Christine looked up. "So, how do we get out of here?"

"I'm afraid that before I can locate a clue to LeMae's whereabouts, you'll have to stay put for a while. Besides...you did knock out an officer."

"He's not dead? Thank goodness."

"Well, pretty damn close to it anyway. That's why you take out your targets completely, Christine. So they can't tell on you."

"I'm not as vicious as you are. I just...couldn't stand seeing that boy punished for his father's mistakes."

"A noble quality. Anyway, it seems we might have a chance to get you off the hook anyway. It seems that this city is divided into two social classes. The Well-To-Do and The Meager. Apparently, neither is very fond of the other. The rich blame the poor for taking up space. The poor blame the rich for hoarding the money."

"Why doesn't the rich share their wealth?"

"Think about it Christine. Would you share your wealth with another? Humans just don't do that. Anyway, instead of elections, the village hosts a tournament. One person represents the rich, one the poor. Whichever fighter wins, his representative holds control of the town government. You may already see the problem here."

"Yes, the rich have more money, so they hire the best fighters."

"Exactly, and since this isn't exactly the movie The Seven Samurai, the poor don't seem to be in a position to win the tournament anytime soon."

"So, what does this have to do with me?"

"Well, because the rich have such an advantage, they also state that if at any time the poor's representative should win, they will pardon all offended captured under offense of an officer of a Well-To-Do."

"Ahhh, I see. You enter the tournament. Clean house. I'm free, right?" Christine brightened up.

"Uhhh...not exactly. You see, I'm barred entry from the tournament because of my role as a character witness. In order to testify on your behalf as a witness, I must stay impartial. Getting involved in the tournament would be showing partisan towards your innocence."

Christine frowned. Zen raised his finger. "However! It seems that the poor have already elected someone to fight for them. The poor seem very confident that he'll win. Apparently, he's their best fighter yet.

Christine continued to frown. "Great...my hope abounds."

"I would have expected a little more optimism from you."

Bat flew into the cell. "Master. The tournament is starting."

"Ahhh, good. Come on Christine."

"What? I can come?"

Zen held out some handcuffs. "Of course, you have to wear these. And we will not be sitting in the crowd, but will be standing by a designated exit, to be kept under supervision."

"Well, since it's my only hope, let's go for it."

The spot Christine and Zen were told to wait was in an underpass leading to the auditorium seats. This was because that was the only spot not occupied by the crowds. Ironically, as much as the guards were supposed to watch over Christine and Zen, they had put them in a spot relatively hard to see unless one's attention was totally focused on the area. Christine could have possibly bolted and no one would have noticed, but she knew she could not do that until they found out if LeMae was here or not. Christine hoped by slim chance that LeMae would perhaps be the one fighting for her. Christine chuckled at the thought of a mortal facing a goddess in a boxing ring.

The crowd suddenly burst into cheers as the Well-To-Do's representative was lead to the ring. He was humongous!! Big, bearded, fat, and ugly, the giant hulk was dressed in an ugly orange vest and jeans. He waved on his fans in his undefeated glory. His grin showed a smug character. He knew he was the best. He caught a glimpse of Zen and pointed at him and laughed at him and his overcoat, mocking his stout look. The guards all laughed too. Zen simply grinned, extended his hand, and offered challenge to the brute. . .anytime. ��Christine chuckled. Oh well, at least this would be entertaining.

Suddenly, the other challenger came walking to the ring. The crowd was on their feet cheering wildly. They loved a new challenger. Christine could not a get a very good view. The Meager's representative was considerably smaller and robed in a dirty cloth which concealed the challenger's face. Christine suddenly became a lot more worried. This couldn't be LeMae.

The brittle challenger stepped into the ring and flung off his cape revealing his face!!

Please click on the images to view the full-size pictures

Christine couldn't believe it! It was RAFF!!! The young beast boy with the green hair she had met in the woods when Zen had left her behind. Raff turned in Christine's direction and winked at her with a big grin on his face. Christine thought it was sweet, but...what if he got killed?

Raff walked up to the announcer and grabbed the microphone. He then proceeded to walk to the far corner where an outside representative handed him some boots that Christine recognized as the one's he worn when they first met belonging to the White Knight Lord Leo.

Raff spoke into the microphone. "I have a message for the Well-To-Do!! You've tormented the poor of this town long enough!! I hold these boots, the great Lord Leo's boots, as a symbol of his sense of justice!!! I will carry on his legacy and strive to right all wrongs throughout the world!!" Raff pointed at the orange behemoth. "And YOU!!! You ugly freak!! You're the first to feel my wrath!!"

The crowd cheered in an uproar that was only silenced by the ding of the bell and the beginning of the match.

Zen folded his arms. "Dangerous attitude to have in a world like ours."

"What do you mean, Zen?" asked Christine.

"This sense of justice. If this kid's seen HALF of what I've seen in my travels, he might not be so eager to stand up for "morality." Life is hard. You take the reigns, or the horse will throw you off. I admire his spirit though."

"So do I. There's nothing wrong with a moral righteousness. If more people were like him, perhaps things would be different."

"Right. Wishful thinking. I'm going to go get something to drink. You want something?"

"No thank you."

Zen was gone for about 10 minutes while the match proceeded. Raff was quick, but the large hulking mass was simply too powerful to be taken down by Raff's strange martial art fighting style. Zen returned with a drink. "How's he doing?"

*Click to view.*

"Not well." said Christine.

"Yeah, looks like he's having a hard time. This isn't good."

"Isn't there anything we can do?"

Zen stared straight into Christine's eyes. "That depends..."

"On what?"

"Do you think you can duplicate the kind of magic you used on that soldier? I don't mean the spell, I mean the intensity. I have a plan, but it will take both of our efforts."

Christine looked nervous. Duplicate her powers. Could she use magic again so freely, without being enraged?

"Okay..." began Zen. "The guards aren�t watching us. I can use my powers to hold down that behemoth so that little beast kid can get a good shot in. However, I can't distract the guards at the same time. I need you to create a false image of us looking perfectly normal. However, if they notice either of us casting a spell, it's all over. So, you have to be able to do this."

"You want me to create a false picture of us standing here, so that the guards won't notice us casting the spell?"

"That's correct." Bat, who had been sitting idle for most of the time spoke, "I will assist you Christine. Magic is my specialty."

Zen folded his arms. "Of course, if you need the help of a flying cat, I have no objections."

"Better not take any chances, Zen. Thank you Bat."

As Raff was continuing to be pummeled down below, Christine and Zen began chanting their spells, Christine first. With Bat's help, the image suddenly appeared in front of them, masking their movements.

"Good." said Zen. "Bat, go wait for us at the inn. If all goes well, we will be there shortly."

"Yes, master." Bat flew off.

"Now, Christine. Put your hand up against mine and concentrate to keep the false image up while I try to hold down the monster.

Christine placed her hand up against Zen, and a great power began to spark between them.

*Click to view.*

Amidst the growing energy, Christine found it difficult to hold the false image in place, but she stood her ground and did not give in.

Zen's spell began to take effect as the giant down below moved slower, and slower, until suddenly he was staring dumbfounded at Raff.

Raff kicked away from the beast, and collected his breath. "Ha! I'm too much for ya, eh? Alright, then. Now it's time to lay you low Godzilla!" Raff started from the corner and with all his might, ran forward, kneed the monster right in the face in an upward knee thrust motion.

*Click to view.*

"Raff Screw Kick!!!" Raff screamed letting the full of his chi into the attack. Many people who had brought their cameras clicked pictures of the stupendous shot! The beast frozen to the ground by Zen's spell, took the force of the attack, until Zen rightly released the spell. The huge man was thrown clear across the ring and landed right on his face. The referee came up and checked for signs of consciousness. The audience was silent. The ref. held up his hand and laid out his arms, signaling a knockout, and Raff's victory. The audience cheered wildly! Even the rich stood up and clapped their hands. To everyone, this was just a game. There was no significance in the fight. There would be another tournament next year. But for now, The Meager had control of the government and would certainly use it to their advantage.

After staying in the hotel that night, the next morning Christine met Zen at the path leading to the outside of town. "Didn't find anything?"

"No. LeMae apparently was not here. The Dean must have given me false information..."

"Imagine that..." remarked Christine. "So, now what?"

"I have a few ideas about where we can go next. I have a friend, Ramus. He may be able to help us out."

As they were talking, a few of The Meager villagers were walking by laughing. "HAHAHA!! Those damn Well-To-Do's sure got what was coming to them. I can hardly wait to divert all of their funds to us!! Let's see how THEY like being poor!! It's about time we got to live the good life."

As they walked on past, Christine sighed in dismay. "I guess you were right after all, Zen. They aren't going to use this chance to make stabilize the social classes. They'll just keep fighting the tournament. How sad."

"Well, in a way, perhaps with the diverted funds, maybe the tournament will be more equal next year. That alone is enough for me."

"You really don't see any goodness in humanity?"
"Not yet..."
Suddenly, someone ran up and pounced on them from behind. "CHRISTINE!!!!" It was Raff. "Hey, it's so good to see you!! Did you see me? Did you see me? One helping of justice from yours truly. The poor need not fear anything again in this town."

Christine smiled. "You did a noble thing, Raff. You should feel proud of yourself." Christine kissed Raff on the cheek. "That's for saving your first damsel in distress!" Christine chuckled.

Raff blushed. "So where you guys heading?"

Zen looked disturbed. "Now look. We are NOT turning this into some rag-tag adventure party! We have a job here. You'll end up getting yourself killed if you come with us."

"HA! Danger's my middle name."

"C'mon Zen. He's a good fighter. We may need the help." Christine smiled at Zen.

"YEAH! That's the spirit!!" cheered Raff.

*Click to view.*

Raff put one arm around Christine and one around Zen. Zen looked annoyed. "I promise, Mr. Zen. You won't live to regret this decision."

"I'm regretting it already..." Zen spoke under his breath. The three set out for the teleporter.

END OF CHAPTER 4 Stay tuned for Chapter 5- An Old Friend