It wasn't long before the girls and Hsi Wu had breakfast ready. At nudging from Sweetie Belle, Hsi actually cooked up breakfast for the entire family, the scent of which soon had others waking from their beds to come down for waffles, bacon, eggs, and hash browns. Jackie, Viper, and Tohru each took seats to enjoy the meal without any words. Uncle, however, took one look at the scene and then turned to Hsi. "So, what magic does the armor have?" he asked bluntly.
"What makes you think I know?" Hsi asked evasively.
"Because if you did not and the five of you were awake without adult supervision, Jade would be playing with it!" Uncle insisted firmly.
"Hey!" Jade complained as the rest of the table chuckled. "I'm not that bad! ...anymore," she concluded honestly.
"It's got one of the Immortal's demon familiars inside," Scootaloo explained. "If you're wearing it when it activates and you're worthy, you turn into Superman. If you aren't, it eats you."
"Not quite at that level, but otherwise accurate," Hsi allowed. "But it doesn't give any energy based abilities...so I guess it's closer to say it turns you into Hercules...except it lets you float. Is there any comic book character like that? I've only got Jade's comics to work from, and I haven't been able to get into some of them."
"Super strength, enhanced speed, enhanced endurance, flight?" Jade clarified. "Sounds like Super Moose."
"...of course it does..." Hsi murmured grimly.
"And...how do we know who is worthy?" Viper asked nervously. "Because I'm really not liking the idea of playing Russian Roulette with a demonic anti-demon armor."
"The exact qualifiers have never been fully defined, but I know for a fact Jackie will be deemed worthy," Hsi Wu offered in a reassuring tone of voice.
"Me?" Jackie asked in surprise.
"The armor was made to let ordinary humans who wanted to protect humanity fight on even terms with my siblings and I," Hsi Wu explained. "You went into battle with Shendu at his full power armed only with an untested brand new magical sword and some runic armor fully dependent on everyone with you being able to keep chanting. If this had been during our first incursion, you'd have probably been named an Immortal instead of Lü Dongbin." He let that sink into everyone's heads, then smirked. "Besides that, you're just Sharaka's type."
"Sharaka?" Viper asked dangerously.
"The Battle Demon who was infused into the armor," Hsi explained. "She always loved the awkward, goofy, kick-ass types. I'd definitely recommend waiting until we're in Pamplona, Spain before you try it on."
"Why would I wait-we're going to Spain?" Jackie asked, switching questions mid-sentence in confusion.
Hsi chuckled softly. "In order regarding your questions...you shouldn't try it on until we get there because it takes a lot of Sharaka's energy to activate the armor, and she either has to recharge for a year or eat someone unworthy to fully replenish for another activation. Also, if there isn't any active danger, she's likely to try and 'get familiar' with you."
"She WHA?" Jackie gasped out in shock as Viper glowered possessively and nearly everyone else burst into laughter.
"And Valmont will be heading for Dai Gui's portal next," Hsi Wu continued, "and it's in Pamplona, Spain. Very close to where they hold the Running of the Bulls. We'll be able to see it - and likely participate in some way - while we're there."
"Is that a coincidence?" Tohru asked curiously.
"The timing?" Hsi clarified. "Unlikely. Location? Absolutely not. Dai Gui has the shape of a lion-maned minotaur, and his combat tactics are similar. The Running of the Bulls was founded to train the local people to evade his charges and thus be prepared to combat his return."
Jackie shook his head, trying to dispel unwelcome thoughts. "So how much time do we have to pack-" At that moment, his phone began to ring. "Just a second." He quickly picked up, putting the call on speakerphone. "Hello?"
"Jackie," Captain Black greeted from the other end of the line. "Get packing. We've managed to track Valmont's latest movements-"
"Is he going to Spain for the Running of the Bulls?" Jackie interrupted.
"...how'd you know?" Augustus demanded in confusion.
"Hsi Wu is a goldmine of information if you can pry it out of him," Jackie grumbled irritably.
"Why not just get Apple Bloom to ask him, then?" Augustus pointed out. "Isn't he anchored to her through Honesty?"
"Except the girls like doing things themselves for 'adventure'," Jackie pointed out. "And with him along, they can almost get away with it."
Augustus chuckled softly. "One thing's certain. Parenting didn't get any easier in a world of magic. Kids just got more options for misbehavior and trouble." The Captain then cleared his throat. "I'll get tickets for your whole group for this afternoon. That ought to give you all time to pack and make sure you can keep track of the kids."
"Viper and I are still packed from retrieving the Armor of the Immortals," Jackie pointed out. "...which turns out to have a female demon spirit inside which may or may not try to molest me while I'm wearing it..."
Augustus was silent for a very long time. "...you have the strangest problems in life," he finally murmured ruefully. "Oh, one thing I should warn you about. You're likely to encounter minotaurs while in Pamplona. Huge groups gather every year for the Running of the Bulls. Whatever you do, don't try to take any into a china shop, and avoid talking about things being red."
"Mess and charging?" Jackie asked worriedly.
"More like angry goring," Captain Black responded. "Minotaurs are a very proud race, and they've come to take the 'bull stereotype jokes' that have been wrongfully applied to them as a deadly insult. Anyone over the age of 13 making those jokes in their presence better be able to outrun the bulls in the festival."
"Thank you, Captain," Jackie offered as he hung up. He then groaned, putting his face in his hands as he began to mutter under his breath so only he could hear. "Pervy armor, easily offended minotaurs, jealous Viper, teasing girls getting out of hand...I'm beginning to think the demon will be the easy part of this trip..."
Pffft. Good luck keeping your sanity Jackie. Also, I have to agree with you. The demon sounds like the EASY part.
Where was Jackie's famous "Bad day" line?
I had a feeling that Dai Gui was next on the list. It was either him or Valmont making another go at the Thunder Demon.
...hot.
What superhero has those powers?
The Golden Age Captain Marvel -the Big Red Cheese. Although, he also had pretty close to total invulnerability.
The Runnung of the Bulls was founded to train
1. Running.
Easily offended Minotaurs? That's definitely not a load of bull.
At least the J-Team has a running start on the info even if only by a few seconds.
I'm pretty sure the armour will almost certainly chafe or rub Jackie in places he never knew could.
I wish I had Jackie's problems in life...
8294869
#FantasyWorldProblems
8294869
Likewise friend, likewise
Yes he will, yes he will.
They wasn't from the start?
8294870
Given the title should they be on the lookout for Logan while in Spain?
Running of the bulls with Minotaurs... sounds AWESOME.
... being Jackie is really hard.
I sense a fun rivalry in the future between Viper and the armor.
Minotaurs, neat.
Quick question cuz I haven't quite done the math yet are the girls under the age of 13? His wo isn't but are the girls?
Taking bets on the events of next chapter,
2 to 1 odds that Jackie pisses off a minotaur. 4-1 if it turns out to be THE minotaur.
3-1 odds that the CMC figure out how to recharge the armor within a day/week without having to sacrifice any nameless plebs.
8-1 odds that Valmont and Bai Tsa get hitched in Spain
Any takers, any other submissions?
I'm betting Valmont is taking Bai Tza to see a CA Osasuna football game in Pamplona. While it might not be time for the World Cup, and so seeing a Spanish team face off against an English one would be off the table, taking Bai to see a real football game would be a wonderful date. Especially since the state of soccer in America is… poor—to put mildly—but slowly improving.
It would also work as a great cover/distraction for the Chans, if he and his regular enforcers are all watching the game. This would have the side effect of Jackie Chan giving Valmont an airtight alibi. Especially if Valmont happened to have an itinerary, with tickets purchased, for a trek through Europe to visit some of the famous cities on the continent, and catch a good number of football games.
Perhaps Viper could also force Jackie to stay and watch the game with her while she and Bai Tza… bond over a shared interest. Which might actually give Valmont and Jackie a couple of hours to uncomfortably get to know one another.
This would, unfortunately for Chan and company, leave Hak Foo and Daolon Wong and possibly one of the other demon sorcerers free to release Dai Gui on the outskirts of the city.
If Hsi Wu can locate his brothers easily without knowing where they are—currently no evidence of that one way or the other—this could lead to Jade, the CMC, and Hsi Wu facing off against the remainders of the Dark Hand. If not, I could see the CMC
ditchingsplitting up from Jade and Hsi Wu so they canhave a date exploring the Spanish city away from Uncle and Tohru's watchful eyessearch for Dai Gui's gate in the fastest manner possible. Which might result in Hsi Wu making a rather unfortunate joke in the presence of minotaurs causing an even bigger ruckus than the running of the bulls and potentially an international incident.I wonder if one of the minotaur's is a motivational speaker like Iron Will… and if the CMC will have a vague feeling of déjà vu while trotting around the city.
The next few chapters are going to be fun no matter how it turns out. :P
8295076 Hmm.... 5-1 that the minotaur/s eventually learn/s of the Chans' demon hunting exploits and befriend them
6-1 odds that Apple Bloom is graced with Divine Power by an earth-based deity in Spain, much as Scootaloo was in Hollywood, and kicks ass.
8295076
Two moustaches on Jackie offending the Minotaurs on accident in a china shop serving red china, and three moustaches on Viper getting into a classic catfight with the spirit of the armor.
Wait if the minotaur's are in Spain wouldn't it mean that they would fight against a demon causing chaos because they would likely be targets? And why don't the filly's just set up a meeting with the currently released demons and work out a deal as long as they don't try to destroy the world and find a peaceful way to rule there old domains they can stay?
8295140
That would require them to know more demons than Bai Tza and Hsi Wu have been released. Information I know Hsi Wu hasn't been asked about yet.
8295076>>8295111>>8295132 yes to the above
Sharaka is going to have an... interesting role to play in the rest of the story.
Chapter One Hundred Thirty-One
"Bad Day"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 32
"He's Not My Boyfriend!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 40
8295076
2 cookies on the minotaur stuff and a Orange Fanta on the CMC becoming Friend's with the armor or the recharge.
8295100
Mls is getting bigger in the Midwest.
Minotaurs?
Cue the assertiveness training and goats...and at least one dbz joke because reasons.
Poor Jackie. I don't doubt he'd put on the possessed armor to protect somebody else, despite the uncomfortable risks.
8295145 you know what I mean they can pass the message along
Ah yes, the Running of the Bulls. This should be fun. For us I mean, not so much for Jackie.
this is starting to sound like a Tuesday for him.
8295198
Which is why I said "Especially since the state of soccer in America is… poor—to put mildly—but slowly improving." I fully expect within the next 30 years (at most) MLS is going to be as popular, if not more so, than MLB, the NBA, the NFL, and the NHL.
FUN FACT: Mythbusters proved that Bulls are surprisingly cautious and even graceful in a China Shop.
This chapter was a great start to my birthday. Thanks.
Ah, that explanation of the Running of the Bulls is both amusing and interesting
Now we'll definitely see a minotaur get triggered soon.
Also, I wonder how Jackie will get handled while Viper can't do anything about it
8294869 You and me both, dude.
8295192
two cookies and a fanta, alright alright
8295132
moustaches? this betting pool just got interesting.
8295111
I'll give you 6-1 odds on the befriending minotuars but only if it happens in the next chapter,
Applebloom gets divinity powers is pretty obvious so 3-2 odds on that one.
PLACE YOUR BETS PEOPLE WE GOT A HOT POOL GOING!
8294918 I'm hoping they'll run into Iron Will.
8295457 I figure it'll happen at some point, there's little doubt of that. When, though, is the question.
Also, what would Sweetie's element be?
Heh. I instinctively tried to give this a second like.
The battle demon is infused into the armor, so she technically is the armor. And Jackie is not only worthy, but her type.
So what Viper takes issue with is that the demon would probably love having Jackie inside her.
8295076
I'm in
8294807
Which to our understanding, without a familiar ritual, is impossible to free him again until they go for Shendu's portal as Shendu was banished via destruction by harmony and his door never used.
8295633
Well yes, I was aware of that. But what's stopping them from going after Shendu's portal? Very little.
Chapter One Hundred Thirty One
"Aiyah!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 46
"One More Thing!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 80
8295500
Fire... You have seen what happens when she tries to cook, right?
......... I.......... I don't think I should open a betting poll on this.
8295752
Why? Too much possible shenanigans?
8295807
ooooooooooooh yeah. way to much.
8295726 Possibly.
8295845
I mean, the only other option would be water since Apple Bloom has Earth covered and Scootaloo has Air/Lightning, but come on, she can accidentally Liquefy a carbon based substance by applying heat to it (toast), while incinerating everything else, including the Juice...