A/N: Hello, hello! Back at it again with the next chapter! Woohoo! I hope ya'll are enjoying this story. Just to note, I am going to keep descriptions of Kimiko's outfits vague. Mostly because I think it would be fun for everyone to imagine her in whatever outfit was your favorite! Our girl definitely knows how to come up with some killer looks lol. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter Three

Spirits

"Kimiko!"

The girl gasped, trying desperately to search for whoever was calling for her from the scene before her. Blue flames clouded her vision. The fire roared around her, towering with its all consuming smoke.

"Kimiko!"

She recognized that voice, "Rai?!" She called out, "Rai, where are you?!"

"Kimiko! Help!"

She knew that voice too, "Clay?!"

"Kimiko!"

"Omi!"

Through the flames she could barely make out the forms of her friends. They were on their knees, coughing. Smoke surrounded them. Threatening to consume them.

"Guys!" She ran forward, ignoring the searing pain as the flames licked at her arms. She had to get to her friends. She had to help them, "I'm coming! Just hang on!"

Parting the fire like Moses did the Red Sea, Kimiko emerged from her side of the imprisonment only to let out a horrified scream. Her eyes watered at the sight of her friends. They lay there… Motionless… Scarred from the fire. Her fire.

"No." She whispered. Falling to her knees, Kimiko began to cry for her fallen monks.

Her anguish dissipated as a new sound filled her ears. A hiss that one would easily mistake as the sound of the fire roaring around her. However, it sounded… alive. It surrounded her.

Kimiko looked up and screamed. A distorted figure from the flames smiled at her. But it was not a kind smile. It was heinous, cruel. It did not speak but Kimiko knew it relished in her despair. Where the eyes should have been was a dark void. It laughed, the sound reminding the girl of the crackling of a fireplace. There was nothing comforting about this warmth though.

It lunged at her.

Kimiko sucked in a breath. As she emerged from her painful sleep, she blinked away the nightmare from her mind. They were getting worse. But she did not want to think about that. Instead, she focused on why the ceiling was so high up… This was not her sleeping quarters.

Once her brain caught up with the fact that she was truly awake, she realized she was in the hospital wing of the temple. Her blue eyes scanned the small room. A few monks stood by folding various bandages and organizing medical supplies.

"Ah, you are awake."

The sound of Master Fung's voice made Kimiko look over to the entrance. She furrowed her brow, "Master Fung? What happened?" She asked.

The monk walked forward, "You passed out on the way home, Kimiko. You gave your friends quite the scare." He sat on the edge of the bed, giving the young girl's arm a gentle pat.

The memories of what happened came flooding back to her. The showdown, the pain, the voice… Her heart rate elevated. Sitting up, she asked, "I'm sorry, Master Fung. I lost the Chalice of Qin to Jack." If there was one thing she hated, it was losing.

Master Fung shook his head, "Do not freight, young monk. There will be other chances to win it back." Giving her a kind smile, he stood, "When you are feeling up to it, I would like to discuss what happened to you further." His eyes softened in worry, "Raimundo told me what you said about your fire hurting you." Gently, he picked up her hands.

The whole time they had been talking, Kimiko had not even noticed the bandages wrapped around her hands.

Master Fung frowned, "We will get to the bottom of this, Kimiko. Do not be afraid."

"I'm not-"

The elder raised an eyebrow.

She sighed in defeat, "Thank you, Master Fung."

Letting go of her hands, the man bowed before making his exit.

Looking down at her wrapped hands, Kimiko fought the urge to unwrap them to see what the damage was. The whole situation seemed wrong. She had been chosen to be the Dragon of Fire, why was this happening? None of the others had any problems… What was wrong with her?

Tears clouded her vision.

"Kimiko! You are awake!"

The sound of Omi's cheerful voice caused the girl to wipe her eyes. She watched as the small monk emerged from the entrance with the other boys. She smiled, "Hey guys!"

Running to her bedside with Dojo on his tail, Omi asked, "Kimiko, are you alright? What happened to you? Raimundo said your fire is burning you? How did you lose the Chalice-"

A swift slap on the back of the head from Dojo's tail shut the young monk up real quick. Omi let out a yelp before shooting a glare at the small reptile who glared right back.

Reaching her bedside, Clay and Raimundo smiled at her warmly.

"You gave us quite a scare, lil' lady." Clay said.

Kimiko flinched, "Yeah, sorry about that guys. I don't know what happened." She admitted.

Raimundo placed a hand on her shoulder, "All that matters is that you're safe now, Kim."

His vote of confidence made something tighten in Kimiko's stomach. Yet she put on a brave face and smiled, "Thanks for taking care of me, guys."

Clay smiled, "You can thank Rai for that. He refused to move from your side until Master Fung cut in." The cowboy pointedly ignored the glare Raimundo shot at him.

Kimiko felt her face turn red as she avoided eye contact with their leader. Who… looked a bit bashful himself? She laughed in embarrassment, "Well, I can't stay here all day." She grabbed the edge of the blanket and flung it off her. Moving to stand, she swayed slightly.

The boys all moved forward to help her.

She waved them off, grasping at her head, "Don't worry. I'm fine." Straightening up, Kimiko looked at her friends before her, "I don't know about you guys, but I want to know what's going on." She began walking towards the door when Raimundo stepped in the way.

"We want the same thing but you need food first." He said.

Clay placed a hand on Kimi's shoulder, "Rai's right. You've been out for a few days, Kimiko. We gotta get some grub in ya!"

Omi piped up, "Yes! I am most certain that you are probably so hungry that you could eat a hearse!"

Raimundo quirked an eyebrow, "That's 'eat a horse'. And they're right."

About to protest, Kimiko stopped when she heard the rumble from her stomach. She sighed, "Alright, alright. We'll eat and then we'll figure out what's going on."

Dojo slithered to the front, "You're going to love what Clay cooked up for lunch!"

Kimiko giggled, "I'm sure I will."

The others smiled at her as she followed them out of the infirmary. All the while the poor girl tried desperately to ignore the voice that was growing ever persistent to gain her attention.

Once their friend was fed, the monks and dragon made their way to the vault where Master Fung was meditating. The incense burning flooded Kimiko's nostrils- a lovely jasmine scent this time around. The girl felt the pent up stress leave her body as she took a deep breath in. Every so often one of the elder monks would change the scent. Lavender, patchouli, sandalwood- just to name a few. Jasmine was her favorite.

Without opening his eyes, Master Fung addressed Kimiko, "I trust your friends have taken care of your health?"

Kimiko stepped forward, "Not like I had much of a choice."

Master Fung smiled, "I am proud of you, young monks. Always looking out for each other's needs and health. It is what makes you function so strongly as a team."

The students looked at each other with pride in their eyes.

Omi puffed up his chest, "No force would dare take on the likes of the Xiaolin Dragons!"

Master Fung stood up to face his students, "Yes. It would seem as though the forces of evil such as Chase Young have taken to laying low for a while."

Though the comment was encouraging, Raimundo frowned, "Something tells me that

there's a 'but' in there."

"You are quick to catch on, Raimundo." The elder monk's eyes grew dim, "But a new evil has made itself known. And this time, Kimiko-" His expression softened, "I am afraid you are the target."

Struggling to grasp what he was saying, the girl shook her head, "What do you mean, Master Fung?" Her heart hammered waiting for his answer.

He sighed, "I have noticed your struggle during training, Kimiko. Something has been clouding your mind, yes?"

Her throat went dry, "I-I suppose. It's been a bit difficult to concentrate…" Casting a glance at the other's, Kimiko did not like how they looked at her with concern. She gulped.

"You doubt yourself."

The declaration felt like a punch to the stomach to Kimiko. Her constant nightmares of burning what she held close had caused so much fear in using her power. Yet she had pushed it down. So far down for far too long and now she was paying the price. She never liked feeling weak however if there was one thing she had learned over the course of three years, it was that there is no harm in admitting when you are scared.

Kimiko took a deep breath. Refusing to look in Raimundo, Clay, and Omi's eyes, she focused on Master Fung and the dragon who had perched himself on the older man's shoulders. She let out the breath she held, "I… I've been having dreams… Nightmares, really-" Kimiko told them the horrifying details that plagued her unconscious mind.

While she spoke, her boys moved closer in order to comfort their friend. It was hard to admit what was wrong but once she was finished, Kimiko felt warmth spread in her heart as Raimundo placed a hand on her shoulder to give her a comforting squeeze.

Silence filled the room as Master Fung took in all the information. The tension weighed down on each member of the small team.

Finally, Master Fung frowned, "I'm afraid your doubt in yourself is causing a turmoil that is affecting your power."

"But, I've always been confident in who I am!" Kimiko protested, "Why is my power just NOW freaking out instead of when I had to learn focus? Or- or when I became an apprentice?!" Her frustration poured over her words, tears threatening to fall, "M-Master Fung," She took a shaky breath as the older man approached.

Her teacher placed a comforting hand over her shoulder, "Fire in itself is a difficult element, Kimiko. One moment it can be a friend- providing warmth and comfort to those who gather around it. But sometimes, when not checked, the flames can cause damage. Destroying everything in its path."

Kimiko let the tears fall. Her lower lip quivered.

Master Fung squeezed her shoulder, an encouraging smile graced his lips, "But from those flames, a new creature can arise. Just like a phoenix."

The young girl sniffled, "A phoenix?"

The man nodded. Taking his hand off her shoulder, he looked at his young pupils addressing them, "The time has come for a new quest, young monks. But this time, the stakes are much higher." Gesturing for the boys to move forward, Master Fung turned his attention back to Kimiko, "I'm afraid, Kimiko, that the Spirit of Yaoguai is challenging you."

Dojo shot up in fear, "What?!"

The monks gave each other curious looks.

"Um, what's that?" Clay asked.

"The Spirit of Yaoguai is an ancient fire demon!" Their dragon friend began to explain, "It's said that this spirit only rises when it feels threatened by a Dragon of Fire."

Master Fung took over, "And when he awakens, the Phoenix herself awakes to battle him."

Raimundo shook his head, "Okay, first a fire demon and now a phoenix. What, do those two have beef?"

The teacher nodded, "Yes, just as you say."

The leader scowled, "If they have beef, then that's on them! What does Kimiko have to do with it?"

Master Fung looked at the Dragon of Fire, "Kimiko, I will need you to be perfectly honest with me. Have you started hearing voices?"

Fear grasped Kimiko's heart. She nodded, "I have… Something keeps calling out to me." The concern on her friends' faces made her add, "But they aren't dangerous! Or at least, they don't sound dangerous. It… sounds comforting almost."

The elder monk hummed, "As it would. The Phoenix is the one calling out to you, Kimiko. She is calling out to you because she knows that the demon feels threatened by you. She wants you to be one with her so you can defeat your demon and continue to become the Dragon of Fire."

"That's nice and all but WHY can't I summon a flame without it scarring me?" Kimiko asked, holding out her bandaged hands.

Dojo slithered his way to the distraught woman, "I'm afraid that's what the demon does. He gets into your head and messes with you until you lose control. Until we find the Phoenix you're out of commission, kiddo." At the look of fear on Kim's face, Raimundo smacked the dragon on the back of the head, "OW! Hey! I don't like delivering bad news but I'd rather be honest about this!"

"Where do we find this Phoenix?" Omi asked.

"I'm afraid only Kimiko will know this." Master Fung said, "She will have to listen to this voice and let it guide her." He pulled the Silver Manta Ray out of his sleeve, "You will be taking this."

"Dojo's not goin' to fly?" Clay wondered aloud.

The dragon shook his head, "Nope, I can only help find Shen Gong Wu. If Kimiko is leading then we'll need something that can function in all weather just in case."

Raimundo took the Wu, muttering, "Lazy dragon." Earning him a glare from the reptile.

"Silver Manta Ray!" The group shouted.

"Gunshoot!" Omi shouted, jumping into the passenger seat.

Raimundo climbed onto the side, "That's 'shotgun' and no you're not."

The small monk whined, "Aw! But why not?"

As he helped Kimiko up, Rai said, "Because I will be driving and need Kimiko to tell me where to go." For added emphasis he said, "And that's an order." He stuck out his tongue at the small monk.

Omi took his seat in the back and pouted.

Climbing in, Clay sat next to the smaller monk and said, "Aw, don't look so down, partner! Besides, we'll have all the room back here to catch some shut eye." He helped Dojo get settled between them.

Omi looked at him in surprise, "But why would we need to catch an eye? Is it an evil eye?"

The cowboy sighed at his friend's naivety.

"Be cautious, young monks." Master Fung called out as Raimundo pressed a few buttons to get the Ray started, "Stay together. And Kimiko-"

The girl met the older man's eyes.

"Do not fear the fire. Pass through it with courage." He advised.

She nodded, not entirely understanding his warning. Yet something inside her told her that she would find out sooner rather than later.

The hatch closed and Raimundo grabbed hold of the steering wheel. He glanced at the girl beside him, "Alright, Kimi, where to?"

Kimiko took a breath…

"Kimiko…"

She pointed straight ahead towards the northernmost mountains, "That way."

The leader nodded, pushing at the wheel the Silver Manta Ray took off.

Deep within a massive cave where tigers lay deep within their slumber, Chase Young stared down at the eyeball where he spied on the Xiaolin warriors. He hummed, "So, Kimiko has been plagued by the Yaoguai."

Wuya placed a hand on her hip. Staring down at the ball as well, she purred, "It would be an absolute shame if someone were to foil their plans to help their beloved Dragon of Fire."

A wicked grin formed on Chase's lips, "Yes it would."

"So I did good, right?" Jack Spicer asked from the corner of the room where he was ordered to stand by, "And by 'good' I mean I did something totally evil!" He corrected himself.

Despite being annoyed that the 'insect' had come to his home unannounced once again, Chase nodded, "Yes. It would seem that you have done something beneficial for once by bringing Kimiko's condition to us."

Jack fist bumped the air, "Oh yeah! Evil boy genius is back on top, baby!" He began to do his little boogie.

Ignoring the background dancing, Wuya asked, "I assume you have some sort of evil plan in motion then?"

The reptilian man grinned into the eyeball. He watched as the Xiaolin monks took off. None of them were aware as to the true danger that awaited them. Chase chuckled, "Indeed."