Disclaimer: Gr! I've told you once, I'll tell you again! I own nothing!

Chapter 7 – Melina's Song

The next day is an exciting one. Ciaran is much friendlier than before; he even joins in a prank with Raimundo (the result being a very mad, very wet Kimiko Tohomiko). And they may just yet get to go to a Xiaolin Showdown…

Raimundo: (still laughing form the prank) T-that…was hil…hilarious!

Kimiko: (mimicking him) That was hilarious! Na na na.

(Ciaran and Raimundo look at each other then break out into a new fit of giggles. Kimiko growls, annoyed.)

Kimiko: Yeah, that's right. Today's Make-Fun-of-Kimiko-Day, so you both just laugh your heads off. Really, I mean it.

Ciaran: Tha-

(He is cut off by the sound of a gong and Dojo scooting over towards the three teens. The two boys stifle their giggles, and Kimiko hits them both on the arm as the other Dragons come over.)

Clay: What's goin' on, par'ner? New Wu?

Dojo: You betcha, and an important one, too. (pulls out scroll – others gaze at it) The Necklace of Venus…

Luz: I can guess what this one does: Makes people fall in love with you. (The other Dragons whistle and hoot.)

Dojo: Yes and no. Dashi never could figure out how to get people to actually fall in love with each other. In truth, the necklace causes the person of your choice to idolize you, obeying your every command. You can see why it's dangerous.

Raimundo: What's the difference?

Omi: I, the most powerful Xiaolin Dragon, can answer that.

Kimiko: (rolls eyes) You, who know nothing about girls – let alone love, cannot answer that.

(Omi grins sheepishly.)

Kimiko: (continuing) I, however, can. The difference, Raimundo, is that people in love still have the power to see reason. But, if one is forced to do everything another person tells them, well, there's no way out of it.

Deja: In a weird sort of twisted way that makes sense.

Dojo: It's wonderful that you've figured that out. I'm happy for you. Now, could we please go GET THE WU BEFORE SOMEBODY ELSE DOES?

Clay: Easy there, par'ner. Don't over work yerself, now.

(Dojo, still a bit frazzled, super-sizes and the kids all jump on his back before he takes off.)

Ciaran: Where are we headed anyway, Dojo?

Dojo: South Carolina!

Raimundo: Yes, beaches and pretty girls, here we come!

Luz, Deja, and Kimiko: (roll eyes) Boys.

When they get to South Carolina, they decide splitting up would be the best idea.

Raimundo: (ever the leader) Let's see…Deja, you go with cowboy over there…Omi go with Luz, and that leaves Kimiko, Ciaran , and I-

Kimiko: (glaring at him) No way.

Raimundo: Uhhhhh…what?

Kimiko: I am not going with you two jerks.

Raimundo: (rolls eyes) Fine, Omi and Kimiko go together. Luz, you come with us.

Luz: OK.

(They go their separate ways, all in different directions: Kimiko and Omi to the North, Clay and Deja to the South, and Luz, Raimundo, and Ciaran to the East.)

Raimundo: (grumbling as they walk down the street) I can't believe her…

Luz: I don't blame her, Rai. You two are so mean.

Ciaran and Raimundo: (grinning) Thanks.

Luz: That wasn't a compliment.

(Meanwhile, Kimiko and Omi are having no luck finding the Necklace of Venus. They traipse up and down the beach, but still no sign of the Wu.)

Omi: This is , as you say, warm.

Kimiko: (confused – to self) Warm? Hot? (thinks for a moment) Oh! You mean "not cool," Omi.

Omi: Yes, that too.

Kimiko: Where do you think it could be?

Omi: I do not know, but we must find it before Chase Young does. In the hands of evil it could mean…ten thousand years of darkness.

(At another part of the beach, Deja and clay have split up, also unable to locate the Shen-gong-wu. Clay is searching for it when he bumps into a familiar face.)

Melina: Oh, excuse me I- (noticing Clay) Oh, it's you.

Clay: (disdainfully) Howdy there, yerself, li'l missy.

Melina: You're looking for the Wu, I suppose.

Clay: Ya got that right.

Melina: (sighs) Well you can have it. (sits down) I'm only looking for it cause Jack's making me. He can't do it on his own.

Clay: Why don't ya jist ignore him?

Melina: (looking away) I don't know…Maybe it's because I, well, you see, Jack and I have never been very close. I thought maybe if I helped him he might…like me a little more.

Clay: (sympathetic) I understand. Ya want yer brother to think more of ya, so ya do what he says.

(Melina nods.)

Clay: Well, I'd say that ya have ta do what yer heart tells ya, but if I were ya, I'd try somethin' else.

Melina: Like what?

Clay: That's fer you ta figure out on your own. (beginning to walk away) Now, if ya don't mind, I got a Wu to find...Melina.

Melina: (smiling and standing up) Call me Mel.

(They smile at each other for a moment until Clay notices something over Melina's shoulder. He walks towards it and picks up the Necklace of Venus.)

Clay: Well, I'll be…It's the Necklace!

Melina: (walking over) It's pretty…

(Suddenly, Jack Spicer appears from no where, cackling his annoying evil laugh. He grabs the Necklace from Clay.)

Jack: …and it's mine, cowboy! (to sis) Melina, get over here! NOW!

(Mel looks once at Clay then slowly walks over to her brother, reluctant to do so. Kimiko and Omi, having heard the commotion, race over, ready to attack. Luz, Ciaran, and Raimundo are no where to be found.)

Omi: Jack Spicer, I demand that you give me the necklace this instant!

Jack: Not on your life, cue ball! It's mine, now.

Clay: (mutters) I can change that. (He does a flip and grabs hold of the Necklace…you know what comes next.)

Clay: Jack Spicer, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown.

Jack: (smirks, handing the Necklace to Melina) Better idea. You challenge Melina to a Xiaolin Showdown.

Melina: What!

Jack: Melina, do it. Now!

Melina: I…I- (looks over at Clay/ turns back to Jack, her face set) No.

Jack: No? Melina, what are you saying!

Melina: I said, NO. What are you, deaf? (hands the Necklace to Clay and begins walking away)

Jack: Hey, get back here! What's your problem? Melina! (chases after her)

Kimiko: (giving the two a quizzical look) Well, that was weird.

Omi: Yes, that was most crippy.

Kimiko: Er, that's "creepy," Omi. (turns to Clay) Clay?

Clay: (smiles) Yeah, that was definitely…creepy.

After meeting back up with the others, the Dragons return to the Temple, all but one of them mystified by Melina's resistance to her brother. Meanwhile, Melina has gotten into a fight with Jack.

Jack: I just don't understand, Melina. Why did you just give it up like that?

Melina: Because, Jack, I am so sick and tired of doing everything you tell me.

Jack: But I'm your brother. More importantly, I'm your older brother. You have to listen to me. It's law.

Melina: (getting frustrated) Grr! You are just so…so-

Try to tell me what I shouldn't do

You should know by now

I won't listen to you

Walk around with my hands up in the air

(walks in a circle around Jack, putting her hands in the air)

Cause I don't care

Cause I'm all right, I'm fine

Just freak out, let it go (jumps on couch)

Melina: I'm gonna live my life

I can't ever run and hide

I won't compromise

Cause I'll never know

Jack: Melina, get down! Stop it!

Melina: (jumps off couch) I'm gonna close my eyes

I can't watch the time go by

I won't keep it inside

Freak out, let it go

Just freak out, let it go.

Jack: Melina, why are you being so weird! Stop!

(He storms out of the room and up the stairs. Melina is left to herself, thinking about her brother.)

Melina: You don't always have to do everything right

Stand up for yourself

And put up a fight

Walk around with your hands up in the air

Like you don't' car

Melina: Fine then, Jack, I'll leave. Just you watch. (grabs her coat and runs outside)

Melina: (running) Cause I'm all right, I'm fine

Just freak out, let it go

I'm gonna live my life

I can't ever run and hide

I won't compromise

Cause I'll never know

I'm gonna close my eyes

I can't watch the time go by

I won't keep it inside

Freak out, let it go

Just freak out, let it go.

(Melina runs out into the forest. She then walks, passing each tree slowly.)

Melina: On my own

Let it go

Yeah, yeah, yeah

(She spins around.)

Melina: (to house) Just let me live my life

I can't ever run and hide

I won't compromise

Cause I'll never know

I'm gonna close my eyes

I can't watch the time go by

I won't keep it inside

Freak out, let it go

Just freak out, let it go.

Melina: (walking down the road) Gonna freak out, let it go

Gonna freak out, let it go

(Melina continues walking, humming to herself. She reaches a crossing in the road and stops, hearing two voices.)

Female voice: It will work, Chase. Trust me.

Melina: (gasps) Chase? Chase Young? So, that must be…

Chase Young: But will it get me the girl? Will she be the one to tear them apart?

Female Voice: I'm sure.

Melina: Wuya.

A/N: Oooooo. Creepy. Or "crippy" as Omi would say. Right. I'm out.