Chapter Text
Taklamakan Desert.
Xinjiang, China.
September 9th 2000.
As he made his way through the way through the millennium old temple, the 30 year old archeologist Jackie Chan was in awe at the markings on the temple’s walls.
Beside him was the man who’d hired him for this expedition, Maximillion Pegasus who was seeking out new material for his creation, the popular card game known as Duel Monsters, several of which were inscribed on the walls of the temple.
The architecture of the Temple itself was a wonder in it’s own right. It was a mixture from different cultures, Chinese, Japanese and even Egyptian, with a mix of different inscriptions lining the walls.
As he looked closer at a carving, Pegasus stepped up to Jackie. “Mr. Chan, I cannot thank you enough for this incredible find. With this discovery, the game of Duel Monsters is one step closer to perfection!”
“Indeed, Mr. Pegasus.” Jackie said with a warm smile, his eyes bright with excitement like a child in a toy store. “The Temple of the Shadow Queen is an incredible discovery. I really must document everything for Uncle. He will be most intrigued.”
“From what you’ve said about your Uncle on our journey, that I do not doubt.” The creator of Duel Monsters said with a smile. Hidden by his hair, his Millennium Eye had read the mind of Jackie Chan and was impressed by his kindness and honest curiosity. “Now come, Jackie-boy, there is more for us to see here.”
“Yes. I have never seen such an… amalgamation of cultures.” Jackie noted as they walked. “The structure itself appears Chinese in origin yet I see elements of Japanese in the style of armor and weaponry of the statues and yet the pillars are similar to those you’d expect to see in one of the pyramids of Egypt.”
“It is as if someone built this Temple millennia ago and then added to it as the centuries passed.” Pegasus noted the possibility. “Yet the Egyptian architecture is clearly the oldest in origin yet added much later. A true Paradoxical Conundrum.”
As they continue to explore and study the scriptures, the shadows seem to follow them as they go.
Soon they came to an incredible central chamber, almost like a throne room. Along the walls were stone tablets, similar to what Pegasus had found in Egypt and based his game on. The creatures seemed to irradiate power, almost if not equal to that of the Egyptian Gods. There were four on either side, each with a different creature.
A demonic mermaid creature…
A mountainous being…
A being wielding the power of Thunder itself…
A great beast crushing the Earth beneath his feet…
A creature with bat like wings streaking through the Sky…
A tall figure with four arms seemingly silhouetted by the Moon…
A frog creature that seemed to breathe with the force of a hurricane strong Wind…
And a fearsome Dragon surrounded by Fire.
And at the head of the chamber was a towering figure, a female figure seemingly made of the shadows itself.
“Incredible! The Shadow Queen herself and her Great Champions, the Eight Demon Lords!” Pegasus said in joy, remembering what he’d learnt from ancient texts dating back as far as Ancient Egypt!
Jackie was similarly aware from what Uncle had told before he’d left for this expedition. “Bai Tza… Po Kong… Tchang Zu… Dai Gui… Hsi Wu… Tso Lan… Zhao Fung… and Shendu. They are… truly awe-inspiring.”
“Indeed. And then there is her… the Queen of Shadows herself, Jada Khan!” Pegasus said his arms wide in joy as he walked towards her stone.
But as he got closer, the shadows visibly approached and then grew into what looked like Ninjas made from Shadow. “What are these… things?!” Pegasus asked.
“The Queen’s legion of foot soldiers.” Jackie told him from his own research. “The Shadowkhan. Very Bad Day.”
As if their introduction was the starting bell of a fight, the Shadowkhan leaped at Jackie and Pegasus. Jackie put his well honed skill of Martial Arts to good use as he fought them to protect his employer.
Pegasus meanwhile was drawn to the Tablet of the Queen, drawn in by his Millennium Eye. As Jackie fought bravely, several Shadowkhan made it past him and reached for Pegasus…
…Who opened his eyes to find himself in a dark void of shadows. He looked up to find himself being looked down upon by…
“The Eight Demon Lords?!” Pegasus asked in fear.
Shendu spoke up. “It has been so long since we had a new morsel.” His red eyes were glowing with malice and hunger.
“For the first time in centuries, I find myself agreeing with you, brother.” Hsi Wu said from his perch on Po Kong’s monstrous shoulder.
“Indeed. I am most… ravenous!” Dai Gui declared.
“Please, my Lords!” Pegasus pleaded for his life. “I beg of you! I am of no threat to you! Please my friend and I are in enough danger!”
“We are Demon Lords, Human.” Tchang Zu declared. “We care not for your safety or your… friend.”
“We merely… hunger.” Bai Tza hissed.
“That’s enough!” A voice declared. Pegasus looked to see a beautiful Woman. She was young looking but felt Ancient as the Demons surrounding him. Her skin a light blue and her eyes red, and she wore a dress that seemed made out of the living shadows themselves. Her hair was black as the night and framed her face delicately.
“The Queen of Shadows… Jada Khan?” he asked in shock and fear.
The Queen smiled at him gently. “Indeed. At least that is what I am known as. And who are you stranger… and how did you get the Millennium Eye?” she asked seeing the eye through the man’s hair.
“You… You know of the Eye?” he asked in shock, his curiosity overpowering his fear.
“Indeed.” She said casually. “I was there when it was used during the Shadow Games so long ago. I saw the damage such items and games caused up close and personal.”
“All the more reason for us to eliminate the human, Little Sister.” Declared the booming voice of Po Kong, visibly locking her giant lips. “I would be more than happy to… dispose of him.”
“No one is eating anyone!” Jada Khan declared with an eye roll. “I swear she is the physical embodiment of the phrase *Eats you out of House and Home.*" she grumbled. "Tell me, stranger, why are you here? Give me a reason to let you live. Who are you anyway?” she asks.
Pegasus’ eyes (or eye) widened. “Forgive me, My Lady.” He bowed his head. “I am Maximillion Crawford J. Pegasus. I have come to your Temple in the hopes of finding new material for my card game Duel Monsters. I found such creatures in Egypt and had come to China upon the discovery of your Temple.”
Jada’s eyes widen in surprise. “You unearthed the Shadow Creatures?” she asked in shock. At the Man’s nod, she bit her lip. “Then the Shadow Games will soon begin.”
“But my Lady please, I am under attack outside of here. Your… Shadowkhan are attacking myself and a young archeologist I hired. Young Jackie is fighting them as I speak. Please, I will do whatever you ask, just please stop your attack, I beg of you!”
But Jada looked shocked at his words. “An archeologist… called Jackie…” she repeated. “What is his full name?” she asked.
Pegasus blinked in puzzlement at her question. “Jackie Chan… why?”
Instantly the Demon Lords roared in Fury… as if the name of Pegasus’ young friend truly enraged them. “SILENCE!!” the Queen roared louder, tears in her eyes.
In the real world, Jackie Chan was fighting the Shadowkhan to the best of his ability, yet they seemed never ending. Pegasus was behind him, his hand on the tablet not having moved once since he touched it. “Pegasus!” Jackie shouted for him to no answer.
Just when things seemed dire, a fearsome wind blew through the Temple as an enormous shadow figure appeared between Jackie and the Ninjas. “STAND DOWN!! HE IS NOT TO BE HARMED!! BEGONE!!” the Shadowy figure declared.
As the Shadowkhan faded away, the figure turned to Jackie, looking at him with red eyes. “You are safe.” She said before fading away.
Jackie was stunned for a moment before turning back to check on Pegasus. “Pegasus, are you okay? Were you harmed?” he asked as he reached for the man’s shoulder…
Back in the Shadow Realm, Pegasus watched as the Queen rolled her eyes, actually pinching the bridge of her nose in annoyance at the Demon Lords actually… whining. Like children having been refused a treat.
“Oh for the love of—you eight idiots are supposed to be centuries old Demons! Grow the Fuck up!” she says, rubbing her temples. “You know full well why I saved him and I won’t hear anything about it. Now, ignoring the Children,” Jada says (with Shendu having the nerve to look offended), turning back to Pegasus. “About our deal, Mr. Pegasus. You wish to make us a part of your game, is that correct?” she asked.
“It is, My Lady. With your permission of course. I will make sure to be respectful to you and yours.” Pegasus swore.
“I’m sure you will. However there are some… stipulations. My Demons are very… particular. They will not allow to be made available to all, they will want to be unique. And powerful of course. They fought the Gods back in Egypt and would tolerate no less than equal footing.”
“So we are to be made playthings for children?!” Shendu snarled in question.
To which Jada crooked her finger to make him come closer to her. He did so, lowering his head towards the much smaller being… who subsequently whacked him on the head with two fingers! “You want to be able to get out of the Shadow Realm now and again, yes? THEN YOU WILL TAKE PART IN THE GAME!!”
The Demons grumbled like children, but didn’t argue. Though Shendu did say “I want my Talismans!” while crossing himself and actually pouting.
Jada waved him off. “Yes-yes!” she said dismissively. She turned back to Pegasus who was suitably shell shocked at the almost familial atmosphere. “It is not just us of course that I want you to include. The room you are in, the Chamber of Demons, contains everything you will need about the Demon Lords. Elsewhere within the Temple, you will find the Chamber of Shadows, which contains everything you’ll need for the Oni and the Shadowkhan. Please include those as well, as Tarakudo will never let me hear the end of it.” She grumbled.
“Y-Yes… Yes, my Lady. I will make you proud of what I create. But might I ask, if your cards are to be exclusive then how can they be played?” he asked an honest question.
“I have a suspicion that you will find someone who will be worthy of them. And perhaps… Jackie Chan will lead you to them. Or them to you.”
Pegasus blinked as he found himself back in the Chamber, staring at the tablet just as Jackie touched his shoulder. “Pegasus, are you okay? Did they hurt you?” Jackie asked concernedly.
“J-Jackie-boy…” the Creator of Duel Monsters stuttered slightly. “No, I’m… I’m alright. I was merely… inspired. He looked back at the Queen’s tablet and then at those of the Demon Lords. “Come Jackie-boy. We have more to see here, if we are to make my game complete.”
“Are you sure, Pegasus?” Jackie asks concerned for his employer and friend. “No one would blame you if you wished to leave now.” He said.
“Nonsense, dear boy!” Pegasus said. “I’m sure if we’re respectful we will be allowed to stay long enough to get everything we need.”
“This is so cool!” a voice said from behind them, startling the two men to see a young girl, about 12 years old with black hair and brown eyes, with similar features as Jackie.
Who did not look happy with the girl. “Jade?!” he exclaimed in shock at the sight of his niece who he’d raised since she was a small child. “What are you doing here?! I told you to stay at the hotel with Uncle and Tohru!” he said, equally annoyed and resigned.
“And I was going to, Jackie. Honest!” Jade insisted, her expression one of pure innocence, like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth... That Jackie didn't but for a second. “But then Tohru’s Mom showed up and… well, you know what she’s like.”
Jackie groaned. “Indeed.” he said, now rubbing the bridge of his own nose. Very Bad Day.
While Jackie spoke to the girl, Pegasus was staring in shock at the sight of the girl who so resembled the Queen of Shadows.
After a moment he cleared his throat, reminding the Chans he was there. Startled, Jackie looked at him. “Oh, Mr. Pegasus! My apologies. I got distracted by my… rebellious niece. Jade this is Maximillion Pegasus, the man who employed me for this expedition. Mr. Pegasus, this my niece, Jade Chan.”
Jade smiles cheerfully. “Hiya!” she said with a wave.
Jade Chan… Jada Khan… is she the one the Queen wants to wield her Cards. Pegasus wondered to himself. But out loud, he smiled and knelt to Jade’s level and offered his hand for her to shake. “Greetings, Miss Chan. It is a pleasure to meet you my dear. I sense we can expect great things from you one day.” His Millennium Eye flashed slightly as he Looked at her.
Jade smiled, almost bashfully as she shook his hand while up above them, the unseen ghostly figure of the Queen of Shadows smiled down at them.