AN: Just so you guys know, I'm already developing the sequel for this. Not sure what it's going to be titled but I know where I want it to go. However, I will probably start posting a completely different multi-chapter fic before I start posting the sequel. Mostly because I need a break from the Delicate universe. Plus there's some other story ideas that are just screaming at me to write them. :)
Enjoy chapter 28! We're getting really close to the end!
-oOo- Chapter 28 -oOo-
"Sooo… I just kinda… Put this on my eyelid?"
It was morning. Jack stood in front of the mirror, Kimiko at her side, holding a make-up brush in one hand and her eyeshadow in the other. It was the new silvery one she'd gotten at Sephora and it looked like straight-up shimmery moon dust to her.
"Pretty much, yeah," Kimiko affirmed with a nod. "Start with just a little. Then if you want more, you can add more."
"Okay."
Jack flipped open the eyeshadow, pressing the brush to the pigment and rubbing. The bristles went from dark brown to silver and she raised it to her eye. Taking a deep breath, she pressed it to the center of her eyelid. When she pulled the brush away, there was a perfect circular spot of silver.
"Alright, good start, now just spread that side to side. If you color the whole lid, it'll look great with your cat-eye."
Jack nodded, pressing the brush to the spot again, sweeping it gently side to side. The silver spread, light enough to not overwhelm her complexion but dark enough to be seen. Gaining confidence since the first eye looked good, she went ahead and did the second eye.
When she leaned back to look at her reflection, she blinked in surprise. Traditionally feminine fashion may have failed her but… This was something she could actually do. She beamed, unable to help herself. The silver reminds her sharply of titanium and steel, of her bots, of something comforting. She applied the eyeliner, flicking up the ends of her cat-eyes with familiarity. Then she pouted softly, applying grape lip gloss. She rubbed her lips together then popped them.
Kimiko grinned.
"You look fantastic."
And she was right. Staring back in the mirror wasn't a scared kid but a new identity. Jack Spicer, Xiaolin Apprentice and robotics genius, girlfriend of Chase Young, former Heylin warlord.
Chase.
"Gotta go!"
She dashed away before Kimiko even had a chance to respond, taking off down the hall. She spun around the corner, launching herself towards the pavilion. When she came to the doorway, she paused just out of sight, catching her breath. She tucked her hair behind her ears nervously, peeking in.
Chase was the only one there. Good.
Taking a steadying breath, she stepped through the doorway.
"Morning, Chase."
"Good morning, Ja-! … Oh."
Jack couldn't help but smirk when his words faltered. His eyes widened slightly as he looked up at her, his Adam's Apple bobbing as he swallowed.
Chase was at an utter, total loss of words and Jack was drunk on that power.
"Yes?"
"I-is… You look great."
"Really? It's not overkill?"
Jack knew she looked good. The lip gloss she'd donned made her lips far more noticeable than usual, the sparkle in her eyeshadow making her eyes pop.
"N-not at all," Chase assured her, shaking his head hard, as if trying to get water out of his ears. "Come close, let me see."
He crooked a finger at her and Jack made her way to him, kneeling on the floor beside him. Gently, he took her chin in his hand, observing her handy-work. Slowly, he smiled.
"Lovely," He simply stated and she flushed. "What's on your lips? They're shiny."
"Oh, just grape-flavored lip gloss," She explained. "I wasn't quite sure I was ready for lipstick yet, but-!"
Jack was cut off by Chase's lips on hers. He kept it short and sweet but it still made Jack's heart jump. He pulled back, sucking his bottom lip slightly, brow furrowed in thought.
"Hm. Yeah. That's definitely grape."
Jack stared at Chase in disbelief for a moment before gripping his shirt front, pulling him in again. He smirked just before she kissed him again, sliding his hand for her chin to bury it in her hair. They fell back, Jack settling comfortably between his hips, when a gasp and a yelp broke their kiss.
"My precious, innocent eyes!"
"Morning, Omi," Chase groaned, sitting up again. Jack flushed deeply, shifting sideways in his lap. Omi rubbed his eyes vigorously, wishing quite loudly that he could forget what he just saw as Clay arrived.
"This a public place, partner," Clay addressed Chase as he shifted past Omi. "If y'all wanna… Canoodle, get a room."
"Canoodle?" Jack squeaked. Chase locked an arm around her shoulders, pressing a light kiss to her neck.
"I was merely greeting my girlfriend on this fine morning," He sniffed. "It is unfortunate that you chose this particular moment to arrive."
"Unfortunate, my ass," Clay huffed, taking his usual seat.
-oOo-
"It's a shame we only have four new Shen Gong Wu to test out."
There was a massive oak chest in the middle of the courtyard. Elaborate and burnished with bronze, it hosted the Shen Gong Wu they'd be using for their training that day. Raimundo, who'd spoken, pulling the Dragon Gloves out and started to pull them on when a hand laid on his shoulder.
"You know, Raimundo," Master Fung said gently, "as Shoku Warrior and leader, perhaps it would be prudent to allow your fellow monks to test out the Wu."
Raimundo sighed, honestly not surprised, handing off the Dragon Gloves to an ecstatic Omi. He joined Chase, taking a seat on the low garden wall. He tried not to look disappointed.
"You will have your chance, Raimundo," Chase reassured him, turning a page in his copy of The Great Gatsby. Raimundo huffed.
"He's right, kiddo," Dojo addressed him from Chase's shoulders. "Besides, you'll have plenty of fun watching the others make fools of themselves first, right?"
"Heh. Yeah, I guess you're right," Raimundo conceded with a grin.
"So what's the task, Master Fung?" Clay asked as he spun the Black Angel staff experimentally.
"Simply test out the Shen Gong Wu. Practice using them so you may know what to expect when using them in future Showdowns."
Kimiko and Jack exchanged excited grins, holding the Mockingbird Jar and the Creature Cloak respectively. Without waiting for preamble, Kimiko lifted the jar, pointing the opening at Chase. He blinked in surprise.
"Mockingbird Jar!"
A golden beam shot from the jar, looping around Chase's neck, and returning to Kimiko, looping around her neck. Then she opened her mouth and spoke.
"Kiss my lizard ass."
To the hilarity of the group, Chase's voice came out of her mouth instead of her own. Master Fung pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation as his Xiaolin monks roared with laughter. Chase could do nothing but roll his eyes; after all, the Wu had stolen his voice.
Jack, once she'd caught her breath again, activated her chosen Wu.
"Creature Cloak!"
Swishing it around, she settled it on her shoulders like a cape. In a whoosh of color, she transformed into a pure white rabbit with red eyes. Her little nose twitched as Kimiko 'aww'ed. Then she jumped, springing around the courtyard, jumping over feet, in-between legs, and around trees. With a mighty boing, her hind feet used Chase's thigh as a spring board, startling Raimundo into falling backwards off the wall as Dojo cackled.
Jack changed back once landed, flopping down on her back. Panting, her cheeks were flushed from all the bouncing around.
"Holy shit," she breathed. "That. Was. Awesome!"
"Ooo, I want to try to Creature Cloak next!"
"Hold your horses, partner," Clay told a practically drooling Omi. "You've got your own Wu to test out first!"
"Oh, right!"
Omi tugged on the Dragon Gloves, their scales and claws glinting in the light. He flexed his fingers with a grin.
"Dragon Gloves!"
He activated the Wu, the claws sparking and catching fire. Throwing a punch, a swirling ball of red and orange shot forward. Raimundo and Chase ducked quickly, the tree behind them bursting into flames.
"Ah! Oops! My badness!"
"Ooo, very nice!" Dojo commented as he watched the tree burn. "That's the power of dragon fire!"
"That's the power of any fire," Chase corrected with a soft snort. Dojo huffed.
"Don't insult me; I know my dragon fire!"
"If you say so."
Quickly, Omi called forth his water element, dousing the tree and remedying the situation. He smiled sheepishly at Master Fung's sigh as Clay lifted the Black Angel Staff.
"Black Angel Staff!"
He spun it one-handedly. The movement created a barrier of light that 'vworp'ed into existence, glowing with a soft hum. He spun it faster, the humming steadily rising in pitch until finally, he swung it. A massive wave of light came off the staff, slicing a branch off the same still-smoking and soaked tree.
Master Fung's voice had him wincing.
"I will ask that you keep the Temple grounds in one piece."
"Sorry 'bout that, Master Fung."
"I am most sorry, Master Fung."
"That being said, I wish to present a new idea to you. When Dashi created the Shen Gong Wu, he made many of them compatible with one another. I want you to try using two Wu at once."
Silence and blinking met his words. Two Wu at once? Up until that point, most of the monks hadn't even considered that to be a possibility.
"I did that a while back," Raimundo admitted from his spot on the wall. The other monks swiveled around to look at him and he shrugged. "Remember when I did that Shen Yi Bu Dare against Tubbimura? I used the Eye of Dashi with the Sword of the Storm."
"This is… Different," Master Fung said with a rather sly twitch of the lips. "This is the combination of two Wu to create an entirely new Wu. Why don't you demonstrate? As a reward for your patience."
Instant excitement. Grinning, Raimundo took the Black Angel Staff and the Dragon Gloves. He stood apart from the others, mentally preparing himself as he pulled on the Gloves.
"So what? I just say both Wu names…? These are compatible, right?"
"Yes, those are compatible. As for the execution, I would suggest following your Tiger Instincts to find the right combination of words."
Raimundo nodded. He tested the weight of the Staff in his hand, spinning it experimentally.
"Dragon Staff!"
Jack's jaw dropped as the Gloves and Staff stained fully black, the wings at the end of the Staff bursting into flames. Raimundo spun the it, the fire spinning around and around and around. Then he jumped forward with a yell, slamming the end of the staff against the ground. The effect was instantaneous. Fire erupted along the ground in lines. Omi and Clay sprung apart from each other with yelps, Dojo diving for cover, Chase yanking Jack and Kimiko out of the way by the backs of their robes.
As soon as it'd happened, it was over. The fires died down instantly, the Dragon Gloves and Black Angel Staff smoking in Raimundo's hands.
"Whoa…" He panted, breathless in awe. Dojo peered with wide eyes over the wall, whistling lowly.
"Well done, Raimundo," Master Fung praised him. "But perhaps… A little less enthusiastically next time? I would really like for this Temple to make it to the Chinese New Year."
-oOo-
"Hey, did one of you kids order something?"
Pausing over their breakfasts of congee and fruit, the monks turned to look at Dojo. It was that time of year when they started eating in the recreation room under the kotatsu; it was simply too cold out on the pavilion, especially before warm-ups.
Jack's legs were under the blanket, her side pressed against Chase. His hand slid over her lower back as she turned to face Dojo.
"I did. Does it look about this big?" She asked, holding up her hands so they were roughly two feet apart. Dojo nodded and she grinned. "That's my skateboard!"
"Oh, so you really got one?" Raimundo asked with interest. Jack's grin widened as she stood.
"Yup! Modifications start tonight."
She stood, straightening her robes and following Dojo from the room. When they'd disappeared around the corner, Kimiko turned to Chase.
"Do you know what you're getting her for Christmas?"
"Of course," he said smoothly, not batting an eye.
It was a lie. He had no idea what he was getting Jack for Christmas. All the typical drivel gifted between lovers (flowers, chocolates, various stuffed animals) seemed so shallow compared to what he felt for her.
"I have no clue what to get her," Clay admitted, scratching his head under his hat. "Jack and I don't exactly share many hobbies."
"Yeah, I'd planned on getting her a skateboard," Raimundo confessed. "But…" He gestured helplessly at the doorway where she'd left. Kimiko snorted.
"I was planning on hitting up Sephora again," she said with a shrug. "Jack really liked it."
"Doesn't she play video games?" Omi asked. "I was thinking of buying her something for her GamePal…"
"Now, that's a mighty fine idea," Clay said thoughtfully. "Too bad there's not much nearby for gift shopping. We'll have to order everything off Taobao."
"Perhaps Master Fung would allow you to take a weekend trip to a larger city," Chase suggested. Raimundo laughed mirthlessly.
"Convincing Master Fung to let us take a trip outside of official Xiaolin business is easier said than done."
"Are you not all adults?" Chase asked with a frown. "I was under the impression most of you were of age."
"I am 13," Omi explained. "Kimiko, Raimundo, and Clay are 17."
"Jack is the oldest here, being 19 and all. Master Fung would probably insist on us having a chaperone," Clay said, shrugging.
Chase mulled over those words, giving the youngest monk a sideways glance. How old had Omi been when he'd tried to corrupt him? 10? Maybe 11? He sighed. Too young. Hell, they were all so young compared to Chase. He tended to forget that. Of course, Omi would need a chaperone. He'd argue that all of them needed a chaperone. Especially if Jack was the oldest of the group.
He couldn't help but frown. Master Fung sent these… Children out to hunt for powerful and potentially dangerous mystical objects four years prior. Omi would've been only 9 years old, Kimiko, Clay, and Raimundo 13. Jack would've been… 15. Children trained to fight and pitted against Heylin forces, sent internationally to gather what were essentially weapons with no one but a dragon as a babysitter.
It wasn't right.
-oOo-
Jack shook the can of spray paint, grinning. Her new skateboard was laid out on her work desk on top of a clear protective sheet, trucks and wheels removed and set aside. She'd already primed it after reading it'd ensure her paint job had an even finish. Painting tape along the sides of the deck protected the black grip tape from getting all tagged up.
Jack was excited; she had big plans for this skateboard. If she could get all the right parts.
Pulling a cloth mask over her mouth and nose and tugging her goggles on, she gave the can one more shake before mashing down on the nozzle. The spray of black coated the back of the board in a long streak.
Chase stood back; the last thing he needed was to wind up spray painted. As per Jack's request, he was also sporting a cloth mask to avoid breathing in fumes. They'd opened the small window behind Jack's desk and the lab door (typically closed) to create a cross-breeze. Unfortunately, this meant the lab was unreasonably cold.
Jack finished up quickly, checking the paint job for drips and missed spots. Satisfied, she pushed her goggles back up onto her forehead.
"Okay, now I just gotta wait for that to dry… I can work on this in the meantime."
She gestured at the security system that she'd been perfecting for the past couple of weeks. Chase raised an eyebrow as she shivered, shoulders hitching slightly as a cold winter breeze blew through the lab.
"How about we let the lab ventilate for the evening and go somewhere warmer?"
"Pffft, I'm fine. I can handle it," Jack laughed. Then a harsher wind blew through, making her automatically cringe. "You know what? Yeah. Yeah, let's do that. I could use a snack."
Chase snorted, draping an arm around her shoulders as they left the lab. They headed for the kitchen together, staying quiet for the sake of the rest of the Temple as it was past midnight.
"Tea?" Chase asked, sliding open the designated tea drawer. The wide assortment of teas within had been tried at least once by both Chase and Jack at different points in time.
"Nah," Jack said as she perched on a stool at the island. "Decaf coffee. And Oreos."
"As you wish," Chase said, the corner of his lips quirking up. He slid a sleeve of Oreos across the island which Jack caught, grinning. He then set about making a pot of decaf coffee, deciding he himself wouldn't mind a cup.
"So what're your plans for the board?"
"Honestly? I wanna turn it into a hover board. But like… Faster."
"And you have the means to do it?"
"Kinda…" Jack sighed, resting her chin in her palm. At Chase's questioning look, she continued, "There's this part that I need for the hover component. Typically I'd just order it online but it's expensive and I don't exactly have my parents' money at my disposal anymore."
"Yes, that would blow your robotic double's cover," Chase mused, setting a steaming mug in front of her.
"I could always manufacture it myself but… It's extremely time-consuming and requires tools I also don't have access to," Jack said sadly, stirring milk and sugar into her coffee. "So I may have to scrap the plans altogether and just settle on a regular board. Which sucks but… Whatever, I guess."
"I'm sorry that you'll be unable to complete our project. I know that's fru- What are you doing?"
Jack froze, half an Oreo dripping.
"I'm… Dipping my Oreo in my coffee?"
"That's… Strange. Why?"
"This is coming from the guy who needs five teaspoons of sugar in his coffee?" Jack scoffed, nibbling on her Oreo.
"Well, yes, otherwise it's unpalatable."
"Don't let Raimundo hear you say that. I'm surprised you don't put sugar in your tea, too."
She burst out laughing at the scandalized look on Chase's face.
"That is blasphemous, I would never!"
"Y-your face!" Jack cackled, arms wrapped around her middle. "Holy shit, your face was priceless!"
Chase rolled his eyes, smiling. After she'd caught her breath, he leaned forward, stealing the other half of her Oreo. After regarding her mug for a moment, he dipped it in. Jack watched quietly, grinning, waiting. He popped it in his mouth.
First, he frowned. Then his eyebrows shot up.
"See?" Jack wheedled. "Fucking delicious, right?"
"I admit," Chase said after swallowing. "It's not something I would've thought of but… It is not entirely unpleasant."
-oOo-
Master Fung was walking through the Temple gardens, taking in the brisk winter air, when Chase found him. The elder spoke before he could even open his mouth.
"You wish to take the monks on a weekend trip to Beijing so they may purchase gifts for Christmas."
"How do you do that?" Chase couldn't help but ask, taken aback. Master Fung smiled, eyes twinkling.
"I might've overheard your conversation," he admitted. "Of my many talents, omniscience is not among them."
Chase shook his head in disbelief.
"You are correct in your assumptions as to why I'm here. But I must also admit that my request is somewhat selfish; there is some business I must take care of in Beijing."
"I see."
"I would pay for the their transportation, accommodations, and meals, of course."
"That is quite generous of you," Master Fung commented, raising an eyebrow. At Chase's patient silence, he sighed. "I suppose the young dragons deserve a short reprieve from Temple life. You have my permission to carry out your plans."
"They will be delighted, I'm sure."
"Of that I have no doubt. Now, correct me if I'm wrong…" Master Fung lowered his tone. "I believe you have something else you'd like to ask me."
Chase swallowed. Because he was absolutely right; he did have something else to ask. Glancing around to make sure there weren't any spectators, he stepped closer.
"The conflict between Xiaolin and Heylin forces has been raging for centuries. Three generations of Xiaolin Dragons have come and gone since I left the Temple, all of them adults. And yet… Omi is only just now 13 years old. Why is this generation so young? Why do you allow them to fight?"
Master Fung sighed. Chase could see the weariness in his eyes, years of weight on his shoulders.
"As you know, we have always started training Dragons-to-be at a young age. However, Kimiko, Raimundo, and Clay's families insisted we wait until they were 13. They learned kung fu from programs closer to home and moved to the Temple on schedule. Omi was the only one trained from the proper age. Then Wuya escaped Grand Master Dashi's puzzle box. The resulting magical surge was enough to awaken the Shen Gong Wu."
"But why send these monks?" Chase asked again, feeling like he was missing something. "Why not extend a plea to the previous generations? They would be all be adults, fully capable of fighting thanks to our longer lifespans, surely."
"And we did," Master Fung revealed gravely. "But no answer came."
"No… Answer came?" Chase asked slowly, cold dread seeping into his veins.
"The previous generations of Xiaolin Dragons are missing. I would not have sent these children, especially Omi to retrieve Shen Gong Wu unless it was absolutely necessary."
"So they're just… Gone?"
"Yes. Master Monk Guan and I have searched to no avail. We don't know what happened but we do know that we are alone."
A cold breeze swept through the Temple grounds, lifting Chase's hair as he realized the implications of this. If the previous generations, fifteen Xiaolin Dragons in all, were missing… Then the current generation was the only one standing between the world and complete Heylin conquest.
Four teenagers… And now Jack.
-oOo-
AN: The plot thickens. I wonder what happened to the previous generations of Xiaolin Dragons...
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Leave a Kudos and a comment!
Next chapter will be posted on May 4th. In the meantime, go read my latest one-shot Dreaming Alone!
-P3ac3fulFor3st
