Disclaimer;
Let it be known to all that I do not own, nor did I create Xiaolin Showdown. The characters portrayed in this story still belong to the guy who did make them up, with exception to the fallen Dragons and Lady Rin; they're mine, mine, mine, mine.
I would also like to take a moment to say that despite popular belief, cats and plastic explosives really don't mix.
Chapter two
Fortification
The afternoon sun hung lazily over the Xiaolin temple. A soft warm breeze carried the refreshing scent of the surrounding scenery. Raimundo stood in the center of the open courtyard and ran his fingers thru his brown hair. Just in front of him stood a circular ring made from amber colored wood. The ring was rigged so that four thinly padded staff's could be manipulated from the outside. Centered in the ring were three hanging logs, each swinging in a crisscrossing motion.
Inhaling slowly Raimundo closed his eyes in an attempt to steady himself. As he stood an image of Alex, the Dragon of lightning, flashed before him. Remembering his defeat at the hands of the fallen Dragon, Raimundo rushed into the large training device. Immediately after he stepped in he was attacked by one of the staff's. He rolled over the low attack then immediately ducked as another staff swung over head. Raimundo felt his adrenaline pumping as he reached the center of the ring. Dodging the swinging logs would have proven easy but while he was in the center all four of the staff's could now reach him.
The object of this game was simple, reach the center and try to stay in the longest with out getting hit. So Raimundo began to duck or jump to avoid the constant attacks. At first it was easy but after a minute the attacks started to become more coordinated. One attack would force him to jump then another aimed for him while still in the air and a third would strike just as he hit the ground. The assault continued for nearly three minutes. One staff swung for his ankles but Raimundo jumped on top of it hoping to throw the others off rhythm and buy himself a moment of rest. His rest was short lived, one staff raced towards him forcing him to jump back to avoid it, but another hit him hard from behind.
"Oww." Raimundo robed the small of his back as he exited the ring. "Which one of you hit me?"
"What, you didn't think I'd let you get away with all that hopping around did ya?" Kimiko asked with a grin.
"You didn't have to hit me that hard you know."
"You were jumpin' around like a fly on a hot skillet." Clay readjusted his hat.
"Well done Raimundo," Master Fung praised. "You lasted for nearly four minutes. I believe that is a new record."
"But Master, I was only given the chance to enter the ring twice," Omi complained. "He had five tries to beat my record."
"You had an unfair advantage." Raimundo motioned back towards the ring. "None of the staff's could swing low enough to hit your short butt."
Kimiko laughed. "He's got a point."
"So what's up next?" Raimundo asked.
"Man what's with you?" Kimiko stepped over to Raimundo. "You've been training like crazy for the last two days."
"I just want to be ready for the next time we meet those other Dragons."
"You must be careful Raimundo, to not over exert yourself or you will be unable to help when the time comes." Master Fung started towards the main part of the temple. "For now let us see what is prepared for lunch."
Alexander Argos stood in the center of an old abandoned warehouse located near the edge of town. Most of the machinery that was stored here was now in total disrepair and covered with dust and cobwebs. The tinted windows were so grimy that sunlight barely penetrated. The only redeemable quality that he could find was that it had a clear view of the mountain range that housed the Xiaolin temple.
The sound of metal dragging caused Alex to look across the room and see Bob pushing some of the equipment into the center. "This place is stinky."
"That's because no ones been in here for years," Alex explained. "That and I found a couple of dead cats back here."
"This place is disgusting." Ayane stepped onto the balcony on the second floor.
"Yes, but it'll suit our purpose." Lady Rin floated near the roof and over looked the warehouse. "Once we've cleaned it."
"That'll take a while." Alex kicked an empty can.
"We will use this as our base of operations." Rin floated down to the ground. "There are rooms on the second floor we can use as quarters, Ayane will see to making them livable. Bob, I want you to gather all of these machines then clear out all of the trash. Alex, you go out and gather any supplies we'll need. I'll see to fortifying our defenses here."
Ayane jumped down from the balcony. "We're not gonna attack the Xiaolin Dragons?"
"Not yet, not until we are fully prepared."
"Prepared for what?" Alex shrugged. "We already know we can take them."
"There are others to worry about besides the Dragons. Now that my powers have fully returned I can sense some very powerful presences. Two in particular have a number of Shen Gong Wu. It would be foolhardy to think that these other powers will not move against us sooner or later, so let us prepare now while we have time." Rin crossed her legs and floated as if she sat on an imaginary chair. "Besides you should not underestimate to Xiaolin warriors. We had surprise as our ally last time, next time they will be ready for us."
"I can look around while I'm out; see if I can find any useful information," Alex said.
"I'll have Ayane join you when she's finished here."
Alex nodded then turned and started towards the exit. He would be glad when all of the preparations were done with. He wanted to go find the Dragon he had fought with before. Oh well, Alex thought with a sigh. Business before pleasure I guess.
Raimundo stood at the edge of the courtyard staring at Master Fung. He had spent the last half an hour observing the master looking out into the setting sun. Raimundo tried to figure out what it was that held Master Fung's attention, but he gave up after ten minutes.
"Is there something I can help you with Raimundo?" The old master looked over his shoulder.
Raimundo stepped out into the courtyard and scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. How long have you known I was there?"
"I noticed you a while ago. I was wondering how long you were going to stand back there." Master Fung turned to face him. "What is on your mind?"
"I've always been fast; I mean I've always been a fast fighter. You and Master Monk Guan taught me how to use my wind element to enhance my speed and technique."
"Yes, you have always been capable of great speed." Master Fung nodded.
"It's just that when I fought that Alex guy, he practically ran circles around me."
"Alex was in many ways similar to you. He placed great value in his speed and dedicated a great deal of his training to becoming as rapid as his element."
"I guess I'm just wondering how I can beat him," Raimundo admitted.
"He was able to catch you off guard during your first encounter."
"Yeah and I was so surprised that I didn't have time to use my full speed, but at the same time I could tell that he wasn't using his either." Raimundo glanced over and watched as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon. "I guess I don't know how fast or strong he really is."
Master Fung stepped over to his side and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Remember Raimundo, that as the Dragon of wind, you are capable of moving as fast as the winds. Whether you drift as a mid summers night breeze or storm like a tornado, you have to choose how to best defeat your opponent."
Raimundo nodded in agreement. "The same can be said about him you know. The Dragon of lightning can strike in a flash at any given time."
"Then we just have to be prepared to weather a storm."
Alex stood alone in a dark alley near the center of the city. He had spent all afternoon and most of the evening taxiing food and other stolen supplies back to the warehouse. He then went out in search of any information he could find about the Xiaolin warriors or any of the others Lady Rin had sensed. His search had ended mostly with one dead end after another but one person he talked to mentioned seeing a battle that sound like a Xiaolin showdown. Although the man was clearly a drunken lush who was probably too wasted to be reliable, Alex had decided to check out the story anyway.
He eventually found an old woman who claimed to see four kids battling another kid with red hair up near the mountains. From the old woman's description the kid sounded like the red head that was with the Dragons when he first fought them. So he spent the rest of the evening scouring the city for a trace of the kid until he saw him leaving an electronics store. Alex followed him into this alley and watched him enter a shabby building named Rays.
Alex ducked behind a garbage can as the door swung open and the kid stepped out carrying a brown bag.
"Well at the price I'm paying for these sound cards they better be the best in the city!" The kid slammed the door behind him and stormed off. Alex allowed him to gain a little distance then started to follow him. The kid led him back through the city and eventually to a large mansion.
Alex spent the next forty five minutes waiting outside to see if he came back out. He felt her presence a moment before he heard her footsteps. "Yo." Alex waved a hand in greeting.
"Having fun?" Ayane walked up to his side and leaned an elbow against his shoulder.
"A hoot and a half," Alex replied. "Done already with the base?"
Ayane nodded. "I am anyway. Bob's still got a bunch of crap ta take out and the boss lady isn't quite happy with the defenses yet."
"She'll get it eventually."
"So what are ya doin' here?"
"You remember that red haired kid with the Dragons?"
"Not really, I didn't get really get a good look at him before ya flattened him."
"I tracked him here, I'm pretty sure this is where he lives."
"So?"
"So I figure we can make him tell us who the others Lady Rin sensed are."
"Let's go ask then." Ayane started towards the large house followed by Alex. The two snuck around the back then climbed in through an open window.
The house appeared to be empty as Alex and Ayane searched the various rooms on the first floor. They wandered into the kitchen just as the kid turned away from a refrigerator with a half eaten sandwich in one hand and a bottle of cola in the other. Alex saw the kid's eyes widen in fear once he realized he wasn't alone. Dropping the sandwich and cola, the kid let out a girlish scream then ran through the other exit.
Alex and Ayane took off after him and followed him through the halls. He ran trough an open door then slammed it shut behind him. Alex wrenched the door open then followed Ayane down the dark stairs into the basement. Immediately after they reached to last step a purple beam of light hit Ayane in the chest and knocked her back into Alex. He caught Ayane then leapt to the right as a second bolt shot at them.
"Jack-bots attack," the red haired kid holding a silver short barreled rifle shouted.
Alex laid a stunned Ayane on the ground then charged forward to meet the bots. Just as the first neared him he rolled beneath its reach then turned, grabbed it by the head, and flung it at two more. Another attacked him from the side but he flipped back to avoid it. Alex then rushed forward and punched it on the chest then delivered a hard side kick to its head causing it to explode.
Ayane, now recovered, ran up and used Alex as a podium to swing around and kick the head off another Jack-bot. Ayane then ducked, Alex rolled over her back and kicked a bot that was rushing to grab her.
"We'll see how you like another taste of my Repulser Ray Gun." The kid aimed and fired three quick shots but Alex and Ayane easily dodged them. Alex quickly sprinted towards him and back handed to rifle out of his hands them grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the floor. "Hey, let go of me."
"Call off your little helpers." Alex raised his fist ready to hit him.
"Okay, okay, just don't hurt me," he agreed. "Stand down." All of the Jack-bots stopped in mid motion and hovered in place. "What do want with me anyway?"
"Just a little information pal." Alex dragged him to his feet.
"You're gonna tell us a little story kid." Ayane walked over and slapped him gently on the cheek.
"Jack."
"What?" Ayane asked.
"My name is Jack, Jack Spicer, evil boy genius."
"Well Jack, I'm going to let you go now but if you so much as twitch funny I'll turn you into a pretzel." Alex pulled him close to his face and glared at his eyes. "Got it?" He waited until Jack nodded then let him go with a shove.
"What is it you want to know?" Jack readjusted his coat.
"Let's start with how ya know about the Shen Gong Wu's," Ayane said.
"I first found out about them from a ghost named Wuya. The two of us fought the Xiaolin monks for 'em."
"Where is this Wuya now?"
"I got rid of her since she wasn't much help to me."
"Who all is looking for the Wu?" Alex asked.
"Well, me and the Xiaolin monks have gone back and forth over them. I'm sort of their arch-rival." Jack looked over at Ayane then quickly looked away. "Then of course you got Hannibal Bean, Chase Young, and Wuya."
"Never heard of 'em," Ayane stated plainly.
"How many of the Shen Gong Wu have been found," Alex asked. "And who has them?"
"Gee you two really don't know anything do you? What kind of bad guys are you?" Jack glanced over at Alex then back to Ayane. "But why should I tell you?"
"So we don't hurt ya." Ayane flashed a sinister smile.
Jack swallowed hard. "Okay, but if I tell you, you gotta promise to leave me alone."
"Sounds fair," Alex agreed.
"For now anyway," Ayane added.
"I keep a list of all the Shen Gong Wu that get found and who has them on my computer."
"Get it."
Jack walked over to a small screen that sat on top of a table and started to press the keys on a keyboard. "I'll print you out a copy."
"That's a computer?" Ayane looked at the thing with awe. "It's so small."
"Time and technology advance a lot when you're stuck in a prison crystal for years," Alex stated.
Jack held out a sheet of paper. "Here's your stinking list."
"Bye-bye Jack." Ayane flicked his forehead then stared towards the exit.
Alex snatched the paper then glanced over it. "Thanks for the help." As Alex turned to leave he nonchalantly shoved the monitor onto the ground and laughed as it hit the ground and broke.
"See ya around." Ayane waved over her shoulder as they started up the stairs.
Alex and Ayane hurried back to the warehouse. The outside looked about the same as before but once they entered Alex barely recognized the place. The garbage was cleared revealing a smooth concrete floor. Torches lined on the walls burned with a mystic blue flame that would extinguish if they fell to the floor, as did the twelve flaming bowls that hung from the ceiling. Towards the back he saw a three foot podium now stood near the wall and a wide circle about four feet wide was etched into the floor.
"What do you think?" Rin floated down from the balcony.
"This place cleaned up well." Alex whistled then pointed to the podium and circle. "What's this?"
"A vault for the Shen Gong Wu once we have them." Rin lightly walked over to him. "It can only be opened by one of us. Simply place your hand on the podium and the entrance will reveal it's self. I melted those machines down and used them to reinforce the walls. I also placed a spell over the warehouse to alert us if an intruder tries to sneak in."
Bob stepped on to the balcony then started down the stairs. "All done."
"With what?" Alex asked.
"I had him finish setting up four of the offices as leaving quarters after I sent Ayane to join you."
"I still say we need some furniture or somethin' besides the couple of chairs and mattresses Alex brought back." Ayane walked over with Bob.
"Luxury can wait," Rin stated. "What did you find out?"
"I got a list of the Shen Gong Wu that have been found." Alex handed Rin the list. "It looks like the Dragons have most of them."
"The kid we got 'em from also said the someone named Chase Young, Hannibal Bean, and Wuya are also looking for them," Ayane added.
"Who are they?" Bob asked.
Rin look over the list intently then returned her attention to Alex and the others. "I heard stories about Wuya and Chase, but I've never meet them. I find it hard to believe that either of them is still alive though."
"How bad are they?" Ayane adjusted a lock of hair.
"I've only heard rumors and over exaggerated legends about them so I can't be sure what to expect out of them. As for this Hannibal fellow, I've never even heard of him." Rin floated as if she were sitting. "Regardless, we will attack the Dragons and lure them out of their little home. While you keep them distracted, Alex and I will sneak into their temple and steal the Wu's that will be the most useful to us."
Raimundo was walking down the temple halls towards his room when he bumped in to Clay.
"You still up?" Clay asked quietly.
"Not for long." Raimundo yawned. "Why are you up?"
"Just gonna grab a snack before I hit the hey."
"Well goodnight dude." Raimundo yawned again then started back down the hall. He only made it a few steps when Dojo came speeding down the hall. "What's your deal?"
"There you are." Dojo climbed up his leg and started to pull him by his hair. "Come on lets go!"
"What's up with him?" Clay asked as he came back down the hall.
"I'm picking up a Shen Gong Wu and its close." Dojo kept pulling on Raimundo's hair forcing him to walk out to the courtyard followed by clay. Once they reached the courtyard they found Omi standing next to Master Fung waiting for them.
"This is most strange," Omi pointed out.
"Indeed." Master Fung nodded in agreement. "The scroll has not shown me that a new Shen Gong Wu has appeared."
"So what's all the fuss 'bout then?" Clay inquired.
"Let's go find out what the problem is so I can get some sleep." Raimundo pulled Dojo off his head and winced when he remembered Dojo's vise like grip on his hair. "How far is it?"
"Not far," Dojo replied. "I think it's just outside the temple."
"What's going on?" Kimiko ran out of the temple and joined the others.
"We may have found a Shen Gong Wu," Omi replied.
"Omi you and the others go ahead, see in you can uncover the cause of all this. But be careful, all may not be as it seems." The four of them turned and started off toward the wooden doors that led outside but Master Fung put his hand on Raimundo's shoulder to stop him. "Not you Raimundo, I feel that you should stay behind with me."
"Why?" Raimundo watched as the others ran off then looked back to the master.
"I have the strong feeling that there is more going on than we can see."
Omi led the others down the path from the temple full of determination. He didn't know why Raimundo was not with them but at the moment he did not care. This was an opportunity, a chance to prove that he could lead just as well as Raimundo. He remembered what Master Fung had lectured about pride but for the moment he didn't feel overconfident. There were four of the Xiaolin warriors to the others three so with Raimundo missing this would be a fair fight. Besides if they really got into trouble Raimundo was not far away.
"Its close you guy's," Dojo called out.
"I see it up ahead." Clay pointed to a tree just ahead of them and there hanging on a low branch was the Sphere of Dreams.
"Looking for us?" Ayane stepped out from a shadow.
"Hand over the Shen Gong Wu," Kimiko demanded. In response a large boulder flew towards them. Omi and the others jumped forward just as the rock crashed down behind them.
Bob stepped out of the shadows and over to Ayane's side. "Oops missed them."
"If ya want the Wu, all ya gotta do is fight us," Ayane declared.
"That is fine with us." Omi stepped forward. "This time you have matched your meet."
"That's met your match, little buddy," Clay corrected.
"If you guys wanna get beat again that's fine with us." Ayane motioned for them to attack.
"I'll handle the big guy." Clay adjusted his hat then started forward.
"I guess that leaves me with you small fry," Ayane rolled her eyes as she started forward.
Omi meet her rush head on with jumping roundhouse, but she blocked the kick then countered with a punch. He managed to block the attack but the momentum still knocked him back. As he landed he saw Kimiko attack her in a flurry of punches. Ayane evaded most and blocked the others until she grabbed Kimiko by the arm, turned, and threw her over her shoulder.
A few feet away Clay and Bob collided like two trains slamming into each other. They began to push against each other, neither one willing to give any ground, but after a few seconds Clay started to be pushed back. Clay suddenly allowed himself to be pushed over and used his momentum to kick Bob over him.
The sound of Kimiko and Ayane struggling caused Omi to return his attention back to the two girls. He saw that Kimiko had pushed Ayane back some and he launched himself at her. He kicked Ayane in the side with a leaping dragon kick, which knocked her down a few feet away. He jumped up hopping to follow up the attack with a falling sidekick but she rolled to her right a second before he hit the ground. She did a low sweeping kick as she spun back to her feet forcing Omi to jump up to avoid it. She then tried to punch him while in the air, but he was expecting the attack and used her arm to flip himself over behind her.
He landed then immediately bounded forward to hit her but she was quickly dropped down to her hands and shot both of her feet out catching him on the face. He landed hard against a near by rock and shook his head trying to clear it. Looking up he noticed that Kimiko had renewed her attack while Clay and Bob traded punches.
Omi jumped back to his feet and started forward to help his friends when a thought caused him to stop. "Wait, why are there only two of them, and if he is not here then where is Alex now?"
In the temple courtyard Raimundo stood next Master Fung as the sounds of the battle floated up to them.
"I should be down there helping the others." Raimundo felt anxious since he wasn't fighting with his friends.
"Don't trouble yourself with your friends little Dragon." Rin floated down into the courtyard and glared at Master Fung. "It's been a long time Fung."
"Yes." He nodded in reply. "I see that you are still set on the path of evil."
"You betrayed me," Rin snarled. "You and the others were jealous of my power. So you plotted against me and tried to murder me." A white aura started to rise around her but it quickly turned black. She then gestured her hand and a wave of black energy knocked Raimundo and his master off their feet. "You have grown old, gotten weak, while I have stayed young and strong. Now I'll take my revenge for what you have done to me!"
"Not while I'm around lady." Raimundo popped up to his feet and stepped between her and Master Fung.
"Then we'll just have to remove you then now wont we." Rin swung her hand and another wave of energy flew towards Raimundo, but he rolled to the left to avoid it.
He then ran forward and tried to hit her but his fist collided with a light see through black wall of energy. "What the heck?"
"Do you really think that a puny fist is strong enough to break my personal barrier?" Rin mocked.
"Kinda hope so," Raimundo replied a second before Rin pointed a finger and shot a black beam at him.
Alex stood in a room with bells hanging from the ceiling and a gold statue of Buddha sitting against the back wall. He smiled to himself as he looked over the familiar room. Even though he had never been in this temple before he knew the vault that stored all of the Shen Gong Wu was right beneath his feet. He was surprised to find that this room was an exact replica of the vault room used when he was a Xiaolin Dragon. I wonder if the combination is the same. Alex rang the bells in the familiar tune and laughed as the spiral stairs revealed themselves. All too easy.
Pulling out the list Rin had prepared for him he quickly started looking for the Shen Gong Wu and placed them in the large brown bag he carried.
Omi raced forward and leapt at Ayane but she ducked and spun back. Just as he turned around he felt her foot land solidly in his ribs and knocked him back into Kimiko.
"We must end this fight quickly." Omi stood back up ready to attack or defend.
"Why?" Kimiko asked.
"Did you not notice that the Dragon of lightning is nowhere to be seen?"
"Now that you mention it, I didn't."
"Hey," Ayane shouted as she jumped forward and tried to kick Kimiko. "Don't worry about others when ya haven't finished with me yet."
Omi blocked her next attack then rolled to the side and delivered a fierce kick to her side. The kick caused her to stumble next to Bob. Clay used the momentary distraction and punched Bob hard on the jaw.
Omi channeled his power inward while he leapt forward. "Tsunami strike!" A massive wave of water shot forward and slammed the two fallen Dragons into the side of the mountain. "Quickly we must return to the temple."
Raimundo leapt again to avoid another of Rin's energy beams. He had tried several times to counterattack but her barrier kept stopping his every move.
"I have a new game for you to play." Rin held out her hand and four black balls formed around her hand. One of the balls shot forward, nearly taking his head off but he managed to duck in time. The ball curved back around and sped down at him. Raimundo was barely able to dive to the right just as the ball smacked the ground he had been standing on and exploded with surprising force. "Lets see how long you can evade these three." Rin flinched her hand and the remaining balls flew towards him.
Raimundo began to flip and roll as quickly as he could; trying to avoid the deadly spheres. The energy balls keep swarming after him like bees; he would avoid one only to roll away from another then flip back from the third. After a minute of the endless dodging two of the explosive orbs shot at him, one from his left, and the other from the right. He waited until the last minute then rolled forward hopping that the orbs would collide but instead they changed course and followed him towards the ground. Immediately after he rolled to his feet he leapt forward just as the deadly orbs struck the ground with a tremendous explosion.
The force of the blast caused Raimundo to stumble as he landed and the last ball speed towards him. Raimundo tried to dive away but the orb grazed his arm and exploded sending him flying into a wall. He tried to stand but found that he was too hurt move quickly.
Alex came running out of the temple carrying a large brown bag. "I got them."
"Stop." Raimundo stepped forward but Alex pulled the Eye of Dashi out of the bag and used it to blast the ground, knocking him over.
"You see how futile your efforts are." Rin stalked towards Master Fung. She raised her hand and a black aura formed around his neck, lifting him off the ground. "Hear me old man. I will take everything from you, your hope, your friends, and your students. Everything that means anything to you will be mine and after I've taken it all I will unleash a new dark age of the Heylin. You will watch as I transform this world and then when you have lost everything, I will seal you up in a prison far worse than the one you locked me in. What you did to me I'll do a thousand times worse to you and your pathetic little Dragons!"
She lowered her hand and Master Fung fell to the ground. Alex stepped over to Rin's side then the two rose up off the ground and floated away. Raimundo slowly stood and made his way over to Master Fung when Omi and the others burst into the courtyard.
"Are you guys okay?" Kimiko ran over to Raimundo's side.
"I'll live," Raimundo replied dryly.
"I am unhurt." The master stood up on shaky legs. "What about you?"
"We're fine 'cept for a couple of bruises," clay responded.
Omi looked around the courtyard. "What happened here?"
"It was a trick," Raimundo explained. "They were only after the Shen Gong Wu's."
"You mean they got 'em" Dojo asked.
Master Fung nodded. "I am afraid so."
"Then our fight against them will be far more dangerous from now on." Omi stepped over to the others.
"That's an understatement," Raimundo agreed solemnly.