The Martial Arts Prodigy

Chapter 3

"Diffliculties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body." - Seneca

Asia takes the students through the corridors of the school, first showing them the student lounge and gym. Each of the recruits look around the room, in awe of the size and space of the room. Danyelle is then approached by an Asian boy, wearing a navy blue jacket, with white stripes on his sleeves.

"Cool place huh?" the boy asks her, hoping to start a conversation. Danyelle then turns around towards the boy, looking into his eyes with a calm intensity.

"It's pretty straight, although I could do without a few assholes that claim to be better than everyone else. So I don't think you want to be an arrogant brute around me." the boy then chuckles thinking Danyelle's warning is funny.

"Well, I'm not like those type of people. I believe in helping out your fellow man, looking out for the little guy. You know, being humble." Danyelle then smirks at the boy, thinking that his intentions are sweet.

"Well, you have just earned my respect Mr..." the boy then extends his hand out to her, attempting to introduce himself to her.

"Aaron Zhang, pleased to meet you Ms..." Danyelle shakes his hand, accepting the respectful introduction in good faith.

"I am Danyelle Isabella Faust, pleased to meet you as well Aaron. So, what style are you special in?" Danyelle wonders.

"I'm a 4th dan in Escrima, also known as Kali and I am a 2nd dan in Jeet Kune Do. I have been fighting since I was a kid, I even fought in the UFC once. I retired with a 19-0 record, even becoming a Light Heavyweight Champion." Laura notices Danyelle talking to Aaron and a shocked look comes over her face.

"Aaron? Is that you?" she questions him. As soon as he turns around, he sees Laura approaching him and a smile appears across his face. Aaron embraces Laura with a gentle hug while Danyelle looks on very puzzled.

"You two know each other?" Danyelle wonders.

"Yeah, we used to go to high school together, all the way back in Compton. That's me and Aaron's hometown before I moved here to New Jersey. He always had my back through and through!" Aaron blushes upon Laura's revelation to Danyelle, feeling a bit modest about it in the process.

"So, where do you live now Aaron?" Danyelle wonders.

"Well, I live in Long Island. I applied to go to this school over 6 months ago. I actually got a scholarship to attend, even though it doesn't have any general education classes for me to take. But they do have Masters that teach us foreign languages." Danyelle nods her head impressed by Aaron's background. Laura sees Vanessa approaching her, Danyelle and Aaron with great interest and curiosity.

"So who's the hot guy?" Vanessa asks, making Aaron grin while chuckling.

"This is an old friend of mine, Aaron this is Vanessa Urban, Vanessa this is Aaron Zhang." the two then shake hands, making eye contact with one another. Vanessa couldn't stop staring into Eric's dark brown eyes, feeling her heart skip a beat past a second. Aaron notices that she has a blank stare going into his eyes, but he finds it adorable nonetheless.

"You know, you're pretty cute for someone who looks rather on the timid and emo side." Vanessa smirks, feeling flattered by Aaron's kind compliment towards her. Vanessa takes two steps towards Aaron, arriving in his personal space.

"Well, I am not by any means timid and emo, I just dress like this because it looks good on me. I actually love having a good conversation and I know when to have fun with people as well. Don't worry, I won't bite... much." Aaron laughs, impressed by Vanessa's easy going attitude.

"This lounge will be a place for you to relax and unwind from your long days of class. You can also train your fighting skills here, as this place is also a gym. We want you to feel at home while you prepare to hone your skills as fighters." Asia walks over to the door that leads to the next hall, inviting the students to follow her to the next stop.

"To your left is the room of scrolls, you will find everything you need for your learning purposes. From books to ancient scrolls, you name it, it has it." Asia takes the students to the second floor via escalator, where five doors stand before them all.

"Inside these doors, are five different masters that will guide you in your journey to becoming a master fighter. Of course, what kind of host would I be if I didn't introduce you to them." Asia stands in front of the middle door, with her hands behind her back. She looks directly at the students, who are all waiting in anticipation.

"Okay guys, you can come on out now. They are completely harmless and delicate." The four doors on both sides of the middle door slowly open with various colors of smoke coming out of them like a flood of water. Each master stands behind a door staring at the students as they look on in shock.

"All right guys introduce yourselves to the new recruits." the first master makes his way to the front, coming out the red door that is filled with red smoke coming out of it. His appearance is that of an African American male; his muscles appearing to be very toned and defined.

"I am Master Jason Tigerblade; Muy Thai and Ninjitsu master. I will teach you how to control your chi, the energy that flows through you all." Master Tigerblade bows before the new students as a show of respect towards them. The second master comes out of the second door down, with blue smoke coming out of the opening. The master appears to be heavily armored with Kevlar and he is carrying two small sticks in his hands.

"Greetings, I am Master Kenneth Drake; Escrima specialist. I will teach you how to fight with many types of weapons from all over the world. It will be rigorous, but it will yield great reward in the end." Master Drake bows to the students before returning to his post. An Asian man then appears from the third door, which is pouring out green smoke. Dressed in a black trench coat, he approaches the students and stands in front of them, showing off his immense energy.

"My name is Master Ken Shu; Wu-Shu expert. I will be teaching you everything about this particular style, especially how to focus your chi into your attacks to make them more powerful, enjoy the rest of your week of peace and tranquility, because next week... your hard work begins." Master Shu bows before the students and he glimpses at Danyelle, giving her a simple smirk.

The last and final master comes out of the door on the end, with white smoke coming out of the opening. His appearance is that of an Asian man dressed in all white, with a white hoodie covering his face. He takes off the hoodie to reveal himself wearing a tiger tattoo on his forehead.

"I am Master White Tiger; Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do expert. My teachings will teach you to access your inner beast, the force that resides deep within your very soul. I will show you how to be one with your soul. Oh, and my class is much more fun than these guys, I will make sure you have a good time." Master Tiger bows to the students in stylish fashion, making the other masters shake their heads chuckling.

"I am also a Wu-Shu expert, but I am also a master in the fabled Dragon Style of martial arts. Which one of you is a prodigy in the Dragon Style?" Danyelle steps forward and she stands face to face with Asia. Asia stares into Danyelle's eyes, seeing nothing but a calm fire just waiting to ignite.

"Master Tiger, can you escort the rest of the students to their apartments, I wish to spend some time with Ms. Faust alone." all the masters then nod and White Tiger, along with the other masters, take the students on a tour of the apartment zone. Danyelle and Asia continue to stare each other down, as not a whisper is heard in the air.

"Are you a Dragon Style fighter?" Asia asks Danyelle, who stands firmly like a calm wind in a forest.

"Yes, I am..." Asia smiles, looking at Danyelle's dragon tattoo on her left hand. Asia then shows her the dragon tattoo on her right shoulder, but Danyelle retains the same look on her face, as if she is not impressed.

"You really don't remember do you?" Danyelle looks at Asia confused at what she meant by this question.

"Exactly what is it I should be remembering?" Asia then places her hand on her shoulder, and she smiles at her.

"Show me what you are..." Asia tries to strike at Danyelle, but she catches her fist and pushes Asia back. Asia gets into the stance of the dragon, while Danyelle does the same exact stance as Asia.

"Maybe this will help you remember." Asia charges towards Danyelle at full speed, while Danyelle prepares for a fight against a person she doesn't even remember seeing or hearing about.