I do not own Xiaolin Shadow

~ Prologue: Known Only by Females ~

Clouds, obsidian in color and impregnated with rain, shroud the rose-dusted horizon as a distant rumble resonates throughout the thin mountain air. Narrowing his aging gray eyes, Xiaolin Master Fung observes the ominous harbinger before he scrutinizes his four Dragons. The Xiaolin Dragons of Fire, Water, Earth and Wind utilize keen precision – learned from previous training sessions – and raw instinct to hurtle a steel ball at one another, with the task of keeping it afloat, while pouncing across displaced bamboo shoots.

"Jumping catfish! This exercise is harder than a fish tryin' to breath outta water." The Dragon of Earth remarks, flailing with one arm as he leans too far forward and securing the ball with the other.

"Quick your whining and don't drop the ball!" The Dragon of Wind yells; his eyes bug out from underneath his lids when the ball nearly slips from his companion's fingers. The Earth rights himself, ball still in hand, and shades his pink cheeks with his supposed ten-gallon hat. He hurls it at the next Xiaolin. However, he flails about once more when the ball departs from his fingertips.

"Geez," the Wind mutters, catapulting himself upwards. A soft "Oomph" follows his complaint as the weighted projectile knocks into his grasp and propels him back several feet. When he descends, like the Earth, he sways atop the shoot. Yet, unlike the Earth, he balances himself with a little more grace and ease.

"I'm narrowly closed!" The Dragon of Water calls out; his enthusiasm grating the Wind's already frayed nerves.

"That's wide open." The Wind corrects with a bitter note, launching the ball at his equal. Catching the object with a precise hand, the Water cartwheels across two – three – four bamboo shoots until he regains his balance. Master Fung's old eyes gleam, pleased with the young one's progression. But…

"Ha-ha! I have defeated this ball! I did not even falter as it landed into my capable arms. I shall not suffer a humiliating defeat today!"

Master Fung exhales an inaudible groan, while messaging the bridge between his eyes. Although his skills are almost unmatched, every day bringing him closer to the honored title known as "Shoku" and on-par with his leader's strength, the youngest Xiaolin still has much to learn.

"Just pass it already." The Dragon of Fire shouts; a growl intermingles between her command. With anticipatory movements, she bounds across the bamboo shoots with a gazelle's grace yet a lion's fierceness. Master Fung gauges her movements thus. As a lioness among lions, her sheer strength cannot compare with her male counterparts. However, her analytical mind is more than capable.

Brains trumps brawn, after all.

The Fire diverts her stride, skipping alongside the ball hurled by the Water, with her hands merely hover above the metallic material. Only when the ball's velocity dissipates and produces less momentum that would shove her petite figure away from the poles, causing her to fail the training session, she hugs the projectile. Rotating her hips and alternating directions, a feat no untrained male can perform, she shifts the ball's direction until it rests into her tender grasp. Master Fung's mustache twitches as a smile plays across his lips. Oh, how looks can be deceiving!

Unfortunately, Master Fung shakes his head. My boys have yet to learn the superior capabilities known only by females.