Episode 26: Crunch Time

It's been now 2 days since Jack left to give his alibi to Chase. He also told Wuya about it and she isn't really that happy to hear that. Not to Jack, but to Chase. In fact, lately, she is questioning why Chase is driving Jack away. Wuya may not be on the best of terms with Jack at this point but she's at least making an effort to repair the partnership. Chase, meanwhile, had the relationship handed him on a silver platter and yet he is seemingly active on ruining it. 'Why would Chase let Jack potentially walk away?' Wuya thought as she was outside on the patio. 'If he wanted to rule the world...he would elevate Jack's game to the whole new level. He said himself that Jack has gobs of potential and yet isn't fully executing it. What is he planning on?' Just then, she began to feel a faint sense. "Oh come on...now?!" Wuya said as she rushes back inside.

Chase and Jack were doing a bit of talking but nothing too important. Jackson was just there, listening into their conversation when Wuya rushes in. "You three! I'm starting to sense a shen gong wu activating!" Wuya said. Just as she said that, they stand up and the earth shakes a bit. "What the heck was that?" Jack said. "No clue if I may be frank." Chase said. "I doubt it's an earthquake." Jackson said. Wuya senses some more. "It's not one shen gong wu...but three that are activating at the same time!" Wuya said. "What?!" Jack and Jackson said. "So, you are telling me that all 3 of us need to get the Wu?" Chase said. "Wait, what about my Chameleon-bot? I managed to get it working again. I coul-" Jack said before Chase stopped him. "Remember, you are sitting out, and that would include your bots." Chase interrupted. Jack groans. "Alright, but remember our deal. In fact, if 2 of you fails, I'm outta here. If 2 or even all of you succeed, I might stick around long term." Jack said. Chase nods. "You have my word, if we fail, I'll honor your request, no if, and, or buts." Chase said. Chase heads out and brings Wuya and Jackson along. They would bring the Ring of Nine Dragons, Third-Arm Sash, and Two Ton Tunic along.

Jack sits back down and began to think. 'Peridot is now a Gem…The Monks are likely going to know the Wus are activating right now...and I'm starting to lose my patience and trust with Chase. What is Chase planning? Did he lead me to a wild goose chase? Is he truly a Heylin to the bone?' Jack ponders. He then stands up and walks to his room. He looks back at Project Rebirth and Project Morph. It's been a while since he worked on them, mostly due to training with Chase and other shenanigans happening around the same time. He began to ponder something. "Am I ever going to finish these two? I hope so...but if Chase doesn't hold up his end of the bargain…there might be a chance I could leave it all behind…Maybe go far as helping the Monks and Gems?" Jack ponders. "It's….probable, they have leverage and having leverage could get something out of me. They managed to get Peridot to sing for them…what could they do to get me to sing to them?" Jack walks back and sits down, waiting for any news from Chase, Wuya and Jackson. The earth rumbles again.

Back at the Barn, they felt the earth rumble for the second time. This woke up Steven, in a near shiver sweat. "Did you feel that? The Ground shook, that means the Cluster could start emerging any second now!" Peridot said. "We need to drill now!" "Well, what about Malachite? What do we do with it?" Raimundo said. "Raimundo's right!" Steven said. "I was on Mask Island, I was a Watermelon Steven, they had a lovely community but Malachite was there!" Everyone was surprised to hear that. Just then, Dojo slithers up. "Guys, Guys, 3 new Shen Gong Wu just appeared!" Dojo said. "Of all timing." Raimundo bemoans as Dojo pulls out the ancient scrolls. "Apparently, the three wus are the Lotus Twister, The Tongue of Saiping, and the Sun Chi Lantern." Dojo said. "So...what do we do?" Amethyst said. "Lapis is losing control over Malachite, the Cluster is activating and there are three wus activating." Garnet said. "I suggest 3 of the monks head out one monk hang back." "I will." Omi said.

Raimundo was surprised to hear that. "Any reason, Omi?" Raimundo said. "Well, I figured that it's best to keep guard of the drill." Omi said. "That is true." Clay said. "Alright, Monks, head to get the Wus, Pearl, Amethyst and I will fight Malachite, Steven and Peridot will hang back with Omi and the Drill." Garnet said. Pearl, Amethyst and Garnet head to the nearest warp and Dojo grows to his gigantic size and heads out with Raimundo, Kimiko and Clay, along with the Shroud of Shadows, Sword of the Storm, and Monkey Staff. Steven ponders a bit and falls asleep so he could aid the Gems while they are at Mask Island. Peridot make sure the Drill is on stand by.

Super Watermelon Island and Gem Drill happens off-screen

Following the Monks, Clay was tasked to get the Tongue of Saiping, Kimiko to get the Lotus Twister, and Raimundo to get the Sun Chi Lantern. They were dropped off to 3 different locations, an icy plains, a swamp, and a desert respectfully. Clay was treading the ice carefully due to how slippery it can be. Kimiko was in a motor boat, trying to search for the Lotus Twister, and Raimundo was taking the brunt of the desert wind while looking around for the Sun Chi Lantern. Back to Kimiko, she was getting close to. "There it is!" Kimiko said as she drives near it. Just as she grabs it, it glow mysteriously. She looks around to see...Wuya! She just grabbed it at the same time as Kimiko. "Perfect timing, I see." Wuya said. "Grr...Alright, Wuya, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown, My Monkey Staff against…" Kimiko said "My Third-Arm Sash, thank you." Wuya quips. "So, what are we doing for the Showdown?" "Gator Hopping, first one to make it to the finish line wins." Kimiko said. "Works with me." Wuya said.

At the same time, Clay managed to find the Tongue of Saiping in a block of ice. He quickly breaks it with his fist. Just before he could grab it, he was tackled by...Chase Young! Clay gets up and sees Chase trying to grab it and Clay quickly leaps into action, touching it at the same time as Chase. "Chase Young, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown." Clay said. "Alright, what is the showdown? I have the Ring of Nine Dragons." Chase said. "It'll be a race on the ice, first to the finish line wins. I will wager my Shroud of Shadows to battle against your Ring of Nine Dragon." Clay said. "Alright then, so this should be easy for me." Chase quips. Clay tips his hat as they prepare for their race soon.

Also at the same time, Raimundo founded the Sun Chi Lantern on a dead tree. He looks around to make sure no one could tackle him. He then notices a shadow right behind him. It's Jackson and he was tailing him this whole time. "Grrr...my evil self…" Raimundo said with a snare. "My name is Jackson, thank you very much." Jackson said with a quip. Raimundo then got an idea. He tries to fight with Jackson and things were quickly looking into Raimundo's favor. Jackson knew this, and began eyeing the Wu. He quickly flip over Raimundo and forced Raimundo to think fast. He guess correctly and both of them touches the Sun Chi Lantern at the same time. "Jackson, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown, my sword of the storm against…" Raimundo said. "My Two Ton Tunic." Jackson said. "Alright then, we will be doing a race in the desert…but with a twist. We must hold a cup of water and not spill it. First one to the Lantern without spilling wins." Raimundo said. "I'm game." Jackson said. Just then, 6 panels shows Raimundo, Jackson, Clay, Chase, Kimiko, and Wuya in it. "Let's go, Xiaolin Showdown!" All 6 said at the same time.

Several flashes later, and we start off with Kimiko and Wuya trying to hop on gators. As they hop, Wuya tries to form an idea on her head as Kimiko uses the Monkey Staff to get a leg up, or in this case a tail up, in the competition. Wuya kept trying to keep up with the now monkey Kimiko. "Third-Arm Sash!" Wuya calls out as she sends it towards Kimiko. Kimiko then manages to repeal it and was taking a much bigger lead out of it. Wuya kept hopping on gators, trying to catch up, but to no avail. Kimiko was able to snatch up the Lotus Twister, winning the showdown. Wuya fell and splashes into the water in defeat. Wuya surfaces to see Kimiko holding the Lotus Twister, Third-Arm Sash and Monkey Staff. "Tough luck, Wuya. Looks like I got a leg up on you." Kimiko said with a cheeky tone. Wuya groans in anger and Kimiko heads out. 'I hope Chase and Jackson won their showdown.' Wuya thought.

Back at the icy plains. Chase and Clay were running and sliding as fast as they could towards the finish line. Clay was in the lead but barely. Chase was right behind him. Chase began to think of an idea that could give him a leg up in this showdown. He managed to catch up to Clay and manages to pick Clay up and slam his body down on the hard ice, back first. Clay was now squirming in pain as his back was hurting a lot. Chase began to walk towards the finish line. "Too easy." Chase said. Clay slowly stands up and uses the Shroud of Shadow and passes Chase without him noticing. Chase looks at the Ring of Nine Dragons and chuckles a bit. "Looks Like I didn't need to use my wu after all." Chase said with a chuckle. Just then, Clay reaches the finish line and wins the Showdown as he reveal he crossed the finish line in front of Chase, winning the showdown. Chase was stunned, he just lost to a guy with an injured back. A bit later, Clay was now holding the Tongue of Saiping, the Ring of Nine Dragons and the Shroud of Shadows. Clay slowly heads out with one hand on his back. 'Well...maybe Wuya and Jackson won their showdown' Chase thought.

Back at the Desert plains, Jackson and Raimundo were neck and neck. Neither one was willing to give up the lead and all without spilling. Jackson was trying to play dirty but Raimundo was managing to keep the water in the cup but was getting very annoyed that Jackson, his evil side, was playing dirty. After another unsuccessful attempt to knock Rai out of contention, Raimundo had enough. "Alright, that's it! Sword of the Storm, Wind!" Raimundo said as he uses the sword of the storm with his left hand. The causes a big sandstorm that managed to ensnare Jackson in a massive storm. "Two Ton Tunic!" Jackson said, trying to activate the Two Ton Tunic but it was still causing him lose his balance and the water, spilling it completely. Raimundo walks over and grabs the Sun Chi Lantern with ease, winning the showdown.

A few more flashes later, Jackson landed with water drenched on his head. Raimundo now held the Two Ton Tunic, Sun Chi Lantern and the Sword of the Storm. Raimundo slowly walks over to Jackson. "Shouldn't have played dirty with me." Raimundo said with a smug look on his face. "Oh, shut up." Jackson said. Raimundo chuckles as he walks away with the wus. 'Gah...Certainly Wuya and Chase would pick up the slack' Jackson thought. Little did all 3 know at the time that all 3 of them lost at the same time. This could mean disaster for their relationship with Jack.

Back at the Barn, Omi was waiting for Steven and Peridot to arrive back with any news. He was also waiting if Malachite was defeated and the news on the possible showdowns. Just then, Dojo arrived back with Kimiko, Clay, and Raimundo, all carrying the wus. "You won't believe this, Omi." Raimundo said. "All 3 of us won a showdown each!" "Wow, that is most impressive of you 3." Omi said. Clay rubs his back a bit. "It's not without pain...Chase slammed me on the hard ice, back first." Clay said. "Hopefully you'll recover quickly." Kimiko said. Omi nods as the Drill arrives back up to the surface. It collapses after arriving. Peridot and Steven tumble out of it. The Monks rushes up. "What happened?" Kimiko said. "We did it! And it went great!" Peridot said with a hug to Steven. Steven chuckles a bit. "So wait, you managed to defeat the cluster?" Raimundo said.

Just before Steven could say anything, he notices and hears the near by warp pad activating. The Monks, Peridot, and Steven rushes to it. They see the Gems returning with an unconscious Lapis in Garnet's arms. "I take it you defeated Malachite?" Raimundo said. "Yea, but what about the Cluster? Did you guys destroy it?" Pearl asked "Better, I managed to help get into a bubble so they could communicate with each other." Steven said. "Wait, wait, you managed to bubble the Cluster?" Clay said. "How on earth did you bubble that whole thing?" Pearl asked. "Well, I guess with some help." Steven said. We check back the Cluster, indeed in a bubble as we cut to black. The Monks and Gems managed to win their showdown and defeat Malachite at the same time as Steven and Peridot managed to stop the Cluster from forming. The Heylin are in a dire situation, as they don't know how Jack will react to all of them losing. Would this be the end of Jack's time as a Heylin? Needless to say, if the deal holds up, this might be the last time we might see Jack at all. However, fate will step in and help guide his way.

End of Episode 26 and Season 2

Wu Count:

Xiaolin:

Falcon's Eye

Jetbootsu

Mantis Flip Coin

Sword of the Storm

Sapphire Dragon

Shroud of Shadows

Star Hanabi

Orb of Tornami

Tangle Web Comb

Heart of Jong

Fist of Tebigong

Helmet of Jong

Golden Tiger Claws

Monkey Staff

Serpent's Tail

Sphere of Yun

Shard of Lightning

Eye of Dashi

Longi Kite

Sun Chi Lantern

Lotus Twister

Tongue of Saiping

Ring of the Nine Dragons

Third-Arm Sash

Two-Ton Tunic

Heylin:

Changing Chopsticks

Thorn of Thunderbolt

Glove of Jisaku

Reversing Mirror

Crystal Glasses