Chapter Nine: What Cannot Die…
Author's Note: Okaaaaaayyy….another chappie with surprises, and some explanations…and some building anticipation for the fights! First some shout outs are in order I believe! Yeah, even if we aren't allowed anymore, AKMDS told me that they waved the rule or something…but even if they didn't oh well.
Shadowsin: Wow, well what can I say…first I want to apologize for not responding to any reviews…but there was this crazy rule or something…and well…anyway, I will have the healing process with Kyo happen…but not until later on in this chappie…like towards the end so hope you'll forgive me if Kyo sits this round out…cuz he needs some serious healing time…and if I don't start the tournament soon I think the ppl on this site are gonna write me up for some kind of abuse LOL but don't worry…next round will be driven on Kyo's fights and stuff! Oh, and I was wondering…could Mina kick some ass sometime? I think that'd be awesome! It's okay if that's not in the picture though…cuz Mina's gonna womp plenty of ass in my story too! And Kaori's gonna bring it too!
Thee Slushee: Yes…I've been kicked in the face before too and it hurts reeeaaaaallll bad…anyway, I love your story and thanks for dedicating a chappie to me cuz I really appreciated it! It was funny that you even remembered that part in my story cuz to be honest I kinda forgot…I had to look it up again LOL!
AKMDS: I feel so bad for not responding to reviews and stuff I'm so sorry but I didn't know the rule was wavered or something…anyway, thank you so much for your concern about the hurricane…no Tennessee wasn't hit…and my friends and family are safe and stuff so thanks a lot for asking cuz it really meant a lot to me! Asuka will be paired with someone but just be patient and wait for a bit cuz I'm not quite sure how I'm gonna incorporate it yet…on the plus side I know how I'm gonna end this story so that's kinda cool LOL.
Karisan: Well, the Grey vs. Jamie isn't going to happen right away…gotta build up suspense with this whole Ritual of Triumvirate and avatar thing first…but Grey's first fight will happen, so stay tuned! And I'm glad you like him…it means a lot coming from you!
Junking: Hey! Yeah, I guess Grey can be considered a real jerk…that's kinda how I wanted to portray him and stuff at least for now…I like your story it's real good! Peter seems like a real cool character…especially because I myself am not very religious...I like the fact that he gets his point across without seeming too preachy about it. Oh, and I read shadowsin's reviews requesting a Mina fight…well, if you want to see Mina take it to da ring then look no further!
Draconia 89: Hi! Thanks for sticking by this story, the whole avatar thing will be revealed over the course of the story…I don't want people to know like RIGHT now…but don't worry, it'll happen soon…and also, by the time you eventually find out, you'll probably know anyway!
DevilBilly: Hey…thanks for your kind words they really mean a lot to me! I'm not asking for sympathy by saying my chappie's suck…it's just that sometimes I get worried that they're not good enough…but I think this one will turn out pretty good! And as for the c2 thing…I…think I know how to do it…so let me try it…expect an email from me shortly!
Okay…took up a whole page…on with the story!
Snip…snip…snip…
Went the scissors as Jamie Parker sat at his table at the Mishima dining hall…around him were his friends, Mina sat to his immediate left, while Hwoarang sat on his right. Julia, Xiao, Jin, Steve, Christie, Asuka, Billy, and Kazuya sat around him…listening to Heihachi Mishima's long, boring speech.
Jamie started to listen to the speech but realized that it was only one describing the tournament rules and regulations…and some things about honor and discipline and…
Yada…yada…yada…
Snip…snip…snip…
Went the scissors again.
Displayed in front of him was his latest Nephilim Journal…in which to document the goings on of the latest tournament, and his thoughts and feelings on the matter. As a Nephilim, one of his responsibilities was to keep a record of everything he did, and Jamie was surprisingly diligent about it.
Before becoming a Nephilim, Jamie had a natural knack for writing and photography which apparently he received on his mother's side…because Justin could barely write a thank you letter.
Most of the old journals of past Nephilim were written in beautiful leather bound books with heavy, expensive paper…Jamie's was a blue spiral notebook with 100 pages that he got for 99 cents at the gas station before he left.
However, Jamie wasn't satisfied with the plain blue cover, and wanted to personalize it a little more…so, with an old issue of People Magazine, Jamie began cutting out interesting slogans, and pictures of A-list celebrities with confused looks on their faces to paste on the cover.
Snip…snip…snip…
And now, a picture of Lindsay Lohen rubbing the back of her head was now placed on the journal…she had apparently lost her hair extensions.
"Which brings me to my next point and-"
Snip…snip…snip…
"MR. PARKER DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!" Heihachi bellowed.
"Hm?" Jamie looked up innocently as all eyes were glued on the Nephilim. "What? Oh no…just a little bored that's all…but keep it up, you're doing great!" Jamie added with a thumbs-up before returning to his work.
The room burst into laughter at the comment, Jamie was surprised to see Grey, who was slouched in a chair to Heihachi's left stifle a snicker…still, that didn't change anything…Grey was going to get his soon…
Kyo…
It shouldn't have happened that way…none of it should have went down the way it did…it should've been Jamie…not Kyo…not his friend.
After explaining what had happened to the others…they had said that it wasn't his fault…that Jamie couldn't have known…blah blah blah…
But he had seen Kyo's battered and bruised face…and he had seen the looks of shock, dismay, and horror on everyone's faces before they had tried to help comfort Jamie too…
And he had seen Kaori's face…she had stayed in Jamie's room last night…it was the least that he could've done…and while everyone was acting fine around Jamie…Kaori was different…she was in love…and that takes the place of all rationality.
Things had become somewhat strained between Jamie and Kaori…and while the two weren't necessarily best friends, they had gotten along great before…and now she acted as if she had only met him the other day.
The Nephilim supposed that he couldn't blame her for it…after all, it was his fault. Mina tried to comfort him by telling him that she'd be fine…to just give her a day or so and she'd come around…
As stupid as it sounded, Jamie didn't want his friends to be mad at him.
Fortunately, both Kyo and Kaori weren't scheduled to fight today so it gave Kyo more then enough time to heal…and Kaori more then enough time to be with him.
"And…the moment you've all been waiting for…the Tournament Roster!" Heihachi uttered.
Jamie stopped his art project and looked up as the room went dark and a screen came down. Suddenly, the headshots from the day before were placed in pairs with a little "vs" symbol in between them…the fighters knew if they were fighting in advance, but they didn't know who they'd be combating with.
Jamie looked for his picture…and to his dismay, found that the one picture they used for his "fighting headshot" was probably the worst picture out of all the ones that were taken of him. He didn't look ugly by any means…it was just that he was smiling…and not the whole Steve or Paul confident "I'm gonna whoop your ass" smirk…but this smile looked like one from a highschool year book.
Most of the fighter's were turned at an angle…not Jamie…he was staring at the camera straight on…and he looked about as threatening as a door mat. Thankfully, no one laughed…right away…but Hwoarang, Steve, and Billy made sure that Jamie received some good natured jibes from his seat.
"Great picture Jamie…what's this one for? Most likely to succeed, or maybe for president of the AV club? I can't tell?" Hwoarang said between snorts.
"Oh yeah mate…real scary…those demon's'll be shakin' in their boots!" Steve added.
"AAww…Jamie's just upset cuz this picture didn't get him voted Most Popular!" Billy replied.
"Shut up…" Jamie said through gritted teeth. "Somehow I know Heihachi did this…all the more reason for me to kill him." He finished.
His heart sank even lower to the ground when he found out who he'd be facing…Bruce Irving…the big, scary, Australian man who, for some reason was pissed off at everyone and everything…sort of like Marduk in that sense, but Marduk was an idiot…Jamie had a feeling that Bruce was somewhat different…brains and brawn.
Jamie looked over tentatively and saw Bruce grin wolfishly at him.
"I'm screwed…" Jamie muttered.
"Um…Jamie…" Mina began. "Why am I fighting someone who's supposed to be dead?"
Jamie looked up and saw Mina's picture…she flashed her million dollar smile and was winking at the camera…it was cute...and it reminded him how much he loved her sense of humor…and how they connected so well because they both managed to find humor in the same, serious situations…but when he looked over at her opponent, he was shocked, and a little amazed to see…Anna Williams…
"But she…" Jamie began.
"Wait…I was there…didn't Nina…" Xiao began.
Jamie turned in time to see Anna and…Lee…sit together in a corner…they must have come in while the lights were dimmed.
"Kazuya…Jin?" Jamie asked weakly.
"I'll look into it…I'm as puzzled as you are."
The meeting ended abruptly, and the fighter's were given an hour to get ready to depart to their various fighting locations…as they left, Jamie noticed Lee and Anna…in her traditional, red, Oriental dress and heels, walk to the platform Heihachi stood on and chat with the aging Mishima and Grey.
Jamie watched the four talk…and while he watched he noticed that Grey was watching him…Jamie stared back…and Grey winked and blew an air kiss…Jamie shook his head…that asshole was going down!
New Scene…
Mina was in her room getting dressed for her match today…she stared at herself critically in the mirror checking her make up…she wanted to look pretty today…well, like every girl did, but she used it sparingly. Christie had explained to Mina that image was just as important as fighting ability…and besides, she was nervous about her first fight…and when she was nervous, she tended to try to busy herself by doing annoyingly girly things.
"Okay…" Mina began as she put the finishing touches on her eyeliner. "Now I look somewhat pretty…or at least not like I just rolled out of bed."
Her father had asked that she and Jamie wear their official Kim Sueng Karate uniforms at least once for their fights…and they were happy to oblige. First, it was about honor and showing where the two young Tae Kwon Do master's loyalties lie…and second, because it was great for advertising.
Besides…this is my first, and probably going to be my last fight in the tournament…no…no…stop that negative thinking Mina…you'll be fine.
She wore a black spaghetti strap top, and had just pulled on her white gi pants when there was a knock on the door. Mina walked over and opened it…and found herself staring straight in the icy blue eyes of Nina Williams. The Irish assassin looked very pretty today in a pair of flared jeans and a form fitting top.
Her blonde hair was loose and fell down her back…while Nina had helped Jamie in the last tournament…Mina was still a bit on edge around her…after all, Nina was a highly trained…highly paid assassin, and she normally kept to herself…when she approached anyone, one had to wonder if she was there to kill them.
"Oh…hi Miss Nina." Mina said as coolly as she could.
"You're the Korean girl who will be fighting my sister today right?"
"Yeah…I mean yes…at the…"
"At the park." Nina finished.
"Yeah…wait…how did she…I mean, Jamie said you killed her?" Mina questioned.
"Your Nephilim boyfriend misunderstood…I told him that it wasn't her…and he took it the wrong way."
"So…she wasn't a vampire?"
"No…it was a vampire trying to act like Anna…but it wasn't her." Nina responded in a monotone voice that was somewhat hard to read.
"But Jamie-"
"Listen, my respect is a privilege not a right. Your boyfriend has earned it, so I don't blame him for not seeing the difference…he had never met her before…Anna and Lee didn't want to work for the Devil inside of Kazuya so they hired two vampire mercenaries to act like them and take their place. I entered the last tournament to kill them both." Nina smiled ruefully. "Undead mercenaries are bad for us mortal ones who are trying to make a living."
"I…guess…" Mina began.
"Anyway, I came to offer you some advice when fighting my sister…whatever you do…make her angry…insult her, humiliate her, do whatever it takes."
"But that'll make her more-"
"Actually, quite the opposite, she never could control her temper, and the more upset she gets, the more she lets her guard down…use it!" Nina said.
She smiled at Mina. "You'll do fine…you've got a lot of potential in these tournaments…I never thought Xiaoyu would get past round one the first time I met her…and look at her now!"
"Thanks Nina!" Mina said gratefully.
"And you can relax," Nina began as she turned and walked away. "If I was hired to kill you, I would've done it already!"
Mina laughed nervously, and shut the door…she realized that she had been holding her breath for awhile and quickly let it go…
What've I gotten myself into…
The pretty Korean thought to herself as she pulled her gi top on, and wrapped her black belt around her.
New Scene…
As a courtesy to his roommate, Jamie changed his clothes in the bathroom…while they were both guys; Jamie didn't want the first thing for Kyo to see to be his roommate changing…and besides, Jamie was somewhat modest about that kind of stuff anyway.
Protection gear was not allowed during the tournament…except for cups for the guys…which Jamie took full advantage of. He had decided to wear his Instructor Uniform…as it was the nicest that he owned. White with a black trim, it had several sew-on patches on it saying that he was a member of the demo team, another that he was an instructor, and another that said he was an official member of the black belt club.
He tied his hair back in a ponytail, and opened the door to the main hall of the room…Jamie was in the process of putting his black belt on when he heard a low moaning come from the bed.
"Oooooohhhhhh…my…head…"
"Hey…you're finally up." Jamie said brightly as he walked over to his friend's bed.
Kyo tried to sit up, but immediately sat back down.
"Hey…take it easy okay?" The Nephilim said gently.
"J…Jamie…how long have I been out…"
"All night…and most of this morning. You-"
"Oh crap! The tournament!" Kyo's eyes widened and he tried to sit up again.
"Relax…you don't fight today…me and Mina aren't so lucky though." Jamie chuckled.
"The last thing I remember is Grey's boot rushing to my face."
"Ouch…" Jamie began as he sat on the foot of Kyo's bed. "What were you doing going after him anyway? And not telling any of us for that matter…Kyo, I can't save your ass if you don't fill me in!" Jamie joked nervously…another old habit of his…cracking jokes in inopportune situations.
"I…I didn't want to say anything…I figured if I did, there'd be a big debate and all sorts of stupid drama…and I thought I could take him on by myself…I mean, Grey's evil…so y'know…fight fire with fire?"
"Hey…you're not evil…you're like…the balance…just like I'm the balance of good…but that doesn't mean I'm a saint…unless it's the Saint of Keepin' it Real because-"
Suddenly, the door opened and Kaori stepped inside, her head was down and she began speaking rapidly.
"Jamie…listen, I wanted to apologize for the way I acted towards you last night…I know it's not your fault with what happened to Kyo…it's nobody's really, except for Grey's…and I had no right to lash out at you like I did and I'm really sorry, and I guess I'm just being a bitch and-"
"Kaori…" Kyo said dryly.
"K…Kyo…KYO!" She cried.
Jamie quickly stood and walked towards the door and let the two have their moment. Once they were done Kaori turned again.
"…if you don't want to forgive me I can understand…"
"Kaori…you weren't mean to me…don't worry about it…I could never get mad at you! You're like, the nicest person in the world…and if that's what you're like when you get mad at someone then you should seriously teach anger management to my friend Maureen…or possibly Asuka because she needs it too!" Jamie lowered his eyes. "And anyway…you were right…it is my fault…I should've been more aware."
"Jamie, you couldn't have known anything…I made the mistake of not telling you so just chill!" Kyo argued.
Jamie smiled. "Careful…you start hanging out with me you're gonna start talking like me."
"Did we miss much at breakfast? Who's fighting who?"
"Jamie ran the list through his head of everyone who was fighting…before finally getting to himself, Mina and Grey."
"You're dad's going ape shit since we all found out that Anna and Lee are still alive…Mina's going to fight Anna today and I'm fighting Bruce."
"Wait! How are they all still alive!" Kyo asked shocked.
"Not sure yet..." Jamie shrugged. "But I'm not shaking in my Vans yet…Anna wasn't that scary even when she was a vampire…and as for Lee…"
"Hey, be careful, he nearly killed you." Kyo warned.
"Only because he tricked me into losing my powers…don't worry, I'll make sure that I won't be paying him any house calls again!"
The three chatted for a little while longer until Jamie realized that it was time for the fights to begin…he said good bye to the two but before he did Kyo called him.
"Jamie?"
"Yeah?"
"Kick his ass!"
With that, Jamie Parker grinned, and headed outside.
Author's Note: I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope I stayed true to my characters…even though there is more humor then the last time, this is straight-up not considered a humor fic…and I'm sorry if my humor is a little weird or off…like the whole collaging thing…but I wanted Jamie to look all tough, calm, cool, and bad ass in his own unique way…and what better way then to have him annoy the crap out of Heihachi? Next chapter will have serious action so hold onto your hats…and don't worry, as I've said before I'm gonna get back to the gut wrenching misery and horror stuff soon…it's just that Crimson Destiny was so dark and serious and it's kind of refreshing to be adding a little bit of humor! Hope you all enjoyed this latest chapter, and look for a new one soon! LOVE TO ALL PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!