It was a bright sunny day at the Xiaolin Temple. The monks were taking it easy because only last week had they been able to prevent Hannibal and Chase from defeating one another during the eclipse. Today they were in their classroom giving their cultural reports for Social Studies Class.
Jermaine was speaking delivering an eloquent report on how rap music was important to inner city African Americans. "Rap music has been apart of the African American community in New York City since the early seventies. By the time it hit its golden age in the nineties my brothers and I, with a little help from the Latino community, had created our own personal style of rap known as gangsta rap. Many teen youths can be see performing this style of rap on the streets for money. The roots of this popular music style can be traced all the way back to the motherland of Africa and even the Caribbean Islands. For those of you who don't know what rapping is it's the process of delivering inventive wordplay and intricate poems to a rhythmic beat. While a lot of people believe rap music cause controversy and alienates female listeners because of the word choice I say so what? It's awesome music. My favorite rapper is Snoop Dog. That's my cultural report I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you," he said taking a bow while the class clapped enthusiastically. "So how'd I do Master Fung? Was my report interesting enough for you?"
"Yes Jermaine I found your report to be most informative. I was pleased that you were able to combine one of your interests with something of importance to your culture. Music is one of many things that all cultures share. You may sit down now," Master Fung, instructed his student who took his seat. "As we've seen and heard so far it becomes clear that all cultures no matter how different have many commonalties. By learning more about different people we can begin to better understand them. We shall listen to Crystal's report next, but first I believe Dojo has returned from town with the mail."
"Mail call alright! I hope my new robot servers came in!" Jack exclaimed racing out of the class as fast as he could with the others hot on his heels. Everyone loved receiving mail and phone calls from their loved ones at home. It was one of the best parts of the day and eagerly looked for.
"I swear everyday this mail bag gets heavier. Okay kiddies don't crowd you'll all get your mail one at a time! Let's see here we go. A letter from your mom Kimiko enjoys. Care packages for Rai, Dagwood, and Clay. Stacey I got your new art supplies and Callie here's some new recipes from your dad. Lu I got a magazine for you and Jack here's your new robot servers. Omi I'm pleased to tell you your new robes arrived, hopefully these won't shrink in the wash. Jermaine I got a postcard from your mom. Oh Crystal here, this was expressed mailed to you. It's pretty thick I hope its nothing to bad," Dojo said collapsing after handing out all the mail.
The kids all ran off in different directions to read their mail in private. It was very rare for all of them to get something on the same day, but they always shared what rare treat from the outside world they received with each other. Quickly they all gathered in the Meditation Hall bursting with excitement.
"Okay listen up guys. According to my mom's letter the new medicine she's taking is really starting to take effect. Her depression isn't as sever and this is the best part, her schizophrenia is getting under control. Hopefully she'll be able to come home soon!" Kimiko squealed in delight.
"Typical care packages for all of us. Some cookies, barbecue sauce, or even organic zucchini and some new clothes from our folks," Raimundo voiced munching on some cookies.
"Well after waiting two weeks I finally have more clay for my sculptures and all my brushes have been replaced. I can't wait to get started on my new projects!" Stacey exclaimed.
"I can't wait to start preparing these new dishes. You're going to love my Outback Stew. It's made from plants and insects you find out in the Outback. Trust me it taste better then it sounds," Callie assured them.
"I hope it taste like tripe. Anyways check out my new extreme sports magazine. With Carlos's platinum credit card I thing I'll order myself a new ATV. With all this rugged terrain it would be a perfect place to have fun," Lu added casually.
"Maybe my newly improved Jackbots can take a spin on it," Jack added.
"Yes, well that is all very exciting, but check out my new robes! They are made from the finest cloth and hopefully they won't shrink in the wash," Omi stated proudly.
"Yeah well I got a postcard from my mom. She's say's everything fine and can't wait for me to visit soon. Isn't that great?" Jermaine asked.
The others nodded and continued to laugh about what they had received, but one member remained quite. Crystal gripped the letter from home tightly in her hands. Her pale skin had gotten even paler and her eyes were clouded. Her face hardens into disbelief. She just couldn't believe what her letter said. What it contained shook her to the core.
"Your turn to share Crystal. Come on what's your express letter all about? Did your parents build another one of their fabulous hotels or did you get accepted to go on a dig with one of your grandfather's old University pals? Come on spill it girl we all want to know," Stacey inquired. Her expression changed when she noticed Crystal's face. "Hey girl, are you okay?"
"Crystal what's the matter? Are you okay? Is everything fine back at home?" Omi asked concerned. He had never seen his beloved Ice Princess like this before.
"Oh Omi guys. Sorry I must have spaced for a second. I'm okay really," she replied softly gazing down at the letter again. Once more her insides tightened and tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
"Wow Crystal please don't cry. Just tell us what the letter was about," Kimiko said comforting her friend.
"The letter is from my parents. You guys remember my grandfather Bilak don't you?"
"You mean that nice man we met when went to your home to retrieve the Horn of the Blizzard and ended up coming back with you?" Raimundo asked.
"Yeah and wasn't he the one who sent you all the complete autographed Cirque Du Freak for your birthday and the new geology equipment for Chinese New Year?" Callie voiced. The others nodded in agreement. "What about him?"
"Yeah that's him. According to this letter my grandfather passed away in his sleep two nights ago. They tried to call me, but couldn't reach me so they sent this letter express. I have to go home to attend the Utfor, which will be held in three days, you're welcome to come with me and pay your respects. We must leave quickly otherwise I won't get to see my grandfather as he was."
"Crystal I'm so sorry for your lose. I know how close you were to your grandfather. It must hurt a lot to realize he's gone from your life," Omi told her gently trying to comfort her, but she pushed him away.
"I totally understand having Utfor I mean funeral soon after death, but why are you worried about seeing your grandfather's corpse. I mean when the coroner is done embalming him he won't look dead at all," Jermaine pointed out.
"We don't embalm the Lik (corpse) after death Jermaine. The only thing done to the body is a few cosmetic changes. That's the reason for having the funeral five to fourteen days after death. It's not just the Utfor I have to attend. I will be attending the Kistuianging (wake) with my family and my grandfathers close friends. That will last for about thirty minutes. Afterwards the service will be held in my family's Kapella (chapel). After the service my grandfather's white kista (coffin) will be buried in the family mausoleum. We don't really believe in cremation. Wear whatever colors signify death in your cultures. If you excuse me I need to go inform Master Fung about this family development and pack for the trip home," Crystal told them before slowly walking away.
"That must the worst news you can learn. I mean she hasn't seen her family in nearly eighteen months and to learn one of the closet members of your family is dead must really hurt. You think her grandfather is in heaven?" Jack asked solemn for once.
"If that's what her culture beliefs. Many religions do talk of an afterlife. I mean my ancestors worshiped the afterlife, I know Omi's belief the spirits of our ancestors protect us after death and Stacey here believes in reincarnation," Auara replied.
"These next few days are going to be especially hard for our Ice Maiden. She's sadder then a mother cat finding out one of her kittens is missing. The best thing we can do is comfort her and support her through the hard times."
"Clay's right for a change. We need to make sure Crystal knows that were there for her if she needs a shoulder to cry on or wants to talk about her feelings. The least we can do is make sure nothing bothers her and that we don't make a mess of things at the Utfor. So its time we get our best clothes out and brush up on some manners. Come on Xiaolin Warriors let's go," Raimundo ordered as they went to fetch their best clothes for washing and to practice for the funeral.
"I wonder if Heylin Crystal knows what's happened? I mean she doesn't understand a thing about human emotions and right now the grief and pain alone must be killing her," Lu remarked off hand to the group.
In the Nilyeh City the Heylin Dragons were in Prince Rai's room trying to figure out what was causing their friend Heylin Crystal was screaming in pain. "Make it stop! For Flames sake do something! It feels like someone tore my heart out!" Heylin Crystal yelled hurling a ball of ice at the group.
"Please my sweet Ice Maiden there's no reason for you to attack us. I'm sure that will figure out what's causing you to feel like cutting you up into itty bitty pieces," Heylin Omi tried to comfort her, but received a shower of hail in response. "Okay I tried. You got any ideas Prince?"
"Well we know that its nothing physical that's hurting her so it's got to be emotional. Master Young always said we needed to master our emotions. Why do you think my mother wanted us to striped of human emotions?" Heylin Raimundo replied.
"True my dear grandson the point of the original ceremony was to rid you of emotion, but not forever. The ceremony was suppose to give you full mastery of emotions so you could do evil without hindrance. Now what seems to be the matter with our little dragon?" Valonia asked entering the room with Wuya and Meribor in tow.
"None of us no for certain. The pain just came out of nowhere a few minutes ago. We've tried to ask her about the pain, but she keeps attacking us. Perhaps your abilities could assist us Mom," Heylin Lu suggested.
"I'll try, but she needs to calm down in order for me to enter her mind," Meribor informed them. She approached the screaming, flailing girl and grabbed her by the wrists. Muttering some magic words under her breath she soothed the crazed girl. Once Heylin Crystal was relaxed Meribor used her mental abilities to access the girl's thoughts.
At first she could find nothing. There was so much chaos and pain everywhere it was impossible to pin anything down. Then out of nowhere a bright light appeared. Meribor went into the light and was immediately assaulted by an abundance of information. Quickly she clamped down slowing the flow of information. Little by little she was able to piece together what the problem was. "The problem is from her mental bond with her Xiaolin half. Apparently Crystal's grandfather has passed away. They, Crystal and her grandfather, were very close. Our Crystal is being assault by the emotional turmoil that her counterpart is feeling. Unless both halves deal the trauma both of them will be destroyed," Meribor explained darkly.
"That's a horrible outlook for the future. We need all twelve dragons if were ever going to take over the world. What do you suggest we do sister? The Heylin Dragons just aren't equipped to handle human emotion. So unless you can snap your fingers and make this ghastly pain go away then we lose one of our most powerful warriors!" Wuya stated angrily.
"Wuya enough. You shouldn't mock someone in pain who has just suffered a tremendous loss. When Xiaowei's wretched chi barrier separated us a part of me felt like it was dieing. It took me months to deal with the pain. I however grew stronger from that experience and so will our Crystal. The solution to our problem is simple. Crystal must attend the Utfor in two days time. Only by confronting the source of her pain can she begin the process to heal. Until then she must be closely guarded to make sure she doesn't harm herself or someone taking advantage of her," Valonia told the group gazing at the now sleeping dragon.
"Taken advantage of? What do you mean by that Empress?" Heylin Stacey asked curiously.
"When a person is grieving their mental defenses are weakened. It would be very easy for one our enemies like the Xiaolin Dragons or Hannibal to use Crystal for their own device. We need to keep a close eye on her to make sure that doesn't occur. I want round the clock guard for the next forty-eight hours. Until she leaves for the Utfor she is not to be left alone. Do I make myself clear?" Valonia asked receiving nods all around. The group was unaware that their secret had already been discovered.
Circling high in the air above the city was Ying Ying. On his back rode the evil Hannibal Roy Bean. "Well this is certainly an interesting piece of information. I can certainly use this to my advantage. It's about time I retrieved my weapon, the Kershaw. Time to go fetch my newest minion. Ha ha!"
Back at the Temple Crystal was packing up her suitcase for the trip home. It had been nearly eighteen months since she'd been home so she was unsure of what to bring. She had just finished packing her parka when her she knocked over a photo from one of her three shelves above her pad. Crystal gingerly picked up the photo and tried to hold back the tears. It was the photo taken the day she left to start her training. Her parents and grandfather were hugging her tightly while she held her precious music box in hands. Her suitcase lied by her side.
"Grandfather why didn't you tell me you were going to die? I would have come home sooner to be with you. We could have done so much together. How do I say good-bye to the man who saved me from drowning and in turn taught me to swim? To skate and helped me win all my awards. You inspired me to become a geologist one day and without you I never would have learned about my incredible destiny as the Dragon of Ice. How do I go on from here knowing that I never got a chance to say goodbye?" Crystal asked the photo crying her heart out.
"Crystal? Forgive my intrusion, but I couldn't help hearing you crying your heart out. Is there anything I can do to help comfort you?" Omi asked tenderly. He was holding a white bundle in his arms.
"Not really Omi, not unless you can change the past and make it so my grandfather didn't die. I'm sure an almighty Xiaolin Dragon like you is immune from the pain of loss seeing as how you lost your parents when you were a baby. Ha ha I'm sorry that wasn't funny. I just want to be left alone. I'll see you tomorrow morning," Crystal told him abruptly closing her curtain.
Later that night a little after midnight Crystal crawled out of her bedroom and headed for the vault. Opening the vault she dug out a Shen Gong Wu, the Mind Reader Conch. Strolling outside she hurried away from the Temple. In the dead of night she hurried away from the Temple as fast as her feet could carry her.
A little ways away she settled herself down on a hill overlooking the Temple. Lifting the Shen Gong Wu to her head she cried "Mind Reader Conch," hoping that the Wu could help her make sense of her chaotic thoughts. But she heard nothing. Angrily she threw the Wu to the ground. "Stupid piece of junk. How am I ever suppose to figure out my thoughts now?"
"Maybe I can help you little lady. After all I'm an expert when it comes to matters of the heart," a voice said from out of the darkness. Crystal's head whipped around and she got into a fighting stance as she saw Hannibal approaching her in his body armor. "Come now child there's no reason for these hostility. I heard about your loss and I'm here to help you."
"Like you helped Omi? Hear me loud and clear Bean Dude. I don't want anything to do with your half-baked schemes or your stupid looking pigeon. So back off before I hurt you for daring to mention my grandfather's death," Crystal warned.
"A pity really. I was hoping that we would come to a peaceful agreement, but that's impossible now. Good thing I always have a plan B. Ying Ying attack!" Hannibal called out to his pet.
The evil bird swooped down from the sky and hovered in front Crystal beating his wings furiously in front of her face. Crystal brought her arms up to protect her face ordering the bird to leave her alone. It didn't instead Ying Ying let out a screech and two beams of light shot out from his eyes piercing her heart.
Crystal's screamed and fell to the ground. Her bright blue eyes clouded over before turning pitch black. A cold winter breeze surrounded her increasing her powers by a hundredfold. She stood up and looked Hannibal straight in the eye. "I'm ready to serve you Master. Shall we go see Chase Young and chat about the Kershaw?"
"Child there may be hope for you yet. Ha Ha Ha!" Hannibal laughed manically as the two of them headed off towards Chase's lair intending to destroy the Prince of Darkness.
Chase Young was enjoying a goodnight's rest when a loud crash woke him up. His reptilian eyes snapped open and he sat straight up. He immediately knew something was amiss. His cat servants weren't anywhere to be seen and the entire room was frozen solid. Grabbing his Draco Galvin he stormed out of the room to investigate. What he saw shocked him.
Chase's entire home was frozen solid. Icicles hung from the ceiling. The floor was covered ice. His jungle cats were all frozen stiff like statues. The temperature was unbelievably freezing. He was shivering in his body armor. Standing in the entranceway admiring her handy work was Crystal with Hannibal and Ying Ying behind her. "Hello Chase. Hope you don't mind, but I redecorated. I call it the Frozen Wasteland. Much more appropriate then your old design," Crystal told him icily.
"Crystal what are you doing here with him?" Chase asked warily. He knew from his discussions with Valonia what had occurred. It didn't make any sense at all that a grief stricken child would team up with a threat like Hannibal to attack him. "Why aren't you with your fellow monks preparing to return home for your grandfather's Utfor?"
Crystal's eyes flashed and she snarled at him. Snapping her fingers a shower of hail rained down from the ceiling smacking him all over his body. "Don't you dare mention my grandfather you sick bastard! After that Heylin energy attack you threw at him when we first met is it any wonder he died before his time? I'm here for one reason and one reason only. Give me the location of the Kershaw or suffer the consequences."
"So that's it isn't Hannibal? You want to know where I hid your precious weapon. Well you'll never learn it's location no matter what kind of torture you put me through so you might as well give up and go home now," Chase hissed pointing his Draco Galvin at him.
"Really Chase do you think an old friend like me would forget how strong you are when it comes to standing up to physical and mental pain. That's why I brainwashed this grief stricken child. She no longer feels any pain physical or mental! She can dish it out though. Attack my Ice Princess!" Hannibal ordered.
"With pleasure. Hiyah!" Crystal shouted flinging her arms causing giant ice stalagmites to rise up from the ground and hurling Chase towards a wall. He bounced off and landed on his feet looking around cautiously. He wouldn't underestimate his oppunent again.
"Hey Lizard breath I'm over here!" Crystal cried standing in front of one of her stalagmites. He drove his Galvin straight through her only to discover it was a reflection. Before he could recover he felt a sharp sting in his back. Reaching behind him he felt around and pulled out a bloody icicle. "What?"
"Wolf Howling At Moon!" Crystal shouted doing a spinning mid air orbital kick followed by two left jabs to the face. Next she incased her body in an icy armor and proceeded to kick, punch, and scratch the living daylights out of Chase who did his best to defend himself. But he was no match for the super powered teenager who ignored every blow he inflicted on her. Finally she kicked him hard in the groin sending him to his knees. She placed a hand on his shoulder freezing everything except his head. "Now tell me what I want to know otherwise I will shatter your body piece by piece!"
"Even your Heylin half isn't this cruel. For everyone's sake Crystal you need to snap out of this. Fight his control your evil!" Chase ordered. He struggled to break free of the ice with his dragon strength, but his demonic side was cold blooded. The ice had made him weak as a newborn kitten.
"Wrong answer. Guess I'll have to take a look inside your head for myself. Mind Reader Conch Mind Rape!" Crystal shouted activating the powers of her Shen Gong Wu. Instantly she was inside his head tearing through his thoughts and ripping his mind in half for the information she was looking for. Finally she had. Letting out a cry of triumph she released Chase having him crumble to the ground. "I have the location of the weapon Master. It's in the Ancient's Cave of the Lost Treasures."
"Excellent my dear. You did a wonderfully evil job. Now be a dear and make eliminate Chase so we can be on our way."
"As you command. Ice Coffin!" Within seconds Chase was wrapped up tightly in an icy prison hearing the two of them laughing as they left him to die. He clutched his one lifeline, Crystal's dropped Xiaolin Phone, and pressed the emergency button praying one of the monks would rescue him before hypothermia or lack of oxygen killed him.
Meanwhile back at the Temple a great amount of time had passed since Crystal left for her walk. It was now midmorning and the other monks had finished packing their suitcases for the trip. Master Fung had brought out the crystals for them to charge so they could leave the Temple well defended in their absence to discover Crystal's nonattendance. Since then the team had been searching high and low for her.
"It doesn't make any sense at all. Of all of us here Crystal would be the last one to run off. She knew that we were leaving early to make it to Iceland before nightfall," Jack said after ordering his Jackbots to perform a perimeter search. He shook his head angrily when they turned up nothing.
"Maybe she just went for a walk. I can't imagine this is an easy time for her. I mean the last time she was home her grandfather was alive and healthy. To learn that he's passed on and she's never going to be able to say goodbye must be killing her inside," Kimiko replied. She thought about how she felt when she thought her mother was dead only to find out she was alive in a mental institution. To bad there wasn't anyway Crystal grandfather would do a Lazarus act.
Omi was on the hill over looking the Temple searching for clues. He was determined to find Crystal and bring her home in time for the Utfor. "Crystal would be most upset if I allowed her to miss this important event in her life. I must find her right away!" he exclaimed. Suddenly his phone began to beep. Flipping it open he saw on the screen the emergency call had been activated. There was big flashing symbol on his screen telling him where to go. "Crystal must be in trouble! Good thing I have the Golden Tiger Claws with me. Hang on my love I will be there in three pulls of a dogs tail. Golden Tiger Claws!"
The portal let him out right next to the frozen Chase. "What in the world happened here? Chase Young! Stand back I'll free you," Omi instructed. Focusing his chi energy he drew back his hand and smacked it hard against the ice shattering it.
"Thank you little monk. Another few minutes and I would have died. I'm in your debt."
"Enough talk tell me why you have Crystal's phone and what you have done with her!"
"Calm yourself Omi I've done nothing to your precious Ice Princess. On the contrary, it was she who attacked me on Hannibal's order. She serves him now obeying every command he gives her without question."
"You're lying. Crystal would never harm anyone, not even you! And she would especially never listen to anything Hannibal Bean told her to do."
"Your friend has been brainwashed by Hannibal. He was aware of her recent loss and took advantage of the open portal into her mind. By using the Ying Ying Bird's powers to turn her pure evil and enhance her powers he's made her far more deadly then anyone on this planet. She is devolved of all emotion and pain making her nearly impossible to defeat. How do you think she was able to defeat me so easily and extract the location of the Kershaw?"
"The Kershaw? What is that a Shen Gong Wu?"
"No, it's Hannibal's ancient weapon. When combined with his battle armor he becomes nearly impossible to defeat. That's why when I locked him up I hid the Kershaw in the Cave of Lost Treasures. I knew the Ancient's magic protected the place making impossible to retrieve the weapon until now. I fear not only for your friend, but the whole world if Hannibal gets his hands on it."
"Why did he need Crystal's help in retrieving the weapon. Surely he could have crawled into your head and learned the location."
"The Cave's magic requires something to take the place of an item removed. The instant your girlfriend retrieves the Kershaw she will be drawn into the cave. There she will remain in suspended state neither dead nor alive. The only chance any of us have of surviving is if Crystal confronts her grief and deals with it. Otherwise we are all doomed," Chase proclaimed.
"Then there is no time to lose. You must take me to the Cave of Lost Treasures so I can stop Hannibal and set Crystal free!" Omi exclaimed.
"Hold on little monk. I will give you the location, but you'll have to go alone. I have no intention of confronting Hannibal in my weakened state. I could care less if your girlfriend is freed from his control the only thing that matters are stopping Hannibal. Your girlfriend is just a casualty in the war," Chase informed him coldly.
"How can you even say that? When I was serving you Crystal was the only one who never gave up hope of freeing me from your control. She fought despite being near death and saved me. I can only do the same. You were once a great Xiaolin Warrior do you have no compassion for a fellow warrior especially one who is grieving?" Omi pleaded. Chase didn't respond and Omi glared at him hatefully. "I thought you were an honorable warrior, that you cared about protecting the world from Hannibal's wraith, but I can see I'm mistaken. You don't care about anyone, but yourself. What would a heartless Heylin Warrior know about losing someone you care about? Stay here if you wish, but I'm going. Golden Tiger Claws!" he jumped through the portal leaving the Prince of Darkness by himself.
High up in the mountains near the peak Hannibal watched with greedy eyes as Crystal used her control over ice to thaw the entrance to the Cave. She could just make out the outline of the Kershaw. It resembled the trap card Kunian With Chains from the Yu-Gi-Oh show. "Just a few more minutes Master and the Kershaw will once again belong to you."
"I must thank you for your services rendered my dear. I'm almost sorry that you're going to become trapped forever in the Cave. Well almost. Ha ha ha ow!" Hannibal said as some kicked him in the back of his head driving him straight into the snow bank. "What in the name of the Ancients is going on here?"
"What is happening Mr. Bean is simple. The reserves have shown up! Release my girlfriend at once from your control or suffer a humiliating defeat!" Omi warned readying the Kajim Charm and Shimo Staff. He was already in his battle armor.
"Sorry Omi, but I've come to far to stop now. Crystal eliminate this runt once and for all!" Hannibal ordered.
"As you command Master," Crystal replied shooting ice daggers from her fingertips. Omi jumped out of the way and landed two feet in front of her.
"Please Crystal I don't want to fight you. You must break free of his control. He can't be allowed to retrieve the Kershaw. It would spell certain doom for the whole world!"
"You know something Omi? I don't give a damm about the world! The only thing I care about is never feeling pain again! Mirror Deflector! Shayera Mace Ice!" She shouted sending an avalanche towards Omi.
His eyes widened in horror. "If you can turn into something useful for surviving an avalanche please do so now!" Omi ordered his Shimo Staff. It responded by turning into a snowboard, which he rode the waves of snow back towards Crystal. "I hate to do this, but I must. Kajim Charm! Shimo Staff Water!" A huge ball of water raced towards Crystal who didn't bat an eye.
As the water rushed towards her she open her mouth and froze it with her breath. Smirking she tapped the ice ball sending it right back at Omi catching him in the abdomen. He let out a groan and fell to the ground hard. He barely had to strength to dodge the blades of ice she rapidly fired at him.
"Crystal please! Come to your senses! You're being manipulated into doing something that in your right mind you don't want to do. Trust me when I say your not feeling well!" Omi cried summoning his power and firing several blasts to deflect her ice blades.
"Feelings? How can you even presume to know what I'm feeling Omi? Mr. Perfect never deals with petty human emotions. He's above all that isn't he?" Crystal snarled leaping over to him and began to kick the living daylights out of him. "No one has any idea what I'm going through! In a few minutes it won't matter because then everyone will know the loss I feel starting with you!" She raised her mace high in the air and swung it hard towards his face intending to kill him.
That's when two things happened at once. One was that a pair of snow leopards pounced on Hannibal bringing him to the ground and started to rip off his armor. The other thing was Crystal's mace was blocked by Chase galvan as he appeared in front of Omi protecting him from harm. "YOU! I thought I sent you the way of the Wooly Mammoth with my Ice Age."
"Hardly, it takes more then a block of ice to kill me," he replied forcing her backwards. He reached down and helped Omi up. "I came as soon as I could little one."
"I don't understand. I thought you didn't care for Crystal at all."
"I owe you don't I? Let's just keep it at that. Now we must work together if were to defeat her. My cats will keep Hannibal occupied for the time being. Follow my lead," Chase instructed as Crystal charged them.
They stepped out the way and attacked her from both sides. She countered and tried to sweep them off their feet. They jumped brought their weapons down forcing her towards the ground. She pushed back breaking free and went after Chase. Omi move to help, but Chase shook his head indicating he was to stay out of this fight.
"Listen to my Crystal I know that you can hear me," Chase began blocking her mace and taking a stab at her only to miss by inches. "I know what you're going through. Believe me when I say I know the pain of losing someone you love, who means the world to you," he continued.
Crystal screamed and fired an icy blast at him, but her aim was off. "Shut up! I don't want to hear anymore!"
"You don't, but you will. The cold feeling fills your entire body making you numb and the sensation like your heart's been ripped out stays for the longest time. You feel hurt, angry, and even guilty all at once and it seems like it will never stop. The worst part is that you feel all alone. That no one understand at all what you're going through," Chase continued bringing his weapon to his side as Crystal just stood there holding back tears. He cupped her chin and made her look at him. "I know that it hurts so badly you want it to stop. But you can't stop grieving it's what makes you human. Remember there are people who still love you here and you'll see your grandfather again someday. You just have to give yourself time."
The floodgates opened and she began gushing. She fell into Chase hugging him as the pain and grief returned to her body. Her eyes returned to normal and the powers vanished from her body. Omi watched in stunned disbelief as Chase Young of all people comforted her. "Shuu it will be okay. I promise it will get better."
"Well isn't this touching? I never would have pegged you for a softy," Hannibal voiced climbing to feet and tossing the leopards away. "You may have saved the girl, but I still win."
"Oh no you don't you monster!" Crystal said whirling around. Her eyes blazed with anger. "How dare you try to use me like that? Not even the Royal Heylin family or Chase Young are that heartless to attack when someone's grieving. Your going to pay for what you did to me. Mirror Deflector! Shayera Mace Ice!" With a wave of her mace she collapsed the cave entrance making it impossible to recover the Kershaw. With another wave she sent Hannibal and his pet rolling down the mountainside. "Enjoy! Omi I'm so glad your okay. I hope I didn't hurt you while I was under Hannibal's control."
"No I'm fine and I was just worried that you would be trapped forever in that horrible cave. Thank you for assisting me Chase. I couldn't have saved her without you," Omi told him.
"Yes thank you. What you said to me really helped. I know you told Omi you helped him because you owed him, but I can't help but think that you had another more personal reason. Whatever it is I'm glad you did help. Come on Omi we need to get back to the Temple so I can go home," Crystal said. Omi activated the Tiger Claws and they vanished.
Chase called his cats towards him. He turned to go when he sensed a presence behind him. "How long have you been watching dear sister?" He asked turning to face Chakra.
"Long enough to see you join forces with the little monk to stop Hannibal. I have to say it was nice seeing you do good work again."
"Don't expect me to make a habit of it. I only did it because I owed Omi and it benefited me."
"You can't lie to me brother I know you to well. You wanted to make sure that Crystal didn't suffer as much as we did when our parents died leaving us orphans. Underneath that entire cold evil exterior you're still the same Dragon of Water you use to be. Well I'll be seeing you. Good bye," Chakra told him vanishing from sight leaving him alone with his thoughts.
The following day was a solemn occasion. After arriving yesterday Crystal had been inseparable from her folks. Today they waited outside the Kapella while the Kistuianging was taking place. Inside the family members tried to reconcile with one another about the loss of Bilak White.
Crystal gazed at her grandfather's Lik in his Kista. He looked good for man of eighty-six. She wished he was still alive or that she had been here to say goodbye. But her regrets would have to wait. The service was about to start. It was good service. Her friends, including Dojo, wore the mourning colors of the countries. She enjoyed hearing the priest talk about what wonderful person her grandfather was. She finally felt in her heart that she would see him again.
A little while later she was alone in the family mausoleum saying her final goodbyes when out of the shadows stepped Heylin Crystal. "Don't attack I'm here to say goodbye as well. I can only imagine how much pain you were in when you found out. Me, I don't have the ability handle human emotion well. It nearly tore me apart."
"For awhile there I didn't think I could live with it. I wanted to never feel again. A friend of yours showed me that its okay to feel bad and that it would get better in time. I'm glad you had a chance to say goodbye."
"Well I needed to and I'm glad I came. I found this in grandfather's room. It's a letter addressed to us. I already read it so it's your turn. I have to go now. I'll see you in a few weeks after we've recovered somewhat. Good bye," Heylin Crystal said disappearing into the shadows.
A few days later Crystal returned to the Temple with the letter tucked safely away. In it her grandfather had told her how proud he was of her being a Xiaolin Dragon and that he knew that she would do good things with her powers. He hoped that one day she would pass on all she had learned to her own children. She smiled wiping away some tears knowing she could continue with her training with her grandfather's blessing.