"Hey, Jess. Got a sec?" Emily called
"What's up?" Jess asked
"I could use a little help. See, the Iron Warrior Challenge is coming up this weekend." Emily explained
"Is that, like, a cooking contest?" Jess asked
"What? No! It's a great test of physical fitness! A three-step endurance challenge, modeled after the training rituals of ancient Spartan warriors! The winner has to prove themselves in a 2 mile race... hit a bullseye with an arrow at 60 feet... and beat 3 opponents at fencing!" said Emily
"That sounds grueling." said Jess
"Gruelingly amazing!" said Emily
"So this is going to be your first time competing?" Jess asked
"Actually, I competed last year and it... didn't work out... But that's in the past! This year, I'm gonna win, and I'm gonna win big! Only thing is... I could use a little help. I need to work on my sprinting, and I run a lot better if I've got someone to race against. Mind running with me?" Emily asked Jess get changed to her gym clothes tank top, legging and sneaker "All right! 2 mile race! You ready to do this?"
"Ready if you are... just don't get too upset if I beat you to the finish!" said Jess
While later
"Huff... huff... whoo! That felt goooooood!" Emily huffed
"You're... pretty fast..." said Jess
"Well, I've got to be. The Iron Warrior Challenge is no joke!" said Emily
"Need help with anything else?" Jess asked
"Actually, yeah. The next phase of the Challenge is an archery competition..." said Emily
"If this involves putting an apple on my head, I'm out." said Jess
"Ha, no, nothing like that. I just need some new targets to shoot at. I used to practice in my backyard, but my mom made me stop after I put an arrow through her bird-feeder." said Emily
"Buying you some new targets? I'll see what I can do! How are these?" Jess set up a scarecrow, a classic bullseye and a cardboard cutout of a sparkly vampire
"A scarecrow, a classic bullseye, and a cardboard cutout of a sparkly vampire? It's perfect!" said Emily
"Just make sure you put them down away from the school..." said Jess
"Oh wait! One more thing! An Iron Warrior can't just run and shoot! They also need to be able to prove themselves in combat... By winning at the dignified and elegant sport of fencing!" Emily explained
"I guess I can help..." said Jess
"That'll be good, but I don't know if my rival will be a guy or a girl... so I ought to practice against both!" said Emily, Jess gather her friends Tommy and Brianna. "You two ready to fence?"
"The edges of these swords are taped, right?" Tommy asked
"Yeah, are you sure this is safe?" Brianna asked
"En garde! Whoo! That was great!" said Emily
"You're really handy with a sword..." said Greg
"I think I did pretty well myself..." said Tommy
"All right, Jess! You're up!" Emily tosses you a tapered sword! Jess walk forward.
"So how does this work exactly?" Jess asked
"Like this!" Emily lunges towards Jess, jabbing at her chest! Jess neatly block the slice, deflecting Emily's sword!
"Oh... nice reflexes!" said Jess
Jess flail out, missing, but Emily's sword hits the side of her leg! "Ow! Is that even allowed?"
"It is in the Iron Warrior contest! I win! Thanks for the practice, Jess! I really needed it!" Emily cheer. "I'm challenging you to a rematch!"
One hour later
"All right! That's running, shooting, and fencing all covered! You're good to go, right?" Jess asked
"Well... kind of. I don't know. Maybe." said Emily
"What's wrong, Emily? Something bothering you?" Jess asked
"Sigh... the truth is, last year when I competed in the Iron Warrior challenge, I didn't just lose. I got hurt. I overexerted myself in the race, slipped and twisted my leg really bad. I had to be on crutches for two weeks. I thought I was over it. I thought it was fine. But now I'm kind of starting to freak out. What if I get hurt again? I don't want to go through that. Maybe I should just back out." said Emily
"No. You can't do that, Emily." said Jess
"Why not?" Emily asked
"Because you can't give in to fear. I don't know if you'll get hurt out there or not. But I know that if you don't go, you'll always regret it. You can't live your life doubting yourself and focusing on the past. Laugh in the face of fear, and fight 'til you win. That sounds like something the Spartans would say, right?" said Jess
"Yeah, it does. And you're right." said Emily
"Of course I am. Now what do you say? Got time for a little last-minute self-improvement?" Jess asked
"You bet I do." Emily studies at the library with Tommy help learning new thing she didn't in class
"How do you feel now?" Jess asked
"Fantastic! Amazing! Like I could take on the entire world!" said Emily
"And I'm ready to cheer you on!" said Jess
"Yeah?" said Emily
"Of course! Every warrior needs an entourage, right? I'll make sure to bring some friends!" Jess invite Brianna and Tommy to watch Emily compete in the Iron Warrior Challenge
"Look! It's starting!" Tommy pointed
"Go, Emily, go!" Brianna cheered
"Run! Shoot! Fence! Emily won the race by five seconds and tied in the archery contest." said Jess
"But now it's time to fence, and Emily's rival is really good! Look at him go!" said Brianna
"Oh no! Emily stumbled." Tommy frown
"It was a feint! Emily landed the hit, after all! It's a win!" Brianna cheered
Everyone cheered and clapped
"I... I did it! I won! I actually won!" said Emily
"You were amazing out there! I haven't seen so much running, shooting, and fencing since my uncle's wedding!" said Jess
"I don't know how you did it... but that was straight up incredible." said Brianna
"Thanks, Jess. I never could have done it without you." Emily hugged Jess
"No worries. Anything for a friend." Jess smiled