"So, you need to gather all magical forces to annihilate Daolong once and for all."
Anton fully understood the purpose behind District 13 request for help.
In the original storyline, Daolong was Old Daddy arch-enemy, who had once collaborated with the Holy Master before being betrayed by him.
For revenge, Daolong even revealed to Old Daddy the spell to seal the Holy Master.
In an episode of Jackie Chan Adventures, when facing the Holy Master, it was because of this spell that Jackie and others were ultimately victorious.
However, this doesn't exonerate Daolong.
Regardless of his background or his manner of conduct, Daolong is unequivocally a villain.
Moreover, the abilities Daolong displayed in the storyline also showcased his caliber as an excellent villain.
Whether it was summoning the Shadow Legion, transforming Varon subordinates into demons through dark magic, or the final spell that subdued the Holy Master, all demonstrated an exceptionally high level of prowess, even surpassing Old Daddy.
If not for the narrative law that evil cannot defeat good, Jackie and his team would likely have been defeated, or even killed by Daolong.
Of course, as a qualified villain, Daolong end was similar to the Holy Master.
After Daolong was captured and imprisoned, during the struggle for the memory gem capable of traversing time, Daolong was left permanently in the past, never to reappear until the series finale.
While contemplating, Anton fully understood why Jackie was seeking his help.
Daolong emergence brought tremendous pressure on District 13.
Having only Old Daddy and Ghost Rider Johnny was not enough to provide District 13 with a sense of security, so they needed the Dark Justice League to intervene with absolute power to eliminate the threat posed by Daolong.
"That right, exactly as you said, we hope to concentrate all our forces to completely eradicate Daolong," Chief Black and Jackie Chan nodded.
"We have already pinpointed Daolong approximate location. After leaving Los Angeles, he hid in the European continent.
Currently, we are collecting traces of Daolong through the World Security Council, ready to strike as soon as we have an opportunity," Chief Black explained, looking at Anton.
"Understood."
Anton nodded, "I will stay in Los Angeles until Constantine and Shazam arrive, waiting for updates."
"Thank you," Jackie Chan expressed his gratitude.
Having Anton present meant that not only the Justice League but also the Dark Justice League was paying attention to this matter.
Now they just needed to locate Daolong exact position and then assemble their forces to strike.
Time flew by.
A week had passed since Anton arrived in Los Angeles.
During this time, Shazam!, the latest movie produced by DC, had been released for four days, raking in over 200 million dollars worldwide, with projections to surpass one billion.
Undoubtedly, this was another blockbuster superhero film.
After Anton suggestions for revisions to the original script of Shazam!, the film plot had not changed much, but the small details added a touch of sincerity.
Furthermore, the excellent performances of the two main actors, combined with the film nonsensical comedic style, created a new Shazam!.
The success of this movie was not accidental.
Anton was quite satisfied with it.
What pleased him even more was that Shazam fan value had exceeded the exchange standards.
He redeemed Shazam at the first opportunity.
Looking at the Shazam clone he summoned, Anton was somewhat surprised the summoned clone of Shazam remained in its adult transformed state and seemed unable to revert to his youthful form.
Of course, this was no big deal.
Shazam always maintaining his transformed adult state would not affect Anton plans.
Just then, Anton received a message from District 13.
"We've found Daolong he in Italy."
Upon receiving the message, Anton quickly made his way to District 13.
A few minutes later.
Anton, Johnny, Jackie Chan, and Chief Black, among others, gathered at District 13.
"Johnny, long time no see," Anton greeted Johnny.
"Long time no see."
Johnny nodded, his gaze towards Anton filled with gratitude.
He certainly had reasons to be grateful to Anton.
Without Anton, he would likely have become a puppet under the hell lord Mephisto by now.
These days had been life-changing for him.
After the last demon event, Johnny realized that his identity seemed to carry a certain mission, so despite his friends advice, he left the entertainment industry to become a special consultant for District 13.
He also served as a member of the Dark Justice League.
While carrying out missions for District 13 and resolving mysterious cases, he collaborated with Jackie Chan and became close friends with him.
His current life, though less busy, felt fulfilling to Johnny.
Most importantly, he had reconnected with his first love.
All these changes started with Anton guidance.
So, he had every reason to be grateful to Anton.
"Anton, where are Constantine and Shazam? We've pinpointed Daolong location, just waiting for Constantine and Shazam to be ready, then we can set off immediately to annihilate Daolong and his gang..."
Chief Black looked towards Anton.
As he spoke, Anton interrupted him, then said, "Let head out now. Let go to Italy right away. Constantine and Shazam are already in place."
"What?"
"In place? When did they get there?"
Jackie Chan and Chief Black were confused.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't say it if it weren't true. If I say they are there, they definitely are," Anton reassured, pretending to check the time on his watch and shrugging at the puzzled group.
"Maybe, they might even get to Italy before us."
"Alright then."
What else could Chief Black do?
Since Anton said so, they had no choice but to believe him.
Thus, the group set off quickly.
Including Anton, everyone boarded District 13 charter flight from Los Angeles to Italy.
Notably, Little Jade also insisted on coming along.
Originally, Jackie Chan disagreed with Little Jade following them on the mission, but Anton found it amusing and persuaded Jackie, allowing Little Jade to join the flight to Italy.
This made Little Jade develop a fond liking for Anton.
"Anton, don't worry, I'll protect you," Little Jade patted her chest.
She said, "I am the Queen of Shadows."
"Alright, I'll rely on you then, Your Majesty," Anton replied with a wry smile.
In the original animated series, Little Jade indeed was a game-changer, outperforming even Jackie Chan and Old Daddy.
Furthermore, the Twelve Spells seemed to favor Little Jade unusually, often bestowing her with miraculous powers.
While talking, he glanced at the backpack Little Jade was carrying.
Little Jade instinctively shrank her neck as if Jackie Chan had caught her in the act, and guiltily glanced at Jackie Chan, Old Daddy, and Chief Black. Seeing that none of them were paying attention to her, she breathed a sigh of relief.
The Twelve Spells were the treasures of District 13, not to be used except in crucial moments.
This time, as District 13 and the Dark Justice League were mobilizing to confront Daolong, it certainly counted as a crucial moment.
Thus, Chief Black and others took out the Twelve Spells.
But they could never have guessed that the Twelve Spells they were holding were fakes.
The real Twelve Spells had already been switched by Little Jade.
"Hehe."
Little Jade suppressed her joy and nervousness internally.
She knew that once the Dark Justice League members assembled in Italy, she must make a significant impact to earn an invitation to officially join the Dark Justice League.
Although Little Jade was very familiar with the Dark Justice League, she wasn't really a member.
Jackie Chan was the member.
Little Jade was just his assistant.
And as a spirited child with grand dreams, she could not accept being just a minor assistant.
"Joining the Dark Justice League and gaining the recognition of Constantine is the future Little Jade aspires to achieve."
A few hours later.
The plane landed at Milan International Airport in Italy.
Their destination was a small town in northern Italy, Valletta Aosta.
Located in the northwest of Italy, bordering France to the west and Switzerland to the north, it considered a border region of Italy.
The journey from Milan to this northern town didn't take much time.
As soon as they disembarked from the plane, Anton eyes narrowed when he spotted a man with a receding hairline standing in front of their aircraft, gesturing for them to come over.
"Coulson?"
Anton turned in surprise to Chief Black, the head of District 13, and asked, "What an agent from S.H.I.E.L.D. doing here to meet us?"
"Ah, didn't I tell you?" Chief Black responded,
"It was S.H.I.E.L.D. who helped us locate Daolong. Without their intelligence, we wouldn't even know Daolong was hiding in a small town in northern Italy."
"Oh?"
Anton had not expected this twist involving S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. found Daolong?
He frowned slightly, recalling the northern Italian town they were about to visit. Suddenly, he remembered that Hydra remnants in the European region, including Baron Strucker base, were also supposedly in a small town somewhere in Europe.
However, the movies had not specified exactly where Baron Strucker base was located, so Anton had subconsciously overlooked this detail.
Seeing Coulson standing in front of him and putting the pieces together, a thought flashed through his mind.
Could Daolong be collaborating with Hydra?
After all, Daolong is indeed a troublemaker.
In the original plot of the Jackie Chan Adventures, Daolong had connections with several villains featured in the series.
For instance, Daolong had transformed Varon subordinates into demons under his control, collaborated with the Holy Master to fight for spells, was betrayed by the deceitful Holy Master, and had a clear conflict with the original commander of the Shadow Legion, the demon lord Tala…
Given this, it wasn't impossible for Daolong to establish ties with Hydra, one of Marvel major villainous forces.
Otherwise, why would Daolong choose to flee to Europe instead of continuing to hide in the United States?
Furthermore.
The fact that Daolong could move from the U.S. to Europe under the intense scrutiny of District 13 must also be linked inseparably to Hydra.
"Hello, nice to meet you, I'm Phil Coulson, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. This time, your operation against Daolong has been instructed by the World Security Council, and S.H.I.E.L.D. will fully cooperate," Coulson greeted everyone simply and then turned to Anton, who he hadn't seen in a while.
"Seeing you here doesn't surprise me at all."
He smiled, "Anton, the mysteries of the Justice League are beyond me. I can't even begin to fathom what other cards you guys might still be hiding."
"I feel exactly the opposite seeing you here surprises me," Anton shrugged.
"Also, I'd advise you not to ponder over things you can't understand. It will make your life much happier.
Like, I can't understand the significance of S.H.I.E.L.D. existence. Luckily, since you're in Europe, I don't have to see you or try to understand you, which makes me quite happy."
Despite the jibe from Anton, the good-natured Coulson wasn't bothered.
He knew that due to some of Nick Fury past actions, Anton, and the Justice League behind him, had developed a discontent with S.H.I.E.L.D.
If S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't withdrawn from the U.S. and avoided direct confrontations with the Justice League, given the recent events within the U.S., S.H.I.E.L.D. might have been severely undermined by the Justice League.
"Let get in the vehicles we have prepared all the equipment you'll need to reach the destination," Coulson motioned everyone.
The group approached the vehicles provided by S.H.I.E.L.D. and got inside.
In the lead vehicle, Coulson briefed the group.
"Let me explain the situation you're about to face," he began.
"The small town in northern Italy, Valletta Aosta, is not as simple as you think."
"The town has long been infiltrated, especially the Bard Castle there, which is full of enemies."
"So, what you're facing is not just Daolong but an entire terror group with formidable armed strength."
As Coulson was explaining, Anton interrupted with a question.
"Is it Hydra?"
"Yes."
Coulson glanced at Anton, not at all surprised by his question.
Or rather, to Coulson, it seemed normal that Anton, a member of the enigmatic Justice League, would have access to or could deduce such intelligence.
"Yes, it Hydra."
Coulson nodded, "According to our intelligence, Daolong has become a valued guest of Hydra, and they seem to be conspiring on a major event.
From what I understand, their 'major event' probably equates to a world-threatening terrorist attack…"