FIRE ON HIGH
“Fire On High” is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters and settings © Tigermark 2003-2014 unless otherwise noted. Request permission before using them, please.
The characters of Anatol Altaisokova and Melinda Altaisokova are my names for characters © Max Blackrabbit. They appear in this story with his permission. The characters of Brandy, Maxwell, Tonya and Zig Zag are also © Max Blackrabbit and appear here with his permission. Events and information relating to Tonya, Anatol, and their family are presented here, but are not to be considered canon to those characters or any other story but this one. ZZ Studios, and all characters associated with ZZ Studios, James Sheppard, and Marvin Badger © James Bruner and appear here with his permission. Although characters from and events referring to Zig Zag the Story appear here, this story is not canon to that one, and the author will disavow any knowledge of this story. Wanda Vixen © Chris Yost and appears here with his permission. Sabrina Mustidalae © Eric W. Schwartz and appears here with his permission. This story is not canon to Sabrina Online the comic, or Sabrina Online the Story, either. Matt Barstock, Angie Rockwell, Intermountain Charter, The Bitch, and her crew, and Jerry Kitt © Silver Coyote. See their story HERE. Gail Rutherford © me and is not canon to any other story involving ZZ Studios. Gabrielle Ryder and Jean LeBrun © Aslaug, from her Transitions stories. See them at her site, The Axe Shed, available from the links page.
Author’s Note: Lewiston, Maine’s airport, identifier KLEW, is actually uncontrolled. That is, it has no control tower. Poetic license was used for this story, so Alex and company talk with a control tower whilst aviating there.
Chapter 69
Be Reconciled One to Another
Tia was pacing back and forth in the living room, her fluffy snow-leopard tail lashing back and forth impatiently. Her uncle Alex was going to pick her up for class shortly, and he’d called to say that his girlfriend Corrie would be coming along. She was ready, but for some reason she was restless. She thought back over the time she’d been taking martial arts training. Sensei Quai had said she’d be ready to test for her black belt soon. After that, he’d said she could help teach. Quite a step for a young femme still shy of sixteen, Jack had told her.
Perhaps her nervousness came from the fact that...they...would be there tonight. Sensei Quai had been teaching several of the would-be gang members who’d attacked the dojo. He’d kept them separate from the class that had been attacked, but now he said it was time to reconcile.
Either way, it promised to be an interesting evening. Just then, she heard a vehicle pull in and stop in the driveway. She went out onto the porch to make sure that it was Alex and Corrie, and then stepped back in. She called to her mother.
“MOM! Uncle Alex and Corrie are here, so I’m leaving now!”
“Alright Sweetie. Tell them hi for me and I’ll see you later,” came the reply from the kitchen. Tia walked back out, closing the door behind her as she shouldered her gear bag. Alex was waiting with the back door of his truck open as she walked out.
“Hello Sensei.” The young tigress smiled as she greeted her uncle and bowed.
“Hello Tia, looks to be an interesting class tonight,” Alex replied, returning her greeting and bow. She climbed in the seat and buckled in as Alex shut the door.
“Hi Tia, nice to see you.” Corrie’s soft Aussie accent had a happy note to it as she greeted Tia from the front passenger seat.
“Hello Miss Corrie, it’s great to see you, too. When did you come in?” Tia had been surprised when her uncle had said that the lioness would be coming with them tonight.
“Last Wednesday, actually, but I’ve been a bit busy. Sorry I haven’t been out to see you.”
Tia just nodded as Alex got in and started the truck and they headed for Lexington.
“How long are you staying?” Tia inquired to continue the conversation.
“At least through the weekend, maybe a bit longah if I need to.” The lioness’ smile told Tia something was afoot. For her part, Tia liked that Corrie did what few adults did. Treat her like an equal unless and until she acted otherwise. She picked up on what Corrie had said.
“Need to? Is there something special going on this time?”
Corrie turned in her seat to look at Tia. “Very good, gal! Yes, if things go right, Billy and I will be stahting a helicoptah business here in a few months. I’m kinda hanging around now to sign the initial paperwork. And to keep your uncle out of trouble.”
Alex gave a snort, but didn’t say anything. Tia giggled and gave Corrie a big smile.
“That’s great! So you’ll be moving down here soon?”
“Like I said, a few months. By the way, mum’s the word on it. We don’t want ouah competition to beat us to the punch.” The lioness had a mischievous gleam in her eye.
Tia nodded, smiling happily, knowing the news was good for both her uncle and the lioness.
Alex and Corrie began to chat about their day, and Tia politely tuned out for a bit as they drove on toward Lexington.
# # #
Izzy Quai smiled to himself, satisfied that all was ready for the evening’s class. These were the most advanced students who currently took lessons from him, and in reality, except when he was showing them a new technique or advanced move, he mostly supervised. Tonight however, some of his most junior students would be joining them. The four ex-gang members had shaped up very well, and had become respectful, disciplined young males. At least, here at the dojo they were. He’d had no bad reports on them, but he’d had no good ones, either.
Izzy’s intentions were to try and heal some of the anger and fear he still sometimes overheard being expressed by some of the advanced students. Particularly by Shoop and Trish. Shoop because of his street-wise attitude, and Trish because if not for Alex, one of the gang members would have shot her.
A knock at the front door roused the snow leopard from his reverie. He went to the monitor and found his four junior students waiting. They each had an older femme with them. Izzy knew these ladies to be the mothers of the four. He opened the door and smiled as he politely bowed to the femmes.
“Hello, welcome to my school.”
The four young canids returned the bow, politely addressing him as Sensei. The four femmes looked uncertain as they nodded or mumbled hello. Izzy ushered the group inside.
“Come in, please. We have a little time before the other class begins to arrive,” the snow leopard stated as he turned and led the way into the large practice room. The four young males stopped, bowed to their mothers and Izzy, and then began to pull out the mats and prepare the room for the class. As they did, Izzy escorted the femmes over to a row of chairs set off to the side.
“Thank you for coming, Ladies, I’m sure it means a lot to the young males.”
One of the femmes, who by family resemblance was Shagger’s mother, spoke as though for the group.
“No, Mister Quai, thank you. There’s been a real difference in the pups since you began teaching them. I know I’ve stopped gettin’ calls from the school, and Shawn’s grades are th’ best he’s ever got. He’s been very respectful of me, too.”
Izzy smiled. “My dear lady, these are not pups any longer, but young males. I am glad to hear that the lessons they have learned here are carrying through to the rest of their lives.”
The other three mothers murmured in agreement. Just then Bo walked up and waited to get Izzy’s attention. Izzy had heard and felt his approach, but he concluded his conversation with the femmes before acknowledging the young Doberman/Collie.
“Ladies, please be seated. Tonight your sons will demonstrate some of what they’ve learned, and also formally apologize to the class they attacked. It will be a good lesson for them, and for my other students. Now, if you will excuse me, I must continue to prepare for the class.”
Izzy bowed to the ladies, and they uncertainly nodded or half-bowed in return. He then turned to Bo, who executed a very proper bow as soon as Izzy turned.
“Sensei, the mats are down and all normal class prep is done. Is there anything else we can do?”
Izzy bowed in return. “Very good, Bo. Yes, there is some special training gear we need to move out. Come along and I’ll show you.”
The canid fell in step beside the snow leopard, motioning the others to follow along. Izzy smiled as he went, anticipating a very good evening.
# # #
“Y’know Luv, I’m glad I’m finally going to get to see the great martial artist doing something other than knocking down a drunk, pompous lion.”
Alex glanced sideways and, noticing her grin and the twinkle in Corrie’s eye, knew she was teasing him.
“Uh-huh, and I notice you brought a gear bag, too. I take it you’re going to take me up on my offer to spar a bit as a demonstration of kickboxing for the classes?”
Corrie nodded. “Oh absolutely, and don’t you dare go easy on me. I need to know how well what I do stands up to karate, in case I evah have to defend meself against you, er, that is, it.”
Alex glanced over again. Corrie’s slip-up had not been an attempt to be funny, if the look of embarrassment on her face was any indication. He gave a slight nod.
“Love, I’ve told you I’d never hurt you on purpose, or by accident if I can help it. I really, really mean that, but if you don’t want me to go easy on you, I won’t. I still will do my best not to hurt you, that I promise.”
Tia spoke up from the back seat. “Miss Corrie, Uncle Alex is very good at Tae Kwon Do, and a very good instructor, too. I’ve seen him spar with several students in class, and he never hurts them.”
Corrie nodded. “Right Propah. How about you? Alex mentioned you’re about ready to test for your black belt. Will that be tonight?”
“No, I don’t think so. Sensei Quai usually invites the parents to watch when someone tests for a belt, but Mom didn’t say anything about it.”
Corrie nodded again, her tail twitching slightly as it lay over the seat back. Before any more conversation, Alex pulled to the curb in front of the dojo. Corrie noted the script-print sign above the ornate door. Quai’s Martial Arts Academy.
Several other cars were pulling up, and a couple of the students who walked to class were coming up the sidewalk. Alex shut down the truck and he, Corrie, and Tia grabbed their gear bags. Tia was already dressed in her white gi, as were the other arriving students. Alex and Corrie were in street clothes, so they’d have to change before the start of class.
As they entered, Tia walked over to put her bag with the others from her class. Tyler, Janie, Jodie, Beryl, Shoop, and Trish were all there, even though Janie, now a black belt along with Tyler, usually helped teach the Tuesday night youth class. Soon, Jodie, Shoop, and Tia would all be black belts, and begin to help teach other classes as well. This could be one of the last times they’d all be together in a class. They all had a feeling of close camaraderie, as they’d been through the fight with the T-Rads together.
Alex and Corrie approached Izzy Quai, who was standing over to one side along with four young male canids in white gis and belts. They’d noted the older seated femmes, so they knew tonight would be a special class. Alex bowed and greeted Izzy first.
“Sensei, nice to see you. This is my girlfriend, Corrie Patterson.”
Izzy returned Alex’s bow, and then bowed to Corrie. “A pleasure, Miss Patterson. Alex has excellent taste.”
Corrie returned the bow. “Thank you Sensei Quai. Alex speaks highly of you as well.”
Izzy smiled. “Very proper. Please, call me Izzy when the students are not present.”
“And you can call me Corrie. I took Tae Kwon Do for a while, but Kickboxing seemed to suit me style bettah,” Corrie replied, smiling.
“Ah! Then I look forward to seeing you and Alex demonstrate with your spar later. First we will be conducting belt testing for my four young friends here, then your spar, then I want Alex to demonstrate a kata and board breaking for everyone.”
Izzy nodded to Alex, who gave a nod in return.
“I noticed the board stanchions. Let us go get dressed and we’ll be ready.”
All three bowed together and Alex and Corrie went to change. Izzy then called both classes to attention.
“Cha-ryeot! Senior class, assemble in a line here.”
The snow leopard indicated a spot. Tyler stepped to that spot, and the others formed a line beside him, facing their teacher. They all bowed together, and Izzy returned it.
“Tonight, we will accomplish several things. First of all, we are going to have a ceremony to put the gang fight to rest. Some of you will soon be helping me instruct the four young males behind me, and I want this clear so there is no hostile feelings or mistreatment of them. These are not the same wild kalis who attacked you. They have learned several lessons, so I ask you to be gracious to them. Both now, during the ceremony, and when you are in class with them. Does anyone have a problem with this? Please speak up if you do. I want to settle things properly.”
After a short moment of silence, Shoop Denzel raised a paw. Izzy nodded for him to speak.
“Sensei, word is out how you took them in, and how your training has changed them. The one who was gonna shoot Trish, none of these four are him. If you say they’ve changed, and they’re okay, then I accept that.”
The others agreed with Shoop, with nods or quiet words of assent. Izzy smiled and gave a nod.
“Thank you, class. Then as soon as Sensei O’Whitt and his lady get back out, we’ll begin.”
The wait was short, as Alex and Corrie walked out at almost the same time a few minutes later. As they entered the large training area, Corrie stopped and looked Alex over. She’d never seen him in his black gi with his belt and other emblems. She had to admit, he looked impressive. For Alex’s part, he’d noted an intake of breath and looks of keen interest in Corrie’s direction from most of the young males there. She was dressed for kickboxing, wearing a green sports bra and, instead of the traditional kickboxing shorts, black spandex bicycle pants that came down to just above her knees. She was carrying her gear bag, which Alex assumed held her gloves and whatever guards and pads she chose to wear. After a second, she smiled and Alex nodded. They both went on to where Izzy was standing.
“Sensei,” they said as they bowed together.
“Sensei O’Whitt, Miss Patterson,” Izzy replied as he returned the bows. “It seems you have caused quite a stir among my student, Miss Patterson. Perhaps later after you demonstrate your abilities, it will dissuade them from rude stares or comments.”
A quick glance showed several of the males looking chagrined. They didn’t realize exactly how sharp Izzy’s hearing and eyesight was. Corrie just nodded, not deigning to acknowledge them at all. Izzy smiled and turned back to the students to begin the class.
“Good evening, students and parents. Welcome to my dojo, or in Korean do-jang. Tonight we will see four young males test for their ninth gup or Yellow belt. The levels count down as you go up toward Black belt, or dan. These young males are currently tenth gup, or White belt. In Tae Kwon Do, they must pass a test to advance each level. After the test, we will see a demonstration of board breaking by my senior students, then Sensei O’Whitt, the tiger in the black uniform who is my sa-beom-nim, or senior instructor, will demonstrate a third dan kata and multiple board breaking. Finally, Sensei O’Whitt and his lady, Miss Patterson, will do a sparring match to demonstrate Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing. First things first, though. There is an unfinished matter between my senior students and these four young males.”
Izzy walked to a place equal in distance between the four canids and the senior students. He then walked to a spot where, when he turned, the canids were on his right, and then seniors on his left.
“Cha-ryeot!” Izzy snapped out the command, clear and strong. All the students, plus Alex and Corrie, stood to attention.
“Gyeong rae!” he called, and all the students bowed,
“Ba ro!” At this command, all returned to attention. Izzy then began.
“A few months ago, in this very room, these four young males, Shawn Reston, known as Shagger, Frederick Shultz, known as Bo, Charles Candira, known as Chug, and Harry Freeler, known as Skinner, acting as part of a street gang called the T-Rads, attacked this dojo and these students. Their intent was to do great harm. They were not successful. Since that time, they have gone through community service, and after that, they came to me to learn. Young males, what did you come to learn?”
As one, the four answered, “Discipline and respect, Sensei.”
Izzy nodded, the edge of a smile quirking his muzzle as he continued.
“They have been training hard, and tonight we will see if they have learned well. Before their test, they have something to say to the ones they attacked. Shawn, you may go first.
The mixed-breed canid took a step forward and bowed. “Sensei Quai.”
Izzy nodded, and the young male stood tall, looking the senior class in the eye as he spoke.
“I was a street thug in the making. A punk with no direction or purpose, following a leader who also didn’t know where he was going. I believed lies, and took actions that are shameful. I attacked you without cause. For all this, I apologize. I am deeply sorry.”
With that, Shagger bowed a very formal, low bow.
Tyler spoke up for the senior students. “Shawn, if Sensei Quai speaks for you, that is enough. Your words and actions ring true. We accept your apology.”
Tyler and all the other senior students bowed in return. So it went as each of the four made their apology and the seniors accepted. That done, and the feeling in the room very calm, the senior students were dismissed to sit and watch as the four went through their tests. Ninth gup tests are not complex. Mostly demonstrating basic stances and moves, knowledge of commands, and respect for the traditions and instructors. All four passed easily, and Alex assisted Izzy in presenting the new Yellow belts to the four. A round of applause followed, and then Izzy dismissed them to sit also.
“Very good, my young friends. Now, my senior students, as you’ve been taught, make some splinters.”
At that, the senior students sprang to their feet and began setting up and holding boards as others punched or kicked to break them. It could have been very chaotic, but long practice had each rotating through either holding or breaking. After ten minutes, all were done. They lined up, bowed to Izzy, Alex, Corrie, and the astonished junior students and parents. Izzy, Alex, and Corrie bowed in return, and then Izzy nodded for them to return to their positions sitting on the floor.
“Next,” Izzy announced, “Sensei O’Whitt will demonstrate a third dan, or third degree Black belt kata, or practice routine. He will then break a multiple stack of boards. Sensei O’Whitt.”
Izzy gestured to Alex, who bowed and walked out to the stanchions set up earlier. He stacked ten boards across them, and then stepped out to the center of the room. He bowed to the group and then took up a fighting stance. From there went into his kata. To most, it was very fast, fluid, and punctuated with yells, punches and kicks. A low growl or two could also be heard, enough to make the fur on the back of the neck of those watching stand on end. As the speed and motion reached a crescendo, Alex had maneuvered over to the stanchions. With a final yell, he leapt into the air and came down with one foot breaking all ten boards. With another low growl, he finished the kata in the same stance he’d started in. He then quickly grabbed ten more boards and set them on the stands. With a couple of placement moves to establish where he was going to strike, he gave another yell as he broke those ten with a paw strike. He then turned and bowed to the group to indicate he was finished. A round of applause broke out. Alex nodded. Corrie couldn’t tell if the red under his fur was from exertion or a blush.
The tiger nodded to her, and Corrie rose and began donning her protective gear and gloves. As she did, Alex spoke to the group.
“Now my lady and I will do a demonstration spar of Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing. The two styles of martial art are not too dissimilar. Tae Kwon Do has more blocks and different strike techniques, while Kickboxing uses more traditional boxing techniques for the punches. In the rules of Kickboxing throws, sweeps, elbows, and knees are generally forbidden, therefore I will refrain from using them also.”
Corrie had donned ten ounce boxing gloves, shin pads, foot pads, and a chest protector. When Alex finished speaking, both he and Corrie bowed to Izzy, who bowed and gestured for them to start. Corrie walked out to the center of the room. Alex approached her, stopping about five feet away. The two bowed to each other, and then went into fighting stances. Corrie stepped in and threw a right cross. Alex slipped to the side and countered with a quick punch to her side. He hit her chest protector and stepped sideways. She continued to press in, throwing a right jab followed by a quick left, just missing Alex’s head as he slipped sideways again. He threw the first kick, which was caught and deflected by a gloved paw.
On they went, faster and more intense with each move. Each tagged the other a couple of times, but couldn’t get a solid contact. After a frenetic five minutes, Corrie blocked Alex’s high kick, which she thought left his head wide open. She fired in a jab at his chin, which he cross-arm blocked, catching her wrist between his forearms. They found themselves at an impasse as, if either released their block, the other would have an open shot. After a second, Alex grinned at Corrie.
“Draw, Chopper Gal?”
“For now, Jet Jockey. Good fight.”
“You, too.”
They both released and bowed to each other. The group broke out in applause again as they turned and bowed to them and Izzy.
“Excellent demonstration! Very well done. Thank you Sensei O’Whitt and Miss Patterson.”
Izzy then turned and faced the students and parents. The students all stood and bowed, and Izzy returned it. He then spoke again.
“Thank you for coming, everyone. This has been a most excellent class. Students, Hae-san!”
With Izzy’s dismissal, the students began to mill around or head for their gear bags. The newly-minted Yellow belts went to show off to their mothers, but still managed to receive a round of congratulations from the senior students. The group began to slowly disburse as students filtered out to leave for home. Alex and Corrie were still breathing a bit heavy as Tia walked up to them.
“Wow, you two put on quite a show. Miss Corrie, I liked some of your punch techniques.”
“*Whew* Thank you, Tia. I’ll show you sometime if you like. Your uncle really kept me on me toes. Thank you, Alex, for holding to the rules. I could tell several times you wanted to sweep or use a knee or elbow, but didn’t.”
Alex grinned, wiping sweat from his neck fur with a towel. “I keep my word. Besides, I’ve seen what happens when you use your knee.”
Corrie looked puzzled a moment, but then recalled the incident at Old North with Rex Richards. She stifled a laugh.
“Yeah, there is that. I’ll tell you about it sometime, Tia.”
Tia had been looking totally lost, but nodded to Corrie at the promise of a future explanation. Izzy stepped up to them then, having seen the last of the mothers and students off.
“Thank you again, Corrie, for agreeing to the demo. You fight well.”
“Thank you, Izzy. It was interesting to see Alex in action,” she replied. Izzy shifted his attention to Alex and Tia.
“Alex, well done on the kata, and the breaking demo. Tia, I noticed you were one of the leaders at congratulating my newer students. Good example. I believe you are ready to test for your dan. Next week. Please invite your family.”
Tia lit up and nodded enthusiastically. Alex grinned and then waved toward the door.
“Great job, Tia. Now, shall we go so Izzy can close up?”
“Ah, one more thing,” Izzy interjected. “Corrie, I heard a rumor that you are relocating down here. If that is the case, please consider coming here to train. Much of the equipment here is compatible with Kickboxing as well as Tae Kwon Do.”
Corrie looked sharply at Alex. “So much for keeping it quiet.”
Alex had a sheepish look on his face as Izzy continued.
“Ha-ha, he is, believe me. When he said you were coming with him tonight, I asked if anything had worked out for you to come down here permanently. He dodged around the question enough for me to figure out something was afoot.”
“I guess he had to tell you, then.” The lioness had a smirk on her muzzle, but then she laughed.
“Bonzer! Sure, I’d be glad to train here.”
“Excellent! Then I shall see you soon. Alex, Tia, I’ll see you next week.”
Izzy walked them to the door and locked up behind them. The three got settled in Alex’s truck, and he pulled out to head for Corrie’s hotel to drop her off. As they left, Tia summed up the evening.
“How am I ever going to top tonight?”
Alex grinned.
“You will. One day, you will.”
End of Chapter 69