Chapter 4 – The Mystic Flame
The crowd looked on, both shocked and excited from what they saw. It was an incredible show for them. While Jakkin landed safely on the ground, the announcer was stunned before finally regaining himself.
"The match is over!" he declared at last. "Torden is out the ring! That means Jakkin is the winner!"
Jakkin looked around at the applauding crowd feeling very speechless, and then he smiled modestly. In a moment, Torden groaned as he tried to get up, and when he opened his eyes, he noticed he was not in the ring. To his shock and dismay, he saw Jakkin basking at the cheering crowd. He couldn't believe that he, a professional taekwondo practitioner, would have lost. Just as Torden was about to stomp off into the resting room, Jakkin approached the blue dragon.
"Torden," he said. "Even though you may have lost to me, you have done very well back there."
"Say what?" asked Torden in confusion.
"I know you're probably upset about losin'," continued Jakkin. "But really, it's the fun of it all that counts."
Torden hesitated. "I… I don't know what to say," he said slowly. "Here I was being such a cocky show-off, and you're being nice to me after that?"
"You're more than just a rival, Torden," replied Jakkin. "I see you as a friend, one who I find something in common with, and your fightin' skills have really impressed me back there."
Gathering as much thought from Jakkin's unusually kind words, Torden smiled, knowing all too well that he was right. "Come here, you!" he said happily, and the two dragons hugged each other, leaving everyone swooning at this tender moment.
Draco felt tears sting his eyes. "That was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," the Charizard gushed happily. "After a falling out earlier on, they made up!"
"Goes to show how much they value their friendship with each other," smiled Tails. "I'm very proud of them, Draco."
"I can hardly wait to congratulate Torden for finally becoming a bit more humble," said Lily.
"Me too," said Percival. "But it looks like we got an intermission before the final round begins."
"Come on, Draco," said Cynder as she got up. "Let's get a bite to eat. It should recover you of those happy tears."
Back at the resting room, Jakkin and Torden talked endlessly about their match. For the first time ever, they were not arguing over who is the strongest as they finally agreed that they were equal in strength.
"Hey, Jakkin," said Torden. "I'm sorry if I have gotten a bit too over my head back then, I only have pride in my abilities."
"There's nothin' wrong with being a bit too sure of your own self every now and then," replied Jakkin. "I admit I had been like that too during our little rivalry."
"We should have a rematch one day," smiled Torden. "I can only hope I will beat you next time."
Jakkin chuckled. "You're gonna have to try harder in order to do so," he said.
"Hey, who's that approaching?" asked Torden all of a sudden as he looked up.
Jakkin and Torden stood up after sitting for a short while, and they saw the Mystic Flame coming towards them.
"Um, hello?" they greeted with uncertainty.
"So, Jakkin and Torden," said the Mystic Flame in a rather feminine-sounding yet deep voice. "I am very pleased with the way you were with each other after your match. That is a sign of true sportsmanship."
"Thanks for the compliment, Mystic Flame," said Jakkin. "Just wonderin', what brought ya here to talk to us?"
"As you know, Jakkin, our match is coming up soon," replied the Mystic Flame. "I am making sure that you are ready for it."
"I most certainly am!" exclaimed Jakkin.
"Absolutely splendid," smiled the Mystic Flame. "One thing to keep in mind, though, is that I will be testing you."
Jakkin was confused. "What do you mean exactly?" he asked.
"You'll find out once we start our fight," replied the Mystic Flame, and he turned around gracefully. "I shall see you in the ring very soon."
As the Mystic Flame went outside, Jakkin and Torden exchanged glances at each other.
"That is one weird guy," said Torden.
"Yeah," agreed Jakkin. "But whatever he's got in mind, I'm up for the challenge."
"Speaking of which, I think it's time for your match now!"
Sure enough, the attendants came to the room. "Jakkin!" they called. "Let's get going for the final match!"
Jakkin straightened himself as he joined the attendants. "Well, I'm off the face the Mystic Flame," he said. "I shall do my best, Torden."
"Good luck, Jakkin!" smiled Torden as he gave his friend a thumbs-up.
As Jakkin and the Mystic Flame stepped onto the ring in the arena, the crowd was cheering with anticipation for who will be the Champion of the tournament.
"This is the moment you've all been waiting for, ladies and gentlemen," said the announcer. "The final round is underway! Here we have Jakkin the Surian Dragon from Texas, USA, and the Mystic Flame, whose location is unknown! Whoever wins this match will be named Champion of the China Martial Arts Tournament! Let's hear it for them!"
Jakkin felt a bit nervous unlike in his previous match with Torden. Although he may be a strong dragon, he had a strange that somehow, the Mystic Flame is a lot stronger than he looks. After a long silence, the Mystic Flame finally spoke.
"Jakkin," he began. "Now that we're here, I have a very important favour to ask of you."
This made Jakkin raise an eyebrow. The Mystic Flame, at a place and time where they're supposed to be fighting, is asking him to do something. "Excuse me?" he asked. "What is it that you are having in mind before we get this started?"
"That Elemental Brooch you are wearing," said the Mystic Flame calmly. "I'd like to see you make use of it during our match."
"But, how do you about my Elemental Brooch?"
"I am just a guy who knows all about mysterious artefacts and jewellery," replied the Mystic Flame.
While the crowd was starting to become restless and demanding the two competitors to fight, Cynder and her friends wondered what was happening down in the arena.
"They don't seem to be doing anything other than just talking," said Percival. "What is it that the Mystic Flame has in mind for Jakkin?"
"The Mystic Flame wants him to use his Elemental Brooch," replied Cynder. "I don't know about you, and you can call it strange, but it seems as if this guy is someone that we already know."
Tails said nothing, but he is looking forward to seeing how the match will turn. He is also quite certain that the Mystic Flame will win the fight.
"Okay, fine," said Jakkin. "If you want me to use my brooch, then so it shall be!"
Jakkin took out his Elemental Brooch and fastened it on his shirt. In an instant, he started flashing, and as he glowed brighter, a brown-orange aura formed around him with shards of earth circling him in circular fashion. Everyone was amazed at the transformation, even Cynder and her friends. Torden looked on feeling very excited at what he was seeing.
The Mystic Flame stood in awe at Jakkin's increased strength. "That power…" he exclaimed. "It's beyond extraordinary!"
Indeed, Jakkin has become even stronger after harnessing the power of his brooch. He looked like a different dragon too, with his mane lengthened and his muscle mass all bulked up. "Now then," he said with determination and a bit of impatience. "Do we begin our fight?"
"Yes," said the Mystic Flame. "But before we do, I must undergo my own transformation to keep things even."
The Mystic Flame was about to start his move when suddenly a laser blast came out of nowhere and exploded right between Jakkin and the Mystic Flame. The crowd panicked, but Cynder and her friends stayed calm.
"What is going on?" exclaimed Draco as he held a frightened Darky close to him.
Tails turned to the direction of the blast, and to his disbelief, he saw what attacked. "Not them again," he groaned.
"What is it, Tails?" asked Draco.
"Look what's up in the sky," said Cynder as she saw what Tails saw as well.
The familiar evil laughter echoed as a cruiser battleship came into view, and piloting the battleship was the Pyre Squad trio.