Chapter 7

As they rushed into the courtyard, Jack Spicer was floating in the air with his army of Jack- bots and the Spiral of Demons around his neck. Rai felt a surge of anger rise through him when he saw Jack wearing what was rightfully his. The medallion swayed in the wind and shined its reflecting light on the rising sun. An evil grin cast over Jack's face as he waved the medallion in front of Rai's face, sensing his jealousy.

"How's this for a wake up call, losers? Jack-bots! ATTACK!"

As the Jack-bots moved closer to the ground, Rai and Clay knew what they had to do. Rai placed a foot on Clay's cupped hands and nodded, signaling that he was ready to fight.

"C'mon, Rai! Give em' all you got!" shouted Clay as he threw his friend up in the air.

Raimundo would take care of all of the Jack-bots in the sky while Clay handled the ones on land.

"WIND!"

Rai flipped in the air and kicked as many of the Jack-bots to pieces as possible, doing it quickly so he could stay airborne longer.

Meanwhile, Clay was smashing the robots to pieces on land, one by one.

"EARTH!"

With only about four movements with his arms, Clay was able to smash about fifteen Jack-bots into each other, making them explode.

As Rai fell from the sky, Clay caught him just in time, not unlike how a groom carries a bride after a wedding. They glanced and smiled at each other for a brief moment, but going back to reality, Rai jumped out of Clay's arms and they both got into battle stances.

"The robot thing's getting a little old, Spicer!" shouted Rai

"Fight your own battles, coward!" added Clay.

"Yeah, be a man!"

Jack smirked and took off Rai's medallion, waving it in front of Rai's face a second time.

"I was just getting to that…I have even more reinforcements!"

Raimundo was in deep thought…what did this have to do with his medallion?

Then he remembered what the wu did…

"Oh no…" Rai began to panic.

"AHAHAHA! The fun is just beginning!" cackled Jack 'evilly'.

"SPIRAL OF DEMONS!"

The wu started to glow and the swirl on the medallion started to spin rapidly and the skull in the center revealed itself. With a blinding burst of light that covered the entire courtyard, Rai and Clay couldn't hear their own screams over Jack's. Suddenly, the two dragons felt something being dragged out of their chest and through their throat! The strange feeling was almost like a fishing hook…taking an invisible substance within them. Even though the two friends couldn't see what was taken from them, they knew that something was indeed missing.

When the light cleared, Clay ran over to Rai, who was curled up into a ball trembling and sweating.

"D-D-D-Did you f-feel that, Clay? What do you think it was?"

Clay's visible eye was wide, his own body shaking a little.

"All I know is that was a feelin' weirder than Granny Lily's ghost!"

But Clay was about to witness a scene scarier than Granny Lily herself!

Both dragons stood before…themselves! And yet…it wasn't them at all…

Before them stood themselves…with extremely dark auras and bright red eyes. The dragons looked in their copy's eyes…and found strangers.

The Evil Raimundo had his arms folded and he gazed at the real Raimundo, sensing his emotions- confusion, fear and a hint of worry. Evil Raimundo smirked, almost bearing fangs and scaring his good half.

Clay and Evil Clay was a different story. They were having a stare-down and apparently, the Evil dragon realized that it wasn't easy to scare the real Dragon of Earth. Clay's expression was clearly stating 'back off'. The Evil Clay glared in his defeat in the stare-down, but tipped his hat back and smirked.

"Geez, partner! You're less fun than Jessie!"

Clay growled and started his threatening.

"Don't go talking 'bout my sister like that, ya rattle snake!"

"Wooo-ee! I never did know that good guys can threaten!" he turned to Evil Rai who laughed with him, leaning against the tree.

"Should I get some dog biscuits?" snorted the Evil Rai.

"How 'bout knuckle sandwiches?" said Evil Clay holding up his fist to his chest.

"That works too." said Evil Rai cracking his knuckles.

Clay and Rai moved closer to each other, back-to-back and on their guards.

"So, you got a plan?" Clay whispered to Rai.

"Yeah. I'll take on Evil Clay, and you verse me."

"Wait…shouldn't we battle ourselves?"

"No. That would only waste more time. If we battle ourselves, there's no clear-cut winner. We may as well play it safe and battle each other."

Clay shrugged and took out the original fist of Tebigong from under his hat.

"If you say so."

That's when they split up. Clay was charging towards the Evil Rai while Rai stood still as Evil Clay started to stare him down.

"Afraid?" he asked, tipping his hat back revealing a menacing red eye.

Rai flinched a little, but got into a battle stance.

"Heh. You wish."

"SWORD OF THE STORM!"

Rai took out the mystical sword and started to spin it like a baton, causing a high pressure storm swirl out from the center. Evil Clay laughed, not moving an inch.

"You're in fur a surprise, buckaroo! SYSMIC KICK! EARTH!"

At once, huge walls of earth began to shoot out towards Rai in all directions, sending him flying into the temple wall.

Meanwhile, Clay was running toward Evil Rai, who stood there waiting for Clay to make the first move.

"FIST OF TEBIGONG!"

Clay slammed his fist into the ground, sending an assault of rock and dirt toward his friend's evil clone. Rai still didn't move as his attack got closer and closer.

"What's he doin'? He's blinder than Old Bessie's grandpa!"

As soon as Clay was finished with his mental metaphor, that'swhen Evil Rai acted.

"WIND!"

The dirt and rocks stopped at his force field, and with a single gust of wind, he blew Clay's attack right back at him!

Clay was hit straight in the gut with his own attack. Pounding into the ground, he struggled to get to his feet. Evil Rai stared down at him like a piece of amusing trash.

"Finished already?"

Clay glared and sent a punch flying toward Evil Rai's chest. He dodged easily and sent two strong kicks to Clay's back, getting behind him in less than a second.

"This is just too easy! You're so slow!"

Clay was on his knees again, wiping dirt off his face and glaring at Evil Rai.

"It's not me who's slow…he's faster than humming bird wings in summertime! How do I beat that?"

When Rai finally got out of the wall, Evil Clay was standing right in front of him.

"Well go on, make your move."

Rai growled and launched a storm of kicks all over Evil Clay's body, who blocked all of them. Evil Clay was simply playing around with Rai.

"That's right, fight like a man. And DIE like one!"

Evil Clay launched a single, bone shattering kick into Rai's stomach sending him flying to the ground, screaming in agony of his ruined abdominals and tears of pain streaking down his cheeks.

Clay heard Rai's scream and ran out of the battle he was facing.

"RAI MUNDO!"

Evil Rai glared and ran in front of him.

"TYPHOON BOOM! WIND!"

Clay was thrown back by the sudden storm of wind and crashed into the tree. Unable to get up on his feet, Evil Rai walked up to him, Clay looking helplessly up at the evil Dragon of Wind. He smiled mischievously, lurking inside of Clay and tearing up his last shred of courage.

"I know what you want, Clay. You want my love. You want to kiss me, don't you? Don't try to deny it."

"Sh-Shut up!

Clay blushed a deep scarlet and jumped to his feet, throwing two solid punches at Evil Rai, but missed completely. Evil Rai pinned him to the ground with his foot on Clay's chest.

"Though I don't blame you. I am pretty good looking if I do say so myself, but I don't swing that way, dude. And if I really wanted to fuck, I'd do it with Kimiko!"

That did it. Clay exploded in livid fury at he knocked off Evil Rai and punched him straight in the cheek, sending him flying a few feet away! Clay wasn't about to stop either. He threw about ten more, but each one missed. Clay was blinded by his own anger.

Evil Rai wiped blood from the side of his mouth where Clay punched him.

"Asshole! You'll pay for that!"

Evil Rai sent a storm of strong kicks in the same spot and Clay smashed into the tree and landed on his stomach…he wasn't able to move his leg…he was watching Rai fight his evil clone through the grass.

He was crying…shouting for help and trying to get up, but every time he tried to stand, he would always fall. Clay felt so useless, lying in the grass not able to help Rai when he needed him most.

"Raimundo…" he whispered, feeling every single strike of pain that Rai felt when he tried to stand.

Evil Clay couldn't stop laughing at the pathetic scene. If Clay could stand, he would tear his evil half apart!

"Do you honestly believe crying like a baby is gonna help you win this fight…or make your mommy come back?" he jeered viciously.

Clay's eyes widened in fear when Rai stopped crying and stared at Evil Clay going on his hands and knees.

"N-No…don't…" Clay pleaded.

Rai stared silently into Evil Clay's venomous red eyes, which were a frightening contrast to Clay's gentle blue ones. Rai started to cry again when he thought about Clay…

"Of course! I bet they're looking down on you right now, Rai."

"Shh…it's ok…I won't let anyone hurt you…"

"…I was afraid…"

D…Does Clay think that too? No! This is EVIL Clay! But…what if he's right? What if Clay really DOES think that? Does he think I'm pathetic? Does he…hate me?

More pitiful tears fell from Rai's burning eyes. Evil Clay kicked him again, sending him to the ground again.

"STOP IT!" screamed Clay, desperately reaching his hand out to Rai.

"Your parents got what they deserved. You'll never have love. NEVER."

Clay closed his eyes and clenched his fists, expecting a scream of pain come from Rai. But he heard nothing. Just gusts of wind…horribly cold winds blowing in all directions. Clay shivered and attempted to stand up, but fell to his knees.

Raimundo was on his feet, summoning a tornado of winds all around him. The tears on his face were long gone and his emerald eyes were flashing with hatred.

"Raimundo…"

Clay was in shock. Raimundo had never before summoned this much power.

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP! DIE!"

Raimundo threw his hands in front of him, commanding the tornado to go toward Evil Clay and Evil Rai. The two clones nodded to each other and Evil Clay took out something from under his hat.

THE REVERSING MIRROR!

Clay's heart stopped. If Raimundo was hit with winds that strong…

"RAIMUNDO!"

Clay ran toward Rai, running across the courtyard…weary but not thinking about giving in. He limped as fast as he could…as Evil Clay slowly raised the revering mirror.

Closer…closer…

"REVERSING MIRROR!"

Evil Clay sent Raimundo's mighty storm spiraling toward him!

Just a little farther…Raimundo…my love…

Raimundo was hit by something on his neck and everything turned black…his limp body on the ground…all he could hear was Clay's voice screaming…powerful blasts of wind…the laughter of the evil copies…the scream abruptly stopping…

Rai's senses came back one by one…he could only hear the light gusts of wind that were left over from his tornado…he could feel something slowly cascade over his fingers…a thick liquid…the smell of it…blood…sight…

Raimundo jumped to consciousness. He saw Clay standing in front of him, his arms open wide…standing like a wall.

"Clay!"

Raimundo was hit by a wave of joy to see Clay, but that was quickly replaced by so much shock.

Clay was there, but his leg was bleeding so much that it reached Raimundo's fingertips.

"CLAY!" he shouted, starting to cry a third time. Clay hid his face under his hat and he fell to one knee. Clay's leg wasn't the only thing bleeding. He was also bleeding a little from his mouth, his arm and his cheek, deeply cut…severed…

"…Raimundo…you're…okay…"

Clay's voice was silent and weak…it took Raimundo mere seconds to figure out what happened…Clay had protected him from getting hit by the tornado…he sacrificed himself so Rai wouldn't get hurt…

"Clay…"

Rai couldn't believe his stupidity. Launching a tornado and having no idea it could get reversed…and he didn't even pay for his mistake!

Rai flung his arms around Clay's shoulders and the Evil copies approached. Rai stood up, and shielded Clay, a single tear rolling down his face while he glared.

"If you touch him once, I swear I'll-"

But Rai didn't have the power to back his words up. The evil copies threw them down and pinned them to the ground.

"You were saying?"

Rai glanced at Clay. Clay was looking in his direction, reaching his hand out for Rai. Rai's angry look was swept away and he grabbed Clay's hand.

"It's ok, Rai…we'll beat em'."

"Save the bunny fluff for your graves!" shot Evil Rai as he threw his hand and cried:

"Wi-AH!"

Evil Rai had collapsed onto the ground, a burn on his back.

"What in tarnation- WHOA!"

Evil Clay was the second to fall, stuck down by the force of water.

Burns…water…FIRE AND WATER!

Rai jumped up and almost died of relief, crying tears of joy.

Omi and Kimiko were in their battle stances, in front of the large Dojo.

"Hey guys! Miss us?"

Clay got to his feet as well, tipping his hat back and smiling as widely as Rai.

"Well I'll be a durn monkey's uncle!"

Omi stepped forward.

"Enough chat chit! We have enemies to defeat."

"But how'd you guys know?"

"Dojo explained everything to us when we were flying here. It's a good thing he came and got us too, or you guys would've been toast!" said Kimiko.

Evil Rai recovered quickly from the burn on his back and charged.

"When I get my hands on you!" he shouted while running towards them.

"This one is mine!" exclaimed Omi, who was about to jump into battle, but Clay grabbed him by the collar.

"Slow down there, partner. You'll need this."

Clay took out the Orb of Tornami from under his hat and gave it to Omi.

"How many wu do you really have under that hat?" asked Rai.

"ORB OF TORNAMI!" cried Omi as he launched a wave of water out of the Orb of Tornami. Evil Rai was blown back once again.

Now it was Evil's Clay's turn to step up. Abandoning his Reversing Mirror, he ran toward Kimiko.

"Looks like I'm up."

Kimiko flipped in the air, a flame kicking up at her ankles.

"JUDELLET FLIP! FIRE!"

Fire engulfed the Evil Clay and sent him next to the Evil Rai, but they were far from being defeated. They stood up and prepared for another battle.

"You know what this means, my friends!" said Omi, getting the word across.

"Yeah! Let's blast em' out of China!" shouted Rai.

At once, the four Xiaolin Warriors got into their positions of their ultimate technique.

"DRAGON X-CUME FORMATION!"

As Kimiko and Omi spun rapidly, Clay and Rai were running with them towards their evil copies…side by side…

The Dragons of Water and Fire spun like a wheel, knocking Evil Clay and Evil Rai down like bowling pins. Once they were on the ground, they were defeated and unconscious.

"That's enough! Return my evil servants!" said Jack Spicer, bringing the two copies back into the Spiral of Demons.

"Jack Spicer! Prepare to be humiliated!" said Omi, thrusting his finger at Jack.

"Sorry, Omi! Not this time. I'll catch you losers later. I've seen enough wannabes for one day."

And with that, Jack flew off, leaving the four warriors in the courtyard to await the rest of the afternoon.