OSCILLATION    
By Iczerman



1

It wasn't the clanging of the alarm clock that woke Clark Kent up on Sunday
morning. There were times when he forgot to turn it off and it kept him from
sleeping late on the one day of the week he allowed himself this luxury. He
looked accusingly at the clock Lois Lane gave him for his birthday, a Superman
alarm clock that had the small statue banging large, round cymbals together.
It was a joke to be sure, and an annoying one, but it was from Lois.so he kept
it.

He narrowed his eyes in concentration and listened intently. Yes, he was sure
of it now. It was the special emergency signal that was transmitted on a
frequency known only to himself and Dr.Emil Hamilton of Star Labs, a signal
that only he could hear. Wasting no time he was flying over the city of
Metropolis, its bright buildings shining in the morning sun.

When he landed outside Star Labs, he was met by a very worried Dr. Hamilton.

" Good morning, Dr. Hamilton." Said Superman as he extended his hand.

"Uh.Good morning to you, Superman." Mumbled Dr. Hamilton. " Thank you for
coming on such short notice. This is a matter of utmost urgency and could be
potentially devastating."

Superman's face clouded over and his smile gave way to grit teeth.

" What's going on?" He asked, almost commanded.

" Barring lengthy scientific explanation..the entire planet is oscillating."

2

"Oscillating. Would you care to explain that?" Superman asked as he and Dr.
Hamiton walked hurriedly to the geological wing of Star Labs.

" That is the correct term. For the past three weeks, every Sunday morning at
this time the entire earth is shifted from its orbit thirty centimeters for a
period of about thirty seconds and then shifts back. This oscillation occurs
36 times and then nothing until a week later."

"How is this determined?"

" All over the globe there are Laser Ranging Stations which utilize laser
beams that are projected toward the moon and are bounced back. These are used
to measure continental drift. The process is so precise that we can measure
any movement to as small a unit as the centimeter, the average amount of drift
for a continent the entire year is 2 cm. But recently the entire planet has
been deviated from its orbit. The distance is not so great as to cause any
permanent damage, at least at the moment.." Dr. Hamilton's voice trailed off.

" This is serious." Scowled Superman. "This could be another attempt by
Darkseid to destroy the earth and make it look like a natural disaster."

" No, it is not Darkseid." Dr. Hamilton's head was bowed. " This is a matter
that concerns you personally."

"Oh? How is that?" Superman felt his stomach drop to his feet.

" We have analyzed the oscillation of the earth and have determined the point
from which the force must originate to move the planet from its orbit. The
source is not from outside the solar system, but from the earth itself. You
need to see this for yourself."

As they entered the geological wing of the laboratory Superman noticed all the
concerned looks from the lab technicians. He was lead to a computer console
and was shown the complex process of locating the focal point of the planets
deviation. After triple checking and cross-referencing the data gathered today
with the data from the past three weeks the results were conclusive. There was
no mistaking the focal point of the planets oscillation..

Amy's house.

3

There was no evidence of any recent geological changes around the area of
Amy's residence, at least from the air. Using his X-ray vision he probed deep
into the earth itself and found nothing.

Superman remembered the last time he came here. He was being chased by two men
from the planet Romux disguised as Darkseid's minions and was severely beaten.
But what brought him here today could affect the planet just as much as an
alien invasion.

When he landed he went up to the massive oaken doors and knocked. He found
himself studying the intricate stained glass window when the door opened and
in a split second Amy's friend Leeta dashed past him and assumed her fighting
stance.

" You goons didn't get enough the last time, eh?" Leeta shouted as she looked
from side to side. " You want some more? You want some more of THIS?!" Leeta
rolled up her sleeve and brandished her fist. " Quit hiding and face me
like.like.whatever you are!"

" Er, excuse me Leeta." Said Superman. " I'm afraid I'm not being chased or
beaten to within an inch of my life today."

"Uh.sorry." Said Leeta as she instinctively put her left hand behind her head.
The motion caused Leeta's bicep to bulge noticeably, the sleeve of her XXXXL
sweatshirt drawing tight. Her breasts also moved upward along with her arm,
resulting in the sweatshirt snapping loose from the elastic waistline.
Superman tried hard not to stare.

"I'm here to talk to Amy. It's important."

" Ooooohhh, is this a sooooooocial call?" Teased Leeta with a wry grin.

" Well, no. But it is rather urgent."

" Please, come in. I'm cooking breakfast right now, would you like to join
us?"

The last time he was here Superman didn't have time to really take a good look
at the place. Amy's house could be described as a giant three-step staircase
under one huge cathedral ceiling. The second level held the vast livingroom
along with the dining rooms and kitchen. The lower level had the workout area,
garage, laundry plus the household utilities. The upper level had the two main
bedrooms plus two guest rooms. Each bedroom was almost like a small, fully
furnished apartment, without kitchen facilities of course.

" Why don't you have a seat and make yourself at home. I'll see what Amy's up
to." Called Leeta as she bounded up the staircase.

" Make myself at home.hmm.come to think of it, the architecture of this house
does have some Kryptonian elements to it." Thought Superman as he looked out
the huge picture window that formed one of the walls. He found himself
thinking about Krypton. His Fortress of Solitude far to the north was his home
now, but for some strange reason he felt...safe.here in Amy's house. Then he
chuckled to himself. To be honest, this was the safest place for him to be
possibly in the entire universe. Here lived two of the best-trained martial
artists he knew, each vastly stronger than himself. He almost thought to
himself 'two of the sexiest'...but for just a second.

3.1

"What in the world was I thinking of?"

Amy was rummaging through her closet for something to wear when she found the
infamous tube dress, the one that she wore when she and Julia went to the mall
that one time and the one she wore at the first meeting she had at Star Labs.
It was by far the skimpiest dress she ever owned. It was a very low-cut and
short halter dress. Julia said that Amy was the only one in the world that can
wear such a thing. Curiosity then started to whisper things in Amy's ear, " I
wonder how it fits now?" Pulling the dress on proved to be more of a challenge
than Amy anticipated, for she had grown in strength and size since the last
time she wore it. It was now way too tight around the bosom and the hips, only
around the waist was it still a loose fit. Again listening to the imp of
curiosity, she went over to look herself over in the mirror.

" No wonder Miss Lane doesn't like me. To think I wore this at a business
meeting with a bunch of scientists." Amy turned around and looked at how
tightly wrapped her firm derriere was. Her breasts were larger now and the
halter-top covered less than she remembered. Her solid, fat nipples forming
two prominent mounds. " I guess I wanted to prove to the world that I was
proud of my body and went overboard.."

Amy was shaken out of her daydreaming by a knock at her door.

" Come on in Leeta." She called.

" Hey Amy.Superman is here and.. WOW !.where'd ya get THAT dress?!"

Leeta looked Amy up and down from head to toe. " I never seen that before!"

" Yes." Said Amy dejected. " My smallest dress and my biggest mistake."

" I wouldn't say that, you look pretty sexy in that thing. Hey!" The lightbulb
(with a pair of devil's horns) went off in Leeta's head. " Superman is here,
why don't you wear that for him? He's bound to notice your.HEY!" Leeta never
finished the sentence due to the flying pillow.

" How could you say such a thing? I don't want him to think I'm cheap or
something! Exclaimed Amy.

" Well you'd better make up your mind quick! I'm hungry and we have a guest
waiting."

After Leeta left Amy went over to her dresser to look for her XXXXXL
sweatshirt and her XXL sweatpants. As she passed by the mirror and looked at
herself again she hesitated. She put her hands on her hips, sucked in her
stomach and raised her chest. The tightening fabric lost the battle between it
and Amy's expanding breasts.

" I.could. have another one of these made.." Amy thought as she pulled on her
sweatshirt. " For.special occasions...or a special someone.."

4

"Leeta, could you pass the blueberry pancakes?" Asked Superman.

" Well..I don't know.this would be your third stack of six. And I thought Amy
had a big appetite..."

" LEETA!" Amy tried to sound shocked.

" Admit it Amy! Ever since your changes you've been able to pack away tons of
food!"

" I have a figure and strength to maintain after all." Teased Amy as she
flexed her gigantic bicep. " And I really look forward to your
Sunday-morning-after-workout brunches!"

"You work out every Sunday?" Asked Superman.

" Yes..from about 7 o'clock to 9. I do a set and then Leeta does a set while I
rest. Lately I've been really pushing the weights rather than repping out."

Superman surprised himself not that he would come to the conclusion that Amy's
workouts were responsible for the earth's oscillation, but that he actually
believed it without testing the theory. But he would still have to convince
Star Labs and Dr. Hamilton that there was now no threat to the earth.

" Glad to know that you're still trying to improve." Superman tried to sound
nonchalant. "Leeta, could I have another cheese and avocado omelet please? And
that will be all for me!" He never had a home cooked meal this delicious
before. Did Lois ever cook for him? He couldn't remember.

4.1

" Thanks for helping us clean up, Superman." Leeta said as she, Superman and
Amy sat down on the living room sofas.

" Call me Kal-El."

" Kal-El.that's a nice name." Said Amy, smiling.

" Didn't you say you had something important to talk to Amy about? At least it
was important before breakfast." Teased Leeta.

Superman then told Amy about the astronomical and geological events that had
occurred during the last three weeks.

" Are you saying Amy is responsible for the shifting of the earth's orbit?"
Superman stiffened just a little from the tone of Leeta's voice.

" Yes I am, but not intentionally."

" That's impossible." Said Amy sternly. " The enchantment that's involved with
the magical workout area makes use of the planet's gravitational field. It
pushes upward anything that is pushing against it. In order for the shifting
of the earth's orbit to happen, the weight would not only have to overcome the
equivalent of the earth's gravitational field but also exert enough force to
move the planet. It's like loading a truck with so much weight that not only
do it's tires flatten but it also sinks the ship that its on. I don't
think..uh...Kal-El?" Amy hesitated when she saw the look on Superman's face.
"You..believe it's.possible?"

( Author's note: Large sweat drops forms on everybody's head.)

" Yes I do. Your workouts coincide with the astronomical event almost
exactly."

Superman and Amy just sat in the silence, which didn't last for more than
three seconds.

" WOW! COOOOOOOLLLLL!!!! Amy you're AWSOME!!!" Leeta was jumping up and down
like a cheerleader during a football game. She came over and gave a big
bearhug to Amy, who was still dumbfounded by the discovery. " Serena always
said you were special!"

" I for one am glad that it's not Darkseid trying to destroy the earth." Said
Superman.

" Now wait a minute. We have to prove that it's really my workouts that are
doing this. I still can't believe it! Kal-El, you contact Star Labs using my
private line and we'll conduct a test." The scientist part of Amy wanted to do
things the right way.

All three (Leeta ran) went down stairs to the bottom floor of Amy's house that
was the designated workout area. Superman contacted Star labs using Amy's
cell-phone and informed Dr. Hamilton that he had found the cause of the
earth's shifting orbit. That it was man (woman) made and not a threat. Amy got
the scroll that had the magical workout area enchantment and activated the
spell. Dr. Theodore Diggers PHD. taught her a spell that could determine if
the enchantment was working properly.it was.

" Now Amy.use the same weight that you used today and do an excersise, I will
let Dr. Hamilton know when you turn on your bar and he will send a signal to
all the laser ranging stations on earth to calculate any deviance from orbit.
Ready? Now!"

Amy activated that bar and started to do a set of bicep curls. Doing the reps
slower and with perfect form. She had solved the problem of her Graviton Bar
Mk3 ( Pat. Top secret) 'fading' into a black hole by gravitational
supra-decoupling.

When she was done she looked over to Superman.

" Do another set. We have to be sure."

After two more sets of curls, Amy forgot about the earth's oscillation and was
paying more attention to the great pump she was getting.

" Dr. Hamilton is now convinced. You should have heard him try to talk."
Superman chuckled. " Now I guess you have another problem Amy. Where are you
going to work out now..er.Amy?"

Amy was gone from the magical workout area, which startled Superman.

"Amy! Where are you!?" He started looking around frantically.

" Don't worry Superman.there she is.over there by the mirrors." Said Leeta.

Amy was in front of the mirror flexing her swelling biceps. Not only were the
peaks higher than earlier, they were much thicker! Superman from about 40 feet
away could hear the blood expanding the flesh of Amy's biceps, her oversized
sweatshirt stretching almost to bursting. Amy's breasts started to expand
also, her nipples becoming two thick mounds of hardened flesh.

" Amy's not one to waste a good pump!" Laughed Leeta.

5

" It was nice to have you over Kal-El, please come back and visit again."

" Thanks Amy. What will you do now? If you continue to work out you may push
the earth off its axis."

" That's easy. I'll go to the dimension of Jade and have the scroll 'tweaked'
by Eldrin Gneiss, Dr. Diggers magic teacher. It will take a very powerful
enchantment, but I have enough magical raw material to enable the
modifications."

" I've never been to Jade." Mentioned Leeta. " This time I get to come along
and take a tour of the place."

" Maybe you could learn some magic spells from Gneiss. He is the best when it
comes to teaching magic."

"ALL RIGHT!" Exclaimed Leeta. " Let's see.a flight spell.a teleport spell like
yours.a fireball..a spell to make men fall in love with...oppps.heh.heh.."
Leeta turned a dark shade of red.

" You sure don't need a spell for cooking! That meal was delicious! Take care
Amy, Leeta." Superman turned around and leapt into the sky.

" Now our turn. All we have to do is step into the magical field when I drop
this scroll. Have you got all your stuff Leeta?..Leeta?..L E E T A ?!"

" He's.he's soooo gourgous.he reminds me of my old boyfriend!" Leeta said
wistfully. Hearing an unusual rustling sound behind her, Leeta turned around
and saw Amy step into what looked like a picture of the countryside.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Leeta dove into the closing swirl of color.

5.1

"Gone to the Tournament of Arms. Will be back soon."

(from the comic Gold Digger by Fred Perry)

The crude sign nailed to the door welcomed the two travelers.

" Maybe I will go also, I have never seen Julia fight..I mean really fight. We
always sparred together, that was her style of teaching." Said Amy as she and
Leeta walked into the unkempt edifice. " Good thing he gave me a key to this
place. Maybe he knew I would come again and left the place in a shambles so I
would clean it up again."

" Humph.just like men. It's gonna take a lot of time to clean this place. And
I hate to walk into the kitchen for fear that I'd be attacked by last years
lunch." Said Leeta as she and Amy wound their way through the castle. " Maybe
I could get on his good side by getting this place in order when you and he
are away at the contest."

" In the local hamlet there are people you could hire to help. Here are some
gems that you can use as currency." Amy dumped a handful of shining stones
onto Leeta's palm. " They won't give you a problem, they like cute women who
are warriors."

"Well, I'll have to look the place over and see what I need help with and what
I could do myself. You have a good time and be careful."

" I have my staff, that will be enough."

With a wave Amy turned around and started on her trek. Since it was the
biggest warrior's event on Jade everyone knew where it was being held and knew
how to get there.

Amy wondered why every time she came to Jade realm the weather was always warm
and pleasant. She had on her new 'adventure dress' that was like the old one,
but was a little looser around the bosom. As she journeyed she twirled her
staff around her head and body, trying to move it faster and faster and still
maintain her balance. The bar started to make a whistling sound as she whipped
it around her body. One of the obstacles she had to overcome was to control
the inertia caused by the weight of the bar as she swung it around, something
that she solved with much practice.

Gneiss castle was located in a somewhat remote area of Jade, so Amy traveled
alone for a while. But as she drew near to the city where the Tournament of
Arms was being held, traffic on the trail became busy to the point of being
congested. Soon she was winding her way through the city streets, asking
directions to places to stay and eat. The stadium itself was a massive edifice
that was easily seen from a great distance. The semi- final match was to be
held the next day. In her last visit here to jade, Grammy Brigand informed Amy
about G'nolga's treachery and Julia's quest to again become Arms-Master of
Jade. Amy saw that Julia was to meet Rhaoton, one of the ten Arms Masters of
Jade. The only tickets available were for the cheap seats way up in the back
rows of the stadium, but she was informed that tickets for better seats could
be found if the price was right. After much bickering between her and several
ticket scalpers and three medium sized gems, she got two seats in the center 5
rows from the front.

She was lucky to find an inn that had a room available, again for an inflated
price. But she had no choice, she really wanted to see Julia in battle. All
this traveling and bickering made Amy hungry, so she followed her nose to the
inn common room where food and drink was served. When she was seated and
waiting for her meal, she started to eavesdrop on what people were talking
about. The chances Julia had to win, the high prices the innkeepers were
charging, and the new tourist trap way up north with a giant hammer and a
strange looking pit that the locals say was made by a fight with a giant.

" What people would do to attract tourists." Went the murmurs.

6

" One would think that being a Master-Arms-Crafter would entitle one of such
stature to a couple of perks every now and then." Demetrius the dwarf thought
to himself as he waited in line for the few remaining tickets (the ones that
would require the eyes of a hawk to see any action) to the semi-final match of
the Tournament of Arms. The tickets to the coveted final match have already
been sold out, not even the scalpers were selling those, not even for 100
times their worth.

He really wanted to see Julia win back her Arms Master title. When he heard
the rumor that she gave away the title for money, he was angry...angry at the
person who would dream up such a preposterous thing. Unbeknownst to Julia,
Demetrius followed her career for the last twenty years and had seen she and
G'nolga battle more than once. He was one of the few dwarfs to venture outside
the dwarven kingdom and become a success in the 'outside' world.

" At the rate this line is moving, I'll be lucky to even get in the gate as
the battle begins." His frustration at his misfortune distracted him from the
sudden change in the weather. It looked sunny a while ago, he thought to
himself as the sunlight around him suddenly dimmed.

" What the.?!" He said to himself as he felt the hands cover his eyes. He
could tell that these were the hands of a warrior, but they were gentle as
they wrapped themselves around his head. Playing along he did what everyone
does when somebody sneaks up behind someone and covers their eyes, he started
to feel along the hands and forearms and then reached upwards. His hands felt
two large round objects that were firm but not hard. His hands then felt two
lumps of solid.

" Uh..oh" He thought to himself as he snatched the hands away from the globes
and removed the hands covering his eyes. Looking straight upwards he saw
nothing but white fabric pulled tight. He didn't know what to say until he
heard a familiar giggle come from somewhere above where he couldn't see.

Stepping out from under the 'human shelter' he tried to sound annoyed.

" Now.Amy.You..you .shouldn't do things like that to someone like me.you could
of.I might have..My blood pressure could go..Oh, whatever, How are ya!" He
said throwing his hands in the air.

" I'm fine thank you!" Giggled Amy as she bowed, causing her breasts to bounce
a little. " I saw you in line and just couldn't resist! Are you waiting to get
tickets for the Tournament of Arms?"

" For what good it would do me. Al l the good seats are taken and I really
wanted to see this battle."

" I have two tickets in the center 5 rows from the front. Why don't you join
me! I paid a lot of money for these and the scalper would only sell me the two
or none at all."

" I would be a fool for not accepting!" Demetrius's day was starting to look
up.

Soon they were winding their way through the arena and were promptly shown to
their seats, which were well worth the money Amy paid. They had a perfect view
of the battle area and the seats were comfortable.

" Well Amy. I noticed that you checked in a staff at the door. Is that your
weapon now?" Asked Demetrius. " What happened to that blade that I made for
you?"

" Yes, I use the staff now. I heard that one must enter this arena with a
weapon of one's own crafting. And I made the staff myself. Your blade is now
in a place where people from all over earth realm can come and admire its
workmanship. I wanted it back at one time but the keeper of the museum begged
me to let him keep it on permanent display."

Demetrius was touched, this day was actually turning into a good one.

A hush fell over the crowd as the two combatants entered the arena. The first
one to enter must have been Rhaoton, Julia's opponent. He was a big man that
moved lightly for his size. She heard a mumble of concern from Demetrius.

" Julia's going to have her hands full." He said to Amy. " He's one of 'The
Ten'."

When Julia entered the arena there was a mixture of cheers and booing, but
Julia seemed unaffected by it. Maybe that's why Julia assumed a confident,
almost non-chalant stance when she faced him, to show that crowd that she
wasn't affected by their jeers, Amy thought. But then Rhaoton came up, batted
away Julia's sword and slapped her in the face, sending her to the ground. Amy
couldn't hear when he said to her because of the cheering and laughter of the
crowd, but whatever it was it made Julia assume a more serious battle stance.

The rules for the Tournament of Arms were simple. To get your opponent into a
position where the next blow was to be fatal. During that battle there were
two times when such a moment would've occurred when Julia was seemingly
cornered. But both times Julia succeeded in escaping. It was the second of
these that made Amy stand up from her seat, shock mingled with indignation.

The second time Julia was cornered, she leapt into the air. Amy gasped when
she saw that Julia's leaping attack left herself wide open. But then Rhaoton
responded with something that looked like a magical attack! Since the arenas
of Jade were magic resistant, his attack had no effect. A quick, well placed
slice severed the head ornament Rhaoton was wearing, thus ending the battle.

Amy didn't join in the cheers as Rhaoton lifted Julia in the air. Yes, she was
proud that her teacher had won. But the injustice done to her at the hands of
the warrior's guild will not go unanswered.

7

" You really mean to go through with this. Do you know the risks involved?"
Said Demetrius. " And will you slow down a little, my legs aren't as long as
yours."

" I'm sorry. But yes, I DO mean to go through with this. I have been banned
from all contests because I was accused of using magic at a tournament. And
here is Rhaoton, one of 'The Ten', using a magical attack during the
Tournament of Arms. Why am I banned from all competition and he not?!" Amy's
voice was as determined as her strides.

Demetrius noticed how people moved out of their way as Amy went to find Toro's
office, the man who banned her at her first tournament. ( see "The
Tournament") Before people would linger around just a little longer to take a
good look at Amy before they would casually move out her way. But he had not
felt this intense an aura coming from her before. Warriors, if they are
trained properly, could assess an opponent's aura, or chi, just by looking at
them. Why hadn't he felt her aura before this? He knew that Toro would not see
her just because she asked, they had to have a plan.

" Now wait just a second Amy." Commanded Demetrius. " No matter how right you
are, you cannot get into Toro's office just at a snap of our fingers. I have a
plan."

7.1

" She won again." Toro was disgusted. " I thought for sure Rhaoton would
defeat her. But she took advantage of the fact that the coliseum is resistant
to magic and made that work in her favor. The result cannot be disputed." Toro
thought as he looked out his office window. A knock at his door and a nod to
the guard gave permission for his secretary to come in. He was not in a good
mood.

"What is it?" He grumbled.

" Master Arms-Crafter Demetrius and his apprentice are here asking for an
audience."

"Humm.the day may not be an entire waste. Show him in." He turned again to
look out the window.

"I have come concerning you request you made.." Began Demetrius.

" Will it be made of Dwarven cold steel? That was the point of the whole
order. I need a weapon that can defend against magical attacks and be of
effective against lycanthropes." Said Toro, cutting him off.

" I'll have my apprentice bring in samples. Dwarven cold steel is hard to get
outside the Dwarven Kingdom, I had to pay a high price to get even this much
out."

At Toro's kurt nod, Demetrius looked toward the guard who then opened the door
and let Amy in. When Demetrius cleared his throat to get Toro's attention, he
turned around and then froze.

" Good afternoon, Toro." Said Amy politely.

" What the.What about my weapons?"

" Dwarven cold steel.I never deal with the it. I don't want to have the
Northern Edge Guard looking over my shoulder each and every time I forge a
weapon."

" And what can I do for you, Amy Brigand-Anderson." Toro said icily.

" I have come to have the ban on my competition on Jade lifted. It was taken
away because it was alleged that I used magic during my contest. I abided by
that decision in good faith. And now I witness 'One of the Ten' Arms Masters
of Jade use magic in a sanctioned tournament."

" You are not 'One of the Ten.'" Toro tried to remain calm but was starting to
sweat.

" Never the less. I ask that my eligibility be restored."

" Request denied."

" May I ask why?"

"You may not. Guards.remove these people." Toro turned his back to Amy and
Demetrius.

" I only ask a fair hearing."

" Give the girl a chance Tor..." Demetrius never finished his plea for one of
the guards came up along side and struck him with the butt of his spear in the
midsection. A quick flick of the wrist and the dwarf was sent skidding against
the wall. Blood started to trickle from his mouth.

" I warn you, don't underestimate me." Warned Amy, snapping into her fighting
stance.

" And what would an Amazon Breeder do against the two of us? We are third and
fourth in line to become 'One of the Ten'. " Mocked the tallest of the two.

Amy heard the distain in his voice. Looking at their stances she detected that
they didn't take her seriously, for they were relaxed and loose. They both had
condescending smirks on their faces. Something deep inside Amy seemed to snap,
she was tired of being denigrated by other warriors. Somehow she was going to
let these two know what they were up against. For a long time she held her
fighting spirit back, this would be the first time she would let it flow
freely, unhindered.

If the guards in Toro's service were novices, they would not have sensed the
magnitude of Amy's energy, but these were well-trained fighters both
physically and spiritually. It was like a giant avalanche burying a speck of
sand. Both warriors flinched violently, looked at each other, then dropped
their weapons and folded their arms.

" Why are you standing there? Attack!" Yelled Toro.

" We cannot win. She is far too deeply rooted. This would have been a
pointless battle anyway."

" This cannot be! I cannot have a student of Julia's ..." Toro pounded his
table with both fists. " It was the scar she gave me during our contest so
long ago when that magic user helped her. She scarred my..my handsome face! I
vowed to make her pay for that! But it was difficult because she disappeared
for a while and then came back without that mage so it was hard for me to get
my revenge officially. Her victories were indisputable so I had..to find
another way." His voice trailed off.

" Toro." Said the taller of the two guards. " This is not honorable. Let her
prove herself at the next contest. As a matter of fact, I would like to see
her fight."

8

"Demetrius made sure Toro did all the paperwork correctly. He found out that
the official records of my first tournament were altered by Toro to say that I
had help from a magic user. He then used his authority to cover things up."
Gneiss, Leeta and Amy were sitting in his castle's drawing room. " I'm sorry
you couldn't find any seats." Said Amy.

Gneiss arrived at his castle the day after Amy left. When he found out what
the prices of the good seats were and the ones that were left were way up
where the eagles fly, he gave up and came home. He found the place cleaned up
and put in order by Leeta, to whom he took a liking to immediately. He showed
his gratitude by teaching Leeta how to use her aura to fly plus a couple of
other beginning level spells. She proved to be quite adept and was a fast
learner. Amy had more confidence teaching Leeta the Martial arts and decided
to leave the teaching of magic to the experts, due to it's unpredictable
nature in the hands of novices.

" I find difficult to decide which is more interesting, Julia's battle or your
confrontation with those guards of Toro's. You say that all you did was let
your energy flow from your body and they just dropped their weapons and stood
there. They didn't flee or anything.hummm." Gneiss started to look perplexed.

" You make one of your faces and scared'em did ya, Amy?" Leeta teased.

" It sounds to me that Amy stumbled into a variation of a clerical spell
called 'demoralization'. The caster is perceived as invincible and the
recipients of the spell turn tail and run. But in Amy's case it's wouldn't be
an offensive spell, but you just letting your aura do your talking so to
speak. Speaking about talking, I've done too much of that already." Gneiss
said laughing. " What brings you to Jade, Amy? Surely not just to clean my
castle."

" Remember that scroll you helped design and Dr. Diggers finished, the magical
workout area? It needs to be tweaked a little. I seemed to have outgrown
it..."

THE END