Change of Heart

Author's Note: I do not own Wizards of Waverly Place or Xiaolin Showdown in any way, shape or form.

"Welcome back. I am glad you are safe, Raimundo." Master Fung greeted as Dojo landed in the temple courtyard with his charges.

"Thank you, Master Fung. I wasn't expecting a rescue." Raimundo responded cautiously.

"You are my student and a member of the temple. We would not abandon you. For now, rest." Master Fung answered as Raimundo drooped.

Things around the temple gradually returned to normal; however, Raimundo's behavior was odder than normal. All of his teammates had caught him trying to get into the Shen Gong Wu vault. Master Fung had made it clear when he first removed the wind dragon from missions that Raimundo was not to enter the vault. Any Shen Gong Wu the dragons would use for training were selected by Master Fung and taken out by the blue-vested monk. Raimundo despite his enthusiasm to return to missions showed no indication that he was attempting to solve his powers problem besides strange subtle questions seemingly designed to find out how Harper took them the first time. He had not even told Master Fung exactly how Harper took them so no one could even answer the questions. His skill with his favorite and most used Shen gong Wu, the Sword of the Storm, was not quite as good as it had been. The strength of his attacks with the sword was no stronger than Clay's with the sword. Dojo had explained the strengthening elemental affinity could produce as they had gone to rescue Raimundo. They had all noticed they were stronger with certain Shen gong Wu but somehow Raimundo's affinity had disappeared. He always managed to avoid his elemental training by claiming chores or research though he never left the temple.

Two months later, the final clue showed up through a stranger in purple robes and a hat in a purple painted pointed shape. The stranger with a long snowy white beard entered the temple and found a random monk near the entrance.

"Hello, my name is Professor Crumb and I'm looking for Raimundo. Would you mind finding him for me?" the stranger asked having introduced himself.

"Certainly. Excuse me." The monk agreed and walked into the temple's main building. He ran into Master Fung as he searched.

"Have you seen Raimundo?" the monk asked politely.

"No. It's the dragon's free period. May I ask why you seek him?" Master Fung asked.

"An elderly gentleman has come to see him. He called himself Professor Crumb. He wore very strange robes."

"Continue searching for Raimundo. I will go find what the Professor needs from our young dragon." Master Fung answered. This professor sounded like a wizard.

"Hello, my name is Master Fung. My companion is searching for him but I wished to introduce myself and find out the reason for your visit. The temple and Raimundo have many enemies who can easily disguise themselves." Master Fung said as he reached the front gate.

"I thought you would know. Raimundo and I figured out a compromise for his problem. He said he was returning to confirm the arrangements with you but he never returned with word. I have not seen him for two months."

"He told me nothing of this." Master Fung answered in shock.

"Really?"

"I have had my suspicions for some time now. Raimundo was kidnapped just as he returned to the temple two months ago. He was rescued but many things have caused me to question whether it is actually Raimundo my students rescued."

"There may be a way to check." Professor Crumb answered and the two planned.

"Hello, Raimundo." Master Fung greeted fifteen minutes later as Raimundo exited the temple.

"Hello, Master Fung. A monk told me to come to the entrance."

"Yes, Raimundo. I wanted you to meet a friend of mine. I explained your problem and he informed me he is a wizard. His name is Professor Crumb. He mentioned a solution which I mentioned to you before. Do you remember?"

"Um . . . . yes. The . . . . uh . . . . " Raimundo answered nervously.

"The ceremony?" Professor Crumb suggested.

"Yes, of course. The ceremony to get rid of my powers. Did you start preparing?" Raimundo asked as confidently as his nervousness allowed.

"Not yet. You said you wished to inform your fellow dragons of their part yourself."

"I did . . . . um . . . . tell you that I'd tell them . . . . "

"They would need to use their elemental gifts to pull out the powers." Professor Crumb finished innocently pretending he didn't notice Raimundo's struggle to answer.

"Right. I'll tell them at training today." Raimundo agreed.

"Tell who what?" Omi asked from behind Raimundo.

"You, Clay, and Kimiko." Raimundo answered, turning around to find them all standing there. "I need your help in this ceremony to get rid of my powers. Ri- "

"But Master Fung, didn't we suggest using our elemental affinities to pull out the powers? You said it wouldn't work. Raimundo's wizard powers wouldn't connect to the elements." Clay interrupted.

"Yes you did and that is what I told you." Master Fung answered.

"Is there even a plan?" Raimundo asked.

"Yes but it will not rid him of his powers. It will just limit the time he has to spend with his biological parents and away from the temple." Professor Crumb answered.

"We decided to test you once I heard you had not visited the professor or mentioned the plan to me. Who are you?" Master Fung continued, watching Raimundo.

"How clever. I walked into that." 'Raimundo laughed as he changed into a familiar small orangeish-brown little bean shaped creature.

"Hannibal Bean." Omi said angrily.

"Where's Raimundo?" Kimiko demanded.

"Wuya's taking care of him." Hannibal Bean smirked.

"If you've hurt him." Clay threatened.

"We wouldn't. At least not until we get his powers. Such a waste of time." Hannibal Bean said and held up the Changing Chopsticks which he used to shrink himself and dashed out of the temple.

"Master Fung, can we use the sword again?" Clay asked.

"Maybe, young dragon but I doubt Raimundo was moved. You must hurry back to the castle. I suspect it is where our young dragon is still held but he will not remain for long." Master Fung answered.

The dragons nodded and mounted Dojo to rush off and rescue their friend.

Raimundo had been confused and a bit worried when Wuya started meeting him alone.

"So, have you changed your mind?" Wuya asked into his ear the first time she came in.

"No."

"Your friends stopped by. They didn't stick around long. Seems they just wanted to make sure we kept you out of their hair. They don't want you." Wuya said, smiling delightfully as Raimundo's hopeful expression fell.

Wuya left Raimundo to stew over her words. She returned an indeterminable time later, and asked if he'd changed his mind. This happened again and again.

Raimundo started to lose hope. He was starting to believe the witch and was horrified to realize how close to breaking he was.

Luckily, before he did something happened, Wuya rushed into his cell one day but this time she was not alone.

"We're taking a little trip." Wuya greeted nervously.

"Hurry up. They'll be here any minute." Hannibal Bean demanded behind her.

"Now I see. They did come but you pretended to be me. That's why they didn't come." Raimundo laughed in relief having seen the Moby Morpher clutched in the bean creature's grasp.

"I wouldn't be so happy about it. It took them two months to figure it out. They don't know you too well and none of them apologized." Hannibal Bean snapped, wiping the smile off the Brazilian boy's face.

Wuya moved forward to unchain their captive for the trip. Despite his weakness after being held so long, Raimundo struggled hoping to stall them.

The door burst open in a rush of water just before they reached it.

"Let our friend go." Clay demanded, entering the dark bedroom Raimundo had been left in.

Kimiko didn't wait for a response. She ran up and kicked Wuya's hands. The witch dropped the teen who was helped to his teammates' sides by the fiery dragon warrior as Clay shook the earth by pounding it with the Fist of Tebigong in the villain's direction. Hannibal Bean used the Changing Chopsticks to shrink again and escape. Wuya knew she was lost and threw the chair Raimundo had been tied to. She snuck out as they dodged.

"My friend, are you well?" Omi asked anxiously as Raimundo reached him.

"I guess. Who told you?" Raimundo asked wearily.

"It was an accident. Kimiko pointed a truth Shen Gong Wu at me." Dojo answered trying to defend himself.

"Whatever. I need to get back to the temple and talk to Master Fung." Raimundo said, avoiding any more questions.

The ride home was silent at Raimundo's request.

The next few days were busy for Raimundo. He spent most of his time working with Jerry and Professor Crumb on scheduling the magic lessons and preparing to take Justin's and Max's powers. When he was at the temple, he avoided contact as much as possible with all its occupants. He felt betrayed by his friends and his mentor. Unlike Master Fung, the dragons tried to talk to him about what they had done. A week after his return, they managed to corner him.

"Raimundo, I must apologize for my most shameful behavior. I messed out." Omi started the conversation.

"It's messed up, Omi. I need to go." Raimundo tried.

"Please, wait, Rai."

"Why? What do you want from me?" Raimundo finally asked desperately

"We want you to forgive us, buddy." Clay answered sincerely.

"We want our friend back." Omi added.

"Maybe but not yet." Raimundo finally said.

"What do you need, Rai?" Kimiko asked desperately.

"He just told you, young dragons. Time. Come, it is time to train." Master Fung answered from behind Raimundo.

The four dragons followed him. The previous training sessions the real Raimundo had attended after his unfortunate circumstances had been strained and none of the dragons had really worked well with Raimundo. The Brazilian teen had been distant and uncomfortable. This time, he worked much better with them. It wasn't much but it gave everyone hope that they could be the team they should have been. Even Raimundo felt comfort in the possibility he might have found where he belonged.