Chapter 10

Tyana looked around her suspiciously, trying to pick out a particular face as she set her drink down on the bar. It was all a matter of blending in Bret had told her earlier that evening which resulted in the suede purple hipsters, black one sleeved top and body glitter that she carried herself so well in. The club around her blared nosily and as she gazed with targeted eyes she slid her hands over the back pocket of her pants, checking to make sure the small communicator she'd put together three weeks ago was still there. Her hand found the small bump and she nodded satisfied. She had three more cards to find and collect now but as her mission came close to its end it became more demanding and hazardous.

She'd captured an amazing 3 cards in three weeks with a week break in which she had time to rest after the frequent physical battles were beginning to take her toll on her. She'd officially returned to 'work' rejuvenated yesterday morning after which she was promptly assigned a flight to her current location--Los Angeles. And after discovering that her first female opponent would be at this exact club this very night Tyana had spent the rest of the day traveling to this part of town. And here she was now…

And there was the woman she was waiting for.

Across the dance floor she spotted the woman that Bret had shown her a picture of and Tyana subtly made her way around the outskirts of the dancing crowds so that she was a respectable distance from the blonde. Her naturally turquoise hair barely stood out in the dimly lit club with a stunning light show that wouldn't start until later that night but as Tyana waited for the perfect opportunity to grab herself another card she didn't realise someone at the bar noticed her.

And yet she could feel their eyes boring into the back of her skull and trailing down her figure in a lingering fashion. Just as she was about to turn to investigate why the hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end her suspect made a move to leave the club. Tyana instantly forgot the discomfort of being under watchful eyes and instead concentrated on the more immediately important things like the card that was walking away from her with the blonde that was departing the partying scene.

Tyana kept her distance until she stepped carefully out into the alley that she had followed the woman into and as soon as the door was closed behind her with a thud she realised that the blonde had apparently vanished.

She was wrong.

Tyana was pushed to the floor aggressively and as a piercing sensation invaded the small of her back she grunted shortly. She made quick work of rolling away and jumping to her feet and then found herself face to face with the blonde.

"You may have succeeded in stealing the cards of my weaker companions but I'm afraid sweetheart that your journey ends here" she hissed assertively.

Tyana's fists were raised in challenge before the woman had even opened her mouth but as if that didn't say enough she shot back, "Oh no honey, my journey's only just beginning, yours is the one that's coming to an end!"

They locked into battle a second after Tyana's lips closed and she snorted with pleasure when she brought up numerous right hooks and upper cuts to the blonde's face. But Tyana soon learnt from displaying cockiness so soon because it wasn't long before the blonde's foot landed squarely in Ty's stomach. She doubled over winded and full advantage was taken as she was knocked abruptly to the floor. The blonde was obviously set on making sure Tyana wouldn't be a threat for a while yet and stomped away at the base of the bright bluish green haired girl's spine.

Tyana yelped in agony but rolled out of the assault and kicked the woman's stomach with all the force her legs had in them. The Blonde flew back through the air and slammed painfully into the brick wall. While she gasped for air and wailed in pain Tyana flipped gracefully to her feet and set her feet into a battle stance. The blonde got unsteadily to her feet and boldly charge at Tyana who brought her right foot up to meet her jaw. Once again the blonde hit the floor like a sack of potatoes and before Tyana could mount her the sound of the door leading out into the alley way opening caught her attention. She craned her neck to notice a shadowed figure a little way down the alley spot them but she ignored it when it started to run. Tyana turned her head back to continue on getting the card but it was snapped abruptly back. The blonde laughed bitterly as Tyana's nose began to bleed and she soon regretted it. Tyana brought a finger up to her nose that now trickled with crimson life and her eyes turned to slits angrily.

"Oh you're going down" She stated before jabbing the base of her palm up into the woman's nose, causing that too to bleed. She kicked her heavily but a sudden rush of dizziness distorted her eyesight and sent her tumbling to the ground also. When it became free again a shiny silver blade gleamed angrily down at her.

"Oh, so we're using weapons now huh?" Tyana asked rhetorically as she subtly searched the ground behind her for something to use in defense against the knife the woman now clutched with obvious intentions "Gee, I wish you woulda said, I woulda got this out sooner" she exclaimed before kicking the knife away from her and jumping to her feet with a broken piece of wood in her hands. She twirled it gracefully in challenge while the blonde stumbled over collecting her knife.

"Young lady I don't think you realise exactly what I can do," The blonde warned charmingly as she flicked the knife about in her fingers.

Tyana grunted, kicking a metal box to her right, denting it, "I was about to say the same"

She swung the thick plank at the woman's head but she ducked it and swiped at Tyana's leg, only just catching her suede hipsters and cutting a large gash in them. Tyana glimpsed down at it and in repetition of her earlier expression she seethed.

"I only just frailing got these, you're going to pay" Tyana screamed before swinging the wood at the woman's body, knocking her off her feet.

Her face contorted with anger—she was going to show Jeff these pants. Tyana jumped the distance between them now and stood over the woman with authority. She raised the plank over her head, ready to bring it down with strength when a sharp instrument sliced through her leg. Tyana's left leg grew weak instantly and before she could look down to take in the long cut she fell down, unable to support her petite weight. She screamed in excruciation at the pain radiated from her thigh and she looked up slowly to notice the blonde walking towards her, her eyes gleaming with evil intentions and the long knife twirling with ease between her fingers. Tyana tried desperately to back away from her, crawling backwards in pain until she backed herself up against the wall.

"You're in over your head little missy. So what do you say I send the rest of your freedom fighting friends a little message—you f*ck with us you die!" she stood over her and Tyana's only defenses—her legs—didn't have the strength to kick her back this time.

The adrenaline that pumped constantly through Tyana's veins suddenly turned to fear and that in itself scared Tyana more than the situation she was currently in without any way out. The knife before her was raised intently but with a large smash it was knocked from the blonde's hands and sliced through the air to land a safe 10 feet away. Tyana's eyes widened when suddenly the blonde was hurled away from her and ended up slumped against the far wall, no signs of consciousness apparent. A faceless figure began towards her and Tyana tried desperately to back up but the brick wall behind her prevented her from escape. Slowly a face protruded the shadows and Tyana smiled gratefully when a young rainbow settled concernedly on the floor in front of her.

"Ty, what the hell, are you ok?" eager hands reached out to examine the cuts and bruises infesting her body. After grazing her bloody nose gently they then found the deep wound on her left thigh and gasped, sickened at the sight. Tyana yelped when another pain shot through her damaged leg and at the sound of her agony the daredevil pulled of his shirt and ripped it to shreds. He wrapped the make do bandages around her leg tightly and Tyana whimpered sorely as the first aid continued.

The next thing she knew warm arms tightened around her, ready to heft her to the nearest place of safety.

"The card" she managed to croak as she tried to squirm from their grip.

"The what?" the concerned face asked perplexedly.

"The card Jeff, I can't leave without the card!" Tyana cried as she attempted fruitlessly to crawl over to the woman. Jeff pushed her back gently against the wall,

"She stole your credit card?" he asked as he headed over to the blonde.

More pain branched out from the chop in her leg and Tyana's face twisted as she tried to explain.

"No, just search her for a small silver card"

"You mean this one?" Jeff asked her, pulling a necklace out from under her jacket to reveal a chain with a silver tag attached to it.

Tyana's eyes locked onto it, recognising it instantly, "That's it, take it!"

Jeff uncertainly snatched the necklace from the blonde woman and returned to Tyana, the young beauty only now allowing him to lift her carefully.

"Let's get you to a hospital"