(Hey guys! Very short chapter! I wanted it to be done for you guys quickly! The next chapter will be a long one since there's so much to write about. You'll understand after you read this one!

J-Rod67: No problem hun! I'm glad you loved the chapter. As for the Dragons getting back together, well, we'll just have to see about that one won't we? I'm not giving anything away just yet! :D Let me know what you think about this one. It's short, but I think it's a good place for the chapter to end before things get serious!

RaixKimxChase: Nice to hear from you again! I wondered where you'd got to! Thank you! I seem to have lost most people who read A Slave To Evil when I started writing this one. I did mention it at the end of the last chapter A Slave To Evil, but ah well. Let me know your thoughts on this chapter, hun!

RIGHT, enjoy everyone! Reviews are deeply appreciated!))

Ten: Fear

Jack stared at Kimiko, his eyes widen in disbelief. There was a faint look of hope shining in his eyes; an emotion he had not felt for a long time, but this quickly diminished, and his face fell back to a sullen grimace.

"You're making fun, aren't you? Getting my hopes up, before you cart me back off to Chase?" His voice was gravelly and defeated. He knew it was too good to be true; getting out of here was a dream, especially when Kimiko was helping him do it.

Kimiko rolled her eyes, the urgency in her voice rising to a clear level. "No, Spicer, I'm being deadly serious. I swear! Chase is preoccupied with the Xiaolin Dragon. If he knew I was doing this, he would have stopped me already! I don't have much time." She spoke softly but hastily as she began to pull him along the corridor, trying to be as gentle as she could but move quickly.

Jack stammered for a second, limping behind her at a slow pace. "You're going to get me out of the palace?"

"Yes. I can't take you further than that. I'd be spotted. And besides, I have to find a way to see the Xiaolin Dragon that he has here."

"What is it you want me to do?" Jack whispered faintly, looking almost fearful at the idea.

At that moment, a guard strolled around the corner, catching both Jack and Kimiko by surprise. She lowered her head, trying to look inconspicuous, and Spicer did the same, speeding in his walk nervously as he approached the guard.

"Miss Kimiko," The guard cast a confused glance over the two figures, "Where are you taking this prisoner?" The guards' eyes were lingering over the handcuffs on his wrists.

The girl stammered, struggling to come up with an excuse fast enough. Suspicion was growing on the guards face. It was easy to tell that the guard knew she was up to something.

Deciding there was no other option; Kimiko sprang forwards, launching herself at the guard. Taken by surprise, he tumbled backwards, crashing into the wall. Kimiko seized the moment and found the pressure point in his neck, pressing into his skin softly. The guard gave a surprised gasp as he slumped to the floor instantly, his eyes closing.

Staring in horror, Jack felt Kimiko pull him forcefully through the hallways and rooms. "Relax," She hissed as she caught a glimpse of the horror on his face, "Chase taught me the pressure points that can knock someone out. I didn't kill him. Just because I work with Chase, it doesn't mean I am him."

The words seemed to bounce off the walls, and now Jack was quite sure he was dreaming. There was no way Kimiko could be this way, not after all the brainwashing Chase had enforced, was there?

Jack did not have long to ponder this, as a few seconds later, Kimiko began to pull off the guards armour, tossing it towards Jack. She stripped the unconscious guard of all his armour, leaving him in his underwear, before stuffing the flopping body into a nearby room and closing the door.

"Get it on, quickly." Kimiko ordered as she unlocked Jack's handcuffs with the keys from the fallen guards belt.

Jack began to weakly do as he was told, but his slowness irritated Kimiko and she began to help pull the armour onto his frail body. Poor Jack could barely stand the weight of the armour. He was slouching slightly, a pained expression on his face. Kimiko gave his hand a light squeeze for comfort,

"Don't worry, Spicer, it'll be over soon."

Once he was dressed in the guards armour, Kimiko nodded approvingly.

"You look like one of Chase's. You leaving the Palace won't be suspicious. I'm assuming you know how to hotwire a car?" She raised an eyebrow.

Jack nodded.

"Good. Head left, take one of the Heylin cars parked over there. Just don't hang around. If they see you stealing a car, they're going to know."

Jack could barely believe his ears or eyes. Kimiko was being so nice to him. And deliberately going against Chase? What the hell was happening? She was actually going to help him escape?

Kimiko gestured for him to follow her, and told him to stand up straight as they were almost at the exit. The conditions seemed much brighter as they approached the outside world; something Jack had not seen for quite some time. He could smell the fresh air, at least, as fresh as it was able to be these days, and it even seemed to become warmer. As they approached the doors leading out of the palace, Kimiko pressed her fingers to her lips to signal for him to be quiet.

"Keep your eyes low, they're a give-away." Kimiko breathed into his ear, and Jack dropped his eyes instantly, feeling his body instantly heat up with panic. His eyes were bright red, how could someone not notice a pale guard that had red eyes? They were going to get caught, and Jack was already in enough trouble. It would surely mean death this time? He could feel his body beginning to sweat and his breathing became heavy.

"Cool it, Spicer, you're going to give us away." Kimiko hissed as they turned a corner, emerging near the doors in and out of Chase's Palace. Jack took a deep breath, trying to hold himself upright like the other warriors did, but his panic was only heightened as he saw three more of the warriors guarding the doors, watching them both closely. He dropped his eyes again, trying to look inconspicuous. Kimiko approached them coolly, pushing the large wooden door open for Jack to walk out. To avoid arousing suspicion, Kimiko followed him out, speaking loudly.

"Chase wants you to stand guard over by the car park." She pointed in the direction so the watching guards could see.

"Yes, Miss Kimiko." Jack replied in a deep and gravelly voice, sounding totally different. For a second, Kimiko had thought one of the other guards had answered, but then Jack caught her eye and she gave a tiny nod. Compared to the guards and Jack surrounding her, Kimiko seemed tiny. She looked back at the guards inside the entrance and winked, "I'll be right back," She rolled her eyes, "Gotta show this imbecile where I mean." The guards gave a tiny snigger and nodded, "Very well."

Kimiko pulled the door shut behind her, breathing a sigh of relief. She began to take a quick walk towards the large car park that Chase had had built so his followers could travel to and from his Palace when he summoned them, Jack followed.

A short walk later, they were both beside thousands of Heylin cars. Kimiko nodded at a patrolling guard who walked past them both. She noticed a bead of sweat run down Jack's face underneath his helmet.

"Alright Spicer, I gotta make this quick, there are guards all over the place." Kimiko murmured lowly.

Jack lowered his head slightly, craning his neck to hear her. "What is it you want me to do for you?"

"Take a car, I don't care where you go, just don't get caught. Don't go home; it'll be the first place they look for you. I want you to look for the other Xiaolin Dragons." She paused for a moment to see if Jack understood.

"But... Chase has one of them?" Jack mumbled, "If he can't find them, how am I supposed to?"

"You know them better than anyone now. I don't know a thing about them except that they want Chase gone. You have to find them! If you do, tell them that I will do my best to keep the one Chase has alive, but I can't make promises. After this, I'll be lucky if I don't join him as a prisoner..." Kimiko trailed off for a second, fear sinking in as the thought of her punishment that she could face later.

"He's going to know everything I've done and everything I've told you, so make sure you take that into account..." Kimiko continued unsteadily, but this time it was Jack who offered comfort.

"Kimiko, you're strong. Chase has tried for years to make you into him, and in fact, you're more like your old self than you realise." He gave her a soft smile, lifting her chin with her fingers so her snake-like eyes met his. "Whatever Chase throws at you, you can take it. You're a Xiaolin Dragon. You're stronger than Chase, and anyone else. You are the Xiaolin Dragon of Fire! You have the strength within you to beat him. Remember that. I will do as you ask, but I think you should remember who you really are. What you've just done is go against Chase; that's the real Kimiko." Jack gave her an encouraging smile, and Kimiko threw her body against his to hug him. He could not feel it much under all the armour, but the intent was clear.

"Thank you, Jack." Kimiko whispered, and Jack shook his head, before pushing her back towards the Palace.

"Don't thank me. Thank you, Kimiko. What you've just done is more important than you realise. You've started the downfall of Chase Young." Jack positively beamed, "Now get back inside, quickly. You've been here too long!"

The screams were unbearable.

It had been going on for so long, it felt like a lifetime.

It was too much.

Clay and Omi had to leave the room.

But even from the Attic, they could hear Raimundo's tortured cries bursting through the speakers, so loud they could have shattered glass. Or the fragments of Clay's and Omi's hearts.

"Now, I will ask once more, Dragon. Where are the others hiding?" Came the deadly voice of Chase Young.

"I don't know!" They heard Raimundo gasp desperately, "I told you! We split up! I fought with them and left!"

"Liar!" Chase Young growled, and there was the swooshing crack of the whip down against Raimundo's back once more.

"Please!" Raimundo screamed, his voice was thick with sobs, "I don't know! Chase, I swear to you, I don't know..."

Omi had put his fingers in his ears and was sat facing the wall, trying to block it all out, and apparently not succeeding from the tears running down his face.

Dojo had become a quivering wreck before Chase had even started, and he and Master Fung had left instantly. Clay wished he could block it out as easily as they could.

Clay did not know what to do with himself. Each crack of the whip brought pain for him too; because hearing his friend in pain caused him pain. His best friend, Raimundo, was suffering because he was refusing to give them up to Chase. It was their fault he was hurting. It was their fault Chase had got his hands on Raimundo in the first place. Clay could not stand it. His heart was aching, his stomach was threatening to shrivel into nothing and his head was threatening to explode on him at any second.

And then all fell silent. Clay lifted his head, listening fearfully for the crack of the whip that he felt was surely inevitable.

But it never came.

Instead, there was a grunt of annoyance, and carefully, Clay got to his feet, building himself up to bravely venture back down the stairs and check on what was happening now.

As he stepped down the stairs, his footsteps seemed so loud. When he reached the bottom, the solemn faces of the other rebels greeted him. Hope was sobbing quietly into Wulf's arm, who was rubbing her back comfortingly. For once, the smile on Zoe's face was gone and instead she seemed sombre. Jermaine was sitting with his eyes closed, not moving a muscle.

The camera was lowered down, and nothing could be seen apart from someone's back and their seat, as well as Crysta's knees and hands, which were clenched tightly into fists. Either Crysta was having a hard time watching, or she was sparing a thought for Clay and Omi and was trying to spare them the sights she could see. Either way, Clay was grateful. There was no way he would have been able to watch that.

Then the camera lifted, and Clay could see Raimundo hanging between two wooden posts in a Y shape. His feet were touching the floor, but he was letting himself hang, no doubt at the expense of his wrists, which would be aching and sore, obviously he had not even got the strength to stand up. His clothes were hanging off of him, but the shredded scraps that were hanging down were stained red. Raimundo had his eyes closed, trying to breathe through the searing pain. There were countless bloody welts along his back, all staining the scraps of his clothing that were left. The floor around the posts was splashed with blood, and even the edge of Raimundo's pants had begun to turn red from the leaking injuries along his back.

Chase was watching Raimundo intently, apparently making a decision. He stepped towards him once more, gripping his neck and forcing Raimundo's eyes to meet his.

"If you do not tell me today, there is always tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that." His voice was soft and deadly, so quiet that Crysta had to strain forwards to hear. The microphone barely picked it up, but Clay caught every word.

"I don't know where they are..." Raimundo replied, using what little strength he had left to make his answer as nasty as he could manage. Chase threw Raimundo back, and he let out a low whimper as Chase growled.

"It seems our Xiaolin Dragon is stubborn!" He played to the crowed once more, who gave a boo, but it was considerably weaker than it had even been before. Chase Young did not look pleased with this at all. He pursed his lips for a second, glancing over the members of the crowd. His gaze lingered on Crysta for a split second too long, striking fear into the hearts of all the rebels watching, but luckily he turned away and gestured to Raimundo again.

"Well, until he finally gives me the information I require to rid the world of vermin like him, I invite you all to join me every day to watch scum like this crumble at my hands." Chase Young's teeth were bared, and he knotted his gloved hand in Raimundo's shaggy mess of hair and yanked his head backwards, displaying his face to the entire crowd.

"Soon, this Xiaolin Dragon will tell me where the others are hiding, and when they do, I shall exterminate those who oppose me. One-by-one."

His eyes flickered back to Crysta again.

Jack Spicer waited for the coast to be clear, before smashing the window to one of the Heylin cars. Panic was stirring heavily in his heart. Luckily, the Heylin cars did not have alarms. Why would they? There was no crime in the Heylin cities apart from the rebels, and even their crime rates were virtually non-existant. Everyone had been issued their own vehicle anyway, courtesy of Chase Young himself.

He climbed in instantly, bending underneath the steering wheel to fiddle with wires and get the engine running. Once it was running, he wasted no time in rocketing out of the car park, laughing at his luck. He was out of Chase Young's clutches once more.

He was not quite sure where he was headed. All he knew was that he was pleased as hell to be out of that Palace. He had been stuck in there for so long that even with the blood red sky and the dry land; the outdoors had never seemed so appealing.

Perhaps he should venture home, but then he remembered what Kimiko had said. Chase would know everything that she had told Spicer, which probably made it the perfect place to hide. If Chase found out what Kimiko had said, then his house would be the last place they would look. He was sure there were some old security systems he had set up a few years ago that would provide him with at least a few minutes to get away if they did come looking for him. He was not sure how long he would have, but he was certain that he could knock something up from the old bits of technology that had been lounging around in his basement when he had left the place years ago that would give him a few minutes to get away if Chase's warriors did come knocking. He wondered vaguely is Chase already knew what Kimiko had done.

A wave of guilt washed over Jack as he realised Kimiko would probably suffer a terrible punishment for what she had done. He had been through Chase's punishments a few times too many, and he knew better than anyone else that Chase was cruel and sinister. He would forever be grateful to Kimiko and the sacrifice she had made for him. He had believed that Kimiko had been brainwashed by Chase as the rumours suggested, but how brainwashed could someone truly be if they were able to go against their master?

Jack gave a smirk as he realised that all of Chase's hard work had been for nothing; Kimiko was the most important piece of the chess board, and Chase had failed to utilise that. Kimiko could change everything, and she was beginning to.

Without realising it, Kimiko had started to unravel Chase Young.

((Sorry it's so short! But I hope you all liked it, and please know that I'll be writing the next chapter ASAP. Reviews are welcomed!))