He couldn't move.

Even if he tried, he couldn't move.

Jack's body seemed to be gripped with burning agony. Every muscle, every limb, every nerve sent shockwaves of pain through his body. He was just barely breathing; wheezing every few seconds in a pathetic attempt to ease cleansing oxygen into his otherwise burning lungs.

Nausea seemed to drown his senses; even now, he felt heavier than lead, and the taste of blood still drowned his tongue. His eyelids threatened to close, but sleep would do nothing to alleviate his pain.

It was freezing, wherever he was. His ears picked up the faint sound of rushing water just below him. He looked around to the best of his ability. Dense fog blanketed the rocky area where he lay, shifting and swirling like a mass of spirits.

But what frightened him was the fact that he did not see Chase… Did he fall further? Jack shuddered inwardly at the thought; he knew Chase wouldn't have died from a fall like this, and if he was still alive as he thought, the dragon would be furious, and at him, no doubt. Then there was the possibility that Chase hadn't fallen…

And that he was possibly on this ledge….

And that he was furious.

He couldn't stay there, not with that possibility sporting such a high probability of being true. 'Have to…. M-Move….' He poured his strength into his trembling arms, letting out a sharp cry. His ribs felt shattered, and he collapsed once more. His stomach was warm… Uncomfortably warm…. It was making him feel ill… He reached a hand down toward it, only to pull it away covered in warm blood. His wound was still bleeding, and moving in any way only agitated it. He swore to himself…

But it was then that a sound caught his ear….

A low, steady hiss…

Fighting against his discomfort, Jack forced himself to his feet, turning to face the direction from which the sound came. He winced, going to one knee and panting heavily… He was trembling, and though it was getting difficult to focus… He could see a large silhouette not too far from him….

"You….." Hatred dripped like poison from a voice just before Jack… The silhouette edged closer, and Jack's blood ran cold as two eyes burned through the fog like torches… Only moments later, Chase Young made his way through the fog, looming over Jack as an aura of malice poured from him. A gloved hand shot out and harshly grabbed the boy genius by the neck, hoisting him into the air. Jack was so paralyzed with fear that he couldn't move, couldn't think, couldn't take his eyes away from Chase's no matter how hard he tried. For the first time, Jack saw an anger, a hatred upon Chase's face that trumped any other expression he'd ever worn….

The grip around his neck began constricting, and in a vain effort to alleviate the pressure, his hands desperately clasped upon Chase's. Something gleamed in Chase's eyes as the warrior saw an immense fear in Jack's…

He had to see more.

He was going to make this scrawny, worthless coward pay.

His free hand reached toward Jack's stomach, slowly….. Torturously slowly… The fear in Jack's eyes tripled, and he squirmed in vain.

Closer.

Closer still.

Chase's eyes became illuminated with predatory glee.

It felt as though Omi had been stricken by lightning when he heard the scream. The other monks, even Dojo, felt it too.

It was terrible.

Blood curdling.

Paralyzing.

Using the Mantis Flip Coin, Omi launched himself in that direction. Each landing, each leap was precise; he couldn't afford to fall… Not with that horrid scream still ringing in his ears, in his mind, in his very soul.

He would know that scream anywhere, and at this point, would come from anywhere in the earth to come to his aid….. But the question of "What if I'm too late" nagged him…. Regardless, he was going to get there….

He was going to get to him…..

He was going to help him.

Omi alighted upon a ledge, his keen eyes solemnly searching the fog. "Jack…." Dojo hovered a few feet away, and Clay, Rai, and Kimiko leapt down to join their young friend. Indeed, this entire situation had completely awakened a new sense of respect and empathy for Jack.. After fighting him for so long, none of them had ever seen a shred of backbone in the boy, and even when he allied with them temporarily, the idea of trusting him still left bitter tastes in their mouths…

But this…. This was different…

Of all the people to go up against, Jack had picked the one who could kill him on the faintest whim…. All while practically giving up the mantle of villainy he'd been trying so desperately to create for himself for countless years….

"Any sign of him?" Rai said quietly. He stayed close to his teammates; the fog was making him a bit claustrophobic. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kimiko kneeling down, her eyes wavering as they focused on something on the barely visible ground. "Kimiko, what-"

"Blood." She only spoke the one word, and the already tense situation increased tenfold. There were blots of it everywhere, leading into where the fog became thicker. She almost ventured forth, but Clay's hand clasped upon her shoulder to stop her. The Texan stepped a few inches before her, looking into the fog for himself as a figure slowly became visible.

"Oh my God….." Clay barely spoke above a whisper as Chase Young melted through the velvet curtain of mist, and all fell silent. Blood dripped freely from his left hand, while a motionless Jack dangled from his right.

Omi felt overwhelmed with numbness at the sight. Even in the faint light, a green tinge delicately clung to Jack's face. Sweat coated his face in a thin sheen, his eyes just barely ruby slits. "O-Omi……" Jack's voice cracked, riddled with pain the monks could just barely imagine.

"Let him go…. Now." Omi whispered darkly, his small body trembling with rage. He'd known Jack for so long, seen so many faces…. But this…. This was one he'd never intended on seeing… He could feel himself breaking down on the inside, visibly seething with unimaginable fury.

"In due time, young monk," Chase hissed coyly, though Omi could see the fatigue on that regal, arrogant face. "It appears that we are at a stalemate. All of us are injured, even myself, and it would prove foolish to engage in battle once more, even for this boy." He held Jack forward, as if displaying him. He grinned at the vengeful looks that came upon their faces. "Therefore, I propose a deal, a temporary truce if you will-"

"No deals, you bastard," Rai growled. "Give us Jack, or I swear to God I'll kill you, right here right now." Omi held up a hand for silence, taking a step forward.

"What is the deal you wish to propose?" Omi said.

"Omi, don't be an idiot!" Rai pressed. "Jack's health is on the line here, we don't have time for-"

"Indeed this boy's health is on the line, Raimundo," Chase continued calmly. "But at this point, it is I who hold his health in my hands, as you can see. In a split second, I can disembowel this wretch, or, if you wish to protect him, you can listen instead of engaging in a battle over a dead friend."

Silence.

"We're listening," Omi said. He heard Rai curse under his breath.

"I will withhold any further aggression upon this boy and the four of you from this point on until we have all recovered from our wounds, at best, a couple of weeks," he grinned. "In return, you will transport me, as well as this boy, out of this Godforsaken chasm. After you drop me off, you are free to do with him what you wish, but…. I advise you make your decision soon. His heartbeat is slowing."

"We can't help Chase," Kimiko fumed. "He's the reason why Jack got into that state in the first place!"

"But that monster's got a point," Clay said sadly. "If we don't follow his deal, we'll lose Jack here…" Raimundo only stared vehemently at Chase, softening his gaze as he looked at Omi.

Omi reluctantly nodded. "Very well, we accept." The group silently boarded Dojo, who cast a wicked glance at Chase before speeding up towards the citadel. Omi felt positively sick, both with anger and with helplessness. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the fatigued yet self-appreciating smile on Chase's face, all at the expense of the pale, mangled Jack Spicer who was nestled in Clay's protective arms. Dojo made a pass over the remains of the ledge leading to Chase's lair and the warrior dismounted, casting a horrid smirk at Omi as their eyes met briefly. It was then that Omi realized the truth of his own words: against Chase Young, you always lose. He recalled when he'd joined Chase in the past, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. True, those times he was bound by his warrior's code for the sake of advancing his skills or protecting his friends, but either way, it was hard to look back on those instances and not feel ashamed…

"Omi…….." Jack's voice cracked weakly, and the Xiaolin turned their attention to him.

Omi flinched at the sight. Clay had ripped a part of his own gi to cover the wound and keep pressure on it, but the cloth was soaking up the blood too quickly as more seemed to ooze out. "Don't worry, Spicer….. We're right here," Clay said quietly. "We're gonna get you some medical treatment right away."

"You….. Came back……." His voice was quiet, weak, and wavering…

Omi's eyes softened. "Of course we did…. I would never leave you, Jack…. Not ever."

"That's right," Rai said. "We're gonna take care of you."

Jack's eyelids fluttered slightly; his head swam and he was beginning to feel ill. He let out a few pained coughs, his body slowly relaxing in Clay's arms. "Jack?" Clay asked quietly; he'd noticed how Jack had suddenly grown limp. Shock flushed his face. "Jack….?"

The world before those ruby eyes was dulling, slowly being swallowed by a misty, dream-like shroud of darkness. He could hear the voices calling his name desperately, but he didn't have the strength to answer. They seemed to be getting further and further away, as though the world had given way beneath him. He could feel himself floating away from them. He felt himself smile slightly as a feeling of warmth, of dream-like bliss embraced him, and a stray tear fell down his cheek. "Thank you……"

The voices became quieter.

The world became hazier.

And then….

Blackness.