Author's Notes: Pardon my French…but "Holy Shit" is perhaps the most concise way of expressing my surprise. I never thought this fic would be that popular. I expected a few reviews, maybe five, followed by it being buried by newer things (since that's how it seems to work here). Review-wise, this is my second most popular story overall, and the most popular oneshot. Man, I must be a better writer than I give myself credit for.
Now, even before I saw the response to this, the idea for making this a two-parter did come into my mind. Now I really believe that I have to conclude this story somehow. Which is why I bring you chapter two.
I was on vacation for the past few days. It was only around the fifth day that I was able to use a computer and see what was up. Thus, I could not personally respond to everyone (too many to go through!) and besides, now that the second part is up, I can do it publicly!
So a big "Thank You" to fallonmarie3 (first person to review!), Arashi32900, Duchess192, almostinsane, Windthor, Alex11 (I see you out there!), MEL, Miss Puar, SilverSword14, avi17, dArkliTe-sPirit, Wonderland Reject, Milkweed, AGodofIrony, and Drummer-Blossom for reviewing and telling me what you thought about Curse. I'm glad you all enjoyed it. I was also (and still am) of the opinion that Dojo needs more stories about him. I'm glad you liked how I wrote it and that I was able to keep Dojo in character. And that you agreed with immortality being a curse. Thank you and anyone else who suddenly reviewed while I was posting this up.
Specific comments:
Windthor: I did not see the movie Highlander, but I do know that one quote, "There can only be one…". If you're reading this, is that what you meant?
SilverSword14: I was worried the part at the beginning, about my two assumptions, would bore people. I'm glad you found it informative. Like I said, I thought it was important to know.
Milkweed: Dragonlogy was and still is a great book. Did you know about all the other books that are out there (I've seen Pirateology and Wizardology and I presume they were done by the same people)?
avi17: Yeah, Dojo usually is the one making the jokes. He's a dragon and he's funny, which is like, double-bonus for me. I like the idea of putting funny characters in serious situations, because I know that's how it would be in real life.
Wow. Really long bunch of notes. But I'm done now. On to the story!
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Another Shen Gon Wu hunt. Another grand mini-adventure for the kids. Of course, if I had my way, they'd be at home, safe. Not getting caught up between the forces of good and evil.
But they have to go. It's what they were chosen to do.
I'm flying over a vast expanse of jungle. The trees are so thick. It looks like one huge green carpet. The Shen Gon Wu is close by; I can feel it, like I feel all the others that activate. Maybe, just this once, I can go the wrong way. Let Spicer take it. There's no need for the kids to fight.
Actually, that's kind of what I've been doing already. But they're catching on.
"Dojo, are you okay? Normally you'd find the Wu in a couple of minutes. But it's been an hour," says Kimiko. I can see from the corner of my eye the others looking at me. They're still worried.
Fine. I'll go the right way.
We land and I change back to my travel-size form. I'm end up sitting on Clay's hat, as usual. They're still staring at me.
"Dojo…"
"I told you, I'm fine. I just…had a bad day."
"More like a couple of bad days. You were still moping by the time that healer came. And it's obvious he didn't fix the problem, because you still look so…sad."
"If somethin's wrong partner, you should tell us."
Why bother telling them? I'd just make them sad too. Make them realize what I already know; that their lives are incredibly short and fleeting.
I stay quiet. They give up and start searching for the Wu. It's actually quite peaceful around here. There's no noise, except for the chirps of a few tropical birds. That is, until the familiar hum of machinery gets closer and closer to us.
"Hello Xiaolin losers."
It's Jack Spicer (self-proclaimed evil boy genius), Wuya (Heylin witch in ghost form), and Jack's robots. But these aren't the standard robots he makes.
"What do you want Jack?"
"What else? The Shen Gon Wu. And I wanted to show off my new Jaguar-bots. Not only are they like the real thing in looks, but they have the same instincts and are perfectly suited for this jungle. They happen to be very hungry today. And I'm very anxious to see them rip you to shreds."
Ferocious jungle cats in metal form. That is new. The kids get into their fighting positions, ready to take them on. The robots close in. Some of them are circling around, while the others move forward. They're all growling and hissing. They really are acting like jaguars.
Terrible thoughts go through my head. Mental images of the kids, hurt, dying, while these imitations feast on them like the man-eaters their supposed to be. Trying to feast on them, because I know they can't really eat anything.
Something snaps.
No.
I won't let that happen. These guys, and all the Dragons before them, are the closest things I've ever had to having kids. I love them. I love them too much to let them get hurt. This time, I'll fight. I'll help them.
Because I can no longer stand the idea of losing them. I know I will, eventually. But right now, I'll do anything to postpone it.
I've gone back to my larger, true form. I curl my tail around them. To protect them.
"Dojo! What are you doing?"
The robots attack. I'm able to swat them away with my tail. I even manage to spew some fire for once. But most of them are able to get to me. They slash at me with their claws. They bite down on my skin, hard. Dragon hide is tough, but their teeth must be tougher. They're all over me. There's too many. What was I thinking? I can't fight. I'm injured and it hurts. Real bad.
Is that my blood on the ground?
"That foolish dragon is trying to fight back. And he's paying for it too. Quick, take the Shen Gon Wu and go Jack," says Wuya. He must have listened to her, because the robots are going away and I can't see where he is anymore, if he's still here.
I feel so weak. I feel so sleepy. But the pain. The pain from these gashes is going away. I don't understand. Am I…
Am I dying?
How did I become small again? How did I end up on the ground? Why is everything starting to look fuzzy?
The only thing I know is that I'm being picked up now. Is that you Clay?
They're all crying. Do I look that bad? Is it because Jack got away with the Shen Gon Wu?
No. It's because I'm…dying.
"Dojo! What were you doing? What were you thinking?"
"Dojo, please, hold on!"
"We need you!"
Flowers. All around me. A tall tree casts shadows on the ground. I'm under the tree. And it looks like I'm in some sort of meadow. But I thought I was in a jungle. What happened?
Then I see her. A little girl with brown hair is standing over me. I'd recognize that face anywhere, even if it's been over three hundred years.
"Belle! Belle! Is that really you? I've missed you so much!"
She picks me up. It's so nice to see her again. But that means…
"I'm sorry that your end had to be so…painful Dojo. Everything will be alright now. But I have to tell you, there's no going back."
"You of all people should now that I've lived longer than, well, certainly most humans. I've had plenty of time. It's just…"
"Your new friends will be fine. They'll be sad, for sure, but they will move on."
"Will I…"
"See them again? So long as they lead good lives, I don't see why not. It's time we go. The others are waiting. They've wanted to see you again too."
I crawl onto her shoulders, just like I did all those years ago. She giggles and starts to walk away.
"Dojo?"
"Dojo?"
"Dojo!"
"Dojo…"
I'll miss you, for now, but don't worry guys. We'll see each other again. I promise. And boy, will I have a lot of people to introduce to you. I can't remember the last time I've been so happy.
The curse has been lifted.
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The End (really).
Author's Notes: Well, there you go. Dojo's dead. I couldn't see any other way of truly ending this story, other than that. I hope you like it. If you don't (and I won't be offended), ignore the second part. Pretend it never happened and that Curse is still only a oneshot. If you did, then I'm glad.
And if it wasn't obvious enough, the meadow is Belle's heaven. She likes nature and stuff. And that's why it switched to italics.