Jean's Test: En Garde!

It was the next day that Ryu was outside of Township, being addressed by Jean.

"Monsieur Ryu," Jean said, quite formally, "This is the tradition handed down by my people."

"Fencing?"

"Oui! Sword dueling, we call it! I challenge you to a fight, but be warned, you shall not win."

Ryu grinned. "We'll soon find out."

Two fencing swords were buried in the ground before them. Jean drew one, Ryu the other.

"Three paces!" Jean ordered. "And then we turn, and begin!"

"Right."

The three paces were took, and they now stood facing each other. Jean had a menacing gleam in his eyes that Ryu had never seen before.

"En garde!" Jean cried, and the duel began.

(A/N: I don't really know how to describe a sword duel, but bear with me. ~M.J.)

Jean swung high, and Ryu blocked and parried with a low thrust, which Jean blocked with amazing speed. They repeated, and then Jean pointed his sword at Ryu and backed him several yards back.

"Is that all, Master Ryu?" he asked mockingly, "I would think the destined child would be capable of more!"

Ryu set his mouth and swung, but Jean was always there, blocking and then parrying. Ryu could tell that this would be a long battle.

By now, they had made their way over to the foothills of Mt. Fubi, and with his frog-like agility, Jean hopped up onto a low cliff.

"Monsieur Ryu, you disappoint me!" He said, shaking his head, "Your friends always speak so highly of you!"

"I know I'm better than this," Ryu growled.

"Then show me!"

"Yaaah!" Ryu launched himself from the ground onto the cliff, and the battle resumed. Jean backed Ryu further and further down the rocks, and although Ryu was fighting to the best of his abilities, he was beginning to tire.

All at once, Ryu screamed and fell into a seemingly large crevasse in the rocks.

"Master Ryu!" Jean cried, rushing over. "Are you all right?" There was no response. "Ohh, what have I done? I only wished to please mistress Nina! My heart is filled with sorrow! I…"

Jean didn't have time to say anymore. Ryu jumped from the very shallow ditch, seized Jean's sword from his hand, and kicked him to the ground. He pointed the sword at Jean's throat. "Game's over, frogger."

"Oui! Oui! You win!" Jean cried. "Now let me up, sir!"

Ryu helped Jean to his feet. "Come on, let's go home."

"Ohhh, I'm goin home again, darlin…" Jean began to sing.