Author's Note: Okay, thought I'd have a little fun with Xaolin Showdown. Sorry if it offends you. Here's a solution to that problem: Don't read it. I don't own XS, but I own Caru and the plot. Just enjoy. And yes, the chapter title is supposed to rhyme. Its a joke. Also: I don't really remember a lot of the Shen Gong Wu -I'll probably look them up on the internet - so bear with me. And its been a long time since I've watched it, so I'll try to get every single character right, but I can't promise anything. Much love!

Chapter One: Of Theives and Their Pet Peeves and Insecurities.

Caru found herself in a bit of a predicament. Since traditionally, the heroines had a.) blonde hair b.) pale, milky skin, c.) blue or green eyes, and d.) a fashion sense that belonged in the pages of Vouge, she felt that her position was a bit unrealilistic. As a brown haired, mocha skinned, plainly dressed girl, the bad guys had no right in chasing her across this plateau (another unfair thing - no good hiding places.) as if she were a blonde and had on stellar heels and a tube top instead of combat boots and a Beatles t-shirt.

Okay, she happened to be carrying this object they all wanted. This Shen Gong Wu...thing. At least, thats what she'd heard them call it. Somehow, it had fallen into her innocent hands, and now she was being unfairly pursued. By this pack of bloodthirsty pack of vandals, hot on her heels, and for no reason at all!

Of couse she'd stolen it. It had been inside a mountain. With an entrance shaped like a cat. And everyone knows the best treasures are inside mountains with entrances shaped like cats. She'd snuck in, under cover of darkness, and made off with..six? No, seven? Maybe eight (yeah, eight.) of these weird little things tucked into her bag in the hopes that she could sell them to the highest bidder in Hong Kong.

The reader raises an eyebrow. Her? Sneak into Chase Young's lair and steal his Shen Gong Wu, just like that? Riiiiight. Of course it happened. Except that it couldn't. Because everyone knows those jungle cats would be all over her like a fly on stink the moment she broke a window. Duh.

Which means she used powers, of course. Most obvious thing in the world, if she does say so herself. Caru would not attempt to break in to a Prince of Darkness' home base without being magically equipped in some way. She would also like to put forth the following comment: "What, do you think I'm retarded?!? Sheesh. Just because I catch more sun than most girls..."

(As you can see, the milky skin thing really bothers her.)

Another shot of magical energy hit the ground behind her, electing a startled hiss of; "JesusMaryJoseph!" from the nontraditional heroine as she dove forward, trying not to land on her face. She caught herself, barely, and continued running toward the edge of the plateau, realizing that she was almost out of ground to cover. Luckily, the villians behind her were more concerned with arguing amonst themselves than actually catching her, and she could probably escape without much more hassle.

Noticably absent was the infamous Chase Young, which irked Caru. You'd think that if someone stole nine (it was definitly nine, now that she thought of it) of your most precious possessions, you'd show up for the womanhunt. But no. Leave it to your incompetent, bumbling underlings. Because clearly, not being pale and blonde meant that you weren't worth capturing.

(see? It really bothers her.)

Shaking her head at the pathetic ghost and goth boy, Caru reached the edge of the plateau and stopped. "Well," She said, looking back at the two villians. "Looks like I've only got one choice."

"Yeah." The boy said, landing near her and walking forward. "Hand over the stolen Shen Gong Wu, and maybe we'll let you live."

Caru put a hand to her chin, as if thinking. "Nah. That wasn't the choice I was thinking." She answered, moving a combat boot clad foot a little further back, the heel dangling over empty space. "I don't wanna hand them over. I stole them fair and square."

The ghost guessed what she meant and hissed; "Jack, she's planning to jump again! Hurry!"

"If you jump," The boy, addressed as Jack, said, "The Jackbots'll catch you. I won't fall for the same trick twice." He took another step closer and held out his hand. "So give back the Shen Gong Wu and I'll make sure Chase doesn't feed you to the jungle cats."

"I don't see any 'Jackbots'." Caru observed, looking down and behind her. "And I doubt you have any say in what Chase Young does. I wouldn't listen to anyone with that much eye makeup." She paused, and a thoughtful look crossed her face. "Unless this was Ancient Egypt. Then I guess I'd listen. But we'd all be wearing the same eye makeup..."

Jack gave the ghost one of the most confused looks she had ever seen, then said; "What are you...ahhhh!"

She'd jumped.

"Don't worry." Chase Young said, when Jack and Wuya had returned and explained what had happened. "I know where she is headed..."