CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: THE END

They were back in Chase's throne room.

Kimiko looked up, her whole body was shaking, and Chase stood over her, victorious, with a smug look on his face. What had she done?

It was all over; Chase had won the Xiaolin Showdown.

She had lost.

She couldn't believe it. How could she have lost? She had been so confident that she could beat him. How could she have failed to beat Chase when so much relied on her succeeding? Every little ounce of effort, energy and will she had, had been put into that last burst. Now, she had nothing left. Not strength, no will; no nothing.

"No…" She whispered. She was on her hands and knees, shaking, barely able to hold her body up. A sob escaped her throat. Chase smirked nastily.

Raimundo and the others looked over to her.

"Kimiko…" Raimundo looked as though he were about to faint. His stomach sank horribly as the realisation sank in. Kimiko losing the showdown meant one thing: Chase was going to rule the world, and now, they wouldn't be able to stop him.

"I'm… sorry…." Kimiko choked, dropping her head. "I'm so sorry. What have I done…? I'm so sorry…"

"You may say your farewells now, and then leave, Xiaolin Dragons." Chase said, nodding over at the Dragons as they stood in the corner, left speechless.

"I won't let you do this!" Raimundo yelled, charing forwards towards Chase, "Chase Young, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown."

Chase smiled. "I apologise, young monk, but I am I forced to decline your challenge. With Kimiko at my side, I have more important matters to attend to, as I am sure you will understand." His smile twisted into a smirk, which was so often found on his face.

The monks shouted their protests, but they knew it was too late. Kimiko had willingly entered the showdown. She knew the risks and the stakes, yet she had lost.

"Then I'll fight you!" Raimundo gained an aggressive stance, crouching slightly.

"Raimundo, I don't think that's the best idea." Clay said, putting his giant hand on Raimundo's shoulder, "You ain't in any state to be fightin'. We can't do nothin' here now. We gotta leave." He pulled Raimundo gently away, but Raimundo shoved Clay's hand away and ran to Kimiko, who was still weeping on the floor.

With a gentle tug, he pulled her upright to her feet and his lips met hers. Their kiss could have lasted an eternity, yet it felt only a millisecond long. Her heart was broken, as was her mind, her body, yet everything felt right at the same time. It was almost as if her whole life had been building up to this moment. Her whole body ached to stay there forever. It felt right, and suddenly it was clear now, what had always been there; love. The security of Raimundo's arms around her – she finally felt safe and she knew it was exactly where she belonged, but where she belonged was now a factor that wasn't important. She was at Chase's disposal now, and no amount of love for Raimundo would ever change that.

"I love you…" She choked into his shoulder, weeping against his bare chest. She knew it was cruel to let herself tell him, but she couldn't deny it any longer. If ever there was a time to reveal something to Raimundo, it was now.

"I love you too." Raimundo said quietly, holding her closely.

Chase was looking upon them both, it was fitting that they should be allowed to say goodbye. It would no doubt play on Raimundo's mind in the years to come; when all hope of Kimiko ever returning would be lost. Raimundo was looking teary now; the thought of Kimiko leaving again made every inch of him ache for her. He would have done anything to have her stay. He would have offered himself to Chase if he thought that he would accept him, but Raimundo knew full well that this was not going to happen.

Kimiko pulled Raimundo's ear to her mouth. Tears were still spilling from her eyes, dripping down Raimundo's chest – but he didn't seem to care. She whispered into his ear, hoping that Chase would not hear. "Promise me that you'll take me down when the time arrives? Promise me?"

Gulping and the thought of it, Raimundo nodded. He dearly hoped that he would never have to follow on that promise.

"Look after each other… and make sure Jimmy gets home safely to his family." Kimiko said, reaching out towards Omi and Clay, who stepped forwards and each received a long hug and a kiss on the cheek. Omi giggled and blushed. Clay chuckled and smiled, before blushing slightly as well. They each looked teary, for they knew it was the end of their relationship with Kimiko. Dojo was sobbing hysterically inside Clay's hat, not being able to bear saying goodbye. Kimiko heard the sound of Dojo blowing his nose loudly, then wailing again.

"Thank you, all of you." Kimiko said, "I'm going to miss you all so much."

"I wish this didn't have to happen." Raimundo kissed her forehead.

And then it all changed.

Kimiko's eyes squeezed shut, and she started gasping. She clawed at her head, as though in terrible pain. They others panicked, rushing towards to her help, but then her face became expressionless. She stood utterly still, face blank, eyes closed.

They didn't understand what was happening to her, but to Kimiko; it was all too obvious.

Raimundo shook her shoulder lightly. "Kimiko?"

Chase smiled again. "You should leave us now."

"Kim?" Raimundo called again, shaking her.

She didn't respond…

Until…

A familiar smirk spread across her face. Raimundo recoiled, as did the other monks. Chase was smiling widely.

"You should leave now." She whispered, with Chase's trademark smirk instilled upon her face, mirroring Chase's tone of voice. Kimiko was no longer in control of herself.

When Raimundo moved to touch her again, Kimiko's fingers curled and fire burst from her fingertips. Raimundo flinched, swearing as the fire scorched him before he could touch her.

"Go now, or else I shall be forced to remove you myself." She said in a tone that clearly showed that she meant business. Her eyes remained closed, but her eyebrows lowered slightly, forcing her expression into an angry frown.

Raimundo stared at his love helplessly, as Omi and Clay pulled him away from her, starting to drag him towards the door.

"It is too late now…" Kimiko smiled again, "This marks the beginning…"

"The beginning of what?" Jimmy asked, piping up for the first time.

Kimiko's smile faded as he spoke. "The beginning of the end, of the Xiaolin Dragons…." Her eyes burst open, revealing reptilian-like eyes that were all too familiar. Another nasty smirk spread across her face.

It was done…

Kimiko's mind was no longer her own…

Chase laughed coldly, "Come, Kimiko. We have much to do in so little time." He was excited.

That bastard... Raimundo thought as Chase led her out of the room. Raimundo could hear his heartbeat in his ears, which was thumping furiously. Raimundo silently pledged an oath that he would love Kimiko forever and always, and that someday, he would make Chase pay for taking her away from him. He watched as his love left the room. He was amazed that his heart was still thumping in his ears. How could it when it was broken?

The Xiaolin monks, Jimmy and Dojo were left alone, speechless in Chase's throne room. It was all over. Kimiko was gone for good. Chase going was going to rule the world; nothing was going to save her now.

The world was going to suffer at the hands of Kim and Chase.

The monks only hoped that they would be able to stop it, but they held little hope of things ever returning to the way they should be, ever again.

THE END

(Desperate for more? Then check out the sequel which is now in progress. Either visit my profile for it, or do a search under MaskedMisfit. It is called As The World Falls Down.)