Decisions

Master Fung's POV

I watched as the last two of my students sat in silence not making any eye contact. I could see the pain in their eyes and how sadden they are by what had happen to them. I quietly sipped my tea and then suddenly I saw Clay bang his fist on the table.

"I'm sorry Master Fung, but I can't just sit here and do nothing! We just lost our leader and now we have Kimiko gone with the Golden Tiger Claws! She could be anywhere and what's worst she has no one to help her! She's in danger and we're sitting here doing nothing!" Clay shouted in frustration.

"We must be patient Clay; all good things will come in time." I replied.

"Master how can you sit there so calmly! We have lost an ally, a leader, a . . . friend . . ." Omi replied with a single tear fall from his face.

"The past is the past young ones; it's time for all of to move forward. We are in more grave danger is the Phoenix is to be unleashed."

"What exactly is that?" Clay asked.

"Legends say that the Phoenix was sealed away for many years. It is said that its power was too powerful for anyone to control. Its power had the ability bring back life and save the world. However, if fallen to the wrong hands it could destroy all of life; it could even destroy the world. So to prevent anyone from obtaining that kind of power it was sealed away." I explained.

"So what broke the seal?" Omi questioned.

"My guess is that the Phoenix was waiting to be reborn at the right time, meaning it was waiting for the right one . . . the chosen one . . . If Kimiko unleashes the Phoenix inside her all will be lost if she cannot control it." I answered.

"Then we have to find her before it's too late!" A voice said from behind me.

I smiled as I watched my students gasp in awe with tears welling up in their eyes. I knew I chose right. I got up from my spot and turned and greeted him.

"Welcome back," I greeted.

"Good to be back," He replied.

Kimiko's POV

I sat there in the sand hugging my knees and crying hard. I couldn't get the image out of my head of Raimundo slipping from my hands and falling to his doom. I kept hearing in my head that it was my fault and for once it was my fault. If I had never used my powers none of this would have happened. I felt myself getting angry again and I began to feel my body getting hot. I just wanted this all to be a dream and not real. I looked up and stared at the waves in front of me.

I was currently in Rio where Raimundo and I had spent the day here. I laughed at the memories we shared here as tears began to fall again. I remembered his goofy smile and his dumb charm. Still he was always there for me when I needed him. He was a good leader . . . no . . . he was good friend. Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me and I jumped up and turned to see Chase. We were faced to face, until I backed away from him.

"What do you want!?" I yelled and I saw fire appear in my hands.

"I've come to make a deal with you Kimiko." Chase replied.

"Yeah right like I'd ever make a deal with you! It's because of you that Rai is dead!" I shouted and I began to feel my body heat up more.

"It's not my fault he's dead, it's yours. You let go you couldn't hold on to him. I did nothing wrong."

"SHUT UP!" I shouted and fire blasted in the air.

I saw Chase grin and I could see that there was fire on the ground now all around me in a circle. I felt so angry that I wanted to attack, but I had to stay calm so that I would lose control again.

"I can help learn to control those powers. I know how you to hate to lose control and you feel as if you'll hurt the one's you love with those powers. However, I have a solution to your problem." Chase explained and he took out a ring from his pocket.

"What's a ring going to do to help me!?" I demanded.

"This is no ordinary ring. I stole this ring a long time ago from one of the past Xiaolin Warriors. Like you she held the same elemental power as you, but just not as powerful as yours. She asked the Treasure of the Blind's Swordsmen to make this ring to contain any power a person possess so that the user would not be able to do anything with the ring on. With this you could stop the Phoenix that is within you from coming out."

"I don't understand how you benefit from this."

"It's simple, I'll give you the ring which will stop the Phoenix from coming out in exchange for you to come with me and until the time is right to remove the ring and let the Phoenix out."

"What's of the point of giving me that ring if you're just going to take it off me later?"

"It's because unlike me you don't have time. Your power is growing stronger each day and without the ring you won't be able to stop the Phoenix from coming out. However, with the ring you can delay it from coming out rather than sooner. Now you see you only have two choses, but it's up to you which one you chose."

I glared at Chase knowing I couldn't possibly trust him. I fought against him with everyone so many times. It's like if I accept, I'll be joining the Heylin side. In my heart I don't want to accept, but . . . if it keeps me from hurting anyone else, then maybe I should. He took the ring and grabbed my hand that was still on fire. I looked at him and it didn't seem to hurt him at all. He placed the ring on my ring finger and suddenly the fire went away and I felt normal again. No heat, fire, or power. He grinned in satisfaction.

"Your mine now," He whispered in my ear and I felt a tear slip from my face as he pulled away.