Raimundo's Betrayal

Back at the temple, Master Fung congratulated his students. "In defeating Mala Mala Jong, you demonstrated bravery, skill, cunning, and conviction."

"It was not us alone, Master," said Omi. "The Great Goddess Millennia helped us."

"We couldn't have done it without her," said Clay.

"Yes, Mala Mala Jong was the first great force of darkness, but it will not be the last. With the increasing forces of evil, we will need Millennia's light to help see us through. And now, young monks, it is also time for you to take the next stage on your journey. You have proven yourselves ready for the next level: Xiaolin Apprentice." Master Fung presented his students with a dark blue sash, representing their status as apprentices.

Everyone except for Raimundo was presented with a sash. "I am sorry, Raimundo, but you have proven that you are not ready to move on."

"But I was brave," Raimundo protested.

"You did not follow my instruction," Master Fung reprimanded. "Your rash and impulsive actions led us on the brink of destruction. I suggest you meditate on your disappointing behavior."

The anger building up inside Raimundo was released. "If that's the thanks I get for trying to save your neck, fine!" He got up and stormed out of the temple. "I'm sick of this place! I never should have left Brazil."

Kimiko wanted to go after him, but Omi stopped her. "This is a path that Raimundo must walk alone."

Max saw him leave the temple. "They really should have given you more praise for your efforts," Max wondered. "After all, had it not been for your actons, Mala Mala never would have found your friends and they never would have defeated him."

"Doesn't matter now," Raimundo grumbled. He needed some time alone, so he decided to take a walk.

The next day, everyone was ready for training. After all, with new ranking comes new skills. Now when they would use the Shen-Gong-Wu and call the name of the element they represented, their powers would increase. Kimiko demonstrated using the Star Hanabi, Omi demonstrated using the Orb of Tornami, Clay demonstrated using the Third Arm Sash, and Emily demonstrated using the Eye of Dashi.

Raimundo didn't think this would ever apply to him since he wasn't an apprentice, but he needed to be prepared for when he would become an apprentice. Omi tried to give Raimundo some confidence, but once again, it turned into bragging. Having had enough, Raimundo used the Golden Tiger Claws to leave the temple and return home to Rio de Janeiro.

Max and Wuya found him. Raimundo braced himself, but Max told him to relax. "We're not here looking for a fight. We just understand how you feel. I do, anyway. I read your mind, remember? I understand that you're not happy being a Xiaolin warrior; the hassle of endless training, the lack of appreciation. Been there, done that. And you know where it got me? Back on the right track."

"What's your point?" Raimundo asked.

"I know a better, faster way," Wuya offered. "I can give you anything your heart desires. If you and Max join me, the world is yours."

"You can get so much when someone asks you for so little," said Max.

Before Raimundo could answer, Wuya began sensing another Shen-Gong-Wu. Raimundo took this as an opportunity to escape before his mind could be made up. He made it back to the temple to learn that the new Shen-Gong-Wu was the Reversing Mirror. It had the power to reverse the effect of any Shen-Gong-Wu being used against it.

The Mirror was located in a lighthouse. Max and Wuya found it, only to have an unpleasant run-in with Jack Spicer. Wuya wanted to let bygones be bygones and rebuild her partnership with Jack, but he didn't forgive her for trying to replace him with Mala Mala Jong. So he built a machine that could detect Shen-Gong-Wu and used it to find the Reversing Mirror.

In the nick of time, the Xiaolin warriors arrived. The opposing teams began fighting with each other until the Reversing Mirror ended up in both Jack's hands and Raimundo's. It was time for a Xiaolin Showdown. The game was Flash Tag. The loser would be declared when the first opponent was exposed to the flash of light. Raimundo wagered his Golden Tiger Claws against Jack's Lotus Twister.

Jack was able to make himself scarce by stretching and bending through the spaces between the panels. Raimundo was able to escape with ease thanks to the Golden Tiger Claws. Jack tried to keep Raimundo in his grip, but Raimindo used the Tiger Claws to strike his hands and feet. Jack recovered his grip only to be exposed to the light.

Raimundo's friends praised him for his victory. "Your performance in the showdown was impressive," Omi admitted. "And you are not even an apprentice."

"You're right, Omi," Raimundo said coldly. "I'm not." He approached Max and Wuya. "I'm done with this whole Xiaolin thing. From now on, you can find me on the Heylin side." He used the Golden Tiger Claws and he and Max and Wuya warped away.

Raimundo and Max were standing on a steep hill. Wuya deemed it to be the perfect spot to begin their path of surpreme conquest. Raimundo was disappointed, thinking he was going to get everything he was promised right away, only to find that he hadn't gotten anything yet. Wuya still had one last task for him to fulfill. She needed him to return to the Xiaolin Temple and come back with a certain Shen-Gong-Wu.

The rest of the monks still couldn't believe what happened. "I don't understand," said Emily.

"I think Raimundo was the one Millennia was talking about when she warned us that one of us would turn on us," said Omi.

Emily was confused. "I beg your pardon?"

"When the Great Goddess possessed you, she told us to trust Max and that one of our friends would turn foe," Omi explained. "And based on Raimundo's behavior, I can see that it is him."

"All because he didn't get promoted to Xiaolin Apprentice," said Kimiko.

"Well, he is irresponsible, ignorant, and never thinks before acting," said Emily. "He thinks he knows better than everyone else. If only he could learn to listen." She sighed and added, "But in the end, he manages to set things right."

"Maybe Raimundo did not turn evil," Omi wondered. "Maybe he wanted to form a false alliance with the enemy to lure them into a humiliating defeat."

"Anyone can do that," Emily admitted.

But there was no time to consider it. The vault was being broken into. Raimundo was coming out with the Serpent's Tail in his hand. Clay and the girls knew right away that Raimundo was trying to steal the Shen-Gong-Wu, but Omi still thought it was an elaborate scheme to gain the enemy's trust. After fighting off his former friends, Raimundo used the Serpent's Tail to escape.

The young apprentices were confused as to why Raimundo would only steal the Serpent's Tail, but Master Fung understood that it was because the Serpent's Tail was all Wuya needed. Its power allows the user to become transparent and move through solid objects. If two transparent beings were to come together, nothing would happen, but if the Reversing Mirror was used at the right time, both transparent beings would become physical. In simpler terms, Wuya would come to the Earth as flesh and blood again.

Emily decided to be the tracker this time. As long as Max had her Cobalt Star shards, she could sense them. There was also a good chance that the heroes would find Wuya and Raimundo with her. Riding on Dojo, the heroes soared above the countryside.

Emily sensed the Cobalt Star shards and led her friends to the spot where their foes were waiting. Max wasn't surprised. She could sense the Millennium Star and knew everyone was coming. Before Raimundo could use the Serpent's Tail, the heroes began slipping it out of his grasp, playing keep-away. Raimundo had enough games. He used the Golden Tiger Claws to attack and retrieve the Serpent's Tail. He wasted no more time and used it to approach Wuya. At the right second, Wuya used the Reversing Mirror and when they came together, her full power was released and she was flesh and blood again.