The Split

The days began to pass very fast as the former Xiaolin Dragons were being turned in to dedicated disciples of the evil Heylin side. They were stronger, faster and none of these children would give a second thought about killing someone.

Prince Rai and his sinister beloved consort Princess Lu were without a doubt both prodigies and got the best treatment. Kimiko was treated as a Lady at the same time as Clay and Jack were given a fair amount of respect and some privileges. Omi on the other hand was still treated like the Ouza he was even despite the fact that he had no longer had any free will.

Right now they Heylin Dragons were undergoing extreme military exercises. Nothing less then absolute perfection would be acceptable. The royal family watched as the brood began the next step of the training. They were to draw strength from their opponents own emotions and then use its power against them in one lethal strike. On one team were Rai, Lu, and Kimiko and on the other were Jack, Clay and Omi.

“Ready my children?” inquired Valonia in a calm but controlling voice from her throne high above them. Her deadly jade eyes gazed upon her daughters’ children and the young girl she had managed to net. She seemed most pleased by the results so far.

“More then ready, Grandmother. I am so ready to rip that little Ouza to shreds!” Rai said as he looked at little Omi with a bizarre look etched on his hot face.

“Yes I want to taste some blood on my fingertips. Hmm I wonder if Ouza taste like chicken. Still how about after we get rid of him we use his big fat hat for a ball? We can use it for soccer or tether or even just a good kickball! I mean it’s not like his use his head anyway! Too much ego and not enough room for a brain,” Lu told her boyfriend unemotionally as she gazed upon his wonderful face.

“Would you two lovebirds get off of cloud nine for ten minutes and get your heads in the game?” asked Kimiko as her long black hair flared up in show off her anger.

“Fine let get start prior to Kimmy here blowing a fuse,” retorted Lu in a bored to death tone of voice.

“Ready my Heylin Dragons?” asked the ominous sovereign of the devil’s city as her eyes shimmered from underneath her hood. “Ready!” “Begin!”

They began to assault one another in the most savage and dishonorable method as each gave into the primordial screaming instincts that had long lay dormant in their blood. They unleashed all the new powers they had gained since forsaking their humanity for the Power of the Flame. Each young dragon looked ready to kill as they twisted their opponent’s sense of reality and continued their animalized behavior with blood dripping form their fingertips.

“Well I will say this, dear daughters of mine. I am quite satisfied with what we have been able to accomplish in a few mere weeks. Their powers are coming along much faster then I had anticipated. Their old human emotions and beliefs have evaporated into thin air; furthermore they are becoming more like us every day. I am very satisfied that I was able to raise such magnificent daughters who are now just as magnificent mother as I am,” Valonia told Wuya and Meribor as she stroked their fiery hair at the same time as she kissed their brows.

“Yes, Mom, you are right about that. It is the most wonderful feeling to be a parent; it’s even more wonderful when you have such a great kid. Mmm I knew Rai was special. He just sorta stole my heart and I have helped him find the light out of the darkness.”

“Don’t forget about my precious Lu. She will make a fine High Priestess one day. It was lucky that we were able to combine the powers of Heylin Flame and the Red Moon to turn the dragons to our side. Without the Red Moon increasing our powers the metamorphosis wouldn’t have taken hold as quickly. In a few days the last bits of humanity will be driven out of them and we can use their powers to bring down the blasted chi barrier,” Meribor stated simply.

“As long as I get to destroy that pest, Dojo, I’ll be pleased. Who knows what we can accomplish once the barriers down? I could at last regain my flesh and blood body instead of this hideous façade,” Wuya said curling her fist in rage.

“I have only one desire once the chi barrier is gone. To free myself from this curse so I can have my eternal beauty back once and all. After that the three of us will lay waste to the world conquering it in the name of all women!” Valonia purred as she imagined the great future that awaited the three of them. “And to think it’s all possible thanks to Dashi’s legacy. Who knew that his foolish Dragons would be our salvation?”

“Look! My little Oni has just successfully used the power of teleportation at the same time he is able to duplicate! Go Rai! Make Mom proud!”

“Nice, sis but my little Louts is able to bend the rules of reality as you can see and she can do it by hanging upside down!”

“All of them are able to turn into a pure form of their element, manipulate a natural source of the element, turn into shadows and travel through them, and lastly use Heylin magic. As far as individuality goes each possess unique talents and special moves that no one else has. But their true power shines when they combine their powers together. Dismiss the Dragons to the bedrooms. We will summon them for the final ceremony in their metamorphous as soon as we deal with that pesky dragon. While he makes great tea and cookies, I can’t run the risk of him ruining our plans. Time to see our little maid, come my daughters let us prepare for the grand finale!”

“And remember you little worm I want them to be black with red tips not the other way around and next time I want you to use the lavender moisturize not the aloe it makes my dainty little feet crack! Got that you little tapeworm?!” asked San as she nibbled on some yummy chocolate chip cookies.

“Yes, Mistress San I remember. Just let me chip off all this foot fungus that caked in-between your toes. Sheesh don’t you ever sponge down your feet? Master Fung always washes his and they smell like a field of rosebuds. Your’s smell PU,” he said with a close pin stuck on his nose.

“What was that you said? I hope I didn’t hear what I think I heard come form your mouth or I am going to turn you inside out and then make you exploded!” Bik told him in a low deadpan tone of voice as her evil Heylin eye glowed.

“Nothing I didn’t say anything, say about a little polka music?” he asked nervously as he shook like a twig in the wind. His maid costume started to slip off his body.

“No we prefer something like jazz,” San said as he began to come to an end with her toes. “You do fine work little creature. Keep up the good work and I might just ask her Evilness if she’ll let me keep you as my own pet.”

“I’m sorry to say San dear, that due to extenuating circumstances, the little gecko will no longer be your hand maid. Tell me dears, has the insolent creature behaved himself?” Valonia asked politely.

“You’re evil Empresses! Forgive my attire I was just getting a little pampering done. I’m pleased to report that your mind control slug has rendered Dojo harmless to us. I found nothing wrong with his services,” San replied quickly.

“Speak for yourself, this gecko is hardly entertaining. What do you wish us to do with Dashi’s pet?” Bik inquired.

“You two will bring him to my private bathing chambers one hour before the witching hour in a magic proof box. Before hand I would like you remove the slug. I want the little creature to be aware of what’s happening to his precious charges. His guilt over losing them will be enough to kill him. I must leave now to prepare for the ceremony. Spread the word girls, tonight the people of the Nilyeh City will be freed!” the evil Empress cackled manically.

Beneath the Palace Wuya and her sister were preparing the bathing chambers for tonight’s ceremony. The tubs were locked up, tapestries hung on the wall, and mats arranged in a circle. The sisters were double checking everything; including the potion the young dragons were to partake in order to induce the final stage of the transformation. Once this step was over six Heylin Dragons would use their fully developed evil powers in order to free the city from its long imprisonment.

“Just think Meribor in a few short hours my son and your daughter will open the gateway to a new reign of evil. You were right when you sensed my feelings of love towards Rai. I couldn’t be any prouder if he was my own flesh and blood,” Wuya said finishing the potion.

“It’s good that you’re not hiding your true feelings anymore. We can’t afford it if we are to succeed. Nothing will go wrong tonight. Ah here come our little warriors now. I hope you children have rested. The next few hours will be murder on the body, but in the end you will emerge from your cocoon as highly evolved Heylin agents. Now if you will each take a seat on a mat we can begin,” Meribor told them.

“Are you sure this won’t hurt us to badly Mother? I have no desire to deny in my quest to become the ultimate warrior,” Rai voiced.

“Yes, how do we know all of this will turn out right Mom?” Lu asked her eyes flashing with concern.

“You must trust me my little Lotus. Nothing will go wrong as long as you remain strong. Now set a good example to your friends and drink the potion,” Meribor told her daughter. Lu did as she was told taking a huge sip of a ghastly green brew before passing around. Soon all six dragons had taken a sip and were asleep on their mats.

The door to the chamber opened and in walked Empress Valonia carrying a swearing Dojo in a box. “Sorry I’m late, there was some difficulty securing the prisoner. I hope I haven’t missed much.”

“No, not really mother. We’ve only just begun,” Wuya informed her.

“You three just wait until I bust out of here! You’re going to be sorry for putting a slug in my head. No one orders Dojo around like a maid I mean…. Oh my God. What did you do to them?” Dojo gasped spying the Dragons passed out on the mats.

“Like what you see temple guardian? Personally I like our color scheme is better then yours. What we have done to your precious charges is offer them a chance of the life time. To join our side and bring down Xiaowei Xiaolin forces. As we speak, my dragons are undergoing the final process of becoming one of us. This is the reason I freed you from my mind slug. I want you to watch and waste away in agony as your own friends bring about the destruction of the world! Now why don’t we sit down and enjoy the show my little friend?”

Dojo watched helplessly as the final stage of the transformation took place. Wuya and her sister held their children’s hands as they began to act like they were having a seizure. It was like their souls were being torn to shreds within their very core. The same thing was taking place in all of their minds.

They were walking slowly down a long dark corridor towards a bright white light. This corridor had no sound, smell, or taste. It was just dark and cold. The only thing that could be heard was the intense beating of their hearts. They finally crossed the threshold into the room at the end of the corridor. It was just a large dark empty room. They continued to walk to the center and out of the blue a three way mirror appeared. On the left was their Heylin side on the right their Xiaolin side in the center their normal self.

From the Xiaolin half each could hear the voices of Master Fung and Dashi and his family pleading with the Dragons to come back and fulfill their destiny. The voice of the Heylin could be heard from the left and their own voice in front of them. Then after a moment when it all became too much the reflections on the mirrors vanished. A pair of eyes appeared in front of them and a voice that sound like a man, woman, child, young and old coming from everywhere and nowhere said “What is your true reflection?” Approaching the mirror again with their eyes close they steadied their heartbeat and a green flame surround them. The images of the past vanished as the reflection in front of them and on the sides was all Heylin! They awoke to the bath chambers all smiling evil radiating from their eyes!

“Well done my Heylin Dragons. You have completed your training. Welcome my family and friends to the winning side!” Valonia said embracing each of them in a tight hug.

“No it can’t be. Guys snap out of it! Remember who you are! Your Xiaolin Warriors and defenders of good! Remember the Temple and Master Fung? Come on guys give me sign please,” begged Dojo.

“What a Dojo. Does he honestly think we give up the best thing that ever happened to us?” Clay demanded icily.

“He’s even more pathetic then I imagined. How about my Kimmy here roast him and serves him as dinner?” Jack suggested.

“Yes that does sound delicious. I’ve often wondered if dragons taste like turkey,” Omi revealed.

“That’s chicken you Ouza. But right now we can’t concern ourselves with that. We must bring down the barrier. Afterwards we can restore our Empress and Princess to their former glory. Shall we go cause some evil?” Lu asked. The others nodded. The three women clapped their hands happily and led the way with Dojo crying in his cage.

When they reached the edge of the barrier a crowd had gathered. All the citizens, both female and male were waiting solemnly for their hopes and dreams to be fulfilled. Valonia turned to face the crowd to deliver one final speech.

“My fellow Nilyeh citizens today are a glorious day in our fine cities history. For more then fifteen hundred years we have protected the Heylin Flame awaiting a chance to spread its wondrous power to the world. But for far too long we have been kept prisoners by Xiaowei cursed barrier. Over the centuries we have tried everything to break free, but it seemed in vain. Now thanks to my daughters, Meribor for her prophecy and Wuya for delivering the key we are on the edge of freedom! In a matter of seconds the barrier will come down and then we shall take our revenge! Heylin Dragons use your powers and free us now!” the evil Empress commanded.

The dragons nodded their heads and turned to face the barrier. Inside his box Dojo was praying this was all a bad dream. He watched tearfully as each dragon summoned their element and attacked the barrier with it. At first nothing happened, but then a low thrumming could be heard. The barrier was vibrating, in a matter of minutes the barrier would be gone if something wasn’t done. “Please Dashi, if there was ever a time for a miracle, now’s the time for it.”

Lu was pouring all of her evil powers into bringing down the barrier. All she could thing about was freeing her people and helping restore her grandmother’s beauty. Suddenly she felt something brush against her heart. Glancing down she saw the Xiaowei Dragon Star medallion hanging around her neck. She had forgotten that she had nicked the Wu from Master Fung when he was asking her to apologize to Omi. At the same time she felt something warm on her wrist. It was Xiaomei Bracelet.

It was almost like she was watching herself from out of her body. She knew instinctively that the others were continuing to attack the barrier and that it was weakening. In her head she could hear a voice screaming at her to stop. It was her own human voice awakened by the bracelet’s power trying to stop a great evil from being freed. Immediately she stopped feeding her power into the barrier causing the others to stop as well. The barrier remained, but it was greatly weakened.

“What’s wrong? Why have you stopped? Your almost through continue!” Valonia ordered.

“No, I won’t.”

“What?!”

“My little Lotus I order you to destroy the barrier now!”

“No I won’t. I’m not your Lotus and I’m not your kid! I’m a Xiaolin Dragon of Lightning! Now I’m going to free my friends and get us out of here!” Lu shouted revealing the medallion.

“Lu wait! You don’t know how to use that!” Dojo shouted, but it was too late.

“Xiaowei Dragon Star! Ahh!” Lu screamed as the medallion lit up. She tried to control the power of the Wu, but it was beyond her power. Instead of controlling the chi energies around her and manipulating them to her desires everything blew up in her face.

The Dragon Star, which had been inactive for so long, needed to get power from another source. The closet source was the barrier, which came crashing down and straight into the medallion. The medallion glowed twelve colors and then spread the energy it collected everywhere.

The first thing it did was hit Valonia encasing the woman in a bright green light. The woman screamed in pain as her entire body was ravaged by chi energy.

The next light, red, hit Wuya forcing her to the ground. A sparkle covered her body and within seconds the android women was passed out. Meribor ran to aid her sister trying to avoid the remaining lights.

The third and fourth lights hit Dojo cage and the Nilyeh City spreading up into the people causing them to run back to the safety of their homes. The magic on Dojo cage disappeared allowing him to super size out. He watched in fascination with what happened next.

The remaining lights wrapped around the dragons, who were hovering in the air. Each of them was screaming bloody murder as there was a tearing sound. Each of the dragons was torn in half. One good dragon, one evil dragon. Dojo caught the good ones and picked up Lu from the ground, leaving the evil halves behind for now. They needed to get back to the temple and figure out everything later.

As the Xiaolin dragons escaped by the skins of their teeth, Valonia could be heard laughing insanely. Meribor rushed to her mother side and helped her up.

“Mom I don’t know what just happen are you ok? Mom why are you laughing? You’re not mad are you?!” asked the alarmed priestess as her mother slowly lowered her hood and tossed it into a nearby flame and let it burn to a crisp.

“My dear bloody thorn, your wonderful daughter just gave me my hearts desire. The curse is gone! I have my beauty back and look your sister flesh has been restored as well.”

“It’s true Mom. You have your beauty back and I’ve got my body and the barrier is gone but we lost the Xiaolin Dragons!” Wuya screeched angrily as her powers explode and obliterated the cliff side into dust.

“Oh have we? Take a look! We still have the Heylin Dragons just not all of them,” as their gaze wander to the six evil dragons kneeling loyally to their queen. The future was looking good indeed.

Back at the Xiaolin Temple the dragons were just regaining conscious as the sound of singing could be heard. They all felt like something the size of a planet had hit them at mach five. When they were finally fully aware they realized a young woman was doing some form of ancient healing on them and that a huge pot of tea was boiling.

“What is going on? And why do I feel the great need to get a q-tip and clean my ears out?” asked Omi as he tried to rise from the mat but the woman laid him back down.

“Please Dragon of the Water I need to finish removing the traces of negative chi from your body then you and the rest of the other dragons need to drink some chi enhancing tea. It will help restore your strength. Ah here little Omi drink this,” said the beautiful woman as she gently pushed a tea cup into his dainty little hands.

“Thank you for your most need of assistance. I feel much better. What is your name kind lady?” asked the young monk as he slowly sipped the tea.

“I’m Xiaomei and my husband and son have come from the spirit world to tell you and your friends what your future hold for you,” smiled the spirit of Dashi’s mother as she got up to serve tea too the others.

It took all of two minutes for Omi to realize he had been talking to a ghost! He turned white as a sheet a faint for a moment till Dashi gently woke him up. “It’s okay little dragon. Don’t worry we’re not here to hurt you.”

“Then why are you here? Is it because I messed up again and placed everyone in danger?” Rai croaked. Xiaomei eased some of the tea down his throat and moved onto the others who could only watch in wonder.

“We are not here to punish you young dragons. Many times the temptation of riches and glory force us down the wrong path. Valonia is a dangerous opponent and knows how to twist things around till she gets what she wants. For now the six of you must regain your strength in order to survive the ordeals ahead,” Xiaowei said appearing in front of them.

“What do you mean by ordeals? Didn’t Lu save us when she used your Dragon Star?” Jack asked confused.

Xiaowei shook his head. “No, because of her lack of knowledge and the negative energy surrounding her at the time a great disaster occurred. The barrier I created has ceased to exist. The curse I put on Valonia is no more and Wuya has regained her fleshy form, but that is not the worst of it.”

“What could be worse then the viper getting its poison back?” Clay wondered.

“In order to free you from the Heylin Flame Lu divided you in half. You are no longer whole, but incomplete. Valonia will use the Heylin Dragons for her own evil deeds. This split will affect both halves of you in ways I can’t foresee. In future’s time perhaps Master Fung will be able to enlighten you.”

“Did any good come out of this? Tell us we didn’t screw up completely,” Kimiko begged.

“Well there are some good things that did come out of it. Your alive for one, Dojo isn’t dead for two. But the most important thing is you’ve weakened the Nilyeh City. The citizens of the city are still weak and can’t move around the rest of the world for very long. In fact they can’t attack you until two Blue Moons have passed. That should give you time to find reinforcements to help you in your struggles,” Dashi said.

“I’m sorry; I was only trying to help my friends. I knew I shouldn’t have taken it from Master Fung, but I couldn’t help myself,” Lu said.

“Don’t worry everything will work out in the future. Trust in your elements and yourselves. Now we have to go. Good bye,” Xiaomei said as the three ghosts disappeared.

Everyone rolled over to sleep on it. When they woke up the next day everyone noticed that while they were still very weak, they were missing the smallest member on their team. Omi wasn’t anywhere to be found. They all asked Fung where the little cheese snack was, but he said Omi would be back from his small quest by the time the moon had risen. True to his word Omi was back by the time the moon was in the sky. He looked the same yet something was different.

Everyone offered him some rice and tea and he then turn to Lu and bowed his head too her and said, “I wish to apologize to you and everyone. You were right. My ego was way out of control and I didn’t realize I was being terribly inconsiderate and hurting of my friends feeling. I am not better then anyone else we are all the same I will try in the future to be better at being a good friend then a jerk with an out of control ego.”

Jack began to poke and prod Omi and wave his hand in front of him.

“What are you looking for, Jackie?” asked Kimiko with a funny look in her eyes.

“I am trying to see if he a robot or an alien! Because no way would Omi admit he was wrong!”

Laughing Omi smiled and said, “There are more important things in life then making my ego the size of the sun.”

In few days everyone was setting up for Kimiko sweet sixteen when they received a couple of unexpected visitors. It was Lu’s parents!

“Luiza, honey, we have come to take you home. We worked out everything and there will be no trial or anything. Come on sweetie lets get you out of this cult,” said her father as her mom was talking to Master Fung she appeared to be offering him a check. Not that he would take it.

Before Lu could say anything her stuff was packed up and she was getting ready to board a private plane that would take her home to Madrid, Spain. She was one step away from the door when she turned and exchanged a few private words with her folks. Then for the first time in years they hugged each other and she grabbed her stuff and started running back to the temple. She threw her stuff, which the boys caught, than she did a few flips and landed on Rai and started to pull off his robe top as they began a serious make out session. While Clay and Kimiko lead the bewilder Omi away from the sight Jack threw the Shroud of Shadows over them.

That night under fireworks and music everyone had a good time. As Rai and Lu danced to “At the Beginning” while lip locking Jack and Kimiko did the same to “Start of Something New” Though it was Kimiko’s birthday both Jack and Lu received their Apprentice sash it truly was good to be alive!

Hey readers, I hope you enjoyed this tale. I have good news. My twin sister Kaliann will be writing a sequel and a triqual to this once she’s finished with her other story, which should be soon. I’ll be helping out. Hope you stay tuned to see what happens next!