Chapter 22

Jackie'd made his way back to Gotham in time to collapse into bed and sleep off the damned pain in the ass that had been his New York Adventure. His Uncle woke him up eight hours later by literally dumping Jackie outta bed. Seriously, he grabbed the mattress Jackie'd been laying on and hoisted it up into the air, dumping Jackie on his ass. Almost immediately, Jackie was on his feet, dukes up in a basic guard only to spot his Uncle Li laughing his ass off at Jackie's reaction. He put his hands down and let out a long groan, which only caused his Uncle's snickering to get louder.

"Damnit, Unc! What gives?" Demanded Jackie.

"Couple things, Nephew. First, this came for you earlier. I dunno how it got past our wards, but you said you were doing Constantine a favor in exchange for a grimoire, right?" Questioned his Uncle Li before holding up a tome bound in blue leather.

"Yeah. Constantine ain't got the juice to slip it past our wards though. I'm guessing Fate made him hold up his end of the deal." Nodded Jackie, taking the tome.

Flipping through it revealed a Grimoire written in Hungarian. A Zafir Moveszet, by Leopold George Rackozi, Count of Saint Germain. Jackie didn't read Hungarian, but he guessed there ain't no time better than the present to learn. From what he knee, though, the Count of Saint Germain was more of an Alchemist than anything else. One of the last-known Hierophants before Magic's long decline took full effect. The shit in here was certainly complex enough to be Archmage-level, though. Not that Jackie'd be able to tell just from the diagrams and shit. He'd haveta learn Hungarian first to be able to tell if he'd been ripped off or not. Somehow he doubted it, though. Not if Fate was involved.

"Right. Well this shit's in Hungarian, so I'm gonna need to learn that first before judging whether or not Constantine's got an ass-whupping coming to him." Sighed Jackie.

"The answer to that is always gonna be yes. Don't get why you keep working with that asshole." Pointed out Jackie's Uncle Li.

"I think I'm the only thing he's got approaching a friend in the entire costumed set. Ain't that a scary thought." Responded Jackie.

"You know that's gonna blow up in your face at some point, right?" Queried Jackie's Uncle Li.

"Not while Fate's making sure Constantine plays by the rules it ain't. 'Sides, I'm being careful." Huffed Jackie.

"Whatever. Just don't come crying to me when it does." Shrugged Jackie's Uncle Li.

"What's the other thing?" Asked Jackie.

"The Old Man's on his way over. Your Ma's with him and they should be here in twenty minutes. You might wanna get in the shower and get dressed." Answered Jackie's Uncle Li.

"Fuck, Unc! Lead with that next time!" Swore Jackie.

He hustled his ass into the shower, past Steph, who'd just gotten outta the Bathroom in her Purple Robe and fuzzy slippers. He almost bumped into his Kid Sister in his haste. Before she could do more than shout in protest, though, Jackie'd made it into the bathroom, slammed the door shut, and was already stripping his clothes off and turning the water on. There was pounding at the door from Steph, but Jackie paid it no mind, shucking off his boxers and getting in the shower. He was part-way through soaping up his pits when Steph remembered to actually use her words instead of just pounding at the door.

"Damn it Jackie! I still need to do my hair!" Complained Steph.

"Can't talk, gotta soap!" Answered Jackie.

"I hope you know this means war!" Promised Steph.

Jackie didn't answer, instead opting to shampoo his hair. That seemed to stop the pounding at the door, since he ain't giving Steph shit to work with for banter. No doubt she'd devise some sorta giant prank or something to get him back later, but that was a Later Jackie problem. Current Jackie hadta deal with making himself presentable. Now, normally, you'd think it'd be 'cause he was about to see his Ma for the first time in over two years. That was part of it, but it ain't the only reason. Hell, it ain't even the main reason. No, that'd be the Old Man and his insistence on shit being a certain way. Jackie still remembered the first and only time he'd not been ready for the Old Man when he was supposed to be. He'd been literally kicked across the yard into the Koi pond, and Jackie ain't looking forward to repeating the experience.

Shower completed, he moved on to brushing his teeth, before racing outta the bathroom for his bedroom to toss on something that the Old Man wouldn't bitch about. Steph tried to stop him in the hall again, but Jackie brushed past her again, grabbing a pair of black slacks and a Hawaiian shirt outta his closet before putting on his boxers and tossing the ensemble on. As he buttoned up his shirt, he looked over at the clock on his wall. Ten minutes'd passed already, and Jackie still hadta comb his hair. He threw on some socks and raced for the bathroom, dragging animals comb through his hair in front of a bewildered Steph, who was in the middle of her own haircare routine.

"All right, seriously, what's got you in such a rush?" Questioned Steph.

"The Old Man's almost here! You might wanna pick up the pace, Steph." Answered Jackie.

"What, really? That's it?" Queried Steph.

"Last time I wasn't ready when he wanted he literally kicked me into a Koi Pond." Pointed out Jackie.

"That's not too bad." Frowned Steph.

"It was January. In Gotham." Huffed Jackie.

"Shit. Do me a solid?" Asked Steph.

"I'll try to stall, no promises, though." Warned Jackie.

And like that, he was done with his getting ready and headed downstairs with two minutes to spare. Jackie's Uncle Li was already downstairs, as were his Uncles Wen and Chen. His Uncle Chen was using the Kitchen to prep a giant batch of Noodles for folks while humming an Old Song. His Uncle Wen was seated on a leather chair, reading the Newspaper with that perpetual sorta half-frown on his face. Jackie ain't too sure his Uncle Wen smiled ever. Even when shit that would've gotten a laugh outta anyone happened, Jackie's Uncle Wen'd been stonefaced. That was in contrast to his Uncle Li, who loved taking the piss outta folks, and his Uncle Chen, who was an all-around goofy guy.

"Jackie." Called out his Uncle Wen, bringing Jackie up short.

"Unc?" Questioned Jackie.

"You wouldn't have had anything to do with this, would you?" Demanded his Uncle Wen, seriously. Jackie's Uncle Wen turned the paper he'd been reading over and Jackie saw an article by Vicki Vale of the Gotham Gazette about the Blue Bayou Club's Destruction over in New York City. It was right there on the front page in black and white, plus pictures.

"Damn, girl works fast, I'll give her that." Grumbled Jackie.

"You need to be more careful about collateral damage." Lectured Jackie's Uncle Wen.

"That ain't my fault, Unc! You shoulda been there, there was Vodoo Spirits and vengeful ghosts, and all kindsa shit going down, none of it involving me blowing holes in the walls!" Protested Jackie.

"Don't let the Monk get you down, Nephew. You did good getting the formerly possessed folks out of there. Nobody got hurt, take the win." Offered Jackie's Uncle Li, elbowing his Uncle Wen in the ribs.

"Oh, look at that! Someone got a picture of you saving a waitress! Black Tiger right on the front page! I wonder if anyone's thought of making a series out of you yet?" Grinned Jackie's Uncle Chen.

"I ain't sure that's a thing, Unc, is it?" Queried Jackie's.

"You'd be surprised. The JSA had a radio serial back in the late thirties, after all, and Basil Karlo did a film about Nuklon back in the seventies, though that was before his accident meant that the planned sequel involving Infinity Inc was shelved. I wonder if they'd let me play you if they knew I didn't need special effects." Mused Jackie's Uncle Chen.

"I thought you were done with trying to break into Showbiz, Unc?" Asked Jackie.

"Yeah, Chen. Putting it as frankly as I can, you can't act for shit. You've got the choreography for fight scenes down like nobody else, but you just keep hamming it up all the gosdamned time." Frowned Jackie's Uncle Li.

"It's called Camp, Li. It's a legitimate style of acting." Insisted Jackie's Uncle Chen.

"Li is right, Chen. Best to put such childish notions aside." Intoned Jackie's Uncle Wen.

"Oh what would you know about acting, you Stonefaced Dizang Statue?" Scoffed Jackie's Uncle Chen.

"Enough to know you are headed only for more pain if you should try again." Retorted Jackie's Uncle Wen.

"Yeah, Chen. While Old Stoneface here may not say it, we're just trying to look out for you." Added Jackie's Uncle Li.

Jackie's Uncle Chen simply Huffed at that and went back to stirring the pot. Jackie took one big-ass whiff of the Brothers and frowned. He smelled beef, tomatos, and some kinda paste, but he ain't exactly able to put his finger on just what sortsa ingredients were in that paste, and there ain't no packaging to go with it that'd give him a clue. Jackie frowned as he realized he ain't got any clue what kinda dish this was. He finally decided after a bit of hemming and hawing to just come out and ask what it was. When he did, he got an answer from a quarter he ain't expected, but probably should've.

"It is Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup, prepared using my recipe." Came the Voice of Jackie's Grandad.

Jackie turned to see the Old Man'd entered the Manor. He was dressed sharply, in a suit, though his faithful Valet, Chu Ping, walked in behind the Old Man, carrying a pair of bags. One of the bags hadta be the Old Man's, it was an Old School leather suitcase with no wheels. The kinda thing that you'd see someone carry a Tommy Gun in if you were watching one of those old movies about gangsters during Prohibition. The other bag, though was purple and had wheels on the bottom so folks could roll it along easier. That's gotta be his Ma's suitcase, Jackie was sure of it. He didn't see her yet, but she hadta be around.

"Grandad good to see you again. Where's Ma?" Questioned Jackie.

"Grandson, it's good to see you as well. Your mother is currently grabbing my special tea blend out of the car. She'll be along shortly. Where is Stephanie? Is she not ready?" Queried the Old Man, dangerously.

"I'm here! Just had to make myself presentable!" Called out Steph as she entered the Kitchen Area, her blonde hair tied off with a purple bow.

"Good. At least some of you recalled your manners." Huffed the Old Man.

"Who else is coming?" Asked Jackie's Uncle Wen.

"Your Brother Lu was supposed to have phoned ahead to tell you he would be arriving. If he didn't, then perhaps he needs a lesson on the manners he has clearly forgotten." Intoned the Old Man, dangerously.

"What's this about Lu not showing up?" Came a Voice Jackie'd only heard over the phone for the past two years.

Jackie turned to see his Ma coming entering the kitchen with a wooden box of tea in her hands. He couldn't help himself as he broke into a dumbass grin on seeing her. She looked happier than she'd been when Jackie'd last seen her, before she'd moved out to Taiwan. At the time, Jackie'd still been working for Two-Face to make ends meet, though so that might've explained that. Jackie's Ma put the Old Man's Tea down on the stove next to the tea kettle and it was all Jackie could do to avoid dashing over to her at Quicksilver Stepping Method Speed. Instead he moved like a normal guy, heading over to enfold his Ma in a big ass hug.

"Ma!" He beamed.

"Jackie. I missed you." Murmured his Ma, leaning into the hug.

"I missed you too, Ma!" Insisted Jackie's.

For a few moments, they stayed like that, Jackie wrapping his arms around his Ma as if refusing to let her go again. Then he heard a coughing noise from the doorway that ruined the moment. Jackie let go of his Ma and looked over to find a long-haired Man in a Hawaiian Shirt that blazed in Jackie's Third Eye with mystic power. At his wrist, a buncha jade prayer beads dangled that Jackie could just tell were some sorta relic or artifacts. Jackie recognized the Guy from family pictures, this was his Uncle Lu, the Archmage-level Sorcerer of Honolulu.

"I hope this isn't a bad time. I'm afraid I got sidetracked dealing with a Demigod of a Sharkman and lost track of time. I must've forgotten to phone ahead in the commotion." Intoned Jackie's Uncle Lu.

Unfortunately for Jackie's Uncle Lu, that excuse ain't gonba save him from being punted outta the open window to crash into the Koi Pond in the Back Garden of Yuen Manor. If there was one thing you could say negative about the Old Man, it was that he ain't the type to listen to excuses. As Jackie's Uncle Lu managed to teleport himself back into the house, he looked over at Jackie's Uncle Li and asked for a towel. Fortunately, Jackie's Uncle Wen'd had one ready to go already, tucked away behind his chair.

"We thought it would've been you or Steph." Admitted Jackie's Uncle Li.

"Hey!" Protested Steph.

"At least it's Summer, Lu." Offered Jackie's Uncle Chen, consoling his Uncle Lu.

Jackie just chuckled at that. Nothing was gonna ruin his mood today, not even his Uncles' lack of confidence in his abilities to avoid getting his ass literally kicked. After all, he was seeing his Ma for the first time in forever.

And that was something worth celebrating. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, here we have the next chapter. Folks have asked for more character interaction, so that's what the next few chapters are going to be, a sort of semi-family reunion. This chapter is mostly a re-introduction to various members of the Yuen Family and a regular introduction to Jackie's Uncle Lu, who we've only heard about in passing before this. Picture Shang Tsung from the nineties Mortal Kombat Movie in terms of looks, at least. Lu isn't an Evil, Soul-Sucking, Menace, after all.

At any rate, the next chapter will continue the family interaction.

Stay tuned. . .