An Angel's Story

Chapter 8

Preparing for the Tournament

After three days since the demon incident, Terry knew that Rock was getting stronger and had an idea of really putting his skills to the test. That night he told Joe and Andy his plan. "Are you joking me!" shouted Joe.

Andy laughed. "What are you afraid that he'll take your place?" Andy laughed harder.

"What's so funny?" snarled Joe.

"The reason that Rock's going because Mary's joining Mai's team and we're one teammate short, am I right Terry?" said Andy.

"Exactly. Rock has shown all of us that he deserves this spot and an opportunity to show us what he can do when he really cuts his powers loose, and besides…I can't just leave him here. Responsible or not he's still a teenager, so who knows what kind of crazy stunt he'll pull next." Responded Terry.

"Thanks for the endorsement." Said Rock. "Hey Joe, Andy."

Joe spoke up. "Listen Rock, I just wanted to say I'm really sorry that I snapped at you like that. I had no right."

"Don't sweat it. You had a point though." Rock accepted has apology. Rock changed the subject. "You're really letting me in the KOF?"

"That's what this is all about." Said Terry.

"Great! I'm going." Rock quickly said. "Because every year I watch you guys are always jerks…at least Joe and Andy are, and with me on your side that won't happen." He said excitingly.

"We love you too Rock." Andy was not lost on Rock's sarcasm. The four of them couldn't help but laugh.

Terry got four bottles of soda out of the refrigerator and tossed one to Rock, Andy, and Joe. "Boys! Here's to us, because we rule the tournament." As they all drank up their sodas dry they packed their stuff and drove off to Master Jubei's dojo.

On the way there Joe and Rock had fallen asleep in the back seat leaving Terry and Andy to talk. "This was a great idea bringing him along." Said Andy. "He deserves it. He deserves to have the feeling of being surrounded by screaming fans cheering him on, and wanting him to beat opponents."

"It's not just about that Andy, he also deserves to put his skill to the test against others. Others besides us and the many pickpockets around Southtown, but you're right he needs to know what that feeling is and why it gets us so motivated. Get some rest we have lots of training to do."

Andy smiled. "Night bro."

"Good night Andy."

When they arrived at the dojo they put on their training gear and instantly got to they're training. Joe was sparring Terry while Rock was left to Andy.

Rock jumped in the air and dived down for a kick but was blocked by Andy. Rock jumped off and came in for a punch, but again was avoided by Andy and he kicked Rock in the shin getting him off balance and followed through with a punch to his chest. Rock slid backwards but charged again. He took his shoulder and rammed into Andy's stomach did a handspring backwards and elbowed him in the same place. Andy was on the ground but Rock kept going, he was about punch a fallen Andy but his fist was held back by Terry. "That's enough." Said Terry holding his fist.

Rock looked at Terry and smiled nervously. He turned to Andy and helped him up off the floor. "Sorry, I guess I got carried away."

Andy took Rock's hand and was helped up off the ground. "No problem, because in the real tournament there is no holding back." Andy politely accepted his apology.

Terry spoke up. "That's all for now boys. Right now lets just save up our strength for later."

"You're the boss." Joked Joe.

Rock yawned. "I'm bushed. I'm going to bed. Wake me up when it's time to get to work again."

"That's not a bad idea. Same here wake us up." Andy followed.

Rock got to his room with Andy not far behind. Rock lied on his bed while Andy pulled up a chair. "So what did you want to tell me?" asked Andy.

"I don't know why I can't tell Terry but I can tell you. But that's not the point. I've recently experienced these changes and I don't know what is happening. He knows about the demon that's been hunting me but he doesn't know that I'm part human and part angel." explained Rock.

"I can see why you can't tell Terry. You're afraid that you'll worry him, or you're afraid that he will distance himself from you." Responded Andy.

"I'm glad you understand Andy, but please don't tell Terry." Said Rock.

"I won't."

"Thanks. But what confuses me was that if my mother was an angel how did she die?"

"She probably wasn't an angel particularly but probably a reincarnation." Andy sighed. "Geese told Terry how you mother died. After Geese's death, he then told me."

"How did she die?" stuttered Rock. Andy hesitated to tell. "How did she die!"

Andy felt tears fall down his cheek. "If I tell you, you will cry like you never have before." Rock felt Andy's arms wrap around him, in a protective sense. "In a sense you…you kind of killed her yourself with your power. You were too powerful for her. She died giving birth to you."

Rock felt his heart stop for a split second. "Please…please you just playing a joke."

"I wish it were." Andy held on tighter, and his prediction was right Rock was crying like he had never had before.

Rock left the protection of Andy and out the room. He ran up to Terry and punched him out of no where. Not only was Rock sad he was seriously pissed off. "Rock!" shouted Joe. "What was that for!"

"None of your business! This is between me and him now!" shouted Rock back.

Terry looked into his eyes. He felt like he was looking into the eyes of Geese. "How could hold something like that from me?" asked Rock.

Terry turned to Andy. "You told him?"

"He deserves to know." Responded Andy.

Terry turned to Rock. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to see you like this." Rock punched Terry again, but it wasn't as powerful. "Your fist is full emotion. I said I was sorry."

"If you were truly sorry you wouldn't had held it from me."

"I said I was sorry!"

"Not this time!" Rock bolted out the door.

"Rock wait!" But when Terry got outside Rock was long gone. The only thing that was there was the hat that Terry had given to Rock when he was a small boy. Terry picked it up and cried. "He's gone. I can't believe it. He's gone."

As he stood there crying his heart out, Terry was suddenly smacked in the back of the head by Master Jubei. "Then go and chase him!"

Terry sighed. "He probably never wants to talk to me again."

Terry was smacked again. "You made the damage, now you go and fix it. Besides a boy like him wandering all by himself he could get himself killed."

Terry took his advice and grabbed the car keys. "You're right I'm going to go look for him."

Before Terry could leave Master Jubei stopped him for one last piece of advice. "DON'T COME BACK TILL YOU FIND HIM!"

Terry smiled. "That was my whole plan."

Will Rock ever talk to Terry again? Will Terry find him? Find out next chapter. Blazing Wolf Rock Howard