Wow, im sorry everyone. I was slow getting Part 4 up but I promise part 5 will be quicker. I had a little trouble with the formatting of the story between Kira-chan and me, so it may seem a little bit awkward. Otherwise, hope you all enjoy it enough to write some more reviews!
Part 4One week later, Tim and Chris stood at the entrance to Madison Square Garden, waiting for their tickets to be taken by the man at the front of their line. It seemed odd that participants should have to go in the same doors as the crowd, but that was what he had been told to do, so he would do it. However, the incident at the airport had taught him that being a celebrity could be difficult when out in public. As a solution, he and Chris wore black ski masks when entering the stadium. Unfortunately, the man that was collecting the tickets, who also happened to be a security guard, did not like the plan as much as Tim had.
"There aint know way I'm letting you two bone heads in here like that."
"Huh, like what?" Tim answered innocently through the slit where his mouth went.
"Do you think I'm stupid kid? Take off the mask and step over there for a search," said the security guard, motioning to a table to their left, just outside the entrance. On it were a variety of trays and a row of people behind the table, some of whom were searching through the bags of visitors. Duct-taped to the front of the table was a sign saying:
For your protection
The following items are not allowed to be carried into the stadium:
Knives or any sharp objects
(including box cutters, scissors etc.)
Firearms
Pets (except for handicapped assistance)
Drugs
Explosives of any type
All violators will be escorted off the premises immediately. We thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy the event.
Tim looked over the sign and then at the man to the side of it that was holding a metal detecting baton. He didn't like the idea of being searched in public since that would mean he would have to take off the mask and be recognized.
"Hey, just take it easy will ya?" he whispered to the guard "I'm one of the contestants in this event, I just don't want people to see me"
The guard gave a fake roar of laughter "Yea, sure kid. I'm Keifer Sutherland, and I give you 24 milliseconds to get out of my face before I kick you off the grounds, now lets go!"
Actor in popular American anti-terrorist drama "24"
Tim started to get angry "Come on! It's not like I have a bomb or anything!" he said, a little too loudly.
"Oh my God! The guy in the ski mask has a bomb!" a lady behind them yelled, diving for the ground. Then all hell broke loose. People started running in all directions, screaming and praying for their lives. Some dropped to the ground with their face flat against the pavement and their hands covering their heads. Others ran in the opposite direction for their cars. At that point, two cops appeared out of nowhere and tackled Tim and Chris to the floor, removing both of their masks."Hey chief," the one on top of Tim said, "isn't this guy in the tournament?"
"Oh my God, yea! That's Tim O'Brian. Hey kid, can I get your autograph?"
Tim struggled to his feet. "Yea, sure," he said and scribbled his name on the cops police hat. As the pair stared in amazement, Tim seized his chance to make a get away.
"Come on!" he said to Chris and they burst through the gate and down the hall, running as fast as they could to the top floor.
"Hey,wait a minute! We have to take you in for questioning!" one of the cops yelled after them, but they were long gone and out of hearing range. They ran up at least 20 flights of stairs, maybe more, before they came to the level of the luxury box suites. Tim flipped out a plastic card from his pocket. "Box 15," he panted and they walked, trying to catch their breath.
Not quite fully recovered, Tim slipped the card into the slot and removed it. At the green light, Chris pushed the door open and they entered the room. It was unlike any luxury box Tim had ever been into. In front of them was a huge glass window out of which the entirety of the inner stadium could be observed. Above it was an equally large plasma screen monitor that was focused in on the Layer floor, ready for the action. To their left as they entered was a full lounge area complete with 5 swivel love chairs, an extended sofa and a giant crystal coffee table in the middle. To their right was the kitchen, out of which came the smells of roast beef, pie, and chicken wings. Directly next to them, was another door, leading to another section of the room.
Tim and Chris were not hungry or curious though, so made their way over to the lounge area and sank into the chairs of their choosing, panting and sweating from their close getaway. They both sat facing away from the door and out into the arena.
As Tim began to relax and the air conditioning cooled him off, a voice came from behind him. "Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in ladies: A couple of drowned rats."
A round of giggling followed the comment, and Tim turned his chair to confront the sound. In front of him was a boy, at least 3 years older than him, Tim thought, wearing a blue sports jacket with the American flag embroidered on his left breast, and his name stitched on the other. Along the side of both arms were patches from different companies, including Coca-cola, Apple, and AOL. His hair was spiked back and he wore a malicious grin on his face. "Did you get my letter pretty boy? I hope you had fun with security down at the front gate."
Tim was confused. "What? You mean, you didn't-"
"No stupid. We didn't come in the front. We came in through the participant's entrance, like we were supposed to."Tim remembered the original participant's package he had received in the mail after he won his regional championship. It had told him exactly where the participant's entrance was and what time he could enter. With it, though, were a pair of tickets for himself and his second. Two days later, just before he left for Las Vegas to celebrate, a second letter came to his mailbox telling him there had been a change in plan and they would use the tickets he had been given to go through the front gate instead. Tim finally put two and two together.
"Yea, nice trick, had me completely fooled." Tim glanced behind the boy in front of him at the group of three giggling girls. "Your fan club I presume?"
"Who them?" he asked with a snort. "No idiot, those are the other three Dues' representing the USA. We're team USA, in case you hadn't noticed our uniforms. Looks like you're the only one who didn't make it on, loser."
Tim noted the tone the boy was making now. He had been trying to ignore it. It wasn't in Tim or Chris's best interest to make enemies, but Tim knew he would have to stand up for himself somehow. He glanced over their uniform once more, successfully gaining the material he would need for a come back.
"Apple and AOL, huh? Jeez, you're sure to crash in the first round then. I wish ya luck. How much money did they pay to put those on there? Or were you delusional enough to want them?"
The girls started snickering again, and the boy totally lost it, pulling Tim clean out of his chair by the scruff of his neck.
"Leave him alone!" shouted Chris, jumping out of his chair with his fists clenched.
"Shut up nerd boy! You're next!" the boy yelled and then to Tim "Don't you ever talk to me like that again, you hear? I'm you're superior on this ground. You didn't make it on team USA, and you know why? Because you suck! That's why. Your tournament win was a fluke, and nothing more. You don't deserve to be representing your country, and better yet, you don't deserve to play Angelic Layer at all. You had better hope on your life you get knocked out early, because if we ever meet on the Layer, I'm gunna tear you and your angel limb from limb, you hear?"
Tim knew he was about to get thrown across the room, so only responded by clenching his eyes closed. However, the toss he was expecting never came, as he was saved by an older man's voice.
"Put him down, Wyatt!" the voice said sternly. Tim opened his eyes as his feet met the ground again to see the boy named Wyatt still looking directly at him, but hands off this time. "Be thankful
grandpa here saved you, next time you won't be so lucky."
He turned and took his place in one of the five chairs and the three giggling girls followed. Chris and Tim took spots on the sofa as the older gentleman stood in the center of their circle.
"I would like to welcome you all, Mr. O'Brian and the representatives of team USA, to the first annual International championships. My name is Mr. Kakashi and I will be your team supervisor."
Tim thought over the name. Kakashi meant scarecrow, he had learned that by reading Naruto Manga. The name was fitting. There was no meat to the man; he was old and pretty much just skin and bones. His eyes however, were fierce and in control: saying he could frighten away some crows would be an understatement.
"I have worked in Angelic Layer ever since it made its way to our shores at AL co USA, based right here in New York. I am the principal advisor to affairs between management and the Deus' on the floor," he continued "Now, about the tournament. First off is a preliminary Round Robin round, in which you will battle three other participants in order to place in the championship rounds. Only the top two in each set of four will advance, meaning half of the field will be leaving today."
He paused to let the new information sink in. "This means that it is quite possible that none of you will be fighting come tomorrow, so put everything you have out on the Layer today. You were all selected from the best of the best, so it can only expected you will do well in this tournament. The competition is fierce, but you five have proven yourselves fierce competitors."
"Now, to put another spin on things, we have given you this luxury box for the entirety of the tournament. I believe you all have the general admission tickets that were sent to you in the mail?" they all nodded so he went on "Once you are eliminated from the tournament, your entry card will not open the door to this room. From then on you will be watching the tournament from the stands, using those tickets you were given. It's a sort of, reality show type of thing that the company is putting on."
Tim didn't like the idea. First of all he hated reality shows, and second sitting in the stands was annoying, especially with people pestering you for autographs. Then he remembered Christie would be working for him on the inside, and decided not to worry about it.
"Misaki... Christie... Chris...all believe in me, I cant let this get into my head," he thought. "I must be able to fight Hikaru again, and win this time!"
"As for the matches, here are the initial pools," Kakashi said as he laid out a poster on the table in the center. Tim didn't look anywhere else but the top we're his name was, along with Wyatt Reser of team USA, Charles Chiang of China and Simon Saldry of the European union. Tim smirked at the idea of fighting with Wyatt in the first round, it would be all he needed to get back at him.
A half an hour later, Tim and Wyatt entered the arena from opposite ends to the thunderous applause of everyone in the stadium. Wolfwind was perched on Tim's shoulder as he gave a short wave to the crowd and he walked to his egg style chair. Chris was already at his station with his headset on and began talking once Tim turned on hisearpiece.
"This one's gunna be tough Tim. This guy's got quite a record."
"So? Hikaru has only lost once the profile sheet said, but we almost beat her didn't we?""Yea, almost doesn't cut it though," Chris reminded. "But we do have the advantage."
"How so?"
"His angel...you've fought it before."
"Really?!" Tim outburst "Who is it?"
Chris grinned. "Now that would ruin the surprise wouldn't it?!"
"Why you litt-" Tim began, but the announcer interrupted him.
"In East corner! Northeast regional King of the Layer. Tim O'Brian! His angel: the majestic moon, Wolfwind!"The sound of the cheering that followed was enormous. After all, this was New York City, Tim's home town. Most likely he would have the crowd on his side for most of the matches. The cheers were not so loud when Wyatt was introduced.
"In west corner. Deus: Wyatt Reser, the southeast King. Angel: Destructo!"
Tim's heart skipped a beat. "DESTRUCTO AGAIN?!!" he yelled into his mouthpiece.
Chris giggled. "Yep, that's the one. Should be no sweat now, huh?"
Tim was almost angry. "Why didn't you just tell me? I almost had a heart attack!"
Again, Chris laughed. "Cuz if I told you I wouldn't have gotten such a priceless reaction would I?!"
Tim made a noise similar to a growl as the announcer announced their entry. "Now then. Entry Angel!"
Tim went first. "Moon and the stars, hear our cry to the night! Go Wolfwind!" he said and threw his angel into the layer. "Angel: Fall in!"
Wolfwind back flipped in the air and shook off the remnants of the layer shield from his body as he lightly touched the layer with his feet. Destructo was not nearly as graceful as he fell in and landed with a thud. "Now then. Angelic Fight!"
Tim eyed over Destructo once more. It was very punk ugly he thought, but something was different from the last time.
"There's no way what I fought last time was all there was to this," he thought. "Something that weak would never have gotten this far."
"I hear you've fought with Destructo before, with my little brother in Vegas," Wyatt laughed sickeningly. "That was only his second time fighting. Way to go jerk, beating up on the newbies. He didn't really know how to use Destructo, but I do. now see what he can really do!"
With that, Destructo disappeared in a blur. "Speed?!" Tim exclaimed as the opposing angel came face to face with Wolfwind.
"Yea, that's right. He's a prototype of speed and strength. The perfect combination, too bad my bro didn't know how to use it right." Tim wasn't distracted as he sent Wolfwind running and cart wheeling across the layer. "We're faster Wolf, we can beat him," he thought, and almost in response Wolfwind popped up at Destruto's back with blinding speed, letting a jump kick fly at his head. All Wolfwind hit was air, and in the next moment found himself flying high into it after a tremendous blow to the abdomen. He was punched so hard, and so high, in fact, that he was able to spring off the lighting at the top of the layer. He used this to his advantage, and pushed off as hard as he could, hurtling directly towards Destructo.
It was extremely risky. If he missed, the match was already over. Moving that fast from so high up would knock out Wolfwind for sure. If he hit, however, he would have the advantage in the match.
Desctructo looked up, but it was obvious he could not see a thing. With the bright lights behind him, Wolfwind was effectively blinding Destructo with light, and then with pain as he slammed his knee into Destructo's face. The Angel crumpled to the ground and Wolfwind sprang away.
Wyatt gritted his teeth. "That was a cheap trick you faggot!"
Tim ignored the insult and plunged into attack while Destructo was still on his knees. Again, he aimed for the head, but Destructo dodged and countered with a left hook. Wolfwind caught it and grabbed hold. With all his strength, he flung Destructo over his head and behind him, hoping to slam him in the layer. However, the opposing Angel landed on his feet and came charging with a kick from behind. Wolfwind didn't see it, but Tim did. Wolfwind sidestepped to his left and caught Destructo in the jaw as he flew by with a raised elbow. Again, Destructo was flat on the ground.
In was heartening to see Wolfwind still standing, but as Tim checked his display, to hishorror he found that even after all the hell he had given, he was still only winning by a little bit. The blows
he had been giving were scratches to Destructo.
"So that's it," Tim thought. "He's a speed heavy type, so all my blows are light to him. No wonder he's done so well. I didn't think such a combination was possible."
It was obvious he would have to win like he had before by knocking him out of the layer. Hand to hand combat was too risky against this opponent. Wolfwind scurried behind Destructo and waited at the edge of the layer. Wyatt laughed. "You wont be able to beat me that way. But if you wanna play that game fine!"
Destructo moved in a blur until he was right infront of Wolfwind. Wolfwind began to sidestep, but was too slow as Destructo's shoulder collided with his chest. Wolfwind was sent flying out of the Layer.
"Wolf!" Tim screamed, and what happened next Tim was sure was not his doing. Before Wolfwind left the layer, his feet hooked into Destructo's armpits and Wolfwind flipped, flinging Destructo head over heels behind him. Within seconds both angels were on the ground outside of the layer.
The crowd was hushed as they examined the instant replay. "Oh wow!" the announcer exclaimed "This will be a photo finish! Both angels were knocked out of the layer, but who was first?! Remember, the angel who is first completely out of the Layer first is the loser!"
Tim watched anxiously. He couldn't hear the crowd, either because they were too dead silent, or because the pounding in his ears was driving the sound out. The screen moved frame by frame until the final one taken.
Both seemed to be clear out of the Layer, but on closer look, Tim saw with excitement, that Wolfwind still had his outstretched hand inside as Destructo was being flung out.
"THAT'S IT!" the announcer roared. "Wolfwind wins!!! What an exiting first round to this years-" the rest was drowned out by the roaring of the crowd. Wyatt was shouting something, but Tim couldn't hear. Chris ran over to his pod, jumping up and down with excitement as if they had just won the entire event, holding Wolfwind in his hand.
"You did it! You won! We're unstoppable!!" he was yelling, and Tim smiled. "I didn't win that," he said and Chris interrupted.
"What do you mean?! Of course you did! Didn't you hear the announcer?!"
"Yea, but I didn't win that. Wolfwind did..." he said, and they began back up the hallway to the elevator that would take them to the luxury box sweet. Chris was still in hysterics when they walked in the door. Two of the girls were talking on the sofa and one of them said. "Hey, they didn't do to bad. I guess they're pretty good."
"They're not just good" the other said "They're grrrrreat!"
The next two battles were nothing in comparison. Using Wolfwind's speed, Tim easily advanced to the next round with a perfect record. Wyatt was too stunned after his first loss to do much of anything,and was knocked out of the tournament with a second preliminary loss to Chiang of China. Tim knew that no matter what happened afterwards, he had proven himself better than anyone had expected, and that he belonged in this tournament. Whatever happened tomorrow was all up in the air. What wasn't, though, was his ability to sleep, and so, he slept on the couch in the box sweet and didn't answer when his mother called his cell phone the next morning.End Part 4
In case you havnt noticed, I've been ending each chapter with slogans from various cereal commercials. At first it was an accident, mainly because im always hungry in the morning when I write. So really, what the girl just said, has no plot importance, its just following the pattern .
Anyway, like I said, hope you enjoyed, and ill be sure to have part 5 and 6 up soon. Im always looking for reviews, good or bad so if you took the time to read that, please just take an extra 10 seconds to put in a word or so. Again special thanx to Kira-chan for beta-reading this, and to everyone who put in reviews last time. Its been a real help