Zell sat on the steps leading to the Quad. He was pumped and ready for action. It took all his will to restrain his usual nervous habits of constant motion. Soon he heard soft thudding footfalls of Seifer and his posse as they descended the steps. Once Seifer was to the right of Zell, he flopped down carelessly and accidentally- on - purpose smacked him in the back of the head. Zell clenched and unclenched his fists. The urge to strike back was strong. His eyes met that of the lone cowboy who stood partially hidden in the shadows and was able to keep his temper in check. He stood up fluidly and looked down at Seifer. "Enough with the child's play." Seifer was mildly annoyed with the lack of repose from him. However, Irvine stood off to the side not blinking an eye at the mounting tension in the room.
Sighing to himself, Irvine decided to try and smooth things. "Gentlemen, let's no resort to violence. Why don't we sit down and play a simple game of basketball."
Seifer's eyebrow came together in a slight frown of confusion. However, it was Raijin who voiced his unspoken question.
"Wait, how can you sit down to play basketball."
"Simple, the boys are going to play NBA Street vol. 2 on the PS2. That is, if they both agree."
Zell just nodded his head in agreement. Seifer looked between Derek and Irvine, as if they had gone insane. "You propose a challenge and they you decide to play video games. Why don't we just play a real game?"
"Well numb skull, it's pretty late and we don't want the Garden staff to come and spoil our fun. Besides, it would be too loud with the ball bouncing and the sound of you falling on your…"
"DEREK! That's enough partner, let's just get started."
Zell just flashed Irvine a charming smile before following the cowboy, along with the others, into the back area of the quad that housed the TVs and systems.
"Okay, the contest is simple best two out of three wins. First you'll play a NBA Street, Teacher's Bane Balance Avalanche and finally Relay Rumble. For this first game, you'll be playing against each other on teams of your own choosing."
"Any questions?"
"Let's just get this started all ready, I better things to do than play with Yo Samedy Sam all night."
"I'm not even going to honor that comment with a reply."
"That's real smooth, you just contradicted yourself."
Oh Hyne, if this is any indication of how they're going to act once the game starts, I think I'll head out now.
Irvine cleared his throat to get their attention. Well, I'm going to be out front near the fountain if you need me. With that being said, he took long strides to get away from the pair.
Fujin just shrugged empathically and followed Irvine. Raijin flopped to the ground and crossed his legs. He gave his sister a quizzical look before turning back to the two contenders.
Once the guys had picked their teams and the game actually started, things went surprising fast. Seifer was surprisingly good at the game, much to Zell's dismay. Concerning the game, they had totally different playing styles. Zell preferred to show off and do flamboyant trick moves as wells as shots and dunks. He also relied heavily on the game breaker ball which gave the player one or two additional points while subtracting that same number from the opposing team. On the other hand, such a move is hard to pull off in short time limit.
Seifer however chose the more solid or grounded approach. He stole the ball as often as he could, and tried to block every shot that Zell would attempt. He did a combination of 3 pointers and dunks and lay ups. In the end, Seifer was the more seasoned player and that resulted in his win.
Raijin cheered in victory while his sister tipped her head at him. Raijin was a bit startled by her silent return.
Zell was fuming; he had expected an easy victory.
I can't believe I lost, argh! If he wasn't goal tending so much and if only he hadn't stopped me from using my level two game breaker, I would have won.
Seifer took one look at Derek and was pleased to see the barely contained anger behind his eyes. It made him smile harder. It feels so good to put idiots in their place, now I just have to get just one more win and that fool will have to shave his head. I'm going to enjoy it. Maybe I can give him more fitting style first. Hm, I could shave a few patches off and then snap a few pictures.
Irvine stood patiently by the fountain. He had just finished setting up when a rather downcast Zell and triumphant Seifer came into view. The siblings brought up the rear.
Right, I can tell who won that challenge. Hopefully Zell scores the win here or he'll be inconsolable for weeks.
Once they were all in hearing range, Irvine explained the next event. "Welcome to Teacher's Bane Balance Avalanche. It's pretty simple, I'm going to give you each two buckets full of water to hold, and you're going to stand on the edge of the fountain. The first to fall in, drop their arms, or spill any water is the loser. Any questions?"
"Yeah, where in the hell are you coming up with these names?"
Irvine simply shrugged his shoulders, in reply. "Well if there aren't any more questions. Let's begin."
Once the two were standing on the fountain side by side and holding the water, the cowboy, and the remainder of the posse watched with mild interest.
Zell could see Seifer out the corner of his eye. Oh man he's not even breaking a sweat. Wait, don't look at him concentrate, I can do this. Just breath in, out, in, out, in…
Irvine was watching both men with a critical eye. His training as a sharpshooter was deeply embedded into his every action. He was a highly analytical person and his profession demanded that one be conscious of their surroundings. Let's see, Seifer may have a slight strength advantage in holding the water because the gunblade is fairly heavy. However, this is one contest where brute strength doesn't equal a win. Here size does matter. Turning his sights to Zell, he could see the small beads of sweat that began to form of his brow as well as the slight tremble of his arms. He's having a bit of trouble with the weight but if he can focus and use his martial arts training he may be able to enter a trace like state. Besides, due to his height his center of gravity is lower and he's more stable than Seifer. Heck he's almost a foot shorter than him. If he can just hold on, he'll win this thing.
A little over an hour later found the two men in the same predicament. Seifer's arms were killing him. The familiar dull ache was unnerving and caused him to twitch, which in turn affected his precious balance. It was a real struggle to stay up right. Forcing himself to straighten up, he was able to regain his balance. He could see the red head was having trouble holding the buckets but he looked like it was the most natural thing in the world to be standing on the small ledge of the fountain.
How can he stand there and be so calm? I'm about to fall into this freakin' fountain and he looks like he could stay perched up their like a rooster or something. Wait that reminds me of something… The momentary lapse cost him to once again lose his balance and the next thing he knew he was looking up at the smirking face of Derek from under water. Standing up quickly, Seifer let out a string of obscenities.
"Oh you look like you could use a bit more cooling off." Zell dumped his buckets over Seifer's head and jumped to the ground.
"Why you little!" Seifer starting wading his way through the water and quickly jumped out of the fountain and tried to make a grab for the annoying red head. Fujin and Raijin restrained their irate friend.
Irvine just shook his head at their madness. "Look, we have one more game. All you have to do is race around the set course I made with the help of Fujin. Just follow the arrows. The first to make it to the secret area in the training center wins." As he turned to walk towards the training center he hollered over his shoulder. "The course starts in front of the library. Oh and Seifer maybe you should change clothes. Those wet ones would only slow you down"
Fujin and Raijin stayed behind to make sure the two started off at the same time. Seifer and Zell were determined to win more than ever. Fujin gave the countdown.
"3"
Time for me to finally have my payback. I'm going to put him in his place. No one messes with Ma Dincht's son without getting what's coming to them.
"2"
Okay, time to show this wanna-be what a real solider can do. I can beat him hands down.
"1"
With that they both took off in a mad dash around Garden. The course took the two all over the place. It was really designed to make them work for the win. They climbed steps and ladders, only to have to run back and forth between the first and second levels all over again.
Note to self, talk to Fujin about her helping hand in this course. It's hard enough keeping up with this guy, let alone passing him. NO! I have to be number one, just pretend he's Squall! That thought helped Seifer gain an extra burst of speed as he rounded the corner from the Dormitory Wing and he sprinted towards the Training Center.
Oh yeah, I'm doing it, I'm doing, no wait he passed me! RUN FASTER! Just think Irvine will have all the hot dogs I can eat. Plus, seeing Seifer in his cadet uniform instead of his trench coat is too good to pass up.
Once Seifer reached the inner entrance of the training center, he found his weapon with instructions. Take out any monsters encountered while traveling to the secret area. Except T-Rexsaurs Where's the challenge in that? He picked up his gunblade, and set out to prove that he was number one.
When Zell reached the Center he saw Seifer enter with gunblade in hand. He saw his gun and the note. All right, it's the home stretch. Time to kick it up a notch!
Seifer took the left path, while Zell chose the right. The cocky blonde quickly dispatched of the Gnats that randomly attacked. Zell wasn't so lucky, he ran in a T-Rexsaur for his first battle. He had to get away quickly, but he couldn't afford to run back towards the entrance. So he taunted the beast into attacking. As it lowered it's head to snap at its prey. Zell jumped up on the creature's snout while casting sleep. Then he climbed up and over its head only to slide down it's backside like a living slide. With a hardy 'whoop' he was launched skyward as the beast trashed its tail as it succumbed to the effects of the spell.
Seifer was dealing with his last Gnat when he heard a roar then a whoop. What is that boy doing? Deciding it was best to press onward, he put that thought out of his mind.
Landing rather hard, Zell stood up slightly dazed. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind. He quickly scanned his surroundings and noticed that he was less than three yards from the door. Running at top speed, he pushed his body to the limit. He swore he could hear rapid thudding footsteps approaching from behind and it only served to fuel his frantic pace.
Seifer ran as fast as he could. He didn't want to risk losing, so he kept going, focusing solely on to door ahead of him. As he was running from the left, a figure entered his peripheral vision and he thought it was another monster. Then noticed it was Derek. The guy was running a fevered pace, much like that of Squall during their SeeD exam. Not willing to give up without a fight, he pushed himself till he felt his lungs would burst.
Once Zell reached the door, he practically pulled it off its hinges as he hurled himself into the room. Skidding across the floor he barely managed to stop before plowing into Fujin who was glaring at him rather fiercely. His weapon clattered loudly as it hit the floor. Seemingly less than a second later, Seifer barreled into the room, effectively knocking Zell over onto Fujin.
"RAGE!"
"Fujin I'm so sorry." In an attempt to get up he almost grasped a rather sensitive area. He was exhausted and wasn't moving fast enough for Fujin's liking."Irvine stood in the background laughing at the situation. "Well gentlemen, I declare Derek as the winner of this little competition." His voice dropped and took on a wolfish like tone. "I guess it's true. The winner does get the girl in the end."
"KINNEAS DEAD!"
The flustered girl, then pushed Zell off her and began to stalk towards the cowboy menacingly.
"Oh come on, I was just joking around. I didn't mean anything by it."
Seifer sat propped against the wall, the Hyperion laid to the right of him.
"Well…Derek, you won fair and square. So I'll start wearing that cadet uniform to class until I graduate."
Derek only looked up from his place on the floor, and briefly nodded his head before passing out cold.
Seifer gave a slight chuckle at the sight. Looking over at the cowboy who was currently running from Fujin he returned his gaze to Zell. Lowering his voice considerably, he spoke to the unconscious man. "Well Chickenwuss, I didn't think you had it in you. You've certainly proved your point. You're not such much of a wuss as I thought. So, yeah I have a bit of a grudging respect for you, but that doesn't mean we're friends or anything. Don't worry I didn't know it was you until I went to go change clothes and I thought about it bit, but it finally clicked when I heard that familiar whoop in the training center. Just know one thing, I want a rematch when this is all over. I won't give up until you're bald."
Smirking to himself, he closed his eyes for a brief second before standing up slowly. "Hey Fujin, I'm tired, let's get going."
She stopped her assault on the cowboy and walked with Seifer out of the training center.
A few minutes later, Raijin showed up. "Did I miss it?"
Irvine just looked incredulously at the tall hulking guy.
"Yeah, Derek won."
"Oh shoot, I was hoping to see ya know? Well I guess I'll be seeing ya around."
He tipped his head at the retreating figure. Then he gave Zell a light kick in the ribs.
"Come on champ you can sleep in the hideaway."
Zell got up groggily and together they returned to their rooms for a much needed night's rest.
AN: Thanks again to all who reviewed and a special shout out to the lurkers. I used to be a class A lurker myself. I still do it, espeically on wrestling fanfiction boards and such. But enough about that. This chapter all most didn't make it. When I went to save word crashed. Luckily it was able to recover it.
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