The day after Mala Mala's attack on the temple led to training for each of the monks. They had each gone up in their rank and thus, now they each held a new training. Power now flowed more freely through them as they trained as dragons. With a pure evil creation wandering around the world now, specifically after one of the monks, things had become very danegrous. They did not know when he was around so they could not speak as easily without the suspicion that he may be listening.

"As each of you know, you have come up to apprentice ranks." Master Fung had everyone sitting in a meditation circle. "Each of you must meditate now, focusing on the energy flowing through your bodies. It will tell you what you are able to do now, and only you will have this power." As clear as he was with his explanation, it was still unclear how they would truly get their power.

For a while, everyone just meditated. Nothing happened. If they had their eyes open, perhaps they would have seen Seth inside of the room, meditating with them. He was undetected, covering up his aura. While the students were learning their powers, Seth had been manipulating one. Crow's to be exact.

After about ten minutes, Seth stood up quietly, and his shroud of hate surrounded him, covering his body, leaving him pitch black as he walked out into the sunlight. He studied the minimal damage. For such new warriors, they showed so much potential to all be Heylin members. "Tsk, too bad I only need Crow." He jumped over the wall and back into a surrounding forest.

A little while later, Omi's eyes popped open, and he opened his mouth as if ready to yell in accomplishment. Luckily he had been sitting right next to Master Fung, whose hand shot over his mouth before his eyes even opened.

"Stay quiet, Omi, the others are still meditating. Sit here and continue meditating."

As the others found their power, Crow had become the only one left. The others waited so long that they started to just stare at him. An hour passed by, and Crow seemed to start to shake and bit his lower lip in confusion. Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, he finally opened his eyes and seemed to be slightly tired. "What a confusing strength," he muttered, as he noticed everyone staring at him.

"Right then," Master Fung said, rising to a stand. "Follow me, we shall now train." He walked out with his hands clasped together and his robes covering his arms.

The group moved out to the training field and could only guess what was to happen next.

"The rules to this training are simple. Last one standing is the winner." Master Fung could have just as easily said "Go insane." It would have meant the same.

Kimiko chased after Clay. "You won't beat me Clay!" she called. "Judolette Flip! Fire!" The young girl jumped high into the air, twisting her body to flip forward and slamming her foot into ground, a wave of fire headed straight at Clay.

Clay heard the attack coming and jumped to his side on instinct. He got up quickly, breathing hard, and seeing the burnt ground. His eyes widened. "Darn Kimiko, you're stronger than before. But.. I'm gonna be the champ!" He started running at his friend. "Seismic Kick-Earth!" He stopped suddenly and stomped on the ground. A small tremor occured, raising the ground up in an earthquake in a fixed path.

"No way!" Kimiko breathed, thinking fast. With no backup plan, or even thinking her current one through, Kimiko ran at the attack and jumped over it. "Judolette Flip!" This time her fire's aim was true, and gave Clay too little time to avoid. He wasn't burned badly as he tried to move, but he fell over after slightly scorching a foot.

"Out!" Master Fung's voice cried over the chaos of the field.

Kimiko knew she was far from first. Instead of jumping into another battle though, she started watching and waiting. Watching Omi battle Alyssa specifically.

Omi seemed to be toying around. He wasn't ready to unveil his latest power, but would use his already superior martial arts to fend against his opponent. "You know Alyssa.." he said as he side-stepped a punch. "If you tried learning from me instead of Crow.." he continued, this time ducking under a high kick, "You would be good!"

"Shut it Omi!" After her kick failed, it was her turn to move out of the way as Omi tried to grab her leg and toss her. She used his failure as a time to try for a jab.

Omi moved backwards slightly as he felt the hit directly to his ribs. "Ugh.. perhaps you are stronger than I thought." He started moving quickly backwards, forcing Alyssa to move after him. "But you fell into my trap, so I must still be superior!" He made a move to jump over her.

"No you don't! Flash of Grace!" Right as Omi jumped, an exceptionally bright light filled his vision. The next second, he was on the ground. He had missed.

"Out!"

Alyssa had surprised everyone. She had taken Omi down. . .In a flash. Instead of taking Kimiko's route though, Alyssa rushed after the other girl. She knew Raimundo and Crow were locked in combat already.

Indeed, Hatred and Wind were fighting. They were both fighting the same as Omi, not using their elemental power for fighting yet. In both of their minds, they wanted to show off and use theirs for a finishing move.

"You know Crow," Raimundo said, catching a fist and pushing his friend back, "you aren't easy to recognize without all that hair." He rushed in and raised his knee, letting Crow block it with an arm for a fake out, and returned a punch to his enemy's chest. Crow did not go down though.

"I kind of like it," Crow said, panting hard. The last hit did a lot. Not enough though. He took a few steps backwards. "If I can't just get to you.. I'll overpower you." Crow rushed at Raimundo, who was getting a guard up ready to block. But a fist never came. Not a chop, kick, jab. . .Nothing was thrown at him. Except a body. A body ram.

Raimundo was throw off-balance but did not fall. It took him a second to re-gain composure. A second too long. Right when he uprighted himself, Crow grabbed onto Raimundo's arm using both hands.

"I learned a new throw." He twisted his body and flung Raimundo over his shoulder, slamming the teen's body on the ground.

"Out.. and out!"

Crow turned his head to see Kimiko standing above Alyssa, breathing heavily. "Good job Kimiko!" he called. "Now let's see how you handle against my power."

Master Fung watched intently. He didn't know if removing the chains early was a good idea or not yet, but wasn't to go back on his word without reason.

"Hatred of the warrior!" The name had no useful meaning; the move though, still needed one. Something went wrong though. What the intention was, was that he would gain strength and speed for a short time, while also glowing in a small black aura. Unfortunately Crow just went insane. His eyes glowed the familiar red.

"Oh no!" Kimiko yelled. "Guys! He looks like before!" She got into a fighting stance, all her comrades, including Master Fung following suit.

Crow screamed at them and rushed at everyone. It didn't matter who was in his way. He shoved his palm into Raimundo's stomach, making the dragon kneel over in pain. Crow wasn't finished though. He used his quick speed to run at Master Fung. He didn't care about the others, for they were too weak to his evil state. He wanted the prize. But he obviously couldn't have it.

Master Fung was old but he was still very strong and agile. Dodging every move, countering left and right until he found an open spot and kicked Crow hard in the mid-section, making him fly a few feet.

He came to a stand though, meaning the fight was not over. He snarled once more, but ceased his ferocity at once.

Clap... clap...

All heads turned to behind the Xiaolin warriors. Seth was back.

"I see you've met my new... pet." He motioned back to Crow, whose eyes were shifting normal. All of his emotions turned back to their normal state.

The boy now stared at Seth. "You.. you did that.. I couldn't stop because you wouldn't let me.." He did not try to attack though. It was obvious that Seth was too powerful.

"Yes! And I will do this to you every day. Whenever I want to. I'll have all the monks dead in weeks." He did not laugh, but he did have a look of anger on his face. "But.. you know how you can make me stop."

Everyone knew what the offer was Crow's freedom. Everyone knew that it was also a dangerous trade no matter the circumstances.

"Don't listen to him Crow! He's lying to you!" Raimundo went and stood in front of Crow, acting like a shield from Seth. "You can't have him! You can't have our friend!"

"Yeah! We'd rather have to do this every day than not have him!" Alyssa stood next to Raimundo. Instead of everyone joining in though, the two were pushed to either side.

"Yeah.. you all value me. And I value you all too.." Crow started walking forward, but the Xiaolin monks jumped in the way again, much to Seth's frustration.

"NO!" Crow yelled, making a few of his friends jump back. "You see how fast all of this just happened? By tonight you could all be dead! Then no one would stop Wuya! No one could stop Jack! No one would be safe anymore!" He looked over to Master Fung.

"Crow.. is correct," the old man admitted sadly. "There is no use stopping Crow. Seth would kill every one of us and then force Crow to go with him.." The monk looked down.

The youths started to realize the situation, and begin moving out of the way, but very slowly.

"Good. Now you finally get it. You'll all figure it out one day, but Heylin has always been on top since Dashi died." His words were unexpected, and they pierced their hearts and morality.

"That's a lie!" Omi shot back in pure defiance.

"Really now? Then tell me. . .Why was I the one who killed Mala Mala? Why didn't you? What took six of you to get no where, took a Heylin a few seconds." Seth was enjoying the chance to show off his power. "Come now, Crow."

Once more Crow began walking. He was saddened greatly as he passed all his friends. But they would be safe this way..

"Crow! When you join me, you'll get the chance for infinite power! Just imagine being as strong as I am. . . Maybe even stronger. You're about to promise your loyalty to me. Do you accept?"

Crow looked down and held his arm behind his back. He gave it much thought. ". . . On the condition that we do not blindly attack my friends."

Seth grined in such a way that even the coldest villains would fear him. "You? Making deals with me? Alright then Crow.." He put his hand on the boy's shoulder, a black aura spreading over his body. A black spiral surrounded the two, enclosing them and growing thinner and thinner until it was gone, the two along with it.

Every one of the monks had the most pitiful expressions they could muster except for one. Raimundo was smiling brightly, resisting the urge to laugh.

Clay grabbed Raimundo by his collar and hoisted him up. "What's so funny now partner?" he asked bitterly. "We just lost one of us and you're standing around laughing like this is all some big joke. I couldn't even find a snake in a snakehole that would go so low.."

"That's because it is a big joke! Did any of you pay attention?" Raimundo only continued laughing.

"His fingers were crossed."

(I kind of forgot about this story.. I'm so sorry. I rushed this chapter just to get it out to you. I won't forget next time guys! Oh my! I'm so sorry DX)