Chapter 47

At the conclusion of her statement, Mingxia proceeded to leap from the tree branch, performing a forward somersault as she traveled through the air. She came to rest on one foot, momentarily keeping her other leg in a bent position behind her knee, prior to planting it down on the forest floor.

"Good Evening Ladies," said Mingxia as she took a few steps forward, "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, especially after hearing so many positive things about you."

Mingxia paused, flipping her hair over hear shoulder as she did so.

"Alright, you got my attention," said Marie, "Who the hell are you, and what's the deal with with the rocks?

"My my, where are my manners, I nearly forgot to introduce myself," said Mingxia, "My name is Mingxia, though those who know of me typical refer to me by the literal English translation accompanied by my perceived origin, The Bright Halo of the East."

Marie's eyes widened slightly.

"Wait," said Marie, contemplating Mingxia's statement, "The Bright Halo of the East...so you're the one that thug back in New York threatened us with! You're her boss, aren't you? That's why you were trying to kill us?"

"I am afraid you are incorrect on both counts, Marie," said Mingxia, "While I am quite familiar with Gianna and her work, I am by no means affiliated with her, nor was I attempting to take your life. My assault was merely a means to test your skills, my head would most certainly be had if I were to do anything else!"

"Hold on," said Marie, "How the hell do you know my name, I've never seen you before in my life!"

"I'm afraid I cannot provide that information quite yet," said Mingxia. "Let's just leave it at that for now..."

Mingxia gazed upon Marie with an expression of curiosity, examining her somewhat irritated face rather thoroughly. As she did so, Marie decided to provide a further comment.

"Bullshit," said Marie, "No matter how many mind games you choose to play, it ain't gonna work on us. You were sent here by those pink pansies to get revenge on us for beating up that overgrown doofus, and you've been spying on us for the last couple of days, haven't ya?"

Mingxia giggled.

"Boy oh boy the feisty Apple doesn't fall far from the tree," said Mingxia, "As I have told you before, my reason for being here is in no way, shape or form associated with the Pink Ladies. My mission is quite simple really, and in all honesty I can already say I am 99 percent certain that it will be a success. I can't share the details with you, but in order for for me to fully carry it out, I will unfortunately be required to incapacitate you both."

Mingxia chuckled in a sarcastic manner.

"Whatever," said Marie, " I don't care why you are here, who you are, or what you are about. I'm gonna kick your ass up and down the pike, and your gonna wish you never messed with the Kanker sisters."

Mingxia laughed.

"Under ordinary circumstances, I would be happy to engage in a fight with you," said Mingxia in a bubbly manner, "However, we are quite pressed for time, and I would not be able to live myself if I didn't seize the opportunity to accomplish my secondary goal"

"Oh yeah?" asked Marie, "And what's that?"

At that point, Mingxia lifted her hand upward, and proceeded to point in Mays direction.

"I wish to fight Annamae," said Mingxia, "One on one."

May adopted an expression of extreme nervousness, pointing to herself a she formulated a response.

"M...m...me?" asked May.

"Yes," said Mingxia, "Annamae Kanker-Lonergan, the most skilled fighter of the Kanker clan, but the also the most hesitant to raise her hands in combat...ah, the duality of wo-man!"

Mingxia giggled, causing Marie to grow ever more annoyed

"Cocky bitch!" yelled Marie, "I'm the one calling the shots in this situation, not you. How's about I introduce ya to some dirt!"

At that point Marie suddenly charged towards Mingxia, initiating a punch intended for the beautiful woman's face. However, just as her fist was about to make contact with the much taller woman's cheek, it was suddenly brought to a screeching halt.

Without moving any other muscles, Mingxia had lifted her left hand into the air, blocking Marie's fist with her palm in an effortless manner. Amazingly, the mysterious woman managed to do this without even breaking eye contact with May, who she continued to stare down with a sinister expression.

Marie wasted absolutely no time, quickly pulling her fist away, and initiating a few more strikes in the form of a serious of quick punches and kicks. Much to her surprise, Mingxia effortlessly blocked each and every onslaught in a similar manner, initiating a casual conversation with May as she did so.

"I can sense your hesitance Annamae," said Mingxia, "Perhaps you require some motivation."

At that very moment, Mingxia intercepted one of Marie's punches by taking hold of her fist. The slim woman then proceeded to slowly contort Marie's arm, turning it in the direction of her back. Marie began to cry out in agony as she was forced to rotate until her back was facing her assailant, who proceeded to force her wrist into the small of her back.

"No!" yelled May in an angry manner, reaching outward slightly but still hesitant to attack.

"Now we are getting somewhere," said Mingxia, "Just one final push, and the beast I've been waiting for will be unleashed."

"I wouldn't mess with May if I were you!" yelled Marie, who managed to get her words out between pain-induced grunts.

"Oh don't worry Marie, I know exactly what I am dealing with," said Mingxia, "That is why I am working so hard to exacerbate her fighting spirit."

"No, you don't understand," said Marie, "May is a born hero...she will fight until she wins, especially for her family, no matter what it takes...she's going to be a marine, just like my dad and grandpa, and she's going to use the skills taught to her by the real hero's to beat you into oblivion."

"Oh, is that so," said Mingxia in a long-drawn out manner, turning her attention back towards the nervous May with an expression of curiosity, "Now I am most definitely intrigued."

Mingxia paused for a few moments, her eyes slowly gazing downward towards Marie. After examining her for a few moments, she turned her attention back towards May.

"Time to make this fun, and kill two birds with one stone" said Mingxia.

Without warning, Mingxia suddenly released her grip on Marie. She then formed the same hand into the shape of the knife, and proceeded to deliver a swift, precise karate chop to the side of Marie's neck. This action caused Marie to instantly lose consciousness, as if Mingxia had flipped off an imaginary light switch inside of her neck. The black haired girl proceeded to fall limp to the ground, but not before being caught over Mingxia's arm as if she were a towel on a towel rack.

"MARIE!" yelled May in a booming, anger filled voice, "NOOOOO!"

As May delivered her yell, Mingxia proceeded to quickly throw Marie's limp body across her shoulders, in a stance commonly known as a fireman's carry.

"Do not be alarmed, she is not dead, merely unconscious," said Mingxia, "However, I will be taking her with me on a brief stroll through the woods to see the sights. If you want your sister back, you will simply have keep up and to take her from me."

At that moment, Mingxia, carrying Marie, proceeded to dash away from May's position into the cover of the trees. May wasted no time, darting after her mysterious assailant with an expression of determination and anger.