Chapter 7: Suspicion

Daisy and Toadbert were watching me as me and my team advanced to the next round. "He sure knows how to fight," said Toadbert. "Daisy knew he could do it," said Daisy. We were still in the main stage continuing as we advanced round after round. Crash and I were having some food. "I can't remember the last time I had food as good as this," I said. "Me either dude," said Crash. Saria came in. "I cans see you guys are enjoying the food," said Saria. She saw that a milk bottle was full. She looked at me and I looked away. "You didn't drink your milk," said Saria as she looked at me, "Nicholas." "You drink it, I hate milk," I said, "Its like drinking a bag of piss." She pushed it on my face. "What the hell does that mean?!" she said, "Just drink the damn thing!" I pushed it back. "No! I hate what I hate!" I said, "Its not like I'll lose power cause I don't drink that shit!" "God, then this is the reason you're gonna be the size of a goomba!" said Saria. "What?!" I asked. "That's right, a goomba," said Saria, "You're just like Edward Elric."

Cactus King was watching and analyzing our every move. "These kids are stronger than I have imagined," he said. "I'll take care of the little squirt," said Zero, "Just give me the command and it will be done." "Very well," said Cactus King, "Weaken him, find out what support system he has and bring it to me, so we can use it as bait." "With pleasure," said Zero. "Bullet Bill, you'll be an opponent for the boy," said Cactus King. "Sir, yes sir," said Bullet Bill. He brought out fake guns with punching bags inside. "I'll show that brat who's boss." "Leo and Lenny," said Cactus King, "You'll go with Zero." "As you command," said Leo. He and Lenny got out their hammers and armor. The announcer came to the main stage. "And now for the moment we've all been waiting for!" he said. Some suits were brought down. They had a neon and cybernetic glow to them. "The remaining contestants will wear these suits for the remainder of the tournament," said the announcer.

"Cool looking suits," I said. "Its time for the pre round game called 'Smash Run'," said the announcer, "The 4 teams will spend 5 minutes in a labrynth collecting power-ups and powering up their suits. The goal is to get as much power as you can for your suit." "So there like battle armor," said Saria, "I could get use to that." We got our suits. "Time to get my boogie on with the green," said Saria as she put it on. "The match will start tomorrow afternoon," said the announcer, "Good luck." I was training in my suit. "Man," I said, "These suits can sure cook up some damage." Someone knocked on the door. "Its open," I said. It was Spyro. "Have you noticed something strange happening?" he asked. "Strange how?" I asked. "Well I tried to contact Hunter and Bianca after they were eliminated from the tournament and I can't reach them," said Spyro. "Maybe it's a long connection problem," I said, "Crash can't locate Crunch either." "Look, something's going on so if I were you I would keep my eyes peeled," said Spyro. "Ok," I said. I suddenly thought Spyro was up to something. "Wait a minute," I said, "This is a trap isn't it?" I asked. "What?" asked Spyro.

"Don't play dumb," I said, "You're just planning to use that information to keep us up all night looking for clues, and then you'll drink something to keep you energized. Then the rest of us will get beat and you'll get the prize for yourself." "You know I don't play that way," said Spyro. "Riiiiiiight," I said as I went back to my room. "He's actually telling the truth," said Sly. "So you're siding with him?" I asked. "Something's up with the tournament and I think we should find out what," said Sly. "Alright," I said, "What's our first clue?" "One of the soldiers goes through some pipe in a casino leading him to some kind of lair," said Sly, "If one of us can get in there and get some information we can get to the bottom of this." "Who told you that?" I asked. "A police chief named Lin Bei Fong," said Sly, "She knows I'm a thief, but she knows I don't steal from good people." "How are we gonna get into the casino?" I asked. He gave me a fake ID. "I already scanned the passes so they're bound to let you in," said Sly. "Man this story keeps getting weirder by each chapter," I said. "Dude, be careful with the 4th wall," said Spyro, "It could fall on you." "Not possible," I said. The 4th wall fell on me. "Ow!" I said. "Don't get mad at me," said Spyro, "I didn't write this story."

Saria, Coco, Sly, Spyro and I and the others were at the casino. "Isn't this a little bit feminine?" I asked. "It was my ex-girlfriend's," said Sly. "But you wear this stuff?" asked Crash. "On occasion," said Sly. We looked around. "This place is off the hook," I said. I saw a gambling table. "Looks like I found my spot," I said. Some people were rolling dice. "Whoa, let me be a part of this game," I said. "Are you aware that there's a high risk gamble this game?" asked a person. "In that case I'd be glad to be a part of it," I said. "Give him some coins," said a table watcher. "I'm gonna get some of this money," I said. I saw that they gave me $500 coins. "What's this?" I asked. "$500 coins sir," said the person. "You gave me $500 coins cause I'm a kid?" I asked. "No sir, I did not," he said, "I just assumed that…." "You assumed that a child coming in here can only afford $500," I said. "No I didn't assume that at all," said the person. "Do you hate children?" I asked. "I have two children and I love them very much. "Well how come everyone else gets $1000 coins, and a little boy get a damn nickel?" I asked, "You think kids suffer 18 years of being bossed around so you can send them back to their rooms with $500 coins?" "No," said the person. "Sir," said the table watcher, "I think you should calm down."

"I think you should go over there and count something," I said, "I just wanna be treated fairly." Sly was sneaking into the secret room of the casino. "Almost there," he said. He saw some guards. "Damn," he said. "Come on, children deserve to have a little fun without being told what to do," I said. "Sir why don't you just calm down win some money and have some fun," said the table watcher. I saw Sly trying to get into the room. "I ain't calmin down no more!" I said. They came over to the table giving Sly some time to get in. "Jack pot," he said. I saw that he got in. "You know let's just play," I said. I was having a good time gambling. Sly was taking pictures of a tunnel that leads to an unknown area. "This should be enough information to show Nick," he said. Sly snuck out before anyone could see him. "Sir, you'll have to get off the table," said the table watcher. "Thank you for your time," I said. I started to head out. We were heading back to the base. "What did you find?" I asked. "An underground road to some kind of spaceship," said Sly, "And I overheard some goons talking about some man called the Cactus King. "Cactus King?" I asked. "They claim him to be the strongest fighter," said Sly.

"Well not so long as I'm around," I said, "Scene change" The next day we were at the main stage for the Smash Run game. I saw Bullet Bill. "Nice suit," I said. "He has the Gunner Suit," said Saria, "Its filled with a lot of projectiles that will only damage the suit, but not the body." "Well I'm fast so he won't be hitting me," I said. "That's what you said about the last guy we fought," said Saria. "Shut up," I said. My team and 3 other teams were transported into a labyrinth. "After a few days of the tournament, its finally time for the upcoming event, 'Smash Run'," said the announcer. The crowd went wild. "Each team will have 5 minutes to fill their armor up with power-ups, and defeat the most enemies," said the announcer, "The team who defeats the most enemies by the time the 25 minutes are up will advance to the final match and face off with 'Master Hand'." "Who's Master Hand?" I asked. "Its some kind of hand that they made," said Saria, "Must've gotten inspiration from The Wizard of Oz." "So its like the Oz head, only it's a hand instead of a head?" I asked. "You could say that," said Saria, "Now, enough jab, its time to fight."

Mrs Haggle was walking around and saw the Hammer Bros. "Outta my way," she said. One of them swung their hammer near her. "Its all fun and games until someone loses an eye," she said. "We're looking for someone," said Leo. "Some kind of support system for this boy named Nicholas," said Lenny. Mrs. Haggle knew what they were talking about. "Daisy?" she asked. "So that's her name," said Leo, "Where is she?" She grinned knowing that she could make money out of this somehow. "I think I see ourselves making a little deal," she said. I got my staff out and started attacking some enemies. A green boot appeared. "What's this?" I asked. "A power-up," said Saria. I touched it and my boots started to glow. "I feel faster," I said. "The glory of power-ups," said Saria. She took out some booger like creatures. "Disgusting," she said. I heard some eery music. I turned around and saw a skull with flames around it.

"What the hell is that?" I asked. "That's an orne," said Saria, "If it touches you, you'll lost quite a few power-ups." It chased Crash. "Hold on!" I said. I chased the Orne, and Saria chased me. "Wait up!" said Saria, "I need more speed power-ups!" Crash was stuck. "Oh man," I said. I jumped down to help him. "Geez, why do I always have to save your…. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I said. We both screamed as it came near us. Someone shot a gold arrow. It was Coco. "Thanks little sister," said Crash. We continued fighting off monsters. There were 10 minutes left. Toadbert was watching us. "Come on buddy!" he said, "You can do it." "Kick his ass!" said Daisy, "Daisy knows you can do it!" I kept fighting. "Almost there!" I said. I suddenly was face to face with someone. "Finally," he said, "I got you right where I want you." "Can I help you?" I asked. "The name's Zero," said Zero, "I've been hired to destroy you." "You're gonna…. Destroy us?" I asked. Saria and I started to laugh. "You caught me in a good mood, so I'll let you off with a warning," I said, "Back away and you won't have to deal with my power suit." "You mean this?" he asked. He had a suit that looked like mine. "What good will a shirt made of metal do for you?" he asked. He crushed it. "It was fake?" I asked.

"Of course it was fake!" He said, "My armor on the other hand is real steel." "Holy cow," said Saria. "Enough jab," said Zero as he came near us, "The Cactus King doesn't want any loose ends." "What do you mean?" I asked. "He thinks you'll interfere with his plan," said Zero. "His plan?" asked Saria. "Yeah, to destroy the champion of the tournament and take over Earth," said Zero, "Perhaps I said too much. He attacked and we dodged. "Saria, go!" I said. "Not without you!" said Saria. She stayed by my side. He started swinging his sword at me and destroying the labyrinth. "Who does this guy think he is?" I asked. I countered with my staff. "You want a piece of me, well come on!" I said.

Diamond Eyes (Boom Lay)

I am the shadow, and the smoke in your eyes,

I am the ghost, that hides in the night

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM! (x4)

"Are you ready to die little boy?" he asked. "I might be, if I have to keep looking at that shit stain face," I said. Zero and I kept fighting. He was strong but I had the courage to keep fighting, the same courage I learned from Ike to keep fighting no matter what.

Wait, wait a minute take a step back

you gotta think twice before you react

so stay, stay a little while

because the promise not kept is the road to exile

HEY! whats the circumstance

you'll never be great without taking a chance so

wait, you waited too long

had your hands in your pocket

when you shoulda been gone

"Come on!" I said. "Now you're asking for it," he said as he punched me. I stood like a rock and kicked him in the face

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

One push is all you'll need

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

A fist-first philosophy

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

We watch with wounded eyes

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

So I hope you recognize

I'm on the front line

dont worry I'll be fine

the story is just beginning

I say goodbye to my weakness

so long to the regret

and now I see the world through diamond eyes

"You're not getting away from me brat!" he said. He destroyed more of the labyrinth with more of his furious attacks. Someone was about to be hurt and I got them out of the way. "Run!" I said. He ran.

DAMN! damn it all down

took one to the chest without even a sound so

WHAT! what are you worth

the things you love or the people you hurt

HEY! it's like deja vu

a suicidal maniac with nothing to lose

so wait, it's the exception to the rule

every one of us in EXPENDABLE

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

One push is all you'll need

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

A fist-first philosophy

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

We watch with wounded eyes

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

So I hope you recognize

I'm on the front line

don't worry I'll be fine

the story is just beginning

I say goodbye to my weakness

so long to the regret

and now I know that I'm alive

I'm on the front line

don't worry I'll be fine

the story is just beginning

I say goodbye to my weakness

so long to the regret

and now I see the world through diamond eyes

The timer had 3 minutes left and my team was in the lead. Everyone in the audience was watching me fight Zero. "Look at what he's doing," said someone. There was blood going down my cheek. "I'm not giving up," I said as I wiped it off. I kept fighting him. "Come on!" he said.

Every night of my life

I watch angels fall from the sky

Every time that the sun still sets

I pray they don't take mine

I'm on the front line

don't worry I'll be fine

the story is just beginning

I say goodbye to my weakness

so long to regrets

I'm on the front line

don't worry I'll be fine

the story is just beginning

I say goodbye to my weakness

so long to the regrets

and now I know that I'm alive

Everyone saw me fighting him and were amazed by my talents. "He's amazing," said Saria.

I'm on the front line

don't worry I'll be fine

the story is just beginning

I say goodbye to my weakness

so long to the regret

and now I see the world through diamond eyes

(REPEAT x2)

Boom-Lay Boom-Lay BOOM!

(REPEAT x8)

There was debree falling down. "Its time to end this!" said Zero. "Not if I can help it!" I said. I charged up a fireball and hit him in the eye. "You lose," I said. He realized that I was stronger than he thought. "Another day Nicholas," he said, "Another day." He ran off. "Nicholas get outta there!" said Saria. I started running to the top. The timer counted down 10 seconds. I rushed to the top. I jumped before the debree trapped me inside. "Game set," I said. "We have a winner!" said the announcer, "Team Nicholas wins by default!" Everyoe cheered at me and my team. We raised our hands in victory. The announcer gave us the trophy. "That was the most amazing display of fighting I've seen in my life," he said. Daisy and Toadbert cheered knowing that I was alive. "Oh, Daisy, I have a gift for you," said Toadbert.

He brought her down to the basement. "No peeking," he said. "Daisy isn't peeking," said Daisy. He stopped. "Open your eyes," said Toadbert. Daisy saw a LTD 5 string bass guitar. "This is…. This is amazing," said Daisy. "Yeah," said Toadbert, "I figured you'd want your own bass soon." Daisy hugged him. "This is the best gift ever, Dad," said Daisy. She kissed his cheek. "Yeah," said Toadbert, "It is." "Sometimes I wish you were my real father," said Daisy. Toadbert smiled. "Well, if I was your father…." He said before the bell rang. "I'll be right back." He answered the door and saw Mrs. Haggle. "What a surprise," said Toadbert. "I'm here to get Daisy," said Mrs. Haggle, "I got a call saying that you wanted to return her."

"What?" asked Toadbert, "I don't remember making a call." "Well I got this voice message," she said, "And this is your voice." She played it. Toadbert sighed. "I'll get her ready." "And I got a French dictionary," she said. "Well that's nice," said Toadbert. She smacked him with it. "I didn't like what you said," said Mrs. Haggle. Daisy was going to the car. "Toadbert, tell her you wanna keep Daisy," said Daisy, "Daisy doesn't wanna go." "There's nothing he can do now girl," said Mrs. Haggle, "You have a box of shame waiting for you." Leo and Lenny snuck in the house. "Before I go there's one last thing I'd like to say," said Mrs. Haggle as she grinned. "What's that?" asked Toadbert. "Heads up," she said. Leo knocked him unconscious and he fell. They grabbed Daisy and she screamed.

TO BE CONTINUED…