"For her sake, I certainly hope you didn't tell her anything"
Kimiko had just ran towards the battle, already getting close to the jungle cats before Chase appeared behind him. He didn't even turn to face him, his eyes never leaving the battle.
"I averted it as much as possible"
"Really?" Chase smirked, "So why does she feel like she's involved in this?"
"You and I both know she is" he snapped.
"I'd calm that temper if I were you" Chase warned, moving to stand next to the adolescent, "You wouldn't want her hurt now. Would you?"
"What do you want?"
"Keep your former team busy. I have a Shen Gong Wu to acquire-"
"What?"
"Do your part and she won't get hurt… much"
"Why are you even interested in this Wu?"
"I have my reasons, now fight them" he went to turn, "Oh, and don't even think of holding back"
Raimundo shuddered. He had been listening. He knew Kimiko was going for the Wu alone. But what made the Wu so important? Chase had refused to tell him what they were searching for, only that they had to get it; this had made him believe it was just to see his team. By the time he ran into the monks, Dojo was hiding under Clay's hat. Although he could've sworn he saw him slither away just as Chase's army began to surround them.
He shook the thought from his head. If Chase ordered him to do something, he'd do it. For her sake.
"Come on Dojo, where'd you run off to?" Kimiko muttered to no one but herself. She'd managed to avoid the majority of the cats, only having to throw two away with fireballs. She ran in the direction they planned on going before their interruption. Dojo had sensed it was this way. He was panicked by this Wu, the Mind of Saiping.
Turns out it was the lesser known sister Wu to the Tongue of Saiping. The difference being instead of talking to animals, you could fully control them. From what Dojo had managed to tell them, the Wu was created after Chase Young's transformation to the Heylin side. Dashi hoped it would be a useful weapon to defeat their villains. Unfortunately for Dojo, Dashi was only ever able to test the Wu on a certain dragon. Apparently, he still had nightmares of acting like a chicken.
She giggled at the memory, that was a moment Raimundo would've loved to be a part of.
"Stay alive" she whispered. Chase was using her against him somehow. That had to be the reason. But why her? They'd broken up. But that kiss.
She shook her head, pushing the thought to the back of her mind. She'd go over it later.
Looking across the grass she saw the familiar dragon, huddling over something bronze-like.
"Dojo!" She exclaimed, running over, "You're alright!"
"Don't come near this Wu!" He yelled, "Not until you promise to never use it on me!"
She gave the dragon a soft smile, "Dojo, I promise you, I will never do that to you"
"You mean that?"
She nodded.
"Thank you Kimi-oh no" his sentence ended with a yell. Turning on the spot she let out a sharp shriek as she ducked, avoiding a punch.
Grabbing both Dojo and the Wu she dashed to the side, happy at the distance she'd created.
He walked towards her.
"Mind of Saiping!" She aimed the Wu at him, "Keep back" she commanded.
To both of their horror, he kept walking, until he was inches away from them.
"My dear, that only works on animals. Right now, I'm human"
"Oh shit"
"What the hell do you think you're doin' Raimundo?" Clay yelled, betrayal and spite in his voice.
"What I have to do" his reply was cold, it was the easiest way. "Shoku Star, Wind!"
He fired a strong gust of wind at the two, hitting them both directly in the chest. His eyes darted across the cats, they'd no doubt report back to Chase, not holding back was definitely not an option.
Digging his heels into the ground, Clay used his element to slow himself down until he stopped.
Omi, however, due to his size, flew back much farther than the cowboy. He landed, eventually. His body rolling across the ground before stopping. He brushed the dirt off of himself before facing their former leader.
"If this is how we must fight. Then we shall too!" He raised his arms, "Wudai-Neptune, Water!"
Spikes made of water flew towards the boy and the animals. The young monk smirked with victory as several jungle cats were unavoidably hit with the water. His smirk, however, faltered at the sight of Raimundo flying high in the air, avoiding the water.
"Why you dirty snake" Clay growled. He didn't understand- no. He couldn't understand why he'd done this. They found out the day before when Chase had the audacity to show off the newest member in his army. He admits, he took the lead in handling everyone. Kimiko was the hardest to get to. Although he knows he heard her cry in her room. Omi was just confused, nobody could convince him that Raimundo wasn't pretending this time. That he really had gone.
"What's the matter, cowboy? Can't handle a fight?"
This wasn't their Raimundo, not anymore. He'd seen Kimiko separate the two at the beginning of the fight. He thought she'd get through to him. Too busy consumed in keeping alive he never got a chance to look over at the two, see what was happening. But now Kimiko was gone, he'd seen her throw away some tigers without hesitation, he could only presume she was finding the Wu.
Chase.
He hadn't been seen since the start.
"Omi!" He bellowed, "Where'd Chase go?"
He noticed Raimundo's panicked look as she searched the area.
The jungle cats seemed momentarily distracted, taking the opportunity Clay slammed his fist into the dirt, causing the ground to open in several spots, allowing the animals to fall through, quickly sealing it back up to crush them. He wasn't taking chances. He needed to get Raimundo alone.
Seeing what had happened, the Shoku Warrior gently lowered himself to the ground. His eyes searched the area for any remaining animals.
"Talk to us, partner"
Raimundo responded raising a finger to his lips, requesting silence.
"Partner…"
A scream hit them from the distance. All three turned in the direction, recognising the voice.
"Kimiko!"
Raimundo turned, without hesitating, calling on his powers to send the two flying over in the direction her scream came from. He couldn't just ditch them for her. But moving the battle, that he might just get away with.
Omi and Clay landed on the ground, again. They groaned at the sensation of dirt forcing itself against their faces. Opening an eye, Omi looked over and saw the cause of the scream.
"Wudai Fire Shield"
Kimiko threw her fists in front of her face, a shield of fire protecting her from the forty-foot dragons attack. Her face was still sore from Chase's hit, which unfortunately for her and Dojo, caused her to drop the Wu. Allowing him to control the usually friendly dragon.
She let out a startled shriek as her body jolted backwards. Dojo's fire had been a lot stronger since he saved them all from the Sapphire Dragon a few years back, and she really wished she wasn't on the receiving end of it.
Although his fire wouldn't burn her, given her elemental powers, she still didn't want any other injuries from the controlled dragon's attacks.
Looking in the corner of her eyes, she saw the immortal being stood, smirking at the chaos he had caused.
He turned slightly at the sound of two bodies landing. Looking up, he saw Raimundo landing, preparing himself to throw another attack. His actions were almost believable, at least until he froze, his eyes locked on the endangered girl.
"Very well," he said to himself. If Raimundo wasn't going to follow orders, he'd certainly teach him a lesson. Looking back to the girl, he gave a smirk, focusing, waiting.
Kimiko's shield dropped as her hands clutched her chest. Her heart. It was as if it just stopped working. She gasped for breath, falling to her knees. A cry of pain escaped her lips as she clutched her body. How – why, was this happening?
She looked up as Dojo lowered his head, his breath hitting her face. She cried out again. Dojo inhaled sharply, before releasing a shot of fire over the girl.
"Kimi-" Raimundo's scream was cut short as Chase pulled him back.
"Next time. Do not disobey."
The harsh voice sent a chill down his spine. He watched as Dojo collapsed to the floor, Clay and Omi running towards the girl. A cloud of blue-black smoke covered his sight before clearing to reveal the lair.
"Kimiko!" Clay shouted, running to the girl. Omi went to Dojo, determined to bring him to.
Looking down at the girl, her skin looked singed. Thank god her element is fire. What he saw happened looked like – what he could best describe as – a heart attack. He shook her shoulders, determined to wake her.
"Kimiko?" He shook again, "C'mon Lil' lady, open those eyes!"
He held her head in his hands.
Hoping for something.
Anything.
Yet, he got nothing.
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