Broken promises…. Kept promises. In the end they are just words to most, but to the honorable they are so much more. Some would believe honor means nothing…. Words and oath of olden times, yet there considerable significant of the importants of it.

--Chapter 12(32)- Epic Thunder--

The next morning there was a knock on Star’s door. Slowly she opened her eyes and slightly titled her head to the left to see Mika was not there. Starla eyes drifted over to hear alarm clock. It was ten minutes before she had set the timer to go off.

She gave a large sigh as she sat up. The knocking noise on the door continued like an annoying buzz.

“Can’t I get any sleep…” She shook her head as she lifted herself from the bed and opened the door.

Father James stood in front of her.

“Father…. Weren’t we meeting in a hour from now at the stadium…” Star said in a sleepy tone.

“Get dressed…. I need to speak with you before the match today.” He sad sternly.

She nodded, “Wait here….”. Star closed the door and began her daily routine. She showered, changed into her gi, brushed her teeth, and did anything else a person might do in the morning.

“I’m ready!” She spoke with cheer in her voice despite the events of yesterday.

“We’ll now that you’ve was……” The father shrugged, “You realize your were at that for an hour?”

Star giggled, “We’ll errr…. We should get going now we can talk on the way….” She said as she walked out of the room.

‘Is this the real one… or is this just an act?’ Father James pondered as he stared off into the distance, ‘No… There wouldn’t be so much of a fuss from the Ater Corporation if she wasn’t.’

“Nice weather we’re having….” Star said trying to break the silence.

“Yes” He nodded. ‘My next words have to be chosen carefully…or the Knights of St. Michel might get involved. It’s true they defend the church… but they’re not recognized as an organization of the church. My relations with the church might not save me if they come…’

“Is something wrong? You wanted to talk and then say nothing?” Star sounded slightly perturbed.

“Nothing is wrong….” The Father said. ‘A faker would be a nun…which would mean she’d have a vow of celibacy, and that may explain why she’s gotten no where with anyone… But if I confront her about it… lets just say it wont end well…’

‘I wonder exactly how competent Mr. Ater is… he seems dead sure she’s the right one.’ Father James paused in thought, “Are you sure about seeking help from the Ater Corporation?”

“No… but even if I lose I’ll still make more money than I would have before. So I’ll be able to help the orphans better. I wish you’d stop asking me about it…”

“Just warning you he’s a powerful man…”

“I’m sooo sick of people telling me what to do!” Star screamed.

He became silent. ‘He seems to have her convinced… even a fake would be worried about self preservation… He’s defiantly confident and a good manipulator. I pretty sure the whole point of this tournament is for him to sink his claws into Star. Fake or not, I’ve got to protect this one.’

When they arrive they are guided to the center of the arena where they meet up with the rest of the team.

The arena is crowded with people far more than at Lambo, despite there being less bench room. The roar of all those people nearly made the ground shake.

In front of them was a large slightly elevated vacant platform with a soft mat on it. This would be the battlefield at which they fought Mika.

. Only a short few minutes remained before the start of the fight.

“Finally…” Rick bellowed, “Even Mike got here before you guys.”

Star gave a hateful glance that would make even the bravest men quiver in fear at Mike who shrunk in his seat.

“I’m sorry about what happened last night…. I… I don’t know what got into Amb….”

Before Mike could finish Star cut him off, “I don’t want to hear it! You didn’t even chase after me last night!”

“I wanted to…. But I couldn’t…” Mike bowed his head in shame.

“Liar! You didn’t even care about how I felt or you would have tried to stop the fight!” Star face bright red with rage.

“Lay off him…” Rick demanded, “Someone had to comfort Amber, that’s why he sent me to find you in his place!”

‘Rick’s covering for me…’ Mike gave him a confused glance.

“I guess…. But you and me Mike are not on speaking terms! You hear me! I’m still angry at you!” She snapped her head in the opposite direction in anger and defiance to see Collis staring at her with concern.

He quickly turned away. She blushed slightly. ‘Collis…’

“Can’t we all just get along?” Thomas asked, “It wouldn’t be that hard.”

“That is if some people didn’t create drama.” Rick shot a glance at Mike and Star.

“Well we are a bunch of high schoolers.” Tom responded.

“Shut up! Damn it!” Rick shouted and Tom trembled in fear, “What’s the battle plan?”

“I’ve registered Mike to fight the first opponent, and myself to fight the second.” Star replied.

“A strong start…” Mike commented.

“Shut up! I’m still not talking to you!” Star wrath knew no bound.

“Would the first two competitors take your positions!” The announcer proclaimed.

“That’s you Mike! I believe in you, but I’m still not speaking to you!” Star said.

“Whatever…” Mike just kinda shrugged it off as he walked onto the mat.

When he looked up he found his foe was none other than Mika, ‘Damn I wanted to fight Kyle…’

“Mika…” Star softly uttered, ‘So far it looks like you’re keeping your promise! At least one good thing is happening today!’

“Good luck!” Mika cheerfully proclaimed.

Mike nodded.

Suddenly, a burst of lightning from Mika’s hands blasted its way into the ground, sparks began to run up and down her body. Then one massive blast which covered the field. Even the normal people shook. The thunder nearly deafened Mike.

Every inch of the stadium was covered in electricity. As it shrank to surround merely her it to the form of a massive legionary bird, the roc, which gave off a shriek that pieced the ears of all who could hear.

Then the lightning receded back into her and once again sparks flowed through her body.

“Showing off?” Mike asked with a certain defiance in his voice as he took a tight fighting stance. Flames engulfed him and took the shape of a mighty dragon.

“That’s allot of power she’s got there.” Thomas stated.

“Shall we dance?” Mika asked as she faced him, hands out in front of her with palms open. Her stance was sloppy and loose.

Mike took the first move launching a quick jab at Mika who evaded by stepping towards her foe but outside his strike.

Like the claw of the mantis, she raised her hand in the air and brought it down at Mike. The beak of the powerful rock formed around her finger tips.

Mike used his momentum to spin around and use his left arm to block as he could not dodge at this range. Blue flames gathered around his arm, which knocked against her elbow. Her arm than curved like a whip, and her electrified fingers struck into the soft spot on his left shoulder.

Mike immediately dropped to a knee, but as he feel energy filled Mika’s hand taking the shape of a talon which she hurled into his stomach.

He lost his breath, and she backed off.

After a few seconds Mike regained his composure. “I see you like pressure points…” He grunted in slight pain as he looked at his left arm. It tingled, as if it was shocked. ‘Her aura did this… I can barely move it… much less fight with it. Damn!’

“That looked like a bastardized version of Praying Mantis Kung Fu…” Thomas stared in awe of the sight.

“It’s sloppy… if she’d actually been taught in it, I’m sure Mike wouldn’t have even had the chance to block… She probably just studied fighting theory and came up with her own stuff…” Star said softly, ‘Mike…Please don’t get hurt out there!’

“Done yet?” Mika looked over her now injured foe.

“Of course not!” Mike said as he slowly raised himself off the ground. He tightened his stance, though his left arm dangled outwards as he had little control over it. ‘I’ve got to go faster… I can’t block… I can’t afford to be hit again.’

Lightning swallowed Mika’s arms as she attacked once again, her arms more like random loose whips than hard forceful strikes. “You can’t win!”

He ducked the first attack, and took a step backwards narrowly avoiding the second. “Just watch me.”

Mika sent a sidekick imbued with the grace of the roc and the swiftness of thunder into the side of Mike’s knee. He couldn’t escape this one.

“What Mike doesn’t realize is that she’s using her knowledge to her advantage.” Father Tomas sighed.

“Huh?” Rick grunted.

“She’s a med student. She’s using her electricity to screw with his nervous system by forcing it into his body. The fact that she’s using pressure points as well makes her dangerous…” Thomas said calmly.

Mike found himself once again on the floor. His leg was almost completely numb. ‘Damn! Now what… think… think… I’ve got two useless limbs… and if I attack without an opening she’ll just shut those limbs off as well… Wait… what if they’re not useless.’

He quickly rolled closer to her and then spun around on the ground using his momentum to send his ‘useless’ leg at her like the tail of a dragon.

She was caught off guard, and his foot covered in blue flame struck her face. She stumbled backwards.

Mike came around a second time, but it was much two slow. In a flash Mika caught his leg. He then used his good leg to try to kick her off.

But this two failed as she managed to bat it to the side before its burning impact. She quickly slid down his leg before he could recover, and attempted a brachial strike.

He couldn’t stop it. Her palm smashed against the side of his neck.

His eyes rolled back and then closed. She got off him and gave him some room to breath.

He was only unconscious of a second when the referee called the fight.

Mike awoke not five seconds later, “wh…wha…what happened… why am I so dizzy?”

Mika grinned, “It’s over you lost.” She extended her hand to him, “It’s best not to move much over the next ten minutes.”

“You fought well, I was surprised by that whole ‘lets hit her with the bad limbs’, it really caught me off guard.” She helped him off the stage and sat him over by Star.

Mika took her place back on the battlefield.

“Mike, I’m glad you’re alright.” Star blushed slightly and looked away.

“I thought we weren’t on speaking terms…” Mike stuttered in obvious pain.

“I guess I was just being a little harsh… maybe…” She lowered her head.

“So who’s next!” Mika chanted.

Every member on Divine Thunder looked at each other with nervous eyes.

“That’s a good question…” Star said, unsure of what to do. ‘I can’t go myself because then I’d have to fight two battles in a row. I could send Tom in but he’s a wrestler, He’d be slaughtered. I could send Collis in..’

“I’ll do it” Rick said with total confidence.

Mika begin singing an obvious parody in joy of her victory, “Can’t stop the roc….” She repeated that one verse over and over again.

“Trust me, I’ve got a plan.” Rick stated as he started walking toward the mat.

“No! Not even Mike could fight him! Collis is our best chance!” Star exclaimed at the top of her lungs.

“Send whoever you want to Star-chan, but the only person who stands a chance against me is you. After all, no man can beat me!” Mika proclaim as loud as she could. ‘I hope Star-chan takes the bate! I really want to fight her!’

“THAT’S IT!! SHE’S DEAD!” Rick yelled as he ran onto the battlefield. His new found anger seemed as if nothing could cage it.

“Arr…arr… Damn…. Alright… I can’t stop you…” Star’s fist clenched. “But if you lose we’re out of the tournament, and I’ll never forgive you!”

Richard cracked his neck, “Like I care…”

--chapter 12(32)- end--

Author notes: yep I got this chapter done as soon as I could! I start school again Monday, but hopefully I’ll be able to get another chapter out quickly. Get yourself ready for Mika vs Rick in the mean time. It’s going to be great.

So what’d you all think of the fight, and the drama? Does Rick really have a plan? Or is this the end of the line?

Me making fun of myself:

Mika and Mike stood off against each other on the mat. He turned to Collis and asked, “Collis what did Kyle say about her power level?”

“IT’S OVER FOUR!!” Collis screamed as he crushed his cell phone in one hand.

On that same note, bonus points to anyone who can find as many reference in all of forsaken as possible.