Raimundo POV
"It's somewhere down there…" Dojo sniffed but then sneezed violently, throwing us off his back and barely catching us again. "It's hard to be exact… What with the allergies and all."
It was pretty much a normal day for us Xiaolin monks… chasing after the next Shen Gong Wu that revealed itself with our green detector dragon, Dojo. The one we were after this time was called the Sword of the Storm… which sounded really cool, especially since wind was my element. I wasn't exactly sure what it did… because I zoned out when Omi was explaining about it, but I was pretty sure it'd be easy to figure out. How hard could it be?
"Just get us on the range Dojo, and we'll do the cow roping." Clay replied in his Texas accent while I positioned myself properly on Dojo's back after being nearly dropped.
"What?" I asked, not getting all his southern metaphors.
"I think he means, get us close and we'll find it." Kimiko translated.
"So… Why didn't he just say it?" I said, almost frustrated that everyone around here always used crazy metaphors. Clay always spouted out some Texas nonsense, while Master Fung used mystical monk speeches… and don't get me started on Omi's word choice. Kimiko was the closest normal person around.
"My, what a vibrant city…" Omi said in admiration.
"Check it out! That's Monte Carlo, Raimundo. You're gonna love it." Kimiko smiled, slapping me lightly on the back.
As soon as we landed, I immediately understood what she meant. The beach and waves were perfect! My kind of town. "Oohoo Yeah… I like it." I said giving it a thumbs up, "This place is almost as good as Rio…. Almost."
"This is not a vacation! We are here to find the Sword of the Storm. Stay focused!" Omi scolded.
"Okay, I will. I'm always focused…" I said absentmindedly, checking out a hot red-head in a killer white bathing suit.
"Also remember… If you have any questions, I am an expert on this Shen Gong Wu." He continued, crossing his arms full of himself as usual.
"Like you'd ever let us forget." I mumbled.
The sound of Dojo sneezing and the sand that blew straight at us from it was followed by him saying, "Sorry kids, I can't hold in on this one. You're on your own."
"A net cast wide catches more fish!" Omi responded, pointing like he said the wisest thing known to man.
"What?" I asked.
"I think he's saying we should split up." Kimiko translated yet again.
"Would it kill you guys to just say what you mean?" I questioned, annoyed at their tendency to turn every English sentence into a riddle.
As soon as we split up, I got my hands on a sweet purple and yellow surfboard, and picked up some sand from the ground letting it slowly slip through my fingers. "I could walk this beach from end to end searching for the Shen Gong Wu… or … I could get the big picture from on top of those waves!" I spoke out loud, looking longingly at the perfect giant waves from the shore, just beckoning me to them.
Even though my logic wasn't exactly… well logical, I knew I'd be stupid to pass up this opportunity.
"Surf's up!" I yelled, running towards the water holding my surfboard over my head. "Raimundo is ready to… Woah..!" I started, but was tripped in mid-sentence by something in the sand.
As I fell over landing on my knees, I glared and muttered, "Aye… Dissed by driftwood…" I took ahold of it with two hands and yanked it out of the ground and falling backwards into a sitting position. What I pulled out was actually a sword… The Shen Gong Wu we were looking for. "No way! The Sword of the Storm! I got some serious skills."
Just then, a shadow fell over me, and I looked up and saw someone just a few feet ahead looking straight at me. Actually… It wasn't just someone; it was a really hot girl but obviously she hadn't come to Monte Carlo for a vacation.
Her hair was magenta and wavy as it fell into a side part and the bangs curled around her heart-shaped face with one strand in the middle while the rest was layered and reached past her lower back. She had intense silver eyes and bright pink lips. She wore a gray overcoat that opened at the torso and was long, passing her knees with white trim creating a skirt-like effect. The shirt underneath it was emerald green, as was her boots and shorts, barely visible underneath the coat.
While I was unconsciously gawking, she said smiling, "Hi there, mind handing over that sword you found? It's really important that I get it."
I shook my head to snap myself out of my daze, and stood up to face her.
"Sorry babe, but this thing isn't just a regular sword. It should only be used by professionals… like me." I replied, giving her my most charming smile.
She gave me a weird look at first, but then laughed and gestured to me saying, "So you must be one of the Xiaolin Monks?"
"Uh… yea! But how did you know?" I questioned, trying to stay focused on what she was saying, and not how she looked.
"Well I might as well tell you since you're going to find out anyway… I'm working for Jack Spicer to collect Shen Gong Wu." She stated, moving a strand of hair back in its place from the light breeze.
"What? You're working for Jack! But why?" I asked appalled.
"Maybe I'll tell you later, but for now I'd just like to finish this job, so if you please?" She replied, holding out her hand.
"Sorry, but no dice." I said, tensing myself for a battle.
"Alright then. My name is Cyra Athalia." She said gesturing to herself.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Raimundo Pedrosa, Xiaolin Dragon of the Wind." I smiled, doing a side flip while introducing myself. Under my breath I muttered, "In training…"
"I hope your ready Raimundo; I'm not going to go easy on you so this might get rough." She mocked playfully, pulling out two knifes from her back.
"I can do rough." I replied smiling, pointing the Sword of the Storm at her and said, "Let's rumble."
Using my wind powers, I flew into the air and dived down at her attempting a flying kick with two legs outstretched, but just as I got to her, she used her left hand to quickly redirect my attack by spinning.
"Where did you learn to do that?" I questioned, impressed at her reflexes and technique as I landed shakily on the ground.
"I may have done some extensive training in Hapkido… nothing much." She grinned, enjoying herself.
Then I rose up my sword and jumped up again, this time to strike with it. She rose up her right hand knife to defend, but as the two weapons were about to make contact, the Sword of the Storm passed right through her blade, and I went sailing over it in shocked confusion.
"Huh…?" I questioned, as I slid through the sand and finally came to a standstill, staring at the sword wondering what happened. Just as I reached for it again, it was suddenly gone, and her shadow was standing over me once again.
"Dragon of the Wind?" She snickered, and started walking away in triumph.
With no hesitation, I rose to my feet and said, "Just because you have the sword doesn't mean this is over."
"No? Sorry Dragon in training, but you've lost this round. Just give up and save yourself some humiliation." She replied.
"Ugh…" I grimaced, and ran at her again. Every time I would kick or punch, she simply redirected my attacks, and finally she tripped me and held one of her blades at my neck.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll see each other again," she whispered, close enough to steal a kiss. Her unknown flowery scent left me woozy, and being that close made my heart hammer like crazy.
"See you Raimundo." She smiled lightly, and took off into the air.