Chapter 12: Reunion

"Next stop: The 'Conversion Clay!"

Atop of Dojo, miles in the sky, the monks were in hot pursuit of a newly revealed Shen Gong Wu. Master Fung was unnerved by the 'Conversion Clay', as it was identified, bidding them to retrieve it regardless of the fact half the monks were not present. "This Shen Gong Wu must be retrieved at all costs, even if certain allies are lost in a fog of judgment." He told them before they took off.

"Dojo," Omi asked while sitting on the reptile's head, "do you mean that Clay can transform without the 'Moby Morpher'?"

"Not Clay-Clay, but earth-clay. Well, not Dragon of Earth Clay, but…aw, forget it. This Wu is a lump of moldable earth that can be shaped into whatever form the possessor chooses. More importantly, it can be animated, not by the 'Heart of Jong', but by placing a summoned spirit into it. This Wu is really only trouble when combined with other Wu…"

"How do you figure, Dojo?" Clay wondered.

"Well, whoever uses the 'Serpent's Tail' can shape themselves a new body made of earth; Combined with the 'Ring of Nine Dragons' and 'Voice of Tao Tsueng', however, you could create a physical army of spirits in clay shells. Wuya and Hannibal must have wanted to get rid of Kimiko and Raimundo before the 'Conversion Clay' was revealed because only their elements can actually stop it."

"Of course," Omi thought aloud, "Fire can harden the clay and Wind can erode it into dust…"

"…while Earth would give it sustenance and Water would make it about as flexible and slippery as a small hog wrestling in the mud." Clay finished for him.

"I guess," Dojo said, "but we have to hurry: If Wuya and Hannibal go after the Wu, we might find Kimiko. And if we find Kimiko, we'll probably find Raimundo, too."

"Don't worry, Kimiko, I'm coming for you." Omi said quietly to himself. And in a much darker tone, "I am coming for you as well, Raimundo…"

After spotting the hunted Wu, Dojo made a sharp turn as the Yin-Ying Bird, enlarged by the Moby Morpher, bomb-dived toward the mystical item, narrowly missing the dragon's eye before he swerved. Both the bird and the lizard slammed into the ground a few yards from the Wu.

Getting to his feet, Omi surveyed the area around him. Clay and Dojo were standing, dazed and bruised, but at least still conscious. To his right, Wuya posed in the distance, Hannibal and the Ying-Ying Bird on separate shoulders and Kimiko quietly standing behind her. To his left, Raimundo and Chase Young stood patiently for the arrival of the monks and other half of the Heylin side. And far above them, rushing toward the ground as fast as he could, was Jack Spicer, soon to be defeated and screaming like a frightened little girl.

"Wuya, who are all these people?"

Everyone's heads turned to the Japanese girl, whose curiosity was apparent in her crimson eyes. Kimiko, dressed in black robes, looked up at the Heylin witch for an answer.

"These people, dear, have come for you. To kidnap you and brainwash you to their side." Wuya replied.

"Then let's get rid of 'em and continue on with WORLD DOMINATION, BABY!"

"Hey, that's my line!" Jack Spicer yelled indignantly as he set foot on the earth's surface.

"Dojo," Omi asked, "what has happened to Kimiko?"

A few feet away, Chase Young told them, "Apparently, Wuya took the 'Wushan Geyser' along with all the Shen Gong Wu she stole from you, young monks."

"She's also been through the Ying-Yang World." Dojo chipped in. "Look at her eyes; They're red instead of blue!"

"But we've got the 'Ying-Yang Yo-Yo' back at the temple, Dojo." Clay reminded him, "How could she have gone through without the Wu?"

"Well, the Ying-Ying Bird is only supposed to be able to pass through once. Heylin masters can open the portal, but in doing so, lose a large amount of their powers for eternity. Chase Young did it once to Hannibal Bean, and thankfully, is not as powerfully as he once was. I imagine Hannibal must have spent all his powers to send Kimiko through the Ying-Yang World and bring her back out. Without the 'Moby Morpher', he's virtually useless."

"I can say the same thing about Kimiko," Hannibal stated with a sadistic grin. "Even if her chi's returned, what good is a monk without memories?"

"Why, you malevolent son of a b-" Raimundo bellowed.

"Down, young warrior," Chase Young commanded, holding the Dragon of the Wind back with one arm. "Kimiko's memories can be restored if you can pilfer the 'Reversing Mirror' from that witch" he said, tilting his head in Wuya's direction.

"That hurts, Chase." Wuya said in a voice of false pain.

"That's it; Keep talking!" Jack exclaimed, "The Wu is mine!"

Everyone ripped themselves from the conversation to find Jack sprinting for the 'Conversion Clay'. From different directions, Kimiko, Omi, and Raimundo leapt forward, landing with a hand on the Wu just as Jack reached it.

Disappointed, Jack said, "Man, I'm gonna keep my mouth shut next time."

"I challenge you all to a Xiaolin Showdown!" Kimiko announced. "Battle Royale: Last one standing in the shifting arena wins!"

"I don't care what Shen Gong Wu are wagered as long as Kimiko bets the 'Reversing Mirror'!" Raimundo declared.

"I will win the 'Reversing Mirror' for her, Raimundo!" Omi snapped, "You are heading up!"

"I think the talking melon means 'You're going down'," Spicer said. "A fight for Kimiko sound great though." he finished with a smile.

"Remember when you said you should keep you mouth shut from now on?" Raimundo replied. "SHUT IT!"

"Fine," the boy genius retorted indignantly, "I wager…What do I have anymore?" His eyes darted down a list of Shen Gong Wu, most of which were crossed off when they were lost. "The 'Tongue of Saiping'? What am I supposed to do with that? Fine, whatever…I wager the 'Tongue of Saiping'…"

"I wager the 'Orb of Tornami'!" Omi told the others.

"Hey, big boy," Kimiko said to Raimundo, "want me to bet the 'Mirror'? I can make your dreams come true if you offer something I want?"

Raimundo was taken aback by the way the love his of life was talking to him, as well as by the fact that she was talking about his dreams. Grabbing a hold of himself, he inquired, "Like what?"

"How about the 'Voice of Tao Tsueng'?"

"Fine. Let's go!"

And with a "Xiaolin Showdown!", the three monks plus Jack prepared for the challenge, enraged and tense.

After all, all four of them were playing for Kimiko.