Chapter 17: On With The Show
That's something that's harder to do then you might think.
Anyways, picking up where we last left off, the group of 9 (Ed, Double D, Eddy, Kevin, Rolf, Nazz, Jonny, Plank and Chris) decided to have a bit of a large crowd conversation inside Double D's house. They all did several things during their time there. They watched some monster truck events going on, courtesy of Kevin. Rolf mostly spent the time claiming how his tractor would squash the trucks in the events. Granted... actually this would probably be true. Either way, they spent sometime doing that, and also getting some music into the mix. Eddy and Chris were assigned that, and the mix of music was mainly between some heavy metal/rock n roll that wasn't the heaviest per se, such as Motley Crue, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Motörhead, which all of it was courtesy of Chris, as he is the main one who likes that music, out of the whole group. Eddy put on some disco/RB type of stuff, which mainly consisted of Barry White, Tom Jones, among other things. Eddy also out on a little bit of Jimi Hendrix, as a little bonus of rock n roll, plus, he even enjoyed a good handful of the songs that were played by Chris. Everyone generally has a great time, and it generally was fun for everyone.
Although... there was Double D, who was sometimes dozing off into the distance, as he was thinking of his girlfriend, Marie. Just like her, he was lucky that no one, aside from the 3 mentioned before, found out, specially since, just like her again, he would have an insanely difficult time explaining the whole thing. Granted, while yeah, he was concerned about what the plan was for that, he had to stop for a bit and chill out with the lads. Though, this won't be the first time he thinks about this. That's for sure.
After around 4 hours, which meant it's around 7:30 PM, everyone, which means, the Eds, the original kids of the cul-de-sac, and you, the reader, wondered how the heck Chris knew those "moves", so to call them, back at the Pit. Well...
"Chris! Can you explain where on earth you learned those moves?! That was cool!" Eddy said to him.
"Well... it's a double sided story. Because, the moves themselves are their own story, and the things I use, like the smoke and stuff, are also their own story." Chris explained.
"Chris! Please do tell!" Ed yelled out.
"I would be delighted to hear about how you came about these rather intriguing maneuvers, if you be willing to share." Double D also added.
"Alright sure... everyone! Take a seat somewhere."
And so, everyone gathered around, and Chris began to talk.
"Once again... a story inside a story. Ahh... it's a life. Anyways, for the moves themselves... I didn't learn them myself. The first person who learned them was actually my father, who, when he was younger than me, around... 9 years old or so, he got interested in martial arts, because he saw a handful of films consisting of that type of stuff. So, he decided to get general knowledge of better fighting maneuvers. He couldn't apply for any classes until he was 13 he told me, so instead of trying the moves themselves, he spent time learning how you need to be, in terms of health, to perform these maneuvers. And so... for the next 3 or so years, he spent time COMMITTED to getting into as good shape as he could, so that when the time came for him being able to apply, he would be in the shape needed, and he wouldn't struggle. I'll speed it up for you all by simply concluding that, he basically kept doing this as one of his major things from 13 years old, to now, 38 years old."
"Chris, may I ask a question or two?" said Double D.
"Yeah?"
"Has your father done the work at a consistent rate? And if not, what has caused him to slow a bit?"
Chris chuckles a bit before saying, "Well, when he met my mom, at 22 years old, that's when he slowed down a bit. Because yeah, he loves his martial arts and stuff, but he and mom really bonded, per se. So, yes, he showed down for a bit, but then a point came, where he got back into action, so to say."
"Was your mother the main reason he slowed down?" Double D asked again.
"Nope. While... okay yeah, she was, but a year later, when he was 23, I was born. So, he slowed down more, but he didn't quit a lot, he mainly resorted to practicing his occasional move here and there. His teacher, that taught him everything he knew, understood his decision, so he went from going 4 times a week for 3 hours... to usually doing 1 time a week. Keep in mind, he told me that he would spend full weeks, and even weekends too, practicing and practicing."
"Pardon my constant questioning, but when did this increase in activity occur?" Double D said.
"No worries. I can answer anything. Well... when I was 10, I saw him doing a move or two, and I asked him 'What are you trying to do?'. That was when he told me the whole story. And so, he offered to teach me, in order to learn what he learned. I accepted, because initially I found it pretty funny, but then I got more... something about it just seemed cool to me. Anyways... he took me to the place where he got his lessons, and funny enough, the same teacher who taught him, taught me too. Granted, it wasn't just dad's teacher, dad taught me a thing or so aswell."
"Rolf wishes to know Chris-boy's adventure of learning the state of martial arts!" Rolf said.
"Well, I ran into issues. The first one was, unlike dad, I was not in shape for that stuff really. So, some months were spent doing that. Granted, it wasn't bad after the first week, but it wasn't easy either. Second, let's say that... hmm... they are very much looking for you to be precise. Of course, they won't act like you've committed a crime if you don't get a move down 100%, but they do want to see if there's constant room for improvement too. So, it felt as though it was endless, but I didn't wanna give up at the time, so... yeah. Lastly, I went through a lot of disciplines that they impose onto you. For example, you are not to use these in situations that aren't exactly necessary. Among other types of disciplines. Of course, it wasn't that I hated listening to that, it is important, but these were already in my mind before I went in, as dad told me the stuff before."
Eddy says, "So what happened? Did you give up!?"
"No! If I did... I wouldn't be here after the fight, ahahaha. I persisted. And dude... it was REALLY rewarding, gotta say. I mean, yeah, difficult? Yep... but it paid off. Trust me when I say, it helped out a lot more than I can count." Chris responded.
"Why don't you just go to the Kankers and pow! Bam! Get them outta here!"
Chris facepalmed, before saying, "Eddy, did you forget the disciplines?!"
"Forget that!"
"Yeah, no. You know what's one of their rules? DO NO HARM. Unless say, you HAVE to do harm... then do LOTS OF HARM. But I haven't done it unnecessarily, because, I don't need to, and quite frankly, it WILL catch up to you. That's just a fact."
Eddy simply rolled his eyes, but Double D says,
"While I may not have any experience in the art that Chris speaks of, Eddy, you should be more respectful of people's decisions of what they do with their powers."
"Alright, relax. But yeah, my dad has told me that my experience has reached intermediate."
"What!? But those moves seemed like near impossible to do normally!!" Eddy yelled out.
"There's five levels Eddy. Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Semi-Master, and Master. If you want context... being a master, so to say, requires mastery of everything. Health, Discipline, and Movement. There's extra stuff too, but it's mainly bonuses, and aren't nearly held in as much of high esteem as the previous 3. And my dad told me he has reached Semi-Master around 3 years ago... so imagine how much time it costs to reach Master. Or even Semi." Chris mentions.
Everyone seems shocked, as if it took Chris's dad 25 years to reach Semi-Master... it could only take about possibly double that amount time to reach Master. Chris doesn't know the age of the teacher, but he mainly assumed that he had to be in his early 60s. Double D then asks,
"How did you learn the tricks that you do?"
"Ahhh... yes. I've said everything you guys need to know about my moves, so, ask me questions about that later, if you have any. As for the tricks, that's not as long of a story. It was mainly self-taught, but I got assisted by someone with the making of the tools however. Basically, I discovered those tricks of, say... disappearing with a smoke bomb, on some movies where sometimes the main hero to whatever, would use one in order to escape from a bad situation. Plus, some ninja type stuff too was there. And so... my curiosity was born, and I wondered if I was possible to make those things, in some way. Of course, it was never going to be exact, I kept this in mind. But... doesn't hurt to try."
"How did you test this stuff? This is probably the coolest thing I've seen dude." Kevin asked.
"Basically, as a joke, I'd surprise my mom by, when she asks me to do the dishes, I would use one, and she would see that, see me disappeared from existence, and wonder where I went. And... voila. I did other scenarios too, for example, dad needed something downstairs, bam! In front of him too. He was actually proud of what I did. Again, as long as I didn't cause unnecessary harm with this, he was 100% fine with it. Here's the thing, yeah these are really helpful... but they take a while to make. Or... should I say, used to for me. Now? I can do it in less than 2 minutes. Granted, say if I wanted a more efficient smoke bomb, it would take at least 10 minutes, but a casual one? Can be done quick." Chris further explained.
Nazz says, "Doesn't that get you dirty and other stuff like that?"
"Nope. Well, it doesn't make the air very likeable, that's for sure. Funny enough however, I messed up sometimes making these things to the point that, it blew up in my face. Annoying? Yes... but hey! You learn every mistake! Ahahaha! Oh yeah... speaking of blowing up, the throwable that caused Lee to be stunned... I just call it a stun-flash, because... how to describe it... basically, it's a bunch of air forcefully pushed inside, and once thrown, it pops out, VERY hard. Either way lads... that's the story of how I learned my moves, and my tricks."
"Quick question Chris, how did you learn the ingredients needed for these things?" Double D asked.
Chris chuckled before saying, "Simple. Back in my place, in my school, I knew a girl who, was a major science persona. She and I commonly worked together on stuff, and she seemed to know how, chemical A would react with chemical B. So, when I failed mixing the correct things for the bombs, I asked her what would make an exploding mixed together, what causes smoke when mixed, and oh boy... she kept going and going, explaining every little detail. I let her nerd out though."
"I'm sure you did more than that! Ahahaha!" Eddy said, teasing Chris.
Kevin also joined in with the laughter, before Chris said, "Relax, jeebus... I will say that I'm still in contact with her, just not school-mate type stuff. We still like talking to each other either."
Double D, who lets his curiosity get him, says, "Apologies for the constant questioning once again Chris, but did you and this lady-friend ever get into...romantic interests?"
Chris yawned a bit before saying, "Double D, I think I've talked more than enough, okay? I need a break. But to sum up for you though, because of that knowledge, I perfected the smoke bombs."
Eddy then says, "Man, you've been on some adventures! These sound awesome!"
"Relax, ahahaha. You wouldn't last a second in my martial arts class however." Chris says, sticking out his tongue out.
"Oh hush! Man... you're a hard one to tease back."
"Maybe you should wrap that tongue up. It loosens up too much."
Everyone in the room laughs, but Eddy then says,
"Oh! I see how it is!"
Eddy then leaves the house, as he got annoyed of the teasing towards him. Why though?
"Huh... strange." Chris says.
"Why is Eddy acting so grouchy towards simple jokes? He does that all the time from my experience towards everyone." Double D says out loud.
"In fact... okay, maybe I'm just noticing a pattern in Eddy? He seems to be fueled by rage for like everything or something. Like, I've seen like AT LEAST 3 different situations where, he just lashes out relentlessly. I'll go get him, wait here." Chris tells Double D.
"We'll continue here, alright dude?" Kevin says.
"Yeah, right now, I gotta get him back..." Chris responds.
And that he tries to do.
"Eddy!"
"What do you want?" He says, annoyed while walking back to his house, at the front door.
"Dude, what's up? Why are you consistently raging insanely at even the smallest things? You know I didn't mean anything when I said that right?"
"Oh sure... BECAUSE THAT'S WHY EVERYONE LAUGHED HUH!?" Eddy barks back at Chris.
"That's their reaction. Not mine. Seriously though... what's going on? This isn't exactly all normal to me." Chris responds.
"Ugh. Chris! Double D is somehow dating MARIE KANKER! Does THAT seem normal?" Eddy said.
"Oh goodness... Eddy, LET IT GO dude. If he trusts her, that's HIS choice. Not mine, yours, Ed's, only his. Besides... keep this between us, but I'd say he scored pretty well. I mean, yeah, a nerd and some aggressive as Marie seems ridiculous, but he's lucky. I'm not jealous though. However, you seem to be."
Eddy, in a snap, says, "HECK NO! Chris... IT'S A KANKER! I would be jealous of Kevin and Nazz!"
In reality, Eddy wasn't jealous of Double D getting Marie. No, what he was jealous of is the fact that somehow, Double D, being the lad he is, got a girlfriend before him. Besides, Eddy tried way more than Double D, but... sometimes it's better to have knowledge of things before attempting them.
"But if it's not that... then what?"
Eddy stares at him and says, "You had me get beat up by Lee, and made me look like an idiot!"
"I already explained that I needed time to make the extra stuff. I NEVER intended for you to look bad, trust me. You might not believe me but... certainly never wanted that. Look on the bright side though my friend, I got Lee out of here easily, and Double D is now back."
Eddy says, annoyed, "Yeah... sure."
"Dude, just calm down... alright? You don't have to let everything work you up. Got it?"
Chris offers his hand to Eddy, who is currently just sitting down in front of his door.
"Alright sure..." Eddy says, a little reluctant, but he overall decides to join back.
"Come on brother. Let's get back."
And so, they go back to the party, after a resolve of things. The group just enjoys their time for around 2 more hours, just for more music, funny antics, and among more other things. It's now 9:30 PM, and everyone decided to leave and go home in order to rest. However, Double D and Chris stayed for a bit to talk about some stuff, and to clear up some confusion.
"I'll see you two later!" Chris said to Ed and Eddy, leaving.
"Take care gentlemen!" Double D also said.
"Cheers buckaroos!" Ed yelled out.
And so, Double D closes the door, and proceeds to talk to Chris.
"Chris... do you have any questions about what occurred recently?"
"Oh man... alright, FIRST, this relationship between you and Marie... is it actually legit, or is it something you were forced to do? I did say that I believed you, but I said that in order to not get Marie insanely mad."
"I can reassure you that me and Marie have shared a rather great bond in the recent days." Double D explained.
"Good. I'll have you know that I'm trying to get Eddy on board with this, just so you know."
"Appreciate it Chris!" Double D said.
"No issues my guy. Next... Hmm... what's your plan for you and her though? That fight really jeopardizes everything..."
"Well, the first thing to do is mainly talk to Marie... however I may try to attempt to do that, I shall figure it out with her. But I don't believe that she is able to talk with me as of this moment." Double D further explained.
"Huh... maybe wait until tomorrow?"
"Good idea. But school is soon to start however. I will have to do it as soon as possible."
"Seems like you have it figured out then. Well... that's a good thing." Chris responded.
"Indeed." Double D says.
"Alright man, I'm exhausted. Jeez.. this whole chapter has been too much about me! But hey, I enjoy telling a story or two. I'm going home man. Take care of yourself and your girlfriend." Chris says, getting up and leaving Double D's house, while they both say their goodbyes.
Double D then goes to his room and he decides to revise his school supplies, because he likes to keep things in order to be prepared. Either way, his mind focused on his supplies, as his habit of keeping things organized REALLY bloomed. For around 5 or so minutes, he does this, however, he had heard a loud thud in his room upstairs, which sorta creeped him out. He had to check out what or who did the noise. Weirdly enough, the first thing he noticed was that his door was magically open. Why is this weird? Because he never leaves the door open like... ever. So, this gets his suspicions up. He enters his room, and it's pitch black beyond belief, to the point where he is basically blind. However, he faintly sees something... or someONE? It's basically a figure on his bed. He tries to move closer before he hears, a creepy voice say,
"Come closer Eddward..."
Double D is getting paranoid, as he couldn't see anything, but once he reaches his lamp... the figure is gone? In fact, Double D looked under his bed, and... nothing. Was he just too tired and stressed to the point where he just needed a break? In his mind, this seemed to be the case. So, he just sighs, and relaxes a bit, before closing his door, and putting the locks on it. But the moment he finishes this, someone literally goes at him and kisses him on the lips. Initially, Double D jumps back, but he quickly relaxed as he realized that... surprise! It's Marie. Somehow, she managed to sneak into his room by climbing the window, and that's how she got in. Either way, Double D returns it back, and Marie jumps onto him, which, because Double D struggles with this type of stuff... Marie ends up unintentionally forcing him into the floor. Jeebus, he has the weight of a twig or something.
"Whoops! Are you okay?" Marie asks.
"Yeah, Marie, what are you doing here this late?" Double D asks.
"Umm... well, we need to talk, no?"
"Marie, it's late, you should go to sleep." Double D responds.
"Please...?" Marie says, doing the classic "puppy eye" trick. Double D sighed, but then laughed a bit. So, he gets up from the floor, and so, they both sit down on Double D's bed.
Well... time to clear up more things. The cycle NEVER ends, does it?