Moi-Moi: Over 2000 views from and Wattpad in total. Personally, I am just stunned. What a great Christmas gift from you guys to me. :') So, I want to thank everyone who has viewed this story. Every reader is important to me. I love it even more when I can match names to my readers because I've read their comments and maybe even replied to them. Let's start the chapter.

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Jack pushed his goggles up onto his head as he pulled away from his bot and turned off his blowtorch. He observed his handiwork before reaching over to grab half of the bologna sandwich that he'd made for his lunch. These upgrades were taking longer than he'd planned. How was he supposed to be a serious threat if he couldn't even finish building his army of bots!? Moving back over to the blueprints, Jack examined them critically and took a bite from his sandwich. "I should probably install the processors in the limbs now before I finish putting on the exoskeleton," Jack mumbled to himself.

Polishing off the rest of his sandwich, Jack collected the boxes of processors that he'd ordered and approached his newest model of Jack-bot. While mid-step, a loud alarm blared throughout his lair and nearly sent Jack to the hospital with a heart attack. Once he'd stopped screaming fearfully, Jack turned to face the large monitor in the room. "What's up with those Xiaolin losers now?" he questioned and observed. "Huh... Is that Wuya breaking into the vault?" Jack asked no one as he leaned in to get a better look. He had sensors set up just to notify him of whenever someone was robbing the monks of their Wu (he had to keep track of who had which Wu!). The monks caught Wuya before she could even break in.

"What are they talking about?" Jack asked with a frown. Why hadn't he gone for cameras that could detect sound!? Oh, right. He'd been on a budget and needed the money for his new line of Jack-bots.

"That's Hannibal Bean!" Jack shouted. What was going on!? Was Chase going to show up next!? Was there some sort of good versus evil clash going on right now? Why was he always the last to know these things!? "Wait a minute. Hang on. They aren't fighting," Jack muttered. They were shaking hands?

"That doesn't make sense. Why would the monks team up with Wuya and Hannibal? Are they working together now? Geez! You can't trust anyone anymore!" Jack lamented. But... Chase wasn't with them...

"What am I missing? Something big must be happening for the monks to team up with Wuya and Hannibal. And I'll bet it has something to do with Chase..." Jack mused and stroked his chin in thought. If everyone is teaming up, there must be something big going on. "I'd rather die than work with those Xiaolin losers. And if they're working with Wuya and Hannibal and not Chase, then I know who I'm working with," Jack said with a low chuckle.

Granted, Jack never trusted anyone. Not even Chase Young was deserving of his complete trust. Chase was evil. You couldn't trust an evil doer. He'd side with Chase and maybe the immortal boy would want to team up again in the future? Maybe they could be on friendlier terms when this was all over? Then again, Chase had freaked out on Jack the last time he'd visited Chase's home. Maybe it would be best to not team up with anyone this time? "It's better to fight smart anyways. I'll just watch from the side and if I see an opportunity, I'll take it," Jack said. Quickly returning to his bots, Jack rushed through the last bit of upgrades on his Regenerating Jack-Bot. He'd need all the fire power he could get.

~:~

Chase stood back and acted as nothing more than an observer in his own chambers. Some of his jungle cats had been returned to their human forms and were now scurrying about the room like chickens with their heads cut off. Slightly damp and extremely frightened, Hitomi laid on the bed. Her eyes jumped around the room before landing on her mother who was standing next to her or on Chase who was standing on the other side of the bed. "Are you sure they know what they're doing?" Hitomi asked Chase in a nervous voice.

"Many of the female warriors were mid-wives in their villages before they pledged their loyalties to me. Collectively, they have delivered hundreds of babies," Chase answered.

"...But never any half-magical babies?" Hitomi guessed.

"There's a first time for everything," Chase replied. Hitomi rolled her eyes at him, but still reached out her hand for him. Crawling over the edge of the wide bed, Chase took a seat next to her before taking her hand. He exchanged a look with Naomi.

He'd waited several months for this moment. His patience was about to be rewarded. His future and rule on this planet would be cemented. His quest for power and an unchallenged dominion were finally coming to an end. Sparing Hitomi's face a glance, he frowned. He knew that she had been wary of him for some time, but she seemed to trust him now. But, she had no idea what he was planning. She wouldn't be able to understand. Maybe she didn't have to understand? As long as he could convince her to stay with him, that is. Ruling with another had never been the plan and it still wasn't. But, she had changed him.

He'd once lamented over her changing him into a weaker man- a man with feelings for her. Just the thought of losing her nearly sent him out of his mind. He'd wanted to hate her for doing this to him- for making him weak to her and vulnerable to his enemies. But, now? He was still weak to her. He had already accepted that he would always be. But she was already giving him a way to make himself stronger. This child would ensure that. Maybe she could help him one more time afterwards?

Just as Chase was about to broach the topic to Hitomi, he felt the intrusion of several persons into his home. Growling lowly, Chase stood from the bed. "We have intruders. They want to make a final stand," Chase growled in anger and frustration.

"The monks or..." Hitomi trailed off worriedly.

"Everyone. They would fight against each other on normal situations, but now they're coordinating their attack," Chase replied. He turned to face Hitomi. "I will take the jungle cats to hold them off. You will leave with your mother."

"And go where?" Hitomi asked as she tried to pull herself into a sitting position. The mid-wives around her were all changing back to their feline forms with low growls.

"Anywhere," Chase answered and helped her get off the bed. Naomi supported her daughter with an arm wrapped around her side while Chase kicked his bed away. He approached a large, ring-shaped hatch made of stone and pulled it open. "I can sense the monks, Wuya, and Hannibal in the palace, but they aren't together. You're better off away from here," Chase said.

"How many trapdoors do you have in this place?" Hitomi questioned incredulously. Chase rolled his eyes at her before gesturing for her to leave. With her mother's help, Hitomi went over to the giant hole in the floor that lead down a winding staircase. Before taking the first step, Hitomi placed both hands onto Chase's cheeks and gave him a deep kiss. Pulling away, she said, "Immortal or not, don't you die on me. I still need you." After a few seconds, she corrected herself. "We both need you," she said and placed a hand on her stomach.

Chase pulled an unlit torch from off the wall of the tunnel and easily lit it with his blue, Heylin fire. He handed the torch to Naomi. "I'll find you when this is over. Stay with your mother and don't do anything foolish," Chase warned Hitomi.

Hitomi scoffed as she started descending the dark stairs. "Foolish. Do you hear how he treats me like a child, mama? I've done some questionable things lately, like have a 1500 year old narcissist's baby. But nothing too stupid," Hitomi said as she slowly descended the stairs with her mother right behind her lighting the way.

"He's just worried about you. It's how he shows that he cares," Naomi replied with a chuckle.

Chase rolled his eyes at Hitomi's giggle. Once he could no longer see them, Chase shut and locked the hatch before returning the bed to its place. With a loud roar, Chase shifted to his larger, reptilian form. To his jungle cats he said, "Let's go welcome our visitors."

~:~

The four monks-in-training cautiously entered the sparring arena of Chase's citadel while looking all around them. "How do we know that Chase is even here?" Kimiko whispered. "Maybe he sensed us coming and took off."

"I doubt it. Chase Young does not run away," Omi replied.

"You are right, young monk."

Like a cold weight had dropped into their stomachs, the monks froze up with the hairs on the back of their necks standing on end. Looking before them, they could see Chase entering the room in his reptilian form with his jungle cats closing in on all sides. The monks took on defensive stances.

"You've broken into my home yet again. While I appreciate the efforts you went through to use the door for once, that won't save you," Chase said.

"Chase Young, we have not come to reason with you this time. We have come to hand you a most humiliating defeat!" Omi declared.

"Do you honestly believe that you can defeat me?" Chase replied with a growl. When the monks didn't answer, he reared his head back in laughter. "Let me guess. You're the distraction?" Chase asked before snapping his fingers. Suddenly, two, female lions entered the room. One nudged Wuya along while growling lowly and the other spat out a soggy bean.

"Disgustin'!" Hannibal exclaimed and tried to brush the saliva from his body.

"Obviously, your half-baked plan has failed," Chase taunted.

"Or is everything going according to plan?" Raimundo replied with a smirk.

Chase frowned deeply. What was that fool talking about? Did they really believe that they could beat him with teamwork? "I've been kind enough to allow you all to leave with your lives before. Unfortunately for you, I've run out of kindness," Chase said and snapped his fingers. At once, all the jungle cats pounced.

While his jungle cats kept the monks busy, Chase exchanged blows with Wuya. "It's not too late for you to run and hide, Wuya. If you're lucky, you might be able to survive for a few months," Chase taunted.

With an irritated glare, Wuya charged her hands with her flaming, Heylin magic. She made two swipes at Chase's face with her hands much like an agitated cat. Chase easily dodged the attack before firing a punch to her mid-section. While Wuya was doubled over, he gripped her arm and sent her flying into the wall.

"Moby Morpher!"

Chase turned to face the enlarged Hannibal Bean with a low growl. "Tell me something, Chase. Does little Hitomi know what your real intentions are for your little bundle o' joy?" Hannibal questioned before sprouting four more arms along his sides. He struck at Chase with lighting fast swipes, his arms moving like snakes.

"It scares you. Doesn't it, Hannibal? How much stronger I'll be than you. This wasn't what you had in mind when you first gave me the Lao Mang Lone Soup. In your own way, you made all this possible," Chase chuckled and used his claws to slice the extra arms from Hannibal's body. Hannibal cried out in a furious outrage while backing away from Chase. "I'm about to cement my role as the strongest warrior on the planet as well as ruler of this planet. You can't stop me."

"Chase Young, you have much to learn about humility!" Omi declared and leapt at Chase.

"Chase has always had a big head under all that girly hair," Hannibal grumbled angrily before teaming up with Omi to take Chase on.

Wuya slid along the wall as she carefully observed the mayhem before her. The monks were being annihilated by the jungle cats while Omi and Hannibal were only slightly better off. When she was sure that none of the jungle cats or Chase were paying attention, she slipped out of the room. Running through the empty halls, Wuya kicked open every door that she came across. Where would she be hiding? There were so many rooms in this palace! ...Maybe it was better to ask where Chase would hide her? Immediately, Wuya took off for Chase's bedroom.

~:~

At first, Jack had every intention of entering Chase's home to see what was going on. But, then he'd heard the sounds of fighting and vicious growls. When a loud roar had ripped through the palace and shook the walls, Jack had decided that his skills would be better suited for espionage from a safe distance. Not that he couldn't handle a fight with the rest of them! It was just better to fight smart. Yeah...

Hanging from one of the stone archways at the top of the room, Jack's eyes widened at the fight happening below him. Chase and his jungle cats were fighting the monks and Hannibal Bean. Where was Wuya? Maybe she ran off. Jack would have run off too if he had to fight Chase Young when he looked so scary- Well, not run away... Jack would have tactfully retreated. (There's a difference!)

"What are they even fighting about?" Jack whispered. Suddenly, a huge gust of wind blew by and threatened to dislodge Jack from where he was hanging on the wall. Stifling the scream that begged to be released, Jack held on for dear life. What was up with this weather lately!? Even inside this mountain, the rough winds were able to get in. It almost looked like Armageddon was happening right in front of his eyes. Shivering slightly, Jack reached into his coat for the remote to his ship. He wasn't about to go in there and he couldn't stay out here. Before Jack could summon up his ship, another gust of wind dislodged him from where he was hanging against the wall. As he fell, Jack did a combination of screaming for his life and activating his jet pack. Once his jet pack was on and keeping him mid-air, Jack let out a relieved sigh. "I'm getting out of here while I still can," Jack decided before flying back out of Chase's lair.

~:~

Hitomi panted loudly as she leaned on her mother for support. With one hand clutching her stomach and her other arm around her mother's waist, she hobbled slowly through the forests at the foot of the mountain. When yet another contraction hit, Hitomi nearly fell to her knees. "Stop. Stop. I can't. I can't keep walking," Hitomi said between heavy pants.

"We'll have to stop here then. Come. You can rest against this tree," Naomi said and helped Hitomi sit at the base of a thick tree.

"I'm not sure how I feel about having my baby in the same forest I was nearly killed in," Hitomi said.

"I don't think this is something you'll be able to change, sweetheart. This baby looks like it's in a rush," Hitomi said with a frown while helping Hitomi get into a more comfortable position.

"Do you... Do you think Chase is alright?" Hitomi asked.

"You're about to give birth and you're asking if the father is alright," Naomi chuckled. "I'm sure that he's fine. You need to focus on you right now."

"Okay," Hitomi said and tried to take deep breaths. She'd barely done anything to exert herself, but she was already covered in sweat. With the back of her head resting on the tree trunk, Hitomi felt like crying. This was really happening. She was about to give birth in a forest with a crazy storm raging around her. She nearly jumped with she heard the sound of a tree not too far away splintering before it fell with a mighty thud. Releasing a shaky breath, Hitomi tried to reign in the tears. She really wanted Chase at her side right now...

"Who are you?" Hitomi heard her mother question suspiciously.

Cracking her blurry eyes open, Hitomi observed who had appeared. It took several seconds to be sure, but she could identify the person. "What are you doing here? Did Chase send you?" Hitomi asked. It was the monk who had saved her from Wuya and Hannibal in this very forest. Chase had said that his name was Monk Guan.

"No. He did not," Guan replied.

Naomi watched the man suspiciously. He tried to appear casual, but she could see the slight tense of his muscles. His hand was gripping a spear so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. Naomi stood slowly and positioned herself between the two. The man narrowed his gaze at her.

"Mama?" Hitomi questioned.

"I don't know how you know this man, but he is not to be trusted," Naomi said and took on a defensive stance. "And if he is wise, he will leave now."

"I am afraid I cannot do that. I took a vow to fight evil wherever it may exist," Guns replied and brandished his Spear of Guan.

"You'd kill me and my baby?" Hitomi asked as her eyes misted again.

Guan's jaw clenched. "Not you. But that infant..." Guan trailed off. He hadn't even known about the child that spelled the end of the world until a few hours ago. He'd been surprised when the four Xiaolin Dragons had shown up at his temple with Wuya and Hannibal Bean to ask him to help them stop Chase Young's evil plan. He was their ace in the hole- an insurance policy just in case Chase had been able to get Hitomi out before Wuya could find her. While Guan did not agree with harming Hitomi or any unborn child, he also

would not allow Chase to destroy the world.

Hitomi glared at him. "You're lucky I can't kick your butt for what you just said."

"Hitomi, make yourself scarce. I'll handle him," Naomi said before swinging her leg at Guan's head. He leaned backwards to dodge the attack before reaching out with his fist.

Hitomi watched her mother grab Guan's extended arm before bringing her knee up to strike him in the gut. At her mother's urgent look, Hitomi attempted to pull herself up from the ground. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Guan reaching for her, but her mother was quick to pull him back by the neck. Hobbling once again, Hitomi speed-walked through the forest and away from the dueling pair. Was everyone she knew after her!?

After about ten minutes of running as fast as her body would allow, Hitomi felt another contraction hit her. Resting her sweat-drenched back against a tree trunk, Hitomi did her best not to scream. The last thing she needed was to alert anyone else who could be hunting her down in these woods.

Almost a minute had gone by before the contraction had passed. "I can't do this... I can't do this... I can't do this," Hitomi whispered to herself as she hunched over. She froze up when she heard the sounds of a jet engine above her. "Not now. Please not now," Hitomi begged. In the middle of trying to remain hidden under her tree, Hitomi heard the jet engine whine loudly before she heard the sounds of tree branches cracking and something exploding.

What was it now!? Sliding down the rough tree bark, Hitomi came to rest on the forest floor again. Pulling her chopsticks from her hair, she changed them into a sword and waited. She was really going to do this. She was going to try to fight someone while she was in labor. When a powerful contraction hit, Hitomi couldn't hold back a loud, pained groan.

"Who's there!?"

Maybe the loud winds around her were messing with her hearing. That almost sounded like Jack Spicer.

"Come out now! I know karate!"

Hitomi rolled her eyes. After several seconds, she could hear the rustling of some bushes to her right. When Jack pushed through the foliage and their eyes met, Hitomi shot him a warning glare. "Hitomi? What are you doing out here? Why do you look so..." Jack trailed off as he took in her mussed hair, sweaty clothes and... large belly? Wait a second...

"I don't care who sent you or what you're planning, don't think I won't fight you if I have to," Hitomi said and brandished her sword.

"Hey! Take it easy! I didn't even know you were out here. My ship just crashed cause of this freaky weather," Jack explained. His eyes kept going down to Hitomi's belly. "Are you..." he asked and weakly pointed to her belly.

Hitomi rolled her eyes and dropped her sword. "No, Jack. I'm hiding a pillow under my robes for fun," Hitomi answered sarcastically.

"Hey. No need to get snippy. I was just..." Jack trailed off when Hitomi suddenly hunched forward while screaming and clutching her stomach. "...asking," Jack squeaked and swallowed thickly. Looking around with wide eyes, Jack scratched the back of his head nervously. "Well, I should probably go. You look pretty busy."

"No!" Hitomi cried out and reached out for Jack. "Don't leave me. I don't want to be alone right now. Please, Jack," she pleaded. She hadn't trusted him moments ago. But any company would be better than being alone. Besides, Jack didn't seem to harbor any hate towards her baby.

"You can't be serious!?" Jack balked.

"Chase is fighting all of his enemies at once. My mother is risking her life to fight off someone who saved my life only months ago. I've been running through this forest for hours. I'm literally about to give birth on a pile of dirty leaves in the middle of a hurricane. I'd like to at least not be alone," Hitomi said and offered Jack her hand again.

"This really sounds like a you problem..."

Hitomi surprised herself with how much she sounded like Chase when she growled at Jack. "If you dare leave me, I will hunt you down and do unspeakable things to you. If that's not enough, you'd still have Chase to answer to. You can tell him all about how you left me to give birth to his child by myself," Hitomi threatened.

"It's Chase's baby? W-why didn't you say so? S-sure, I'll stay with you," Jack replied and swallowed again. With hesitant movements, Jack approached Hitomi and kneeled at her side. "My ship is totaled. I can't get you out of here."

"Whatever. Just let me hold your hand," Hitomi replied.

"You want to hold hands now?" Jack asked with a light pink blush. When Hitomi offered him her hand, he cleared his throat before taking her hand in his. Huge mistake. Jack screamed louder than Hitomi did when another contraction hit her. "You're hurting me!" Jack shouted.

"I'm so sorry!" Hitomi shouted sarcastically. "But, your pain isn't a top priority of mine right now, Jack," Hitomi said. Jack was about to argue, but stopped when Hitomi cut him off. "Now. The baby's coming now!"

"What!? Can't you wait just a little bit longer!? At least wait until Chase shows up or something!" Jack shouted fearfully.

"I can't. I have to push."

Jack's eyes widened in pure terror. Hitomi looked like she was in more pain than he'd seen one person go through. He couldn't even feel his hand anymore with how tightly she was squeezing it. When Hitomi screamed again, Jack felt his eyes roll to the back of his head. This was too much for him. What had he gotten himself into!?

~:~

Chase didn't even need to fight anymore. His opponents were all looking worse for wear and completely drained. The monks were bruised and slightly bloody, but they continued to get back up to fight. Wuya and Hannibal had disappeared some time ago like the cowards that they were. Honestly, Chase hadn't expected that from Hannibal. The bean could be rather relentless when he was ready. Chase could hear the monks whispering to each other from across the room. "Raimundo, I don't think I can keep fighting."

"I know, Kimiko. But we have to stick to the plan."

"We have to give Master Monk Guan and the others a chance," Omi had whispered.

Chase froze. They'd enlisted Guan to help them? Chase nearly saw red. They weren't trying to defeat him. They had been distracting him! Wuya and Hannibal were probably out looking for Hitomi right now! With a loud roar of frustration, Chase commanded, "Finish them!" to his jungle cats before running from the room on all fours.

He could sense the presence of several in the forest around his home. To the east was Hannibal Bean. Wuya was towards the south. But to the north, Chase could sense several people in close proximity to each other. Pinpointing which one was Hitomi, Chase quickly summoned a bolt of lightning from the sky. He was able to teleport to her location within seconds, a threatening look on his face. Before he could ward off anyone who might be near, Chase felt something smack his face. With a stunned expression, Chase glanced down at what hit him. A sandal?

"Shh," Hitomi hissed as him while clutching a bundle of black fabric to her chest. "You couldn't have found a quieter way to show up?" Hitomi whispered. The storm had finally calmed moments ago. She didn't need anymore loud sounds scaring the baby.

Chase reverted back to his human form and observed her. She looked exhausted, dirty, soaked, but happy. The bundle in her arms was twitching slightly and making soft, cooing noises. Chase's eyes went to the only other person nearby. He raised a brow at Jack Spicer's unconscious and half-naked form.

"He fainted the second I started to push," Hitomi answered. "I figured he wouldn't mind if I borrowed his coat to wrap the baby."

Chase nearly cringed at the sight of Jack's red and white polka dot boxers and pale, hairy legs. Hitomi watched him before laughing lightly. "Don't just stand there. Come say hello to your daughter," Hitomi invited.

Daughter? Moving slowly, Chase approached Hitomi before kneeling at her side. Staring down at the bundle in her arms, Chase could see a round face that held a small pair of pink lips, tiny nose, and a familiar pair of amber eyes with round pupils. Fine, black hair covered her head. "We still have to name her," Hitomi reminded.

Chase stared down at the infant for several more seconds. While he stared at her, she stared back at him. Eventually growing tired of their staring match, the infant let out a large yawn before delicately shutting her eyes. Chase gave a small smile. "I want to name her Yanagi," Chase replied.

"I think I like that name," she agreed.

~:~

Moi-Moi: Yanagi means "willow" in Japanese. I know I said that I didn't watch Chronicles because I hated it after one episode. That wasn't a lie. This will be the only reference to Chronicles that I felt was appropriate. I thought about naming the baby "shadow" in Japanese, but "Kage" isn't nearly as pretty as "Yanagi".