“What is it?” he asked with a slight frown.
“Well,” Jackson began. “I have reason to believe that a number of tamers in the match were paid off to target Fiona and me and knock us out of the tournament early on. I wanted to bring it to your attention now — but I’m sure we can talk more after the championship match.”
Belmont’s face darkened further. “This is a very grave accusation, Jackson. Ms. Sato, do you agree with this as well?”
Fiona glanced at Jackson and then nodded once. “Yes, Mr. Commissioner. I don’t think I was aware of it as much as Jackson, but I can definitely confirm that two different groups of tamers seemed to be able to track me specifically on the map and passed up opportunities to attack other tamers for me.”
The Bronze League Commissioner looked between the two of them as if waiting for one of them to break the joke to him. When he saw they were serious, he held up a hand.
“First, I would advise both of you not to say another word about this to anyone until we can have a more private discussion. Second, when we do have that discussion, you would be wise to bring your coaches and perhaps legal counsel as well, for your own protection. I will make sure we speak within the week. Is this understood?”
Jackson and Fiona nodded.
“Good,” Belmont said. “If what you say is true, the fact that you both made it this far is even more impressive. But the show must still go on. I encourage both of you to return to your locker room areas and prepare as best you can for the championship match. Put this out of your mind.”
With that, the commissioner excused himself, leaving Jackson and Fiona alone, aside from the two attendants assigned to show them to their preparation areas. Both seemed eager to hurry them along, but Jackson wasn’t going to leave without saying goodbye.
“See you on the other side of the ring,” he said with a smile. Jackson held out his hand and Fiona shook it.
“Looking forward to it.”
The two parted and Jackson resisted the urge to look back at Fiona. Soon, he was soaring off the island on the smaller individual-sized hovercraft and taken down to an area outside the moat on the ground between two sections of bleachers. Briggs and Kay were waiting when he stepped onto the ground.
“You did it!” Kay ran forward and nearly tackled Jackson in a fierce hug. He hugged her back, but his smile faded when he saw Briggs standing behind them, wearing his usual salty scowl.
“He hasn’t won anything yet,” the old coach said. “No time for celebrating! The biggest battle of your career is coming up.”
“But, he’s basically guaranteed a spot in the Silver League next year. And you know the sponsors are going to be lining up to make offers,” Kay said, looking between the two. “Shouldn’t we be happy to make it this far?”
Jackson didn’t have to let Briggs answer that one for him. “Maybe so, but there’s no way I’m going to let Fiona beat me again, especially with a championship on the line.”
Briggs slapped Jackson on the back. “That’s the spirit! Now, let’s get your Djinn rehabbed and hash out our plan. Time’s ticking!”
They entered a pair of stainless steel sliding doors that whisked closed behind them, shutting out the excited murmur of the crowd. Inside, they were met by a pair of official Bronze League rehabbers, who took all three of Jackson’s Djinn into a more advanced, in-depth healing module than the ones in the arena. As the team rehabber, Kay went with the pair in case any issues or questions arose, especially given Scrappy’s wing issues.
That left Jackson and Briggs alone in a small room with a holo-projector table in the center, and a spread of food and drinks against the wall. Briggs motioned over to the food.
“Eat up and grab something to drink. You’ve been running around all morning — you need it as much as your Djinn do.”
While Jackson piled his plate with sandwiches, fruit, and even a few vegetables, Briggs set up the holo-table. When Jackson returned, mouth stuffed, plate in one hand, and extra sandwich in the other, Briggs frowned.
“I said get something to eat, not stuff yourself ’til you puke! We’ve got a few minutes before we need to get into the battle plan. I don’t want to distract you, but what are you going to do about the targeting?”
“Oh, right, I didn’t tell you.” Jackson recounted his and Ron’s exchange after their match and the conversation he and Fiona had with Walton Belmont.
“This is big,” Briggs said, rubbing his week-old scruff. “If this Vega guy found a way to pay off half the tamers in the Bronze League finals, there’s going to be hell to pay. Especially if most of them were those washed-up, Salvage Tamers. Like it or not, you’ve stirred up the pot good, kid.”
“But I didn’t do anything,” Jackson said. “What, was I supposed to not say anything and just pretend like I somehow didn’t have to fight off almost half of the tamers in the tournament? Akamu only had like two matches the entire time!”
“I didn’t say you did the wrong thing,” Briggs said. “Just that it’s going to cause some drama. But for the next hour, forget all about it. The league will sort this out. Right now, your only job is to beat Fiona Sato. Now pay attention.”
Briggs hit a couple of buttons and miniature versions of Fiona’s three Djinn: Rebel, the Megala, Sabrina, the Donkick, and her newly-captured Trollava.
“Right now, Vance and Fiona and doing the same thing as us,” Briggs continued. “They’re trying to decide which two Djinn to use against you. We know for sure that Rebel is going to be one of those. The only question is, will Fiona gamble on her Trollava or will she stick with the Donkick that she’s raised longer and has a better Bond with?”
Briggs looked at Jackson to make sure his protégé knew the question wasn’t hypothetical. Jackson had always appreciated that Briggs tried to teach him in these moments, not just tell him what to do.
“If I was Fiona, I’d go with the Donkick,” Jackson said. “It’s a Plain-Elemental, so it’s not going to have any disadvantages. She doesn’t gain anything by using the Trollava — it doesn’t have an advantage against any of my Djinn and would be weak against Triton.”
Briggs nodded in agreement. “Mostly right. But keep in mind, the Trollava would be strong against Asena’s Earth-Elemental half. I don’t think that would change your strategy, but it’s worth remembering. With all that said, I think your best option is Asena and Scrappy. You’ll be in the same boat — no Elemental disadvantages between all four other than Asena’s Earth-Elemental attacks against Rebel.”
Although it wasn’t the best time to razz his coach, Jackson couldn’t help it. “What happened to me not being able to get anywhere with a Magglecaw?”
“Tell that to me after you get into the Gold League,” Briggs said without missing a beat. “Besides, you’re not the Bronze League Champion yet.”
Before Jackson could decide if he should throw out another smart comment or stop antagonizing Briggs, the doors slid open and Kay entered the room with a tray holding Jackson’s three rings.
“Bad news,” she said. “Scrappy re-aggravated his old wing injury. There’s no permanent damage and he’s cleared to compete, but he won’t be at one hundred percent.”
Jackson glanced at Briggs, and for the first time, really felt panic and uncertainty about the upcoming battle. He’d been nervous, yes, but without Scrappy, the entire dynamic of Jackson’s team changed.
“What do you think?”
Briggs let out a long breath and scowled looking at the holographs of Fiona’s team on the table. “Tough call. If you go with Triton assuming Fiona sticks with the Donkick and her Megala, you’re the one at a disadvantage if Rebel and your Aquestria get matched up. I think you can take that Donkick in a straight fight with Triton, though. Plain-Elementals are nice because they have no weakness, but they don’t have any strengths, either. And stat-wise, your Aquestria is the superior Djinn, even without being raised by a tamer most of its life.”
Jackson slipped his three rings onto his finger. Neith
er Kay nor Briggs spoke, leaving him to his thoughts. Everything depended on the call he was about to make. Then again, if Jackson had learned anything as a tamer, it was that the abilities of a Djinn were only half of the equation. He’d made it this far trusting the relationships he’d developed with his teammates and he’d seen what had happened with Asena when he doubted that.
The metal doors whisked open and a Bronze League staff member held up his hand. “Five minutes until we’ve got to head to the ring, Jackson.”
Jackson nodded and the person left the room again. Briggs and Kay looked expectantly at Jackson.
“What are you going to do, kid?”
Jackson let out a long breath and nodded, reassuring himself he was making the right choice. “I’m going with Asena and Triton. Let’s do this.”
Chapter Forty-One
Jackson followed the Bronze League attendant out into the hallway, Briggs and Kay trailing behind him. When they reached the outside doors, he paused.
“Do you mind if I take a minute with my Djinn?” he asked the woman.
The attendant glanced at her holo-watch and then gave a terse nod. “If you make it quick. We’ve got less than five minutes before we need to be boarded and ready to fly to the ring.”
Jackson nodded his understanding and Kay and Briggs continued outside. That left Jackson alone in the stainless steel hallway in almost complete silence and calm for the first time in…he didn’t even know how long. He raised his left hand and Triton appeared in a wave of cerulean light.
Fortunately, the hallway was large enough to fit the Aquestria, although he still stamped his webbed feet, snorted, and tossed him mane in the confines. Jackson kept his hand up and walked toward his newest Djinn, making soothing sounds. Using Triton definitely wasn’t an ideal choice, but he couldn’t afford to shorten Scrappy’s lifespan just to win a Bronze League championship. He’d worked with Briggs enough to understand perspective. But if he could win over Asena, he knew he could win over Triton. The Djinn just needed to know how much Jackson was depending on him.
“That’s a good boy,” Jackson said as Triton stopped fussing and stood still. He snorted again, but didn’t move away from Jackson’s hands as they ran down the side of his powerful neck and across his back.
“I know we haven’t been together long, but the biggest fight of our lives is coming up,” he continued. “We’re going to have to trust one another — I promise I’ll take care of you, but I can’t do this alone.”
Triton let out a whinny and stepped back and Jackson felt a wave of apprehension through their Bond.
“Whoa, whoa, boy. It’s okay,” Jackson reassured him, patting his neck. “You can trust me. And let me tell you. There’s nothing out there as scary as all the Arkodon you used to face back in Lombardia. It’ll be tough — no question there…” Jackson paused and looked into Triton’s eyes, which were teeming with anxiety. “I never thanked you for saving my life. Once in the ocean, and once with the Arkodon. I owe you my life twice over, and I promise that I’ll be there to protect you.”
Jackson’s holo-watch vibrated. He’d been taming long enough to know that meant he’d achieved a slight increase in Bond with his Djinn. He didn’t need to look at it. Now wasn’t the time. He only hoped it would be enough.
Triton took a couple tentative steps toward Jackson before softly butting his head against Jackson. Jackson placed his forehead softly against Triton’s and stroked the side of the Djinn’s face.
A wave of confidence and reassurance flooded through the tamer, and he knew at once it was Triton’s way of telling him that he could be counted on. Jackson smiled as the feeling faded and his nervousness returned.
“Thanks, buddy. I know you won’t let me down.”
He took a step back and raised Triton’s ring and the Aquestria disappeared in a flash. Jackson looked down at his other hand, at the vermilion-colored stone he’d worn since he started on his taming journey. It seemed like just yesterday that he’d pulled it from his mom’s safe and read the accompanying note:
She’s a special Djinn, and she’ll serve you well if you treat her right…
Kneeling, Jackson raised his hand and arm and was surprised to see it shaking. A moment later, Asena stood before him.
The Lobolf whined and licked Jackson’s still outstretched hand upon sensing his trepidation. Jackson smiled at Asena’s big, wet kiss and ruffled her fur between her ears.
“I’m okay, girl. You know I get like this before a big match.”
This time Asena barked. He nearly fell over as a wave of excitement and anticipation hit him. The Lobolf bared her teeth to show she was ready for the fight.
Jackson studied his oldest Djinn. Asena definitely wasn’t the same physically as before — and he had to admit she was an incredible-looking creature — but he knew deep down that she would always be the Djinn that his mom gave him all those years ago, even if everything else about her changed. The thought gave him courage. Everything might change around him, but he knew now that what he and Asena had could never be shaken. Not by Vega, Akamu, Fiona, or any other person, Djinn, or hardship that might come their way.
Jackson wrapped his arms around Asena’s thick, fluffy neck. Rather than pulling away, the Lobolf leaned in to him and for a long moment, there was nothing else in the world but a young man and his trusted companion.
When they pulled apart, Jackson studied Asena’s icy blue eyes. There was no doubt in his mind they were made for what was coming next.
“What do you say? Should we get our revenge?”
Asena barked and then bared her teeth as a growl rippled from within her chest. Jackson grinned.
“See you in the match!”
In a flash, Asena disappeared into her ring. The next several minutes passed by at almost the same lightning fast blur, and Jackson soon found himself back in the ring atop the mountain arena. Briggs muttered some last-minute strategic advice into his ear and Kay wished him good luck, but Jackson could hardly hear them. He let the sights and sounds of the championship wash over him.
It was just like he’d imagined, the excited rumble of thousands of fans, the heat of the lights, and the tremor of nervous excitement running through everything and everyone around the ring.
“Just battle your way — don’t let her dictate your tactics,” Briggs said. “And remember, the last time you faced her in a big match, you didn’t have me.”
Jackson waited for a smirk or a wink — anything to show Briggs was kidding or at least somewhat trying to lighten the mood. Instead, the old man deadpanned. Jackson wasn’t sure if it made him feel better or worse.
“Now get out there and bring home the championship. I deserve that much.”
As Jackson started across the arena, Vance gave his last words of wisdom to Fiona and she walked out to meet him. They came together at the center of the ring, the battle official standing between them. The crowd roared and it was like nothing Jackson had ever heard; not in any of the matches he’d fought before combined.
“Jackson Hunt! Fiona Sato! Congratulations for making it to the championship battle of this season’s Bronze League competition!” the official said. “This battle will be fought to zero or withdraw of the two Djinn you selected. As the commissioner stated, all…”
The referee’s voice faded into the background and Jackson stared past him at Fiona. She met his eyes, but her previous playfulness was gone, along with any complications their relationship had in recent weeks. This was Fiona Sato at her finest, ready to do whatever it took to defeat the person across the ring from her. Jackson vowed to do everything in his power to stop that.
“Is that understood?” the battle official said at the end of his speech. Both Fiona and Jackson nodded their affirmation.
“Good! Now shake hands and return to your boxes!”
Jackson held out his hand and Fiona grabbed it and squeezed like a vice.
“I’d say good luck, but neither of us need it,” Fiona said. “May the best t
amer win.”
“May the best tamer win,” Jackson agreed.
And with that, their hands fell apart and they paced to opposite sides of the ring.
Jackson took in a deep breath, hearing Kay’s cheers not so far behind him in his peripherals. He looked up and the bright lights almost blinded him. Then giant letter appeared as a projection over the screen.
Three.
Two.
One.
Fight!
Jackson’s hand flew up like he was throwing a knife and a bolt of aqua blue energy shot into the middle of the ring. Triton appeared, raring and kicking at the air with his front feet, just as Fiona’s Donkick appeared a few feet away from him.
PARTY STATS
Djinn: Aquestria
Level: 23
Element: Water
HP (Hit Points): 289/289
EP (Elemental Power): 120/120
Attack: 126
Defense: 90
Speed: 150
OPPONENT STATS
Djinn: Donkick
Level: 23
Element: Plain
HP (Hit Points): 315/315
EP (Elemental Power): 95/95
Attack: 135
Defense: 100
Speed: 145
By the time both Djinn had fully materialized, they were already moving. The two equine Djinn charged toward one another and at the last minute, Sabrina spun around and lashed out with her hind hooves. The second before the crippling blow would have struck, however, Jackson ordered Triton to use Wake Gallop. A powerful wave of water was launched from the Aquestria, striking the Donkick like a wall of cement.
Before Sabrina could recover, Triton closed the distance between them and kicked at his opponent as she struggled to right herself on the ground.
Djinn Tamer - The Complete Bronze League Trilogy Page 85