Yet Another Chacky Faerie Tale.
Chapter 2, The first night.
By: Jeannie
Warnings; light slash
Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown, nor do I own the original fairy tale. This plot was derived from "The Princess in the Chest" by Andrew Lang, Pink Fairy Book,…
Notes: Any comments/criticism would be welcome. Flames however, will be lampooned and laughed at. Also I did deviate a bit from the original story a bit…

Jack's eyes were wide with terror. The old temple was crawling with shadows, some of which seemed to move on their own, which was creepy enough without the many human bones and bloodstains everywhere. Not only that but much of the crumbling buildings had claw marks on them, even the stone walls.

Sunset had been a scant two hours and now Jack was stuck in the darkness hoping dawn would come soon, or at the very least that he'd have someone to keep him company other than a dying fire that, by only a miracle, would make it until dawn. Every fiber of his being was telling the redhead that if he wanted to keep living that he needed to get out. Now. So, reluctantly, Jack rose and hesitantly left the comforting flame and began searching for a way out.

Half an hour later, Jack discovered, to his delight, a crack in the far end of the temple walls just large enough for him to squeeze into. His heart now light with relief, Jack raced towards the exit only to have that hope shatter as ice suddenly formed over the hole.

"Oh, no, Jack Spicer, you have made a promise to stay here tonight and you are going to keep it," a voice said. Small but strong arms encircled his upper thigh and Jack felt himself being pulled back into the temple.

"But, I'm too young to die!" Jack cried out in terror as he struggled in vain to be free of the grasp. Once they were down the hall, Jack turned to see the face of his captor. A dark armor covered most of the short person's face but, judging by voice alone, Jack guessed that the other couldn't be much older than himself.

"Calm yourself, Jack Spicer." The stranger said in a firm tone. "Listen to me closely, before midnight you must go out in the courtyard, there you will see a meditation pond. Wade out to the island and remain there until dawn. Do as I say and no harm will come to you."

"How do I know I can trust you?" Jack asked skeptically to which the shorter shrugged and turned to walk away.



"Do you have any other choice?" He replied mysteriously before fading into the shadows.

"Good point." Jack answered into the darkness and shuffled out of the building to find the meditation pond. The scant light of the waning moon was enough for Jack to vaguely make out the island he'd been told to seek. Jack quickly crossed the shallow waters, which only came to his hips. He noted idly that were his visitor with him, he would have a hard time keeping his enormous head above the surface. The island was covered in reeds and barley big enough so that Jack could lay out on were he so inclined to. Instead he simply sat down and idly wondered what time it was.

Jack was starting to get bored and began reaching for stones to skip across the water. After several unsuccessful throws he started to run out of stones, and began to fumble in the dense brush for more. Instead of finding a stone, Jack was horrified to feel something cold and clammy. With mounting dread, Jack looked down and saw to his horror that he was touching a hand that looked like it had been bitten off. Jack screamed and fell into the merciful embrace of unconsciousness.

He'd hoped that the night and it's strange encounters had been naught but a nightmare. Unfortunately for Jack, any hope of that was quickly squashed as he was awoken by an ear-shattering roar. Reluctantly, Jack rose from the cold mud and peeked between the reeds and looked around the courtyard.

On the banks of the meditation pond paroled a massive form of muscle and scales, a dragon with a drab olive belly and a deeper forest green back adorned with black stripes and a fringe about its shoulders. The youth was transfixed by the creature's fluid grace, every movement speaking of incredible power. It was impressive. It was terrifying but still had a seductive grace to it, that Jack couldn't understand even as its piercing gold eyes, cold as the distant moon, swept their gaze over him. Jack's heart hammered in fear and excitement as the other studied him intently.

"So, there is where my sacrifice hides." A deep rumbling voice echoed through the night, sending shivers racing up and down Jack's spine. "If you come willingly, I will make your death as painless as possible." Jack's stomach knotted itself inside his body as the boy himself was torn between wanting to be near the dragon and fear of being eaten.

On the shore, the dragon began thrashing it's tail irritably all the while never taking its eyes off of Jack. Without warning, the dragon began to approach the island. To Jack's surprise the very waters of the pond swelled up to form the crest of a mighty wave which rushed towards the dragon. Jack watched in mute wonder as the dragon tried in vain to fight the waves that kept him from getting to the island.

"You think you can defeat me, little monk?" The dragon hissed at the waters, "Can you keep me from what is mine the entire night?" Receiving no reply, he instead once again began to stare hungrily at Jack's huddled form.

It seemed like an eternity for Jack as he sat in the reeds, being closely watched by the dragon who no doubt would come to devour him the second he could figure out how to cross the protective waters. 

Suddenly, the dragon gave a sharp hiss and thrashed about clutching his head in agony.

"Don't think you've won just yet," The dragon gasped to the waters. "There is tomorrow night and every night after that," He intoned darkly before disappearing into the ruined buildings.

Jack simply sat in the mud of the island, unable to move, unable to even think until the pond's water swelled up and hit him in the face. The island was slowly being submerged in a gesture that Jack took to mean it was safe for him to leave the island. Reluctantly, Jack stretched his long legs and trod wearily across the pond, his mind slowly starting to work again. Questions trickled through his brain wondering the reason behind that creature being here in the desolate and lonely place. Did Hannibal Roy Bean know about this, was he going to die anyway?

The entrance loomed before Jack in the gray dawn light. He eagerly headed towards it hoping that someone would be by to release him soon.

"One good thing," Jack muttered to himself tiredly, "this is the last I'll see of this dump." He continued trying to keep his spirits up.

"It's a pity, I have not seen Chase show such an interest in anyone for quite a long time." A voice commented behind Jack.

"W-who are you? Show yourself!" Jack screeched in near panic earning him a laugh in response.

"I am afraid that is not possible at the moment, nor would it be wise even if it were." The voice replied in a pacifying manner. Jack, however, was incensed and glared irritably at nothing. There was no one in sight, in fact aside from ruined buildings and overgrowing weeds the place was bare, except for the large bloodstain that covered the wall and a few strips of bright orange cloth that fluttered in the morning breeze.

"What do you mean by that?" Jack demanded, frustrated by all these damn mysteries in these cursed ruins.

"I have no more time, but I will tell you one thing; if you value you your life, tell no one what you have seen tonight," The voice whispered again as the sun peeked over the horizon. Jack felt an odd chill at the words even as the first golden rays of light cast their warmth upon him.

TBC