Omi was pretending to meditate while perched atop the roof of Master Fung's private quarters. Really, he was trying to listen in on the conversation Dojo was having with Fung about the strange magical energy they'd all felt recently. There was something out there, and Omi knew it was important.
"What is it, Dojo? What's this presence?" Fung asked; though it was clear to Omi that his calm tone was only a facade. His old master was worried, very worried.
"The Wudai Dragon of Metal…" Dojo said, and there was a seriousness to the dragon's voice that the young monk was not accustomed to. Dojo was usually such a lazy, sarcastic being that it was easy to forget what a powerful magical beast he was.
"His powers have awoken?"
"Not just awoken. It feels like…it feels like he's actively using it. I just…I don't understand who could be training him! This element is so rare, no one else should know about it."
Omi frowned, brow furrowing at this. Another Wudai warrior? Being trained by a mysterious master?
"Dojo. You don't think a member of the Heylin side could have discovered this, do you?"
"I don't know. The only one who'd have the kind of understanding of the elements necessary to pull it off would be Chase… But Chase hates Jack!"
The yellow monk's eyes flew open, shock washing over his face. Jack Spicer was a fellow Wudai Warrior? He leapt to his feet, his mind buzzing at this new information. He had to tell the others.
"You gotta be pulling our legs." Raimundo quipped, leaning on his hand as he scanned Omi's face. "There's no way Jack has Wudai powers."
"Yeah, Omi, maybe you misheard?" Kimiko suggested gently. Ping Pong tilted his head, unaware of why there was concern over such a matter.
"No. I am tugging on no extremities. Dojo said that Jack Spicer was the Wudai Dragon of Metal." The three older dragon warriors looked at the water elemental, a serious silence falling over them. "What is more, Dojo said that the only member of the Heylin side who would have the knowledge to bring about the activation of his powers would be Chase Young."
"Well, that can't be right, pardner. Chase can't stand Jack, everybody knows that." Clay adjusted his hat, looking uneasy despite himself.
"That may be so, but Chase Young would also stop at nothing if it meant bringing about the fall of Good." The rest of the warriors murmured their agreement with that statement. It wouldn't be the first time the man had used the 'evil boy genius' to further his own schemes.
After a little more debate, the group decided that it would be best to see for themselves. They took the Silver Manta Ray, so as not to alert Dojo and the elder monks, and headed out to the Land of Nowhere.
Chase looked out over his inner sanctum from one of the upper walkways. He'd been spending so much time on his plans with Jack Spicer lately, that it felt a little strange to not be in the presence of the young man.
Still, he couldn't demand Jack relinquish himself completely over to Chase's will. Not yet, at least. So, he had to let Spicer do his little business meetings now and again. He had sat in on one of them and was quite impressed by how business-savvy the redhead was. Chase had done his own digging on Spicer's public life.
It was strange, the act the younger man was putting forth. This philanthropic, good-hearted tech genius who wanted to make the world a better place. It made Chase somewhat nauseous just thinking about it, and yet, he had to admire the pure brilliance. What better way to get even the tiniest piece of Spicer's technology out there, than by making it a charitable donation?
His thoughts were interrupted by a growl from one of his warriors, a large lion sporting a dark mane. Chase looked over as the beast reported the arrival of the monks. He frowned, sighing deeply as he straightened up and teleported down to his throne. The immortal sat just in time for the five young warriors to burst in.
"Chase Young!" Omi exclaimed, despite Raimundo being their leader. The little monk clamped his mouth shut after a look from the aforementioned Brazilian.
"You got some explaining to do, dude?" Raimundo quipped, pointing at Chase with a flourish.
Chase raised his brow, resting his cheek on a fist to appear bored by their theatrics. "Of what, Pedrosa?"
"Of what you've been doing with Jack!" Kimiko spat with all the usual attitude that Chase found boorishly annoying.
"Spicer? What of him?" He was very good at lying, but the confused tone was genuine. "He hasn't come here in ages."
All but Omi scoffed. The little yellow monk looked at Chase, measuring the man up in a way that spoke of the familiarity between the two. Chase looked back, knowing that the teen was searching for the truth. Despite the difference in their moral standing, Chase and Omi were two sides of the same coin.
"Friends…I do not think he is lying." The other monks quieted at this. Ping Pong set a hand on Omi's shoulder; his expression confused but trusting of the other's every word.
"Now, what has you believing I have had anything to do with Spicer, monks?" Chase stood, neatly clasping his hands behind his back as he started to descend the stairs. "Enough for you to invade my home and confront me over it?"
"That's none of your concern." Raimundo quipped, squaring up his shoulders.
"Oh, but it is." He snapped his fingers and dozens of large felines surrounded the hall. The monks gasped, moving closer together and going into defensive positions. "You are trespassing. And in my domain, trespassers are-"
"Chase! Chase, I just figured out something I can do!" The voice echoed through the cavernous hall, heavy footsteps coming from the entrance hall. All humanoid eyes looked in time to see Jack Spicer step into the dappled light of the throne room.
It was a tense moment as everyone looked at each other. The monks almost didn't recognize the young man who stood there as their long-time frenemy. Jack Spicer looked bright and happy, still gothic but stylish and sleek. His hair was long, falling past his collarbones now.
"…Jack?" Clay finally broke the silence. The monks shot looks to Chase before Jack spoke.
"Oh, uh, hey…guys. What're you all doing here?"
"We could ask you the same question." The Dragon of Fire spat. Jack frowned at the tone.
"Hey, there's no need to get bitchy with me, Kimiko. I just asked a question."
"We know Chase is training you to be the Dragon of Metal!" Ping Pong blurted, assuming a stance. All the monks grabbed him to cover his mouth as Jack and Chase stared. The two men looked at the monks before looking at each other. After a couple of beats, a dark chuckle came from Chase.
"Well…I suppose the cat is out of the bag, per say. Spicer." He looked over to the albino, who straightened reflexively. "Why don't we give the monks a demonstration of what you've been working on. A regular showdown."
Jack smiled, and the monks collectively shivered. Gone was the silly grin the goth used to wear, replaced by one of true malice. When had the tiny spark of evil within Jack Spicer been fanned into a proper flame?
"Who will be your challenger?" Chase asked, having circled around to stand next to his apprentice. The Xiaolin monks looked amongst themselves. None of them had planned to confront Jack, nor did they want to hurt him. Most still felt he could be saved.
"I will." Ping Pong stepped forward, hands clenched into fists. Raimundo put a hand on his shoulder, looking concerned. The little monk shrugged it off. Chase's smirk twitched a bit wider.
"Very well. Spicer." Jack took off his jacket, tossing it carelessly away from him as he stepped forward. "The rules will be simple. No Wu, no outside interference. Using only your Wudai powers and fighting abilities, you will defeat your opponent."
"If we win, we take Jack!" Kimiko shouted, pointing at the albino man. Chase raised a brow as Jack wrinkled his nose. "He joins the Xiaolin Temple, and becomes one of us."
"And if I win," Jack started before glancing at Chase, "Then we get Omi."
There was a moment of shocked silence. Even the immortal looked at his apprentice with a questioning look.
"He becomes one of Chase's warrior cats and you cannot contest for his freedom ever again. And the same goes if I lose. We're playing for keeps. Now, you sure you want John Lennon here in the ring?"
The gravity of the words sank in. The monks looked at one another with grave expressions. Jack had always been boastful but this. This level of confidence was new and rather frightening.
"If it is my freedom we are battling for. Then I should do the fighting." Omi finally said, stepping past Ping Pong. He looked up at Jack, a glimpse of hurt in his eyes that the redhead did not comment on.
"Let's go then, Baldilocks."