Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown or any of its characters. Only those created for this story are mine.
Chapter 2: Preparations (part 1)
After awakening from his "nightmare," Raimundo could not return to sleep. His thoughts still remained on the fact that in one foul swoop he lost his two best friends and the girl he loved. Since sleep was not an option, Raimundo began his preparations to go on this amazing quest that had been set before him so unexpectedly. While packing a few necessities needed for his journey, Raimundo noticed Master Fung make his way into the room and asked Raimundo to sit down. Raimundo knew by the look on his master's face he was about to give some pretty grim advice.
"Raimundo, with the circumstances being what they are, I feel it is my duty to advice you as to who or what you are likely to encounter on this journey, and I think a history lesson is in order." Raimundo sighed, but nodded knowing he needed to hear this and listened patiently as his master began his tale. " Many centuries ago during what is known as the Xiaolin Dynasty era, there were ten ruling tribes known as the Dragon Clans. Each clan had a ruler and each one was gifted with one of ten elements: wind, fire, water, earth, thunder, ice, steel, wood, light, and darkness." At the mention of six other elements beside their own, Raimundo became curious, but before he could ask anything Master Fung placed a single finger in the air to advice Raimundo to hold on. " Now theses tribes lived in peace and harmony with each other helping each other when necessary. One day a ferocious beast appeared out of nowhere and began to attack the tribe of wind elementals. The ruler known as Lao Mane watched as his people were attacked and knew the only way to stop the beast would be to combine all ten elements, but for that to happen they would need place the elements in a single object that could be used as a weapon. At this realization Lao Mane, sent messengers to the surrounding tribes and asked for their assistance and one by one each of the rulers came and they began their plans to construct a powerful weapon that would destroy the beast."
Raimundo could not believe what he was hearing and why has he not heard anything about this before now. Master Fung knew his young student had many questions, but he also knew he needed to finish what has already been started and with a nod, Raimundo beckoned his master to continue. " As I was stating, plans to construct a powerful weapon were underway. They believed that if they concentrated their powers into a single stone, one for each tribe, then placed them in an object to hold them that it would give one person enough power to overwhelm the beast and destroy it. They thought about what would be best to hold the stones and decided on a crown since all of them were in fact rulers of their own specific tribe. At the command of their leader, the tribe of steel elementals began forging a crown with ten slots to hold what they now deemed the Dragon Stones. As the crown was being finished the leaders of the ten tribes forged their powers and the stones were born. When presented with the crown each ruler of his or her own tribe placed their Dragon Stone into the vessel and when Lao Mane placed the wind stone into proper place, the crown began to glow showing that it was a mighty weapon. The leaders decided to call the object they created the Crown of Dragons. The tribes were excited because they knew that the death of the evil beast would soon be at hand, and the leaders decided it should be Lao Mane to wear the crown since it was his clan that was being effected by the beast's wrath. With great humility, Lao Mane excepted the crown and placed it upon his head and began to leave his palace home with the crown on his head and a sword in his hand. As he was leaving he could not help but feel he was being watched but pushed the feeling aside and continued on his quest. Little did he know he was in fact being watched by a young man of sixteen, dressed in royal robes, who had the look of fear and sadness on his face, as if knowing nothing good could come from this battle about to take place. Lao Mane ventured to the outskirts of his tribes' home and was watching as more of his tribesman were falling to the wrath of the horrendous beast. It had been the first time Lao Mane had seen the beast up close. It was tall and long he would guess forty feet or so, with black and purple scales covering its body. Its eyes were golden and the pupils were slit in the middle. It had four legs, each equipped with massive foot that razor sharp claws on the ends, and if the claws were not enough to intimidate you it was also baring razor sharp teeth. At the end of the body was a tail that appeared to have two spiked horns on both sides and it was using its tail to cause just as much destruction as the teeth or claws. The one thing that caught Lao Mane's attention was the amazing wings the creature had, they appeared to be just as long as its body, and shaped like the wings of a bat, only to have spikes on the outer tips of each wing.
Lao Mane summoned all the courage he had to go forth and challenge the beast, which he knew would not be an easy feat. He called out and the beast turned its reptilian head towards the voice and glared at the man before him. Lao Mane called to the beast once again challenging it to attack him, and the beast gave Lao Mane another look and this time kneeled its head and began to speak to Lao Mane's amazement. " Who dares to challenge the great Heylin Dragon?" , it spoke in a raspy voice. " I am Lao Mane ruler of the Wind Dragon Clan, the people you have been attacking and murdering relentlessly for days now." At the man's response the dragon gave slight snicker and asked, " and why have you chosen to reveal yourself to me?" Again, Lao Mane gathered his courage and told the dragon, " I have come to put an end to evil ways and destroy you for the crimes you have committed and the lives you have taken." The dragon began to laugh at what the man had just stated, Lao Mane could only imagine what would happen next. The dragon regained its composure and looked straight at Lao Mane and stated, "If it is a fight you want then a fight you shall get." That being said the dragon lunged forward to attack Lao Mane but he managed to move out of the way. He then swung his sword to strike the beast across the snout and hissed at the pain. The dragon raised it's head and spewed forth a green flame, before it could strike, Lao Mane summoned the power of the earth stone and water stone to shield himself and it worked. Lao Mane now knew what he must do, but before he could attack he saw the dragon rise up and take to the air, he followed suit using the wind element that had been gifted to him. He managed to summon the steel element and created a shield for himself, knocking back the attacks the dragon was making with its teeth and claws. Lao Mane knew he was getting tired and running out of energy so he summoned both the powers of thunder and ice to strike the wings of the beast, sending it into a downward spiral crashing to the earth. He then used the powers of light and wood to blind and restrain the dragon from moving and used the power of fire to weaken the beast even more, by burning it. Lao Mane returned to the ground and knew it was time, he gathered all his strength and courage and asked the elements themselves to give him their power. His body began to glow with a bright light and power seemed to be drawn into his sword changing it's appearance from a simple sword to a mighty weapon called by the elements the Draco Saber. After realizing his new found power, Lao Mane rushed toward the dragon, which was starting to make its own counter move, slid under the beast to dodge the attack and pierced the heart of the dragon. The dragon fell in defeat and landed on top of Lao Mane many of the tribe's people and those from the palace gathered at the sight. The young man that had watched Lao Mane leave the palace, was at the very front of the group a tears beginning to form in his eyes but then noticed a strange movement coming from the body of the beast. Many thought Lao Mane had failed and the dragon was still alive but soon realized it was their heroic leader Lao Mane rising up to declare victory. A loud cheer could be heard for miles, many rushed over to congratulate the leader but the first to do so was the young man, to whom Lao Mane had open arms to.
"Father," the young man cried out and embraced Lao Mane. He returned the embrace and asked if his son had been worried for his safety and his son simply nodded. They remained in the short embrace and many others came to offer thank you for the heroic deed. After many congratulations, Lao Mane turned and invited everyone back to the palace to celebrate his noble victory." Raimundo stared in awe and all he could say was, "Wow."