A/N: So many things have happened lately. All my writing has suffered because of it. Please enjoy this one.

-Disclaimer: Jackie Chan Adventures belongs to Warner Channel and John Rogers. And I gain no profit out of writing this.

The March of the Black Queen.

Chapter 15.

Going Fishing.

Her red eyes flashed behind the black shades for a single moment staring at her reflection, silently fuming at the hands that were applying the finishing touches of the emerald green that she was wearing. Her assistant was quick to fix her collar that covered her modest bust for her age, yet nothing could prepare her for the judgmental eye of the older woman. Mary had turned out to be an excellent companion in all these months. Nor only she was quick with wit and dry humor but her efficiency in keeping an eye on most details of the company was impossible to ignore. Yet, it seemed that now she was forced to show her cards; she assumed that she knew already by the numbers that they were showing that things didn't seem the way they were.

Jade could tell that Mary knew the numbers didn't match company records. Sales that came from 'other businesses' did not really fit the bill of Fairfield Comics and their steep earnings in the first months of a re-evaluation of the company's direction. She had been throwing this information at her to leave a trail of crumbs to follow, to see what she would do. So far, she had stayed silent through this whole ordeal, even letting her know that the company was growing at a very fast rate, faster than the projected numbers on her end. To think that such a brilliant and visionary woman like her had been employed as a mere secretary had been a waste of her untapped potential but now, but she far, far more than the image of the sarcastic secretary. The Black Queen gears in her head moved that she was more than she seemed, like herself. She was hiding her knowledge and her other talents…and now they were here.

When she told Mary about this very important meeting, she had confided in her to leave her be to it, but she insisted in helping. Hell, she even picked the dress herself, a dress that she didn't really prefer but it was going to be a necessity with the meeting and everything that would come from it.

The assistant that she had hired finally applied the finishing layers in the dress, pleased with her work. Jade gave a whirl in the mirror, surprised that she could look so good and felt somewhat free without restrictions to her limbs, if it came to fighting that is; she was still wearing shorts under it. It fit her quite nicely; she was quick to dismiss the assistant and told her to pick her check on her way out, finally leaving off the room, hopeful that she would be hired again and she certainly would, Jade valued efficiency above everything.

The door closed with a small click finally leaving the two women in the room. Mary said nothing as Jade admired herself in the mirror and finally, she could see a twitch past her eternal scowl, a twitching eyebrow finally breaking off her stoic mask. Jade finally turned around to face her, her two pale arms circling around her back.

"Is there something on your mind Mary?" Jade pressed with a pleased hum, the corner of her lips briefly curving into an amused smirk. The older woman looked at her sunglass covered eyes and pursed her lips, trying her best to be nonchalantly about it by shrugging, but the wasn't fast enough to hide her frustration, a soft sigh leaving from her lips.

"Plenty." She simply acknowledged with crossed arms. "Is this really a time we have a conversation about your…other businesses that you mentioned before Miss. Jianming, in our first meeting."

Ah, then it was finally time to reveal herself.

"You're more insightful that you display Mary." She uncrossed her arms letting them hang at her sides with her assistant eyeing the sharp end of her claws painted with glossy dark green. "I am assuming that you've seen how far we've been growing, perhaps a tad fast, hmm?"

"Fast? More like at a gargantuan level, something that wouldn't be possible with the real numbers, but you haven't feed me the right numbers for a reason, why?"

Jade pursed her lips, mindful if what she was about to reveal.

"For the very same reason that you never said anything to me about, there's something in you, far more than the efficient assistant. You might say I dug you up who you were."

The older woman tensed.

"I know that this is not your first roam with companies like these, I know you worked for Pizza Moccio, a very lucrative business, a producer of Italian ingredients. Quite the manufacturer, I heard they were running pretty good…but unfortunately, they were part of the Mob who used the company as a front for some activities that you might say were not legal in the very sense of the word and they got closed down by the Feds. Everyone went to jail…except one person. You...the so innocent secretary who was unaware of such dealings…poor, poor innocent Mary."

The woman paled, for once showing emotion rather than the stoic visage that she was always wearing.

"It seems like a good coincidence that you worked for such company in the same duties as here before they went belly up. Yet, here you are, cooking my books, tidying loose ends and funds and leaving everything nice and neatly. I don't know if you were doing it on purpose or not as part of your work to get a raise, your lack of morals really piqued my interest, but you know that there's something at work here far more lucrative than a publisher and graphic design company." She rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness of it." But the question is, what do you want do now Mary?"

Moments passed, both women looking at each other intently, waiting for the next move of the pieces that would decide the next play. Jade could literally see her cogs turning in her head, deciding on what would be her future.

"What if I say no?"

Jade shrugged. "Then things will stay as they are. You're free to do as you wish and keep your position."

The older woman nervously shuffler her feet. "And if I were to tell someone about this?"

The Queen turned fully to her. For a fleeing second Mary swore she saw a red flash deep within her sunglasses.

"That would be a very big mistake. And I have ways to fix big mistakes."

Mary finally let out a breath that she was holding, fixing a lock of hair between her hair.

"Fuck it. Ok fine, I accept but only if this isn't some mumbo jumbo crap about conquering the world"

Jade smiled widely.

"Please, that's so overdue. Ok now-"

"Hold on." She crossed her arms and interrupted her fixing Jade with a serious look with the Queen barely suppressing her growl at being interrupted. "But only with the promise that I get the whole picture. If you want me to really, really be your complete assistant in everything you do and I am pretty sure you do want me to be your full time assistant. I need all the details and I mean all of it. Your objectives, the players that give meaning to your schedule, your real name, the real motive of this company and the people that you're seeing tonight."

Jade blinked. "You don't even spoke about a raise."

"It was promised by you already, now…can we reach an accord or not?"

For a moment The Queen stared at the ceiling, uncertainty floating through her mind but she had a point. She needed an assistant for what was coming; finally, she turned fully to her and stretched her right hand, a hand that was immediately grasped without a moment of hesitation.

"Deal." The Queen spoke for the first time using her real voice disappearing in whispers that resounded through the room. The moment she did the woman felt a cold chill running down her back at the unnatural and eerie sound. The glow that older woman had seen came back. It was easy to see that there was still an ember glowing beneath the surface, faint red peeking out from the crevices covered by the sunglasses which brightened from within, scaring the woman enough to take a step back at the unknown. The younger girl took her sunglasses off and fully exposed her eyes to her this time not being able to gasp in surprise.

She scanned them, locking eyes with the small golden pupil and the eerie red glow that seemed to come from her eyes in completely disbelief which was augmented the moment her feet defied gravity and floated off the ground, a deep grin directed at her that was full of pointy teeth.

The woman cringed.

"Damn, how do you eat with those things?"

The comment made the Queen to laugh.

Calmly now, the woman eyes roamed across her.

"So…what are you?"

"I am a Shadow Khan, their Queen to be exact. Not exactly human." She finally said placing her feet back on the ground and blocking the exit as Mary locked eyes with the only door out of the room making the woman to cringe, making a beeline behind a desk in the middle of the room as her instincts were telling her to flee. For extra security Jade blew a smoky like substance that floated into the floor where two blobs rose above the ground quickly solidifying in two of her ninjas that stood in front of the door with their hands behind their backs.

Mary looked at their glowing eyes and then at the very same glowing eyes of her benefactor, her body finally relaxing as some dots connected in her head, her gaze far away from reality, the fear finally exiting her body.

"I saw you guys before." She scrunched her eyes to a close, snapping open as the missing piece connected. "I saw the ninjas before…when the world was in the brink of collapse but you." She pointed a finger at her. "I saw you on TV, months ago. You used these creatures and robbed Vegas clean off." Jade watched in fascination as her voice switched to a more excited voice rather than terrified with the same monotone edge. "Nobody has seen a trace of you or these guys but I've heard the rumors of a ghost in the underworld from my left-over contacts. A ghost that can't be seen or heard."

Chuckling Jade advanced towards her. Despite her brief discovery the woman couldn't help but to back away astonished as the girl's body phased through the desk – solid matter– towards her, backing up until she hit a wall. The demonic girl stopped short off a few feet giving her an approved hum of her lips, sarcastically applauding at her.

Mary's lips broke into a grin. "That's actually pretty cool. The Vegas robber, most wanted person in the FBI and the ghost as my boss."

"And bravo, she scores. Now…do you want to keep at the game?"

She nodded.

Jade sighed. "Very well. Trust is not something I give easily and I have a way to measure my trust. Make no mistake, it's going to be a slow progress Mary and we'll see how it goes." The woman was silent for a second and then she nodded again. Jade motioned for her to take a seat as she instantly started floating in front of the bewildered woman, crossing her legs in Indian position as she could in midair. "My real name is Jade. My three associates and I are together to form a criminal enterprise that we call The Black Queen and once more, not to conquer the world. For these last six months we've provided security, extorsion, competitor's elimination and transportation on every kind of goods, no matter the goods but human and organ trafficking, under the blanket of this company. Today actual marks the first time where I'll be out in the public and make The Black Queen something official in the face of the organized crime." She made a pause judging the woman reaction, which seemed good for the moment. "As for me…well, I've been using my abilities to do spying on my own for a good chunk of change. I am the Ghost and I am very good at what I do."

"I mean, phasing through solid materials? You could have it all, why not just for the big prizes like Fort Knox?"

Jade pursed her lips. "Let's say that I have my share of enemies, people who oppose me directly and know who I am, before this magnificent change happened to me."

Her assistant lifted an eyebrow. "So, you were human a time ago?"

"Yes and no. But I don't want to give you a boring Japanese story, mythology is just not my thing." She clapped her hands, dismissing the question entirely. "So, there. I spilled the beans, now unto the meeting of tonight." She floated down, her naked feet touching the carpet, immediately starting passing, a habit that she couldn't help to do. "It's a business meeting per-se. I am to meet the criminal underworld, the big bosses that I've been working under the radar, the one digging the dirt in their enemies on the side while transporting their goods and letting their profits to quadruple in a short time. You can say that I really made a big impression, Mr. Camochino, my associate in the Italian mafia told me that it was time to meet and I trust him enough to heed his advice."

"I've heard about him." Mary crossed her arms. "And I suppose you want me to play the role of your dutiful assistant?" The woman deadpanned in a way that made Jade to chuckle, looking aside, almost embarrassed.

"Pretty much."

Mary sighed. "You are not going to order me to make you a coffee, right?"

Jade couldn't help but to laugh.

"No, I don't think so."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The moment those words were directed at him, it was like ice had lodged into his throat. Jackie knew that his friend was serious but never as cold as he was being at this moment. Regardless if Viper had given the cold shoulder, when he looked at her for a possible explanation, she turned away, almost as if her eyes had softened in pity.

Jackie took a soothing breath to calm down his inner demons, preparing for the worse. He sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly, finally facing the music and staring at Black and then at his brother who had stayed stationary without moving a single muscle…it was completely unnerving.

"Would you like to ride with me? Just us." Black eyed his brother in particular and as Jackie turned to him, the older sibling made a dismissed gesture with his hand, putting his complete attention on the screen in front of him. Sighing, the explorer eyes fled to Viper who settled her eyes in anything else but him. Jackie turned to his friend and finally nodded.

The ride was slow, as slow and tedious as it could ever be to drive in a typical San Franciscan afternoon, with enough traffic and activity to keep his eyes busy other than Augustus Black at the steering wheel at his personal vehicle, a government issued BMW. It wasn't until the second driver cut them off in a turn that Jackie finally turned to him, his eyes deadly serious.

"What have you found out?"

Black turned to him.

They both knew in who was referred in that question but the Section 13 leader wasn't just ready to answer.

"How about we speak at the construction site instead? So, you can see how much they've improved the place, hmm?"

Jackie blinked, relaxing in his seat with a barely heard chuckle coming off his lips.

"Yes…Uncle will be happy, well as happy as he can ever be."

Both men smiled as Black swung the car around in the direction of China Town. It wasn't long before the sights of the theaters, cuisines and tourists were in full display, finally turning into the street where Uncle's Rare Finds used to stay. The skeletal building that stood in its place wasn't exactly where he was raised but it was close enough.

When the Section 13 leader had offered for help, he did indeed provide. The engineers, architects and construction firms were already all over China Town, reproducing the lost building wasn't a feat on itself but rather finding the right materials had been. Uncle had been extremely adamant to make an exact replica, in and out of the building that he made himself and lived in for over half of his life. He knew every cranny and crevice and the materials that he used himself all those years ago. Finding the solid bricks for the reinforced first floor were not as easy to buy but rather had to be ordered offshore and brought to the US but after four months, it was already in its finishing touches.

Captain Black parked the car in the recently added parking spot behind the house, the only addition that Uncle had slipped. Both men stepped off the car to the back entrance, Jackie opened the door and they stepped inside.

The kitchen, while not finished, was a complete reproduction on the raw and currently painted in white, already equipped with several appliances that had not been on the approval list by Uncle but had to be convinced by Tohru of all people to move on and instead concentrate on the most important items in the house, the books.

Jackie eyed the many empty book shelves that lacked the vast collection that Uncle possessed before the fire had licked them clean off. He returned his attention once more to his friend, leaning over the wall, looming over his expression to find at least a clue of how he really felt, but like always, he was like a wall and completely unreadable while him in turn was tense and ready for an unseen enemy.

"It's not about what I've found out, is what been on the circles so far."

Waiting on him to elaborate, Jackie instead stayed silent, a quality that he had practiced far more ever since Jade went away from his side.

"I know the process has been slow Jackie…but I am letting you know what we have so far." Like always, he went straight to the point, with a single gram of sugar coating. "There's been talks about a Ghost in the underworld. Viper had kept tabs for us in her former circles and they've been talks around most of the world. A ghost that can't be seen or heard doing dirty deeds for large sums of money. Kidnapping, spying, security, stealing and even murder, though Viper was very specific to tell you that the Ghost hadn't done it but facilitated hits on rivals and people that were no longer held in favor in the Mob."

Jackie took a big guff of air, processing this information, rubbing his fingers on an incoming headache that was coming, doing his best effort to calm down. Black was sympathetic and only waited for his signal before continuing it.

"The underworld has been extremely quiet for that very reason. They're walking on their toes with this character which might be our girl. For a while, I had my suspicions that another character was the one responsible, the theater actor that you guys ran across that could go through walls and was freed some months ago and went quiet but alas, that lead turned out to be a bust too. They found his body floating down St. Louis River in Duluth, Minnesota."

Jackie cringed at the information but he knew that there was far more where that came from.

"The police also reported the strange case of a security detail for a criminal gang in which a man hands were trapped inside a solid wall. The man reported being knocked out and the next thing finding out that he was now part concrete. Do you see where I am going with this? She's now into the level of organized crime, probably tangling with the elite of the underworld, probably far enough where my reach is just not good enough either."

Both men stayed silent. Things had really changed in Section 13 ever since Steele took over to watch over their operations with information that was even kept away from him, while his friend was allowed free rein to dictate resources management, directing operations and planning, sometimes it had been Steele who had switched their objectives to something that the government had been more focused on. Jade while not a small fry herself, as she was still the most wanted person in the US, other international matters had turned their interests on things that not even Black was even sharing; but what disturbed Jackie the most was the involvement of Viper in many of them. In her effort to get back at him or not, Jackie felt that ever since that day in Vegas, she had shifted her entire attention to avoid him, domestic or internationally.

Jackie sighed.

"Then, can we do? What can I do?"

Black drummed his fingers on his arm, closing his eyes.

"You're not out of the game, if that's what you're worried about."

Jackie lifted an eyebrow.

"We got our first clue…might as well investigate Duluth to see what we can snoop around. Who knows? Maybe there's a clue dying to be found?"

The Archeologist sighed in response, chuckling as he thought about the past occurrences in his life.

"You're not afraid of a ghost story Jackie?"

Both men grinned at each other, thinking of the very same thing, of their past and history together.

"Who wouldn't be?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jade sighed looking at herself in the mirror. Her hair had been delightfully made in a bun that really made her look like another person, with her black aviator sunglasses making a good job to cover her glowing eyes. The dress was finally retouched and pressed around her body with a pair of shining maroon lace loafers shoes that weren't as restrictive as other shoes and were her preferred footwear. Behind her, Mary cleared her throat, holding a complete daily organizer at her side and dressed with a simple but elegant tempered business suit and gray pants.

When she saw her, she lifted a judgmental eyebrow.

"Not bad at all Miss Jade, not bad." She said as she circled her, observing all the fine details of her figure, nodding in complete satisfaction.

The Queen should've answered in a more cynical way that spoke of her superiority, but she could quiet that part of her to really appreciate the comment, directing a grateful smile in appreciation at her comment.

"Thank you, Mary, well, let's get going. We've an appointment to make due."

They exited the room where the enforcers and two more of the 'hired help' were waiting outside. When Chow, Ratso and Finn locked eyes with her, they blinked in astonishment, never expecting her to have such garments but kept their comments on themselves in a far more professional manner, not wanting to invoke her ire.

Her newest hire looked at her from the corner of his eyes, the large and imposing figure of Hak Foo leaning against the wall was usually the norm with him, keeping to himself for most of the time. She knew that he had been itching for a fight ever since he became her hire and she was pretty sure she paid him enough to stay quiet and, in the background, watching everything around him.

"You look, different." He merely said, keeping his eyes squarely on hers without flinching. She could at least appreciate that he tried his best without sounding like a completely social outcast.

"Why, thank you." She answered with a tiny smile on her own.

The other enforcers might be quieter, but Ratso, always the most socially active than them instead took his attention to Mary, blinking as she came into view behind their boss looking as bored as always.

"Hiya Mary, didn't expect to see ya here." He smiled, hiding his blush entirely by turning to his friends who rolled their eyes simultaneously. Mary couldn't avoid a brief but short smile at the tall man as he beamed at her happily.

"She finally came around." Chow added with a smile on his own smashing his elbow on Ratso's side making the larger man to widen in annoyance, throwing an angry look on his own.

The Secretary had seen them in and out, never leaving her side with the occasionally funny exchanges between herself and Ratso, out of the three.

"Time be wasting boys, let's go." The Jade added to cut the chit chat, looking forward to tonight's events.

"Yes ma'am." Was the only thing that Finn limited himself to say, making a mock courtesy that even had Jade amused as she followed down the hallways of her mostly empty company building all the way to a large black limo that was waiting for her.

The Tenderizer was there, his eyes sinking downwards as he eyed the new arrivals with disdain and even inclination for their murder in his hands. A tap from the window made the gigantic man to grunt and open the large door of the limo for them, looking at anything but them while at the same time looking at her enforcers with a different light in his eyes.

He memorized their names, their clothing and their mannerism, yet he was inclined to place his keen attention on the red-haired buff man that was the last to enter the limo.

The first thing that Jade was the exquisite luxury of the vehicle. Multiple soft but bright lights illuminated the limo interior, displaying Cordovan leather, rows of alcohol bottles on its side with a mini bar surrounded by its own interior distinctive class that Jade failed to appreciate, not really looking to acclimatize to luxury. The man himself, Mr. Camochino sat at the very center of the back seat that had been custom made to extend from the rear seat and cushioned over the seat, like a throne with its own swivel and arm rests. The man was not alone, while she had expected the ever-present skanky eye candy company at his side, usually coming in pairs. Such characters were not present, showing that the man cared far too more about business than his own personal fun. There wasn't even smack or any other elements in the table in front of him but a simple black suitcase and a whiskey on the rocks.

Another man that she didn't recognize sat at his left side. He was short but buff, dressed in an elegant white tuxedo with a single artificial red rose on his left pocket of his top, black hair perfectly trimmed, glistened and brushed backwards. His fierce green studied her intently for a few seconds before he offered her a smile that was far more threatening that she could give it credit far, but not enough to sound alarms in her head.

With the entrance of the mountain of a man at the opposite side of the limo, with the vehicle swinging from side to side from his sheer weight, the vehicle finally started moving.

Jade sat with her legs firmly planted in front of her just in front of the Capo with Mary at her right side and flanked at her left by Hak Foo. The Enforcers sat on the opposite row of seats, attentive and serious without the usual antics, waiting.

The Capo smiled, his eyes glistening with something akin to pride.

"My, my. We've come a long way, I didn't really expect this day to come so soon." He smiled again, motioning to the man on his right. "This is Mr. Vercceli, he comes from Sicily, from the family." He swung his hands in the air in an amused way. "He has been dying to meet you."

"Uh? So you say." Jade smiled with her pearlescent fangs showing for a brief second. Yet the buff man laughed at the display, amusement rolling in waves, finally extending his large hand towards her which she took immediately in a firm grip, with the man applying far more force than necessary into it. She chucked to herself as she exerted a fraction of her own inhuman strength, letting him known how easy it would be to tore it off if it came to it. His smile slipping for a brief second before a sly look crossed his features, waving a finger at her.

"So, it's the truth." His rasp baritone voice caught her by surprise, swallowing an eerie feeling coming from his voice ever far more sinister than her real one.

"I've taken the liberty to briefly explain to him your importance but not enough to the great reveal tonight." The Capo smiled taking a sip of his drink, finally observing her company, especially the woman holding a clip board.

He blinked, pursing his lips.

"I didn't know you kept an assistant." He made the comment casually, amusement playing in his lips. "And a beautiful one at that."

The comment triggered a growl of pure jealously from Ratso's, threatening to bust from his throat while Mary stayed rooted in the spot, not even reacting.

Jade blinked finally recognizing the situation, intervening before things escalated.

"This is Mary, my new hire and I would appreciate if she's shown the respect that her position deserves."

"Of course." The Capo rolled his eyes slightly looking at his companion briefly that didn't even acknowledge him. All this time his full attention had been in The Queen of the Shadow Khan, his smile bordering on sinister, eyes peeled, close to exposing the possible plans as his mental cogs rotated. She didn't know the type of man, but she knew one that was willing to do anything to keep his business on the map and she could play with that. His gaze was not lecherous but intrigued, playful and that fascinated her in a more professional manner; she just hoped that he wasn't some sort of violent psycho…the Underworld was over saturated of those types.

To clear the air, Mr. Camochino waved his hand away, signaling to the bartender who immediately came to the opposite side of the table, offering his services.

She was lenient as her trio of Enforcers asked for their own drinks while Hak Foo negated a drink and opted for water.

As the drive went on its way, Jade relaxed, sinking on her seat, occupying her thoughts with various degrees of what waited for her at the other side of coin, her thoughts were divided and jaded about the sheer curve that awaited her about how things were moving. She had been too adamant with her magical duties, knowing far too well that organized crime helped her cause. If this meeting yielded fruits, she was ready to finally chase after her own destiny.

She opened her eyes, finding with surprise that she had never really payed attention on anything else than the drive, perhaps the remnants of Jackie's teachings about her own meditation. She took a deep breath, finally opening her mind to the real world, eyeing her enforcers. Hak Foo seemed a league on its own; he was happy to do his work, get paid and leave to his own musings. She had never really been dissatisfied with his performance, especially since she gave him a fair range besides paying him extra to stop screaming his stupid moves and covering his face. He always silently retreated afterwards, preferring to be on his own solitude and she couldn't really fault him; yet she did saw that he now respected her far more than before and she could appreciate that, not only as his employer but in a personal level, it was better than being seen as a money provider.

While the other Enforcers never got too close, afraid of her wrath, Finn was always the exception to the norm. He was watching her as he twirled a finger on his own drink, rum and coke, slowly watching her from the corner of his eyes, offering her a short but brief smile as they locked eyes.

"You're surprisingly calm." She told him, her own hands crossing over her lap watching his face intently, looking for any type of thing that might give her a clue of what was behind his expression. She knew that she was not supposed to care and see them as mere hired help but now she figured that they were finally settling on a different set of boundaries and she was not dismissive of their offering of friendship; she had noticed in the last two months together. It was almost like that time when they tried and failed at redemption staying in Uncle's house, except that they shared the very same interests, things have advanced, slowly but surely, she was far more tolerant of their figures rather than her own personal three stooges.

Finn had offered her a few times to teach her new things, things that shouldn't have rejected months ago, such as lock picking, what to look out for, even firearms training if she wanted to. Chow was now calmer around her rather than being completely terrified of her presence and mannerism. He was smiling more, joking and even sometimes threw her the clue that he didn't thought of her as just his boss, but something else. Ratso…well, he was a different kind of animal. While he possessed a keen interest in using violence whatever suit him, he was far more complex that she gave him credit for before. His mind was set in a different spectrum, while he could be slow and dimwitted at times, he had shown her small little details that escaped everyone, adding the final grain of sand for another plan to bear fruits. It was mostly curious; yet, from all of them, he was always easy going and friendly, almost having a sweet persona around him that she couldn't really hate, especially since he was fancying her secretary with keen interest.

It was difficult not to rub off them. They've become closer and she wasn't sure if that was a bad thing per-se. She was still part human and craved companionship as any other but of all of them; she didn't over think it and stubbornly she admitted to herself that she could really call Finn her friend.

"Well." He licked his lips. "Jus'ndering bout whats coming. We've been doin' pretty good."

Jade blinked and crossed her arms.

"The biggest and most powerful organization that this world has ever seen on this part of the world, all you can say its…we're doing pretty good?" She pressed with a slight frown on her lips. The Irishman couldn't help but to laugh and finally she eased on her own lips with a smile on her own, uncrossing her arms and relaxing back into her seat.

"You're goddamn right we're doing pretty good." She lifted a finger. "Which it's why I am having second thoughts about this."

Finn looked at his own companions which were distracted by their drinks and another one throwing a worried look at a certain secretary. By the way that she was looking at him, he knew that she was entrusting him with another piece of what often remained under wraps. She barely told anyone of her plans of her thoughts unless it interfered with business; this was something far more pressing than a simple move to promote their business.

He took a deep breath and set his drink aside, forgotten.

She looked around and while not particularly feeling complete open to say everything in not such a private location, she slipped off her mask slightly.

"I just don't want to make it too obvious where I am if you know what I mean." She waited a few seconds while the words simmered in his mind and when he nodded, she knew that she got her point across. "The only reason that we haven't been found is because we've been behind the curtains, directed the show without anyone knowing, like a Ghost. Following, engaging and keeping tabs in our enemies, always jumping ten steps ahead of them."

Finn pursed his lips. "We had a few close calls."

She nodded. In the months in between there's been cases where Section 13 and other Agencies had almost discovered their whereabouts. Assets seized from locations but never enough to be traced to the source, just mere scraps and tools used.

"We had Valmont to teach us that." Finn added, this time taking a sip from his drink. "He got cocky and we fell for the money; he thought that forgetting our purpose for a higher call was far more profitable." He looked aside his window. "Greed kills and consumes everything."

Jade nodded in agreement. "Which it's why I am not falling behind. After tonight's event, we're going to talk with all of you about moving with the other side of my plans." She crossed her arms, looking at him intently. "After tonight festivities, we will have finally placed our mark to begin the next phase and I'll take your word into what's coming."

Finn nodded. "Just to lit ya know. We'll follow ya." He smirked suddenly, relaxing into his seat. "I wanna see this thing through, all the way."

She couldn't help but to smile at him.

The rest of the ride fell into a quietness that was interrupted ten minutes later they've finally reached their destination.

Rochester.

Like Mankato, it was a small suburban city trying to imitate other giants but what didn't make it in size, it made it into a mix of buildings, night lights, bridges, mountains, rivers and forests mixing in an intrinsic mosaic that fit well, perhaps far too well. The limo had stopped in an underground garage with a thick steel door the only thing barring them entrance. With a hiss, the heavy door collapsed unto the ground, hydraulic motors moving the heavy door down until it was completely flush with the ground. The limo started its slow advance into the bowels of an underground path that took them further underground with heavy reinforced concrete walls, bright lights illuminating their path. It seemed to go on forever before the limo stopped in a platform; a hidden wall gyrated towards the opposite side as the platform turned the limo towards the hidden path, finally coming into a massive parking lot where other luxurious vehicles where already parked, valet service already waiting, taking the keys of luxurious vehicle with equally expensive looking patrons slipping down a red carpet in a padded area towards a luminous entrance.

Their limo finally stopped in front of said path, a white gloved hand opened their two doors, with the tuxedo valets received them bowing towards Mr. Camochino and his associates, with The Tenderizer taking himself out with a grunt off the limo, shaking his massive

Jade took the hand that was extended from the valet, letting herself be slightly guided to her feet with some indignation, not letting her annoyance glow through her glasses as her companions exited the limo as the Camo finally smiled briefly at Jade.

"Welcome to Number 71."

She blinked behind her dark sunglasses at the name.

"Why it has that name?"

The Capo chuckled as they started walking down the path.

"This used to be a WW2 bunker for important politicians and powerful people in case of well, shall we say nuclear annihilation?" He rolled his eyes. "Of course, it was still used in the cold war and with the passing of such conflict, it was abandoned and sold for pennies on the dollar. I couldn't help but to rescue this tax payer waste deposit and use it as my own storage facility."

"Out of the goodness of your own heart I presume." The Queen rolled her eyes sardonically.

"See, I am a savior."

"Oh, of that I am quite certain of it." They both chuckled as each other as her Enforcers followed after her, intently watching for every corner and every crevice that surrounded their boss.

The elegant people seemed to nod and bow to her ally, out of respect or maybe for the massive mountain of a man that followed him, equally respected and feared. Many curious eyes were directed at The Queen, observing that she wasn't an arm candy, but one that stood to his very level, the very reason for the meeting today.

Jade's eyes roamed her surroundings and the spacious space as they walked down the path amused by the how much money was poured into transforming what used to be an old and dusty war bunker to a marvel of technology, decorum and tastefully agreeable to her eyes. The walls were wrapped in a fine mix of leather, concrete and wood, far more impressive that Mr. Chang island and his love for fine taste but odd obsession with the jade stone. With a hum, Jade observed the elevators that would take them down to the lower levels, equally as protected with security details, cameras, detectors and what she could observe as machine gun turrets placed on the ceiling…truly it seemed like a lot of money for such a location. After this meeting, she would be seen to upgrade her own turf with far more technologic gadgets that Chow had suggested. Per her own thoughts, the ABC was thinking the very same thing as he looked at their surroundings and the tech that only someone like the mob capo could offer in this side of the city.

Sending a quick nod at her, she returned the nod with a pleasant smile on her face, equally in agreement.

Mr. Camochino lowered his face into a sleek device reading his eyes and confirming his identity, followed by a small steel rod protruding from its side which he quickly licked. The rod retreated back into the device and with two quick green blinks of the device the reinforced door finally opened. Behind the ballistic glass windows, the multiple guards nodded at him as they all climbed aboard his own personal elevator, as tall as two stories high, easily accommodating the massive shape of The Tenderizer.

The descent was quiet as Jade mulled in her head what was about to happen, a quick smile drawing itself unto her face as the elevator stopped. A blink signified her entry into the new stage of her plan and of her future.

With a hiss, the heavy elevator doors opened, submerging the elevator into a bright white light that she couldn't help but to grimace as she stepped outside with her enforcers at her side and into a hallway that was lined up with Mr. Camochino's men. With a delicate motion of his hand, the made man made a sign for her to step into the double doors flanked by two men who immediately perked up and opened the doors for the party. The sight that waited her beyond those doors left her quite astonished.

It was like a presentation room with six rows of interconnected platforms with its own set of tables, completely filled to the brim of every possible side of the world organized crime. Over two hundred set of eyes centered their gaze upon them. Her eyes behind her sunglasses roamed the crowd, recognizing several men that she encountered with Jackie in the Asian crime syndicates in her past misadventures with the very same Bartholomew Chang at the center of the Oriental side, with his own wood, jade and stone throne. She rolled her eyes at his nonchalantly glamour with luxury and instead focused her attention purely in the upper row of the platforms where the boss of bosses sat.

Matteo Messina Denaro was a clearly identifiable Sicilian mob boss, through and through. His hardened features were only amplified by his very expensive chocolate brown suit with blackened and calculating eyes looking specifically at her and her alone, briefly glimpsing into his made man, giving him a quick nod.

The mob boss was about to keep walking further into the scenery when a loud growl resounded behind them. Turning around she saw the massive shape of The Tenderizer trying to go through the very small door frame, grabbing it with all his might but failing to pass this massive humanity through the frame.

Deep laughter started echoing through the rows, openly laughing at the massive man as he hissed and growling angrily at them. Jade frowned as even Mr. Camochino laughed at his massive enforcer further enraging the man.

Her enforcers stayed quiet, frowning at the display of disrespect but lifted an eyebrow in confusion as Jade went back to the door, walking closer to The Tenderizer, forcing the man to stop his struggles, tilting his head down to look at her. With the crowd still laughing at what they perceived as a show of pure comedy, Jade was to quickly extend her hand to the massive man. There were only seconds of hesitation as the man extended his hand and took around hers. The gigantic hand dwarfed in comparison to hers, her fingers delicately wrapping around his palm and started pushing towards her.

Laughter stopped immediately with a gasp of surprise as the massive man went intangible through the material, slipping through solid matter and through the other side of the room with Jade dragging his massive humanity through, letting go of his hand.

His gigantic head tilted in confusion at the show of empathy, his eyes softening as he looked at her, offering her a dry nod of appreciation and respect which she returned with a small smile on her own, turning around to face the room, hands clasped around her back, eyeing the crowd and drinking in their confusion and her fear, washing over like a wave of a succulent meal.

Mr. Camochino threw her a satisfied look at her entrance, not even getting annoyed at taking the lead, walking all the way to the center of the room, head held high with her hands clasped behind her back, finally stopping and flanked by her enforcers and her secretary at her right side. The Tenderizer walked to their left, taking position where he could observe all three sides of the row, with many visually cringing as his eyes full of hatred centered on them, no longer being protected from his mere presence where he could snatch and destroy if he ever wanted to.

The made man walked with Mr. Vercceli close by, slipping at her right side, taking the space next to her secretary.

He clasped his hands together, getting the attention of everyone.

"Welcome, welcome to this great night. I hope you've found the accommodations to your liking." He smiled widely. "It isn't everyday that such occurrence happens, especially with our hefty lives."

There was a murmur of laughter in the crowd which he pursed his lips in response.

"Yet, something brought our complete attention to it, right?" There was murmur of agreement, with most of the eyes centering on Jade. "With my promise of alliance with my associate, our wallets are richer in the spawn of months of what could've taken years. My promise to you all came with far more profits that we could've ever seen in a lifetime."

"You sir did sonny." The heavily Sicilian accented voice of Matteo Denaro brough the room to a standstill. "I had my doubts, but there's far more things than I thought possible…now, can I have what you took from me?"

With a small smirk, The Queen dug into her pockets slipping the pen that she had taken from his so many months ago, twirling it expertly in her fingers before she waved her around. A small blue circle appeared with crack, humming to the astonishment of everyone, further developing into a gasp as the hand that was holding the pen slipped through the mini portal and appeared in the center of the Sicilian mob boss, a hand with fine manicured black and sharp finger nails extended the pen.

Slowly, the man took the pen offered from him, staring at it and then at the impossible being that was making this possible. With a slight smirk, she retrieved her hand from his table and from the mini portal which disappeared as soon as she got her hand back, flexing her fingers high in the air, enjoying the attention of the crowd.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Mr. Camochino didn't even let the silence to simmer. "To think that the impossibility of my associate is walking in our shoes with her abilities, abilities that should be completely fictional, yet she's proof that everything that I said was completely true." He turned to Jade. "Now dear, how about you introduce yourself? And by that, I mean the real you."

With a smirk, she walked closer to the row, the crowd eyes centered only on her. Her right hand was to quickly remove her sunglasses, lowering her gaze to the floor and offering them to Finn who took them. The moment her head snapped forward there was a murmur of fear going through the crowd, with many visually cringing and standing from their chairs, watching in disbelief as she stood to her full height and lifted her head fully, snapping her glowing red eyes at them, mouth opening to reveal rows of sharp teeth, with lips curving into a smile. Her long canines shook with a small laugh busting from her lips.

"It's good to finally meet you." Her ghostly voice brought more fear into the people, disappearing in whispers. "I've been working closely with many of you. Quadrupling profits, cutting your spending and of course, taking your jobs with a grateful smile on my face." She let her words to hang in the air, waiting for them to get a clue. "I am The Ghost of the Underworld, the Specter, you may call me the Queen of the Shadow Khan."

She let out a demonic growl, opening her mouth fully with a smoky substance flowing from her mouth, washing over the crowd, sending several screams her way, many panicking as the substance passed harmlessly over the crowd and through the end of the room. Slowly, the smoke solidified and from it, eight rows of red eyes cut through the smoke and when it dissipated, her ninjas stood on the ceiling, clutching weapons and defying gravity, watching from the crowd below. With a snap of her fingers, the ninjas jumped over the rows and finally joined the center of the room, facing her and her alone, bending the knee at their Queen with a respectful bow of their heads.

Nodding at them, the dark Ninjas stood up and faced the crowd. Jade smiled as they parted to walk through them, getting closer to the rows.

There was a murmur as several men tried to wrestle another to sat back down on his chair, finally freeing himself from the pair of arms that tried to keep him still. The man marched angrily to the railing at the end of the roof platforms, slamming his hands angrily against the steel, anger fueling his actions entirely, lifting a hand and pointing at her.

"It was you! You were part of the invasion of those things that tried to take over the world! I lost a lot of good people because of you! You also stole from us!" He started to slip a hand into his jacket before he was wrestled by other men that tried to restrain him. They all paused as The Queen levitated in the air to the surprise of the struggling men, pausing as her grin opened with her tips of her sharp teeth poking her lower lip with an amused play of her lips.

"I did not have anything to do with the invasion. That was the work of the King of the Underworld, something completely incomprehensible to your mortal matters and not related to me in any way." She said, crossing her arms and then made a mocking salute with her right hand. "But I did make that withdraw in Vegas…" She crossed her legs in midair, with the flops of her dress covering everything, uncrossing her arms, she extended her hand at them and they quickly retreated but the man was no longer trying to reach into his coat.

"It was just part of my resume. Many had questioned Mr. Camochino about his mysterious associate and how he was making this possible, with many even claiming that he was reeling them in assisted by law enforcement to give you a sense of confidence. What insidious accusations and a clear insult of his character."

The capo boss smiled at her words.

"It was me, me." She motioned at her with a sharp nail to her own chest, a dangerous smile drawing on her face. "The laws of men or even physics can't stop me. I was the one that stole the money from Vegas; I escaped from the police, from the FBI and other organizations on that night and stole that chunk of change. And what I've given you in return?" The paused, judging the crowd, alluring them for what was coming. "I've given you four times the number of your profits in just six months. Thanks to me, shipments that would've been caught slipped in unnoticed, things that not even The Dark Hand could accomplish was done thanks to me. You no longer have to grease hands and corrupt officials and politicians, when I can just slip in and make it happen, while leaving no trace of my presence."

The crowd stayed silent at the floating girl, listening intently.

"I can do things that no mortal man can, and now, you're seeing the results of our partnership."

"If you say that you're on our side, why did you kidnap and spied on us? What's your game?" A female voice dared to speak from the crowd, all eyes centered on her. Jade twisted her head to look at the Latin American woman from the side of the South American crime families. She pursed her lips, finding her courage to be relieving to the tension build rather than annoyance.

"Because someone paid me to. I can assure you; it wasn't anything personal, just strictly business, just like everything I've done as the Ghost of the Underworld in these last months." The woman opened scowled, with others joining in and looking at each with anger. Jade was to quickly wave her hand around. "We still got what we wanted at the end and my job is not to meddle in your power plays, my job is to provide just as The Dark Hand." She motioned to her associates. "I am very sure that you're more in knowledge of my acquaintances, when Valmont was running things, way before he cut connections and used his resources for something that was obtainable to him. The fool left everything to chase a legend, a legend that eventually was his undoing and the Underworld paid a high price for it, with nobody competent enough to pick up the slack."

There were murmurs of agreement at the last part.

"Here's where I came in. You saw what I can do and I can do it quite well…if I can escape from hundreds of law enforcement agencies and the military chasing me for miles and toppling Bin Laden in the most wanted list in the spawn of a few hours, imagine now what I can do for you...openly this time."

She smiled, displaying her sharp teeth. Nobody dared to speak against the floating demonic girl, their attention fully on her.

"The Black Queen is now open for business and business is quite good."

Hours later after that exciting first meeting, Jade stood next to Mr. Camochino in an office room, waiting for the Sicilian mob boss to say something as he taped his desk intently, thinking deeply.

"So." He began licking his lips. "What you brought to the table today convinced me to your terms."

Jade didn't let her surprise at how easy this was and instead waited for him to continue.

"You want to make this official but…I am worried that this will move the board against my own side of the board."

The Queen pursed her lips. "I can assure you, the only thing I want to do is to displease you in this opportunity…but I need free range to carry my own brand and my own influence around."

The Sicilian boss quickly found himself getting angry, openly scowling but felt short when her demonic eyes centered on him.

There was something cold and reptilian in her gaze, far beyond the inhuman glow of her red eyes that told him everything he needed to know about this girl. She was a dangerous, cunning and extremely intelligent creature with an infinite resourcefulness. There was no doubt that if he presented himself to be a problem, he would be swiftly eliminated the very same way that she had been spying, kidnapping and stealing for the big fish. After all, nobody could really hide from a demonic girl that could phase through solid walls and create portals after all. So, instead of replying with his usual infamous snark, he politely inclined his head and relaxed his shoulders, his anger leaving him with a sigh.

"Yet, you want me to move my borders so you can move in into my own territory?"

"With the paid-out that I gave you, it shall be sufficient with no loss to your profits I can assure you. Do not see this as a takeover…see it more as an acquisition from my part. I am after all paying you a cut from my own profits which are started to surpass even the most active crime families of today. You will increase your margin of profits with me owning those territories that you could do on your own from the other side of the world and instead you can center your efforts elsewhere, with a nice chunk of change for your troubles.

The Sicilian man grunted, eyeing Mr. Camochino, giving him a sharp note finally.

"Okay demon fimmina, tu're making me an offer iu can't refuse." The man was to quickly rectify his Sicilian slip of his tongue, nodding sharply at her. "Then, we're in agreement. It will take a while for me to move assets out of the are and we can speak further payments with my made man. Its not everyday that the Cosa Nostra extends its blessing to members outside of our organization, but you've made something that in my years I thought not possible, yet a being out of this world is staring me at this very moment. These are rare and changing times, I do hope I don't have to regret our cooperation."

"I can assure you; before the year is over, you'll see how this will be a mutual benefit for all of us."

The Sicilian mob boss nodded. "We'll see, our business here is concluded. We'll be in touch." He scrounged his gray eyebrows. "Queen of the Shadow Khan."

With a smirk, she stood up with Mr. Camochino finally nodding at his superior. Two men manning the door were to quickly give them passage to the elegant hallway, with the made man following after her.

"You keep impressing me." He started with a laugh. "I've never seen Signore Denore so calmly giving his territories for money before, truly marvelous."

Jade pursed her lips. "I've learned that it's quite easy to move mountains with a bigger mountain of cash." Both smiled at the declaration. The made man gasped dramatically, pausing the Queen in mid step as she lifted an eyebrow at him.

"By the way, I found someone on the inside of your other side of ventures, your other special project."

Of course, with their professional connection, Jade had giving him tips that what she really sought was not only her own organization but something that slipped more into the inhuman side of things and with it, he pulled a cellphone.

"It was difficult to obtain, but you've kept into your word and more, so, giving you merely a gift from my part, I do hope you'll be appreciative of this." She twirled the contact highlighted in the contact list, displaying a unique name that she didn't recognize. "Your entry to Section 13 is open Queen…feel free to take the call in the balcony."

She smirked widely, laughing with relief drawing into her features.

"You've no idea how happy this makes me."

"Then by all means…I'll wait for you in the party room. Do take your time." With a respectful nod, he took his leave down the hallway, leaving her alone with the device clutched in her hands. With a hum of her lips, she walked through the massive glass doors, her eyes lingering in the shimmering lights of the city below, staring once more at the device in her hands.

She had never really forgotten her duties to her magical ambitions, building her stance first and now she felt finally ready to move in. The thought made her so giddy that she almost crushed the device in her hands. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and pressed the call button.

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Cempedak Island, private island resort, Indonesia.

At the other side of the world, a well build man sipped his fruity cocktail as he laid in a hammock, sighing in relaxation as two beauties in scandalous bikinis giggled in his arms, his eyes tracing not only their curves but the silvery blue waves, basking in the sun and the sea breeze. A ring interrupted his moment, lifting a bushy brown eyebrow at the offending device.

"No please, don't pick up." The girl at his left played with his dark sunglasses.

"We're having so much fun right now." The other added, tracing a fingernail on his chest.

The man smirked, taking his cellphone to their complete disappointment.

"Oh, I am sure that we can pick up in my suite." The ladies perked up, giggling at him as he stood up, walking to the rock wall that separated the resort from the open sea. He slipped his aviator sunglasses up, revealing bright green eyes.

The man brushed a hand through his brownish-blonde hair and pressed a button on the device, bringing it closer to his ear and smiling, displaying perfectly pearled white teeth.

"This is Taggart McStone, how can I help you today?"

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A/N: And here we go, the very new installment of Jade's moves will finally be set in motion. It has a long time coming for her but finally she's prepared, stay tuned for more. Please do review, I would like to hear how this is going so far! Thanks for sticking up for the story.

D4rK.