(A.N.) Ok, this was sopposed to be posted a week ago, but I hadn't expected an error that wouldn't allow for me to log on, so instead of patiently waiting said error out, I pretty much redid the chapter, and now its about 2,500 words longer, overall, not bad. By far my new longest chapter, and should remain that way for several months. Standing at 10,332 words, Chapter 10! Don't expect anything at this lengh for a while. The update schedual has officialy moved to two weeks since I've recently been promoted, and now have much less time to write due to extended hours, and I now work saturdays. Not that I did well with weekly updates anyway, but still. The reward question has so far remained unanswered, but that's not surprising since last chapter only recieved one or two reviews, so it's still up for grabs, the first person to get it right recieves the mystery prize. So for now, enjoy the final chapter of Awaken: Book of Beginnings. Warning, if you are not a fan of explosions and war type environments, I suggest you avoid the last part of this chapter.
Awaken: Book of Beginnings
Chapter 10: The Beginning of the Legacy, The Trio's Great Stand!
"A legacy, is much more than a story, it is the heart and soul of every character, every event clashing into a great tale that lives on forever. Be it in text or memory, legacies never die.
And so it was, that we tore through all competition in our way, for the following two more rounds, we each faced stronger opponents, ones that weren't taken down by simple tricks and one hit knockouts, well except for me, I tore apart my opponents with my blade, both people practically risked their lives by daring to remain in the battle after the first strike, I show no mercy.
Devante and Robert however, weren't as lucky with their opponents; they stood their ground effectively, and had great weapon strategy, but were still no match for my team.
"Hey Tyson, how about we begin to name our attacks." Devante asked.
"We'll sound like retards." I tell him.
"I know. But I bet you won't do it." He challenged.
"You're on, if I do it, then you both have to do it too." I say.
"Hey, why are dragging me into this?" Robert whined slightly
"Because, we're friends, aren't we." I ask.
"That doesn't have anything to do with this!" He complains.
"Ha ha! Tyson, you son of a bitch!" Devante laughed off, breaking the current subject into something else entirely. "You're going into match three already, and have yet to break a sweat, and you're not playing around like in the first round! You gonna let them at least attempt an attack this time?"
"Not a chance!" I smile, "If they can't last one hit, then they don't deserve to be there."
"Well, just don't get to cocky, we don't need you getting eliminated first." Robert said, giving me a playful punch in the arm as I walked off.
"Please, we all know you or Devante will be eliminated, right before fighting me. That's how the board is set." I stop my walking to point out the chart, this was our greatest round right now, with me facing the Grey teams 4th top trainee, behind us, Salvador Grands, whose shotgun tore through his enemies, Chad and Robert facing each other to settle an old score shortly after, and immediately after that match, Devante faces Rose! If we all won, then we'd be in the semi finals, guaranteeing at least one of us going into the final round.
"And we all know who wins that fight Robert!" Devante bellowed.
"Yeah, me!" The shorter boy mocked.
"Wrong! The correct answer is me leprechaun!" Devante delivered.
"Either way, you'll both lose to me." I remind them.
"Keep laughing, you damn mouthy bastard. I'll be the one with the last laugh!" Devante grinded his teeth.
"As if!" Robert returned. I left them to argue, fueling each other's fires to win, exactly as planned. I knew how to pull their strings, how to force them to be their absolute best. That's why I'm the self proclaimed leader of the group, center stage, and the one giving orders, but I'll always be the one to take the first hit, that's my responsibility, as the leader. And any leader, who stands behind his men, is nothing but a spineless piece of trash. That's how I am, that's my mind set, and that's why as long as I breathe, my team will not die. The simulation taught me that. I can't allow my last living friends die on me.
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"Tyson, Salvador, are you ready?" Mike asks us.
"Always." I reply.
"Of course." My opponent states.
"Good, then begin." The Grey team leader signaled.
We took our battle stances. "Are you going to finish me in one hit?"
"Only if you let me Sally" I taunt.
"How many times do I have to tell you…" He grunted at the use of the taboo nickname.
"32." I respond.
"Well, that's a shame; it's easier to shoot you than to tell you 5 more times." The bastard actually counted the times he told me not use that name? What a freak.
As he turned off his safety, I charged him, blade in hand. He aimed and shot, but I tucked and combat rolled out of the way, not losing any momentum. So he continuously shot, as I closed the distance between us.
"Tyson! Do the technique we discussed!" Robert shot out.
I nod in his direction, before jumping in the air, a mere 5 meters away from Salvador. "Fool, your dead meat in the air!" He shouted out, pulling the trigger of his gun, only to have lightning shoot down the barrel of his precious weapon. He suffered from the shock of the attack, and was stunned.
"Wh- where are you, you bastard." Salvador grunted.
"Behind you!" His friends shouted to him. I guess we aren't the only ones entitled to backup.
He turned to view me in my combat stance.
"It's over now Salvador!" I boast. "Ice blade barrage!" I shout out to him creating over a dozen ice fixtures, sharpened to a point. I point my blade to him, signaling my elemental creation to shot to him.
He shot at my attack, shattering them seven, eight, perfect. I burst forward, jumping over my ice, blade ready, "Game over, shining sword attack! I was in the perfect position, the blade reflected the suns light into Salvador's eyes, blinding him, so when I twisted to different position, he couldn't see.
With one fine sweep, it was over, the blade halted at his neck. "Match over." Mike called.
I walked away without a word, I wasn't confident without reason.
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"That's our Tyson!" Devante cheered as our friend returned.
"Can you follow through, Robert?" Tyson glared into my soul. He was questioning my determination.
"If I can't it's no one's fault but my own." I say, my determination was dead on, but I knew against his weapon, I had one very specific weakness I couldn't avoid. And worse, I actually had Tyson exploit it, I could only hope Chad wasn't paying attention.
"He can handle himself." Devante reassured our talented friend.
"So, semi-finals huh? How does it feel?" I ask.
"Remember your first kiss?" He asks in turn.
"Oh, like that…" I ponder.
"Kind of, just without having to stand on your tiptoes worrying you were gonna piss your pants." Tyson snickered.
"I'll kill you bastard!" I screech, moving to strangle him, only to have a wire intercept. I move to make sure it missed me. I look in the direction it came from only to find Chad.
"Hope you're not that distracted during our match, small fry." Chad brushed off the death glare I gave him.
"I'll never stand for a douche like you stealing my lime light." I growl.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to knock you down then." He turned to leave. I jumped to my feet and blocked him from the exit.
"Where you running to? Are you scared? Oh great leader of the green team." I smirk, knowing I struck a nerve."
He sneered in disgust almost. "Grey team for life. If you pricks hadn't gotten in my way, I would have made sure you worms stayed in line."
"You can't contain us." I glare at him.
"Your so called 'brotherhood' is laughable, you are the most useless band of junkies I've ever had the displeasure of meeting." He retorted.
"What would you know of brotherhood?" I shout, moving to slug him, but he shot that damn electric wire out, he aimed for my unprotected head, the right charge would kill me instantly. I close my eyes in anticipation of the pain, which never came. I open them briefly to see Tyson had disrupted the electrically charged weapons path, with his blade, but he made sure not to cut it.
"Tyson, if you're not careful, this wire will be aiming for you." Chad spoke slowly, attempting to threaten the now fearless boy before him.
"Better that than one of my friends, but if Robert has a score to settle, then I've got to let him handle it." He spoke with his self claimed authority.
"If it wasn't for you moving me, I would have hit elite 6 months ago, instead of three." He displayed a quiet rage in his onyx eyes.
"That's the problem of your own incompetence." Tyson said, and then he got right in Chad's ear and whispered something I couldn't decipher.
Chad's eyes shot wide open, his pupils dilated, something important was said by Tyson, because Chad seemed truly afraid, but for only a few seconds, he recovered and his face returned to his ice cold glare, on the surface at least, anyone looking hard enough could still see the frightened look on his face. They exchanged a few words I couldn't hear, before growing in volume. "You seem a little too shocked to be innocent." Tyson smirked in his apparent find. "I'll give you a chance to show your true colors, you have until the end of the final match." Tyson gave me a look that spoke 'stay out of this'. I nodded in understanding and confusion.
"Robert, our match is about to start, don't chicken out on me." Chad sneered, but true fear still hung on his face. I simply smiled at his state of weakness and stepped to the exit.
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I stood before Chad, ready for his wire; he wore a mask of confidence, with evident fear still plastered there if you looked hard enough.
"Are you ready? " Carol asked, noticing some tension between the two of us.
"Well, Chad? I'm ready when you are." I smirked, trying play into his weakness in order to throw him off mine.
"Just start it already Sergeant Carol." He said hastily, obviously trying to sound confident.
"Right." She signaled the start of the match, and I immediately stated unloading shells from my pistol at the second of the draw, he whipped and cracked the wire around, due to the fact he couldn't shoot it straight at me due to the swift movements I pulled while shooting.
Instead of reloading, I pulled a different gun, with a 6 round revolver, I once again began to barrage him, rolling to him for a more direct shot, but I was almost his by electric shock in doing so.
"Robert! Do it now!" Devante yelled out.
"Damnit." I curse, remembering we had to name some of our more advance techniques. "Marine Assault! Shot trap!" I shout, pulling out my shot gun, I pounced Chad, both hands holding the shotgun's barrel directly on his face while straddling him at the hips. "Call the Match!" I shout in victory, but right before Carol could signal, Chad threw me off him, shooting his wire, aiming for a vital point, but only grazing my arm, due to an instinctive roll.
I felt my left arm go numb in response. Shit. I pull out my laser scoped automatic pistol. "Laser sight! Sharpshooter!" I call out. Pulling the trigger, feeling the bullets cascade from the barrel, Chad made no move to dodge, he countered with the wire.
I watched with a grim face as everything went slow motion, all 5 of the bullets that had come from the pistol exploded red ink midair as they made contact with the high speed electric mechanism shooting through them. The wire went directly into the barrel of the steel gun. Game over. I felt the shock erupt with the electricity conduct through the metal and the current flowed into my nervous system, paralyzing me.
"Now, call the match." Chad shot to Carol. I was powerless to stop her.
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"Bullshit! Bullshit! Buullshhhiiiit!" I erupt in anger.
"Robert was well aware this would happen if he wasn't careful. It's no use challenging the call; you need to beat Rose to avenge Robert." Tyson speaks as Angel flew from her seat to Robert's aid, just as she had for the other shock victims. He was up and moving within the minute.
"Damnit!" I yell, crushing the empty seat in front of me with my bare fist.
"Come on, this is the match you've been aiming for, Rose is already down there, waiting." Tyson pointed out.
"I'll take the bitch down." I promise and in one leap, went from my near top row seat of the 30 ft. tall coliseum and landed with a fiery (literally) ground pound. "Just start the damn match Carol, don't even bother to ask." I growl.
She nodded in understanding, and signaled.
"Well, tubby, you've come a long way now haven't you?" Rose smirked.
"Yes, I have, and along the way, I surpassed you. A long, long, time ago." I retorted.
She flinched at the remark. "You insufferable-" she was cut off by one of my powerful fireballs rushing towards her.
"You saw that the match started, right?" I nearly double over in laughter at her face, filled with shock and rage.
"That's it, you deserve no mercy!" She said pulling several of her daggers out.
"Who asked for mercy? Go all out, so you look that much more pathetic when I crush you!" I smirk. She took her battle stance in response. "Are you ready for me?" I ask, not waiting for her answer as I began rapidly shooting lightning.
"More ready than you could comprehend." The obsidian haired witch of a woman retorted coolly. Dodging every burst of lightning, she went to offensive, shooting her expertly aimed daggers, which were deflected by stone walls erupting from the ground. I had created a labyrinth, at least I think that's the smart word for maze; damn Tyson always has to be a goddamned grammar police about shit like this, around us.
"I'd like to play a game, Rose. In 30 seconds, these walls will begin spinning, some will collide, some will have spikes erupting from them, and some will simply disappear, survive for two minutes, and a clear path will be made to me, I'll be vulnerable, can you take advantage of the opportunity? This has become a test of skill, show me if you're worth fighting anymore. Frankly, your display so far has deeply disappointed me." I announce, showing the disappointment in my voice at the end.
"You just wait fatty! I'm coming for you!" She shouted, the walls began spinning, and I leapt to the air to see her progress, she was so busy evading the torture, she hadn't noticed to opening. The great puzzle before my eyes that I had so ingeniously created, was working to perfection, walls merged and disappeared at my control, forming an entirely new path, one that would eventually lead to my location, and Rose was making her way along. I landed on the ground, and prepared my attack, I had timed this just as Tyson had advised me to, to give exactly 20 seconds of an opening, if she failed to take me out in time, it would be most unfortunate. The large ball of fire, which I struggled to keep from ascending to level two, I wasn't used to holding back, but I made up for its lack of intensity in size. One minute left, after that, you're opportunity disappears Rose; don't disgrace me, my rival.
The path was soon opened, and the opening began, Rose was clearly sprinting for me, her face became overcome with shock at the sight of the incredible inferno in my hand. She recovered as quick as she could, before unleashing a barrage of daggers, but a second too late, the attack had escalated to a size which had melted her assault before they could reach me. "So close Rose! But it's game over now! Vengeance Flame, Fireworks Finally!" I announce, shooting the massive blaze to her. When she realized that the stone walls had imprisoned her, and had enclosed at the top to prevent her from jumping, she simply covered her body pointlessly with her arms and closed her eyes, whilst screaming in agony of the thought of the imminent pain. Which quite hilariously never came, I had dissipated the fire blast so I could charge her and as she opened her eyes in confusion of her anticipations delay, she was tackled viciously, as I collapsed most of the rock walls so the lower level seated people could witness this matched end. With a violent shove, I had pinned her to the last remaining wall and pulled the precious dagger from my arrow pack, which had had very little use in this competition. "Final Laugh, Comeback Strike!" I announce. Shoving the dagger into her sleeve near the shoulder, tacking her to the wall, and summoning a flame to my hand, I point to her face. "Call the match. This display is over." I say somberly, hoping that she had gotten the message I had longed to give her.
"Match, Devante!" Mike announced proudly. I grabbed the dagger and removed it from the wall, but not the sleeve, and collapsed the stone structure. She fell to her knees, all the while hyperventilating.
"That belongs to you, now never underestimates me again, got it Rose?" I ask her, almost sad at her pathetic performance when put on the spot, how she had possibly come this far, I couldn't understand.
"Y-yes, sir- Devante." She gasped for breath, and had admitted to submission. I was the superior. I smile at the knowledge that I had gotten some respect, and my message rang loud and clear in her head, and lend out my hand in support. She grabbed it and I helped her up.
"No hard feelings, right?" I ask her, arms wide open.
"Not even close, Devante." She struggled adjusting to the new title, but accepted the hug. "I concede to defeat, at the hands of one of Awakens next agent." She smiled. I was blown away, either I had knocked not only a screw loose, but a whole friggin' wall in that head of hers, or she really needed to come to a realization.
"Hey, I'm only in the semi finals; I've still got two people to beat, one of whom just happens to be your partner, Chad." I inform her. At this, she grabbed my collar and pulled her mouth to my ear.
"I saw the member's reactions, you're in for sure, but I'm still rooting for you, Chad will probably dump me for this loss, but I don't need him anymore. You've taught me that." She whispered excitedly. So that's why, I had no idea that the two were dating, but it seems her relationship was to solely stay behind the strongest. Now, she knows if she's ever to pass her life's obstacles, she must stand on her own ground, just as I and my friends do. I smile at the thought of how I had unknowingly changed someone's life way beyond my original intentions, and for the better at that!
"Ok, Rose, well then, I hope you can be a member with me too, so we can become friends. Even if you don't, you'll make it next year right?" I ask her, a bit hopeful too, something about this new Rose, I liked. Maybe it was the respect, maybe it was the sincerity, whatever it was, I wanted it to stay with her.
"Of course. Now go to your other friends, they're waiting for you." The reborn girl told me.
"Hey, one of the guy's sitting next to us was put in the infirmary for a shattered spine, even with Angels healing; he still won't walk for a good month. Come sit with us. Please?" I ask, as friendly as I could. I had a feeling she was no longer welcome at her old spot.
Her face was one filled with surprise. "Oh- O.K., just- just let me go break it off with Chad." She said, a bit shakily, as if she was afraid.
I put my hand on her shoulder, in a comforting way. "Do you need me to come with you? You're a little shaken up." I look into her eyes for honesty in her next answer.
"If you would." She spoke shyly.
"O.K. Love birds, there's other matches to be had, get out of the ring." Mike ushered us out.
"You're on to talk!" The two of us shouted simultaneously, smiling at our ability to think on the same frequency.
Mike looked at the charred and wrecked coliseum center. "All right, let's take a quick 10 minute intervention, and then we shall continue with the semi-finals."
"Let's go." I simply comfort her with a hand on her back.
"O.K." She agreed, and we headed off.
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We approached Chad. Damn was he pissed too. "Rose what the hell was that!" He scolded her. She flinched at his harshness. "First you lose to that talentless fat-ass, and then you have the gull to turn your back on me and become all buddy-buddy with him?" He questioned her.
"He is not talentless! Not even you can control two simultaneous elements, not to mention at the strength and speed he did! And he's not all that fat anymore Chad!" She argued.
"So what, are you just going to turn your back on your friends?" He poked her in the chest, almost throwing her of balance.
"What friends? You scare everyone off who doesn't obediently tail you like a lost puppy by intimidating them! I'm through with all this- bullshit! We're over Chad. I'll be hanging out with the strongest three people in this entire compound for the rest of the evening. Don't even try approaching me again." In one quick movement, she gripped the old dagger that I had implanted into her sleeve just a few minutes earlier, which was indeed a sharpened one, and maneuvered behind him, and pressed the unforgiving steel to his throat, barely piercing the thinnest layer of skin, but not enough to draw blood. "Or I won't be as merciful as I am now." She coldly hissed. "Are we clear?" He nodded in response. She released him, grabbed my arm, and turned to leave.
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When I walked up with Rose tailing me, the guy's were worried. "Don't worry, as far as I'm concerned, she's one of us now." I told them. That eased the mind of the guys, especially after she told them how she handled Chad, at that point, they had fully warmed up to her, especially Robert.
"So you think Devante is going to be member huh?" Robert questioned.
"No, I know he will, there's not a doubt in my mind." She proudly stated. "I'm pretty sure Tyson will be too, but it's me and you I'm worried about Robert." She revealed honestly.
"Have confidence Rose, we already know we may not all make it, so we're resolved to let those who don't continue training here." Tyson replied confidently.
"Tyson, you should start heading to your match, see you after the finals buddy." I pat him on his back.
"Don't you mean in the finals?" Our newest friend questioned.
Sorry Rose, I used pretty much all my energy in our fight. I can't beat Chad, but Tyson can, I know he can." I foretold.
"Alright, but keep a positive attitude, you may still win." Tyson spoke, and the rest of the group nodded, assuring me.
"Right. Good luck Tyson." I wish to him.
"Who needs luck?" He plays on "We've got destiny.
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"Alright everyone, this is it! The semi-finals! The winner of this match will become a contender in the final battle of supremacy." Mike announced. "For the first match of the semi-finals, we have star pupil and Grey team Elite, without a single scratch on him, Tyson Balthen." I emerged from the entrance to face the 100+ spectators. "And Green team Rookie, Yuma Fei, who has fought tooth and nail to reach this point of the competition. She has already been decidedly up ranked twice today because of her epic performance today." A girl of about 13 years of age approached me; she had one hand in her pocket of the green cargo pants she wore as part of the base uniform. The other hand spun small fire balls in the air in a fast circle, a face of boredom on plastered on. She was covered in bruises and cuts, and her red hair was covered in dirt and a bit of blood. I had to admit I was nervous, I wasn't one who enjoyed bringing harm to girls, especially younger ones. I had constantly worried about being assigned the assignation of a woman in the future. I hadn't fought a woman all day, and was a bit reluctant to start today.
"Tyson?" The girl questioned me. I nod to her in show of attention. "Don't bore me like the other competition."
"Only if you can get me to actually fight. All I've done all day is toy around with opponents who run around like chickens with their heads cut off." I inform her
"I'll do my best. But know that I haven't even used half my ability yet today." She remarked.
"Good, then I get to see something interesting." I smirk as the signal to begin is given. Determined to warm up before the finals, I go in with my sword ready, no bullshit this time. Blade in hand I charge to the young girl who began charging intense balls of fire.
"Like how you guys have been naming attacks, mind if I join in?" Yuma asked.
"Not at all, just as long as you can keep up." I challenge the teen.
"Very well, Scatter Flames!" She called out, unleashing dozens of small bullet like fireballs. I dodged them expertly, swiftly advancing through the battle field, I readied my sword, while surging a current of electricity through the steel. When I was only a few meters away from my adversary, I leaped into the air.
"Shocking Counter Strike!" I shout out, increasing the voltage so it began to dance off of the broadsword. She did an excellent dodge roll to escape, and when my attack struck ground, a loud thunder erupted, and a blinding flash emitted, allowing for my follow up. "Sneak Shard!" I announce, creating large ice blocks, which shattered in the air from the leaping current.
The shards began to fly wildly in the battlefield in hope of striking the enemy. "Where are you aiming? Blast Flame!" Yuma's voice echoed through the air, and just when the flash had receded had I noticed the large ball of fire above me, similar to Devante's earlier attack, in both size and intensity. As the gigantic flame, twice as tall as me, rushed toward me, I created a large ice shard, and sent it flying through, it's size was just large enough to survive the heat, and flew straight through both heading for Yuma's heart and creating a large hole in the burning mass above me.
I take the small opportunity and jump through the hole, suffering a minor burn to the arm; I pull my revolver from its holster and shot at the teen who was preoccupied avoiding a large ice chard at the moment. I shot three bullets, and she grew aware of me. The first bullet struck her in the left arm (The one that wasn't in her pocket.) but she avoided the other two, however, due to this movement, the ice structure had grazed her ribcage, making sufficient damage to her protective gear, and causing a good deal of blood red ink to spread over her arm. She fell to the ground, writhing in pain as her previous attack struck center ring and exploded in a brilliant inferno. I acted quickly and encased myself in ice, while at the same time building an ice wall along with several members to protect the more front row spectators from serious burns.
I hit the ground as the explosion ceased. My ice shielding shattered from the impact, and I got a view of the blazing landscape, incredibly charred, and a young girl in the center of it, badly burned and struggling to stand. "Yuma, you've taken excessive damage, for your safety, you may want to concede defeat." I call out to her.
"Not yet, I can't lose yet. I've got one last resort. She pulled her right hand from her badly charred and torn pants; the hand had been replaced with some vicious set of claws, with runes in the metal. "When dictation assaulted my family and took my parents from me, I lost my hand in self defense. That's when Michael found me and helped me to recover, before allowing me to take on this replacement of choice. Now, you will be the first to witness my true strength." She warned, placing her left hand on her right arm, and the runes in her clawed hand flared with the fire element surging through it.
"Damn, that's pretty sick. You're gonna be the greatest challenge of my skill yet aren't you?" I ask, readying my automatic rifle for combat.
"Yeah, I am." The young girl answered, and began charging. I observed that she had to keep her left hand placed on her opposite arm to keep the element surging. As she swiftly moved for me, I began firing, she was as adept at avoid bullets as myself, but she allowed a few to strike her claws, those bullets either melted or ricocheted off of them.
"Hmm, as is, guns won't be very effective. So…" I say once again unsheathing my prized blade. "I guess I'll just resort to the old fashion way."
I rushed to meet her in combat, protectively encasing my sword in ice; I slash to meet her claw. The collision caused steam to rise between us. "You're stronger than I had assumed." She informed me.
"That can be a deadly miscalculation on your part." I retort.
"So I've realized." Yuma pants. We retreat from the heated clash, and swing again. This time making quick, strategic strikes. Using fast paced blocks and incredible acrobatics, we made quite the exiting sight for our viewers. We had appeared to be evenly matched in our blows. Until I resurged my ice, making it even sharper, I slash her right in the chest, the mark was deep, but didn't quite hit her vital points enough. She stumbled back, and I took the opportunity to pull my revolver. I took a brief moment to look at Carol, seeing the glint of a painful flashback in her mind; I used an old strategy of shooting and slashing simultaneously.
Yuma, as a Green team member, not surprisingly, had the same reaction as Carol from about a year ago, and had no choice but to fall back. And on the final bullet, instead of the knee, I shot her point blank in the heart, or at least the marking for where the heart was. The match end signal was given, and her claw slowly burned out, along with much of the battlefield. "You fought great Yuma, no doubt over the next year or two, you'll be strong enough to be a member, but for now, you need to work on self control. Worry less about causing your opponent damage and worry more about not getting hit. If this happened in war, you'd be dead." She nodded in understanding. The movement caused her to cringe; I quickly removed her vest and lightly lifted her tank top to see how much damage was actually done to her ribs. The entire right half of her abdomen was covered in black and blue bruises, and some bleeding.
"Angel! She has some badly damaged ribs; most of them appear as they may have been broken. Her continuing in the match may have moved her condition to critical!" I shout out. Angel rushed over to me, and together we carried her off the field, and I left Angel to heal Yuma.
"Ty-Tyson…" Her voice was barely audible as I had begun to leave. I turn on my heel to face her.
"Save your energy." I tell her.
"When you asked me to concede defeat, this was why, wasn't it? Not because you wanted to win, but you didn't want me to get hurt." She asked in a very raspy voice.
"That's right Yuma, now rest, you need it." I order as I turn to leave again. "Oh, Angel, thanks for healing her, I hope we can work together someday." I say with a respectful salute before ascending the stairs.
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Tyson came back with his first injury, it was nothing but a small burn, but it was an injury none the less. "So, she singed you huh?" I ask.
"No, it was my fault; I stuck out my arm too much when I released my gun from its holster." Tyson replied. "So Devante, You're up next, you're sure you can't win?"
"I'm pretty sure, my tanks on empty." I reply, handing Rose another snack, which was graciously accepted. "But I'll give it my all, watch his actions, and see if you can find a weakness." I inform him.
"Well I know that much." He replied.
"If you were at full power, Chad would be no match for you." Rose told me in support.
"I know that. If I was at full power, I'd avenge Robert with every fiber of my body." I sigh.
"Fuck that prick up." Robert mutters coldly.
"Will Devante and Chad Please make way for the final match of the Semi-finals!" Mike called out to us.
"I'll be back guys, remember Tyson, keep an eye on Chad." I remind my friend.
"I know, just get out there and give him your all." He gives me a thumbs up. I don't know where I'd be without these friends of mine.
So I went down to face a very irate Chad. "Listen up fatso, you took my girl, and for that-" He got right in my ear. "I'm going to kill you." He whispered. He then roughly shoved me away and told Mike to start the match.
Mike gave the signal, and I pulled my crossbow out. Distance, keep your distance, if he gets close enough to strike with that damn wire, it's all over.
I shot my deadly accurate arrows, this caught Chad off guard apparently, because he couldn't avoid them as well as bullets for some reason. I got several arrows to land, but none in vital points. "What's wrong Chad? Never seen an arrow before?"
"Shut up!" He said, shooting lightning, which I dodged.
I set fire to a few arrows and shot them around. Again I landed a few, some almost hitting vital points. Then he jumped in the air, and swung his wire around, if I hadn't back rolled, it would have struck me right in the face.
After another barrage of arrows, I noticed I was running low. Shit. Chad had closed the distance between us.
"You disappoint me in your obviously exhausted state." He informed me before shooting the wire right for my heart. I caught it with my fist and countered his shock wire with a current of my own. The battle for dominance began, as our electric flow shifted, I grew more exasperated. My strength began to drain, and his wire won out, with a final burst of electricity, I drop and everything fades to black.
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"Devante!" Rose yelled as we descended to help him. Angel met us at his body, Rose was crying. "I-is he breathing?" She asked, at this point, she had fallen to her knees. I look directly to Chad, staring daggers through his heart. I turn to Mike.
"As soon as they leave, start the match!" I shout in pure rage. He nods in understanding.
"Chad, you will pay for what you did, but our agreement stands." I inform him.
"Very well, bring me your all." He challenged.
"He- he's still breathing, but just barely, let's get him to the infirmary now!" Angel orders. Robert, Rose, and Angel proceeded to carry him to safety. The rage further built within me.
Mike signaled the beginning of the match as instructed. And I drew my blade and began assaulting Chad with no remorse. Random bursts of flame and ice erupted from my blade with every few strikes. Chad began to grow accustom to my fighting style and switched to offensive. He attempted hitting me with the wire, but I deflected it with the blade. The wire appeared to be a strong metal material, because it didn't cut.
"How could you deflect my wire? The metal of your blade should have conducted the electricity!" He pressed.
"Non conductive hilt." I reply, silently thanking Mike and Carol for that feature.
"Damn you!" He cursed, shooting lightning, which was redirected again.
He gave me a swift kick to the gut, pushing me a few steps back. I regained my breath and began sprinting, once I had picked up sufficient speed, I began to run on the wall, I held my blade tightly, and jumped, and got a decent slash along his leg. Even with the dullness of the blade, a good swordsman as myself could cut just about anything.
"Is that all you've got? A fancy wire and some sloppy lightning?" I question, giving him a good slash to the chest, slightly grazing a vital point, but not enough to end the match.
He roared in aggravation, and tackled me to the ground; I threw him off of me, rose from the ground, and kicked him hard in the ribs. He doubled over in pain. His wire jetted for my leg, but was intercepted by my sword, I pulled my revolver and shot twice, but Chad jumped to his feet and dodged the bullets.
We engaged in some hand to hand combat, a flurry of punches and kicks were exchanged, he nailed me hard in the jaw, but I regained my bearings and booted him in the abdomen. He moved to shoot the wire again, so I blasted him with fire, for a short period of time, he was engulfed in flames. The flames were obliterated by a certain weapon jutting from Chad's sleeve.
I avoided the shock device and countered with my revolver. He again avoided my bullets and did a sweep kick, forcing me to the ground. He shot the wire again before I could regain my footing… but the shock never came. I looked to see that my Com-Link had been hit by the wire.
"Well, now you show your true colors Chad?" I ask, before sending my own burst of electricity through his wire, and into his circulatory system, immobilizing him.
"You've lost your proof! You have nothing on me!" Chad growled in anger.
"Except that I removed the memory disk, which is right here and completely unharmed. But first…" I press my blade to his neck. "Call the match!" Mike threw the signal, and cheers arose all around me. "Wait! Hold the cheers! Michael! Come down, I have here something that you need to look at!"
Michael descended from his uppermost row position. "What is it Tyson?"
"I know Mike contacted you, about an infiltration of files in the compound database. I also know that my friends and I are prime suspects due to our consistent troublemaking. I learned this from placing various bugs throughout the compound and eavesdropping on several conversations." I admit. "But in this memory disk to my now fried Com-Link, I have evidence that the culprit was none other than my opponent, Chad." I hand the disk to Michael, who transmitted the data to all Com-Links in the vicinity. Video evidence of Chad hacking into the main computer and flashing a Dictation insignia into the camera to grant access into what was most likely a Dictation signal. "Chad is a traitor to the organization, and a spy for the enemy." I look directly to him. "And I even gave him a second chance after he fed me a sob story…" I begin to recall our earlier interaction.
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I got right in Chad's ear. "I know you're with Dictation." I whisper so silently, Robert not even standing a mere meter away could hear. I felt him tense under the news.
"You can't possibly prove it." He hissed.
"I've got video evidence of you flashing a Dictation symbol around." I warn him.
"Y-you don't understand, I'm not one of them, I'm working undercover for Awaken making Dictation think I'm one of them." He stuttered. Lies, lies, and more lies. "I swear it's true."
"I don't buy it." My voice rises. "You seem a little too shocked to be innocent." I smirk. "I'll give you a chance to show your true colors, you have until the end of the final match."
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"Holy shit!" Mike gasped a look of shock and horror. "All this time, my star pupil, was seeking to bring us all down." He moped.
"Sir! Permission to use deadly threats, Sir!" I salute.
Mike struggled to cope, but Carol spoke up. "Permission granted Tyson."
I pulled my blade to Chad's neck. "Chad, you've already contacted Dictation haven't you? When are they going to be here?
As I pressed my blade farther to his throat due to his silence, he began to gasp. He was still paralyzed, and a twitch of the hand away from death. "You have… Three hours." He mumbled in hatred and a hint of fear.
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Devante was beginning to come to, his last burst of a shockwave had saved his life, without that at the moment Chad's attack hit, he would have gone into cardiac arrest.
"Oh my god!" Rose exclaimed. I, Devante, and Angel all looked to her in question. "Look at your Com-Links! Tyson's Data is streaming from Michael, some sort of video is about to load.
I looked tee it was true. A security video popped up, and before we knew it, Chad flashed a Dictation symbol.
Rose practically collapsed. "I knew he was a bad influence, I had no idea he was, one of them." Devante got out of his bed.
"Devante you shouldn't-" Angel started.
Devante pulled Rose into a hug. "It's O.K., none of knew. Except for Tyson, but… It's going to be O.K." He comforted her.
Michael appeared on the Com-Link. "Anyone fit to fight, come immediately to the dessert plains, Dictation will be here in less than three hours."
"D-damn that bastard, Robert, let's go." Devante ordered me.
"Devante, you can't fight yet, it's going to take a week for you to heal." Angel informed him.
"If I can walk I can fight." He spat, and we ran off to prepare for battle.
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"Everyone, before heading to the designated battle zone, please go collect your real weapons." Carol called out. We all went in an orderly fashion, we were trained for this, and anyone unable to do this didn't belong here.
Devante and Robert met up with me half way there and handed me my things, "No time for this, we need to set up, Robert, go to your stash and get our equipment." Devante called out. He gave me my sword last and looked me dead in the eye. "Don't let one of the bastards touch the ground."
"You took the words right from my mouth."
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I ran into our boarding room and got into my chest, and pulled out our three weapons that would be taking care of the enemy. Finally, I would be able to use my baby. I put Devante on the Com-Link. "All right, I'll set myself up on the roof and run you your weapons."
"Over and out, I'll fill you in on instructions." Devante said before cutting the line.
I headed for the roof to set up my space of lime light. "Enjoy the show Dictation." I smile.
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We waited for about an hour for Robert to show up with our WMDs. "Thanks, news is that we were right, they'll be coming in by air, expect in-between 15 to 20 aircraft, at least 5 of them carriers." I inform him.
"That's good to hear, Tyson, because that's exactly why we acquired this equipment." Robert smiled. Mike came up to us with his jaw dropped.
"How did you get-" He gasped.
"Found a connection that could drop off some great stuff about 200 miles from here. It's quite a walk, but well worth it." Devante answered.
"If all goes to plan, we won't allow one foot soldier to touch ground, let alone cause any damage." I smirk, almost bragging.
"Well, I'll be waiting at the roof; I'll alert you as soon as they come into visual. In the meantime, spread out the troops, its possible Chad has given false information." Robert had entered his war mind set.
"Very good Robert." Michael said while walking past, and then repeated Roberts order.
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I looked to the horizon, the three hours we up, and Dictation could be dropping in any minute. My ears perked art the faintest flutter of a Hover Mech. I turn to see the fleet coming in from the opposite end of the dessert. "This is Robert to all troops, Dictation is coming hot from West desert, I repeat West desert. Chad had us set up on the opposite end as expected." I announce. Nice try douche.
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"I told you we were right to set up on the other end, Tyson." Devante laughed after hearing Robert's announcement.
"I never said you were wrong, now get a head start and shoot some maniacal bastards out of the sky." I reply
"Don't have to tell me twice." My African friend smirked before lifting the large anti-air missile launcher, and aiming it at the lead ship. "Firing in 3…2…1…" In a matter of seconds, the sky, which had begun to grow dark in the sunset, lit a glorious gold as the lead ship disappeared from existence.
I load up the heavy machine gun, and anxiously awaited for a ship to come into my range. "Tyson! Load me up; we can take out at least 3 more before they come in range."
"I'm on it!" I yell loading another missile into Devante's contraption of death.
"Firing in 3…2…1…" Another ship disappeared.
"I never knew you had such good aim." I remark, loading another missile as troops begin to gather around us.
"I don't, I'm using my fire element to explode the missile whenever it gets in it's target zone!" Devante laughs at his idea.
"Genius buddy!"
"Firing in 3…2…1…" As Devante fired, we noticed that the enemy had begun firing back, but their projectile had prematurely exploded. I look behind my shoulder, knowing that Robert had just successfully sniped a missile.
"Alright, as soon as you're done loading me up, you should be able to begin shooting!" Devante yelled as the approaching onslaught drew closer.
"Roger that!" I yell loading up his missile launcher.
"Firing in 3…"
"All units, fire at my command!" I order.
"2…"
I load my heavy machine gun one last time.
"1…"
Now! I shout as I watch the barrel begin spinning, a few seconds later, bullets began storming out. I aimed for cockpits, engines, and thrusters. And watch as ship after ship fell. The burning rage of my destroyed home welled up inside me once again, with each ship that fell; my thirst for vengeance was satisfied a little more.
"Robert! Robert, do you read me!" I shout into the Com-Link.
"Load and Clear!" He yelled back, but barely audible over the WMD in my possession.
"After Devante's next missile, begin sniping pilots and carriers!" I shout out.
"Over and out!"
Devante fired again with the help of those who had run out of ammunition firing at Hover Mechs.
Suddenly, ships began falling for no apparent reason, well not quite true. Robert had began sniping pilots and ships crashed into the vast desert. Clouds of dust and smoke had begun reaching us, and the enemy fleet was half gone.
"Out of missiles!" Devante announced.
"Start launching fireballs!" I announce.
"Not enough energy!" He responds. "I've maybe got enough energy to fire 2 or three small ones before I collapse.
"Go back up Robert then!" I order.
"Roger!" He ran off.
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I remained to continue unleashing a barrage of shells, when I ran out of ammunition, I ran to regroup with the guys. Once I reached the roof of the complex, I watched Robert intercept another enemy missile. It appeared the members of Awaken were taking care of ships cleanly.
"3 left." Robert informs us.
"The troops have run out of fire power." Devante announces.
"Time to shine boys!" I announce. "Devante, launch Robert first."
"You take the one on the left Tyson!" Robert commands.
"No problem." I smirk. "Devante, charge one last fire ball, and knock out the right turbine of Roberts Hover Mech."
"Yes sir!" He yelled as he tossed Robert. Robert, guns in hand, went flying through the air, and began shooting Dictation Soldiers as they tried to drop to the ground.
"You're up!" Devante announced.
"Check!" I yell. Getting a running start I jump onto Devante's clasped hands that he harshly raised from the ground to send me far into the air.
The wind roared in my ears as I flew, I unsheathed my sword and curled into a ball as I shattered through the Hover Mechs protective front screen. I quickly get to my feet and take out the surprised pilot, then charge in to slaughter the crew. Dad, Mom, Dexter, this is for all of you that were lost in the invasion. This is only the beginning of your avengeance! The Dictation soldiers gave me a little trouble, gaining up on me, I kicked several of them off of the high flying, (and rapidly descending) carrier.
When they pulled their sub machine guns and fired, I dropped to the ground and watched as their blood sprayed after unloading round after round of hot lead into each other. "This is much easier to do than I made it out to be." I comment, pulling my blade out again, facing the last three remaining soldiers alive.
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I looked to the bloody mess I had created; bodies were strewn on the floor of the vehicle I had landed in, bullet holes penetrating their frames. I rushed to the top of the descending, unmanned vehicle, and watched the incoming fireball. I quickly got my footing on the roof and braced for the impact. A thunderous roar came as the thruster was engulfed in flames. The rapidly disintegrating aircraft began to spin. I used the motion to my advantage and sprint off of the doomed aircraft and sent a grapple hook into the hull of the center battle ship. Tyson leaped from the ship next to it as it exploded. He most likely cut the fuselage open. I grabbed his hand as we sailed to the rooftop again, where we were met by Michael. He and Devante jumped inside of the vehicle. And Dictation members flew out, marred and bloody.
Another member jumped in, and the pilot flew out, decapitated. The ship came to a gentle stop. And Michael stepped out with a lone survivor of the brutal ass raping.
"Can you pilot?" Michael questioned, squeezing the life out of the soldiers neck.
"Y-yes!" He gasped for air.
"Good, then head back where you came from, and take this trash with you!" Rose shouted as she tossed a still paralyzed Chad into the ship.
"And we have a message for your 'Leader'. We are Awaken, and you cannot defeat us, we will destroy your order." I threaten him as he was released and rushed for the pilot seat.
"G-got it." He cried as the ship took off.
Michael turned to us. "Not bad kids, not bad."
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We regrouped in the coliseum, with no casualties. "Today is a great day for Awaken. We got a great victory over the Dictation, and we have gained three new members!" Angel announced.
Rose hugged me. "I told you so." She whispered in my ear.
"How do you know it's me?" I ask.
"Just wait Devante, just wait." She replies.
"So will our three new members, Tyson Balthen, Devante Dickerson, and Robert Sodawasser please join us in the ground level.
"Told you so." Rose whispered in my ear.
"See you next year I guess." I pout.
"It's only a year, and you've only been my friend for 3 and a half hours." She smirked.
"Yeah yeah." I say as I leave with my friends to go to a new stage of our lives.
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We were awarded with badges, uniforms, and our own helmets. We were now official members, and Robert and I couldn't be happier. Robert was chosen do to his excellent defensive strategy, innovation for war tactic, and deduction of enemy plans. Devante, for his amazing display of elemental variety and strength. And myself for leadership and extraordinary battle instinct, perseverance, and swordsmanship.
"What about Rose? She has incomparable ability of sneaking and flexibility, along with uncanny aim and skill with daggers. "Devante demanded.
"We're sorry Devante, but weather she was aware of it or not, she may have been acting as an accessory to Dictation forces." Michael said regretfully. "Honestly, I believe her innocence, but I have to make choices for the best of the team. She's on one year probation, If she does well next year, she can become a member."
"D-damned Chad. Even in his downfall, he still ruins others lives." Devante growled.
"Let me handle this Devante." I say, stepping up to Michael. "Accounting on how Dictation is now aware of the Compounds location, when you come in for your monthly visit, you should bring a defensive team with you, aside from Angel." I state.
"And just how did you know-" Michael began.
"I suggest a team of three, Angel, a poison specialist, such as Grogan, and someone with massive endurance and strength, such as Devante." I smile convincingly.
Michael sighed. "Well, I have to agree with you, but please stop spying on me. It kind of worries me that you could find out these things without being detected."
"I'm just that much more of an asset and a threat not to have as a member." I look him dead in the eye.
"Very well." He sighed again. Even when he was easygoing, his eerie dark aura shined through most of all. "All right, we thank all participants of this tournament, and look forward to you all becoming stronger next year. We will be taking our leave now." He announced, in a flash, the members of Awaken had disappeared from their seats.
"Oh, and you three," Angel approached us. "Go pack your chests, we're leaving immediately. Also, new members get one request each. Think hard about what request it is you want." Her shining light made her warning seem meaningless, as if everything was peaceful. We nod in confirmation.
After packing, we went and bid farewell to our new friend Rose, and several adoring fans, we also split up momentarily to spread some inspiration to some people we had faith in. After that, we chatted on our way to the Hover Mech's, which had gone unnoticed by the dictation fleet due to that they were positioned on the opposite end of the desert. We were on our way to a new home, to a new life, but overall, we were off to…
Awaken
Wow, world record for page breaks huh? Well, this marks the end of part one of ten, being so, I'll be taking a month or so off of this story, and take time to get a couple chapters in advance for part two, so we don't repeat this broken schedual shit. Special thanks to my friend Chikinita09, who from the beginning, reviewed every chapter, and was common for her to be the first reviewer, if anyone here enjoys harry potter fanfics, I suggest heading to her profile at .net/u/1032823/chikinita09. Remember, if you want that prize, read the previous chapter for the question and hints. Remember to review, and I hope you enjoyed Awaken: Book of Beginnings. I hope to see many of you again in a few months when part two is released. So stick around fo Awaken: Book of Bonds.(Edit.) Book of Bonds is out now, for all of you people reading, but not reviewing. I know you're there... The traffic reader tells me all about it.