Chapter 6
Three for Three
When Chase and Jack arrived at the location of the next wu Jack found himself sitting on hard rock. Uncomfortable, he leapt to Chase's shoulder, both to avoid the rocks and get a better view. Once situated, Jack glanced around to see where they were. A small craggy mountain in front of them a large crumbling cliff behind them. The scenery was beautiful complete with light vegetation and mountain goats climbing the side. It was peaceful and thump "Chase?"
Wuya was in an undignified heap on the ground. Chase sneered, "Wuya, you look even fouler than usual. I see you decided not to take my advice." Wuya glared up at the two as she stood and tried to brush herself off but only succeed in searing the muck caked on her dress and skin. "Should I even both telling you not to fall off of a cliff? or will you do so just to spite me?" Wuya huffed and once again stomped off again in response, forgetting that she wasn't wearing shoes. Jack waited until a shriek of rage filled the before grinning and leaping carefully off of Chase's shoulder. With a lazy salute of his tail, he was off to find the newest wu. Jack stayed as a cat this time because he found it easier to find a foothold. It was almost like the practice room as Jack leapt from rock to rock until he found a small crevice that glinted as he walked by. Jack unhesitatingly crawled into the wu he was looking a small bracelet with dark etchings and a glinting red ruby on the side. He grabbed it in his mouth ready to snag another easy victory only to feel himself being yanked up by his tail. Jack gritted his teeth forcing himself to not to drop the wu as he readied his claws. "Not so fast cat. You won't be sneaking away with the wu this time."
"No, but it seems like the purrrfect time for me to do it. "
Suddenly there were three people grabbing a glowing wu and Jack found himself staring at Katnappe, Omi, and Raimundo.
It was Omi who cried "Katnappe, cat with no name, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown. The game is last one standing wins. My Orb of Tornami, and Raimundo's Sword of the Storm against Katnappe's Golden Tiger Claws and No name's Mountain Echo."
The scene shifted, and suddenly the four found themselves on Several levels of shifting floating rocks large enough for just two people to stand on. They called out the battle cry and Omi lept for Ashley as Raimundo went for Jack. Jack seemed to taunt Raimundo by jumping from rock to rock ,never pausing long enough for Rai to get a clear shot at him. As Rai got more frusterated he also got more reckless using his wind to chase after the cat. High above on an audience rock Chase smirked as Jack activated his wu using it to throw a voice saying "Watch Out!" Causing Rai to pivot and look for the source of the voice as Omi's water torrent to hit him in the back as it missed Katnappe. Raimundo fell and soon found himself wet and in the audience box. Jack smirked and moved on to the next battle. He waited patiently for Katnappe to come his way then sat on a rock just in front of her and gave her his best, "I'm a cute kitty pet me!" look. Katnappe cooed as she took the bait and reached for him. Jack quickly moved forward and snatched the Golden Tiger Claws and dodged the incoming water blast. He then used the Claws to appear behind Omi and shift So he could give the yellow monk a sharp kick to the back of the head before Katnappe was even fully off the stage. As Omi and Katnappe fell Jack landed hood up and wu in hand. Quickly he leapt back from the monks to land beside a smug Chase. "Well done my apprentice. Is that the third time?"
"Three for three master, just like you asked."
Frustrated beyond reason, it was Kimiko who shouted, "Who are you?!"
Jack grinned beneath his hood and the monks saw a glint of red. "You know who I am." Said a low voice cryptically before, with a wave of his tail, both he and Chase disappeared.
The monks stared at the spot where the two villains once were. "Did Chase just say that was his apprentice?" Rai asked. Omi and Kimiko both nodded as they mechanically moved towards Dojo.
"And he says that we know him. But it's not Katnappe." Kimiko nudged the knocked out girls with her foot, "Who else do we know with a tail?" As they flew away from the mountain Clay inwardly smirked at the knowledge that Jack would be a formidable enemy. Since the rest would never believe him he was content to wait in anticipation for them to find out on their own.
When they reappeared at the castle Jack was tired and more than ready to take a bath and rinse off all the dirt and sweat he'd worked up throughout the day. Chase was extremely pleased and ready to reward him. "This was quite a day, and quite a successful one at that Pet. I believe you are entitled to a reward for all your hard work. Follow me."
Tired dirty and hungry Jack still followed Chase without complaint as they weaved through the winding halls. Jack was almost asleep on his feet when the air around him started to feel warmer and steam drifted past his nose. Quickly, he looked up and saw that he was in a large beautiful bath area. The was streaming and more seemed to constantly flow in from to large gaping dragons carved on both sides. Jack stood stunned as he took in the beauty of the smooth white steamy area. Soon though he felt a tugging at his clothes. Startled he looked down to see Chase tugging off his shoes. Concerned but too tired to care he let Chase undress him completely, moving only to help remove a piece of clothing. Jack was naked, Chase swept him into his arms and moved slowly into the warm water. Jack closed his eyes in bliss at the warm water relaxing his muscles and the stream warmed his lungs. Soon He was practically asleep on the warm body behind him as a warm soapy hand moved over his tired body. A warm… soapy… hand? Jack's eyes shot open and he found himself staring into the amber eyes of his master. Jack was too tired to flinch and instead just rose an inquiring eyebrow. Chase chuckled, "It is a man's job to care for his pet, is it not?" Jack was too tired to care and was happy to let the, he blushed, very naked dragon lord do as he pleased.
He must have fallen asleep because when he next opened his groggy eyes he was being tucked into soft silk sheets. A hand swept gently through his hair and he heard Chase whisper in his ear. "Sleep my pet, you deserve a rest. Tomorrow you shall get your reward."
And so with a smile Jack dropped off to sleep.