4:00 A.M
San Diego, California.
A two story suburban home. The outside has white walls, one window on the 1st floor, and four on the second. There is a garage to accommodate the owners vehicle or vehicles. Snoring can be heard in one of two of the upstairs bedrooms. This home houses two indeviduals. One will be waking up right about-
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
A muscular hand hit the stop button on their alarm. They get up and put some sport shorts on and a tank top. They then go down the hall to a spare bedroom. "Hey Champ," spoke the person. "Get up, let's work for more gold today.
The one known as "Champ" got up and pulled out a set of new clothes. They then quickly ran to the bathroom, and began showering. After Champ was done showering, they came downstairs to find the other person had made breakfast. On the table there was a bowl of oatmeal, toast, fruit and vegetables, and some milk. "What are we working on today coach?" asked Champ. They were in the middle of chewing their food.
"Don't talk with your mouth full," spoke the person known as Coach. "And we are going to work on your wrestling and fundamentals." Coach then began digging into his meal. He made the same thing for himself. "In your last fight, you got her on the ground, and you had no idea what to do then. Your opponent out wrestled you, and made you suffer for it. You are great at striking, but your grappling could use work."
Soon, Coach and Champ finished their food, and Coach washed the dishes. "Well, I'm gonna go take a shower. You better get a move on of you plan on beating me to the gym," spoke Coach. "I'm gonna beat you, I don't just plan to," spoke Champ. "That's a nice attitude Champ, but you better spend less time running your mouth, and more time actually putting your money where your mouth is.
Champ then quickly ran up to their bedroom, and they grabbed a duffel bag. They then put on their running shoes, and quickly ran downstairs, and out the door. Coach, on the other hand, moseyed his way to their bedroom, grabbed some spare clothes, and walked back to the bathroom. The bathroom was pearl white, and the shower and bath were joined in one. Coach then hopped into the shower.
Once they were clean enough, Coach stepped out of the shower, dried himself off, and looked in the mirror. Staring back at Coach was a Latino male, this man was about 6'2 with black hair, brown eyes, and a short black beard. In the beard and in bits of the hair, grey hairs could be seen. He looked to be in his mid to late 40's. Once Coach had finished cleaning himself, and getting ready for the day, he put on some sweatpants, a white t-shirt and a sweatshirt. He then stepped into the garage to look at his vehicle.
In the garage, aside from a mess of tools for many different tasks, was a 1970 Chevy Chevelle. The chevelle was black aside from the white streaks cutting it down the middle. Coach opened the garage door, and stepped inside the car. He started the engine, drove out of the garage, and shut the garage door behind him. He then drove off, as he was driving, he looked around his little neighborhood.
He could see several kids playing in the street. They quickly moved out of Coaches way. His town wasn't the kindest. It was the rougher part of San Diego. Coach continued driving, and, after three miles, he noticed someone running. "Come On Champ," spoke Coach. "Rapido rapido." (Quick quick.) "Darse prisa!"(Hurry up!) Coach then laughed and sped off.
Champ continued running, and after a little while of more running, they made it to their destination. Champ looked and saw the black Chevelle sitting in a parking spot, and Coach was leaning on the side of it. "Congratulations Champ," he said. "You have just beaten your record. Now, instead of doing 10 burpees. You can do 8. Count them out."
Champ groaned and began doing the burpees. In rhythm, you can hear 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8." Champ had finished the burpees after a few moments. "Good," said Coach. "Now, that we are done with the warmup, we can start the fun."
Coach then looked up at the destination and saw a sign on the building. GUERRERO'S was plastered on the top of it. Coach then walked to the front door, and they stopped dead in their tracks. Laying on the ground in front of them was a boy.
He looked about 17 or so. This boy had blonde hair, Grey sweatpants, a black hoodie, and a backpack. "Ey, Bum," shouted Coach. "Get out of here. He then kicked the so called Bum.
The bum then opened his eyes to see the man, but also see the champ. "Drew," muttered the bum. "Uh, no," answered Coach.
"Uh, no," spoke the big strong Latino. "Uh yes," thought Dean. "That is my sister." This thought ran like wild fire in his mind. He could clearly see the girl with the confused look on her face standing next to the tall Latino man matched the description of Dean's sister, of Drew. She was about as tall as Dean, 6'2. She had dirty blonde hair, and Brown eyes. Dean then turned his attention to the Latino man. "Are you Ebbs Guerrero?"
"No, I'm not," said the man. "I am her coach. What are you doing here? Don't you have any better places to sleep, like a dumpster."
Dean was not affected by the blows and kept a stone cold expression. "First of all, ouch, and second of all, I am not a bum. I am looking for my friend. She went missing almost 2 years ago. I have reason to believe that Ebbs Guerrero knows where she might be."
"Well, I just so happen to know Ebbs quite well," spoke the Latino man. "You wanna talk to him, you have to train with him. Prove yourself, and he'll tell you anything, you want to know."
"Great, where can I find him?"
"He's not here at the moment, but I know what to do, so I'll tell you what to do, and I'll let him know what you did."
"Great, when do we start?"
"Just like that? I haven't even told you what you'll be doing."
"I don't care. Tell me what I need to do, so I can get my answers, and find my friend." Dean was not in the mood for games. He wanted to see his sister. He wants her to be ok. He'll do whatever it takes to see his sister.
"Well, I like the drive," said the man. "You'll have to wait for everyone to get here." Dean then followed the man and girl inside. He looked around. The building was bigger than it looked. It resembled any other martial arts gym, aside for three big differences. This gym was holding two arenas. One was a boxing ring, and the other was an octagon with black chain link fence surrounding it. The other difference, was that a weight room was installed. "So, what do you want me to do Mr.-"
"Coach, just Coach, and you Bum, are gonna stand there and shut up, while we wait."
"I have a name you know."
"Did I ask. Until I see anything else about you, you are nothing to me except a bum I found in front of Guerrero's."
Dean just walked off and leaned against the wall.
"Come on Champ, let's go work on your grappling." He and the Champ then walked away from Dean, and they then commenced to train in the art of grappling. While they were doing so, the champ was curious. "How do you think he knew my name," asked Drew. "Less talking, more pinning," answered Coach. At this moment, one was trying to pin the other. Coach had the upper hand, until Drew quickly got out of his grip and got on his back, she then put him in a headlock. Coach tapped. "Good."
"Now, answer the question," spoke Drew.
"I don't know Champ."
"What "test" are you going to give him?"
"An impossible one." While, Coach and Drew continued to train, People began showing up. All these people were males. They were all fighters. All of them had unique fighting styles. Soon, 30 men were watching the spectacle. "Ok Champ," spoke Coach. "That's enough. I think you are ready for your next fight. Now you get to see a beating."
Coach and Drew then walked over to the boxing ring. "OK Boys," shouted Coach. "I know you guys are itching to qualify for the Shadow Fist Tournament, but you have one more hurdle to go through. Bum! Get in here."
Everyone then turned their attention to the boy that began walking into the ring. Everyone was smiling and laughing at this kid. He didn't look like much with the sweatshirt and sweatpants on.
"That's what your wearing," asked Coach.
Dean then took off his sweatshirt to reveal his black t-shirt. "Better for you?"
"Hey, it's not my place to say what to ware when your being beaten."
"What?"
"Ok boys. If Bum knocks you out, then you lose your place, and you won't fight in the Shadow Fist. If you knock him out, then you solidified your spot. So, who will be first."
A guy who stood 5'5 walked into the arena. He was scrawny, and had a bright red Mohawk. "I'll be generous, and lay you out in the first punch," he said. "This is stupid," said Dean. "Well, if you wanna walk away, you can, but you won't get your answers.
Dean was now angry. He wasn't being tested. He was being made an example of. He was going to have to fight all these fighters until one knocked him out. A bell rang, and The two fighters walked up to each other. The guy threw a haymaker, and Dean had hit him with a very quick jab to chin. The punch looked like a blur, and as fast as it appeared, the fist vanished. The guy with the Mohawk dropped to the ground.
Dean continued walking to the other side of the ring as if nothing happened. He glared at the other opponents. He aimed to intimidate them. He then looked at Coach. He was still trying to register what happened. "What happened," asked Coach. "I knocked him out."
"You didn't tell me you could fight. That was one of the fastest jabs I have ever seen."
"I don't remember asking."
Coach was mad at that smart mouth of Dean's. "Ok, get Perez out and someone else get in."
Soon, the one called Perez was taken out of the ring, and another man came in. This one was 6'0 even with a buzz cut. He then got in a boxing stance. It resembles one of the very great boxers, Mike Tyson.
"You have a good strike," spoke the fighter. "I'd like to match it." Dean then got into the same boxing stance. "At least you don't like running your mouth. Your straight to the point. I like that," spoke Dean. The bell rang, and, this time, Dean's opponent swung first.
His swing was quick, but it only hit air. He then threw a second punch, but it missed again. Dean then had an idea. He backed into the corner. This made Coach smile.
"Now he's done it. He backed himself into a corner. Dean's opponent quickly came forward and began throwing punch after punch, but none of those punches hit. Dean was dodging all of them.
This dodging resembled the famous rope a dope strategy used by the world famous Muhammad Ali. Soon, Dean's opponent was too tired to throw any punches. Dean quickly ended the match in another knock out. The next opponent of Dean's was a stalky man. Immediately, Dean's mind went to "wrestling."
Indeed, his opponent ran in and began to wrestle with Dean, but he was soon grappled into submission. "Three guys down, only 27 more," thought Dean. The next guy was a karate practitioner. Dean had beaten them. The next was a muy tai user.
Dean laid him out with a kick to the face. Over and over, man after man, style after style, Dean had beaten them. Not only did Dean beat them, he used their own styles to do it. Once Dean had beaten the 10th guy, a judo practitioner, the rest threw in the towel. They relinquished their spot in the Shadow Fist Tournament.
Coach was enraged at first, but then came up with a plan. Drew was speechless. She couldn't believe their was someone that knew so many styles of fighting, and used them to beat veterans in their respected martial art. Each of those 10 guys were considered masters of their craft, and Dean took them out so easily. "Just who is this Dean guy," thought Drew.
"I told you," said Coach. "This is what you'll be fighting once you win your match with your next opponent. Everyone in the Shadow Fist is as good as him. They know all those styles, and are masters of them."
"So, you want me to be like Dean?"
"I want you to train with him, and I'll help, but I have another plan. I think Bum and I need to have a talk." Coach then walked into the arena. "Congratulations Bum, you ran all of my fighters out."
Dean then put his sweatshirt back on. He wasn't even breathing that hard. "So, do I earn Ebbs Guerrero's respect?"
Coach then extended his hand and Dean took it. "Congratulations Bum, you have just been promoted. You've gone from Bum to dog. Dean then grew serious, since his time living amongst wolves, he has learned two meanings to "dog." There is when a dog is spotted and an insult.
Dean wasn't a dog at the moment, so that left the latter option. Dean looked Coach dead in the eye. "I refuse to be called that. You can call me anything else, but that name. Don't ever call me that again," spoke Dean. "I guess I still retain some of my time as a wolf," he thought. "Cause that word really didn't sit right with me."
Coach took that warning. "You're right," spoke Coach. "No mere dog could beat 10 of the best fighters of their arts. That was the work of a predator, that was the work of a wolf. How about it Lobo (wolf), like the new rank?"
"Si (yes)," spoke Dean.
"Good, now, you and I need to have a chat about something in private. Champ, go wait in the car. We will talk later."
"Ok, Coach, Good luck Lobo."
"Thanks Drew."
She began walking away, and soon a door was heard shutting.
"Bien (good)," spoke Coach. "Now we can get down to business."
"Why do you have my sister fighting for you, Ebbs?" Dean's tone was very cold.
"So she isn't just a friend; she's your sister. You're smart, I'll give you that, and ,to answer your question, she isn't fighting for me. She is fighting for my boss. Do you know how powerful your sister is?"
"I have an idea."
"I received a tip from my boss that there was a kid in an orphanage who had some talent in the ring. I went to the address and I adopted her. My boss helped me skip through most of the paperwork. She told me her name was Drew Kimball, and that's all she knew. She couldn't remember anything else from her past.
The boss told me to put her up against one of my best fighters. The first person I put her up against was the boxer you faced. I thought I just sent this kid to her death."
"What did she do?"
"He went for a punch, and she put him in an arm bar. It was so fast. I didn't even have time to blink. It's kinda like you."
"Yeah, we were always a lot alike."
"You seem to know her well, but she doesn't seem to remember you at all."
"She suffers from amnesia. I talked to the doctor. He told me she suffered a fall. She probably wouldn't remember me. Some random guy brought her to the hospital after her fall."
"Where were you when all this happened?"
"I was away when she left. I caught wind that she was here, so I did some digging. I found the doctor, and he told me how she lost her memory. He told me what home he put her in, and I found out that you had adopted her. Now I know why. She is your fighter. Just like a dog fighter."
"It's not as bad as you think."
"Oh, correct me if I'm wrong, but you put her in fights. You get all the winnings, and she gets a bruised face, and possible broken bones. Not only do you put her in these fights, but if she wins one more match, she'll fight in this "Shadow Fist Tournament." I have never heard of this in any national tournament, so this must be some kind of hush hush underground fight club. This means that there aren't many safety procedures in this arena. She could be killed in one of these matches. Am I missing anything here?
"Yeah," spoke Ebbs.
"Oh what?"
"If she loses, then she is at the mercy of my boss."
"What if she wins all of it?"
"I keep my dojo, my life, I pay off a debt I owe, and she is free to do as she pleases."
"Just who is your boss?"
"His name is Franklin Sykes. He is a very powerful man, and he runs the Shadow Fist."
"Why did you have so many fighters?"
"If you have more fighters that can win for you, then you have a higher chance of winning the award."
"Which is?"
"A hefty stack of cash, and a trophy calling yourself the best."
"Does she even know why she is fighting?"
"She knows she's fighting for the money. She offered to help me, and I try to help her work on fighting, but there isn't much I need to help her with. She doesn't know how, but she can fight like a master in any form of martial arts. Do you know who taught her?"
"My father. He owned a dojo, and taught us when we were very young. We were both quick learners and he taught us everything we know in only a few years."
"He was some fighter."
"He was very good. He didn't like violence, but he taught us to defend ourselves. Drew, when she had her memories, was on par with me. She knew what she was doing."
"How do you explain her ability now?"
"I think we were trained to such a degree, that our bodies act involuntarily, and she may be gaining her memories by fighting."
"I hope she remembers enough to win."
Dean was silent. If his sister lost, she would be at the mercy of this Franklin Sykes. He will probably kill her to keep the Shadow Fist in the shadows. Not only will Drew be killed, but Ebbs will die, and he will lose everything to a debt he couldn't pay. Dean hated the situation Drew got herself in. She didn't even know how bad she was in.
He then remembered the dream. This is why she was bruised and in fighting gear. She had been fighting. He then thought of the desert. The sand would always swallow her in the dream. The sand may be this situation. Dean has to help her get out of this situation. "That doesn't explain the metal bird," thought Dean. Right now, he thought about his sister, and protecting her. If he told her now that he was her brother, then she will be thrown off her game.
"Ok."
"What?"
"I'll fight in this tournament."
"You will!?"
"For Drew, and I don't wanna see anymore bloodshed. I have seen enough. I won't tell her that she's my sister because that will throw her off her game, and she needs to have a good mindset going into the next fights."
"Couldn't have said it myself, Lobo. I won't tell her either. You just knew of her from Shadow Fist, and want to join my team."
"Works for me."
"Ok then, go get in the car."
"What?"
"People who I personally train stay at my place if they don't have a place to go. Since you were promoted from Bum, I think you need a place to stay."
"Fair point."
Dean then walked outside, and he hopped in the back of the Chevelle. Drew was in the front listening to the radio.
"So, how was Coach, Lobo?"
"Well, now I am in the Shadow Fist tournament."
"Really!?"
"Yeah, since most of Ebbs' fighters had quit on him, or were laid out by me, I offered to fight for him."
"Wow, wish I was able to do that. I have one more fight, and then I qualify."
"Well, we'll make sure you're ready to take on your opponent. I'll help you any way I can."
"Thanks Lobo."
"You don't have to call me that."
"Coach does, and it suits you."
"Whatever makes you happy."
"Ok Ninos (kids), let's rest for the fight tomorrow," spoke Ebbs."
With that, the trio went to Ebbs house.
It is now noon, and Tikanni, and the wolves are still on the search. Tikanni hasn't said a word to anyone, but he has been busy. He began placing several items on the floor. These items included, a shirt from Dean, a map, and salt. Everyone was kinda worried.
Tikanni pulled a string off the shirt, and he had put it in the salt pile. The salt pile was placed in the center of the map. This map was a map of San Diego. Tikanni then closed his eyes, and he began to whisper to himself. This was some sort of inaudible chant.
Once he opened his eyes, his blue eye began to glow. The salt began to glow bright blue. It then began to move across the map. After a few more minutes of the salt moving on the map, it settled in a small corner of the map. Tikanni then stopped chanting and looked down at the map.
"We are leaving," began Tikanni. Everyone was confused.
"But we just got here," said Runt.
"And I just now said we are leaving."
"Why, I thought Dean was here," said Kate.
"He is in San Diego, but San Diego is this whole map. We are here." Tikanni then pointed to where they were in San Diego.
"The salt is over here. Dean is where the salt is. The salt is a 10 mile radius. I have a place that is closer to Dean than this place. So, as I said, we are leaving."
No one said anything, and Tikanni began to pack what little items he took out. He then opened the window, walked to the lobby,and checked out.
"It was a pleasure Mr. Talbot, even if it was for one night," spoke Justina.
"Indeed it was. Farewell Justina." With that, Tikanni left Justina to her book, and he backed his car to the window. Tikanni opened the doors to his vehicle, and the wolves scrambled inside. Tikanni then drove. He drove like he was on a mission, he was on a mission. He then remembered words from an old friend. "Whatever you do," spoke Waya. "I ask you to protect Dean, even at the cost of your own life."
"I am going to find him, so I can protect him. Even if I die, no matter the cost."
Tikanni then thought of the dream he had. The look in Deans eyes were something he didn't notice before, but now became clear. They weren't zoned out, they were broken. Whatever Dean lost, broke him. He was crushed by it. He then thought of the beast he saw as well. "This time will be different."
"Tikanni," spoke a voice. This snapped him back to reality.
"What," he kept his eyes on the road, but knew someone said his name.
"I zoned out. Who was talking to me?"
"Are you ok," asked Stinky.
"I am great, why?"
"I saw you shaking last night. You were muttering things. I thought I heard my brothers name."
"I'm sorry, it was just a nightmare. It made me realize that I need to find Dean sooner than later, but it also told me that he can't lose it."
"Lose what?"
"It"
"What is it," asked Kate.
"I don't know what "it" is, but Dean can't lose it."
"What would happen if Dean loses "It," asked Humphrey.
"Bad things."
"What exactly did you see in your dream," asked Kate.
"I don't want to say."
"Tikanni, please."
"We will find Dean, Kate. You have my word. I will travel however many miles to bring him back to you alive and well. That is my promise to you, and everything you need to know."
Tikanni then remembered himself having a conversation just like this one with someone from his past.
"You will be ok. No matter what happens, you'll be alive and we will get through it with together. I won't let anyone hurt you." The memory was a reminder to Tikanni. He kept driving in silence. A few hours later, Tikanni, drove up to a middle of nowhere home. There wasn't a house for miles, and it was still in San Diego county. The home was white, and it resembled an old farmhouse. It was a two story on the outside with white painted wood, A metal roof, and it was surrounded by trees. It was evening and getting dark by the time they got there.
"Classic Tex," muttered Tuffy. "Ok, everyone, please do not break anything, or pee or poo, in the house. This is my friends, and we are his guests. He is not here, so we won't have anyone else staying. It's also secluded, so there shouldn't be anyone out in the woods. I still wish for everyone to stay close to the house."
When everyone stepped out, Tikanni noticed that Kate had something in her mouth. He was about to say something, but decided against it once he figured out what it was. Kate walked onto the porch and laid down with the item in between her front paws. Humphrey walked up to her and laid down next to her.
"It has his scent," spoke Kate.
"I know," he said. He continued to look at the shirt she was holding. "Once he became comfortable around us, and we adopted him, he would lay there."
"Guys," spoke Tikanni. "Come help me inside."
Everyone caught the hint, and followed him inside. This left Kate and Humphrey to talk. "Do you hate me," asked Kate.
"No, I would never. Why would you ever think that."
"I sent Dean away. I told him that he should have been adopted by Tikanni I-"
"Kate, you didn't send Dean away. The stress got to you. You always let the stress get to you. You try to help everyone, and you hate what you can't change. I love how you help everyone, but you forget to help yourself. You and Dean are so much alike. You both let the stress build up, and you don't tell anybody else your problems. We are family, we are here to help. You have to let us. Dean was planning to find his sister. He just chose to leave after the argument. Do you remember when we first became mates, and you didn't get any food our first big winter."
"Yes."
"I didn't know what had happened, and you stormed into our den, you were so mad. I wanted to help you, and you got mad. You told me that I should have been an Alpha, and that I don't do anything, and we shouldn't have married. That hurt, but I knew you were mad. You and I didn't talk for two days. One night you came up to me and you were crying. You were crying so hard, and you kept saying sorry."
"I thought I ruined the one good thing I had at that point in my life, but you forgave me for all the horrible things I said."
"That's what family and love does. It forgives. You haven't done that to anyone since. Until a few days ago. You didn't get anything on the hunting trip, our pups were nearly killed by a bear, and Dean killed it. You told Dean to protect them, and he almost failed. You two had your Alpha egos get to you and you both said something you shouldn't.
"I shouldn't have asked him to do that. To do my, our, job before he goes to Alpha school. Not to mention he was battling something inside himself that he kept secret."
"I'm sorry you thought you needed to ask him to help me. I should have been able to protect them by myself. I'm there dad after all."
"No, you are great. I just wanted Dean to help you."
"He didn't need to. I didn't think so, and look what happened. Three of my pups are fighting a bear, and the other one is sick. Why didn't I see it."
"He wanted to tell all of us at once."
"Well darn him, he should have told us as soon as he felt sick. He always tries to be a perfect Alpha, and a perfect son. He tries to help everyone, but forgets to help himself."
Humphrey tried to lighten up the mood.
"He gets that from your side of the family."
Kate lightly smiled.
"I love him so much, and I can't believe I said that. I also can't believe he kept the secret for so long."
"Well there's no use in crying about what we should have done. We just move on and fix what we can. I love you Kate. Dean loves you too. He just needs time to figure stuff out. You need to figure out a better way of letting your stress out."
"I love you too, and I will. I think I'm gonna sleep out here tonight."
"Ok, do you want me to stay with you?"
"I think I just want to be alone right now."
Humphrey then remembered something from long ago.
"I think I just want to be alone," spoke a young Dean.
"Ok, take all the time you need. I'll tell the pups you said goodnight, and you love them. You should be able to open the door for the morning."
"I can manage, thank you."
"Goodnight my love, sleep well."
"Goodnight. Sleep well."
With that, Humphrey walked inside. Kate stared up at the sky.
"Goodnight, Dean. Sleep well, wherever you are.
She then rested her head on the shirt, and Deans scent enveloped her nostrils. She kept her eyes closed because if she opened them, her pup wouldn't be in her arms, his shirt would be. She slept and dreamt of her family, all together, and happy. Back with Dean, he was now on a couch in Ebbs Guerrero's home. He looked out of a nearby window at the night sky.
He thought of something. "Hope everyone is okay without me," he thought. "With all my love, no matter where you are, be well my family."
Dean then closed his eyes and began to sleep.
