WARNING: Raimundo will be beating the heck out of Jack in this chapter. Just thought everyone would like to know. Also I suck at writing fighting scenes...
Break
A small blur of yellow and red crashed Jack's side just before Kimiko passed out. Said blur sent Jack flying off of Kimiko, into the base of a tree. Jack's body smacked against it hard. This caused him to bounce off and land face first into the ground below. Kimiko gulped down huge gasps of air. She started to cough and sputter. Omi knelt down next to his injured friend as Clay ran over towards them.
It would seem that since both Clay and Omi had no luck finding the Shen-Gong-Wu they decided to come find their friends. They had hoped that Kimiko and Raimundo had better luck then what they had. Dojo, who could no longer hide away from the heat under Clay's hat, suggested that he could fly over to the other side of the island to pick up the other monks. Clay and Omi agreed.
Yet instead of finding Raimundo and Kimiko fighting for the Wu, they come across a bizarre scene. Raimundo appeared to be tied up (They couldn't really tell by what though) and Jack Spicer had Kimiko on the ground with a hand on her neck. Both Clay and Omi leaped into action. Well…'flew' would be the proper term for Omi since Clay literally threw Omi into Jack, like he would a ball, by request from Omi. The cowboy thought it was pretty crazy, but chose to comply with the other boy's wishes. Lucky Omi made it just in time.
Dojo, who was now small again, slid from Clay's hat and over to the distressed dragon of fire. The bonds on Raimundo disappeared once Jack was away from Kim. He rushed over to the others. Though he was still worried about his female friend he let out a sigh of relief, knowing that she was still alive.
"Rai, what in tarnation is goin' here!?"
"Yes, what has happened while we were separated? Why was Jack choking Kimiko? Has he completely hopped off the shallow end?" Omi asked. Rai chose not to correct the small monk, his entire focus on the genius in question. His face had a look of pure rage upon it.
"I will tell you guys what went on later. Right now," Rai glared at the red head as he groaned and pushed himself in a sitting position, "We have something to take care of first." Kimiko looked up into the faces of her friends, a sudden feeling of worry residing in her stomach. Her throat was in pain yet still she tried to speak to them.
"R-Rai…Jack….something…d-different." She coughed and hacked, her throat too abused for anymore speaking. Dojo placed a small clawed hand onto the girl's shoulder.
"No more talking, okay kid?" He whispered to her. She nodded and winced from the discomfort in her neck.
Meanwhile, Jack leaned back against the tree. His eyes flashed between red and silver, as if they couldn't decide which color they wanted to be. Pain wracked his entire body. His mouth twisted into a harsh scowl. Finally, he eyes reverted back into that threatening silver.
"Heh…You're a cheeky little brat aren't you Jack?" He growled in a low voice.
"Jack Spicer!" Omi called out pointing an accusing finger at the boy. He, Raimundo, and clay stood before him. Jack fixed them all with a glare, his red hair hanging in his eyes.
"You no good varmint! That was low even for a dirty, rotten snake like you!" Raimundo clenched his fists.
"I can't believe you would even think about doing what you did! As if you couldn't sink any lower, you sorry excuse for a human being!" Raimundo hissed, venom dripping from every word spoken. Jack regarded the monks for a moment; his scowl was then replaced with a psychotic grin.
"Oh no, it appears I have hurt the little monk's feelings." Jack said, clearly mocking Raimundo. Dojo froze as the sound of Jack's voice. It couldn't be…
"Jack Spicer, you will pay for your wrong doings!" Omi announced as he got into a fighting position. Clay and Raimundo followed suit. Raimundo growled low in his throat, resisting the urge to just pound Jack into the dust right then and there. I will make sure you never bother us again…
"We shall see Omi." In that moment Jack disappeared. The boys all blinked, startled by what they just witnessed.
"Where the hell di-"Raimundo was cut off by Jack slamming his foot into the back of his knee. As Raimundo went down the other two attacked Jack. Jack just dodged every kick and punch sent his way. Finally, he grasped Omi by the front of his robes. Jack spun around and threw him into Clay's chest. Clay fell onto his back. Raimundo was back on his feet, aiming to send his fist into Jack's side. Jack just grinned and disappeared once more. Raimundo gritted his teeth and prepared himself for another attack.
Omi helped Clay back up onto his feet. Jack had chosen to surprise the smallest monk by sending a swift kick into his chest. Omi flew back as Clay caught Jack square in the face with one of his massive fists. Jack did not as much as whimper in pain. This unnerved the cowboy greatly. Jack then proceeded to send a volley of kicks and punches at him. Clay used his arms to block most of the attacks but some still caught him in the sides and stomach.
Raimundo ran to help his friend. He sent a powerful round house kick into Jack's side, feeling satisfaction from the sound of a crack. Jack's eyes shot wide as he felt a couple of his ribs break. Raimundo used Jack's momentary pause to his advantage and sent the boy flying to the ground from another punch towards his face. Yet he didn't stop there. He then kicked the boy again, causing him to roll a ways away. Raimundo then used his power over the wind to send Jack flying into the rock wall of the cliff. Jack fell to the ground, landing on his chest.
Raimundo watched silently as Jack started to push himself up. He grabbed Jack by his red locks and sent him into the rock wall again with his power. A sickening snap was heard once he hit the rocks. His left arm, the one that was burnt, took most of the blow into the rocks. Raimundo felt great pleasure in knowing that he had broken the boy's arm. Jack slid to the ground. Blood trickled down the corner of his mouth. His left arm fell limp while he placed his right hand against the ground to steady himself.
"Had enough yet Jack?" Raimundo asked in a cruel voice. Both Clay and Omi regarded their leader wearily from a distance. They have never seen him attack someone so viciously before. Sure Jack was their enemy but the pale boy was greatly weaker than they were ("Err…was weaker…" Clay stated). Though, Jack did deserve a beating for trying to strangle Kimiko. Still, they couldn't help but fell a little sorry for him.
Meanwhile, as the fight was going on dojo was lost in distant memories of old. There was something so familiar about the way Jack had spoken earlier. It almost reminded the small dragon of someone he had knew once before. Yet, that was just crazy! There was no way Jack was that same person! That person he knew had died many years ago. Jack didn't even act like that person. Though, Dojo couldn't help but wonder…
As he watched the fight, Dojo caught a quick glance of Jack's eyes. Though it was brief he clearly saw the silver irises shining with an ancient darkness deep inside. He could never forget such eyes.
"Do…jo…?" Kimiko whispered faintly as she felt the dragon suddenly go rigid. He crawled away from the girl and hurried over to Raimundo.
It shouldn't be possible! There was no way it was supposed to happen! He never showed any signs until now. How is it possible for Jack to be…?
"Well Jack? Are you gonna answer? Or do I have to continue until I hear you beg for mercy?" Raimundo hissed. Jack remained silent for a moment until he chuckled slightly.
"Hehehe… You stupid little brat. Your weak body can't handle a few blows? How pathetic," Raimundo raised an eye brow. Was Jack…talking to himself?
"What's worse you prefer to live like an insignificant weakling. Even when you have all your power…No matter, I am the one in control now. There for I can use my power however I please." Jack stood up from the ground. Raimundo saw the dark aura surround Jack's body. He braced himself for whatever Jack had planned. The next thing he knew, he was pulled out of the way by a strong grasp. Dojo, who was now at full dragon size, had Raimundo in one hand while the other had Jack pinned to the wall.
"Wha-? Dojo, what gives!?" Raimundo asked trying to break out of the dragon's hold. A deep growl caused him to go still but the growl was not directed towards him. Dojo bared his teeth at Jack.
"So…the tiny little gecko decided it was time to play." Jack stated as he grinned at the dragon, not showing an ounce of fear. Dojo narrowed his eyes. Jack's now sliver irises confirmed his suspicions.
"So it is true. Your spirit really has returned. Yunxu." Everyone became confused by this statement. Yunxu? What was going on? 'Yunxu' cocked his head to the side. His face had shown an almost thoughtful look.
"How long has it been since I heard that name? I've been lost within the shadows for so long… I've almost forgotten what my name was. Not that it matters now. My body has long since turned to dust. However, this child's body has given my spirit a great place to reside for the time being. Though I think I just might be getting to the poor boy. I wonder how much longer it would take for his spirit to completely shatter." Dojo's eyes shot to the size of dinner plates.
"You would do that to one who shares your blood!? Jack is just a kid!"
"Which is why his spirit should have been broken years ago! If it wasn't for the dragon of fire and that other brat I would have already had this boy under my thumb, doing my bidding. Yet, even after everything I've done to cause him to crack, he continues to block me out. But the shadows…hehehe…the shadows helped me find a way.
A little friend of mine has already caused Jack to relieve a truly agonizing memory that has his mind spiraling out of control. Soon enough he will lose himself completely. Once that happens, I will have my revenge. We will make this boy see things our way. One way or another Jack will become my puppet." Dojo knew that what Yunxu said was the truth. How could they have been so bind?
"Release him Yunxu. Give Jack back control." Yunxu frowned at the dragon.
"Why would I do a thing like that?" Dojo growled once more.
"I said give him back control!" Yunxu rolled his eyes.
"As if you could ever scare me, you gigantic iguana. Very well, I shall humbly fulfill your wishes. I have a feeling we will be meeting again in the future anyway." Yunxu's head fell forward, the dark aura around his body slowly dissipated. All the monks had stayed silent throughout the whole conversation. They were all confused by what just happed. Raimundo, who had to watch the scene from up close, didn't feel so angry towards Jack anymore. He directed his attention to the other boy's broken arm. He turned away in shame.
"Jack," Dojo called softly to the red-head, "Jack, can you hear me?" Slowly, Jack lifted his hollow crimson eyes up to the dragon. Tears were cascading down him cheeks.
"P…Pl…ease….for…give…m…e." He sobbed. His body fell limp in dojo's grasp. The dragon sighed and placed both boys onto the ground gently. Raimundo rushed over to Jack's side.
"J-Jack! Hey dude, wake up!"
"He's fine Raimundo. He just passed out. I think it's time we made our way back to the temple. Get a move on kids! There is something that needs to be discussed once we are back." Dojo said, stretching his body out for everyone to climb onto his back. Omi and Clay helped Kimiko to her feet. They walked over to the dragon.
"But Dojo, what about Jack?" Omi asked.
"He is coming with us. Do you really think he is able to help himself right now?" Omi shook his head. Both he and Kimiko climbed onto the dragon's back. Clay lifted Jack into his arms, Raimundo helped him settle Jack onto dojo's back as well. Kimiko was still a little wearily of Jack so she moved farther back away from him. Just barely remembering about the wu, Raimundo did a quick search for the item they went there to find. Surprisingly he found both the Nightmare Bow and the Monkey Staff in the same area.
"Dojo," Raimundo started once he was ready to go, "just who is 'Yunxu' anyway?" Dojo sighed.
"I think it would be better if Master Fung told you those answers." With that Dojo took off into the sky.
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