AN: Wow, y'all. Thanks so much for all your support! Shoutout to foxchick1, Naty, DragonNutt, and Lionel for all your kind words and feedback.

So fasten your seatbelts; this chapter's a doozy.

Enjoy!

-ooo-

Chapter 9

Chase eyed the teapot skeptically. Jack smirked in that devil-may-care, I-dare-you way. Since Chase was never one to back down from a challenge, he sat across the table from Jack and poured the tea. A sweet aroma rose from his cup and he caught a whiff before taking a sip. It was decidedly fruity and robust. Definitely black tea. He took a second sip.

"Well?" Jack goaded, leaning on his forearms. Chase smirked.

"Lychee black."

"Damn! I thought I had you!"

"It was a good attempt, Spicer, but you cannot fool me, " Chase drawled, pouring a second cup, "This tea is a specialty from Xi'an. You can't get it anywhere else in the world."

"Yeah, mom and dad took me last year as a 'family vacation'," Jack did little air quotes with his fingers, making Chase raise an eyebrow, "They fought like cats and dogs the whole time but at least I got a really sweet tea out of it. It's my favorite so I try to make it last."

"I must say, Spicer, your taste in tea is… Surprisingly admirable."

"Really? Thanks!" Jack gushed a bit, a slight warmth of pleasure high in his cheeks, "Have you been there? To Xi'an, I mean?"

"Of course. Xi'an is steeped in China's rich history. I would consider myself a fool if I had not at least visited."

Dojo entered the pavilion carrying plates, whistling something tuneless.

"Good morning, Heylin homies," The dragon chirped, sliding the plates of sliced watermelon and two different types of baozi onto the table. Chase hissed out something in Chinese and although Jack didn't understand the language, he could tell it hadn't been very nice. "Yeah, yeah, yeah…" Dojo huffed, waving his hand dismissively before slithering off.

"I must be losing my touch." Chase mutter as he retrieved his first baozi using chopsticks.

"I disagree," Jack commented, picking out a baozi himself, "You still scare me."

"My cup runneth over."

"Good morning, Spicer," Omi greeted as he stepped into the pavilion, "Chase Young."

"Morning," Jack said, pouring himself a cup of tea. Omi looked over his shoulder into the dark depths of his cup and inhaled deeply.

"Lychee black?"

Jack's face morphed comically in equal parts shock and outrage, prompting Chase to take a quick bite of baozi before he laughed aloud. The bubbling urge in his chest caught him off guard; since when did other people make him laugh? Since when did Spicer make him laugh?

"Help yourself," Jack grumbled as Omi sat beside him with a wide grin and poured himself a cup.

"You have chosen well, Jack Spicer," He chirped happily as he sipped, "Xi'an's special tea is one of the finest in China! My tastebuds thank you!"

"Hmph."

"What type of baozi is there today?"

"Taro," Chase answered, "And meat. Pork, most likely." He hadn't eaten the pork baozi, of course, knowing that meat would likely cause a visceral reaction. He didn't want that; it was too early in the day for it.

"What exactly is taro?"

"It's a potato, partner," Clay answered Jack's question as he entered the veranda, stretching his strong arms above his head, "Just purple and sweet as Granny May's iced tea." Omi shuddered at the mention of iced tea, which Clay had made all the monks and Chase try. Chase had guessed right, of course, but not before making some scathing remarks about Americans and their idea of "tea". Personally, Omi wholeheartedly agreed.

"I still do not understand the appeal…"

"Morning…" Raimundo yawned as he and Kimiko also arrived.

"What's shaking, guys?" Kimiko quipped as she plopped down beside Jack, snagging a baozi. Omi blinked.

"I was not aware there was any shaking…?"

"She's asking what's up, cheddar." Jack said, eyes rolling.

"Well, why don't you just say that!" Omi exclaimed, throwing his arms up in indignation, making Chase smirk behind his teacup.

"Mail call!" Dojo made his reappearance in the pavilion, this time holding a small burlap sack, "Just arrived this morning," He reached in and scrambled his claw around before pulling an envelope free and reading the front, "Clay!"

"Yes!" He whooped, snagging the letter from Dojo with a grin, "It's from my momma. Finally! It just takes too long when it's coming from Texas… Like watching grass grow."

"Aaand…" Dojo pulled out another letter, "Jack!" He waved the letter under Jack's nose, who took it. His eyes immediately flicked up to the return address. His mouth was suddenly very dry and he swallowed.

"Uhhh…" Jack floundered for an excuse, "Bathroom break! Be right back!" He left quickly, none of the warriors nor Chase bothering to question him. Instead of the bathroom, he sped-walk to his bunk and pulled the privacy curtain closed.

Sitting on his mat, he ripped open the envelope. From the depths, he fished out blood-red stationary with very familiar slanted handwriting. His father's handwriting. He unfolded the letter nervously and started to read…

"Jack,

I have heard from reliable sources that you are no longer at the house in Dali but living at the Xiaolin Monastery. As you know, this is unacceptable. You have a responsibility and a duty to KellisTech, or have you forgotten all that I've taught you? You are to cease this foolishness and return to your mother's home immediately.

C.K."

It was short. Jack was unsurprised by his old man's bluntness. But his hands couldn't help but shake as he held the letter open, staring at the scrawled signature. He'd been at the temple for two weeks and his father already knew. Word travelled really fast. His stomach went cold at the request- no, demand- that he go back to his mom's house. What was Jack going to do? The fear was palpable in his mouth as he chewed his lip furiously in thought. He couldn't just leave; he felt he was finally started to get along with the other monks! At the very least, they tolerated him… What would Master Fung say?

He hadn't realized his breath was quickening. He brushed the cold sweat off his forehead with a shaking hand. Without permission, his breaths started coming in gasps as utter terror swept through him. No, no, no… Bent double, he rested his head against his knees, hands flying up to cover his ears. Not this again. Stop that. Stop that right now. The loud, fast thudding of his heartbeat echoed in his ears and Jack choked out a sob.

As quick as it had come, it left. Jack brushed his hair back out of his face, hands trembling. It'd been a while since that had happened. He thought it'd been getting better. Damn it.

When Jack reappeared in the pavilion, Kimiko frowned at him. They were all gathered around the Shen Gong Wu scroll which was open on the table.

"What took you so long?"

"Um… Stomach issues. Sorry." It was a pathetic excuse and Jack knew it; his eyes were red and swollen from crying, his eyeliner a bit smudged. Chase shot him an unreadable look and Jack dropped his gaze, unable to meet the warlord's eyes. But Kimiko shrugged, "What's going on?"

"Look alive, Jack," Dojo advised him, "We've got a hot Shen Gong Wu alert."

"The Black Angel Staff," Clay read, "Is capable of creating temporary barriers of light between you and your opponent."

"That's kinda cool." Raimundo commented.

"It's also really useful in creating temporary platforms. Y'know, like in a video game." Dojo added helpfully.

A cacophony of "ooo"s went up from the gathered monks as they all leaned in closer. Chase rolled his eyes; when one could literally fly, these things seemed rather silly.

As they all stood to leave, Jack hesitated, half-turned towards Chase. He opened his mouth, hesitated, then tried again.

"Aren't you coming?"

"I have no interest in Shen Gong Wu," Chase sneered, standing up from the table. It was softer than his normal sneer, lacking any real ferocity behind it. He wasn't an idiot; something had upset Jack and for some reason, it irked him, "A little peace and quiet, however, would be nice."

Jack shrugged.

"Okay, then."

And they were off. Chase frowned in thought. What had upset Spicer? Obviously something in that letter had rubbed him wrong. Normally, he would just go looking for the letter itself but… For some reason, he didn't want to invade Spicer's privacy. Maybe because it wouldn't be right. Right? That thought made Chase's frown deepen. Since when did he care about what was right? Another note for the scroll, he guessed…

-ooo-

Yangshuo was one of those ethereal places you really only see on post cards. Except the monks were there. Jack couldn't help but openly gape at the rolling green mountains and clean, clear blue rivers. It was stunning. The town itself was tiny, quiet but still managing to seem busy with all its little vendors and residential mix of animals and people. Overall, Yangshuo gave the impression of being distinctly Chinese. Which was good, Jack reflected, seeing as they were, in fact, in China.

"This is…"

"Gorgeous, isn't it?" Kimiko finished for him, snapping photos with her phone as Dojo wound his long body in and around the mountains. They touched down on a dirt road and Jack resisted the urge to kiss the ground; he had a weak stomach and was still not used to Dojo's undulations.

"It's around here somewhere, kids," Dojo mused, scratching his irritated chest absently, "If this rash is anything to go by."

"I really didn't need to know that," Raimundo cringed, stepping over Dojo to survey the area, "Okay, homies, let's split up. Omi, Dojo, you two search the river. Kimiko..?" He turned, most definitely to pair her with himself, but was tongue-tied to find that she and Clay had already taken off down a back alley. Silently, he fumed; that left him with Spicer.

Jack laughed nervously.

"Heh… I guess that leaves us partners, partner." He said, forcing a grin on his face. Of all the Xiaolin monks, Raimundo was the one who made him the most nervous.

"Don't touch me, don't look at me, don't talk to me." Raimundo ground out, pushing past Jack down the main street. Jack bit the inside of his cheek and followed.

Anxiety rolled in Jack's stomach. He still wasn't fully comfortable with his team members; three years of animosity did not and could not suddenly evaporate over a period of two weeks. He especially wasn't comfortable with Raimundo. Admittedly, he wished he could've been paired with Kimiko instead. More than anything, he wished Chase had come along to Yangshuo; it was easier at the temple when he was around, acting as a buffer between Jack and the other monks.

He forced himself to focus on the task at hand, taking in his surroundings the way Master Fung had taught him to. A man walked past him at a slow pace, a cow following via rope. Jack found this quite funny. Nothing strange here. Just a man walking his cow. Vendors lined the street, selling food, toys, even things like stationary. One man had an entire cart of large leafy greens and another still a large plethora of plastic bottles.

"You don't belong here." Raimundo suddenly spoke, yanking Jack out of his thoughts. He turned his head to look at him, pretty sure he knew what he meant; the townspeople openly stared at the two of them but especially at Jack for his ghostly skin.

"Yeah, I know; it's like these people have never seen a 为国人 (Wèi guórén)* before," Jack agreed, making a sweeping gesture with his arm, "Not to mention an albino…"

Raimundo grabbed Jack's arm in a hard grip, jerking him around. Jack let out a surprised yelp, stopping mid-sentence when he caught the flash of anger in his eyes.

"That's not what I meant."

Jack's stomach dropped. He swallowed, going suddenly cold.

"Master Fung says I do…!"

"Raimundo! Spicer!" Omi's voice called out as he skidded into view, Dojo hot on his heels, "We found it!"

Raimundo ran past Jack towards Omi, releasing his arm. Jack released a shaky breath he didn't know he'd been holding. He had to reign himself in; this wasn't the time for a second panic attack in the same morning. Forcing himself to take deep, measured breaths, he followed the others, heart thudding uncomfortably.

When he rejoined the others by the river, Omi was pointing out to a long raft made entire of bamboo. It was floating down the river, the man on the back end singing something in wobbling Chinese, pole-vaulting the boat forward with a long rod. His conical hat shaded his face from the October sun but didn't hide the aged wrinkles.

"There! In the basket!" Sure enough, Dojo was right. At the man's feet was a woven basket and sticking out of it was a golden staff with two black wings spread at the end, a large emerald at the center. The Black Angel Staff.

"How do we get out to him?" Jack asked, looking to the others for suggestion.

"These look useable." Kimiko answered, stepping out onto the dock at the riverside. Lining it were other rafts made of bamboo, and she stepped onto one, untying the ropes.

"Well, I reckon that'll work." Clay said with a grin, stepping onto his own raft, pulling Jack with him, who yelped in surprise. Up until this point, he'd see Clay pick up, maneuver, and man-handle the other three many times. But never him. For some reason, it made him feel as if he were being accepted as part of the group. Raimundo and Omi joined Kimiko, Dojo diving off the back of his and Clay's boat.

"Onward!" He called, holding on to the back and spinning his tail like a motor.

"Fancy Feet!" Kimiko activated her Shen Gong Wu and stuck her feet in the water. With white foam and a dull roar, both teams were off, speeding down the river.

Jack pulled out his chosen Wu, the Lasso Boa Boa, crouching strategically so he wouldn't tumble off the raft. Adrenaline filled his veins and he couldn't help grinning; he had missed this. Except now things were different. He could do this, he could totally do this. Grab the Shen Gong Wu, prove himself to the other monks, save the day. Hell yeah.

Raimundo made the first move. He jumped hard, using his wind element to carry him over. Landing on the front end of the raft, Raimundo launched the man by accident. Yet the man was not perturbed. The Black Angel Staff brandished in his hand, he sprung skillfully from platform to platform.

"He knows it's a Wu!" Omi gasped, drawing forth his own Shen Gong Wu, "Mantis Flip Coin!" And he was up, flipping towards the man. Instead of hitting his intended target, Omi met a barrier of light that, while not looking very solid, certainly felt solid. He fell into the river below, dazed.

As Kimiko went after Omi, Raimundo and Clay made eye contact. Unfortunately for Jack, he knew exactly what was about to happen.

"Fist of Tebigong!"

"W-wait, no- AAAAAAAH!" Clay slammed his fist down on the front of the raft, launching Jack from the back end, sending him hurtling towards the man. Jack thought fast, "Lasso Boa Boa!" He shrieked, throwing the end of the Wu. It tightened around its intended target, the Black Angel Staff, and he swung, meeting someone else in midair.

It was Wuya, who'd arrived to try and bag the Wu for herself as per usual.

"Wha- Jack!" They collided with a combined "oof" and fell into the river below. The water was colder than it looked and the breath was knocked clean out of Jack. When he broke the surface, he gasped. Luckily the part he'd landed in was shallow, really only a few feet deep.

The Wu. Where was the Wu? He scrambled about, feeling around the water. His hand grasped the Lasso Boa Boa and he pulled. And at the other end? The Staff. He had the Black Angel Staff! Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one. The old man had a wrinkled yet iron hold on the staff, Wuya's hand wrapped around the opposite end. The Lasso Boa Boa was tightened around the middle.

"Strangers," The old man began, his voice surprisingly strong, "I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown Trio!"

Wuya cursed under her breath but Jack didn't hesitate. Now was his chance to prove himself.

"Name your game."

"A simple game of keep-away. Whoever can take the Wu from me before three minutes is up may have it. If the three minutes are up and you are unsuccessful, then I will keep the Wu as it is my rightful possession."

"I accept your challenge. Let's go. Xiaolin Showdown!"

The landscape warped around them. The river parted to become walls of water surrounding Jack, Wuya, and their challenger on all sides. Rock formations offered an interesting terrain for their game of keep-away. Fish swam above their heads and Jack couldn't help but stare in awe; honestly, Xiaolin Showdowns were so cool.

The old man spun the staff, taking a defensive stance. Wuya gritted her teeth, brandishing her Sword of Thunderbolt. Jack braced himself.

"Gong Yi Tanpai!"

-ooo-

It was the longest three minutes of Jack's life. The old man might've looked aged but he didn't move like he was. Every punch, every kick, every throw of the Lasso Boa Boa was countered with sharp and purposeful moves. Panting and exhausted, Jack realized he didn't have a snowball's chance in hell. He was still fresh off the boat (literally) and this man, whoever he was, was an expert in martial arts.

With a few seconds left on the clock, he hurled himself with a yell at the man in one last desperate attempt to take the Staff. The man threw up a light barrier and Jack hit it hard, going down. Groaning, he slumped. His opponent kneeled beside him and said, in a surprisingly gentle voice that only he could hear,

"Don't be discouraged; you did very well, Jack."

And for the third time that day, Jack thought he was going to have a panic attack. Because this man hadn't said Jack; he'd used Jack's full name.

The Showdown ended. The world around them went back to normal. Jack was sitting in the shallow waters, still shell-shocked. Then he felt incredibly small and stupid. He'd blown it.

Wuya sat up from the river, spluttering and coughing. She scrambled to her feet.

"Jack!" She hissed angrily, wading over to him, "What are you doing here with… With them?!" Her eyes flashed over to the other monks who were wading through the river towards them.

"I-I'm the Dragon of Metal, Wuya, alright?" Jack answered, standing and pushing the hair back out of his eyes. He was absolutely soaked and he shivered in the cold, "I'm not just with them, I'm one of them."

"B-but," She spluttered, wide-eyed, "That's ridiculous! You? A Xiaolin Dragon? HA!"

"Oh, go take a long walk off a short pier." Jack huffed, squelching away towards the other monks as Wuya called after him. Eventually, she gave up with a growl, spiriting herself away with Heylin magic.

Kimiko got to him first.

"What happened in there?" She asked, and as Jack looked up at her, he realized her query was sincere.

"You alright, partner?"

"Y-yeah, 'm fine…" He shivered. Omi was also shivering and soaked.

"H-how did an old man b-beat you?" He asked, teeth chattering.

"How indeed."

They all turned to see the old man standing there. He took in the group of monks. Sizing each of them up, his eyes eventually landed on Jack and his lips curled into a warm smile.

"Walk with me, 小伙子 (Xiǎohuǒzi)*." He invited, turning and walking away, gesturing that Jack follow him. Jack, perplexed, fell into step beside him, following him out of the shallow waters onto dry ground. "You are missing someone." The old man said knowingly. He looked at Jack from under the brim of his hat, his eyes a pale crystalline blue. They had the look of someone who'd seen the beginning of the universe and would surely see the end.

"I'm sorry," Jack said, rubbing his arm.

"Whatever for?"

"We came to take something of yours. We should've asked."

"Hm…" The old man hummed in agreement, "Maybe so. Call me 林老师 (Lín Lǎoshī)*. You may ask your question."

" Lín Lǎoshī, sir, how did you know…?" Jack trailed off, unnerved and self-conscious.

"How did I know your true name?" Jack nodded. Lín Lǎoshī smiled and Jack suddenly felt very safe. Somehow, someway, he could trust this man. "Because truth comes naturally to me. You may ask your other question."

"I don't understand what you mean. I'm missing someone?"

"There is meant to be another at your side," He confided the information and Jack drank it the knowledge as if dying of thirst, "They will not fail you. You can trust them." There was a beat of silence, "Go back to your friends. Do not let them discourage you; I assure you, you belong at the temple." And then he walked away, whistling and spinning the staff lazily.

Jack, frozen on the dirt path, shivered where he stood, trying to absorb Lín Lǎoshī's words. The other monks joined him soon, a little baffled.

"That was… Unhelpful."

"Did he at least give you the Staff?" Raimundo groaned when Jack shook his head, "Fantastic, just great."

"We'll get the next one."

"We? What we?" Jack blinked and turned to look at Raimundo, who's hands were clenched into fists at his side, "You lost the Showdown! There's no 'we', okay? The next time there's a Wu, stay out of the way; someone could get hurt because of your stupid, clumsy ass!"

"H-hey, wait," Jack stuttered, backing up a bit, "I-I tried my best..!"

"Uh, yeah, that's my point," Raimundo countered, drawing close to Jack. Too close. They were practically nose to nose. "You're dead weight. Now, move." With a hard jolt, Raimundo shoved Jack to the side. Jack lost his footing and fell hard on the dirt, his knees and palms stinging from the impact. His vision blurred as his eyes grew hot with tears but he held them back. He wouldn't cry. Not in front of them.

Dojo enlarged, circling around the group.

"That's enough," He snapped, "Everyone on; we're going back."

-ooo-

*Wèi guórén = Foreigner (If you don't look Chinese and you visit China, you will probably be called this either directly or indirectly at some point in time. Literally happens to me all the freaking time.)

*Xiǎohuǒzi = Young man

*Lín Lǎoshī = Lǎoshī is the word for teacher and while Lín is a very common name here, the exact translation is forest. So the name literally means Teacher of the Forest. Inspiration from the Chinese name my students gave me, 林静 (Lín jìng, meaning Forest of Tranquility/Peacefulness).

AN: So who's this mysterious teacher? Someone is missing from Jack? Wonder what that could mean... For those who love Raimundo, many apologies. Don't fret; he'll come around. Eventually.

Next update will be posted on December 5th or 6th, depending on my personal schedule.

-P3ac3fulfor3st