I disclaim Xiaolin Showdown and all its characters, I in no way profit by writing this fanfiction.

(though, If I DID own XS, Chack would totally be canon and there would be a LOT more seasons, lol)

hope you enjoy the story!

Chapter 42

Omi, Kimiko, Clay, and Raimundo stood in silence, their heads bowed as Master Monk Guan, Master Fung, Dojo, and the other monks walked towards a large funeral pyre. All were wearing white, save Guan, and Dojo, who wore black. Everyone was solemn, but none more so than Guan and Dojo.

They had spent several hours removing all mirrors-especially the reversing mirror- from the temple grounds, hanging white banners over every doorway, and notifying everyone that needed-or could- be notified about the little golden dragons death. Sadly, many of those who had heard of the dragons passing did not know of his redemptive efforts, and had expressed some rather...nasty opinions, and refused to attend his funeral. So...the funeral was largely limited only to those of the temples, and the few who knew of his efforts to redeem himself.

Guan held, in his arms, an ornate black chest, inside of which lay the body of Chucky Choo. It was hand carved, with fine paint made of gold filling the inscriptions carved into its smooth surface. Prayers were sung by monks of the temples as the box was placed upon the pyre, in the center, and everyone came forward, one at a time, to leave offerings on the pyre beside the box. Food, incense, joss paper...Guan placed his blood-stained garments onto the pyre, along with several prayer sheets.

"May your journey to the afterlife be brief, and your time there long and joyous, my dear friend..." he said, not bothering to hide the tears sliding down his cheeks as he placed his hand on top of the box "...Your death WILL be avenged..." he muttered, taking a step back as Dojo moved forward. He was the last to place an item on the alter. He slithered over to the pyre, carrying a small bundle in white cloth in his arms. Clay picked him up, setting him onto the pyre.

"Here..."

"Thank you, Clay..." he muttered, sighing heavily as he moved over to the box, and placed his little bundle on top carefully unwrapping the item and moving back to reveal what he had placed there

The Kanojo Cho family yo-yo.

"Chucky...You were the closest thing to a brother I've ever had... We played together as children...we fought, and bickered...I loved you. You were a dirty rotten, thieving, conniving bastard. And you were the best friend I've ever known... My life is lesser for your parting... And I'm gonna miss you, buddy..." Dojo said softly, pearly tears pouring down his cheeks. Raimundo carefully picked up the dragon off the Pyre, holding him to his chest as they took a step back.

"Dojo..." He muttered softly "...It's time..."

"I...I know..." the dragon said, sniffling as he held out a hand towards Clay, who placed a bottle into his hand.

Grand Pappy's Texas Tin Horn Sizzlin' Salsa Sauce

Dojo sighed heavily, popping the lid and chugging the fluid. His face turned ruby red as he swallowed every last drop of the sauce, inhaled deeply, and let out a MASSIVE stream of red-gold fire at the pyre, setting it ablaze in an isntant.

Cremation by dragon fire was the traditional funeral rite for dragons, so that their bodies wouldn't be molested by those who would use their body parts for obscene, arcane rituals and potions...Such as Lao Mang Lone Soup. Thick smoke would fill the air as everyone stood with their heads bowed, praying for Chucky Choo in their own various languages, as according to tradition.

Omi watched his friends sadly as they mourned. This whole thing felt so...wrong... He felt uneasy, and cold as his stomach writhed.

This whole situation was getting FAR above anything else they'd ever endured. They'd faced some dire situations before...but nothing like THIS...

"Omi...you okay?" Kimiko asked, putting her hand on his shoulder. Omi sighed, placing a hand over hers and squeezing it lightly "No, Kimiko, I am not...This situation is not something we have ever dealt with before...Chase Young was right. We had NO idea what we unleashed that day that we released Hannibal Bean from his imprisonment...And now our world is in serious danger. We have lost one of our friends..!" he said, turning away from the Dragon of Fire.

"...I am beginning to understand why Clays grandparents did not wish to partake in this battle..."

"Omi..."

"Omi's right" Clay said, his hands balling into fists "...Nobody should have to face what we've unleashed. It's OUR fault Hannibal Bean was set loose on the world...It's OUR fault we decided to start seeking out the Immortal Weapons...And it's OUR fault that THIS-" he motioned to the funeral pyre "- is happening! Sure, maybe Hannibal Bean or Chase would've sought them out eventually, but WE released Bean." he said, looking up at the sky

"...So it's our job to put him away again...or take him out."

"Don't beat yourselves up..." Mark said, putting a hand on Clay's shoulder "Hannibal Bean knows how to get under people skin...to deceive them...Even WE got tricked by that thing ourselves back in the day...It was an accident... But you're right about one thing. It IS our duty to resolve this problem. It falls to ALL of us now to defeat the Bean...But you children have worked hard enough" he said sternly "...Lan and I will seek out the rest of the Immortal Weapons. You four need to focus on training, and locating any Shen Gong Wu that appear."

"But-" Kimiko started, only for Raimundo to shake his head "No, Kim. He's right. We need to focus. We have a war to win, and we need to make sure we're prepared to fight it...It's time for us to take the next step."

"You are wise to take these threats seriously, my young dragon..." Master Fung said as he approached the teens "I too believe it is time that ALL of you to advance... It is time for you to rise to the rank of Shoku Warrior... And begin the next phase of your training." He closed his eyes, shaking his head "...I had hoped this day would come in a time of peace...But unfortunately, that is not the case. Nevertheless, it MUST be done."

"Master Fung..." Omi mumbled before turning to his friend and leader "Raimundo, are you SURE we're ready?" Omi asked, looking at Raimundo, who was already a Shoku-level warrior. Raimundo put his hand on Omi's head "I KNOW we're ready, Omi." He said with a firm nod, a half smile on his face " We'll do it together, like we always have...It's time for us to finally be FOUR Xiaolin Shoku Dragons"

Jack presented the sword to Chase, holding it out on the flat of his palms, the blade sparkling in the sunlight, reflecting off of the breastplate of the dragonlord

"So..." Jack said, clearing his throat "I took your suggestion and I've been experimenting making weapons out of my metal...This is my best one so far...What do you think?" He asked.

It had been three days since Chase had departed, and Hannibal Bean had...made his offer. Jack had spent most of his time in his Lab in that time, practicing his metal-bending and working on new tech. As well as trying to ignore the thoughts that Hannibal Bean was trying to put into his head.

Maybe there WAS truth to his words. Maybe there wasn't. All he knew was that he and Chase had a good thing going, and he wasn't going to screw it up because of HANNIBAL of all people.

Chase took the weapon in his hand, examining the blade with a critical eye "Hmm...It certainly LOOKS attractive..." he said, admiring the appearance of the sword. "It gives off the impression of Damascus steel...So, full marks on aesthetics..." he grasped the blade in both hands, taking several steps back "...But let's see how it performs..."

Chase closed his eyes, centering himself as he stood very still, a serene expression on his face as a gentle wind rustled the leaves of nearby trees, brushing the black-green hairs off of Chase's broad shoulders with a flutter, bringing the scent of the Everlord to Jack's nose. Jack inhaled the smell softly. He'd always loved the way Chase smelled...It was soothing, yet intoxicating.

Several seconds passed, and the wind stilled. There was silence...Followed by the sound of a thick, heavy branch hitting the ground as Chase jumped into the air, slicing a a limb off the tree in a single stroke. The dragon lord landed on the ground smoothly, opening his eyes as he again looked over the weapon "...The balance is nearly perfect" he said, nodding to himself "A few grams too heavy on the right side...But otherwise perfectly functional" he said, handing it back to the goth with a pleased look on his face "Well done, Spicer. Your progress is coming along EXTREMELY well...I admit, even I am impressed by the speed at which you've been able to advance in such a short amount of time. Your potential grows with every passing day. With enough time and practice, I'd dare say that the Xiaolin monks will soon have reason to take you seriously for once..." he added with a chuckle as he folded his hand behind his back and turned to head inside.

Jack did a fist pump when he back was turned " Woo! Yes...! Haha! Thanks, Chase!" Jack grinned looking excited for a moment...before he froze "Hey, wait a minute! What was that last part ?!" he asked, crossing his arms with an accusatory scowl on his face

Chase gave a shameless smirk and snickered darkly "It was a compliment, Jack~..." he said as he glanced back at the goth

"Uh-huh...SURE..." Jack said, rolling his eyes as he sheathed the sword and moved to follow this master inside "Smartass"

"Enough of your pouting Spicer, make me some of those cupcakes of yours..." Chase chuckled "I've been QUITE busy over the last few days, and I'd like something to satisfy my sweet tooth..."

The chamber they were in was cold, and dark... the only light in the air coming from torches casting a sickly green glow as Hannibal, in his larger form, placed a heavy cauldron in the center of a series of maze like carving in the floor, humming to himself

"Almost ready, Ying-Ying~" he sing-songed to his avian minion.

"You sick little jelly bean!" a voice cut through the air "Why are you doing this?!"

Hannibal turned with a slightly bored look at the man dressed in a black and white suit "No need for name calling Bubba...it's nothing personal..." Hannibal chuckled "It's just business...You should understand that better than anyone" he said as he looked at the people had had tied up. "You see, I'm VERY close to completing my ritual, and there's only a few necessary components left... The blood of 5 evil souls, fermented in in a cursed vessel over a certain length of time, is one of them...And Ya'll are convenient...Nobody will miss you when you disappear..." he chuckled "It will give me time to complete the rest of my plans..."

"So, WHAT, you're just going to bleed us dry?! KILL US?!" Katnappe asked, struggling in her binds

"Mmm...yup. That's pretty much the long and short of it, sweet pea" Hannibal chuckled "I do need ALL of your blood to fill the cauldron, after all...It won't work otherwise"

"You can't DO this!" Salvadore glared, hissing as Hannibal shrunk down and donned his armor, approached the group with a ceremonial dagger in one of his hands

"I think you'll find I can, lizard man..." he smirked as he grabbed them one by one, roughly securing them them on top of stone tablets. "Although you're welcome to scream for help...no one will hear you, though..."

"You're a sick bastard!"

"I'm a demon..." Hannibal pointed out with a dark chuckle " The time has come...Panda Bubba...Katnappe...Salvadore Cumo...Vlad...And Lyle Vernon...Prepare to meet your doom..."

"Lyle Vernon?" Salvadore asked, raising an eyebrow "Who the hell is Lyle Vernon?"

"I'm a used car salesman from New South Wales" The greasy-haired man mumbled, who had had remained silent up until now.

"A use car salesman...? That doesn't sound so evil..." Vlad muttered, frowning

"He ALSO runs a sex trafficking ring, and organizes dog fights..." Hannibal smirked.

"Yebena mat! What the fuck?!"

"What an Asshole!"

"Man, I don't even LIKE dogs...but that's just LOW" Katnappe scowled, growling in her throat.

"Oh, don't you worry little lady...He won't be alive much longer" Hannibal chuckled as he moved towards her tablet "...But then...Neither will you..."

"Wait!" She pleaded, her eyes wide in horror "Wait, no, please!"

"You know what they say, Ashley, dear..." He smirked, raising his dagger in the air "Ladies First...!"

Hello, everybody!

Sorry the chapter was slightly late. I got caught up in some real life stuff. But as I promised, he's the next chapter!

Shit's gettin' real now.

Continue to look after yourselves, and remember to social distance, wash your hands, and get vaccinated if you can. I recently had Covid, and it SUCKED.

I love you all

~Xilex90~