So, you've put up with Sky Heart. You want more of this? Alright. Challenge accepted. I'll give you something almost decent in response. Wow. People actually want to know what happens in Croctosharkasaurus 17? Oy vey. Now I have to come up with an ending for that nonsense...ummm...in true B movie fashion, Sylvia's baby is Crocky's. However, Damian loves it like it was his own daughter. The physicist couple Scott and Adriana come up with a method to create new continents in seconds and the humans recreate civilization and get rid of Crocky for good. Or did they?
Thanks go out to all who reviewed for me on Sky Heart. All the good things and constructive criticism have made me a better writer. BTW, I can't afford good virtual chocolate, so it was whatever was on discount at Rite Aid. Still pretty good though. I apologize in advance for this crappy prologue.
Disclaimer: As in Sky Heart, I will own nothing until the fetal pig in a jar leaves Grissom's office.
Prologue
"I don't think this is a good idea. The elder monks said not to," the larger boy said, rebalancing a vase on its shelf after almost knocking it over.
"Come on. Stop being such a stick in the mud. Dashi said not to listen to them and you know what Min says: "Read whatever you want. Just don't bother me with it,"" the black haired boy said, imitating his mentor's strange accent and moving scrolls out of the way. He didn't agree with his friend's assessment. Both of the older dragons rarely listened to the elder monks.
"That doesn't mean we should just go into the restricted scrolls. Who knows what's in there. We could get turned into toads or something," he said, trying to follow his more adventurous companion through piled scrolls.
"That's still better than evening meditation. Besides, our mentors can make an antidote if we do," he said, examining an old, tattered scroll. "Anubis I've got it!" Guan shook his head. His friend had taken to using foreign phrases he heard from his mentor, normally in far different situations.
"What is it?" He asked, peering over Chase's shoulder, his curiosity at least slightly piqued.
"No idea. It says "Celestial Dragons" on the side though," Chase said, shrugging. "Hey, it's in the restricted scrolls and it looks more interesting than "Twenty Recipes for Goat," it's gotta be good."
"Why is "Twenty Recipes for Goat" even back here anyway?" Guan asked, trying to read over his friend's shoulder. "Stop moving you spaz. I can't tell what we're reading."
"We're reading? Reading this is breaking one of your precious rules, so we're not reading it. I am," he explained, deliberately moving his head in front of Guan's. "You can either beg or leave."
"Move over you airhead. We're breaking enough rules, what's one more," he said. Chase moved his head over, clearly pleased that the other student had decided to come to the dark side.
"So the simpleton has seen the light," he said, proud to have corrupted the stronger monk. "Now, let's see if this has any cool spells." He unrolled the yellowed scroll and the two monks began to read.
X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X
Long ago, when the earth was still young, there was a great power left over from the creation of the universe. The creatures that inhabited the fledgling planet were unaware of the great force existing amongst them, but not interfering. However, since they were a species especially receptive to the world around them, the noble race of dragons became the first to notice the great magic.
The magic would forever change the species. Eventually, four dragons were deemed worthy to rule over the elements, but only within the laws of magic.
Gaia, a patient, wise mother dragon from the deep forests was given power over the Earth. Ignatius, a passionate, lively draconian prince from the sun-scorched deserts was given power over Fire. Shui, an adaptive, just warrior from the northern oceans received control over the water. Lastly, Tempestra, a clever, playful young dragoness from the high mountains was given dominion over the winds.
In the beginning, they used their powers to maintain the balance between good and evil. They only interfered with the world when it was absolutely necessary. It was only a matter of time until everything would change.
They began bickering amongst themselves and tried to constantly out compete each other. They started to use their powers for their own gain rather than for balance. Tremors shook the earth to its very core, the seas were plagued by maelstroms, fire rained down from above, storms blew in from nowhere and destroyed everything in their paths.
The once impartial dragons became consumed by their petty power struggles and became shells of their former selves. The first humans soon tired of their destructive behavior and four of the bravest amongst them chose to go forth and combat the beasts.
The first journeyed to the deep forest and issued a challenge to the great earth dragon, relying on her sense of honor. If she could defeat him in combat, he would submit himself to her will. He waited outside Gaia's lair for thirty days and thirty nights, and finally, the earth mother emerged from her den to accept his challenge, coated head to tail in an impenetrable armor of stone. He noticed however that she was greatly slowed by the heavy stone covering her body and so he ran from the dragon. Gaia was patient though and knew that her quarry would soon tire as he did not possess her great strength and endurance, so she followed, always just out of sight.
The second man walked day and night until he came to Ignatius's desert home. He possessed an object of great power that would allow him to conjure up magnificent illusions. Knowing the lustful nature of the ruler of fire, he used the amulet to create a mirage of an exceptionally lovely dragoness. When the radiant dragon emerged over the dunes to court his new paramour, he flew into a rage to discover he had been tricked. The dragon spat fire at the fleeing man and continued to pursue him until long after they left the desert.
The third, this time a woman, bought passage on a merchant vessel laden with gold and jewels en route to a far off land knowing Shui's greed. On the journey, the little boat encountered massive waves that threatened to drown everyone on board. The third was however one of the very first witches and she used her magic to keep the boat afloat during the voyage. Furious that he was cheated of his quarry, the water serpent emerged from the depths and chased after the green-eyed lady.
The fourth woman went to the mountains where Tempestra was waiting. The woman didn't possess immense strength, magic items, or powers of her own. However, she was very intelligent. She asked the youngest dragon to play a simple game with her. The storm dragon said yes and they began to ask each other riddles. The questions tested the limits of their knowledge and creativity, but in the end, the mortal woman won. The young dragon, furious that she loose to a mere mortal, followed the woman on a long hunt throughout the world.
After what seemed like an eternity, the four humans met again in the middle of a large field, their pursuers close behind. However, once the dragons caught sight of each other, the humans were forgotten. The dragons began to fight each other, screeching accusations of sending human spies against each other.
Their battle raged on for a full year, only to end when they had exhausted each other's power and strength. That was when the humans they hunted struck. The first man lifted each dragon up and placed them into an inescapable magic cage crafted by the second. The witch put a spell on them that would drain them of their powers until they complied with one request. The last woman gave them their charge. They would have to give their powers to four humans or else remain in the cage, powerless for all eternity.
They complied, but eager to deny the humans who trapped them their powers, they never said when they would give their gift. The second they said yes, the bars on the cage snapped open and the spell was broken. The mortals instantly realized that they had been cheated. Before they could escape, the humans merged their chi energies to open a portal to the spirit realm right in the path of the self-satisfied beasts.
They sealed this portal quickly and promised that the deceptive beasts would never be free again. The high council of magi –founded by three of the four who imprisoned the dragons- built their complex around the site of the portal and crafted a door between realms. During their imprisonment, the dragons further developed their powers and upon watching the outside world, realized what damage they had caused to both the sides of good and evil. They decided to again become forces of balance.
The impatient Tempestra gave her powers first. The swift being flying over the desert sands was unaware of the new energy flowing through her body, she was so caught up in her own mourning. Thousands of years later, Ignatius and Gaia gave their abilities to an old couple they deemed worthy. Shui gave his powers last. The young boy the old monks looked after was destined for greatness from birth. Perfect for elemental powers.
The four honorary dragons came together and began their quest for balance. With the original elementals' blessing, they ventured into the spirit realm to receive their secondary powers. However, despite their change of heart, the dragons still desire their chance at freedom. And so, they wait. Just beyond a simple magic door, they wait for their release.
X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X
"Wow," Guan whispered, awed that they had found the story of how the Xiaolin Dragons came to be.
"Wow is right. They didn't even give the spell for making someone do your biding," Chase said, clearly miffed. Guan winced and thought that maybe his friend should go to evening meditation more often.
"Maybe that is because young dragons such as you are not yet prepared for such magics," an ominous voice said from just behind them. The boys jumped in surprise.
"Master Zed, Min just asked us to get a scroll from in here. Something about a teleportation spell…" Chase said, trying to sound confident. The old monk looked at him, trying to decide between punishing them and making sure that the dragon of the Wind wasn't up to something again.
"Be that as it may, you two are not allowed in here. These are restricted scrolls for a reason," he said. "Come along now. The great hall needs to be scrubbed and there are new small brushes to be broken in."
Guan followed him with his head hung in shame. "I told you we would get caught," he said. "Next time we skip meditation we're practicing fight moves." No matter how difficult practicing could be, it was infinitely better than scrubbing the great hall. At least Dashi would be pleased though. He had been encouraging the younger monk to rebel a little. This was about as rebellious as he could get.
Alright. First bit of this over. I promise you that it will get better. Please, tell me what you think of this so I can get a better feel for what I should do with the rest of the story. You will get cookies if you do. Chocolate chip. :)