~*~Aftershocks: Chapter Five- Training Days~*~ ~Silverium~ Disclaimer: I bow before Epic Megagamers, the creators of OMF 2097.

Thirty meters up in a narrow tower, a special chair provided which Jean- Paul now rested comfortably in, getting ready to be jacked in. He had a boyish anticipation about it, making it hard not to crack a smile. He would soon be Shadow again, purely alive and ready to fight.
He could feel it take over, the machines start, his reality slipping away and soon his blood was Synthoil, and his limbs were metal. Outside the tower Shadow rolled his shoulders and looked at Jean-Paul's body through the glass windows, he turned and could see Crystal's Jaguar fighting a Chronos.
Flexing every joint, re-claiming his agility, the bot thundered to the middle of the arena, ready to practice for the first time in a week. He was all alone right now, aside from the repair crew nearby. He practiced kicks, jumps, and throwing shadows in various directions. Soon another bot loomed into view, it was a Thorn, and then looked directly at him. Jean- Paul launched himself forward.
Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. The Shadow was wary about the spikes on Thorn, the monofilament technology could puncture Shadow anywhere at anytime. The Thorn charged at him, giving Jean-Paul and excellent opportunity to jump over it, turn around and let his Shadow use a special attack, sending out a shadow and holding Thorn back while Jean-Paul went to the attack.
It didn't matter that he was a bit rusty from the week of nothingness. Jean-Paul was a fighter, in the tournaments and out, and the Thorn soon crumpled to the ground. Pausing, Jean-Paul turned on his comm. link to hear Crystal screeching at Milano,
"What do you mean five battles? It's two out of three! Are you crazy?"
"You will fight five battles, and win three out of five if you ever hope to find the truth about your parents. You should be grateful I'm even giving you this chance," Milano laughed viciously, then, "what are doing?"
Jean-Paul watched in fascinated horror as the deep blue Jaguar walked over to her fallen foe, pick it up and then leap into the air at a frightening height. She came down, landing almost on top of the Chronos. The shrapnel that exploded into the air as a result caused Jean-Paul's Shadow to raise his arms above his face. There was nothing left of the Chronos, Crystal had pulled her destruction move.
"You bitch!" Milano snarled over the link as the Jaguar walked away, careless for her actions,
"See you in six days, Jean-Paul." Crystal's voice floated to him, sounding more cheerful than he had heard in days.
Coming out of the Shadow, feeling the Synthoil flow from his body, the blood return, reality crash back into its place, Jean-Paul looked outside to his Shadow. Dimly he wondered if Crystal would use the destruction on him if she won. His life would be over anyhow, wouldn't it? Or was Milano bluffing?
Jean-Paul left the training center and began to walk through the empty corridors of the hotel. He could see transit shuttles coming to the hotel, masses of people wanting to see the fight which Milano had dubbed a 'free entertainment for all' battle. He doubted they knew what was going on.
As he passed several intersecting hallways a familiar face strode into view,
"Ibrahim." Jean-Paul acknowledged quietly,
"Jean-Paul, you should get out while you can," The older man said in a neutral voice,
"I need the job,"
"It's not a job anymore, you're deluding yourself," Ibrahim retorted,
"If I forfeit she wins," Jean-Paul neatly countered,
"Your intelligence didn't win you the tournament, nor will it win this battle."
Jean-Paul's eyes narrowed and he studied the man, "What do you know?"
"Enough." Ibrahim walked away.
Jean-Paul shrugged softly to himself and returned to his room, thinking of various ways to defeat Crystal. She was agile, but not nearly as powerful as he.

Crystal hummed a song as she cheerfully walked back to her room. Her day was golden, her mind buzzing with ideas, and overall she felt happy. Destroying one of Milano's HARs had put the smile on her face. She took an alternate route to her temporary lodging, wanting to enjoy the view from the windows that lined some of the hallways. Peeking through one she could see into the adjacent hallway, Ibrahim was headed her way. When he saw her he paused and then approached her carefully. Crystal smirked and then covered her smile with difficulty,
"Crystal Devroe, I thought I'd find you," Ibrahim smiled pleasantly
"Mm, really?" Crystal asked innocently,
"You're in high spirits, little one," He observed,
"I destructed one of Milano's HARs," Crystal grinned,
"Making my job difficult are you?" Ibrahim raised his bushy eyebrows,
"You oversee the repairs or something?"
"I do." Ibrahim had a tiny smile on his face, "The Jaguar's destruction is one to be reckoned with,"
"It is. You designed the Jag, didn't you? I guess you deserve my thanks," Crystal nodded,
Ibrahim winked, but then grew serious, "I know what you've done to it,"
"The enhancements? Can't fool the constructor I guess," Crystal shrugged,
"Triple concussion cannons, does Jean-Paul know?"
"Of course not!" Crystal hissed, "And if you tell him."
"I have no wish to interfere with your battle. My fights were finished over a week ago." Ibrahim said coldly,
Crystal nodded in satisfaction. Yes, she did have three concussion cannons loaded on to her Jaguar but that wouldn't matter, she wouldn't need them to beat Jean-Paul. Yet.
"Do you know the terms for this fight?" She asked hesitantly,
"No, I can only guess that if you win you will be given the knowledge of your parent's deaths," Ibrahim watched her closely,
"Wise old man." Crystal cooed as she walked away, her smile back in its place.
If Ibrahim didn't know that a life was on the line then he wouldn't warn Jean-Paul of the enhancements. Crystal smothered a laugh behind tightly pressed lips. Her crafty blue eyes darted down the hallway for anyone else but there were devoid of people. Back in her room, Crystal let her laughs take over and she giggled until tears crept up. Climbing on to her bed she picked up the phone and began pushing buttons,
"Medical ward? This is Ms. Devroe, I'd like to speak with my brother, is Christian lucid? . Excellent."

~*~ Who's going to win this epic battle? I'd tell you but I'd rather let you read and find out. Reviews are appreciated, and if you leave an email I am most certain to get back to you. ~*~