Rise From The Ashes

Summary: The Xiaolin have fallen and only one remains in a world dominated by evil. Kimiko must gather her strength and help take back the world from the Heylins clutches. Chamiko.

Prologue: Flee To Fight Another Day

(A/N) So this is another Chamiko story that I'm going to work on. It takes place after the original series and has nothing to do with Xiaolin Chronicles series. I... I don't know how I feel about that series. I really don't.

Anyways, this story will be about Kimiko trying to save the world, all the while trying to avoid being captured by evil. I'm not going to rush the Chamiko relationship though, and I'm going to try and make it as realistic as possible. xx Hope you enjoy the story and please let me know what you think. xx

"There is no shame in strategic retreat if it lets you remain strong enough to go after the enemy later." - Jane Lindskold, The Buried Pyramid.

Disclaimer: I do own Xiaolin Showdown or any of the original characters.


Fire crackled all around. Bright, smoldering embers flickered through the night sky, setting it ablaze in hot, red and orange hues. Smoke wafted through the strong breeze, the overpowering smell of burning searing through the air.

Down in the middle of the valley, where once had stood a proud ancient temple that had served as a home to generations of peaceful monks, now kneeled a burning skeleton of what it had once been.

A lone figure clad in tattered red robes watched intently from the cliff edge off in the distance, crouching low behind the safety of a jagged boulder.

A gasp escaped the figure as the roof of the temple that had once sheltered many, finally faltered and caved in with a mighty roar that shook through the air, the last battle cry of a defeated warrior refusing to go down quietly. As it fell, it crushed the remaining walls and pillars that had once held the temple tall, reducing the temple to nothing more than smoldering ashes and ruins.

Surrounding the ashes of the fallen temple, the Heylin armies gathered.

Jack's robots crackled and sparked electricity in glee as the self proclaimed boy genius let out an evil maniacal laughter.

Wuya's rock minions chuckled and rumbled, while their Heylin witch rubbed her hands in wicked delight.

Chase's jungle cats remained impassive, watching through fathomless eyes much like their master who stood with his arms crossed, a satisfied smirk on his face.

Not far from him, Hannibal Roy Bean grinned madly, flames dancing in the reflection of his eyes.

With a heavy heart, the figure buried her head into her arms, no longer able to watch the sight of her beloved home being destroyed by her own element. Her hands tightened into fists, her nails digging sharply into her palms.

It was over.

The Heylin had won.

And the Xiaolin… had fallen.

"Kimiko."

A small taloned hand reached out and tentatively placed itself on the girls shoulder. The gesture caused the young japanese girl to look up through her tear filled eyes.

"Kimiko…. we need to go. We can't stay here."

Kimiko shook her head, several rebellious tears trickling down her cheeks. Viciously she wiped them away with her sleeve. She refused to cry! She would not cry! She had to be strong!

"Dojo-"

The sound of painful cries caught her attention, causing Kimko and Dojo to look back down at the temple.

A group of Jungle cats in their human form were hauling three young boys out from the sheet of smoke surrounding the ruins. With no remorse they harshly pushed the boys to the ground, all three falling to their knees in front of the four Heylin warriors.

"No," Kimiko whispered. "They have the guys!"

Instinctively, Kimko jerked forward, ready to leap down to her comrades' aid. Dojo hastily grabbed onto her sash, yanking her back.

"Kimiko! Don't!"

"I have to help them, Dojo!" Kimiko growled, snatching her sash out the dragons claws. "They need me!"

"Kimiko if you down there you'll get captured too!"

"I have to do something!"

What did Dojo want her to do? Nothing? How could she! She was their friend, she couldn't just stand by and watch as they were robbed of their freedom by their enemies!

"They already beat you once today, Kimiko! Now you're injured and outnumbered! You'll be signing your own death certificate if you down there!" Dojo pleaded frantically, darting forward and clutching tightly onto the girls arm for dear life. "Please, Kimko. We need to leave. If we don't leave now then we won't be able to save the guys or my Master Fung!"

Remember young ones, there is no shame in retreating. Pick your battles wisely and know when your are beaten. If you do, then you shall live to fight another battle with the next dawning sun.

Squeezing her eyes shut as Master Fung's old teachings echoed through her, Kimiko drew in a harsh, quivering breath.

She didn't want to do this. She did not want to do this!

But she had no choice.

Dojo was right, she had no chance. If she went down there, consumed by the fires of rage, then she wouldn't stand a chance. Then she too would be captured, and all hope would be lost, not only for her friends… but the entire world!

If she wanted any hope in rescuing her friends and saving the world from being dominated by the forces of darkness, then she had to do the unthinkable… and run.

It was not in her nature to do so. She wanted to stay and fight, to stand by her friends to the bitter end.

Yet, despite every fiber of her being screaming at her to go down there and help them, to save them as they had saved her on so many occasions, she couldn't.

She had to leave.

She had to let her rational side take charge and push back the swelling flames of her anger that would make her act recklessly. Too often her impulsiveness led to trouble and she could not allow herself to be so careless. She had to control her emotions, control her temper, lest it take it over.

The stakes were too high now. One more slip up and it would be over; the Heylin would truly win.

But so along as one Xiaolin remained, then there was a glimmer of hope.

She looked down at the little dragon, saw the fear and pain reflected in his eyes.

He was scared. His beloved Master and friends were captured. The temple that had been his home for centuries was destroyed, reduced to cinder, soot and rubble. He was its Guardian, and he had failed in his duty to protect it, much like Kimiko had.

And now Kimiko was all he had left in the world.

She could not allow herself to fall into the hands of The Heylin.

She had to be free to fight on.

She had to save her friends… and the world.

"Alright, Dojo. Lets go."


(A/N) Next chapter: Dark Alliances.