Chapter 17: FIGHTING FOR LOVE

That evening, while Phineas tells Nick about his plan, Madison is dancing with Ben. A slow song is playing, Ben held Madison by the waist and Madison rests her head on Ben's shoulder. It seems that the 2 teens have a great time, but the truth is that Madison couldn't stop thinking about her dance with Nick and about the kiss that almost was about to happen.

"My name is Madison Rocca. I live in Briarwood. I'm the Blue Ranger. For the past months, I have seen sorcerers, I have fought monsters, I have been to weird places…I'm even able to do some magic. There's a spell, a spell to control over water. There's a spell, a spell to clean up the Rock Porium. There's a spell, a spell that could even large Xander's head. There's a spell for anything. Except for one thing. Love. Why isn't there a spell to win the pure heart of someone you love, more than anything is this world?"

"Are you alright?"

Madison looks up to Ben and smiles. "I'm fine."

"Just look at Ben. Any girl would love to go out with him. Why me? Since the day I met him, Vida tells me that Ben's the perfect son-in-law. And she was right. My mom always kept asking when Ben was stopping by our house and every time he came by, she was thrilled to see him. More thrilled than me actually. She didn't understand why I broke up with him. She still doesn't. Even Vida came up with a plan to get us back together again. Ben's so sweet and patiently. He has always been such a great guy and a real gentleman. Right now, I should feel dancing to cloud 7. But it doesn't. Why can't I just stop thinking about Nick? He's just like any normal guy out there. Just like Ben, he's good looking, sweet, gentle… Why can't I get Nick Russell out of my head?"

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?"

"I think about 20 times."

"And I mean it every time." Madison had to blush after Ben's compliment and looked away. But Ben raised her chin up with his finger, so she looks straight into his eyes. Ben moved his head closer and Madison saw what was about to happen.

"Oh my god. Should I, or should I not? Maybe this was destined. Maybe I should kiss Ben. Maybe kissing Ben could help me to get Nick Russell out of my mind. I can't keep waiting for a dream that never will come true."

And with holding that thought, Madison moved her head closer to Ben. Their lips were about to touch. Or was this kiss not meant to be after all? At that moment, before they were about to kiss, the music stopped and the lights went on. Madison moved her head away and looked around. Everybody stopped dancing.

"What's going on?" Ben and Madison looked around to see what's happening, but the others students were confused as they are. Then suddenly something caught Madison's eye. "Oh, my god. Is that…Nick?"

Ben turned around and just like Madison, he couldn't believe what he saw. Nick was standing on the DJ table and everyone could see him.

"What's he doing?"

"Uhm…Trying to get attention?" Ben was wondering what Nick was up to.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you must be wondering why I'm standing here…on this…table. I have a reason why I'm standing here...making a fool of myself. I'm here to prove something. That I'm not a quitter. That I'm not easily giving up on things. Especially on people I care the most." Nick looked at Madison and she looked back with a smile growing on her face. "One of you has taken away something very dear to me and I'm not leaving before it has returned to me." Nick suddenly took out his sword and pointed it to Ben. "Ben Ryan, pull out your sword. I challenge you to a fight!"

Everyone suddenly stared at Ben. Madison was shocked, but Ben on the other hand, burst out in laughter. "Come on, Nick. Haven't we talked about this already?"

"Yes, but I never said I was finished. Now, will you take this challenge?"

"This is ridiculous."

"Unless you're afraid." When Ben heard those words and saw a smile crossing on Nick's face, he pulled out his sword. Madison tries to stop him.

"You're not really going to fight him, right?"

"I never say no to a challenge." Ben moved closer to the middle of the room. Nick jumped off the table and walked over to the man he's going to battle with. Everyone gave them space to fight. "I should warn you, Nick. I am Briarwood's Fencing Champion."

"Well, I should warn you as well. I'm full of surprises."

"Fine." Ben started and Nick followed his lead. Everyone was watching the swordfight from besides.

Xander and Chip were standing next to the breathtaking Toby, who was impressed by the battle. "Wow, this is amazing."

"I know. Nick is pretty good."

"This is great. Vida sure did a great job on organizing this stunt. That fight looks so real." Xander and Chip were looking at each other all weird after Toby's respond. They could tell him that it was real, and that it was for Madison's sake. But they saw the happy look on Toby's face, they decided not to tell.

The fight was still going on. "I have to admit. For someone I've never seen fencing before, you're pretty good."

"You're not bad yourself." They continued their fighting. Vida stood next to Phineas watching the 2 boys fight over her sister. She found it ridiculous, but if it is the only way to bring Nick and Madison together. "Phineas, are you sure this was such a good idea?"

"Ofcourse it is. I did it before."

"You have? When?"

"It was a long time ago. You see, there was this wrestling battle in the forest. The fight between me and a Troll. There were 2 prices. You could win the Troll girl, or the delicious moldy cheese."

"So, what happened?"

"I ended up with the girl."

"Awh, you won the fight?"

"No, I lost. I wanted that cheese so badly. Took me a week to get rid of that girl."

Vida was confused after Phineas story. "I don't get it. You have to lose to win the girl?"

"Yep. Good plan, don't you think?"

"Phineas! In this human realm, we usually have to win to get what we want."

"You do?" Vida nodded. "Oh, wow. Nick is big in trouble then."

"Phineas!"

"Just calm down. Nick is smart and strong. Maybe he will win..." At that moment, everyone saw Ben almost hit Nick, and by that stunt Nick felt and lost his sword to the other side of the room. "…or maybe not."

Ben was pointing his sword against Nick's chin. "I told you so. I'm Briarwood's Fence champion. You can't defeat me."

"Ben! Stop it!" Nick and Ben saw the feared Madison yelling from besides. She was scared that Ben would hurt Nick. "Please, stop it!"

Ben moved his sword away from Nick and put it back. He moved closer to Nick, so the others wouldn't hear what he was about to say to Nick. "You just had to prove that you could defeat me. Now, you have seen it for yourself that you're huge failure. And not only you, but also your classmates and your friends. And Maddie. I told you so. The king always gets the girl." He moved away from Nick with a huge smile on his face facing his classmates. All the students clapped and cheered for him. Nick was angry. Nothing he would rather do now is to grab Ben and punch him in the face. He stood up. Everyone was quiet. Ben turned around and faces him. Nick was about to do the one thing he never would do, but then he faces Madison. He saw the worried look on her face. From that look he knew he failed.

Xander tapped on Toby's shoulder and tries to save Nick from his humiliation. "Toby, turn the music back on. Quick." Toby quickly ran to the DJ table and turned on the music back again. Everyone started to dance on the funky song that Toby was playing. Except Nick and Madison. They kept staring at each other from a distance. However, Nick couldn't face his lost to her and started to run away from the room. Madison went after him.

Vida and Phineas saw Nick running out of the room. "Oh, boy. This doesn't look so good."

"Phineas, stay here. I'll be right back." Vida ran to the exit of the room to catch up with her sister.

Madison who ran through the halls and ended up outside the school building. She looked around to find Nick, but he was nowhere to find. "Nick! Nick, where are you!"

Suddenly she heard the doors of the school closing behind her. It was Vida. Vida slowly walked to her sister, who seems to be confused after what happened at the gym. "Sis, are you alright?"

"I don't understand it. What just happened inside…why would he do something like that?"

Vida put her arm around her sister's shoulder and they walked over to the nearest bench. They took a seat. "Maddie, there's something you need to know."

Madison listened carefully to her sister, who tells her everything. All the confusions and mistakes that have been made by everyone the past few days. Where's Nick now and will Madison find him?

End Chapter 17.

I'm so sorry for the huge delay. I have immediately started writing the next chappie! I want to finish this fic before I'm off on my holiday! Anyway, that was Phineas's plan. Not really a good one, but it will get better. Ben and Madison were indeed about to kiss, luckily interupted by Nick! I promise there will be Xander & Vida in the next chappie. I'm not done with them yet!

Another news. This fic has been nominated for Hope For The World Fiction Awards 2006 as best Mystic Force fic! If you love it, please vote for it! The link can be found on RB or the SR Realm.

Anyway, don't forget to review after you read! Cheers!