Carrying on the Torch

Disclaimer: I don't own Good Luck Charlie

A/N:

Chapter 13 (Lesson in Respect)

Charlotte bowed before her taekwondo facility, as a sign of respect, and entered the building. She could get used to this, but she had to wonder just how long it might be until she started bowing before her classrooms at school without thinking about it. She saw Miss Keener standing in the front, watching silently. She smiled at the woman and bowed respectfully. Jo bowed in return. She was actually early by ten minutes! She wanted to be earlier if she could be, but it was fine that she was early by ten minutes. "Nice to see you earlier than you were yesterday. Make yourself at home until class starts."

"Thank you Miss Keener." Not all of the students were here yet, but the majority of them were. They were scattered around the room, talking, or stretching before class. In the far corner, Sierra was next to a full body punching bag, kicking it with several swift movements. On occasion, she would bring her right leg high into the air and send it crashing down on the bag with impressive speed. After yesterday, she had the utmost respect for this girl. As well as most of her classmates.

She walked over to Sierra. The girl stopped what she was doing and looked over with a gentle smile. "How are you healing up, Charlotte?" She looked down at her body and shrugged, the aches and pains were actually gone for the most part. She still felt some tension here and there, but not enough to make a big deal out of.

"Well I'm alive, I'll say that much." Sierra chuckled as Charlotte eyed the tall red bag. She wanted to attack that bag, to work on being as swift as Sierra was. "I was watching you hit this thing, and even yesterday, how do you get so fast? I mean watching you is intense…" Like a tornado rushing through a town intense, was more like how she would describe the girl's movements. Sierra picked up her bottle of water at her feet and took a swig. She sighed and lowered the bottle to her side.

"A lot of practice and a lot of discipline. Here…" She stepped behind the bag and gripped it with her hands. Charlotte's eyebrows rose and she looked to Sierra with question. "Hit the bag, let's see how fast you are."

"I'm not that fast…"

"Hit the bag."

"Okay." She moved into a fighter stance and delivered a blow to the bag, barely moving it. She pulled away, embarrassed, the other students were able to make the thing move in every direction with powerful punches and kicks. The strike hadn't even been fast. "Not good enough…"

"Don't worry, you're only on your second day, you can't possibly expect perfection now. Try again, just keep going, don't stop. Throw in a few kicks too. If you have to make up a pattern yourself, go for it." She nodded and punched at the bag again. Her leg lifted in a frontal kick and flew forward, striking the bag in the middle. She brought her leg down, then back up, delivering a sidekick. "Not bad, you don't have to take your leg down though, trust in balance."

"You mean keep kicking until I fall on my back?" Sierra laughed once and lifted her shoulders.

"If that's what it takes, yes. You need to be able to build up your balance anyway." She nodded and jumped back, eyeing the bag with narrow eyes. The bag started to transform and she found herself staring back at Brittany, clinging on to Mason. She let out a fierce growl and began kicking her foot into the bag, or Brittany, multiple times. Next, she swung her arms around, delivering several knife-hand strikes to the sides. The combination of punches and kicks continued until she heard Sierra say something, pulling her back into reality. She blinked and stared at Sierra and the bag, chuckling nervously.

"Too much?"

"No, that was great."

"I was imagining one of my classmates that has been messing with me for years now…" Sierra's eyebrows rose and she lifted her shoulders.

"Whatever it takes to grow, just remember to be careful that you don't get carried away."

"Right. Do you think you could be my sparring partner today?" She wanted to learn by sparring with the best in the class, even if it meant she might get a few bruises out of it. Sierra's lip curled up in almost a mini smirk. "I just think it would be a great way to grow. I mean you've already reached the top, so, it only seems natural that I could grow fastest with you, right?"

"It's a good thought. I'd be happy to be your sparring partner. You do know that I don't necessarily go easy, right?"

"Yeah, I was afraid so, but I wouldn't ask you to." As long as it wasn't too much that Skyler got pissed off again. Miss Keener glanced at the watch on her wrist and moved her arms behind her back.

"Line up!" Jo called out. Immediately all the students rushed to line up, moving into the same positions as yesterday. Charlotte moved back to her spot and sighed, she wouldn't really move from the far back until she started rising through the ranks. The yellow belt was in the class again, but he was downgraded to orange. She looked around and sighed, once more the other new student wasn't there. She caught Jo staring at the same spot with a shrewd expression. "Sierra, if the new student shows up today, you will spar them in front of the class. I will not have undisciplined students in this class." The former yellow belt cringed, obviously feeling a hidden sting in the instructor's statement.

"Yes ma'am." Just as Sierra said that, the door to the facility opened. The class looked back and Charlotte followed their gaze. Her jaw dropped as she saw Brittany slinking into the place. Brittany's eyes met hers and her lips formed a scowl.

"Oh great, you're here, Charlotte…"

"Yeah, and you're late," she retorted.

"So?" Charlotte turned away with the class and Sierra's gaze fell upon Brittany. Jo cleared her throat and Brittany quickly turned to her. "Hey, sorry I'm late, I was taking a shower after going to a party."

"You should take faster showers then," Jo said with obvious disdain in her voice. "Name?"

"Brittany."

"Okay Brittany, front and center." Brittany frowned and slowly trudged forward. Her shoulders were slumped, her uniform looked a bit sloppy, and she'd forgotten the belt. "Explain yourself. You were not here yesterday, you're late today, your uniform's a mess, you lack posture, and you're missing your belt." Brittany rolled her eyes and shrugged. Charlotte cringed and shook her head, she was well aware that this could end badly, especially with Miss Keener.

"It's just a belt, right?" Jo stared at her and barked her order for the class to line up against the wall. Everyone did so besides Sierra, who was glaring at Brittany.

"Just a belt?" Jo took a step forward and gripped Brittany's arms, pushing them up. "In Taekwondo, we have proper posture. We have respect for the facility, for the people, for the uniform, and of all things, we respect the belt. The belt is the ultimate symbol of growth, maturity, and achievement. For you to show such an egregious display of disrespect, it is intolerable!"

"Sorry…I mean, how am I supposed to know this?" Charlotte smacked her forehead and groaned. Come on Brittany, this was common sense! "I've had a rough day."

"That's no excuse! I've had rough days, but you know what gets people through? Perseverance." Jo stepped away from Brittany and turned her back upon her. Charlotte swallowed hard and closed her eyes. What a way for someone, even Brittany, to start out their first day. By turning her back to her, Miss Keener was shaming her. "I hope you will learn to respect my facility, your uniform, and your belt…as well as time. For punishment of your disrespect, I'm ordering you to spar my top student." She whisked her hand to the right, gesturing to Sierra. Brittany's eyebrow arched as Sierra turned to her with a stern expression. "Don't be late again, wash your uniform properly, and remember your belt. It's so simple. Fight!"

Brittany slowly turned her head to Sierra. Sierra bowed to her and extended her hand to shake it, showing her respect, despite circumstances. Brittany shook her hand and took a step back, appearing greatly concerned with what was about to happen. Sierra's foot slid to the side and Brittany watched as the girl took a powerful fighting form. "Aw crap…" She moved into a fighter stance as well, but Sierra merely scoffed at her.

"Weak form." Brittany was standing with her legs only partly spaced, her body was gently rocking from side to side, and her hands were up like a boxer's, moving around everywhere. In taekwondo, you didn't want your hands to move, because that let the opponent see where your next attack was coming from. If they could do that, they could block and counter with ease.

Brittany threw her right fist forward, but Sierra instantly blocked it and locked her arm around Brittany's. She ducked and kicked her leg out, spinning and striking Brittany's leg, sending her crashing to the ground. Sierra stood above her and extended her hand, smirking slightly. Charlotte smacked her lips and leaned her shoulders back against the wall.

"Don't do it, Brittany. Don't take the offer."

Brittany put her hand in Sierra's, letting the girl pull her back to her feet. As she did this, Sierra balled her right fist and punched Brittany's chest, knocking her back. Brittany's eyes widened, her breath had just been knocked out of her. Sierra brought up her leg and kicked Brittany's right side, then her left, then finally her chest.

She made an attempt to strike Sierra by charging and throwing a punch, but the skilled fighter once more dodged it. She swirled around and rose up, grabbing Brittany's hand, holding it over her shoulder. Brittany's eyebrows rose and Sierra started bolting forward. Brittany screamed as she flew over her shoulder and landed on the mat. She groaned a stared up at the ceiling. Charlotte almost pitied her, but at the same time, she was smirking on the inside.

It was fun to watch Sierra, and it taught her a lot. She couldn't wait to become that good at martial arts, even if it took a long time to become that well conditioned. She could just imagine herself squaring off with Sierra after finally becoming a black belt. She could picture their punches and blows connecting with such grace and speed, sweat and hair flying everywhere, an all out beautiful brawl. It was quite the dream to have someday.

When the match was over, Jo was standing above Brittany with her arms crossed and eyes narrow. It looked as though Brittany had just learned her lesson. "Will you be late again?"

"No ma'am..." She groaned and attempted to move, but that just wasn't happening. Charlotte rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, Brittany was just weak, anyone should be able to get up from that.

"Clean your uniform?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Remember your belt."

"Yes ma'am."

"Furthermore, have respect for your fellow classmates and this facility?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good, now get up and line up."

"Y-Yes ma'am." She slowly rose, wincing painfully as everyone started to line up once more. Brittany made her way to the only spot she could go to, behind Charlotte. "Do they always hurt like that?"

"You get used to it," she whispered. "Don't talk, you'll piss off the instructor." Brittany quickly silenced as a smug grin formed Charlotte's lips. Class had just begun, and this was going to be a sweet day.

Well, I'd say that was pleasurable to watch XD. Brittany certainly learned a valuable lesson here that she shan't soon forget, what say you? Hope you enjoyed the chapter