Ladies and non-ladies, hello and greetings! Some of you may have known me before as champloo25, but after a long hiatus from the site, I've come back in my true form! *hearty laughter* Okay but seriously, I just ended up changing my pen name for a change of pace. This is my first Xiaolin Showdown fanfiction, so I'll do my best! And now for the obligatories:

Disclaimer: Xiaolin Showdown does not belong to me whatsoever. None of the characters or Shen Gong Wu, except for my OC(s) and fan-made Wu, belong to me either. Xiaolin Showdown is property of Warner Bros. and creator Christy Hui. In the words of the famously quoted "Team Four Star," please support the official release.

Key:

"speech" 'thought' "Shen Gong Wu/elemental attacks" location

Episodr 1: A Shocking New Discovery, Part 1

A hidden temple, somewhere...

Throughout history, there have been many proverbs and ancient sayings pertaining to one's work ethic, as well as the leisure necessary to balance it out. For one young teen, the concept of "work hard, play hard" was basic code to live by. However, those that trained with him seldom believed that he knew the word "fun" even existed; his work ethic, his drive, it was almost inhuman.

Deciding to pick the dead of night to "let off some steam" didn't exactly help in debunking everyone's theories.

"Couldn't sleep again, young warrior?" A voice inquired behind him, looking at the various piles of cracked boards, split concrete bricks and a battered training dummy almost falling apart at the seams.

"Of course not," the young monk replied, effortlessly crushing though another stack of bricks. "Besides, I'm pretty much stuck here until the higher ups think that I'm ready, or whatever."

"Do you remember the scrolls that were read to you about a few days ago? The one about Shen Gong Wu?"

"Give or take, yeah." the boy finally looked up. "Master, what's this all about? You're hiding something."

"You are perceptive as usual," his master replied. "Many of those Shen Gong Wu will begin to reveal themselves, and it will be your mission to aid in retrieving them."

"My mission, huh? And why is that?"

"The Xiaolin monks are guaranteed to make an appearance." He knew this would get his attention. The boy stopped mid-kick, inches from a thick wooden board, dropping his leg with a smirk.

"That should prove to be interesting. But what will I do about the rest of my training here?" the boy asked.

"As you are now, there is nothing more that I can teach you. You must go out and learn the rest on your own."

The teen looked on in a bit of shock, surprised at his teacher's comment. He recovered quickly, swiftly bowing in respect. "Thank you Master Lao," the boy said, holding back a tear or two. "Thank you for training me."

"It was no trouble at all, my student," Master Lao replied, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder as he rose. "Be sure to stay alert. You must find out where the next Shen Gong Wu will reveal-" he was interrupted as a black bird flew overhead, dropping a rolled up piece of parchment paper into his hands. He unrolled it and examined the message. "Ahh, you're in luck my boy. One of them has been spotted by one of our sources, in Europe. Took him long enough..."

"Then that's where I'm headed."

"Remember Jin," his master added, throwing a concrete brick up high, aiming for his student, who was walking away "Be open and friendly, and try not to be too... flashy yet, so to speak." The boy known as Jin turned slightly, hearing something approaching him from above. He ended up backfisting and crushing the slab, with a tiny spark dancing over his arm for a split second.

"I'll make a mental note of that, sir."

Xiaolin Temple

It's been at least a year since a team leader was chosen. Surprisingly though, things have been a bit more peaceful than usual, as of late. Over the course of that year, the Wudai Warriors have slowly, but surely, grown in power; however, Raimundo had increased his power substantially since becoming a Shoku Warrior. Of course, they had also matured mentally from their many battles against the Heylin forces.

"Wudai Mars, FIRE!" a voice yelled, one of the smaller walls of the temple exploding soon after, sending bricks and debris everywhere.

"Come on Kimiko, it was a mistake, honest!" another voice rang out.

Kimiko was chasing after her leader, hair wet and clad in a bathrobe, a fireball in her hand. Raimundo had been running away from the enraged fire dragon-in-training, shirtless and partially singed. "How do you forget that it was my time to use the shower?!"

Yep, they had matured mentally alright... For teenaged monks, that is.

"Will you at least hear me out?" he asked in reply, using his element to fly above ground and dodge two more thrown fireballs.

"Why should I even bo-" interrupting their conversation was the Wudai Warrior of water, who ran by screaming- err, screeching, partly covered in brown hair due to the Monkey Staff wrapped in his tail. Chasing him was the team's Kung-fu cowboy, Wudai Warrior of Earth, riding a raging bull and holding it's horns, hoping that telling it to "get along lit'l fella!" would calm it down some.

Raimundo and Kimiko could only look on in bewilderment, a comically-sized drop of sweat forming on the back of each of their heads. "Well, that's normal," Raimundo sarcastically stated. Compared to a regular day in the Xiaolin Warrior lifestyle, it was still somewhat normal.

"Guys, heads u-" Dojo began as Master Fung walked out, the miniature dragon perched on his favorite old monk's shoulder. What interrupted him was the shock of the sight that greeted them both outside: a slightly charred Brazilian boy standing next to a Japanese girl in a bathrobe, who were both watching a yellow-skinned, round-headed monkey boy get chased by a Texan on a bull. "I don't think I even wanna know this time..."

"Yee-haw!" Clay shouted, finally getting control of the bull, but stopping abruptly after seeing his master, the horns only mere inches away from the elderly monk. He only raised an eyebrow in response. "Oh, uhh... sorry 'bout that Master Fung. I just couldn't resist tryin' out the Bullhorn Blazer, what with us not havin' any Wu to look for. I reckon it's been..." he paused to pull out a Texas-themed calendar from under his hat, flipping through it. No telling what else he keeps hidden in there. "...two months, four days, eleven hours and thirty-six minutes."

"Then have I got good news for you!" he happily replied, Omi finally walking back to the others after dropping the Monkey Staff, gasping for air. "A new Shen Gong Wu just went active not too long ago!"

Jack's lair

From his hidden spy-bot, a pale-skinned, black clad boy looked at his huge computer screen, showing a live feed of the temple. "Ha! These losers make it too easy," he stated, twisting a couple screws to power up a robot, "and now with my new and improved Jack-bots almost up and running, those Wu will belong to me, and then it'll be world domination, baby! All will bow before the might of: Jack Spicer, the Prince of Darkness!" he declared to no one in particular, laughing maniacally.

"Sir, there's an urgent notice for you." A figure with medium-length hair and dark spectacles took the notice from his messenger, opening it. As he read it, his brows furrowed in confusion, amusement and anger... all at the same time."Who the [bleep] is this li'l [bleep] supposed to be?!" the English-accented man shouted. "This Spicer kid is no Prince of Darkness! I'm the only Prince of [bleep]ing Darkness here!" he then looked to his messenger. "You. Edward. Fetch me my flying guitar. Someone has to go teach this twit a lesson."

"Actually sir, only your wife has access to it, after what happened last time with those program writers."

He stood up from his coffin chair, determined to find his wife the easiest way he knew how. "SHAROOOOON!" Yep. It was going to be a loooong day.

Skies above France

"The Kikan Gauntlets can make the users hands strike even faster than a snake," Dojo read while flying in the sky. "Also great for catching those annoying flies that buzz around you." According to Dojo's Wu senses, the gauntlets were located somewhere in...

"Paris, France, the city of love." Kimiko sighed dreamily, eyes half lidded, as Dojo flew over it. "It's so romantic..."

"Ehh. I don't see the big deal," Raimundo lazily stated.

"That's because you don't know anything about romance, Rai," she replied, glaring at the Brazilian teen.

"Says you! I could have you falling for my charms easily."

"Don't kid yourself!"

"Wanna bet on it?"

"Uhh, guys?" the Texan warrior of Earth interjected. "I'd hate to interrupt your lovers' quarrel but-"

"We are NOT lovers!" they both vehemently replied, only to look at each other, then turn away with a blush and scowl.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just reached your destination: the Chateau de Versailles," Dojo chimed as he approached several trees to land behind. "Please exit the dragon carefully, and be sure to take all valuables with you."

As the large dragon diminished in size, he took his usual spot of slithering behind the monks. Stepping out of the foliage, they walked towards the stairs of the enormous palace, only to stop as they heard what sounded like a miniature helicopter. They looked up to see a black-clad figure descending in front of them, revealing it to be none other than...

"Jack Spicer!" Omi exclaimed, the monks all falling into battle stances. "Kindly step out of our way, or we will be forced to wash the ground with you!" You'd figure after a year or two his slang would get better, but apparently, this isn't the case.

"I think you mean mop the floor, partner," Clay corrected.

"That too!"

"I wouldn't bet on that one, cueball," the evil boy genius replied with a sneer, pressing a watch button. A split second later, the Xiaolin warriors were surrounded by Jack-bots, all four of them with their backs now facing each other. Now the only thing left was the all-too-familiar battle command.

"Jack-bots, attack!"

"Huh... So these are the Shen Gong Wu I've heard about," a figure said, walking up to a set of hollow, silver armor with what looked like golden gloves. At the base of the armor was an inscription printed on a plate: "Golden gauntlets, worn by only the noblest of warriors. Whoever dons these in battle will have strength and power that rival even Joan of Arc."

"Interesting," the figure mused. "Let's see what these things are made of." He reached for the gauntlets...

"What's with these things? They aren't easily breaking like they usually do," Kimiko pointed out, using more force than usual to destroy one of the Jack-bots.

"I agree with Kimiko," Omi added. "These are much more worthy adversaries than Jack Spicer's usual robots."

"Then let's kick it up a notch," their leader suggested.

"Do... what?"

"Just use your Wu, Omi," Raimundo replied in response to the water warrior's befuddled expression, brandishing his cobalt blade. "Blade of the Nebula!" he called out, now using his wind nunchaku to lift the bots surrounding him into the air, some of them beginning to break apart due to the force.

"Arrow Sparrow!" Kimiko cried, jumping into the air and throwing her projectiles at several targets, exploding and destroying them on contact, only for several more to take their place. "Oh boy..."

"Shimo Staff!" Omi yelled, transforming his miniature staff into two mid-length scythes, running towards another handful of robots with a war cry. He ended up slicing and tearing through them all, looking back to admire his work, only to turn forward and see another three robots a couple of feet away from him. Their chest cavities opened and their laser cannons protruded, pointing directly at the yellow-skinned monk. "Uh-oh..."

"Big Bang Meteorang!" Clay bellowed, throwing his weapon toward the others. A split second later, it split into several boomerangs, successfully ripping through the robots about to attack his fellow warriors. He quickly regrouped with the others after he saw more bots approaching him.

"There's too many of them!" Kimiko pointed out, slightly panting, staring at the swarm of about thirty-something Jack-bots left.

"I know," Raimundo replied, also worn out and breathing pretty hard, "but we have to keep pushing forward, we still have to get to-"

"The Shen Gong Wu!" Jack cried, pointing at the chateau's exit. Walking out of the elegant structure was a shadowed figure walking out with a pair of gold-tinted gauntlets in their arms. As they approached, everyone could see the person much clearer now.

The male figure seemed to be around the same age as everyone else, but was only about a year younger than Clay. He was about Raimundo's height, possibly an inch taller, as well as having a honey tan skin complexion. He had on a white, fitted long sleeve shirt with a black and gold yin yang symbol in the middle. Across the shoulders and trailing down the arms were several criss-crossing, jagged lines of black and gold. The young male also wore army camouflage cargo pants, along with black sneakers that had yellow stitching. Finally, around his neck was a necklace that had a wide shark tooth hanging from it, fashioned and shaped to look like an ivory shield.

"Do not worry my friends, I shall retrieve the Shen Gong Wu from this most honorable stranger!" Omi stated cheerfully.

"Omi, wait!" Kimiko called out as the robe-clad monk hopped over the levitating robots and landed softly, walking towards the mysterious teenage boy.

"Excuse us honorable stranger," he began, "but you are in possession of something that is most important to-"

"Nope," the boy replied, cutting the round-headed warrior off. "I'll be taking these, little guy.."

"So much for asking nicely," Kimiko muttered.

Almost forgotten, the self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness felt it necessary to make his presence known... well, again. "Hey! I don't know who you are, but you're not getting away with stealing my Wu!" he exclaimed.

"Your Wu?" Raimundo questioned sternly, folding his arms.

"Whatever, I'll deal with you losers later. Jack bots?" The evil boy genius snapped his fingers, beckoning his mechanical minions over to him. "I don't care how you do it, just get that Wu!" he commanded, his robots springing into action as they flew at their new target, his arms folded. Somewhat surprisingly, the young male dodged every single robot that charged at him, effortlessly. What shocked everyone more was that a robot began to spark and crackle as he started walking away, the bot exploding seconds later.

"What the-" Jack stuttered. "But... you... how did-?"

"Hmph." The unknown teen scoffed, unfolding his arms and revealing that he had put on the gauntlets. "I was hoping you'd at least program these floating garbage tins a bit better," he added, making the remaining Jack-bots steam from their head slots, presumably in anger. "Then again, you can only expect so much from a guy who looks like a spoiled mama's boy," he finished, now causing Jack to steam from his ears.

"Fast, strong, and even his disses are great... Who is this guy?" Rai asked no one in particular.

"I am NOT a mama's boy!" the pale-skinned evildoer shouted, partially whining. How dare this stranger insult him! After all, he was the Prince of Darkness, and should be treated and respected as such. He needed to be taught a lesson. "Jack-bots, destroy him!"

"Tch, please... Kikan Gauntlets!" the boy called out, the Shen Gong Wu glowing in response. As the Jack-bots flew towards him, weapons activating, he ran into the swarm with a battle cry. He began throwing an innumerable amount of lightning fast strikes, almost sounding like a slow machine gun as he punched through the robots. The Mystery teen stopped after the last bot fell, all of them sparking and broken. He calmly walked away, the robot pile exploding as he dusted his hands. Seeing the Wu in action was amazing to say the least, if everyone's dropped jaws were any indication. Of course, the first to break the silence was...

"Muh... my robots! It took me weeks to get most of these right!" the boy genius whined, running to grab a few scattered head parts. He had a somewhat sad look on his face, then gritted his teeth angrily. "Count yourself lucky, I'm letting you Xiaolin losers off with a warning!" he exclaimed, dramatically pointing at the monks, his helipack finally starting up. As he began to take off, he turned to the cargo-clad boy. "I'll deal with you next time... whatever your name is! You'd better watch your back!" he declared, flying over the chateau and out of sight.

"Whatever," the cargo clad teen said, turning to the monks. "Oh, right, you four were the main reason I came here."

"Have you come to join us, honorable stranger?" Omi questioned, with an undertone of cheeriness.

"Join you four? That's funny," he replied, taking off both gauntlets and lightly throwing them to the ground in a simple motion. Raimundo was the only one that didn't take the gesture lightly, quickly adopting a defensive stance.

"Hey hey, easy there partner."

"No way Clay," his leader retorted, "this guy means business. Throwing down the gauntlet means that he's challenging us to fight him. The second one of us picks it up, the challenge is accepted, and he'll attack us head on." The rest of the monks looked at their leader bewildered, surprised at the bit of history that he knew. "What? A guy can't study a little medieval history in his free time?"

Will the Xiaolin warriors accept the challenge? Will Jack ever prove his evil boy geniusness? Who's this mystery kid? And where's Jin? Find out more in the next chapter! Make sure to read and review please! No flames though. I feed those to Kimiko's pets... well, if she had any.