The Martial Arts Prodigy

Chapter 11

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee

Back in the school grounds, Asia sits in deep meditation while the shine of the moon burns through the window. Asia hears footsteps entering the area, but she knows it's Master White Tiger because of his aura.

"The students seem eager to learn from us about Martial Arts. Are you sure they are ready?" White Tiger wonders, while Asia focuses her chi.

"I don't doubt Cole's choices, but it's Danyelle that I am most concerned about. I can tell she seems suspicious about me." Asia opens her eyes and she stands on her feet.

"She doesn't remember you, it's best to give her time. The information you gave her was a lot for her to handle, she needs time to let it sink in." White Tiger suggests to her.

"She is already seeing her inner spirit guide, how much time do you think she needs?" White Tiger puts his hands on Asia's shoulder and he tells her, "Time can be your greatest enemy and your biggest ally. With Danyelle, it's all about if she comes to you." Asia bows to White Tiger, as a show of thanks and respect. She looks at the moon, amazed at how bright it glows in the night sky. Back at the Dragon Loft, the group are still conversing among themselves after telling their upbringings into the Martial Arts world. The others looks at Danyelle, waiting for her to actually say something.

"Why are you guys looking at me like I have dirt on someone?" she asks.

"We want to know more about your past, do you remember anything about your real parents?" Laura wonders.

"Well, to be honest, I don't remember s**t about my biological parents. I don't remember them shouting, don't recall them smiling or laughing. Hell, I don't even remember their faces, they're just strangers in the shadows." Vanessa approaches Danyelle and she asks her, "What can you tell us about your foster parents?" Danyelle looks at Vanessa's eyes and she takes a deep breath before speaking.

"Well, I remember every Sunday, we would have a barbecue in the spring and summer. My mother would stay up with me and help me with my homework, while my father would continue to train me in my physical abilities. I remember everything about my parents, everything." Danyelle smiles.

"How did your foster parents die?" Laura wonders.

"Drunk driver, fell asleep at the wheel. At least that's what I been told by the hospital staff." Danyelle takes another deep breath before continuing on, "After they died, I lived mostly by myself in New Jersey, until I received a letter in the mail, sending me here. I then learned that my real parents were warriors of this, secret force called The Jade Dragon society, but still I feel alone."

"Dani, you are not alone. You are among friends and I probably hope we can all be a family to you in time." Laura said to her.

"You guys are already my family, it's here that we formed a bond. Six hours ago, we didn't know each other, now we are sitting here, coming together as a group of misfits who love Martial Arts. To be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way." Danyelle says to the others.

"Yeah, team dragon for the win!" Vanessa shouted, bringing the attention of Danyelle. Danyelle places her tattooed hand in the center of the room floor, while the others look on with confusion.

"Well, what are you guys waiting on? We might as well do this s**t right!" Danyelle cheerfully says, encouraging the others to follow suit. Laura and the others gladly place their hands on top of Danyelle's, showing that they are united no matter what.

"Well it's official, we are Team Dragon!" exclaimed Aaron.

"If I had a beer, I would drink to that!" Draca says with a grin. As Aaron and the others go back to their respective lofts, Danyelle and Laura look at the moon longingly as it glows in the night sky.

"Even in darkness, there is light. It's beautiful." Danyelle says.

"Yeah. You know, when I was in Africa, I would always lay in the fields and watch the moon glow in the sky above. I would feel it's power shining down on me, as if it was blessing me with it's strength." Laura tells Danyelle, while staring at the moon.

"That must feel amazing, I always found the moon to be a gift from an angel of God, when God said, "Let there be light", I think he meant by bringing the moon into the night as well." Laura nods at Danyelle, impressed by her interpretation of Genesis.

"Do you read the Bible?" Laura asks out of curiosity.

"Yes, I am a Christian and a Buddhist. I believe in Jesus and everything. Not to worry." Danyelle says.

"No it's fine, even though I am a Christian as well, I would still be an atheist's friend. I just see the good in people, like you do." Laura tells her with a smile on her face.

"It's good that we do. Someone has to in this day of age." Danyelle says.

"I heard that one sister, well I'm going to bed, our first class starts tomorrow. Night!" Laura goes into the loft to get some rest for tomorrow. Danyelle's hand begins to glow as a man approaches her, with braids in his hair and wearing a brown jacket.

"Nice night, but tomorrow is going to be a little different huh?" the man asks Danyelle.

"Yeah, I'm sorry... who are you?" Danyelle asks, confused by the man's appearance.

"Danny Gurrerro, have yourself a good night... Danyelle." Gurrerro walks away from Danyelle, leaving her puzzled by his behavior. Danyelle goes into the loft and she heads off to bed, hoping to get some rest for tomorrow. The next day, Laura and Vanessa search the loft to find Danyelle for class. They find her meditating in the split position, while stretching her arms out.

"That hurts me just looking at it." Laura cringes at the sight of Danyelle performing the splits on two chairs.

"Hey Dani! It's almost time for our first class! You in there?" Vanessa tries to tell her, but Danyelle continues her meditation.

"You know, you may want to stop doing that, you may want to have kids one day." Vanessa warns Danyelle.

"Yo Dani! You hear us girl?" Laura asks, snapping her fingers in Danyelle's face to no avail.

"Yes, La-La land, I can hear you." Danyelle jokingly says, while continuing her meditation.

"Very funny Dani, hurry up or we are going to be late!" says Vanessa. Danyelle gets out of the split position and onto her feet, smiling in front of the two girls.

"I'm ready, lets do this s**t!" Danyelle says to them. Heading out of the loft, Danyelle and the group run into Carly, who is still sour about the display by Danyelle at the party last night.

"You again, I hope you're happy winning that challenge last night. However, I won't be as easy to knock down honey!" Carly arrogantly boasts.

"Well sweet cheeks, better brush up on your fighting moves, cause' when the tournament comes, you will know of the legendary b***h slap." Laura insults her.

"Yeah, will see about that won't we?" Carly walks onward towards the school grounds with everyone else. Danyelle and the others make it to the grounds and they enter the doors of the school.

"I wonder where we will be? They are not handing out any schedules." Laura points out, as they look around the lobby for guidance.

"Hey guys!" Draca calls out to Danyelle and the girls, with Aaron and Johnny in tow.

"So, do you guys know where we are supposed to go?" Johnny asks.

"No idea, no one has said anything or showed up to guide us." said Danyelle. Suddenly, all of the students hear footsteps in the distance. Danyelle looks to her right and she sees Dean Cole Michelson approaching them all.

"Good morning students, I am Dean Cole Michaelson and I will be telling you how this curriculum will be operated. Now, as you all know, this is a Martial Arts school and we encourage a full dedication to that. Our masters will train all of you, in every form of combat. These include weapons, spirit energy and hand to hand. Now training will not last long, as we will be training you for a special purpose..."

Danyelle looks at her hand glow bright, wondering what's going on.

"You are all here to fight in a tournament, to decide the greatest Martial Artist alive. In only nine months, the tournament will begin. Now the rules are simple, full contact is allowed and anything goes. You advance by decisively defeating your opponent, now this means you must win however you see fit, by knockout or by making someone tap out. If the person is knocked out or can't continue, that person is eliminated. So everyone, enjoy your training, for soon it will be time for war." Michelson walks away, leaving the other students to think about what they had just heard. Danyelle looks at Danny Gurrerro, who looks at her back with great interest.