Thanks again for all the reviews… although it was surprising to get 8 reviews in such a short period of time… thanks to CA40. I have too much free time now…

Just for those that are checking:

Disclaimer: I don't own Xiaolin Showdown. Not until I get the time machine working.


Chapter Nine – Argument

There was a chill in the air. An eerie, evil wind blew from the windows and doors of the temple, causing the trees in the vicinity to become crippled, and in some cases, dead. It was if evil was taking over the whole island, and spreading outwards. Which coincidentally, it was.

Jack Spicer's mind twisted and turned, as the Justice Crown spread his evil thoughts throughout the world, even if it was happening slowly. After a very short amount of time, Omi came into consciousness. The temple insides were dark and dingy, more so than the time before. He spotted Jack Spicer, who was laughing in a maniacal way, which was different to his usual, goofy laugh. The monk ran towards Jack, who didn't seem to know he was there. Omi leapt up into the air, and grabbed the crown. He tried pulling it, but it wouldn't come off of Jack's head. Before he could have another try, an unexpected fist from Jack sent him flying across the room, landing on the stone floor.

It hurt- he felt the pain instantly in his shoulder. He checked that Clay and Dojo weren't listening, and then began to wail. Jack Spicer wasn't this strong usually… The little Xiaolin monk could hear his heart beating inside him.

Omi blacked out.


Raimundo landed at the edge of the desert. There were lush green trees that swayed in the breeze, and the sand had become grass. It seemed almost un-natural. The sun was red in the sky, showing night was soon to be upon them. Kimiko was slightly ahead, looking through the trees at something. She raised a hand to beckon Raimundo, but then lowered it, changing her mind.

'He's probably seen it before…'

Raimundo smiled, and walked over to her.

"I know, I was amazed by that place when I first saw it"

It was just like if he could read her mind. Hesitating only to check if he had the mind-reader conch, and realising that she was being stupid, she grabbed his hand and pulled him through the trees. On the other side was a small lagoon. Tall, almost crystal clear waterfalls were crashing down into the water below, which was just as unspoilt and beautiful. Kimiko looked round with amazement for about a minute, when she realised Raimundo wasn't there.

"Rai?" she called, her voice echoing through the lagoon. Below, the water looked deep, and there were several monuments and islands dotted around. Somewhere, a bird was singing. She called his name again, but there wasn't a reply. Kimiko went to look off the edge of the cliff she was standing on, but she tripped on something, fell off and landed in the water.

'Where's Omi when you need him?' she thought, rising to the surface just in time to catch the object she'd tripped on. When she learnt what it was, she grinned, and leapt out of the water and onto a small island.

"Shadow of Fear!" she yelled. There was an eerie purple mist flowing through the air, and a squishy object began to materialise. The huge jellyfish like monster dropped from the mist into the lagoon and dived deep underwater. Kimiko crossed her arms and smiled to herself. There was a submerged yell, and Raimundo jumped up out of the water, huffing and puffing. The sea monster vanished.

"N…nasty trick" he coughed, as Kimiko helped him to his feet.

"You tried to ditch me!"

"Fine, we're even"

Inside her, Kimiko could feel the anger boiling in her veins.

"No, Rai. If you really don't want me travelling with you, then forget it."

Raimundo seemed hurt. He staggered a step backwards, then took something out of his pocket, and threw it to her.

"Fine. Take the Serpent's Tail and use it to go home. But you'll have to explain to Master Fung why no-one's there."

"Why wouldn't anyone be there?" she asked. Raimundo looked like he wasn't going to answer. "Wait, if you're travelling somewhere, why don't you just use the Serpent's Tail?"

Raimundo was about to say something, but he soon shut up. He smacked himself on the forehead.

"You know, I never thought of that. Good thing I stole it from Omi during the showdown"

"Well, it looks like you have a problem. Serpent's Tail!"

"Wait! You don't understand! I wasn't trying to ditch…"

Kimiko became a ghost and sped through the valley. Then, she turned and came back again.

"I'm listening."

"I wasn't trying to ditch you. It's just there was a Shen Gong Wu, and I had to go get it…" Raimundo muttered.

"Which one?" Kimiko asked.

"Glove of Jisaku!" Raimundo yelled, revealing the Shen Gong Wu.

"Reversing Mirror!"

There was a flash of light, and Kimiko was pushed away by the glove, and was then sent flying backwards into the water. Raimundo had to stifle a laugh, at which point Kimiko had used the Serpent's Tail to get back onto the island.

"How about we both use the Serpent's Tail?" Raimundo offered, "I could drop you off at the temple and be on my way"

"Fine, but we're going straight where you're going" Kimiko replied, "I'm too curious"

They both grabbed onto the Serpent's Tail.

"Serpent's Tail!"


They flew very quickly across (and through) land, eventually flying over the ocean. Kimiko was enjoying the view, but suddenly Raimundo brought them to a halt.

"Why'd you stop?" she asked. Raimundo didn't stop looking ahead.

The island in the distance was covered in darkness.