"The Beginning of the End"
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Xiaolin Showdown' in any way.
Open on the Xiaolin Temple. Night. The enormous black dragon towers over Master Fung who still has his back to the creature. The dragon blows fire along the walls which quickly begins to engulf the small room. Glass shatters, wooden posts break apart, and the wallpaper melts. The dragon turns his head back to a calm Master Fung. He raises his cup of tea and takes another sip. The dragon lifts up his head and roars real loud.
Nearby, a temple monk hears the roar while walking in one of the hallways. He stops and sees the burning room from afar. He gasps and commences to run towards the temple's gong.
Back in the room, the dragon snarls and stares Master Fung down.
"I shouldn't have listened to you that day! I was done being one of your special 'Xiaolin Monks'! The day I left was supposed to be the day I was through with all this!"
Master Fung continues to ignore the creature while smoke puffs out of its nose. The temple monk sprints towards the gong as the room's flames intensify.
"You brought me back into your world for no reason … the inexhaustible stress of keeping Doja hidden made me ill! You said 'you trusted me' if things ever got out of hand … that 'I would know what to do'."
The monk's rapid footsteps echo throughout the hallway he's running in. He has nearly reached the gong.
"When I needed your help, you were nowhere to be found." The flames cause another post to break and fall. "It's like you left me for dead." A fireball forms in the dragon's mouth as Master Fung glances down at his steaming pot of tea. The temple monk finally reaches the gong and picks up the mallet that's beside it.
"So, don't expect any sympathy from me when I do the same." The dragon opens his mouth real wide and the fire inside starts to expand. The temple monk bangs the gong with the mallet which creates a large booming sound. The sound distracts the dragon, making it close its mouth and turn towards the noise.
Master Fung instantly reacts grabbing the pot of tea, turning around, and kicking it at the dragon's head. The pot crashes on impact and hot tea splatters all over the creature. It shrieks in pain while Master Fung climbs onto the table in front of him. He proceeds to jump over the flames and land outside. The monk bangs the gong once more.
An army of monks appear from inside the grounds with spears and shields. They run towards the flames and then gather around it ready to fight. Master Fung steps in front of everyone. For a few moments, only the crackling fire can be heard. That ends suddenly when the dragon flies through the ceiling and out of the flames. He hovers over the monks while the small building slowly collapses. They quietly whisper to each other, a bit frightened of the massive black dragon. The monks raise their shields as the creature thoroughly scans everyone.
It grins real wide as it sees twenty monks proceed to charge at him with their spears drawn. The dragon shoots a powerful line of fire at them. The monks shield themselves as the fire collides which knocks everyone down. However, most of them are unharmed due to the shields' protection. The dragon growls in frustration.
"I have no quarrel with your monks, Fung. It's you I came for." Everyone worriedly looks over at Master Fung. He stares at the dragon while frowning, unsure what he should do. The monks who got hit by the blast slowly start to get back up. Master Fung glimpses at the tired, old monks and thinks for a moment.
"But if I got to get to you through them …" the dragon says which catches Master Fung's attention. "… Then, that's how it'll go down," the creature finishes. A few seconds lapse before Master Fung finally speaks.
"Flee," he calmly orders as everyone gasps at the decision.
"But –" one of the monks begins to say before Master Fung angrily stops him.
"He came here for me. The rest of you will not be involved." The monks are taken aback by their master's decision. "Understood?"
Open on a dark area. A glimmer of light shines in, and a large figure steps into it. Clay is barely seen as he looks around blindly. He sees a silhouette of a dragon and runs over to it. Dojo is lying on the ground with his eyes closed, presumably knocked out. Clay crouches down and oddly notices that … Dojo is smiling. He lifts the small dragon's head up.
"Dojo! … Speak to me, little buddy," the cowboy pleads. "You gotta wake up, partner!"
The last thing that Clay yells echoes in Dojo's mind as we are taken inside the dragon's head. Flashback to China – 1,500 years ago. Memories return to Dojo as he remembers his and Doja's time together. They are seen flying over grassy plains and large plantations, all while laughing and holding hands. They proceed to fly over the unfinished Xiaolin Temple as workers are seen slowly building it. Numerous conversations that the two dragons exchanged with each other simultaneously echo in Dojo's head. One conversation, however, is clearly heard.
"Promise we'll be together forever," Doja says sweetly. Dojo smiles and kisses her gently.
"I promise," he whispers. They fly up and vanish into the clouds as we return to reality with Clay and Dojo. The green dragon continues to have a smile across his face. Clay shakes him once more.
"Dojo!"
"He cannot hear you," a voice says behind Clay, startling him. The cowboy turns his head and notices Silax, back in his regular body, stepping out of the shadows. Clay turns back to Dojo and frantically examines him to see if he's hurt.
"What did you do to him?"
"Nothing." Silax stands beside the cowboy, peering down at the dragon. "Apparently, the trip from your world to mine along with our showdown took a lot out of him." Clay looks out the corner of his eye.
"You mean, we're in … the black ball world?" the cowboy asks.
"Correct." Silax turns and raises his arms up in the air. "Welcome to your new home!" he yells as everything echoes around him. Clay stands up and faces Silax.
"So, where's Doja and what happened with the showdown?"
"The showdown will conclude here. As for Doja …" Silax stares into Clay's eyes as the cowboy frowns. " … Her time is already up." Clay gasps under his breath and then, filled with anger, charges into Silax. The texan picks him up by his collar.
"You're lyin'!"
"If I'm lying, then how do you explain me being back in my normal body?" Silax asks while sneering. Clay's eyes shake in sadness and disbelief. He tightens his grip on Silax's collar.
"What about the showdown rules and –"
"This is an entirely different world, Clay. Your rules do not exist here." Silax forces the cowboy to drop him. He looks down at his clothes and straightens them out. Clay turns around and lowers his head.
"So, that's why you brought Dojo here. 'Cause you knew you'd automatically win," Clay says.
"Like I said, the showdown is still on, however –"
"Why would it matter now?" Clay asks. "When he wakes up and notices Doja's gone, there'll be no reason for him to keep fightin' … other than to exact revenge."
"Hey, remember what we talked about? You need to stop worrying about the past and start looking towards the future. … Your future as the lord of darkness," Silax says. Clay helplessly turns back around. "But before we get started on that … there is something you must do for me."
Back by the demolished castle, all the smoke clears from the fireball's crash revealing the shadowy figure. The Warriors and Jack gasp in shock.
"Raimundo!" Omi yells while everybody runs over to him. The Brazilian falls to his knees due to exhaustion as the group helps him.
"Wait, I … I have to –"
"Save your energy, Rai," Kimiko says, cutting him off. She tries lifting him up by grabbing hold of his arm, but he pulls away. "Hey!"
"Listen, I – I know how – I know …" He stops to take a few breaths before Omi jumps in.
"There is no time to dally our dillies, Raimundo! Dojo, Doja, and Clay are depending on us to rescue them!"
"I know how to defeat Silax!" Raimundo blurts out. Everyone suddenly goes silent while staring at him confused.
"That's impossible!" Jack shouts. "No way by disappearing for a few minutes could he discover the secret to defeating Silax." Raimundo glares at him.
"Why not?" Kimiko asks. "I mean, remember when Omi froze himself for 1,500 years using the Orb of Tornami? Anything's possible, Jack." Omi nods in agreement.
"Master Fung always tells me that if any complications ever arise when we're out on our own, then we should report back to him at once," Raimundo says. Omi and Kimiko exchange looks of confusion.
"That's weird. He's never told me that," Kimiko replies. Omi stares at Raimundo suspiciously.
"Same here … and I have lived at the Temple nearly all my life."
"Oh, I ... thought you guys knew," Raimundo says halfheartedly. Kimiko and Omi shake their heads while Jack snorts.
"That's gotta sting."
"Can you go get the Bloodhound-bots, Jack? I guess we're heading back to the Temple," Kimiko says. Jack nods and then runs up the nearby hill. Kimiko helps Raimundo stand up and puts her arm around him for steadiness. Looking straight ahead, he instantly notices the sought after letter laying on the ground about six meters away. However, he says nothing to his fellow Warriors.
The Bloodhound-bots land close to them. Omi jumps in and buckles his seatbelt while Kimiko slowly brings Raimundo. Jack scowls at the sight of Kimiko holding Raimundo. Disgusted, he looks the other way. Before boarding, Raimundo whispers "Wind" which creates a tiny gust of wind under the letter. Once it reaches him, he grabs it nonchalantly and quickly stuffs it in his pocket. Jack sees that out of the corner of his eye. He deliberates on telling the others … but ultimately keeps his mouth shut. Raimundo grins and boards the robot along with Kimiko. They buckle their seatbelts as the robot takes flight en route to the Temple.
Open on the Temple's front doors. They swing open as hundreds of monks quickly run out. About a minute passes before the last monk leaves. Inside, Master Fung and the black dragon face off.
"I am alone -- just as you wanted," the Master calmly says. The dragon nods in approval.
"I underestimated you, Fung. I won't make that mistake again," the dragon hisses before it shoots a powerful blast of flames.
Master Fung jumps out of the way and grabs one of the spears that was left behind. He takes his battle stance with the spear drawn. The dragon laughs in amusement. By flapping its gigantic wings, the creature lifts itself high into the air. Master Fung immediately takes this time to jump in between a few buildings close by to get to a roof. Once there, he aims and throws the spear at the dragon which ends up piercing the center of its left wing. The dragon screeches in pain and falls hard which shakes the Temple. The Master approaches his opponent.
"You still have much to learn, Jon Li." The creature growls while the old man quickly pulls out the spear. Moments later, it starts to revert back. He returns to wearing ripped black robes. Jon Li groans while rubbing his wounded arm. He then looks up at his former Master with anger in his eyes.
"This isn't over."
Without hesistation, Master Fung swings the spear and strikes Jon Li across his face, knocking him out. "No … it is." The old man discards the spear and then stares down at his former student. "Meditate on that."
Flying swiftly just below the clouds, the Bloodhound-bots are mere minutes away from their destination. While Jack is busy piloting, Omi asks Raimundo unremitting questions in the back.
"What did you see while you were in Silax's world, Raimundo? Was it bigger than this world? How was the weather? Did it seem very evil? Did you bring me a present? Was there --"
Raimundo tries ignoring him the best he can while Kimiko gazes down at the ground. She suddenly notices something and strains her eyes to make sure.
"Jack, pull over!"
"Are you nuts? We're makin' great time!"
"There's someone down there," Kimiko says while pointing. Jack glances over the side of the robot.
"I don't think so. I have a rule: never pick up hitchhikers. You never know who –" Kimiko interrupts by grabbing the wheel and turning it to the right. "Hey! No backseat drivers!" Jack screams as he struggles to turn it the opposite way. The robot does a few barrel rolls as Omi and Raimundo try not to fall out.
"Perhaps one pilot flying at a time will prove most –"
"Shut up, Omi!" Kimiko and Jack yell out at the same time. All of a sudden, the robot goes into a fast nosedive. Everyone screams as the robot's alarms start to sound. Kimiko grabs Jack by the back of his collar as she jumps out along with Raimundo and Omi. The robot crashes and blows up. The impact of the blast sends the Warriors and Jack off in different directions.
Stepping out from behind the flames is Clay looking perfectly calm. He approaches Raimundo who's slowly getting up. Clay grabs him by the shoulders and picks him up. Limping towards them is Kimiko whose clothes are ripped here and there. She gasps upon seeing the cowboy.
"Clay! I knew it was you I saw!" She walks closer but notices he's not looking too good. "… What's wrong? Are you ok?" The cowboy shrugs.
"Got what I came for," he says while a portal opens nearby. He starts to drag Raimundo while the Brazilian attempts to fight him off.
"Wait! Where are you taking him?" Kimiko asks, limping a little faster now. Clay ignores her and keeps walking. "Hey!" The cowboy turns around and puts his hand out.
"Please, just –" Suddenly, a black ball shoots out of his palm and hits Kimiko right in the chest which sends her flying back. Knocked out cold, she lays on the grassy plains with her arms spread out. Clay fearfully examines the palm of his hand.
"Clay!" The cowboy looks up and sees Omi standing about twelve feet across from him. The little monk also has tiny rips in his clothes. He takes a battle stance.
"That was most unwise," he states while narrowing his eyes. Clay shakes his head and drops Raimundo. He holds his hands face up.
"I – I didn't mean to. I had no idea I could do that," the Texan replies.
"What did you expect when joining Silax's side?" Omi asks. Clay frowns as he waves his hand at the portal which makes it close. Raimundo crawls away from him in a hurry. Clay forms two black balls as Omi clenches his fists. Jack, whose also wearing ripped clothes, sneaks past them to help Kimiko. He kneels down and quickly inspects her wounds, though not quite sure what to do.
"Oh, man, uh … don't -- you're gonna be ok …" he whispers with a bit of panic in his voice.
"Why did you do it, Clay?" Omi asks. "Why did you betray us?"
"That's none of 'yer business. Besides, it's not like none of ya'll ever really cared or paid attention to me … I mean, not until now when I'm against you," the cowboy replies. Omi frowns.
"We have always cared for you deeply, my friend. You are like the brother I never had." Omi lowers his head as Clay starts to bring his guard down. " … There is no one I look up to more." The cowboy lowers his hands which contain the black balls. He then sighs and swallows a lump in his throat.
"Thanks, but … there's no turnin' back for me. Even if I wanted to -- "
"I believe there is a way for you to rejoin us!" Omi confidently says. Clay gives him a confused look as the little monk turns around. "Right, Raimundo?" However, the Dragon of Wind is nowhere to be seen. There's just Jack, Kimiko, and the burning wreckage of the Bloodhound-bots. A bit worried, Omi searches some more. "… Raimundo?"
Jack stands up and approaches the young monk.
"He just took off in the Temple's direction." Omi raises an eyebrow as Clay glances at Jack and then looks away. A portal opens next to Clay which catches Omi's attention.
"Clay, wait!"
"Can't. I got a job to finish." Clay steps into the portal as it closes. Jack sighs and looks out onto the horizon.
"I don't think that was the real Raimundo, Omi." The little monk turns and stares at Jack curiously. "I think that was an impostor."
"How do you know?"
"For one, if that was really Raimundo, he would help Kimiko when she got hurt. And … there's something else …" Jack sighs. "… That I should've mentioned earlier."
"What is it?"
"He … he has the letter," Jack replies while Omi opens his mouth in shock. "He took it right before we left Mongolia, and I know I should've said –"
"Do you realize what you have done, Jack Spicer!" Omi grabs him by his shirt and pulls him down. "You have put Master Fung and the whole Temple in danger by allowing –"
"I know, I know! I'm new at this whole good guy thing and …" Jack stops talking when he notices Omi is no longer interested in what he has to say. The little monk lets go of Jack's shirt and walks away. Jack checks Kimiko real fast and then looks back at Omi. "What're we gonna do?" The young monk stops and stares out into the open land. He slightly shakes his head.
"I do not know." Jack slowly walks over to him as a gentle breeze starts to pick up. They both gaze out into the vast land, unsure of what to do next. Then, Jack glances at Omi.
"You ok?" he asks.
"I truly have lost almost all hope," Omi confesses. "Dojo and Doja continue to be held captive while Silax grows stronger by adding Clay to his side. An impostor is on his way to the Temple while the real Raimundo is nowhere to be found. We are here stranded and …" Omi turns around. "…Kimiko has been seriously injured."
Jack also turns to look at the fallen Warrior, whose hair blows back and forth by the wind. In an effort to comfort Omi, Jack places his hand on the little monk's shoulder. Behind them, the Bloodhound-bots' fire turns into clouds of smoke, quickly rising into the air. Jack and Omi return to staring into no-man's land, both hesitant of what's to come …
Fade to black.
Next and Final Chapter: The Revelation
Please R&R! I appreciate all input!