His face was flushed with anger. "Nice video," he said, his voice low. "Guess you'll do anything for likes, even betray the dojo. " Mia stood her ground. "I didn't betray anyone. The truth was going to come out eventually. " "You're a traitor to the team," Tyler insisted, stepping closer.
"First, you defend her. Then you expose her online. What's your angle? " "Maybe I just recognize real talent when I see it," Mia shot back. "And maybe you should grow up and stop acting like everything's a competition you need to win. " Something in her tone, a new confidence perhaps, caught Tyler off guard. When she pushed past him, he didn't try to stop her.
That evening, long after classes had ended, the dojo was silent and dark. A figure moved through the shadows, expertly picking the lock on the back door. Once inside, the intruder moved with purpose, overturning equipment racks and slashing practice mats with a knife. The destruction was methodical, almost ritualistic. When it was complete, the intruder spray-painted a single Japanese character on the wall-length mirror.
Chi. Shame. Morning revealed the devastation. Rick stood amidst the wreckage, his face grim. Erica paced the floor, already on the phone with the insurance company.
Students gathered outside, shocked by the vandalism. "This is what your legend has brought us," Erica hissed at Rick. "Destruction and chaos. " "This isn't about Thelma," Rick replied. "It's about something much older and darker. " Across town, Thelma knelt before a simple gravestone in the local cemetery. The name James Franklin Gardner was etched in the granite, along with the dates 1945-2005.
She placed a small piece of black belt fabric at the base of the stone. They found me, James, she said softly. Just like you always said they would. She traced the letters of his name with her fingertips. You died protecting me from Kojiro's men.
I won't let your sacrifice be in vain. A light footstep behind her made Thelma turn. Rick stood a respectful distance away, hands in his pockets. I'm sorry to intrude, he said. Kenji told me I might find you here.
Thelma rose slowly, her knees protesting. My husband, she explained, gesturing to the grave. He was a Marine, but also a martial artist. We met at a tournament in California after I left Japan. Rick stepped closer.
The dojo was vandalized last night. I heard, Thelma said. I'm sorry to have brought this trouble to your door. That's actually why I'm here, Rick admitted. I wanted to apologize for how I treated you.