Chapter 4
Vindication
Chapter 4
Tori was laying in a stretcher in her dressing room the Doctor has just finished bandaging her injured arm, Kat and Trina are there also.
-Come on, you did your best. I'm so proud of you. -Trina said
-Cheer up Tori, you were awesome - Kat added
Tori's mom caressed her forehead.
-I'm so proud of you, you we're incredible.
-Well, it doesn't appear to be broken, I'll get the ambulance though, we'll need some X-Rays to make sure. -the Doctor replied
-I'll go with you -Tori's Mom said
-Can I be alone please? -Tori asked while holding her arm
Her friends nodded and began to leave along with Julie and Daniel.
-Julie wait... I need to talk to you. -Tori said
Tori waited until everyone was out.
-Remember the day when I tried to break that wood panel?
Julie smiled and remembered an event that took place three weeks ago during their training...
-I can't believe how good I am... -Tori said noticing a piece of wood laying in the beach.
-Tori what are you doing? - Julie said
-Just look.
-No, Tori wait!
Julie closed her eyes when Tori tried to break the piece of wood, of course the only and obvious result was almost breaking her hand.
-Are you nuts? What were you thinking? -Julie said checking her hand.
-Oww... I think I broke it...
-Shhh...
Tori glared in amazement as Julie sat before her and began to rub her hands while chanting in japanese, after that, she sandwiched her injured hand between hers. It was a hard to explain sensation, it was warm and relieving sensation that in seconds had her hand back in business...
Back in the present...
-Can you do it again?
Julie glared at her.
-Why?
-I want to fight Jade...
-There's no need. - Julie replied
-I NEED TO! YOU SAID THAT KARATE WAS ABOUT SELF-RESPECT AND BALANCE! HOW CAN I GET MY BALANCE IF I HAVE TO ALWAYS WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED? Please Julie...
Julie glared at her and nodded. Outside, Jade, along with Mike were in the center of the platform, the announcer had the trophy in his hands and was about to announce Kate's third year in a row.
-Ladies and gentleman! Due to injury, THE WINNER! AND THREE TIME CALIFORNIA TEENAGE DIVIS...
-STOP IT! HEY! WAIT! WAIT! - Kat yelled as she ran out of the dressing room.
Jade got in her way and glared at her with menacing eyes.
-And what is it that you want? -she asked
-I... I just want to deliver a message...
-And why should we care? -Jade replied
-Because she wants to tell the announcer that I'm ready to fight you.
Jade's eyes opened wide as she saw Tori walking out with her arm bandaged, furious she pushed Kat aside so hard hadn't Trina been near she would have fallen down.
-I'm not going to break just your arm, I'm going to put you in a wheel chair... -Jade said, her nose just a couple of millimeters away from Tori's.
-Try. -Tori answered.
Mike pulled Jade away, and stood before her.
-Finish her. Make her wish she never wanted to learn karate, hurt her so much she'll wish she never met you. And this -he said placing a white pill in her trunks- just in case.
Jade nodded and walked to the center of the platform where they were to fight. Tori was already there.
-Three points, you ready? FIGHT! -The referee ordered
Jade started the fight with a round house kick and a combination of punches that forced Tori to use all she had learned to block them and try an offense of her own. But Jade got the first point when Tori tried to front kick her and she moved sideways ending up behind Tori and sweeping her off her feet and knocking the air out of her with a punch to the abdomen.
-POINT TO WEST! -The referee announced pointing at her.
Tori was taking her time to get up as she was coughing and gasping for air, Jade pulled her up brutally and threw her to her side of the platform, Tori almost cried when her injured arm received the impact of the fall. The referee pushed her back.
-To your side West, to your side.
Tori got up and prepared to fight again, her arm in pain.
-Both ready? FIGHT!
Tori used a guard Daniel had taught her and which was the one he used to beat Mike in their match, minus the preceding kata. As Jade went to attack her Tori applied it correctly and Jade was slammed down and Tori went to punch her, but Jade knew this tactic and as Tori punched her, she kicked her in the chest and the referee decided to award a point each, Jade was, at this point, just a punch away from victory.
-POINT FOR VEGA! POINT FOR WEST! 1-2!
Jade got up and prepared to continue the match. Tori prepared herself as well.
-READY? FIGHT!
Jade went and tried two consecutive round kicks against Tori, it was no secret that Jade was incredibly good and fast with her legs, though, this time, there was something against her, both her and Tori's sweat made the surface a little slippery and she lost her balance. Upon seeing this Tori went for a round kick of her own and got her second point, thus tying the score. It's unnecessary to say how pissed Jade was.
-Wait, I need to check on my student - Mike said
When Jade approached he pulled the white pill he had place in Jade's trunks and crushed it, then placed the powder in Jade's hand.
-It'll blind her for a few seconds so you can get the point. -he said
Jade nodded and returned to her position. The referee signaled for the match to resume and Jade began her attack, as soon as her hand was close to Tori, she opened it and the powder hit her eyes. Tori walked back as her eyes began to burn. Jade noticed this and went for the finish, throwing a high kick she thought Tori wouldn't see it, but she was unaware of the fact that Tori was trained not to use her eyes only, sensing where the kick was going she was able to block it and threw a punch at Jade, hitting her square in the chest and making her fall back.
-POINT FOR VEGA! WINNER!
Julie ran in and hugged her while Jade just got up and glared at her silently. Trina and Kat joined the celebration. The announcer was about to walk into the platform to give Tori her trophy and announce her as the winner when suddenly Jade took it from him. The whole place went silent as the girl glared at the golden piece for several seconds. Then she walked to Tori and presented her with it.
-You deserve this. Congratulations. -she said coldly.
-Thank you Jade - Tori said.
After that, and along with her friends, Tori walked out of the platform, with a new life ahead of her, a life in which she'll have more confidence and strenght. Thanks to her karate teachers Julie Pierce and Daniel Laruso.
The End.