You Are What You Read Part II Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own the Whateley Universe.

At first Chaka wanted to challenge all six individually to matches to show them not to attack her friends but Asuna convinced her to set up a match between them and her friends in the dojo. “If you beat them they’ll just look for a time when you aren’t around but if we beat them then they’ll know we can defeat them whenever they attack.”

“Well alright then,” Chaka said. “We’ll just have to make sure you challenge them and win!”

Ayla helped them sign up as an official training team, “You worked well together and already watch each other’s backs so it’s reasonable. It will also allow you to challenge as a team and you’ll get to practice together in the simulations and generally refine your teamwork.” She smiled, "It will also get around that you are in a team and that will make you less of a target for bullies.”

Bunny gave Kim a set of barrettes, “I invented these. They will help if you ever cornered like that again. Press like this and they will flash in a way that will make most dizzy and nauseous. Plus they look totally cute and can conceal a tactical radio. Once your team gets its communications gear bring it to me and I’ll conceal a set in here for you.”

“Thanks Bunny!” Kim hugged her. “You’re the best!”

“We girls have to stick together,” Bunny said. “I’m happy to help any Poe girl keep herself safe.”

Hank introduced John to his girlfriend Lily and together they went over with him good tactics to use with his darkness and his ability to see with no light at all.

Nikki talked with Bobby and gave him tips on getting in touch with the spirit inside him and telling him stories of meeting the original people that are considered the mythical Norse gods now.

Chou sparred with Asuna and gave her sword-fighting tips and Chaka showed her a few new martial arts moves.

Before they could be an official team they all needed to be evaluated. Steve and Sara wanted in as well but there was an additional problem with them, “Steve, you and Sara need to pick new names,” Ayla said. “I can certainly understand the trauma that entails but you need to have names that fit you and don’t draw unwanted attention. You also need codenames for your evaluation but that’s a bit less urgent.”

Steve looked over at Sara, “Hey how do you feel about swapping even?” When she looked confused he elaborated, “I mean you can be Steve and I’ll be Sara. That way we’ll fit our names. Unless you think that’ll be too weird?”

Sara laughs, “I think that would be weird and I’d turn every time somebody called you which wouldn’t be good.” He smiles, “Besides you look more like a Beth.”

She nods, “Okay, I can live with that. What about Mike for you?”

He nodded, “I can live with Michael.”

Ayla smiled, “Okay, I have contacts in the administration. Come with me and we’ll get you sorted out officially in no time and you can spend the weekend getting used to your new names.”

John agreed to start going by her legal name of Joan to avoid confusion. She also spent the weekend inside Poe so she could keep her shell up the whole time regardless of the red flag days. Jade brought her food from the cafeteria.

Shroud talked to Karen about all the fun things one can do to an opponent with telekinesis. Nikki talked to her about how to use empathy in a fight.

At the end of the week Tennyo asked Chaka, "You think they can win? The other guys all have at least a year's experience on them."

"I think they will," Chaka said. "They've got the determination and heart and they have already proven they can handle the others. We've also given them all the advice they can use in such a short period of time so I'm optimistic of their chances."

When she stepped out into the dojo with her team Asuna was surprised by the number of people in the stands. She asked Chaka, “Are all these people here just to see us fight? I mean most of them don’t know us from Adam.”

Chaka smiled, “Not knowing you doesn’t mean they don’t like watching a good fight! They are hoping for some entertainment mostly. It’s an unwritten rule. Just below ‘don’t forget to duck’ is ‘enjoy the show - as long as its from a safe distance’. Since this match has sponsors and a referee it should be safe to watch and that draws people out around here.” She shrugged, “Some will be looking at it as getting information on possible opponents and/or rivals, and some probably have had bad experiences with some of your opponents and want to see them get pounded, but most just want free entertainment.”

“Bread and circuses and we’re the circus?” Asuna said. Then she nodded, “Right, like the old days of gladiators.”

“Sort of I guess,” Chaka said. “Don’t worry about the audience though, just worry about your opponents. They have been at the school longer and even with Kim added in they have one more person on their team than you.”

Asuna nodded, “Understood.” She looked at her team, aside from herself it consisted of Kim, Joan, Bobby, and Karen. All of them in the standard white gi they used when in class here. Then at the other team, in their custom designed uniforms, Golem, Succubus, Kali, Dybbuk, Obsidiana, and Ophidia. She took a deep breath and turned to her friends, now her team mates, “We beat them when they ambushed us so we should be able to take them now as well. Don’t get overconfident though. Watch out for Succubus and don’t let her get her hands on you. Karen, I think its best if you lift her and Golem like last time but don’t be too surprised if they are expecting it this time. How long do you think you can you hold them?”

Karen shrugged, “I’m not sure but at least ten minutes or so. Should be plenty of time for the rest of you to win this.”

Asuna nodded then turned to the next person, “Kim, do you think you can keep the four armed girl busy while I deal with Dybbuk?”

“Sure!” Kim piped up perkily. “I may not pack much of a punch but I can bob and weave with the best of them!”

Sue nodded, “Okay then. Bobby? Can you take the scaly one or would you rather fight the vamp wannabe?”

Bobby smiled, “I think I’ll be able to handle Ophidia. I’m stronger than she is and tougher. I’ll do my part then help whomever needs it.”

Sue smiled, “I was going to say that last but yeah, anyone who gets free early go help somebody else and let’s all make sure they don’t get to Karen because she’ll be concentrating on holding up her two targets. Okay?”

The others all agreed and Joan added, “I guess that leaves Obsidiana to me. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

Sue nodded, “Good! Let’s go and do it then.” They walked up to the mat, bowed, then stepped toward the center where Sensei Ito was waiting.

“This is an official and sanctioned match between team Demon and team Rainbow,” Sensei Ito spoke. “Before I go over the rules I will ask one time if you are willing to talk this out instead.”

Asuna nodded, “I am willing to talk it out. It would be a shame if eleven people fight because one boy refuses to apologize.”

“You are the ones who need to apologize!” Kali shouted. “There has been enough talk. Now we will punish you for your lies about my boyfriend!”

Sensei Ito nodded impeturbably, “In this case I shall go over the rules and let you start your fight. This will be honorable combat. You may use any power that affects one person at a time and all melee weapons. You fight until all of one team are knocked out or a team leader surrenders. Do you both understand these rules?”

“Hai Sensei,” Asuna said.

“Yes,” Kali replied.

Ito nodded and stepped back, “Very well then, Hajime!”

Because of the restriction on affecting one person at a time Karen lifted Golem first then stretched another telekinetic “hand” towards Succubus.

Succubus took the air immediately though and flew at her, “You won’t get me this time!”

Bobby saw that and stepped in front of Karen. He didn’t want to hit such a pretty girl but he remembered how she had drained him last time and that was after security got there! So he swung his best punch straight at her jaw.

Asuna manifested her katana while running at Dybbuk. Kali tried to intercept but Kim sprinted at full speed and tackled her, sending the four armed woman flying.

Joan found her confronted by the reptilian mutant and the vampire-like Obsidiana. She managed to create a shield to hold off the reptile girl while she attacked the other but Obsidiana was good at dodging Joan’s shadow tentacles.

Golem struggled futilely while held aloft by Karen.

Bobby’s punch missed the chin of the flying girl and hit her in the forehead, snapping her head back and stopping her forward momentum. She gave him a nasty glare but landed, apparently unhurt. She was reaching out to Bobby and Karen with glowing hands when Karen grabbed her telekinetically just before Bobby connected with another right. Bobby’s strength was insufficient to knock her free from Karen’s telekinetic grip but she was unable to roll with the blow and became dazed by it.

Asuna swung the flat of the blade at Dybbuk’s head hoping to stun him right off the bat. He blocked the blade with his left forearm and punched out at her with his right. She blocked the punch and let go of the sword. It disappeared as soon as it left her hand. He grinned, “Unless you’re willing to cut me you won’t win and if you do you’ll get a violent rep. Besides I doubt a pretty like you has the guts.”

Joan had stopped shielding the reptilian girl and wrapped her up in shadow matter tentacles but was having less luck with her other opponent. Obsidiana had avoided all her tentacles and was now charging Karen.

Bobby was going to hit Succubus again but then he saw Obsidiana charging and tackled her instead. The girl and he rolled several times and somehow he ended up on the bottom.

Asuna was able to hit Dybbuk and block his attacks in return but his toughness meant even her best bare handed strikes were doing little to no damage. Her opponent was shrugging off her attacks so she switched to throws hoping he’d become disoriented and be unable to continue the fight.

Golem was still struggling futilely in Karen’s telekinetic grip but Succubus shook off the last hit and was flapping her wings hard trying to take to the air. Joan tried to grab the Bobby’s opponent off him with a shadow tentacle but they were too far away.

Kali was back and Kim was busy dodging all six limbs as Kali punched and kicked at her. She was too busy to strike back and knew she would tire fairly soon at this pace. She was hoping one of the others would soon be able to help her.

Bobby managed to roll closer to Joan who scooped Obsidiana off him with her shadow tentacles. He stood up to see who needed help and was attacked by Succubus. He fought off a wave of fatigue as she grabbed his right arm and started draining. He punched at her with his left but it took three shots to remove her and he was panting with exertion by then from the drain.

She grinned at him, “Draining you is better than a quadruple espresso. What the hell are you anyway?”

“None of your business,” he panted. He watched her warily as he slowly found his second wind. She had been distracted by watching the other fights. Between them Joan and Karen were holding three of her teammates aloft. Kim was still dodging Kali. Asuna was slamming Dybbuk around like he was a ragdoll but he kept getting back up.

She spent a little too long watching. Having put him to sleep before she didn’t realize just how much stamina Bobby had. He surprised her from behind with a haymaker that knocked her off her feet and three feet away. He then charged Kali, knocking her clear of Kim who was then able to sit down and catch her breath.

When she had her second wind she went up to Asuna and said, “You go help Bobby, I’ll go keep him busy.” When Dybbuk laughed at her she hit him with a super fast leg sweep, “I’m not against a wall now you ass.” She wasn’t as good as Asuna but she was much faster. This meant Dybbuk hard a very hard time staying on his feet and was able to do nothing else while Asuna helped Bobby with Kali until she yielded for her team.

Sensei Ito called out, “Yame! The team led by Kali has yielded. The match is over.”

Asuna bowed to Kali, “I truly wish none of this had happened.” Kali frowned but said nothing in return as she bowed back. Joan and Karen lowered their captives and stepped back warily but there were no further hostilities. After bowing to Ito the four girls and one boy left the dojo to head back to Poe.