Okay…….so right now some people (who have asked me to write more ASAP) are going "OMFG!!!! SHE GOT THE CHAPTER BACK!!!" Yep! That's right everybody!! I retrieved chapter 7 from my old computer!!! THANK YOU EVERYONE for all your lovely reviews!!!! Xiaolin Showdown fics are quite popular here……… THANK YOU!!!! PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING PEEPS!!!! This chapter contains Shadow's past so make sure to read key points!!
Love, Immortal Soup and World Domination
Chapter 7
"Forgive Me"
Shadow looked up at her with a sad expression but somehow, he managed to stifle a small reassuring small on his tanned muzzle.
"It means I'm blind Hikara."
Hikara fell off the chair. No…..she literally fell off the chair. She jumped up from the floor glaring right at him. "But how!?" she demanded. Shadow still remained calm but a small tint of pain showed on his face.
"How!?" she demanded again. Shadow sighed. "Look. It's not all bad-"
"NOT ALL BAD!?" she screamed. "BEING BLIND ISN'T BAD!!! Oh. I'd HATE to see what IS bad to you Shadow!" Hikara sprang up from the bed and paced back and forth.
After a few silent moments between the two, Hikara pacing and Shadow staring into nothing, Hikara was soon settled on the stool once more shuffling uncomfortably. She was shaking her head and had a hand to her forehead in despair. Her old Master, and close friend, was blind! Shadow brought his white, gloved hand up and pulled her hand down.
"Calmed down now?" he asked her. Why was she so dramatic sometimes? Was it common among women?
Hikara nodded. The small green flame still held in Shadow's palm revealed the water droplets appearing in her blue eyes.
"Hey now don't cry" Shadow told her. He hated it when she cried. When anyone cried. It was either because it made him pity them, or the way it showed weakness.
Hikara wiped the tears away and nodded at him. Shadow smiled reassuringly at the girl.
"Like I said, it isn't all that bad Hikara" he told her. "I may not be able to see but at least I'm not dead. God knows what would happen to you if I wasn't here."
He looked back at the girl who was listening intently to him. Shadow knew full well the girl was hoping for. Even if Shadow was blind the girl still wished to hear another story about Dashi or Chase, even Guan. But this time Shadow had something special planned.
He had kept this legend bottled in for so long that it was beginning to erupt inside of him. Shadow felt that Hikara was so loyal and kind that she deserved to know.
He lowered his head at the girl with a playful glint in his grey eyes.
"Would you care for me to tell you MY life story Hikara?" The girl sprang up, forgetting that anything was wrong with Shadow, and nodded her head vigorously. Shadow grinned at her and laughed again.
"Well then" he began.
Shadow began at the very beginning when he was good.
"I was once a great Xiaolin warrior Hikara. I knew Master Monk Guan and Dashi awfully well and they were my best friends. Guan was hilarious. When it came to training, he would make us laugh so hard we would fall off poles or get a stitch in running." Hikara smiled as Shadow continued his story and the hedgehog seemed more then happy to tell her.
"Dashi was the wise type," he went on. "But great for messing when it came to fighting. He believed it was all just fun to him. For duels, he would pick up a pebble and challenge us to get it from him……." Shadow chuckled, "of course, the game didn't last long because Dashi didn't have much time to run before I had grabbed it. It was my signature move and ability to run at breakneck speeds and even break the sound barrier. However, besides that I was the worst. Always messing and making jokes in training."
"We were all talented" Shadow admitted with a smile. "It was then Chase arrived."
"Chase Young?" Hikara interjected.
"Yes Chase Young. But, before I was able to meet him……I was tricked." Shadow grin turned into a frown and his grey eyes seemed to glint in anger. "Hannibal Bean, the guy that slashed me with the sword, tricked me into drinking the 'Lao-Mang-Lone Soup and soon, I turned completely evil." The hedgehog sighed.
"I destroyed half the world Hikara. I completely destroyed it with my true form. Now, no one knows my true form Hikara and this is something I can NEVER tell you. Got it?"
Hikara nodded slightly disappointed but assured him to continue. True form? Hannibal Bean? Didn't Chase fall for the same trick?
"Anyways" Shadow took off again. "I ditched Hannibal and fled away to hide underground for a good while. While I was gone Chase took my place but Dashi and Guan NEVER spoke of me again. But, it was then Karitz, an evil demon, came into my life. He knew of my power and wanted it for his own. The demon had already killed how many great warriors I don't even know but he never got me. Karitz especially wanted those who had tasted the 'Lao-Mang-Lone Soup.'. The 'Lao-Mang-Lone Soup' has special powers and no one knows where it came from. It is a mystery and I think it will remain that way for a good long while. But even today, Karitz is still hungry for my blood. That is why I'm here."
Hikara raised a sceptical eyebrow. "I don't understand. Chase brought you here because you were hurt, not any other reason. He is known to be 'The Prince of Darkness.'
Shadow smiled at the girl. "Quite right Hikara and I give him much gratitude for his help but I faked it." Shadow's expression changed to one of solemn. "I faked it. I could have taken care of myself after that sword wound but it occurred to me that Chase was in danger. Terrible danger Hikara."
"Why is he in terrible danger?"
Shadow narrowed his eyes at the door. "Chase drinks the 'Lao-Mang-Lone Soup' Hikara." The girl gasped. Did that mean that Karitz was looking for Chase too? From the sounds and legends she had heard of the hell-born demon, Chase stood little to no chance against him. What was Shadow plan?
"Karitz hates all who have tasted that accursed soup; he will stop at nothing to kill us both. But I believe that I can take him, I came here to protect Chase from harm……that boy has gone through so much I pity him……." Shadow bowed his head to the ground shadowing his grey eyes.
But before Shadow could continue the door creaked open and in walked one of Chase's cats.
Hikara shrieked and backed up against the wall as the tiger approached. Shadow, however, just sat there and watched ,without a care in the world, as the tiger motioned his head towards the girl and glancing at Shadow.
Shadow pointed at the animal's mouth and looked to Hikara. "It's for you." Hikara looked down at the cat confused.
"What are you talking about?"
Shadow flattened his ears and sighed. "There's a note, in his mouth."
Hikara bent down and peered in at the white substance inside the tiger's mouth.
She cringed as she took a few steps towards the cat. Plucking the paper from its mouth Hikara chirped as it suddenly winded itself around her lovingly and purring madly.
Shadow chuckled. "I think it likes you." Hikara narrowed her eyes.
"Good. Then maybe I could use him to bite you." Shadow held up his hands in defence. "Am I THAT much trouble?"
"Maybe."
Shadow smirked and rolled his eyes. Hikara looked down at the note and read it aloud.
"Hikara.
Dinner is at eight. Meet me in the dining room."
Chase.
Hikara looked back down at Shadow but instead, was looking at an empty bed. She heard the door open and realised Shadow was up walking…….AND BLIND!!!! Hikara ran after the daft hedgehog roaring after him about how he should rest and Chase would have a fit. Unfortunately, the hedgehog was half way up the hall.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pretty soon, Chase sat at his dining table already beginning his fist course. Lao-Mang-Lone Soup. Taking a gulp Chase noted that any second now Hikara would appear and he could question her abou-
"SHADOW GET BACK HERE!!! NOW!!!!"
"MAKE ME!!!"
It was then he heard a female scream and the distant laugh from a dark hedgehog. Chase stood up with fury in his eyes realising who it was.
"WHY IS HE UP!!!????"
- - - - - - - - - -
Shadow heard the Chase's cry from the dining room and decided to follow the vibrations in the air. He could sense the sound waves spread through the air and he could easily follow them. He may not be able to see but he still had his ears to rely on, and good ones to.
Chase's yell led him straight into the dining room where a mortified Chase stood. The dark hedgehog took a huge leap over the whole table and darted behind the Heylin seeking protection. His eyes didn't focus on anything only straight ahead.
Chase looked behind him but quickly returned his gaze to the door when his 'victim' ran in.
Hikara dropped against a pillar panting. She raised a finger to him.
"I…….can…….explain."
Hikara had, never before, run so fast and it would be a little while before she could tell Chase what had actually happened.
That was good however, as Hikara needed a little time to actually think of an excuse.
Lucky for her she had Shadow, a Heylin Mastermind, on her side. Yet he was blind…….so was he of any help at all?
The blind hedgehog stepped out from behind Chase and walked over to her. His eyes focused straight ahead.
When Shadow was beside Hikara he turned back to Chase and glared at him with a cold expression. This was often Shadow's normal face unless he was in a nice mood which was often very rare. Hikara walked in between the two seeing that Shadow was about to give Chase a good kicking if he wasn't careful.
"Chase-" she began but was stopped by Shadow.
"I am fully recuperated Chase and have no problem seeing where I'm going."
Chase glared down at Shadow not knowing that he was addressing a Heylin Grandmaster. "What do you mean 'see where I'm going'?"
Shadow frowned at him but before he could turn on his heel and walk out the door, Chase said those five words he dreaded to come from his mouth.
Why did God hate him?
Was Dashi tormenting him again?
Shadow again, could have sworn he heard Dashi laugh from above.
"What happened to your eyes?"
Shadow narrowed his blank eyes. "Do you need to know?" Chase was infuriated. A fiery glint twinkled in his yellow eyes.
Hikara gritted her teeth and in a split second she had grabbed Shadow and covered his mouth before he could say anything else. The dark hedgehog's eyes drifted up to her but fell back down. Chase glowered at both of them. "Hikara." He hissed suddenly making the girl jump.
"Stay here and eat. I have matters to attend to. And Shadow." He turned to the hedgehog.
"You are to rest. Try not to run around a lot." At this, Shadow slightly smiled making the point clear to Chase that HE WAS NOT going back to bed.
He swept past both of them and out the door. Hikara's eyes followed him until he disappeared from view. Shadow's eyes still gazed forward, never twitching. Hikara sighed.
Somehow Shadow's eyesight would be restored. He couldn't exactly fight that well now but Hikara knew that right now Shadow was thinking of what he could do and pretty soon, he would be back to his normal self………….
"God damn you Hannibal!" Shadow hissed in his mind, "How the hell am I supposed to do anything now!?" Suddenly, Shadow's nose picked up on a familiar scent. A delightful and mouth-watering smell.
The dark hedgehog suddenly turned to her, nose high in the air sniffing.
"I smell Lao-Mang-Lone Soup."
Hikara smiled at his cheerfulness. One minute he was glowering at Chase and the next he wanted soup and he was blind too. Shadow was quite the unpredictable.
"I'll get a bowl for you." She told him.
- - - - - - - - - - -
"Uh! I'm getting so much damn sand in my hair!" Wuya cried clawing at her red locks. "What shall I do!?" Chase sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose.
He was fed up with her chatter once again. "For one thing you could just shut up!"
Wuya folded her arms but obeyed. She turned her head away from him and pouted.
They were walking along the famous Grand Canyon looking for the 'Aqua Moonstone.'
"So tell me more about this Heylin Empire. You said it was underground." Chase asked her. Even though she was annoying she was good for other things like legends and information.
Wuya turned to the man once again. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders walking straight again.
"Oh, only that it's the most powerful city in the world.
"City?"
"Yes" the witch continued. "A city as vast as the ocean and as powerful as………well, it's the most POWEFULLEST thing in the entire world!!!! Nothing could beat it!"
Chase smirked. "Interesting…….and?"
"The city is huge and powerful. It's population exceeding that of 100 million. But HALF of these soldiers in the King's army.
"Who is the King?"
Wuya smirked. If she told him Shadow would most certainly have her head for dinner and that could actually happen if he were in his True Form.
"The King is the most powerful warrior who ever lived. He killed Dashi with his 'Sword of Darkness.'"
Chase's eyes opened in dire shock and he whipped around to Wuya eager for more. "He killed Dashi!? With the 'Sword of Darkness!?'"
Wuya's smile faded. "They were the best of friends Chase. Dashi and him."
Chase stopped walking. "Friends? And yet the King KILLED Dashi?" he questioned.
Wuya shook her head. "For a while until Hannibal Bean arrived."
Chase clenched his fist. "He was tricked as well. Just as I was. Wasn't he? It seems I'm not the only one who has fallen for the Bean's tricks."
Wuya looked at the man. He was shaking with anger. "Yes Chase" she told him. "Just like you."
Chase looked up to the darkening sky and his eyes softened some what. "Tell me," he commanded.
Wuya looked at him with a look of scepticism covering her face.
"How it happened. How did he fall for the Lao-Mang-Lone Soup as I did?"
He looked dead into her eyes with anger. Wuya smiled slightly but quivered under his gaze. As long as Chase didn't find out who the King really was, she was safe.
"Well" she began and looked into the sky. I remember it all." She launched into the story explaining every single detail as best as she could.
She launched into the story explaining every single detail as best as she could. The King's Xiaolin Life and Hannibal's trickery.
Italic writing Wuya's narration
Italic, bold writing How the King was turned to the Heylin side.
I remember when the Heylin King was a Xiaolin monk, just as you were Chase. He was best friends with Dashi and Guan. They stuck together all the way.
"Hey Dashi! Your shoelace is untied!" a dark voice called from atop a tree. He was balancing a familiar spear on his gloved finger. A roaring Guan stood at it's base jumping frantically up and down, desperately trying to get his 'Spear of Guan' back from it's captor. Yes, the spear in the King's hand was Guan's.
Dashi grinned at his friend. "Yeah right. You tried that one yesterday and clearly, I'm not falling for it again." The dark, Heylin King sighed in defeat.
"Alright you got me. But Master Tanashi is behind you."
Dashi smirked again. "Ha! You know I'm smarter then that!"
The King folded his arms and smiled smugly at him. Dashi frowned.
"You should listen to your friends when they tell you something Dashi."
"Ah!" Dashi lept off the pole he was balancing on and fell to the ground. He groaned and got up from the floor facing the monk who had spoken to him.
"Whoa! It wasn't my fault! He always telling lies!"
"Practising your deception Master Shadow. Am I right?"
The hedgehog appeared behind Dashi and bowed courtly to the monk.
"Of course. I would never lie to my friends." He lied once again. Dashi snorted and Guan silently sniggered behind both of them.
As you can see. He was quite the messer but was a great warrior. However, it was one night when Hannibal struck.
Shadow glared at Hannibal who sat on his bird.
"What do you want Hannibal!" he hissed at him. The bean rubbed his skinny hands together.
"I want what you want Shadow."
The hedgehog frowned even more. "And what would that be Bean?" Hannibal grinned.
"Power" he said simply. Shadow said nothing but lowered his eyes to the side sadly.
"I know what you REALLY want Shadow. And that's total power. Power beyond anyone's wildest dreams. And you can do that." The hedgehog's eyes darted back to him. Shadow wasn't sure why Hannibal was telling him this but it was best to listen………for the moment anyways.
"You have power beyond your wildest imagination! But, you won't be able to achieve your dream on the Xiaolin side…….."
Shadow narrowed his eyes evilly. Hannibal narrowed his eyes. "The only way you can achieve ULTIMATE power is by coming to the Heylin side."
Shadow gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in anger. How dare he say that to him!
However, before the hedgehog did anything, Hannibal nodded to his bird Ying-Ying and the bird sprang into the air. From its talons, the bird dropped some sort of pot into Shadow's hands. It was some sort of bowl with an awful fowl smell rising from it. Unfortunately, this was the smell Shadow would grow to love. But as of now, the King cringed under the scent but removed the lid. Inside was some sort of soup.
"All you have to do," Hannibal told him. "Is drink that soup. It is called Lao-Mang Lone Soup." Shadow looked at the swirling soup. He felt like getting sick. "B-but-"
"But what!? Once you even taste this liquid you will have ultimate power! No more hiding in Dashi or Guan's shadow! You will obtain absolute power!"
Shadow stepped back again with the soup in his hands. He was unsure at what to do.
"Dashi and Guan, they're my friends I can't leave them."
Hannibal scoffed. "Friends only hinder your power. You must be free from everything to achieve ultimate power!" The many times Hannibal had said 'Ultimate Power' increased Shadow decision to drink the soup yet he couldn't……..no, he wouldn't betray Dashi and Guan……..but so much power…….
The two stood there for quite some time. Shadow would never make eye contact with the malicious Bean but he kept staring into the twirling waters of the soup. Hannibal waited patiently for him to answer rubbing his hands in eagerness.
Finally, the Heylin King fell into Hannibal's trap.
Without any word, Shadow took the bowl in his two hands with a serious expression on his face. He narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow in thought. Finally, he looked up to Hannibal. "Is this the only way?" he asked.
"To give up everything? Friends? Training? everything?"
"Yes."
Shadow's mouth parted and a single, crystallised tear rolled down the hedgehog's face. As he rose the foul bowl to his hesitantly and from the same mouth he muttered the last words of his Xiaolin life.
"Dashi, Guan, please…….. please forgive me."
Then, the hedgehog let the warmth of the Heylin soup trickle down his throat as he stepped from the light……….into the dark………..forever.
Almost instantly, Hannibal realised he had made a terrifying mistake that would change history……..
Shadow felt a burning feeling rise in his throat……..
It felt like………fire………malicious, daring, blacked flamed, poisonous fire…………
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!
(See the button in the lower left hand corned that says 'submit review'? It's getting lonely…..click it……)