Seven Fights, One Love.

Chapter 4: The First Challenge

Saturday night came quickly. The Thunder Cats were playing at The Underground, a popular music venue in downtown Portland. This was their first show since deciding to enter the Battle of the Bands, and they wanted to make it good.

Maya set up her drum kit on stage, her hands shaking slightly with excitement. Luna was in the crowd, standing near the front. She gave Maya a thumbs up.

Jordan grabbed the microphone. "We're The Thunder Cats, and we're going to rock your faces off!"

They started their first song. Maya's drumsticks flew across the drums, keeping a perfect beat. The crowd was into it, dancing and cheering. Maya felt incredible.

Then, between songs, something strange happened.

A tall man in a fancy suit appeared at the front of the stage. He had slicked-back hair and wore sunglasses indoors. He looked completely out of place.

"Excuse me," he said loudly, interrupting Jordan. "I'm looking for Maya Chen."

The music stopped. Everyone stared. Maya stood up from behind her drums.

"That's me," she said. "Who are you?"

The man smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "My name is Marcus Knight. I'm one of Luna Park's ex-boyfriends. And according to the rules, I have to fight you."

"What?" Maya said. "What are you talking about?"

Luna pushed through the crowd, looking annoyed. "Marcus, not here. Not now."

"The rules are the rules, Luna," Marcus said. "You know how this works. Anyone who wants to date you has to defeat your seven evil exes in combat. I'm Number One."

Maya climbed down from the stage, completely confused. "This is insane. I'm not fighting anyone."

"Then you can't date Luna," Marcus said simply. He cracked his knuckles. "Those are the rules."

"Marcus, please," Luna said. "This is ridiculous. I never agreed to this."

"Your last boyfriend did when he formed the League of Evil Exes," Marcus replied. "We all signed the contract. Anyone who wants to date you has to fight all seven of us and win."

Maya looked at Luna. "Is this for real?"

Luna sighed. "It's... complicated. My last boyfriend, Victor, was really possessive. He got all my exes together and made them sign some kind of magical contract. I thought it was just him being dramatic, but apparently it's real."

"Magical contract?" Maya repeated. "Exes? How many people have you dated?"

"Seven serious relationships," Luna admitted. "Before you."

Marcus stepped forward. "Enough talk. Let's fight."

"I don't know how to fight!" Maya said.

But Marcus didn't care. He threw a punch.

Maya dodged it by pure instinct. The crowd gasped and backed away, giving them space. Marcus threw another punch, and another. Maya kept dodging, her drummer reflexes helping her avoid the hits.

"Fight back!" Jordan yelled from the stage.

Maya didn't want to fight, but Marcus wasn't giving her a choice. When he swung again, Maya ducked and punched him in the stomach. To her surprise, Marcus flew backward and crashed into a table.

He stood up, looking shocked. "You're stronger than you look."

"I don't want to fight you," Maya said. "Can't we just talk about this?"

"No," Marcus said. He charged at her.

They fought for several minutes. Maya discovered that she was somehow much stronger and faster than normal. Maybe it was adrenaline. Maybe it was the magical contract Luna mentioned. Either way, she managed to land a solid kick that sent Marcus crashing through the wall.

He didn't get back up.

Instead, Marcus exploded into a shower of coins and disappeared.

The entire bar was silent. Then everyone started cheering.

Maya stood there, breathing hard, completely confused about what just happened.

Luna ran over and hugged her. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think the contract was real. I thought Victor was just being weird."

"How many more?" Maya asked. "How many more of your exes do I have to fight?"

"Six," Luna said quietly. "Six more."

Maya looked at the hole in the wall where Marcus had disappeared. Then she looked at Luna's beautiful purple eyes.

"Okay," Maya said. "I can do that. If it means I get to be with you, I'll fight all six."

Luna kissed her. The crowd cheered even louder.

But in the back of the venue, Tommy stood watching with a broken heart. He saw Maya kiss Luna, and something inside him hardened. He turned and walked out into the night.

The Battle of the Bands was in one week. And Maya had six more fights ahead of her.