Mingyun and Jade

Life was never trouble-free when your line of work was being Fate. Given your life was tied to every living thing in every plane of existence. Some people were firm believers in the powers of Fate and Destiny, while others believed unwaveringly in the capabilities of free will and choice.

As for Fate itself? Well, Fate itself was as incomprehensible as the concept is depicted. Given the fact it was omnipresent as well as the bearer of over a thousand names and forms. There were days it in truth despised its job while another period it couldn't be happier.

On the other hand? There was one day that contrary from every other day of the year that genuinely granted Fate a severe migraine. It was whenever someone reached the point in their lives called "The Crossroads of Destiny" Translation? When an individual faced the most significant choice in their lives; a decision so big it'd not only determined their fate but all those connected to them as well.

Ordinarily, Fate wasn't one to personally interpose at this pivotal moment in one's life. After all, even if it was Fate, it couldn't directly impede living being's choices or their free will. No matter what people assumed otherwise. The truth was in fact that Fate incapable of changing the fate one chose for themselves when they reached their Crossroads.

That didn't mean there weren't occasionally insinuating circumstances that Fate bent the rules without breaking them. But only in the most special of cases, did Fate step into 'nudge' someone at their Crossroads. It just so happened that what exactly was going on today.

Fate existed in a geographical area that was so implausible it'd blow your mind. There were no other words for it but mystical and otherworldly. You're entirely encircled by colors beyond anyone's imagination in all plains of existence. Night and day simultaneously existed at the same time while trillion of multi-colored heavenly bodies sparkle about.

Right now Fate had not taken a physical form as of yet. Though that didn't hinder it from gazing into a magical crystal sphere known as the Mystifier, which held fantastical powers that were as cryptic as its name. At present, it was alerting Fate that TWO souls were about to reach their Crossroads at the same time! Very extraordinary circumstance indeed.

Witnessing what Mystifier was manifesting within its enchanted crystal sphere led Fate to decided to kill two birds with one stone. For this was one time, Fate could see both souls at their Crossroads needed a little 'nudge.'

In the fantastic location that Fate referred to as home over a dozen shimmering multi-colored lights commencement to form a maidenlike shape as if they're making a star constellation. Eventually, they exploded like pyrotechnic, revealing a ravishing young woman in a plum-colored cheongsam that complement her hair that had dawn-tinted highlights. It was styled in a sophisticated bun, and those highlights brought out her matching eyes and encircling tattoos. She had a few pieces of exquisite ornaments and carried at her side a sheathed Jian sword.

Conjuring up a jeweled hand mirror she looked over her appearance like any normal woman would. "Hmm, I do look rather lovely, and I do fit the culture aesthetic I'm about to encounter. Still, a few tweaks to make me a tad more beautiful doesn't hurt. So who should I encounter first?" as she held up the Mystifier in her right hand.

"Hmm, it seems the girl has a little more influence then the Sky Child. She the one who will set into motions many events yet to come. I'll speak to her first. Though I won't have to be as direct as I'll have to be with the other." Holding the Mystifier in her hands it glowed brightly till the glow enveloped her completely.

When Fate reappeared, she was standing in the darkened bedroom of the 11-year-old child known as Jade Chan. She was a rather pretty girl and would only blossom further if she ever reached womanhood. Though given the kind of life fate had already given the young child that might not happen.

"Hmm, I don't think I need to use my full powers here to aid her in her Crossroads. Again I can't directly interfere with her choices, but they're nothing about having an amazing dream to give you a 'nudge' in the right direction," holding up the Mystifier which glowed again.

In Jade Chan's dreamscape, she was doing what she pretty much did every day in the real world. Kicking butt and taking names with whatever evil her Uncle Jackie came face to face with.

Right now the little girl's dream self was taking on the Shadowkhan, Shendu, and the Enforcers all by herself and winning no problem. Fate had to smile at the child. So easy to get lost in the dreams of a thrill seeker and forget what was important. Hence why she was here tonight."

Snapping her fingers, the dream figures all disappeared while the landscape changed to the same garden from Mulan. "Hey, what gives?! Where did all the baddies go?! Why am I in a silly garden?"

"I thought we need a more peaceful place to talk about. I find gardens like these can sooth one mind and bring about a sense of clarity much easier. When one is not distracted by unwanted hinder," came a most magical voice behind her.

Whirling around Jade saw one of the coolest looking ladies she had ever seen since Viper. She was so pretty and carried a badass sword! And what was that crazy magical bobble in her hands?!

"Okay, I'll bite. Who are you, lady? Where am I and if you don't answer don't think I won't open a can of butt whoop on you!" promised the tenacious preteen girl.

"Calm yourself, Jade. I'm not here to attack or do you harm. Merely to talk to you. Come sit with me," as she sat down on a bench and pat the seat beside her. Still not fully trusting her she still sat down.

"So where are we? Did we get transported into the world of Mulan? Because this place looks exactly like the movie! Oh, are you some warrior woman too? Is that how you got your sword?! Is it a magical sword?!" she asked a mile a minute.

Laughing musically, the woman shook her head. "It's not magical per se. It's more that it comes with the outfit and only has powers if I deem them needed. But otherwise, its as sharp and true as any sword blade."

"Neat! Can I use it?!"

"Maybe later, we need to talk."

"Okay. Um, why do we need to talk? Again who are you? Why do you want to talk to me?"

"You may call me Mingyun. I want to talk to you because come, Jade, tomorrow, you will not only determine your fate but the fate of another."

"Say what?" she asked confused.

"You are at the Crossroads of Destiny Child. Tomorrow your choices will either make or break your life. And all those connected to you now and in the future."

"Okay... this is not weird at all. Not weird at all," she said in sarcasm.

"Trust me, it doesn't make my job any easier when people get to where you are. But I'm here to give you let's call it a 'nudge"

"A nudge?"

"Well, I can't make a choice for you, but I can show a sort of glimpse to help you decided. Show you some of what could be and tell you the truths of here and now. But that's all I can do. I cannot change you, and what you do is still up to you."

"Okay and your doing this why?" she questioned suspiciously.

"Because it's my job. But I don't usually make a face-to-face appearance. You and the one who will also reach HIS Crossroad have caught my attention. There are few rare cases where I'm allowed to step in a little and give a 'nudge' Nudge again is the only word I can use. You are still a living thing. And thus have a free will. I can't choose for you. I can solely offer words of wisdom and help you see some hidden truths. However, the decision you make here and now is still yours."

"Okay, well lady, I still don't know who you are. Or where I am but okay. I'll roll with it."

Jade Chan, so that you know, I've multiple names and various forms, but I'm known to one and all. I'm here because, in every soul-life, they reach a point known as "The Crossroads of Destiny," where they will make the most critical choice in their life. The choice they make at the Crossroads will conclusively determine not only their fate but all those correlated to them for the rest of time."

"So you get around, don't you?

"Yes, I do. But let's try and stay on track, can we please? There is frequently when people reach their Crossroads a disconnect between their Mind and Heart while their Body battles it out. It gets quite tiresome assisting them in sorting it all out so they can reliably figure out what path they should take. Even if again its their choice for good or ill what path of destiny they walk in the end."

"So are you Fate or Destiny or something then?"

"I thought you spoke your native tongue. My current form name is the Chinese word for "Fate or Destiny," so that's exactly who I am."

"Wow, I've used ancient magical talismans, beat up magic ninja and battle demons. But never thought Fate would visit me. Boy, my life is strange."

"Believe me, it will only get stranger. But okay then, now take the Mystifier and dear be careful with it. There only one in all creation, and it cannot be replaced. So don't break it," she warned.

"Okay! Being careful," as she held the sphere with was about the size of a large grapefruit in her hands and started to gaze into it. All she perceived at first was a bunch of swirling rainbow mist. Then it reformed and she seemed to be looking at herself, though slightly different.

She looked the same in many ways, but at the same time, she could see that her face had several small cracks on it. And her eyes looked like they were holding back tears. Of course, the rambunctious girl wanted to know what this meant.

"It's how you see yourself, Jade. You see yourself almost flawless, but deep inside, you know they're little cracks. The parts of you filled with insecurities, loneliness, and sadness. They make tiny cracks over the mask that is your face. The one you show to the rest of the world."

"That can't be true! I'm so awesome! I don't have anything to be insecure about! I've got Jackie, Uncle, and Tohru! How can I be lonely? What do I have to be sad about? My life is one big adventure!"

"That's the lies or the half-truths you tell yourself, Jade. Yes, you have got a loving family, and your need for thrills and adventure are meet regularly. But what about your simple everyday needs?

How do you feel over the fact you don't fit in at school? How do you feel that Drew constantly picks and puts you down? That the other children laughing at you makes you feel unfortunate and depressed. As does feeling somewhat rejected by your parents for being sent away in the first place."

Jade curled into herself not wanting to admit out loud to the beautiful woman that she was right, but her silence and pout were all Mingyun needed to confirm it. She hugged the girl tightly and kissed her forehead.

"It's okay to feel those things. Just don't keep them bottled up. Now take a look at the second image. You might like this one a little better," as Jade did as Mingyun instructed.

This time the magical mist showed an attractive young girl, looked confident, exceedingly appealing and was smiling with happiness. She was attired somewhat differently and looked slightly more developed as well.

"This is how others see you. Your family and the one whose fate is tied to yours. They see a strong, self-confident, compassionate young woman who has great potential and a future ahead of her."

"Well, it's nice how others see me and that they see me in such a flattering way. But is that a false image or something?" she questioned.

"They see your many strengths, but they also know of your flaws, ones that you may not always recognize about yourself. Those same people who see this strong young lady also see on the flip-side an extremely reckless lady, while brave leaps into danger without thinking things through. They know you suffer from a hero complex and are at worst a thrill seeker and now your thirst for adventure is your fatal flaw.

Jade Chan, do you understand? Your need to prove yourself and face danger head-on while is admiral also shows off all your flaws. You are far too impulsive and don't easily learn from your mistakes. This pattern could hurt you when you face your choice at your Crossroads if your too impulsive and don't think things through and think of all possibility and outcomes. Both at the moment and long term."

She sighed heavily, "Is this another truth I refused to allow myself to know? My flaws? Are these parts of the cracks of the first image? The truths I secretly know but don't want to admit? So I cover them up with a mask?"

"Being able to realize that here and now shows you are starting to acknowledge these truths. That is very good. Though again I'm only offering truths that I help you see in yourself by unclouding your eyes.

There still a final image for you to see in the Mystifier. It's the most critical image that the Mystifier has the power to show someone. Take a good long look at this one and think about it.

Gazing her beautiful copper-brown eyes back into the magical crystal ball, she saw a new image. A tall fit and a curvy, beautiful young woman with long silky jet-black hair shimmering. Her flawless skin glowed like moonlight. The stunning woman wore an ice blue gown with energy crackling from every pore. She was reaching her arms out into the shining light for someone. Her smile was more beautiful then the Mona Lisa, and it radiated such happiness no one would ever feel sorrow when in this woman's presence."

"So who the princess?" she asked in confusion and Mingyun smiled and revealed the truth others seldom saw when the got to the last image with the Mystifier

"That is Jade Chan. The person you have the power to become."

"What?! I can become a princess?!"

Laughing she shook her head and rephrased. "No, not necessarily a princess. But the one whose life is full of riches beyond what satisfies you now. A true princess. One not of riches or gowns, but one who has all the heart needs. A beautiful, strong young woman who doesn't just need the thrill of adventure to get her by. But can have what makes the happy ending worth it.

To have true friends, a family that loves you. And, more importantly, someone who loves you in return. You have the power to become the princess of your own story and have all that we seek to make our lives complete."

"Wow, but I didn't get this far in my adventures with Jackie to know there isn't a catch."

"That is again is the vision of the person you have the power to become, child. While you can still walk the path, you do now one of the adventures and fighting an evil that path doesn't mean you'll get what makes life truly worth living."

"So your saying I can live a life of nonstop adventures and fighting the bad guys and kicking evil butt? But in the end, I'll still have nothing to show for it?" she was confused.

"You will not have a legacy to leave behind. No. And remember all the adventures eventually end. So what will there be waiting for you when you finally reach the end of your adventures?"

"So what else can this doohickey do?"

"It can reveal your true thoughts and feelings. Right now, your thinking about them. About what you want out of life. Look inside yourself and see what is made bare for you."

She saw the image she wanted most Seymour and her at the dance. She saw other pictures of them growing up and doing things together. Eventually dating. She was almost shocked when she heard the wedding bells and cry of a newborn.

But then those thoughts also changed. There were dark thoughts that overshadowed the happy ones. Storm clouds rained down on all the content images. Her secret thoughts that she'd be betrayed. That she would always be alone. Picking up pieces of a broken heart. Of being stabbed in the back.

"Stop it! I don't want to see or hear anymore!"

"Fine enough," as she took back her sphere from the young Chinese girl. She didn't speak for a few moments giving her a chance to calm down. Then spoke again in her mystical musical voice.

"You should know this Jade Chan the truth. You don't find true love. It finds you and when you least expect. I'm sure you've heard of the red strings of fate correct? That they connect soulmates? That it's best to start as friends and then grow into lovers to make it last?"

"No, I wasn't aware of that. Well, maybe my parents read some silly bedtime stories about it when I was like three. But what does that have to do with anything?"

"It has everything to do with you coming to your Crossroads tomorrow and the choices you make when you reach it tomorrow in the presence of who is also reaching his crossroads."

Tomorrow?" she asked confused.

"You are gonna choose your own. What you do tomorrow will help determine the fate of another. The one whose linked at your Crossroads," Mingyun again emphasized seeing the child still hadn't figured out. But that was for the best in some ways.

"But your saying even with everything you told me it's all my choice? Even if I don't know what choice I'm making tomorrow?"

She nodded her majestic head and reminded her again of her role in all this. "I'm merely extending the truth and a glimpse of what is one possibility. I've not changed you in the slightest. Your mind, memories, and instincts are the same as they been your whole life, Jade Chan.

I can't change what you are. I only offer you the choice to determine who you CHOOSE TO BE. Right now, you're split between the heart and mind hence the crossroads. That's why what will determine what your fate will be tomorrow. Choose wisely." and with that Jade woke up from her strange dream trying to decide whether it was an ordinary dream or not.

The next day as she was walking home from school with Seymour she was nervous thinking of her dream last night and about what was this big choice she had to make today.

She saw him holding his head as if he was having his head split in two. Growing very concerned, she called out to him. Um, Seymour? You alright?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, Jade. I had a headache. You were saying something?" he was acting like it was no big deal, but she was still worried.

"You sure your okay? You look like you might be getting sick," she inquired in a concerned voice as she put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly.

"I'll be fine in a few moments. Is there something you want to ask me?" he said dismissively

"Um, yes," she apprehensively fiddled with her hair. Then took out two necklaces."I got these for you and me for our friendship and how we make each other whole. I don't know if you know anything about yin and yang. But yin and yang go beyond dark and light. They um.., They also mean female and male. Yin is female, and Yang is male, and though they are opposite in every which way, they complete each other."

"You think I complete you?" he sounded stunned.

"Well, Seymour, fate seemed have caused us to met and I've never felt more content. Or had someone who seems to like me for me. I was hoping you felt the same. So if you did and want to be my friend, I'd like that."

"Yes, it does seem fate seems to have caused us to collide. Truthfully I never had a friend before either," he acknowledged honestly as he looked back at her while still holding the necklace.

"So we can be each other friends? And if the answer is yes do you also want to go to the dance together this Friday?" she asked him in a voice pleading with anticipation and enthusiasm.

She waited for what felt like an eternity for him to answer. But he seemed spaced out, and she feared she had made the wrong choice asking him and blown her crossroads. Trying to salvage the situation, she quickly spoke. "Seymour? Um, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I mean, it's a silly dance. So if you don't want to go with me. I understand," she was trying to hold back the tears in her eyes.

Then to her complete surprise, he answered her question. "I'd love to go to the dance with you, Jade. We'd have to get some clothes first. Seeing how I'm new in town and don't have anything for a dance. And if I'm taking the prettiest girl in class, she needs to look her best."

"Really?! Thank you! And you think I'm pretty?"

"The prettiest girl I've ever seen. Do you think you could get your Uncle Jackie to take us clothes shopping? My um parents aren't really around a lot to do anything with me, and my siblings are the worst."

"Are your parents neglectful?"

"To be more accurate, my parents are gone, and my siblings don't care for me. So I'm left on my own most of the time. So yeah."

"I'm sorry to hear that. No wonder your lonely. C'mon, let's get Uncle Jackie and go shopping for clothes for the dance!" as she took his hand and led him to the shop only to be startled by what Uncle led out.

Unknown to everyone else at that moment Hsi Wu was panicking as it was his missing tail in a poor disguise but then to his shock and everyone else something unexpected happened. The tail started to spasm and gave a dying shriek before it withered up and died right in front of them.

"Okay, what the heck just happened?" Jade asked as they looked at the remains of Hsi Wu 's tail.

"Yes, Sensei, what did just happen?"

"Uncle doesn't know! Must be unknown demon magic! Must do research! Come Tohru, we must think of another way to find and banish Sky Demon."

"What is he talking about, Jade?" Seymour asked in genuine surprise.

"Um, that what was in the box. The tail of a demon. But it's now dead and none of known why. I don't know, maybe the demon died? And we've nothing to worry about now? Like if the tail dead, the rest of him got to be dead too, right?"

"I guess that makes sense. If the demon is no more then there no reason for the tail to exist either if it has nothing to reattach too," theorized Seymour looks genuinely stumped by what just the heck happened.

"Let's forget about it. Um, Uncle Jackie?"

"Yes, Jade? Oh, hello, Seymour. Nice to see you again."

"You too, Sir."

"Jackie Seymour and I are going to the dance this Friday. We are going to need some new clothes for the dance. You think you can help us find them and maybe buy them? Seeing how two 11 years old really can't afford anything?"

"No problem. It is nice to do something normal for once. Let me get my wallet, and we can go to the mall. Give me five minutes."

The two young kids were smiling happily at the thought of the dance. It was then Jade suddenly found herself back in that garden and realized she hadn't been dreaming last night.

Mingyun's face had a glowing smile, and she seemed rather happy. "Okay, so did I past the test, or did I doom the world?" Jade wanted to know impatiently.

"You've helped change the fate of another and thus changed your own. You made the right choice. Good job. Now the road ahead for both you and destined one will not be easy. For either of you. But stick together and follow the wisdom of your teachers and you'll be fine.

Also, I'll be keeping my eye on both of you. You two rather intrigue me, and not everyone catches' Fate's eye. So you and your new boyfriend should know Fate going to be keeping her all-seeing eyes on the two of you."

"Wait? Did I change Seymour's fate? How?"

"That's up for him to tell you. When the time is right. But that on another day. For now, enjoy the dance. And learning to waltz would be very helpful. See you both in the future."

And with that Jade, Jackie and Seymour went to start a new adventure where it would lead was anyone guesses but it would be engaging with fate watching them.