A/N: Ayo! Goldenpurple here! It's been a long time, almost 3 years long. So much happened between then and now, like A LOT. My explanation's at the bottom of the chapter.
Disclaimer: I own my characters and this story idea. However, I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures. The overall tone of the show would be a bit more serious and darker in canon if I did. All other credit goes to John Rogers and Duane Capizzi, the show-runners of Jackie Chan Adventures.
One year, three months, three weeks, and two days; nearly 16 months.
Nearly 16 months ago, the city of San Francisco was in complete mayhem. Drago, the son of the Fire demon Shen Du, gained all the eight powers of his demon brethren and attempted to usurp the world starting with San Francisco. However, in the same night Drago rose to power, he was defeated by the Chans, the J-Team, the T-Troop, the Enforcers, and Hakfu. Even Drago's father Shen Du was resurrected from stone and fought to stop him. In the end, a banishment spell was cast and Drago, Shen Du and the 12 talismans of the Chinese Zodiac were sealed into the Demon Netherworld. When the daybreak broke through the once-red clouds, the citizens of San Francisco could see that their beloved city was left in pitiful shambles.
Buildings were broken, fields were torn up, roads were burnt down and ruined. The biggest areas of damage were the Golden Gate Bridge that carried a devastating gap in the middle and the baseball stadium whose ground looked like it had been mysteriously torn open. It was all so strange. In the aftermath, many citizens had wondered how so much destruction could occur in a few hours in a night. To answer everyone's impending thoughts, the mayor made an announcement at noon on TV blaming the city's chaos on the really big meteors that flew down close to hitting them. It was a weird answer, but somehow plausible enough for people to believe it true. It wasn't like anyone could give a better answer. Over time, the city moved on from the tumultuous meteor shower and worked together to rebuild the city one building at a time. Parks, old buildings, streets and so many other things that were destroyed were remade. Many people created charities and lend their aid in construction and/or financial issues. With so many people working together, things were starting to go back to normal. Even the Golden Gate Bridge became open and safe to drive on again. As time went on the meteor shower felt like an unreal miracle, like the night never happened.
Within some months of the city's rebuild, the Ice Crew were arrested, put on a long trial, and were sentenced to six months in Hollowlands Penitentiary. Out of nowhere, they were released after five months on good behavior. The only crimes the trio of young men were punished for was the damage done to the Space Needle and the thefts all over Seattle, and even that didn't really amount to much. The troublesome trio's claim of them being turned into dragon minions and working for a demonic dragon didn't go over too well with the justice system, but who could really prove them otherwise?
As time moved on, the heroes who helped seal the demons away and put the world into balance once more did also.
Section 13 was wrecked—completely shattered in the rubble. Captain Black was able to talk to his superiors in Washington about the destructive meteors and requested to have his underground base rebuilt, which they affirmed and congratulated Black for his bravery in helping the city and maintaining control. Within a year's time, Section 13 was rebuilt and had new features that Black and his agents would substantially enjoy. There, Captain Black still remained as the head of Section 13 and his employees got to keep their jobs as well.
Jackie was able to go back to his archaeology work between the museum and the university. He was glad he wasn't disturbed by any demons or magical trouble anymore. Life for the archaeologist felt like it was back to normal, the kind of normal before Jade and all the magical mess dropped in.
Jade's school had closed the rest of the week for the students and staff to recover from the night. The following week's Monday, Jade had to go back to school (much to her boredom and dismay). At least in her days off, Jackie allowed her to become a "pre-Section 13 agent". Whatever that meant.
Uncle's antique store had been half torn down because of the serious tremors that tore up the city. Fortunately, Uncle's and Jackie's home insurance would cover everything and have people rebuild the shop back to normal. During that time, the Chans had to live in an apartment and wait until they had the okay to move in again. When the new building was all ready and done, Uncle's Rare Finds looked as if it was never torn down to begin with. The Chans moved back in and Uncle went back to selling his antiques along with Tohru, the new full-fledged chi wizard, whom everyone was proud of.
The Enforcers and Hakfu collectively decided that working for bad guys in the magical department was bad for them physically and financially. With the help of Section 13, Captain Black worked to help the four correct their records and get them on the right path starting with probation. Since then, no one really had to worry about the quartet getting into trouble.
El Toro and Paco returned to Mexico, where the latter would officially start to train as the former's protege. Every once in a while, Jackie and Jade would go to see El Toro's and Paco's matches as champion and learning luchador to watch.
Viper went back to her job as a secretary museum consultant in New York City. Her work was a little more demanding than a job like Jackie's and the ex-thief had less time to visit the Chans. Periodically, Jade and the ex-thief would email one another on the goings-on of their lives.
The T-Troop returned back to Farmer McDonald's farm. They were downcast at the loss of their cool powers, but Eggbert and Mordecai realized that this was a necessary sacrifice to keep the world balanced. Still, this didn't stop the two animals from visiting the Chans with Farmer McDonald whenever they missed them.
For nearly 16 months, there were hardly any reported crimes dealing with demons, wizards, fantasy creatures or any kind of magic that was disturbing or would put the world out of balance. This was extremely good news to all the adults; it felt good for life to go back to normal and to put all the crazy nonsense of the past behind them. To Jade Chan, this kind of life was pure boredom. No talismans to play with, no evil villain to stop, no magical artifact that could spice up her day (even if it wasn't for the better). For the 14-year-old girl, all she did was wake up, eat, go to school, go home, homework, and occasionally check out the new-and-improved Section 13. The only good thing about her life post-magic was being a "pre-Section 13", whatever that meant. Jade wasn't even sure if that was a real thing.
Fast-forward to today, Friday, the best day of any American kid's school week. For Jade and all the other kids that went to her school, today was an extra-special exciting day!
"Today is the last day of school! Man, I thought school would never end!" Jade joyously exclaimed as she arrived through the gates of her school to the schoolyard. Before the bell would ring for the first class to begin, all the kids would gather to talk and/or play on the playground and basketball court as some early morning recreation time. Jade could hear the sounds of kids talking, shouting, playing and whatnot; the things children her age would do on their last day of school.
"After today, I'm free for three whole months of summer! Too bad Drago and his demon daddy Shen Du got banished Demon Netherworld. I need some kind of challenge!" Jade eagerly told herself. Even though magic interfered in her life for years, she never got tired of having fun with her uncle Jackie. She had almost hoped a demon would come to surprise her family. Almost.
"Remember when that meteor shower hit the city 'bout a year back?"
Jade turned her head to the right to see a small handful of kids standing to the side chatting loudly; Drew was the one who asked the question to his peers. As much as Jade didn't like Drew and wanted to stay away from him this morning, Jade was keen to hear what the kids' response would be in this topic so she silently nudged her way in the crowd. Everyone who heard the earlier question gasped and all blurted out their pieces at the same time to whoever would lend their ear.
"Oh yeah! That was freaky!"
"Yo, I thought one of the meteors was gonna hit my house!"
"Those were some huge meteors—the biggest I've ever seen!"
"If it wasn't for my dog barking, my family and I wouldn't have woken up to see it."
"I've seen shootings stars, but definitely not meteors!" Jade heard her friend Jimmy admit aloud. Thanks to Jade's help, he had gained some courage within himself to stand up to the bullies that would get on his case again after his little 'field trip' with Jade into the future. From then on, Jimmy and Jade became friends.
"I didn't hear it, but I saw some of it on the news. Looked more like asteroids to me."
"Asteroids and meteors are the same things, duh!"
"No they're not!"
"My parents woke me and my brothers up in the middle of the night so we could stay in our basement until it was all over. Kinda wished I saw it though."
"I was a little scared, but I didn't cry. I hid in my basement with my mom, dad, and baby sister until the meteor shower stopped. No biggie," one kid bragged. Jade didn't have to turn her head to know who that was.
"Tch, yeah right Drew! I bet you were bawling your eyes out and wetting your pants," Jade called Drew's bluff with a roll of her eyes and crossed arms over her chest. The crowd of children quieted down and turned their attention towards the Asian girl, who had pushed past some kids to get in the middle of the circle.
"Actually, I didn't because I was counting on you to come in and save the city with your shadow ninjas and super speed rooster and your sumo wrestling friend to fight the meteors off," Drew mocked. His peers laughed as Drew pretended to do martial arts by standing in funky-looking poses. "Hiya! Huah! Cha!"
"One: it's Shadowkhan, not shadow ninja, and they're so last two years ago. And two: it's super speed rabbit, genius!" Jade retorted with another roll of her eyes and pointed to her fingers. This explanation didn't help Jade in her case, or so she realized too late. "And three: Tohru's too light to be a sumo wrestler."
"Potayto, potahto, it's all the same magic. With all the adventures you tell everyone, what does it matter?"
"It's not the same magic. And you believed me that one time after the science fair!"
"No-No, I didn't! It-It-It was probably the bad tuna I had at lunch messing with my head!" Drew blew off the memory and scrambled to make up an excuse. Ever since he saw a flying moose out the window and magic animals running-a-muck at the science fair, the black boy refused to believe it. Magic wasn't real. "And at the time, I needed new glasses so I'm not sure if it was a flying moose or a really huge bird. But you sure have a perfect memory, Jade."
The kids standing around them began to laugh and point as Jade was proved wrong at every turn. The Chan girl couldn't think of another kind of response. Her open hands curled into fists and she could feel the anger in her spirit quickly rise. Jade had hoped no one would mess with her today. I guess you can't always get what you want, Jade let out a hopeless sigh.
RIIIIIIIIIING!
The students all around suddenly looked up at the ringing bell on the school's wall. Immediately, every child darted off inside the building and to their classes so they wouldn't be marked tardy. Usually Jade was tardy every week or two and an occasional phone call home. This time, Jade made sure today was going to be different. Before Ms. Hartman closed the door, Jade managed to sneak in and sit at her desk, which unfortunately was right beside Drew.
"Good morning class," Ms. Hartman was the last to walk in the classroom and welcomed her students as she did each and every day.
"Good morning Ms. Hartman!" her students replied back in unison.
"Today is officially your last day of school. Since you collectively have done well on your behavior this year... "
"Everyone except Jade," Drew coughed out and a chuckle or three followed coming from the back of the classroom. Ms. Hartman gave everyone (mainly Drew and the snickering students) a hard stare, which made them stop talking instantly.
"Since you all have done well this year, I brought a movie for you all to watch and have a little party in the meantime. I'll pass out work and some projects that I have taken and graded and give them back to you. If you have a bad grade, there is a good chance that you can redo the assignment by the time you leave. Maybe it can bring up some of your grades," the teacher kindly suggested. She opened her desk, took out a small pack of papers, and started passing them out to the students. The kids quietly cheered to themselves and turned to talk to one another.
"Wait... you're not making us do work today?" Jade raised an eyebrow at her teacher.
"Everyone has worked hard this year. A day's break to relax before summer vacation couldn't hurt anyone," Ms. Hartman nodded to her student and handed Jade an assignment with a bright red 'A' on it. Jade picked up the paper and gasped.
"Yes!" Jade made a little fist pump to her side. She happened to look over to her right at Drew, who had a disappointed look on his expression. He was just given a black marked 'F' on his paper.
"Since you have plenty of time to make this paper up before you leave for the summer, I suggest you start now, young man," the teacher pointed to the paper.
Drew groaned and slumped his head onto his desk. "Aw man... "
Today does feel a little better, Jade thought as she snickered at Drew's bad grade.
Another part in San Francisco...
The clock ticked just a couple of minutes after noon time and the morning fog was beginning to settle down, making way for the sun to radiate its light with little to no clouds in the sky. As the weather in San Francisco gradually got warmer around this time of year, the number of people coming out of their houses to enjoy it increased. There were many hobbies to partake in such welcoming weather—fishing, swimming, hiking, etc. It wasn't like the weird meteor shower had changed anyone's minds about their own pastimes; the citizens were back on normal time.
Esmira took the nice, warm weather as an opportunity to start up a hobby of hers: gardening. For a couple of weeks now the elder black woman's garden was beginning to actively sprout all kinds of herbage and vegetation, much to her delight. There were tomatoes, bell peppers, lemons, apricots, plums and many other types of shrubs set up in a part of the land in her backyard. Some of the shrubberies were not too far away from germination and others were set to be picked. Here, Esmira decided to start her day picking out the ready produce. She was dressed in a matching beige loose shirt and pants. The black woman had a large sun hat on her head to protect her skin, body, and hair from the heat. The lady was bent down in her plot of soil picking out the sprouted plants and setting them in their assigned baskets.
"Deliah!" Esmira called in a sing-song voice.
A couple of seconds later, a young brown-skinned woman with long black curly hair pulled back in a low ponytail opened the backdoor and took a step outside. "Yes Ezmi?" the woman asked sweetly.
Upon seeing Deliah's face, the gardener carefully picked out a rosemary herb and placed it in its assigned basket. Esmira wiped her forehead and let out a tired sigh. The black woman pointed at two baskets full of freshly picked rosemary and tomatoes in front of her and wiped her forehead. "Do you mind taking these in? My back is wearing me out."
Deliah nodded at Esmira's command and fully stepped outside. The brown woman was wearing an indigo cropped tee and dark blue jeans. She wore two bronze bracelet cuffs on both her wrists with unique decorated markings. Deliah's clothing style was different than Esmira's because the heat did not bother her; in fact, Deliah welcomed it. The younger woman walked in front of the baskets and pointed down at the pair of full baskets. "These ones?"
"Yes and be careful. The tomatoes are heavy."
"Feh, "heavy"," the brown woman playfully scoffed with a proud smirk. With ease, she lifted the full basket of tomatoes first and set it on her shoulder before moving on to the herbs and doing the same thing. "[Even in this form, my demon strength enables me to lift many times more than the strongest human on Earth. Some few vegetables in a basket cannot wear me down,]" Deliah beamed as she walked inside the house.
"Oh, so you're bragging?" Esmira said with a chuckle and followed the woman inside.
"[I do not brag. It's just fact.]"
"[Well, don't get any smart ideas and go showing off like you did the last time.]"
"[Me? Show off? What last time?]"
"[Remember the last time you went to the gym?]"
Deliah frowned at the memory and gave a pouty look at Esmira as she set the tomatoes down on the kitchen counter. "[I'd rather you not remind me of the reason why I refuse to train at human gyms anymore. And I was not trying to show off. I was doing my best to blend in and not get noticed.]"
Esmira cackled and slapped the top of her knee in glee. "Did you see that macho man's face? He was so mad!"
"I was not paying much attention to him," the young woman monotoned. "I may have left before he did."
"Then you should've weighted to see his expression," the black lady replied and paused to sit down. Her smile grew wider when she saw Deliah pause also and slowly turn to give her a deeper frown and disapproving head shake.
"[No. Just no.]"
"[No what?]"
"[That was not funny.]"
"Okay, okay. That wasn't funny," Esmira said and stopped her laughing. She got up and grabbed a smaller sized box to put her fresh rosemary herbs in. The black woman grabbed a small handful of rosemary in the box and made a tiny grin. "It was hilarious, ehehe."
Deliah was in the middle of putting the fresh tomatoes in the fridge when she heard the last part and stopped again. Typical of Esmira to pull a pun (or any other sort of joke) out of nowhere. "You and your jokes and puns. Why do you like them so much?"
Esmira snickered behind her hand as she put more rosemary in her herb box. "Because-"
"That was a rhetorical question. I have heard that joke one too many times from you," Deliah semi-harshly scolded. When she was finished with her vegetables, she closed the fridge. "While you were out in the garden, your shipment for the little cauldron you bought came in."
"Ah! You left it in the basement, right?"
"Of course."
"Good, good. Now I can take a break before going back outside again," Esmira said and grabbed herself a glass of water. She sauntered over to the living room and plopped down on the long couch.
Esmira Amoah and Deliah Dajani have lived in the San Francisco as aunt and niece for a little over six months and found themselves enjoying life there. It was peaceful, safe, and quaint—well, in their eyes. While Ezmi and Deliah lived typical and normal lives, they themselves were not typical and normal people. However, this didn't mean they wanted to be disturbed by anyone with malicious intentions, magical or non-magical.
Deliah opened the refrigerator again and nosed inside for a good long minute before calling to Esmira in the living room. "We need to get some groceries."
"Ah, that's what I forgot!" the elder snapped her fingers and got off her seat to rush back to the kitchen. She reached in one of her drawers and pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to her niece. "I'm planning on cooking and creating some potions in the evening and I need some stuff for you to buy today. The closest grocery store to find most of the things is a good twenty-minute walk from here."
Deliah picked up the piece of paper and checked each of the items on the list and finally nodded. "Do you have grocery money?" Ezmi nodded and pulled out a three $20's and a $5 and handed it to Deliah. The brown woman held up the cash and curiously held it up like she wanted to openly question the prices.
"I don't know Deliah. I wish it wasn't so expensive, but that's just how it is," Ezmi nonchalantly shrugged. "Remember: the closest grocery store is twenty minutes from here. Watch your surroundings, keep the money safe, try not to mishandle the groceries, and be careful."
Deliah let out a tiny sigh and gave a look at her aunt. "Ezmi, we live in a safe city. I know how to take care of myself."
"Ah-ah!" the black woman held up her finger to stop Deliah. "[Just because you are physically younger than me and not human does not mean you are invincible, Deliah. You can't let your pride make you think you're completely made of iron,]" Ezmi said in a soft, advising tone. "[Everyone has faults and flaws, demons included. I'm reminding you that anything can happen to anyone and I am just reminding you to be safe because I care. Okay?]"
Deliah opened her mouth to protest to Ezmi's words but then shut it with an audible 'click'. She paused to think about her aunt's words and finally let out a retired sigh. The brown woman stuffed the money in her back pocket and walked to the front door. "I understand."
Uncle's Rare Finds...
"Today is the last day of Jade's school year. No more conferences, no more phone calls and most of all, no more of Jade getting in trouble at school," Jackie bragged with a wide smile as he laid back relaxed in his chair. He was on break for today for the university/museum so he had the whole day to stay home. The Asian archaeologist was sitting in the kitchen of Uncle's store eating lunch in his own wistful thoughts. Tohru was also in the kitchen dividing his time between preparing tea and baking chocolate chip cookies for everyone. In the back part of the shop, Uncle was doing inventory and tidying up the library.
"It is nice to know that Jade will be able to take a break from school for some time," Tohru added as he placed the cookie tray in the oven. "But it makes me worry that Jade could get into more trouble at home."
"Jade aaaalways gets into trouble!" Uncle claimed outside of the kitchen. He then walked into the kitchen and sharply pointed a feather duster at his nephew. "One more thing! Jade never listens—something she learned from Jackie! One more thing! Jackie's recklessness is why Jade is who she is today!"
Jackie frowned at Uncle's comment and sat up in his chair. "But Uncle! I am not encouraging Jade to act out and fight. I do not even like to fight! The only reason I do is that bad guys come after me and I am forced to defend myself!" the archaeologist argued with a complaining tone.
"Jackie, come closer," Uncle beckoned his nephew with his index finger. The Asian man got out of his chair and walked over to his uncle, unsuspecting of what he wanted. When he was in close proximity to him, Uncle swiftly whacked Jackie on the top of his head with his feather duster.
"Ow!"
"So you think it's okay for Jade to fight and get herself in trouble constantlyyyyy?!"
"You cannot blame Jade for being easily influenced by her uncle, sensei. Jade is a child. She will learn to grow out of it when she gets older, I'm sure," Tohru explained to the chi wizard in a collected manner. "I am surprised over the years that she didn't get killed or seriously hurt, but grateful nonetheless."
"Jade does call herself "The Cunning One, not saying I am agreeing with that," Jackie said, which earned him a disapproving look from Uncle. "But I believe Jade's days as a troublemaker are coming to an end. I mean, it has been over a year since Drago, Shen Du and the talismans have left the Earth. Since then, there hasn't been any monsters, evil wizards or demons that have come after us. After so many years, we will finally be able to go back to having a normal life," Jackie sighed happily. Then, his face went funny as the Chinese archaeologist looked up in the air and cupped his chin. "But it's strange how all the magic trouble started the day Jade arrived here."
"Yes. It does seem suspect," Uncle frowned at the thought. "But Uncle is glad he can take break! Traveling from place to place around the world is tiring! Uncle neveeer had time for nap!" Uncle said with a huge sigh of relief as Tohru poured him a cup of hot steaming tea. "Thank you," he told his ex-apprentice.
Brrilililing! Brrilililing!
Jackie was slightly startled to feel something vibrating in his back pocket with a shrill robotic ring; his cell phone. The researcher held up a finger and politely excused himself, "I have to take this." Jackie picked out his cell phone from his pocket and walked out the back kitchen door into the garbage alley to answer his phone. "Hello?"
"Afternoon Jackie. How's everything?" Captain Black responded on the other end.
"I am just home on my day off from the museum. How is everything with you?"
"So far so good. My superiors in Washington have finally stopped bugging me about the 'M' word and my sanity," Augustus replied with a hearty chuckle. Ever since the first time he had mentioned the 'M' word to the higher-ups in Washington, his superiors and even the San Franciscan mayor had suspected that Captain Black was slowly beginning to lose his mind from working on his job for too long. But as time went on and the bad guys Section 13 had to face were hardly in the magic department, Black's bosses felt it was right to trust him again.
Jackie raised an eyebrow at his phone. "Really? So they know-"
"They don't know anything about that and they still don't know anything about that," Black hastily cut his friend off. "I left it at a 'meteor shower' and I plan to leave it that way in order to keep my job and not be committed."
"I see. I am surprised your superiors did not ask or try to do some digging into what really happened."
"I'm glad they didn't. Wouldn't want to be there to see the looks on their faces if they actually decided to do some digging," Black said. He tapped his ballpoint pen on the table in annoyance and deeply scowled. "I'm more miffed my superiors didn't do any more digging on how in the world the Ice Crew was able to evade major prison time. They were all eighteen and over; we had them in Hollowlands on a sentence for six months and they were released in five. It just doesn't make sense."
Jackie glared at the wall as his mind took him back to the day when he had gotten the news that the Ice Crew were released. He let out a long sigh and rubbed the back of his neck as if he were ashamed of the news. "I am as baffled as you are, Augustus, but you cannot blame the justice system. Who would believe three teenagers saying a demon turned them into dragon minions and became criminals?"
"I tried to convince my superiors otherwise but there was nothing they could do about it. Their sentencings were final."
"I just hope I do not have to see the Ice Crew again or get into any more trouble with them," Jackie said. "I have been enjoying the past year not worrying about any 'M' words occurrences and being able to work at my real job between the university and the museum. Having to fight and battle the forces of evil all the time is tiring."
"I hear ya. Now I feel more comfortable sleeping eight hours a night," Black agreed. "At least you don't have to worry about the Enforcers and Hakfu being criminals anymore."
"Ah, yes! I believe they said they were on probation and were working as part-time agents in Section 13 so the law could try and pardon their previous crimes or something."
"Yup. When they came into my office begging after you-know-what, I was a little reluctant to take them back in after everything they've done. I told them I didn't want to have to waste my time. They told me they got tired of you handing them their asses, getting enslaved by some dark forces and always getting in trouble with the law, and I told them that if they wanted to do that, they would agree to be on probation for some time so Section 13 could monitor their moves," Captain Black reported over the phone. "So far in the past couple of months, they've been doing good."
"That is good to hear. Maybe they can finally become law-abiding citizens as Tohru has."
"Only time will tell since those four have to report in from time to time."
A light-bulb mentally went off in Jackie's head as he lifted up his wrist as if he was looking at the time. "Speaking of time, what time is it?" the Chinese man turned to look through his window.
Captain Black took a quick glance at his watch on his right wrist before saying, "2:25."
"2:25?" Jackie's repeated in shock. "I better go. Jade should be coming home around this time," he said, hitting the 'end' button and going back into his house.
"Who was that?" Uncle called from the library. When Jackie went in to briefly check in, he found Uncle on top of his stepping ladder re-arranging some books in his library. The grand-uncle was so deep in his inventory that he didn't bother to look up at his nephew coming in the room.
"Captain Black, business as usual. I will be in my room training if you need me, Uncle," Jackie casually responded over his shoulder and left.
Uncle hadn't minded his nephew and pushed two books in the bookshelf aisle to the side to stick one in. The volume fumbled in the old man's hand just before Uncle had put it on the shelf and fell to the floor with a dull sounding thoom! "Aiyah," the chi wizard softly groaned to himself. He hated when this happened. Uncle gingerly climbed down the stair ladder, walked over to the open book and stopped. Uncle adjusted his spectacles and bent down to make sure he was seeing the open book's page correctly. On the left page was a picture of eight different colored gemstones assorted in a circle: white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple. Over the jewels had each of its names in black print. "Uncle has seen this somewhere before... " the Chinese wizard said to himself as he stared at the page. He turned to the right page side and saw another image visual of an Asian man in robes surrounded by other Asian men in warrior-like garments like the former was getting apprehended. In front of the warriors was a soldier with a large bushy beard dressed in teal-greenish robes and a matching hat. Uncle recognized this familiar get up on the warrior and gasped. "Lo Pei!"
Then it all clicked in Uncle's brain. "Ah, the Gemstones of Zhou Wei!"
Underneath the large picture was fine print in a paragraph that Uncle invited himself to skim over with his index finger. "'Zhou Wei was arrested for numerous crimes, including the impersonation of a Chinese Court Wizard and the abuse of his dark chi power throughout China. Zhou's gemstones were confiscated by Lo Pei and by the order of the Second Chinese Court of Magic, Zhou Wei was executed'." The elder chi wizard stared at the open pages for some time to take the information in before abruptly shutting the book and putting it in its proper place.
In the afternoon...
RIIIIIIIIIING!
As soon as they heard the bell rang, every kid burst out from the entrance doors of Garden Valley Middle School ready to greet their summer vacation with open arms. It was odd; the official end of their school year was a joyous and yet, a bittersweet moment for everyone. Many of the children were shedding small tears, giving goodbye hugs, talking, playing, exchanging some form of contact, etc., as they poured out of their school building to their exits. From there, the kids divided off in their different directions to go home; some went to the car line for their mom, dad, or legal guardian to pick them up via car. Some kids were bus riders heading to the assigned bus in the bus lot. Many children that took their bikes to school were unhooking their bikes and heading home. The rest of the children who were in a closer proximity with the middle school walked home on foot, Jade Chan was one of them.
"Man, I can't wait to get home! I'm gonna lose five pounds this summer!" Jade said excitedly and pumped his fist into the air.
To Jade's right was her friend Simone Magus, the Iranian girl who was nearly eaten by Spring-Heeled Jack a couple of years ago. Before then, Simone did not particularly care for Jade Chan and her "forces of darkness" stories and brushed them off as hallucinations and crazy talk. After her "meeting" the Victorian Leaping Demon Troll and having a small chat with her magic-believing grandparents in Iran about her ancestor Simon Magus, Simone quickly changed her mind about her magical beliefs and, even though they weren't in the same class, began to form a friendship with the Chinese girl. The Iranian was the only one in the school who was willing to listen and believe some of Jade's "forces of darkness" tales and went on to be considered one of Jade's few friends. After all, Simone was there to witness (and nearly die) from one of them. Simone giggled a little behind her hand at Jade's joke and turned to face her. "Aren't you too young to lose weight?"
"Nope! When I get home, my five-pound bag will be off my shoulders for three months. So technically, I lost five pounds," Jade explained. To prove her point, the girl removed her book-bag from her shoulders and let it drop on the cement.
The brown girl bent down and lifted the bag for a moment before setting it back down. "That is heavy. Then I guess I lose six pounds from my book bag," Simone added and also let her bag drop as it made a dull 'thud' on the ground. "But then again, all that food we had in Ms. Hartman's class added with my lunch made me gain five pounds without a book bag, so I really only lost one pound."
Both of the girls laughed at the joke as they picked up their bags and continued on their way. Jade caught her breath and wistfully sighed. "Ya know, it's weird. I'll kinda miss school, even though Ms. Hartman was always calling my uncle and gave me lots of homework."
"I'm not exactly going to miss school. I hated how whenever it rained some water would drip through the ceiling," Simone mentioned and couldn't help but to shiver. "Sometimes the rain would drip on my head and-"
"Oh Ja-ade!"
A familiar, sing-song voice made Jade and Simone stop dead in their tracks and turn around. A couple of feet away on the sidewalk stood Andrew 'Drew' Walker, aka Jade Chan's arch-nemesis, with two other kids the girls recognized from their school. Drew (the group's assumed leader) took a step closer to Jade and Simone with a cocky grin and a confident stance.
Jade huffed with disdain and crossed her arms defensively. "Drew," she snorted. Drew was the absolute last person she wanted to see on her way home. "What do you want?"
"What's the matter? Are you in a rush to get home to fight some dark ninjas and the ultimate evil or something from taking over the world?" the black child taunted. For show, he put himself into many martial arts poses as he karate-chopped the air and made his friends laugh. "Hiyah! Ya-huh! Kee-yai!"
"It's none of your business, Drew," Simone spat and stepped in between Jade and Drew.
"Aw come on Simone. I was just playing," the black child insisted.
"Why're you defending her, Simone? Don't tell me Jade got you fighting the forces of darkness too," a red-headed girl in pigtails and teal overalls said.
"Because your jokes aren't funny and Jade is my friend. Jade hasn't done anything to you guys. It's the last day of school, give her a break already," Simone scolded and pointed at Bailey, the girl in the overalls.
"We'll stop with the jokes when Jade stops telling fake stories," a kid with large glasses and a backward red snapback chimed in. "What's the next thing Jade's gonna tell us? A huge demon caused meteorites and fire to fall from the sky around a year and a half ago and destroyed the Golden Gate Bridge?"
"No, but close. It was actually this mini fire-breathing demon dragon called Drago who took his family's elemental demon chi powers and grew into this huge monster who wanted to take over the world! But my uncles and I and some friends of ours banished him and now we don't have to worry about that walking scaly briefcase anymore," Jade exclaimed almost excitedly. The Chinese girl beamed proudly as she watched Drew, Alec and Bailey's smug smirks instantly wiped from their faces and replaced with blank stares. Even Simone was stunned to silence, her eyes wide in shock. Jade crossed her arms defiantly and grinned wider. "Whatcha got to say about that?"
Drew, Alec, and Bailey exchanged their expressionless looks for some seconds then paused turned back to Jade. On cue five seconds later, the three kids burst into raucous laughter on the cement. The kids were laughing so hard that they had doubled over and fell to the ground clutching their sides. The trio had gathered some attention from the bystanders afar watching them. But the youngsters could care less about the unwanted attention they were getting.
"Jade Chan really isinsane!" Bailey cried out in hysterics.
"'Demon dragon wanting to take over the world'!" Alec howled and slammed his fist on the ground.
"And I thought I over-exaggerated things! But this?!" Drew wiped the tears threatening to fall from his face. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually gonna miss Jade the Ninja Girl and her crazy stupid stories!"
Jade frowned at Drew and his group and her eyes fell to the concrete. I should really think before I speak, she told herself. Now would've been a good time for Jade to shrink and disappear.
Simone stared at Jade, then to Drew, then to Jade, then to Drew and his friends again. In two seconds flat, the Iranian girl made up her mind. Simone stuck her nose into the air with a haughty humph, gaining her laughing schoolmate's notice. "If Jade says that a demon dragon made those big meteors fall from the sky and he destroyed the Golden Gate Bridge, then I believe her," the brown girl boldly defended. The trio exchanged empty glances once again and went back to rolling on the floor laughing. Simone then flipped her hair, grabbed Jade's hand, and whisked her away on the sidewalk from Drew, Alec, and Bailey, who were cracking up so much that they didn't even notice the two girls leave.
As Simone pulled her away from her hecklers, Jade couldn't help but beam on the inside and outside. Not many people stuck up for Jade; one) they weren't too fond of the "Ninja Girl" and two) sticking up for Jade possibly meant getting targeted also, and so many kids did their best to keep to themselves. And the last time someone was bold enough to stick up for the Chinese girl was... nevermind. Not going into that territory, Jade shuddered.
"Don't worry about them, Jade. They're all just stupid," Jade snapped out of her thoughts to hear Simone mutter. "And Drew is the last kid trying to laugh at anyone about anything. Remember that day at recess when we were playing dodgeball and Drew tried to hit Judah with the ball and he ducked at the last minute?"
Jade's face lit up with glee as her friend recalled the incident to her and giggled a bit. "Ooh yeah, I remember that! The ball ended up hitting Mrs. Hartman in the face and broke the lenses in her glasses! Drew got in soooo much trouble that week! Remember that morning when a part of the ceiling fell and how loud Drew shrieked?"
"Remember that time when Drew somehow got a worm in his pants and he started squirming around the courtyard like he was doing some weird chicken dance?"
"Remember when Zoria Anderson "accidentally-on-purpose" dumped chocolate milk on Drew's head?"
With the addition of each memory, Jade and Simone couldn't help laughing at those happy times (at Drew's expense) within the school year and stopped on the sidewalk. Both girls laughed and laughed and laughed until they decided they wanted to quit and took in some deep breaths to control their breathing. Simone looked behind her to make sure neither Drew, Alec, Bailey nor anyone was around then turned to her friend. "So Jade... " she trailed off uneasily.
"What?"
"... Is what you said about that dragon wanting to take over the world true?" the Iranian stammered a little and twiddled her thumbs. She leaned over into Jade's ear so they could keep their conversation between them. "Did a huge demon really try and take over the world with demon powers and stuff? I mean, if you don't want to talk about it that's fin-"
"Tch! Like I would lie about something as serious as that!" Jade declared and put on a smug smirk. "If I had pictures, I would've shown 'em to you."
Simone's eyes bugged out and she covered her mouth. "Really?"
"Yeah! It was crazy! Drago was, like, 50 feet tall! An' he had these huge wings and long chin tentacles and a tail and huge ram horns! He was super strong and had all sorts of power and stuff! Drago was so mega bad that my uncle had to get mega reinforcement like his demon dragon daddy from stone to fight him off!" Jade excitedly exclaimed. At least someone was willing to listen and believe her. "We went to the baseball field downtown and all of my friends were fighting Drago and his loser trio of demonized minions and huge serpents and ghost snakes! It was so cool if it wasn't scary. Some of my friends nearly got squished by Drago and his dad's fighting."
"And you guys beat them all? Just like that? What if they come back?"
"If Drago and his demons did win, you and I wouldn't be standing here right now. We would be enslaved or probably dead. But that is why the J-Team was there to save the day," the Chinese girl finished. She winced as her story and turned to her friend. "You... do believe me, right?"
"Well, it's kinda hard for me not to anymore," Simone curiously tapped her chin. "Aside from the night Spring-Heeled Jack almost ate me alive, all of your stories about fighting evil and stuff have been pretty consistent."
"By the way, what did your parents say when you told them that?"
"Well, when my mama took me home, I told her everything from beginning to end. I don't know if she really believed me though, she looked kinda skeptical. But in the summer of last year, I went to visit my grandparents in Iran and I told them the same story. They nearly had a heart attack when I even mentioned Jack's name! Then they had this whole talk with me about Jack, my ancestor Simon Magus, and all sorts of Persian magic stuff that exist. My nana even gave me a charm to take home," Simone explained in detail and beamed. Words couldn't express her gratitude for the beautiful necklace she got to take home.
"She did?"
"Yup, but I don't have it on me now. Nana said that when I wear it, the necklace would ward off evil and protect me. By the way, thanks again for saving me from Jack. Otherwise, I-"
"Otherwise, you would've died and your mom and dad and grandparents and everybody would miss you," Jade repeated with a smile and dismissively waved her hand off. She had comically heard this one too many times. "For the bazillionth time, don't mention it. If anything, I should be thanking you for standing up to Drew. Hardly anyone ever stands up for me like that."
"Well yeah... but what about that one kid with the spiky hair you were friends with for a short while?" Simone interjected. "I think his name was Seymour Woo-er, Wooja—Woojasomething. You know, the guy who told Drew that the only person he'd be able to take to the Spring Dance was his mom?" the girl said and let out a small chuckle. "That comeback made that guy pretty popular. I wonder where Seymour went. He was here and gone just like that!"
Simone didn't notice Jade's face as the latter felt a dark chill run down her spine. She pouted but did her best to remain cheery so Simone wouldn't see the difference in her attitude. "Seymour Woojahoositz? He couldn't stay for long. The last time I heard from him, he had to fly back home with the rest of his family. I haven't heard from him since," the Chinese kid disclosed stiffly.
"Huh. Seymour was kinda cool. He never even said goodbye," Simone pondered aloud.
I'm glad that little, deceiving, rotten, liar bat-thing didn't, Jade told herself and felt another shiver run down her spine. She shook the memories out of her head. Jade quickly got over herself and placed a hand on her companion's shoulder. "But back to you Simone. Seriously, no one's ever stood up for me in school like you did back there. Thanks."
The Iranian put on a genuine grin that stretched from ear to ear and placed her hand on Jade's shoulder. "What are friends for?"
Both girls stopped on the corner of an intersection where it was busy and had cars driving up and down the street. Jade ripped out a piece of paper from her bag and a pencil and scribbled down on the slip and handed it to Simone. "My address, email, and telephone number."
Simone took the note and read it with a broad smile. "Okay!" Simone folded the paper and placed it in her dress pocket. She set her bag down, grabbed a pencil and wrote down her contact information to hand to Jade also. "Here's mine."
Jade looked at the paper and folded it up inside her sweater pocket. "Sweet."
Just then, the road was clear of cars and the signs hanging above reading green to walk across safely. At this point was where Jade and Simone would part ways; Jade would walk to the left across the intersection. Simone would turn right and keep on the sidewalk going home.
"Welp. This is the part where we part ways," Jade said. "Hopefully we can hang out in the summertime."
"Definitely!" Simone keenly nodded. With a final goodbye hug, both girls waved to each other and walked in opposite directions down their street.
In Uncle's Rare Finds...
"Jade Chan has arrived!" Jade yelled as she grandly stepped in her home. Her voice slightly echoed throughout the house, gaining the attention of her family members. "What's up?"
Jackie's door opened upstairs and Jackie stepped out. He was dressed in a white shirt and black sweats and had a towel draped over his shoulder. From a distance, Jade could see the sweat coming from her uncle's forehead. "I was wondering when you would come back," Jackie welcomed his niece and walked down the stairs. "How was school today?"
"It was awesome! We had a party in Ms. Hartman's class the whole day, we got to watch a movie, and we got extra recess time."
"What? No phone call from your teacher?" the researcher jokingly asked and ruffled his niece's hair.
"Nope! Ms. Hartman let me off today," Jade answered. She put down her book bag near the door and walked into the kitchen to see Tohru. "Hey T. Whatcha up to?"
"Just in time," Tohru smiled at Jade. In his hands, the large chi wizard held a large sheet of fresh cookies and set them down on the kitchen table. There was another sheet that was completely filled with hot brownies ready to be eaten. "I have just finished making some chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Would you like to try?"
Jackie walked in the kitchen with Jade and was the first to grab a cookie and take a bite. "Mm. Your cooking never disappoints, Tohru."
"Thank you, Jackie," Tohru replied with a thankful smile.
"Mm, maybe later. Kinda full from all the food I had at school. Besides, I'm hungry for something else, if you know what I mean," Jade nudged Jackie in his legs and winked. The archaeologist raised her brow and looked at his niece in slight confusion.
"If you are hungry, there is more food in the fridge. But do not eat too much, otherwise there won't be any room for dinner," the archaeologist said.
"No Jackie, I'm not actually hungry," Jade replied in an obvious tone.
"Then what is it?"
Jade slapped her forehead with a sigh and shook her head. "I'm talking about the action, duh! The can of butt-whoop waiting to be opened!"
"What?"
"The ancient magical artifacts? The demons and dark wizards? Any crooks? Kicking any bad guy butt? Solving any mysteries? Anything for the summer?"
Uncle Jackie couldn't help chuckling at his niece's enthusiasm and patted her head again. "Nope! I think for the first time in a couple of years there will be peace and quiet," Jackie said and grabbed another cookie from the cookie sheet.
Jade's narrowed her eyes at her uncle and her jaw dropped. Hearing this, she felt her spirit suddenly sink to the floor. "What."
"We will not have any problems this summer with magic or demons or evil wizards. It's done—over! It'll be back to my archaeologist job at the museum and university for me!" the Asian archaeologist jovially explained.
"You mean I went through all the trouble of trying to get out of school for the summer all for me to sit around and do nothing?"
Jackie let out a sigh and knelt down on one knee and placed his hands on his niece's shoulder. "Jade, this is a good thing. I get tired of having to make sure the world stays in balance all the time. We've been through a lot and come so far. Don't you want to rest? Sit back and relax and enjoy time to yourself without any bad guys coming to ruin it?"
"But Jackie! I'm gonna be completely bored this summer! Somebody has to step out of line!" Jade whined and fell to her knees in despair. "Where's Uncle? There has to be something going on, I dunno-"
"Uncle is doing inventory, not to be disturbed!" he called from the library.
Jade ignored Uncle's warning and ran into the library anyway to find Uncle assorting some books on the shelves. The Asian girl ran up on the stair ladder to Uncle and practically threw herself at her grand-uncle's feet. "Please tell me what Jackie's saying isn't true! Tell me there's going to be some evil out there that we have to stop!" Jade tugged at Uncle's vest jacket. "Daolon Wong returns for some revenge? One of the Demon Sorcerers secretly escaped and possessed somebody? Some evil guy out there trying to collect magical stuff to take over the world or something?"
"Aiyah! Uncle said he is busy doing inventory right now!" Uncle said and picked Jade up to take her out the library.
"What about summer? What about having adventure and excitement or something?"
"You want excitement in summertime? Clean room. Sweep floor. Sell antiques. Wash dishes," the older man scolded and pointed at the different directions of the chores needed to be done around the household.
"Aw!"
Jackie heavily sighed. "She never listens," he said to himself as he gently massaged his temples.
"This is gonna be the worst summer ever," Jade sulked on the floor. She had dreamt up of so many summer adventures happening throughout her day in school; an "archaeological dig" turned action/adventure, some mystery Captain Black and Section 13 wanted Jackie to solve, maybe even Uncle having the willies and the 'Chan Clan' (as Jade liked to call it) figuring out its' cause. To hear that her summer was going to be normal crashed Jade's plans hard.
"Think about it this way Jade," Jackie did his best to console his niece by handing her red skateboard and her helmet. "For three months you have no homework to worry about, your bedtime is ten o'clock, and you can go skateboard with your friends in the park. The most work you can do at home are chores."
Jade looked down at the skateboard and her helmet and looked at her uncle with a disapproving frown. "Gee wilikers Jackie. I feel sooo much better."
A/N: If you're not interested in reading this long explanation, skip to the next chapter and don't worry about this.
I'll start from the beginning; Chapter 27, the author's note I made in October of 2016. I had Chapter 27 written and ready to be posted, but I started to lose motive for this fic and wanted to redo the season 5 I did a long time ago because the season 5 in my head preceded Gemstone 9. I went ahead to write and post the first chapter of that season 5, but THEN I changed my mind again because I realized the season 5 would take so much time and energy to finish, making me lazy. My writing drive (somehow) transferred back to Gemstone 9 and multiplied, so I completely dropped the season 5 idea. New Fire, Bad Day was supposed to be the first episode of that remade season, but that will be deleted now and I'll use some parts for Gemstone 9.
In the last author's note, I said I would make some revisions here and there because I knew G9 had big rooms for improvement. It first started out small, but as I got older my writing advanced big time, so much that I redid the whole story. The characters, settings, backstory, subplots, etc., were all rebooted. Some changes are hardly noticeable; those who followed G9 from the very beginning can put two and two together to figure some stuff out. Other changes are bigger, some to a point of a complete do-over. After all that was finished, I deleted the old chapters and summary to make way for the new.
Many of you have known me since I came to FanFiction in 2013 and knew that I wrote my fics with some levity to best match the tone of JCA. When I got older and wrote the one-shot Stuck in Limbo, I found that I enjoyed writing fanfics that were... darker and challenging. When I turned to the G9 reboot, I knew some of the things I had planned were not going to be all too kid-friendly.
As a heads up, there will be some blood, language, suggestive content, and more adultish kind themes I can't remember at the moment. If these kinds of things are triggering or not to your interests, please hit the Back button. If anyone has any question about my reboot, shoot me a PM or write it in your review and I will do my best to answer.
Otherwise, read right ahead.