EDIT [4-28-09] Hi, since it's been a very long time since I wrote this, I thought I'd go back and review/fix some stuff here. Almost three years changed me and my style a lot, so I just wanted to make this not such an embarrassment.

The song below is Babylon by David Gray.

Not Another Xiaolin Dragon

Chapter One

Dojo landed in the middle of the courtyard. The four Dragons hopped off.

"Finally," declared Omi proudly, "We have succeeded in obtaining the latest Shen Gong Wu! We possess, do we not?"

"You mean 'own'," corrected the dark haired Japanese girl, "We own," The Brazilian boy next to her rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Ah, Dragons," Master Fung addressed them. "I have a surprise for you. Come with me." He brought them through multiple arches, down several hallways, past the well and finally to the edge of the temple grounds. Under a blooming cherry tree sat a rusty red haired girl. She wore roughed up blue jeans, a black jacket and a black shirt underneath with the saying, "I do all my own stunts" written on it and a rather comical picture of a white stick figure looking as though he'd just jumped off a building. The red head sat on the stone bench under the tree playing a violin and softly singing to herself.

"If you want it, come and get it, for crying out loud. The love that I was givin' you was never in doubt," They not only heard the song, they felt it, like they were under her control. The four Dragons and Master Fung stood watching her for a while. Eventually, she cut off the last note and the "spell" was broken. Everyone snapped back to their senses.

"Wonderful performance," Master Fung said clapping slowly, "Dragons, this is Charlemagne. She will be joining us here at the temple." The girl hopped up gladly.

"Charlemagne Shale," She put out her hand to be shaken.

Charlemagne, Clay thought, I know someone named Charlemagne, don't I? He wracked his memories for anyone fitting her description, finding nothing, he gave up.

"Kimiko Tohomiko, Dragon of Fire," The two shook hands. Charlemagne then set her eyes on Raimundo. He stared at her indifferently.

"You are?" she asked.

"Raimundo Pedrosa, pleasure to meet you," he muttered into his arms which were across his chest.

"Wish it was a pleasure to meet you," Charlemagne muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Rai became suddenly loud, echoing through the hills.

"Oh nothing," she replied with a smile. Clay mentally kicked himself. He knew that smile. Charlemagne met Omi and finally turned her eyes to Clay. She stared at him for what felt like hours, making him uneasy. She looked him up and down. After about three minutes, revelation dawned on her face.

"Clay Bailey?" she whispered. He looked at her and nodded. "Oh my god, it's you. Look at you,"

"Alright," he said, "I gotta level with ya, lil lady. Who are you?" Disappointment creased her features and she sighed. Then put on a high little girl voice and said:

"Clay, how many cow does your daddy have 'cause my daddy wants to know," That was a bit more of a clue, her father's worked with his daddy. "Anything?" she asked in her normal voice. He shook his head. "Oh I know," she said putting her violin under her chin and playing an extremely screechy tune that sounded like a cat was being beaten with a tennis racket.

"Ahh," Clay yelled with his hands over his ears, "Carly quit playin' the gald durn fiddle or I'm-a gonna throw it in the river!" She stopped playing and he opened his eyes. Clay no longer saw the pale teen that'd been before him a second ago, but now saw a short tan little girl trying to play the violin.

"Carly," it finally dawned on him. Clay pulled her into a fierce bear hug.

"Just like a bone crushing hugs your father gave," she wheezed. He eventually let go and she caught her breath. "How long has it been?" she asked in awe.

"Gotta be ten years," he responded just as surprised. Rai cut in.

"So you two know each other?"

"Mm hm," Carly nodded, "Old friends. Been such forever."

"Uh huh," Rai said, "You don't talk like him though," he said to Carly.

"Because I moved away when I was seven. Never saw Clay again 'till now." She smiled lightly.

"Well, that is fine and good. I'm sure Charlemagne would like to rest," Master Fung stepped up to Carly's side.

"Please Master," she said, "Call me Carly. I don't exactly like being referred to like the Holy Roman Emperor." Carly walked up to one nearest building. Inside was a room with a mat and a couple black cases.

"What are these?" Omi said picking up a rectangular one.

"Instrument cases," Carly answered. "I'm the Dragon of song, after all. I wanted to bring my harp but it was too much of a hassle." She carefully laid her violin in a case like it was a child, snapped it shut and set on the table. There was a duffel bag by the mat that must have held Carly's other items. Eventually all the other Dragons drifted out of the room except Clay. "Can I help you?" she asked cocking her head to one side. It's so cute when she does that. Clay thought.

"No, just glad to have you 'round," he said. She smiled. "You must be tired; I'll leave you be." He left and walked to the building across the courtyard where his own mat was. Omi'd fallen asleep. Kimiko was chatting away on her phone and Rai was blasting the racket he claimed was music. Clay lay down on his own mat and smiled at the ceiling. Sure is nice to have Carly back. Missed her. He wasn't sure when, but he eventually drifted off to sleep.