Ficlet inspired by a Tumblr prompt: Half of your brotp is dying in the other's arms; they have breath enough for eight last words. What do they say? Why?

The creature was too powerful. Even Hannibal Bean had lost control of the monster now towering over the two Xiaolin Dragons. Omi stood in front of Raimundo, who crouched against the rock wall of the cavern. Omi heard him coughing, but he couldn't spare a glance, not with the dark creature baring its dripping fangs and preparing to strike.

"Sphere of Yun!" Omi shouted, thrusting the Shen Gong Wu at the beast. A crescent of light began to curve around its head, but the sphere broke apart when it made contact with the monster's scaly neck. The Shen Gong Wu was too small; he couldn't trap it!

Omi stumbled backwards and landed with one hand on Raimundo's knee. The Sphere of Yun had been their last chance. Where were Kimiko and Clay? What had Hannibal Bean done to them?

The monster roared, and in a panic, Omi turned to his leader. Blood dripped down Raimundo's mouth and onto his shirt, which was already soaked from the larger wound at his middle. He was pale and gasping, fear filling his eyes as he glanced from the monster to Omi.

The creature took one step forward, shaking the cavern. Omi dropped the Sphere of Yun and stepped between the monster and Raimundo, who choked out what sounded horribly like a sob. Omi braced himself, holding out the Shimo Staff. He had lost his friends before, and he would not abandon Raimundo now.

"Omi… I'm sorry…"

He didn't have time to respond to Raimundo's broken words. As the creature lowered his head with jaws parted, Omi summoned his Wudai Weapon and crouched, ready to leap.

"Sphere of Yun."

Omi blinked. He had just tried the Sphere of Yun. The monster was too big for it—

But Omi wasn't.

Glassy light surrounded the Dragon of Water and solidified. The monster's jaws enclosed the sphere, but Omi was untouched. It slammed down a giant clawed foot, only to meet an impenetrable bubble. A trap. A shield.

As the monster roared again, Omi whirled to face his leader, dropping the Shimo Staff. "Raimundo, what are you doing? Release me at once!"

The monster glanced up and spotted the other boy, exposed and defenseless. Omi pounded at the walls of the sphere as the creature stepped over him and leaned over the Dragon of Wind instead.

The fear had left Raimundo's eyes. He gave Omi a sad smile.

"Don't look."