Hi everyone, my coauthor LadySongbird16 and I hope everyone likes this chapter. We finally get to see some back-story on Jade and Zyon. Please leave a review if you have the time, we would really appreciate some feedback. If we get enough positive comments we would be willing to give out some more back-story before we move along with the main plot.

Chapter 22

It was Sunday and everyone was just wandering around the palace. There really wasn't much to do on Sunday, even in Hell. The J team had wondered into the throne room where they found Jade's friends talking with the Devil.

"Good morning, everyone," Amber said. "You guys usually aren't up at this hour." Amber said energetically.

"Yes, well, it's just one of those mornings," Tohru stated.

"Where is Yade?" Paco questioned.

"She went to Zyon's grave," Mark said frowningly.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Viper stated.

"Yeah, well, we understand that Jade and Zyon's relationship was significant to her," Dante stated. "People are going to talk about her though if they find out that she's been visiting his grave, especially since they already think that Zyon doesn't deserve a grave in the first place."

"I honestly think that people like that are a bunch of assholes," Violet stated.

"Yeah, don't form an opinion on someone until you know the facts," Amber declared.

"Yes, it seems that people will have things to say if they all find out that Jade has been going to Zyon's grave," The Devil stated. "I must agree though; going to his grave is dangerous, completely irresponsible, needlessly sentimental, and many other things that Jade should grow out of. That being said I believe I will start going with her."

"What?" Everyone asked in shock.

"I support Jade fully in her decision to visit his grave, she is an adult and can make her own decision and I do trust her." The Devil declared. "Besides, Zyon might have done horrible things, but he was once like a son to me; I own it to both of them to regularly pay my respects.."

"Your majesty, I know you have mentioned not to bring him up, but please; what was Jade's relationship with Zyon?" Jackie stated.

"Very well, I shall tell you," The Dark King stated.

"You tell us not to bring him up and now you say you're going to tell us the story just like that?" Uncle questioned.

"Well, Zyon is dead, and Jade is not here at the moment," The Dark King confirmed. "But, you must not tell Jade that you know the whole story. It might upset her."

"Hey everyone, what's going on?" A familiar voice suddenly said.

Everyone turned to see the demon sorcerer, Daolon Wong, and the Enforcers and Hak Foo entering the room.

"Of course you choose now to show up," Dante said.

"We were just about to hear Zyon's backstory," El Toro said.

"Well, mind if we listen?" Daolon Wong asked.

"Yes, tell us so our curiosity may banish," Shendu said.

"Very well," The Devil said. "It started over 15 years ago; I was looking at the some of the children on Earth, trying to decide which ones were capable of being reapers. When I found Jade, I sensed something, special in particular about her, so I took her under my wing."

"What about Zyon?" Tohru questioned.

"I was getting to that," The Dark King replied. "Zyon was the son of one of my advisors, he was brilliant, but he proved to be treacherous, all he wanted was my throne. One day he attempted to assassinate me, but I was able to defeat him. He was charged with treason, and there was no other choice except to execute him. The boy was left without a guardian, so his faith rested in me and my council.

*Flashback*

"Your majesty, the boy is the spawn of his father," One of the council members stated. "He could have already been corrupted and might grow to seek revenge."

"Yes your majesty, there is no way to tell how dangerous the boy can be," Another council member said..

"Yes, but he is just a child gentlemen," The Dark King confirmed. "Can we really justify killing a child?"

"That is an excellent point your majesty, but what do you suggest?" A fourth council member asked.

"I believe I shall take the boy under my wing," The Devil stated. "With training, he could one day make a very skillful reaper."

"What about the girl?" Another council member questioned.

"I'm sure Jade will enjoy the company," The Dark King said. "It will be like she has a sibling."

"Your council wanted to destroy the boy?" Drago asked.

"Yes, but he had done nothing wrong," The Devil stated. "I couldn't bear it if we took the life of an innocent child."

"How did he and Yade get along?" Paco questioned.

"They were almost always together, whether they were playing outside with the other reaper children, or playing games in their suites; I even had both of them train with me at the same time several times. Over the years they both grow to be two of the most excellent reapers I'd ever seen."

"Yeah, we had some of the best times together when we were younger," Amber remembered sadly.

"When did the trouble start?" Tohru asked.

"When we were 10 years old," Dante stated.

"He is right," The Devil confirmed. "Four years after I took both of them in, my advisors approached me on an important matter."

"Your majesty, we wish to speak to you about something," One of the advisors declared.

"Very well gentlemen, what is it?" The Devil asked.

"We been thinking lately," The other advisor stated. "It has been many over two years since the death of your mistress. We understand that you do not plan to remarry, but you still have no heir to succeed you."

"I understand that gentlemen," The Dark King said, "but what do you want me to do? You are right; I do not plan to remarry."

"Perhaps one of your wards can become your heir," The first advisor suggested.

"Yes, they have both already proven to be highly skilled reapers," The second advisor said.

"That is actually a good idea," The Devil stated. "Very well gentlemen, I shall think on it, and let you know when I am ready to announce who my heir shall be."

Unbeknownst to the Devil and his advisors, Jade and Zyon were listening to the whole thing from outside the throne room. When they went back to Jade's suite, they decided to talk about it.

"He's actually going to pick one of us," Zyon said excitedly.

"Yeah, I don't want it though," Jade stated.

"Why?" Zyon questioned.

"I don't really want to be a leader, it's a lot of responsibility," Jade declared.

"Well, I want it," Zyon stated.

"Why?" Jade questioned.

"I want people to look at me for me," Zyon said. "I don't want to spend the rest of my life as the son of the guy who tried to kill the Devil. I want to prove myself."

"Well, I already know who you really are," Jade said. "And you're an awesome brother. Either way, I hope you get it."

"Thanks Jade," Zyon said hugging his sister.

A couple days later I made my decision," The Devil said. "And I announced in front of my whole kingdom, that Jade was to be my heir."

Jade and Zyon just stood there, Zyon looked completely emotionless, Jade just didn't know what to say.

"I'm sorry Zyon," Jade said looking at her brother. "I really didn't want this to happen. I'll go and talk to him right now."

Zyon still just stood there, completely emotionless.

"Jade did come to me after the announcement," The Dark King stated. "She said she didn't want to be my heir and that Zyon deserved it more, but I explained to her why I chose her and why I wouldn't change my mind. After that Zyon showed up and he started yelling."

"You said you didn't want this!" Zyon yelled.

"Zyon, I told you I didn't," Jade said. "I have nothing to do with this."

"Why'd you pick her?" He yelled, looking at the Devil.

"Zyon, you are a great fighter, but Jade has more potential to be the next Devil," The Dark King stated. "You need to understand that."

"After that, Zyon began attacking her," The Devil said. "Jade refused to strike him though, all she kept doing was defend herself. Eventually my guards intervened and Zyon just ran away, swearing his revenge."

"For two years, none of us ever saw him," Violet added.

"Until Jade was 12 years old," The Devil stated. "He showed up and attempted to attack her numerous times. I was left with no choice, but to think about my daughter's safety. I stripped her of her reaper abilities and sent her back to the human family that she came from, and then I guess after that they sent her to all of you."

"What about the marks though?" Tohru asked.

"Those symbols are given to Hellians of high status," Mark stated. "Jade, as the heir to the throne, was given one. Zyon was given one because of his father's status."

"I can't believe it," Viper said. "All Zyon ever wanted was acceptance?"

"Yes, and it drove him mad," The Devil stated.

"Jade was the only one he felt ever truly accepted him for who he was," Amber stated. "After she was chosen as heir, I guess he just felt betrayed."

"I never realized just how much this affected poor Jade," Jackie stated.

"Yes, but Jade has remained strong through all of this," The Devil stated.

"She was always strong," Tohru stated.

"Even when there were times, we didn't really want her to be," Jackie added.

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