Episode 20: Rai Unsure

Jack was looking over Project Morph and Project Rebirth and once again see unlimited potential. He has informed Peridot about it but Peridot basically told him to wait a bit before she would arrive to see it in person. He would begin to set up and build a bit of Project Morph. This one was rather questionable as it mostly rides on how Peridot and the escort would feel about it. Jack began to test it out. "Alright, testing the alpha prototype of Project Morph, more specifically the reveal of a sword." Jack said to himself. "Thee...two...one...launch!" Jack shouts as the sword pops out of his arm but was too fast to catch, causing it to be stuck to the ceiling. "Okay, note to self, lower the force power to the sword launcher." Jack said to himself. He's not too happy about it but it's a work in progress.

Jack dehooks the sword launcher from his right arm and set it down on the table. The table shows the prototype idea of project morph, a versatile offense attack that is meant to be a lightning quick response attack. It currently consist of two build-in sword launchers for each arm, a jet pack for the back, and wu holsters for any wu that is not bigger than the monkey staff. He currently have the eye of Dashi and the aforementioned monkey staff in the holsters. However, Jack was far from completing Project Morph. As for Rebirth, he's still kept in under wraps as he's still figuring it out on how to make it work. Jack looks over the Wu locator and it was still quiet. "Nothing…good. As much as I want to continue my revenge tour, I need to work on my projects." Jack said. He was still hungry for revenge, even with the recent showdown win. He continues to ponder something. 'What is Wuya doing now that he expelled her' Jack pondered. He shakes his head. "What am I thinking about?! I don't care about Wuya anymore. She betrayed me and she got what she deserved. Losing to those monks and with me getting to best them myself." Jack said with a re-lit fire in his eyes. He simmers down a bit but still felt the sting of the backstab. Though he is curious, he doesn't care what Wuya is thinking. He's his own man right now. He gets back to work on his projects.

In Rio de Janeiro, Raimundo sat on top of a cliff, taking in the fresh air. It's been months since the infamous Mala Mala Jong incident and is starting to clear his head a bit. "I wish I hadn't made that mistake..." Raimundo bemoans. "Even Amethyst, the gem I could trust and is my equal, was against the idea. I shouldn't have left you, Rio." Raimindo sighs. However, he is feeling that he's not alone. This was confirmed as a familiar voice is heard. "Ah, you did come from a good city, am I within a ball park?" the voice echos out. It's Wuya and she's here in Rio!

"WUYA! What are you doing here? You going to pick my brain again?" Raimundo said, having the Golden Tiger Claws on standby. "No no… I figured that you needed someone you can rely on, a friend you see." Wuya said. "Friend? Ha, what makes you say that?" Raimundo said, scoffing the idea immediately. "Well, I did find out that other than Steven, you were generally unhappy about being a Xiaolin Monk, especially with…that loss against Jack Spicer for the Heart of Jong." Wuya said. This really took Raimundo aback as flashbacks show him losing to Jack, disobeying Master Fung, and getting reprimanded by not getting promoted to Xiaolin Apprentice. All this made Raimundo clinch his fist. It did struck a nerve. Wuya secretly smiles with glee.

"Ah, I see that if it wasn't for one Steven Universe, you would be more unhappy with the underfunded lifestyle, the constant training, and the lack of appreciation." Wuya kept saying, prodding around Raimundo. This made Raimundo uncomfortable. It did resonate with him and began to see a bit of Wuya angle. However, he kept his composure. "Okay, what is your point?" Raimundo said. "I can offer you a more rewarding lifestyle, more to your custom style." Wuya said as she uses her ghost power to show Raimundo's secret dream. A massive luxurious lifestyle with billiards, basketball, video game arcade, and much more. A butler arrive with a pizza and soda. It unveils a very tasty pizza but everything began to dissipate. This did get a lot of Raimundo's attention and had some strong offer.

"I can give you everything that you desires." Wuya said. "All I need is - *gasp* Wait, I'm sensing a Shen Gong Wu! We could begin our alliance right now!" Raimundo looks out the ocean. "Phase through my head...the location of the Wu..." Raimundo said. Wuya softly chuckles as she does so. Raimundo now know where it is and where to find it. "Let's go!" Wuya said. "Go ahead of me…" Raimundo said, not facing Wuya. "I'll be there in a bit. I just need to think this through." Wuya departs as we look at Raimundo. He looks over the city and begin to think constantly. On the one hand, Wuya offered up a lot of great things but this is Wuya, she's a Heylin and could just be manipulate Raimundo. On the other hand, His friends did not promote him to be a Xiaolin Apprentice but he knows them like the back of his hand. Would they be accepting of him joining up with Wuya? He ponders on that more and began to make a decision. He raises the Golden Tiger Claw as we cut away as we hear a slash.

Back at Beach City, the Monks and Gems were planning out the next Shen Gong Wu. "Look, Jack is not going to go easy on us so we might need at least one Gem come with us." Kimiko said. The Gems looks at each other. They knew this was going to be a tough call but that was before someone rose their hand. It was Amethyst. "Look, I feel bad for not stopping Raimundo when he was leaving" Amethyst explained "And I feel like I want to pay tribute to Raimundo and try to best that Spice Kid." Kimiko also had a friendship feeling for Raimundo and agreed with Amethyst. She remembered about Raimundo losing to Jack and how recently she felt ashamed about losing to Jack as well. Now she feel like she could convince Raimundo that she can understand why Raimundo felt so jaded. Dojo slithers up to the Gems and Monks. "Alright, let's see what the next Wu is showing up." Dojo said as he senses it. He pulls out the Ancient scrolls. "Ah, the reversing mirror, it reverses the effect of any shen gong wu, like for example it make the two ton tunic light as air." Dojo added. "So basically, it's an opposite wu?" Pearl said. "Sounds about right." Garnet said. The Monks and Amethyst head outside while, Steven, Pearl and Garnet stand guard of the wu.

Connie was walking up the stairs as the door opens. "Connie, what are you doing here?" Kimiko said. "Well, I was wanting to show Steven the last book of the Spirit Morph Saga." Connie said. "Oh, yea, I remember that book series." Clay said. "Steven was reading most of that when the Robonoids were landing on Earth." "Where you guys going?" Connie asked. "A wu just activated and we'll need to go get it. You can help Garnet, Pearl and Steven stand guard of the Wus." Dojo explained. "Alright, we'll read the book in the meantime." Connie said as she heads in. The monks and Amethyst managed to get on the beach and Dojo grows to his massive size. All 4 of them get on as Dojo begins to fly to get the Wu.

Garnet and Pearl then hears a rumble. It wasn't normal and it was another Robonoid landing on earth. "I though Peridot was done probing." Pearl said. "Steven, Connie, you two need to hang back. Master Fung is busy at the Xiaolin Temple today." "Can do." Steven said. "The Wu will be well guarded." Connie nods. Pearl and Garnet warp to find the Robonoid to make sure it's up to nothing wrong. Steven begins to read the book Connie brought to his place. A bit later, Steven finish reading and Connie mention how disappointed she was with the book. However, Rose's room opens after they mention about how they could change the ending. They shrug and head in for some role-playing fun. As the door close, another door opens… the front door. A mysterious person in a dark brown robe, face covered in the shadow, walks over to the pile and picks up the Serpent's Tail and walked out with no issues. Who was that person?

Side Note: Everything that happens in Open Book still happens.

At a lighthouse, Wuya was trying to pull the Reversing Mirror off the spotlight. However, Jack arrived. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here." Jack said. Wuya gasp. "Jack, what are you doing here? I found it first so it's mine!" Wuya said. "Well, you don't have a body so you can't possess it. You lose, I win." Jack said. "Actually it will be you would is going to lose, Spicy Boy." Amethyst calls out. She then lands with the Monks in the lighthouse. "Ugh…you three are here…and I see you brought Amethyst for a round of butt kicking." Jack said. "Yea, good luck, Spicy." Amethyst taunts. A bit later, the Jackbots attack and Jack began to head out as Amethyst and the Monks fight off the Jackbots. Jack lands on the ground as the Monks and Amethyst rush to the ground level via stairs. "Like taking candy from a baby." Jack said. He then trip on a rock and loses grip on the Reversing Mirror to protect his fall. He quickly leaps on top of it to make sure no one touches it. However, it was glowing. He looks up to see…RAIMUNDO!

"Why hello, Spicer." Raimundo said. "I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown." The monks open the door to see Raimundo ready for a showdown. "RAIMUNDO!" Kimiko and Amethyst said at the same time. "Jinx, you owe me a soda." Amethyst retorts. Dojo looks at Wuya. "Something wrong, got no one to support?" Dojo said with a bit of a smug tone. Wuya just ignored Dojo. This maybe her best bet at this point in time. "What's the challenge?" Jack said. "Flash light tag. First one in the crossbeam losses. My Tiger Claws against your Monkey Staff." Raimundo said. "Sounds fine to me. Let's go..." Jack said. "XIAOLIN SHOWDOWN!" Both said

The Lighthouse transform into several small platforms with the Monks and Amethyst at ground level. Jack and Raimundo grab on to one of the small platforms. "Gong Yi Tan Pai!" Both said. Raimundo uses the tiger claws to avoid the light while Jack uses the Monkey Staff to avoid the light. Both were able to avoid it with close calls on both side. The Monks were holding their breath. They don't know how Raimundo might do. They don't know how to feel about it too as this is the first time since Raimundo just bailed on them hardcore. During trying to escape, Raimundo got tangled up with Jack's tail. "Nuh uh uh. You show yourself to the light and I get to win this." Jack said with a monkey screech in victorious tone. Raimundo than hatched an idea. He made a small hole as the light was drawing close to him and poked Spicer's leg with a lot of force, causing him to slip and fall. The tail let go as he quickly avoids the light with the tiger claw. Jack lands on a flat platform, while losing the monkey staff in the blinding light as it flashes his eyes. "AHHHHH!….crud." Jack said. Raimundo fist pumps in the air as the lighthouse reverts back to normal.

The monks and Amethyst can't believe it, Raimundo won and bested Jack. Raimundo won the Monkey Staff, the Reversing Mirror and retained the Golden Tiger Claw. "Yee-haw, Raimundo." Clay said. "Nice job, Rai." Kimiko cheered. "That's what I'm talking about, R." Amethyst said. "You managed to bested Jack Spicer and all while without being a Xiaolin Apprentice." Omi said. However, Amethyst nudges Omi on that. "Omi, not now." Amethyst said. Amethyst looks back at Raimundo. "No, no, Amethyst, he's right…I'm not a Xiaolin Apprentice." Raimundo said. Amethyst looks away in embarrassment. Wuya floats to Raimundo. "So…do we have a deal?" Wuya said. The Monks are stunned to hear Wuya offer up a deal and Amethyst began to realize that Raimundo might take up Wuya's offer. "Well, I did like what you have pitched…there was a few things you didn't account for and for that…I must decline and go neutral." Raimundo said.

Wuya did a double take. "WAIT, WHAT?! I OFFERED YOU THE MOON AND BACK FOR YOU AND YET YOU ARE BACKING OUT ON ME?!" Wuya screeches. "Look, you did offer me a lot of sweet stuff but even with that, I have a few more request that you would likely not have taken. From now own, call me neutral on the whole wu matter. Goes same to you guys." Raimundo said, ending with turning to Amethyst and the monks. The Monks were just stunned as Raimundo uses the Golden Tiger Claw to head back to Rio with 3 Wus. Wuya floats away in anger. Jack walked up behind them. "Wow, Wuya did get her come upping. Now I'm really happy that I lost on that Showdown. HAHAHAHA." Jack bolstered as he left. The monks were just quiet through the whole ordeal. Raimundo did considered joining Wuya. They were relieved that the deal fell though but what if it did went though. That was an idea that could break them.

Back at Beach City, the Monks and Gems were talking about what happened while Dojo counted all the Shen Gong Wu. "Wha, Wuya almost got Raimundo on a deal?!" Pearl said with a shocked looked on her face. "I did not foresee that." Garnet said. "What did Wuya offered up?" Pearl added. "We have no clue, but whatever it was, it was most interesting." Omi said. "From what we overheard, Wuya offered a lot of stuff for Raimundo and more but Raimundo declined it for some reason." Clay said. "I feel so ashamed that we did not promote him to Xiaolin Apprentice. If we knew about this, then Raimundo would still be here." Pearl bemoans. "You aren't the only one, P." Amethyst said. "I really miss Raimundo. I wanted to dedicate a Xiaolin Showdown for him but he then took the Showdown before I could. I feel like if it wasn't for me, Raimundo might take up to the offer Wuya have given to him." "Well, you two did seem a bit close on a few occasion." Kimiko said. "Maybe it due to you and Rai's chemistry that made him rethink that idea." Kimiko said.

Just then, Dojo slithers up. "Uh, Guys? The Serpent's Tail is missing. Did you have it at a mission?" Dojo said. "No, Connie and I were in Mom's room, re-enacting the end of the book." Steven said with an awkward chuckle. "Oh, that wasn't good timing as Garnet and I were trying to stop another Robonoid to make contact with Jack or whatever it was doing." Pearl said. "So...what happened to it then? Did it get lost in the pile because I looked though the pile twice." Dojo said. Everyone was scratching their heads. They don't know what happened to it. "Well, whatever you do, if you find it, DO NOT USE IT WITH WUYA!" Dojo said. "Because…" "Because then, Wuya would be able to become human with reversing mirror!" Amethyst realized and screeches. This was bad, but who knows. Maybe Jack has possession of it and they still got some work. They don't realize that the mysterious person has possession of the Serpent's Tail and has a unique idea for it.

End of Episode 20

Wu Count:

Xiaolin:

Falcon's Eye

Jetbootsu

Mantis Flip Coin

Sword of the Storm

Sapphire Dragon

Shroud of Shadows

Star Hanabi

Longi Kite

Shard of Lightning

Orb of Tornami

Thorn of Thunderbolt

Tangle Web Comb

Heart of Jong

Fist of Tebigong

Helmet of Jong

Two-Ton Tunic

Jack:

Changing Chopsticks

Ring of the Nine Dragons

Third-Arm Sash

Eye of Dashi

Sphere of Yun

Raimundo:

Golden Tiger Claws

Monkey Staff

Reversing Mirror

?:

Serpent's Tail