Disclaimer: Same thing. I also don't own the elements since I borrowed them from CC
AN: This is also one long chapter. I started at 10-11 pm, and guess what? It's 4 am! Time sure flies. Also please note that most of the crono characters may not be able to appear right now. I plan to introduce you 'offically' to Serge's descendent in the next two chapters, Game Gone Wrong and Forced Enlistment. I warn you though that his name IS Serge. The story behind him is also intereresting
Quote from a famous Porrie Commander:
some time the basics divide people into two group
the victors that live, and the losers that die
-next line found in Tide's book
"Huff...uufff...huff" As I ran for the class. Stuffing down all of mom's breakfast was the culprit of being late this time. I always try to wolf food down at breakfast and skip lunch, since the game was after school and lunch was half an hour away before the game, generally it wasn't a good idea to play a contact sport on a full stomach, especially in the pool. Fortunately I had only one class, the game was during the day because the foreigners would have to get use to the time zone differences. Unfortunately the class I had was Advance Fighting. That class is rough, and the fact the Mr. Norris (we only call him coach during practice or games) taught it didn't make it easier.
Right as I slid into class (Nasuren:what some would call a baseball slide)....
RRRIIIIINNNNNGGGG!!!!!!
"...and he is safe!!!" shout a familiar voice. It was the often humorous voice of a dark haired student. His face was almost constantly showed a good mood. He kept his his hair short in all but the back, Which grew a ponytail. He wore sweat pants and a T-shirt with the school's logo on the front like everyone else, including me who came with them on.
"I wish you two wouldn't put that show on every time one of you are almost late, Dreggos, Tidal" said the ever cool voice of Mr. Norris.
He was totally right. Every time one of us was late, regardless if we made it or not, we would always say 'Your safe!' or 'Yer outta here!' (Where we got it, no one knows), even though if your late, Mr. Norris would make you do extra work, worst of which is a draw between changing dummies during element pratice...
Flashback
(On the rare occasion they were both late)
Norris: They are trying to hit the dummies.
Dreggos:Which ones? The stuffed ones or the ones trying to change them?
Tidal: YYYEEEEOOOOWWWWW! Put it out! PUT IT OUT! (He just got hit by a stray fire element, igniting his blue hair, and is running in circles while everyone laugh and both the student that hit him and Norris Sweatdrops)
Norris:....
End Flashback
... and toilet duty...
flashback
Booth Dreggos and Tidal open the same toilet. (Nasuren: cue Psycho theme!) As soon they get a good glimpse, both run to the adjacent toilets and proceed to 'lose their lunch'.
End flashback
"Alright, now if we please settle down, we will review what we'll learn. Week after next we'll face actual monsters in their habitats" most of the students groaned when they heard this, while Dreggos was on the verge of bursting with joy and I just smiled. "It's a big step from fighting the weaken ones we keep here. Now for the review, don't look at me if you want to volunteer." A dumbstruck expression passed on both mine and Dreggos's face. "Dreggos and Tidal, thanks for volunteering."
"We got suckered again Tidal!" we were the most likely to consider that a good thing, and this teacher knew it. Needless to say that this man could outsmart most, if not all.
"..."
Both of us made it to the floor and picked up our preferred training weapons, two swords for me and a large sword (great sword) for Dreggos. Reviews often consisted of fighting Mr. Norris in groups, setting up various situations for a test. We moved into the center of the class, which lied a ring. The class was shape as an amphitheater, with seats a few feet from the ring.Belongings were put on the sets, but most of the students stood for a better view. In a matter of moments, we were standing in the center in our battle stances. Dreggos had his sword over his shoulders with his right hand, and his left was hanging down, a normal stance for the heavy swordsman stressing power (he used both hands when swinging). I however preferred a all around style, my left shoulder in front, making me less of a target, I was often told I looked like dancing when I used twin swords.
"Ready?" Norris asked as got into his stance, a relaxed pose with his left hand on his hip and right hanging down like he wasn't fighting, holding his preferred weapon...a pistol."Let's begin."
Just as the 'fight' began, a light erupted from between the two sides, then it looked like it came back and was drawing sparks into which it came. That was the signal the barrier was up. It protected both combatants, from death and injury in certain conditions, and observants from stray attacks. Barriers are set up in certain areas (like this) and miniaturized into crystals that could be carried. On;y one person needed the crystal to activate one. The barrier also had another effect. Every move that related to an attack sap some of the person stamina. Even though it replenishes if you wait, the more you concentrate, the more it saps. The last effect was also the most unusual was the combatants attacks were weakened. That means if you get shoot in the head, it wouldn't kill you. It'll just hurt like some one slammed it into a brick wall.
"Let's see how well you have gotten use to the barrier. Dreggos, try two fierce attacks." No sooner had Mr. Norris said this, Dreggos ran toward him. With both hands on the sword, he swung the sword downward, then spun in a circle for another attack. Unfortunately, neither hit.
"... you forgot you should use weaker attacks to learn the way he'll dodge, didn't you?" I asked. When I said this an embarrassed look passed on his face. "I..er..um"
"Tidal's right, you fell for the oldest trick. Tidal, care to try?"
This time I rushed toward the teacher. Upon getting in front of him, I put my right sword on my shoulder, my 'ready position'. I quickly jabbed with the hilt of my left sword, after that I put my right foot forward to add momentum to my right sword, and for the coup de' grace I turned around to add momentum to left sword for my last strike. After I saw what that all three hit, I jump back to my original position (I didn't want to push Mr. Norris out of the barrier).
"See how it's done?" I asked Dreggos with a hint of cockiness.
"Umm.. Tidal...." was the answer I got. Dreggos obviously was trying to say something.
"You also used up all you stamina." The always blunt Mr. Norris answered. "You partner could have defended if needed. Shall we move on? The barrier can also allow people to use magic with elements. Over time, people can get used to it and use magic without the barrier or the elements, sometimes both. Elements are mostly sphere shape, sometimes others. Over time and with experience, combatants can also techniques in battle using the power in themselves as the elements. However to use elements requires focus and energy. Every attack landed helps the attacker concentrates and allows them to draw power to the barrier. The attacker is allowed to draw power from attack landed because the barrier absorbs the damage while the elements take the used stamina. Allow me to demonstrate."
Norris took a few steps and fired a weak shot at my arm then a strong one at my chest. He the returned to his original position and a yellow light surrounded him. After it disappeared, he aimed his gun at Dreggos, and his gun glowed yellow.
"SPIRAL SHOT!!" This was the only way he would yell. When he fire, his bullet left a streak that gave the bullet an appearance like a drill with a large vortex bottom and slammed into Dreggos's chest, knocking him down. When he got up his sword was in one hand, the top of his sword was on the ground. He was exhausted, his arms was hanging down, trying to save energy. He didn't even put his sword on his shoulders because of that last attack. I couldn't blame him, those two shots drained me too.
"Exhausted already? Tidal do you not have a level three element that heals your party? Please you it if you do." Of course I did. I was using practice elements the school had, and they're all the same. I focused the element, closing my eyes. I knew what was happening. Green light was surrounding me. I absorbed it then released it. Gentle wind surrounded us, healing us from the last attacks. We then returned to our normal stances. Unfortunately focusing on an element saps stamina like no tomorrow and I was feeling the backlash.
"Now Dreggos, use your tech element." Mr. Norris ordered
"I wouldn't to that sir..." I warned.
"Don't worry, I'll live." Obviously he didn't know what he was doing.
Dreggos rushed forward. He jabbed with his left hand, then turned and lowered and raised the hilt of his sword, hitting Mr. Norris under the chin. As he returned to his position,he yelled two words"YOUR FUNERAL!" as red light surrounded him. Unfortunately for Mr. Norris there was a problem. His innate was blue. There was only one way to change a Tech's color. If our teacher watched me two he would know why. Dreggos took a small leap backwards.
"X-STRIKE!!" We both yelled. Then both of us dash faster than the eye could follow, leaving a red trail. What really surprised us wasn't the fact we knocked Mr. Norris down, but when he stood up without a scratch.
"I guess you know the rest. Maybe I should quit taking it easy on you?" Both Dreggos's and my eyes widen. We know what he was going to do. I guess he thought we got a little to cocky with that attack. In a flash he hit us with two shots, both weak compared to what was going to happen next. The same yellow light surrounded him, but instead of hitting us with it he aimed at the sky...
"SUN SHOWER!" as he fire upwards. The best way to describe what happen next would be the sky is falling...on us!
Paladin Dragoon :
I like the story so far. I can't wait to check out who the 'next
generation' will be! Anyway, I've always been wondering if 'Norris' is
actually Norris' first or last name...Maybe the last one, since he's a
military dude...His full name is revealed in Forced Enlistment (chapter after next) . Also note this story takes place 300 years after CC. Norris in this is his decendent, so I can name him and I can get away with it if Sqaure names him differently (Ha!). But don't worry, it'll suit him.