Legendary Volume 3 - Guilty By Design

Chapter 12

Chuck Lee sipped on a cup of tea and placed it cautiously back on its plate. Jett, Bruce and Lucy all sat next to him in similar manners, sipping from tea cups, while Katelyn and Sierra stared ahead intently. A usual sight at Mesto Mecha these days. They were all seated on the porch of the main dojo, watching Anthony and Layla spar in the center of the courtyard. Ever since they had received that call from Amar'e and Matthew, the two had been rejuvenated. Anthony was training as hard as he possibly could, showing little weakness or pause. Layla's entire attitude had changed for the better, she was exactly as she was before the huge brawl, six months ago.

"So," Chuck commented as the two of them went at each other with ferocity, "It would seem that everything has changed for the better, would it not?"

"I suppose you can say that." Lucy replied briefly.

"These two definitely have been showing a lot more fire these past seven days than they had been for six months," Jett grinned, "it does my heart good to see Layla as active as ever again."

"Let's hope this sudden change of pace and heart reaches everyone else that Amar'e and Matthew are also looking for." Bruce added before he placed his tea down as well and then clapped his hand, signalling for both of them to stop.

Anthony and Layla both immediately paused. Despite only a few minutes of sparring, both were sweaty and exhausted, a testament to how intensely they were training.

"Wow! You two looked amazing as usual. I don't know how you do it but I definitely wouldn't wanna have to fight either one of you." Sierra praised as she handed Anthony a towel to dry himself off and Katelyn did the same for Layla.

"Still, don't you guys think you are being too excessive. You are over exerting yourselves for lord knows whatever reason. It seems like a bit much." Katelyn voiced her thoughts aloud.

"...No, I'm still not quite there yet." Anthony answered.

Not quite where yet?"

"Didn't you sense it during the call? I did, and so did Layla and the masters."

"Sense what?" Sierra asked, just as confused as Katelyn.

"...He's stronger then before, much stronger. If there is anyone who could improve that much by themselves in only six months, it was definitely Luke. Just from how he talked during a digital call... I felt it. That's how much he's improved. I've been slacking while my rival has surpassed me."

"He's... your rival?" Katelyn blinked at him.

Anthony studied his arm, the adrenaline in his body making his veins bulge, "That's what I've always considered him, even now, Luke is still my rival and I hope he hasn't forgotten that fact."

"Well you can have Luke after I'm done kicking his ass," Layla said after kicking upward into the air, most likely imagining that kick connecting with Luke's face, "Yea, I'm gonna teach that furball a real good lesson or two."

"I'm sure you will princess." Jett smirked.

"Masters... I have a question for you. It's been bothering me for days, since when Gregory came with Corbin." Anthony stated.

"Hmm? What is it Anthony?" Chuck asked.

"What exactly is the 'Martial Arts World'?"

"Eh!!!" Katelyn and Layla looked at him with alarm.

"Oh yeah, the older man kept talking about that." Sierra added.

"Uh, you two should just quit while you're at it. The masters absolutely hate talking about that. Even after all these years, the both of us don't fully understand what it is." Katelyn said.