver would it? But you are more than welcome to try....!" goaded the wizard as he pointed a jagged fingernail at the wrestler.
"No, El Toro. Please!"
"Do not worry Paco! The Bull knows the evil one is just attempting to make me lose my temper. That will not happen this day! But rest assured--we /will/ drive you from the shell you inhabit Dark One, and then you shall face the justice of El Toro!"
"And me too you...you...bastard!" yelled Paco, the anger in his voice and choice of language caught both Jackie and El Toro by surprise. "You are a coward, hiding inside of Yade! Come out and fight like a man!" challenged the 12 year old; his rage overwhelming any sense of self-preservation.
"Bah! Your childish threat means nothing to me boy.." sneered the form of Jade as it glared at him. "It is your fault this little one is in such a state as it is; do you wish to be responsible for her death as well?"...the dark Chi master teased. "Why don't we find out....".
A jagged nail was raised to the young girl's throat and slid over the pasty skin to her jugular. "It would take so little to end this tiny life, wouldn't it? Just one...little..slit...." he threatened as a drop of blood appeared at the edge of the nail.
"Enough! Tell us what you /want/ Wong!" demanded Jackie, any hint of his usual patience long gone as the archeologist clenched his fists in anger.
"My, you seem impatient for me to leave this form! I am hurt that you do not enjoy my company, and after all the trouble I went to so I could move in!" laughed the wizard as he thoroughly enjoyed Jackie's torment. "What I want is simple enough for anyone to understand; even you! If you do not bring me the 12 Talismans of Shendu within 24 hours or try to remove me with a Chi spell..." threatened the wizard as Jade's eyes locked onto Uncle..." I shall feast upon this girl's Chi and she dies the Death of the Dammed!".
A gasp from Uncle filled the room as he stared at his possessed niece. "Aiee! The Death of the Dammed?!" he yelled as the look on his face made it clear the threat posed was not an idle one.
"What...what is it Sensei?" asked Torhu, as he and Augustus glanced from Uncle to Jade's possessed form and back.
"It is a very old means of punishment Tohru. In ancient times those accused of being aligned with the forces of Darkness had their spirits separated from their body's and cast into limbo! The body could only do what is was told to do; free will was forever missing!"
"No!" shouted Paco as the thought of his friend like that filled him with dread.
"If you think Section 13 is just going to hand over the Talismans to a spiritual blackmailer..." began Captain Black as he took a step forward, his own anger as great as any of Jade's family.
"Then you are exactly correct..." finished Jackie as he looked apologetically at his old friend. "Jade's life...and spirit...are more important than the Talismans. If we agree to what you ask, will you keep your word and release Jade...?"
"Jackie, you can't...!"
It was then the archeologist turned and fixed Augustus with an expression of anger the latter had never seen before and never wanted to again. "Do not tell me what I can...and can not do! For the better part of two years we have risked our lives to ensure the safety of the world against the power of the Talismans! I will no longer risk the future of my niece for them!"
Black frowned as was about to respond when a soft gurgling pulled everyone's attention toward the possessed Jade as the figure staggered back into a corner. Her skin began to flicker between her normal golden tone and the sickly paleness of it's unwelcomed guest; her eyes clenched tightly shut as Jade struggled for control.
"Jackie...you can't..give...him...the.... Talismans!"
"Jade, we must! If we don't...."
"I...won't...let...you win...girl!" screamed the wizard as the pair fought for control deep within Jade's mind.
"Give...me back...my body....you stinky pile of...bones!"
"Never!"
"I won't...let you hurt...anyone...else!..."
"Yade!"
"Don't...worry...Paco..! No way...this...creep...is gonna... get away with...this!"
"Horrible little child! You are...a weak little...fool to...challenge me!"
Clutching her sides, Jade actually managed a half smirk. "Maybe...you geezer...but it not what I've got, but who I know!"
It was then her eyes widened as Dalon Wong looked over and saw Uncle using his blowfish in the final chants of a Chi spell. The final syllable was shouted and the magic of all three chanters lashed out, bathing Jade's body a wash of green energy.
"Nooooooooo!" yelled the dark wizard as the good Chi blast-combined with the mental equivalent of a flying Jade kick to his groin- shattered the dark master's control. For a split second, both Jade's and that Dalon Wong's astral form could be seen flickering above her physical body. A blinding burst of energy erupted from within Jade, blinding everyone present. It was only moments later that everyone's sight began to return. As the did it, it became apparent that Jade was the victor.
"Yes, you jerk!" countered Jade as she gave her friends and family a thumbs up "And away go...troubles..down the..dra...." the young girl started to comment until she collapsed on the floor.
"JADE!"
The occupants of the room turned as one as the new voices shocked them out of their daze. Standing in the doorway was Jade's parents, their eyes a mix of horror and confusion at what they just witnessed. Viper stood there as well but averted her gaze, the former thief knowing she had disobeyed Jackie's wishes by brought them into the picture long before it was time.
The room was entombed in painful silence as Jade's father fixed Jackie with an angry glare that could melt steel. "What is going on here cousin...?" he said through clenched teeth; his anger moments away from escaping his icy control. "/What/ is happening to my daughter...?" he demanded.
With a tired sigh, Jackie walked over to his niece and checked her pulse, beyond grateful it was still there. It took him a few moments to find his voice, but as the archeologist cradled Jade he began to relay the tale of the search for the last Noble Animal, and how it all went so terribly wrong.....
(To be Continued)
Part 2 The search for the final power of Shendu goes horribly wrong! How did Jade become possessed by the spirit of Dalong Wong? Did Jade drive the Chi Wizard out, or is there more going on than meets the eye?
And what price will Paco pay to set everything right?
However...suppose Shendu was not around to 'help' Dalong Wong claim the power of combustion? What if another 'noble dragon' was chosen to bear the Talisman power? What if the J-Team went to claim that power before the forces of Darkness?
And what if it all went horribly wrong?
PG-13 for most of the chapters, but later entries might well be 'R' . Such chapters will be noted at the beginning.
Thanks for reading, and please read and review if you could!!
FortressMaximus
**********************************
In the Shadow of Love
by: Fortress Maximus
Chapter 1
_________
"J..Jackie..pl....please...hurry!"
"We are hurrying Jade! Try to hold him back....just a little longer!"
"It....hurts!"
"I know it does, but you have to hold him back for a few more moments...!"
"I...I don't know....if I..can....". the young girl countered through clenched teeth.
Paco ringed the tail of his shirt between his hands, palms sweating as he watched Jade collapse to her knees. Hopelessly, he watched her writhe in agony as her silky black became a tangled mess. Whimpering softly, she clutched her head in a desperate attempt to hold back the darkness within.
Off to one side of the antique store, Uncle chanted at a faster pitch as Torhu and even Captain Augustus Black struggled to help finish the Chi spell in time. The trio kept up their chanting, making steady progress as the three's harmonic Chi lines merged into one. Moments later, slender tendrils began to curl and wrap themselves around each chanter, slowly interlocking as the trio focused all of their remaining willpower on one simple goal--to save Jade's life.
"Yade, please listen to me!" Paco begged, his accent getting thicker as his worry continued to grow. Taking the young girls' shoulders into his hands, Paco ignored the fact he faced certain death should Jade lose the battle inside her mind. "I know you are strong enough to do this!..." he began..."even El Toro is impressed, and El Toro is the strongest there is!" he teased through tear-filled eyes, trying to show support in the only way he could think of.
With a strength of will Jackie would have thought impossible, Jade lifted her head and smirked at her friend. "N..No...Jackie is..." she teased back. It was only then Paco saw how dull and lifeless her eyes truly were; their normal sparkle having drained to almost nothing.
It broke his heart to see her...of all people...look like this.
It was then an earsplitting scream erupted from the possessed girl, forcing El Toro to snatch his protégé by the scruff of his shirt and place him out of harm's way. The pair of warriors assumed defensive stands, determined to guard Uncle and the others.
"Jade....?"
The shell of a body that once had Jade Chan looked up at Jackie, her...its...eyes now mixed as one was blue and the other now gleamed muddy white. A dark chuckle escaped the lips of the figure as El Toro snarled at who had assumed control of Jade's body. All present watched in horror as the golden tone of Jade's skin now paled to a sickly white. Even Uncle and the others to stared aghast at the change as their chanting quieted to shocked silence.
"I am sorry Jackie Chan, but your niece is not here at the moment. Would you care to leave a message...?" Dalong Wong mocked as the figure looked around the room.
"Release her now, Evil One...!" commanded El Toro, unable to take the sight of the possessed Jade or heartbroken Paco any longer... "or you will face the power of the Bull!" With that the wrestler stepped forth to strengthen his position on the matter.
"You can not defeat the Master of Dark Chi with physical force foolish brute! Besides, I doubt this tender young body would withstand your famous Warez Piledriver would it? But you are more than welcome to try....!" goaded the wizard as he pointed a jagged fingernail at the wrestler.
"No, El Toro. Please!"
"Do not worry Paco! The Bull knows the evil one is just attempting to make me lose my temper. That will not happen this day! But rest assured--we /will/ drive you from the shell you inhabit Dark One, and then you shall face the justice of El Toro!"
"And me too you...you...bastard!" yelled Paco, the anger in his voice and choice of language caught both Jackie and El Toro by surprise. "You are a coward, hiding inside of Yade! Come out and fight like a man!" challenged the 12 year old; his rage overwhelming any sense of self-preservation.
"Bah! Your childish threat means nothing to me boy.." sneered the form of Jade as it glared at him. "It is your fault this little one is in such a state as it is; do you wish to be responsible for her death as well?"...the dark Chi master teased. "Why don't we find out....".
A jagged nail was raised to the young girl's throat and slid over the pasty skin to her jugular. "It would take so little to end this tiny life, wouldn't it? Just one...little..slit...." he threatened as a drop of blood appeared at the edge of the nail.
"Enough! Tell us what you /want/ Wong!" demanded Jackie, any hint of his usual patience long gone as the archeologist clenched his fists in anger.
"My, you seem impatient for me to leave this form! I am hurt that you do not enjoy my company, and after all the trouble I went to so I could move in!" laughed the wizard as he thoroughly enjoyed Jackie's torment. "What I want is simple enough for anyone to understand; even you! If you do not bring me the 12 Talismans of Shendu within 24 hours or try to remove me with a Chi spell..." threatened the wizard as Jade's eyes locked onto Uncle..." I shall feast upon this girl's Chi and she dies the Death of the Dammed!".
A gasp from Uncle filled the room as he stared at his possessed niece. "Aiee! The Death of the Dammed?!" he yelled as the look on his face made it clear the threat posed was not an idle one.
"What...what is it Sensei?" asked Torhu, as he and Augustus glanced from Uncle to Jade's possessed form and back.
"It is a very old means of punishment Tohru. In ancient times those accused of being aligned with the forces of Darkness had their spirits separated from their body's and cast into limbo! The body could only do what is was told to do; free will was forever missing!"
"No!" shouted Paco as the thought of his friend like that filled him with dread.
"If you think Section 13 is just going to hand over the Talismans to a spiritual blackmailer..." began Captain Black as he took a step forward, his own anger as great as any of Jade's family.
"Then you are exactly correct..." finished Jackie as he looked apologetically at his old friend. "Jade's life...and spirit...are more important than the Talismans. If we agree to what you ask, will you keep your word and release Jade...?"
"Jackie, you can't...!"
It was then the archeologist turned and fixed Augustus with an expression of anger the latter had never seen before and never wanted to again. "Do not tell me what I can...and can not do! For the better part of two years we have risked our lives to ensure the safety of the world against the power of the Talismans! I will no longer risk the future of my niece for them!"
Black frowned as was about to respond when a soft gurgling pulled everyone's attention toward the possessed Jade as the figure staggered back into a corner. Her skin began to flicker between her normal golden tone and the sickly paleness of it's unwelcomed guest; her eyes clenched tightly shut as Jade struggled for control.
"Jackie...you can't..give...him...the.... Talismans!"
"Jade, we must! If we don't...."
"I...won't...let...you win...girl!" screamed the wizard as the pair fought for control deep within Jade's mind.
"Give...me back...my body....you stinky pile of...bones!"
"Never!"
"I won't...let you hurt...anyone...else!..."
"Yade!"
"Don't...worry...Paco..! No way...this...creep...is gonna... get away with...this!"
"Horrible little child! You are...a weak little...fool to...challenge me!"
Clutching her sides, Jade actually managed a half smirk. "Maybe...you geezer...but it not what I've got, but who I know!"
It was then her eyes widened as Dalon Wong looked over and saw Uncle using his blowfish in the final chants of a Chi spell. The final syllable was shouted and the magic of all three chanters lashed out, bathing Jade's body a wash of green energy.
"Nooooooooo!" yelled the dark wizard as the good Chi blast-combined with the mental equivalent of a flying Jade kick to his groin- shattered the dark master's control. For a split second, both Jade's and that Dalon Wong's astral form could be seen flickering above her physical body. A blinding burst of energy erupted from within Jade, blinding everyone present. It was only moments later that everyone's sight began to return. As the did it, it became apparent that Jade was the victor.
"Yes, you jerk!" countered Jade as she gave her friends and family a thumbs up "And away go...troubles..down the..dra...." the young girl started to comment until she collapsed on the floor.
"JADE!"
The occupants of the room turned as one as the new voices shocked them out of their daze. Standing in the doorway was Jade's parents, their eyes a mix of horror and confusion at what they just witnessed. Viper stood there as well but averted her gaze, the former thief knowing she had disobeyed Jackie's wishes by brought them into the picture long before it was time.
The room was entombed in painful silence as Jade's father fixed Jackie with an angry glare that could melt steel. "What is going on here cousin...?" he said through clenched teeth; his anger moments away from escaping his icy control. "/What/ is happening to my daughter...?" he demanded.
With a tired sigh, Jackie walked over to his niece and checked her pulse, beyond grateful it was still there. It took him a few moments to find his voice, but as the archeologist cradled Jade he began to relay the tale of the search for the last Noble Animal, and how it all went so terribly wrong.....
(To be Continued)
Part 2 The search for the final power of Shendu goes horribly wrong! How did Jade become possessed by the spirit of Dalong Wong? Did Jade drive the Chi Wizard out, or is there more going on than meets the eye?
And what price will Paco pay to set everything right?