P A R T F I V E
Story by
Jesse Brewer
Kendo-Man created by
Jesse Brewer
Written by
Jesse Brewer
K E N D O M A N
Reids walks towards the matt
The referee looks at Reids
Reids's opponent looks at Reids with a curious look
REFEREE
Son, where is your gear?
Reids thinks for a second
REIDS
I forgot about it. I'm sorry. Give me a second.
The referee sighs
REFEREE
Hurry up. We've already waited long enough for you already.
Reids bows and clicks his tongue
Reids turns around and runs towards his parents
After Reids puts on his gear he clicks his tongue one more time
Reids breathes in then out
Reids runs toward the match pad
Reids clicks his tongue
REFEREE
Finally ready?
REIDS
Yup!
Reids's opponent stands up from where he was sitting, waiting patiently
Reids's opponent stands on the other side of the matt
OPPONENT
I'm ready too.
REFEREE
Okay, you two. This will be a three-point match. No tripping, throwing, or any strangles. Have discipline.
The referee looks at Reids
REFEREE
Are you sure you're ready?
Reids clicks his tongue
REIDS
Ready than I'll ever be.
REFEREE
Okay.
The referee moves out of the way of between the two fighters so he can get a clear view of the fight
REFEREE
Take positions!
Reids takes his unique stance with his one arm. Shows a traditional kendo stance but modified to suit his disabilities
Reids's opponent takes his stance showing a normal traditional kendo stance
REFEREE
Fight!
Reids clicks his tongue
Reids and his opponent start to slowly walk toward each other
Reids and his opponent stops three feet away from each other
OPPONENT
Quit the fight. I don't want to hurt you.
Reids takes a slow deep breath then breathes out
Reids clicks his tongue
Suddenly in a blink of an eye Reids lunges toward his opponent
When Reids opponent realizes this he tried to block Reids's strike
The force of Reid's sideways slash knocks his opponent's bokken out of the way of his body
REIDS
Kiai!
Then Reids spins and hits his opponent in the side
The referee, Reids's parents, and everyone watching stopped for a second to look in awe at Reids
Reids jumps back away from his opponent
REIDS
Learn that I am not some weakling! My disabilities mean nothing. What only matters is the swing of my sword!
Reids's father smiles
REIDS CONT-
I am a swordsman like everyone here. Treat me as such. Cause if you don't
Reids gets into a fighting stance
REIDS CONT-
I will sweep this tournament like a tsunami never seen before.
Reids's opponent looks at Reids with a shocked look
Everyone looking at Reids gives him a shocked look
After a few seconds to regain their composure everyone went back to their previous activities, with Reids's parents still watching the fight
The referee looks at Reids then at Reids's opponent
Referee points at Reids's opponent
REFEREE
Point! One point to Reids.
Reids's opponent takes a few steps back and gets back into his fighting stance
Reids and his opponent slowly walk towards each other
They stop after a few feet and then begins to slowly circle each other
OPPONENT
My name is Nick. what's yours?
REIDS
Reids.
NICK
If you want to be treated like a normal swordsman. Then so be it.
Nick taps the end of Reids's bokken
Nick then moves to the right, where Reids doesn't have an arm and lunges a thrust at Reids's throat
NICK
Kiai!
Reids clicks his tongue and senses the incoming attack
Reids moves his bokken in the way of the strike blocking the hit
Reids uses the weight of Nick's attack and slides across Nick's sword
REIDS
Kiai!
Reids motions his sword and slides it across Nick's throat then spins out of the way of Nick's body to Nick's backside facing the opposite way of his opponent
Referee points at Reids
REFEREE
Point! Two points Reids, Nick zero.
Nick turns around and looks at Reids in shock
Reids turns around and goes back to his starting position
Nick does the same
Nick looks at his sensei
Nick's sensei nods
As soon as Reids goes back to his combat position Nick lunges at Reids with a diagonal swing to Reids's left side
Reids blocks the blow with his bokken
Nick jumps back to assess the situation
Nick slowly walks toward Reids as Reids stands perfectly still in his stance
Nick taps tips with Reids
Nick raises his sword over his head and does a light swing downward at Reids
Reids clicks his tongue and blocks the attack
Nick, before he reaches Reids's sword, then changes the direction of his sword and circles it downwards
NICK
Kiai!
Nick changes his position in a flash and hits Reids in the side
Nick jumps back to his original position
Referee points at Nick
REFEREE
Point! Reids, two points! Nick, one point.
Reids is surprised but regains his composure in a few seconds and goes back into his fighting stance
Reids takes a few steps forward
Before Reids could click his tongue Nick lunges toward Reids
Nick knocks Reids's bokken out of his stance and lunges a thrust at Reids's throat
NICK
Kiai!
Nick thrust hist Reids
Nick jumps back to his original position
Referee points at Nick
REFEREE
Point! Nick, two points! Reids, two points. The next point will decide the winner of this round!
Reids looks at the referee with a surprised look
Reids clenches the hilt of his sword
OLD MAN REIDS
Will my story end here I thought. I had so many doubts running through my mind. But no matter what negativity came, I came to one consensus. I will win.
Reids takes a deep breath then breathes out
Reids clicks his tongue
Reids gets back into his fighting position
Nick gets back into his
Reids's mom looks at her son with a worried look
Reids looks in the direction of his opponent with a fierce glare that can be seen through the required helmet
Nick has a chill run through his spine
It's like Reids level of concentration was so narrow it could rival the most powerful of swordsmen
Nick shakes off the feeling
In the blink of an eye, Reids lunges toward his opponent and strikes him
Nick blocks Reids first strike
Nick pushes Reids back
Without delay, Reids raises his sword over his head and starts to plunge his sword down onto his opponent
Nick blocks the strike with a loud "SMACK!" coming from the bokkens
Nick struggles to hold back Reids
All that could go through Nick's mind is "how could he be this strong with only one arm?"
Nick begins to parry Reids strike and spins to slash Reids's left side
Reids's relents his downward slash and barely moves out of the way of his opponent's attack
Reids, in a split second, changes his stance to a thrust position
As Nick lost his balance from missing his previous strike he sees as Reids run towards
Then in a flash
HAKAI! Is heard
Reids hits Nick in the chest with his thrust
The referee looks at Reids with shock
Referee points at Reids
REFEREE
Point! Reids wins this match!
Reids loosens his grip on his sword and takes a few steps away from his old opponent
Reids turns around towards Nick
Reids bows with bokkeni in hand
REIDS
Thank you for the great match!
Nick looks at Reids with a surprised look
NICK
No, thank you!
Nicks bows to Reids
NICK
I guess you're full of surprises.
Reids raises his head back to his normal posture as Nick does the same
Reids clenches his hilt
REIDS
So this is what it feels to win.
END