Xiaolin Grail War

by bubbajack

Omi Dragon of Water never felt like he had a home. Kimiko Tohomiko Dragon of Fire finds out there's more to her family than 'just' being the daughter to a video game CEO. Clay realizes water is thicker than blood on this earth, and Riamundo's allegiance is fickle as the wind... What lessons shall they learn from their Servants once they are dragged into the Holy Grail War?

1. Chapter 1

Xiaolin Grail War

By: Bubbajack

Beta/Co-Author: IcySnowSage

Disclaimer: We do not claim ownership of FSN or Xiaolin Showdown. They belong to Type-Moon and Warner Bros respectively.

Ch.1: A New Kind of War

In the Xiaolin temple up in the mountains of China, Omi, the Xiaolin Dragon of Water had been diligently going over a scroll, in the temple archives when the peace of the morning was suddenly shattered by a harrowing cry.

"Rai, give it back!" Kimiko's high pitched screech echoed throughout the temple grounds.

"Not before you tell me where you got it from Kimmy!" Raimundo teased.

'What is all that racket?' Omi, who was currently studying books on human anatomy, wondered. Placing his reading material aside, he decided to go see what all the fuss was about.

He saw Raimundo with the Third Arm Sash tucked around his waist dangling from the extra appendage, from a thick silver chain, was a deep red ruby the size of a fist and shaped in the rough form of a heart. Seeing the Wind Dragon's teasing smile and Kimiko's furious look, Omi could only assume that the pendant was something truly special to her.

'I should do something,' Omi thought to himself still feeling guilty for his recent invasion of Kimiko's privacy and his insults of her. Kimiko giving him the shoulder of ice as Raimundo called. It gave him a feeling like a knife to his chest. Omi who was used to being alone, and had been all of his fourteen years, didn't know why, but her sudden silence hurt him.

So thinking to make things right, he stepped forwards towards the arguing teenagers. "What is going on here?"

"Relax Chromedome, I'm just having a lil fun with spitfire here," Raimundo joked waving the pendant just out of her reach with the Third Arm Sash before playfully pulling it back.

"Fun? This does not look at all amusing for Kimiko Raimundo," Omi spoke in a tone wise beyond his years. "It seems as though you are just getting amusement from her anger… how very… Heylin of you."

Raimundo's brows knit in anger at the comment. "What did you just say to me lemon head?"

"I said that you are acting not like the Xiaolin Warrior you are supposed to be, but a Heylin Warrior. They who use their rage and anger to fight. Those who attain strength from the pain and suffering of others, and bending the elements to their will," Omi replied. "We are Xiaolin Warriors Raimundo, our strength comes from helping others, and being in tune with nature. Now please, return to Kimiko her heirloom."

The Dragon of the Wind scowled before tossing the ruby pendant to Kimiko. "Whatever." He then stalked off with his hands in his pockets.

"And put that Wu back in the Vault! If Master Fung finds out you took it without permission, you will be scrubbing the floors by hand!" Omi called after him warningly.

"Yeah, yeah chromedome, don't worry about me," Raimundo said as he turned the corner… and ran right into Master Fung.

The elderly monk raised an eyebrow. "Raimundo, I do not recall you asking permission to train with the Third Arm Sash."

The Brazilian rubbed the back of his head. "Well ya see, funny thing about that."

"Yes, I'm sure you can tell me all about it while you scrub the temple floors," Master Fung replied as he took the Third Arm Sash from Raimundo with enough force to spin him around. He then grabbed him by the back of his gi and dragged him away, "Come along young monk, the floors won't clean themselves now will they?"

"Awe, man!"

"I tried to warn him. Did I not try to warn him Kimiko?" Omi said. The little monk soon found himself embraced by the taller girl with a certain amount of softness squishing on his head. 'Why is she commencing with the girl hugs?' Not that I mind but why?'

"Thanks so much for getting my pendant back Omi that was so sweet of you," Kimiko said, holding him close.

"I-It was no trouble!" Omi squeaked out. "I… I honestly felt I owed you in any case."

Kimiko pulled back confused. "Owed me, for what?"

"For going into your room and destroying your things… for the way I treated you. It was very unchill of me." The little monk said, looking away guiltily.

Kimiko was touched. It really did hurt her feelings that the boy's went into her room when she was tied up by the Tangle Web Comb. Omi having been raised in this very temple by men his whole life didn't know that was wrong. Raimundo and Clay knew better though. 'Yet they went and encouraged bad behaviour in Omi! Jerks!' Kimiko thought to herself. She wasn't happy that Omi ate her lipstick but he thought it was candy which just went on to prove how cherubically innocent he truly was.

"Omi, why did you think my lipstick was candy?"

"Oh that, Raimundo said it was candy. Yet it did not taste very good," Omi admitted while his face scrunched at remembering the horrid taste of the lipstick.

'Oh that jerk! If I didn't dislike him enough already!' Kimiko seethed, a plume of fire bursting to life around her clenched fist.

"Kimiko your flaming hot!" Omi cried out.

The japanese girl shook her head, thinking she must've misheard. "I'm sorry what?"

"Your hand, it is ablaze!" Omi pointed at her fist.

"Woah!" Kimiko shook her hand causing the flames to go out. "Dragon Warrior of Fire indeed huh?"

Omi nodded. "Indeed, fire is a strong element but it is fueled by strong emotions like passion, anger, or care for others, you should be careful Kimiko lest your flames consume you," Omi warned.

"Has this happened to Fire Dragon Warriors in the past?" Kimiko asked, becoming concerned.

Omi stroked his nonexistent beard in thought. "I do recall a former Fire Dragon who fed her flames with a lust for power, and that led her to joining the Heylin side…" Omi then smiled. "Such a thing would never happen to Kimiko though."

Kimiko raised an eyebrow bemused. "How'd you figure?"

"Kimiko is a good person. She would never fall to the darkness, and…" Omi paused, as if unsure to continue.

"And?" Kimiko pressed wondering what he was going to say.

"If Kimiko were ever to fall, I would be there to catch her," Omi said before running away as quickly as he could… which was really quite fast. He left the Dragon of Fire blushing behind him.

---

'Omi,' Kimiko thought as she sat in her room meditating. 'Such a sweet boy… Now that I think about it, I don't know much about him. I suppose I could just ask him,' She mused. 'But some of my questions are kind of personal. Maybe I should talk to Master Fung instead?' So thinking, she got up from her lotus position and made her way towards the Shen Gong Wu Vault where she knew Master Fung and the other masters meditated.

She found him exactly where she thought he would be sitting in a circle with the rest of the senior monks. The steps to the Shen Gong Wu Vault were raised making the floor perfectly smooth. Upon hearing her approach the bald and still black moustached master opened his blue eyes.

"Ah Kimiko, what brings you to us today? Have you sought to join us in meditation?" Master Fung offered her an empty space next to him.

"Ehehe, no thank you Master Fung. Actually, I was hoping to talk to you privately for a little bit? If I'm not interrupting anything that is?"

"Certainly," Master Fung got to his feet. "Let us walk shall we?"

The two strode the grounds of the Xiaolin Temple for a time. It was a companionable silence like one shared between a teacher and a trusted student. After a time, Kimiko finally spoke. "Master Fung, I was wondering if I could ask you some questions… questions about Omi?"

The elder monk turned and eyed her curiously, "Would it not be better to get your answers directly from him rather than a secondhand source?"

"Some of the questions I have are a little…" Kimiko hesitated. "Personal, so I thought that you would be the better choice since you, you know, are kinda like Omi's dad?"

Fung smiled a bit when she said that. "I see, well then, go ahead and ask Kimiko. Curiosity isn't a sin after all."

That made the young teen smile. "Right so… has Omi really grown up here his entire life?"

Master Fung nodded. "He has, we found him one foggy morning abandoned on our doorstep as a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth. We raised him as best we could, he's trained since the age of five in yang style taichiquan which has a deep connection with the element of water. He has had few hobbies outside of training."

"Few, as in not none?" Kimiko said surprised before adding, "Wait, are all of us supposed to have personal fighting styles?"

Master Fung smiled a bit at that. "Technically yes, Fire Warriors are traditionally trained in Southern Dragon Claw kung-fu. Air Warriors Baguazhang, and Earth Warriors are taught Hung Gar style of kung fu."

Kimiko crossed her arms, "Um, why haven't you taught us any of this yet? No offense meant Master Fung."

The older man laughed. "None taken Kimiko, and to answer your question it seemed to me that the three of you already had some form of skill. Raimunda in Brazilian jiu jitsu, Clay in wrestling, and you, seem to be trained in kenpo karate unless I miss my guess?"

Kimiko nodded. "My grandma on my mom's side insisted. Said it was one family tradition she wanted to keep up. Not like I minded; but we were talking about Omi's hobbies?" she segwayed back on the topic of conversation.

"Yes, yes, while before you all came along and Wuya was released from her prison, Omi had never left the hills beyond this temple, we have had occasional contact with the outside world. Mostly in the form of merchants who bring supplies. Six months after Omi first began his training one such traveler came by selling a guzheng, a traditional chinese string instrument. Since Omi was young and incapable of normal meditation at the time, I thought learning a traditional instrument might be just what he needed." Master Fung's blue eyes twinkled with mirth, "Turns out I was correct."

Kimiko's own blue eyes shined in awe. "So Omi can play a Chinese zither?"

The elderly monk's head bobbed up and down, "Quite beautifully too. However nowadays he only plays when extremely stressed. It's like a… release valve for him."

Kimiko pouted a bit, 'Awe, I was hoping to hear him place sometime.'

Seeing her face, Fung said, "You might be able to get him to play you a song if you asked though."

"Me? Why do you say that?" Kimiko asked as she pointed at herself.

"Seriously, does Fung need to spell it out for ya Kimmie Cub?" Dojo asked while crawling up to the two in his miniature form.

Kimiko put her hands on her hips and glared at the not-gecko. "Spell what out for me Dojo?"

"That all bonds, while important, some are deeper, stronger, and more important than others," Master Fung said cryptically. "Your bond with Omi is strong. Or rather, his bond with you is."

'What does that… wait… is he implying what I think he's implying?' Kimiko thought, blushing at the implication.

"I think she got it," Dojo said grinning like the cat who ate the canary.

"Dojo," Master Fung chastised before turning to Kimiko. "Kimiko, I know not how Omi thinks of you, I can only speculate. Yet bear in mind that you are the first ever girl he's met and the only one he's spent a majority of time with, on top of all of this, you have taken an almost vested interest in both his safety and happiness. Often chastising Raimundo for doing cruel pranks on him yes?"

It was true Kimiko admitted. Seeing Omi heartbroken infuriated her. It just felt like something was wrong with the world… like raindrops from the sun. It also made her want to lash out at whatever hurt him, and burn it to ashes. 'But is that just my normal overprotective instincts acting up or… something more?' She asked herself, getting flustered for even thinking that thought.

"The feeling might be mutual I think," Dojo teased.

"Dojo!" Both master and apprentice yelled.

The little dragon held up his hands defensively, "Fine, fine, sorry, sorry. Still, if I could just say one more thing?"

Kimiko huffed and crossed her arms. "What is it?"

"I've watched the little cueball grow up his entire life and you've… really brought him outta his shell. That said, if this is going the way I think it's going… well, just be patient with him ok?"

"What would you know about…" Kimiko hesitated to use the term romance because she wasn't sure how Omi felt. Kimiko wasn't even sure how she felt at the moment. "This situation Dojo?"

"Oh, I dunno I've only been around more than fifteen hundred years and might've seen this happen multiple times," Dojo said smugly with a hint of bitterness in his tone.

Kimiko scowled at the not-geko, "Just because it's happened before doesn't mean it's happening now."

Dojo rolled his eyes and rose up a bit so he could put his hands behind his head. "History has a way of repeating itself sweetheart. Trust me, I know. I've seen it happen time after time."

Kimiko turned to Master Fung and bowed politely. "Thank you for your time Master Fung. You've certainly given me… much to think about."

"Of course Kimiko," Fung replied with a lesser bow, "Go, enjoy the rest of your day. We shall inform you if a Shen Gong Wu activates."

As the Dragon of Fire walked off, Dojo commented with a somewhat stern expression, "Should we have told her?"

Master Fung shook his head, "No, it is much too soon to reveal that."

"Yeah, good point."

---

Kimiko was still consumed with thoughts of her youngest fellow monk only now they were more turbulent than before. 'Does Omi see me as… dateable? He's never even been on a date and would have no clue what to do if he were on one. Okay, slow your roll Kimiko and think about this logically. You know all of three boys. Clay who is the cool older brother you've always wanted since your sister is hardly around, Riamundo who is… urg, infuriating, and Omi.'

Thinking about it logically, Omi was her only real choice, not that she really minded that all that much. He had this sweet naivete about him, finding childlike awe in the simple everyday things she commonly took for granted. The world was like this giant wonderful toybox to him. Kimiko found herself wanting to show it all to him to see him smile.

Kimiko was so lost in thought she bumped into someone and fell over. "You alright there little lady?" Clay asked, offering her a hand up. Kimiko smiled and accepted the hand. "Sorry about that Clay.

The blonde cowboy shook his head. "Don't worry 'bout it. Ya seemed lost in thought though Kimiko. Anythin' I can help with?"

'Big brother to the rescue,' Kimiko thought with a smile. "Well, not really I think."

Clay smiled goodnaturedly. "You sure, you sound a bit… lost if'n you don't mind me sayin' so."

"Well I am a bit confused about stuff... " Kimiko said.

Clay nodded. Before pointing a thumb behind his shoulder. "Right then, c'mon we can go talk in my room if yer okay with that?"

Kimiko nodded and followed Clay down the hall to his room. He opened the sliding door panel and ushered her through first, "Ladies first, plus it only seems fair that you get a peek in my room since I saw yers. Sorry 'bout that again," Clay said while taking off his hat bashfully.

"It's fine Clay. I forgive you for that… I'm still a bit miffed you read my diary though," Kimiko shot the cowboy a mild glare causing him to fidget before she headed into his room. His futon was off to one side of the room, on some shelves were some pictures along with his lasso and a sun bleached cattle skull. All in all the room had a strange kung fu cowboy esthetic that just worked.

Kimiko went over to the pictures and looked at them. There were three in all. The first showed Clay with whom she presumed was his mother, father, and two younger siblings. His father and mother stood behind Clay each having a hand on a smiling Clay and another on their other children who looked put out. The second picture was of Clay with only his mother. She was an older woman willowy with blonde hair and she was smiling, but she looked sickly pale. The last was of Clay with an older man who looked to be in his sixties with a tan complexion and a snowy white goatee with an eyepatch over his right eye, his arm over Clay's shoulder.

"That's my grandpapi. We always did get along better than I did with my Pa," Clay said pointing to the man.

"And your mother?" Kimiko asked sadly.

Clay grimaced. "She passed when I was but twelve, from Pneumonia."

Kimiko put a comforting hand on the cowboy's shoulder. "I… I know what that's like. Lost my mom when I was six… car accident."

"Shucks, I'm sorry Kimiko," Clay said lowering his head in respect while putting his hat to his chest.

"Thank you… but at least we knew our mothers. Omi… poor little guy was abandoned here as a baby."

Clay shook his head. "Tarnation. Who would do that to a munchkin?"

Kimiko shook her head, she didn't know who or why. "I don't know but Omi is… Omi."

"Yeah," Clay agreed, "So, what's on yer mind, boy troubles?"

"I… how did you know?" Kimiko asked amazed.

Clay tapped his noggin. "Little lady, I am a big brother with a… well two little sisters now I sus'ppose, I have a sixth sense when it comes to these types of things."

Kimiko hugged Clay, "And I have an awesome big brother now to."

"Aww, shucks, yer makin' me blush. So, who's the lucky feller? Omi or Raimundo?"

"Omi… maybe," Kimiko admitted with a blush but not before making sure Clay's door was shut.

Clay smiled. "I had a feelin' you two might work out. I mean I had to have a talk with the lil guy about that book of his but once I steered him right 'bout how to treat a lady I figured you two had a better shot then Raimundo did. Guy has his head so far up his backside he must smell compost when he breathes."

"Hahaha, yeah. Clay I have a question if you don't mind?"

"Shoot."

"What… is a polecat?" Kimiko asked before hastily adding, "Now, I don't mean to be rude, but a lot of the time I need to work to understand what you're saying. In Japan, they teach English but it's only basic English. A lot… well a majority of your idioms are kinda lost on me," Kimiko admitted sheepishly. Being Japanese it wasn't in her nature to admit or accept failure.

Clay scratched at his head. "Oh… well shoot I'm sorry. I didn't mean to confuse ya. A polecat's another term for a skunk where I'm from. They can be down right nasty critters too. I bet you have similar things in Japan huh? You got them pink birds that fly all graceful like."

"You mean the cranes?" Kimiko said with a giggle. "Yes we have them. National bird."

"State Bird of Texas is the Northern Mockingbird," Clay replied.

Kimiko cocked her head to the side, "Why a mockingbird?"

"Well according to legend the mockingbird was chosen because it was a fighter. Willing to die for the protection of his home, falling, if need be, in its defense, like any true Texan..."

Kimiko blinked, "Wow, tough bird."

"Yep," Clay said with Texan pride. "So maybe Omi huh? What'd the lil guy do to catch yer eye if'n you don't mind my askin'?"

Reaching into the folds of her robe, Kimiko pulled out her family heirloom. Clays eyes widened when he saw it. Then he let out an appreciative whistle. "Now that's a perty rock, an' make no mistake. That's gotta be an almost twenty carat ruby in a heart cut unless I miss my guess?"

"You know about gemology?" Kimoko said surprised.

"Well, I am the Dragon of Earth aren't I?" Clay said going over to an opposite wall to a small bookshelf she'd overlooked. He then pulled out a book on minerals and metals. "I feel I'd be remiss if I didn't know my element," Clay moved closer to the pendant book in hand. "May I?" he asked politely.

Kimiko nodded, and removed her pendant, handing it to her fellow dragon. He weighed it in his hand. "Yep 'bout twenty carat. It's more than nineteen and a half I can tell that much just by holdin' it."

"Wow, that's amazing Clay," Kimiko was truly impressed. "If this whole Earth Dragon thing doesn't work out, you could always become a jeweler."

"T'weren't nothin'. As for the whole jeweler thing… I dunno if my Pa would approve. He expects me to take over the ranch for him someday," Clay said with an edge of bitterness in his tone.

Kimiko cocked her head to the side. "Is that what you really want though Clay?"

"I… dunno. I've just always done what was expected of me," Clay said in a pondering tone.

Kimiko put her hands on her hips. "Well maybe now that you're here, you can think about what you want to do with your life rather than what you've been told to do with it. It's your life Clay, no one else's."

"Well I'll be, you got a point there," the cowboy admitted. "But before we get sidetracked again, why ole one ball?" Seeing Kimko not getting it he explained, "That was a billiards joke."

"Oh... '' Kimiko then slapped Clay on the arm once the joke clicked. "Clay, not cool! Don't make fun of Omi's head. Even Dojo doesn't do that."

"Apologies, apologies," Clay said, "Still why him."

Kimiko sat cross legged on the floor and Clay joined her. "I dunno, it's just… there's something about seeing his face light up whenever we leave the temple you know?"

"Like a squirrel on sugar," Clay said nodding. "You think I'm jokin' but I really have seen a squirrel on sugar!" the texan said, putting his hand over his heart. "Back when my momma was still alive she liked her coffee with sugar cubes; well one day, a critter snuck in through the open window and nabbed a cube… it went, pardon the pun, nuts. Like you've seen how… squirrely a squirrel get's right?" Seeing Kimiko nod Clay continued, "Well crank that up by ten, then add my momma screamin' my Pa tryin' to get it with a broom… and me finally lurin' it outside with peanuts."

"Just like during your Showdown for the Fist of Tebigong!" Kimiko noted.

"Yep, that was the first time I realized I have a sort of animal magnetism if you will. That, and that sometimes the simple solutions are the best ones. But Omi, yeah he goes bonkers whenever we leave the temple."

"Can you blame him, he probably knows this temple like the back of his hand. Before he met us, he's never left. I just wanna… protect that smile of his, know what I mean?"

Clay nodded. "I do, though not in the same way you do I reckon. Omi's like a second lil brother to me."

Kimiko blushed at his less than subtle implication. "And Raimundo?"

Clay tipped his hat. "The same, but he needs to grow up an' learn that actin' cool and bein' cool are two different things but he's young, he'll figure it out I'm sure."

Kimko sighed, "I hope that's soon, his teasing is getting annoying. Omi was being sexist but I could excuse that seeing as he grew up surrounded by men and I'm literally the only girl he knows. Raimundo should know better. Thanks for setting Omi straight by the way."

"No problem, it was kinda sad seeing the only reference material he had being a book from seventeen hundred somethin' so I took him aside and gave him a talk."

Kimiko's eyes glinted playfully as she asked, "Not the talk right?"

Clay's blue eye that wasn't hidden by his cowlick bulged. "No, heavens no!... Wait, oh haha, you got me good just then. No though, to be honest I don't think the lil guy would get the talk even if I tried to give it to em anyway, bless him."

"So innocent our Omi," Kimiko said with a sigh.

Clay grinned. "Yes, he is."

"Did you know Omi plays an instrument? The guzhang according to Master Fung," Kimiko said.

"Goo what now?" Clay asked befuddled.

Kimiko smiled now he knew how she felt when he spoke in riddles. "Guzhang, it's a type of chinese string instrument, think of it like a precursor to the guitar." Kimiko explained.

"Well, I'll be, lil Omi's a musician?" Clay went back over to his shelf and pulled out a silver harmonica. "That makes two of us."

Kimiko laughed and rolled her eyes. "That is just so… cowboy Clay. No offense meant."

"Heh, none taken, you play anything Kimiko?" Clay asked.

Kimiko rubbed her shoulder sheepishly. "I played the Hichiriki which is a Japanese flute but it sounds more like an oboe. Or I did, it's been awhile… My mom used to play it and she taught me for about a year before she….." Kimiko trailed off.

Clay smiled and put a hand on Kimiko's shoulder supportingly. "I understand."

"Well shoot, we got us the makings of a band," Clay joked, "I wonder if Raimundo plays drums? He seems the type."

Kimiko scoffed crossing her arms. "Big, loud, and shiny? Yep that sounds like Rai. Good thing drummers go in the back, where they can be heard but not seen."

Clay and Kimiko laughed at her joke.

A sudden knocking came at Clay's door. "Yeah? Clay called.

"Clay, is Kimiko in there with you? I knocked on her door but received no response." Omi's voice called.

"I'm here Omi what's up?" Kimiko called out, wondering why he was looking for her.

"What is up is the sky. If you mean what is the situation, then another Shen Gong Wu has activated my friends! We must hurry!" Omi's voice said.

"We'll be right there Omi!" Kimiko called stifling her chuckling.

"Very good I shall await you both in the scroll room."

Kimiko and Clay shared a look. "So innocent!" They said at the same time before getting up.

---

The group huddled around the shen gong wu scroll Raimundo looking sourfaced. "So what is it this time, a lantern who's light changes your size or something?" he quipped.

"Close but no cigar kiddo. What we got here are the Golden Tiger Claws," Dojo said, "They let you teleport anywhere you want."

"Seriously? Anywhere?" Raimundo asked interest piqued.

"Yep, let's go there… that way!" Dojo pointed due west.

---

The Xiaolin Warriors found themselves alighting off Dojo near the Imperial Palace of China. Gold gilded lion dogs flanked the entrance, and a slanted tiered tiled roof like the peak of a mountain at sunrise. The imperial palace sat atop a hill that one needed to climb several sets of stairs just to access, the stairs were flanked by numerous gardens, of all types of flowers.

Kimiko was concerned about Omi. He was zipping around 'like a squirrel on sugar' as Clay would say taking in the sights around the garden area outside the palace. "Aren't you excited to be here Omi?"

"Excited to be here? Why here in particular Kimiko?" Omi asked, perplexed by her question as he stood on a large lion dog.

Kimiko walked over and bent down till she was eye level with Omi. "Well, and Dojo can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think China might be your homeland," Kimiko said.

"Yep, kid's Chinese," Dojo commented from his place on top of Clay's hat.

"Ohh… I admit to never giving much thought to such a thing," Omi replied as he took his time taking in all the sites of the chinese architecture and the nearby lake and garden. "Do you think, after we attain the Golden Tiger Claws, we could… go see the sights?" Omi asked his friends shyly out of character.

"Sure we can," Kimiko told him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Sounds like a plan to me lil buddy. I've always wanted to try genuine chinese food," Clay said, patting his stomach.

Raimundo shrugged. "I'm fine with it I guess."

Kimiko all but stomped over to the wind dragon and hissed in his ear. "Can you at least try to act supportive? I get it, you're ticked because Omi told you off for being a brat, but get over it. He's hardly ever been outside the temple before we came along. Like how he's our guide to all this Xiaolin stuff, We're supposed to be his guides to the bigger world. So start acting like it!"

The brazillian held his hands up defensively. "Fine, fine sorry!"

"Is everything okay over there my friends? Omi called. "We should probably begin our search for the Golden Tiger Claws. Perhaps we can attain them before Jack Spicer appears, and smoosh it in his face."

"That's rub it in his face Omi," Raimundo spoke up.

"That too," The dimutative monk called out as he began looking around for an entrance into the palace. "My friends, I do not believe the Golden Tiger claws are in this location. We may need to head further inside the palace. Do any of you know how we could possibly get in?"

Kimiko reached into her backpack and pulled out her cellphone. "I got this guys, hang on," When the person on the other side of the line picked up Kimiko spoke, "Hey daddy, my friends and I need to get into China's Imperial Palace, can you help us out? You will, thanks!…" Her mood quickly soured over whatever the man said next. "I have to what? Really dad… okay fine. I'll send you a picture. Love you too, bye."

Kimiko sighed in annoyance as she hung up her phone and placed it back in her backpack. Omi approached hesitantly. "Kimiko, is everything A with the okay?"

Sighing again, Kimiko replied, "Everything is fine Omi, we just gotta do something for my dad before we can go in."

"Really, what is it?" Omi asked.

---

The group were forced to head to a shop sent to Kimiko's phone via text and then pick up a package, they were then forced to wait as she opened it in a room.

"What do you think this could be about?" Omi asked. "Some sort of secret quest from her father? Does she have to fight bandits? Defeat grave robbers? Vanquish an evil spirit perhaps?"

"Dude, she's a spoiled rich kid, he's probably making her wear a dress or something," Raimundo said uncaringly.

"Wear a dress?" Omi questioned. "...Why though? Kimiko always looks amazing no matter what she wears."

"Thank you Omi," Kimiko said as she came out of the changing room. She was wearing a yellow kimono trimmed in pink. She had a bright yellow obi wrapped around her waist and tied in a bow behind her back to keep her dress shut. Her hair was tied in a bun and she had a pair of needles running through it, along with the Tangle Web Comb. In her left hand was a pink and yellow folding fan.

"Kimiko… you look… even more amazing than usual! Like a princess!" Omi praised.

Kimiko covered her face with her fan so Omi couldn't see her blush. "Thank you Omi," She then fixed her gaze sharply on Raimundo, and stomped on his foot sharply with her geta wooden sandaled heel. "Spoiled rich kid huh?!"

"Well I say you look like the bell of the ball little lady," Clay said, tipping his hat. He was wearing a tan and blue trimmed kimono along with a blue and black trimmed haori coat.

Raimundo was wearing all red attire, and Omi… still looked the same. Not that Kimiko minded. Omi was the only one who didn't look out of place among the four of them.

"Your looking good Kimmie," Dojo said, shooting her a wink.

"Thanks Clay, Dojo. Ready to go to the Emperor's palace?" Kimiko asked pointedly ignoring Raimundo as he held his sore foot.

"Yes, let us get while the going is good!" Omi said.

"That's let get going while the getting's good cueball," Raimundo grumbled.

"Don't mess with the monk!" Kimiko snapped at Raimundo, already far from happy with him on top of being in this kimono. 'Well, at least Omi and Clay think I look nice,' She thought as she rode side saddle on Dojo back to the palace.

---

The four were promptly let inside once they approached. They began to search around looking everywhere they could for the Golden Tiger Claws. Omi even stuck his head into the mouth of a lion-dog statue. "Not in here, and these are lion claws."

"Similar, but no dice," Raimundo said with a shake of his head.

"Oh, are we looking for dice too?" Omi asked.

Dojo sniffed the ground, while Clay blew some dust off an old suit of armor. "Nothing here but dust bunnies guys.

"It's here I know it is. It's just it's more… down than here," Dojo told the group while pointing at the floor and what may lay beneath it.

"Oh kimiko what is that you're standing on?" Omi pointed.

Kimiko looked down and sure enough, she noticed she was standing on a trap door. "Nice catch Omi."

"I did not catch anything?" the little monk said, confused.

"She means nice job findin' the stairs partner," Clay explained.

Omi's eyes lit up in understanding before he gulped as he looked down into the dark. "Oh dear."

"What, you scared?" Raimundo asked.

"Yes," Omi admitted weakly.

Kimiko had half a mind to kick Raimundo down the steps just then but held off. Instead, she made her way forward reaching deep for her inner fire and calling it to her hand, she took Omi's hand with her free hand. "There, now we can see right?"

Omi took Clay's hand "Yes and we are forming a… I believe Raimundo called it a daisy chain."

"Raimundo…" Kimiko said in a sickly sweet tone, as she flashed him a smile that showed too many teeth, "You and I are going to have a long talk about the words you are teaching Omi after this is all over."

"Is it too late to run?" Raimundo asked Clay as the cowboy took his hand and led him into the dark.

"I reckon she'd be even angrier for havin' to hunt you down if you did partner."

---

The Xiaolin Warriors followed their path deep into the bowels of the earth. The deeper they walked the louder this ominous moaning became. "What is causing that?!" Kimiko asked getting freaked out by the constant moans.

"I do not know, but I don't like it either… it is ominous," Omi replied, squeezing Kimiko's hand tighter as he did so. He looked over the cliff and saw the shadow of someone approaching before he saw them, tugging lightly upon Kimiko's arm to make her stop before nodding in the direction of the approaching presence.

The figure in question was a monkeyfied Jack Spicer, his feet having been turned into furred appendages, his teeth now longer and animalistic, and possessing a monkey's tail. He was also the source of the wretched moaning they'd been hearing.

"Stop your sniveling! Wuya demanded. "You should be focusing on finding the Tiger Claws!"

"Sorry, but I ate too many bananas. Now my tummy hurts," Jack complained while rubbing his tummy in a fashion seen on many a buddai statue.

"Jack!" Kimiko called in rage, she still hadn't forgiven him for how he insulted her during their last Xiaolin Showdown.

"Jackbots! Destroy them… but first, get me some ginger ale!" Jack demanded.

"Rodger Rodger!" One jackbot said before its head spun around revealing a compartment with a glass and a drink dispenser. The glass was automatically filled with a foamy liquid that the monks guessed was ginger ale. Monkey Jack grabbed the glass as soon as it was full.

Jack drank it like a shot, getting a refill before saying, "Okay, now go destroy them."

With laser cannons bursting from their chests, the Jackbots zoomed towards the Xiaolin Warriors with the lead one saying "Blast em!"

"What's wrong with that one?" Wuya asked.

Jack shrugged. "I dunno might have a defective memory chip."

The dots on Omi's head glowed as he tapped into his element. "Water!" He called out drawing moisture from the mist around him and using it like a whip to slap away the nearest Jackbot from himself and Kimiko.

"Earth!" Clay tapped into his own element and tore a stone from the wall before chucking it into a Jackbot. This caused the bot to go critical and self destruct taking two of its companions with it.

"Wind!" Raimundo cried out calling on the air currents as he jumped and did a split kick knocking two Jackbots back. One smashed into the cliff face, the other spiralled down into the depths below.

"Kimiko stay back, we'll get the Wu!" Omi said. Only to realize she wasn't there. "Kimiko?"

"Fire!" Kimiko used her inner flame and launched it from both her hands to glide over to the plinth on which the Golden Tiger Claws sat. Both she and the Monkey Jack put a hand on either side of the Claws at the same time. The two glared at each other.

"Kimiko, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown!" Jack said in a screechy voice. "My Monkey Staff for your Tangle Web Comb.

"Fine by me Jack, what's your game?!" Kimiko asked.

Jack looked around. "A race first one to the end there," Jack said pointing off in the distance. "First one there wins."

"I accept," Kimiko said without thinking her temper flaring from past transgressions.

The world was terraformed around the two. Thin stone pathways zigzagged over a crimson abyss all paths leading towards the Golden Tiger Claws at the end.

"Gong Yi Tampai!" The two cried before they were off.

'I 'did not' think this through.' Kimiko thought to herself as she was hardly able to move in her yukata with her wooden geta sandals on her feet. She kicked the sandals off and let them fall into the abyss. Yet even with that, she was still constrained by her dress and couldn't move freely.

Jack meanwhile moved with all the freedom and agility of a monkey thanks to the Monkey Staff. He spun on stalagmites flipped and rolled along the floor and even stopped to laugh and mock her.

"Oh c'mon Kimi! This is too easy! You've gotta put up some kind of challenge for me, Jack Spicer!"

Then, the ground shook throwing both contestants on their butts.

"Stop playing around and get the Wu, you monkey-brained fool!" Wuya screeched.

"Fine, fine, I'm going!" Jack said, not really wanting to endure another earthquake or Wuya's harping.

'No, I've got to slow him down, somehow.' Kimiko thought to herself. She pulled out the Tangle Web Comb and aimed it at Jack. "Tangle Web Comb!"

The tendrils shot out between the teeth of the wooden comb, coming within two feet of tying up Jack, only to circle back and tie up Kimiko herself from head to foot. Even her cries of annoyance were muted as the Tangle Web Comb wrapped around her mouth this time, and no matter how hard Kimiko struggled she couldn't break free as she started to roll and come dangerously close to the edge.

"Oh no!" Omi said, "If she keeps struggling in that state she'll fall off the edge." 'I must do something I cannot lose a friend! Especially not a dear one like Kimiko. Yet, what can I do… wait…'

"Lightbulb!" Omi said. Before crying out to Jack. "Jack, I challenge you to a Shen Yi Bu Dare!"

Jack who was just about to take the Tiger Claws stopped. "A what now?"

"A Shen Yi Bu Dare is when two Shen Gong Wu are wagered in a single Showdown," Wuya rubbed her ethereal hands together. "Interesting, take the boy up on his offer Jack."

"What're you wagering?" Jack asked, arms crossed.

Omi reached into his clothes and pulled out the Mantis Flip Coin. "My Mantis Flipcoin and your Fist of Tebigong verses Kimiko's Tangle Web Comb and your Monkey Staff."

Jack didn't see the point in saying no. "Okay, what's the game?"

"A… different kind of race. First to swim to the Golden Tiger Claws wins," Omi declared.

"You're on Cue Ball," Jack said with a smile.

The scenery changed again, this time the area was flooded with sea green water with Kimiko safely teleported right next to the other monks untied.

Jack and Omi were on a small sandbar while the others were situated further away.

The two looked at each other before saying, "Gong Yi Tampai!"

Jack activated his Jetpack only to be consumed by a giant wave that Omi was riding on top of. "What the… you… you tricked me Cueball?!" Jack yelled now soaking wet, his guyliner running down his face.

"No, you fool!" Wuya said, a ghostly hand pressed up against her face in shame. "You were just stupid enough to accept a swimming race against a Dragon of Water!"

"Oh… whoops," Jack said, "Don't worry I got this," He hit a button on his watch and his jetpack shifted form a little bit, with the propellers tilting behind him and skis popped out of his shoes. Moments later Jack was off, shooting forward with a miniature airboat on his back. "Here I come Omi!"

"A most ingenious invention Jack Spicer, but I'm afraid, too little too later!" Omi said as he did a flip off his wave and grabbed the Golden Tiger Claws, ending the showdown.

In a flash, the world was back to normal, and Omi was surrounded by four Shen Gong Wu.

"Omi that was amazing!" Kimiko said running up to the little monk and giving him a big hug. "You totally saved my butt too," She said in a slightly bitter self-deprecating tone.

"Do not feel down on yourself Kimiko, I did not intervene because I did not think you could do it, I did so because I was afraid you could've gotten seriously hurt. That is something that… makes me uneasy," Omi admitted. "The idea of losing one of my if not my most precious friend."

"Omi," Kimiko said feeling touched by his words. Words that earned him an extra strong hug.

While he always enjoyed Kimiko's girl hugs Omi couldn't help but notice something being this close to her. "Kimiko, where is your pendant?"

"What?" Kimiko checked around her neck, her mother's pendant was gone! 'It must've fallen off during the showdown!' she thought as she looked around frantically for it.

"Huh, what's this thing?" Jack said as he picked up the heart shaped ruby.

"That is Kimiko's family heirloom return it immediately!" Omi demanded pointing at the boy genius.

Jack twirled the pendant by its chain on his finger. "Is it now? What'll you do if I don't shortstack?"

Omi took a deep breath. He looked at Kimiko who looked somewhere between heartbroken and furious to see the momento in Jack's hands. He came to a decision. "If you return the pendant, I shall give you the Mantis Flip Coin."

Jack actually stopped spinning the pendant on his finger when he heard that. Then he cleaned out his ears. "I… I'm sorry did I hear you right? Did you say you were going to give me a Shen Gong Wu for this thing?"

Omi nodded. "That is correct."

"This?" Jack held up the pendant and looked at it closely. "This thing that isn't a Shen Gong Wu?"

"It is precious to Kimiko, and that is all the reason I need," Omi replied.

Kimiko bent down put her hands on Omi's shoulders. "Omi this is super sweet and all, but you don't need to do this, it's not worth a Wu we just got back!"

"Is it important to you?" Omi asked locking eyes with Kimiko.

"Huh?" she asked.

"The pendant is it important to you?" Omi inquired.

Hesitantly, Kimiko nodded. "It's the only momento I have of my mom. She's… been gone for a while now."

"Then all the more reason to get it back," Omi said with a confident smile. "What say you Spicer?!"

"The Monkey Staff!" Jack called over.

"You want the Coin and the Staff?!" Kimiko called with angry tears gathering in her eyes. "How greedy are you?!"

Jack shook his head in disagreement, "No, just the Monkey Staff. You can keep the coin."

Omi nodded sagely "Very well, the Staff for the pendant yes?"

Seeing Jack nod Omi picked up the Monkey Staff. "On the count of three then?"

"One… two… three!"

The two tossed their respective items at the same time. Omi caught the Pendant and Jack the Monkey Staff. With it again in hand he turned to his still functioning Jackbots and said, "Jackbots, activate salvage mode!"

The machines proceeded to pick up the broken remains of their fallen brethren. He then turned to Kimko and said, in a tone that had no teasing or mocking in it. "Hey Kimiko?"

"Yeah Jack what is it?" The Fire Dragon called out wondering what he was going to say.

"You should keep a tighter hold on the things precious to you…" He turned to walk away only to look back and smirk, "Like cueball, he's a keeper."

Kimiko flushed. "S-Shut up Spicer!"

Jack laughed like a monkey as a tail sprouting from his back, the Monkey Staff already taking effect. "Till next time, heroes," He then flew off with a contemplative look on his face from the current events. Thinking of his own parents.

---

Back on the surface, the Xiaolin Warriors were carrying their newly won Shen Gong Wu and Omi had the Golden Tiger Claws taking up one hand.

"That was super crazy of you doing that for a pendant of all things Omi," Raimundo said, shaking his head. He just couldn't wrap his head around why he did it. Magical item versus a pendant? Made no sense in his mind.

"Raimundo, in my short time with all of you, I've learned that some things are more important than Shen Gong Wu," Omi said sagely.

"Oh yeah, like what?" Raimundo asked.

"Friendship, Family, and the smile of a dear friend for one," Omi replied saying that last part under his breath.

Yet Kimiko caught it anyway, and she smiled warmly before she dropped the Fist of Tebigong on the ground, and hugged Omi to her. "Thank you, so much for what you did down there Omi! I'll… I'll never forget it."

'Three girl hugs in one day? Is this a record, or has something broken within Kimiko?' Omi wondered. "Not to worry Kimiko. Family is very important… I know that better than anyone." Omi said quietly.

Yet not quiet enough for her not to hear, not when she was so close. Her heart practically broke at hearing the usually boisterous monks voice so sad, small, and broken. 'He needs cheering up,' Kimiko decided. "Hey Omi, whaddya say we use the Tiger Claws to drop these Wu off at the temple then we spend the rest of the day checking out China? We did promise after all."

"Oh yes, I would enjoy that very much!" He then frowned, "Do you think Master Fung will let us keep the Tiger Claws though?"

Kimiko grinned at him, "Omi one thing you gotta learn is sometimes when the adults aren't looking that means you can have a little fun."

Omi nodded. "I see…"

"In other words, just don't get caught," Raimundo added.

"And don't let it get too crazy while havin' fun," Clay added. "That's how the trouble starts."

Omi soaked all this in like a sponge. "Oh, I see… what do you think, Dojo?"

The dragon was quick to reply, "I think you should have a little fun kiddo. You've been cooped up in that temple for fourteen years. Live a little! See the sights, eat something that isn't rice, tea, and water, have some fun! Heck, get in trouble! Not too much trouble," Dojo quickly amended, "But a little trouble never hurt anyone, right?"

"True, and we are Xiaolin warriors!" Omi boasted. "We can handle any trouble that comes our way!"

---

"How did we get into this mess again?!" Omi shouted as he kicked another Triad member in the face, backflipping off him and doing a spin kick to take out another two.

"I do believe it started when you and Kimiko decided to help that pulled cart driver's poor mother," Clay said as he smacked two gang members' heads together knocking them right out.

"Hey, don't blame this on us!" Kimiko said as she did a split kick knocking out two more goons herself. "We didn't know he owed the Triad money on their noodle stand."

"Oh yeah, then who's fault is it huh?" Raimundo asked as he knocked out a triad with a left hook to the chin. "Whose fault is this?!"

"Clearly it is Ping's for not giving us proper information," Omi replied as he swept the feet out from the last triad member and kicked him in the face, sending him blissfully unconscious. Omi felt like his time in China was ruined. He only wanted to help someone in need, like a Xiaolin warrior should, and that in turn led to them all fighting no less than fifty Triad members, most of whom were armed with knives no less. He let out a sigh of dejection, "Shall we just go home everyone?"

Kimiko frowned, 'Omi's trip is ruined! He just wanted to see the sights and eat some food, I swear, if I ever get my hands on that Ping!'

"My, my what a mess," An elderly woman wearing her black and grey streaked hair up in a tight bun, wearing a yellow cheongsam with green floral vine work throughout its length. In her left hand she had a cigarette holder upon which a fresh one burned. She took a puff before letting it out. She walked over to one of the groaning men, and gave him a light kick, "Chow, get up you buffoon! Getting ass beat by children?! You sink to new low!"

Chow a thug wearing a leather jacket and yellow shades that covered his eyes awoke with a groan. "Sorry Madam Wu, but they aren't normal kids."

The woman rolled her eyes. "Obviously they kick your ass up and down street! Get others up and go home! I take care of this."

The woman made her way towards the Xiaolin Dragon Warriors kicking aside any poor unfortunate mook who stood in her path. She stopped three meters from the young fighters when they took up defensive stances. The elderly woman looked them over before her gaze settled on Omi, or more specifically the nine glowing dots on his head. She blinked, before speaking in a kindly grandmotherly tone, "What is your name little one?"

The little monk replied a little confused at her automatic change of voice, "Omi, Xiaolin Dragon Warrior of Water, and yours?"

The woman bowed respectfully towards Omi, "Madam Biyu Wu, or if you prefer the English standard Wu Biyu leader of the Shang Chi Triad."

"Oh crap we beat up her minions!" Raimundo said with hints of exasperation coloring his tone.

Madam Wu looked at Raimundo and raised a thin eyebrow. "An odd but apt description, young man. Still, you are not to blame for this mess but my disowned son Ping no doubt."

"Ping, the jinrickshaw driver ma'am?" Clay asked.

Madam Wu nodded tiredly. "Yes this is the third time this month he's tried to overthrow me and assume my position. It's getting quite tiresome."

"Why'd you disown him, if I may ask?" Kimiko asked.

Madam Wu sighed, "He enjoyed the lifestyle but didn't like to do the work involved to maintain it. I have no use for dead weight in my organization, even if he is one of my sons. I had hoped by cutting him off and tossing him into real world, he would get work ethic. The only thing he seemed to have attained is inept plans of revenge."

"See, this is what we call in Texas as someone being as slippery as a polecat Kimiko," Clay explained.

"Agreed," Kimko replied.

Madame Wu clapped her hands, "In any case, I must insist you come with me now, we have… much to discuss."

"Guys, I don't think this is a good idea," Raimundo whispered, "I've seen the Godfather enough times to know this never ends well," Riamundo suddenly had the red cherry of Wu's cigarette millimeters from his eye.

Wu who was now mere inches from him, and whispered. "If I wanted you dead boy, we would not have been speaking at all," She then walked off not bothering to turn around as she called, "Now come!"

Omi didn't know why, but he felt he could trust her, so he was the first to follow in her wake. Kimiko wasn't going to let him go anywhere alone and Clay felt the need to keep an eye on them both. Raimundo brought up the rear muttering, "I don't think this'll end well guys."

---

The dragon warriors were led into a two story chinese restaurant. People bowed respectfully to Madam Wu as she passed and more than a few of the older ones also bowed even lower to Omi for reasons he didn't understand. She walked right into the back kitchen where the chefs were cooking, all the shouting in chinese stopped when she appeared and they all bowed respectfully. Turning to the head chef, Madam Wu barked out some orders in chinese and everyone hurriedly got to work as she led the group upstairs. Opening the door she ushered them into a lavish apartment.

Rich tapestries clung to the walls depticing quinlung, chinese dragons, the countertops were made of solid jade and sat on top of bubinga wood cabinets. A long table and chairs made of solid ebony sat nearby, and a lavish sitting room was furnished with two gold lion dogs near a marble fireplace above which sat a painting of a man that immediately drew Omi's attention.

The man in the painting was tall and wearing a black martial arts gi, pants and shoes his head was bald except for the long black ponytail he had trailing down from his head. On his head were eight dots.

"Who is that man?" Omi asked, drawn to that picture as if in a trance.

Madame Wu smiled fondly as she made her way into the living room. "That is my late husband Jiang Bohai."

"Why… does he look so much like me?" Omi asked feeling a sense of odd kinship and familiarity to the unknown man.

Sitting in a rocking chair made of sandalwood, Madame Wu motioned for the Dragon Warriors to sit on the leather couch across from her. Once they were situated, she spoke directly to Omi, "Tell me young Omi, what do you know of reincarnation?"

Omi was quick to recite. "It's a part of the wheel of samsara. On the path to enlightenment people will reincarnate in different bodies and forms until they finally manage to die while living and achieve the state known as nirvana."

"Correct," Madame Wu nodded. "You, young monk are the reincarnation of my husband Bohai."

Silence for a moment and then… "WHAT?!"

Kimiko pulled Omi closer to her possessively instinctually. "What makes you say that granny?"

"The marks on his brow are dead give away," Madame Wu said amused by Kimko's possessiveness of the small boy and being around long enough to know what it meant. "My husband told me they were defining mark."

"A defining mark of what?" Kimiko asked, holding Omi close, with small plumes of smoke and flame coming from her mouth.

"The incarnations of a man known as Dashi," Madame Wu said before she took a puff on his cigarette. "He never really did tell me what that meant."

Silence fell again… and then… "WHAT?!"

"My, young people are so loud these days," Madame Wu complained. "Am I to assume this Dashi person is big deal?"

"He is the biggest of deals!" Omi said. "He created many Shen Gong Wu and vanquished an evil witch fifteen hundred years ago!"

"Shen Gong Wu?" the elderly woman asked.

Omi reached into his robes and pulled out the Mantis Flip Coin. "Mystical items of great power. The Mantis Flip Coin for example gives one the jumping ability and grace of a… mantis," Omi demonstrated by flipping around the living room.

Madame Wu blinked in surprise. "Oh I see. Well then, Jiang's final instructions do make more sense now."

"Final instructions?" Clay asked.

Madam Wu nodded. "Yes he asked me on his deathbed to do all in my power to assist the next him. That he would need all the help I could grant him. I intend to fulfill that promise."

Everyone was quiet for a moment. Then Omi asked, in a quiet tone. "H-How did he die?"

"He took on the former ruling gang of this area, the Dai Li, by himself. My Jiang was many things but patient, was not one of them. He was like water in the way that his temper had a low boiling point. Combine that with a strong sense of justice and well… he did manage to defeat the Dai Li… but it cost him his life."

"Omi's like water in that he's always moving headlong in one direction or wherever his feet carry him," Clay joked.

The elderly woman laughed at the joke. "Ah yes it is the same with every Water Dragon, or so Jiang told me, they embody their element in some way. Some are calm and tranquil like a pond, others are brash and turbulent like an ocean whipped into a frenzy because of a storm, and others go with the flow, like water carried by a river's current, Eager to see every little thing this world has to offer."

Kimiko hugged Omi to her. "The first and the last one describes our Omi perfectly. He can be calm but put him anywhere outside the temple, and he's a little kid running all over the place."

Clay smiled. "I dunno Kimiko in a fight he can fight like a storm."

"True," Kimiko noted, "I guess he fits into all three."

Madame Wu chuckled. "As to be expected of the ninth incarnation I suppose," Seeing the odd looks she was getting, she explained, "In China the number nine is considered magical and is connected to dragons."

"Same in Japan," Kimiko noted. "It's considered super lucky because nine also means relief."

Raimundo who was sitting with his arms crossed scowling at all these revelations said, "Yeah, he's super lucky being an orphan and all."

No one said anything, they were stunned into silence. Then Omi started sniffling, clearly hurt by Raimundo's words.

"Partner that was a low blow," Clay said while putting a hand on Omi's shoulder in a show of comfort.

"That's it!" Kimiko threw herself at Raimundo and started pummeling him. "I don't know what I have to do to get it through your thick skull," She yelled as she walloped the Brazillain in the head, "But let me make myself clear! Don't. Mess. With. The. Monk!"

Every word was accentuated with a punch to Raimundo's face.

"Uh Kimiko? Not that I wanna stop you from a righteous butt whoopin' an all, but we got are'selves a situation here."

"What is it?!" Kimiko yelled hold Raimundo up by the scruff of his Gi.

"Omi left," Clay said, pointing towards the open front door.

"Grr, damn it!" She pulled Raimundo an inch from her own face. "You'd better start praying Rai! Cause if we don't find Omi safe and sound…" She let her threat hang as she dropped the Dragon of the Wind to the floor and rushed out with Clay hot on her heels.

---

Omi ran almost unable to see due to the tears in his eyes. Raimundo's words hurt. They cut him deep. 'Why would Raimundo say such a thing? I… I do not understand,' Omi thought as he ran as fast as his legs could carry him out of the restaurant. He bumped into chefs as he made his way through the kitchen but he was so upset he couldn't even think of apologizing.

Once he was finally outside the only thing he could think of doing was getting as far away as possible. Thankfully he had just the means to do that. Pulling the Golden Tiger Claws out from his tunic, Omi activated them and jumped into the grey white portal they created. He could've sworn he heard Kimiko calling his name as he leaped into the portal but it was far too late for that as he was already away.

He soon found himself in the temple courtyard. Omi sighed sadly before he made his way back towards his quarters. He only stopped when he heard Master Fung call his name.

"Omi, my young monk, is something the matter? Where are the others?" Master Fung inquired Dojo wrapped around his shoulders.

"Oh… I decided to come back on my own. I forgot that Dojo wasn't with them."

Dojo slithered down from his perch on Master Fung's shoulders and approached the boy. "Hey buddy, what's wrong? Hmm?"

Omi took a breath. He then explained how after obtaining the Tiger Claws they were dragged into conflict with the local Triad only to become friends with their leader who revealed Omi was the ninth reincarnation of Grand Master Dashi himself.

Both master Fung and Dojo shared a look. Omi saw it. "Did you know?" He asked.

"We… assumed you might be yeah. Dashi in his day, was the very first Dragon of Water. It wasn't until the others showed up chosen for the different elements that we knew for sure," Dojo explained

Omi nodded. "I see… it seems I need to fill large shoes."

"Have large shoes to fill, but don't worry about it little buddy you'll grow into it… but what had you so sad in the first place?" Dojo asked putting his clawed arm on Omi's shoulder as a show of comfort.

Omi sniffled. "Raimundo said something… harsh but true."

"Which is?"

Omi looked down at his shoes. "He called me an orphan."

"He did What?!" Dojo asked assuming his gargantuan size in his anger. "I'll roast him alive and consume the remains!"

"Dojo!" Master Fung said, raising his voice. "Calm yourself."

The dragon turned to Fung and snapped, "Oh, I'm sorry, did you not just hear what Omi said?"

"I did and Raimundo shall be reprimanded properly," Master Fung replied, "We have enough enemies on the Heylin side, we need not make any within our own camp."

Dojo breathed out a plume of soot before assuming his smaller form. "I hate it when you're right sometimes, you know that?"

"I know," Master Fung held out his hand. "The Tiger Claws if you would Omi? I need to go collect the others."

Omi handed them over. "Of course Master, if you'll excuse me, I'll be in my room… I am not feeling well."

The two watched Omi trudge off his shoulders slumped. "You sure I can't torch him?" Dojo asked.

"No Dojo. Golden Tiger Claws," Fung replied before activating the Golden Tiger Claws and jumping through the portal.

---

"Omi!" Kimiko called out futilely as he jumped into the portal created by the Golden Tiger Claws. Kimiko fell to the ground her, her legs on either side of her, her knees giving out from under her, and tears falling from her eyes. "Well, that's it. He's gone. We've got no way to track him and he could be anywhere on Earth in the blink of an eye."

Clay put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey there, don't give up quite yet Kimiko. Omi can only really go to a handful of places outside the temple, and there all places we've been to get Shen Gong Wu."

Kimiko sniffled a bit before she wiped at her eyes. "Yeah that's true, so even if he didn't didn't go back to the temple, which is likely we at least know where to look for him." Picking herself up off the ground, Kimiko cracked her knuckles as she ground her teeth together. "I dunno about you, but I'm ready for round two with my new favorite punching bag!"

"Be sure to tag me in this time ya hear?" Clay told her.

"Do not be so quick to anger, young monks," Master Fung said as he came out of a tear in space created by the Golden Tiger Claws.

Both Kimiko and Clay smiled in relief. "Master Fung!" They said at the same time, for if he was here with the tiger claws that meant Omi was safe back at the temple.

"Is Omi okay?" Kimiko asked only to realize it was a stupid question. 'Of course he's not ok Kimiko.'

"He's coping… where is Raimundo?" Fung asked, his voice stern.

"Upstairs, with Madam Wu Master Fung sir," Clay replied unable to recall a time when he saw the man upset in the entire month he'd been at the temple thus far.

"Hm," Master Fung said, crossing his arms and folding his hands into his robes as he walked into the restaurant. A couple of the patrons near the kitchens stood up as if seeking to impede Master Fung as he approached the kitchens only to sit back down as they felt the silent fury rolling off the man. He made his way into the kitchens and walked around everyone as they worked, not once breaking his stride as he headed for the stairs. Once he ascended them, he politely knocked on the doorframe for he refused to enter another's home uninvited.

"Door open, come in," A voice called.

Master Fung entered the lavish apartment and made his way into the living room. Seeing the painting with two incense sticks next to it, Master Fung bowed in respect to the fallen warrior. He then turned to the woman sitting in the chair. "Madame Wu, I presume?"

"Yeah, an' who might you be, hm?" The woman asked as she fixed another cig to her holder.

"I am Master Fung of the Xiaolin Temple," He said bowing politely. "You met my students, and became quite familiar with my ward Omi?"

Taking a puff off her cigarette, Madame Wu replied, "Yeah, yeah, he good boy," She then glared at Raimundo who was sitting on the opposite end of the couch to two balls of bloody cotton in his nostrils and several cuts on his face. "Then that one open up his mouth and start shit. Omi okay?"

"Omi is back at the temple… destressing, thank you for asking," Master Fung replied.

"Shame he left, had a lot more to tell him. Oh well, another time perhaps," Madame Wu said with a shrug. She then motioned to her kitchen table where several plastic bags sat. "Got you Chinese to go, enough to feed two dozen cause cowboy looks like he have appetite big enough to eat whole cow."

"Ah shucks," Clay blushed… "Okay maybe… but that was only one time."

"He no get any!" Madame Wu said pointing at Raimundo. "It punishment," She then smiled coyly and added, "Besides you already had knuckle sandwich. Should be plenty full from that."

"Oh c'mon! Raimundo complained. "Isn't it bad enough I got my butt kicked by a girl?!"

Clay had to hold Kimiko back as she shouted, "Wanna go for round two?!"

"Whatever," Raimundo huffed. "Just took me by surprise is all."

Master Fung just looked at Raimundo and raised an eyebrow as if to say, 'Really? You thought you were just getting off with Kimiko's beating?' He turned to Madam Wu and bowed, "Thank you for your gracious hospitality.

"You welcome," Madame Wu said with a flippant wave of her hand. "As I say though, I have much more to tell Omi boy, I will be visiting soon," the Triad leader promised, speaking in such a way as if daring Master Fung to contradict her.

Master Fung just smiled a little and bowed, "We shall endeavour to be as gracious as hosts as yourself when that time comes, Madam Wu."

"Hmm," Madam Wu said after a moment of staring at Master Fung. "You have good poker face. Make nice card buddy," She decided.

Master Fung let out a little laugh. "You are too kind madame, I am but a humble monk."

"Humble monk make good poker player. When I come I bring cards," Madame Wu promised she then motioned them away, "Now you be going before food get cold. Go on shoo shoo," She motioned for the to leave only to look at Kimiko and say, "Give Omi hug from me yes?"

Kimiko smiled and nodded, "Yes ma'am."

---

Once they arrived, Master Fung finally addressed Raimundo directly. "You disappoint me young dragon. Now head to your room, and know that you shall be doing your chores and Omi's for the next week."

"Yes Master Fung," Raimundo said walking off head bowed, he had his hands in his pockets so no one could see his clenched fists.

"Actually Master Fung, we had a little bet goin' on whether or not Kimiko could win her next showdown," Clay recalled.

"And let me guess Raimundo bet against me?" Kimiko said waspishly hands on her hips.

Clay rubbed the back of his head. "Well, not just him."

"Clay!" Kimiko said offended, "How could you?!"

"Sorry little lady, it was a spur of the moment thing," Clay replied, "Omi though, stuck to his guns. Believed in you all the way."

Kimiko scowled. "But I lost and Omi won."

"Now technically speaking your showdown was won, just not by you," Clay said, I'd count that as a win. So looks like you an' I'll be doing Omi's chores for the next month Raimundo."

"Month?!" The Dragon of the Wind complained.

Clay tipped his hat, "Yeah, don'cha recall? We doubled the bet twice partner. One weeks worth of chores doubled down twice equals a month unless my math is off," the Texan replied.

Master Fung nodded. "I see, thank you for being honest and bringing this to my attention Clay. For your honesty, willingness to do hard work, and honoring your word, you shall only have to do Omi's chores for two weeks," He then looked to Raimundo, "You on the other hand Raimundo insulted a fellow disciple, and attempted to renege on your word. Thus I think an extra two weeks of doing your and Omi's chores will give you time to think and reflect upon your actions."

"Are… are you fucking kidding me?!" Raimundo asked.

"Hmm, what was that? You want to make it two months, is that what you said?" Master Fung replied his serene mask never falling from his face, "Why how generous of you Raimundo, truly you are quite the hard worker."

Raimundo opened his mouth to say something only for Clay to cover it with his hand and say, "Partner, do yourself a favor, and walk away. Walk away before you're doin' Omi's chores till yer old and grey."

Practically quivering with rage, the brazillian boy did just that, moving almost robotically such was his fury.

"Now we should eat while this is still hot. Clay will you go and inform the other monks?" Master Fung asked.

"Of course Master Fung sir," Clay said walking off at a plodding pace.

He then turned to Kimiko, "Kimiko would you go and get Omi and inform him we have dinner?"

"Of course Master Fung," Kimiko bowed before walking off.

---

As she approached Omi's room, she picked up the sounds of a beautiful melody wafting in the air. 'Is that… Omi?' She wondered, drawn by the playing like a sailor by a siren's song. She followed the music almost as if in a trance to its source.

Omi's room, the door had been left open a crack and it was from there that the beautiful music flowed. Kimiko stood outside his door and listened. She watched as Omi's finger's moved gracefully across the strings of his Guzheng, gently plucking, pushing and stroking the chords to create a beautiful melody. His right hand pushed down on one string while his left moved in swirling motions across the chords creating a beautiful dissonisiance near the end of the song before he plucked the final few notes.

Kimiko wasn't sure how long she stood there watching, listening to the music being played, but she finally snapped herself out of it once the final note faded into the air. It was only then, that she thought to knock on the solid wood of his sliding door frame.

"Yes, who is it?"

"I… it's Kimiko Omi, can I come in?" the girl asked nervously.

"..." For a moment nothing was said, and she thought he didn't hear her. She was about to repeat herself when she finally got an answer, "Come in Kimiko."

Opening the door fully she found Omi sitting cross legged on his floor, his Guzheng set across his lap. It was a thirty-six string type, dark wooded, and curved like a fully open book in his lap. Without asking Kimiko sat down across from the little monk silently. 'No wonder he uses that thing to destress, he plays beautifully,' Kimiko thought."I heard you playing, it was… out of this world."

A ghost of a smile appeared on Omi's face for a moment. "Thank you."

"What was that song, or were you just free styling?" Kimiko wondered.

"It is called "High Mountain Flowing Water." It is one of my favorites," Omi replied easily.

Kimiko couldn't help but smile. "It was mesmerizing. I've never heard anything so beautiful before."

"I am glad you enjoyed my performance my friend. Did you… need something?" Omi asked awkwardly after a moment's pause.

Kimiko didn't answer right away, instead she looked around his room. It was almost bare. His futon was rolled up in the corner, his closet was shut, and only a wooden case in which his Guzheng was kept lay open off to the side. There was nothing here that showed this room had belonged to someone for fourteen years. No pictures, nicknacks, or souvenirs from travels. No trophies from adventures, battles won or difficult training passed. This room could just as easily be a hotel room belonging to another guest. Yet Omi wasn't a guest at the Temple, like she, Raimundo and Clay still felt they were. Omi was a long term resident.

'Yet what does he have to show for it? Nada.' Kimiko thought. 'Nothing. Well that's gonna change 'real' quick', Kimiko decided. 'No wonder Master Fung said we were his teachers as much as we were his. We need to try harder with him. To show him the outside world more,' Kimiko thought. Clearing her throat, she said, "Master Fung wanted me to come get you for dinner."

"Forgive me but I am not feeling very hungry," Omi begged off. "Please go eat without me. Hurry while it's still warm."

"What if I told you Madam Wu sent us home with a ton of Chinese food and Raimundo got sent to bed without dinner?" Kimiko asked with a smirk on her face. "Would that change your mind?"Omi blinked as if in surprise, but shook his head no. So she sweetened the deal by whispering conspiratorially, "What if I told you Raimundo has to do your chores for the next two months?"

This time Omi's eyebrows went up to his nonexistent hairline. Yet still he shook his head. Kimiko crossed her arms. "So nothing I say is going to make you come to dinner huh?"

"I am afraid not… I am just… not in the mood to dine with everyone else tonight," Omi said with a sigh.

Kimiko got a stubborn scowl on her face for a moment before she nodded. "I see," She then got up and left, leaving his door wide open.

Omi almost called for her to close it but in the end, shrugged. 'It does not really matter,' He thought. Any food right now would taste like bile in his mouth. For Raimundo's words no matter how cruelly said, were true. He was an orphan, abandoned here at the Temples doorstep. Why? He did not know, yet he'd always harbored a secret seed of doubt in the back of his mind. That he was left at the Temple because he was unwanted. To his parents, worthless. After all, was it not said that parents were a child's first teachers? Then what kind of lesson could he take from such abandonment other than the lesson that those who are not wanted, who have no value, are cast aside in this world?

Thus Omi threw himself headlong into his training to become someone. To become someone of value who could not and would not be cast aside. Not again. He studied Shen Gong Wu relentlessly learning as much as he could about them. He honed his mind through study, his spirit through meditation, and body through practice of Yang-style taichiquan. He prepared as much as he could for the day when he Omi would finally prove his worth as the Xiaolin Dragon of Water. Yet, despite it all, Omi's fear remained that in the end, he would have no use no purpose, or worse still when his purpose was complete he would be cast aside... again.

Omi was brought out of his dark thoughts by the sounds of many pairs of feet approaching his door. Moments later, Kimiko, Clay, Master Fung, and Dojo appeared all carrying wooden plates laden with food and chopsticks. "What… What are you all doing here?" Omi asked in confusion.

"Well," Kimiko said putting a plate that had a little bit of everything from General Tso's chicken to frog legs on it in front of Omi, "If you won't come to dinner, then dinner will have to come to you."

"I…" Omi hesitated to say no, not after she'd gone through the trouble of doing all this. "Thank you Kimiko."

Before Omi could reach for his chopsticks Kimiko grabbed his hand with both of hers prompting him to look at her. "Omi, I just want you to know that you aren't alone anymore. You have m… us! You have Clay, Master Fung, Dojo, and I."

"Nice save Kimi," Dojo said only to get nudged by Clay.

"She is right young monk," Master Fung said, "There is an ancient saying, That the water of the covenant is thicker than the blood of the womb."

"In other words, family is what you make it little buddy," Clay translated.

Omi bowed to them all so as to hide the happy tears gathering in his brown eyes, "Thank you," When he rose, he looked to Kimiko, "And thank you most of all Kimiko. Thank you for caring."

The video game company heiress looked away so the little monk wouldn't see her blush. "Don't mention it Omi. L-Let's eat while it's still hot yeah… and when we're done… Do you think you could play me a song on your guzheng?" She asked.

Omi smiled and nodded. "Certainly,"

They all proceeded to eat. Clay got in a frog leg eating competition with Dojo, at Kimiko's urging Omi tried a little bit of everything, and Master Fung watched it all take place with a smile on his lips. 'These children are going to go far,' He thought before he looked down the hall where Raimundo's room was located, it's interior black as an overcast moonless night. 'Some just need to try harder than others.'

Once the food was devoured down to the last grain of rice, Omi placed his Guzheng in his lap again but only after washing his hands free of any sticky substances. It wouldn't do to get the strings all messy. He looked to Kimiko. "Do you have a request?"

Still clad in her elegant kimono and looking like a princess in his eyes, Kimiko shook her head, "Surprise me," she requested.

Omi nodded taking a breath before he started to pluck the strings.

(古箏-三生三世十里桃花《涼涼》 - Eternal Love Guzheng Cover by SoundsofChina Guzheng)

What came out was another beautiful melody, Kimiko once again found herself enraptured by the sounds coming from the zither. She felt her usually hot temper cool and for just a short while until the song ended she felt… at peace. All her worries and all of her fears melted away and she let herself drown in the peaceful strumings of the piece.

Then, it was sadly, over, and Kimiko found herself back in reality again. "That was… beyond beautiful Omi, what was it called?" Kimiko asked softly.

"The literal translation is Three Miles and Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms," Omi said, "But it is more commonly called Eternal Love."

"E-Eternal Love?" Kimiko asked, a blush staining her cheeks. "D-Did you just pick that song at random or..?"

Everyone leaned in, waiting with baited breath for Omi's answer.

"This song… suits Kimiko," Omi said after a moment looking off into the distance.

"H-How so?" Kimiko asked.

"It is an uplifting melodus song with a sharp tempo to it, the song ebbs and swells too. Kimiko, just like the song is very uplifting to be around, and just like the song Kimiko has a sharp temper, this is not a bad thing, I in fact find it most pleasurable to be around someone so… unlike the rest of the monks. Who so easily shows their emotions. Also just as the song ebbs and swells being around Kimiko fill me with a strange emotion I… cannot identify." Omi admitted. "But it is warm, like Kimiko's flame, and it is here," He pointed at his own chest. "Am I getting ill?" He asked no one in particular.

All the other men in the room laughed at that. While Kimiko herself turned as red as her lipstick. "No lil buddy you are not sick… not in a bad way," Clay assured him.

"Yeah, you'll figure it out eventually," Dojo assured him.

"The illness? What is it? What's wrong with me?!" Omi was getting afraid.

Master Fung chuckled lightly, "It is nothing to be concerned about young monk. This is perfectly normal, it happens to everyone. It will work itself out, one way or another," He then rose taking his plate and saying, "I do believe we should leave Kimiko and Omi alone for a bit, don't you?"

"Oh right," Clay said getting up too and carrying everyone else's plates. "Have a nice talk you two."

While the men laughed, Kimiko's mind was moving at a million miles a minute. 'What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?! Okay Kimiko think this through. Omi has grown up in a temple, he's been taught to meditate and well not exactly suppress his emotions but restrain them, and you are the first girl he's ever laid eyes on and the only one he's spent a decent amount of time with. So is it really all that surprising that he developed feelings for you without realizing what he's feeling? No, no it isn't. So what should you, as his friend do? Shoot him down gently?"

"Hell no!" A voice in the back of her mind screamed at her."He's more than just a friend to you and you know it!"

'Okay fine so I think he's cute, adorable, and honorable, but I can't just confess can I? He doesn't even know what he's feeling at the moment,' Kimiko argued with herself.

"No don't tell him," The other voice her subconscious(?) Rebutted, "This is something he needs to figure out on his own. Patience is a virtue Kimiko."

'True, right then,' Kimiko thought before she looked to Omi who was just waiting patiently for her to speak. "Omi?"

"Yes Kimiko?"

Lightning quick, the little monk found himself wrapped in his fourth girl hug that day. Only this one was accompanied by a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, for everything you've done for me today. For putting up another Wu to keep me safe, sacrificing the Monkey Staff to get my pendant back, and then playing that song for me."

"I-It was no trouble!" Omi stuttered, "It was my pleasure."

"And Omi?" Kimiko all but whispered.

The monk adopted a similar tone wondering if she was about to share a secret. "Yes?"

"When you figure out what that feeling is, you let me know okay?" Kimiko said before kissing his other cheek leaving identical marks on either side of his face. She then got up and left the room Pausing outside the door long enough to say, "Goodnight Omi."

"Goodnight Kimiko. Sleep well," Omi called back, as if in a daze causing her to giggle before she shut his door.

---

In the country of Japan, in the city of Fuyuki, beneath mount Enzou, a force long sealed within a deep cavern, began to awaken.

"Shit how long has it been… sixty years?!" The entity known as All the World's Evil asked itself as it finally built up enough energy from the leylines on fuyuki to destroy the blasted seal that had been placed on it. "Well fuck me sideways and call me Chauncy! I've been out cold for a bit. Let's see what's going on around here…" Angra Mainyu tapped into the leylines around Fuyuki and using the power of the Greater Grail collected information that had gone on since the last Grail War. Most of it was boring and mundane but some of it got a chuckle from him. " Hoho, what's this, that blockhead Emiya was actually dumb enough to make a deal with the World? You poor bastard…. Tohsaka had a kid who gave up on the family craft and married a videogame developer? Well huh. Hmm, and what are these strong magical signatures I'm detecting all over the globe not unlike Noble Phantasms… Shen… Gong… Wu? Zodiac Talismans… Mystical Monkey Power?" The dark entity was silent for a moment, before it started cackling. "Bwhah… BWHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my, this is fucking glorius! If I pick just the right people tweak things in just the right… wait… Is Tohsaka's granddaughter… She is! She fuck mothering is on one side of this conflict already! Oh that just makes this so much easier! Then I just pick her friends, that geeky goth kid… Yes… YES I LOVE THIS IDEA! I don't just want any Grail War! I. Want. GRAIL WAR V… Wait, that means Five! Damn it! I fucked it up! I. WANT. GRAIL WAR VI! There we go, I got it right that time! Go me, I'm awesome! This is gonna be so. Much. Fun!"

Deep within the caven a dark entity laughed an evil chortel for all the chaos it was about to unleash…

---

Omi awoke early the next morning at dawn as he always did and after quickly bathing made his way back to his room, rolled up his futon, put on his monks robes, and went to the sand garden where he hopped on top of a large rock and began to meditate. For three hours he would sit there in quiet contemplation, waiting until he heard one of the others, usually Kimiko, begin to stir. Then, he would alight from his perch and make his way towards the dining hall, where breakfast was likely being held. He would get his rice, and his tea and wait for the others to join him. Yet today he felt uneasy. Despite what was said last night, he didn't know if he wanted to eat with Raimundo. His words still hurt despite the balm applied by Kimiko and the others the other night, assuring him he was not alone. His thoughts then turned slowly, like a waterwheel, to the Fire Dragon Warrior herself. Kimiko told me to tell her when I figured out what that feeling was… but how do I figure out what it is?' Omi thought his hands resting on his knees as he sat in a lotus then, he noticed an odd red mark on the back of his right hand. At first, he thought it was a stain he'd missed from the food the other night, but the more he looked at it, the more distinct it became. It was three cresting waves each slightly smaller than the other flowing to the left on the back of his hand as if in red ink. Omi held his hand closer so as to inspect the strange inscription. 'Where did this marking come from? What could it mean?'

Choosing to forego his morning meditation for once in order to seek answers, Omi hopped off his normal perch and went off to find his father in all but blood. He gently knocked upon the wood of his sliding panel door and waited for an answer. "Yes?"

"Master, might I come in?" Omi called, "I require your council."

"Of course Omi," Master Fung replied.

Omi opened the door to find Master Fung doing pushups. Even at his age, Master Fung kept his body in prime condition. He looked to Omi as he approached. "What seems to be on your mind young monk?"

In response, Omi showed his father figure the back of his hand. "I do not know how Master, but these strange sigils showed up on the back of my hand this morning."

Pushing himself to his feet from the floor, Master Fung took a knee as he studied the marks on the back of Omi's hand. "Hmm, how very curious," He then pulled up his sleeve and showed Omi his shoulder, for on it was a red spear broken into three parts, the shaft, the spearhead, and a crossguard just beneath the blade. "It seems we both bear similar markings."

Omi's mouth dropped but for just a moment, "Master, what does this mean? Is it some kind of trick or plan by Jack Spicer or Wuya?"

Fung shook his head. "No, I do not think so. Neither of these marks bear the telltale taint of Heylin magic. No, this is… something else," Master Fung said at last.

"What is it?" Omi asked.

Letting his sleeve fall and standing, the wizened master replied, "I've no idea at the moment, Omi, yet just because we know it is not the Heylin does not mean it is benevolent in nature. We'd best remain on guard till we know for sure what these marks are meant to do."

Omi bowed, he knew Master Fung would know what to do. He always did. "Yes Master, of course… Then a thought occurred to Omi. "Master, what about the others? What if they too have been marked?"

Master Fung stroked his beard. "Hmm, quite the thought Omi. Very well, I give you permission to go check the others for similar marks if they ask."

Omi nodded, worried some form of conspiracy might be in the works. As Kimiko once told him Once was a coincidence, twice was an oddity, but a third time was the actions of an enemy! "Yes Master, I shall return shortly!"

Omi dashed off and to his luck found Clay returning from the bathroom to his quarters. "Clay!"

"Oh hey Omi, what's the rush? You gettin' chased by a bull lil buddy?"

The little monk shook his head. "No, no bulls," He showed him his hand. "Strange markings have shown themselves on myself and Master Fung. He has tasked me with checking all of you for similar marks."

"What in tarnation?" Clay said as he looked at the crimson lines on the back of Omi's hand before he nodded. "Right back to my room then."

Omi looked around Clay's room noting how he had personalized it with photos and things from his homeland. Though small, a sigh escaped Omi. 'It must be nice, to know you have a place you belong. A family you can return home to… a land you can call your own.'

"Partner, everything alright?" Clay asked, concerned for he saw a flicker of sadness in Omi's agate brown eyes.

"Yes, yes, everything is fine Clay," Omi said giving his head a shake. "Now if you would be so kind as to remove your shirt?"

"Sure thing lil bud." Clay took his shirt off, showing that ranch life had left him quite built. See anything?" Omi saw no marks on his friend at all, "No turn around please, perhaps it is on your back?"

Doing so Omi saw it. Completely overtaking Clay's upper back was a isosceles trapezoidal shape much like a volcano. The end curved inwards to form two right angles on either side and a line ran right through both, while smack dab in the middle was a counterclockwise running spiral.

'Hmm once again the mark comes in three parts, the spiral, the trapezoid, and the line. What does it mean?' Omi thought.

"See anything back there?" Clay asked.

"You have a mark on your upper back." Omi replied.

"Really what's it look like?" Clay turned his head to try and get a look, to no avail.

"A volcano with a spiral in the middle of it." Omi replied, before he decided to do one better and grab a pen and, using its point, traced the image on Clay's back.

"Wow, it's big huh?" The cowboy said once Omi was done and he put his shirt back on. "Whadaya think it means?"

"I do not know yet, but Master Fung says it has nothing to do with Wuya or Heylin. Yet we should remain vigilant regardless."

"Ten four good buddy," Clay said while giving him a thumbs up. "You gonna check on Raimundo next?"

Omi took a breath. "Yes. He's closest."

"Want me to come with, in case he tries to give you any lip?" The Dragon of Earth offered.

Omi looked down. It was embarrassing to admit, and it wounded his pride, but yes, he would like Clay's help in dealing with the Dragon of the Wind. "If you would be so kind."

"No problem partner, lead the way," Clay said.

Omi approached the Wind Dragon's room with mounting trepidation. 'I just need to get it over with,' Omi decided. He quickly rapted on Raimundo's door and waited. Getting no response, he knocked again, and once again, he got no response. When he was in the middle of a third knock the door was thrown open, by an irate Raimundo who was clad in nothing but white and heart themed boxers. "WHAT IS IT?!" He shouted at Omi causing him to flinch back. Seeing Omi standing at his door with Clay, Raimundo seethed, "What do you want cueball? It's like six in the morning, can't this wait?"

"Settle down there partner, settle down," Clay said warning in his tone, "Somethin' afoot an' Master Fung sent Omi to investigate."

Rubbing the black circles under his eyes, Raimundo sighed. "Fine, come in I guess," standing back with his arms crossed.

Raimundo had a surfer theme to his room. He had a table consisting of a surfboard that had a bite taken out of it by a shark, posters of luah girls on the walls and painting of waves on the walls. Going over to a picture Omi picked it up and saw Raimundo surrounded by his mother, father, and no less than seven younger siblings. "Are these all your siblings Raimundo? There are so many of them!" Omi said, amazed he had so many siblings.

Taking the family photo from Omi Raimundo replied, "Yeah they're all my siblings, also don't touch my stuff without asking dude, not cool."

Omi bowed in apology. "My bad."

"Yeah, anyway, I doubt you came here to check out my room, so what's going on?" Raimundo asked placing the photo back.

Showing the Xiaolin Warrior the mark on his hand, Omi explained the situation. "So if you would kindly turn around, I need to finish checking you for a similar marking."

"Okay… wish you would'a waited like an hour though, it's not even six yet is it?" Raimundo yawned as he turned around.

"Oh, I see it!" Omi said. Pointing to the three counterclockwise swirls in a triangle formation near Raimundo's lower back.

Clay chuckled. "Well I'll be, didn't know you were the Tramp Stamp type Raimundo."

"What?!" Raimundo asked, sounding indignant.

"What is a tramp stamp?" Omi asked innocently. Before adding, "What is a tramp?"

Clay rubbed Omi's head goodnaturedly, "Tell you later buddy."

"Nu-uh, I don't believe it, I think you guys are punking me from yesterday!" Raimundo challenged.

"You got a phone?" Clay asked. Handing over a chrome smartphone, Clay took a picture of the red sigils, and then showed it to Raimundo.

"Damnit!" Raimundo swore. "Is this some kinda sick joke?"

Omi shook his head. "I do not know what's causing this, but I do not believe it's some kind of joke Raimundo," Omi replied seriously.

"I was being sarcastic chromedome," The Xaiolin Warrior of Wind replied with a sigh. "Now if that's all, can you leave? I wanna go back to bed?"

"Can you really afford to?" Clay asked, "We gotta do our and Omi's chores startin' today partner."

Raimundo ran a hand down his face. "Right, thanks so much for reminding me Clay."

All the Dragon of Earth did in response to the sarcasm was tip his hat. "Only Kimiko left now Omi, think you can handle that on your own while Rai and I get started on our chores?"

The idea of having to search Kimiko's body for red markings made Omi flush. Yet he took a deep breath. 'I am just following Master Fung's orders, that's all! Nothing improper is going to happen,' Omi told himself. So thinking he replied, "I'll be fine Clay thank you."

"You sure cause you were totally blushing just a… oww." Raimundo said when Clay elbowed him in the gut.

"I-I have it under control! Thank you!" Omi said with faux confidence as he made his way out of the room.

---

'I can do this, it's no big deal, I'm just looking for markings,' Omi told himself as he stood outside Kimiko's room. 'So why have I yet to knock?' he asked himself. Omi took a deep breath. He needed to check everyone, regardless of gender. 'You can do this Omi, just don't think about how pretty you find Kimiko and how you will likely get to see her with less than the usual amount of clothing on because of this… curses you are not helping, brain!'

Taking another calming breath and banishing thoughts of Kimiko wearing… less than he was comfortable with envisioning her wearing from his mind, he knocked on her door politely. Receiving no answer he knocked again… then a third time. He was about to knock a fourth when he heard a voice from within groan out. "Whoever that is better have a damn good reason for waking me up before six in the morning!"

"It is Omi, I apologize for waking you Kimiko, but a situation has come up that Master Fung has asked me to look into. Might I come in?"

"Omi-chan?" Kimiko's voice had softened considerably when she heard his voice. He didn't know what 'chan' meant, but he doubted it was something bad. This was Kimiko after all. Hearing movement from within, he waited patiently for her to open the door. Moments later the door opened and Kimiko appeared.

She was wearing upper thigh length black yoga pants and a short pink shirt with a cat on the front that showed off her midriff. Her hair was down, which was unusual for her, and it trailed down to her waist. Even though she looked tired, she smiled at him sweetly. "What's going on Omi?

"Might I please come in?" Omi requested.

"Oh of course, come in," Kimiko said quickly stepping aside to let him enter.

For the second time, Omi found himself in Kimiko's room. It had a Japanese flair to it. A small table connected to a blanket sat in the middle of the room, upon which sat a laptop, a gaming system, and half a dozen wireless controllers. Water paintings of flowers hung on the walls. Yet the most curious thing was the grinning shark toothed mask of a brown-skinned monster-like creature that had bulging yellow eyes and thick grey eyebrows.

"Would you like to sit under the kotatsu?" Kimiko offered motioning to the blanketed table.

"Ko-tat-su?" Omi asked, sounding out the unfamiliar word.

"Yeah very good Omi!" Kimiko praised, "That's Japanese for a heated table, see?" Kimiko lifted up the blanket showing it had a control switch.

The little monk nodded. "Yes, I see. I would like to sit at this kotatsu, for a moment anyway."

He made himself comfortable and Kimiko did the same right next to him before asking, "So, what brings you by so early, not that I mind."

"Something strange is going on Kimiko," Omi said showing her the markings on the back of his hand.

"Wow… how did that..?"

"I do not know, I woke up and found them on the back of my hand. Master Fung, Clay, and Raimundo also bear similar marks on different places of their body. Master Fung on his right shoulder, Clay on his upper back, and Raimundo on his lower back. I…" He paused unsure how to continue.

"Omi?" Kimiko asked, confused as to why he stopped.

The monk took a moment to gather his courage. "I have been tasked by Master Fung to check everyone else for similar markings… you are the only one left."

"Oh…" Then she realized just why he was so nervous and blushed a bit herself. "Oh!"

Omi looked away and nodded. "Yes, I must admit I consider it most improper to be doing such things but… Master Fung ordered me to do it, so I shall persevere."

Rather than be offended, Kimiko laughed, "Omi any other guy would love to be in your position right now you know that? You really are a gentleman. If Raimundo was the one who came in here and told me this, I'd have blackened his eye before I kicked him out and even Clay would've gotten a raised eyebrow but you're just… too pure to lie about something like this."

"Thank you for trusting me Kimiko… how would you like to proceed?" Omi asked nervously.

Getting up from under the blanket, Kimiko went around to the front of the table and holding her arms out to her side did a quick twirl. "See anything?"

Omi swallowed before he shook his head. "I did not."

The two both flushed. "Then that means that it's…" Kimiko began.

"Underneath your clothes." Omi finished for her. "Yes… but it is possible you have no mark at all!" He sounded hopeful.

Kimiko quirked an eyebrow, "But how likely is that at this point?"

Omi looked away and sighed, "Not very."

"Omi," Kimiko said, getting his attention. "I trust you," she told him sincerely. "If you need me to undress to see if I've got these marks then… I don't mind doing it."

"Kimiko," Omi said in a shocked tone before bowing towards her. "Thank you, I hope in time, I can prove worthy of the trust you've placed in me."

"You already have Omi," Kimiko replied as she turned around and pulled her shirt off and holding her hair up with one hand she asked, "Anything back there?"

Omi peeked between his fingers and unfortunately he saw no such sigil on Kimiko's upper back All that was there was a cherry blossom pink bra strap. Omi shook his head, "N-No, unfortunately not."

The Japanese girl took a deep steadying breath. "Okay then," Closing her aquamarine eyes, she turned around. She didn't hear anything from her fellow monk for a moment Kimiko opened her eyes. Omi was staring at her, his whole face a rosy red, his brown eyes big, and his mouth slightly agape.

'Oh geez you broke him Kimiko…' Then she realized she broke him. His brain was on the fritz because he was staring at her. Now, Kimiko knew she wasn't ugly, but she didn't consider herself drop dead gorgeous either. She knew full well she lacked the air of Yamato Nadeshiko, a sweet demure japanese woman that boys liked and looked for back home. Unlike what was commonly looked for, she had opinions, a temper, and she liked to defy conformity hence why she constantly dyed her hair and wore out there outfits. Yet Omi, judging by his reaction right now, disagreed. It was a big confidence boost for her. She shot him a playful wink. "Like what you see Omi-chan?"

Being addressed snapped him out of his haze. He coughed into his clenched fist. "I, um… Kimiko is pretty no matter what she swears, yes."

'If Omi keeps complimenting me like this, my head won't be able to fit out my door it'll be so big.' Kimiko thought to herself. "See any markings."

Getting his mind back to task, Omi allowed his eyes to non perversely roam Kimiko's body. They quickly found what they were looking for. There on her breastbone, just above the valley of her womanly assets was the sigil he was looking for.

It looked like either an open tulip or a fireball. A counterclockwise swirl branched off into three peaks, that was the first mark. The second mark was a U shaped mark going from the two side peaks to another and the final mark was in the center of the third peak, almost connecting to the center swirl.

"I-I s-see it! It's r-right above… above your… uh…" Omi couldn't bring himself to finish. He was too flustered.

"My breasts?" Kimiko guessed grinning at the fact she had rendered Omi a stuttering mess, before she turned on her phone and activated mirror mode before zooming in on her new ink. "Wow, these look so cool," Kimiko snapped a picture, thinking she might get this inked on for real at some point.

"Yes, indeed, they are." Omi replied bashfully.

Putting her shirt back on, Kimiko stopped Omi as he started to leave, "Hang on a sec Omi… would you mind… hanging out with me for a bit?" Kimiko asked.

"I was told to report my findings back to Master Fung… but he did not say to report back immediately," Omi said to himself. "Very well can 'hang out' for a bit. What did you have in mind?"

In response Kimiko turned on her game system which in turn turned on the tv she had on her wall. "Wanna play Goo Zombies Two?" She asked, offering him one of two wireless controllers and selecting co-op.

"I have never played before…" Omi said hesitantly as he took the controller in hand.

Kimiko smiled encouragingly. "That's okay, I'll teach you. Ready?"

Omi got a determined look on his face as he nodded. "Yes!"

---

The next two and a half hours were spent shooting zombies in a top down shooter. Omi despite having never played Goo Zombies before, was one of the quickest studies Kimiko had ever seen. Once he figured out what buttons did what he was right alongside her blasting away that the zombie hoard. Though she must've beaten this game a good dozen times by herself, playing it together with Omi made it even more fun. They had just smacked the second of twelve bosses into next week and were sharing a cheerful celebratory hug when a knocking came at Kimiko's door.

"Come… come in!" Kimiko called.

The person at the door was Master Fung. He was smiling in amusement as he carried a tray with bowls of rice and tea, Raimundo and Clay following in his wake. "Hello there my young dragons, I had wondered what kept you from attending breakfast, it seems you were preoccupied… killing the undead?" Master Fung said in amusement.

The Dragon Warriors of Fire and Water had the decency to look sheepish. Kimiko apologized for the both of them. "Sorry Master Fung, it was my bad. I wanted Omi to hang out for a bit and we lost track of time."

The elder monk chuckled a bit. "Having fun is not a sin Kimiko as long as it, like all things, is done in moderation," he gently admonished before placing the tray on the kotatsu.

Kimiko nodded, "Yes sir."

"Nice digs," Raimundo commented off-handedly.

This earned him a glare from the Xaiolin Warrior of Fire, "You've seen it all before Raimundo, or have you forgotten?"

Now let it be said that Kimiko Tomohiko wasn't the type to hold a grudge. Normally, she would snap at the person in question who had annoyed her and would've let her grudge go by now, but the stubborn Wind Dragon hadn't even bothered to apologize for sneaking into her room. In fact, he pretended like the event never happened. Clay apologized multiple times and profusely and Omi didn't even know it was wrong in the first place but still apologized while kneeling in a position of utmost respect.

Raimundo crossed his arms and looked away. "Yeesh, you're still going on about that?"

Kimiko's temper flared. "Considering you never apologized when Omi and Clay did, yeah, I am!"

Rolling his eyes the Brazillian said, "I'm so sorry for coming into your room uninvited Kimiko. Please can you find it in your big ole heart to forgive me?"

"If you can say that with a little less snark, then maybe," Kimiko said as she ground her teeth together.

"Raimundo, apologize to Kimiko," Omi said seriously as he fixed his fellow Xiaolin disciple with a glare. "You, just like Clay and I, went into her room without permission, you should humble yourself and apologize for that and your rudeness."

"Don't tell me what to do, half pint!" Raimundo said scowling at Omi.

Unlike last time back in China, this time Omi refused to back down. He spoke in an even tone. "You can insult me all you wish Raimundo, but you shall not insult Kimiko… not in front of me. Now apologize properly or leave," Omi pointed to the door.

Raimundo glanced at the others, Clay was smiling, happy to see Omi standing up for himself, and Master Fung was passively watching the scene not taking one side or the other. Wolfing down his rice and throwing back his tea like a shot, Raimundo turned on his heel and stalked out, calling over his shoulder, "Thanks for breakfast!"

Omi suddenly found himself being hugged. Something that he was becoming more and more familiar with as he spent time with Kimiko. "Thank you for that Omi! You're my little hero aren't you?!"

"Do not mention it Kimiko, and I am no hero," Omi denied, "For that would imply you were a damsel in need assistance and rescuing, and that is something you shall never be. You are strong, and when the pushing and shoving occurs you shove back. You are the Xiaolin Dragon of Fire. You can rescue yourself if need be," Omi said sagely.

"Omi… you're amazing you know that?" Kimiko said hugging him to her again and giving him a kiss on top of everything. He may not consider it so, but he'd already helped her out at least three times now. Once during the Showdown, he got her mother's memento back from Jack, and just now he defended her from Raimundo. Then he goes right on to tell her she's strong enough not to need a hero?

'He probably doesn't even consider what he did heroic. To him it's just keeping a friend safe,' Kimiko thought.

"Now my young monks, I do believe it is time for Kimiko to get her chores done yes? The temple rugs will not beat themselves," Master Fung said.

Kimiko stood and nodded before turning to her new gaming partner. "Right! We'll finish this later Omi."

"Indeed. Thank you again, Kimiko," Omi said with a polite bow before he left her to change.

As he walked down the hall he was stopped by Master Fung. "Omi, what did your investigation uncover?"

"Master, all the others bear similar markings, Clay on his back, Raimundo on his lower back, and Kimiko… She also has marks," Omi says looking away to hide his mild blush.

"I see," Fung decided discretion would be the better part of valor and not ask about the location of Kimiko's marks. "So the five of us plus Dojo have been marked."

"Dojo as well master?" Omi asked in wonder.

Fung's brow furrowed, "Indeed, and I know not what it means. What shall you do with your free morning young monk?"

"Hmm, help Kimiko with her chores I think. Some of the temple rugs can be quite thick and heavy," Omi decided as he walked off not seeing the surprised happy smile on his father figure's face. Yet he frowned, for he wondered who else might bear such markings, and whether or not they would be friend or foe.

---

Jack Spicer was in his lab, his goggles over his eyes as he put the finishing touches on the latest line of Jackbots. He was multitasking with the use of the Monkey Staff, welding on multiple Jackbots at the same time. All the while, Wuya was nagging in his ear.

"I do not understand! Why did you not ask for both the Flip Coin and the Monkey Staff?! You were in a position of power and held a meaningless trinket!" the ghost shrieked.

Having enough of her caterwauling, Jack turned to her lifted his goggles and scowled. "Shut up!" he snapped. He actually rendered the witch speechless with the heat in his tone. "The Flip Coin is damn near useless as you've pointed out before, I like the Monkey's Staff as, if used in moderation it allows me to multitask, and lastly I'm not so much of a piece of lowlife crap as to hold the last vestige of a memory a girl has of her deceased mother just to gain a miniscule advantage. I may be evil, but I have standards, thank you!"

Wuya was silently contemplative for a moment. "I… see."

"Gotta say, I didn't expect such… chivalry from you Jack. Meow!"

Giving a suffering sigh Jack turned to the blonde girl in the leather catsuit casually lounging on one of his machines. "Ashely what're you doing here?"

"When I'm in costume, it's Kattnape Jack, and I figured I'd give this villain thing a shot with you if you don't mind?"

Jack rolled his eyes. He'd known Ashley Bast since grade school. She always enjoyed teasing him, poking and prodding at his inventions and eccentricity. While he had no problem with her for her love of all things small, cute, and cuddly. More than once the word 'shotacon' had left his lips when things got heated between them. They had an odd friendship to be sure, completely platonic though it was.

"Umm, I don't think that would be a good idea Ash," Jack said, They may bicker like brother and sister, but that didn't mean he wanted Ashley getting hurt.

"I disagree," Wuya butted in, "At this rate you'll lose the only Shen Gong Wu you have left. Some help, any help would be most welcome at this point."

Jack folded his arms. "Hey things are so bad that we need to outsource!" Jack complained.

"Oh, then where is the Fist of Tebigong, where is the Third Arm Sash, or the Golden Tiger Claws?"

Jack held up his hands defensively. "Okay, okay, okay! So we're having a good run of bad luck lately. I still have the Jetbootsu and the Monkey Staff.

"Two out of seven does not inspire confidence!" Wuya screeched.

Jack huffed, "Well excuse me Wuya but if you actually taught me some of your magic hocus pocus I might just stand a better chance!"

Wuya stood stock still for a moment. "You… you would learn Heylin magic from me?"

Jack nodded slowly. "Yeah I mean it can't be too different from science right? If anything I can use it to improve my Jackbots. Plus you keep talking a big game, but we've got a saying in this day and age, put your money where your mouth is."

The eyes on Wuya's mouth narrowed, and she stroked her chin thoughtfully as she circled Jack, as if seeing him in a new light. "Hmm, yes I see. Very well Jack, if you are willing to learn, then I shall teach you. You and Ashley was it?"

"Yeah and cool," The cat themed villainess said giving a thumbs up.

"Why her?" Jack asked almost petulantly. He didn't want her involved in potentially dangerous situations.

"What's the matter Jack, jealous?" Ashley prodded.

The boy genius rolled his eyes. "I just wanna keep you outta trouble Ash. You don't need a rap sheet like your Aunt Amy."

"Hey, my auntie Amy is cool! She pushed me to get my degree in genetics," Ashley defended.

"She made real life Cuddle Buddies," Jack deadpanned.

Ashley shrugged. "True, but you gotta admit, they were cool for abominations against the natural order."

Jack nodded. Despite the fact that Amy Hall or DNAmy as she was known was known in the villain community, was nuttier than a granola bar; the fact she made sustainable chimeras was nothing short of amazing.

Suddenly, Wuya's eyes lit up. "Another Shen Gong Wu has activated! The Changing Chopsticks! Go! Capture this Shen Gong Wu for me and prove yourself worthy of my Heylin teachings."

"Fine," Jack sighed, "C'mon Ash and stick close okay?"

"It's Katnappe when I'm in costume Jack!" the blonde snapped as she followed him to his hovercraft.

---

The Xiaolin Dragons were on Dojo's back, flying their way over the Pacific Ocean when Kimiko decided to ask Omi a question. "Omi did you hang some of the heavier rugs for me earlier?"

"Yes, I decided to assist you as thanks for this morning. In truth, I am unused to not doing morning chores. I have become quite used to doing all of them as part of my morning routine as part of my life at the Temple."

'Omi is routine and plan oriented,' Kimiko noted, filing that away. "So you did all the chores by yourself before we showed up?"

"Yes, it was good training." The young monk replied.

"How is doing chores training?" Raimundo asked.

Omi was prompt to reply. "Carrying and beating rugs helps build upper body strength, washing the floors helps with hand eye coordination, and washing the bowls and utensils after breakfast helps with dexterity."

"Huh, I never thought about it like that, but the lil guy has a point, all my work on the ranch is why I'm so bulky," Clay said, thinking out loud as Dojo spiraled down towards Easter Island the giant stone heads standing out even from this distance as if on an eternal vigil.

"Ohh, what is this place?" Omi asked, amazed by the giant stone heads.

"This is Easter Island Omi, it's famous for all these stone heads," Kimiko told him as she took a picture with her phone.

"Cool. Did I use that word correctly?" Omi asked.

"Yes you did Omi, good job," Kimiko said giving him a congratulatory hug before they dismounted Dojo. "Now, to find those chopsticks."

"I do believe I have found them," Omi said, pointing to a nearby statue who had the chopsticks shoved up its nose. "Kimiko?" Omi asked in confusion at what he was seeing.

"Yes Omi?" Kimiko asked.

"Is it normal for people to wear leather attire themed after cats including ears, whiskers, claws, and a tail?" Omi inquired.

Kimiko blinked. "Nooo. Why do you ask?"

"There is a blonde girl dressed as such heading directly for the Changing Chopsticks," Omi said.

"What?!" Kimiko looked and sure enough there was some weird fetishtist cat girl clad in latex and leather heading straight for the Shen Gong Wu, "Okay who's the blonde in the tacky costume with Spicer?"

"Look who's talking Bride of Frankenstein," Raimundo commented on Kimiko's now purple locks tied in four seperate bunches on her head. His comment earned him a fist to the gut from the Fire Dragon. "Okay Omi… Omi?" Kimiko asked when she saw the young monk missing.

She found him several feet away one hand on one of the changing chopsticks while the blonde hand her hand on the other. She watched as the blonde licked her lips hungrily. "Me-ow! Hello there, and what might your name be cutie?"

'Did that fleabitten skank just call Omi cute?' Kimiko thought to herself temper flaring.

"OMI!" Wuya screeched.

"Aww, is that your name cutie? Omi… oh my, me likeie."

"Omi," Jack called, warrily, "Listen to me man, you're gonna wanna take three very large steps away from her dude!"

"And give her the Changing Chopsticks, I think not!" The little monk retorted.

"Dude, if you don't back away right now," Jack said, fear growing in his tone by the second, "I can't guarantee your continued innocence man." He turned to his Jackbots. "Jackbots, set phasers to stun. Protocol red shirt pedo cat."

"Yes sir!" The Jackbots replied, blaster rifles bursting out of their chests laser sights homing in on Ashley.

"According to Kimiko I am very innocent," Omi retorted.

""Wrong kinda innocence dude!" Jack called out, "Step away from Omi Ashely or my Jackbots will tase you! I will not have a repeat of that time you played Santa for those kindergarteners… friggin' traumatized them, stuffing them in that sack."

"Those kids were adorable! Plus they were disenfranchised youth! They would've been better off with me!"

"That's kidnapping you idiot!" Jack replied. "It's in the name, kid-napping!"

Clay tipped his hat, "Guys, I think Omi's a little too close to a pedophile."

"Clay, lasso now!" Kimiko said worriedly.

"I… uh… didn't bring it," Clay said remorsefully.

"The one time we needed it!" Kimiko exclaims as she throws her hands up in the air at the entirely strange situation they are currently having.

Omi decided to end the weirdness he didn't entirely understand by saying "I challenge you… uh name?"

The blonde winked at the monk saucily. "Katnappe… but you can call me whatever you want cutie."

"I shall stick with Katnappe," Omi said unsure if she was trying to pry into his brain. "I challenge you Katnappe to a Xiaolin Showdown."

"Nope," Jack said, waving his hands around for emphasis. "Can't happen, not gonna happen! No, way, no how, not between you and her!"

Katnappe replied with a throaty purr as she playfully pawed at Omi. "Why not Jack, I think this is a purr~fect idea,"

"WE DON'T!" Everyone else sans Omi and Wuya replied.

"Ahah!" Jack said gleefully, "You can't enter the Showdown because you don't have a Shen Gong Wu to bet!"

"Um yes I do, see?" She said holding up the Jetbootsu.

What the..?" Jack looked down seeing his feet were clad only in socks. "When the heck did you… I was wearing them the whole time! Nobody's that good!"

"Katnappe is," she retorted slipping them on her feet before turning to Omi and smiling, "What's the game cutie?"

"Tag. My Golden Tiger Claws versus your Jetbootsu," Omi challenged.

"Game on cutie," Katnappe said licking her lips like a hungry predator.

The sky suddenly darkened and several Easter Island Heads moved in, surrounding the two in a loose circle. Omi equipped himself with the Golden Tiger Claws on his right hand, and yelled, "Gong Ye Tampi!"

"What does that mean?" Katnappe asked, innocently cocking her head to the side.

Omi was quick to reply,"Oh, it means begin!"

"Oh, okay!" Go get em my babies!" She said before three small white kittens jumped out of the green satchel on her back.

Omi stood there surprised. Then he smiled, because everyone loved kittens. "Kittens? Hello there little ones, I am Omi."

"Meow!" The kittens said, trotting up to Omi and giving him a cursitory sniff before rubbing against his legs.

"They… aren't tearing him apart?" Jack said amazed.

"Awe, even my babies love him!" Ashley cooed before she nodded. "Well that settles it then, if they like him, then he must be good people, they don't go up to just anyone."

The boy genius protested. "They're genetically altered super kittens! Their fluffy little death machines!"

Ashely hissed at Jack. "I'll have you know my babies are excellent judges of character hss!"

Then, just as suddenly as the Xiaolin Showdown began it ended, and the Golden Tiger Claws disappeared off Omi's hand and the Claws, and the Changing Chopsticks appeared in Katnappe's surprised hands.

"Um… I do believe I speak for everyone when I ask, what the hell just happened?!" Omi swore.

"Rai-mun-do!" Kimiko said drawing out his name dangerously. "What kind of foul language have you been teaching Omi?!"

"Now hold on, Kimmie Cub," Dojo said, "Swearing or not Omi has a point, what did just happen? She didn't tag him so… what?"

"No, but the cat's when on her person when the challenge was declared. It seems them rubbing on him counts as a 'tag' according to the magic of the showdown," Wuya said evilly as she rubbed her ghostly appendages together in triumph.

Omi hung his head in defeat. "I see… it seems I have lost."

Ashley frowned, she didn't like seeing the cutie all upset. She held up the Golden Tiger Claws asking, "What do these do anyway?"

"They let you teleport anywhere you can think of, c'mon Ashley, lets go," Jack demanded.

Placing the Tiger Claws on her right wrist, Ashley smirked. "Anywhere huh? Golden Tiger Claws!"

She slashed a portal and a grey-white void appeared below her kittens and they soon found themselves back in her pack. "Me-ow! Momma like," Tossing the chopsticks and the Jetbootsu to Jack she called back to him, " You can have these Jack, but I'm keeping the claws! Golden Tiger Claws!"

Another slash and a portal appeared beneath Omi's feet spitting him out into Katnappe's waiting arms. "I think I'll take cutie too! Bye-bye! Golden Tiger Claws!" This time, Katnappe jumped through the portal with Omi in her arms.

"That. Blonde. Bitch!" Kimiko screamed, hands ablaze as she stomped her way over to Jack, murder in her eyes. "Spicer! Where. Is. She?!"

"I don't know where she lives?!" Jack says defensively.

Bullshit!" Kimiko shrieked. "You knew her name, you must know where she lives,"

Spicer, not wanting to be the latest victim of female wrath, used the Monkey Staff to leap away onto the top of one of the Easter Island heads.

From his vantage point on top of the head, Jack saw something weird happening, "Uh, guys… what's that?!" Jack pointed behind them, where Kimiko and the others had been standing moments prior.

Turning the Xiaolin Warriors saw what best could be described as a red glowing magic circle inscribed into the grass, a mass of magical energy was whipping up a small tornado as the magical energy swirled around the circle. Finally the power reached its peak and not one but two figures appeared in the magical circle.

The first was a tall man with slicked back white hair, steel grey eyes, and bronze skin. He wore a black chest piece and a red mantle over his arms and on his waist. His lower body was covered in black combat pants and steel toed boots.

The second person was a girl with heterochromatic eyes, the left was amber, the right was green. She had brick red hair, and a bronze unicorn horn smack dab in the middle of her head with also what looks like headphones on both sides of her head trailed by ribbons the same color of her hair. Her skin was corpse pale, and she was clad in a dress fit for a bride with a veil, complete with stocking and stiletto heels. In her right hand was a large circular mace.

The power rolling off the two was palpable. For a moment no one moved, then the two strange beings noticed each other and blitzed apart at speeds too fast for the human eye to catch each leaving trenches in their wake with just their legs as they moved apart.

"Okay woah, hold up somebody explain what the heck just happened?!" Kimiko said, mouth falling open as she could feel the power rolling off the two.

The tall man turned towards Kimiko and blinked. "Tohsaka? No… you're far too young. Then he smirked. "Her daughter… granddaughter maybe?"

"Tohsaka… that's my grandmother's name on my mom's side… How do you know my Grandma old guy?!" Kimiko shouted at him.

That actually made him stumble a step. "Old? Wow, I know my hair is white but I'm not much over forty."

"That is old!" Kimiko retorted.

The man sighed, "Kids these days."

"Ahem," The servant across from him said quite politely while walking closer to Jack who is kinda freaking out at this moment.

Turning back to her, he replied, "Oh, sorry about that. Servant Archer at your service," He said with an over the top bow.

"Ber-Ser-Ker," The girl petered out while now standing next to where Jack is currently holding on to an Easter head.

Blinking the man whistled, "Yet you can still talk? Good for you, honey."

"Umm, could one of you preferably, the guy in red since the lady seems to have trouble speaking, please explain what's going on?" Jack called down from his perch.

Emiya blinked. "Wait, you mean… that none of you know what the Holy Grail War is?"

"The Holy what now partner?" Clay asked, confounded.

Running a hand slowly down his face, Emiya said, "Oh, no, not again."

"Even I with all my mystical knowledge am confused," Wuya admits. "But I know a very powerful ghost when I see one."

"Grail War… Fight… Fill… Master...Servant… Wish," Berserker replied matter of factly like everyone should get it from her few words spoken.

"You have a Magus who can bind an Elemental right here, but you don't know what the Holy Grail War is?" Archer asked dubiously.

Wuya frowned, "Bound!? I am not bound to this simpering buffoon! He works for me!"

Jack pouted. "Okay words are hurtful firstly, secondly. We're partners Wuya, partners. I don't work for you, you don't work for me, we're in a mutually beneficial arrangement. Also I prefer to be partners with you too ma'am. Don't particularly like the sound of such a lady like you being my servant. Reminds me too much of Ashley and her fantasies."

"Ber-ser-ker!" The servant corrected.

"Berserker then, I still don't like it."

Clay took that moment to question. "If the lil lady is with Jack, then who's the other fella with?"

"Why the pretty lady of course," Archer replied with a smirk on his face.

Kimiko just rolled her eyes. "Peddle your lines somewhere else, that doesn't work on me. You're not even close to my type grandpa."

"Grandpa?" Archer asked, his brow furrowing and pouting like a petulant child.

"Um, I'd like to point out that no one explained what this Holy Grail War was?!" Jack shouted down.

Berserker blew her hair out of her face in annoyance. "I did too."

"In whole sentences Berserker," Jack amended.

"Master picky," Berserker huffed in annoyance.

Jack who was becoming more simian due to his prolonged exposure to the Monkey Staff retorted, "Well excuse me for wanting an explanation in full!"

"The Holy Grail War," Archer began, "Is a competition to the death between seven Master-Servant pairs. The last pair standing is granted any wish they desire."

Silence for a moment, and then… "You're yankin' my tail!" Jack retorted waving his monkey tail at Archer.

Quirking his eyebrow at Jack, the Servant of the Bow replied dryly, "No, I assure you, I am not." He took a breath before he continued, "You and the girl,"

"I have a name grandpa!" Kimiko called out, "It's Kimiko Tomohiko!"

Archer sighed, "And you can call me Archer or nothing brat! As I was saying, you both likely somewhere on your body have three Command Seals. These seals allow you to give three absolute orders to your Servants, even against their will. However without Command Seals your right as a Master to a Servant does not exist. Just as without a Master to provide them with magical energy and anchor them into the present, a Servant cannot exist."

"Ah… how interesting, so you Servants are like a high class of familiar," Wuya noted.

"Yes," Archer said with a nod."I'm not even sure how that Berserker is staying manifested as the pathway connecting Master and Servant should be easily detectable but… I don't feel anything. For that matter we don't even have a proper contract established little Master," Archer told Kimiko.

"Wouldn't… you… like… to… know?" Berserker taunted smirking at Archer one hand on her hip, her mace planted into the earth.

Archer was amused. "Well, only if you feel like sharing."

"That's enough!" Jack said, jumping onto the ground and using his jetpack to break his fall. "Berserker, c'mon, we're leaving!"

"Yes… Master." Berserker replied.

Kimiko called out to the boy genius arm outstretched. "Wait a second Jack! Where can we find Katnappe? She kidnapped Omi."

"Yeah, literally kid-napped him," Raimundo commented only to flinch back when Kimiko shot him a death glare.

Scratching his head, Jack said, "I really don't know where she lives Kimiko. She split from her folks when her dad divorced her mom, and her stepmom is… well they don't get along, let's just leave it at that. The best I can do is say try Middleton Colorado, her Aunt has a place around there."

Middleton Colorado… Jack!" She called getting his attention again as he turned to walk away, "Thanks!"

"No problem, and good luck Kimiko!" Jack called.

"No worries, we'll find Omi!" She called.

Jack just laughed, "Oh, I know that. I meant in regards to Ashley. I've heard it said love is a battlefield, and if that's the case, then you're in for a rough fight."

"J-Just get outta here already, monkey boy!" Kimiko shouted blushing, furiously, her stutter just causing him to laugh. He gently grabbed Berserker in a princess carry and flew off with Wuya following behind them with a look of curiosity on her face.

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Word Count: 22,425 Number of Pages: 55 Date Completed: 3/9/2020

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AN: This… this is what happens when I start watching all the shows from my childhood. How does such a fic come to pass you ask? Easy you take a blender, add one part Xiaolin Showdown, one part Kim Possible, one part Jackie Chan Adventures, add elements from Avatar the Last Airbender, and Fate Stay Night to taste, turn blender on puree, and don't forget to mix in the salt, lime, and secret ingredient… a boatload of Columbian grade A crack! Then, consume librially! And here is my co chef Snowy for more cooking inspiration!

Jesus christ and a cracker Bubba warn a guy before you crazy shit like this. My goodness, the insanity. I am in a full hazmat suit and the fumes from this crack show are getting me high.

Good, good, that means soon I shall surpass the late great Hindenburg himself! But you were saying Snowy?

This story will have a lot of twists and turns and we're derailing canon right off the bat. Omi kidnapped Jack spicer showing some competency and something is burning inside kimiko. Oh the humanity and this is without the grail fucking everything up. Hold onto your pants people we are cue for a wild ride.

Thank you Snowy for those… inspiring words. Till next time everyone this has been a Bubbajack and IcySnowSage Production. Peace!