<! Encounter #1 >

<! (Or I Socked the Sensei, But I didnt Kick his Deputy) >

<! An Old Duel is Renewed >

<! By Mongoose750 (mongoose750@yahoo.com) >

Sensei John Brown dismissed his last class of the day, a white belt class at his karate dojo. This new crop of students was very ambitious and very green. That was fine though. Better to have students who have no idea than to have students with preconceived notions of what karate is. It sometimes takes seemingly forever to make their minds a clean slate on which to write new information. He would know, he used to be one of those green students.

Since he mentioned he had an important appointment to attend (actually, it was an important ballgame on TV, but they didnt need to know that), everyone, students and assistants cleared out quickly. After he threw on some street clothes and locked up, hell be gone himself.

Sensei John Brown, a feminine voice said.

John quickly turned around, a little startled. The woman mustve snuck in while everyone else filed out.

On the other side of the room stood a woman who was about 58, and was wearing a long black trench coat that covered almost all of her body except the end of her black leggings. Her feet were bare. She wore dark sunglasses that covered most of her facial features. She was also wearing a black scarf over her head.

Remember me, John? The woman said.

Recognition suddenly appeared in Johns eyes. I thought your group disbanded years ago, he said.

We didnt disband, she said, we became quiet for a little while. We took the time to be refreshed, to be renewed, and to regroup, until it was time to rise again.

I see, and why are you here?

Im here to finish our little duel, she said with a little smirk on her face.

I dont see why the Dragon Lady doesnt fight her own duels.

Oh, this isnt her doing, this is for me, the woman said, sticking her hands in her coat pockets. My group decided that we needed to take care of our personal projects before we moved onward to other things. And this happened to be mine.

John felt a chill, along with a dull ache in the pit of his stomach, as the memories flooded back to his conscious mind. About four and a half years ago, he was a cocky young instructor of a new dojo. He had his trophies proudly displayed throughout the place to show his pride in his accomplishments and to show his students what they can do if they put their mind to it. He boasted of the schools success and the quality students it put out. Things were going very well until the day she showed up.

John was teaching one of his advanced classes when this mystery woman appeared and had the nerve to challenge him to a duel on behalf of the group she was a part of. Not one to back down from a challenge, he readily agreed. He laughed at how absurd it was, this skinny string bean of a girl challenging him, a muscular 60 man who participated in various competitions and tournaments. He couldve made a name for himself in that area if he so desired.

As they dueled, he realized that this woman was not to be underestimated. Despite her lanky figure, not only was she able to have some impact in her blows, she also was more resilient than she looked. She took blows that have stunned or incapacitated opponents he faced in competition. In the end, it was a random combination of a punch and a kick that downed her. After the battle was over, his students cheered his victory and he soaked it in. However, both he and the woman he fought knew how close the fight really was, and either person couldve won it.

One thing happened because of that duel. John was not so cocky anymore.

But I defeated you, John said.

Yes, Id like to rectify that, the woman said, and for the same stakes.

John remembered those stakes. If she won the duel, she would gain control of the dojo and he would be taken, whatever that meant. At that time of the first duel, he was so overly confident, he foolishly agreed. He also learned later not to be so impulsive, especially when it came to making foolish wagers.

So you still want to fight for control of the dojo and to take me, John said. Maybe he can talk her out of this foolishness and leave it in the past. What do you mean to be taken, anyway?

The woman looked at John and smiled. You are a very handsome man, John Brown.

Thank you, he said. Well that didnt answer anything, he thought. I asked her a simple question, and in return, she compliments me on my looks. What does that have to do with - wait a minute!

Are you saying that if I lose, Im yours? He said, shocked by this new knowledge.

You are very perceptive, John; much more so than the last time we met, she said.

Thats a strange way of asking someone out! Couldnt you just call me?

Thats not the way it works, John.

Well Im flattered, but I dont think youre my type.

Again, thats not the way it works. When encountering women in my group, most men like you are at least a little non-compliant. We discovered that before we take someone, they must be made more, uh, compliant. The dojo is a nice touch, I can use it along with my sisters, but the main reason Im here is to take you.

You, you just cant take over a dojo like that! I have students who have been practicing here for years! Theyre my students. And as for me, Im not going to go with you just because you say so or youve been carrying a torch for me. That wont work.

On the contrary, several of my sisters would disagree with you. It seemed to work fine for them. Now the time is short, I wish to get started with our battle, the woman said as she started to unbutton her trench coat.

Wait a minute, suppose I refuse? John said, having no desire to fight, but to get this crazy woman out of his dojo.

Your honor would dictate otherwise. You could refuse me now, but I would challenge you again and again until you agree to do so. The next time I challenge you, it may be while youre in the middle of teaching one of your classes like the last time. Since theres only the two of us here, you have the chance to refuse and not lose face, but can you say that for the next time when youre teaching your newest students? I will fight you, John, and you will comply.

John found himself in a quandary. He could refuse, but the possibility of her making good her threat of showing up during a class was possible, she did it before. Fighting and losing is a possibility too. But who said his skills declined in those four and a half years? If anything, he should be much better than those early days when he started this dojo.

What makes you think you can beat me? John said, finding a new source of strength in this argument. Since we last fought, Ive grown, Ive improved. My skills are more refined, better than that last time when I defeated you.

Times change, John, the woman said as she started again on unbuttoning her trench coat. Youve grown, youve changed. But also, Ive grown, Ive changed.

As the woman took her coat off, John was astounded by the womans changes. The last time they dueled, she was a skinny, lanky thing who fought in a red leotard. This time, she was decked out in a black unitard that had a tank top that showed off her arms, which were more muscular and defined. Not just her arms, but also the rest of her was more muscular. Even though the unitard covered her legs, he could see the material outlined how powerful they were.

Next, she took off her sunglasses, showing her entire face to John. She still had that golden yellow complexion that reflected her Asian heritage as well as her slanted brown eyes that looked at him warmly.

My new look, John, I hope you like it, she smiled as she folded up her coat.

Again what makes you think you can beat me? He said. You remember how it ended last time.

Oh come off it, John. You and I both know how close it was last time. You or I could have thrown that lucky punch or kick that wouldve ended the duel. It just so happened to be you. My skills have grown along with my muscles. This time I plan to end this based on superior ability, not a random blow thrown in desperation.

John realized he had no choice. He adjusted his gi and started to prepare himself.

All right, you win, lets finish this, he said. This time if I win, you will not come back.

Rest assured John, we will not do this again.

She untied her scalp, displaying her clean-shaven scalp, the trademark look of the followers of her group.

This is only the second time weve met. You dont even know me, John said, trying one last time to reason with her. I dont even know your name.

Ah, but we have met before, John, she said. In fact, weve met several times, before and after our last encounter. One time you even tried to ask me out. I wouldve accepted too, but the time was not right.

How could that be possible? How could I miss seeing a woman with a shaved head?

Its easy when you can wear many disguises on your head, including your own hair. You didnt suspect a thing. As for knowing my name, I will tell you when the time is right.

John took a close look at his nemesis, almost as if for the first time. As he examined her facial features, he now remembered the various places he had seen this woman before; at the local gym, at a few nightspots, even at some karate tournaments and exhibitions. No wonder he always thought this woman looked familiar.

Youve kept track of me the whole time, John said with clarity. Why?

Ive gotten to know you pretty well, John Brown, the woman said as she started stretching. In truth, my original purpose was to take this dojo as a conquest for myself and my fellow sisters. However, as I have watched you over the years, my intent has changed somewhat. I still want to run this dojo, but more importantly, I want you.

But, but, thats-

No more talk. The time for conversation has passed. I will give you further information after I have conquered you. Prepare yourself.

John saw no other choice. He faced his mysterious opponent and briefly bowed to signify an honorable combat.

The woman giggled. Yes, for old times sake, lets bow. She then bowed to John, returning the favor, then jumped into her fighting stance.

As the two circled around each other, Johns mind was spinning as he was frantically looking for some type of strategy that would gain him a victory. It occurred to him that she was using the same stance and movement she did in their first duel over four years ago. Remembering the combination he used on her, John attempted his punch-kick maneuver. The woman blocked both blows, and then bared a grim smile.

Did you think I would forget the move that defeated me years before? Not this time John, she said. Now its my turn.

She fired a punch-kick maneuver of her own, followed by an attempted foot sweep. John avoided all three, then jumped back and quickly accessed the situation in his mind. She is much faster than the last time, but she still had the lanky moves that gave her away last time, he thought to himself. He could use that to his advantage.

John then pressed his attack, and the woman seemed to be falling back. When he was sure that he would score with a vital blow, the womans movements suddenly changed. Instead of the lanky, angular form she had before, her movements became more circular in nature. It was a style similar to what is used in the karate style of Hapkido. It wasnt that he was unfamiliar with Hapkido or never encountered anyone who knew it; its just that she changed styles so smoothly; it almost caught him off guard.

No sooner than he discovered that, she changed styles again as smoothly as a chameleon changes colors. And the style she changed to was . . .boxing? He saw her shuffle her feet, and when he looked up, that second of distraction cost him.

The woman fired her right fist into Johns left breast. John staggered back, rubbing the upper part of his chest. As given her improved physique, her blows were more powerful than last time. The blow wasnt debilitating, but it hurt. He also realized she just toyed with him. During that brief moment he left his guard down, she couldve gone for an easy knockout with a blow to the head.

Caught you napping, John, the woman said as she continued to shuffle on the balls of her feet.

John became angry. Angry with himself for letting himself be distracted, and angry with this woman for nailing him with a mere boxing move. Well, he thought, boxing doesnt have any defenses against blows delivered below the waist, as he attempted a right kick toward her upper thigh.

As if she knew what he was thinking, the woman caught his leg, then delivered a right side kick to the same spot she hit earlier with her punch. The blow sent John reeling to the cushioned floor of the dojo. As soon as he landed, despite the pain, he forced himself to get up again before the woman could take an advantage. As he righted himself, he found that his opponent was standing where she was, waiting for him to get up.

All these years and this is the best you can do? Ive seen you do better than this, John. Come, fight me, the woman said with an index finger beckoning him to engage in battle once more.

John found himself being overcome with rage, then stopped for a moment and calmed himself. A hot head leads to a cold defeat, he always told his students. He reminded himself to keep that in mind. She was hard to beat the last time when he considered himself a hot shot. Attacking her as a hot head would be disastrous.

As they engaged each other, the woman used yet another style. This looked more like Tae Kwon Do with its high-powered kicks. John was able to dodge or block the kicks, but he wasnt able to get by them to land a blow of his own. He figured her intention was to wear him down before going in for the kill. Again, he was wrong.

John, it has been nice dueling with you again, but the hour is late, and its time to end this, she said.

She then rushed in and fired two quick side kicks to his left thigh, then fired yet another punch to the left upper chest where she hit twice before. While dealing with the stinging in his left leg along with the pain in his chest, he realized too late that he left himself wide open as he saw the womans bare sole smack into his forehead. The blow sent John against the dojo wall, where he found himself rebounding off the wall like an errant rubber ball. The woman was waiting for him with a left knee to the ribs, a right elbow to the jaw, and a right roundhouse kick to the face. John hit the wall again, but this time, instead of staggering forward, he fell on his face.

He tried to will himself to get up, but this time, his left leg was slow to respond, his chest felt like it had a run-in with a sledgehammer, and the world around him seemed to spin a little too fast for him to get on his feet. The woman knelt beside him.

Stay down, John, she said in a gentle voice. I have no wish to harm you any further, but I will inflict more pain if I have to until you comply. Our duel has now ended.

John, who was normally in the other position of victor in his battles, realized he was not in a position to argue, and well aware she was powerful enough to carry through with her threat. He looked up at the woman with disbelieving eyes. Despite his pain, he had to know. How? he said.

Well I was already a black belt in Kempo Karate, the same style you practice when we last fought. However, over the last four years, my sisters and I were trained in other disciplines to compliment the one we were already trained in, plus we were also trained to switch from one style to the other to confuse our opponents and deliver maximum impact. I just used some of the hard disciplines fighting you; I havent even used my jiu-jitsu or wrestling techniques. You didnt stand a chance, John.

John marveled to himself at the thought. Mixing different disciplines together were like putting oil and water together. Yet somehow this mysterious leader of this womans clan has done it. He sighed. What now?

The woman took her right hand and stroked his arm before drawing a sigh herself. Business before pleasure, she said. First, we need to go to your office and find the deed so you can sign it over to me. In my briefcase I have the necessary paperwork to carry this out. Since I know that this is your livelihood, I will not perform a complete takeover. Actually it will be in the form of a partnership, making you a co-owner and myself the principal owner, making it 60-40 or 70-30. My takeover will actually be the best thing for your dojo. Several of my sisters and new recruits, along with the current students you already were teaching will make for a larger clientele to bring in more funds for the facility. Your current students will be told that there was a change in ownership, a business decision, nothing more. No word will be uttered of our duel. In time, youll get to teach them again. Right now, for obvious reasons, you will not.

Let me guess, until Im more compliant, John said weakly.

Yes John, Im sorry it has to be this way, but showing a sign of outward conflict would be bad for business, which is what I hold skills in.

John moaned. At least he didnt lose what hed worked for all these years completely. A cold comfort as he felt the pain from his wounds.

What about me, he moaned.

You will come with me, John, she said, as she slowly stroked his hair. I have a balm that will help ease the pains of your wounds. I made it a point to not leave anything worse than a few bruises. Under my treatment, youll be fine in no time. I am quite skilled in the arts of healing, and youll find in time that I am also skilled in the arts of love as well.

The woman kissed John gently on his cheek and neck. You will love me, John, she whispered in his ear. In time, you will wonder what your life was like without me.

John leaned back on the floor. His life had undergone a sudden change in the last hour, and he couldnt help but wonder what the changes would be like.

Oh yes, one more thing, the woman said. I need to tell you my name. My name is Destiny, John, and I have just become yours.

[Apologies to Eric Clapton for twisting his lyrics in the title.]

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