Chapter 6 – Torden's Reward
With the final round beginning once again, Jakkin and Blaze charged at each other. The two fought with great determination. Jakkin attempted to use to his fire breath on Blaze, but she deflected the breath with her fire shield.
"You should know I am alit with flames," said Blaze. "Therefore, fire breaths cannot affect me."
"Is that so?" replied Jakkin. "In that case, I shall engage in close combat with you!"
Jakkin delivered a flurry of punches and kicks which Blaze dodged very quickly while she combined her own moves with pyrokinetic techniques. The crowd, especially Cynder and her friends, looked in awe at the spectacle. It was even more intense than the fight between Jakkin and Torden, and they could only wonder in suspense on who will emerge victorious.
As both fighters started to show signs of fatigue, Jakkin goes all out, kicks Blaze high up in the air, and as she lands, he delivers another kick which sends sailing across the ring. It seems as if Blaze was going to lose the match when she goes over the ring, but miraculously, she barely manages to grab a foothold on the edge and eases back to the ring. She then attempts to knock Jakkin out of the ring with her Burst Dash attack, but Jakkin responded with his own charge attack. Friction between the two grew stronger and stronger as they collided with each other, which triggered an explosion that launches them up in the air and then they both crashed to the ground. Jakkin and Blaze managed to get themselves back up, but they were so battered that they were unable to use their special attacks due to using up all their energy. As a result, they resorted to their physical movements, which culminated in them charging at each other one more time. They delivered a jump kick, and both struck each other simultaneously. They collapsed back first to the ground, unable to fight any more. The referee came and counted to ten, but neither of them got up when he did.
"The first one to stand up and proclaim as the champion becomes the winner!" he declared.
Jakkin was the first to move, but as he struggled to stand up, he ultimately falls on his back again. Blaze slowly lifted herself up, and after she managed to stand up, she stood silent for a few moments. "I – AM – THE – CHAMPION!" she burst out at last.
The crowd cheered incredibly loud. Tails joined in too.
"Ladies and gentleman, we have a champion!" shouted the announcer. "The Mystic Flame is the Champion of the China Martial Arts Tournament!"
Blaze was overwhelmed by the applause as she looked all around the cheering crowd. She blushed modestly, yet was so proud that she had won the tournament.
At the end of the tournament, Blaze was given the Champion belt and the prize money. Everyone cheered excitedly as she was asked to step into the podium to make her speech at what she felt about participating.
"It has been an honour to take part in such an opportunity to demonstrate my fighting skills," she said. "I'd like to thank you all for showing me such support, but there's some people I'd like to thank the most."
The people applauded and Blaze raised her hand to quiet them down.
"First of all," she began. "I will like to thank Miles Prower, best known as Tails, for his support throughout the tournament."
More applause ushered while Tails blushed at being mentioned.
"Secondly, I'd like to give my acknowledgements to Jakkin as he fought gallantly and saved the tournament from the Obsidian Devourers, and lastly, I want Torden to come up to the podium."
Torden was confused since he clearly didn't make it to the final, but he did was Blaze requested.
"Torden," said Blaze. "You have shown that despite your cockiness, you were a good sport after losing to Jakkin, so I am pleased to announce that we have something special for you."
"Me? Something special?" asked Torden.
"Yes, absolutely," smiled Blaze. "May the Emperor of China come up here, please?"
Cynder and her friends could only wonder what was happening while the others around them bowed in respect as the Emperor made his was importantly to the podium.
The Emperor smiled at the blue dragon. "So, you must be Torden?" he asked.
Torden was unsure of what to say. "Uh, yes, Your Honour, I am," he replied with utmost respect.
"I have been expecting you, because we've been given something that we were told was meant for you," said the Emperor. "And since you've shown a sense of sportsmanship following your loss, not to mention your attempt at thwarting the Obsidian Devourers' plans, you truly are deserving of this reward."
The Emperor beckoned two of his council members to step forward, and they holding a crimson box that was lined with gold. Torden was amazed but curious about the whole development. "What's inside this box?" he asked.
"You shall find out real soon," said the Emperor. "Thank you for participating in our Martial Arts Tournament."
Shortly after Blaze's speech, she shared the prize money with Tails, Cynder, and Draco. She also invited them along with the rest of the dragons out to a dinner. They had a huge banquet of Chinese food, something that Draco, Jakkin, and Darky couldn't be any happier for.
"Eat up, you guys," smiled Blaze. "There's plenty of food for all."
As Draco, Jakkin, and Darky ate ravenously, Blaze turned to Cynder. "So, Cynder," she began. "You didn't consider participating in the tournament?"
"I just only want to check out how it is," replied Cynder. "Still, who knows, maybe I might be a participant along with Draco one day."
"That's good to hear," said Blaze. "I just wanted to have chance to fight with you one day."
"You know we have done a lot of sparring before since the day you took me as your pupil," said Cynder.
"Yes, I remember that," replied Blaze. "But I'm talking about a serious match where we try to give it all we got."
"Sounds good to me," smiled Cynder.
Blaze then turned to Torden. "Hey, Torden, aren't you going to see what's inside the box the Emperor has given you?" she asked.
"Oh, of course I'm going to!" exclaimed Torden. He opened the box and to his amazement was a shiny piece of jewellery with a very familiar shape. "Is that…?"
"Indeed, it is," smiled Blaze. "I suggest you try it on right now."
Doing as Blaze has said, Torden took the brooch out of the box and examined it. It had a vermilion gem with a lightning bolt shaped on its centre.
"This is incredible!" said Torden with delight. "It looks just like Cynder's, Jakkin's, and Lily's!"
"It gets even better once you put it on, Torden," said Tails. "Just attach it to your shirt and see what happens."
Torden did just that, and then the gemstone on his brooch started to glow, followed by an orange-yellow aura emanating around him. He could feel the amazing surging effects as lightning crackled around the aura. Soon after, the aura vanished and the gemstone stopped glowing. Torden almost he felt like jumping with joy.
"Oh, yes!" he cried exuberantly. "That was really illuminous, so magnetic, so electrifying!"
"You have just harnessed the powers of the Thunder Brooch," said Blaze. "It is rightfully made for you, but you must only use it when it is needed."
"I will for sure," promised Torden. "Thank you so much for this gift, Blaze!"
"You're welcome," smiled Blaze.
"Oh, and Jakkin," said Torden as he eyed his rival and friend. "Nice going defeating the Obsidian Devourers. I felt as if I have found mutual respect for you."
"Same here, dude," said Jakkin. "I'm glad you and I have settled our little tension before the tournament, and let's hope that next time we will be more competitive in a healthy way."
Torden smiled as he focused on his Elemental Brooch. He could hardly wait to see what it would do to him after witnessing Cynder and Jakkin's transformations from their respected brooches.
Draco belched after eating a large plate full of dim sums. "Oh, boy!" he exclaimed. "That sure was quite a feast, I must say!"
Cynder could only nod back with a little smile. She then looked at Darky and her other friends, knowing that now that they have found four of the Elemental Brooches, they only have two more left. After such an eventful day of witnessing the tournament, Cynder gazes at the night sky outside, wondering what surprises will await them as they continue their journey.
To Be Continued...
Another adventure is done for now! It was a lot of fun writing something martial arts related. New allies await in the next story!