The clear skies gave a much needed smooth ride back to the temple, Dojo landing near the vault as the monks slid off of him right away, stretching their legs and arms as they were finally able to move again.
"Another week another wu huh kids?" Dojo shrank, slithering his way onto Omi's shoulders as he and Rai walked to the vault to put up the new wu, and the others they'd brought along.
"Yeah, seems that way at this point. Is it just a coincidence or are we getting to the end of the wu list?" Rai opened the vault and made his way down the steps, he and Omi putting wu away as they went.
"Just a coincidence, there's still lots of wu hiding throughout the world, waiting to give me a rash." Dojo raised his arms before scratching his back at the ghost of the previous wu ailment. "We've had worse and longer dry spells before though."
"Yeah- but still it feels like it's literally one a week these days. And I don't like how quiet it's been." Raimundo shut one of the drawers before leaning back on the wall, staring straight up to the tower above. "Wuya, Chase, Hannibal- even JACK has been missing from most of the wu hunts. Something is fishy and I don't like it."
"I understand your worry Raimundo, but even if they are all quiet, I cannot see Chase putting aside his differences to work with more than just Wuya, if even her." Omi walked past him, opening a drawer a few steps lower and putting the third arm sash back into it. "He is not fond of Jack Spicer's antics, or Hannibal's entire Beaning."
"I mean yeah, who does, but-... Omi I hate you." Raimundo put his hands to his face, wearing a large and reluctant grin. "That was awful. I'm kinda proud." He pushed himself off the wall and started making his way back up the stairs, Omi following along after putting away the last wu.
"Really though. Working together or not, I'm not sure if that ultimate evil team would be better or worse than them all attacking separately at once. None of them are exactly threats to sneeze at." Even Jack, who'd over the last year improved immensely. For him at least. He was still overly confident but slightly less undeserved as it once was.
"I understand your concerns Raimundo, but I believe it is best we use this time to prepare for what they, or others, may bring." Omi smiled up at his friend, Raimundo looked at him before sighing and nodding.
"Yeah. There's not much else we can do. Doesn't stop the bad gut feeling." Rai shoved his hands in his pockets, rolling his neck he and Omi met back up with Kimiko and Clay.
"What's got your guts in a bind there Rai?" Clay peered at him under the brim of his hat, hearing just the last sentence of his and Omi's conversation.
"Oh ya know the usual, fate of the world in the hands of four teenagers, villains quiet and suspicious, world cup is coming up. Basic stuff." He stated matter-o-factly and shrugged.
"Hey come on, whatever they throw at us, we can handle." Kimiko said, turning to walk into the main building of the temple, followed by the others. "Not like we haven't before."
"I'm not saying we can't. I'm just saying I don't like the waiting game." Rai slumped his shoulders before yawning. "I think I'm gonna go get a nap in before dinner. May not have had a showdown this last hunt but man, I'm exhausted."
"You better not be expecting a wake up call." Kimiko glanced over her shoulder at him, he gave a sheepish grin at her piercing gaze and started walking to the bedroom stalls.
"Nah, no it's good I'll set my alarm." He stepped away quickly, ready to flop onto the thin mat in his excuse for a room.
He slipped past the curtain and quickly fell, face forward onto his pillow. He hummed as the stress of the day rolled on his shoulders. His teammates were right, the villains silence wasn't exactly a bad thing right now.
Then again, they weren't the group leaders. Raimundo shifted his head, opened his eyes and stared at the wall. He'd been chosen for a reason- for every reason. There wasn't just one quality that made him stand out, that got him to where he was, but everything he is. He's a leader, with a trustworthy gut, the ability to think on his feet, and the wittiest comebacks. He rolled over onto his back, now staring at the ceiling with the same uneasy look.
"What are you up to." He whispered, so many faces passing through his mind. Jack, Wuya, Ashley, Tubbimura, Chase, Hannibal, Gigi, Le Mime, Dyris. The list went on, his face twisting into more worry as it did. The worst part, he knew, is that these were just the villains they'd met.
Once upon a time they only knew of Wuya and Jack. Every month seemed to bring new trouble, a new evil, a new attacker. Now with already a long list of people with vendettas, hatred, and even just the pure want to rule the world. Who else would pop up from the woodwork to take their turn at the bat of being the world's biggest asshole?
He let out a deep breath, trying to go back to his attempts at relaxing. Maybe he'd go on a bit of a patrol later. Just to put his mind at ease, pay a hopefully unnoticed to the bigger names in the baddie game. For now though, he was back after a long day and deserved a minute or two of shut eye.
A minute turned to five, turned to two hours before he woke up. Rolling off the mat and right onto the floor he kicked the tangled blanket from his legs and sat up. He rubbed his eyes and lifted himself off the ground, the smell of dinner reaching him quickly and drawing him out of his room.
Just was about to open his curtain, someone else beat him too it, pulling the cloth back Raimundo jumped in surprise, Kimiko stood there with an unamused scowl.
"Set an alarm, huh?" She remarked, turning on her heel and heading back to the kitchen.
"Hey, I never said I needed your wake up call." Rai put his hands up in defense, following behind her.
"Yeah, I lost rock paper scissors. Lucky you were already up." She murmured, hands a bit hot at the thought of intended wake up message. Nothing bad but, a quick flash never hurt anyone. Maybe singed some hair but, didn't hurt.
"Well it's so sweet of you to want to wake me." Rai joked, placing a hand on Kimiko's shoulder and leaning down. "A kiss to wake up my sleeping beauty?" Kimiko snorted, pushing his face away.
"Oh yes, a beautiful, light, kiss with a fiery fist. Just the way you like it right?" Kimiko flexed her hand, sparks at the ends of her fingertips as Raimundo backed off again.
"Come on save all that energy for when there's someone to actually fight." Rai walked ahead of, his hunger finally catching up with him.
The table was already set, everyone else waiting for them to get back. The table was very full but, with the usual stuff. Rice, salad, fish, plenty of options of most things. Raimundo took his seat, nodding at the others.
"Nice of you to join us Raimundo." Master Fung greeted. Rai gave a sheepish smile before clearing his throat.
"Sorry, I uh, lost track of time." Master Fung gave him a look, but shrugged it off to stare back down the table and look to the other monks. It had been five years since three of them had shown up at the temple, five years since they had begun their endless journey. They were too young, he always knew, much younger than they should have to be to fight the evils of the world, but magic has never cared for age requirements.
"Well, now that we are all here, please begin."The monks didn't hesitate, filling plates and chowing down. Master Fung remained still, waiting for them to take their fill. He was quiet, hands folded in his lap. It wasn't until arms stopped reaching over dishes that he noticed Raimundo wasn't too different. He had gotten some food, but not nearly the amount he normally would. He wasn't touching it either, instead staring at the blank space on the table, deep in thought. Master Fung filled his own plate, deciding this would be a discussion for after dinner, one to be had in private.
Light chatter filled the room, stories that had been told before about home, ones that no one minded hearing again. Learning about the others, hearing the same stories that made them life or their faces light up the way they did, it was nice. Raimundo would look up on occasion, smiling at the current story teller, laughing on cue, paying just enough attention. The others noticed his silence but kept it aside. They all had those days, and sometimes you just needed to let it roll through.
A coin flip for who had to do the dishes that night ended with Kimiko and Omi stuck in the kitchen while Clay and Raimundo headed off for the night. Raimundo went outside, breathing in the cool, fresh air and deciding a stroll in the moonlight would do him some good. He walked through the temple gardens, ending up at the base of a large tree. He sat in the grass, leaning his head back and staring up at the branches. Listening to the crickets chirp, watching the leaves rustle softly, and feeling the cold grass beneath his fingers. He wasn't really thinking anymore, in fact trying to avoid it. The anxious feeling that'd gripped his heart since they'd returned home, the fear that gnawed at the back of his mind. He didn't want to focus on these so much, not right now.
He blinked as he heard soft footsteps approaching him, peering around the tree and standing up, greeting Master Fung.
"I noticed something troubling you." He said, not beating around the bush as Raimundo leaned back against the tree and avoided looking him in the eyes. One arm leaning against the tree, his hand on the back of his neck as he hummed for a second.
"Just, stuff. No big deal." He rubbed the thumb and fingers of his free hand together, the nervous feeling nipping at him again.
"Dojo told me you had begun questioning the whereabouts of the Heylin. Is that what is weighing so heavily on your mind, Raimundo?" Rai almost fell before giving an uneasy look. He'd hit the nail on the head, though he wasn't surprised really.
"Yeah. I just, can't stop wondering. Every time they go silent, they come back with something bigger and badder. That's just the villains we know too. There's always another evil, always a bigger threat. Part of that whole balance thing you talk about, we get stronger, and they have to match it." The world made sure of that. Every chapter of their training, every new level they met, was always coupled with someone new. Someone stronger than they expected, stronger than what they'd faced before. Except this time, Raimundo had become a Shoku warrior, he'd become the leader and they'd all become so much stronger. Yet no new evils presented themselves in an overdramatic and overconfident glory.
"The world needs balance to stay intact. We have seen how it falls apart when this is not met." Raimundo's mine rushed back to the instance where the world literally died, split into two, everything that happened when a Heylin took the top spot for too long. "Your worry is not misplaced Raimundo. Good and evil will always fight, and when one evil leaves, a greater one must enter."
"So. You're as freaked out as I am huh?" Rai raised his eyebrows, cocking his head to the side in curiousity.
"Yes, you could say that." Master Fung closed his eyes, completely serious despite Raimundo's tone.
Raimundo laughed a little before running his hand through his hair. "Well. I was thinking of doing a. Patrol I guess. Just checking, I don't know, Jack's house. Chase's lair. Maybe see if Guan's heard anything?"
"That could be very dangerous, I'm sure you're aware."
"Yeah, but what else can I do? Sit here til someone swoops in to kick our butts?" Raimundo asked exasperatedly. He'd been wracking his brain about this since they'd returned, he had to do something.
"Raimundo, you were chosen as Shoku warrior for a reason. You are the leader, and the one to make the decisions. I am merely reminding you that it is not as easy as dropping by."
Raimundo sighed, slumping against the large tree and letting a deep and frustrated breath out through his nose. He knew Master Fung was right. He'd have to take precautions. Maybe going alone wasn't the best idea, either.
"I'll talk to the others. See if we can go tomorrow." At this, Master Fung gave a gentle smile and nodded at him.
"A wise decision." He turned to leave. "Sleep well tonight, Raimundo." With that he headed back to the temple, leaving Raimundo to think again.
Man he hated thinking sometimes.
Raimundo decided, finally, that it was probably time for him to head back inside as well. He brushed dirt off his legs and headed back in. The warm light of the temple washed back over him contrasting with the cool moonlight, he blinked hard as his eyes readjusted. The other three were lounging, continuing dinners conversation. They all gave him a welcoming smile when he sat down between Omi and Kimiko.
"Feelin any better Rai?" Clay asked him. Raimundo shrugged at him.
"At the least, I've figured out what to do. I want to check in, see what's going on around." The other three gave him a perturbed look. "Like, ya know. Go to Jack's, Chase's citadel, maybe even Ashley's condo."
"You sure that's the best idea? Snoopin around a buncha villains sounds like ringing trouble's bell."
"I know, but I'd rather interrupt something then just wait for trouble to come to us." Raimundo crossed his arms. "I'll wear the danger sneakers, we'll stay as a group, we'll play it safe as we can." The three monks looked at him again before each other.
"If it is what you think is the right thing to do Raimundo, we will follow you." Omi placed a hand on Raimundo's shoulder. Raimundo relaxed, not even realizing just how tense he'd been since he sat down.
"It is definitely suspicious." Kimiko pulled her ponytail over her shoulder, eyes glancing upward as she thought over the last few months. It was going to be dangerous, but if they were careful than they could find out what they needed and be alright.
"So it's settled then." Raimundo clasped his hands together. "Tomorrow, we'll do a villain check in. If they're just, chilling then we leave. If they're obviously plotting, we start making plans to take them down." He stood up, and the others followed in suit, walking back to their rooms.
No one was sure what they'd find the next day, but the plans for the day still left a bit of weight in the pit of everyone's stomach. They were all suspicious, really it was much less the possibility of danger than it was going to the doorstep of it. They trusted Raimundo's instincts though, along with the agreement that if there is something being plotted, they'd much rather know before it was shoved into their laps. The returned to their rooms, tucking into bed, each trying to get as much rest as they could.
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A/N:
hope ya'll are ready for a Ride bc this is gonna be somethin im doin my best here to get this fandom some of the good stuff it deserves. Interactions we deserve more of mainly. Be Ready.
Anyways there are ships and More Characters but I'll be adding them as we go because I'd feel like a jerk if i promised ya'll stuff, and then if I end up dropping this the promise just hangs sadly above us all.
Same with warnings- the only one is Grapphic Violence may happen. I'm still working on it but ofc I'll add the warning as needed