Kimiko opened her eyes to see a pair of brown eyes staring back at her. As her vision came into focus she realized that it was a man that those eyes belonged to. She was about to ask what was going on when he turned away.
"They're starting to wake up."
"Ok Gus."
Kimiko head started to hurt. The man, Gus, smiled at her kindly.
"Don't worry; the effects will wear off soon."
Kimiko tried to rub her head but found that her arms were pinned to her side. She looked down see that she was chained up.
"Well those won't wear off as quickly I'm afraid."
As Gus walked off Kimiko heard a soft moan, she turned her head to see Clay lying to her right, she turned the other way to see Omi, also chained up. Past Omi, Dojo was lying, chained to a stake with a strange metal collar round his neck.
"Omi, Clay, you guy's alright?"
"Pretty much."
"Me too but where are we?"
Kimiko, realizing that her legs were still free, managed to sit up and look around.
"We're still in the gorge."
"I see that the others have woken up as well."
Kimiko looked over to see Gus standing with three other people. For some reason they seemed familiar to her. Clay and Omi by then were able to sit up as a brown haired girl turned to face them. Omi began trying to break out of his chain. This brought a smile to her face.
"Don't bother; these chains are made to last and for good measure have also been spelled to suppress elemental abilities."
"As a Xiaolin warrior, I demand that you release us and hand over the Wu."
She giggled at this before pausing as if to think.
"Now what Wu could you be talking about?"
A girl with black hair pulled out a medallion with a blue gem in the centre.
"Could they be meaning this?" she asked as she twisted the gem.
"SHEN GONG WU ALERT! SHEN GONG WU ALERT!"
Dojo started twitching and shaking as if he was having a fit.
This went on for a while until the brunette glared slightly at the black haired girl.
"Alright Diane, they get the point, turn that thing off before you give the dragon an apoplexy."
Diane sighed and twisted the gem back. Dojo suddenly stopped shaking.
"You're the boss, Veata."
When Dojo recovered he looked shocked.
"A false Wu talisman!"
"A what?"
"False Wu Talismans are medallions specifically made to emit the same signal as a Shen Gong Wu that has revealed it self."
"You mean we came here on a wild Duck chase."
"That's wild goose chase, Omi but yea you did," Veata replied.
Diane bent over and looked at Omi.
"You know it's a pity Raimundo isn't as capable as you, if he was we would have beaten him sooner."
Kimiko gasped, having just realized where she had seen them before.
"You're the ones that ambushed Rai in the forest."
Diane clapped mockingly.
"Bravo, give the girl a prize. Though really it was Veata here who did most of the fighting."
"You low down side winders!"
"Now, now Clay, we didn't force you to leave Raimundo behind."
Clay and Kimiko looked down in guilt, remembering that they had willing left Rai behind so that they could get the Wu.
Omi looked at his captures defiantly.
"Raimundo will never join the Order."
The members of the order were slightly taken aback by this. Veata was the first to speak.
"So you know who we are and what our business with Rai is?"
"That's right we do," Kimiko snapped "and if you think you're going to use us to force Rai to join, think again!"
Veata raised her eyebrow at this. Diane stood up and joined Gus and the other man. Veata crouched and faced the monks. Her stare seem to go straight through them. She kept a voice even and cool.
"Firstly, we do not force anyone to join us; if they are deemed worthy they join out of their own free will. Secondly, if you three really knew Rai, you would know that no good ever comes from forcing him to do anything."
Kimiko looked away almost in guilt, remembering when Master Fung had ordered the Monks to leave the temple when Mala Mala Jong was formed and the events that followed. She's right, forcing Rai has disastrous consequences. Veata stood back up.
"And thirdly, this has nothing to do with Rai, you four have violated the Sirroco treaty."
Dojo's eyes went wide.
"No way, I repeat no way are you going to be able to use the Treaty against us."
"Whoa Dojo, back up, what is the treaty?"
"When the Order and The Temple agreed to a truce, it was thought that it would be best if the terms were in writing to avoid confusion, from that the treaty was formed and signed by both parties."
"And what does that have to do with us?"
Veata sighed.
"Scott, would you enlighten our friends."
Scott stepped forward. He pulled out a piece of parchment.
"Section 33 of the Treaty states that the Order reserves the right to approach any one that it has deemed worthy and offer them a place in the Order. Any actions that are involved in making this offer, including but not limited to Ordeals, offers and guidance, must be allowed to take place unhindered."
Veata turned back to the monks.
"Precisely and when you attacked us in the forest, you interfered with Rai's Ordeal."
Dojo's jaw dropped.
"But Rai is part of the temple."
"Section 34, any person can be approached by the Order regardless of gender, race, beliefs or past affiliations."
"And where in the treaty does it justify you setting a trap and chaining us up like this?" Kimiko asked.
"Section 14, if individuals have violated this treaty, then just punishment must be taken by the temple or group they have allegiance with, however if just action has not been taken with in a reasonable amount of time, then the wronged party reserve the right to take what ever action is deemed necessary so that justice is administered."
Kimiko looked at the guy, only having met him a few minute ago but already wanting to rearrange his face.
"You know, no one likes a know-it-all."
Omi looked at Kimiko confused.
"But Kimiko, I know all."
"Yeah but we've learned to tolerate you."
"So what are you going to do with us then?" Clay asked.
"Well the first thing is that we are going to return the Shen Gong Wu you were carrying to your temple, they still belong long to the temple, except for the Orb of Tornami and the Star Hanibi, you used them against us and as such their fate will be decided along side your's."
"Once that is done we will decide on how best to commence your trial."
At this the members of the Order walked off.
The monks looked at each other and couldn't help but gulp.
---
The Order members walked until they were sure that they were out of earshot. Scott held the bag they had put all the Shen Gong Wu in.
"So I'll go now."
Veata took the bag off of Scott.
"No, I'll go."
Everyone stared at Veata.
"Veata, the plan had been that I take the Wu back to the temple and notify them that we have those four in our custody while You, Gus and Diane stay here."
"That plan wasn't based on Raimundo being left behind when we set the trap. We were told to stick religiously to the treaty on this mission. According to the treaty he is now the one we have to notify and hand the Wu to."
Scott raised an eyebrow.
"And why is that such a big deal?"
"Because the person that takes back the Wu will probably have some alone time with Raimundo," Diane interjected, grinning cheekily.
Veata glared at Diane. Great Veata thought bitterly the only other girl in my team and I had to get the one that plays matchmaker.
Veata realized that the guys were also giving her strange looks. At this she held out the bag to Scott.
"Alright fine," She replied out of frustration, "let's stick to the old plan; you go to the temple and find Raimundo, who reconnaissance says is already in a bad mood, tell him that we are currently holding his friends prisoner while at the same time handing him Wu that he's all too apt at using."
It took a moment for the concept to sink in. Scott inched back from the bag.
"Maybe its best if you go instead," he replied shakily, Veata could almost see the images of what Rai would do to him roll through his mind.
"That's sounds like good idea, how clever of you to think of it. Are there any objections to Scott's plan?"
Veata turned to Diane, who was still grinning but this time almost dreamily. Veata sighed.
"Any objections from people that want to see Scott come back in one piece?"
Gus stepped forward.
"I guess that leaves me and no I don't."
"Alright, I'll be off then, keep an eye on the monks."
Veata pulled the golden tiger claws.
"I'll be able to use the golden tiger claws to get there but I'll have take the way back on wind so it will take a while."
Veata sliced open portal.
"Oh and Diane, no tormenting them."
Diane pouted as Veata stepped through the portal. When the portal closed, Scott pulled a deck of cards out of his sleeve.
"Ok," he said shuffling the cards, "who's up for 'go fish'?"
---
Rai sat in his cubical, listening to his music. He had managed to clean up the mess that Omi had made. He also had realized that he may have over reacted with them. Sure Omi trashed my room, again, and the rest of the temple seems to be treating me like I need to be baby sat but I havn't been too honest with them either. As soon as they get back I'll accept what ever lamebrain apology and excuse they give me and then I'll apologies for my behavior .That sounds pretty fair.
Rai checked the clock on his MP3 player. Where are they anyway? Even when there's a showdown it doesn't usually take this long to either get the Wu or lose it to Jack.
Rai felt they wind pick up. He stepped out of his cubical to see Veata standing there, bag in one hand, golden tiger claws in the other, hair messed and looking a tad disorientated. What she doing with them, unless...
"Man what a rush, how do you use this thing without your head spinning?"
"It takes some getting used to. Now are you going to tell what you are doing with the Golden tiger claws or are will I have to make the rest of you start spinning?"
Veata turned to face Rai, apparently only just realizing he was there.
"Oh hi Rai, there you are, I was about to come find you."
"I will ask you again, what are you doing with the golden tiger claws?"
Veata look away nervously for a few moments.
"Do you want the truth or the legal gibberish version."
Rai cracked his knuckles threateningly.
"Ok, truth it is, because of your friends interference with your ordeal, the Order has decided to invoke the Sirroco treaty."
Rai cocked an eyebrow. Veata stare at him almost pleadingly.
"Please don't make me explain the Treaty, its bad enough listening to Scott talk about it.
Rai's eyebrow stayed cocked. Veata slapped her self in the forehead.
"Ok, the SparkNotes of it is we are keeping them and the Wu they used against us in custody until we decide what punishment. The rest I'm returning now."
Veata move her hand from her face to see Rai's clenching his fists so hard his knuckles were turning white. Veata backed away slowly, dropping both the bag and the golden tiger claws. Rai started closing the distance. Veata soon found her self with her back against a wall.
"You have no right bringing my friends into this."
"This isn't my call, Rai and if the temple had done what the Treaty tells them to do, we wouldn't be doing this."
Veata let out a small yelp when Rai foot went into the wall, inches from her head.
"Get out now, or the next time I won't miss."
Veata quickly vanished. The chill that it sent down Rai's spine brought him out of his current mind set and got a small voice going in his head. Dude, why did you let her go? Because, with her ability to change into the wind I can't restrain her even if I wanted to. Rai pocketed the golden tiger claws and opened the bag to find some more of the temple's Wu inside. Ok, now what, the golden tiger claws aren't any use because I don't know where they are. Not being able to think off any other solution, he went off to find the one guy he didn't really want to face right now.
---
Rai ran into the meditation hall to see Master Fung and some of the other monks meditating.
"TheOrderhasgottherestofthedragons," Rai blurted out all at once.
Master Fung raised an eyebrow but smiled kindly.
"Perhaps you would like to try again and this time, speak slower."
"The Order of Sirroco have the captured the rest of the dragons."
Master Fung eyes widened.
"You know of the Order?"
"Listen, it turns out the ambush in the forest had actually been a test, now because the dragons had stopped it, the order is now saying that they have violated something call the 'Sirroco treaty'."
The monks murmured amongst themselves. Master Fung kept his face blank.
"Have they returned our Shen Gong Wu?"
"Yeah I left them in the sleeping quarters."
"Very well," Master Fung turned to one of the monks, "go and retrieve the Shen Gong Wu."
The monk left. Master Fung seemed to be in his own thoughts. Rai, trying to be patient, tried to bring Master Fung back to the topic.
"So what's the plan to rescue them?"
"We will not."
"What!"
"We will send an envoy, requesting the release of our monks."
"An envoy?"
Rai stared at Master Fung disbelief.
"If they are correct, then we are currently at fault. We must not violate it any further."
"So we are just going to leave them in the Order's grasp."
"Come on Master Fung, I can save them, I know I can."
Instead of answering Master Fung turned to another monk.
"Please escort Raimundo to the sleeping quarters and make sure he doesn't leave."
The monk led a disheartened Rai out of the meditation hall. Once they were out of sight of the rest of the rest of the monks, he looked at the young monk and couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"I am sorry but this is for the best," he told Rai sympathetically.
"I am sorry as well."
"For what?"
Rai buffeted the monk with a gust of wind, sending him flying into a nearby bush.
"That," Rai replied flatly to the unconscious monk.
Rai pulled out the golden tiger claws and sliced open a portal.
I'd rather take my chances with where the golden tiger claws may take me than with Master Fung's stupid envoy.