dl-sPirit: Hey everyone. I'm back, much to SOME of my muses' disappointment (glares at Raimundo, Roni, and Ferret) WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO THROW A PARTY?

Raimundo: (points at Roni)

Roni: (points at Ferret)

Ferret: (points at Raimundo)

dl-sPirit: -.-u Oh great...

Raimundo/ Roni/ Ferret: I'm innocent!

dl-sPirit: Right...well, this chapter's pretty long.

Roni: 'Five pages' is 'pretty long'?

dl-sPirit: Over 1800 words? Yeah, it is...Hey, Ferret, can you do the disclaimer?

Ferret: WHY?

dl-sPirit: Cause Rai and Roni are gonna help me clean up the party!

Raimundo/ Roni: WHAT!

dl-sPirit: Besides, I don't want them reading this chapter.

Ferret:D Disclaimer's in the first chapter. :)

dl-sPirit: (grabs Raimundo and Roni) (drags them into the room where the party took place)

Ferret: YAY! I'm SPARED! And here's the chapter!

All was silent at the Xiaolin Temple. A weak breeze passed by, lightly brushing off some snow from the snow sculpture. A glowing red appeared in the snow sculpture's head.

Blue spines suddenly shot up from the snow as large batlike wings extended. Flapping furiously, the wings pulled Roni out from the snow, eyes glowing. She swiftly landed, about a foot away, brushing off the extra snow.

Putting on her leaf gloves, she pulled out the Amethyst of the Third Eye. It glowed golden momentarily, then the glow faded. She dropped it to the ground as the lean figure of a boy appeared on the temple's wall before dropping down and jogging to her side.

His features were indistinguishable, hidden by black cloth in a very ninja-like way. Green eyes peered out, waiting for his next task. Not that he was happy with it, he just found it easier to work with her if he just smiled and nodded and stood where she told him to.

"Go chek eenside," she whispered quickly, looking around. "I need te git da skeen." She flew up into the night sky as the boy darted inside.

He was pleased. All the monks and Dojo were asleep. Now to check on the Xiaolin Dragons…his heart grew heavy as he walked off to their room, silent as an owl in flight.

Clay and Omi were asleep. Kimiko was also asleep, but she was clutching a gold medallion, the moonlight glinting off her tears.

She cried herself to sleep, he thought painfully. He shed a single tear before being forced to move on.

(---)

She looked at the boy in front of her with horror. He was cut up, bloody, and bruised. He seemed exhausted. Yet, a tendril of shadow wrapped itself around his leg, slowly snaking upwards. The shadows were trying to devour him. She tried to move to help, but something large grabbed her arm – and she now faced a horrid grayish monster…

Kimiko woke up with a gasp from her nightmare, looking around. She was all alone. Or was she? She watched a shadow move outside her door, in the hallway. It looked like a person. Who was it? Still holding Raimundo's medallion, she approached her doorway and poked her head out.

A tall shadowy figure had just turned the corner. His features were indistinguishable. Ok, now she was really curious. She tiptoed after him as he exited outside and paused, looking around for someone.

She stepped lightly into the snow, approaching him from behind. Maybe she could sneak up on him unnoticed.

Unfortunately, she wasn't unnoticed. The boy heard her and, by waving his hand and murmuring "Wind.", he summoned a small gale behind him, acting as a shield.

Kimiko gasped. This wasn't possible. "Rai?" she squeaked. The boy stiffened. Then, he waved his hand, and the gale dissipated.

"Kim?" he asked, turning around. She saw the glint in his emerald eyes. It was Raimundo, alright. She walked closer, looking him in the eyes.

"I missed you," she whispered, hugging him. Raimundo paused awkwardly. He hadn't expected that. All the same, he hugged her back and whispered quietly, "It's been a living hell without you-"

He paused. There was swishing. Roni was returning. "Hide," he hissed to Kimiko. Kimiko, unsure of what was going on, quickly ran back to the doorway and ducked behind the frame.

Seconds later, the dark beast landed, now holding something rolled up and tucked under her arm. "So?" she asked.

"Everyone's asleep," Raimundo lied. If Roni knew Kimiko was up… he didn't want to think about it. Roni nodded.

"Gud. I'll git da vu." She walked away.

(Roni POV)

Does Raimundo think I'm an idiot? He's lying, I know. So, who's up?

I ducked behind one of the…ugh, temple buildings and peeked out to see the Dragon of Fire – oh, Kimiko – come out. Of course. He loves her. I should've known.

"Kim, there's not enough time to explain, but you need to get everyone out of here. Please, don't ask," Raimundo pleaded. Kimiko paused before nodding. Huh. They really do remind me of Salvador and me.

Then, Kimiko looked slightly curious before her hand reached up. She was gonna pull off the face cloth. Oh Ra, she's not gonna like it. Even I don't like it, and it's partly my fault!

Her hand didn't get very far when Raimundo's shot up and grabbed her wrist gently. Not a snowball's chance in Hell, I guess. Good. Kimiko definitely got the message, but she gave Raimundo a little peck on the cheek before going inside.

…I think he blushed…

Anyhow, I better go to the vault now. If I'm still getting the wu when he comes, he'll know I stuck around. Though he's not always the brightest match in the pack, he's not an idiot. I'll give him that.

(---)

Raimundo walked into the vault building as Roni emerged from below, holding the Shroud of Shadows in one hand and the Sword of the Storm in the other, with the dragon skin tucked under her arm. She was wearing her leaf gloves, her ankle bleeding slightly. Raimundo had long since learned – Roni's ankle bled when in contact with new shen-gong-wu and when a shen-gong-wu activated. In a strange way, she was like Dojo.

"Vedy, Raimundo?" she asked, tossing the Sword of the Storm to him. Without blinking, Raimundo caught it with his left hand. His coordination had improved; Roni made a mental note. The "fights" paid off well.

"I guess," the brazilian said, looking at the Sword. Even if he said no, they'd end up having to do it anyways.

Roni nodded. "Not 'nuf room. Ve go o'side," she said, walking past him, wings folded against her sides. Raimundo followed reluctantly. She had already pointed out a small clearing, in front of a temple wall, for the mini-ritual….ok, maybe not "mini". Its purpose?

To resurrect a demon…

Roni grinned as they approached the small clearing, laying the skin down in the middle. The crescent moon illuminated the area – but not for long. She nodded to Raimundo who walked over to the opposite side.

All was silent and still. Not even a whisper of breeze blew.

"Sword of the Storm - Xiaolin," Raimundo whispered, remembering to say it exactly as Roni had said.. Much to his surprise, the Sword pulled itself free from his grasp, even though he tightened his grip, and floated over to the center of the clearing.

"Shroud of Shadows – Heylin," Roni said, her voice echoing slightly. The shen-gong-wu broke free from her paws (though she also let it go) and wrapped around the Sword's handle. The dragon skin tied itself around the edge of the Shroud – then the three objects vanished.

Raimundo looked at the air. Where had they gone? Shen-gong-wu couldn't vanish into thin air, right? Roni ignored his curious look, watching with an intense hunger – but not for food or water - a hunger for freedom and vengeance.

Another few minutes passed. Then, the sword of the Storm returned – an ebony black and silver. It began spinning around, making a whirlwind. Just as fast, shadows covered the tornado in their grasp, fusing to make a skin of sorts.

At that moment, there was a shriek from Roni as she fell on all fours. Her fur was starting to harden into small diamond scales.

Raimundo stared in horror. He was trapped between the two twisting forms and the wall.

The dark twisting form was taking on a serpentine shape. Two short stubby appendages started to grow – arms of sort. From the back burst two viciously torn wings, obviously no good for flying.

Roni's wings tore as well, growing in size. Her ears had hardened and twisted into bony horns. All spine but the one on her forehead vanished, replaced by a bony growth along her spine and going down her limbs and up along her wings. The scales were turning gray.

Raimundo was assaulted by the scents of death and blood. The serpentine form now had a visible head, with a rounded snout and two horns of sorts. Two large eyes opened, revealing golden catlike eyes. Three points emerged on each stubby hand, solidifying into claws. The monster was at least 20 feet long.

Roni's transformation was now complete. Acidic saliva dripped slightly, her teeth more saber-like. Veins now appeared around the spine, which was filled with red blood. Her irises dilated, the whites of her eyes now a sickly yellow. A reddish flap of skin hung underneath her neck. The bony growth surrounded her ribcage, and flesh entwined itself around her bony ankle, returning it to near-perfect condition. Her claws were longer and looked more deadly.

The two demons looked at Raimundo, the one who used to be Roni licking her lips. Raimundo quickly though – and dashed to the right. He'd have to outrun him. Maybe God would help him.

There was no such luck as he was hit and knocked to the ground, on his back. Above him, keeping her paws on Raimundo's wrists, was the gray demon, snarling viciously. Her claw twitched slightly, tearing the cloth.

A sudden eagle-like cry was heard, and the gray demon looked up at the black dragon, hissing something in an unknown tongue. The black dragon replied in the same language. Very reluctantly, a thirst for blood in her eyes, the grey demongrabbed him by his shirt – using her teeth - and dragged him closer to the black dragonic demon. The black dragon's claws shot out and wrapped around Raimundo. He couldn't breathe, could hardly think-

His strength started to desert him. The dragon was absorbing his energy…

…It then hit Raimundo. This dragon needed power…life…

…he was going to die.

Ferret: dl-sPirit isn't letting Rai and Roni come back...they're cursing WAY too much. o.0 This was a really scary chapter...I'm not even gonna ask for reviews...

(in the background, there's an argument going on)

Raimundo: GET DOWN!

(there's a zapping noise. Then silence for a few seconds)

Roni: HOLY F-

Ferret: (turns off the computer screen)