So I wrote this like a billion times (give or take a thousand) and I'm still not satisfied with it, to be honest. This is probably going to be the longest chapter by the way. I just wanted to make sure I kept on schedule.


Trick 7: Knights Up

There wasn't a very high chance of Seth grabbing me out of the sky this time. So I tried to spin myself. As I turn I noticed the man I threw just as his back hits the ground. There was a small bounce before he laid still, unconscious. Beside that scene, the post-well dressed man finishes dusting himself off as he spins upon his black wheels I notice a breeze. "Whirlwind Veil." The random trash of the alley began to flow around him and floating slightly, giving only a general idea of the radius of the sphere of rotating air around him. As the breeze gets more powerful I rebound off of it landing myself right side up. After my landing I look around at the post-fight.

As the mobile members of DC cautiously step out of the alley and into the open, my team Miyako walks towards me as Seth watches the others for foul moves. Solomon escorts the scared Tamotsu to meet up with us. The two unconscious members remain on our side. "I can't be bothered with this." The formal man says. I take a minute to note his features to remember him, which is the least I can do considering he saved me from further AT based embarrassment. In his now messy formal attire I could see that he was a bit thin. His short cut hair was black and just before he turns to face the alley outlet I manage to see his purple irises. He began walking out from the alley before being stopped by the glaring henchmen of DC.

"This isn't over yet Tomo." A member says. The voice came from behind us and I turn to face them. He had taken off his mask revealing his face, he was about twenty and looked quite tough. He was carrying his partner who had been injured by an earlier attack. "I dont care how many kids you get to back you up. We'll still beat you." Kids? Hmm... I guess I can fight this guy on the ground and in the air. Just the thought of my first real airborne fight makes me grin.

"Isao, how long do you guys plan on attacking me?" The man called Tomo asks with a groan.

"Until you stop putting those ATs on in our turf." One of the people outside of the alley calls. "Fujibashi, you either ride with us or not at all. Same for you new friends here."

"Fuck that, we'll take you guys for round two right now." Seth proclaims, edging toward a few of the masks. The mask who last spoke put his hands in his pockets and step towards Seth.

You could see the challenge in his eyes. "So what're you waiting for?" Seth walks to meet him halfway, rolling his shoulder just before. While watching this I don't even notice, someone come up behind me. A hand appears on my shoulder and I spin on AT, ready to have a fight of my own. Before I can throw the punch I note the bright bluish eyes of the newest member.

Solomon stood with both his hand up in a weak forfeit. "Sorry about that." I mumble, scratching the back of my head. He waves it off. "So what's up?"

"Just thought I'd remind you that there's no payout unless it's a Parts War." And I want to get to D-Class at least. I nod to him and turn to the man I had throw to the ground earlier.

Isao looks at me as if he already knows what I'm about to say. "Seth, hold up." I call. I can hear him groan in annoyance behind me. "Relax man, I know what I'm doing. So what if we beat you in a Parts War, then we can ride, right?"

He looks over all the members of our team specifically Miyako and Seth as if targeting the two of them. The man then grins, "Alright let's have this battle. But it looks like you're one member short." He says pointing to Fujibashi who is calmly walking out of the alley.

"Whoa, what're you doing?" I ask, skating in front of him.

He tries to step around me a few times before answering. "I'm trying to go home so I can change and relax."

"Don't you wanna fight these guys?"

Fujibashi sighs, "No, actually I don't. It'd be too annoying." He skates forward quickly and jumps over me, landing behind me and slowly skating away. "I just want to ride. Climbing the Trophaeum is nothing but a pain that I don't care for."

I scoff at his opinion for one sole reason. "Neither do I. But I bet we can agree on." I pause as the sound of his ATs stop. Caught his interest. "We both hate Devil's Crown."

"...Fine. I'll do this just so you have enough members to battle." Fujibashi declares, turning towards me. I shug and the two of us make the short trip back to the others.

"Alright, so like I was saying lets have this Parts War." The leader once again looks at Miyako and Seth and this time adding Fujibashi. I don't like it feels like he's targeting them, or he knows something that I don't.

"You know what since your team-"

"Knightmare." I interrupt.

"Right. Since Knightmare is so new we'll challenge you for your emblem. I doubt you're ready for Hurdles." Isao says putting out his hand. "Serow versus Knightmare in a Dash. Loser drops their Emblem."

"Wai-"

Miyako tries to say something but I speak first. "We're in." I shake his hand and we both stare at each other with fake smiles. This is dirty. As soon as we pull or hands back the rest of the team pulls me back. I thought it was for some kind of Storm Rider huddle but I notice half the team is staring at me like I'm crazy. "...What?"

"There are so many things wrong with what you just did. I don't even know where to start." Miyako begins in her usual underwhelmed voice.

"Shit, I do. D, you're an idiot. I'm the strongest in Hurdles." Seth adds.

He seemed ready to go off on a rant before Solomon interrupted. "What he's trying to say is that you should of asked your team before you went for this. Do you know their runs?" He asks referring to the rest of Knightmare. I shrug and he goes on. "A Dash is based entirely on speed. I'm fine with that but…" He looks to Miyako, Seth and Fujibashi. Three fifths of the team, four assuming I still suck. So basically Knightmare's finished. I put my hand to my head.

I slide my hand down my face along with a heavy exhale. Oh well. "Damn, any ideas?" I ask, now speaking to the whole team.

No one says anything and I look to Tamotsu who's still waiting for something to happen, awkwardly avoiding the eyes of Serow. As I look at him I hear a light mumble behind me. I turn back and see the others looking at Fujibashi. "Did you say something?" I ask him.

He seemed uncomfortable speaking in front of us. But after a beat he repeated himself. "Just let me run first. They probably won't take me seriously so, I guess if I actually try I can win." Putting aside the fact that he clearly didn't want to try, I'm glad we actually have something going.

"And I can win the second." Solomon says confidently. "Then we just need one more win."

"Fine, I'll win. But don't blame me if it gets messy." Seth states. Guess he still hasn't cut his anger into something. "Damian, make sure you watch, I don't wanna have to keep training you." I nod then look at Miyako, who has her eyes shut. It looks like she's drawing something out on the palm of her hand, using her finger as a pen.

"Alright if we win I'll make sure I never fuck up like this again." I proclaim. They all give varying degrees of yeah, rights. Solomon's being joking all the way to Seth which screams you better be right. I grin half-nervously then turn and put on my best smirk for the team we're up against.

"So are you guys ready or not?" A member of Serow asks.

Beside the fact that the only one of us dressed in any kind of riding gear is Solomon, yes. At least we've got some chance. Lets go.

-Serow VS Knightmare-

"So you're up first, huh?" The leader of their Serow says. He then steps up to Solomon meeting him at the starting line. The race is a straight line, from here to about a half-mile away, to the department store down the street. "I'll take this round then. I guess Knightmare won't be riding for long,"

"Don't be so sure, Knightmare is still a live hand." Wildcard says, "Especially considering I'm holding the Jackpot." He adds sliding his fingers across the black lining of his silver AT.

"Yeah, whatever. Hey," Isao calls to Tamotsu. "Let's speed this shit up."

Tamotsu nods, still hoping to stay on Serow's good side. Though it's more like their don't care to destroy side. He begins the count "Three… Two…" Both riders rev their ATs but Wildcard's engine seems to be running significantly hotter. His wheels spin and a red-orange glow of heat surrounds the custom gold of his wheels.

"Hey, make sure you pay attention." Fujibashi orders, speaking directly to me. "Otherwise you'll end up in this situation over and over again." I guess that's true. I think to myself. I'm sure Dash isn't the only thing that I will need speed for. Let's hope this is interesting.

"One! GO!" Tamotsu yells.

I hear a slight chuckle along with words "Smokin' Ace." The battle commences in chaos. A black smoke screen appears over Wildcard and the Serow leader. Through the smoke I see an arm in a long black sleeve throw a punch, catching nothing but smog.

The smoke begins to fade and the furious face of the team leader comes into view along with some growls. "So he's got a bit of speed, huh?" Isao says slowly cruising towards the goal. Something's wrong. I look forward and see Solomon nearly halfway to the finish, one hand keeping his hat in place and the other seemingly being used to keep him balanced. He's clearly winning, as a matter of fact after he gets a few more yards it's downhill so he'll be even faster. The part that worries me is I can hear team Serow snickering to themselves. "And… Now!"

As I watch the enemy team for any foul play I hear a series of heavy clicks beside me. I turn and see Miyako repeatedly hitting her Air Trecks against the asphalt. Before I can ask what she's doing she shouts to Solomon. "Wildcard! Jump off the hill!" I quickly turn my head back to Solomon briefly looks back to us before flipping himself through the air. Isao and his group collectively suck their teeth in annoyance.

Isao quickly speeds up, but everyone can tell that our race is already won. "What was that?" I ask, turning to Miyako.

"It's Sonar, I scanned the area with my Gaia Road." She says, still keeping her eyes closed. "There's a lot of noise going on between her and there so I almost didn't notice."

"Notice what?" Seth asks as he stares down one of the grunts of Serow who was glaring at Miyako.

"We set a little trap up for you." A member of Serow approaches us, smirking at Miyako. "There's been some construction and as yesterday there's a hole that was supposed to be a free win on our behalf. Naturally anyone who just had a race would let gravity bring them downhill to victory, but then you got in the way. That's quite an annoying skill you've got there, girl." He says with a scoff, "But how about you leave the fight to the men, otherwise I might have to break those legs of yours."

"How about you back the fuck up." I interrupt. Seth and I step forward, in front of Miyako who was only ignoring him.

He looks from me to Seth the throws up his hand in a mock forfeit. "Whatever, it's your funeral. Let's just start the next race, who knows what Isao's doing to your friend up there." I suck my teeth. I regret not asking about Solomon's fight record in the interview back at his house. I didn't get the chance to see him fight earlier since he was looking after Tamotsu. Hope he can hold his own for a bit. Fujibashi steps toward the starting line, though quite unenthusiastic. I can almost hear him thinking why am I doing this. The member of Serow who had been taunting us earlier begins to laugh. "You're actually planning to use Tomoharu?" He asks hunched over laughing. He looks up sees the serious look in my eyes which seems to piss him of. "Hmph, like I said it's your funeral. FNG, this one's yours. Should be an easy out, don't blow it."

Another member of Serow steps to the line. He's clearly new to the team but not to ATs. "Whatever you say, General." As soon as FNG gets to the starting line he takes of his cloak and mask. I recognize his face though I don't actually know him. He had gone to the school I graduated from last year. One of the guys who had been causing Katsumi problems until I showed up. I clench and unclench my fist, in the memory. I wonder if he remembers me. I ask myself though I never even got his name. Still, it shouldn't be so easy to forget that crazy American kid. Considering the fact that he ran off when I first fought him and he's up again Fujibashi who clearly doesn't care, this probably won't be very entertaining.

"Are you two ready?" Tamotsu asks, much more confident now that the leader is more than a earshot away. The two competitors nod and Fujibashi's is accompanied by a shrug. "Okay, three...two...one. Go!" At the end of the countdown FNG jets off to a significant lead as Fujibashi calmly cruises behind.

Is he even tr- "Hey what the fuck, I thought you said you could take this!" Seth yells. Fujibashi turn to look at us and in a normal speaking voice (which is nowhere near enough for us to hear) says something that I think was along the lines of Dammit, just stop bothering me. He slowly positions himself behind FNG, stopping us from seeing his opponent. "I swear if we lose because of you-" He stops and quickly turns to me. "Either of you! Somebody's getting the shit beaten out of them." Somebody means me, doesn't it? I turn my head back to the race hoping this isn't going to be Knightmare's last.

Still riding casually he somehow manages to be keeping the same distance on FNG. He's skating behind him but it looks like he's somehow picking up speed. Quickly skating around Tamotsu, I get to the side of the track to see the race from a different angle. There's no longer any doubt. Fujibashi is definitely catching up to his opponent who seems to be sprinting with everything he has. Trying to figure this out I look at his dark-green ATs. The silver lining draws my attention to the black wheels, which seem to be hovering slightly. "What is that?" I ask aloud to no one in particular.

"He's flying." Miyako states, now watching the battle with her eyes. "Fujibashi's using FNG slipstream to lift, himself of the ground while that guy does all the work. It's a Wing Road thing. I know because I can't see him on Sonar." Damn, that's useful. I should really get to asking Katsumi about the Over Road.

"Can you see Solomon?" I ask, hoping he was getting his teeth kicked in or anything.

She taps the ground once with her AT. "Don't worry he's fine. I think he's talking his way out." I unconsciously sigh in relief at that. If a part of Knightmare gets hurt because of my bad moves that won't be good for anyone.

"Here comes the jump!" A member of Serow cheers. From their point of view all they can see is Fujibashi's back, but from here we can see that he's literally on FNG heels. Both launch into the air less than seconds apart. Fujibashi's jump is higher and he appears to overtake his opponent mid-air.

With no way to see the landing from here Miyako begins rapidly click her AT against the cement. After about two seconds Miyako opens a her eyes again. "It's Fujibashi's win."

"Fuck yeah!" Seth and I both yell.

"All we need is one more win and this territory is ours." I grin.

"One more win. I don't know what you mean." The Serow General claims. He gestures to a member Serow who was mocking Miyako's actions. "Our teams Gaia Road user says FNG crossed the finish line first."

"But those AT are customized for jumps." Tamotsu says think aloud. "No one who rides the Gaia Road would use those."

"What?" The general asks, glaring at Tamotsu. He stays silent and I see the same look of fear on his face as when the ex-Skull Sader ran him into my house. I quickly put my hand on Tamostu's shoulder.

He jump at the touch and I glare at Serow. I don't know why he's acting like this, he at least tried to deal with Kouji. What's the difference? "You heard him it's Knightmare's win. You scared that we'll win the next match?"

He looks at Seth and Miyako and laughs haughtily. "No use bluffing kid, I know those two aren't the fastest." The general confidently says. "They could both run at once and still couldn't beat me and him." He says pointing to one of the cloaks Seth fought earlier.

I look to the two of them and grin. "Care to test that theory? I'm starting to get bored of this one on one."

"Ha! You're gonna make those two ride together? Fine, we're in."

"I'm not even going to need to race." I sigh, pretending to be upset about it. Miyako and Seth head over to the line along with the Serow general and whoever his partner was. While Serow last up and I took the bench. My two teammates both look at me as if I had just messed up again. Fortunately I actually knew what I was doing this time. I had seen both of them ride when they were trying to teach me tricks a few days ago. Oddly enough they never once got in the others way. "You two go on and me and this guy'll follow up." I call before the race starts. They nod and after another three count take off in the race.

The Miyako and Seth speed forward moving with what was seemingly their all. Seth, who is in the middle of the street quickly shoots out the blades from his black and red ATs. In an instant retaliation both members of Serow charge at him. He swing his right blade at both of them forcing their general to fall back. The general prepares to jump after the two of them but before he makes it Miyako strides into his path. She charges him in a spin but instead of the kick expected in an AT battle she shoulders into him. Caught of guard by this the general spins to recover and as he does Miyako cocks her hand back to throw a punch, trying to avoid using kicks. Even through her apathetic exterior I can see how much she dislikes this guy, but I don't know why she's holding back.

As they get further away I decide to follow up. As I begin moving forward to keep up with my team, extra member of Serow appears in front of me. Well it's more like made me face him. Somehow before I could even react he had grabbed me and forced me to stop my run. "Knightmare, right? What Faction is your team a part of?"

I'm barely paying attention to the things he's saying. I'm too busy trying to figure out why my AT's suddenly stopped moving. And why that suddenly makes me feel trapped. I can fight without wheels just fine, right? So why do I feel like I just lost? I think up several was to attack him, but the visions all end with me defeated. I look at the others who are getting further away. Seth still fruitlessly slashing away at a member of Serow and Miyako now dodging their general's attacks. The Serow member before me steps even more into my line of sight. Blocking my view as his mouth continues to move. "...What?" I ask as he finally stops.

He growls and throws a punch that I somehow dodge, skating backwards though I don't know how. Luckily it seems to impress him for some reason. "Hmm, dual motors? Rare. I'll ask again;" He says, showing a set of tools in one hand and a few random small pieces of metal. "Are you with Revelation."

"I don't even know who that is."

"Well I suggest you keep it that way." He threatens, tossing the pieces to me. I manage to catch all of them though I don't know what they're for. "You're gonna need those unless you plan on skating backwards forever." With that he rides off, turning the opposite way of the finish line, mumbling something along the lines of leaving before Spider Bitch shows up.

What was that about? I guess that's another name I'm supposed to remember… I wonder to myself. I shake it off and just as I prepare to move forward my legs fly backwards out from under me. I catch myself on the palms of my hands barely preventing the oncoming faceplant. Wha- So I literally can't move? Great. "Yo! Tamotsu let's get to the others." I call taking of my ATs. I tie them together and mount them over my shoulders. He seems confused but as I shove the parts into my pocket he catches on. The two of us begin running towards the rest of Knightmare, myself only in socks. Luckily I can still see the end out the battle from here.

Seth takes a slash at the Serow member causing him to fall as far back as his partner. With a sudden boost of speed Seth jumps into the air long before the hill trap. "Psycho Cyclone Guillotine!" Extending both of his legs, Seth swings wildly through the air. The instant he touches the ground the sound of the street being carved becomes quite audible. As he carves through the street everyone behind him begin to trip and stumble. Everyone except Miyako who I know understand is using her Road to know what ground is safe and what isn't. After about two seconds Seth himself is barely able to keep riding and crashes to the ground. Still moving at the same speed she was at the beginning of the race Miyako slides up to him helping him right himself again. It takes a bit of time but Serow had been greatly slowed, so much so that Tamotsu and I managed to catch up.

As Seth and Miyako both jump the hill Tamotsu and I cheer. "Yes!" Getting around the construction (which now that I see it is just a ridiculously big hole in the middle of the road), Tamotsu and grin with the others, Seth and Miyako both smiling though completely exhausted. Solomon laughs a bit and thanks Miyako for the help. She waves it off as the members of Serow approach us with hatred in their eyes, I step to meet them halfway. "We can all agree Knightmare won, right?"

Their team's well exhausted general tries to object (again), but Isao stops him before he can say a word. "First off: Yeah, you won." Isao answers, taking his teams emblem of a keychain. He flicks it to me and I take a second to examine it. It was a small goat head with horns that twist in a pair of dark blue wheels on the side of it's grey eyes and face. As I put it on my own keychain he continues. "Second: What the hell happened to your skates?" He laughs and everyone else looks at my feet.

"Ask your other teammate. He's the one that took my Air Trecks apart." I answer aggressively.

"He wasn't in Serow. Like Tomo here he was just a substitute. He just decided to jump into the fight since we're all part of Devil's Crown." He grins. "But that's your problem. Me and my ex-team have to go find some new DC team to join. Later." With that the four of them ride off, leaving us stood in the middle of the street. But still leaving us with their emblem nonetheless.

"So..." I sigh scratching the back of my head. "You guys wanna grab a pizza?" I ask gesturing to the tall department store. Most of the group look to each other then shrug and we walk into the store. I look over my shoulder and see that Fujibashi was turning to leave. He definitely wasn't interested in joining the team. Not yet at least.


How was it? (It's 4:30 in the morning cut me some slack, please.) Trust me the more important Parts Wars will be much better written. I was just trying to get a few things in here, probably to much.