Cliche Kung Fu Master-Disciple Fight

Hector P.O.V.

A routine is already established in my life. It’s incredible how fast routines start, how adaptable humans are. The “new” only lasts for a while before you get used to it. A good part of the human race abhors it, the so-called Thrill Seekers who always want to do something new, like they are afraid of becoming boring. I think they are never really satisfied for long, living on dopamine shot after dopamine shot.

On the other hand, others get stuck in their comfort zone and never try anything new. I think they live too little.

It’s all about balance, I guess… I learned that now.

Understanding that life is a cycle, you should enjoy the “new” to the fullest and appreciate the routine, too. Occasionally, step out of your comfort zone, a foot is enough, leaving one behind to step back if needed. I think this way you can extract the most from Life without being an idiot.

As a traveler, I’m bound to always experience new things, so I gained an appreciation for even the “boring things” of life. And isn’t this great?? If you can enjoy even the boring, it means you are happy most of the time, right? Why does no one talk about it?

In my time and world, Social media messed up with people’s sense of what is important… that is sad. My bitchy sister, for example, couldn’t enjoy anything without taking pictures to show off on social media. Seriously, she couldn’t live the moment. If she were not able to post what she is doing, she would consider it a waste because no one would know. She could be on the show of her favorite singer, but if her phone is dead, she would be sulking.

I pity her now… I thought that I was sad, but she was even worse. 

“I just had an enlightenment… I will break through in the next closed-door cultivation.” I joke while dusting the bookshelves.

My routine is very boring to someone of my age… Training, studying, working… The most adventurous thing I do nowadays is try new restaurants around the area.

And I love it! Peace~ Life is good…

Boom

“...” Of course, life is a cycle; nothing ever lasts forever. That’s why you should appreciate and enjoy every moment of peace that you can before things suddenly change and become chaotic again

I didn’t panic when the front door was suddenly burst open, even flying off the hinges and hitting a wall. I can hear the other residents of the shop hurrying to check what happened.

I watch the dust settle without moving. “I’m not gonna clean that…” I put the duster away calmly while Hak Foo appears dramatically from it.

Look at this guy farming aura after being brutally molested by me the other day. I guess he forgot. Should I remind him?

“Hak Foo is here!” He announces, talking in the third person.

“Hak Foo will have to pay for the repairs…” I say.

Jackie suddenly appeared from the upper floors by kicking the walls instead of normally walking the stairs. Another aura farmer… Kung Fu may not be the most efficient martial art, but damned me if it isn't cool.

When I become super strong, I’m gonna do cool shit like that sometimes instead of ending things with one punch.

Wait, I just reached the same conclusion as Saitama! Martial Arts is about moving in a cool way… Am I dumb? Or is Saitama a genius? He must be a genius.

“Who are you?” I’m shaken off my silly thoughts by Jackie shouting at Hak Foo.

“The famous Jackie Chan… Not impressed.” The red-haired man-lion says in a haughty voice

“You are with the Dark Hand.” Jakcie accuses, already halfway to a fighting stance

“Indeed, I will complete the task that he previous fools can’t accomplish!” Hak Foo declares.

“Hey!” Said fools appeared a little behind him, the three idiots and Tohru.

They seem serious, carrying the usual electric batons and… guns? Wow, this children’s show just went two years up in the Parental Guidance rating. A lot of shadowkhan started appearing too, sliding on the walls in their shadow mode.

Did the fact that Shendu has not even one talisman create a sense of urgency in the statue dragon? I guess he chewed Valmont about that.

Maybe I should end him… It’s already “late game”, I don’t need them to distract Jackie and Section 13 anymore.

While I was contemplating some drastic action and how to achieve it, the conflict between the two groups started. I don’t care that much beyond keeping the Chan family safe.

That would be a good opportunity to get the other talismans, but I’m “soft-locked” till the next “event”. Should I invade Section 13 and take their three talismans? I still want to check if the Rooster Talisman boosts my telekinetic powers.

I mean, normally one would think that I would gain two separate telekinetic abilities with different origins, psychic and magic… BUT, when we consider the fact that some talismans “boost” people’s physical abilities, I can’t see why I can’t do the same with another “natural ability” of mine(that no one has). The Rabbit talisman boosted my flight speed and not only running speed, which is what made me really consider that this interaction can happen between my power and the Rooster Talisman.

Oh, Jackie received a flying kick on the chest and was sent to the wall… Yeah, I clowned Hak Foo, but the guy is kinda of a counter against Jackie. He is very aggressive, while Jackie is not. You can’t always be like that; giving someone in the same league as you the initiative can be fatal.

And while we are in the shop, Jackie will hesitate to use anything as a weapon.

Uncle is dealing with the Shadowkhan and the dumb trio. I was almost stepping in, but several black vans screeched to a halt in front of the shop, and the agents of Section 13 appeared.

Damn, this has become a Last Battle… Well, not my problem.

“You would disappoint me, Chan.” Hak Foo says with an air of superiority “But I’m not here for you.”

Hak Foo then reaches for his waistband… Oy oy, pause! Ah, he is getting a handle from his pants. The phallic object gave me a scare for a second; I thought this was some different Jackie Chan world. 

Hm, now that I’m looking with attention, isn’t that the Talisman Localizer that I stole? I was disappointed with it because it needs to be close to point to the talisman, so it’s only useful when you already know the general location. I let the investigation fall to Section 13 and the Dark Hand anyway, so I never really needed it.

If the last two talismans are not something that will only appear in the location I know at a certain time, I would have gone for them.

Hak Foo raises the Talisman Localizer. I noticed that it is different from the last one, with only one dragon head, and he moves around like he is scanning the surroundings.

Oh, I had bad feelings… but I guess it’s time.

The place is chaotic… The Chan Family, the Dark Hand, Shadowkhan… Everyone pauses when the dragon's head stops staring at me and ignites like a torch.

“.........”

Well, this is awkward… 

Here I am, staying still, eyes open in surprise as everyone's mouth follows the example and falls to the floor. It’s not hard to guess what the thing in Hak Foo does, so everyone connected the dots pretty quickly. I could deny and play the fool, they would never find the talismans in my possession.

Whatever, it was bound to happen eventually, and the seed of doubt was planted… let’s rip off the band-aid.

So I just let the mask slip away and smile a little sheepishly while raising my hands to the air.

“Busted. Hehe~”

I’m still behind the counter, so I quickly equip the Talisman Belt that I made before standing up and walking around. I dramatically grab the hem of my shirt to show it to everyone while walking.

“I thought that I would have more time…” I say and let go.

Before my shirt can fall in place, I zoomed fast enough that no one is able to react, not even Hak Foo, the one who gets reacquainted with my fist. He must have missed it if he came back for more.

…………………………………..

Third Person P.O.V.

The place falls into a suffocating silence after the big reveal.

The mild-mannered and inconspicuous college student had never done anything suspicious, never appeared to be greedy, and he even worked for free. He was a hardworking, helpful, low-maintenance guy who was just there. Mostly out of the way, never complained about anything, never in trouble...

No one thought much about it. He appeared when this whole race for the talimsnas was not even established yet, when no one knew how high the stakes were. Who would suspect such a guy?

He was a side character… till he was not. He is the hidden villain. His whole demeanor changed, his face cold, and completely different attitude. Completely unrecognizable to anyone.

“Hector… Why?” Jade’s words cut the silence; her expression was hurt.

“...” Hector's pupils move to her. “I want the talismans.” He answers with a shrug, not delving further or justifying himself.

What can he say? Explain that he is an Omniversal Traveler collecting items of power to help him on his journey? Promise that he will not use it to evil? None of that will stick.

“I… I thought we were friends…” Jade is almost crying now.

Almost two months living together, talking every day… yes, it can be said that they are friends.

Hector pauses “Wow… That hit me in the heart more than I thought…” He comments with a expressionless face, tilting his head.“But sorry, is not enough to make me hesitate now.” His stance shifted, and he faces everyone, treating them all as enemies. Everyone answers in kind, preparing their weapons to fight him.

“Hector…” Uncle calls him “You are fired.” He says with a voice full of disappointment.

“...hahaha! I was not expecting a recommendation letter anyway!” And he attacks.

The Rabbit Talisman gives him enough speed to push every combatant out of the shop. He still respects the place. Only Uncle and Jade stayed behind.

“Ugh…”

“Ngh.”

Everyone, with the exception of the shadowkhan, groans in pain as they hit the ground.

“Sorry, I was not able to do it like those speedsters, so I just brute-forced with wind pressure.” Hector stops above the roof of a car. “Agent Black, right? I want you to tell me where you are hiding the talismans.” He points at the bald director of Section 13.

“Never.” Agent Black answers, gun in hand.

“Hmpf, I bet at least one of you agents is not so strong-willed.” He speaks like a villain, looking down on everyone. ‘Okay, this is a little fun…’

He is still feeling a little bad about the betrayal, so he will just embrace the side he chose and try to enjoy it. It’s his way of life, after all.

The street was closed by the agents, now blocked by black vans that shield the spies like policemen in a shootout.

“Useless…” His eyes light up with a yellow flame, and he starts blasting the cars with his heat vision. Agents jump from behind the cars, trying to take cover anywhere else.

Others start shooting him, but he ignores them… The combined powers of the Dog Talisman and the Horse Talisman make him impervious to damage.

“Now I know why Dio repeats ‘useless’ all the time… You all just don’t learn.” He says and grabs a nearby lamb post with only one hand and uproots it with the same ease an adult would harvest a carrot from the ground, and swings as easily as a baseball bat.

Bam

A group of agents in tactical armor is sent flying like dolls, gravely hurt at least. Hector swings once more, this time at the shadowkhan, and this time much more ruthlessly. 

Hector let the post fall and disappeared from his spot in a quick movement, like a blur, and reappeared in front of the dummy trio of the Dark Hand.

“Where are you three thinking you are going?” he asks with a warm smile, blocking their escape route.

“Ah… We… Eh, we… I need to get my suit in the laundry.”

“I have a dentist appointment.”

“Take my grandma to bingo.”

“...”

“...”

Hector's lips twitch at them, but he holds his laugh and attacks. Not as hard as he could have… Half because he has no hard feelings against those three, and half because he has a plan.

In three seconds, the trio is in very weird positions after being on the receiving end of high-speed judo throws.

“I’m not being paid enough for this.” Ratso groans

Hector starts getting annoyed by the mosquito bites he is receiving from the shots, so he decides to deal with all the agents quickly.

Now he becomes a blur, moving around the battlefield so quickly that no one can follow his movements.

Only the whoosh sounds, together with the shots of pain and the ants flying, show his path.

No one can resist, no one can go against him… He is too strong, too fast, and too durable… He is like a discount Superman, maybe a Homelander.

‘I ask myself who would be a stronger, a 12-talisman user or Homelander…’ His powerscaler thoughts drugs because the tasks at hand are so easy.

“Angry Crow Takes Flight!”

“Ah man… You again?” Hector rolls his eyes before looking straight at Hak Foo and blasting him with his laser vision.

Taking advantage that his attention is on Hak Foo, Jackie sneaks up on Hector and tries to grab his belt.

Swish 

But Hector simply moved two feet back at high speed, so that Jackie just grabbed the air.

Hector doesn’t attack, he stops and stares straight at Jackie, the asian man doing the same.

“Hector, there’s still time to go back and change your ways.” After a cough, Jackie straightens himself and tries to admonish him.

“Sorry, Sifu.” Hector just recently learned the difference between Shifu and Sifu. It’s just a change of dialect, considering that Jackie came from Hong Kong, Hector speaks the Cantonese version. “But no turning back now.”

Pow

And he attacks his teachers with a palm strike, sending Jackie flying till his back hits a car.

‘Here we go with another cliche… now of the student betraying the master. If I kill Jackie, Jade would probably seek revenge.’ He thinks with some humor, not that he would ever kill Jackie Chan.

“Jackieee!” Jade, who was watching everything, shouts.

Hak Foo seemingly takes a page from Jacie’s book and also tries to sneak up on Hector too. 

“Monkey Plucks Two Peaches!” he shouts, suddenly behind Hector in a side split, his right hand making an arch between the traveler's legs.

“Oh no, you won’t!” Hector shouts. Even if he is immortal and impervious to damage… There is still the mental damage to take into consideration. 

He steps back at lightning speed, changing stances, leg raised. “Take this Lin Fan shit far away from me!” he kicks Hak Foo’s face, also sending the man flying, a blood trail following his trajectory.

“Can’t believe that guy tried to steal my peaches!” Hector is still aghast with the audacity. A lesson that people can always play dirty, luckily Hak Foo is… well, a fool, and announced his attack.

Hector steps back to take a good look at the battlefield. He was almost caught off guard - not that it would have done anything - because his Future Sight provided by the Hercules Method has a flaw, or more like a limitation.

It’s more like Rudeus’ Foresight Eye than the Haki from the One Piece world.

He can predict the movements of someone and something in his line of sight instead of literally seeing a few seconds in the future. It’s very strong, his eyes can see beneath people’s skin, pay attention to the way the muscles and tendons move and contract… But if he is not looking, at best, he can feel the air movement. Not that reliable when so many things can remove his focus. So he is kinda weak against sneaky attacks from blind spots.

His moment to assess the Battlefield does not pass idly… Using the “Jackie Chan Style” he grabbed anything nearby and threw it at all the minor characters around, agents and shadowkhan alike fell by his aim.

He couldn’t take down everyone because Jackie Chan and Hak Foo jump at him again.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend moment…” he laughs, seeing the two attack one from each inside.

His limbs move like lightning, forearm and elbow frustrating the attacks, his legs occasionally rising to stop some sudden kick.

“Did you train in secret?” Jackie asks between deep breaths

“You taught me well, Sifu.” Hector answers, his face full of concentration “I’m not holding back now.”

He is not even using the Ox or the Rabbit Talismans. His superior body and senses are all he needs to keep up with the onslaught of the two masters. Well, the Dog and the Horse Talismans' passive power makes so that he can ignore any pain and attrition.

He will not get tired, or even wear off… It will happen with the other two first. He starts meeting their attacks head-on. Palm against palm, fist against fist… It’s obvious who ends with the advantage if things continue like that.

Even with the two enemies getting better and better with their teamwork, their defeat is inevitable. There are the talismans that he is not using, taken into consideration too…

Jackie made many attempts to get to his waist, to try to take his belt. Hector defends every time.

Even if he knows that it is useless. This belt is made by him and for him. The lock in the buckle is an intricate mechanism. It’s fully internal, with no gap to even be lock-picked. He needs to use his telekinesis to open it from the inside.

It will not come off, not even if Jackie tries to pull with all his strength. It’s made with strong materials from the post-apocalyptic world Hector visited, leather from aberration mutants that need to be hit with futuristic military artillery to be taken down. They would need a highly concentrated laser to cut it off.

The combat gets fiercer, and reinforcements start arriving.

‘Pointless fight at this point…’ Hector thinks while ducking under a kick, only to be shot on his shoulder by Agent Black. If looks could kill… Wait, it can!

His eyes filled with fire that he released on the cars, creating a barricade.

Boom Boom

He starts directing the fight with Hak Foo and Jackie Chan upward on the street. He grabbed them by the neck before jumping dozens of meters and throwing the two at some billboards up in the street.

The two masters are good enough to lower the damage taken and soften their eventual fall.

Hector jumps to attack Hak Foo, now concentrating on only one, the red-haired man is at a complete disadvantage, receiving multiple attacks on his torso, the air being forced out of his lungs.

Jackie arrives later with a drop kick, but Hector grabs his foot and throws him in the air. Jackie holds a lamppost and spins before returning with another drop kick.

It didn’t work once, so it doesn’t work the second time… even with Hak Foo trying to create an opening by attacking Hector at the same time.

“You two are really working well together…” Hector laughs and finally abuses his talisman powers. He uses the rabbit at the same time as the serpent, disappearing completely… Jackie Chan and Hak Foo hit each other, their eyes widening, as they are forced to brace themselves for the crash.

“Hahahaha!” Hector reappears some meters away, laughing. 

Hak Foo and Jackie Chan go to attack him, but Hector performs a half-useless backflip and lands on the roof of a cable car that was passing behind him.

The other two can’t let him escape, so they obviously follow him by jumping quickly on the side of the cable.

“If I were evil, I would kick your guys in the face…” Hector comments while standing on the edge of the roof, looking down on them “Oh wait… I am evil!” And he steps on Hak Foo's face, making the man fall on the asphalt while the cable car continues to move. “This is for trying to grab my balls.” He is still angry about that.

Jackie uses the opportunity to jump to the roof of the cable car with an acrobatic manoeuver.

“It’s just the two of us now, Sifu.” Hector smiles while looking at his opponent. 

“Why are you doing this, Hector?” Jackie asks, looking at his student seriously “You don’t look like you have evil intentions.

The two start circling each other above the red roof, the wind moving their hair, as the city of San Francisco changes behind them at high speed.

“Pfft~ How do you know that? You only know me for two months…”

“I watch you. I saw you studying seriously, putting honest effort into your work. I saw you helping our neighbors without asking for anything in exchange.” Jackie asks “You are not like the Dark Hand.”

“...Well, you got me there, Mr. Chan.” Hector shrugs after some hesitation “I’m not evil, I think. But I’m greedy. I helped because it cost me nothing, and I seek the talismans because I want their power. There’s no concrete objective or big plan to do evil afterward… I just want them because I want to be stronger, to be faster, to become invisible and shoot lasers from my eyes.” He speaks honestly. It’s almost silly.

“...”

“Sorry for the betrayal, Jackie. I really mean it…” Hector says seriously for once “But would let me have it if I made a pinky promise not to commit crimes? Huh? Would Section 13 allow that? Is a crime to own the talismans, huh?”

“...they are dangerous…” Jackie answers ith conviction.

“Guns are dangerous, and your friend, Black, uses them. A knife is dangerous, and anyone can have one. Even a pen can be dangerous if you are using it.” Hector interrupts “Anything can be dangerous in the wrong hands. It’s only socially acceptable to certain people to have control over guns, or even nukes, because they prove themselves to be capable of using them, right? Finding the talismans and acquiring them is the test to prove one's worth of their powers! I passed the test, Jackie! The talismans are mine by right of conquest! You, Uncle, Section 13, the Dark Hand or Shendu… You all will need to take it from my hands using the same method! Words are useless! You can’t convince me! Let’s fight!” Hector finishes his speech by adopting a martial stance, challenging his master. ‘It’s time…’ He thinks within the confines of his mind.

“...” Jackie sighs sadly before doing the same.

It’s the same stance. Their forearms are touching as the two stare into each other's eyes. They remain completely immobile while the city blurs behind them. Theta re waiting for the other to attack first, waiting for a signal.

Ding 

It happens when the bell of the cable car emits a sound. The moment they stop, Hector attacks.

Punch with his left hand. Jackie ducks and goes for an uppercut.

Hector raises his chin and throws his head back to dodge, and the half spins to deliver a kick. Jackie jumps over it and, with a frontflip, brings his heel down on Hector.

He dodges with a side step and spins to hit Jackie with a full swing backhand.

Jackie allows himself to fall more, opening his legs in a full front split to dodge.

Hector follows up by raising his leg high in the air and bringing it down on Jackie’s head.

The master rolls out of the way till standing up a little farther.

Hector is not using any powers, he is not even using his superior physical stats. It’s a fight of technique, reflexes, and raw martial arts.

The two exchange dozens of strikes with their arms while standing in front of each other, parrying and counter-attacking at high speed, hands flying to attack exposed points. The two are completely focused because one mistake can be fatal. It’s more than a simple dispute during a battle.

It’s a duel and challenge of skills, the one who comes in top will prove himself to be the better. It will be a heavy mental blow to whoever loses this little exchange, probably deciding the fight.

Bam

Finally, it happens…Hector's palms connect with Jackie’s solar plexus, sending the older man reeling back… He won.

A big smile blossoms on his face seeing Jackie being pushed back, off-balance.

“The disciple surpasses the master.” he laughs and presses his advantage.

The cable car goes back to move while he completely dominates the fight. To every three exchanges, he hit two attacks while deflecting another. 

It starts to become a one-sided beatdown.. His hands strike precisely all over Jackie’s torso and face. The shoulder, cheek, chest, clavicle, elbows, armpit, navel…

Jackie was forced more and more to his knees after every attack, also getting closer and closer to the edge of the roof of the cable car. San Francisco in the background projects danger like a cliff.

It finally ends… 

Jackie was forced to his knees, and Hector stood above him. 

“Goodbye, Jackie Chan. It was fun while it lasted.” Hector raises his fist while speaking with honest and genuine respect. 

But before delivering the final strike, Hector noticed something strange.

“Hm? Where did you get this rope?” He asks, looking down to see that suddenly there are some thin ropes around his leg.

Jackie used the distraction to throw the other end of the rope on another cable car that was passing by them, but in the opposite direction.

“Whoosh*

Hector was suddenly pulled, the movement creating whiplash and making him look like under the effect of ragdoll physics, and he was flung by the other car.

“...” As he is being dragged through the asphalt, hitting every single thing on the street, he is internally laughing ‘Hahahahahaha! Classic Jackie Chan move…’

He is happy; now things can progress like he planned.

……………………………………..

Later, Hector was handcuffed by a secret agent, his talisman belt at the hands by Agent Black, and he was forced into an armored black car.

He looks calm, ignoring all the unfriendly glares around him. ‘Hm, so this is how it feels to be the villain that loses… Not pleasant.’ He thinks while swearing to himself to never go through it for real.

While he was being conducted, Jade ran through the many agents and started punching his legs.

“Liar! Liar! LIAR! Why did you do that? Why? WHY?” The little never had such a close encounter with betrayal; it’s overwhelming her young mind and heart. Her friend is a criminal and a villain.

“...” Hector looks down on her without reaction, even when watching her tears. “Things are not always black and white, gremlin.” He says, only the two knowing that he is using the nickname he gave her, because his tone is completely flat, borderline unfriendly. “Just see me as a villain. It will be easier this way.”

He walks past her and sits on the back of the armored car. Agents in full tactical gear and heavy weapons sit around him while another handcuffs his legs.

While the double doors of the car closed, he heard Black talking with Uncle and Jackie.

“It was a blessing in disguise… We just got another seven talismans.” The agent says “I will keep it safe with the rest.”

“And what about Hector?” Jackie asks, still having good feelings for his students

“I’m sorry, Jackie.” Black shakes his head and looks at his old friend sympathetically. “He will be staying in a prison cell in Section 13 for the foreseeable future.” He says.

While the Chan family reacts with different negative emotions, from Jade crying to Uncle's disappointment, Hector is in a completely different mood.

Too bad that is the moment an agent put a muzzle and a blindfold on him so no one saw the big smile that spread across his face after he super-hearing captured Black’s words.

‘You are not paranoid enough, Mr Spy… You didn’t even check if the talismans on your hands are real.’ He thinks ‘And here I was worried that the track inside they would be easily found.’

……………………………………………