dl-sPirit: Hey everyone! I'm back!

Raimundo: Unfortunately.

dl-sPirit: (glares evilly) HEY! (clears throat) Well, anyhow, it's been a while since I've written, so I apologize for any problems in advance.

Raimundo: Wasn't this supposed to be up in December?

dl-sPirit: Between internet problems, problems with the keyboard, and problems in real life, I didn't have much time, ok?

Raimundo: Whatever...

dl-sPirit: Ok, disclaimers: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown. This applies to ALL of my chapters, kapeesh?

Raimundo: (rolls eyes) Not even five minutes and I have a bad feeling about this. Go read this while I get an aspirin.

"You're joking, right?"

That was the Dragon of Fire's initial response when Dojo explained the secondary effects of a shen-gong-wu they were going after. The shen-gong-wu, according to Dojo's wu sense, was actually located in the mountains by the Xiaolin Temple. Omi nodded in agreement with Kimiko, remarking, "I agree, this is most odd. The Spirit Lamp turns invisible when looked at directly?"

"Hey, blame Dashi!" Dojo retorted. Raimundo sulked. Today was NOT his day. First, Omi had accidentally misaimed the Orb of Tornami, saturating his clothes. When he had changed his clothes, the Sapphire Dragon had escaped and successfully turned him into a statue. He still had some soot on his face. Now he had to look for a shen-gong-wu that was always hiding?

Unconsciously, he found himself thinking about his time on the Heylin side. The brazilian quickly shook off the memories. Even though he desperately needed a break from the chaos, that wasn't the answer. Not when he was regaining everybody's trust. He just… needed to be more careful. Yeah, that was it. Be more careful and everything will be better.

Clay looked down to the ground, hoping maybe to see a clue to the Lamp's location. Instead, what he saw was a black glint. Then, a swirling black beam shot up at Dojo.

"Look out, partner!" Clay yelled, but the warning came far too late. Dojo received a direct hit, right in his face.

The black beam was obviously a magical attack of sorts. Dojo lost all his energy and began to fall. Then, another black beam hit him and, this time, it actually flung the warriors far away from each other, its magnitude was so powerful. When Dojo finally crashed, he had no energy whatsoever. He couldn't move.

(---)

There was a cave in the face of Mount Hong, the one that the very warriors had stayed in when Mala Mala Jong returned. Unknown to them at the time, a creature lived there. She was returning when the Dragon of the Wind ran by, heading towards the temple. She had sensed great anger in him.

In that second, she had an ally. She could…. convince him to help her. She had an offer he couldn't refuse. Well, he could, but it'd be stupid.

Now, the dragonish creature with glowing red eyes approached the ledge outside her small humble home. Phase One of her plan was complete. Now, it was time to capture her prey.

She began scaling down the mountain, on all fours.

(---)

Pain. A dull throbbing pain. Almost like when Mala Mala Jong had thrown him to the ground.

Raimundo slowly opened his eyes. He had landed on his back, his head resting on a rock. He hurt – a lot. He tried to sit up. Emphasis on tried. His back felt like it was broken, and his head felt…kinda wet. He scooted towards a rock wall and leaned against it. That was better.

The Dragon of the Wind raised his hand to the back of his head. Now his hand was wet. Curious as to why, he moved his hand so that he could see it.

It was crimson. He had cracked his skull. Raimundo freaked somewhat. This wasn't good. How much blood had he lost? Was the wound deep or shallow? Was it long or short? Was it serious?

Ok, he needed to calm down. Breathe slowly….

Wait. Raimundo paused, listening. Had he heard something? He was sure he had. It sounded like a rock moving. There it was again. The brazilian fearfully watched as a rock rolled to a stop in front of him, guided by an invisible hand.

He wasn't alone.

Panicking, Raimundo got to his feet and began to run. To where, he wasn't sure. Any place was better than here. A shadow had moved. He was sure of it. Another breathing besides his hard heavy pants was heard. It was from something calm, collected, well rested. He knew it. Something was following him.

He pushed himself to run faster, zigzagging and taking random directions. He spied an empty cave and jumped in, hiding himself in the darkness. He held his breath, listening. No sound could be heard. All was silent.

He let out his breath. He had escaped his stalker…for now. He was safe, he could rest-

Something shot out from the thick blackness behind him and grabbed him around the chest. His eyes widened, and he let out a terrified scream. Something else shot out and clamped over his mouth. Fur. He felt fur. And definitely claws.

This stuff was only supposed to happen in horror movies, in ghost stories. This was impossible, this stalker-creature-person couldn't kill him, he was too young-

Raimundo's mind was still racing when the darkness ebbed at the corners of his vision and he passed out.

dl-sPirit: Freaky...

Raimundo: (censor this part here)

dl-sPirit: You'll learn what's going on next chapter.

Raimundo: (glares) If it wasn't for the fact you're paying me, I'd walk out right now.

dl-sPirit: Well, at least you have your priorities straight:)

Raimundo: (sighs) Review before I go insane.