With a sharp yipe, Jack awoke to bright sting of pain across his cheek. Looking back from the ninety degree turn his head had taken from the strike, he found Chase Young snarling down at him, no more than a foot away. Immediately, Jack gasped and reflexively tried to move away, only to find his limbs stuck. Turning his head again, the redhead's eyes only bulged further to find he was strapped to an upright-tilted table in the middle of Chase's main hall.
Okay, it was time to panic, right?
As Jack's heart obviously started racing, Chase took some revelry in seeing it, but greeted his captive with a snide, "Good. Something gets your attention. Even in slumber, you must be irritating. You do so like the dead. Just as well, you'll be joining them soon enough."
Eyes sliding around warily, assessing that he was well and truly stuck, and was watched from every angle of the round room by jungle cats lounging in the layers of archways, Jack nervously questioned, "How...how am I even here..?"
A derisive snort from Chase's nose. "I have been asking myself that about you for years now. How do you keep surviving? How do you return to be a thorn in my side time and again, and what makes you so special that with no formal training or abilities of any interest, you are qualified to have ruled the world?"
Sensing the dragon man's hackles raising as he spoke, Jack could only feel like it was a good idea to downplay his achievements this time. "Just...lucky, I guess?"
Another snort. "One would think. Loathe to admit by this point, there must be some merit to your claims of unique intelligence. You have slipped, however. By turning yourself over to the light side, you have made yourself vulnerable. Vulnerable to me." Now, at last, the black-haired man smirked down at the pale boy like a predator enjoying the position of his prey.
Jack gulped.
Chase revealed, "I have been watching. Waiting for opportunity. And upon hearing claims that you had become a Xiaolin..." Here he shook his head in disgust. "Adopting such philosophy could only weaken you further than the worm you already were. Not to mention, getting to you became all too easy without your little magic bubble to hide in."
Here, Jack took a second to pout. He knew Le Mime had been a jerk for quitting on him! Technically, this was all his fault!
Unable to help sniping back at that remark, however, Jack returned, "Oh, so is that why you had to run off with your singed, scaly tail tucked in shame last time? Looked to me like my boys had me backed up pretty darn well at the hot springs..!"
A fist slammed to the side of Jack's head, so close he could feel the whisper of the action on his sideburn, and he could hear the impact cracking the table on which he lay. With a light squeak, he became quiet again.
"Now that," Chase seethed, voice dripping venom, "Is what we call a lucky shot...and your guard dog is no longer here to protect you. He won't be coming heroically charging from the wings this time." Leaning in, his face fell back into a smarmy smirk as he informed, "Your other friends, however...them, I am counting on."
Warily, Jack turned his face a few degrees. "Wh-What are you planning to do with me?" It sounded like he was being used as some kind of bait.
Glad that it appeared Jack was beginning to, at least in some part, respect the gravity of the situation for once in his life, the reptilian-eyed man stood upright and neatly placed his hands behind his back. Turning away carelessly, he mused simply, "Why, kill you, of course."
Deliciously, he felt the atmosphere spike in tension as Jack's spine shot straight as could be, and the boy burst a shocked "Huh?!" as he wriggled against his restraints in panic.
A low chuckle left Chase's throat. "I'm sure you've been aware of this goal for some time now. You may no longer be a competitor for the world's throne, and you've never been a threat, but for all the trouble you've put me through, squashing you will be the most satisfying experience. Especially when you're as aware of it happening as you can be."
He took a savoring moment as he imagined stomping out the boy before him, enjoying the increased apprehension in Jack's eyes as he continued to seek some means of escape.
"However," Chase went on, "Before then, I feel as though there is one small remaining iota of worth I can squeeze out of your pathetic existence. Before your friends come for you, I will give you one last chance to reveal to me any key information you might have to offer regarding how you effectively achieved world conquest. You will no longer be needing those ideas, after all." A pointed glance back to the wary prisoner. "And when your friends do get here, I will offer them a simple trade: your life for Omi's return to my side."
Jack blinked a few times as he processed this plan. Then his brow fell into a challenging sternness. "Uhh...you know that's not gonna happen, right? Cue Ball's pretty clear on where he stands, and he's gonna come up with a way around that deal."
"There will be no time, and he will have no choice," Chase countered smoothly, taking an equally smooth pace across Jack's field of vision, "Either he takes the deal, and I use his assistance to eliminate you in the near future, or he refuses, and I take the pleasure of eliminating you now, in front of his very eyes. The way I see it, I win either way, but the Xiaolin Code will not allow them to let anyone, much less one of their own, suffer, even their weakest. It is that weakness in moral code that guarantees Omi's agreement to join me once again. And when he does, he will soon see why you are better off leaving this world." A short pause as Chase scoffed to himself. "Really, why he sees you as a worthy ally over myself is another confounding reality that must be corrected."
At this, Jack couldn't help another point bursting out. "Ha! Shows what you know! Man, I can't believe I ever thought you were so on top of everything. You don't even know Omi's my boyfriend!"
Actually freezing, Chase's face contorted into stunned disgust at the very notion. Turning to face the prisoner, he simply pressed, "What..?"
"Yeah!" Jack taunted now that he had something to hold over the other, "Of course he likes me better than you! We've been dating for ages now. We were dating before you even saw us last! And aww, man, the kissing we've been up to! Every day, just mwah, mwah, mwah~..!"
"Stop..! Talking..." Chase had slapped a hand over his eyes while the other came up to silence the albino boy by clamping over his mouth. Truly, this news upset him. Not only was it disgusting to think of this grub kissing anyone so...graphically as the sounds illustrated, but the fact that Omi's preference for Jack over the dragon man ran so deep was both bewildering and absurd.
Regaining his composure, Chase drew his posture up with an inhale and turned his steady gaze to the teen before him and asserted, "As vile as that thought is, I feel it only gives my points more weight. If Omi is truly so fond of you, then it only makes sense that he should be that much more likely to trade himself for your life."
Though tense about his situation, Jack forced his brows to pinch in defiance, and he pushed his tongue out to lick a hard slather over Chase's palm through his glove.
Teeth gritting and lip curling, Chase felt the teen's saliva soak through the thin leather and pulled his arm back with a hiss, glaring from the large stain left across his palm to the one who'd left it. He found Jack delivering an immature raspberry at him.
An inhuman growl left Chase's throat. This was exactly the kind of behavior he could never comprehend. Jack acted like this, treated everything like a game, and yet still, continued to get one over on not only Chase, but everyone who opposed him in the long run! How?!
"Do not test me, Spicer..." he snarled, "Regardless of whether or not you tell me your plans for conquest, I still plan to have my own fun while we wait..." He snapped his fingers, and one of his cats came forward bearing a roll of archaic handheld torture devices.
Having expected the redheaded insect to start sniveling and groveling as he revealed this part of the plan, Jack merely took a curious note before hemming, "Yeah, well, even if I might not be the warrior-est warrior on the team – if 'warrior-est' is a word – one other thing you seem not to have realized is that I'm not exactly weak anymore either. I'm not telling you anything about my old plans. But one word of advice? Man, your plans always have way too many layers! Keep it simple, and keep it fun. Like why didn't you just come out and attack us? Temple raids are always fun!"
Incredibly dismayed by this condescending critique, and downright offended that Jack was basically telling him to be more like him, Chase only felt validated in thinking Jack treated everything without respect. As well, he felt a decided increase in desire to hear the boy scream in agony. Turning to the cat offering his tools, the reptilian grabbed a pointed screw and raised it, aiming to thrust it with gusto into Jack's right shoulder. His brow quirked when instead of yelling in terror, the boy yelled, "Metal!"
Sparks erupted from the force of Chase's thrust, and a horrible screech sounded as the screw weapon slid off Jack's shoulder entirely. Holding that up as he pulled it back, Chase's brow firmed to find it crushed and bent completely to one side. Looking up, his eyes also narrowed to find Jack entirely coated in a shimmering metal membrane.
"Surprise!" Jack exclaimed snidely, and looking down, he concentrated to summon a series of buzz saw blades over his body, each poised in front of a strap it then cut through. As he was freed, the blades simply melted back into his metal skin and he grabbed the back of the table to flip himself up into a crouch on top of it. Smirking at Chase, he shot, "This might throw another wrench into your plans, but it looks like you didn't know I could do this now, either."
Throwing away the useless tool, Chase spat, "Surprising, yes, but only meaning it will take slightly more effort to keep you in your place. Even if turning to the Xiaolin side has granted you some new abilities, it doesn't make you any more impressive to me. It just makes you even more cockroach-like, now that you have an exoskeleton for me to crush."
Almost hurt, Jack frowned. "Man! What does it take for you?! You were just always going to hate me no matter what, huh?"
"At last, you realize," Chase scoffed, "Your very nature is infuriating, and your existence worthless. Even now, I shall prove you've never been a match for me on your own." Cracking his neck to one side in preparation, he then took a swift stance before launching forward and sending a double palm strike where Jack was sitting.
With a small cry, Jack pushed down on the table to duck, effectively flipping the other end up to smack Chase in the gut as he lunged. Chase's face formed a comical expression as the wind was knocked from him, and he had to pause for a brief moment to regain it. However, he was only more enraged when he did, and with a beastly yell, now slammed both fists down onto the end of the table that had just struck him, obliterating it.
Launched from the force of Chase's strike, his end of the table springboarding up, Jack let out another small warble as he found himself airborne, but quickly took control of it and twisted his body into a more controlled flip. As he landed a new crouch on one of the dragon-headed buttresses two stories up, he grimaced as the rest of the table he'd been on was reduced to rubble. Chase was right about one thing: Jack still wasn't a match for him one-on-one. Even Omi barely was, and he'd had his entire life to train at kung fu! Jack was going to have to be careful and resourceful here, and hopefully he could find a way out on his own.
Hairs on his back raising, Jack then registered that he wasn't alone up here. "Oh...yeah." Turning, he remembered the many, many cats still hanging around up here, and now they were advancing, slowly standing upright and turning human. People from every culture, all throughout history, the best warriors now took it upon themselves to support their master in combat against his most hated adversary now turned escapee.
To make things worse, Chase launched himself up right after Jack, eyes unblinking and intent as murder flashed in them.
In a split second, Jack formed his plan. Standing on the buttress, he rolled away from Chase to face the cats, while where he stood, an afterimage of himself remained, melting off of him in his place. The result was that he was now standing back to back with himself, a stoic-faced metal copy of him facing Chase while he faced the other oncoming warriors. He felt like he stood a much better chance facing any of them in a fight, and now at least he had backup. From either direction, the narrow piece of architecture on which he stood meant only one at a time could attack.
Chase scowled to see the detested boy come up with a way to acquire an ally of sorts. The clones linked elbows behind one another and in tandem sent a kick outward to meet the opponents leaping for them. Chase blocked with his forearm, but had to let gravity claim him as he spun gracefully to flip back to earth. Meanwhile the other Jack successfully sent the first warrior sailing back into the cluster. In the few seconds it took for Chase to regroup, Jack then grabbed his double's wrists and swung it to send both legs into the next body, and his double did the same to him, driving the cluster of warriors back.
However, holding this position for long didn't seem like it was going to happen. Below, a roar sounded and both Jacks looked down to find Chase had transformed, clearly not wanting to play around, and now rearing back as his true beastly form burst forth. Wasting no time, he leapt again, but instead of heading directly for Jack, he sent his powerful dragon jaws crushing through the very base of the buttress on which he stood. It crumbled like a dry cookie, Jack calling out and wobbling while his metal double merely waved its limbs silently, trying to keep balance.
Both lost this battle as the very thing on which they stood disintegrated, and plummeted to the tiled floor below. Grabbing for his double again, Jack swung himself around with it to get into a better position and jumped so that he could hit the ground at a roll, meanwhile the metal version of himself crashed gracelessly into a crater, but was unharmed. While Jack wiped his brow to have not been injured, he then let out a fresh yipe to look up and find Chase coming down at him now, whipping around to send his thick tail to smash him.
Sitting up, the metal Jack didn't even wait for the rubble to finish falling off of it before launching forward to assist its fleshy partner, summoned by his need for protection.
Chase hissed in dismay as his side was crashed into, the metal doppelganger tackling him out of Jack's path. The pair rolled, emerging from their tumble with hands linked and locked into a forceful grapple. Chase's eyes slid to the real Jack, sending the clear message that he would make every effort to get to him as soon as he possibly could.
Jack's teeth were showing nervously, but he couldn't keep his attention on Chase, as other warriors were jumping down or simply walking forward on this level, coming to face him. Having no other choice, Jack took a readied stance toward the oncoming crowd and concentrated to remember everything he'd been taught thus far about group combat. As well, he focused his chi to summon a new shell for himself. It was a little difficult to split his attention between more than one action with his chi, but he really needed it!
A spear swung his way, arrows were fired, and a morning star flailed at him. Jack left the ground and performed a lateral spin, hugging his arms tight to his body, to dodge these projectiles, and upon landing, reached to wrap his hand firmly in the morning star's chain. Yanking this out of the grip of the woman who held it, he then tossed it up and grabbed the handle, swinging it into the spear now held defensively and smashing the object in two. The man holding it growled, threw the pieces down and put up his fists. A short flurry of blows here before Jack leapt back, trying to create distance, only to be charged by a man with a large, rectangular shield. He met this with his shoulder and gritted teeth, while more warriors rushed in to take advantage of his vulnerable position.
Getting a fresh idea, Jack concentrated again, and the man pushing into him stumbled in confusion as his shield warped and began absorbing into the boy before him. In seconds, the entire thing had disappeared, and Jack's form bubbled and shifted for another short moment before the shield manifested again, sprouting from his back. As the warriors held their ground, trying to absorb what had happened and decide their method of attack, Jack looked down to the morning star he still held, and smirked. Flipping it once more, he grabbed the spiked ball at the end instead of the wooden handle, and confidently watched the metal sphere and chain slurp up into his arm, the handle falling uselessly to the ground. Once more his form shifted, and the ball and chain reemerged from the hand that had absorbed them. Fisting the end of that chain, he took a fighting stance toward the crowd and swung the morning star in readiness as he offered a clear challenge.
"That's right! I am the weapon! Who wants some?!"
As long as he could, Jack did his best. He fought evasively, trying to keep things as focused on individuals as he could, and always looking for an exit. These guys did not hold back at all, unlike his teammates when they sparred, and they sure as heck didn't stop when it was getting to be too much. Jack caught glimpses now and again of his metal double keeping Chase at bay, reforming when dented or having a limb chopped off. That only told Jack that if he did end up facing Chase, his metal wouldn't be a perfect defense, and made him all the more desperate for an exit strategy.
However, the wave of jungle cat warriors seemed never-ending, and Jack was not a seasoned fighter. More and more, he lost ground, and more and more he was cornered. The crowd was good at keeping him from the exit, and Jack was not impervious to exhaustion. He was starting to think maybe he shouldn't have been so antagonistic about his escape attempt, and was working on a negotiation tactic to remind Chase he'd only wanted to hold him for ransom right now, when the giant stone slab of a front door slammed open. It had been charged through.
Five monks rushed in, the Silver Manta Ray they jumped out of now shrinking and landing in Kimiko's hand as the flying vehicle shen gong wu deactivated.
Right at the front of the pack, Omi's teeth could have been fangs as he spat, fists clenched, "Your crow familiar has alerted us to your wrongdoings, Chase Young! Give us Jack Spicer, and you will not have to suffer!"
The group then froze as they scanned the scene, not having expected to arrive to an ongoing battle. Much less one that involved Jack staving off hordes of Chase's minions while Chase himself was occupied with a Jack doppelganger.
"Guys! You came~! Thank goodness!" Jack called, arms sailing overhead as he quickly took advantage of this distraction and ran to hide behind Clay, the most shield-like monk available. As he ran, the smattering of weaponry he'd absorbed flew off of him to be left behind and he regained his fleshy nature. Clearing his throat in safety, his tone turned more blasé and he looked at his fingernails, leaning his free elbow on Clay's sturdy back and breezing, "Yeah, no worries, I held the fort for ya. But y'know, if you wanna get in on this..."
Raimundo quirked a brow at him. "Wouldn't dream of it if you were havin' that much fun..." he noted.
Perking, Jack's tune quickly changed again, and he snapped like a magnet to hold the Brazilian tightly in plea. "No! Please save me!"
Raimundo hemmed and shoved the other boy off of him by the face. "Yeah, that's what I thought. And go hug Omi if you're lookin' for comfort cuddles. Jeez." Jack had always been clingy, even as a villain, but just because he was their friend now didn't mean they all wanted to jump on the touchy-feely train all the time. Raimundo in particular was still a bit sore at the goth.
Obediently, Jack backed down and looked to the shortest party, who seemed offended that he was not, in fact, Jack's first choice of knight in shining armor.
"We were most worried," Omi noted regardless, "But it seems you did quite well in your, as you say, holding of the fort until we could arrive. I am...impressed." He couldn't be happier to see that while a bit worse for wear, Jack was unharmed.
Hearing this, Jack smiled and clasped his hands. "Yeah? Even if I didn't escape?"
"Dude, I'm honestly surprised you're not dead," Raimundo granted.
Kimiko chipped in, "I never thought I'd see the day when Jack Spicer could fend off Chase's army by himself. Really. So yeah. Way to go, newbie."
Jack's fists tucked under his chin and he grinned, stars spinning in his eyes as he let out a long, choked note of glee. Praise! Legitimate praise! Oh, it was everything he'd ever wanted!
The dragon man had thrown Jack's metal double from him, and the thing had melted away in Jack's distraction, leaving Chase free to approach the group with a steely gaze. Seeing Omi so pleased to have Jack with him, seeing him offer Jack praise, was highly sickening. Meanwhile, several jungle cat warriors had moved silently to encircle the monks.
"Not to rain on the reunion," Clay notified, the group firming their defensive circle, "But maybe we hold off on the horn tootin' 'til we actually make it out."
"Most wise. Battle first!" Remembering something, Omi reached into his robes and pulled out a bundle of clothing, which he hurriedly passed to Jack. "Oh yes! And speaking of battle, we have brought your belongings! You are most likely to perform better when properly prepared."
Brow raising, Jack recognized his normal outfit and helibot as they were plopped into his arms, and really, yes, it seemed like a much better option than continuing to fight in his pajamas. "Nice!" Once more, he used Clay as a shield as he hurried to change, Clay blushing and pulling his hat down to know Jack was undressing behind him and not having time to protest.
While Jack scrambled to change clothes under looming danger, Chase had his eyes set on Omi. He stepped through the warriors surrounding the monks, posture drawn up and his claws tucked neatly behind him. As he approached, his form shrank and turned back into that of a reptilian-eyed man. Ignoring Jack's grunts and flailing limbs, he attempted to keep the atmosphere imposing as he greeted, "Ah, Omi...you've managed to arrive just as I was about to recant this deal before I could even offer it to you."
Omi frowned. "What dealings do you speak of? Is that why you have summoned us?"
"Of course," Chase breezed, "You think I took Spicer because I enjoy his company?" A sour look to the boy now coming out from behind Clay and making sure his coat collar was straight.
"Perhaps not," Omi returned, "But I would expect you to wish to do him harm, in which case it is quite foolish of you to alert me to your plannings." Pointedly, he took a side step to place himself directly between Jack and the dragon man. "Of course, it was quite foolish of you to steal him anyway, as it appears you continue to underestimate his abilities, and he has been too much for you to contain."
Jack, touched and gaining confidence in what he'd asserted to Chase, gave a small smile and took a readied stance in the group.
Chase scowled. "A mere miscalculation in the force I would have to use against him," he brushed off, "And it still stands that I have the upper hand in this situation, even against all of you. So my offer is this: come back to me, Omi. Fight by my side and see the true potential of your power. Let me teach you the secrets of kung fu that only I can offer. I know you desire greatness. I can give it to you. Deny me, and I shall take Spicer's life here and now. Accept, and he will be spared...for the moment."
"You continue to miscalculate!" Omi shot, not wavering at all as Chase spoke, "For not only have you already lost your bargaining chip, but we are more powerful than we have ever been, united as a full team of Xiaolin Dragons!" Around him, his team affirmed the declaration. They still might not be able to win in combat, but they certainly stood a good chance of making a clean rescue.
Chase let out a disappointed sigh. "You truly will not accept my tutelage..?"
"I would only allow myself to again take on your teachings if you gave up your evil ways and returned to the Xiaolin path."
Grimly, Chase shook his head. Then his eyes opened again. "That ship sailed long ago...about fifteen hundred years ago. And if you refuse, then I suppose we'll see how you feel after I remove the hold Spicer seems to have on your loyalty." Chase snapped his fingers, and all at once, his warriors leapt into action.
Likewise, the monks reacted.
"Dragon X-Kume Formation!" four of them shouted. Kimiko leapt into a handstand over Omi as he supported her, and with Clay and Raimundo linking arms and charging forward, the two smaller parties wheeled at blurring speed to plow through the horde leaping at them.
Jermaine, meanwhile, sharply declared his element and rode up on a thick, winding tree that burst from the ground, taking Jack with him, seated on the end of a leafy branch scooping him up.
Chase kept his eyes on Jack as he lifted with his teammate, smirking.
"I will restrain you all, and you will watch as I tear Jack Spicer limb from limb before your very eyes!" he promised, and launched up from the ground to beeline right for the pale boy.
Jermaine reacted swiftly, twisting to send a branch swinging, and Jack gasped at the same time, instinctively summoning his own element to ball around the end of that branch. A spiked mace slammed into Chase and sent him back to the ground, where he crushed his fingers into it and dug ruts into the ground under his feet. His teeth clenched as he refused to give another inch.
Looking to each other, Jack and Jermaine shared a nod. Just like in practice. Jack forming another spiked ball around an opposite branch, Jermaine twisted his tree into limb-like protrusions, and this metal-gloved boxer quickly began sending punches at Chase.
Enraged, the man wasted no time in transforming again himself, his dragon form batting away the globes larger than he. Still in a deadlock, Jermaine swished his arms and clenched his fists before sending them shooting sideways. A second pair of thick branches shot out of the trunk under the first, and Jack gladly took the hint to give these mace ends as well. As these swung wildly for him too, Chase growled and was forced to flip back, giving ground.
The others, meanwhile, had come to an end of their charge, and Kimiko leapt from Omi to somersault in the air, shouting, "Wudai Mars Fire!" A massive ball of flame erupted around her, streaks then shooting off all around in a circle of protection. Many warriors backed off as the landing sparks exploded, but not all. Some leapt over the forming fires, while others with shields charged forward, providing cover for those brave enough to follow.
"Wudai Crater Earth!" Clay took his turn, sending a fist slamming into the ground and causing the entire floor to surge. The waves caused their enemies to struggle in standing, and as Raimundo stepped in to summon a gust of wind to guide them into place, Clay opened a neat, round pit in the floor underneath them. With angered cries, the warriors fell into it. Some stuck spears or arrows into the sides of the pit as they fell, attempting to climb out, but Omi was ready for this. He leapt up and summoned his own element, turning the water to ice as it splashed to line the pit, effectively making the walls and floor incredibly slippery, and finished by sealing the top off with another thick slab of ice. The jungle cat warriors now were essentially sealed in a giant jar in the ground. Whooping in delight, the four shared a quadruple high five before turning to gauge the situation with Chase.
To their dismay, they were just in time to watch Chase catch one of those spiked globes and send it hurling back at Jermaine's tree, causing it to splinter and the boy to stumble as his support lurched. Then Chase threw another orb he'd caught, then another. Battered by their own offense, Jermaine and Jack fell as the tree broke and collapsed. Both boys landed hard on the floor and groaned, but only one of them was the one Chase launched for and grabbed by the throat.
Every monk gasped and rushed forward, but Chase had already pulled his arm back, and everyone froze as he sent his claws right for Jack's chest, in a signature heart-punching move they all knew could blast through the chest of a rock golem.
A large bubble of liquid metal swelled around the spot Chase aimed for, encircling his hand and solidifying to trap it, but Chase grit his teeth and pushed, clearly fighting to break through this thick barrier. Jack's teeth grit in turn, desperate to protect himself.
Dazed from the fall, Jermaine struggled to push himself up, but fell back down. The other four moved, but were too far away. Raimundo grabbed Omi and swung him around, sending him shooting at Chase with a blast of air. Omi locked onto Chase with clear vengeance and summoned a tornado around himself as he sailed. Chase turned, smirked, and stomped the end of a branch that had fallen nearby, taking advantage of Omi's intense focus and using his tail to sideswipe him with the branch, knocking him off course with an alarmed cry and tangling him in a nest of leafy brambles to wrestle as he skidded uselessly to a stop.
Jack, straining both from being held up by his throat and from holding off Chase's fist, was dismayed at the failed rescue attempt, but found a defiant idea sparking into his mind. Chase wanted it to be this way? Fine. Jack was willing to end this. Brow firming, a huge metal glob rose up behind him and formed into a gargantuan fist. As Chase looked up and quirked a brow, it simply reared back, then launched forward in a flash.
Chase merely leaned a degree to the right, the thing not even really in his path, and felt the air whisk past him as he let out a sharp laugh. "Ha! Was that your best shot, Spicer? It's like you weren't even aiming for me."
Unexpectedly, he found the redhead chuckling right back at him. "Nah," Jack countered, "I'm just hitting you where it really hurts."
"Hm?" Unable to prevent curiosity, and perhaps a shade of concern, at such a confident declaration, Chase turned to where that metal fist had loudly crashed behind him, and all at once a sting of panic washed over him as he gasped. "No...NO!"
His pantry. The curtain behind which his entire store of Lao Mane Lone Soup lay, the soup that made him immortal, now spilled out from the cracks between the bulging walls and the fist snugly embedded into that cranny. There was no doubt every last can inside was ruptured and flattened, the precious magical dragon soup now a river of waste snaking towards the center of the room.
All at once, Chase felt a horror he never had. He dropped Jack, shrinking back into his human state, and rushing for the escaping liquid. Collapsing to his hands and knees, and then tried to gather it in his palms, watching with increasingly wide eyes as it naturally slipped through his fingers. With an uncharacteristic hoarse cry of panic, he clawed harder and harder, trying to stop the slithering liquid, before slamming his palms to the ground and bowing his head to lap at the ground viciously with his tongue. He couldn't let it get away! He had to save it any way he could!
With an atmosphere of uncertainty, the monks watched in great discomfort as Chase became increasingly disheveled as he gracelessly floundered, licking and licking at the broken floor, not seeming to care as he sliced his tongue on pieces of tile and stone, or that he was no doubt getting more dirt than soup as it seeped into the cracks and was absorbed by the earth.
Breathing ragged, jaw hanging loose, Chase finally registered that licking was no longer doing any good, and after a short moment simply staring at the ground under him, watching droplets of his own blood leak to sprinkle overtop the stains left by the substance that had been keeping him alive, his lips curled into a harsh dismay as he let out a sudden harsh, visceral scream. No! NO! This wasn't happening! This couldn't happen! He couldn't lose his soup! He couldn't lose to Jack Spicer! There was no way! There was no way that horrid buffoon had just done this to him! Chase was...Chase was doomed without that soup!
Seemingly the only one whose spine was not crawling after hearing that scream, Jack took a smarmy saunter over to the hunched man having a sudden existential crisis.
"Yeah, how do ya like that?" he rubbed in his clear success, "Never thought someone would have that as their backup plan, huh? Who's the genius now? Who's worthless?"
Pupils trembling, Chase raised his head enough to look at Jack in disbelief. That attitude again...but even worse...
"You...you always planned..?"
"All part of the big world takeover picture," Jack shrugged, "Of course I wasn't only gonna use the Sun Chi Lantern idea. If you really weren't gonna be on my side, if you really wanted to make it life or death, I was ready." A short tut before a dark sneer crossed his face, directed keenly at the man he stood over. "Just like I told Wuya, I think ahead more than you realize. I'm sure you can't stand it, but you know it. The real reason you could never get rid of me? I'm just better than you."
Enraged in a flash, Chase rose in indignity and made to lunge at the pale boy, but Jack seemed to be confident in having the upper hand now, and stunned Chase by wagging a finger at him and scolding, "Ah ah ah~..! Wouldn't want to waste any of that precious dragon magic still in our veins, now would we?"
Actually faltering, Chase glanced down at his trembling hands and realized that yes, he would now be rather limited on how often he transformed. In fact, not doing so at all would be in his best interest, lest the magic keeping him alive be wasted. In a mix of anger and mortal terror, his fists clenched.
"It's really sad considering how much time you spend just sitting around watching stuff happen, but thinking ahead is clearly not your strong suit. I mean, too bad you had to go and make dragons extinct once you got that soup recipe," Jack pressed cruelly, adopting a predatory pose not unlike the one Chase had held earlier, "So greedy. Well? Can I finally hear you say it? Say I impressed you. Say I got one over on you. Say I did good."
A harsh, animalistic snarl from Chase. How dare this impudent brat! No one was allowed to mock Chase Young like this! No one! He would rather die than give credit to this infuriating scum! Wildly, he swung his fist at the boy instead.
Calmly, Jack stepped to the side and spun around the punch. Chase was clearly rattled, and his strike was actually quite weak and off-balance. He'd practically stumbled forward. Jack scoffed. "Tsk tsk, quite off our game now, aren't we?" With a final glower to the man as he tripped back to his knees and hunched over on his hands, the goth spat, "You're the one that's pathetic. C'mon, guys. Let's leave Chase to get used to having an expiration date."
With a proud smirk, oblivious to the stagnant chill in the air, he marched for the exit now completely open and unguarded, nothing in the world stopping him from leaving.
Silently, the other monks all looked to Chase, mumbling to himself in a raspy voice, forehead to the ground as his fingers all buried into his mussed hair, and then over to the demolished pantry, then to where Jack had left, and finally, to each other. All of them could tell they felt the same. They were unsettled. Disturbed. Fighting back against Chase was one thing, but that...that was cold! Jack had not only just sentenced Chase Young to death, but rubbed that fact in his face! Jack still being capable of such cruel actions had all of them on edge suddenly. Those actions were very much not befitting someone who was good. Even if the Xiaolin magic had declared good his true path, this demonstrated that he was not fully corrected in his course. And none of them were sure how to handle it.
In this uncertainty, the five remaining monks followed Jack from the lair, finding it the better option to remaining with Chase. The man would no doubt not be receptive to guests once he got ahold of himself.
Outside, on the stalagmite-lined crescent cliff in front of Chase's base, Jack was eerily chipper, seemingly not noticing a single thing off.
"So how was that for turning a fight around, huh?" he beamed brightly, "We might've even gotten Chase off our backs for good! Great teamwork, you guys! High fives!" Eagerly, he leaned in and lifted a hand overhead in anticipation for it to be slapped. Instead, he was left hanging as everyone shifted uncomfortably and their lips slanted awkwardly. Jack's eyes slid from them to this hand a few times, not understanding, until his own posture slumped and he instead offered a shrug. "Uh...okay, what's wrong? We don't like high fives anymore?"
Kimiko's arms were folded tensely over her gut as she informed, "Jack, what you did to Chase...that was...wrong."
Looking honestly perplexed, Jack blinked several times. "Huh? Why? He's a bad guy, isn't he? You guys trashed me up all the time. And you didn't have anything to say about what I did to Katnappe. How's this any different?"
Kimiko shrank a bit as she pointed out, disturbed Jack couldn't see it, "You didn't cut Katnappe's life short..."
Jermaine, shaken as the one who had always vouched for Jack as not so bad, had to add, "For real, dawg. You just turned an immortal dude mortal, and laughed in his face while he was on the ground. Dark."
"Not to go splittin' straw, but," Clay noted, rubbing his neck awkwardly, "Didn't you say you borrowed that plan from your big evil one, too..?"
Still not seeing the problem, Jack's eyes flicked from face to face, trying to figure out why they were all so tense and almost acting frightened of him. Offering his palms up quizzically, he argued, "But like...he made it pretty clear he wasn't gonna stop. It was him or me, and isn't it a Xiaolin Warrior's job to like...keep Heylin forces in balance and stuff? Being good doesn't mean you aren't willing to take certain actions if you have to...right?"
"But...did you really have to?" Omi finally spoke up. His brow pinched and his eyes glimmered in plea for a justification of the actions he'd just witnessed.
This expression got Jack to pause and feel the atmosphere ten times harder. His fingers laced meekly. Had he...really done something wrong? He thought he was just living up to his potential and beating up bad guys like he was supposed to now. Had he really overdone it?
"But..." he feebly countered, "You guys can be dark too. What about Raimundo? He's like the Dark Dragon..!" Desperately wanting some justification of his own, he thrust a palm toward their leader with a violently traitorous past.
Turning his head and looking groundward, Raimundo was uncomfortable with the comparison and lowly denied, "Dude...that was even too dark for me."
As Jack took his hand back and used it to grip his upper arm, very much sensing that he'd screwed up, Omi came forward. He took Jack's hands from his shying posture and held them in his own. Looking up at him, he asked in a mix of sadness and hope, "Are you sure there was really no other way out? Did you truly not act perhaps partly out of self-serving vengeance? Did you not mock Chase Young in his defeat for your own satisfaction?"
Jack's face fell slack as he felt a sharp sting of guilt in his gut. Without even realizing...he definitely had done those things. When cornered, in hindsight, he'd actually practically taken the excuse to use the trump card he'd had planned. He'd used it because he wanted to lord it over Chase and rub it in, just like Chase had wanted to rub his own victory in the monks' faces. Like any villain they knew did. And this...had actually been something huge he'd done to Chase. Yeah.
Unable to answer Omi, finding the truth and finding it unbearable to admit, Jack just looked to the ground and slumped in shame. He'd known it. Even if the universe said he was Dragon Warrior material, and even if he'd gone all in on switching sides, he couldn't be a real good guy.
Understanding the meaning behind Jack's silence, Omi bowed his head and let out a somber breath from his mouth. He knew change was hard for the other boy, and wanted to encourage him, but truly, he hadn't realized how much of that cruel second nature had lingered in his heart from his life as a dictator.
Though rattled, Omi looked back up to the other and assured, "Do not worry. I can see you are at least aware of your actions. This is simply something we must work on."
Jack's face shifted in doubt. Something to work on? He'd been a work in progress his whole life, and continued to fail, even on his supposed 'true path'. He made off-color remarks that earned him stares, had no sense of empathy and played mean, got his friends mad at him because he didn't know how to solve friendship problems, and now they were all scared of him. How could he work on something that seemed to be total instinct?
Burying these thoughts, however, letting them all just drift down into a hollow pit in his gut, Jack gave Omi a small smile. "Yeah," he agreed, "Sure." Then, something in his peripheral caught his attention and he looked up. Maybe glad for the distraction, he was also genuinely curious as he spotted an animated splash of gold against the black, moody clouds of Chase's landscape. "Hey...what's that?"
In unison, the monks all looked, and made curious notes in wonder. The spot of gold came closer, and soon it became apparent that it was a creature of some sort, bounding along through the air on great bat-like wings. Getting a good look as it moved was difficult, especially through the magical glow it was emanating, but it was big, had four legs, and had a presence of great impose. By instinct, the monks felt they ought to be in reverence of the beast.
As they watched, the thing soared to just overhead the peak of Chase's pointed rock lair, where it took several prancing circles in the air, lifting its nose like seeking confirmation of some sort, and then at once its great wings shot wide and sent it soaring back up, at which point it performed one graceful arc backwards before shooting off in a new set direction with clear purpose. All the while, it never made a sound.
Watching this mysterious creature go, the monks couldn't help the question of what that thing was resounding a hundredfold.
Clay thumbed up the brim of his hat, "So, we're all thinkin' the same thing, right?"
Kimiko pulled out the Silver Manta Ray. "Oh yeah. We're following it."
…
Many miles later, the group in pursuit of the mysterious beast had found themselves led out of the red, desolate wastelands that Chase called home, and for many miles more, different rivers, woods, and even a town passed below, the creature never stopping. Wherever it was headed, it wasn't even slowing down or changing directions, taking a fast but steady path to its destination. However, eventually, after waking up from an in-flight nap, the monks blinked as they looked through the windows of the shen gong wu vehicle they rode, realizing that they were starting to recognize the direction they were flying. And indeed, soon the lush greenery made way to reveal a tranquil high mountain temple, causing four of the monks to gasp.
"Master Monk Guan's temple!" Omi exclaimed. Jack and Jermaine exchanged a look and a shrug, confirming that they were not alone in this location meaning nothing to them.
"What's that thing want with him?" Raimundo demanded, "He get some new weird alien thing as a pet or something?"
"I dunno," Kimiko hemmed, "If it's his, then what did it want at Chase's?"
"There is only one way to find out!" Omi declared, thrusting an eager finger into the air, "We must make with the visiting houses!"
Right behind the creature as it descended, the group landed and hopped out of their transport, which then shrank to land in Kimiko's hand once more. They'd landed right in the middle of a training yard, where several students were interrupted in their staff training, by the arrival of the creature that was now much easier to get a look at as it let its glow fade and silently set down, light as a feather, to pad its way over to the frozen man who had been leading this class.
It was a Tibetan fox, but the size of the largest horse, and as they'd already seen, it had huge, leathery wings. What they hadn't seen was that it also had a large, gnarled horn protruding from its forehead, as well as two additional lumps of the same stony-looking material sprouting out of its back, one behind the other.
As the monks gawped at this bizarre creature, it kept its stark golden eyes locked onto Master Monk Guan, the tall, bald, muscular man in orange robes and prayer beads paling as he was approached.
Stopping directly before him, the large creature's head lowered to Guan's level, and it stilled to an unnatural degree. Guan's lips continued to hang open, sending his own beady eyes flicking between the two staring into his soul. He seemed to be able to read whatever the creature was communicating to him, as soon his shoulders fell and his posture straightened with dignity as he dipped his head in respect.
"I understand..." he confirmed aloud.
Closing its eyes briefly in an expression of acknowledgment, thanks, and radiating its own level of respect for taking its news with such grace, the giant fox creature then shifted its nose to kiss the scalp bowed before it, and inhaled. As it did, a flurry of golden wisps, the same type of glow the monks had seen surrounding the flying fox, rose up from Guan's scalp before disappearing into the being's snout. This took only a few short seconds, and when it was done, Guan placed a palm to his temple as he tried to stand straight, clearly dizzied. The monks gasped in worry, but the dizzy spell appeared to be shaken off fairly easily, and the burly man shared one final stoic gaze with the mighty fox before it extended its wings and shot suddenly into the air once more, gentle as a leaf but fast as a bullet, and soared off in a new direction. Presumably, back toward wherever it had come from originally.
Master Monk Guan watched the skies as the being departed, face stoic but troubled. Then his gaze lowered and his brow lifted to realize he had further company.
"Xiaolin Dragons..!" he startled, "How...good to see you. You should have sent notice you were going to visit." Turning to the class he'd been teaching, he announced curtly, "Lessons are over for today! We have special guests! No questions!"
In unison, the class slapped one fist into their opposite palms and bowed, returning, "Yes, Master Monk Guan!" And they scattered. Of course, among themselves, there was no way they weren't going to be whispering speculations about what they'd just witnessed.
As the head monk turned back to face the teens, Omi came forward, palms out as he explained, "Apologies, Master Monk Guan, but we could not send notice of our arrival, as we were unaware we would be arriving. For you see, we were just at the lair of Chase Young, when we spotted that beast in the skies. We followed it here, and now I feel as though there are only more questions to be asking!"
Affirming nods from the others.
Guan's face tensed. "You were at Chase Young's? What happened there?!"
Taken aback by the sharp demand, Omi was cautious in replying, "Well...there was a battle after Chase Young kiddy-napped Jack Spicer...but what does that have to do with the large magical flying fox creature?"
"Battle?" Guan echoed, clearly only hearing one piece of what he was told, "What happened to Chase during this battle? How could this have happened?"
Raimundo's face pinched. "How could what happen, dude?"
Looking sternly to the Brazilian, Guan said pointedly, "How is Chase Young no longer immortal?"
The group startled, Raimundo voicing for all of them, "How did you know that?"
Guan took a mental step back, inhaling and placing his palms before him to guide his breath. It was alright. The Xiaolin Dragons had earned his trust before, and knew of his past as Chase Young's best friend and rival. They'd helped him before, and as much as he preferred to keep his burdens to himself, these kids were clearly involved in whatever had happened, and were obviously lost and curious about the consequences. He could tell them.
"Because I am now no longer immortal as well."
More gasps and wide eyes. "What? How?" it was Kimiko's turn to voice.
"First," Guan returned, "Tell me what happened at that battle!"
Jack, tapping his index fingers together meekly, voiced, "Well...he might not have access to Lao Mane Lone Soup anymore...that's what made him immortal, right? But you didn't eat that stuff 'cause you're a goody-goody, so...how are you not immortal? And actually...how were you immortal in the first place?" He straightened and quirked a brow to realize that he, at least, had never heard any explanation for how Master Monk Guan had stuck around as long as Chase. Glancing to the others, who had been much more involved with Guan's side of things than him, he found only blank looks and shaken heads, informing him that no, no one had ever heard how the master had gained eternal life.
"Mh," Guan hemmed, "So he has not been slain." He seemed to take some solace in this, likely because he still valued Chase as a friend. "Still," the master mused, "To think our story ends like this..." Crestfallen, he bowed his head in a somber moment of reflection before lifting it once more to address the group. "Please. Come inside for tea. Your answers are better delivered there than standing in the yard."
The group obliged, soon seated on cushions around a large, round table, tea cups in hand and the room lit by the orange glow of a fireplace. Standing against the wall opposite the fire, between windows, Guan was the only one not seated, too restless. Every face was trained on him, however, as he readied to tell his tale.
"What you saw," he explained, "Is Chenghuang, a spirit with power over life itself, and the very same spirit that granted me a life as eternal as Chase Young's."
Hushed gasps and looks of awe passed around the table. Kimiko echoed, "Life itself..?" Omi marveled, "There is such a spirit?"
Drawing in a deep breath, Guan turned his head and spoke wistfully to the air. "Yes. It was once more widely known, but no less powerful. Long ago, when I had learned of Chase Young's betrayal to the side of Hannibal Bean, it was something I could not stand. I was destroyed, and longed for a way to bring him back to us. Dashi and I tried, but he would hear none of it, laughing at our pleas and assuming we only wanted him to retain his perceived weakness. He attacked us, swearing to prove how much stronger he was now, and indeed, he left myself and Dashi on the ground behind him as he warned us not to follow, saying that unlike us, he would no longer be holding back."
As he spoke, he thought back to memories of these incidents. Dropping to his knees at the disheartening news from Dojo that his best friend had abandoned the Xiaolin Temple. Himself and Dashi riding on horseback to track Chase to try and convince him he was making a huge mistake. Collapsing back to the ground as he tried to force himself up on his elbows, the world going black as Chase's back walked away from him, Dashi's voice urgently croaking his name from where he lay fallen on the forest ground. Hannibal Roy Bean's gleeful, echoing laughter cruelly fading into the distance as Chase took his side.
Facing his audience once more, frowning sadly, Guan carried on, expanding, "In the days that followed, I could not let Chase's betrayal go. Try as I might, I only wanted to go after him again, despite my injuries, and despite Dashi's astute mentioning that Chase had made it quite clear that he'd chosen his path. However, Dashi also agreed that if anyone could save him, it would be myself. He had always called me the yang to Chase's yin in our brotherhood."
Silently, Omi's eyes slid over to Jack, the pale boy not returning his moment of relation, instead frowning and pinching his brow as he seemed to be putting different pieces together and feeling a rise of guilt.
"Seeing I could not let this betrayal go," Guan continued, reliving the events in his mind, "Dashi reminded me of Chenghuang, who, if I could prove my intentions worthy to, would have the ability to grant me eternal life as well, without the corrupting darkness that comes with the Lao Mane Long Soup, and does not require the sacrifice of dragons. Or any other living beings." Another wistful hem. "Chenghuang's dwelling is always a journey, however. It lives only in the most remote mountains, and the one it calls home moves by its whim. Finding Chenghuang is the first step in proving your worth to even ask its favor. I pointed this out to Dashi, saying that if we sought Chenghuang, the journey would be quite long and we would be leaving the temple with no masters to guard it, but he simply placed a hand on my shoulder and told me that he meant I should be the one to take this journey, and I alone. He would remain to keep the temple safe from Wuya, and to continue entrapping powerful and dangerous energies into his shen gong wu to aid the fight. He was content with that role.
"I did not want to leave him, but even less, I wanted our brotherhood to be broken. Between the two of us, with my stronger bond to him, it was I who was better suited to follow Chase, Dashi convinced me, and so I agreed. I needed to at least try. I could not let things be as they were. And so, Dashi helped me prepare for my journey, and we parted ways. For days, I walked through wilderness, those becoming weeks as I entered the mountains rumored to be the home of Chenghuang. Doubt would fill me every time I reached a peak, only to find it empty, but every time I would remind myself what I was doing this for, and that giving up is not the Xiaolin way. And then, finally, one of those foggy mountain peaks made way to reveal a most splendid glen of grass and moss."
Actually smiling some here as he reflected on the mystical scenery, Guan described the majesty. "The place was most befitting of a mighty spirit. The glen housed a great, still lake, surrounded by silent waterfalls. Somehow, the water did not even ripple as it poured into that lake from the rock walls. And in the center of that water was a great stone soul lantern. I could not believe it, and despite my long journey, that place instilled in me a great sense of peace and tranquility."
Awash with their own impress, the monks did their best to imagine this place. It must have been beautiful.
"As I took this in," Guan carried on, his face turning once more serious, "The spirit flew from somewhere I did not see, but took my attention as it spiraled above me and came to land, merely an arm's distance before my feet. It shocked my heart, but still I felt no threat. When looking into its large, unblinking golden eyes, somehow everything becomes still and clear. It wanted to know my reason in seeking it."
The master recalled wasting no time himself in declaring his reasoning, respectfully kneeling, bowing, and pressing his palms together in reverence as he told of how Chase had lost his way, and how he did not want to give up on the man. How he wanted to help him find his purity again. Silence had met Guan as he'd finished, and after a moment, he'd looked up to see if the being he bargained with was even still there. It was, and Guan gasped to see those golden eyes wide, lowered right to his level and boring through him in a clear study. Then, while Guan gawped, the spirit's pupils relaxed, and its eyelids eased to soften its expression. Then suddenly, it's wings shot out to the sides in readiness for flight, but halted like waiting for an answer.
Guan had paused, stunned by how easy communicating with this being appeared to be, and by the idea that it appeared to deem his quest worthy, but quickly steeled himself as he rose, fists clenched as he gave a single nod and an even, "I understand."
As soon as he'd said it, the beast had taken off as quick as a wink, only a breezy gust remaining to hint that it had been there at all. Guan's head still tilted to follow the launch, able to sense the departure, and creased his brow to see the distant form of Chenghuang contrasted against the grey clouds. In an instant, he bounded after it in pursuit.
In the present, Clay wondered, "It just flew off..? So wait, what'd it want, then?"
Jermaine noted, "Yeah, like that wasn't it sayin' no..?"
Arms folded, Master Monk Guan shook his head loosely. "It is Chenghuang's challenge. There is an ancient saying, 'to ride Chenghuang's back'. It means to have great fortune, and originates from the spirit's ability to grant impossible longevity. For if one rides Chenghuang's back, it means that you have proven yourself to the spirit, and have won its favor to be granted this. By taking flight, it means that it sees your quest worthy to initiate this challenge. It is a test of determination and purity."
A round of hushed 'oohh's passed around the table now. Another challenge on top of finding and negotiating with the thing? Man, earning the favor of this Chenghuang wasn't easy. If that was how one gained immortality without evil means, it made sense why Chase would have taken the shortcut of consuming magical creatures for their essence. He'd been impatient, greedy and tainted at heart already. Even if he had sought Chenghuang, he likely wouldn't have been deemed worthy at all. Plus, Chenghuang didn't grant power, and that's what Chase had really been after.
Raimundo posed, "So I guess that means you must have won it, then, right..?"
A nod from Guan this time. "Yes. For a week straight, I pursued Chenghuang." Once more he looked up to lose himself in reflection. "Rain. Wind. Losing and finding it over and over again. Sleeping in caves and scavenging off the land, I pursued. I had come so far, and was becoming weak in my efforts, but for my brothers, I would not give up." In the end, finally, as rain had pelted down and extinguished the campfire he'd been trying to keep alive, he'd felt something in him boil and glared at that blanketed sky. In a surge of determination, he'd found clarity, and decided there was no more 'if'. He was going to catch the beast.
He'd climbed to a rocky spire, trusty favorite spear in hand, and lashed a rope around the end of it, knowing Chenghuang was near. He'd sensed it. When Chenghuang was spotted, he'd hurled his spear across the canyon he was perched over, creating a tripwire. He'd expected Chenghuang to maneuver around this, and as predicted, the winged fox reared to halt as the spear shot past its snout, at which point Guan had firmed his fists on the other end of that rope and leapt headfirst off of his spire. Chenghuang gracefully swooped around the rope barrier and up around Guan as he swung, but as Chenghuang changed direction, Guan swung back up with the momentum of his fall. He twisted, yanking his spear free and swinging it around mid-air, then sent it back out to loop around one of the stony spines sprouting out of Chenghuang's back. Now falling in the direction of the spirit's tug, Guan aimed himself anew, swinging underneath the fox's belly and up around the other side, where he connected with his spear and fell to land neatly between the two large back spikes.
Immediately, Chenghuang's actions had become more frenzied. It wildly entered a series of corkscrews and thrashed its body, though it still uttered no noise itself. The lashing rain, the thunder and the lightning punctuated the increased voracity of the ride. This crashed around Guan as the spirit soared ever higher, very much bringing the peril of being struck to be evermore likely. Still, Guan refused to relent. He refrained from calling out either, simply gritting his teeth and yanking the rope around the beast's belly tighter, lashing the other end of it to the other end of his spear. This he held by the middle like a sort of reign as he was knocked about, locking his knees tight to the flying fox's sides and denying to be bucked.
This went on for hours, the immortal spirit never tiring. It pulled every possible measure to get Guan off its back, even flying upside down and hurtling toward a spike of rock to imply he would be scraped off, but resilient, Guan did not falter. Chenghuang swerved at the last moment and avoided injuring Guan. This appeared to be the last moment of its test, as well, for as soon as the fox had righted, its flight suddenly evened out, and it glided as smoothly as a leaf in the summer breeze, even through the gale. Guan had been breathing hard, but upon registering the smooth sailing, sat up and looked at the back of the fox's head in wonder; he sensed a sudden aura of demure approval, and let a grin break onto his lips through his panting. He'd won. He had earned Chenghuang's favor.
As they'd broken through the clouds to that tranquil glen, the raging storm outside was silenced. Truly, this place appeared to exist in its own bubble of time and space. Chenghuang had taken Guan on a gentle coast around this gorgeous scenery, almost feeling like granting him a victory lap, before coasting to a gentle stop in front of the soul lantern lake. Guan hopped off, and the massive fox turned to meet his gaze with a fresh meaningful stare, gentle and almost smiling. This too, Guan somehow found himself needing no translation for, and he bowed once more, granting, "I understand."
Closing its eyes briefly in a tiny single nod, Chenghuang had then reached forward with its snout, and touched it to Guan's forehead, giving a lengthy exhale. A wispy cloud of golden sparkles breathed out with this exhale and into Guan. Then it pulled back, watching Guan examine his hands and adjust to the fact that he was now suddenly full of energy and reinvigorated despite the lengthy ordeal he'd gone through for an entire month and then some. He'd smiled at Chenghuang, thanked the great spirit, and taken his leave to return to Dashi and share the wonderful news.
Raimundo still had questions, despite wowing with everyone else. "Wait, so like, I don't get it. If you were given immortality, why did that thing come and take it back now? Didn't you say you proved yourself and earned it an all that?" His arms folded and he shrugged doubtfully.
"Yes," the master granted, "I did prove myself. But Chenghuang does not simply grant immortality. It is a spirit of life, and as such, does what it sees fit to keep that force in balance. My quest was deemed noble, and so instead of simply granting me eternal life, I was granted it only so long as Chase Young was immortal. This way, I would be ensured not to waver from my goal, but I would also not suffer in my immortality should Chase fall in my efforts to stop him. Whether he fell or was convinced to stop of his own accord, however, I would only keep my immortality within the parameters of my mission." Losing a bit of composure, he rubbed the back of his neck and admitted, "I did not...think it would be taken so suddenly. Or without my seeing him." He'd always expected this contract to end in a face-to-face encounter with Chase. Not to have news of its termination brought to him in the middle of teaching a class.
In the tense silence, the monks couldn't help but turn to Jack, knowing he'd been the one to sentence Chase to live out the rest of a natural life. Already having been listening to this entire story in uncharacteristic silence, that guilty pit in his stomach growing more and more dense, he flicked his gaze around the table and croaked when he tried to speak, coughed some to clear his throat and pressed, "I-I'm sorry! I had no idea this would happen!"
Guan quirked his brow. "Sorry..? Why do you apologize?" Honestly, Guan didn't even recognize this boy. He did not remember him from the time Chase had stolen his spear. Chase had been far more relevant to him during that event.
"Because I...I'm the one who destroyed...Chase's...soup..." Timidly, though no one was accusing or angry in their stares, Jack shrank the more he admitted. "I didn't mean to do anything to Guan! I just thought I was stopping Chase, y'know...the big bad guy..! I didn't know your lives were connected like that..! I'm really sorry, I mean it!" Tears started to form at the corners of his eyes as he seriously felt awful. How could he have known? But more importantly, this just proved that he really couldn't help but hurt good people. If he hadn't needed to make Chase feel small like he always made him feel, Guan wouldn't be feeling messed up now. He'd still have his quest. It wouldn't have been yanked so unceremoniously from under him like a rug. Whether Jack had known or not, he'd still done this, and the consequences of his actions were by far more hurtful than good. He'd stolen life from not only one of the greatest evil forces, but from his matching force of good as well. This was all his fault.
Brow going up, Guan could only breath a small, "You..!" He had many questions. How had this boy done it? What had happened during that battle to eradicate Chase's source of immortality? What had the boy's actual intention been? Guan was torn between shock, a certain level of unavoidable anger at having his fifteen-hundred-year-long mission snatched like this, and compassion, knowing this boy couldn't have known he'd be sentencing both men to the same fate and not wanting him to feel so responsible.
Feeling the tension in the air, the other monks shifted in their seats, unsure what to say. It had been Jack who had destroyed the soup, and they hadn't worked past the discomfort seeing him do so so gleefully had caused, but they too realized he was sincere in repentance. His tears caused more discomfort, however, and none of them knew what was best to say to console both parties.
Jermaine tried, offering, "Well, y'know...is what it is. Things happened, but it's...not all bad. They still got the rest of their lives to live out...right?" A cautious glance to Guan, who did not seem to know what to make of this point. He was not exactly comforted, as whatever remained of his natural life was next to nothing after hundreds of years experiencing time like he had. As well, now he was going to experience aging, and had not yet wrapped his head around his new reality.
Realizing there were likely some existential thoughts buzzing around in Guan's skull, Jermaine lowered his own eyes and took a sip of tea, opting to keep quiet.
Jack's lips thinned in a grimace, not feeling any better either. Arms hugging tight around himself, he pointedly avoided looking at Omi, knowing worst of all that his actions would be disappointing to that boy, and not wanting to feel the shame of failing so miserably at being a Xiaolin. Likewise, it hadn't been hard to notice Omi had barely spoken himself, and that just told Jack he was right in assuming disappointment.
Seeing Jack sniffle, clearly hurting, Omi was stuck between worlds. Finding out his idol had been doomed to the same fate as Chase was flooring, and indeed he was experiencing awe and dismay at the story Guan had shared. But as well, he was sorry to see Jack struggling so much with these unforeseen consequences. He knew Jack honestly didn't mean to cause harm to Guan, but at the same time, he had meant to cause harm to Chase, and that was still something Omi hadn't worked through either.
Wanting to take a try at improving the atmosphere himself, all he could muster was a short, "I do not want to blame Jack Spicer..." It was clear he was simply refraining from adding on a sentiment along the lines of, 'but we all agree this is on him and he screwed up royally'.
Crushing his eyes shut, Jack couldn't stand the unspoken half of that sentence ringing in the air and stood sharply.
"I didn't think—I just didn't—I'm sorry, okay? I'm just sorry! I get it, I'm gone!" Turning for the door, he ran. His presence was clearly the problem here, and without him, the others could work through whatever they needed without having to pussyfoot around his feelings.
Another sharp spike of static was felt in the air, but no one raised an effort to stop the albino boy. After he'd left, some glances were passed among the others, and Jermaine did wonder aloud, "He gon' be alright..?"
Clay figured, "Prob'ly is for the best..."
Omi sighed sadly. "While this is a most unfortunate happening, I believe having some time to rest our thoughts separately would be best at this moment in time. Master Monk Guan. Would you please allow us to stay the night?" Arms folded into his sleeves, the smallest party took a short, seated bow towards the head monk. It had gotten dark, and nobody was feeling up to traveling. They would find Jack in the morning and talk things out before heading home. Jack likely wouldn't be going far.
Agreeing that he had many thoughts to sift through, Guan was more than willing to end the discussion for tonight. He granted his guests a place to sleep, and set an extra space up in case their missing companion returned. From there, he simply headed to his own quarters, but sat on the windowsill and stared out at the starry sky in contemplation. Mortal life, huh? He thought back to Dashi, a very long time ago, contentedly remaining the only one of the three great warriors to keep such a life. Guan had expressed dread at the idea of outliving him by such a large margin, even suggesting they revisit Chenghuang, or at least find some other means of extending his life too, but Dashi had laughed his off, breezy as ever, and told Guan that he didn't need to be part of that story. He had his own purpose, and so long as you got joy out of it, any life was worth an eternity.
The man was a lazy slacker who would rather nap with the pigs than do temple chores, but Guan smiled to recall this. That was what made Dashi happy. Every moment he could, he was neglecting unimportant duties, running off to play games or cause chaos with local farmers' property, playing pranks, or joking around. He was not a very serious or diligent adult when it didn't matter. The only thing he took seriously was protecting his home. But because of that breezy attitude, he'd lived a full life doing the things he loved, and lived it well. Even on his deathbed, when Guan had come home to be with him in his final days, Dashi was in good spirits and had made non-stop snide remarks about how young Guan still looked, and how he was just mad he wouldn't get to tease him about getting wrinkles. He'd passed in the night, while Guan was asleep, but in the morning, a paper was by Dashi's bed, and opening it revealed a less-than-skilled drawing of Guan as a comically saggy old man, and a scribble off to the side read, "Bet you'll look like this – I'll haunt you in a few hundred years to find out, eh? Tell Chase I said hi."
Guan had been unable to prevent a laugh through his tears. And now, staring out into the glittering sky, he supposed that was the thing about mortal life. You never knew how much of it you had, so you should live it to the fullest. Guan had created his own temple to pass on his teachings, but it had also been in pursuit of keeping up his own skills. His mission to reform Chase. He'd been focused on it for so long, he'd been remembering Dashi's philosophy less and less. Dashi had always been the fun one, keeping Chase and Guan's lives entertaining. Guan thought it might be time to shift his focus a little. A new determination lit in his heart.
…
Jack had not stayed on the temple grounds. In fact, he hadn't even stayed close. On his helibot, he'd flown so far in trying to escape his thoughts, and so sure that he could only be more help the further away from the others he was, he'd found himself drifting back into the rocky, barren wasteland the group had come from.
Feeling like he deserved to be in such a terrible landscape, and finding it getting too dark to navigate, Jack finally settled down in a random patch of rocks, seeing a spiky stalagmite that would make for a fair enough seat back to lean against. Plunking his rear into the dirt, he folded his arms tight against himself and felt the liquid beading up at the corners of his eyes again. Of course he couldn't outrun these feelings. They were flooding his brain.
No one had come to his defense. Of course they hadn't. But even Omi hadn't had a single word to make him feel like this was something he'd be able to 'work on'. That doubt Jack had been feeling about the Xiaolin magic deeming him worthy of its power resurged, ten times stronger than before. He'd just shown all of his teammates, all of his friends, that even while trying to act for the side of could, he couldn't help but be evil. It was like an inescapable nature. Even harming evil, he did just as much harm to good in the process. In fact, he was a killer. He was supposed to be good, but out of spite, even if it was indirect, he'd jumped right on the plan he'd had to sentence an immortal warrior to death. And this had been right after he'd gotten praised for doing well in that fight! Go figure, he managed to get a genuine compliment, only to immediately undo it and make everyone scared of him. Emperor Jack was just always going to be there, wasn't he? Unless Jack physically removed that part of himself and did let Good Jack be his new personality, he was just always going to be capable of terrible, evil things, and he was going to do them whether he wanted to or not. He'd been trying so hard to be good, and in the biggest way, proven to everyone how impossible that was for him. Every step of the way, he'd been stumbling, and now he'd pretty much somersaulted off a cliff.
While sitting here, wondering if he should just go pick up Cyclops and find somewhere to run away to on his own, a distant motion made him look up. It didn't take long for the form to reveal itself to be Wuya, taking long leaps as she bounded across the dusty landscape.
Startling, hurrying to wipe his eyes, Jack confirmed that he was seeing the witch, and she carried a large, black box, decorated in an ornate Chinese style. Jack's face fell in further stun to recognize the Treasure of the Blind Swordsman, a possessed magical artifact that had the power to grant any wish asked of it. When had she had time to get that?! Was that why the monks hadn't seen her in so long? She was planning to steal that? Jack had never even seen where it was hidden in the Xiaolin Temple.
His first instinct was to hide, but then Jack realized he was the only one here to witness the witch with an insanely powerful item, and figuring he didn't really have anything to lose, came out from behind the stalagmite and pointed sharply at the woman.
"Hey! Wuya!"
Stopping in her graceful bounds, Wuya blinked, certainly not expecting to hear anyone call for her out here. Turning, her face melted into an amused smirk.
"Of course it's you, Jack...you always have to be under foot, don't you?" Scanning over his face, she snorted, "Have you been crying? What's the matter, did Chase turn you down again~?"
"No!" Jack defended sharply at first, but then sagged and relented, "Well...maybe..." While Wuya let out a single, curt laugh to be proven right, the redhead regrouped and went on, "But that's got nothing to do with it! Or why I'm here! In fact, why are you here? Are you bringing that to Chase? Is that why you went quiet?"
A snort. "Hardly. I'm long over Dragon Breath. But I did think it would be fun to take this over there after I stole it, and restore my powers in front of him. Then we'll see how well he does in a fight against real magic. Want to come? It might ease your little heartache."
Folding his arms and shrinking a little at this jab, Jack just made a short 'nh' noise. Then, knowing he had to stall the woman so he could think of some way to take it from her before she used it, decided to reveal, "Actually...Chase is kind of...out of commission right now."
Wuya's brow went up. "Out of commission..?"
Straightening his posture, Jack formed a bolder expression as he asserted, "Yeah. You're too late. I already took him out of the picture. No more soup, no more Chase. So I destroyed his supply. He's not taking it well."
Wuya's brow went even further towards her hairline. "...you're serious?"
Firmly, Jack returned, "Totally. Talk about undignified. He was a mess knowing he's mortal now. I'm over that blowhard myself."
"Really..." The witch's head turned with interest, a small smile curling onto her plump, painted lips. "I wondered why you would be out here without your new friends...are they, perhaps, unaware of this little venture..?"
Not caring to give the painful truth, and finding it better to serve his narrative at the moment, Jack breezed, "Yup. Those idiots don't have a clue. I tell ya, pickin' up Dragon powers has been the best long con yet."
With a hum of consideration, Wuya walked a circle around Jack, assessing him. "Well, I can't say it's too surprising from you, but you're really backstabbing them? It looked like you were having so much fun on that little team. And using a cover of goodness to take out Chase...impressive cruelty, if true."
Feeling as though it may as well have been true with how things had turned out, Jack swallowed a lump of shame and returned, "Oh, it's true, alright. In fact, maybe you'd better make it easy on yourself and hand over that Treasure of the Blind Swordsman, unless you wanna find out my plan to get rid of you, too."
Finding that boldness amusing, the crimson-haired woman gave another laugh. "Oh, you always were too big for your britches, Jack~," she cooed, leaning to tower over the boy, "You realize there's nothing stopping me from simply using it to return my powers now instead..."
Feeling stupid for even leading her to mention that, Jack felt even worse. Rather than stalling her, he was fast-tracking Wuya into regaining full power. Power so great, she could take over the world with a snap of her fingers.
"Or..!" he granted hastily, "Just to be on the safe side...maybe you'd better make sure the monks are out of the way first. You don't want them pulling another box out and sucking you up right after you get your powers back, right?"
Here, the sharp-toothed woman leaned back and let out a reasoning 'hmmm', expression turning annoyed to admit that yes, those Xiaolin monks were a little too wily sometimes. They may well have their own back-up plan to suppress her before she could complete the next phase of her plan after restoring her magic.
"Surprisingly poignant, Jack," Wuya then smiled, "You really have been thinking ahead all this time, haven't you~? Perhaps you might finally see fit to use those slippery tactics for me..? I'm not above second chances – or I supposed hundredth, in your case – and I could always use one more loyal minion...besides, it just always seems to come back to us, doesn't it? Perhaps our destinies are that we're both meant to be rulers. Bring me to your friends. Help me destroy them and swear a new allegiance to me. Or, if not, I could always just destroy you now." A demure smile was sent down to the powerful item she held. Unlike Chase, Wuya could admit there was something about Jack that had presented itself as useful. Somehow, unbelievable as it was, there was valuable manipulation and planning skill hidden inside that boy, and whoever he used it for was going to benefit from it. He just had to be content in a position of lower power than them.
Jack frowned, feeling that pit in his stomach grow as he heard yet another speech trying to get him to swap sides. People wanted to convince him to be good. People wanted to convince him to be bad. No one wanted to let him stick with either when he made a choice. And he could never stick with his choices. Honestly, he was tired of it. So tired of the back and forth. And, he was just tired.
"Very tempting," he admitted, waving a hand over his mouth as he yawned, "Especially if all the stuff I could ask for is still on the table. But can I maybe sleep on that? It's gotta be what, one in the morning..?" Another short yawn as he turned to lie down and curl up next to a few nearby rocks, pulling one close to act as a pillow. "It's too late to be hunting down all those guys. Maybe when the sun's up we can go do that." Despite his exhaustion, he also felt his heart pounding as he laid down, making himself rather vulnerable should Wuya decide not to grant him this extra time. Time he would really like to use to think of a better plan to get the Treasure of the Blind Swordsman away from her.
Watching the albino goth wave off both the offer and the threat, dropping the whole discussion to turn around to sleep right in front of her, Wuya was taken off guard, shoulders slumping for a moment. Then she sent her eyes helplessly skyward. Honestly, this was just par for the course when working with Jack. He had a terrible habit of sidetracking with pointless things at the most random of times. Deciding that putting up with this quirk would be worth the irritation, especially if Jack's talents would help streamline her rise to power, she took a few steps over to another rock and sat heavily.
"Fine. Have your little nap. But this treasure doesn't leave my grasp." Cozying up in her own nest of rocks like a makeshift armchair to sleep, her hands remained firmly clamped on the handles of the box held in her lap. There was no way she wouldn't notice an attempt to steal it, and she wasn't ignorant enough to think Jack wouldn't try.
Knowing trying to grab the treasure would be stupid, Jack was just amazed Wuya had agreed to let him sleep. Somehow, he'd managed to buy himself and the other monks some time.
…
In front of Chase's lair door, a wide, wobbly portal manifested, and out of it, a large, four-limbed black monster with an elongated body poured amorphously out and dropped heavily to the ground. Riding on the back of its small bald head, using the gold circlet with a single sapphire ornament the beast wore as reigns, Hannibal Bean pulled back to get the creature to stop. His parrot Ying Ying flew out of the portal behind the two, its grey and black feathers changed to a bright green and red pallet.
Obediently, the black monster, reforming itself into its default crouched, clawed appearance, meekly gave a short whine and glanced its sharp yellow eyes up at its whip-holding rider. Its large mouth of long, drooling fangs was set in an expression of worry.
Bean reached one tendril hand down to pat the chi beast, for that's what this creature was, on the scalp. To this guardian of the Yin Yang World, the minute villain cooed, "Awww, don't you be scared none, Chi Chi~. Ah wouldn't dream of hurtin' you no more. Just 'cause I spent the last few months doin' so don't mean nothin'. In fact, now that you've finally, graciously agreed to get me outta that there hellish dimension again, Ah've turned over a new leaf." Almost bitterly, Bean sneered back at the disappearing portal the beast had summoned. He was not thrilled about having his kindest inclinations now at the surface, but he'd meant it when he'd declared he was going to be ready to cure himself of that affliction once he'd returned.
"Now, be a dear, would ya, and take me in to see my good friend Chase...seems like he's already had some visitors. Ah'm sure he could use some kinder company." Eyeballing the destroyed doorway, he let the tamed monster guardian oblige to take him inside the lair, only to find himself curiously scanning over a scene of total destruction. Debris was everywhere in the main room. Tile, stone, metal, a huge tree for some reason...and Chase was there, sitting on his throne, but looking shockingly hollow. His hands clawed twin grips on the armrests of that chair, and he sat slumped as far as he could go. His legs were splayed haphazardly. His hair was a mess, and his chin rested on his collar. His muddy eyes were wide and unseeing, an internal turmoil clearly raging. However, as Bean approached, his pupils dilated, and those eyes were the only things that moved, sliding to track the arrival. The chi beast sensed danger, and though usually hyper-aggressive, froze in uncertainty. Worn out from the unwavering onslaught of Bean's abuse, and sensing an animalistic destructiveness just waiting to explode from the man in the chair, these circumstances were strange to it.
"What do you want, Bean?" Chase seethed, voice ragged and dripping venom. He made it perfectly clear he did not want visitors. Especially not this one.
Bean took one more look around the place, letting out a low whistle. "Boy. Sure seems like you've had a day, huh?" A good-natured chuckle, which only caused Chase's clawed fingers to clench harder, his armrests splintering. Unfazed, Bean went on, "All the more reason why my stoppin' by to be neighborly couldn't have come at a better time."
"What are you talking about, you yammering, unfettered excuse for a side dish?" Chase demanded lowly, "Have you come to offer me more Lao Mane Lone Soup..?" That prospect was the only reason this particular character still lived.
With a curious note, Bean had to wonder why this would be a question. However, he opted to pounce on the opportunity. "Well, Ah could be..." he granted, observing the way Chase perked with interest. "Ah was just goin' to come and offer my partnership in regards to mountin' a less-than-friendly visit on that there Temple Xiao-lin, but if soup's what you need, Ah could see my way to helpin' you out with that, too. After all, them Xiaolins do have a dragon at that temple, do they not? You help me get into their vault, and Ah'll help you rustle up some Kentucky Fried Dojo. Just outta the goodness of my heart~..." As Bean had counted on, despite his chi being flipped and his inclinations being more charitable, yang being his dominant side didn't make him any less conniving. He was willing to help out of a genuine desire, but much like Omi's dark side had been moreso driven by a thirst for combat than truly evil, Bean's light side was more manipulative and seeking quid pro quo than truly good. He was still willing to make a deal, and this deal was still going to get him what he wanted – Jack Spicer's head.
Chase's eyes widened in desperate greed hearing Bean promise a cure for his sudden affliction of mortality, and Bean's crooked, yellow teeth exposed themselves heavily in a wide grin to know he'd hooked the man line and sinker.
