(This story is the rewrite of my old story The One True Dragon. As always, I love critical reviews. Be as mean as possible, please. I seriously appreciate it. I'd like to thank Katra21 for giving me the best freaking reviews ever and inspiring me to make these rewrites. Thanks so much for reading!)
Chapter 1 – Carry On, Wayward Son
Chase Young frowned as the redheaded boy took his stance. His feet were planted firmly; his arms were held up defensively. His eyes were focused, cautiously watching for his opponent's first move. Chase didn't move, but surveyed the boy before him suspiciously. Though it could hardly be called expert, or even advanced, the stance was good. Especially for Spicer.
The boy had only been training with the monks at the temple for three months, yet he seemed completely different from the useless fool Chase had found so easy to manipulate in the past. Though his hair was still wild and unkempt, the makeup, heli-bot, and yellow goggles were gone. The red robes and black sash of a newcomer at the Xiaolin temple had replaced the awkward black coat and pants. At a glance, nothing seemed to remain of the old Jack Spicer. More impressive than his improved stance was his improved sense of focus. His eyes didn't stray from Chase; the bumbling and uncertain sway to his step was replaced by the poise and balance of a warrior.
Chase's frown deepened, and he silently wished he'd been watching the temple closer during Spicer's training. Although he'd known the temple had taken the boy in, Chase had assumed the situation was only temporary. He'd figured Spicer wouldn't last long. After all, last time the monks had taken him in he hadn't even lasted one day.
If the monk's training could transform the idiot in such a short amount of time…
Chase found himself concerned about the effects their training might be having on his true enemies. He glanced over at the four monks standing nearby. The monks stood closely, their eyes flickering back and forth between Chase and his opponent. Three of them wore the red tunics of Wudai Warriors. One, however, their leader, wore the midnight-black of a Sho-Ku Warrior.
Raimundo concerned Chase. He had grown strong; his powers now rivaled even Omi's. Raimundo's growth had been accelerating rapidly, and, unlike Omi, he was growing in more than just physical strength. Omi was still young, jealous, and ambitious. Raimundo was growing wiser. Chase knew that soon he would be forced to do something about the monk's growing abilities. If left to flourish, Raimundo would eventually become a force to compete even with Chase himself.
And Raimundo had proven that no amount of trickery would work on him this time. The boy's victories against Hannibal had surprised Chase. Had almost impressed him. Perhaps Chase would have been more impressed if he didn't know Hannibal so well. Hannibal was a fool. Self-gratifying, overconfident, overanxious…Chase knew that fifteen hundred years of isolation had hit his old enemy hard. Hannibal had been able to fool the monks at first, but they had learned quickly.
"Hey, Chase, baby? I'm over here," Spicer's mocking voice pulled Chase back to the matter at hand. He looked back at his opponent, irritated that the child had the nerve to taunt him, the greatest warrior who had ever lived. Although Chase wondered how the monks had managed to teach so much to such a useless fool, he was certainly not afraid of the boy before him. Spicer was an insect to be squashed at Chase's leisure. Never would the boy be able to compete with even the weakest member of the Xiaolin team, let alone with Chase himself.
He bared his teeth in a grin. "So eager to die, worm? I am surprised at your newfound courage. Has the monks' foolishness worn off on you? You should know better than to challenge me, Spicer."
"Oh, should I?" The boy smirked. "Well maybe you should come show me whatcha got. I think you're all bark and no bite, Chase. You talk tough but I haven't seen you do much, really."
Chase bared his teeth again, but this time he wasn't smiling. "You will regret those words, Spicer. I will teach you to talk down to your betters."
Jack had been dreading this moment for months. The moment when he would leave the safety of the temple and join the others for a 'shen-gong-wu round up' as Clay phrased it. Of course, it was just his luck that Chase Young happened to show up to this one. On their way there he had asked the others if they'd mind letting him get this wu. They had understood why and agreed wholeheartedly, remembering the honor of their first victorious showdowns.
Jack had been hoping one of his old cohorts would show up, someone he knew he could beat. He was proud of his new abilities and hungering for a chance to show them off. But it was no second-rate villain who was waiting for them.
The others had rushed forward to help him when they had seen Chase Young waiting for them. The only thing Jack had wanted more than their help at that moment was to prove he could face Chase on his own. The thought of facing Chase terrified him, of course, but he didn't want them to see his fear.
Jack watched his opponent carefully, heart pounding in his chest. He desperately hoped his terror wasn't showing on his face as he fought to keep his breathing steady. He wanted to impress Chase almost as much as he wanted to impress the monks.
Chase lunged forward. He was at Jack's side like lighting, slashing out with a spiked fist. Jack ducked under his opponent's arm and aimed a kick at his legs. Chase looked surprised, but still avoided the kick easily by leaping back a few feet. Jack stood ready again. He knew he was shaking visibly, but he couldn't stop a smile from creeping onto his face.
"I see you have improved, Spicer," Chase said. "Well done." Jack's smile spread to a wide grin. He knew Chase was surprised. "However, you will need more than a few months of training for me to consider you an opponent." He turned and started walking toward the monks.
Jack's smile disappeared. He attacked.
Chase was ready and blocked Jack's punch without looking back, throwing the boy off balance. He aimed a punch at the young boy's head, but Jack dropped to the ground and rolled away. He leapt to his feet in time to see Chase's foot swinging forward but not in time to dodge. The boot connected with the side of his head. He flew across the rock plateau and winced as he skidded across the ground.
His vision blurred and he hurt all over, but he climbed to his feet. Chase was striding toward him, an amused grin on his face. Jack knew his face was burning red with embarrassment and anger. He knew he couldn't stand up to Chase. Regardless, he narrowed his eyes and regained his fighting position.
"Need another lesson, worm?" Chase was grinning. "I'd suggest staying down if you want to keep all of your body parts."
Jack said nothing but ran at his enemy. Chase avoided his charge and turned to attack, but Jack was gone. Jack watched with satisfaction as Chase's eyes widened with surprise as he spun, searching for his opponent. Jack was behind him, swinging at his face. His fist connected and sent Chase reeling. The Heylin warrior stumbled back a few steps and raised a hand to his mouth. A trickle of blood ran from his lip.
The others cheered and applauded, and Jack smiled over at them. He was proud, even though he knew he had just gotten lucky. Chase was underestimating him. Playing with him. Any small victories Jack could claim would be temporary. Once Chase became serious he wouldn't stand a chance.
"I see I have underestimated the effect a few months of training with real warriors can have on a worthless fool," Chase said.
"Well, you know Chase, that's how you get to be the best." Jack grinned. "Hanging with the best…"
Chase's face darkened and Jack knew he'd hit the nerve he'd aimed for. The monks had explained all about Chase's past. How he'd traded his immortal soul to defeat, not his enemy, but his closest friend. He had feared Guan would overshadow him. Believing that his Xiaolin monk abilities were not enough, he had turned to dark Heylin magic to assure that he would never be second best. Then he had even turned on the one who gave him his new Heylin abilities. He had locked Hannibal away in fear that his once-friend would become a rival. Jack knew Chase Young desperately wanted to be the best.
"You pathetic insect. How dare you challenge me? A thousand lifetimes of training wouldn't be enough to make you into an adequate warrior, let alone one worthy to call himself my enemy."
Jack didn't trust himself to say anything else. The look of fury on Chase's face told Jack that he was about to pay for his taunt. He fought to keep the fear from his face as he resumed his fighting stance and stood ready.
He hardly saw Chase move before a fist buried itself in his gut. He moaned and leaned forward, gripping at his stomach with both hands. Chase didn't pause but brought his elbow down into the back of Jack's neck. Jack was barely able to throw out a hand to catch himself before falling to his knees. He tried to push away from his opponent, but Chase kicked him in the stomach and sent him flying through the air to land ten feet away.
Jack lay gasping for breath. The monks were yelling for him to get up. He wanted to get up. Needed to get up. He lifted his head and watched Chase approaching, all amusement gone from his face. As his opponent came closer, Jack lowered his head again. But when Chase had stepped within reach Jack dove for his legs, trying to knock his opponent off his feet.
Chase stepped out of the way and aimed another kick at the fallen boy. This time his boot connected with Jack's ribcage. A scream escaped Jack's lips, and he cut if off by clamping his mouth shut.
As he squinted up through watery eyes, Jack noticed Chase's satisfied smirk had returned. He looked like he was preparing a victory speech, so Jack rolled away and climbed to his feet. Standing required effort, but the pain wasn't as bad as he'd expected.
"My, my, the monks have taught you how to take a beating much better as well. I'm surprised you aren't in tears, Spicer."
He felt close to tears, but he couldn't let Chase know that. "Yeah right, like you could make me cry. Your punches don't hurt at all."
"Your bravado is hardly convincing, worm."
"Yeah, but I have to try, don't I?" Jack muttered.
"Didn't catch that. Ready to beg for mercy?"
Jack forced a laugh and went back into his defensive position. "In your dreams, Chase." He held out a hand, palm up, and beckoned to his opponent. "Bring it on."
Hidden in the rocky canyons, an immortal witch watched the battle between the boy and the warrior. Chase Young had locked away Wuya's Heylin magic when he had freed her from her ghostly prison, so she was forced to pretend to work for him while she secretly plotted her own return to power.
"Jack has gotten good," Wuya said, though no one was around. "And in only three months. I never would have thought the boy had it in him." She chuckled to herself. "Of course, he has no idea what he's up against. Chase could destroy him in an instant. He might actually do it, too, if the fool keeps goading him on like that."
She winced as Jack took what appeared to be a particularly painful blow and was surprised to feel a twinge of concern for the boy. The fool should have quit while he was still alive. This was not his world, and he should have the sense to stay out of it. But Wuya knew Jack was far too thick to admit defeat and go home. He had always been an idiotic, headstrong child, too caught up in his foolish dreams to see how horribly outclassed he was.
Wuya prided herself in never hiding her feelings from herself or anyone. She was confident and self-assured, so she wasted no time pretending she wasn't worried for Jack's safety. She did, however, wonder where her concern came from. Back when she didn't have a body she couldn't have cared less for the boy. When had her feelings changed?
She thought back to the boy's old home, if it could have been called a home. His parent's house. His parents had never accepted him. They tried to hide his oddities by allowing him to use the basement as his new 'room.' Jack had been excited, assured by his parent's gesture of approval and support. But Wuya had seen the truth.
He was their son, however, and they did love him, as parents do. His mother especially. "My little genius," she would call him. When no one was around, of course.
Wuya felt suddenly angry. She realized that she cared more now than she had then. She was inexplicably furious at the boy's parents. True, Jack was a foolish child who was obsessed with inventing and couldn't even see that they mistreated him, but Wuya knew he deserved better.
He deserved better than them, and he deserved better than this. She eyed the four monks and the temple dragon, Dojo. This world of magic and power and deception and fear wasn't right for him. He wasn't like the monks. He deserved a normal life. He deserved to be accepted, loved for who he was. He needed someone who would accept his flaws and admire his accomplishments.
She doubted that even the Xiaolin temple could give him what he needed. Certainly the monks could teach him control, discipline, and fighting skills, but she wondered if they could nurture and love him. He was very different from them. Their courage and instincts for good were completely foreign to him. Maybe if he gave himself up, became like them, they would love him.
Perhaps he was doing just that. Wuya peered down and noticed for the first time the absence of Jack's beloved heli-bot (the device he wore on his back allowing him to fly) and trademark yellow goggles. She noticed that even his black eyeliner was missing. Was he really willing to betray himself in search of a home?
Her mind buzzed. She closed her eyes, trying to clear her head. Suddenly, her own voice, the shriek of her old ghostly form, echoed in her mind. I'm not your mommy. Now pick up your toys, Jacky, and let's go home.
Her eyes shot open. Where had that memory come from?
She eyed the fight, even more concerned than before. At this point it wasn't much of a fight. Jack was being kicked around like a rag doll. But every time he fell to the ground she watched him rise again to his feet, refusing to accept defeat. The fool was so damn stubborn. Why are the monks just standing there? Her angry thoughts turned on the four young warriors below. Why won't they help? Chase is going to kill him…
Raimundo winced as Jack hit the ground and a sharp crack echoed throughout the jagged rock cliffs. He held out his hand to stop Clay from running forward, though he wanted to jump in and help as well. Clay caught his eye, a look of desperation on his face. The gentle earth monk usually tried to look for non-violent solutions to his problems and Rai knew he hated watching such a one-sided battle.
Jack pulled one of his arms close to his body as he stumbled to his feet. It hung at a weird angle, and Rai knew at once that it was broken. Jack was visibly fighting back tears at this point, and only barely succeeding. His clothes were tattered and he was bleeding from a dozen different wounds. Raimundo noticed him trembling and caught him biting his lip to hold it steady.
"Rai, we can't let him do this!" Kimiko looked desperately up at him as well. Although much more violent than Clay, Rai knew she wasn't enjoying watching this fight either. Kimiko had a short temper and hated injustice as much as Clay. Raimundo saw licks of flame flaring up around her clenched fists. When the fire monk got angry she sometimes had trouble controlling her element.
Raimundo opened his mouth, but Omi, the water monk, cut him off.
"No, Kimiko. Jack told us not to interfere." Raimundo and the other two monks eyed him curiously. Omi was usually fiercely protective of his friends and of the weak. Jack belonged in both categories at the moment. Rai was surprised to see the look of fury on the young monk's face as he watched the fight.
"Omi's right, guys. We shouldn't step in until Jack asks us to," Raimundo said as he looked back at the battle. He kept his face calm and his arms crossed over his chest. But if anyone had been paying attention to him they would have noticed that his knuckles were white and he was gritting his teeth. He understood, of course, why Jack had wanted to grab the wu on his own. He was trying to show off his new abilities. Rai didn't blame him, but he was completely astonished that Jack had insisted on fighting Chase. He was even more surprised that Jack hadn't given up and started crying for their help by now.
"Jack, no! Stop it, let us help," Kimiko said.
"You can't beat him, partner, none of us can on our own," Clay said.
"Please, Jack Spicer, there is no shame in this defeat," Omi said. "It is a battle you cannot win!"
"No!" Jack's voice was surprisingly strong considering the beating he had endured, and he turned to face Chase once again. "Stay out of it guys. I said I'd get this one. I'm fine."
Raimundo slipped and let his anger show on his face. Why does he have to be so damn stubborn? That idiot.
"But Jack…" Clay began.
"No!" His voice echoed and he charged at Chase once more. The warrior didn't even bother to dodge. He took Jack down with a single punch, and the boy flew across the ground. His frail body smashed against a large rock and crumpled to the ground. Rai watched as he struggled to remain conscious. His eyes fluttered and his good hand grasped at the ground. He coughed up blood, then his eyes closed and he collapsed on the ground. Chase walked over and stood above his still form.
"The world has no use for you, insect." He raised a booted foot above Jack's head. "Now die."
Rai's fist connected with Chase's cheek and sent him skidding across the ground. He floated between Chase and Jack's unconscious form, his eyes burning. Keeping himself in the air was easy now; he'd been training with his element, wind, for quite a while.
Chase leapt to his feet and was instantly surrounded by the other three monks. Rai watched with satisfaction as Chase suddenly felt the pain of the blow that had sent him flying. He stumbled slightly and spat out a tooth.
Chase held one hand to his cheek and pointed at Raimundo. "You will pay for that, boy."
"I don't think so, Dragon Breath," Rai kept his voice calm.
"Chase Young," Omi said, "today you have won. Leave now and we will fight another day."
"Or stay and this'll be our last time together." Clay's normally friendly voice was dark.
Raimundo watched Chase fight to keep the surprise and fear from his face. He felt a sense of sadistic pride as Chase fought to regain his control.
"If he is dead then it is no fault of mine," Chase said. "It was he who insisted the fight continue. I gave him ample opportunity to end it."
"That's why we're giving you this chance," Kimiko said. "You can leave now, victorious…"
"Or you can stay and fight us," Raimundo finished. He landed on the ground and slid into a fighting stance. Although he'd never wanted to kill anyone before, part of Rai hoped that Chase would attack.
Wuya could have laughed at the fear on Chase's face, but her concern for Jack kept her silent. She watched Chase fly off. Well, what did he expect? That the monks would just stand by and watch him kill their new friend? He was very fortunate that Jack was too stupid to ask for their help. If Jack had asked them to help Chase would probably be leaving the battleground with quite a few broken limbs. The monks took their friendships very seriously, but they took honor just as much so.
She followed the monks' movements as they crowded around Jack and carried him onto Dojo for transportation. Dojo said that he had seen warriors in worse condition recover in almost no time at all. "The temple healers will fix him right up," he said.
Wuya watched them fly off and then activated the Golden Tiger Claws. She leapt through the portal the claws had created and returned to her room in Chase's lair. She had barely hidden the wu away (Chase didn't know she had any shen-gong-wu, and she wanted to keep it that way) before she heard Chase stomping in the front door.