Already the third chapter :)

I wanted to thank everyone who reviewed this, especially when finding mistakes ;) ,thanks!

So to everyone who reads this: I hope you like this chapter, as well.

-6-6-6-6-6

„Hiro, have you read the newspaper yet?", Fred asked, holding up the newspaper he was reading to show Hiro which one he meant. They found it earlier when they wandered around, looking for people to trade battle bot components with.

"No, why do you ask?", came the answer, after a little pause. Fred was just happy Hiro recognized him at all, for he seemed kind of distracted lately, as if something was bothering him. Fred almost thought it had to do with the news he just read, but Hiro couldn't know. He wouldn't remember after all those years.

"Just asking.", he said and the conversation was over. Hiro got back to building a new improved circuit board and Fred faked reading the newspaper. He had much more important things to do now. Hiro was important to him and he wanted to protect him. This little information could destroy everything he has achieved in the past year and he would have to start all over again. No, this newspaper had to vanish and with it all the dark memories that little article on the bottom left corner of the second page held.

-6-6-6-6-6

"Where are you going?"

"I thought about going to the convenience store to look if they sell something cheaper, right before closing time. It's getting dark already."

"I'm coming with you. Maybe the hardware store is still open. I need a new capacitor, since the one we got is already damaged."

"Right." This wasn't the plan but Hiro's company was always appreciated. Looks like Fred had to secretly take the newspaper with him and throw it in a garbage can when Hiro wasn't looking.

"Why do you need the capacitor, anyways?"

"You know, I read this article about magnetic bearing servos and thought about adjusting the new board in case I want to add one later on."

While walking, Fred suddenly got this creepy feeling of being watched. It's almost like a sixth sense which tells you when to look up, when you're concentrating, but somebody is watching you. This same feeling grew stronger as they walked on and sometimes Fred even saw glimpses of a figure lurking around in the shadows of a back alley.

When they finally reached the hardware store he told Hiro to already go in, for he would wait outside. When Hiro was out of sight, Fred started looking around for their stalker. The presence almost felt familiar to him and he wondered if he started to see things again. He thought it had stopped, when they finally left hell, nonetheless there still were moments where he had this feeling as if a rematch wasn't far of.

"Fred? Freeed?! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, do you have your capacitor?"

"Yes, right here in my pocket. It was pretty expensive, so I guess we have to start fighting again soon."

"Yeah, do you remember this closed down factory we went a few weeks ago? This year's Master Bot Battle is going to take place there in a few weeks."

"It's already that time again? If we win this, we've got enough money to last like forever!"

The so-called Master Bot Battle, or MBB, was the event of the San Fransokyo underground. It only happened one time a year and was announced just two weeks prior. It was one of the hardest battle bots competitions and even people who would never break the law came there to watch robots fighting on a knock-out basis. But the best part was that lots of bets took place there and so many people entered, that the number of entry fees led to huge winnings for the first four.

Last year, Hiro and Fred went third. This was the main reason they decided to get the old garage. Otherwise they wouldn't have been able to pay the surety for it.

"Didn't you want to go to the convenience store?"

"Sure, come on." Fred still needed to get rid of this damn newspaper. Hopefully without Hiro noticing it. It was funny how one piece of information could change your little world at once. Or at least your mood. Maybe it was true that information meant power.

Anyway, the feeling of being watched slowly disappeared as they went on their way.

-6-6-6-6-6

"Are you sure about this, Gogo?"

"Of course, everyone who calls himself a fighter will show up there. It's like a 100 percent probability. And if you fight yourself, chances are you come face to face to him."

"Ok, I just didn't want to get my hopes up too high, but you already did this for me. I count on you and that you're right."

"Of course I'm right, always am."

"If you say so."

-6-6-6-6-6

TBC