The Balance in Love, Lies and War
Chapter 9:
'Foreboding whispers from Shadow'
"So what do we know about the Jasmine Jewel?" Kaida asked, the tips of her black hair still dripping, small wisps dried and some not. Omi opened the scroll carefully, reading out,
"The Jasmine Jewel lets the user send out a spray of scent that sends all who smell it, asleep." The blue tinted circle in the middle swirled, before two stick figures appeared. One held an object that released a black wisp, the other stick figure falling down as it came near him. Once the wisp came near the first stick figure, he too, fell down. Dojo turned around to face the warriors, calling out above the wind that blew past them,
"It makes anyone who smells it fall asleep for at least twenty-four hours, even the user. It caused havoc when Dashi first created it." Rai smacked his head and yelled,
"Dojo! Keep your eyes on the skies!" Dojo suddenly swerved to avoid a swarm of parrots, which squawked loudly at them, nearly crashing into the jungle below them. Dojo laughed and smiled uncertainly,
"Sorry about that…" Winding through the closely packed trees, the dragon landed, letting off his passenger, then shrinking.
"So where 'bout's the Wu, Dojo?" Clay asked, turning his face towards the green, gecko-sized dragon that sat promptly on his shoulders.
"There." Dojo said simply, pointing to the left of the warriors. There, twined around a large tree was a plant, with wiry shoots wrapping around the trunk, clambering and sprawling everywhere, dark green leaves and waxy white flowers that filled the air with the strong scent of sweet jasmine. Standing out from the white blooms, there was a flower in the middle painted with a dreamy pink colour, a clear diamond sitting in the middle, sparkling softly. As the warriors looked at it, they felt rather light-headed, wanting to pick it up and fall asleep.
Almost nervously, Jack edged towards the Shen Gong Wu, picking it up slowly, eyes darting around the small clearing they were in. There was an unspoken tension in the air, all of them nervous, listening to the noises of the jungle.
"He's not coming?" Kimiko asked quietly, blue irises filled with doubt. They all looked at Kaida who closed her eyes. Reopening them she managed a small smile, eyes glinting with something, determination.
"He'll meet us there." Dojo shivered, jumping off Clay and morphing into the forty-foot long dragon.
"Climb aboard, we're off to find 'Unknown'" They all clambered onto his back, laughing as jack fell off, tension broken. Taking one last look back, Raimundo stared at the plant with curiosity before mumbling,
"Why is there a Jasmine plant in the middle of the jungle anyway?"
"Are they here yet?" The silhouette rolled its eyes stretching its fingers, bone cracking slightly. Lounging in an outcrop of rocks, he looked rather relaxed and almost enjoying himself, fingers playing in the river that stormed past beside him.
"No. Can you see her or her little group of friends? Relax. Don't be so nervous." Chase scowled slightly, sitting himself down, drinking from a red painted bowl issuing out a rank stench and slimy green steam.
"I am not nervous." The silhouette laughed coldly, snatching the bowl from him, pouring the green liquid into the river where it fizzing and bubbled, hissing as it was washed away. Starring directly into Chase Young's annoyed looking face the silhouette replied.
"You are nervous. Do not lie to me Chase. I can tell when you're lying. Now, relax." Chase hesitated, before nodding, putting his hands behind his head and leaning back into the rock, closing his eyes while smiling an evil little smile. The silhouette also smiled, touching the pale blue gem that was embedded into his chest. There was no humming and the lights were stationary, not trying to escape. Suddenly there was a laugh in a distance, a girl's squeal and more laughter. Chase Young sat up quickly, brushing of his armour and running his hands through his hair, shaking slightly. Athanasius simply smiled and hissed,
"It's ShowTime."
"That was NOT funny Raimundo!" Jack yelled, hitting the Brazilian over the head, blushing furiously. Untying the lasso around his waist, he gave the rope back to Clay who was sniggering quietly. Raimundo batted his eyelashes, forcing Kimiko and Kaida into another fit of giggles.
"It was a total accident, I'm ever so sorry Jack, I thought you'd like to have a little fly…" Jack responded by punching the boy in the arm furiously, pale cheeks bright red, matching his bright red hair. Unfortunately, Raimundo was not quite prepared for the force of the blow and wobbled, knocking Kimiko behind him, who knocked Kaida behind her. Kaida had no one to knock into as promptly fell off Dojo giving out a small scream of shock. The warriors looked over the side of Dojo gasping, Dojo groaning,
"This is the second time in two minutes you've pushed someone off!" while Raimundo shouted,
"Kaida!" She was falling ever so fast, Clay's lasso unable to reach her. She wasn't screaming anymore, but laughing, as if falling off a forty-foot dragon hundreds of feet above the Grand Canyon was hilarious. Kimiko shrieked, shielding her eyes, as there was a bright flash of white light, covering Kaida for a moment. Suddenly, she was clinging on to Raimundo's outstretched arms, looking rather tired but smiling.
"Help me up, please?" There was silence, then they all bust out laughing, Raimundo hoisting her up exclaiming,
"You scared us girl!" Just as she was about to smile and reply, one leg already wrapped around Dojo, something tugged at her dangling leg. Shrieking, Raimundo's grasp on her hands tightened, as there was another tug, his legs tightening around Dojo, who shook as Kaida was tugged downwards again. Clay wrapped his arms around Raimundo's middle, helping pull up Kaida, Omi, Jack and Kimiko holding onto her arms desperately. There was another tug, which made Dojo fall a couple of metres, Kimiko and Kaida screeching. Pulling her that few inches closer, face scrunched up in effort Raimundo whispered,
"I'm not letting yo-" before he could even finish his sentence, the force of the tug had grown so strong, Kaida was pulled from their grasp, falling through the air, no longer laughing, but screaming.
"After her Dojo!" Omi exclaimed as Dojo dived, shielding his eyes from the blasts of white light and dark shadow.
She crashed into the cold water, still screaming. Forcing her head to the surface, gasping for a breath, Kaida's head was thrown back, gulping in air, coughing out water. Her hair stuck to her face limply and her arms reached out for something to hold on to. The river was cold and the current was strong, pulling at her body, willing her to slip down into the icy coldness…
There was no sign of whatever had tugged her, but Kaida couldn't be sure. Her eyes were filled with water, and she was squinting. She had been blasting whatever was tugging her with Light and Dark energy to no avail; she still fell, crashing into the river. Holding onto an icy cold rock, she gasped, holding onto it tightly, spluttering. She remained there for a few moments catching her breath, before she realised she was being lifted out of the water. Shivering, heart beating faster, Kaida realised that the rock she was clinging to, was actually, not a rock; but a fist.
It was made of ice, clear but not clear, the reflection and image seen through twisted and distorted. Its body seemed to be distorted, twisting and changing into something else. It's fists were expanding, growing large and larger, until Kaida could barely fit her arms around it. Its arms were enormous, icicles jutting out of the muscular ice arms, connected to enormous ice shoulders. Its body was made of the same distorted ice; its legs small compared to its enormous arms. Its face looked squished, ice reflecting in the dimming light. Oval shaped eyes were carved into the ice, glowing in that eerie green colour. Three icicles stuck out the back of its head, glinting maliciously. The creature grinned, throwing Kaida up, catching her in his enormous icy fist. Kaida could not stop shivering.
"Fire!" Kimiko screamed as she shot fireballs at the monster, Dojo swooping past the creature. The creature growled sheets off ice falling off its broad shoulder, its grip on Kaida tightening, making the teenager gasp for breath. A strong gust of wind blasted Dojo, crashing him into the nearby outcrop of rocks, his passengers yelling and screaming, falling to the ground on the other side of the raging river. Chase Young walked out of thin air, much like he did before, small smile glinting with a hint of smugness.
"Now, now, it would be unfair to start the fight without the rest of your competition." The creature dropped Kaida, who was almost thankful for that, before being caught in the arms of Chase Young.
Squirming, hissing, Kaida tried to further the distance between Chase Young and herself, before looking up to the sky in fear, listening to the rumble that silenced everyone. A thin spear of white light struck the sky, slicing through the darkening grey clouds, a tremendous rumbling ripping through Kaida's eardrums moments later. Gulping, eyes filling with fear, Kaida seemed to forget whose arms she was in, huddling into his chest, never once taking her eyes off the flashing and rumbling sky. Ignoring the shouting of her comrades, a girl's scream as an icy fist collided into the ground, Kaida whispered,
"I don't like lightening…" Chase Young simply held her tighter, smiling a small smile, whispering into her ear,
"Stay with me, and you'll never have to fear again." So engrossed by the lightening, and her overwhelming fear of it, mixed with the strange feelings of comfort and protection she received from Chase, huddled in his strong arms; Kaida almost nodded in hypnotic reply. But her gaze was torn away from the sky, thoughts interrupted as there was someone yelling her name, feet pounding against hard stone, running towards her. Taking a running jump, Raimundo leaped over the raging river, aiming a kick at Chase Young's head. But his foot never reached its destination. Gasping, screaming, Kaida watched the Wind warrior being engulfed by a huge bolt of lightening that stuck done to the ground, electricity crackling everywhere, earth trembling and the thunderous crash ringing in the air.
Trembling, there was silence, Kaida's eyes widening more; before she frantically kicked out and squirmed in Chase's grip, screaming,
"No! Raimundo!" Chase just rolled his eyes impatiently, holding on to the girl tighter, drawling,
"He's fine." Kaida punched his chest viciously, trying to push herself further away from the villain, pulling towards her fallen friend, who lay motionless on the ground, ignoring the shouts of his friends on both sides of the river. Wincing as there was another crack in the sky, flashes of light illuminating the darkened canyon, bright sunlight of the afternoon forgotten, Kaida, tried to pull away from Chase again, ignoring his last statement completely. However Chase continued to restrain her, grabbing her chin and hissing in her ear.
"He's fine, but he's not what you should be worried about." Unable to move her gaze, Chase's hand forcing her to watch, Kaida shook violently in the villain's arms, wincing as a huge burst of lightening crashed into the ground with a deep bellowing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Raimundo stand shakily, as if jolted awake by the lightening that crashed down. She tried to turn her head towards him, but Chase Young's hand still kept her starring towards the lightening, which, everyone, except Chase, was surprised to see a foot escaping from the bolt. It was less of a foot and more of a paw, with claws, talons escaping the black, fur. It could hardly be called fur, as it was simply black. Or rather, dark grey; the colour of the storm clouds. Its hands had long digits that were more like knives than fingers, covered in the same back 'fur'. With a long, crooked snout, yellowing fangs dripping with saliva, hollowed out, glowing green eyes and pointed ears; the monster looked like a rabid werewolf. Except much, much worse. Twirling around its body, flashing, were hundred of tiny bolts of electricity, some pale blue in colour, some in a faint yellow, some white.
Kaida starred, as did the other monks, dumbstruck, shaking in the villain's arms, petrified. She had stopped struggling, watching the monstrous werewolf creature howl up at the sky, its voice crackling like electricity, yet deep and booming like thunder. There was a thud, as the ice monster dropped Clay, Kimiko, Omi and Jack beside Raimundo, who was standing shakily, glaring at Chase Young. Rain started to spit from the still darkened sky and Kaida did not move. Neither did Chase. They all stood in silence.
"Get your filthy hands off her, asshole." Raimundo growled his voice filled with an anger straining to get out. Chase's eyes twinkled with a smile and the rain fell down harder, replying.
"Miss Balance has not once indicated she is unhappy in my arms." Raimundo took a step forward, shirt clinging to his body, a threatening expression covering his face. Growling, he retorted,
"Put her down now, or I swear I'll-"
"Don't." A weak voice said quietly. Face paling, eyes darting back and forth, from friends to the vicious werewolf of lightening, Kaida shook.
"Please, put me down." Chase nodded, letting her down gracefully, letting her go slowly. Taking slow but large steps, Kaida's eyes did not leave the ground. As she stepped nearer, Raimundo wrapped his arms around her tightly, winding his fingers in her hair, the other hand placed protectively at her waist, glaring viciously at the villain.
"What are you doing here?" Kimiko asked angrily, being supported by Jack and Clay, her left leg twisting strangely at the ankle. Chase looked at her with minimum interest, drawling,
"Is it any of your business?" Omi frowned, looking at the villain in befuddlement.
"But surely if you attack us it is our business, is it not?" Chase raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms, looking down at the little monk, replying,
"Perhaps. I am only here for my Princess." Raimundo growled, his grip on Kaida tightening, the girl motionless in his arms. Clay took a step forward, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder, explaining,
"Well, y'see, we only came here for the Shen Gong Wu, so if ya don't mind, we'll jus' take that an' leave. I don't think Kaida will be joining ya today." Chase simply smiled, evil glinting in his orange eyes.
"Shen Gong Wu? You're looking for the Kaida's Tear?" Kaida's head turned slightly, interest sparked. Dojo smiled, looking slightly shocked.
"So it is the Kaida's Tear! Right guys, start looking, it should be somewhere, over… there." The dragon faltered as he pointed to Chase. The warriors' smiles fell as they saw Chase produce a tear-shaped electric blue crystal from his crossed arms, as if it had appeared from no where. He smirked an evil smirk before replying saying airily,
"Oh, is this what you're looking for?" Kaida stepped away from Raimundo's embrace, his arms untangling, falling to his side. Eyes narrowed, she whispered,
"Give it to me." Chase Young raised his eyebrows slightly, still smirking.
"Make me." Drawing her sword, eyes blazing with determination, Kaida whispered,
"I will." Rushing forward, she attacked, swinging the blade, aiming for the villain's neck. Blocking, Chase brought out a spear like weapon, from apparently no where, and attacked back, only to be shakily blocked. Parrying, blocking, attacking, spinning, the fight was a blur. Chase Young was unharmed, still smirking; hair swept back, Kaida was flustered, angry, a gash bleeding on her uncovered cheek, arms shaking. The Warriors cheered frantically, barely able to see what was going on; but they were all silenced as Kaida came crashing to the ground, landing in a puddle of mud, rain splashing down harder. Chase Young smirked, standing one foot on her back, making her fall back into the mud puddle, wincing.
"Lets do things, my way. I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown. Three against three, you choose who fights and who doesn't. First team to get knocked out of the circle wins. Accept?" Wiping the mud away, eyes burning with anger, Kaida simply nodded.
The whole area crumbled, reforming into a giant circle made of water and stone, boulders hovering nearby for the ones who were not fighting. Kaida and Chase stood side by side, looking at their team mates wondering who to pick. Chase Young bowed towards his opponent, saying airily,
"Ladies first." Kaida grinned, curtseying, replying,
"Off you go then." Annoyance flickered across his face, before the smug smile set him.
"Very well, I choose my three monsters to compete for me." Kaida looked at him in surprise.
"Three? But there were only…" Her voice trailed off as she looked at the battlefield. Suddenly appearing from the commentator's stand, were three monsters: one of ice, the one who had picked Kaida out of the river; one of electricity, the one who had zapped Raimundo; and finally, one of darkness, the one who had, presumably, pulled Kaida out of the sky.
It had a black dragonic body, long spines erupting from its back. Its neck split in to two, meaning it had two necks, two heads. The first was of a dragon, matching with black scales, white fangs and hollowed out glowing green eyes. It had horns thrusting out of the back of its head and it screeched saliva running from it forked tongue. The other head was that of a cat. Black fur interrupted the scales, the back exactly the same black; tufts of fur escaping around its second neck. The cat head had glowing red eyes that sparked with curiosity, shiny black nose glistening. It seemed to have a regal air about it, hissing slightly at Kaida, who stood entranced by it. Chase Young smirked.
"Choose wisely, my princess." Kaida frowned, looking at her comrades.
'Kimiko's injured, so she's a definite no… What defeats ice?' She asked herself, biting her lip.
'Wind evaporates water. Raimundo could defeat the Ice monster.' Kaida nodded to herself.
'Thunder? Not Omi…Clay?' The Zen nodded,
'Earth halts Wind.' The Kaida looked up at the monster made of shadows, which hissed at her evilly.
'Light defeats Darkness.' The Zen said quietly.
'I have to face…it…" Clearing her throat, Kaida was about to call out her decision when the Zen interrupted frantically,
'But remember Kaida, Darkness defeats light!' Kaida gulped, continuing,
"I choose myself, Raimundo and Clay." The two boys reappeared beside, looking slightly shocked and Raimundo looked nauseous. Omi looked devastated, shouting,
"Why do I not get to fight!" Before Kaida could answer, Chase appeared beside him, pushing him out the way, sitting on a boulder, drawling,
"Because they'd crush you. Thunder would defeat you, you'd only help Ice and Darkness; well, would you want to battle that?" Omi looked over to the battlefield, where the opponents were just starting to charge at each other, the monster of Darkness, hissing, heading straight for Kaida, dragon head snapping its strong jaws and pointed teeth. Gulping Omi shook his head, shrinking into his seat. Kimiko scowled, glaring at the villain.
"This is all your fault! If you had just given us the Kaida's Tear, none of this would've happened!" Chase raised his eyebrows, hissing,
"Why should I have given it to you? It doesn't belong to you does it." Omi coughed, raising his hand, half hidden in between two boulders, trying to scrabble up.
"It does say, 'Kaida's Tear'; not, 'Chase Young's Tear'." Kimiko smirked as Chase Young faltered. Shrugging he said airily,
"I suppose you have a point, not that it matters now. If you can't take three of my minions, how on Earth will you ever deal with a whole army of them?" Omi yelped, falling back down the crevice again, Kimiko paling, stuttering,
"A-a-army?" It was Chase's turn to smirk. Brushing invisible dust off the dark gold shoulder plates he replied,
"Yes, army. Do you know nothing? Battle and War is not a little Xiaolin Showdown against a weak witch and her errand boy," Jack growled, angry at being called a 'errand boy'.
"war is something far more dangerous. You thought battling against Wuya and her pathetic excuse for and army was hard? You will never survive against me." Kimiko gulped, turning her eyes back on the showdown.
"Hang in there Kai…" She whispered, clutching Jack's hand tightly.
Slashing the creature, Kaida stumbled for the millionth time that minute. Staying in balance was getting harder and harder as all the Light energy she was using made her feel light-headed, while her anger kept bubbling up, making her blast out Dark energy. This only helped the horrific creature she was battling. Raimundo and Clay were handling it fairly well, Raimundo sending huge gusts of wind at the ice monster, Clay pelting the Thunder monster with boulders and rocks from the floor. Kaida slashed at the monster again, but the cat head smashed into her back, causing her to fall flat on her face for the second time today. Cursing to herself, sitting up, she saw Raimundo and Clay trip up their charging opponents, force them to smash into each other, and then push them out of the ring easily, giving each other a high five. Raimundo turned to Kaida, shouting out, obviously in high spirits,
"Hey Kai, you need some help?" Kaida grinned, rolling onto her back, stabbing the darkness creature in the leg, replying,
"I think I'll be alright…" the creature screamed, kicking out, sending Kaida flying, crashing into Clay. Sitting up, Raimundo helping her, and then Clay up, Kaida grumbled,
"Maybe not…" The creature yelled, it leg leaking lime green fluid, heads hissing at the three teenagers.
"Thisssss issss not over, little girl." The snake head hissed, arching its neck back. The cat head peered at Kaida, almost smiling, stating in an elegant voice,
"He is going to come for you. He is going to take you to Hell. But not before you ruin his plans first." Then the monster stepped out of the ring, bowing its heads slightly respectfully.
Clay scratched his head, Raimundo's eyes widened as the world reverted back to normal, Kaida clutching the Kaida's Tear.
"What in Tarnation jus' happened here?" Clay asked, bemused. Raimundo shrugged.
"Who knows." Kimiko half hopped and half staggered over, with Jack supporting her and Omi trying to hold her up; all three congratulating them. But Kaida wasn't listening. Wandering over to the mound of boulders, where Chase Young was still sat looking rather shocked, Kaida mumbled,
"What did it mean?" Chase looked up, standing up quickly, eyes filled with uncertainty and brown flecks.
"Huh, oh, Miss Balance. Congratulations on defeating my monsters, though you could barely call it a defeat…" He began to walk away, before Kaida grabbed his arm and whispered again,
"What did it mean?" He hesitated, trying hard not to look into her eyes that were looking up at him. Pulling away, starting to walk off again, he replied quietly.
"I don't know…" Turning away, he continued to walk off leaving Kaida with his last words of,
"Until the next time, Miss Balance." Kaida shivered. Wiping her cheek, she felt a tear escape her eye.
'Oh what I'd do for the next time to never arrive…'