Chapter 33


	"Where are you taking us?" asked Fonz as he and Dan followed the owl-like ninja Nikki from their cell.

	"You'll see," he chuckled childishly.  "It will be lots of fun."

	"If everything that has been happening to us so far is what you consider fun, then I don't think that is a word you understand the meaning of."

	"I understand it," Nikki explained.  "But hardly consider everything that's happened so far very fun.  With the others off somewhere else I figure this will be the best time to have some real fun."  Opening a door, he revealed a room filled with dozens of jump ropes.  Some were attached to pillars, others walls and some were even attached on the ceiling and floor.  Nikki then pulled a lever on the wall by the entrance and caused the ropes to start moving until they reached a slow, but stable pace.

	"Well this was much more pleasant than what I was expecting," admitted Dan sighing with relief at the sight before him.

	"You haven't even seen the best part yet," replied Nikki as he entered the room and approached the nearest jump rope.  He took out a cucumber he had on his person and held it in the path of the jump rope.  When they connected, the rope did not get stopped, but passed by like normal.  The cucumber on the other hand was cut in half.  "The ropes are a lot sharper than they look.  Ready to play?"

	"I think we will pass," said Fonz backing towards the entrance of the room and Dan doing the same.

	"I am not giving you a choice," stated Nikki as the door shut behind them, trapping them inside.  "Now it is time to play, unless you'd rather fight."

	"Weren't you planning on leaving us alive for now?" asked Dan pressing against the door.

	"Just because you might lose a body part or two of you doesn't mean you will die," stated Nikki.  "I might be a bit sadistic, but I can assure that I won't kill at least not on purpose."

	"Doesn't make us feel any better," argued Fonz walking forward.  "But if you want to play then I will oblige."

	"What are you doing?" whispered Dan to Fonz.  "This isn't a game."

	"I know that, but between the two of us, who would have a better chance of getting through this in one piece?" Fonz asked.  "Besides, without my afro or any other weapons I'm not going to be much use in a fight.  If we're going to escape, we will definitely need your strength so until then wait here let me handle this."

	"Coming at me one at a time," said Nikki.  "That's fine.  It will be no difference no matter what happens because it will be the same either way."

	"Cut the bragging and just tell me what I'm supposed to do," replied Fonz.  "I can tell that this not simply going to be a game of Double Dutch."

	"Doesn't mean we won't have to," explained Nikki.  "We'll start with an easy game, follow the leader.  Let's see if you can keep up without getting cut into pieces."

	Jumping through the first jump rope, Nikki quickly weaved through several swinging in different directions without making a mistake.  He stopped just as suddenly as he started, waiting for Fonz to do the same.  Waiting for the right moment, Fonz entered.  He did just as Nikki had before, albeit less graceful and speedy, but he managed to reach him.

	"Not bad, but let's see how long you can keep going," snickered Nikki as he resumed navigating the jump ropes and Fonz moved after him.  Once he got used to the timing, Fonz was able to keep up with no trouble at all.

	"This isn't so bad," commented Fonz, hopping over a jump rope as it kept revolving towards him.  "Guess I was worried over nothing."

	"Don't be disappointed," answered Nikki.  "We are only on the first round.  Let's see how you do on round two."  Grabbing a kunai, he flung it at the switch that activated the jump ropes and they quickly picked up the pace moving twice as fast.  Fonz fumbled around, jumping haphazardly as he tried adjusting to the new pacing.  He had a couple close calls, but didn't hit the rope.  "Guess I should have expected a bunny of being a good jumper, but time for a game of cat and mouse.  Let's see if you can catch me."  Moving even quickly than before Nikki made a bit of distance from Fonz who readied himself before giving chase.

	"I take back what I said before," said Fonz grinning a bit.  "This isn't as easy as I thought, but I guess it wouldn't be a game without some level of challenge"

	"Maybe I should help out," suggested Dan approaching the ropes.  "We can corner him easier this way."

	"Stay where you are," shouted Fonz.  "I can handle this for now.  Just stand pat for now."

	"Fine," grumbled Dan.  "But it looks like you are actually enjoying it."

	"I am not much for games," admitted Fonz.  "But I always do love winning and confidentially I never lost at anything, not even once."

	"A mighty big claim to boast about," said Nikki.  "And hard for me to believe it to be true, but one I intend to strip you of.  Now come and get me if you have the guts."

	"You are one to talk," taunted Fonz.  "The rope is moving so slowly that I'll catch you with ease, but I guess it isn't your fault that you are afraid of getting cut.  No, wait, it is."

	"Then let's just skip to the last round then," suggested Nikki.  "That way I can simply claim victory."  Tossing another kunai he hit the switch doubling the speed of the jump rope again.  Fonz quickly adjusted his jumping to keep up with the new pace of the jump ropes.

	"Fine, are we still playing cat and mouse?" asked Fonz.

	"No, even better, a fight to the death," answered Nikki.

	"What happened to the whole not kill us thing?" asked Dan.

	"I'm a compulsive liar," he admitted while taking out some kunai for weapons this time.

	"And a cheat for being armed when I have nothing at all," argued Fonz.

	"Don't forget sadist," Nikki chuckled.  "I just love to take my time on a defenseless victim."

	"Well I won't just roll over and die," shouted Fonz jumping through the jump ropes to get in close to Nikki.  Nikki retaliated trying to defeat Fonz at a distance, but the cool Elecmon managed to skillfully dodge both the ropes and the attacks by the sneaky owl.  Despite this, Fonz was only able to get so far before it became too difficult to progress and get in close.  "How many of those things do you even have and where are you keeping them all for that matter?"

	"Ninja Rule Number 19," he explained.  "All ninjas are allowed to carry as many of any type of gear on their person despite how badly it breaks the laws of physics.  And before it comes up, Ninja Rule Number 20 goes on to talk about how all Ninjas are able to use magic and do other reality bending things with no need for an explanation other than this one.  In other words Ninjas are like being in God-Mode."

	"Well that seems a little unfair," stated Fonz. "How am I expected to win against that?"

	"I thought you never lose," laughed Nikki.  "Can't win if you cannot attack me."

	"You're right," agreed Fonz.  "So time to bring my cool to the max."  Hopping forward, Fonz charged at Nikki.  Grabbing some more Kunai, Nikki resumed attacking.  This time however, Fonz focused more on running forward than dodging.  The blades managed to graze past him, but they stung as they cut into his flesh.  Some of the jump ropes also managed to cut at him as he put all his focus on his assault.  "No guts no glory and no pain no kicking your butt!"

	Fonz ran forward with reckless abandon, his arms crossed over his chest and face like a shield.  Nikki threw more Kunai at him, but instead of dodging, he didn't stop moving forward.  Some of the weapons cut at him as they flew by while others stabbed into his flesh causing data to leak out.  Gritting his teeth against the pain, Fonz endured and made it up close to Nikki and pulled out one of the Kunai stuck in his arm to use as a weapon.  Nikki attempted to dodge him, but he stopped after taking a step back, reflexively avoiding the jump ropes.  Taking the opportunity, Fonz stabbed at Nikki, finally managing to injure him.

	"I didn't expect you to be so reckless," coughed Nikki, trying to keep the blade from going further into his body.  "It is easy to see why you never lose."

	"Losing isn't cool," stated Fonz.  "And I only do cool."

	"And that makes it all the more a shame that I have to beat you," answered Nikki as he pulled out a metal claw out of his gi and used it to slash across Fonz's chest.  Screaming in pain from the surprise attack, Fonz dropped the Kunai and fumble back towards a jump rope.

	"Fonz stop backing up," warned Dan, but it was no use.  Fonz was falling backwards and there was nothing he could do to stop it.  Then Nikki grabbed Fonz by his neck, narrowly preventing him from being cut in two by the deadly swinging rope.

	"Is this your way of showing mercy?" questioned Fonz.

	"I just wanted to see you admit defeat before lose," explained Nikki.  "If you do then I will at least try to restrain from killing you.  If you refuse then I'll let go and then you will definitely die.  So make your decision."

	The room went quiet as Nikki waited for Fonz's answer.  The only sound audible was the constant swinging from the jump ropes.  Fonz kept his eyes closed as he contemplated his response.  Then he opened his eyes and looked at Nikki then to Dan.

	"This is as far as I go," called Fonz to Dan. "I'll leave rest to you."  He grabbed at Nikki's arm and pulled back with all his might, forcing Nikki to fall with him into the path of the jump rope.

	"No!" Nikki cried full of terror.  "That wasn't a choice!"

	"Fonz!" shouted Dan dashing forwards into the jump ropes.  Fonz just smiles and closed his eyes waiting for the end.  He felt the jump rope hit him and expected to be dead a second later, but death didn't come.  He didn't even feel the wire cutting him.  The only pain he did feeling came when his head hit the floor.

	"What just happened?" groaned Fonz feeling a headache coming on.  Looking up, Nikki was preparing to finish him off with his metal claws before Fonz had a chance to recover.

	"Just a momentary delay," he answered.  "You still lose."

	Dan rushed at Nikki, grabbing him before he could successful attack Fonz and smashed him to the ground with all his might.  Dan had of the jump ropes dangling on his body from his run, but not a single scratch.  Nikki was knocked senseless after that attack allowing Dan to feel comfortable letting him go.

	"Fonz, you aren't dead," said Dan full of surprise.

	"Neither are you," remarked Fonz noting that Dan failed to avoid a single jump rope.  "It seems we were duped from the start."

	"You mean the ropes weren't deadly at all?" asked Dan.  "But the cucumber from earlier got cut."

	"That is true," stated Fonz.  "But let's just suppose he had it cut mostly in half earlier.  Even a slight impact from the jump ropes would be enough to finish dividing it in two.  A simple trick like that and he could easily fool us into believing there really is danger.  Clever deception, but he should have known that I never lose."

	"But you were just about to die and take him with you," argued Dan as they made their way to the door.  "Isn't that the same as losing or at least making it a tie?"

	"Of course not," explained Fonz.  "You would still be alive so I would win because of you."

	"But you made it one-on-one so would I even count?" asked Dan.

	"I won and that is the end of it," said Fonz in a hostile tone and glaring up at Dan.  "Let's leave it at that and figure out what we are going to do next."

	Opening the door, Dan and Fonz immediately encountered the group of ninja guards leading Jack to the prison they had been at not too long ago.  Both sides looked at one another with an awkward silence.

	"Uh, hey, Jack," said Dan breaking the silence.

	"Hey yourself," replied Jack.  "Uh, I came here to rescue you, but could you do me a favor first and save me."

	"Well, at least we know what we're doing next," stated Fonz.