Chapter VIII: Black Lotus

The five of them were now walking for an hour and Ron got a little fed up.

'How more are we going to walk before reaching this temple?'

'Be quiet Stoppable, Yin has many ways in seeking intruders. We are close', Monkey Fist demanded with a voice so low that Ron barely heard what he said.

The five of them where now near at the end of the woods. They noticed something from afar. All but Monkey Fist became terrified. They came closer to the end. The moonlight shone bright at them. Kim, Ron, Yori, Sensei and Monkey Fist were now out of the woods. The sight of the temple was terrifying; in front of them was a huge simian temple. Yellow light was emitting from its eyes and mouth. There were stone statues around circling the temple. They heard a roar and Sensei said 'We must make haste; I fear we cannot handle another Chaos. It seems that Yin has started to open the portal.'

'The mouth is the doorway', Monkey Fist pointed it to them.

He took the lead in entering the temple and the four followed, but the moment they entered the entrance way, the circling statues became alive. They've become warriors.

'I'll fend them off', Monkey Fist yelled 'Go in and stop him!'

The four hurried to the temple, not looking back at Monkey Fist. He was now against a horde of statues.

'Let see if I can find some good in 30 years of practicing Monkey kung-fu'

He went into fighting stance.

'Tonight, I'll pay my debt', he whispered silently.

A statue gave him a punch which Monkey Fist evaded by jumping then performing a tumbling landing him on the statues stone's cold shoulders. He took the stone head and tore it from the rest of its body causing it to fall into the ground. He then punched the one next to him causing its abdominal to fly 20 feet into the air. He kicked the two incoming statues pulverizing them to dust.

'This is too easy', he muttered as he took hold on one of them swinging it around, hitting the other statues turning them into dust.

'That wasn't so hard', he muttered. But as he said it the statues returned to life.

'What the?'

He fought the statues and destroyed them again, but they always returned to life. Then one of the statues got a clear shot at him causing him to fall to the ground hard. He was now looking at the one of the statues. Its hand rose firmly and aimed at his faced. He closed it eyes, but the punch never came. He instead heard something weird something that he has only heard once in his life.

'Could it be?' he muttered and opened his eyes.

The statue that was about to give the fatal blow was now dust; he looked around and saw yellow lightning bolts around shattering statues.

'Yono', he said.

Indeed, there was Yono the small monkey that he once unearthed. Yono stood beside him.

'I never thought that someone like you would go down that easy'

'And I never thought that you would betray Yin'

'I didn't betray him', Yono said his hand punching the incoming statue. 'You did. I am now free'

'What?!'

'You took the curse from me, but not the power; although it only works faintly I can still be of assistance'

'Very well, I really need a hand with these things'

'I know and a little advice. Try to destroy them with body parts away from one another. It's impossible to destroy them as long as Yin is near.'

'Fine'

Meanwhile….

'Where are we going?' Ron asked Sensei.

'I fear I do not know young Stoppable… The temple of the sages is known to be a labyrinth'

They entered a dark room. On the corner, they saw a hooded figure walk-by. 'Yin', Sensei muttered.

The four of them began to run. They turn around the corner, where Yin has been. In front of them was a pathway.

'This looks familiar', Kim said as she noticed the eerie torches.

'Its…it's the temple…', Ron continued in amazement.

They walked closer and closer. Kim and Ron knew what was in the end of the temple. He opened the chamber doors. There was Yin.

'It's been a long time brother', he said. His hands became a fist and the chamber's floor opened as a demon statue emerged from it.

'Deal with them', he said as he went to the middle door of the chamber.

The demon came to life. Its whip grew fire and began to charge the four of them.

'We'll deal with this', Sensei said. 'Yori, come here. The two of you follow Yin'

'Yes, Master Sensei', the three answered, Kim and Ron followed Yin to the middle door as Yori stayed.

'Let's see what this demon can do'

The demon followed Kim and Ron but Sensei created a magical force prohibiting it from following them. Sensei charged the demon; its fiery whip hit him in the arm. Sensei gave a cry of pain and fell down. Yori was now distracting the demon. She was battling it. She was fast and the demon can't get a clear shot.

'Come here, you!' Sensei said as he went back on his feet. His arms still blackened.

The demon then turned and whipped Sensei again, but this time Sensei was ready. He cleverly caught by hand the whip, still burning, threw it away and the moment he did that, the whip returned to its stone form. The demon gave a cry of rage. The demon charged Sensei. Sensei grabbed it by the hand flipping it over, hitting the large chamber's wall. The demon stood up and shook his head as a kick hit it coming from Yori. The demon was now angry. Its eyes changed from yellow to deep red. It grew some spines it its back.

'It's getting stronger', Sensei said.

The demon raised its hands. Red lightning flew from it and missed Sensei by the inch. Sensei formed the mystical Lotus that he has done against Yono. The form of energy hit the demon hard. It was pinned to the wall. But still, it didn't stop the demon. It returned to its feet, it grew horns.

'It's a full demon' Sensei gasped.

The demon yelled and the chamber's perimeter formed fire. It stepped on the ground a lightning spark formed in front of it. He molded it creating a sword. He charged Sensei with demonic speed. Sensei just evaded.

'Master Sensei', it's too powerful.

'I just hope that Kim and Ron can stop Yin', he muttered as he and Yori avoided the demons attacks.

Kim and Ron followed Yin in the middle door; He turned in the far corner, into another chamber. Kim and Ron ran and turned. They went in. Yin was there in front of some purplish portal.

'You should not have followed me brother', he clasped his hand a wall made of energy barred the entryway of the chamber.

Kim and Ron went into fighting stance. The lotuses became blades. Kim and Ron felt the same energy between them when they were sparring. They we're once again sharing the power.

'You fools think you can stop me?' Yin mocked them.

'We don't think.' Kim started.

'We know!' Ron finished.

'Is that so?' Yin drew the Black Lotus and he himself went into fighting stance 'Then, come and stop me!'

'Gladly', the couple said in chorus.

Kim and Ron charged him, but he was faster than them. He avoided both attacks and went in the middle of the two.

'You're weak', Yin mocked.

Kim and Ron leapt 8-feet into the air. Their blades aimed at him. Yin faced them; the black lotus met their blades. He transformed the black lotus into a shield and a blast of red light emitted from it, pinning them to the wall. Ron's hand glowed in blue and so did Kim's, but Yin simply rose his eyebrow. Ron and Kim created a ball of blue energy, aimed it at Yin and released it. Yin caught the two balls of energy in one hand. Yin's face was in pain, but slowly it formed a smile as the blue glow became red and he aimed it back at them. Kim and Ron jumped at opposite sides as the red ball hit the wall blowing into pieces of dust. The two advanced him. Yin halved the Black Lotus into two giving him two blades. Ron aimed at his head while Kim at his feet. Yin blocked both and soon enough they were sword-fighting. Kim hit Yin's kimono, but not him; Yin quickly turned as Ron jumped into the air and began fighting him on his left while Kim was on his right. Yin blocked one of Kim's attacks causing her sword to fly in the air. He caught her hand and threw her at Ron who kept the Lotus Blade away from the both of them so that it wouldn't hurt them. Ron turned Kim on his side.

'Kim jump!' he yelled as he saw Yin aim a red ball of lightning at her.

Kim gasped at the sight and jumped to her side.

'Pitiful, Jhoira, still behind Yang? You should have served a better master!'

'FYI, My name is Kim!' she yelled. She jumped into the air and miraculously hit Yin's chin with her feet.

'You'll pay for that one', he said with a hoarse voice.

Ron charged him.

'You dare tell her that', He slid his sword toward Yin, but Yin backed away.

'Still the love birds, I see…. Don't worry you'll be together in HELL!'

'Hell this!' Ron gave Yin a kick that made him slide in the chamber standing.

'It's been a thousand years', he laughed. 'And I thought you might not be together again and I won't be released'. The Black Lotus became one again.

Kim got held of the Lotus blossom once again and sided with Ron.

'This is enough!' Yin said loudly. He stepped on the floor causing it to shake. Kim and Ron lost balance and fell.

Yin walked to Ron. He slowly aimed the sword at Ron.

'You're so weak, brother, with your pitiful attempts to save the Mystical Monkey Power. I'm surprised to see that your spirit is stuck with this worthless mortal body. So let me put out of your misery and say hello to mom and dad for me!'

Yin raised the Black Lotus. 'See you in hell!'

Ron closed his eyes. He was finished, there's no hope. Then, he heard Kim yell. 'What happened?' he thought. He opened his eyes. Kim went between the Black Lotus and Ron. It hit her at her belly; she gave a cry of pain. Ron took hold of the Lotus Blade and in his hands formed a blue energy that hit Yin squarely on the chest throwing him away from them.

'Kim!' he yelled he was now crying.

'What…did…you…do…that…for?!' he gasped in between every word. His eyes full of tears.

'Fight….for….me!' she said her voice getting weaker by the word. 'I….love', her mouth spitted out blood 'you' and fell down limp.

Ron was now furious. He stood up and faced Yin. Something inside him said to take the Lotus Blossom. He took the Blossom. And with amazement it melded with the Lotus Blade and glowed. It wasn't blue, it wasn't red. It was gold. Ron walked towards Yin.

'You seem angry, brother!', he laughed. 'Do you want me to join you and your lover?!'

Ron raised his hand. A stream of wind hit Yin causing him to fly hitting the walls of the chamber.

'What the!' he said. The playful tone in his voice vanished. He gasped 'The Gilded Lotus'

Yin charged Ron. The Black Lotus was split again in two. Ron blocked the two swords with the Gilded Lotus. He seemed to be faster that Yin now. He was able to give him a punch. Ron's eyes became gold. He was not walking anymore in the floor; he was walking an inch above it.

'You dare spill the blood of these people!' Ron's voice changed; it became deep.

'Why? Brother… I never thought you would have the courage to get out of that body!'

Ron's golden eyes left its gold hue, his feet again touching the ground.

'My NAME is Ron!!!' he yelled.

He charged him. He was, with no explanation, now better than Yin. Yin hit him with the two swords. Ron split the Gilded Lotus in a nanosecond and blocked both of them. Yin jumped over Ron, his blade again ready to hit him. Ron turned around kneeling. The two blades of the gilded lotus turned into a massive hammer hitting Yin on his knees as he landed. Yin gave a cry of pain as the hammer hit his knees, causing him to hit the wall. He was in agony, but his face formed a smile as the portal's color changed from purple to deep red.

'You're… late… brother', he said as he touched his aching wound. 'Chaos… will…. Arrive…Soon'

Ron looked up at the portal. It was shimmering in the dark red hue. A cry broke out from the other side of the portal.

'I don't know what do you mean by that, but I know what I must do', he spoke with wisdom beyond those that Sensei have shown.

He sat in the front of the portal as though waiting for something. He emptied his mind of the unpleasant thoughts. Then something emerged from the portal a beast with two heads; they resembled those of an ox. Its hand then came through the portal. Its long black claws resembled like an old witch's nails. It was carrying a pole that had blades at both ends. Then its whole body arrived. It was hairy and was cut in half, separated by a form of fire. Then its legs came, it had hooves. Soon the entire beast was out. Its dark red eyes surveyed the surroundings. Its demonic tail was flinging left and right. It was about 10-feet tall, its hands were almost big enough to hold a man's entire body. It walked towards Yin, not minding Ron who was sitting right in front of him.

'Finish…. Him….' Yin commanded the beast. 'Chaos! Finish him!'

There was a pause. Chaos looked around the chamber and saw Ron sitting near the portal where he had emerged.

'Gladly,' both the heads of the beast answered.

'Why does it have to come to this', Ron again murmured in that deep voice.

Yin laughed as he stood up. The Black Lotus turned into a pole to support his weight.

'You amaze me brother, you are now in the mercy of Chaos and still playing in that mortal's body'

Ron stood up. His eyes were glowing again.

'You rely too much on your pets'

'They're mine to control… I made the pact!'

'And that pact will lead you to hell!', Ron's eyes became normal again. 'Let's see what your beast can do', he said no longer possessing the deep voice.

The beast howled causing fire to erupt into the perimeter of the chamber.

'You dare challenge me!' the two heads said, their voice of terror echoing in the chamber.

Chaos ran to Ron at a speed. The demon was about to grab him, but his hands met an invisible force an inch away from him prohibiting him from touching Ron. The Gilded Lotus began to glow. Air came going from Ron to the demon. The demon was now trying very hard on its feet to remain standing. Its entire body started to lift from the ground. It nailed its black claws in the ground. But soon, the air was gone. He once again had the capability to stand. The beast got up it was furious, the pole its carrying lighted fire on both ends.

'Enough, mortal!!!' the beast howled at Ron.

'You're right. This is enough'

Just as he said this, a spirit of a gold dragon emerged from Ron's gilded Lotus. The dragon charged at the demon, it slowly changed the beast physical state into ethereal. Soon both the creatures were one. The dragon looked down at Ron; its entire body has filled the room. Ron pointed to the red portal. The dragon nodded and went to the portal changing the portal's color back to its purple hue. Ron's hand opened and he pointed it to the portal. His eyes again glowed into gold; he was again standing one-inch from the ground. He began to mutter some ancient words. The portal formed a black hole in its center. Ron slowly closed his hands. The portal's color began to change into fine blue.

'No…. No!!!!' Yin gasped his ankle still painful; he limped towards Ron.

But Ron didn't mind him. Slowly the edges of the portal became to fold becoming ethereal; being consumed by the small dark hole.

'No!!!!!' Yin's cries were now echoing the chamber.

Moments later the portal was gone. Ron's eyes were still gold; his feet still not touching the ground. He slowly walked to Yin.

'Brother', he said in a deep voice. 'You know the payment of the pact!'

'But…', he muttered some ancient language.

'Fool!', Ron yelled at such a high voice that the place seemed to shake. 'You will have no place in heaven, the things you have done! You are exiled in this world and you shall meet death!'

'Nooooo!!!!!', Yin for the first time in the night became fearful. The Black Lotus returned to a sword causing him to fall down.

'Why?! I thought Death was your servant'

Ron took the Black Lotus and pinned it in front of Yin.

'Brother!!!'

'I am not your brother anymore', Ron's deep voice seemed to cut Yin's heart.

A circle began to form around Yin starting from the sword. Yin's ground slowly began to ebb. Below him was the third great evil, death. Death is unlike the other two. It resembled a huge scorpion; the end of its tail was in pure flames. The place was filled with fire; it seemed to be an inferno as demons looked up hoping to take Yin as he fall down. Yin's hand clasped the perimeter of the ebbing ground hoping that he may rise from it; but to no avail. He felt his hands slip. Yin looked up to his brother; he had nothing to say. Ron placed his feet to the Black Lotus.

'Come here, Master… let Death be with you', the third great evil below hummed in what seems to be horrific joy.

'No!' Yin gasped 'no…this cannot be… no!!!!'

Ron kicked the Black Lotus. The blade and Yin fell into the pit. He saw Yin being pounced by Death as the ground quickly became solid once again.

'Finally, Jhoira and I can rest!'