-1''Guess
so,'' He replied. ''What are you losers talking about? Look, if
you're here for the Sheng Gong Wu, take them. I don't want them, and
it's better than Wuya getting them. I am through with trying to take
over the world. Through with being evil.'' Jack wasn't quite sure why
he was telling them this, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered
anymore. His childhood dream seem just that, a dream. Wuya didn't
want him, he had no friends, and his parent's idea of love was...
well, that didn't matter. Who would even care anyways? ''So Wuya ran
off on you, so you throw a hissy-fit and just quit? That is so like
you Jack.''
''Hey, shut up Kimiko, he isn't doing anything to
you.'' Rai snapped, surprising himself. At the younger boy's defense,
Jack was taken aback, embarrassed as hell, and flattered all at the
same time. The result of which was to, first, gape, then blush madly,
and then stare fixedly at his feet. ''Uhh, Rai? Partner? This is Jack
Spicer we're talking about. You know, the one who periodically steals
(or at least tries to) Sheng Gong Wu from us to try to take over the
world.''
''Periodically? I didn't know such a large word was in
your vocabulary Clay, wow, I'm impressed. Didn't you hear Jack? He
gave up on being evil!'' Rai yelled. This was typical of Rai, to
start on everyone, even people who weren't really doing anything,
whenever he got angry or was defending something. And he was both
now. Though exactly why he was defending Jack escaped Rai. He knew he
could get into trouble if the other Xiaolin warriors found out he had
feelings for Jack. Oh well, to late to change sides now. It was a few
more minutes before Jack recovered from the shock, embarrassment, and
pleasure of having someone, especially Rai, defend him to realize
that Raimundo was still arguing with the other dragons. ''Uhh, hello?
Right here?'' Jack half-heartedly waved his hand to get their
attention. ''Oh, right! Guess we got kinda carried away.'' Rai said,
blushing. After explaining their situation, they began to vote on
whether to take Jack back to the temple or not. Rai rolled his eyes,
''Listen, Jack's got a brain and he's got rights, he should make the
decision for himself. We can't force him to do anything. Jack? What
do you say?'' Jack stared at them all, dumbstruck. ''Are you
seriously going to sit here and tell me that you are actually going
to accept me into the temple, even after all I've done?'' Jack said,
disbelievingly. ''Just 'cause we'll take you in to the temple,
doesn't mean we'll accept you.'' Clay said. Jack had expected
something like that. Rai looked angrily at Clay. He ripped Clay's hat
from his head and flung it away. ''Go fetch, hick!'' Rai said. Clay
went to retrieve his cowboy hat, muttering nonsensical, angry, Texan
sayings the whole way. Jack was trying not to laugh, when he felt a
tug at the hem of his pajama tops. He looked down to see Omi, looking
at him with big, innocent, Omi eyes. ''Please come to the temple
with us, Jack Spicer. I will accept you. This will be chance to
turn your life around, now that you have rejected your evil ways. You
can fight for good. And if not to join the hero side, then to get
revenge on evil witch Wuya. Jack Spicer, please join us on the
Xiaolin side!''
''Uhh, I second that speech,'' Said Rai. ''Same
here,'' Said Kimiko. ''Aww, what the heck? Sounds like a nice change
of lifestyle. Besides, it will get me away from my parents.''
''Why,
what's wrong with your parents?'' Asked Kimiko. Jack looked away,
shamefacedly, ''Never mind, forget I said that.'' Clay came back,
shoving his hat back on his head, ''Great, so the fink is coming with
us?'' Jack sighed and got up, ''Where are you going?'' Asked Rai,
worried Clay might have insulted Jack into changing his mind. ''Don't
freak, I'm just going to get dressed.'' Jack disappeared back into
his house. When he came back out, he was clothed in his usual, arms
laden with Sheng Gong Wu, which he tossed to Clay. ''There, a peace
offering from the 'dirty snake-fink'.'' Jack said to Clay, who just
harrumphed and had to be helped up on to Dojo by Kimiko (no one else
would help him) because of all of the Sheng Gong Wu.
When they
arrived at the temple, Master Feng was waiting for them, ''Jack
Spicer? Would someone care to explain?'' So they told him what had
happened. ''Jack? You realize what this means, don't you?'' Master
Feng questioned, ''Uhh, no more lazy Sundays?'' Rai chuckled into his
hand. Master Feng raised an eyebrow at Jack. ''No, it means hard
work... blah blah blah (no Jack's not tuning him out, I'm just too
lazy to write out one of Feng's long-winded speeches) blahty blah
blah... in order to become a successful and heroic Xiaolin Dragon.
Now, all that's left for you to do in order to be accepted here at
the Xiaolin temple is to swear loyalty to us. Do you swear, Jack?''
Jack swore. Clay looked disgruntled and walked away from the others,
who were telling Jack about the temple and how he wouldn't regret his
choice. It was now too late to do anything but sleep, so the Dragons
were sent to bed. Since there were no other available rooms, Jack had
to share with Rai. Jack leaned his back against the wall, drew his
knees to his chest and rested his chin on them. Rai laid down on his
back on one of the little mat-things (another one was added for Jack)
that was supposed to add comfort to the hard floor. He turned his
head toward Jack, ''You looked depressed,'' He noted. Jack jumped a
little, not realizing that Rai was still awake. ''Oh! Umm, why is
Clay the only one who doesn't want me here?'' Jack not only wanted to
change the subject, but he was also genuinely curious. ''Clay doesn't
like change, it's just the way he is. Probably 'cause of his father.
That guy's kind of a redneck. And a stupid bastard. Wait, those are
the same things.'' Rai grinned, but Jack didn't react to the joke. He
merely nodded, accepting Rai's explanation. "Oh. Errmm, thanks
for sticking up for me, no one's ever done that for me
before.''
''Well, the way Clay was treating you wasn't right,
whether it was his father's fault or not. I mean, you looked kinda
depressed... has no one really ever stuck up for you?''
''What was
with Omi?'' Jack said quickly, desperate to change the subject now.
He hadn't meant to tell Rai that. ''Isn't he supposed to hate me?''
Rai looked curious at the abrupt change in topic, but said nothing
concerning it. ''Not since you helped us defeat Wuya, ever since
then, Omi has been convinced you belong on the side of good, not
evil. He was pretty sad when you didn't show for that ice cream.''
For some reason, Jack found this amusing. ''Really? I didn't mean to
depress anyone,'' Jack uttered a hoarse, bark-like laugh. The kind of
laugh somebody gives when he finds something cruelly ironic. This
sent chills down Rai's back. He had never before seen this side of
Jack. ''Jack, are you alright?" Jack gave the same laugh again,
only in the form of a chuckle. ''Go to sleep Rai.''