N/A: I know this is a long chapter but I really hope you enjoy it. Thanks again for the support of every single person who´s reading this story, for your reviews and your beautiful personal messages.
Eternally grateful, Tessy.
Chapter 11: Dangerous method
"Rocky!"
"Sir!"
"I want you to fight Colt".
Rocky hesitated. Grandpa raised his eyebrows; his boys never questioned his orders. Rocky licked his lips, anxious, and asked: "Even in his condition, Grandpa?"
"Because of his condition", Grandpa nodded, his gaze cold as an iceberg… and equally mysterious.
The three boys were wearing their white karategis, which accentuated Colt´s greenish bruises. He couldn´t blame Rocky for worrying about him, not after everything he had done. However, his brother´s hesitation felt as a cold, cruel slap. Colt´s hazel eyes narrowed and he pressed his lips into a thin, colorless line that contrasted with the red spots that had just appeared on his cheeks. "Remember to control yourself", he thought and held his tongue not to answer with a resentful reply, it´s not like he wanted to sound like an ungrateful loser. But watching Jo through the corner of his eye didn´t help that much to heal his shattered confidence.
Since Grandpa had warned them about the Breakers modus operandi, everyone had agreed on the need of warning their possible targets. Therefore, they had asked Emily, Kevin and Jo (they considered Tum Tum´s friends out of danger) to come home so they could keep an eye on them. Yet, in their haze, neither of them had considered how weird would it be to train with an audience. Even Grandpa seemed uncomfortable with them, sitting in a corner of the back yard, unable to hide their excitement: after all these years, they could finally watch one of Grandpa´s mythical trainings.
For Colt, it wasn´t easy to tell Jo what happened. Nobody liked to confess you had been beaten like a rag doll, specially not to someone who happened to considered you one of her heroes. But Jo had cried so much in the telephone that even Colt hadn´t resisted the temptation of letting her pamper him a little so he even let himself flinch when Jo hugged him. "Please don't cry, at least it happened to me and not to my brothers…" he said with a hoarse voice that intended to express the opposite, blushing when he realized his brothers were listening.
"Don´t worry, bro. I´m cool". Colt faced Rocky but didn´t get into a fighting stance right away. He just watched him, studied him as an opponent. It was not the first time they fought against each other. After all, half of the time they trained on their combat skills. However, Colt felt more nervous than he would like to admit. From the three of them, Rocky´s kicks and punches were the most powerful. Although Colt was able to block most of his attacks, he usually stumbled back because of their strength; on the contrary, Rocky could block his siblings´ punches without losing his balance. Also, his legs were the most flexible. He kicked fast and high! Not to mention he was really skilled in the art of immobilizing others. But Colt knew he was faster and much more elusive. In order to win, he´d have to stay far from Rocky´s grip.
"Listen to me, boys" Grandpa continued, "this time I´m not looking for a tie. I want you to unable your opponent to keep fighting. Fight will not stop until we have an evident winner".
"Yes, sir!" Both kids nodded, their eyes focused on each other. Colt´s previous anxiety was suddenly replaced for a rush of adrenaline. He smiled, he enjoyed combats and, above all, deep down he was willing to push him farther. He really wanted to win. But Rocky´s face expression showed nothing but indecision. What worried him that much? Colt frowned.
"Rocky" Grandpa spoke aloud, "you don´t have to hurt him. You may unable him by controlling and stopping his movements".
"Yes, sir" Rocky adopted a fighting stance.
"He´s sure he´s going to win", Colt concluded and prepared himself, trying not to focus on that girl with long, black hair combed in a mermaid braid, nor in her brown sugar flesh or her white blouse with embroidered flowers. But of course, he couldn´t ignore her. He realized how much he wanted to win this fight.
"Tum Tum!" Grandpa yelled.
"Sir!"
"Open your eyes, boy. Look as closely as you may".
"Yes, sir!"
"Now, go!" Grandpa yelled.
As soon as Grandpa´s voice fade out, Colt yelled a loud "Hiya!" and jumped in a front somersault, startling Rocky and everyone else. Rocky raised his arms to protect his face and torso but Colt, who had already foreseen this, descended to ground level and threw a round kick towards Rocky´s ankles, not to hurt him but to make him lose his balance. Rocky stumbled aside but instead of trying not to fall, he let himself roll over the floor to get out of Colt´s reach and stood up with one jump. But Colt was already attacking him, using dangerous combinations of punches and kicks with such speed and energy, Rocky didn't seem able to do anything else but to defeat. However, Colt noticed his brother was not going backwards at all, in fact, he seemed to be more calmed, he even took a couple of steps forward. Colt realized ―with a growing sense of frustration―, when he blocked Rocky´s first punch, that he was now under his brother´s reach so he threw himself aside to gain some distance but didn´t go that far. Rocky took advantage of his brother´s impulse to break his defense and punch him on the chest.
"Damn!" Colt gritted his teeth and took the hit and answered with a fast counterattack. Rocky defeated his first two punches but received a kick on his ribs and another on his kidneys. By the strength of both kicks, he could say Colt was getting angry. "Hey, Colt! Chill!" Rocky yelled while he ducked to avoid another one to the head. Then, he grabbed Colt´s leg before he could retreat and pushed it to make his brother lose his balance. It worked. Colt fell on his back but immediately rolled aside and stood up with another combination of quick punches and kicks. Rocky got hit on the jaw and on his stomach before throwing a kick to his brother´s ribs. With a sharp pain on his side, Colt grunted and retreated, pressing his ribs with one hand.
"I´m sorry!" Rocky yelled but Colt answered with a fierce look and recovered his fighting stance.
"Stop!" Grandpa yelled.
Rocky and Colt blinked, forgetting by one second they had been fighting in front of an audience. As a matter of fact, they both discovered they were panting; his muscles, tense and warm. Colt remembered Grandpa had asked them to fight until they could find a true winner… "No way", he thought.
"Grandpa!" He said, eyes still on Rocky, "I´m fine. I can go on". He refused to accept he had lost already.
Rocky didn´t say anything but looked at Grandpa, asking him for mercy. He was obviously scared of hurting his brother for real. He hadn´t healed yet! That was just not fair! He knew Colt, his younger brother wouldn´t give up even if he broke his leg! He was so stubborn! Rocky never questioned Grandpa´s orders but, if he demanded them to keep fighting, he would surrender.
"You!" Grandpa addressed Rocky and Colt, "catch your breath".
Reluctantly, Colt lost his stance; Rocky had done it first, obviously relieved. They faced each other and bowed, to thank themselves for the training. Even with Colt´s heart still beating violently. Then, they turned to face their audience for the first time. Kevin, Emily and Jo were open-mouthed; girls with fear, Kevin with awe. Colt raised his eyebrow, aware that his friend had been recording the fight with his cell phone. He didn´t look at Jo directly, he just couldn´t. Unlike Emily, Jo had seen them three fighting before… and in a completely different situation. Their opponents had been so clumsy, back then! Colt had to admit he and his brothers (Colt always refused to say "My brothers and I") had been a little too cocky. They had been showing off. He remembered that fight in that pizza restaurant… people ended up cheering and clapping! Now, he wasn´t sure if he had filled Jo´s expectative. On the other hand, Emily looked so into Rocky, Colt wouldn´t be surprised if she finally asked him on a date. Apparently, big brother had given her a good impression.
"Tum Tum!" Grandpa´s voice sounded like a thunder.
"Sir!" Tum Tum pressed his arms against his sides.
"What can you tell me about this battle?"
Everyone, especially Rocky and Colt, turned to look at him. Tum Tum shifted his weight from one foot to another. What did Grandpa expect him to see? He knew his brothers´ ninja profile and, truth to be told, he didn´t find anything different on that. Maybe Colt was angrier and a little bit slower because of his wounds; Rocky had been less offensive than usual, maybe because he didn´t want to hurt Colt. But neither of those observations seemed that relevant to him. "Well… I…" he opened his mouth and shut it again, not sure of what to say. However, Grandpa nodded, just as he could read his mind.
"Tum Tum, according to what you just saw, I want you to tell me how would you fight Rocky and Colt to make sure you win this battle."
WHAT? Tum Tum shook his head. What was this all about? Grandpa knew he wouldn´t win that battle. Tum Tum looked everyone, begging for a clue but everyone´s eyes were on him. He forced himself to think. Putting his modesty aside, he knew he was a good fighter. After all, he could take care of himself; he had done it since he was a little kid. Like when he fought those ninjas on the ship. But, when it came to Rocky and Colt… his brother were just too good. Tum Tum´s strength was obviously inferior than Rocky´s; just as his speed if he compared himself with Colt. He clenched his fists, this was so frustrating! It´s not like his brothers wouldn´t expect that from him…
Something seemed to lit on his mind. He opened his mouth but his Grandpa raised one hand and said: "Don´t tell me. Just show me". And he gestured towards Rocky and Colt. "Now, pick your opponent".
Tum Tum looked them both. "I choose Rocky".
"Fine", Grandpa said with an accomplice smile. "Colt, sit down and watch".
"Yes, sir". Colt retreated, full of curiosity. He wondered what Tum Tum would do and why he had chosen Rocky instead of him. Tum Tum was fast but even Rocky was faster and his punches… well, he guessed he´d better open his eyes.
Rocky and Tum Tum faced each other and bowed, then prepared a fighting stance.
"Go!" Grandpa yelled.
Rocky was ready to defeat, waiting for Tum Tum to attack first. They circled each other… then Tum Tum threw him a punch. Rocky used his forearm to block it and, as soon as their arms clashed, Tum Tum grunted and doubled over his tummy, grabbing his forearm close to his chest.
"Oh! Tum Tum, I´m sorry" but Rocky received a startling kick on his guts that threw him backwards.
"Stop!" Grandpa yelled.
Now, it was Colt the one with his jaw wide opened. In a couple of seconds, Tum Tum had managed to take advantage of Rocky, ROCKY! who was now with eyes wide opened and a bewildered expression, rubbing his belly. Meanwhile, Grandpa was laughing light-heartedly.
"Well done, my little one!" he said.
Tum Tum bowed, a proud smile on his face. In contrast, Rocky´s expression changed from confusion to indignity.
"Grandpa" he said, "why did you stop the fight that soon?"
Now you know how it feels, Colt thought.
"Because I saw enough, Rocky. And Tum Tum won round one".
"But…"
"Attention!"
"Sir!" The three ninjas stood on a line, one beside another.
"Before asking you what this test was about, I´d like Tum Tum to explain us his strategy". Mori nodded to his younger grandson.
"Yes, sir! Well…" Tum Tum looked Rocky, who was standing next to Colt. Rocky watched Tum Tum as well, his gaze full of resentment. Tum Tum lifted his chin, "I… I knew I wouldn´t win Rocky unless he was drunk or I were stronger, which I´m not... not yet…"
"Drunk? I don´t even drink, Tum Tum!"
"Oh, someone´s a little bit angry today…"
"Shut up, Colt!"
"You shut up!"
"Boys!"
"Sorry, Grandpa", Rocky and Colt lowered their looks.
"Please go on, Tum Tum", Grandpa said.
"Yeah…like I said, with my actual strength and speed, it´s almost impossible for me to defeat Rocky or Colt. I know it and I also know they know, you know what I mean?"
Colt rolled his eyes. "Tum Tum, you seriously need to improve your vocabulary!".
"Colt!"
"Sorry, Grandpa".
"So…" Tum Tum continued after scowling at Colt, "I had an idea, if Rocky and Colt didn´t consider me as a dangerous dude, they wouldn´t fight their best against me. In other words, it´s like fighting with a five year old, you don´t even get nervous because you actually believe there´s nothing he can do to hurt you, not for real. So I decided to play that role".
Grandpa nodded. "Why did you choose Rocky?"
"Because Rocky´s more careful than Colt".
Colt snorted.
"I suspected that, if Rocky thought he had actually hurt me, he´d let his guard down and then, I could break his defense".
"Cheater!" Rocky mumbled.
Then, Grandpa gave Rocky a light slap. The three ninjas jumped in their place, startled. Emily covered his mouth with her hands, Jo breathed in. Rocky stayed there, with a vacuum on his stomach and feeling like someone had just bathed him in frozen water. Actually, Grandpa had not hurt him at all, he had just clapped his cheek to get his attention, nevertheless, Rocky felt like a misbehaving child who has just been punished. He lowered his gaze, a knot growing in his throat, but Grandpa placed one hand on his shoulder and spoke as gently as he usually did: "If you let your pride get in your way, you won´t be able to learn, son. Above it all, a ninja has to be humble and brave enough to learn from his mistakes so he won´t trip with the same stone again".
"Yes, Sir". Rocky replied, embarrassed, but raised his face again. "And I´m sorry, Tum Tum".
"Don´t mention it", Tum Tum said.
"What Tum Tum did…" Grandpa continued explaining, "was to take advantage of your own prejudice towards him. You considered him weaker so he acted weaker, and then he used a surprise element. He tricked you and used your confidence against yourself. That´s what I need you to do. This time, I want you to rely not in your strengths but in your weaknesses".
The three ninjas looked at themselves, obviously confused.
"Here, let me show you what I mean. Colt, fight with me".
"Yes, sir!"
"I´ll fight you for real so, try to leave me out of combat. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir!"
Colt swallowed and prepared his stance. Grandpa moved towards him but didn´t attack. Colt watched him and circled him, nervous and excited at the same time. Fighting Grandpa was always a challenge; they had never won against him, not once. But, Colt trusted in his own outstanding reflexes and speed so he decided to take the offensive. Like a thunder, he moved forward with a powerful kick and a loud "Hiya!" Grandpa may be older but he was agile as a tiger. He blocked every punch from his grandson barely going backward. Then, after defeating two punches, he threw one single punch that landed hard and direct on Colt´s stomach. Colt gasped and doubled over, the air of his lungs violently expelled, bright lights exploding behind his eyelids. He placed one knee on the ground, unable to keep fighting. Grandpa patted him lightly on his upper back.
"It´s okay, it hurts but you have to breathe in until you feel the air flowing again".
"Grandpa!" Tum Tum complained. "You didn´t have to knock him that hard!"
"I´m afraid I had to, my little one. See, that´s what I was talking about. Are you better, now?" he addressed Colt, who managed to stand up again, a little pale. "Colt…"
"Sir" he answered with a hoarse and low voice, still catching his breath.
"Your speed and agility are outstanding. Your aggressive and explosive when it comes to fighting. Most of your opponents won´t even be able to follow your movements. That´s your main strength but, as the other side of the coin, whenever you take the offensive it gets harder to observe your opponent´s technique. If your opponent is someone like Rocky, capable to endure your attacks, he might find a moment, a second during the transition from one kick to another, when you´ll have to lower your defense… the best time for a counterattack. I used one single punch and I left you out of combat. It could have been a stab, a fatal wound that would kill you. That´s what you have to improve: not your speed but your defense, such as the control of your emotions".
"Yes, sir", Colt bowed, respectfully.
"Rocky".
"Sir!"
"What do you think you have to work with?"
Rocky considered it before answering. "I´m not sure, Sir".
"What do you mean", Grandpa asked.
"The obvious answer would be my speed. If I compare myself with Colt, I´m slower but I don´t think that makes me a slow fighter at all".
Grandpa nodded. "You´re right, you´re fast as well".
"So…" Rocky continued, his eyebrows almost together in a frown that showed concentration, "I guess I'm a little lost in here". He sighed.
Grandpa laughed. "It´s okay, Rocky! That means you´re in the right path. Your fighting style is quite flawless: you´re amazingly strong, you´re fast, you´re flexible and you manage to observe and study your opponent in a couple of seconds. You´re pretty much the one who controls the situation first. Your weakness is not physical at all. In fact, it´s related to your biggest strength…"
"His ability to keep his mind cool" Colt added.
Grandpa nodded. "Very well, Colt. As a natural leader, you know how to deal with the pressure, you´re a skilled strategist but, what would happen if someone could upset you so much you wouldn´t be able to think clearly?"
"I´d be done", Rocky said.
"Exactly. You must learn how to rely in others, to let yourself lose the leadership sometimes. Share your burden and trust, trust for real".
"Yes, sir". Rocky lowered his gaze again, not for shame but because he needed to think it over. He had never realized how much he needed to feel himself in control. Playing a leader was just so natural for him. Even Colt, with his stubbornness and rebelliousness, followed him.
"And boys…"
"Sir!" Colt and Tum Tum replied.
"You must learn to lead, too".
"Yes, sir".
"Tum Tum…"
"Sir!"
"As you showed before, surprise is the ace up your sleeve. People expect you to be weaker, let them think that way… but don´t hesitate. The surprise element must be accurate and fast".
"Yes, sir!"
The boys trained taking their mind and body to the limit. Even Kevin, Jo and Emily kept silence and watched with a solemn silence, quite aware they were not watching a show but a training that could save someone´s life. They got up long before the sun raised and went back from school as soon as their classes were over. Their muscles burned like hell and, sometimes, they had been on the verge of falling asleep during their classes. But somehow, their senses sharpened as soon as their training began. They practiced for hours.
On the third night, Colt heard Rocky throwing himself on his bed, totally worn out. Tum Tum had fallen asleep as soon as his head touched his pillow. But Colt stayed awake, watching at the ceiling from his bunk bed.
"Hey, Rocky"
Rocky grunted. "We better sleep if we want to have some energy tomorrow. We must be training in five hours, remember?"
Colt laughed. "I heard Grandpa bought us some energetic bars. And we can always drink coffee with a lot of sugar".
"I´m serious, Colt, we need to rest".
"Okay, just let me tell you something. I´ll be quick!"
"You always are" Rocky smiled, he was lying on his bed, his eyes closed. "What is it?"
"I think we´re really improving with these intensive trainings, you know? But there´s something that still worries me".
"What is it?"
"No matter how hard we push each other, we´d never hurt ourselves for real, right?"
Rocky opened one eye. "What´s your point?"
Colt sat on his bed. "My point is we´ll be facing those assassins in four days, right? And we know for sure they´ll pretty damned well trained and that they want to tear us for real. We´re fighting for our life, Rocky!"
Rocky opened his eyes. "That´s what this training is all about, Colt. That´s why we´re pushing ourselves…"
"That´s what I´m trying to say!" Colt jumped from his bunk bed to the floor. "I don´t think we´re pushing enough! Because, whenever we fight each other or Grandpa, we all know our life is not in danger. We´re not fighting for our lives so that´s our limit".
Rocky sat on his bed, rubbing his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"When those bastards ambushed me…" Colt was pacing all over the room, he licked his lips, "I panicked. I thought I was going to die, Rocky! And, instead of fighting better than ever, I almost paralyzed".
"Colt, there´s nothing to be ashamed…"
"It´s not that! God! Don´t you see? Grandpa told us to work with our weaknesses, right? Well, until we fight against someone who is actually willing to harm us we´ll be physically and mentally disadvantaged. We don´t know how many times those ninjas had fought for their life and won".
Rocky thought about it, now fully awake. Colt had a point. Despite the new bruises and the aching muscles, he knew they were safe with Grandpa. In certain way, they had always been. Snyder´s ninjas, those ruffians who attacked Jo´s people, none of them had tried to kill them. They may have tried to hurt them but not murder them. "Well, unless you´re willing to use your weapons against us there´s nothing we can do about it".
"There is one thing…"
Rocky looked at Colt.
"It´ll sound crazy but… there´s someone who could help us with this. I´m pretty sure he´ll want to tear us in pieces and fights as good as Grandpa".
Rocky was about to ask but then an image appeared in his mind. He opened his mouth but said nothing.
Colt nodded. "I think it´s time to pay Snyder a visit".
