I don't know why, but I just want to update this a little early. I may not have time tomorrow, (I'm on vacation, but with a laptop near a wi-fi spot) or I may, but here's another chapter. I'm proud to announce that I've broken 300 reviews(a feat managed by Agi, obviously, and very few others in this fandom), and now have over 6,000 hits, though it isn't always the most accurate thing. I'm averaging about 120 hits per chapter, and still getting about ten reviews... aims evil eye at non-reviewing audience...

I'm sorry to say that this is really short, and there are no miracle resurrections. However, I think it's important that we tie the end of Flame of the Gods into the information presented in the books. (If you don't get the tattoo thing… I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry. When the men in the white coats come, give them my regards.)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the things I own. The things I own are the things not owned by Colfer. Colfer owns everything except the things I own. The things Colfer owns are the things I do not own. :) Try that one, all you people who think you're the next Artemis Fowl.


Madam was invited to that year's annual meeting of the Criminal Union. She was the world's youngest Criminal of the Year now. She was the world's most dangerous criminal. Nobody crossed her.

There were rumors. She hadn't been seen, and she had refused all job offers in the past four months.

Nothing was concrete, but they said she and her target had been horribly in love, and that he had saved her life, and in the process gotten himself killed. No one knew for sure. They weren't going to walk up to Madam and ask her. Everyone knew now, about her family. Why she'd become a hit woman.

Out of respect for her achievements, the CU had demanded a formal apology from the Sun Ye On for the murder of innocent persons, especially the atrocity against a child.

People wondered whether she would come or not. Rivers would not say. Well— he admitted Madam would not tell him. At any rate, there was a huge attendance rate that year.

They were halfway through first session, the audience considerably disappointed, when the doors at the back of the hall opened.

Heads turned.

Madam stood in the doorway a moment, and then walked forward quietly, down the long carpet and up the stairs of the dais to the chair at the front of the room for honored guests.

The black dress she was wearing dropped down in the back, and etched in eternal ink between her shoulder blades was a blue diamond. It was something you wanted to take a picture of and plaster all over your walls, but no one did, because they felt it would be rude.

She seated herself slowly, and looked at the room.

No one moved.

With one finger she reached out and turned the mike on. "Next year," she said softly, "I will be starting a school. A school for bodyguards. Only the Butler family is invited to attend, but I suppose everyone will want to hire them." Her gaze swept the audience, and stopped for an instant as she met the eyes of Zane's brother.

"I will not be available for a press conference. Please don't risk it. Since Zane died there is no one to restrain me if I become angry."

One of the peace enforcers as the side of the room looked at her pleadingly, hoping she wouldn't become too angry, since he was only doing his job, and said: "But on CU grounds—"

Madam rose. "Rules only apply to those who care about the consequences. I have no one left to care about, including myself."

She turned her back to the room for an instant, looking over the wall with the names of criminals of the ages, who would forever be remembered. Her name was to be put up later that day. "Do not but my name on that wall. Put Zane's. I did it, but he caused it."

Madam began to walk down the stairs. "Besides, I do not want to remember what I have done."


Sniffles, no? It had to end that way, sadly. You know the rest. Madam has obviously become who she is in the books. Note one of her most important rules is not to get attached to your principle. Also, that revealing your name is highly discouraged. Hmm… I actually didn't plan that out. I just realized it.

Anyway, I think Zane was definitely a good character. No GarySue-ness in him. I'm glad I wrote this story. To make up for it though, I'm going to turn out some humor this summer, and A Questionable End will definitely have a happy ending. I promise! (it's AH, for Agi) Love to all of you who reviewed especially. I can't wait for the next story all ready! (I have obsessions with updating constantly, and always having a story. It's weird, I guess, but I freak if I have nothing to turn out. Good thing I'm a few years ahead of schedule. Everything's marked on my calendar. Isn't that sad? I have no life)

You who do not review: Your evils will condemn you on the day of judgment. :)