What's up guys! I know you all hate me, I do too. I have no excuses other then life. I keep making this longer and adding more scenes and just don't know where to stop. And then I need to edit it and then forget to and then its been months, ect.

So that's all I have to say since I haven't updated this since 11-18-2019 and it is now 5-16-2021. But I was working on it! I had to cut A LOT out of this chapter... it was getting to be 10,000 words on its own. But I figured you would like an update before we hit two years, So here is 3,300 of that. :) I'll keep editing the rest and finding good stopping points to break into chapters.

But I'm very excited about this chapter because its the last mundane chapter before we start moving realllllllllly fast. Which means, THIS IS OUR MID POINT FOR THE STORY! Horray! We have finally reached it! Only 12 more chapters to go! So this is basically a mid-season finale... some of you will get why and some of you might not. Kudos to those of you who do pick up on it.

Now, here we go!

Together, they can do Anything

-With Argost-

Argost nurses his aching ribs with a formula that helps bone healing. He is a scientist after all, albeit a mad one. While he rests his body he ponders on his next move. The girl was exactly who he thought she was, which meant she was the key to the Oni lords downfall. She was the Chosen one from the monks old scripts. And she has dabbled with both light and dark magic. This makes her more dangerous then the young curling even. And together? Argost couldn't have that. He needed Zak, thus he needs Jade out of the way.

After resting he shuffled through some papers and called a few people. He knew how to thwart the demon, and he would. First, he needed to visit said monks and gain their assistance. Then, he would put the objects he has had stolen from the young girls home to use.

-With Saturdays-

Zak and Jade waited patiently together occupying themselves with a game of connect the boxes while waiting for Toruh to fix his internet signal so they could get a clear message. Jade had sent Toruh a long text during lunch to bring him up to speed with her and Zak and asked him to covertly answer them if he could. She hoped he got it.

"Why aren't we having trouble with wifi? We're in the freaking amazon!" Jade asked when the transmission trouble first started. All Toruh had managed to say was hello and then sorry once it cut out.

"Because we have unlimited use of the satellites that way we never have to worry about not having internet. There are props to being a secret scientist." Doc said with a wink.

"And I might have persuaded a friend to hack one of them to give us unlimited range, just in case. But don't tell your father that." Drew whispered to Zak and Jade so only they could hear. They both giggled.

"This is why Uncle does not trust technology!" Uncle screamed when the loud static sound became louder. Jackie rubbed the back of his head after Uncle had slapped him there and yelled at him to come get him when the noise was gone. (Though honestly Jackie wanted to just let him be considering the mood he was in.)

When the video finally made a full connection all they saw was fur. Then Fiskerton backed up and waved at them.

"Fisk!" Zak shouted excitedly, he really missed his brother. Fisk made his noises and Zak, Drew and Doc smiled.

"Toruh, it's good to see you again. We should be coming home in another week. I hope." Jackie said.

"That's good to hear Jackie, but I think the dark hand are already on the move again." Toruh said.

"Oh?" Jackie responded. Then Fiskerton started talking and it seemed only the Saturday family understood what he was saying.

"What type of things?" Drew asked.

"The bracelet of Oton, the headpiece from the Kohan tribe, and ...the talismans." Toruh said gravely.

"AIYAH!" Uncle exclaimed, scaring everyone since they hadn't noticed him come back in. "Toruh! You are lousy apprentice if so many valuables have gone missing from Uncle's shop!" He scolded.

"Technically the talismans went missing from Sector 13, not the shop Uncle." Jackie stated calmly.

"Ok so we should be on the lookout for a bracelet, a headpiece and the magic rocks, got it." Zak summarized.

"Fiskerton also found a scroll from Japan that talks about the Oni in detail." Toruh stated while holding it up. Jade visibly paled. She had the inexplicable urge to burn it. Toruh noticed the look but didn't say anything about it. He unrolled the scroll. "Basically it talks about what we already know, but it mentions the Hanafudo cards that can predict where the next mask will emerge. I'll send you what I have researched about the whereabouts of these cards." All of the adults nodded. They all agreed that that will be their next priority. Zak and Jade stayed quite. Toruh, being the observant one he is, kept watching their reactions.

"Was that all you needed to tell us Toruh?" Doc asked. "Also, Fisk isn't causing any... trouble with the customers is he?" Fisk let out some sounds at hearing that.

"Oh no, not at all. Quite the opposite actually. He's been a wonderful help with the cleaning and even the organizing of information about each item. That's how we figured out things were missing and how we found the scroll." Toruh smiled sweetly. Everyone was glad the two were getting along well. Fisk had never been far from the Saturdays for a long period of time since they had brought him into the family so they were nervous about letting him help Toruh in the shop. But Doc and Drew could tell that Toruh was a big softie and wouldn't be hard for the phantom to get along with so they took the chance and let him go home with Toruh.

"Um, before I go, can I have a private conversation with Jade about a pair of socks." He asked a little pointedly. Everyone looked at Jade and she just shrugged with an embarrassed smile. The adults left the room to go back to the main bay and look over their possible next location. Zak was the last to leave but Jade grabbed his arm and pulled him back in before the door closed.

"Hey! That hurt." Zak rubbed his arm. Jade apologized. Both heard Toruh sigh loudly.

"I see your inhuman strength is coming back." He said darkly. Jade had already knew this conversation wasn't going to be about socks, hence why she needed Zak to be here.

"Yeah." She said still worried that she had bruised Zaks arms by accident.

"How many of your powers have started to resurface already?" He asked.

"More then enough to know that its getting worse. The 'queen' has been taunting me and … my anger keeps spiking. Also my wind powers showed up the other day. Did you get my text about the dreams?"

"And the talk you two had with Tarakudo this morning, yeah I did. I also found info regarding that in the scroll." Both kids were shocked at this statement.

"What did it say?" Zak asked.

"Other then what I told all of you about the Cards, it also talked about the shadowkahn tribes connected to the masks and the generals. It also mentioned the queen." This set Jades spine straight.

"What?" She asked, fear clear in her voice.

"It says 'Once a queen is found, Tarakudo will have more power to cover the world in darkness. But should she die, the king of beasts reign will be of anger and unstoppable rage. She shall determine the direction of the war, and the worlds fate.'" Toruh stated solemnly.

Jade sank to her knees and let the tears fall. This couldn't be happening, she just wanted this nightmare to end already.

"NO! That can't be right! You guys said there was no info on any queen in the oni's history! And this thing is saying that this is a loose loose situation. It has to be wrong. How sure are you that its not a fake?" Zak asked in anger. Toruh narrowed his eyes at the angry teen.

"Because I know which Japanese scrolls are real and which are not Zak. I'm not saying that its right, but I am saying that it relates to exactly what's happening now. Ever since your run in with Tarakudo Jade's been struggling and I can see you have been too. Tarakudo has been staying quite as well and it seems he's been causing more and more trouble for you two personally even without going after the masks. That can't be a coincidence. Also, this says 'the king of beasts', 'rage and anger', I don't think that it's talking about him, I think its talking about you Zak." Toruh might as well have punched Zak in the gut with that.

"You found all of that out within thirty minuets?" He asked weakly.

"No, we had found this two days ago. I'm not trying to make things worse I swear. But your 'visions' seem to line up with this and its not something to dismiss without serious consideration. That said, remember that nothing is set in stone." Toruh turned to look at Jade. "Jade I will always believe in you, no matter what. I know you don't want this and the fact that you are fighting it shows that you have a say in how your story goes. Both of you do. I know we don't know each other well Zak but I'm happy you're here to support and help her with all of this. I don't believe this scrolls prophecy will come to pass, I really don't. But that's because I believe that you two have a connection that can conquer this darkness and change the outcome of this mess." Toruh stated fondly. Fisk said something along the same lines, but made kissey noises and a heart.

"Gross, come on Fisk, cut that out." Zak complained while his face turned red. Jade didn't react much to it other then looking away from Zak, but it seemed she had stopped crying and looked like her color was coming back.

Both Toruh and Fisk laughed kindheartedly, in turn bringing everyone's dark moods back into small laughter when the two started singing "At the beginning" by Richard Marx and Donna Lewis. It was a love song, but somehow it fit them. After the serenade was done they all chatted about how fun water Skiing was and who's mischief was worse, Zak's or Jade's. Jade ending up winning out due to Zak having accomplices and her being on her own. Before Toruh and Fisk left, Zak asked them if they can check in on Doyle and see how he was coming with his research into Argosts past for him. Toruh agreed that was a good idea and that he would check for him and text Jade the details.

-Later in the day-

Once Jade and Zak were back in their special room taking down the fort they had made last night (before any of the adults could get mad about missing bed sheets and pillows), Zak finally asked the question that was on his mind since the topic change earlier.

"Sooo, I know things are... complicated right now, but uh, do you consider us as, … an US?" He asked nervously. He was glad the sheet he was wrestling with was mostly hiding his red face. He desperately hoped Jade understood what he was implying so he wouldn't have to explain. Jade went uncharacteristicly quite. Zak dared to peak around the sheet to notice she had froze in her place mid- sweep. And if he wasn't mistaken, she looked a little red too.

Jade wouldn't look in his direction. She couldn't believe he just asked that question. He was far braver then she was. Well she might as well bite the bullet.

"I... If you mean like 'together' then I …..sort of thought- considered it already. BUT if you don't want that then that's totally ok!" She quickly started to sweep again keeping her back to his face so he couldn't see how embarrassed she was.

"Oh." Was all Zak said. They both stayed quite while continuing their folding and sweeping; neither really looking at one another. When Zak finished with the smaller blanket and pillows he went back to trying to tackle the big sheet again. Jade noticed his struggle and this time she came over and picked up the other side to help him out. They smiled at each other as they folded the giant bed sheet. When their hands touched the nice peace ended and both of their faces bursted into red. Jade quickly handed the rest of it to Zak and backed away. Then she covered her face with both hands and let out a loud frustrated groan.

"WHY DID YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS BE SO AWKWARD!" She yelled as she plopped onto one of the chairs.

"Me?! What about you! I just asked a question! You're the one who made it all awkward!" Zak stated loudly, very aware of being as red in the face as she was.

"Well you wanted to know so I told you! You are the one who isn't really giving me a straight answer! Mr.'Oh.'." Jade mocked.

"I don't know how to answer to that!" Zak exclaimed.

"Then why did you ask?!" Jade shouted back. The room went silent for a moment until Jade started to chuckle. Zak was dumb founded. Why did she go from yelling to laughing?

"You should see your face!" Jade started to out right laugh while pointing at him. "Oh man I bet I'm about as red in the face as you are! And for what? Just because you asked if we were dating! We are acting like those stupid TV dramas!" Once she said that Zak finally settled down and started to chuckle too. They really were acting ridiculous. Did he like her that way? Watching her laugh gave him his answer.

Once Jades laughter settled down Zak finally voiced his answer. " I think your laughter is contagious. I think your fun to hang out with... and I know your smarter then you think you are. You are brave and I am always discovering new talents that you have. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm ok with us being an 'US' if you are." He rubbed the back of his neck and shyly looked over at Jade and her face wasn't as red as before, but definitely flushed.

"Jeez when did you become such a mushy smooth talker?" She asked with a hint, and then a definite smile crossing her face. They were both very clearly blushing while looking at one another, and that was ok. They both knew that was a 'yes' in Jade terms.

"Hehe, So with that out of the wayyyyy, I'm going to go take these sheets back to the spare rooms closet and I'll grab a trash bag on my way back for you to dump the trash in." Zak stated, breaking the not-completely-awkward silence. Jade nodded and handed him the pillows and then went back to her sweeping.

While she was alone she couldn't help but think about their conversation and how they were now technically 'together'. She couldn't help but feel giddy over it. It brought this warm feeling into her chest that she had never really felt before but it felt close to what she felt whenever Jackie praised her or was proud of her. It wasn't the same, but either way she had to admit she liked it. She never understood why people got all mushy about romance and dating, but she really liked how Zak supports her and is there for her and how that makes her feel. 'Heh, I guess I do get it now.' She thought to herself. Then she got to the last corner of the room, the one she was avoiding this entire time and her warm feeling significantly lessened. The glass she had thrown at the wall was like a bucket of cold water on her cloudy day. She thought back to why she had broke it in the first place.

The queen within her had been taunting her about Zak hurting Jackie, which he would never do. Why had she gotten so angry about that? Well maybe it was because she trusted Zak and didn't like her other half insinuating that he would betray her trust like that. She hoped he would never think she would hurt his family, so she didn't want to think about him ever hurting hers. Even if the 'vision' he had suggested that her family hurts her somehow.

Her thoughts wandered to the one night a week ago when they first really talked about their fears. She remembered how having him to talk to helped her feel a little less afraid. Less alone.

That was a new thought... she wasn't alone in this. Not only Zak knew, but Toruh and Fisk also knew as well now too. And Doyle knew half the story already too and would soon be filled in on the rest. They had their own little team now. She heard the door open but she didn't turn around, she knew who it was. She could feel his shadow.

"You don't have to clean it if you don't want to. Its in big enough pieces, we could probably put it back together again. 8, maybe 12 pieces? Yeah I think we could definitely glue that back together and hide it in the back of the cupboard so my parents won't find it for a while." Zak said as he started to gather the pieces carefully. Jade smiled. He was always so optimistic. She finished sweeping the dirt and trash into the bag Zak brought and they tossed it in the waste shoot on their way to their rooms. They went to Zak's room and they used glue to put the glass back together.

"We need a team name." Zak said while they were gluing another piece on. Jade raised an eyebrow at him, so he continued. "What? I was just thinking that since we've looped Toruh, Fisk and eventually Doyle into this now there's enough of us to have a team so we should have a team name ya know." Zak mistook her weird look as a question of why instead of how. She was ok with that though.

"Ok. Well I have my own J-team back home but we only get together when possible. So it can't be 'the J-team'. Maybe something like a brigade?" Jade said with a thinking expression.

"Hmmm. How about the 'tomb raiders'?" Zak said excitedly. Jade laughed.

"That's a movie." They both laughed.

"Then how about 'the kur-sed'? With a K instead of the C?" Zak offered.

"Ok that one is actually really cool. But no. Maybe something like Guówáng hé huánghòu?"

"Go- ah what?" Zak asked, he had never heard her speak in her native language before.

"It's Chinese for 'king and queen'. Toruh mentioned that the 'beast king' must be referring to you and we know i'm the queen, so we can be the 'king and queen team' or Guowang he haunghou." Jade stated.

"That's a great name." Zak smirked. "But you might have to write it down for me so I can learn it. Also, include how to pronounce it." He grabbed a piece of paper and pen so Jade could write it down. "It's cool that you know another language. I only know English and Fisk talk." Zak laughed. Sometimes he forgot that she wasn't American like he is. "By the way, while we are on the topic, why don't you have an accent like Jackie does?" Jaded handed him the piece of paper with the Chinese symbols and the English lettering and pronunciation underneath it.

"Honestly, I watched a lot of American cartoons and movies growing up and I also had to learn it in school because my parents wanted me to learn it early so I guess I just picked up your accent well." She shrugged.

"Go-wang-ho-hwang-hoe?" Zak tried saying. Jade giggled.

"Close enough. I guess you need some work in Chinese." She smiled.

"Are you offering to teach me?" Zak smirked.

"Maybe. We'll see what you can handle." She smirked back. The rest of the time was spent fixing the glass and Jade teaching Zak some of the most basic words that he would use regularly in China.

Let me know your thoughts and grievenses. :)

Also I finally made the image cover my own attempts to draw these two. If you want to do a fanart cover let me know.

I would love to see a comic for this... but wouldn't we all love to see our stories as a comic? I cant draw well ( as you can see) so its just out of the cards for me. But maybe I can pay someone to make this story into a comic one day. Hmmmm... ( might make me update faster XD)