Well here is chapter 12, I tried to hold off on writing this story but the muses hit me with a hammer and I had to write. I'm writing 13 now and will try to have it up before the end of the week. Enjoy.

"Finally, it's about time I got to go on an adventure."

"Oh Jade, the last couple of months have been nothing but an adventure."

"I mean a real adventure. Like the kinds we use to have. I miss the quality time with you Jackie."

"Oh Jade."

Jackie ruffled his niece's now silver hair, admitting to himself the strange bonding they have shared over the years. Captain Black was kind enough to allow them to borrow a plane for their adventure, the pilot heading in the same direction for a different mission. He glanced back at the three additional bodies joining them. One was his new assistant Hak Foo. The burly man stood as tall and strong has he ever did, his red star mane as long and fierce as it ever was. Beside him was their newest, and most surprising addition. Her black-blue haired covered most of her face, her eyes darting out the window as her hand copied what she saw. Hak Foo saw her sketching away, giving a strong huff to show his grief.

"Why did she come along? Someone who can mark out little pictures will be of little use on this trip."

Without letting her eyes leave her pad she replied.

"For three reasons. 1, I can speak over thirty-seven languages and where we are going we are bond to run into atleast five or ten that I doubt you are fluent in. 2, since I've gained these strange powers moving things or telling them to move may come in handy with all the possible traps we may very well run into. And C, I have this."

Lydia held firmly in her grasp a beautiful key. Time had taken a toll but it's silver metal still shined threw the time worn scars. The handle was small coils wrapped intricately around a strange gem. It was a strange shade of green not found in any other precious stone, giving off a slight, almost supernatural glow.

Hak Foo remembered the key well. He had recently come in contact with a fabled map that claimed to lead to a treasure of unimaginable worth. For thousands of years men had sought after the map, with very few knowing that simply finding the map was only half the challenge. It would indeed lead you to the palace, that according to legend, held the great treasure. But a key was needed for one to gain entry to the palace. Without the key, the journey would be made for nothing. When he had arrived back in San Francisco, joining the Chans for dinner and showing his mentor the map, he made note of the key painted into the map's fabric. Jade had then remarked on seeing such a key, worn around the neck of a local artist. Sure enough, at the age of 5 Lydia Muse had bought the key at a street market while traveling overseas with her father. Throughout the years she had occasionally worn the item, fashioned as a necklace and completely oblivious to it's worth. Lydia had refused to allow the item to leave the country without her, easily fixed by allowing her to join them. Sadly no one had told Ratso of her departure and was last heard working with three different cell phones strapped to his side, able to react at the first call of trouble.

After seeing the key, Hak Foo was reassured on why to bring someone who could do little in battle. He knew that such a rare find was sure to have attracted a few eager treasure hunters by now. And the only backup they brought, he honestly didn't know if they could depend on.

On the opposite side of the plane, looking the very definition of boredom, sat Drago. He tediously tapped his long green claws on the frame of the window, lost in thoughts all his own. It had been years since he had returned to any part of china, the last time gave his most cherished and feared memories. The others had no idea of his age, his breeding or any part of his past. He wondered if it would be honorable or disgraceful to visit his mothers grave, they were landing surprisingly not far from it. It was in the late 1700's when his father's spirit found a way to leave his stone prison, at the time still sealed away in an aged temple. The local village worshiped the stone icon, making offerings and prayer in hopes that Shendu would bless their village. Is mother was the first offering of it's kind. Her father was a poor, wounded lame man who seemed to be going blind in both eyes. He had no way to farm, no sons to aid, only a daughter who held no dowry. In a desperate act he gave his virgin daughter as an offering. Shendu seemed pleased with the offering, ordering the frightened girl inside his temple. With trembling form she entered, and stayed for four nights. The day she emerged, her body was badly burnt is patches, scratches and scuffs covered what her small shreds of clothing could not. The village treated such marks as signs or honor, for she clearly pleased their god. It was not till two months later, when her belly began to swell did the village truly see her worth. She was carrying the child of their god and master. Once her pregnancy was confirmed, the village elder himself ordered the town to erect the largest and most lavished house for her. They accepted her father moving in with her, as he grew fat from accepting all their offerings of food. As the months passed, whispers spread in the village in wonder if she was truly caring Shendu's child, and not the child of a night of whoreish delight. It was September 18th, the year of the green fire dragon that he was born. No one could deny his parentage, he was born with his full set of scales, his tale and rumor has it he blasted a small puff at the midwife after she had slapped his bottom. He calmed immediately once his mother held him, their moment cut brief buy a temple maiden calling them on behalf of Shendu's statue. The villages made her a platform as they paraded her down the main road and to the base of the temple. The statue's red eye began to glow as he scanned the child. He appeared pleased with the child, proclaimed his name and returned to rest. His years were rather uneventful in his mind, he aged, he trained and by his father's orders he was the only one allowed in the inner sanctum of his temple where he was forced to study the numerous scrolls it's library held. This was his life, the life of a sacred prince. Never allowed to leave or let the occasional outsider look apon. His grandfather encouraged him to ask for more lavish and rare gifts, the chief encouraged him to make the villagers follow their human leader and to plant a seed of desire to make them want to take over other villages. The only one he trust was his mother. Xue. She wasn't extremely beautify, nor was she exceptionally skilled in any domestic chores or art forms. What she lacked, she made up for in her kindness and loyalty. She loved her son dearly, trying to help him find a path all his own. His only regret was that he himself did not kill the one responsible for her death. Or the death of

"Hel-low Drago!"

Drago was pulled out of his thoughts by the calling of the youngest, or debatably, the oldest Chan.

"Uhh, What is it ?"

"Gheez I was just telling you we're landing and to buckle up."

Drago gave a stern grunt, but did as he was told. Forcing himself to avoid thoughts of his old life.

Jackie and Hak Foo gathered their bags as Jade helped Dragon adjust his disguise. The hat, scarf and long jacket not only helped hide his demon features but also protected him from the intense cold. The small team of five made their way down the ramp as Lydia asked a few questions to the flight attendants.

"What language was that?"

"Russian."

"But we're in China?"

"Right, but our destination I right where China, Russian, Mongolia and Kazakhstan join. No telling it the signs in the temple will be in any of those languages or a completely different one."

"But you can translate quickly right?"

"Normally yes."

"Oh good, the last this I wanted was to spend my school vacation waiting around just to hear a message that says turn right at the next fork in the road."

"Hey come on kid, you're starting to get alittle cynical, even for me."

"Really."

"No."

"Well it's not may fault if

No sooner had Jade and Lydia made their way into the back seat of their waiting car that they found themselves being jerked back. With a female under each arm, Hak Foo spun and bolted in the opposite direction. Meer seconds after Jade and Lydia were forcefully evicted from their vehicle, another vehicle forcefully collided. They watched as the cars caught fire, had they remained inside the crash would have killed them instantly. If they were lucky. A loud clanking sound echoed in the night, Drago and Jackie scanning the area to find it's creator. A large burly figure made it's way into the dimly lit area. He wore a thick white fur coat that seemed to blend him in perfectly with the old and new snow around him. His hair was long and greasy, it's thick curs leaving stains on the white fur whenever he moved. He stroked his long beard with one hand as his other held a firm grip on his ivory cane. The figure head was a spectacular bear, it's face cringed and it's fangs bared. Perhaps he carried to make himself appear more sophisticated. The cane did not help.

"Such a shame. These streets at night can be ever so dangerous. We are so fortunate not to have lost such two lovely ladies."

His eyes trailed over Lydia's features, appreciating her womanly body. When he gazed at Jade he thankfully seemed only interested in her silver hair, shining brighter in the reflection of the snow. Hak Foo kept a firm grip on the girls, with the approaching battle with Hei'an, they could not allow two masters to be harmed. Jackie stood to meet the strange man, Dragon tuned his back as from the shadows more men appeared. Each armed with a different weapon but waiting on their orders before using them.

"Yes we are lucky. Strange though, I've never seen a car without a driver crash like that."

"Ah my friend, the men here get bored easily. They look for fun in many ways."

"Is one of those ways hurting innocent people."

"Big car, big crash, big boom..big screams, big fun. But enough small chitty-chatty. I have heard word they you have found my map."

"Your map?"

"Yes, My Map. Must have lost it a week ago, but you will return it. Yes?"

"Why should we!"

"Hush Jade! But yes, why should we? Why not combine our manpower? We could find what we are looking for much faster and safer."

"Silly little man. I do not find. I take. And when I find Ama-ar Ayal I will take all I see."

Drago gave a small laugh as he turned towards the man in the large coat. Should his men attack he would still have time to counter.

"You do know that it's guarded by a fierce and powerful demon right. Those pretty little knives your boys have aren't gonna help you much."

In anger, one of the younger looking thugs threw a few strange curved knives. Drago dodged as Hak Foo tried to protect Jade and Lydia. Two of the knives found themselves embedded in scattered debrief. The third made brief contact with Jackie's arm. He griped his arm as blood began to pool. Jade freed herself from Hak Foo's grip as she rushed to her uncle's side. The wound was not too deep, but needed to be treated. She regretted turning down Naomi's offer to accompany them.

"Little boy, I am Ivan Kudryashov. I take what I want, I fear no one, especially not some little imaginary creature that mothers tell their small children. I will find the palace, I will take the treasure, and if there so happens to be some ancient beast I will make sure his skull will forever sit at my feet AS A GODDAMN FOOT REST."

"Oh for crying out loud."

Lydia released herself from Hak Foo in an aggravated manner. She swiftly pulled the map hidden in his pocket, and with a single motion unraveled it. She glanced at the image printed on the old material, looking up to see Ivan staring at it intently.

"Seriously, this is what all the death threats are about? Here take it, have fun redecorating your home with demon skulls or whatever."

She folded the material back, throwing it over to Ivan as he began to inspect it's authenticity. A large, beer stained smiled graced his face as he clamed his prize.

"Cпасибо, your friends are lucky they brought atleast one person with the sense of common."

Ivan gave a slight bow as he turned and returned to the shadows. His men retreated in the opposite direction. Lydia glanced over at a nearby tavern, it's neon sign glowing in the dark.

"Might as well head inside, get something to eat and patch Jackie up. The tavern was worn yet warm. Drago helped himself to the warm soup, taking note on how the recipe has changed in the last few hundred years. Hak Foo was on his second bottle of beer, as Jade patched Jackie's wound and quietly muttered her displeasure in Lydia's actions. She herself was using the window as a mirror to reapply he eye liner. She glanced over at the young Dog master, before taking a napkin in hand. At last Jade could no longer keep her opinion to herself.

"I can't believe you just GAVE them the map! I mean we came all this way for nothing. Jackie and me have fought baddies before over treasure, you NEVER just give up and run."

"Jade, she did the right thing."

"What! Oh come on Jackie."

"No Jade they had more weapons, men and ruthlessness on their side. There was no way they would let us leave without the map. But atleast we still have the key."

"Oh great we have a key to a possible door, but we have no idea where it is!"

"Yah that would be a shame…if I didn't have a photographic memory."

Lydia then revealed her napkin, written in eyeliner pencil was a perfect replica of the map they had just lost. Jade let out a squeal of delight as she locked Lydia in a strong embrace.

"Ahh, how do I make her stop!"

The group paid their bill and decided to head out, they were too excited to turn in for the night. They gathered what supplies they had left, with Drago providing warmth and light by channeling fire in his arms, they made their way into the darkness of the night.

And here is just alittle snippet of what's to come. More to come soon, let me know what you think.