A/N= Sorry for the short chapters, I will try and extend them.
Departure and a surprise.
"Welcome back o mighty dragon of lightning. Where have thou been? Perhaps you have a gripping tale to tell?" Aaron said in the red tunic and black trousers all the members of the team wore, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He was skipping his allotted time to meditate, again.
"Just to the village to trade our sacred sweet potatoes for fine robes." Zinira replied also adding a hint of sarcasm. Aaron was always up for a crusade of wits. He was the dragon of metal and had come from a wealthy family in London. Despite his background, he was no snobbish brat. He cared for others and was relaxed pretty much all the time. He had the ability to control all things metal; he could alter the shape of the metal and send it flying to the nearest bad guy. He had dark blond hair up to mid back neck and twinkling blue eyes that were more than often filled with curiosity. He had a keen interest in engineering and was always looking at how things worked, right down to the locks in doors. He was seventeen. Aaron asked,
"Well, was there anything interesting in the news?" Both he and Rose knew about Robin. Zinira chucked him the newspaper with the article that had caught her interest.
"Here. I'm going to put the robes away, back in a sec." She put the robes away and the rest of the newspapers beside the stove to fuel the fire. When she got back to the hall where Aaron was she found Rose looking over Aaron's shoulder to see the article herself. She was the dragon of plants; she could manipulate them in various ways. From making them grow to enormous sizes to wrapping vines around enemies. She had come from the USA like Zinira but had no parent's and was raised in an orphanage until master monk Guan stepped in. She was the youngest of the team at fifteen and was the first one to be chosen by the ancient scroll out of the trio at the age of seven. She had sea green eyes and dark thick red hair that was ridiculously long. It came to her knee's when it was down but most of the time it was in an abundant plait up to her bum, the same type of plait Zinira had for her long fine black hair. Only, that came to her mid spine and was nowhere near as impressive. Rose had gotten her name because of her hair. When she had been left at the orphanage's doorstep, she had not been given a name. So the people working there decided to call her rose since her hair was the same shade as a rose. Zinira could tell from the mud on Rose's knees that she had been gardening with Chen. He was a monk that used to travel the world exploring for new plants and discovering their properties. Rose had an intense passion for nature and enjoyed her sessions with Chen. They noticed Zinira come in, Rose was the first to speak,
"Sounds like your little brother has been busy." Her voice was like a water fountain, so light and peaceful. She scanned Zinira's face, her brow furrowed slightly.
"What's wrong Zinira?" Being the most sensitive of the team she instantly recognised Zinira troubled. Aaron also was now analysing her. Zinira was contemplating telling them her plans. They may not even work considering she needed some Shen Gong Wu and master monk Guan may not allow it. Zinira decided to tell them, they were pretty much family to Zinira.
"I've decided I'm leaving… to see my brother." Zinira said hesitantly. Both Aaron and Rose wore shocked expressions. Aaron was the first to recover,
"Well since you're the most stubborn girl I know, when do we leave?" He said in a cheerful tone.
"What do you mean we?" said Zinira suspiciously.
"Well seeing as we are the evolutionary dragon warriors and we will always be a team plus best friends I can't let you have all the fun. What about you Rose?"
"I'm coming too." She said adamantly. Now it was Zinira's turn to look shocked. She had not foreseen this.
"But… we can't all leave. What about protecting Shen Gong Wu and keeping the Heylin side at bay?" Zinira said exasperated.
"One, you know the other dragon warriors have everything under control. Two, master monk Guan and the other monks are very capable at defending the Shen Gong Wu since there is hardly anybody left on the Heylin side. Three, it will be really easy to keep in contact just in case something goes wrong, use Shen Gong Wu and we are back here in an instant! Me and Rose are not needed here either." He smiled overruling my objection with logic.
"You would really come with me? Rose are you sure? This temple is more your home than either of us, do you really want to leave?" Zinira said focusing on Rose.
"It is about time that went to see the outside world, or as they say fly from the nest. I am really curious of the world outside these temple walls, I have only seen glimpses of it when we collect Shen Gong Wu and my memories of when I was a child are dim. So yes I really do want to go with you and it's not like I won't ever come back here, I can visit any time I feel homesick." Rose said with a serene smile. Tears were threatening to build in Zinira's eyes realising what they both would do for her, after keeping her breathing in check and calmed herself she said to them both,
"Thank you so much"
"No problem, I was getting bored with no Heylin but to kick anyway." Aaron shrugged. "So what Shen Gong Wu are we taking and when are we telling Guan?"
"Hopefully, he will let us take the golden tiger claws and the lost compass." Zinira glanced out the window at the setting sun. "I shall tell him tomorrow."
"Cool. Looks like we've got a busy day tomorrow. I've just got one quire, how are we going to get about when we get there? Wouldn't it be best to bring the shifting sphere as well?"
"Well, we will see what master monk Guan says tomorrow."
"What if he says no?" said Rose in a quiet voice. The three were silent. All of knew that Guan was fair but strict, especially about Shen Gong Wu.
"We shall see what tomorrow brings." Zinira said solemnly. Both Aaron and Rose knew that look on Zinira's face. I t was the look of determination and nothing was going to get in her way. She would walk all the way to America if she had to. After they all said goodnight, Aaron went to the men's quarters. Rose and Zinira went to the female quarters. Rose slept in the next cubicle to Zinira. Once they were ready for bed and lay on their mats on the floor, Rose said,
"Good night Zinira, hope the shadow of fear doesn't stalk your dreams."
"You too Rose, goodnight." Both of them drifted into a sound sleep.
The next morning… at five am.
Zinira was in the training courtyard performing her daily Tia Chi. She had learned a lot from master monk Guan and had gone even further into the practice, gaining the ability to manipulate Chi. She loved Tia Chi; it gave her control over her powers. Her limbs flowed through the motions and her breath always steady. After her Tai Chi, at around six, she found Rose and Aaron at the breakfast table. Rose was having her usual vegetarian selection of fruit and Aaron was munching down on an English traditional egg and sausage sandwich. Zinira made a bowl of porridge and sat next to her teammates.
"When today are you going to tell Guan?" Aaron asked looking up from his weekly cars magazine that his parents sent him.
"This afternoon, after training." Replied Zinira.
Before training however they had chores so the three were split up for some time but came together again for warm ups before training. They used to do stretch together but not anymore. Thanks to Kimiko, Zinira had become fanatic over urban dancing. She had first seen it on a device Kimiko had and was fascinated. Sure Zinira could still do gravity defying stunts from her time at Haley's circus but this street dancing was different. It wasn't about routine, it was expressing yourself. Totally the opposite from Tai Chi. After Kimiko saw how much Zinira was interested, she bought Zinira a music player that played music out loud and had videos of people performing urban dancing for Christmas. Ever since then, Zinira spent whatever free time she had learning how to dance, which was quite a lot since she did not need to sleep as much due to her powers increasing. Soon Rose had an idea. Why don't they incorporate it into their training and did it together as a team building exercise. So from then on they found a quite part of the temple, where they wouldn't disturb any of the other monks, and used street dancing as a warm up exercise. Aaron in particular found that he had gained some agility but was nothing compared to Zinira who could bend over backwards and touch the floor with her hands whilst her feet were still on the floor.
That afternoon's training session was facing the Shen Gong Wu sweet baby among us who had been given the tangle web comb to make the training exercise that bit more difficult. After a while, Rose redirected the combs wires along with using her own element to tangle the giant golden baby up, which allowed Aaron and Zinira to deliver the final blow together.
"Well done, dragon of plants, combing your element with the Shen Gong Wu was a good idea" Master Monk Guan praised Rose. Rose returned it with blushing cheeks. "You have all done well. Let us have a drink." He continued. Once they were all sitting down having green tea Zinira thought it would be the best time to tell master monk Guan their plans.
"Master, we have all made a decision. We would like to go to America. We would still keep in touch and wouldn't hesitate to come back any time." Zinira said sincerely.
"And we need some Shen Gong Wu… please?" Aaron injected. A tick mark formed over Zinira's forehead. Whatever happened to wait and see what he said? After Guan had processed what they had said he replied,
"Why do you wish to go to America?"
"Because I need to fulfil a promise I made long ago." Zinira said whilst staring at her tea cup.
"And me and Rose want to tag along." Aaron said chirpily. Master Monk Guan studied Zinira for a while then finally said,
"Very well, you will stop by master Fung's temple to arrange with Kimiko on how you will keep in touch and I shall select the Shen Gong Wu you will take. But I want you all to swear secrecy not to tell anybody about the Shen Gong Wu or let them fall into others hands; as those with evil in their hearts will flank the heylin side." All of the dragon warriors promised they would keep the Shen Gong Wu a secret. "Go and pack your things and I shall choose the Shen Gong Wu you shall take." All of them bowed to master monk Guan and departed.
Zinira had little to pack; a few clothes that she had got whilst shopping with Kimiko and Rose were included. Zinira shuddered at the memory of spending nine hours going through clothes store after clothes store. Rose and Kimiko had thoroughly enjoyed themselves though. Both Aaron and Zinira were both ready but Rose took a little longer. She was saying goodbye to Chen and the temple which she had come to call home. Once they were all ready, they made their way to the main hall of the temple. Master Monk Guan had laid some Shen Gong Wu out on a long wooden table and a brown cotton satchel that went over the shoulder.
"You will take the golden tiger claws to go wherever you will and the lost compass so you may always find us. Additionally you will take one Shen Gong Wu each of your choice, choose wisely." Zinira looked over the many Shen Gong Wu on the table. She settled for the eye of Dashi as it would be useful in dire circumstances to boost her own powers. She placed the necklace with the ruby around her neck and stepped back.
"Sports cars here I come." Aaron said enthusiastically choosing the sphere shifter, picking up a silver metal ball the size of a tennis ball and putting it his pocket. Rose was contemplating then she found one she wanted reaching out for the golden roman styled Wushu helmet. Master monk Guan put the golden tiger claws and the lost compass in the satchel and handed it to Rose.
"Your style of fighting is defensive whilst both Aaron and Zinira are offensive. You will be the best candidate to keep the Shen Gong Wu safe if it ever came to that. Both Zinira and Aaron will protect you, I have no doubt about that, so you can protect the Shen Gong Wu." Master monk Guan who had had his hand reassuringly on Roses shoulder let go and faced them all. "Good luck on your quest I hope our paths will cross again." They all thanked him and stepped outside with their backpacks on their shoulders plus one satchel, waving goodbye. Rose handed the golden tiger claws and the lost compass who combined the Wu together so they would be teleported to the person she needed to see again. Zinira concentrated on her brother then slashed through the air creating a wormhole that would teleport them. She held onto Aaron's hand who in turn held Rose's hand. As they walked through the wormhole, Rose was the last one to see master monk Guan waving at them as Zinira determinedly lead them through the vortex.
A/N: Wow two updated in a week, I'm in a roll. I know that shaolin monks don't eat meat but in the cartoon xiaolin showdown they do. I just couldn't picture Aaron as the vegetarian type. I've just found out that there will be a continuation of xiaolin showdown called xiaolin chronicles which looks a bit… well, meh. All the readers of this fic will you let me know which side would you like to see more, xiaolin showdown or young justice? Do you want bad guys like Chase stepping in when Zinira returns to the USA? Or shall I just shut up and keep xiaolin showdown in the background whilst she is in the USA? R&R.
Shen Gong Wu properties.
Lost compass= finds whatever you're looking for.
Shifting sphere= Morphs into various non-magical items.
Golden tiger claws= slash open a wormhole in the space, allowing the user to transport themselves to any location they choose.
Tangle web comb= shoots out a string of hair from the teeth and binds the target.
Sweet baby among us= it becomes a golden baby-like giant with a large amount of strength, it also can fire gold sheets from its diaper, wrapping up anything it's directed at.
Eye of Dashi= It is a pendant, with a red ruby in the centre, that releases bolts of electricity and generates unlimited power into a desired object.
Wushu helmet= protects its wearer by deflecting attacks.