The night was still young.
A thumb-sized red bean had his stringy arms on his hips (if beans have any hips) as he briefed Panda Bubba and his squadron. "This attack has to come as sudden as possible." He rubbed his roots together evilly, "You get yourselves around the outskirts of those mountains," He positioned black models of H around an illustration on the map, "and come in from all angles. Approach it carefully and lookout for watching monks, they didn't like my last sneak-in performance and have thickened their defense. Do not crush their walls! Remember that we want to eliminate them all, something my ex-comrade-in-evil ignored and look at him now! He's on their side and vulnerable like them. We want none escaping with their lives, except the Head of this temple which I'll keep as a memoir."
"Wouldn't he be a threat to us then, Hannibal?" Panda Bubba spoke up. "Won't he get in our way?"
"Only if his masters allow him, Bubba." Hannibal Bean chuckled at the thought, "Otherwise he's slightly more than nothing. Leave now and you will get there by mid morning."
He blinked sleep out from his eyes and turned them towards the open window. The black night was dissolving into blue – it was quite a late awakening for Chase Young. He gazed upon the sleeping body pressing against his bodyline. She had wooed him into relaxing after the stressful day before and allowed him to spend the night with her. Not like I never hoped for it, he thought as his finger trailed along her face. His lips curled at the corners in remembering how she asked him to stay with her.
She was massaging his forehead gently as she whispered into his ear. "Hey Chase."
He murmured in a tone of slow enjoyment, "Mmm…Yes Kimiko?"
"Can you do me a little favour?"
"Anything."
She paused. "You wouldn't mind just lying with me tonight, would you?"
"Of course not, my dear." Then he could not help asking why.
Her answer was to his delight. "I wanna just spend all my time with you. As much as possible anyway."
He took her tiny delicate hands to rest on his chest and looked into her, "Like I had said, anything you wish my sweet Kimiko."
They kissed, lips meeting at a pleasurably designated meet. Her softness was easy to penetrate her delicious mouth and explore. He lapped in every notch of her, drawing moans and groans. She pushed her tongue into him as a fight but failed when he tenderly licked the bottom of it. He released her hands and felt them wander along his collarbone. She moved her hands onto his face…
Chase hated to pull out from his remembrance of the night, but he did. He kissed her cheek, although longing for more – now that she slept so peacefully alongside him, his thoughts drifted into another thing she said, strictly and expectedly from this steady young virgin. "I'm just asking you to lie with me and, if you want, we can sleep together, but don't you sleep with me. Get it Chase?" He laughed at her then, but at this point he was tempted to sneak a peek. Especially when her breathing made her bosom raise and sink so seductively. A look at her vulnerable face simply drew a heavy breath from his insides. Just then she moved her legs. They stretched, kicking the blanket off her lower body and slowly rubbing against each other. Her porcelain skin was merely covered by a pair of ladies' boxers, exposing more than he should see. One slim leg bent up and the other curled around it.
His breathing began to heave with a heavy passion. He watched her turn towards him and, with her legs lying apart, pressed even closer on him. His eyes widened, biting his lip, trying to resist the urge to pull closer as well. His heart raced, hot blood pumping through his veins. The surprise sensation of that first day seized him once again, only this time there is no opportunity for distraction. His face neared hers as hard steel drawn to her virgin magnet of seduction. In past times, he could engage in other situations and mentally step outside to observe himself. This time was the big difference – she was affecting him bodily, and an imaginational nude image was forming in his head. He knew he was on his own; his body screamed for her, but his heart had promised otherwise. He recoiled his face from hers. Hands clenched, Chase slithered backwards. He ended up kneeling on her bedside floor and muttering Chinese curses.
He slowly cooled down. His breathing flowed in control again. As soon as that, her eyelids flapped open with a smile spreading across her blushing cheeks. "Good morning Chase." Kimiko giggled, "Had fun? I did!"
Realization flashed upon his surprised expression. "Oh." He found his voice and faked a frown, "Ni yàu wan zhè yàng máh¹?"
"Huh?" She had no idea what he meant.
He clicked his tongue, "Tsk tsk tsk! You need to learn some Chinese, my dear Kimiko." Chase leaped roughly on her small, long awakened body drawing a squeal from her shocked face. "And what can teach better than first-hand experience?" Proving his point, he let a hand crawl tenderly up her leg. She meant to stop him, but his lips were reacted fast, catching her without hesitation. His fingers stroked her inner thighs deliciously, causing her to sweetly moan into his mouth. He grinned and made his way along her panty line, drawing along the lacing. She felt her need for his hand to touch her suddenly growing. Curves and tapping on her privacy was no longer appealing. She knew he has more, and she wanted more. Still lip-locked, she moved towards his hand, directing him to that aching spot. He felt a smile tug on his lips and let go the resistance. His fingers pressed against her valley, searching for that sensitive place.
It felt more like a tease to her. In her anger she pulled his head closer. He moved ever closer to her needy area, and he did. She broke the kiss with an excited gasp. Taking the cue, he slowly rubbed his hand against her. Her gasps became resounding groans of pleasure. She rotated her hips, driven by her dire desire stolen in the river incident. He felt her pushing harder and harder, a tad too hard for his hand finally. The flesh between his legs was stiffened enough. He removed his hand, making her growl in disappointment but she squealed again when he threw his waist between hers. She could feel him press hard and strongly against her. Then he motioned his waist in sexy circles. Pleasure surged through them both, bringing out hot, wild sounds. She gripped his back and wrapped her legs around him, vibrating fast against his hardened flesh. He pushed towards her, rubbing and circling her valley.
Suddenly he dipped his head into her pillow, next to her head. He was coming. She felt the same, burying her face in his shoulder. They could feel something boiling in their insides beginning to flood out. In a gush, they both groaned their loudest, and fell.
He raised his head to gaze at her. She slid her legs off him, remaining stunned, and beads of perspiration appeared on her forehead. She hugged his neck close as he wrapped his arms around her small waist. Silence sung words of sweet love, harmonious with their warm panting. A rooster crowed in the distance.
She turned her eyes to him, telling him not to leave her.
His black slit of a pupil seemed to convey kindness back to her. He whispered, "I would, if my intention was to keep our secrecy." He ran his fingers through her hair. "But I will never leave you, or love anyone else. Remember that, my dear Kimiko."
He held her hand. Raising himself up, she was lifted a measure off her pillow. He stood up; his bare chest radiated by the brightening morning light, and left her presence.
She laid her head back on her pillow, reliving the beautiful time they had just spent.
He walked along the walls of the building. Soon every monk will awaken and if any are up-and-about now, he is in serious trouble. He managed to enter his room unseen, a pair of white pants and grey sleeved shirt in hand. Unfortunately, fate let his former friend catch him speeding for the bathrooms. There was a memento glare fight; otherwise he beat the rap very well.
He got to work faster than usual. He was quick in his movements to prepare breakfast and wipe the dining table dirt-free. Carrots, Chinese noodles, cabbage, fish, Mandarin oranges and other ingredients were taken out. Pots and pans took their turns on the stove, each cooking a different food. By the time any monk showed up for eating, the table was laid with stir-fried bee hoon (a thin type of noodle) with vegetables, leftover pao that looked fresh, fried egg, bread and a jug of cooled water.
Chase walked back into his room to fetch that list he received on that first day, and to check on her.
A smile later, he held a broom and duster, sending crazy amounts of filth flying into the warm air. He started with the farthest corner of the temple building, where it was extremely stuffy. He swept the old tiles with little effort, gently moving the dust to the awaiting duster. But like every warm day the circumstances will not allow plans to proceed in comfort – with each sweep, dust will soar off the floor and charge up his face. He blew it away, and then left his chore for a moment to grab a loose piece of cloth lying all the way in his room. As he securely tied a knot to cover his face from his nose downwards, a familiar giggle reached his ears.
He turned just to see her sweetly smile and stroll past, leaving behind a trail of water droplets. Interesting how many times she could take him by surprise, he thought as he watched her. Chase went back to work; after sweeping he had to hand mop the floor, wash the breakfast dishes, clean out and refill the coal cauldron in the meeting hall, and whitewash the temple walls?! All this in one morning, he sighed.
Kimiko had just done bathing, her wet hair left dripping, and walked out with a towel around her neck. Just as she turned a corner to her room, Chase was walking while tying a rag around his face. The sight was sheer humor; regal Chase Young wearing white pants, grey sleeves and a torn piece of cloth for facial cover gave him a poverty-stricken ninja look. She giggled, and he turned. She spared him a smile and walked slowly past, liking him watching her. She wore her Xiaolin robe after Master Monk Guan briefed the team on training today; at least he told her so.
Breakfast was swiped off the plates fast and the youngsters were standing to attention by the time the sun just rose above the hill. In single file formation with Raimondo, then Omi, Clay and last Kimiko. They faced east, staring into the eye of the light. Strangely, the Master never showed up.
Raimondo was the first to open his mouth after around ten minutes of standing still in the blaze. "Where is Master Monk Guan?" He grumbled, loud enough for his friend's to hear, "I'm getting fried in this heat!"
"You're telling me, partner." Clay agreed, wiping away the stream of sweat from under his hat. "Always thought Master Monk Guan would be here before we did. Where in tar nation could he be?"
"My friends," Omi whispered as comfortingly as he could, despite his own growing discomfort, "The Greatest Xiaolin Master cannot lie. Master Monk Guan will be here in Nick's time!"
"It's 'in the nick of time' Omi." Kimiko corrected, beginning to get impatient, "Maybe we should just lie back for awhile and stay in the shade? When we see Master Monk Guan we'll run back out here!"
"Nice plan Kimiko." Raimondo scorned, "And when we come out nice and comfy he'll yell at us – no at me! – for slacking out."
Kimiko took it, her impatience fueling up. "Then just tell him it was my idea, Rai!" she retorted at her leader.
"Then he'll make me do extra push-ups!" he reasoned crossly, "I'm leader, you know! He'll say it's my idea too because I agreed with you!"
"Then I'll just – " Kimiko started.
"Just shut it Kimiko!" He yelled angrily, "We're gonna stand right where we are!"
"What the –" She screeched in absolute impatience, "Why must we? That's just stupid!"
"BECAUSE I'M THE LEADER! I make the decisions here!" he exploded, dashing his glare at her, "NOT YOU!"
"Whatever." She sneered, glaring back at his eyes.
The scene was burning hot, with Omi and Clay feeling the discomfort of the sun and the heat of the argument. They stood awkwardly between their flared up leader and impatient female teammate. They looked at each other then looked at the arguers nearest to them. They were at blank as what to do next.
A slithering came up behind them, and a perky voice broke the heated silence. "Hello kids." Announced the small, green and feetless Xiaolin dragon, "Sorry you had to toast out here for twenty minutes!" He put the Wu scroll behind his back and coiled his tail, speaking embarrassedly, "Master Monk Guan had just got word from my cousin Chucky Choo that his temple is under attack. He told me to tell you because he was in a hurry and I'm the only one he ran into."
"And you didn't tell us as soon as he told you because…?" growled Kimiko.
"I was feasting!" Dojo replied fearfully, "That Chase Young left the larder unlocked so I helped myself. I ate so much I fell asleep, then Master Monk Guan shook me half-out of sleep and told me. Then I went back to sleep. I just woke up." With his explanation done, he wanted let go one lazy yawn. But the green half snake-like reptile noticed everyone glaring daggers and stopped midway.
The Wudai warriors were blew out all at once, "Why you – !"
"We'll get Chase to soup you up the next time you do that!" threatened Kimiko as she zoomed into the shade of the temple building.
"What did Ms. Kimiko just say?" a mouth-gaping cowboy noted in shock. The rest agreed.
"She just brought that villain's name into our … usual talking." Raimondo replied slowly, frowning and rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Daiben²! Kimiko scolded herself. She had just let him slip into her threat talk, she realized. She never included anyone into her threats because she liked the thought of to hammering people by herself. Including him was such a dumb move! The teenage girl slapped herself. She was about to make her way to her room to scream herself out when a firm hand held her shoulder. She let a smile show, thinking he is supporting her. She twirled around expecting to see Chase's angular face, but she let a shocked squeal at the image she saw instead. That leader of hers, Mr. Brazilian Teen-in-charge, also had a shocked look plastered on his face. Having her smile at him that way was…interesting – did she really mean it towards him? he wondered.
"Dojo wasn't done, Kim." He said softly, "He actually came to tell us of a new activated Sheng Gong Wu."
"Again so soon?" Kimiko inquired as she raised an eyebrow, more curious about the change of tone in his voice than the weird timing of that Wu's activation.
"Yeah…" he answered her, still wondering about her smile. A rather goofy look faded into his eyes.
Kimiko noticed that, and lowered her eyebrow to give a look of annoyance. "Knock knock! Anyone home Rai?"
He snapped out of it, but the thought lingered as the team gathered for some Wu briefing. It was the Hai Ri Bull. This Sheng Gong Wu can run down any obstacle in its path – a major advantage and disadvantage. "The good news is it can destroy anything it charges at." Dojo explained as he opened the magical scroll, "The bad news is, it charges at everything." The magic-driven display showed a man clad in a Kung Fu robe and a matador bull ten times his size. The bull charged after the man and knocked him down, then headed off. A number of buildings came in sight and the Wu also knocked them down.
"So the Hai Ri Bull is neither good nor evil! Like the Sapphire Dragon?" Omi quipped after the demonstration.
"Not really." The dragon corrected, "It can destroy everything, sure! But unlike the Sapphire Dragon, the Hai Ri Bull can be controlled."
"Leave that to me!" Clay puffed out his chest and thumped it with his fist. "I've rustled up more cattle than I've had dinners!"
"That's gotta be alot of cows then." teased Raimondo.
"Well you're gonna have your last dinner if you're wanna rustle up this bull, cowboy." warned Dojo. "This Wu can only be controlled by one thing – Heylins."
"HEYLINS?!" the Wudai Warriors echoed together.
"But why can only Heylins control this Wu, Dojo?!" Omi demanded an answer.
Dojo scratched his scaly head for memories, "Erm… let's see. Er… ah! Long before Wuya tried to attack the Xiaolin Temple, she had stolen the Hai Ri Bull and some other Wu for fun. Or that's what Grand Master Dashi told the other monks when they found the vault open…" he paused, "Anyway, when Dashi teamed up with Master Monk Guan and Chase Young to get the Wu back, Wuya knew it. She wanted to keep the Wu but was sure she couldn't. So she decided to reserve one Wu for herself, the Hai Ri Bull. She casted a powerful spell on the Hai Ri Bull that only true Heylins can command it. No Xiaolin knew a counter spell for this reservation so Dashi hid this Wu in the deepest part of the deepest part of the world" The warriors gave him confused looks. "It's at the bottom of the Mariana Trench." He finished.
"Why the Hai Ri Bull?" Raimondo was intrigued.
"Er, maybe because it can crush anything? Duh!" Kimiko answered his question before Dojo can open his mouth. "Since all Heylins are about taking over the world, this Wu is a great answer for defeating every enemy. Right Dojo?"
"Eh…" Dojo was taken aback by her replies, "Yeah."
"How do you know so much?" Omi questioned curiously
"It's common sense!" she answered before quickly adding, "When you see from a Heylin's point of view, that is." Then she turned her attention back to Dojo, "So how are we gonna get it?"
"Well," Dojo said, thoughtfully pulling his dragon goatee, "You guys could always swim into the Mariana Trench. Or take the easy way by taking that Wu with the Golden Tiger Claws."
"I vote for the Tiger Claws plan." Kimiko announced as she raised her hand.
"Me too." Raimondo joined, "And I think we all should. Alright guys, this is what we'll do." The leader signaled them to gather closer, "I'll do the Golden Tiger Claws thing. Omi, you'll control the water so none of it flows out and Kimiko, grab the Wu before the portal closes."
"What about Clay?" Kimiko asked, "And why do I just 'grab the Wu'?" Her fingers did an air quote in annoyance.
"Clay and I are gonna be diving in if there's any trouble." He replied, "Omi can join in, but you can't cause your element's fire."
Kimiko frowned but had to agree she'll be soaked and useless if she fought with her element. At Raimondo's command, the group split and went for their elemental Wu. They came back to the temple grounds, Raimondo having the Claws in hand. "Ready?" He checked. His team nodded in response. "I'll count down and Omi stops the water. Three … Two … ONE!"
"GOLDEN TIGER CLAWS!" The leader yelled and action drilled into each mind. All were alert and on their toes. A matter-piercing hole appeared in a wispy purple clawed tear. Gushing black water threatened to spill like a flood as it flowed towards the hole. Omi summoned his Kaijin Charm, a personal retractable metal sleeve, to enhance his water controlling abilities. The water was stopped, but the boy grunted under its torrential force. Kimiko rushed forward and dipped her hand in the salty wet portal. Immediately her arm was pulled down flat by the crushing pressure of the depths. She could not move for moments of Omi's struggle.
"Hurry Kimiko!" the little one groaned, his voice strained by the weight. With all her might, she forced herself to drag her arm over jagged rocks and feel among them. The pressure numbed her senses. She could not see anything at the bottom of that abyss, making her job harder. The pressure was stopping her flow of blood, weakening the little strength she had left after one tug of the arm. In addition to her troubles, the claw tear was shrinking. "It's too strong!" she finally cried, "The pressure's too strong!"
Raimondo and Clay rushed to pull her out, when they did she was cursing. The portal closed and Omi spread out on his back in exhaustion.
"How are we gonna get that Wu before any evil company does now?" the frustrated Brazilian leader droned aloud.
"Well," Clay said thoughtfully, "since we've got the teleporting Wu nobody else can beat us in fast time. But if we let it lie long, they'll make it to the bottom."
"Meaning we have to race 'em to the Wu?" Kimiko felt faint at the thought of entering that pressure chasm again. Then an idea struck her happy, "How about we get someone stronger to do my part?"
Question marks floated over the boys' heads. "Chase Young has super strength right? Maybe he could…"
"No no no no no." Raimondo was quick to object, "No! He is not about to butt into this. He makes a good housecleaner, that's all his usefulness is for, ok?"
"Hey," Kimiko retorted, "he's an ex-Heylin now, remember?"
"Yeah." Replied Clay, "But we could be extinct if he gets his grubby hands on this Wu. But then again… Maybe not?"
"Let's settle this quickly, shall we?" came Dojo's voice, "Vote now or forever hold your peace, and that's gonna happen if Heylins win the Hai Ri Bull."
Omi thought for a moment then took Kimiko's side, soon joined by Clay. Raimondo still remained against the idea but the majority won. The leader stood sullen in the sun while the rest fetched the maid. Almost instantaneously Chase Young stepped out of the meeting hall, soot covered hands and all. Looks better that way, he thought. Can't see his face that's why, he sniggered. He frowned again, however, when the man stood in front of him.
"Let's get this over with." Raimondo croaked grumpily, "Same drill. Three … Two … One!" A claw shaped portal formed and Omi blocked off the water. Chase slipped his hand though and rummaged about like he was feeling through a cupboard – the pressure seemed to have no effect on him! In seconds he held a shining silver Hai Ri Bull.
Time froze for the Xiaolin monks. Chase was running his reptile eyes over the shining artifact, his bare hand gripping and loosening upon it. Nonetheless, without a tinge of hesitation or pause, he handed it over to Raimondo after a moment of observation. Sighs of relief blew around the man as he walked away from the circle. Kimiko could not wait until he was out of earshot to gloat at the 'boy who opposed'.
He could hear voices outside discussing him. They needed his help, but the boys did not fully trust him. He smiled when Kimiko suggested that he helped. He did not doubt the Hai Ri Bull's power and how spellbound it was, but he never had or will have a liking for Sheng Gong Wu. Only lackeys will bother with those crutches, he shook his head. Focusing back on his job, Chase Young carried the cauldron put and poured away the dirty water and soap suds. Raising his head he saw three of them coming his way. He put the cauldron in the center of the hall and stood outside.
Kimiko asked for his help whilst the boys stood as bodyguards behind her. "At your service, masters." He willingly went with them, keeping his strides close by hers. That Brazilian had his face transfigured with disgust, putting a smile on the servant's face. The procedure was as simple as ABCs and went without a hitch. When he went back to work, concerning luncheon, he started thinking on the simplicity of the Xiaolin warriors' Wu missions of late. No rivalries? No Heylin or that wimpy Spicer grabbing the Wu at the last minute, calling for a Showdown? No spy birds or its master bean? And how about that power-hungry Wuya? He made up his mind to have this word with Kimiko afterwards.
Meanwhile, lunch was dished out one by one on the table. He wiped his food-stained hands in time to see the cowboy's head lingering at the doorpost. Chase did not memorize that irrelevant information into his mind and neither did he glace a second time at the yellow imp next to him. Needless to say, their appearance was a surprise to him for neither was looking at the food but at him instead. Down the corridor he met Master Fung and Dojo, the latter reciting his part in the Wu retrieval. As he passed them, he was sure he overheard the Master say, "Perhaps he is changing back. Just in time that Master Monk Guan has gone. Now you have nothing to worry about Dojo."
So, one less Xiaolin under this roof, he thought as he picked up a gardening fork. Under what conditions would he leave the epitome of evil unwatched? Another word to discuss with Kimiko. "What are you daydreaming about, eh?" He blinked his thoughts away to see Raimondo with his arms crossed. He shamelessly answered, "With all due respect my thoughts are of my own, master Raimondo. But rest assured, it'll not affect you in the least."
Raimondo let him off. But Chase was not finished. "It will affect you in the most, siâo haí zì³." he mocked, low enough for his ears only. He knows the boy likes his girl but there was no chance of competition – no reason to think twice. He proceeded with flipping top soils by the bedroom windows.
Lunch was filled with norms, except the fact Raimondo was as quiet as rice. Not a sound came from him as she and the others chatted over Chase's peculiar willingness to help them with the Wu, especially since it is Heylin bound. They figured he would turn the tables and flatten them as soon as he held it. They were so far from the truth.
"I truly thought Chase Young was about to summon the Hai Ri Bull. But I judged wrong." confessed Omi.
"Same here, partner. He took us by the reins but he gave 'em back." nodded Clay
"Yeah. It was, like, so unexpected! And did you see how the pressure bugged him?"" Kimiko joined in their opinions.
"That didn't do nothin' to him!" agreed Clay.
"Maybe he can help us more!" suggested Omi. The rest turned their attention to him. "Since Chase Young knows Heylin Magic, he could help in lifting Wuya's spell from the Wu!"
"That's a great idea, Omi!" cried Kimiko.
"NO WAY!" A loud disagreement pierced the discussion like a sword. Raimondo had spoken. He was backed up by Master Fung who entered as Omi made his suggestion.
"We must be careful in this choice, young warriors." He cautioned slowly, "Chase Young may have pledged loyalty to the Xiaolin side, but if his heart is not on the same path he may stray back to the wilderness when given the chance."
Kimiko objected; Chase had given them the Hai Ri Bull without a look of hesitation or unwillingness!
"Yes, Kimiko." The Master responded, "Dojo has told me the whole story. And that is the reason I came to talk to you young monks. Chase Young has just given us an act of trust, something which, I must say, has come unexpectedly. Omi's suggestion is therefore considerable but must be decided now for if a Heylin strikes, matters will be further complicated and endangered."
"A vote?" Kimiko asked.
"Not this time, Kimiko. This is a more serious decision that calls for precise odds. Shall we make a list of pros and cons?"
Kimiko produced her PDA and everyone gathered around to add information. The list grew, and grew and grew until another voice pierced the discussion. "Pardon my intrusion, masters" Chase Young interrupted in a drawled tune, "May I clear the dishes?"
The crowd exchanged looks as he wiped the table clean and left the room wordlessly. As soon as he left they continued their discussions, quieter. Kimiko typed the data in her PDA.
The list in pros went simply – 1. He is a wizard. 2. He has Heylin magic in his blood. 3.He has appeared trustworthy as seen from the Wu incident. 4. He said he has no interest in Sheng Gong Wu. 5. He is one hot son of a gun. Kimiko slashed that last reason which she wrote out of her trust in him.
The cons were awkward – 1. He was a Heylin for 1500 years 2. He observed the Sheng Gong Wu for a moment before passing it over. 3. He has used Sheng Gong Wu in his schemes before. 4. There is signs of some rebellion in him as seen from the past 6 days. 5. There are no more excuses.
She looked up from the palm-sized screen. It had been an hour of discussion and the reasons for both were equal. Master Fung sighed; he hoped it would not come to this. He grudgingly called for a vote although the thought stung his conscious with regret. One hand zoomed up while two rose slowly for Option Yes. In Option No, a tanned arm and a green scaly limb went flying high.
Majority won anyhow, and Chase was called for the second time that day. His expression was emotionless as he agreed to counter Wuya's spell. When asked if there were any materials he needed, the wizard halted in his steps. He said that it was Heylin Magic casted, thus only Heylin Magic to counter. His voice gave them the impression of an expert insulted. Chase Young was brought to the Sheng Gong Wu vault but remained outside the underground stone stairway. Did they think for a moment he did not know about the vault? He scoffed inwardly.
When he finally held the Wu he looked over it at arm's length. The Xiaolin monks surrounded him and watched him study every physical detail. Then he closed his eyes and motioned his fingers over, sensing the presence of the spell. Slowly he rotated the Bull, eyes still closed, with his levitating powers. The Wu began floating before him as he gradually outstretched his arms away. A dark, wispy haze hung around it that grew with the distance he moved. At last the wizard stood with his arms spread horizontally. His long hair drifted with the loosened grip of gravity. His eyelids flashed open and power glowed from his open hands. His lips tightened. The haze around the Wu became a thick fog. His hands made a powerful clap. The impact sent a ferocious beam of light straight at the Hai Ri Bull. The Wu tilted back with the force. The darkness haunting around it fled, dissolving into the light. Soon both spells faded and line of smoke ascended.
Chase exhaled with slight tiredness as the Wu dropped with a clang. He dropped his arms at his sides. The Xiaolin spectators did not stop to notice him, but rushed to caress the de-spelled magical crutch. He watched them swarm around that thing in disgusted amazement. They would rather that trash than real magic? He groaned inwardly. But he was not an attention seeker and swiftly slipped out.
Kimiko had watched him, but from his astounded look of hate, she decided to thank him when he cools down. She spent the evening with the boys and Master Fung. They were celebrating over the incident, and soon a new request was on the tips of their tongues.
"Anybody think he can spellbind this Wu for Xiaolins?" Raimondo suddenly suggested, a scheming look growing on his face.
"That ain't a bad idea, Rai!" Clay slapped his friend on the back, glad that he was talking again.
"I don't think we should do that, guys." Now it was Kimiko's turn to object. "I mean, if we do, we'll be no better than them!"
"We are way better than them, Kimiko." The boy was grinning wide, "Why do'u think we're called Xiaolin?"
"It's not the name that upholds the reputation, but the spirit." Master Fung said as he entered the conversation.
"Aww, c'mon Master Fungster!" Raimondo protested, "It's just for safekeeping!"
"That's the same thing Wuya thought fifteen hundred years ago years ago, kid." Dojo reminded, laying his scaly green head on the Master's shoulder.
"There's a diff –" He uttered.
"The only difference, Raimondo, is the side this decision is done upon." Master Fung dismissed the suggestion with a raise of his palm. "Now perhaps we should, if you young warriors could do so, thank him for his recent help."
Those last words made Raimondo fume a dark cloud over his head. His friends noticed this, but all knew the Master's words were to be obeyed. All four headed to find the unappreciated wizard, the boy mumbling swears like a gushing waterfall. His words interested innocent Omi though and those yellow ears were his only audience.
Kimiko led the troop to the kitchen where his timetable meant him to be. A turn at the corner and behold, a tall man in an apron stood by the sink facing a Dojo-less Master Fung. The sight made the boys chortle behind covered mouths, desperately trying not to throw a fit of laughter. Only Kimiko found nothing funny as she watched Master Fung address him and leave. Chase turned to give the youngsters his undivided attention and Kimiko dug her elbow into her leader's ribcage. A muffled yelp sorted him into seriousness. He gave her a glare, which drew a raised eyebrow from Chase, then opened his mouth. "We would just like to say," He paused to twist his fingers behind his back, "Thanks for helping out with the spell countering stuff. Right guys?" He called for moral support.
The rest crammed in their positive comments through the narrow doorway. Kimiko was disgusted by his lack of security, or was it lack of nice words?
Chase wiped his hands on the apron. He nodded in acknowledgement and returned to dicing potatoes. The boys left in a scurry, thinking Kimiko would be girlishly strolling behind them. Matter of fact, she stayed for a chat with the cook – there were more things she wanted to thank him for. She just stood by him, the silence transmitting signals of their love. She leaned on the surface, gazing at his angular face. He sent a smile her way, cautiously looked around, and kissed her soft cheek.
"Can I ask you something?" he whispered.
"Sure." She replied
"Do they mean me to spell bind that magical toy?" He let his irritation show. "I'm not so free as to fling magic around all day."
She laughed. "Nah! Master Fung won't allow it. He says it's no better than what Wuya did and as Xiaolins we should keep our distance from Heylin-used ideas. Or something like that."
"Héng ah¹. I'm in no mood to snap another spell for them. There are some new things to think about, Kimiko." He paused to put the potatoes in a boiling pot and set a few onions on the chopping board, but did not continue dicing. "It relates to what I was frustrated over last night, or rather, singular proofs to the subject."
"You mean stuff that proves what you're right about the Hannibal thing?" she sighed, thinking he was going to go all short-tempered again.
"These are clues that may be joined into being a single proof. If not they are separate evidences." He noticed her weary look. "No dear Kimiko. I am not feeling frustrated about it."
Her shoulders loosened in relief and he continued, "Have you noticed that you have no Wu competitors recently?"
"Well we took at lightly 'cause we have the Wu already and thought no biggy, right? But yeah, we didn't take much notice."
"I did however. Especially that Wuya, now out of my control, is not ravaging herself upon it struck me as odd."
She shrugged her shoulders. "Anything else?"
"Moreover, Master Monk Guan has left suddenly."
"Dojo says his temple is being attacked."
"And the monks there cannot defend it themselves and in need of his involvement? Is the attack too much for experienced Xiaolin monks? Rather strange in my eyes since they've been trained by the assumed best."
"Maybe when he comes back you ask him what's up. Or I'll tell you when he tells us." She said hopefully.
"I doubt his return here." Chase's words were simple, but piercing. Kimiko fell silent, glancing elsewhere to collect her mind. She turned her back to him. He took up the knife to start dicing, but laid it down again to place a hand on her shoulder. The muscle under his touch tightened. "How can you say that?" she whispered hoarsely.
"I may be wrong, but somehow I don't see him coming back." He replied in a slur.
"I love you, Chase." She wiped his hand off. "But I can. And he will come back here soon, you'll see!"
"My words are mine," he muttered, "but I'll keep yours in mind. Will you keep mine in yours?"
"Sure." Kimiko turned and left the kitchen, leaving Chase to his onions, eyes closed.
The temple was engulfed in flames. In every corner, Xiaolin monk corpses lay with their eyelids open and mouths agape in mid scream. Fire roasted their dead bodies away slowly, a ghastly sight to the Head of the temple. Master Monk Guan knelt sobbing, the spear of Guan lying broken and his orange uniform in shreds. He was a hard, self-made man but his vision was blurred by tears. The pain inflicted, lashes and broken bones were not the cause. The melted buildings and scorched land failed to catch his despaired attention. The stench of burning human flesh infiltrated his nostrils, but it did not make him cringe. The mockeries from his victors were soundless to his ears. He looked to the sky; heaven above appeared as hell, blood red and flaring. Salty streams poured from his eyelids. The lives he let lost, the lives he will soon lose, the simplicity of the evil tormented his guilt-beaten conscious. Defeat, as impossible as it was, has him finally in its shackles.
Translations
¹ Chinese for (You want to play it like that?) (Little kid)
² Japanese for (Shit)