Disclaimer – I do not own XS or any of its characters

AN – Wheeee chapter 3 XD!!! This stories taking longer than I had planned it to x.x bad me…. Sorry if im not including some of the characters ;.; Im not very good with getting everyone to talk when theres so many characters on scene… Hopefully I can catch myself. Omi is so hard to make dialogue for! cry Ah well, on to the next chapter! Thanks for reading!!

The Protectors

By Tippy

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Kimiko and Carly helped Rai sit up in the bed so that he could see the scroll as master Fung unrolled it. Along with some Chinese writing, the scroll contained a pictured. The five teens around it gasped softly at the sight. The ink was faded, but there was no mistaking the creature from Jack's lab.

"It is called the Yin Protector." Master Fung's calm, low voice drew their attention. "As I feared, the side of good has weakened and evil is growing. Now that it has entered our world, it will seek out Yang and destroy it."

"So you mean that thing's gonna try to destroy all the good in the world?" Clay asked.

"In a way, yes. Yang is not just the good done by creatures, it is also a being." They starred at him with confused looks. "A Yin and a Yang are chosen to bring balance to the world. The Protectors were created to keep each side safe to ensure equality. However, if one of the Protectors gains more power over the other, it will seek out its opposite. If Yang is destroyed, the side of good with fall and evil will reign over the earth."

"How do we stop it?" The question came from Omi.

"The Yang yo-yo must be repaired. Only then will you be able to return the Yin Protector to the YinYang world."

"What if we can't fix it in time? How can we protect Yang if we don't know where it is?" Kimiko wasn't the only one who had thought this as worry swept over the other monks' faces.

"From what I've learned," He paused, choosing his words. "I believe you have already found it."

Rai felt his breath catch as his heart began to pound. The realization had hit him hard leaving his head spinning. He didn't want to believe what master Fung had said, but there was too much to connect for it to just be a coincidence. He felt his hand being squeezed and didn't have to ask to know her thoughts were the same.

His voice was dangerously low as he spoke. "Then we're going back to Spicer's." With one quick move, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood. Carly jumped up, grabbing his arm to support him as he faltered.

"You're in no shape to go anywhere." Kimiko spoke angrily, her worry for him getting the best of her.

"Master, how can we be certain Carlyna is the Yang?" Omi looked to his mentor.

"It tried to kill her." Rai answered before the elder monk could. "And that's why we have to go now."

"You plan on taking her with you?" Master Fung asked and was answered with a sharp nod. "Very well, however a second problem will arise if she leaves this plain."

"I'm not leaving her here." The anger in Rai's tone caught the others off guard, even his sister. She'd never heard him this angry around any of his friends or master Fung.

Undeterred, he continued. "With Carlyna in the YinYang world, the Yin Protector will seek out the Yin and release it. If this happens, it could become almost impossible to return. The forces of evil will gain power and begin an attack on the world."

Rai was silent for a moment, turning this information over in his mind. "Okay… then Carly and I will go; the others will stay and protect the temple."

This decision didn't seem to sit well with the others, but they could understand. They couldn't leave the temple unguarded against evil. They just hoped they'd be able to hold it off.

"Alright… Dojo?" He turned to the dragon that sat atop master Fung's shoulder.

"Ready when you are, but I don't like it." Dojo whimpered before sliding off his master's shoulder and towards the training yard.

"Be careful, my friend." Omi said as he handed Rai the reversing mirror. He didn't give his usual 'don't worry' grin. He just nodded, his features grim as he left the room, his hand clinging to his sister's.

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Carly sat in front of Rai as they flew over the countryside. Dojo had remained quiet since they had left. Rai had yet to say anything either and this was beginning to gnaw at his sister's nerves.

"Rai." She finally spoke. He gave a soft, but audible 'hmm.' She turned around as best she could to face him. "You're being really quiet."

He looked up at her, and she could see the fear running through his mind. "Sorry…" He whispered. "I'm just thinking."

"About what?" She was finding it strange to actually be asking him such a question. She was used to being inside his head and hearing what was going on. From the look he gave her, he found it odd too.

"What's going to happen if we don't get the Yang yo-yo fixed… will you have to stay in the YinYang world…" he trailed off.

"Why would I have to stay? I can't! Not without-"

"You'd have to! I won't give that thing a second chance." He was shouting, the fear for his sister tearing at his words.

"Rai…" She stopped as he tore his eyes away, afraid to let her see the tears that were beginning to well up. She let out a heartfelt sigh and let a small smile form on her lips. "Stop worrying so much. We'll find a way to keep everyone safe."

"I can't help it…" He finally looked up. "I just got you back… I never thought that would ever be possible… And now, I could lose you again… forever this time."

She couldn't answer. There was nothing she could say to make those kinds of feelings go away. She didn't want to admit it, but running away from the problem seemed better every passing minute.

"Whoa…" Dojo's shocked exclamation brought their attention forward and their mouths opened in speechless awe. The ground below that hours ago had been lush green forest had been deformed. The landscape now had a deep black rot spreading through it and the essence of evil seemed to emanate around them.

"Oh no…" Carly breathed.

"Hurry Dojo, we're running out of time." Rai's plea was heard and the green dragon pushed forward, speeding at his fastest towards their destination.

By the time they'd made it to the mansion, their fear for the world's possible destruction had grown. Even the air seemed to be trying to choke them as they walked through the large yard. Nothing moved. They couldn't see anything living.

Dojo was sent back to the temple to alert the others of the situation.

Rai was first to step through the open lab doors, searching for any threat. He couldn't see any, but he made sure Carly stayed close as they moved towards the still open cabinet. As many times as they'd been in the lab before, this time gave them an overwhelming sense of dread.

Rai stopped as he saw something move in the shadows and he quickly blocked any path to the girl behind him.

"Whose there?" His question was answered by strange, soft laughter; an evil laugh. It echoed in their heads as the form moved forward and into the little light available. "Jack…"

His red hair hung raggedly across his ashen face, his eyes shown crimson… like the creatures. He staggered forward, the viscous cackle still spilling from his throat.

"I'll distract him…" Rai whispered. "Get the Yin yo-yo."

She nodded. "Be careful." She hung back as her brother stepped forward, his hands up as he waited for the attack.

The first attack was quick as Jack threw himself forward, his fist swinging out. The Shoku warrior barely dodged and caught the boy's hand, swinging him into a pile of dismantled robot parts.

Carly made her move and ran for the cabinet, flinging open the other door as she quickly searched for the wu.

Jack was back up by the time she had made it to the case and was attacking again, this time sweep kicking Rai's legs out from under him. He landed on a handstand and flipped back up, but the next attack was already in progress. Jack's foot slammed into his chest, pushing him back into the worktable.

He quickly jumped away, his hand coming up to his chest. This Jack was powerful… he needed to be more careful. He dodged again as the possessed boy genius threw another series of punches. If he kept dodging, he'd be able to hold Spicer off until Carly could find the Yin yo-yo. Just a little longer… But he'd run out of time as he found himself pinned in a corner. Stupid! And there was no time to react as his enemy launched forward, fist ready to strike.

Suddenly, a flash of white entered his vision and slammed into the other boy, sending him flying into the far wall. Rai stared wide eyed at his sister, her eyes fixed on their attacker for a split second before she turned back to her brother.

"Got it!" She tossed him the wu. Jack was back up again, but he'd be too late. Rai flung the Yin yo-yo out, calling its name and the portal opened; brother and sister jumping through.

Carly hesitantly opened her eyes and found herself standing in the realm her brother had visited times before.

"Where'd you learn to do that?" Rai exclaimed from beside her.

She smiled, amused at her brother's shock. "From you."

He gave her a sheepish smile and found that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. She could take care of herself if she needed to. He turned to look out over the new world they stood in.

"Which way?" He hadn't realized that he wouldn't know where the center of the YinYang world was. He turned to the girl next to him as saw that she was starring off into the space beside them. "Carly?"

"It's this way." She started walking, dragging him with her before he had a chance to ask how she knew.

Half an hour had passed before the two found themselves relaxing. Rai flexed his shoulder trying to relieve his sore muscles. Kimiko was right, he wasn't in much of a condition to be doing this, but there was no way he was going to sit around and wait for that creature to attack.

"Do you think we could visit mom after this is over?" Her question caught him off guard and he stumbled over his words as he tried to answer. He hadn't actually thought about their mother during the past few hours.

"I-I guess… yeah, I don't see why not." He smiled. "She's going to flip."

"Her and me both." He could hear the hint of sadness in his sister's words. At that moment, he vowed he'd help her live the life she should have years ago.

They came to the edge of the cloud block and peered over. There wasn't much to see, just the usual black beyond and more clouds.

"Down there." Rai grimaced and turned to her as she looked at him, a smile spreading on her face. "Wanna jump?"

"You're crazy." He smiled, shaking his head and walked forward, the plain adjusting so he could walk down the wall. Carly quickly joined him, pouting playfully before they started their trek.

It wasn't long before the siblings came upon something new. A circle of oddly shaped trees was set in their path.

"This it?" Rai asked in a whisper.

"Yeah." She stepped forward, but a hand on her shoulder made her stop.

"I'll go first." He stepped in front of her and they moved towards the small grove. He slid through one of the spaces, his eyes searching the area. He stopped as he caught sight of the being that sat on the ground in the center of the tree circle. It resembled the Yin Protector almost to an exact, except this one was white.

Carly moved in and stepped up beside him. "That's it. Give me the Yang yo-yo." He complied, digging the shattered pieces from his pocket and handing them to her.

They moved forward together, Rai staying close to his sister's side. The creature remained unmoving as the stepped in front of it and Carly knelt down, pulling her brother along.

They sat in silence for a moment before the Yang Protector finally moved. Its head rose, the same featureless face turning towards them, registering them with bright yellow eyes. A void opened in its face and a soft whisper flowed from it.

"Why have you come here?"

"The Yin Protector has made it into our world." Carly started. "We have come to ask for help in repairing the Yang yo-yo to return it here." She held out the shattered remains.

The creature was silent as it looked over the pieces in her hand. "I am sorry." Its soft voice wisped. "I cannot do as you ask."

"What?" Rai asked, his heart beginning to race. "Why not?"

"Only the combined powers of Yin and Yang can restore it."

"But it's in our world. How can we return the Yin Protector without the Yang yo-yo?" Carly could feel her brother's despair growing as she asked the questions.

"There is but one way… Yin and Yang must combine their power. Only then will the gateway be opened." It paused and turned to face the girl, sensing her next question. "You will know what to do when the time comes." And with that, the Yang Protector closed its eyes and let its head slump back down.

Tbc…

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Yay for not making anything easy! Im thinking one more chapter… Im hoping one more chapter x.x This is really messin' with my school work time XD but that's ok, I can get it all done!

Okay! Chapter 4 isnt anywhere near being done! But im posting this anyway so don't kill me if I don't update for a while ;-;

Anyway I hope yall enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reading!!!