The Price of Desire

Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious

A/N:

Chapter 20 (Worthy Rival)

"Ah the beach." Jason grinned as they stepped out onto the warm sand. Trina raised a curious eyebrow as the wind ran through her hair. "The warm sand, sound of the ocean waves, the brisk breeze…so beautiful." She eyed the beach and ran her hand through her hair. She was pretty sure this 'beautiful' beach was about to become a bloodbath. It just wasn't the time she could enjoy this beach. Besides, she had some pretty bad memories here. She was not at her best.

"Let's look for the lifeguard hut." She started walking, ignoring the sounds of the people on the beach. The others followed close behind, even Dr. Richards was with them. Of course, the good doc wouldn't be doing any fighting. "I was not at my best here." That memory of being trapped in the RV was so vivid, so pressing, so horrible. She remembered seeing Tori staring at her once, her eyes clearly asking for her to come up with something. She had nothing. "Of course, Cat's out here having the time of her life." While walking, she eyed a passerby. It was a scrawny teenager wearing a baggy white shirt. She smirked as the teenager eyed her lustfully.

"Hey chica-" He stopped when Jason glared at him. Huskily, Trina grabbed the person's shirt and pulled him close, still staring past him. He let out a loud yelp and she demanded he tell her where the lifeguard hut was. "Okay, okay!" He pointed at a building not far from them, it sat on some wooden foundation that had wood pillars going into the sand. Beneath the foundation, a clear tube was easily seen. She rolled her eyes and sighed, just like beach bimbos to make their base so easy to find. "Over there crazy lady, just-"

"Thanks." She pushed him to the side and he stumbled backwards into the sand. Jason smirked and took a tough guy step towards him, which literally scared the piss out of the boy. Christy laughed and Sikowitz shook his head. The group made their way to the building and carefully made their way inside. There were four male lifeguards huddled around a giggling fit of a blonde, busty girl. Lilith. Trina cleared her throat and the four separated from her, stepping behind her. Lilith was sitting in a chair, she had on an extremely skimpy blue bikini top and a bottom that looked like a damn thong! She thought she could see the rings of Lilith's nipples!

"Hello?" Lilith asked with a smile. She had oil and whipped cream all over her busty chest, the boys must have been eating off her body. Trina closed her eyes and sighed.

"Avert your eyes Jason," she whispered. Jason chuckled slightly and Trina took a step forward, crossing her arms. She wished she could take Christy's sword and pop this girl's plastic breasts. They sure looked fake as hell. "I'm here to inquire about becoming a lifeguard."

"Oh, well we're not accepting any new lifeguards right now." Trina smirked subtly as one of the male lifeguards started massaging Lilith's shoulders.

"Well, can I talk to your boss then?"

"Oh Raven's in her office, but she's not accepting visitors at the moment. She's dealing with someone at the minute." Hopefully Raven was a better person morally than Lilith. "Anyway, no female lifeguards…" Trina raised an eyebrow as Lilith slowly stood up and started walking towards Jason. The girl smirked and Jason lifted his eyebrows, taking a step back. Lilith started to run her finger down his chest. "We might consider you, though, big guy…"

"I'm uh…" Jason cleared his throat and looked to Trina for help. "I'm kind of taken right now." Trina folded her arms over and Lilith giggled lightly. If this girl dared to rub or touch Jason any more, she was going to blow.

"It's okay, I'm sure whoever you're into won't mind." Trina twitched and clenched her fists. She cleared her throat once more and put her hand to Lilith's shoulder.

"Oh yeah, he's taken." Lilith looked at her with wide, shocked eyes, she put her hand to her lips and frowned.

"Oh my, well we could fight for him." Jason narrowed his eyes and Christy smacked her forehead. Even she was getting antsy and eager to kill this girl. Sikowitz seemed annoyed with what he was seeing. Lilith lifted her hands and snapped her fingers. "Oh boys, if you would so kindly take care of the others…" Sikowitz and Christy backed up while Dr. Richards rolled his eyes. The four men were advancing, their faces turning dark while Lilith's smirk grew vile. "Of course I recognize you, Trina Vega." Shit, she should have known this blonde bitch was smarter than she looked!

Jason rolled his eyes and turned his gaze upon two transparent doors. An elevator? He smirked subtly and glanced over as Lilith tried to strike Trina with a martial arts move. Trina let out a grunt and grabbed the woman's leg. As the four men surrounded Sikowitz and Christy, they were already prepared. They had this. "Jason! Go!"

"On it." He ran for the elevator doors and struck the button. Once open, he rushed in. He heard Lilith call out and smirked as the doors shut. Trina and the others would make quick work of these dumbasses. He was not one to be turned on by lustful things. Besides he knew what turned him on, and he already had her, no need for anything more.

As the elevator descended, he watched the fish swimming by. The water outside was crystal-clear, the fish seemed to shimmer as they swam by in the blue water. He felt a sense of peace and rest, so sad that this was a place of death. He had to wonder if this tube was plastic or glass, but either way, it was beautifully crafted! Trina appreciated nature as much as he did, so it was likely she'd enjoy this too. Ah if only she wasn't above ground, taking out the blonde bimbo.

The doors opened, not far below the surface of the water. Just a bit of a swim. When he stepped out, there was nothing but a very long tunnel and a set of crystal doors at the end. There were a couple people hanging around, men and women, but no more than he could fight through. He flexed his muscles and smirked. "Oh yeah, I got this."

Within minutes, he'd reached the doors. About ten people were sprawled out along the tunnel. He was breathing hard, but not overly exhausted. "That's my Uncle's training for you." He turned to the doors, took a deep breath and pushed them open. There she was, the dark haired Raven, sitting at a desk far across the room. In the very middle of the room was a round circle with a couple sharks contained in a glassy cell. As his eyes trailed up to the ceiling, he saw Beck, hanging only by a rope tied around his body. The rope an along a system of pulleys, controlled by a switch that was slowly turning, perhaps due to Beck's weight.

Jason cursed under his breath as Raven stood from her desk and started moving towards him. "The thing about this place, we can see through the doors." He narrowed his eyes as Raven let out a slow growl. "You're not getting the hostage." Beck was clearly unconscious, which was good, if he were struggling he would probably start lowering faster. Thank god the dome was huge, there had to be at least twenty feet between Beck and the sharks below him. "So, how'd you get past Lilith?"

"Well for one, there are women, straight women. One of which, is my very pissed off girlfriend." Raven sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head with shame.

"You'll have to pardon my sister. She is a bit…odd." She lowered her arms and narrowed her gaze onto him. "Tell you what. You beat me, you can have the hostage. You lose…hostage dies." He chuckled slightly and watched her lip curl into a smirk.

"I'll take that."

"You're not saying that because I'm a girl, are you?"

"Hell no, I know women are strong." Trina could kick his ass in a heartbeat, so could Christy. "I just have enough confidence in myself to believe that I could actually beat you."

"We'll see." In a flash, she was next to him and swinging her hand in a knife-hand strike towards his neck. His eyes widened and he quickly threw his arm up, blocking her wrist. As he did so, she swung her other hand towards him. He ducked down and soon found his face colliding with her knee. He staggered backwards and shook his head, watching as Raven lifted her hands and started falling forward.

"Oh shit." She pressed her hands on the ground, still in a straight form. She pushed off and spun in the air, falling forward and kicking into his chest. He let out a loud yell and started sliding against the floor. "What the hell?"

"My moves are like fluid. You can't beat the ocean, can you?" She started skating across the floor, her right leg in front of her and her body lowered. He sidestepped her and quickly kicked back, but missed her. She rose up and turned her gaze to him, grinning darkly. "You can't beat me. You can never beat me."

"And I thought I was the one getting cocky here!" He turned a quick foot and dashed at her, throwing his fist forward. He let loose a flurry of punches, to which she started deflecting while backing up. "Stay still damn it!"

"The water is never still." He felt a sudden jab in his stomach and groaned as he stared down to see her fist digging deep into his gut. Thinking fast, he grabbed her wrist and swung her overhead. That was how to get her! Let her connect. She was fast, but after connection, she was slow to flee!

He released her and she performed a midair backflip. She landed gracefully on the ground and chuckled as he turned to face her. "What is so funny?"

"It's been some time since I've enjoyed a good fight. I'm glad that you're my opponent." She quickly spun around, lifting her leg towards his head. He quickly ducked down and looked up. The instant she set her foot down, she'd spun again, sweeping her second leg through the air. Her foot collided with his shoulder, sending him stumbling to the side. He growled and took a step back, watching as she started backflipping towards him.

"Crap…" She stopped in front of him and let out a dangerous shout, spinning towards him. He let her strike the side of his head with her hand. She pulled her hand back and breathed in, giving him enough time to thrust his fist into her stomach. Her eyes widened and she leapt backwards, putting her hand to her stomach.

"Well, you actually got me. Impressive."

"My uncle taught me to take blows."

"I see." She narrowed her eyes and growled. "You may be a bit tougher than I thought. Seriously though, your uncle taught you to take blows? What did he do? Whack you with a stick?"

Jason chuckled, remembering all the years he'd been hit by that godforsaken walking stick of Sikowitz. He smirked and huffed. "Something like that. I also wanted to send you the message to not get cocky against me because you're a girl and I'm a guy."

"What the hell are you talking about?" She straightened herself and raised an eyebrow. "I assume only the best of respect when dealing with a fellow martial arts fighter. I won't fight dirty."

"Good, I just wanted you to know that I'm not afraid to fight a girl if I have to."

"I'm not one of those women who is deathly concerned. I'll deal."

"Great." He heard the crank move and saw Beck lower a bit. He sighed and closed his eyes, there really wasn't time to talk. "Let's do this."

They charged each other, leaping off their left legs and kicking forward with their right. Their legs collided with each other, causing them to fall towards the ground. Jason put his palms on the ground and looked back, Raven had done the same. He clenched his jaw and pushed up simultaneously, then spun around, swirling his fist through the air and colliding it with hers. Raven smirked and tilted her head. "Not bad."

"You're not too bad yourself."

"Thanks." He clenched his fists in front of his face and narrowed his eyes, Raven did the same. They locked their eyes together and started to move in a circular motion. Jason moved his eyes to her heels and thought about whether or not she would have weak ankles. He bit his tongue and kicked out towards her feet. She jumped up and kicked her right leg forward, smacking it into his jaw. He let out a painful yell and fell backwards just as the dust from her landing flew past him. "Not a bad try, better luck next time."

"Damn…" He rubbed his jaw and narrowed his eyes. "You know I can't help but wonder. You seem pretty smart and strong, what's someone like Lilith doing as your Lieutenant? She doesn't seem smart or strong." Raven chuckled and spun around, swinging her leg through the air at crushing speeds. Jason yelped and blocked with a strong arm, pushing the leg back with his forearm. He countered with a swift kick into her back. She fell forward, then somersaulted on the ground, finishing off with a push to her feet.

"That's the trick." She turned her gaze over her shoulder and smirked back at him. "She's really a powerful martial arts fighter, just as I am. She's also a clever wit, straight-A student and whatnot. It's all cloak and dagger, really."

"What? Her style?"

"Yes. You see…When someone sees a well endowed beach blonde, they think 'valley girl' or 'ditz', so if she gives them what they expect, they're forced to underestimate her. Once underestimated, she can either strike later, or play dead, whatever her choice." Clever was indeed a good way to put it, but now that she mentioned it, he hoped Trina and the others could fend off Lilith.

"Damn, and to think I left Trina up there with her."

"It's noble, you trust your girl to take care of herself. Just as my boyfriend trusts me to be able to handle things without any problem." Jason nodded and cleared his throat.

"I'm waiting for you to make the first move."

"Smart man." She swept her hair back over her shoulder and stretched her palms out above her head. He raised an eyebrow and watched as she started to fall forward. His eyes widened as she landed on her hands, pushed off, sailed through the air, then kicked her legs forward.

"Not this time!" He ducked to the side and swept his elbow backwards just as she landed beside him. She lurched forward once his elbow slammed into the middle of her back. She growled and bent forward, then swiftly shot her leg out behind her, slamming it into his back. He stumbled forward as the searing pain shot throughout his body. When he opened his eyes, he let out a loud yell, he was directly on the edge of the shark pit! "Whoa!" He turned his gaze over and saw Raven charging for him.

"You were a worthy opponent. Your time ends here." She leapt up and kicked forward. Reflexively, he dodged to the side, forgetting inertia. The next thing he heard was a shrill scream, Raven had fallen into the shark pit.

"No!" He turned to see her hanging onto the edge, crying out in pain as the sharks started swimming towards her. "Raven!" He quickly rushed towards her, hoping to help her out before the sharks did any damage to her. She clenched her teeth and lifted her hand.

"Stop. You've beaten me…it was an honor…don't deny me death."

"What?" It sounded like something from his Uncle's crazy kung fu rules. If an opponent falls in battle, it is considered an honor to let them die a warrior's death. To deny them that death brings shame and disgrace upon that warrior. "You can't be serious? You don't believe in the-"

"A warrior's death, I know, but you were an equally skilled fighter. Best I lose to you than to anyone else." She tilted her head back and screamed. Jason's eyes widened as he saw the blue water begin turning red. His eyes started to water and he gripped the edges of the pool.

"It's not supposed to be like this, it isn't right. You weren't supposed to die! At least prison." Raven's body was trembling and her breath was shaky, she let out a slight scoff and clenched her eyes shut.

"My boyfriend would never let me stay in prison. God I loved that man. At least I'll die with him in mind…"

"I won't let you die, we have a doctor with us."

"You would deny me a warrior's death?" He froze, his eyes glued with her sharp, but fading gaze. His heart was pounding heavily in his chest and his shirt was soaked with sweat. His fist shook before him and his eyes closed tight. He had to put out her whimpers, her grunts of pain. "It's good that you have a heart, that you would save your enemies."

"That's what my uncle taught me…'nobler to save than to kill'."

"Exactly. Your uncle's taught you well…" She smiled weakly and lifted her hand up to his, closing her fingers around his fist. He opened his eyes and met hers. "Keep learning. My boyfriend and I, we are not for Bethany's wild plans, we do not use the drugs that the gang collects…so we know a thing or two about martial arts. I can tell you're strong, the way you should be, and you have the heart that a warrior should have, but…you were stronger than I was…you cannot save me, you understand that?"

"I…I am sorry…"

"No." He frowned as she closed her eyes and slowly pushed away from him. She spread her arms back and started to float. The water was now completely red as her eyes bore at the ceiling. "I lost, we had a deal. Save your friend, and…thank you. For not denying me my death…"

He slowly stood up, the air was silent and calm. He closed his eyes and put his palms together, to pay his respects and pray for her soul. A sign of respect for a fallen opponent. "Raven, may your soul rest in peace. You were indeed a worthy rival, of equal power."

The doors opened and he glanced over his shoulder, Trina was rushing in with Christ and Sikowitz. He lowered his hands and sighed. Raven had told him during the battle where to close the shark pit. He moved to the desk and found the red button hidden under a small hollow block. He pressed the button and closed down the red blood pit. "Raven and I made a deal, if I won the battle, we get the hostage." He pointed to the lever and Trina's eyes flew up at Beck. She gasped as Christy ran to the lever, cranking it until Beck started lowering.

Trina didn't know what happened, but she was thankful that Jason was okay. When Beck was finally lowered to the ground, Christy cut through the ropes that bound him. Trina was disheartened to see a patch over his eye, the same eye that had a bandage over it in that image. Beck's uncovered eye opened and his lips fell. "Trina? W-Where am I? Where is everyone?"

"You're safe Beck," she replied. She chuckled lightly as everyone helped him to stand. "Go figure, captured by a bunch of women." Jason walked over to her and saw Dr. Richards making his way inside. Trina glanced back and pointed to the doctor. "The Doc's going to check you out, then we'll take you to your family. All right?"

"My family? Are they safe?"

"Yes. Your mom and dad are very worried about you." He smiled and closed his eye. After a minute, it shot open and his expression became panicked. He didn't even have to say what was on his mind, she was certain who else he'd worry about. "Jade's safe, Andre's…safe, and Robbie is safe."

"Jade, safe, god that's good. I can't wait to see her again." He lifted a shaky hand to his eye patch and whimpered once. "They cut me, Trina. They cut me." Dr. Richards made his way over and lifted the eye patch. Trina groaned and Dr. Richards slowly turned away. The eye was pale, dead, and aside from the bruises on Beck's head, he had one long scar across his face where that eye was.

"I'll have to inspect him a little more, but I'm pretty certain he won't get any sight back from that eye." Beck started to fall to his knees, but Trina and Jason caught him.

"O-Oh god…I don't want to lose my sight!" He whimpered and started to weep tears of bitterness. "I want to see the world. They cut my good eye!"

"Just be glad you're alive. We need to find Cat, but for all I know, she may be with Lane. Come on Beck…enough of this." The group led him out of the underwater base. Once they reached the top, Jason was awestruck by the devastation. The four lifeguards were scattered around the hut, blood surrounded them, and then there was Lilith. Her body was hanging halfway out the window, she was unconscious and only visible with her legs on the inside. Jason thought he saw Lilith move, but wasn't certain. Then he remembered what Raven had said about her, she could easily fool the opponent into thinking she was down for the count, a clever girl indeed. Hopefully, they would never have to hear from her again.

I actually felt bad for Raven, I wonder who her boyfriend is, and how pissed he's going to be when he finds out she's been killed? Hmm, guess we won't know that yet. Lilith isn't dead, and she may have just moved. I wonder, will the police catch her? Or, is it as Raven said, is she like a ninja? Is there a reason I'm pointing these things out? Is there? No, nonsense! I'm just being random!

So Beck's safe, though he's lost all vision in one of his eyes due to the fight at the Vega household. This is where we say, Go Trina, Go! Kick their asses!