Thanks yous guys for the reviews. This chapter, I hope you guys like it, cause I know I'm quite proud of myself right now.
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"First, a mysterious new scroll has revealed, which we don't even know where it is at. But now Chase has sent Raimundo and Kimiko to retrieve the latest two Shen Gong Wu." Guan uttered rubbing the bridge of his nose, "This has to be connected somehow."
Guan sat in the scroll room, reading anything he could about lost scrolls, Heylin scrolls, and any scrolls that may help, or lead to a clue. He has been in here since Omi and Clay had returned a week ago. Chase wouldn't send Raimundo and Kimiko for nothing.
Then Guan thought why Chase even took either of them in the first place. He always said he worked better alone and in fact preferred to be alone. This had to deal with power, or some sort of glory for the Prince of Darkness. Chase wouldn't even bother if he couldn't get something out of this.
Guan then froze, a chill ran up his spine, and a wave of power washed over him. He had felt this before, and knew he must go and get Master Fung, and the Dragons. The Treasure of the Blind Swordsmen is a very special artifact, and dangerous in the wrong hands.
Guan then had another thought, but moved it to the back of his mind.
Clay, Jermaine and Omi sat across Guan and Fung. Dojo seemed excited, but seemed worried at the same time. They said this was an urgent matter, but as far as Omi was concerned, they spent more time whispering to each other. He was curious; what was so important to stop training. Omi then stopped his train of thought, when Guan and Fung stopped whispering.
"You are wondering why you are here. I can assure you that it is important though." Guan began. "The Treasure of the Blind Swordsmen is about to reveal."
"But that is not all. With the unveiling of the treasure, also comes the unveiling of your weapons." Fung smiled, proud that they were progressing so fast.
"We get our own weapons!" Omi grinned. "Oh my weapon must be so glorious, and amazing, just like me."
"Maybe ya should deflate your ego. Its bigger then my Aunt Nancy's pancakes. Oh, Aunt Nancy's pancakes." Clay stared off into the distance dreamily.
"You better be prepared at anytime to leave. I would suggest go pack now, and try to conserve your energy. You will most likely need it on this mission." Fung ordered, interrupting both Clay and Omi's daydreams.
Omi and Clay bowed and left to go pack, like they were told. Both wearing grins, excited for the upcoming mission. Jermaine stayed behind though.
"I doubt that I will be gaining a weapon." Jermaine then voiced his thoughts.
Guan and Fung looked at each other, but both smiled. "Jermaine, you may not be a Dragon, but there is a reason you were brought here. You will be playing a very important role, I'm sure." Fung smiled. "And who knows, fate may surprise you."
%%..%%
Raimundo was sitting sideways on Chase's thrown. He was looking for Chase, but couldn't find him, but knew sitting on his thrown would make him show up. He had a few questions to ask Chase, and he wanted to ask them before they had to god knows where to find some blind guy's treasure. Footsteps then echoed, and he waited patiently for them to stop.
Raimundo tilted his head backwards, and was staring at Chase, only he was upside down, and grinned. "I have been looking everywhere for you."
"Of course you have." Chase chided.
"I want to ask you a few questions." Raimundo said, actually serious. "The whole Treasure thing, how are we going to be getting around, cause I will lose energy quick if I have to keep transporting two people around everywhere."
Chase stood there. That was a very valid point, but he had already thought of it. "That's why tonight; you will be raiding the vault at the temple, to retrieve the Silver Manta Ray. Now you're other questions."
"You told me why you brought me here. You said I held great responsibility, other than my wind ability. Then you said something about Kimiko, also sharing in that responsibility. What the hell is this responsibility? Why do I have to hold this responsibility? I mean who entrusted this responsibility to me?"
"Raimundo, you hold the responsibility because you can handle it, you will know what to do with it. I know you will." Chase assured. "Dashi wouldn't let any idiot hold this responsibility."
"I thought that you two were on different sides, didn't get along." Raimundo asked.
"There were things we could agree on. Now moving on, we will be leaving for the temple shortly." Chase spoke quickly, not wanting to stay on the subject.
Kimiko walked into the room, her new robes on, and her hair in a ponytail. She had a smile on her face. She heard some of the conversation, mainly the part were Chase said he believed in Raimundo. She was going to rub that in his face. She was confused though, what responsibility. She didn't know anything about this. She moved it to the back of her mind though, she wanted to talk to Chase.
"Are we leaving now?" She asked.
"Yes we are." Chase confirmed.
Kimiko then wore a devilish smirk, as she spoke. "Does anyone have to go to the bathroom before we leave?" Raimundo froze at the question, then nervously smiled.
"I will be right back." He said before running off.
When he was gone, Kimiko wore her smirk still, as she turned to Chase. "So, how much longer are you going to deny that you don't care about Rai?"
Chase rolled his eyes. She was stubborn. "I have never confirmed or denied." He retorted.
"But you won't say, so you may as well be denying it." She shot back. "I think you don't want to admit you care because that means, you aren't truly an emotionless warlord, like your reputation says."
"Why do you want me to 'admit' this." Chase asked, making sure to add a sarcastic tone to admit. "Why do care?"
"He should know that someone is looking out for him. He should know he has a father figure." Kimiko stated. "Someone to look up to is important. Especially when you don't have a family to fall back on." Kimiko sadly said.
"You don't want him to end up like you, do you?" Kimiko looked away, a moody look on her face, which let Chase know he was right. "It's been just you and your father for awhile, but he probably wasn't always around, right." When she nodded, Chase continued, "You must have felt alone, like no one cared for you. You don't want Raimundo to feel like you did."
Kimiko stood there. "When my papa was around, he truly did care. It's just being the head of a major company is time consuming, and nothing is ever done, and as a little girl, you don't always understand that."
"Yet you and your father are close. He doesn't have to tell you that, you already know."
Kimiko still smiled. He basically said that he cared, in a roundabout way. She wasn't happy that he brought her life into it though, used her as an example. He could just admit it. She then heard Rai walking down the hallway, and decided to focus on the fact that Chase kind of admitted he cared.
"Okay let's go." Rai interrupted the small feud.
"Fine." Chase and Kimiko both answered, glaring at each other.
%%..%%
Fung stood on the porch of one of the temple buildings. Something was wrong. Something was coming.
"Clay, Omi, Jermaine!" He called anxiously.
He waited a few minutes to come from the dining hall, where they were eating diner. "What is it Fung, sir." Clay asked.
"A battle is coming. Now!"
"I don't follow." Jermaine responded.
Before Fung could explain, a yellow light shone in front of them. Guan came running out, also sensing the ominous feeling. When he came out, the light resided, revealing Chase standing in front of Raimundo and Kimiko.
"What is it that you want here Chase Young?" Omi blurted.
"Just here to pick up something is all." He then turned to Raimundo and Kimiko. "Go." Chase demanded.
Both took off at a sprint towards the vault. "Stop them." Guan ordered, staring at Chase. He was going to pick this fight to try and figure out what was going on.
The three took off after Rai, and Kim. Clay then put up a barrier of earth to prevent them from getting to the vault.
When Raimundo and Kimiko saw the wall, but Raimundo already had an idea. "I will go ahead, you can hold off whoever decides to stay behind." He declared.
Kimiko nodded and slowed down, as Rai ran even faster. She waited to turn around until she saw Rai jump over the barrier successfully. Omi was right on his tale, and jumped right over the wall as well. She then turned and formed a disk of fire in her hand, and knelt down. She threw the flaming disk at Clay's feet.
Clay jumped out of the way, and knew Kimiko wasn't about to let them pass. He looked at Jermaine, who nodded, and both stopped in front of the girl. Jermaine acted first, and charged at Kimiko. He aimed a kick at her knees, which she jumped out of the way of.
Clay was right behind her, and punched her in the back, sending her back towards Jermaine. Kimiko then ducked down under Jermaine's outstretched fist, and grabbed his leg, taking him down. When she stood back up, she shot fire at incoming rocks, destroying them before they made it to her.
Jermaine got to his feet, and went up behind the distracted girl, and grabbed her arm, folding it behind her back. He then knocked her legs out from underneath her, forcing her to the ground.
"Funny, I pinned ya again." Jermaine joked.
Kimiko then decided that Jermaine was properly trained, and therefore she could use her fire. She lit her arm on fire, and heard Jermaine's scream. She smiled and stood up, then punched Jermaine in the gut. But when she turned around, Clay was right there.
Clay had earth covering his hands, so he wouldn't get burned, and grabbed Kimiko, and pinned her to the wall.
Kimiko cried out in slight pain. The earth on his hands was digging in to her abdomen. He was holding her awfully tight as well, which wasn't helping any. She then dug her nails into his upper arms. She intended to light her hands on fire, but something came over her. It was like she was watching what happened outside her body.
"Earth is firm, but can easily devastate, and destroy if provoked. Yet it never goes too far, remaining constant, staying loyal." It was Kimiko's voice, but it was whispered, like she had a cold.
Kimiko then was 'back' in her body, and inhaled deeply, like she had been underwater. She felt tired, and her grip on Clay loosened considerably. She was feeling dizzy, but mustered enough energy to have fire explode out from her, causing Clay to drop her and fall backwards.
Jermaine went to help Clay. His shirt was burned a little, and where Kimiko's nails were, blood trickled out, but nothing too serious.
"Dude what was that all about." Jermaine asked, and looked over at the heavily breathing Kimiko.
"I don't know, but we should probably see if she is okay." Clay answered, the gentleman in him coming out.
Kimiko wasn't sure what happened, but she felt so tired, and just wanted to pass out. She was breathing heavily, like she just got done sprinting after five miles. She heard footsteps and saw Jermaine and Clay approaching her.
"Are you okay there little lady." She heard Clay ask. But instead of her answering, she started to stand up.
She was all the way up when her knees buckled.
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Raimundo made it to the vault, but wasn't sure what to do now. His mind was quickly made up, when he was sent sprawling across the floor, after a kick hit him between the shoulder blades.
He rolled out of the way in time to avoid Omi landing on top of him. He then kicked Omi in the side with both of his legs. He then flipped up, and looked around quickly for any way to open the hidden vault.
Omi came flying at Raimundo's head, but he ducked, and Omi shot a wave of water at him instead, washing him against the wall, hard.
Raimundo, shook his head like a dog, but then put a smirk on his face. "It appears I can't get into the vault." Raimundo said in a false defeated voice. "I don't know how to get in."
"You would never get passed me even if you knew how to get into the vault." Omi boasted.
"Oh sure I could." Raimundo smiled. "You are not a challenge. The only challenge is the vault. Maybe you could prove me wrong if the vault was opened."
"Be prepared to be wrong!" Omi roared, and jumped up to the chimes, ringing them. As he landed the stairs were appearing, as the ground shifted down. "I would like you to try and beat me. I would like me to try and beat me."
Rai couldn't believe how gullible this kid was. He stood up, and shot a fist full of wind at Omi, hitting him square in the chest. He then ran right into the vault. He opened the slots with his wind so he could easily find the Manta Ray.
He only had to go down a little ways to find the Ray, but also grabbed the Changing Chopsticks, which were right next to each other, and shrunk the Ray even more. He put both in his robe, and closed all the doors.
He did so just in time, as a glob of water, wrapped around him, and pulled him out, and smashed him against the wall.
Omi's dots were glowing, as he continued to hold Raimundo against the wall. Rai, was getting pissed. He wasn't about to let a cheese ball beat him. He then began to focus.
Wind started to swirl around Omi, than he was lifted into the air, but immediately dropped when he was about to the ceiling.
Omi lost his focus on holding Raimundo, but instead focused it on cushioning his fall. He came back to the ground, but had to catch Raimundo's fist. He then decided to throw a punch with his free hand, but Raimundo caught his fist.
Suddenly, Omi felt the air grow chiller, and looked to Raimundo, who seemed to be staring right through him.
Raimundo felt as if someone was controlling him. He didn't have any control of what he was doing. He then heard himself starting to speak, when he knew he wasn't.
"Water is flexible, but when it attacks, it is fierce and strong. Yet it only ever follows the same path, remaining true."
When Raimundo gained control again, he felt dizzy and sick, but pushed passed it, and kneed Omi in the chest, sending him flying. He then ran out, hoping not to fall on his butt.
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Chase and Guan were currently in a deadlock. From training together for years in the past, and also fighting each other for years. They knew the other too well. Both were aware of this, but Guan wanted answers.
"Why did you even bother taking the Wind Dragon?" Guan proposed. "What could you possibly gain?"
"Guan, sometimes you must let things unfold for themselves." Chase said. "There are things that you have no control over, and you have to accept this."
"There are things that you have no control over as well. Messing with the balance of the world that is something that you don't need your fingers in." Guan challenged.
"What little you truly know. You think the world can be balanced if good outweighs evil. That is a myth." Chase retorted, ducking under Guans kick, then hitting him in the stomach with an open palm strike.
Guan stumbled back, anger was building inside him with every word Chase spoke. What could he possibly know.
"What, is evil supposed to outweigh the good. Chase you have always been misguided!" Guan blurted out, as he charged at Chase, kicking him in the stomach, knocking him into the wall.
"Of course not you fool!" Chase shouted as he climbed out of the wall. "The world needs to be in equilibrium."
"Coming from the Prince of Darkness himself." Guan mocked.
"Balance between light and dark is kept by neither good nor bad, but by one the one who see's the importance in both." Chase spoke, repeating the first sentence of the prophecy.
Guan felt a surge of magic. He waited for something to happen but nothing did. He looked over to Chase who stood there calm. Guan wasn't sure what happened, but he wasn't sure if he liked it.
Chase himself wasn't sure what happened when he said the first line of the prophecy, but he didn't want Guan to realize that. He stood there, trying to concentrate enough to see the effects of the surge. He focused in on his apprentices, and at the same time felt both Raimundo, and Kimiko weaken. He wasn't sure why, but he took off in the direction he sensed them.
Guan not sure where Chase was going, tripped him up, by shooting his blade out from his spear. The chain and blade wrapped around Chase's ankles, and he pulled him back.
Chase rolled over and shot a yellow beam of energy at the chain, breaking it. He then quickly rolled over to avoid Guans foot.
(Meanwhile)
Clay and Jermaine kneeled by Kimiko. Jermaine wasn't sure what happened, or why she said what she said, but it was creepy. He put a hand on her shoulder, but Kimiko shrugged his hand off.
"Girl we are just trying to help." Jermaine snapped, glaring at her.
Clay put his rock wall down, due to the lack of fighting at the present moment. He listened carefully, but couldn't hear Omi fighting from the vault. He wasn't sure what to think of it, but Kimiko trying to stand again, brought his mind back to the present situation.
When she was standing, shakily, she started to walk, but she was still weak, and felt dizzy and started to fall. Jermaine and Clay grabbed both of her arms. She didn't like it too much, but could only glare. Whatever happened to her was strange, and left her drained.
'What the hell happened' she thought to herself.
"Why are you with Chase?" Clay decided to ask. He figured it was the best time seeing as she couldn't run, and Raimundo didn't seem to be anywhere.
Kimiko rolled her eyes. What was there problem. "Why does it matter?" she scoffed.
"It matters cause the Xiaolin are the good guys. I don't know what lies Chase or Raimundo told you, but you should really be here." Clay revealed.
"Oh, and who told you this. Guan or Fung." Kimiko remarked. "Ever think that maybe that's not how it should be. Ever think that maybe too much good is just as bad as too much bad."
"That… that is interesting thinking." Jermaine sighed looking over at Clay.
"Look whether you like it or not, you are staying here." Clay declared.
"Why are you practically kidnapping me, to come to this stupid temple, with you idiots. Why only me!" Kimiko snarled, well starting to struggle as best she could, with as little energy she had.
Clay already had his answer prepared. "I don't think Raimundo is a good person. I sense something fishy off of him. I'm not sure what it is, but I just don't like him." Clay then thought for a moment, "Were just trying to protect ya."
After Clay spoke, Jermaine defiantly could tell that was the wrong thing to say. The look on her face was almost murderous. "Not that you need protecting!" Jermaine rushed to say, but knew it wasn't going to help.
"Why does everyone assume I need to be protected!" She shouted.
"Let her go…"
Everyone turned to the voice. They then saw Raimundo coming to them slowly.
"Why the hell are you walking like your drunk?" Kimiko asked, still angry.
"I could've asked you why you are allowing them to hold you up like a piñata waiting for a torrent of kids to whack you with sticks." Raimundo barked, also pissed.
Kimiko rolled her eyes again. He seemed to be just as tired as her though, so whatever happened affected him too. She knew that they were going to let go of her anytime soon. She had to make them. She concentrated, knowing that using her fire would weaken her even more, but wanted to know what the heck happened.
Clay and Jermaine let go of her, after forming fire along her arms, burning Jermaine for the second time, and Clay. She then actually didn't feel any weaker, but still not her best. She slowly got to her feet, and walked towards Rai, as best as she could.
"Happy, I'm no longer a piñata." She said. When she made it where he was standing, she used him to support herself, but realized that he was also using her as a support.
"You will not escape me!" Omi's voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned in the direction of Omi's voice. "Water!" Omi screamed.
The water rushed at Raimundo and Kimiko. They both sighed, thinking this was inevitable. Both of them were weak, and knew that in their current condition, they couldn't dodge out of the way in time. Squeezing their eyes shut, they both waited to get drenched.
Screams then rang out in the air. Kimiko and Rai shot their eyes open to see Chase in front of them, in a warrior pose, and one palm out flat. Omi Clay and Jermaine were washed into the side of a building.
"What happened?" Chase questioned.
"I don't know. It was like an out of body experience. I was watching myself say something to Clay." Kimiko retold what happened.
"That happened to me too, only with the yellow shrimp." Raimundo said.
"Did you still manage to get what we came for?" Chase then asked.
Raimundo let his normal cocky grin spread to his lips. "Of course."
Chase, satisfied, stood straight up, and snapped his fingers, and they disappeared.
"Can't we just win once?" Omi screamed in frustration. "How did Chase repel my water? I thought that I was supposed to be the only one who could control water."
"Chase is very skilled. " Was all Guan explained as he walked away.
"Whelp, he's pissed." Jermaine finally said after a few moments of silence.
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The smoke cleared in Chase's throne room. He snapped his fingers twice, and a servant in their human form came. He whispered something to the servant, and they left. He then turned towards Raimundo, and Kimiko who were sitting on the ground.
"I will investigate what happened further. You two, go eat and rest. The treasure will reveal very shortly now, and you must be well rested, and have energy." Chase informed.
"Mhm." Raimundo and Kimiko muttered.
Chase then left, leaving the two alone. Raimundo was curious about what scroll Chase had asked for. But the option of sleep sounded so much better. He then stood up, and reached for Kimiko's hands, and pulled her up.
They walked the corridors to Kimiko's room, which came first on the way. Raimundo kept looking over at her. He didn't like seeing her so weak, and him not being able to do a thing about it. He knew Kimiko would tell him that she was fine, and he knew it, he just really worried about her. He had never felt so strongly about a girl before. He wanted to make sure she was kept safe, and he would make sure of it.
He saw Kimiko's doors coming into view, and he really didn't want to say good-night just yet. When they got closer, Rai turned to her, and pushed her into the wall, pinning her. He had one hand behind her head, and the other around her waist. He then rested his forehead against hers, just holding her.
"Rai…" Kimiko breathed, not expecting Raimundo's actions. "Are you okay?" she asked, placing one hand on his collar bone, the other hand on his cheek.
"I didn't like seeing you helpless." Raimundo whispered. "You always seem so strong, and…and seeing you weak…" Rai cut off. "I couldn't even help." Raimundo spoke, his voice growing softer.
"I'm fine…" Kimiko justified, but Raimundo shook his head, glaring at the girl.
"But I couldn't help you. I promised that I would protect you, and at that moment, I couldn't. I don't like to break promises Kimiko. I know that you can take care of yourself, but when you do need help, I want to be able to help you." Raimundo growled, but let a smile play on his lips. "I just want to protect you. It might pain me more then you if you're hurt."
Kimiko dropped her hand from his cheek, and placed it on his chest. She wasn't use to people saying such things to her, and she kinda liked it. Plus he knew she could usually take care of herself, but it was nice to know he would be there for her. She didn't know what to say, but a smile spread.
"Kimi." Raimundo whispered.
She looked up at him, smiling, and Raimundo bent down further, brushing his lips lightly against hers. Her eyes closed, as she gripped his shirt. He grinned and tangled his hand in her hair more, and kissed her.
Kimiko moved one hand behind Rai's neck, as the other still clutched his shirt. When he asked for entrance, she accepted, standing on her tippy toes. She hoped that with the kiss, she was letting him know he could protect her when she needed, but she could easily take care of herself. She then felt his hand leave her hair and snake around her waist, lifting her up, and pinned her between him and the wall.
They broke for air, but he didn't pull far away from her. His lips still touched hers lightly, as they breathed in air. Raimundo opened his eyes halfway, a smiled when Kimiko's eyes were still closed. His grip tightened around her, if possible, happy to know she was his.
Kimiko slowly opened her eyes. She didn't understand how he could easily take her breath away, but she wasn't complaining. "Can we make this a nightly tradition?" She giggled, as Raimundo's smile broadened.
"We can defiantly do that." He replied before setting her back on her feet, giving a kiss to her forehead. "But we should both get some sleep. We will need it for treasure hunting."
Kimiko gave him a hug before opening her door, and slipping inside. She let a smile grow on her face as she rested her back on the door. She couldn't believe he was hers.
Raimundo stood outside her door, smiling to himself, before he made his way to his room. As he entered the hallway that contained his room, Chase was standing in front of his door. "May I help you?" Rai asked skeptically.
"What happened during the fight; it's the prophecy beginning." Chase stated. "The balance is going to be in jeopardy."
Raimundo turned his head to the side, looking at the wall. "And I'm the one who has to keep the balance. This prophecy has no idea who they chose. I'm usually the one messing up the balance." Raimundo muttered.
"But you are not doing this alone." Chase assured, in a harsh tone, which caused Rai to turn and look at him. "Fate knows that one person to keep balance is a great burden to bear, and that's why there are two. You and Kimiko."
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Chapter 13 complete. Hope you enjoyed and you can completely be overjoyed and review as well. :)