A/N;
This chapter is for those of you who want to follow Omi and see what trouble befalls the diminutive egocentric monk. Also see chapter 11-A for the obligatory cat joke.
Chapter Eleven-B
Ambushed
A refreshing breeze blew over the mystical island of Avalon while the early sun broke through morning haze. The whole island buzzed with the chatter of the tournament spectators as they began to make their way into the stadium, eagerly anticipating the start of the second round. Making his way down a winding path that lead through a large open field, Omi took in the sights around him while ignoring the other combatants he passed along the way. Glancing over towards the stadium, Omi silently hoped everything was going well for Kimiko and Clay. After they had awakened to find Raimundo missing, he had volunteered to go search for Raimundo while Kimiko and Clay went to check in for their match.
Recognizing the girl Raimundo had been surfing with during the beach party, Omi jogged off the path and over towards her and the girl she was talking with. "Forgive my interruption, but have either of you seen Raimundo today?"
"The cute Brazilian kid?" Angie turned towards Omi with a smile. "Nope."
"Nor have I," Aelia answered.
"Maybe he's out cutting some waves," Angie added.
Omi shook his head, remembering the fifteen minutes he had spent searching the beach. "I have previously checked to see if his was hanging nine, but was unable to locate him."
"You mean hanging ten, right?" Angie stepped closer towards him and lean in close. "Maybe he was abducted by an extraterrestrial life form."
"Come again?" Omi asked.
"You know, aliens, UFO's from beyond the stars. It was really dark last night. I bet he was out walking to his room when suddenly, a bright flash of light hit him and beamed him onto the mother ship."
"Really?" Omi asked nervously.
"It happens all the time." Angie looked up at the sky. "Poor Rai is probably getting probed as we speak."
"Then it is up to me to save him from these evil aliens." An unnerving shiver ran through Omi as he followed the overly energetic girls gaze.
"You'd better hurry, before the man finds him first." Angie returned her gaze to Omi. "And watch out for that creepy old guy who always smokes cigarettes and works for the government hiding the evidence about aliens and then sends a black opts team to take you out or spend millions of dollars to discredit you until your boss makes you work in the basement and your partner is some science lady who never believes the truth even if it bites her on the butt."
"Have you been watching the X-Files again?" Aelia shook her head.
"Maybe." Angie shrugged.
"Well thanks for your time, goodbye." Omi quickly backed away before turning around to continue his search.
"The truth is out there," Angie yelled as Omi hurried off. "Trust no one."
Leaving the odd girl behind, Omi made his way back to the path to continue his search. Passing a sixteen year old boy wearing a navy blue shirt with matching pants and boots, as well as a dark gray jacket, Omi began to wonder how he would save Raimundo from the aliens that Angie had warned him about. He followed the path as it slowly began to curve around a large tree and headed further away from the stadium when a swift gust of wind blew passed him. Glancing around, he hopped to find Raimundo flying passed but after a moment of searching for his familiar chi, he let out a long breath and continued down the path.
"Psst, hey, little dude."
Surprised by the voice, Omi paused and turned around to find the boy in the gray jacket leaning against the trunk of the tree he had just passed. I do not remember seeing him there a moment ago, Omi mused silently. "Yes?"
"You see anyone else on this part of the path?" The boys jet black hair was greased back, and his lopsided smile reminded him slightly of Hannibal Bean when he would disguise himself as Raimundo.
"What do you want?" Omi stretched out with his senses, surprised how much chi the unassuming boy put out.
"I heard you're looking for you pal, the surfer guy." The boy looked over his shoulder as if he was afraid someone was watching. "I know where he is."
"You have seen where the UFO's have taken him?" Omi asked.
"Yeah, just head straight down that way and you'll find him at the base of the cliff." The boy pointed to his right.
"I am most appreciative for your assistance." Omi bowed before quickly running in the direction the boy had indicated.
After running to the far side of the resort, Omi found himself standing on top of a small cliff that over looked the ocean. Bounding off the small surfaces of rock he could us as ledges, Omi quickly hopped his way down to the beach below and glanced around. Unsurprisingly, since the tournament was due to begin at any minute; the only sound he could hear besides his own footsteps was the gentle crash of the waves against the shore. "Why would Raimundo be out here in such an isolated part of the island?" Omi continued up the beach, passing a large boulder. "I am beginning to wonder if that boy might have been tugging my arm."
"Gee, we got a quick one here." The boy's voice came from behind, catching Omi off guard.
Omi instantly spun around to find the smiling boy leaning against the boulder he had just passed. "How did you get here so fast?"
"I'm the fastest man alive, little dude." The boy waved. An instant later, a gust of wind and a trail of sand rushed passed Omi. Coughing as the dust caught in his nose, Omi looked back towards the boy only to discover that he wasn't where he had been. "I'm over here." The boy let out amused laugh as Omi turned around just in time to see a fist slam into his face.
Stumbling back a step, he pushed aside his shock and sprang forward ready to attack the boy, but just before he reached his target, the boy zipped ten feet to his left. Taking up a defensive stance, Omi again turned to face the speedster. "Your speed is most impressive, but you are no match for my spectacular martial arts skills."
"Hello, I'm faster than a speeding bullet." The boy sped around the short monk to emphasize his point, leaving a blue and gray streak trailing behind him as he ran.
"You are Superman? Then you are the probing alien that has taken Raimundo."
"One, not an alien. Two, Superman is a chump. Everyone knows the Flash is better. And three, even if I, Wally Maximof Allen, the fastest man alive, was no match for you; I think the fact that I brought friends gives me more of an edge."
"Ain't no point in you fools being here Wally." A tall, overly muscular man stepped out from behind the boulder wearing, brown boots, a pair of jeans, and a black muscle shirt. He stood just over six feet tall and clapped his tapped fist into his open hand. "I'm gonna mess this chump up. Don't need no help to do it."
"Allow me to introduce to two of my teammates." Wally zipped over to Omi's side and gestured towards the menacing fighter. "The big man here is a former boxing heavyweight champion who got kick out of the sport for bludgeoning one too many ref's. Say howdy to Tyron Edward Alfonz. Course he hates it when we us his full name, so we just call him Tea." Wally then motioned to the other side of the boulder as a seventeen year old boy stepped into view. "And this regal young gent is Jacob Creed."
"A pleasure." Creed bowed politely, causing his long blonde hair to fall over his shoulder. Not quite as tall as Tea, Creed had a fairly muscular frame that filled out the ninetieth century mauve colored suit he wore perfectly.
Mentally kicking himself for not noticing the hidden attackers, Omi adjusted his stance slightly in order to keep the three assailants in sight while slowly letting his chi flow into him. "Who are you and what do you want?"
"My colleagues and I are three sevenths of team Amalgam," Creed answered. "We've been very anxious to meet you."
"Everybody who works on this island keeps talking about how you and your pals took down so big bad evil fairy and how they think you might be a favorite to win." Wally whizzed over to the boulder and leaned against it with a grin. "So when I hear that one of your buddies is MIA, I get to figuring if we jump you now, your other two pals won't have much of a chance to win a five on two match."
"And if your team gets eliminated now, we wont have to face you later," Creed added.
Tea started forward while twisting his neck from side to side. "Enough of this jibber jabber. You better be ready fool, 'cause you're in for a world of hurt."
(-)
"Welcome to day two of the Avalon tournament," Koto energetically announced, cutting the anticipatory chatter from the spectators. "Yesterday gave us a pretty good show, but today's eight matches should prove to be even better. Sixteen amazing team remain, each vying for one wish in hopes of…"
"Where the heck are they?" Kimiko angrily paced in front of the entrance to the western waiting area, ignoring Koto and her welcoming speech as she revved up the crowd. "How big can this island be anyway?"
"Seemed pretty big to me," Clay replied from the side wall, but an angry glare from Kimiko made him wish he had remained silent. "Omi should be back with Rai any second now."
"They'd better be here, our match is about to start any second now."
Stretching his arms, Clay stepped over to entrance and looked over the crowd, hopping to see the missing monks making their way to the ring. A jolt of concern began to return at as he again pondered what could have happened to Raimundo. He knew Raimundo could be impulsive at times, but he never knew him to skip out on a fight. Adding to the fact that Omi hadn't returned yet, Clay couldn't help but wonder if Wuya, Rin, or any other of their enemies might have gotten to them. "I'm sure they're fine. Probably get here faster than mule outta a glue factory."
"They'd better." Kimiko took a long, deep breath. "Or they're going to end up like a mule in a glue factory."
"Ladies and gents, welcome the ensemble of wacky warriors team Cliché." Koto motioned towards the eastern entrance as the five members of the team made their way to the ring.
"That ain't our name!" Caine yelled, catching Clay's attention.
"But the audience loves it," Koto replied with a grin.
"I'll be a son pot bellied pig." Clay tipped his hat back, surprised to see the older cowboy.
"You know him?" Kimiko asked.
"Jeremiah Caine, I ran into him while I was train with Omi in Texas. No good varmint tried to run my sister out of town."
"Least I see how they got their name. Each one is a walking cliché." Kimiko laughed, pointing out that their team consisted of a cowboy, a maid, a priest, a butler, and an old fashioned dragonlady.
"And their opponents." Koto gestured to the west. "The sensational Xiaolin Dragons."
"There's our cue." Kimiko flashed him a quick smile started towards the ring with Clay right behind her.
"Hey flame brain, rawhide."
Recognizing the voice even over the general roar of the crowd, Clay turned to the right and spotted Alex sitting in the front row along with the rest of his team. "What do you horse apples want?"
"We're just rooting for the other team." Bob leaned back in his seat.
"Where's your lame brained tard of a boyfriend?" Ayane leaned against the railing in front of her with a twisted smile. "Ya seem ta be short a few losers today."
"What do you know about Rai?" Kimiko started towards the raven haired girl but Clay grabbed her arm.
Alex let out an amused laugh and flashed his usual, annoying grin. "You mean he never made it back your room. Why, I'm shocked. I wonder if he's okay, I mean this island could be dangerous. He might even lose an eye."
Kimiko glared dangerously at Alex. "If you did…"
"You'd better hurry." Rin nodded towards the ring. "Wouldn't want you to get DQ'd."
"Come on, we can deal with them later." Clay pulled Kimiko away from their rivals and quickly climbed into the ring.
"Long time no see," Caine stated coldly.
"Ain't been nearly long enough," Clay replied dryly.
"Not to interrupt this entertaining moment, but where is the rest of your team?" Koto looked from Kimiko to Clay.
"They'll a little late." Kimiko forced an endearing smile to her face. "If you could give us a couple more minutes, I'm sure they'll be here."
"Sorry, I would love to give you more time but you were told when to report to the arena." Koto shrugged. "According the rules, you can either forfeit the round, or face your opponents as is. If your two friends show up before you're eliminated they can join in, but other wise its fight or flight time."
"Terrific," Kimiko mutter dryly.
"Tis all fine an' dandy by me," the priest stated with a thick Irish accent. "How's about we start this thing already."
"How's about we keep this simple," Caine said. "One on one elimination 'til there's only one team standing."
"Fine." Kimiko nodded and quickly stepped over to their side of the ring.
"The excitement has begun already as team cliché will battle the Xiaolin in a five on two match." Koto turned to face to audience behind her while Clay joined Kimiko.
"You fought that Caine guy right?" Kimiko looked up at Clay. "Is he any good?"
"I beat him before, but I ain't seen his running buddies before." Clay snuck a peak at the opposing team. "Best bet is to take them out quick."
"Works for me." Kimiko smiled devilishly. "I need to blow off some steam anyway."
"Actually, I was hoppin' to fight first. I got a score to settle with Caine." Clay waited for her nod before stepping back into the ring. Pushing out his anxiety about Raimundo and Omi, Clay popped his knuckles as he waited for his opponent to step forward.