Disclaimer;
I do not now nor have I ever owned Xiaolin showdown or its characters, with the exception of the Fallen Dragons. I did not create the show. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a cat tied to a wagon filled with T.N.T whose about to catch a train.
Chapter Two
Apprentice
A bitter wind swept over the jagged mountain tops and down the narrow path that ran between them. Thick layers of fog obscured practically everything, everything except one mountain. His mountain. The mountain jetted out of the fog like a fang piercing flesh. Although made by a man, the mountain had an eerie supernatural feel to it. Flames danced in twin nooks above the entrance as if the eyes of its master were already focused on the man approaching.
Someone has a flair for the dramatic. Alex stood on the ledge to the palace entrance admiring the design. He remembered the last time he was brought here but was unconscious and missed seeing the outside. Shrugging off the intimidating view, Alex strode purposefully towards the front gate, which to his surprise opened just as he reached it. Guess I'm expected.
Strolling inside, Alex took in the serine atmosphere of Chase's lair. He heard the gate close behind him but purposefully kept walking forward. Surely Chase would make his presence known; all Alex had to do was wait.
"Welcome Alexander."
Speak of the devil. Alex looked up and spotted Chase at the top of the long staircase. Dropping his backpack, Alex forced a smile and waved nonchalantly. An image of Chase stabbing Rin in the back flashed in his mind but he quickly pushed it away.
"So what is it I can do for you?" Chase locked his gaze on Alex and snapped his fingers. Almost instantly two tigers leapt from the second floor and began to circle Alex. "Don't tell you came all this way on some half baked notion of revenge."
"I'm not here to fight." Alex smiled and matched his gaze. "Along time ago I left the Xiaolin temple with the intention of becoming the greatest warrior alive, and Lady Rin was going to help me. Course she's gone now and I find myself in need of a mentor."
"So why come to me?"
"They say to be the best you have to learn from the best and you're one of the best warriors of all time. I didn't come to fight you; I'm here to join you."
Chase held his stare for a long moment before finally letting a slight laugh. "How… interesting."
(-)
The sun shined brightly over the clear morning skies. The cool wind rushed over Omi's face as he stared down in wonder from atop Dojo's back. He always enjoyed the view of a city from this high up. Every time he would venture into a large city he would find something new and amazing.
"Please return all trays to their upright position. We'll be landing in New York in just a few minutes," Dojo shouted over his shoulder.
"Sure will be nice seein' Jermaine again," Clay stated from behind Omi.
"I can not wait to hang in with him again." Omi glanced over his shoulder.
"Hang out," Clay corrected.
"Hang out what?" Omi asked puzzled. Three weeks had passed since the men in the suits had attacked the temple and stolen most of the Shen Gong Wu. The only ones that they still had were the Changing Chopsticks, Silver Manta Ray, and the Orb of Tornami, which Omi had left in his room. After weeks of searching and finding nothing, Omi was glad for the chance to unwind, if only for a day. "I am most anxious to demonstrate how much I have improved."
"Your not goin' start competing again are ya?" Clay asked.
"No, no. I am sure he has improved as well." Omi shook his head. "But not as much as me."
Dojo quickly started his descent into the hectic city. Darting between two buildings Dojo landed on the sidewalk right in front the building that Jermaine lived in. Omi found Jermaine sitting on the stairs and quickly hopped off of Dojo to greet his friend.
"Well if it isn't my homey Omi." Jermaine stepped over and embraced Omi, then turned to greet Clay while Dojo reverted to his normal size. "How've you been?"
"I am well, and you?" Omi asked.
"Same old, same old." Jermaine smiled. "Where's Rai and Kimiko?"
"We had some trouble with some suits awhile back so they decided to stay and keep lookin'." Clay shook Jermaine's hand.
"You know, if you guys ever need any help, I'd be glad to give you a hand," Jermaine said.
"Sorry to interrupt the happy reunion but can we get something to eat, I'm starving?" Dojo hoped on Clay's shoulder.
"Hey, there's a nice little pizza shop a couple of blocks down. Lets grab a bit to eat and Omi can catch me up with all his adventures." Jermaine motioned for them to follow.
Following Jermaine down the street, Omi started to explain everything that had happened in the last few months. They had walked about two blocks when Omi heard Dojo cry out from behind them. He turned just in time to see Dojo spasm and fall off of Clay's shoulder. "What is the matter Dojo?"
"Whoa." Dojo shook his head. "We got some Wu activity around here."
"What're we standin' 'round here for?" Clay picked up Dojo. "Which way is it?"
"That way." Dojo pointed down the street.
(-)
"Good huh?" Bob walked over to the small table wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt.
"Yeah," Ayane replied half heartedly while Bob set two glasses filled with soda on the table and sat. Three weeks had passed since Alex left her standing in the warehouse and for three weeks she couldn't find a single clue as to where he had gone. Even with all of her animal senses she still could not pick up his scent, which only added to her apprehension. If she couldn't track him then it was because he didn't want to be found. In her desperation she had even turned to Jack Spicer hopping he knew something about Alex, but that too had been a waste.
"We'll find him." Bob smiled reassuringly.
"I know we will." She took a sip from her glass as she watched a few cars drive passed. Bob practically had to drag her to New York, claiming that this was the best pizza he ever had. Although she had to admit the pizza was pretty good, and this gave her a chance to wear her new navy blue blouse, camel colored skirt, new sneakers and a backpack filled with Shen Gong Wu. They sat outside on the patio under the warm morning sun enjoying their food when she noticed an odd bird circling over head. She continued to watch the bird until something small jumped off its back and landed right on the table.
"What the heck." Bob pushed away from the table.
"Why hello to you too," Hannibal Bean said with a smile.
"Take a hike." Ayane glared down at the small bean. "We were enjoying our breakfast."
"Well don' let me interrupt ya, ah jus' came ta see how you're doin'."
"Scram." Bob tried to grab Hannibal but he jump out of the way.
"Rumor has it that ya lost your little lightning rod." Hannibal sneered.
Ayane fought back the urge to stab him with a fork. "And where did ya hear that?"
"Jack told me. Seein' as how you all but lost everyone in your crew, why don' ya'll join forces with me. Ah'll show you how a true evil genius works."
"And why should we team up with you?"
"Because soon ah will have everything ah need to rid myself of my enemies. Also, it's usually better bein' the right hand of the devil than in his path."
"That's tempting. Care ta hear my counter offer?" Ayane smile briefly before lashing out with a fork.
Hannibal quickly jumped to avoid the attack and landed on top of his pet bird. "Why don' ya'll think about it for a while. Moby Morpher." Hannibal morphed into Ayane and dropped down in front of her, holding two Shen Gong Wu. He tried to kick her but she back flipped onto the fence that blocked the patio from the street. "Lotus Twister, Fist of Tebigong!" Hannibal's fist shot forward forcing Ayane to roll off the fence. She heard his fist crash into a building across the street and smiled.
"Ya missed," Ayane pointed out.
"If you say so." Hannibal reverted back to normal just as Bob tried to grab him.
"Orb of Tornami."
Ayane turned around just in time to see a stream of water slam into her and knock her back into the pizzeria wall. Quickly wiping her hair from her eye's Ayane climbed to her feet and saw Bob rush towards Omi, Clay, and some other kid. "Lousy little monks." She ran over to her table and slung her backpack over her shoulders then hopped over the fence to join Bob in the street. "You're gonna pay for getting my new clothes wet baldy."
"And here I thought they had leash laws." Clay stood ready to fight.
"Real funny cowboy." Bob cracked his knuckles and stepped forward. "Let's see how funny you are with two broke legs."
"Surrender at once or …" Omi started but a swift kick from Ayane shut him up.
"Or face a humiliating defeat? Don't ya ever get tired of saying that?" Ayane started forward but the new kid cut her off. "And who might you be?"
"Names Jermaine and you should stop now. I don't want to have to fight a girl."
"I understand, ya can just stand there and take a beating then." Ayane lashed out with a quick punch aimed at Jermaine's jaw but to her surprise he dodged it. She followed with a second punch however he managed to grab her arm and throw her over his shoulder.
"I said I didn't want to, not that I wouldn't."
Ayane landed on her feet atop of a parked car and smiled as Bob shoulder blocked Jermaine from behind, knocking him to the ground. Bob then tried to grab him only to receive an uppercut from Jermaine. The blow caused Bob to stagger back while Omi sprinted over and drop kicked him on the face.
"Seismic Kick, earth," Clay exclaimed just as Bob fell back onto the ground. He managed to block Clay's kick but the force of the blow still managed to crack the pavement.
Gathering her chi, Ayane leapt off the car sailing towards Omi. She used Omi's head and hand-springed up and over Jermaine until she finally landed on top of Clay's head. While he struggled to maintain his balance, Ayane pivoted and punted the back of his head. As Clay flew forward his hat fell off and Ayane laughed when she saw Dojo fall out before scurrying behind the tire of a parked car.
Omi and Jermaine jumped over Clay's dazed body and rushed to attack. They had almost reached her when Bob swept Jermaine's legs out while rolling to his feet. Ayane blocked Omi's first kick then ducked under a second. She promptly launched her own attack, stringing together a long chain of kicks and punches, but Omi managed to avoid most of them. Pressing her attack, Ayane slowly backed Omi into the pizzeria window. She threw one last punch hoping to put him through it, except at the last second Omi did a back flip, kicking her just under the chin. She felt a sharp pain shoot through her as her head snapped back and another pain in her back when she finally slammed on to the road.
"Bison Stomping Crane." Omi leapt high above Ayane and shot his heels out, clearly intending to land on her.
"That the best ya got?" Ayane rolled back to avoid Omi's landing then sprang forward. "Cheetah Pounces Mouse."
Omi ducked under the attack, forcing her to roll through. "Donkey Doing Tango."
Cart wheeling out of the way to avoid getting kicked, Ayane then flipped backward. "Frog Dunking Cookies."
Again, Omi dodged then countered with another attack only to have Ayane dodge and counter. They went back and forth, shouting out various attacks or flipping around to avoid one until finally they each jumped back a few feet.
"Not bad baldy," Ayane stated, trying to catch her breath.
"You are a most formidable opponent, for a girl," Omi replied between breaths. After a second Ayane noticed the street was surprisingly quiet and glanced around until she spotted Bob, Clay, and Jermaine starring at them.
"What?" Ayane and Omi asked simultaneously.
"Okay, you two gotta be making that stuff up." Jermaine scratched the back of his head.
"Either way you punks are gonna pay for that sneak attack." Bob turned back towards Clay.
"Hold on now, ya'll attacked us," Clay pointed out.
"Yeah, we saw you use the Fist of Tebigong." Jermaine looked over at Ayane.
Ayane rolled her eye's then return his stare. "And how could I have done that? We don't have the Fist of Tebigong anymore."
"Yo, what kinda game you play?" Jermaine took a step forward but was stopped by Omi.
"No, she is right. They could not have used it because Hannibal won it week's ago." Omi glanced at his friends then back to her.
"Where the heck did that little bean run to?" Ayane looked back towards the patio but couldn't see a sign of him.
Dojo slithered over towards the group holding Clay's hat then jumped onto his shoulder. "Five bucks says he went for the Wu."
"There's a Shen Gong Wu around here?" Ayane asked, realization hitting her like a brick.
"Well butter my backside and call me a biscuit; I think we've been had." Clay put his hat back on.
"Which way to the Wu?" Ayane asked. "No way I'm letting him get away with playing us."
"It should be right on the other side of that building." Dojo pointed down the street.
Ayane hurriedly turned and sprinted in the direction Dojo had pointed. Faintly aware of the other's following behind her; she darted into a narrow alley hurtling over the occasional trash can. Exiting the alley, Ayane darted through the busy street until she reached Central Park. As she entered the serine park she began to feel a familiar presence. Alex. She felt a broad smile spread across her lips as she raced closer to center of the park. It was Alex, she was sure of it. She didn't know why he was here or even care how he got to New York in the first place. All that mattered now was that she had found him.
Bursting out of the trees Ayane came to a stop and let out a laugh. Stand about thirty feet away Alex stood with his arms across his chest. He was wearing black pants, with a sleeveless black shirt, and white athletic tape wrapped around both hands up to the middle of his forearms. She started to call out to him but her voice got caught in her throat. Standing next to Alex was Chase Young and about half way between Alex and herself, Hannibal stood about six feet tall.
"What going on here?" Jermaine asked once he and the others finally caught up.
"Well, it looks as if we have some company." Chase smiled as he glanced over the group.
"Alex what are ya doing with Chase?" Ayane felt a torrent of emotion wash over her. The joy she had felt a moment ago was replaced with the same dread that had swallowed her when he first left. She noticed Alex glancing at her but he quickly looked away.
"We got Wu dead ahead." Dojo pointed to the tree behind Chase while jumping to the ground. Sitting at the base of tree was an azure orb with the out line of a star on opposite ends. "Look's like the Dimensional Orb. You can't let Hannibal get his hands on it. If he combines that with the Star of Limbo and the third Wu then we're in big trouble."
"Surrender the Shen Gong Wu at once." Omi glared at Chase.
Hannibal laughed and turned to the side so he could see both parties. "Ah'm afraid ah have planes for that Wu; so the only one who's going to take it is me!"
"Sorry, but if any of you want the orb you're gonna have to go through me." Alex took a few steps forward, stuck his hand up and out with his palm towards the sky. Just as a crackle of energy ran up his arm, Alex's hand twitched and a bolt of lightning shot from the sky, nearly incinerating Hannibal who had barely avoided the assault.
As if on cue, everyone made a b-line towards the Wu leaving Ayane to stand by herself. Bob and Clay rushed Hannibal and quickly began to attack the overgrown bean. Jermaine and Omi leapt over to Chase, each taking an opposite side. She found Alex standing by the Wu, carefully watching the battle unfold. She kept her gaze on Alex as she slowly walked in the direction he stood. No matter what was going on she had to talk to him.
Bob lunged at Hannibal but he spun to the left and slapped bob on the back with an overgrown arm, sending him crashing to the ground. Hannibal immediately began to assail Clay and slowly forced him back.
"Loins Talon." Ayane's fingers began to glow green as she sprang forward and lashed out at Hannibal, who jumped back to avoid the attack.
"Thank for the assist." Clay nodded.
"Get outta my way!" Ayane lashed out at Clay, her glowing fingers slashing his shirt as he narrowly avoid being cut by her talons. She hastily heel kicked him on his jaw then sped passed.
Up ahead, Omi threw punch after punch but Chase easily blocked them all. Omi went for a high sidekick however Chase caught his leg and threw him into Jermaine. Hopping over the two fallen warriors Ayane had almost reached Alex when Hannibal landed in front of her and started to fight Chase, forcing her to stop.
"We must get the Shen Gong Wu." Omi climbed to his feet along with Jermaine. "I shall deal with Alex while you get the Dimensional Orb."
"You got it." Jermaine nodded then started forward.
"You want this?" Alex motioned towards the Wu. "You gotta earn it." He dashed at Jermaine and threw a swift hook to the ribs followed by an uppercut which knocked him down.
"Orb of Tornami." Omi held out his signature Wu and a large stream of water jetted out. Alex rolled to his right, avoiding the stream however, Jermaine tackled him from behind. Alex quickly threw an elbow, catching Jermaine on the temple and rolled free. Just as he got back to his feet, Omi jumped forward and landed a harsh blow to the ribs. "Monkey strike."
"Back off chrome dome." Ayane dropkicked Omi on the side of his head and then hurried over to where Alex had landed. "Are you okay?" She reached for his shoulder only to have it shocked away.
"Stay back!" Alex climbed to his feet.
"What's going on? Why are ya doing this?" Behind Alex, Ayane could see Jermaine pick up the Shen Gong Wu, and then head over to Omi.
"Isn't it obvious?" Chase asked. He threw one last, low kick at Hannibal before jumping back and landing next to Alex.
"I've decided to go with Chase," Alex stated plainly.
Ayane shook her head in disbelief, trying to clear her head. "Why would you go with him?"
"I wanted to be the strongest warrior alive so becoming Chase's new apprentice seemed like the best way to get what I want."
"Under my tutelage young Alexander may become just as strong as me; and with him at my side there will be no one to stop me from ruling this world," Chase laughed before turning away. "Come, I think we've finished here."
Ayane watched, dumbfounded as Chase and Alex walked off into the park. Dojo flew passed her with clay on his back and picked up Omi and Jermaine before taking off into the city. Glancing around, she noticed that Hannibal had snuck off again and saw Bob headed towards her.
"You okay?" Bob asked.
"I, I can't believe he joined Chase." Ayane look over at Bob.
"I didn't wanna believe that he'd really left us, but…"
Staring at Bob caused something inside of Ayane to change. She was confused, despondent but slowly she felt those feelings turning into anger. "But nothing," she snapped. Reaching into her backpack, she pulled out the Golden Tiger Claws and opened a portal. "That wasn't Alex; not the Alex we know. The Alex I know relishes the chance to fight, he lives for it, but the whole time he was here I never saw him smile, not even a smirk. I don't know what Chase has done to him but I'm going to find out. I'm going to find Alex and set him free."
"You know I'm with you, but… what if he doesn't want our help?"
Ayane swallowed hard forcing her voice to stay steady. "If he really has turned against everything Rin taught us, then I'll find him and set him free, one way or another."
(-)
A ghastly light washed over the lonesome temple as the full moon began its slow climb through the night sky. Chase Young walked briskly down the long path that lead to the temple run by his former comrade. After the battle in the park, he had spent most of the day trying to find information about the Dimensional Orb. Questioning Wuya had gained him nothing except another rant about how he should be out getting her more Shen Gong Wu. As annoying as she was, he was beginning to think that she may have had a point. Hannibal had shown an unusual amount of interest in that particular Wu. At the time, Chase was content with just stopping Hannibal from getting it but now something in the back of his mind kept nagging him.
"Are you even listening to me?" He was dragged out of his thoughts by Wuya, who had finally stop complaining and stared at him.
"I'm trying not to." Chase stopped and turned to face her. A few steps behind her Alex stopped and glanced at Wuya.
"Well I was just wondering why we were walking to Monk Guan's temple?" Wuya stepped up to Chase and leaned on his arm. "Are we going to crush him and take his Wu?"
"If you don't know, don't guess." Chase let out a disappointed sigh then pushed her away. "We are here because you can not remember anything about the Dimensional Orb."
"There are thousands of Shen Gong Wu; surely you can't expect me to remember them all?"
"I'm a little curious as ta why we're here myself. We didn't really try to stop the monks from taking it earlier, so I can't imagine that you care that much," Alex said.
Chase looked over at Alex. "Usually I don't but since Hannibal seemed so interested I thought it be might wise to learn what it does. Fifteen hundred years ago Dashi had a scroll with some of the more dangerous Shen Gong Wu listed on it. I have since acquired a portion of that scroll…"
"…But Master Monk Guan has the other piece," Alex finished for him.
"Precisely." Chase nodded before looking back at Wuya. "You will sneak around and find the scroll while we keep Guan busy."
"I don't see why we can't just crush him and take the Wu while we're here," Wuya muttered under her breath.
"Because I said so," Chase snapped. He then turned and motioned for Alex to follow as he resumed walking up the path. She was so much less annoying when she was a disembodied floating ghost. Once he reached the front gate he kicked the large doors open and strolled inside with Alex right behind him. About thirty feet in front of them stood a large group of monks, wearing white robes, and armed with bamboo staffs. Chase simply smirked at the feeble defense and glanced over at Alex. "Take care of them."
"My pleasure." Chase watched while Alex rushed into the center of the monks and began to elegantly dispatch them one by one. A slight smile spread across Chase's face as Alex willingly obeyed him. He knew that Alex had some hidden reason for joining him, but then he also knew what was done to him as a child. He knew exactly what was intended for him before he was taken to the Xiaolin temple all those years ago. So he was willing to allow Alex to play his game, and little by little Chase would coerce him into fully committing to him.
"Enough!"
Glancing over, Chase spotted Master Monk Guan moving towards the battered monks holding the Spear of Guan. Alex lashed out with a string of swift kicks but Guan evaded them all. The Tai Chi master twirled his spear, hitting Alex on the chin, and subsequently thrust his leg straight out onto Alex's the chest. As he stumbled back, Monk Guan planted his spear into the ground and used it to hurl himself forward and kicked Alex hard enough to send him flying back. Just as he hit the ground, Alex rolled through the fall, pushing off the ground with his hands and landed next to chase.
Guan twirled his spear around his neck then stood ready to attack. "Why have you attacked my temple?"
"Because I really don't like monks that much." Alex took a step forward but Chase held out his hand to stop him.
"Is this how you greet an old friend?" Chase mocked. "It's been ages since last we met; you could at least offer some tea."
"And why is it that you have joined Chase Young?" Guan glanced at Alex.
"Why not," Alex responded. "I help him take over the world and he helps me become stronger."
"And you really believe Chase is the answer?"
"What do you think?" Alex held a sarcastic tone in his voice.
"I think you are still searching for something to believe in. I think that you have lost the one guiding light you had and in your grief have turned to one who will simply use you for his own gain." Guan paused for a moment. "I think you are fooling yourself into believing your destiny lies with Chase; and I think that in time you could learn to find what you are looking for here with me."
"Really, you think you have more to offer him than I?" Chase laughed. A movement in the shadows caught his attention. He glanced over and saw Wuya holding a tattered scroll and summoning one of her stone golems. "It was the Xiaolin who destroyed his home and murdered his parents. So between the two of us I'd say I'm the better choice." Chase nodded and smiled as Wuya unleashed her golem. He then motioned for Alex to follow as he turned and strolled out of temple.
"We're not going to crush him?" Wuya asked once she reached Chase and handed him the scroll.
"No." Chase rolled his eyes. They had just reached the doors when the sound of stone crumbling reached his ears.
"Remember Alexander, a warrior is only truly strong when he has something true to be strong for," Guan called out from behind.
Chase noticed Alex hesitate slightly at the monks last words, but he quickly caught up to Chase and fell in line behind him.
(-)
A young man in his mid twenties stared out at the glowing city while sipping some wine from his crystal glass. He wore a white Italian suit with a black tie and shirt. Taking another sip of wine, he smiled, admiring how the city lights reflected off of the water that surrounded his luxurious yacht. The sound of foot steps caused him to turn just as a man in a gray suit entered his well furbished cabin.
"Sir, I have the report you asked for."
Walking across the hardwood floor the man in white sat behind a large mahogany desk and took a beige folder from his subordinate. "I trust you have good news."
"We have finished cataloging the items procured by the opts team and have currently identify several; however we have yet to ascertain how they work."
The man in white nodded. "Magic is never an exact science. Given the difficulty in which these Shen Gong Wu were obtained, I expect there to be a certain learning curve. Have you located the rest?"
"Not yet sir. It seems that the Intel we have is incomplete, as is the case with the file. We know that the monks are gathering the Shen Gong Wu, and that they appear to have supernatural powers. We've also learned that there are a number of factions competing with the monks for the items, but we've yet to learn who and where they are."
Sitting his glass down, the man in white leaned forward on his desk. "I do not like so many variables in my operations. You are to make finding these factions your top priority. I want to know who these people are and if possible I want you to bring me a monk to help fill in the caps." He nodded and waited for his subordinate to leave before turning his chair towards the window.
Ever since he had learned of these mystical Shen Gong Wu he became surprisingly anxious. He had spent weeks trying to find any information about them only to find ancient tales of warrior monks battling stone golems and ancient witches. Now that he was here, gathering such powerful objects, he was even more excited. Soon, very soon he would take what he needed and make their power his, as was his birth right. All he had to do was wait just a little bit longer. Just long enough to clear the only thing left on his path to unimaginable glory, the Xiaolin Monks.