Slowly, his mind crept back to reality. His mind told him to open his eyes, but his lids weighed too much. With a light moan, they shot open just long enough for him to see where he was before falling shut again. He was on the floor… On his back… Staring up at wooden rafters. He forced his eyes open again. Next to him was a curtain, at his feet was another curtain that was opened slightly. He lifted his heavy head and looked through the crack in the curtain and straight out through a window into the temple courtyard.
"Shhh…" He hissed as he let his head lie down again.
He had to get up, but he couldn't. His muscles were too stiff and swollen. And then he remembered. The Xiaolin freaks had beaten the shit out of him. With a vile hiss, he sat up violently. His head hurt so badly, the world flew around him.
"Ouch…" He whimpered.
"Jack?" he heard a female voice call.
"No Mommy!" he screamed.
When the curtain opened, Kimiko stood before him.
"What did you say?"
"Oh… N… Nothing…" his voice was as stiff as his muscles.
Kimiko cringed, "Good."
"Where…"
"In the temple. You're safe…"
"Wuya?"
"Gone. About that," Kimiko grimaced, "We're really sorry… About… Kicking your butt. It was kinda excessive even if it had been Wuya…"
"But it wasn't!" He moaned, "My head hurts…"
"Well, you were only out for about a day…"
"Ugh," Jack looked down at his leg, "It's all crooked…"
"Yeah," Kimiko winced, "We kinda broke your leg…"
"Lovely!" Jack shouted, throwing his hands into the air, "How am I going to earn my keep now?"
"When your leg is better…"
"In six weeks!" he shouted.
Kimiko pinched her nose, "Master Fung wanted to see you when you woke up. While you're up, I'll get someone to wrap your leg."
Jack rolled his eyes, "Help me up then."
He reached out to her with his weak arms. Kimiko rolled her eyes and grasped Jack's outstretched hands. Using herself as leverage, Jack struggled to his feet. In the corner of his quarters he spotted the Monkey Staff. Reaching out, he took it in his hand and used it as a cane.
"Follow me."
Kimiko lead Jack into the vault room where Master Fung and the other monks meditated.
"Master Fung?" Kimiko said delicately, "Jack's awake."
"I know, leave us now, Kimiko."
With a slight bow, Kimiko left the room. Jack stood nervously in the doorway.
"Umm…" Jack tugged at his collar.
"Jack Spicer," the voice boomed in his ears, "Why are you here?"
"I… Um… Because… I… Uh… I was invited?"
Master Fung stood up, "Why did you decide to come? Are you here to deceive us once more?"
"I…" What could he say? The truth couldn't hurt too much, "Wanted to feel safe…"
"And you think that this is a safe place for you?"
"You wouldn't hurt me, would you?"
"I have no intentions of causing you harm. But you are at a severe disadvantage here. I have been informed by my students that you wish to endure training here at the temple, is this true?"
"Y-Yes…" Jack bowed his head slightly.
"What about evil?"
"I-I just need to… get back in control of my life…"
"I see. And you think that martial skills will help you do that?"
"I-I hope so…"
Master Fung sat down again.
"I will not train you, Jack."
A pang of fear shot through his body.
Chase…"You have to!"
"And why is that?" Master Fung looked over his shoulder.
"I…"
"Why Jack? You are not a Chosen One. Training you will be very difficult on both you and myself."
"I…" Jack felt the tears in his eyes, "I want to fit in somewhere…"
"This is not a club, Jack."
"I can do it, I promise…"
"Then you must do two things," Master Fung stood up once more, this time the other monks stood up, "Prove your worthiness by fighting for the Xiaolin Temple in the name of good and swear your unwavering loyalty to us."
Jack blinked stupidly, "How can I prove myself? I'll do anything!"
"I have given it much thought. You shall retrieve five Shen Gong Wu in the name of the temple. Two of which must be retrieved through Showdowns."
Jack swallowed hard, "I-I really didn't want to have anything to do with Shen Gong Wu anymore…"
"You are holding one right now. Your life is too intertwined in the balance of good and evil and the hunt for the Shen Gong Wu for you to simply walk away from it."
"But…"
"If you do not do this, you must find housing somewhere else. This temple does not support free-loaders."
Jack was silent.
"I'll make you proud," he whispered with a slight bow.
"What did you-"
When Master Fung turned around in shock, Jack was gone.