Chapter 12 – I'm Bad
For the second time in two days, Wuya's eyes flew open. For a moment, she couldn't move. Light trickled in through the open window. Early morning sounds slipped in as well, though she didn't quite register the bird's chirping and the creek's running water. Wuya was sure she could still feel her throat burning and warm blood dripping down her fingers.
Drawing a deep breath, Wuya thrust back the sob she felt growing in her chest. She forced her body from the bed, feeling like she was moving through oil. The walk to Jack's room seemed to take hours, though it was only down the hallway.
By the time Wuya was standing in Jack's doorway, the pain had subsided slightly. She looked down at the sleeping boy before her. Jack was much smaller than Dashi. And didn't resemble him at all. But somehow, seeing him calmed Wuya in the same way seeing Dashi always had. Maybe if Wuya had seen Dashi during those last moments instead of just hearing his voice she wouldn't have done it.
Walking forward, Wuya sat cross-legged next to Jack's bed. She moved silently, but his eyes opened when she landed on the floor. Unlike so many times in the past, Jack didn't leap from bed, surprised by her sudden presence. He didn't let out one of his famous shrieks or attempt to shield himself from her. His face was calm, as though he was expecting her.
"Wuya?" Jack propped himself up on one elbow, grinning slightly. "Who's being creepy now?" After only a quick glance at her face, his smile faltered. "Wuya, are you okay? What happened?"
When Wuya didn't answer, Jack sat all the way up. He reached out and held her shoulders gently with both hands. His grip was just like Dashi's. "What happened, Wuya? It's okay, I…it's okay. Tell me what happened."
"My last memory." Wuya was surprised by how steady her voice sounded. "When I got my powers. It was me. I erased myself."
"What? Why?" Jack leaned closer, pulling her forward slightly. "Tell me. It's okay, you can tell me."
At first, the story stumbled from her lips in short bursts. Then it seemed to pick up speed until she was rambling through the words, sure that Jack wouldn't even be able to understand her. Wuya felt almost as though she was reliving the whole scene as the excitement, terror, fury, and sorrow ripped through her chest and out of her mouth.
After finishing the story, Wuya drew a heavy breath. She didn't let Jack speak but continued rambling, unable to hold the words back.
"They were my powers all along. Someone, some people, I don't know who they were, they tried to put them into me when I was very young. Before I came to the temple." She reached up, running her skinny fingertips over the black markings under her eyes.
"I don't know how I got there. Why did they pick me? Where did I come from? I don't know. Don't remember. I know I rejected the powers. They must have kicked me out. That's why I was out on the streets. They must have picked up Hannibal after me. Put my powers in him. But I still had part of them in me. He wanted it." She inhaled sharply again. "But it was nothing. Nothing compared to the power he had. Greedy bastard. Why didn't he just leave me alone? It's his fault. It's all his fault. Not mine. It's not my fault."
As Wuya choked back another sob, Jack suddenly pulled her up against his chest. His arms wrapped around her so tightly that the air was thrust from her lungs. She continued mumbling into his shirt, but even she wasn't sure what she was saying. He put a hand on the back of her neck and pressed his mouth into her hair. His voice was muffled, but she understood him perfectly
"It's okay. I'm here. It's okay."
After a moment, when Wuya had gone quiet, Jack loosened his grip. She leaned back, cheeks suddenly burning. When he caught her eye, his cheeks turned pink as well. He released her completely, leaning back onto the mat and looking away. Wuya leaned back as well, reaching up and pushing back her hair.
"Yes, well." Wuya smoothed the front of her shirt. "I suppose that will be the last of my memories, at any rate."
"Yeah. Guess so." Jack ran his fingers through his hair. "But, wait, what about Hannibal? You obviously didn't kill him."
"No, obviously not." Thinking back, Wuya actually found it quite easy to believe that Hannibal's tiny new body had been buried in the pile of ashes at her feet. "I don't understand how he could have survived that. I watched his body incinerate right in front of me."
"Maybe because of the wish? Does asking for eternal life make you, like, invulnerable to death altogether?" Jack frowned. "That can't be right, can it?"
"I don't know. And I suppose the others wouldn't either. I…er…went a bit overboard when I erased our memories." Wuya gave Jack a small grin. "Or maybe my powers did. Everything about me, everything I did, everything I was involved in was completely gone."
Jack nodded. "And it wasn't just the three of them. Dojo didn't remember either. And…well, we didn't tell you about this, but…we were doing some research, trying to figure out your past and all? The scroll that had the record of your old temple…your name was burnt out of it. But why are you remembering all this now? Something must have triggered it, right?"
Wuya shrugged. She didn't care so much about that at the moment. The pain inside her had dulled, and she suddenly felt restless. "Are we going to train today?"
"Probably. Maybe." Jack yawned and stretched. "Depends on what happens with Chase I guess." He flopped backward onto the mat. "Man, it is really early."
"Oh, right." Wuya had actually forgotten about their trip to Chase's house. She hadn't seen him in months except for during her dream-memories. The young Chase was different in a lot of ways, but Wuya didn't have any trouble remembering how little she liked him now.
Seeing that Jack was falling back asleep, Wuya reached out and shook him by the shoulder. "Get up. Come train with me."
Squinting at her through one eye, Jack sighed. "Do we have to? We could just sleep a little more…"
"No, come on." Wuya smiled as she stood up. "Still my lazy Jack, aren't you?"
Despite his attempts to hide it, Wuya noticed Jack's blush as he climbed to his feet.
Chase Young glared down from the balcony that overlooked the main entrance of his home. The huge doors, which had once been protected by a secret entrance, were open, and three intruders stood in the cavernous foyer.
"Although I am always pleased to have a visit from you, Omi, I'm afraid I cannot say the same of your companions." Chase sneered. "I expected this from the worm, but even you have stooped so low as to hide behind the monks, Wuya? I thought you had more pride than that."
Omi opened his mouth, no doubt to spout one of his idiotic demands, but Jack stepped forward. The boy shot a quick glance at Omi, silencing him. Chase raised his eyebrows. Now Spicer was assuming control? Over Omi? Again, Chase noticed how different the warrior before him was from the little boy who'd come begging for his alliance. However…Chase also noticed that Jack was again wearing the ridiculous contraption on his back that allowed him to fly. Hadn't he gotten rid of it? And…not only that, but Chase realized that Jack also had his old yellow goggles hanging around his neck.
"Chase, we've come to ask for your help." Jack spoke with an authority that Chase had never heard from him before. He didn't wait for a response. "We want you to teach Omi the healing technique you developed when you were a Xiaolin warrior."
Chase remembered the technique. It was actually quite impressive. Even more powerful than his current Heylin healing powers. Of course, since he could only use it on others and not on himself, it was effectively useless. Not that Chase could have used it if he'd wanted to. His Xiaolin powers were long gone. But he did remember how to perform them.
"Do you think I am a fool?" Chase smirked down. "I know exactly how you intend to use that technique…"
"That's good," said Jack. "You really would be an idiot if you couldn't even figure that out. We weren't trying to hide it."
Eyes narrowing, Chase gripped onto the railing before him. "Do not mock me, Spicer, unless you want me to destroy you once and for all."
"Ooh, so scary." Jack rolled his eyes. "Since you've failed so many times before, forgive me if I don't take the threat all that seriously."
"There's no one here to protect you this time, worm." Chase snarled and leapt down from the balcony. He paced up to Jack and noticed that the boy had grown taller. Chase no longer had to look down to see into Jack's face.
"Didn't you say something like that last time?" Jack's eyes narrowed as well. "Seems like my friends just keep popping up to help me out."
"You mean to save you, Spicer?" Chase's lip curled into a sneer. "That's not something to be proud of."
"I think it is." Jack took a step forward. "And I think you do, too. After all…" A small grin slipped across Jack's face. "No one is gonna come save you."
Chase clenched his fists. "I do not need protection. I am not a helpless little child like you, worm."
"Alright, boys, as fun as this is to watch…" Wuya stepped forward and pushed herself in between them. She placed a hand on each of their chests. "…we're here for a reason, and that is not so you two can rip each other's throats out." Jack allowed himself to be pushed back, but Chase didn't move. He glared down at Wuya, anger only increasing. Who were these pathetic fools to order him around?
How dare they pretend that Spicer was a threat to him? A match for him? Omi hurried forward as Jack and Wuya stepped back, away from Chase.
"Chase Young, perhaps I should be the one to speak to you." He shot a quick glare at Jack. "We have worked together in the past. I have seen the good in you. I know that…what happened with Raimundo was not in your nature…"
Jack's humorless sneer showed how little he agreed with Omi's words.
"…I am certain that you must only look inside yourself and you will see the good that I see." Omi reached up and put a hand on Chase's arm. He looked up, and Chase could see the honesty in his eyes. "Please. I…I was looking forward to training with you again…"
"You know that I would be more than happy to train you, Omi." Chase put a hand on Omi's shoulder. "Provided, of course, that you swear your loyalty to me and only me forever."
Omi lowered his eyes. "You know I cannot do that. My loyalty is to the temple and to my friends."
"So you say, Omi." Chase leaned down, grinning. He lowered his voice. "But I think you and I know differently. I could make you powerful, Omi. More powerful than the temple and your friends could ever imagine." As always, Omi seemed, just for a moment, to consider the offer.
But again, Jack interrupted. "If all he's gonna get is your level of strength then that's hardly something to brag about."
Chase looked up at Jack with another snarl. "You really do want to die today, don't you?"
"Hardly." Jack sneered. "I'm just speaking my mind. I've fought real warriors, Chase. And believe me, you don't even come close."
Wuya reached up and placed her hand on Jack's chest again. She eyed him, her expression clearly urging him to back off.
"You should listen to your pet witch, Spicer. At least she knows when to keep her mouth shut." Chase glared. "I will never teach you that technique. And if you don't get out of my sight, I'll kill you both here and now."
"But Chase, I…" Omi looked up at him.
"My offer to you still stands, Omi, as always." Chase turned away and headed for the stairs. Then he felt Wuya's claw-like fingers fasten around his arm.
"You know, Chase," she said as he turned, "I find it hard to believe I was ever fooled into thinking you were a great warrior." He started to pull his arm away, but Wuya gripped harder. "You're nothing but a coward. I should have known when you locked my powers away.
"You're just afraid of any competition, aren't you? Don't want to fight anyone who might be your equal? Like me. Like Raimundo. Pathetic. If you were such a great warrior you wouldn't be so afraid to lose." Wuya released his arm and laughed, revealing her sharp teeth. "Guan always was the best, wasn't he? The stronger warrior and the better man."
Wuya's smirk froze as Chase gripped onto both of her skinny shoulders. Her smile hadn't completely faded when Chase buried his knee as far as he could into her stomach. He released her shoulders, and she crumpled to the ground like a paper doll. Chase's triumphant sneer followed her down, but Jack's fist caught him in the gut before he could lift his eyes again.
Chase flew backward, smashing into the stone wall behind him. He gripped his stomach with both hands and doubled over, but managed to remain on his feet. He looked up just in time to see Jack lunging forward.
The boy grabbed Chase by the front of his armor. Still trying to suppress the pain in his gut, Chase could do nothing to stop Jack from hurling him across the room.
After sliding across the ground for only a second, Chase caught himself and flipped to his feet. The armor on one arm was shredded and bloody where he had scraped against the rocky ground. Jack didn't give him time to recuperate or even wonder what was happening. He was at Chase's side in an instant, fist swinging up toward his opponent's jaw.
The fury in Jack's eyes was familiar, Chase realized. It was just like the time on the mountaintop with Raimundo. But this time, there was no desperation or helplessness in Jack's expression.
As he dodged back, Chase felt the edge of Jack's fist just barely scrape his chin. He grinned, triumphant, and aimed a fist at the smaller boy's exposed midsection. But the blow didn't even come close.
Jack dodged around Chase's outstretched arm and brought his elbow sharply into Chase's side. The sound of breaking bone echoed through the cave.
Then Jack brought his knee up into Chase's stomach, sending him skidding across the floor again. He caught himself just before hitting the ground with one hand and one knee. The other hand grasped at his stomach. This time, he saw droplets of red splatter on the ground before him when he coughed.
Chase forced his head up, bracing for his opponent's next attack. But Jack didn't move. The boy's chest was heaving and sparks of rage still flickered in his eyes. Each ragged breath sent another sharp twinge of pain through Chase's body. Disbelief ran through Chase alongside the pain.
This was Spicer. The worm. He was nothing. Chase's own words ran through his head. "A thousand lifetimes of training wouldn't be enough to make you into an adequate warrior, let alone one worthy to call himself my enemy." The idea of Jack improving this much in less than a year was laughable. Impossible. What was going on?
Jack stood still, arms up, fury still tingling inside him. His heart was pounding in his ears and his breath came in heavy gasps. But he wasn't tired. In fact, he felt like he'd hardly put any effort into their brief exchange at all. Although Jack had practiced with his nanobots back at the temple, he realized that he still hadn't been completely prepared for his increased strength. And obviously, the man before him wasn't prepared either.
Chase pushed himself to his feet, wiping blood from his lip. His face was contorted with rage and disbelief. Jack felt his lips twist into a smirk. Energy ran through his body. The strength he felt, and the sight of Chase on the ground before him, was electrifying.
"What is this?" Chase spat on the ground, finally straightening his back. "Some trick of Raimundo's? Or yours, Omi?"
When he turned his head to face the little monk who was helping Wuya to her feet, Jack shot forward again. His fist hit the side of Chase's jaw with a crack. As Chase fell toward the ground, Jack landed another kick in his stomach. Chase flew across the room again, rolling to a stop at least twenty feet away. With each blow, Jack felt a thrill of excitement and power run through him.
As Jack strode forward, approaching his fallen enemy, Omi's voice came from behind him. Jack was fairly sure he'd never heard Omi use such a subdued, cautious tone. "Jack, it is dishonorable to attack when an opponent's attention is elsewhere." Jack remembered that Omi didn't know about the nanobots. "Do you not think that—"
"Just keep out of it, Omi." Jack was slightly surprised at his own harsh tone. He didn't bother to correct it. "This doesn't have anything to do with you."
"But, Jack, perhaps you should—"
"I said keep out of it." Jack stood over Chase as he began pushing himself back to his feet. His anger was beginning to fade now. Wuya was fine. She was watching from the sidelines with Omi. Instead, Jack felt a different emotion take control. Another grin spread across his face.
"Hey, Chase, baby? How ya doing down there?" Chase made it to his feet, but still held one arm over his stomach. Jack had never seen him so angry. "Listen, Chase. I'm not gonna ask you nicely again. Teach the healing technique to Omi."
"How dare you speak to me that way?" Chase's voice was soft. Probably because he was still trying to catch his breath. "I'll kill you, Spicer. You're nothing to me. You think I'd hesitate to kill you?"
"I think you can't touch me." Jack's grin faded. "And I think you know it. Must be pretty embarrassing." Jack glanced over at Wuya and Omi. "To get publicly beaten to a pulp. I wouldn't know."
Chase spat on the ground again.
"Do what I said, Chase." Jack narrowed his eyes. "Teach Omi the technique. And I'll leave you alone."
A wordless snarl erupted from Chase's lips. Jack knew he shouldn't be happy to have an excuse. He knew that Raimundo had told him not to get into a fight. But at the moment, he just couldn't bring himself to care.
Omi watched, feeling helpless, as Jack threw Chase across the room again. With every blow Jack landed, Omi's astonishment grew. How? How could Jack, the newcomer, the weakling, who had no element, who wasn't a chosen one, who hadn't even made it to apprentice rank, how could he do this to Chase Young? It was impossible.
Wuya didn't look quite as surprised. Though Omi had noticed the concern she'd tried to hide, he was sure it was concern for Jack's safety. Now she looked impressed. Awed, even. The expression looked strange on her. But it was nothing compared to how strange Chase looked.
If he didn't know Chase so well, Omi would have thought the whole thing was a Heylin setup. But Chase would never have subjected himself to such abuse, no matter what there was to gain.
The only person who seemed at home in the scenario was Jack. Though Omi hadn't seen it in a while, the twisted, victorious grin on Jack's face was quite familiar. Omi stepped forward again, but didn't put himself in between the two warriors.
"Jack, you must stop." His voice felt quiet and weak. "This isn't right. A Xiaolin monk does not treat anyone like this, even his enemies."
Again, Jack didn't even look over. He was circling Chase as the warrior tried to climb back to his feet. "Y'know, Omi, you are really bad at listening. Has anyone ever told you that?" Jack swung his leg forward and caught Chase in the side of the head. Chase crumpled to the ground again, coughing up more blood. "Keep out of it."
"You're hurting him, Jack." Omi tried to keep the panic from his voice. He knew he shouldn't be afraid. He wouldn't have admitted that he was afraid. But he was. Jack could do whatever he wanted with this newfound strength. Omi couldn't stop him.
"Oh, am I?" This time, Jack looked up at Omi, grin vanishing. "You mean like he hurt me? Like he hurt Wuya? Or what about Raimundo? This is nothing compared to what he did to Raimundo." Jack's gaze dropped back down. His voice turned darker. "Teach Omi the technique."
Chase glared up. He bared his teeth, which were pink with blood, and Omi could tell what he was about to do. His teeth began to grow and sharpen quickly as his body changed. He grew taller, hunched over, and his skin sprouted brown and black scales. The whites of his eyes turned yellow and laced with red veins. His hands and feet twisted into vicious claws.
Jack didn't step back. He watched, and Omi could tell he'd been expecting this as well. Chase's dragon form was, without a doubt, his most powerful and dangerous state.
But even once he'd transformed, Chase clearly had trouble staying on his feet. Blood still trickled down his teeth and chin.
"Very impressive." Jack sneered up at his opponent. "I've always liked this form, Chase. What was it you called it? Your true form?" He bared his teeth up at the creature that towered over him. "What could be more appropriate?"
The beast let out a deafening roar, but Jack didn't flinch. His eyes were narrow, and Omi knew, somehow, that Chase's transformation wouldn't make any difference. Wuya, however, didn't seem to share his confidence. She leaned forward slightly, and Omi noticed that her hands were clenched into fists.
Chase lunged forward, jaws wide, but Jack slid out of the way. One of the most impressive parts of Chase's dragon form was that not only did his strength increase, but his speed increased as well. Yet he might as well have been trying to move with iron tied to his feet. Jack moved so quickly that Omi could hardly see him.
After delivering multiple strikes to Chase's side, Jack knocked him off his feet. Again, he paced around his fallen foe.
"Teach Omi the technique, Chase." All amusement was gone from Jack's face. Wuya, however, seemed to finally be getting over her concern for Jack's safety.
"Come on, Chase," she said. "You're only making yourself look even more pathetic. Just give it up. You've been beaten."
"No…" Chase's voice could hardly be heard over his rasping breath. "Never. I'm…not beaten…"
Wuya's cackling laugher echoed through the cavernous room. Omi expected Jack to laugh with her, but he remained silent. Chase finally forced himself to stand again. He swung out with one claw. Jack dodged easily. He gripped onto Chase's outstretched arm with both hands and twisted it back.
A pained, animalistic howl joined the sound of breaking bone. Jack yanked on Chase's arm, which now hung limply at his side, forcing him to his knees. He leaned forward, looking down at his enemy. His face was warped with fury.
"Please…" Omi was surprised to hear his own voice. "Chase, please teach me."
Chase turned his head to look at Omi. His yellow eyes were narrowed, but Omi could see his consciousness fading. He began to sway, but managed one last word.
"Never…"
Jack released his arm. The beast fell to the ground and transformed back into a bruised, bloodied, and finally beaten, Chase Young.
The room was silent for a moment; then Wuya shot past Omi and wrapped her arms around Jack's shoulders. Omi realized, suddenly, that Jack had grown taller. He was taller than Wuya now, though not by much.
"Jack, that was amazing," she said. "I didn't know that you…I mean…I didn't realize that…"
"Yeah." Jack looked up from Chase's still form. His expression was no longer angry. Instead, he looked almost as surprised as Omi felt. "I guess I shouldn't have been afraid."
Wuya leaned up and planted a kiss on Jack's cheek. Then she ran her arms down to rest around his waist. "I don't think you'll ever have to be afraid again." Jack's whole face turned red, and Omi was able to believe that this was their Jack again. The innocent Jack. The good Jack.
"But we still failed. I…guess I kinda screwed it up." Jack glanced at the floor. "Sorry. I just…when he hit you, I…"
This time, Wuya was the one blushing. "Thank you, Jack." They stared at each other for a moment, then suddenly seemed to remember that Omi was standing right there.
"Oh, right." Jack turned to face Omi, and Wuya let go. "Sorry Omi. I…I didn't mean to yell at you or anything."
"It is alright," Omi lied. "I understand the anger you were feeling." That part wasn't a lie. Omi remembered when he'd left his good side behind in the Yin-Yang world and turned against his friends. He remembered the fury behind his attacks. He remembered the blind rage. And he hadn't liked it.
"We should probably get back." Jack turned and headed back toward the cave entrance. "Raimundo is not gonna be happy."
Wuya walked next to Jack and started chatting about the fight. Omi followed behind them after a quick glance back at Chase's unconscious body, still lying in a heap on the ground.
