T.R.: I know, I know... I'm unloyal for not updating as often as the last story. For that, I forgive everyone that is wating patiently and impatietly for this chapter to arrive. (bows)

With Wings Ascending

By: T.R. Fanatic

Chapter 1: Match-up

"Kaze..." a familiar voice intruded into the pilot's slumber.

Kaze slowly opened his eyes and looked at Pyro, who was standing and staring back at him. "Morning...?" he asked.

Pyro nodded. A grin plastered to his face.

Kaze sat up, looked to the clock then to the energetic pilot. "And I'm supposed to be up this early... why?"

"We made to Kinzoku!"

"And...?"

"We start our team battle today!"

"'Team battle?'"

"Where we fight against our teammates. Think of it as a mini-arena... except, it's the form of a round-robin."

"...Oh, I think I know what you're talking about." Kaze stood up and shoved Pyro out of his room. "Give me five minutes, okay?"

--...--...--...--...--

"Well, team," Chief said as he stood before his teammates sitting around the meeting room table. "we've got a long two months ahead of us... you ready?"

"Of course, Chief..." Tsubasa replied solemnly.

"...Another fifteen minutes," Lazy-Eye muttered groggly, resting her head and arms on the table. "and I'll be ready to take on the world..."

"Well, before we can go off and challenge the entire arena," Chief continued. "all of you have gotta go up against each other." He turned to look at Kaze. "You might not know the reason behind this, but this gives a chance for corporations to look at your record in 'mock arena matches,' before they start sponsoring you in the real arena."

Mock arena... Real arena... Kaze thought. It's all the same to me...

"Have you already created the match-ups for the first round?" Pyro asked, pulling a sneaky glare to Kaze. "Or are we free to choose our own challenger?"

"No, Pyro." Chief replied. "That was last year, remember? This year, it's my turn."

Pyro made a quiet groan as the screen behind Chief displayed the match-ups for the first round. Names of the pilots were plastered proudly next to an image of their AC's, in four groups of two.

Tsubasa versus Chief... Kaze began, reading off the matches in his mind.

I go up against Rebel? Pyro thought. Aw, hell...

Bug verses Hyper... Lazy-Eye read, now breaking out of her drowsiness. And... I duke it out with Kaze. "Heh, not bad for a first-round pick." she commented with a smirk.

"This round is only based on what your rank is among the team." Chief informed. "Newcomers are put at the bottom, regardless of what their rank is in the arena."

"I don' mind, really. Besides, nothin' beats a good warm-up!" She looked to Kaze and smiled. "Don' worry... I'll make sure I go real easy on a newcomer like you..."

Kaze smiled back. "Well, don't go too soft on me," he countered. "or else I might win!"

To be continued...

T.R.: ...Well, it took a while for me to finish this chapter... (a while? The last time I posted something like this was... last year!) I shouldn't procrastinate any longer! I will start the next chapter now! (...Now, meaning... next month!)