The Martial Arts Prodigy

Chapter 16

"A weapon isn't good or bad, depends on the person who uses it." - Jet Li

Two days before the tournament...

Dean Cole Michaelson meets up with Asia and the other masters of the school, to discuss the arrangement of the tournament. Sitting at a roundtable inside of his office, the Dean and the Masters look over the fighters listed before them.

"Carly Williams; born in Venice Beach California, lethal Tae Kwon Do expert. Her power and speed are unlike anything I have ever witnessed, she is a fire starter." Master Drake tells the Dean.

"I see that she has improved on her skills quite nicely, she is a prime contender to win it all." Michaelson says.

"Next we have Laura Christmas, Panther Style extordinaire. Her movements are so fluid and smooth, I can't even keep track of her mobility. Her father trained her well." White Tiger acknowledges.

"So have you Tiger, this woman is the epitome of speed and precision, she may be the fastest female martial artist to walk the face of the planet!" Master Tigerblade says.

"A lot like our next entrant, Vanessa Urban. Trained in the ancient forms of Ninjitsu, mixing Judo, Kyokushin and Jujitsu together with it to make it her own. Precision is a ninja's main weapon and she is on the same level of speed as Laura." says Master Shu.

"With her speed, if she were to fight Laura, it will be a tough challenge for both." White Tiger points out.

"Johnny Orion, proficient in Hapkido and Aikido. This man, is the definition of a true underdog going against the grain. No matter how many times you knock him down, he will always find a way to keep fighting." Master Drake says.

"Well, Master Tigerblade pushed him to levels I have never imagined to be possible, Johnny has made great stride in improving his skills as a fighter, I have become very impressed by this young man." Asia says.

"Well he and Draca have been sparring with each other non-stop. Speaking of Draca, her experience as a former MMA champion can come into play in this tournament." Master Tigerblade states.

"Not only is she a former Mixed Martial Arts champion, but Aaron is also in that department, being skilled in Escrima, Jeet Kune Do and surprisingly, Val Tudo." Dean Michaelson says.

"That kind of unpredictability is a rarity, which will serve Aaron well in this tournament. But the subject of unpredictability, also falls on our Dark Horse in this tournament." Asia looks at Master Shu, knowing who he is referring to.

"You're talking about Danyelle Faust?" she asks him.

"Of course I am, this woman's strength is immense. I have never seen a Jade Dragon Child with this much power! She is clearly more powerful than you Asia." said Master Shu while Asia looks at Danyelle's photo.

"That is hard to deny, Danyelle is a true Prodigy of Martial Arts, spending her whole life surrounded by it. Something tells me that she is hiding more power than we realize." Dean Michaelson says.

"But these two, Danny Gurrerro and Zoella Raiden. I can't get a read on these two." Asia says.

"Only thing we know about them is that they are both Ninjitsu experts. We'll see what they bring to the table." Master Drake says.

"Indeed, we will see what they all bring to this tournament. Which is why I have decided to place the fights inside the school stadium, for the whole school to see." Dean Michaelson says.

"I've handed out their entrant numbers, they now know who they will be paired up with." Asia informs the Dean, who shakes his head.

"That won't be necessary, I have made a change of plans to the process. The fighters will be shuffled at random, until the final four remain." Asia and the rest of the masters are caught off guard by the Dean's announcement.

"They are going to be unprepared, blindsided by the reveal. Are you sure about this?" Master Drake asks, concerned about the students.

"The important fact about anything in life, is that you must expect the unexpected. That is the lesson that they will take away from this tournament." All of the masters nod in agreement over the change to the tournament.

"This meeting is adjourned my fellow masters, you all may go." As the masters leave, the Dean looks over the photos of Danny and Zoella.

"What the..." The Dean says, upon seeing a mysterious tattoo on both of their right shoulders.

"So, the devil has sent the demons to the battleground. Well then, we will see what they are here for." Michaelson says, with a smirk on his face. Meanwhile, Danyelle is meditating near the waterfall, internally focusing her aura into every area of her body. Master Ken Shu arrives at the waterfall to talk to her, but Danyelle knows he is standing in front of her.

"You probably know I am standing here, don't you?" Master Shu asks.

"I can sense your chi, so yes. Do what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Danyelle wonders.

"I wanted to get to know the last Jade Dragon Child, I've been told about you, your extraordinary abilities as a combatant." Master Shu compliments Danyelle as he sits down in front of her.

"Why are you so interested in me? Shouldn't you be concerned about Aaron?" Danyelle asks him out of curiosity.

"Aaron will be fine, with everything I have taught him, he will do well in the tournament. But you, you are the sure fire bet among the students to win his thing." Ken Shu says.

"So that's what the students are saying about me?" Danyelle wonders.

"Quite frankly yes, everyone is talking about how dangerous you are when it comes to fighting. You rendered a man unconscious with a single punch." Danyelle chuckles, remembering what happened on the day of the party.

"I don't fight for glory, I fight to honor my foster parents and my birth parents as well." Ken Shu nods as if he understands Danyelle's words.

"I get it, an honorable warrior. You fight until the end, but you still maintain everything that you stand for." as Danyelle gets up from her meditative position, Ken Shu gets to his feet and he stands face to face with her.

"I'm hoping you come out on top in this tournament, a Jade Dragon Child winning can mark great things for the future of this academy, you could be a beacon of light for many others like you." Master Ken Shu tells her.

"Why do you care so much about me winning?" Danyelle asks.

"As a former Jade Dragon Society member, I am fully obligated." Danyelle eyes grow big, upon hearing this surprising revelation of Ken Shu.

"You were a member as well?" she asks him.

"Yes, but I left the Society in pursuit of a normal life. Had a wife, a daughter. My wife died, after my little girl turned eighteen, so I had to take care of her on my own." Ken Shu reveals.

"I'm sorry, that must have been hard for you." Danyelle says.

"It's fine, I learned a valuable lesson that day; always hold the people you care about close, that way when they are gone, they will give you strength and vigor in your life." Danyelle looks up at the sky, thinking about what Ken Shu just said.

"What you said, that sounds like something White Tiger and Asia would say." Danyelle says.

"Well, that's because they taught me that, you have two amazing masters, especially Asia. She seems to care about you a great deal." Danyelle takes a deep breath, after Ken Shu pats her on the shoulder.

"Perhaps, she knows everything about me, but I don't know much about her." Danyelle says.

"Well, this is your chance to get to know her. I think you should talk to her, set up a meeting between you two tonight." suggests Ken Shu. Danyelle looks at her tattooed arm as it shines in the sunlight.

"Where do I find her?" she asks calmly.

"Actually, you can contact her through meditation. You two share a mental connection through your tattoos, only through meditation you can contact her." Ken Shu says.

"I'll give it a shot..." Danyelle says. Master Ken Shu rises to his feet and he bows to Danyelle before leaving. A quiet hush fills the air, as Danyelle looks around the waterfall cliffs.

"Okay, let's give this a go shall we?" Taking a deep breath, Danyelle sits still in her meditative position, taking in the sounds of the area. The waterfall rushing down the cliff, as it hits the rocks down below. The steady breath of the wind, coolly kissing her body. The area goes quiet, not a sound is heard. Inside Danyelle's mind, she receives a electromagnetic pulse through her subconscious, linking her directly to Asia. Asia feels her prescience, like a strong force pulling her spirit.

"Danyelle, why did you contact me?" Asia asks curiously.

"I want to know about you, you have treated me kindly over these past nine months." Danyelle says.

"You could have just asked me before, why now?" Asia wonders.

"Well, to be honest, I was not sure if I could trust you before, but I feel like I can now, after everything we have gone through." Danyelle admits.

"I feel like I have earned your trust as well, you have grown much during our nine months together." Asia compliments.

"There is something I want to know Asia, do you have a family? A son?" Asia smiles while brushing back her hair with her right hand, while hearing Danyelle's question.

"Yes, I have a daughter. She is away in Tokyo, seeing the world." says Asia.

"What's she like?" Danyelle asks.

"She is full of fire, life and determination, she reminds me of myself when I was younger." Asia chuckled.

"How did you know my birthparents?" Danyelle wonders, making Asia take a deep breath before answering.

"Well, I met them at a training facility in Beijing, they were training young fighters on how to fight. I helped them out with their teachings and we became friends." Asia says.

"And from there, you guys joined the Jade Dragon Society." Danyelle points out.

"We were the newest members of the new generation of Society members. I fought by their side for many years." Asia looks at her Jade Stoned bracelet, as it glows with power and energy.

"This crest on my wrist is a gift of friendship from your father, it was made out of the heart of a Jade Dragon and crystallized into it's purest hardened jade form." Danyelle appears amazed at the appearance of the bracelet. A silver armband, with a gem in it's center, it's power seething with intensity.

"It's beautiful." Danyelle says.

"Danyelle, your parents hoped that you will accomplish wonders. Over these past nine months, you have impressed me with your growth and your determination. I couldn't imagine a better student." Asia says.

"Thanks Asia, I honestly couldn't have accessed my inner spirit without you to guide me." Danyelle smiles, thanking Asia for her guidance.

"Now that you have reached your maximum potential, it is time for you to apply it all to the tournament tomorrow. Do not hold back, for your enemies will not." Asia warns her. Danyelle nods and she continues her meditation. Meanwhile, a mysterious shadowy figure watches over the school, ominously observing the students training for what is sure to be a heated contest.