A/N: Here's a sample of Ode to Anna, basically throwing her and Yu Yu Hakusho characters into different worlds. It centers around Annabel though. This is the type of thing that hijacks my attention from my other stories. The lengths vary from short drabbles to actual chapters. Involves world hopping and/or characters from my Ice Dragon series being inserted into other worlds.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or Xiaolin Showdown. But Anna and the wu Amulet of Illusion and Inkwell of Creation I did create. Blame Bendy and the Ink machine for the latter wu. *sweat drops*

In the Grey: The Lonely Genius

Summary: In the Xiaolin and Heylin conflict, everything seems to be black and white. With Jack seen as nothing but a nuisance by both sides he learns that maybe there's a path made just for him, a path of grey. Honestly Annabel just wanted a place to stay after Densetsu decided to transport her there and the teen grew on her. At least these showdowns weren't anything like the tournament she was forced to participate in. Maybe she'd collect those trinkets for fun, just to mess with both sides!

Jack sighed, once again he was not only mocked by the loser monks but his fellow villains as well. He wasn't the whiny teen that he'd been two years ago but they refused to see any positive changes. Hell, Katnape was still trying to use her feminine wiles to get him to make her inventions. He knew that, like always, any partners would bite him in the ass so he stuck to his machines. Lately he started wondering whether he actually wanted to take over the world. Sure, it sounded cool as a kid but what would he do afterwards? Rule while constantly having to look over his shoulder, paranoid until death? No thanks! And the Xiaolin losers really weren't that bad, they were the closest thing that he had to friends to be honest. Then the alarm for trespassers began blaring.

Annabel honestly didn't know where she was. The moment she landed she was surrounded by robots that were part of someone's security. I've only been in this place for a couple seconds and something's already trying to kill me?! Damn it Densetsu! Annabel mentally cursed as she began dodging lasers and sharp robot talons. "I know I'm probably trespassing but does that mean I need an instant death?!" She exclaims, starting to get irritated. She grabbed the arm of one Jackbot and slammed it into one of its brethren. "I have no idea where the hell I am, the stupid lizard that dragged me here isn't answering and I haven't had any coffee! If you have any sense of self-preservation leave me the hell alone!" Much to her surprise they Jackbots seemed to hesitate. Did they have some sort of AI? Overhead she heard chopper blades, a goth with a helipack landing nearby.

"Let me guess, another Xiaolin recruit." Jack says bluntly, Annabel looked at him in confusion. "Kid, do I look like I want to shave my head and hate meat?" She asks, eyeing the robots warily. "Then where'd you learn those fighting moves then?" Jack asks, Annabel rolled her eyes. "Certainly not a monastery. My master tried taking over the world and failed miserably." Jack's jaw dropped. "So… you're not friends with the Xiaolin losers?" "I don't even know where I am at the moment." Annabel states.

"So we're in China then? How come you understand my Japanese then?" Annabel asks, Jack shrugged. "I'm a genius, I know a lot of languages. How do you not know what country you're in?" Jack asks suspiciously, Annabel chuckled nervously. "Would you believe me if I told you that a very sadistic dragon spirit decided to send me here for shits and giggles?" She asks. The same robots that Annabel had been fighting off were now doing household chores in the large manor. It was strange seeing claws that could gut her carrying trays with such delicacy and pouring them both hot chocolate. It wasn't coffee but it would do. "Honestly? At this point in my life I don't think anything would surprise me." Jack mutters with a depressed air.

"Are those Xiaolin people giving you trouble?" Annabel asks, touching his shoulder with a concerned look. "They're only the tip of the ice berg. At least they don't try to use me like my so-called allies." Jack says bitterly. Annabel looked thoughtful for a moment. "Tell you what, if you let me stay here I'll try helping you with whatever problems you might have. I mean, the entire time I've been here all I've seen are robots. Don't you have family?" Annabel asks. When she saw his eyes tear up Annabel knew she was done for. She never could stand seeing children cry but did he really have to cover her favorite coat in snot?

Jack didn't know how but he somehow found himself going into his sad back story with the stranger. Why was it that someone that just met him was showing more kindness to him than his own supposed allies? "So basically it's a good versus evil thing and both sides treat you like crap. Have you ever thought of just being neutral?" Annabel asks, Jack looked at her in confusion. "Huh?" Annabel sighed. "You aren't as malicious as the Heylin and the Xiaolin ruined their chances of you ever turning over a new leaf when they didn't take you seriously. Instead of worrying about the balance why don't you just look out for yourself?" Annabel suggests. "So you're suggesting a scrawny grease monkey go up against the forces of good and evil. Both which have elemental powers and magic on their side." Jack deadpanned.

"You have potential, I'm surprised that no one has tried training you before. After so many near death experiences you've tapped into your reiki subconsciously. Haven't you ever wondered how you survived fights with mystically powered opponents?" Annabel asks. Jack was stunned, he really hadn't thought about it. His resilience even earned him the nickname of Cockroach from the people that looked down on him. "So I can do magic too?!" He exclaims. "Not magic, more like using your energy. For example, I have the ability to turn my energy into solid ice." She explains, creating a small sphere. And she's doing that without a wu! Not even the monks can do that! Jack thought in awe. "Can you teach me to do that? I will be the best student you've ever had!" Jack exclaims. Hopefully you'll be the only student I'll ever have. Annabel thought with a sweat drop.

Annabel and Jack eventually decided on a training schedule before swapping tales of their adventures. Annabel was interested in Shen Gong Wu while Jack seemed interested in her demon friends. "You seriously defeated demons before? How?" Jack demands, Annabel winced. Before she could say anything to dodge the question an alarm rang from Jack's phone. He groaned. "Another wu. At this point I'm not sure they're even worth the effort." Jack groans, Annabel looked thoughtful. "How about we just go to observe? I want to see what you're dealing with before we start your training." Jack looked at her suspiciously. "Are you sure you're not a monk? You're way too nice." He states, Annabel chuckled. "I don't know whether that's an insult or compliment."

On their way to the wu's location Annabel was marveling at Jack's jet. "And you created this and those Jackbots of yours? Have you ever thought about getting a patent for these and selling them?" Annabel asks, Jack deadpanned. "Dude, my parents are loaded." He states. "Yeah, but that's technically their money. Don't you want something to fall back on if they decided to cut you off?" Annabel persists. "Maybe some of my less dangerous inventions." Jack relented, Annabel grinned. While she wasn't pressuring him to go completely clean she was encouraging him to find something to do outside of hunting for wu. If possible she'd try to get him to interact with people outside of the conflict so he'd have some friends. When they landed Annabel felt a shiver go down her spine as she felt a strong flare of spirit energy. "I think I know where to find that wu." Annabel says quietly.

Both Annabel and a woman with red hair and green eyes both touched what looked like an ink well. The object glowed as the woman smirked. "Looks like Jack made another chameleon bot. I suppose this one is overly cheerful as well." She states as Jack visibly flinched, Annabel glared. "I'm guessing you're Wuya, the one that dragged Jack into this mess." She growls, her eyes turning reptilian for a brief moment. "I challenge you to a Xiaolin show down. My Eye of Dashi against your… do you even have any wu?" Wuya taunts.

The monks arrived only seconds later, watching the two women stare each other down. "Great, another Heylin." Raimundo groans. "Oi! Just because my masters were evil doesn't mean I am, I'm neutral! And I'll wager my amulet of illusion." She says, taking out a necklace with a red gem. It radiated with power and Wuya felt herself shiver in excitement. "Our competition will be sculpting. Whoever has the best creation will be the winner." "Hey, no fair! Wuya can just make those rock golems!" Kimiko protests. Although they didn't know the new comer, none of the monks wanted the former ghost to win. "I accept you challenge." Annabel says with a smirk.

"Let's go, Xiaolin Showdown!" Their surroundings shone and they suddenly found themselves in an all white space. We're literally on a blank canvas. How cool! Annabel thought in awe. She also noted that somehow she ended up in her training gi from when she used to be a student of the Saint Beasts. The entire outfit was dark blue and skin tight, with a silver dragon on its back. "Gon Yi Tampei!"

Both women concentrated their elemental powers to create what they thought was art. Wuya was less creative and made her stone golems. Annabel concentrated her energy into making a core for her creation, the process taking longer than the witch's. "Golems, attack!" The large monsters all charged at Annabel, she hadn't moved an inch. "Move!" Raimundo and the others screamed, Annabel's eyebrow twitched. She was trying to concentrate! Let me take over the process so you can focus on more pressing matters. Densetsu states, Annabel fought the urge to hit her head against the nearest blunt object. Now he decided to wake up!

A second spirit energy joined her own to speed up the process as the final product was finally finished. It was almost a carbon copy of its creator made completely with ice. The copy opened its eyes and grinned. "So you're one that's earned Annabel's ire at the moment. Quite an accomplishment." Densetsu, now in the ice clone's body, says in amusement. "I need you to take out those golems to win the competition. Please don't go on another rampage."

The ice clone and Annabel both weaved around the large golems effortlessly, dodging their large fists. Densetsu used ice claws to slice through the ice creations and Annabel touched one of the crevices in the golems before having to dodge blasts from the Eye of Dashi. The ice started to expand and made the last golem explode. "And it looks like I've won." Annabel says smugly as a bright light shone around them. Now the brunette was in possession of the Eye of Dashi, the Inkwell of Creation, and her Amulet of Illusion. "Anna, that was awesome!" Jack exclaims, tackling her in a hug. "Those things aren't as scary as the Toguro brothers. The eldest is immortal and the youngest is practically a walking mass of muscles." Annabel says with a shiver. "Who are you, friend of Spicer?" Omi demands, Annabel deadpanned. "A friend of Jack, I'm Annabel Faust. You'll be seeing a lot more of me if these Showdowns are always so fun." She says with a grin.

XoXoXo

In Chase's Eye Spy Orb the warlord smirked as he observed Jack's newest ally. "It looks like someone finally took that fool under their wing." He comments as Wuya stalked into his observation room, still upset over her loss. "That little brat was just toying with me!" Wuya fumes. "Indeed, perhaps this Anna isn't as neutral as she claims." Chase says, recalling the glare that Annabel had sent Wuya. It was a dark look that promised only pain and suffering.

In celebration Jack was blasting punk rock music in the mansion and was begging Annabel to teach him sooner. "How did you get that ice sculpture to act independently from yourself? That had to take a lot of concentration." Jack comments, Annabel sighed. "You know the dragon I told you about that tossed me here?" Annabel asks, Jack nodded. "We kind of share a body and he took control of it. Calling him blood thirsty would be an understatement. So, you still want to learn from me?" She asks. Jack had seen her easily kick Wuya's ass and she had even given him the Eye of Dashi for their training. "Dude, you'd have to kill me to get rid of me." "Uh, please don't say that. Densetsu doesn't need any ideas." Annabel sweat dropped. And so their friendship began. Now if Annabel could just find the goth some normal friends!