Chapter 7: The Preliminaries

With the shot of the gun the race and had begun and they were off. The racetrack was swarmed with wrestlers.

Okan and Fiona took the lead with Terry and Jeager close behind.

"Dang." Said Terry as he could see the two ahead of them." Their pretty darn fast."

"Don't vorry." Said Jeager." Ve'll catch them." But he may have spoken too soon.

Checkmate wasted no time in turning his Knight form and began galloping off, with Wally bounding around on his back. It wasn't long before the two took the lead.

But Dik Dik and Kid Muscle were lost amongst the crowds of wrestlers who had fallen behind their faster competitors.

"Maybe we should have run more during training." Panted Dik Dik as he tried to move ahead of the crowd.

"COME ON!" yelled Roxanne as she stood up from her seat." Move it Van Dik." But Dik Dik couldn't move because we was stuck between a group of other wrestlers.

At that time Checkmate and Wally reached the other side. Wally jumped down from Checkmate's back and onto the ground.

"Hop to it my friend." Said Checkmate. Then Wally lifted Checkmate over his back and began running. He took several steps just as Okan with Fiona and Jeager with Terry had reached the other side and began switching.

Terry flung Jeager over his back and began running with Fiona carrying Okan not far behind.

But Wally began to falter his speed quickly beginning to give out with each step.

Then it wasn't long before the teams of Fiona and Okan and Terry and Jeager passed the two.

But the team of Dik Dik and Kid Muscle were still trapped amongst the crowd and had only managed to make it about half of the way across the field.

"Kid we've got to do something." groaned Dik Dik. Just then there was a loud hiss that rang out in the air and the next moment everyone smelt it." What is that awful stench?" groaned Dik Dik as he held his nose.

"Sorry." Said Kid as he leaned over and spoke into Dik Dik's ear." I had beans for lunch." Dik Dik turned his attention over to his left shoulder where Kid's butt was, and as he did Kid let out another fart. Dik Dik let out a piercing cry when it happened.

But this was all to their advantage. The horrible smell caused everyone around the two to run in opposite directions, some even stopped to try and catch their breath.

And Dik Dik ran with every fiber of his being to the other side of the stadium, with no one to block his way he made it there in no time at all.

Meanwhile Fiona was neck and neck with Terry for first place. Each carrying their partner on their back they were weighted down, neither gaining a definite edge.

But then Okan swung her leg across and kicked Terry in his knees sending him stumbling to the ground.

"Hey!" Shouted Trixie as she jumped up." That's cheating!"

Then Fiona and Okan crossed the finish line in first. Their names were quickly displayed on the big screen above.

"Terry?" said Jeager as he got up." Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Said Terry as he stood up as well. Then the two turned around and saw some other wrestlers gaining on them." C'mon let's finish this." Then Jeager jumped onto Terry's back and the two ran for the finish line, finishing in second.

But other team was right behind them.

"C'mon on Kid." Said Dik Dik as he pushed Kid off his back at the other end of the field." Let's go." Then Dik Dik jumped onto Kid's back.

But Kid didn't expect so much weight to be suddenly put onto his back and he nearly fell over. But he recomposed himself and ran off towards the finish line.

At that moment the team of Hydrozoa and Road Rage crossed the finish line, then King Castle and Slyscrapper, and lastly Wally and Checkmate. Coming in ninth, tenth, and eleventh place respectively.

Meanwhile Kid Muscle was struggling to keep ahead of his competitors who gained on him.

"C'mon Kid!" called Roxanne form the stands." There's only a few slots left." She turned to the big screen above which read off the list of names and it read that only twelve spots were left open, and Kid still had half the field to go.

"Kid don't slow down." Said Dik Dik from Kid's shoulder." We've got to win this thing, don't tell me you're going to quit now?"

"C'mon Kid!" called Terry from the finish line, gathering all his friends to help him.

"Let's go." Cheered Wally.

"GO KID!" shouted Roxanne's voice, louder than the rest.

"C'mon Kid." Said Dik Dik." Everyone' cheering for you. Your friends and Roxanne, don't let them down." But then Kid began to slow down." Kid No!"

"I'm sorry Dik Dik." Said Kid as he running began to slow even more." But I shouldn't have had those beans for lunch." Then Kid bent over and shot out the longest and strongest fart he's ever done.

Kid and Dik Dik shot off like a rocket from where they were and raced towards the finish line.

At that moment the forty-sixth team had crossed the finish line, leaving only four spaces open.

Everyone watched in anticipation as the last few teams ran towards the finish line. But then from way behind came Kid Muscle and Dik Dik.

The two shot off and past their competitors, flying right past the finish line and into the wall.

"YEA!" cheered the crowd, Kid's friends, and Roxanne. At that moment Kid and Dik Dik fell off the wall, and their friends immediately crowded them.

"You did, you did!" cheered Jeager as he helped Kid up.

"We did what?" asked Kid in a daze.

"You crossed the finish line." Said Wally." You guys are moving onto the next round."

Then Kid leaned over and put his arm around Dik Dik whom Checkmate had just picked up." We did it buddy." He said. Dik Dik looked up and smiled at Kid.

"Say." Said Terry suddenly as he covered his nose." What's that awful smell?"

"That's probably me." Said Kid." I had some bad farts just now." Then all Kid's friends around him groaned as they smelt the toxic order and quickly covered their noses.

"Morons." Commented Okan and Fiona from where they were standing.

"Idiots." Said Kevin from where he was.

Then with that the last team crossed the finish line, and the first competition was over.

A bell rang out signifying it's end, the losers were escorted from the field while the remaining fifty stayed.

Ikeman stepped up to address the crowd once more.

"Ladies and Gentlemen." He said." That ends the end of preliminary trail one." He stopped and looked down at the field below noticing the competitors had been cut by more than half. But then he looked down and saw Kid Muscle amongst the crowd, which inly infuriated him." And now we move onto the next trail." He said after regaining himself. Nearby him was a panel full of buttons, Ikeman reached over and after his fingers hovered over several of them he pressed down on the big red one.

Then suddenly the earth began to shake. Then right before everyone's eyes the field began to change.

Suddenly large rocks began flying up from the ground. The wrestlers quickly jumped out of the way and onto the ground that wasn't moving.

Then they all looked up and saw a large mountain stood before them.

"This." Said Ikeman after the mountains had formed before them." Is the second and last trial." Everyone looked up in wonder at the size of the mountain." For this trial the one Chojin from each team must climb the mountain, then he must jump off and his partner must catch him. Then the process repeats itself as the partners switch off. It's the Ultimate test of Trust."

"Well shoot." Said Terry." That doesn't sound so bad."

But Kid stood behind frightened by the whole thing." I'm I'm." he stammered." I'm not too good with heights."

"Kid you don't have to be afraid of heights." Said Dik Dik to him.

"Tis true." Said Checkamte." Thou only has to be afraid of falling."

"Great." Groaned Kid. Since that's what this trail is about.

"Wrestlers take your places." Said Ikeman. Then twenty-five of the fifty wrestlers jumped up and began climbing the mountain.

Kid watched as Dik Dik began to climb the mountain and only seemed to stop when he was to high up for Kid to see him.

Up there with Dik Dik were Jeager, Wally, Fiona, and others while their partners waited on the ground.

Then once again a gunshot went off and the wrestlers jumped off the mountain side.

While some partners took the initiative and jumped for their falling partners Kid stayed behind stricken with fear, his knees wobbling.

Terry quickly jumped up and grabbed Jeager, the two landing on the ground safely. The process was then completed by Checkmate who grabbed Wally, Okan who grabbed Fiona. Several other wrestlers had succeeded in grabbing their partners as well.

But Dik Dik was the unlucky one and kept falling with Kid waiting on the ground nearby.

Kid had difficulty locating Dik Dik at first. Amongst the falling people from the sky he couldn't see him.

"Kid!" called Roxanne from the stands as she stood up. Kid turned and saw her." You've got to focus, you've got to find Van Dik and catch him."

"Right." Said Kid Muscle with a nod. Then he turned his attention back to the sky. After scanning for a brief moment he eventually found Dik Dik falling towards the ground some thirty feet away from him." Hang on Dik Dik." Said Kid. Then Kid dashed into a full-fledged sprint and ran for Dik Dik, who all the while kept falling towards the ground.

But then as he ran Kid tripped over another Chojin's leg then he himself began falling forward along with his partner. The crowd gasped in shock as they saw Kid fall thinking he wouldn't be able to catch Dik Dik.

But Kid stretched out his arms and as Dik Dik began to fall he did the same. The two continued to fall and were now only several feet apart.

But then Kid Muscle let out another fart and propelled himself forward once more. In doing so he flew forward, grabbing onto Dik Dik's arm and then pulling him in, saving him from falling to the ground.

"He did it!" cheered Roxanne.

"Way to go Kid." Cheered on his friends.

"Damn!" groaned Ikeman from his seat.

"Hmph." Was all Kevin had to say.

But with that done, only half of the work was complete and already some of the wrestlers had been knocked out of the competition falling to catch their partners.

So those left turned and began climbing the mountain.

"Don't worry Checkmate." Said Wally." I'll catch ya."

"I have complete and total trust in you." Said Checkmate before turning and walking off.

"The same goes for you buddy." Said Terry to Jeager.

"Ja." Said Jeager." Don't vorry, this'll be easy."

"Whoo." Said Kid breathing easier." Glad that's over."

"Alright Kid." Said Dik Dik." Now it's your turn."

"M-My t-turn?" asked Kid as he turned to him.

"Yea." Said Dik Dik." You caught me now I caught you, don't worry it'll be a piece of cake." Kid turned looking up at the mountains and gulped.

"Easy for you to say." He groaned.

But Kid eventually turned and began climbing the mountain. As he climbed he kept his eyes shut.

"It's okay." He said to himself." If I just keep my eyes closed I think I'll be okay."

"Say Muscle." Said Okan as she was climbing next to him. "Your shoe-lase is untied."

"Oh thanks." Said Kid. Then he turned to look down at his shoe.

"KID!" called Roxanne." Don't look down!" But it was too late Kid was already looking straight down and he didn't like what he saw, or rather what he couldn't see. All he could see was the ground and the people on it like little ants. Kid's knees began to shake as he stood frozen on the mountain side.

But then a group of hands reached down and grabbed him on all sides then they hoisted him up and placed him on the ground.

Kid looked up and saw Terry and Checkmate there.

"T-Thanks guys." He said.

"Tis no problem." Said Checkmate." Just helping a friend." Then the three made their way over to the edge of the cliff, where they'd have to jump.

Kid was again became frightened as he looked all the way down barely seeing the bottom. He tried to turn away and run but then Terry and Checkmate caught him and returned him to the edge.

Then on the ground and another gunshot was heard signaling the start of this contest.

And with that the wrestlers were off once more, jumping towards the ground. Kid however remained on the top, totally afraid of jumping off.

"You look scared Kid." Said Okan." Allow me to help you." Then she reached forward and pushed Kid Muscle off the side of the mountain, then she herself jumped off.

Kid fell and began plummeting towards the ground and Dik Dik was on the ground waiting for him.

At that moment Jeager jumped up and caught Terry. Upon returning to the ground they confirmed their place in the tournament. Then Wally jumped up and grabbed Checkmate.

Many other wrestlers made the attempt, some failed while others succeeded.

Dik Dik waited on the ground calmly the whole time. He eventually saw Kid Muscle or rather heard him first, as he could hear his crying as he fell to the ground.

Then Dik Dik jumped up and went after Kid. Both partners were airborne only this time it looked to be a better circumstance.

Dik Dik reached out and grabbed for Kid. But behind him was another team.

Fiona jumped out and grabbed Okan. Then as the two began falling back on the ground they passed Dik Dik. Just like before Okan reached out and kicked at Dik Dik.

It wasn't a very hard kick, it barely reached him. But Dik Dik was knocked off balance but had still been able to catch Kid.

Then the two began falling for the ground. Okan and Fiona landed safely nearby confirming their place in the tournament.

Dik Dik came down with Kid Muscle only their landing wasn't as soft.

Dik Dik fell back but when he was kicked he had been knocked off balance so when he landed his leg twisted around. Dik Dik fell to the ground in pain and Kid Muscle landed several feet away from him.

"Dik Dik!" he screamed in concern. The sound of his cry rallied all his friends and they came running.

They all stood and huddled around the fallen Dik Dik.

"Dik Dik buddy." Said Terry." Are you alright?"

"Speak to us please." Said Wally. Kid knelt down and bent over Dik Dik. It was always Dik Dik's dream to win something in wrestling, now he thought that his dream of winning with Kid was shattered like his leg. He thought he had failed.

"Kid." Groaned Dik Dik from the ground. Kid Muscle grabbed onto Dik Dik's hand and held it." Tell me honestly Kid." Groaned Dik Dik." Did we win?" he asked his voice filled with sorrow.

"Yea Dik Dik, we won." Kid replied with a smile as he looked down at him." All thanks to you." Dik Dik smiled in reply, fighting against the pain.

Then the paramedics showed up and moved Dik Dik onto a stretcher. Kid Muscle and his friends by him the whole time.

"Don't worry about me Kid." Smiled Dik Dik as they lifted him up." I'll be fine, I'll be back before you know it." Then Dik Dik was lifted off on the stretcher to the Hospital.

"Dik Dik." Said Kid with a sigh as his partner was carried off.

"You wouldn't have had anything to do with that would you?" asked Fiona as she observed the smirk on Okan's face.

"Maybe." Replied Okan.

"That wasn't necessary." Replied Fiona her suspicions confirmed.

"If we want to be the best we've got to prove it." Said Okan turning to Fiona." We can't afford to be soft, right?"

"Right." Said Fiona softly with a nod of her head.

"Ladies, Gentlemen and Wrestlers." Said Ikeman's voice suddenly catching all of their attentions. He now stood on a small stage on the field before the wrestlers." The Teams have been cut in half, these wrestlers before me will move on to the Chojin Tag-Team Tournament." The audience stood up and cheered.

There was Jeager and Terry.

Fiona and Okan,

Hydroazo and Road Rage,

King Castle and Slyscrapper,

Thunder and Lightning,

Frogman and Ton,

Flowerdust and Spikeman,

Gepparland and Hammerhead,

Checkmate and Wally Tusket,

And lastly Kid Muscle and Dik Dik.

" Now the teams will choose numbers from two boxes. One from the black division and the other from the red division." Continued Ikeman. The big screen lit up again showing two brackets, one in black and the other in red." Just like the Chojin Crown and team will advance from each division until the final match. Contestants you will now choose."

Jeager made a move to pick the black division but Terry reached out his arm and stopped him.

"Ladies first." Said Terry when Jeager looked at him and nodded. The two turned over and saw Okan and Fiona nearby.

"Thank you boys." Said Fiona politely with a smile. Then she walked up to the man holding the black box. She reached in and pulled out a ball. Then she lifted it out and showed it to the man who recorded the number on a clipboard.

"Okay Dik Dik." Said Kid as he went up to the red division box." I hope I can pick a good one for us." Then he reached in and grabbed a ball. He looked at it and it read '5', then Kid showed it to the man who wrote it down. Seconds later in appeared on the big screen.

Kid had ended picking a slot that would not gave to fight an extra round, so luck was on his side.

"Damn you Kid Muscle." Said Ikeman.

But it was decided.

In the black division were the teams of Terry and Jeager, Fiona and Okan, King Castle and Slyscrapper, Spikeman and Flowerdust, Thunder and Lightning.

In the red division the teams of Kid Muscle and Dik Dik, Checkmate and Wally, Frogman and Ton, Hydrozoa and Road Rage, Hammerhead and Gepparland.

"Wow." Commented Jacqueline from her seat." That was sure some intense competition, I can't wait until these fighters rip into each other. What do you think Kevin?" she asked turning to him. But when she did she found that Kevin's seat was empty and the man in question gone.

But for the day the competition was over and the crowds began to disperse for the evening.

"This is great." Said Trixie as she walked ahead of her group." Terry and Jeager really destroyed in the competition today."

"It sure was fun to watch." Said Kiki." I can't wait to see how this tournament will play out."

"I'll tell you how." Said Trixie turning back abruptly and frightening her two friends slightly." Terry and Jeager are going to wreck in the black division and fight all the way to the final match and then win the gold there."

"Hold on a second." Said Roxanne stepping up." What about Kid Muscle."

"Van Dik is most likely out for good." Said Trixie in reply." Kid's good don't get me wrong, but with no partner he can't compete. And even if he and Van Dik were allowed to and able to compete they'd never beat Terry and Jeager."

"WHAT!" yelled Roxanne stepping towards Trixie.

"Easy girls." Said Kiki stepping between the two with a sheepish smile." There's no need for us to fight each other, we're all friends here."

"I'd sit here and argue." Said Roxanne pompously as she stood up." But I'm going to go to the hospital. Kid will most likely be there and then we'll get Van Dik get back on his feet and back in this thing."