Disclaimer: I claim no rights to any logo, insignia,

 or corporate name in this story. They are

property of Sony, and AgeTech.

            Okay, baby. Let's see what you got!

'Systems Online'

'Checking Pilot… Pilot Dark Vent Confirmed'

'Checking Weapons… No New Weapons'

'Switch to Combat Mode?'

"Yes!"

Ignition: "You lousy Bastard! I've been waiting months to get my hands on that Core! As Kisaragis star Raven, I should've been the one to receive WhipLash! Give it to me, or I'll take it from You!"

"How about this, Ignition. If you win, I'll give you WhipLash, but if I win, I get Burnout. Is it a deal?"

"Deal. But I should warn you… I NEVER LOSE!" I can hear the contempt already.

I hit the button for the Liaison Channel. "Lyn, did you get all that?"

"Yeah, I got it all. Kick his ass for us." I hear Lyn say over the comm..

Over the Arena announcement system, I hear static, then…

"This is a match between Dark Vent and Ignition. Standard Arena rules apply. Ready… Go!"

Ignition already has a lock on me, as I strafe left. Damn! He's too fast, I can't get a lock at this distane.

"Flight Mode!" I yell, hitting the overboost control. This'll close the distance quickly! I'm thrust into my seat as my AC leaves the ground and the overboost kicks in. Two seconds and I'm close enough to get a lock. I raise my rail-gun and fire! The recoil spins me in mid-air and nearly breaks my restraints in the process.

With a jolt and an ear shattering explosion, I crash into the ground and see the HUD display 'Warning, Left Wing Extreme Damage'. Shit! I switch the new blade to saw-mode and run after Ignition. He's already half-way across the arena, and taking aim with his rockets. The explosion took out my left overbooster, so I decided to boost there.

LEFT!

RIGHT!

His rockets are only good at mid range, and he's a bad fucking marksman. If I can hit his head, I'll be set. I swing my blade and… Fuck! I only got his shoulder, but I removed most of his rocket launcher, and his left extension!

He retaliates by blasting me in the chest with his flamethrower! Oh No! The computer's going into a system failure! I boost back just far enough, before the boosters give out. An alarm sound, then my AP starts to drop rapidly.

I see Ignitions left shoulder explode and the arm goes limp! I must've hit a hydraulic servo! I see the AP readout stop, and the system warning quits flashing. I switch my blade to flight mode, with a seven second delay.

"Ignition," I yell into the comm., "Burn This and KISS OFF!" I raise my right arm as my blade starts to attack Ignition, and fire the rail-gun again. The slug blows off his right leg, and the electric bolt fries his computer!

"AC Burnout is defeated! Raven Dark Vent is victorious." The announcer says over the announcement system.

"Recall blade."

I hold up my arm , watching the blade return to me. With the blade secure, I walk over to the smoking heap of Burnout.

"You never lose, huh?" I say over the comm. channel, raising the rail-gun to his core. With bitterness in my voice, I say, "Think Again!" and squeeze the trigger.