Destroy and Rebuild
Chapter Twenty One: Sarge
Disclaimer: I don't own Radiata Stories or any of the characters in the game; they are the property of the brilliant minds at Square Enix.
Authors Note(s): Words in '…' indicate a thought. Words in "…" indicate spoken words. The first thing to note is that this story is a sequel. The characterization and storyline contained here are based on the characters and events that occur in my first story, Sever All Ties. Everything that happens in this story will make a lot more sense if you have read that one, so I recommend reading the first story before reading the sequel. With that in mind, the story picks up where Sever All Ties left off, and tells what happens after Aphelion is defeated and Jack and Ridley return to Radiata. I hope you enjoy.
"That was pretty intense," Jack said to Gerald, a bit of surprise in his voice. The two had arrived the coliseum in time to see the end of the fight between Nocturne and JJ, and had been impressed by what they saw. At Gerald's urging, they were standing near the top of the coliseum, and Jack was wearing a plain brown cloak with a hood that concealed his face. His father's sword, the Arbitrator, was at his hip.
"Nocturne knows how to find a way to win," the Deputy Chief said with a shrug of his shoulders. "That was a pretty big clash, though. They're both pretty torn up after that."
"It was a great finish," the younger swordsman knew that Gerald and Nocturne had some history, but was unsure what exactly had happened between them. "Do you think Nocturne is a good addition?"
"He's tough, and pretty stubborn," Gerald replied. They were watching as the Void warrior hobbled out of the arena. "If he decides to cooperate, Nocturne will be a big help. He's as tough as I am."
"Can we trust him," Jack was thinking of the circumstances under which he had first met Nocturne, when Void had kidnapped the Princess.
"Doesn't look like you get a choice, he won his fight," Gerald's words were not reassuring. "In this case, he doesn't have any incentive to do anything but work with you. I think it'll be all right."
"I hope so. Let's move down while they're cleaning up down there," Jack was anxious to get closer to the arena floor. They were standing toward the top, and he wanted a better view of the next round.
"We'll stay here for now, I think," Gerald said, shaking his head. "You still might draw the wrong kind of attention, and we're trying to keep a low profile."
"You still think they're going to be mad at me," the former knight asked. "I thought there was an announcement made from the castle that explained everything that had happened?"
"There was," Gerald nodded his head as he answered. "But, that doesn't mean that everyone understood it and agrees. There's no reason to risk causing trouble right now, let's just watch from here."
"If you say so," Jack saw no reason in voicing his frustration further. "Looks like we're going to have a pretty great team."
"You could do a lot worse than the Chief, Alicia, and Nocturne," the Deputy Chief said casually. "You'll need to have a mind for how well your team gets along, though. Hopefully there won't be any personality conflicts to deal with."
"We should all get along fine," Jack said dismissively.
"I know you think you can get along with everyone, but that's not all that it takes," Gerald wanted Jack to understand his point. "There's tension between guild members and knights, between humans and non-humans, plus personal conflicts that could exist between individuals. Don't take it for granted that everyone on your team will get along. You need to take an active role in fostering cooperation among your teammates."
"I get it," Jack agreed with Gerald, but was not as concerned. He went back to watching the tournament staff clean the arena floor.
"Good. The winner of the next match will have a pretty big effect on the team dynamic, I think," the Deputy Chief said.
"Oh yeah," Jack queried, glancing at the floor to see how much progress had been made. "What makes you say that?"
"I think you can get along with one of them, and not the other," Gerald replied. "I don't imagine there's any love lost between you and Sir Aleks Sterling."
"No, there's not," Jack agreed. He frowned at hearing the knight captain's name. "Ridley thinks he will qualify, though. Who's he fighting?"
"Jarvis," Gerald said simply. Jack was stunned by this.
"Sarge? Sarge is in the final round," the former knight could not keep the surprise from his voice. "I didn't think he would even enter."
"He's a different man from the Jarvis you knew," the Deputy Chief had the beginning of a smile on his face. "Whatever happened between you and him at Fort Helencia, he came back changed. He said he needed to get stronger. Since then, he's been training constantly, taking things more seriously; he even cut down on his beer intake. Especially now, as shorthanded as we are, Jarvis has become a valuable asset to Theater Vancoor."
"Wow, that's great. Wait, you think I had that effect on him," Jack thought back to when he and Sir Gawain had defeated Jarvis and Daniel.
"Without a doubt," Gerald said with emphasis. "He said you showed him how important it is to find something to believe in, and to fight for it."
"I…" Jack was unsure what to say.
"I was pretty surprised, too," Gerald shook his head. "But, he's really stepped up. He trains constantly, always trying to get better. He's taken on more responsibilities in the guild and is taking tougher missions. He's a completely different Jarvis."
"That's great," Jack smiled, suddenly hopeful that Aleks would lose.
"You're looking well today," a voice on his left startled Jack, and he turned to see his sister standing beside him.
"Adele, what are you doing here," the former knight asked. She was wearing a crème colored dress with brown embroidery on the sleeves.
"I'm on the King's staff, remember," Adele reminded him, smiling at his question. "He wants you to join him to watch the final fight. King Jiorus, Lord Larks, and Lord Jasne are sitting with Lord Zane and Lord Gil of the light elves."
"Lord Gil, that's funny," Jack smirked. The light elf would not want to be referred to with a title. "How did you know we were here?"
"Jack, I'm your sister. I can spot you even when you try to hide in a crowd," Adele looked serious for a moment. "Why are you trying to hide in the crowd anyway?"
"The Deputy Chief thought that it might cause a problem if I was too visible," Jack was still wearing his hood. Gerald was listening as the siblings spoke. "Also, we're sort of supposed to be training."
"You shouldn't turn down the King's request," Adele seemed uninterested in his objections. She alternated glances at Jack and Gerald as she continued. "There are going to be people who resent you no matter what, but no one is going to cause a disturbance here today. And, you're already here and not training, so the damage is done."
"You better go, kid," the Deputy Chief interjected before Jack spoke. "She's right on all counts."
"What about you," Jack wanted to watch the final match with Gerald and evaluate the two fighters.
"Not my crowd. I'm sure there's someone else here for me to watch the fight with," the older man responded. His single green eye began to scan the crowd. "Besides, you were just saying you wanted to get closer to watch the next match."
"Come on, let's go," Adele grabbed her brother's hand and pulled him toward the aisle and guided him toward the section that was reserved for King Jiorus and his guests. They had to walk to the other side of the coliseum, and Jack was conscious of many eyes watching him. "The King is anxious to hear from you about a number of things, but especially training and your thoughts on the team to face the challenges. After this match, the team will be set."
"Yeah, and this next match is really important," Jack had been disappointed to learn that they would only get to see one full match, but after learning who they would be watching he was anxious to watch. "Jarvis was my sergeant when I first came to Theater Vancoor, so I want him to win."
"Aleks Sterling, the knight captain that sat in on your trial is favored to win," his sister's words elicited a frown from the former knight. "But Jarvis has pulled off a couple of upsets on his way to the final. It's supposed to be a good match, though it will be hard for it to live up to some of the matches we've already seen."
"I'm surprised that he's made it to the final round, he wasn't very strong before," Jack said, trying to relax. "But, the Deputy Chief said that I inspired Sarge to get serious about getting stronger and fighting for something he believes in."
"I'd believe it," Adele smiled at her brother. "You are willing to fight for what you believe in, and that's where your strength comes from. I can see why that would inspire someone."
"Yeah, I guess so," Jack was growing more anxious, eager to see Jarvis in action. "I just want to see how much he's improved."
"You'll get your chance," said Adele. They were nearing the King's section, and she turned to give him a final warning. "Lord Larks and Lord Jasne are both sitting with the King, Jack. I know that you have had issues with each of them, but don't let them get you to say something you'll regret."
"I know," Jack nodded as he responded. "I can ignore both of them."
This seemed to satisfy Adele, and she led him to the King's section. Two heavy guardsmen were positioned by the entrance, but they stepped aside to allow the siblings to pass. Adele pulled his cloak off and handed it to one of the King's retainers as they walked into the section where the monarch was sitting. While his sister gave him one last look to make sure he looked presentable, Jack's left hand rested on the hilt of his sword. They walked toward the reserved section and Jack tried to smile at the people waiting for him. King Jiorus wore red and gold, the golden crown on his head gleamed brightly. Lord Larks and Lord Jasne were talking to one another on his left. The Prime Minister was wearing blue, while the newly reinstated Chamberlain wore white trimmed in green. Both men looked at Jack as he approached, though neither smiled. On the King's right, Lord Zane and Gil stood to welcome the boy that had changed the course of the world. Jack and Adele were offered seats in the row in front of the King, so that he could converse with them easily. They were much closer and had a better view than in his previous spot, which made Jack happy. He was also relieved that no one seemed to be upset by his presence.
"It is good that you could join us, Jack Russell," the King said politely. His smile seemed genuine, and Jack relaxed somewhat. "What do you think of the matches so far?"
"I only saw the very end of the previous match, so the upcoming match will be the first full one I've seen…Your Highness," Jack hastily added the title after speaking. "I've been busy with my own training. I want to be ready for anything when we go to face the challenges."
"Ah, very good," King Jiorus nodded his head in approval. "Well, we have seen three exciting matches so far. You must have missed Elwen and Alicia of Theater Vancoor qualifying."
"Yeah, I would have liked to have seen them," Jack winced as Adele covertly pinched him. He quickly added, "Your Majesty."
"Now you'll have a chance to see another one of Theater Vancoor's warriors," Lord Larks joined the conversation. "When I spoke to Aleks Sterling, he seemed quite confident that he would win."
"Jarvis was the sergeant I served under when I started at Theater Vancoor," Jack paused for a moment, trying not to let Lord Larks provoke him. "The Deputy Chief told me that Sarge has gotten a lot stronger, so I'll be interested to see them fight."
"It would be a real shame if the only member of the Radiata Knights that went with us was the one in the guaranteed spot," Gil's tone was neutral, which made his remark even more cutting.
"Bold talk from someone occupying one of those spots himself," Lord Larks locked eyes with the light elf and gave him a dark glare.
"Shall I fight someone to prove myself, Lord Larks," Gil smiled before continuing. "Maybe you'd like to fight me yourself?"
"Gil, that's more than enough," Lord Zane interjected before things escalated. King Jiorus gave a disapproving look to the Prime Minister as well. "The Valkyrie said that we must make progress toward correcting the imbalance to be allowed the opportunity to face the challenges. Petty infighting is not going to solve the problem, and reflects poorly on both of you."
"Apologies, Lord Zane," Gil spoke deferentially.
"Lord Zane is quite right, we must all try to get along," the King agreed with the elf leader. His gaze went to the floor of the coliseum. "It looks like the final match is about to start."
The orc blood had been cleaned from the floor of the coliseum and the small pieces of the broken stone had been removed, though the floor was still cracked in places. Both the floor and the lower wall were cracked in numerous places, a testament to the level of competition from the previous rounds. The former knight wished that he could have seen more of the matches. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation as Junzaburo strode calmly to the center. Jack remembered the aging referee from the knight trials, and smiled to himself at how big the coliseum had seemed when he first stepped through the entranceway. Thinking of the day he came to the castle made him think of Ridley, and he began scanning the crowd for her. He was unable to locate her in the audience, though he felt certain that she would not miss the final rounds. Junzaburo's voice called his attention back to the floor.
"We're now ready for our final two competitors," the referee shouted over the cheers of the crowd. Behind him, Jack heard the King applauding and began to clap as well. "First, a sergeant from Theater Vancoor, Jarvis!"
Jack craned his neck to see his former sergeant strode into the room. Jarvis was still wearing the armor he had worn when Jack served under him in the warrior guild. The shirt that he wore looked like it had been bright yellow when it was new, but it was faded and dirty from a great deal of wear. Brown and blue accents on his shirt and pants completed the look, with steel gauntlets and heavy leather boots. His large two-handed sword, the Fathmil, was slung over his shoulder. The blade was wider than any Jack had ever seen, which helped when it was used to defend, but the size made it slower to swing. The former guild warrior could not help but be impressed by the man under whom he had served. Jarvis looked like he had been working out, the beer belly that Jack had often teased him about had shrunk and been replaced by more muscle. The older man's jaw was set with determination, and he looked much more serious than Jack could remember. His slight frown was framed by his mustache, and his eyes were focused. On his head, Jarvis still wore his helm with the axe-head. The helm had always seemed somewhat ridiculous to Jack, but it looked formidable on the newer, more serious man standing before him. When Jarvis reached the center of the arena, he bowed toward the section where the King sat. Jack met the eyes of his former sergeant, and the corners of Jarvis' mouth tightened into a light smirk as he gave a subtle nod toward his former subordinate. When he turned to wave to the cheering crowd, Junzaburo spoke again.
"Last, but certainly not least, the head of the Sterling Clan, holder of the great crest of the Hawk of the South, and Captain of the Marron Ourse Brigade of the Radiata Knights, Sir Aleks Sterling," the referee shouted to make himself heard over the cheering of the observers.
Aleks Sterling strode calmly into the arena, eyes locked on his opponent. The tall man exuded confidence, and his regal posture gave him an air of invulnerability. His jet black hair was shorter than Jack's, and tidier. His goatee had been shaved, making his face appear longer than it had at the trial. Though his deep blue eyes were locked onto Jarvis, Jack saw they still had the same intensity. Just like at the trial, he was wearing a black tunic and pants. The Sterling family crest was embroidered on his tunic, but his clothes were otherwise unadorned. Light armor, gauntlets and pauldrons, provided some protection for him without hindering mobility. Jack's eyes were drawn to the oblong shield on Aleks' forearm. The buckler was made of a dark, hard wood, and was trimmed by polished steel. A short sword was on his left hip, the black leather of the scabbard shone almost as brightly as the worked silver accents on the hilt. The Hawk of the South cast an imposing figure as he reached the center of the floor, and he bowed toward the King's section. When his eyes landed on Jack, he stopped for a moment.
"Jack Russell is here," Aleks spoke loudly, stepping toward the wall. "What a surprise, I thought you were going to stay hidden for five weeks."
"I've been too busy training to worry about anything else," the former knight replied. His hand unconsciously clenched tightly into a fist as he stood to address the man on the coliseum floor.
"Well, maybe I'll get to see the results of your training before our departure," the whole crowd was watching intensely as Aleks and Jack traded words. Adele put her hand on Jack's arm and tugged lightly, suggesting that he should be seated again. "I want to see if you're as good as advertised."
"You'll have to get through Sarge first," Jack smirked as he nodded in Jarvis' direction. "You don't even have a spot yet."
"Allow me to change that," Aleks chuckled lightly as he glanced over his shoulder at his opponent. "I had forgotten you served briefly at Theater Vancoor before defecting. Since you still seem to have some affection for them, I can relish this fight a little more."
Before Jack could speak again, Aleks turned his back and strode back toward the center of the arena. Adele practically pulled Jack back into his seat, glowering at him for the exchange. Lord Larks was smiling at Aleks, and the King was looking back and forth between the two of them with interest. Gil rose to his feet and descended to the row where Jack was sitting, joining his friend to watch the fight. The crowd had gone strangely silent as the onlookers strained their ears to hear what the two swordsmen had said to one another, but the intensity had not lessened in the slightest. When Jarvis unslung the sword, the observers began to cheer again. Jack met the eyes of his former sergeant once more, nodding his head to express support and confidence in him. Aleks Sterling had drawn his sword as well, a blade that was unadorned but looked formidable. Junzaburo stepped toward the center of the arena, drawing the attention of everyone.
"All right, are you ready," he shouted the question, which was met with a roar from the audience. "Here we go, fourth and final match of decisive round, begin!"
Jarvis charged forward, eager to seize the advantage early. Aleks coolly evaded a powerful horizontal stroke from the Fathmil, but Jack immediately noticed how much stronger and faster Jarvis had become. Slashes from the sword were coming faster than Jack remembered ever seeing Jarvis attack, and Aleks was quickly dodging without looking panicked. The Hawk of the South raised his left forearm and deflected a strike from his opponent before the sword could reach full speed. Jarvis deftly turned the Fathmil to parry the counterattack from Aleks' short sword, and transitioned into another attack. Jack was watching in excitement, impressed by the improvements in Jarvis' swordsmanship and fitness. Though his former sergeant was unquestionably better than before, Aleks Sterling still clearly had the advantage. The guild swordsman was fighting aggressively to keep his opponent from finding an opening, but none of his attacks seemed to be putting real pressure on the knight captain. Aleks patiently evaded and blocked attacks, looking for the right opportunity to counter. The short sword in his right hand finally found its mark, cutting across Jarvis' left arm. Though a crimson stain appeared on his sleeve, he continued to attack.
"The knight is in control of the fight, I'm afraid," Gil said, shaking his head. Jack frowned at these words.
"Sarge looks really good," the former guild warrior tried to be optimistic. "He must have been training real hard over the past few weeks to get to this level."
"Aleks is too fast," Gil continued. "If Jarvis uses the length of his sword to create distance, and really takes full-power swings, then the shield that his opponent has is worthless. But, Aleks is staying close enough that he can deflect the sword before it becomes too risky for him to do so. Plus, being in close naturally favors his shorter sword."
The two swordsmen continued their battle, cheered on by an excited crowd. Aleks looked at ease as he dodged and deflected attacks from Jarvis. The bigger sword of the guild warrior still struck powerful blows in spite of the wound on his arm. Though Jack wanted to believe that Jarvis was keeping Aleks on the defensive, it looked like the knight captain was biding his time and not attacking. A strong, vertical strike from the Vancoor sergeant missed its mark, and Aleks found an opening. This time, his sword cut across Jarvis' right arm. It was deeper than the cut on his left and he recoiled quickly, swinging his weapon instinctively to keep from being attacked again. His opponent seemed content with the blow he had struck, and had not made a move to follow up with another attack. When Jarvis saw that the next attack was not coming, he paused for a moment to catch his breath
"He needs to try sword thrusts," Jack said to no one in particular. "Those are much harder to stop with a shield like Aleks has."
"If he has enough speed and control to use them effectively," Gil replied. Jack nodded his head in agreement as the elf continued. "If he can't, he'll be more open to counterattacks than before."
'Come on Sarge, you can do this,' Jack was trying to will his former sergeant to victory.
Though Jarvis looked relatively calm, his growing frustration was apparent. The speed and power behind his sword strokes was fading somewhat, and he looked very tense. By contrast, Aleks' face and movements had hardly changed at all. He looked relaxed and calm as he waited for another opening to counterattack. A wild stroke from Jarvis gave him the look he needed, and he struck again. The knight captain's sword cut across his opponent's right thigh, and Jarvis again had to swing frantically to keep Aleks at bay. Sweat was dripping from the guild warrior's brow, and he was breathing heavily; the wounds he had sustained were slowing him down, and the prospect of winning was becoming more and more bleak. The knight's movements were measured and purposeful, and he had not presented Jarvis with any opportunity to counterattack. Jarvis attacked again, swinging his sword wildly, and Aleks easily parried. Jack wanted to believe that his friend could still win, but every hit that the knight captain landed seemed to solidify the opposite result. Finally, Aleks struck a precise blow and knocked the Fathmil from Jarvis' hand.
"I guess that's the match," Jack said in a deflated tone as Junzaburo raised his hand. Gil pointed at Jarvis.
"Not so fast," the light elf interjected. Jarvis was looking at the referee, shaking his head to indicate that he wished to continue the match. "He wants to keep fighting for some reason."
Aleks quickly moved so that he was standing between Jarvis and his sword, ready to end the fight quickly. The guild sergeant had his fists raised, not ready to concede. There were cuts all over his body, and he looked exhausted. Jack watched intently as the knight lunged forward to end the battle. Jarvis tried to punch him, but Aleks easily evaded. Countering instantly, he struck a punishing blow with his shield. The intensity had gone out of the match, and the crowd was very quiet as Jarvis hit the ground. The bigger man grimaced as he pulled himself to his feet, signaling again to Junzaburo that he did not want the match to end. Jack gritted his teeth as he watched Jarvis raise his fists again, preparing to attack. This time, it was the guild warrior who rushed to attack. His punches were no threat to Aleks, who evaded them and countered with a quick slash from his sword. As Jarvis staggered back, the knight struck again and left a deep cut on his arm.
"This needs to stop," Jack's hands were clenched into fists, and he spoke tersely as he got to his feet. "The fight is already over, Aleks is just toying with him."
"It's Jarvis who won't let it end," Adele said, putting a calming hand on her brother's arm. "I know it's frustrating to watch, but Aleks isn't breaking the rules."
"I'm going to end it," Jack's hand closed around the hilt of the Arbitrator as he watched Aleks take another shot at Jarvis.
"No," Adele said sternly. Her eyes were intense, and she fixed Jack with a fierce stare. Unlike in his younger days, Jack did not back down. He met his sister's gaze with an intense look of his own, which seemed to startle her. She recovered quickly and spoke again. "Do not make this personal, Jack. It won't help anything."
"He already made it personal," Jack countered. Gil put his hand on Jack's shoulder.
"Sit down," light elf said in a level tone. Jack grudgingly took his seat. "You won't accomplish anything by forcing the issue here."
Jarvis was barely standing, covered in cuts and dripping sweat. He was panting and still trying to recover his sword. Running in to attack again, Aleks' sword found its mark. The crowd had become silent as they watched the knight continue to attack the guild sergeant. Jack wanted Jarvis to stay down and take the loss, but he refused to stop fighting. The guild warrior forced himself to his feet, determined to make one more attempt. When he started to stagger forward, Aleks rushed in and smashed his shield into Jarvis' stomach. He immediately struck again with his sword, and his opponent crumpled to the ground. As Jarvis started to try to get to his feet again, Aleks kicked him and leveled his sword. Junzaburo quickly ran in and put an end to the match. The knight captain flicked his sword, cleaning the blood off of it, and sheathed it.
Though the crowd cheered for the winner, their applause was reserved because of the nature of the fight. The one-sided nature of the fight and the way in which Aleks had won muted the excitement that had been present at the conclusion of the other battles. The medical staff rushed out to the center of the arena to tend to Jarvis' wounds. Though he looked like he would require several days' rest and have scars, Jarvis looked like he would survive without any lasting damage and return to full strength. Behind him, Lord Larks had risen to his feet and was clapping loudly for the victory. The knight captain held his fist aloft as he acknowledged the crowd, a confident smile on his face. When he faced their section, Aleks bowed to the King, nodded to Lord Larks, and smirked at Jack. The former knight felt his anger rising as the winner approached. Jack's hand went again to his sword as the knight captain stood before them.
"Not much of a challenge after all," Aleks spoke levelly, with no emotion in his voice, but to Jack it sounded derisive. "I'm surprised a man like that could be a sergeant at all with such a mediocre skillset. Perhaps this explains why Theater Vancoor has become so weak."
"He fought with a lot of heart, and refused to give up," Jack countered. His countenance darkened as he spoke again. "Whether we're talking about the best or the average, Theater Vancoor's warriors are superior to the Radiata Knights. Remember, I'm in a better position to make that judgment than anyone else."
"Watch your mouth, boy. Those men have the strength to fight and die for the things they believe in, which more than a traitor like you can say," Aleks' hand went to the hilt of his sword as he spoke sternly. The former knight frowned at this admonition, unable to restrain himself any longer.
Before anyone could stop him, Jack rushed toward the wall and leapt over it, landing on the arena floor, just a few steps from Aleks. The landing was jarring, but his adrenaline was pumping and he shook it off quickly. Aleks drew his sword as soon as Jack's feet touched the ground, and Jack drew his an instant later. The two of them rushed toward one another, ready to fight. An instant before their swords collided, Jack was stopped in the middle of his attack. A gauntleted hand had grabbed his wrist and the hilt of his sword, preventing him from moving forward. Elwen stopped his attack with her left hand, and Aleks' attack with her right. Jack tried to pull his sword away, and saw Aleks doing the same, but neither could move at all. The observers were watching intently, and Jack saw all eyes fixed upon them. Though her helm was as impenetrable as always, Jack could feel Elwen's intense gaze fixed upon him; though it felt like an eternity passed, it was only a moment after stopping their attacks that she spoke.
"Strange, I was certain that I had left you and Gerald with instructions to train with one another today," her voice was level, and gave no indication that she was holding back attacks from two powerful swordsmen. "And yet, I find you here, watching matches and causing trouble as if you have time to waste. You need to lead by example, and picking this fight is not the way to do that. And Aleks, it hardly befits a knight of your caliber to instigate such a petty quarrel. You fought exceptionally well against a determined opponent, and there is no need to spoil such a showing in this way. I think both of you would do well to stop this now."
"It is clear to me why you are so respected, Guild Leader," Aleks withdrew his blade slowly as he spoke, sheathing it quickly. Jack sheathed his sword as well. "Things are not finished between us, Jack Russell. We will have our duel and I will defeat you, for all of the knights you killed."
"I look forward to it," they glowered at one another as Jack spoke.
Vegeta26: A little bit of a delay in getting this chapter done, we're back in that time of year where it's hard for me to update regularly. Hopefully it was worth the wait. The tournament is finished, and things will move a little quicker now. Thanks again to everyone that continues to read and review, I'll be interested in hearing what you thought of this one.
Keyblader-Sleven: I thought you would like the fight with Nocturne. Now that he's made his first appearance, I can say that he's going to be involved in the story quite a bit, and I'm looking forward to writing him. I just didn't want to spoil it before he showed up the first time. Let me know what you think.
nanohaxfate: Still going strong, glad you're enjoying the story. I'll be interested to see what you thought of this chapter.
Azn Leo-kun: Thanks for the review, glad you're enjoying the story and the matches. Make sure to stick around if you liked the volty blast I created for Nocturne, because there are going to be some more new ones before it's all said and done. Hope to hear from you again.
Zach Fleming: Glad you like the previous match, I wanted it to be close and tough for both fighters. The final fight isn't quite as intense as the others were, but it has a purpose for the team's chemistry and will be a reference point in the future. Looking forward to getting your thoughts.