I decided to reupload this chapter with some added detail that hopefully gives some more background to this character. It's not much but hopefully it's a little better.

Interlude 2: Xiao Fang the Red Fist

Xiao Fang sits peacefully meditating in a large open training room. His traditional gi is undone leaving his back bare. In front of him sits a large golden gong emblazoned with the symbol of the red fist. Candles line the walls of the open room, casting off a dim light. Behind Fang, an open floor of clay tiles marks the training arena. Six red pillars stand tall to the ceiling on the left and right of the arena. The large empty space is quiet and serene. Fang's attention is turned inward and so he does not hear the growing commotion around him. From out the doors leading to the hallway, the growing sounds of battle can be heard. The slap of heavy footsteps on the tile floors echo through the complex. The door bursts open.

"Sifu! Sifu!" Shouts a troubled monk. His head is shaved as is custom for the xiaolin monk splinter group. He wears the traditional red gi of the group as well. The monk breathes heavily, sweat running down his forehead. He runs up to his master, who's concentration is finally broken.

"You better have a good reason to interrupt my ritual meditation Quan." Fang says tilting his head over his shoulder. His intense glare, which usually is enough to frighten most of his subordinates into submission, does nothing to his apprentice. His student is more scared of whatever it was that has caused him to disturb his master.

"Sifu, there is an intruder in the complex." Quan hurriedly explains. A scowl forms over the Red Fist's features.

"And why haven't you gotten rid of him?" He asked venomously. At this the younger monk takes a knee and bows his head in shame and deference.

"He is too strong Sifu. He is besting nearly all of our men." Quan explained. Fang's scowl deepened. Although none of his pupils were nearly as strong as him, he had at least assured they were competent enough fighters to take on a stronger than average opponent. Whoever this intruder was, they must mean serious business. Outwardly, Fang let none of these thoughts show. Instead, he stood from his cross-legged position and held out an arm. Immediately Quan went to grab his master's gi from it's folded position on the floor and adorned the Red Fang.

"Imbeciles, must I do everything myself?" Red Fist questioned. But before the infamous criminal could take another step, the doors at the far end of the room burst open again. A flood of warrior monks all wearing the same red gi and all with their heads shaved, came rushing into the training area. "Protect Sifu!" The call came out as the monks quickly assumed a defensive formation around their leader. Dozens of monks filled the space between the door and Xiao Fang, each of them adopting the same battle ready stance.

The hall soon turned silent, save for the sound of the steady breathing of dozens of martial artists. Soon however, the echo of footsteps could be heard approaching the door. The steps grew closer and closer, prompting the monks to tense and shuffle slightly. Suddenly the double doors swung open, revealing a man in his early 20's with bronze skin and black curled hair. His chest was bare and he wore bangles and slightly baggy white pants. He smiled warmly with his arms wide open. Behind him, Fang could see dozens of his defeated students, laying haphazardly across the floor. The young man's gaze latched onto Fang's seemingly ignoring the many warriors surrounding him as though they were an afterthought.

"You must be the mighty Xiao Fang, leader of the Red Fist." The man spoke. He clasped his hands together in front of him and bowed deeply. "I have been so looking forward to meeting you." The man said from his bow, still seemingly ignoring the fact that he was outnumbered.

Red Fist regarded the man with a cautious eye as he stood back up. Fang folded his arms in so that his hands were hid in the sleeves of his robe. He stood straight with dignity and addressed the intruder.

"To make it this far you must have some degree of strength." Fang began. "In recognition of that, I will overlook your audacity for the moment so that I may ask your name and acknowledge you." He spoke. Impossibly, the stranger's smile grew even wider than before.

"I am Avatar Deva, King and supreme ruler of the nation of Shambala." Deva announced. Fang had only heard of this country in passing. Although he knew nothing of it, for their king to make an unscheduled appearance was highly unusual.

"I meet you, King Deva." Fang said respectfully with a slight bow of his own. "May I now ask what brings you to our headquarters and what makes you think I would let you leave alive after these transgressions?" He asked with a hint of malice. Deva simply chuckled at the threat. A response that was taken none too kindly by the Red Fist or his students.

"Because, Master Fang, I know there is only one thing in this world that you respect." Deva began. "Power. The strength to crush one's enemies and the prowess to make them appear as a fool while doing so." He continued. "I knew that without such a display, as extreme as it may be, you would not take me seriously. And I have come here, seeking your power. I wish for you to join forces with me, in an endeavor that shall change the world." Deva finished.

Strangely, Red Fist let out a barking laugh at Deva's statement. "Your boldness is commendable, King. But defeating these, whelps, does not impress me." Fang spoke harshly. "If you truly wish to gain my attention, you must battle my greatest disciple and best him in single combat." Fang said putting a hand on Quan's shoulder. Quan for his part, steeled his expression and stared down at the intruder who dared to make a mockery of their order.

"But of course." Deva agreed. The crowd of monks parted to either side of the arena. They formed a line around it's boundary, closing ranks behind the two warriors as they entered the ring. Quan descended the few short steps into the ring while Fang stood passively at the top. "What shall be the rules for this contest?" Deva asked still lackadaisy.

"You shall fight until your opponent is incapacitated. Such is the rule of honor." Fang replied. The two warriors squared up with each other. They traded the traditional martial artist's gesture of respect: a closed fist to an open palm. "Fine by me. It will be an honor to fight you esteemed disciple." Deva spoke as he assumed a fighting stance.

"The honor will be mine when I knock you to the ground interloper." Quan replied.

The clanging of a gong echoed throughout the small, enclosed area. "Begin!" Fang called out. The two fighters stepped close to one another. Quan launched a vicious series of tiger palm strikes at Deva who effortlessly deflected them. Turning quickly on his heel, Quan's leg rocketed upwards for a kick to Deva's chin. The king deftly backflipped out of the way before turning on the offensive. He let loose a deadly combo of punches and chops aimed at his opponent's midsection. But Quan countered them at every turn. The battle continued on like that for what seemed an eternity. Suddenly, Quan stepped in close and locked Deva's elbow. With a sweeping kick Quan knocked Deva off his feet and prepared to spin him to the floor in a classic Judo throw. But the quick thinking king caught the ground with an open palm and pushed himself upwards to deliver a spinning kick. The maneuver caught Quan by surprise as he stumbled back. Deva regained his footing and stood facing his opponent in another stance. With a growl of defiance Quan launched himself at his opponent again. Only this time, every throw and strike that he tried was perfectly evaded. No matter what move he did Quan could not even manage to touch Deva. He caught a glimpse of glowing blue light and realized it was coming from the King's eyes. His irises glowed blue with an ethereal power. All the while Quan desperately tried to land even a single attack. It was as though his opponent was seeing the future or reading his mind. But before he could even voice this thought, a sudden strike from Deva sent Quan reeling. The blow collided with his temple, knocking the monk out cold.

As Quan laid flat out on the ground, another monk ran onto the arena floor to check on him. "Quan is down." He called.

"Deva is the victor then." Fang spoke as he began to descend the steps.

The two masters bowed to each other then as they came face to face.

"Very well, you have my attention." Fang said.

Red Fist gestured for his disciples to leave the room. One by one they each stood from their kneeling position and exited through the large double doors they came through. Two of the monks carried Quan with his arms around their shoulders. At last the large group of monks had exited the chamber, leaving Deva and Red Fist alone.

"So this new world of yours?" Red Fist began. "What exactly does it entail and how do we go about ushering it in?" He asked. Deva chuckled.

"All in good time friend. But I must first be assured your loyalty before I tell you any of my plans." Deva countered. A grim line set itself on Red Fist's face as he stared back at

"It is wise of you to seek out the most powerful warrior on the planet, but I promise you I am not to be taken a fool of. The ideal world I wish for is free of the hateful taint of Death and his accursed weapon hybrids. Those unnatural monsters flaunt their powers and weaken the human race. I have spent the majority of my life trying to exterminate these demons and create a new better world for humanity. What hope do you have in succeeding where I have failed?" Xiao Fang finished. Deva's smile fell from his own face and he now regarded Xiao Fang with a more serious stance.

"My plan is to use the Shinigami's own powers of Madness to turn this world on it's head. And I will succeed. The question is whether or not you will join me, or be left behind in the dust." Deva extended a hand, face still set in grim determination.

Xiao Fang regarded Deva and his outstretched hand. He smirked and nodded his head ever so slightly. Folding his arms in front of him he took a waist deep bow.

"Then you have my pledge." Red Fist said.

In my head canon I based Xiao Fang's appearance very much off of Long Feng, the leader of the Dai Li in Avatar the last airbender. Main difference being he dresses up in red instead of green. Also I hope the added detail shows how truyly diabolical I intended him to be.