Testing

Chapter 2

Valor leaned forward in the seat of Vincent's car, trying to grasp what was going on around him.

"What the hell?" he questioned out loud.

He looked over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of two people walking by his car holding electromag rods. Facing forward again he watched as they walked in front of Vincent, facing him. Thankfully his window was cracked just enough that he could hear everything that was being said. Trying the door handle he realized that Vincent had locked him in and his only way out of this car was either with keys or a broken window considering the door locks were the internal kind there was no popper in the panel for him to just pull up and unlock it himself. The only thing he could do was sit back and watch the events unfold in front of him, unable to help Vincent in any way. Vincent held the keys in his jeans pocket and upon seeing the blue suits he had a feeling they were dealing with Turks, and even though he wouldn't admit it to anyone, he feared them.

"Vincent Valentine, you are a hard person to track down" the larger man stated matter-of-factly. He was as tall as Vincent but built like Valor, wide and muscular. He was wearing the traditional Turk uniform that consisted of a blue suit, a white shirt and a blue tie cinched to his neck. His partner was skinny and short, somewhat shorter than Valor. They both had short brown hair and dark brown eyes, dressed in the same attire

"Turks" Valor whispered out loud. Tensing he watched as Vincent's demeanor didn't change.

"Obviously not hard enough" Vincent replied bringing his ruby eyes up meeting the taller mans stares.

"I am Sage and this is Rio" the large said, introducing himself and pointing to Rio when he said his name.

"So, what do you want?"

Sage tapped his electromag on his thigh and Rio stepped forward flicking his out to full length.

"We have done some research on you Valentine. We want to recruit you for SOLDIER" Rio said to Vincent, meeting his crimson eyes with his own.

"No, that's not why you are here" Vincent replied standing to his full height. Rio had to look up at him in order to see his eyes. Sage glanced at his partner, then back at Vincent.

"You are correct Valentine, seems we didn't expect you to know so much about us." Sage spoke quietly but unyielding. Vincent crossed his arms in front of him and stood solid as stone.

"Then I guess you will have to raise your expectations. Now, why have you bothered me?"

Vincent knew perfectly well what they were doing here with him. They obviously liked what they saw in him from his application. Sage and Rio were sent out as a test for Vincent, and he wasn't about to fail this one. He had seen it done when he was a boy, if they go back to their commander unscathed then you failed and wouldn't go any further, if they hardly make it back at all then you were accepted. He was ready for this test. He had been ready pretty much his whole senior year of high school. He was good at hand to hand combat but even better with his gun. He would always win the fights at school and even bailed Valor out of a few of them but today he was going to finish this test with his gun. He was glad he locked Valor in his car, that way he couldn't ruin it for him.

"Mr. Valentine I am sure you know why we are here" Rio replied.

"Drop the mister, I am not a Turk yet" Vincent snapped.

Rio stepped back and looked at Sage who returned his stare. Then they both glared at, Vincent, smirking. He was confident that was something they definitely liked and just talking to him showed that.

Quickly both men attacked Vincent who ducked down at the last possible minute punching Sage in the stomach and sliding between them. Sage leaned on the hood of Vincent's car as Rio spun around, electromag raised, charging Vincent letting out a guttural growl. Swinging Vincent jumped out of the way quickly landing a spinning kick to the back of Rios brunette head. Stumbling he turned on Vincent again this time swinging his fist and electromag simultaneously. Rio did hit Vincent in the face with his electromag after Vincent avoided his fist. Vincent stumbled back a few paces, righting himself he felt blood running down his face, his scarlet eyes narrowed. Avoiding most of Rio's kicks and punches he did manage to land his own. He swung out his right fist and collided with Rios nose, and then quickly he brought his left fist around to catch in the kidneys. When he bent down he brought his knee up only for it to meet Rios nose again, sprawling him out on his back like a ton of lead.

Sage stood and watched as Vincent regained his composure for his fight with Sage, blood gliding gracefully down his cheek. Walking up to Vincent Sage quickly threw a left hook nailing him square in the mouth and sent him reeling backwards. That gave Rio the time he needed to get up from the dirt lot.

"Vince!" Valor yelled from the car, his fingers digging into the dash that he was so desperately clinging to. Looking over his shoulder, Sage smiled at the burley kid sitting in the front seat. Vincent seized the opportunity and leaned down picking up Rios electromag. Sage then turned back only to be hit in the face with it before his brain even registered what was happening. Staggering he brought his hand up to his cheek and felt blood, looking at Vincent with hateful eyes he attacked. Vincent dodged punch after punch and kick after kick, hitting Sage whenever he saw an opening. Vincent let his guard down just enough to allow Sage to land a spinning kick to his rib cage with enough force behind it to break a few ribs. Gasping for air Vincent, heard them break. Standing gingerly he wasn't finished yet, Sage only angered him more. Sage looked like he had seen better days and Rio, who now stood next to him, looked worse for wear. Both men looked like they had been hit by a truck, that trucks name being Vincent. He stood holding Rios electromag in his hand, and waited for Sages next move.

"You're good Valentine" Rio hissed.

"Yes, very good" Sage agreed.

Vincent had his back to his car and Valor; this is right where he needed to be. The two Turks took a step forward and within the blink of an eye Vincent drew his pistol. Sage and Rio exchanged amused glances but stepped forward again. Two shots were fired in rapid succession, one grazed Sages ear and the other off of Rios shoulder. That stopped their advance. Valor's eyes widened when he realized what Vincent had just done.

"Oh no" He whispered, still retaining his death grip on the dashboard.

"That is what we needed to see Valentine" Sage said quietly.

Rio nodded as he held out his hand. Vincent tossed him the electromag he was holding in his left hand but not lowering the gun in his right. The Turks were impressed, very impressed. Neither on of them could believe just how steady the gun was especially after a fight like that, clearly they underestimated him. Closing their electromags they straightened their suits.

"Well done, expect a phone call this evening" Rio said quietly.

"Fine" Vinent replied.

They walked passed him carefully, but painfully to the van and climbed in the back, closing the door. He lowered his gun once he heard the door close. A person dressed in white appeared behind the wheel and drove off in a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes.

Vincent walked to the drivers side of his car and pulled the keys from his pocket, unlocking his car. He carefully slid into his seat and returned his gun to its rightful home under the seat. Closing the door he turned the key and the engine roared to life. Closing his eyes he tried to let out his breath as carefully as possible so as not to send him into a painful abyss. He could feel Valor's blue eyes practically burning holes in his skin waiting for an answer to what just happened. Blotting his mouth with the back of his hand he spoke softly.

"What"

"Vincent, they were Turks, what were you thinking" Valor hollered.

"I was taking my test"

"Test…what test? Vincent you got the crap kicked out of you"

"No I didn't, not as bad as they did. They wanted to see if I was worthy" Vincent said slowly to avoid further injury, his breathing ragged and shallow.

"Well, are you?"

"I don't know."

Sighing Valor looked at his beaten friend with concerned eyes. It has been along time since he had seen Vincent this bloodied after a fight. The blood had begun to dry but his ribs were another story.

"Vince, you broke some ribs didn't you. You are acting the same way I did when I broke mine in football practice last year"

Vincent opened his eyes and looked at Valor, pain showing in his eyes but not in his face.

"Ugh, come on, we gotta get you home. Let me drive, it will be a lot easier." Valor said reaching for the door handle.

"Fine, but scratch my car and you will be the next one to get the daylights kicked out of you" Vincent warned, a small smile on his face.

After what he had just seen he actually believed him and he knew just how picky he was about his car, this was only the second time he had ever driven it. Trading places with Vincent he watched quietly as Vincent slouched in his seat trying to get in a comfortable position, wincing only once. Putting Vincent's car in drive they made the wordless trip back to Vincent's house. Valor every once in awhile would steal a glance at Vincent who sat deathly still with his eyes closed. He knew Vincent had a high tolerance for pain, he watched him get his head bashed against a concrete wall giving him a concussion and all he did was furrow his brow, then beat the kid who did it to a bloody pulp. Broken ribs have been known to drop the toughest man or bring tears to theirs eyes, everything one would do would revolve around moving the torso, thus injuring the ribs again. Breathing, standing, sitting, laughing pretty much everyday movement, but Vincent sat there calm and relaxed. Even during the fight he showed no signs of slowing down because of the injury. Valor admired his friend for his strength. Entering their neighborhood he thought about the gun underneath the seat he was in. Vincent was a lot better than he saw at the shooting range and that scarred him, worried him more like it. He had to tell the others about what happened seeing as Vincent most likely wasn't going to be at school the following day with his dad being a doctor and all.