dl-sPirit: This is the correct 'Operation Nightshade'. Read, review, and enjoy.

The young boy Raimundo was walking to his "teacher's" trailer, carrying his schoolbooks. Like everyone else, he still had to be home-schooled. Unlike everyone else, he was taught by the ringmaster's wife, seeing how his mother kicked him out. Unfortunately, his new "home" was on the opposite side from the ringmaster's trailer, making it a ten minute trip. ut there were two problems that he always met along the way. And here they were now.

"Hey look!" yelled one kid, "It's Raimundo! Stay away!" He laughed. His partner in crime, if you could call him that, added, "Be careful or he'll kill you!" They both laughed. Raimundo's temper flared.

"Leave me alone," he hissed, unaware of his eyes flashing to a red-orange. The two bullies were aware of this and, in two seconds flat, were already running to their trailers. Raimundo chuckled before continuing on his way. It was about two minutes to his destination.

Upon arriving, the ringmaster's wife said, "You can leave your books on the floor, they won't be necessary for this lesson." Raimundo, confused, obeyed her and went to sit down.

"Raimundo, first, I need you to do a short assignment. Describe yourself in one word," the ringmaster's wife said. Raimundo stuttered. What was this about? Nonetheless, he thought for a few minutes in silnce before replying quietly, "A freak..." He looked at the floor.

"Raimundo." His teacher's voice seemed harsh, and Raimundo looked up at her as she continued, "A freak is a word that people use for something that they don't understand. People can understand you, they just choose not to. You are not a freak." Strangely, this cheered Raimundo up.

"Thanks," he said quietly. The ringmaster's wife gave him a small smile before saying, "Now, moving on..."

--

That's the only good memory I'm left with I can't remember any others. Escuro's left me with the worst moments of my life. Now - Escuro, stop it! STOP IT!

(---)

Kimiko felt her headache return, even more intense, as she looked at the scene in front of her. They were in Texas, not too far from Clay's home. In front of them was an old shack, with a garden out back. According to Clay, the lady who lived here grew nightshade. Also, he and Jessie were convinced that she was a witch - she grew all sorts of odd plants. And (here's where everyone sighed) she protected them with her life - and a gun. As of yet, no one had managed to take one leaf of anything from her garden, much less three leaves of nightshade. It was going to take a miracle to pull off.

Noticing everyone's incredulous expressions, Clay shrugged and said simply, "Sorry, but she's the only one who has nighshade. Ev'ryone else kills theirs."

"She cannot be too unreasonable to help us," Omi decided. walking up to her front door. Clay, Kimiko and Dojo watched as an elderly lady opened the door, exchanged words with Omi, and then sent Omi flying over their heads. "...She may be too unreasonable," Omi admitted, crawling back (literally). Dojo, concerned, asked, "So how do we get those leaves?" Kimiko didn't know why, but, the way Dojo said that, he sounded like Raimundo.

"Yeah, we can't ask for them, and we can't take it tonight because the moon's full..." Kimiko trailed off, realizing something. "Do you know what say it'll be two days from now?" she asked. Everyone shook their heads no. Kimiko gave a groan of exasperation before answering, "It'll be Rai's fifteenth birthday - exactly five years after he was bitten."

"So, if we don't get the leaves tonight - " Clay started. " - then Raimundo will..." Omi could not bring himself to finish his sentence. They all knew how it ended: Raimundo would transform - permanently. Their silence was interrupted by Dojo.

"You know, if she's a witch, it's possible that she'll have heard of were-dragons. Dashi's witch friend, she worked with one. I think she was the one who invented the potion, but I know that her pal transformed before she could ever give it to her," Dojo mused. "Y'know, that gives me an idea," Clay started.

(--)

The elderly lady sat on her back porch in a antique rocking chair, looking at the night sky. She couldn't wait until her thyme finally sprouted. Then she could complete her latest potion.

Yes, she was, in fact, a witch. She studied all types of magic and knew every magical beast from A to Z. Unfortunately, she rarely had all the ingredients necessary for her work. it didn't help that, almost every week, some kid tried to take her plants. Looking down at her garden, she narrowed her eyes. And it looked like they were at it again.

Judging by the person's silhouette, it was that young boy who come by earlier that day, asking for nightshade. She had told him no - and apparently, the kid didn't take no for an answer. Picking up the shotgun that laid next to her chair, she took careful aim and fired.

The pellets soared over the boy's head, startling him and making him try to escape. Then, he tripped over a rock. If the lady could have, she would've 'sweatdropped'. Why did this kid want her nightshade so badly? She decided to ask him.

Putting down her shotgun and picking her cane up (for support), she walked over to the boy. He was getting up when she picked hin up by the collar of his robes. "Kid, mind tellin' me why you want my herbs?" she demanded. The boy shrugged to the best of his ability, replying, "I am most sorry, honorable stranger, but my friend-"

"Dared you?" she suggested angrily. The boy blinked a few times before responding, "No. My friend is a were-dragon." At this, the old lady's eyes grew wide - and she fainted.

(--)

Omi walked back happily to his waiting friends, a small bounce in his step. "Did ya get 'em?" Clay asked. Omi grinned and nodded, holding up the three poisonous leaves.

"Good job Omi," Kimiko said, hugging the young monk. Omi blushed, grinning more widely. "C'mon, kid, we better get back to the temple," Dojo added. Omi nodded and all three warriors got on Dojo. Then, Dojo took off, heading towards the Xiaolin Temple.

(--)

"Raimundo, will you shut up!" Jack yelled, walking into his evil lair. He had been peacefully sleeping when Raimundo's sudden cream had woken him up. "I'm gonna -" He stopped as Raimundo turned his head to him, snarling. His eyes glowed ever so slightly, and a stray Jack-bot levitated. Surrounded by a strange glow, the part hurled itself at Jack.

Jack gave his trademark girly screamed and ducked, narrowly dodging the metal missle. It continued on its path, hitting the wall behind him and making a very large hole. Jack gulped visibly as he began to walk back to his room, saying,

"Never mind."