Distant Cousins
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Challenge
Kwai Chang Caine reached for the first of his two weapons, the long staff, just as he did with Tan. He knew which weapon would conquer the other and keep the balance of power. What he did not know was whether Bon Bon Hai was trained enough to know. He knew the Tiger had spent time in a Shaolin temple having spoken to his young daughter when she sought refuge in his own temple many years ago. He hoped it was enough. Caine twirled his long staff in his hands to prepare for the Tiger's choice.
Bon Bon Hai answered by reaching for the coiling whip chain. He had seen such exercises before, and had even had the pleasure of participating in a few. He knew what it took to defeat an opponent, but had never lost a challenge, even a mock one. Bon Bon Hai tested the whip chain's links to make certain they were not tampered with. In the right hands the chain could be used to strip a man's flesh from his bones. The tiger did a few tests, swinging the chain and causing it to crack like a whip. When he was ready, he struck at Caine's legs, trying to bring the Shaolin down.
Caine was able to block the chain from wrapping around his legs by bringing the long staff down in front of him and angled outward so it caught the chain just right. He then quickly whipped the staff up to yank the chain from Bon Bon Hai's hands, but the Tiger was not so easily disarmed. Bon Bon Hai pulled back on the chain and nearly tore the staff from Caine's grasp. Both men were struggling with their weapons when suddenly Caine's staff snapped in two. The sudden breakage of Caine's weapon caused Bon Bon Hai to fall backward, and he tumbled toward the floor.
"Huufff," Bon Bon Hai's breath was knocked from his body when he hit the pavement. He rolled onto his side and shook his head a few times to clear it then rose from the floor.
Caine quickly snatched up the three sectional staff to prepare for the Tiger's assault with the two butterfly knives. Picking up both blades, Bon Bon Hai began to circle Caine, in hopes to find an opening through which to thrust each knife. The ex-Zhong Li Quan leader slashed at the Shaolin priest's head with one knife following up with a slash towards Caine's midsection with the other. The one that came close to Caine's stomach cut threw his shirt, barely missing his flesh. Caine was more diligent after that in watching Bon Bon Hai's movements. For a few more attacks, Caine was able to keep the tiger at bay, but another sudden slash to Caine's blind side ripped through his sleeve and this time, a cut appeared on his left arm where blood welled up.
Caine continued to watch Bon Bon Hai's movements then saw his chance. He was able to slip one of the staffs into the handles of Bon Bon Hai's blades. Coming around he struck the Tiger with the other staff in such a way as to cause the ex-Zhong Li Quan leader to loose his grip on his weapons. Caine continued to sweep his weapon upward causing Bon Bon Hai's butterfly knives to fly threw the air. One blade flew across the room to land on the steps of the temple while the other simply clattered to the floor. Caine kicked the knife out of the way and with Bon Bon Hai disarmed, Caine threw his three sectional staff aside. Both men were now unarmed, but not without a means to continue the battle.
"You may have succeeded in defeating me with weapons, but you have not won yet."
"We shall see."
Bon Bon Hai stood still as stone, his brows knitting together as he concentrated. A great wind rose from nowhere and pushed the Shaolin back, trying to pin him against a nearby wall. Caine leaned into the wind then did a forward summersault, which brought him right up to Bon Bon Hai's feet. He kicked upward and hit the Tiger right in the groin causing Bon Bon Hai to double over. Then Caine struck Bon Bon Hai again with a high roundhouse kick to the head.
"Yyeeeahhh!" Bon Bon Hai cried out from the force of the blow, his concentration broken.
Caine grabbed Bon Bon Hai in a bear hug pinning his arms below the elbow. Bon Bo Hai did his best to struggle but could not break the Shaolin's hold. Bon Bon Hai paused to regain his breath and Caine took the opportunity to reach up and pinch the pressure point between the Tiger's shoulder and neck. Within moments, Bon Bon Hai slumped to the floor unconscious.
With their Master defeated by the Shaolin, Bon Bon Hai's men scrambled for their weapons.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a voice suddenly said behind them.
Caine looked up to see Kermit standing there with his desert eagle.
"Sorry I'm late. Traffic was horrendous. Where's Peter and that other guy you mentioned, what's his name Henry? I thought they would be here."
"Peter and Henry are trapped in the Dark Warrior's realm. I must free them both and take Bon Bon Hai to Shambhala."
"Won't he cause trouble there?"
"The brothers will see that he does not."
"I'll hold down the fort till you get back. I'm sure these guys won't mind spending a couple of days in the company of the One oh One.
"You cannot hold us," one of the men stated. "You have no proof that we did anything wrong."
"Oh yes I can. Those weapons that you have are illegal in this state," Kermit grinned behind his trademark glasses. "And you attempted to use them on my friend. That makes me angry, and you don't want to get me angry. I'm liable to accidentally shoot first and ask questions later."
Caine did his best to keep a straight face then added, "You best do as he says. The last person who attempted to shoot one of his friends, well let's just say they were never the same after that."
Caine gave Kermit a sideways glance when the ex-mercenary gave him a brief but surprised stare. Then turning back to his prisoner, Caine stated. "I must get Bon Bon Hai to Shambhala." He then grabbed the unconscious ex-Zhong Li Quan leader by the collar, pulled out the crystal medallion from his shirt, focused his qi into its matrix, and disappeared.
Continues with Part 30
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2003.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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