Bow's Test: Rumble In The Jungle
The next morning, Ryu stood outside the house, waiting for Bow. Today, he had to take the Grassrunner's test, and he really didn't know what to expect.
Finally, Bow emerged from the house, followed by Nina and Katt. "Okay, now I hate to do this," he said, frowning, "You know that, right, buddy?"
Ryu sighed. "Yeah."
"But this is what we're going to do. I've set up an obstacle course out there in the woods." He pointed to the trees behind the mansion. "You have to beat me to the finish line. It's as simple as that."
Ryu stared. Obstacles or no, he had never been able to outrun Bow before. Apparently, his friend was living up to Nina's requirements.
"Come on, Ryu, you can do this," Katt said, patting him on the back. "It's just a simple obstacle course. How hard can it be?"
Ryu smiled sadly. "I've found out that those are famous last words on many occasions, love."
"Hold off on the affection," Nina commanded. "This is only the beginning."
Ryu was ready to kill her. Seriously, he was. What right did she have to come between him and Katt like this? But, he said he would do anything, so…
Ryu huffed and puffed as he jogged and jumped over pits and swung from vines, but he still only had a glimpse of Bow's backside ahead in the jungle. There were monsters as well, to deal with. From swampy marshes and trees they nipped at him, or jumped, hoping to get a bite of his arm.
"I'll never make it," he wheezed. "I'm going to crash and burn on the first test. Waitaminit! Crash… yes, of course!"
He got new wind, and charged forward, until he was perhaps a dozen or so yards from Bow, and then he transformed into the Thunder Puppy and hid himself in the bushes as he scampered along.
"Ryu?" Bow looked back, but saw nothing. Was he that far ahead? Suddenly, he screamed as the branches above him all tumbled down in a massive pile in front of him. In the confusion, he just managed to see a blue-green blur streak towards the makeshift flag in the clearing.
"No way!" Bow exclaimed, dashing into the clearing. "There's no way you could have beaten me!"
Ryu smirked. "Overconfidence has been the downfall of many."
Bow growled. "If those branches hadn't fallen, you know you'd have lost."
Ryu smiled. "I know."
Bow kicked the ground. "Very well. Defeat conceded. Let's head back."
"Let's."
A/N: Sorry for the measly one chapter update, but things are
Soooooooo hectic right now… you get the piccy. More to come!
