Chapter 5
The Universal Tournament
"We're finally here." Gregory said, "So this is the town of Trachoma. I've never been here before."
It has been two days since the group left Jordansville and they have been getting to know each other better since then.
"So how long are you guys sticking with us?" Reagon asked Kane and Izuna as they made their way to the inn.
"Since you guys are going after Rayclopsalon and Galatrax, I think it would be pretty good to travel alongside the famous Reagon." Izuna said.
"Hey will you guys stop talking and hurry up!" Ryota yelled as they neared dashed toward the receptionist's desk near Trachoma's Battle Field. "We're gonna be late and not get to join the tourney!" Reagon and the rest of the group caught up with Gregory and Ryota.
"Guys, we aren't gonna be late for the entries." Kane said but was then interrupted by the lady receptionist.
Actually you guys are right on time," the woman said, "The tournament entries close in 3 minutes. So if you guys want to join then I'll need your names."
Therefore, after the group told the woman their names, they walked into the hospitality room where several other fighters were. A few minutes later, a seventies looking announcer came bursting into the room and said, "Alright, folks we would like all of you to come outside to watch the battles that will begin shortly!"
As everyone headed outside, the crowd started cheering.
"Wow, the whole town is here." Gregory said happily. Almost immediately as everyone headed outside, the announcer went onto the battle stage and hollered into his microphone, "Ladies and Gentlemen! The Universal Tournament will now begin! We will start things off with Michael Hiroshima vs. Nukuoro Takeshima! When both contestants are ready, let the 1st round battle begin!"
The crowd cheered as Michael stepped onto the field and was face to face with a 5'8" man with spiky strawberry blonde hair.
"Well if it isn't my old rival." Nukuoro said with a sneer on his face, "It's been awhile since I got to smack you around. Looks like I get to kick your butt here instead since the school battle didn't get to happen."
Michael then charged forth and got sent back by Nukuoro's punch. Michael quickly threw his hands out in front of him and yelled, "Mercury Cannon!"
"I thought you would use that," Nukuoro said as he swatted the silver blast away and returned with one of his blast. He threw his hands out in front of him and yelled, "Water and Lightning Combination Attack!" The blast hit Michael and he fell to the ground. Gregory and Ryota could not believe that Michael was losing (even though the match just started).
"Michael, what are you doing?" yelled Gregory "Don't let this guy get to you! You can beat him, you just got to control yourself!"
Michael slowly got to his feet and looked over at Gregory, "I know! Do you even know-" Michael's sentence was cut short due to Nukuoro introducing his fist right to Michael's nose causing blood to fly out. Nukuoro then grabbed Michael by the neck, lifted him up, repeatedly kneed Michael right in the gut, uppercuted Michael right in the chin, and finished off his combo by doing a roundhouse kick, sending Michael 20 feet back. While Michael was starting to sit up, Nukuoro held his right hand up and yelled, "Electric Tornado!" The electricity covered Michael and Michael hollered in pain.
"So this is the power of the Trachoma alchemist," Kane said, "I heard Michael was good, but I guess even his rival is too much for him."
"Wait…was Michael was supposed to face this guy in the school battle?" Gregory asked Ryota. Ryota had a shocked look on his face, "Yea…it was. I can't believe I didn't realize who it was at first…"
"What are you talking about?" Gregory asked. Izuna looked at Gregory with her Peridot colored eyes and said, "You're friend is facing one of the most powerful alchemists in the world. Nobody has ever come close to defeating Nukuoro."
"Michael was also said to be undefeated." Gregory said. Kane looked at Gregory, "Well, I hate to tell you this but…Michael and Nukuoro faced off in the past and Michael lost!" Ryota and Gregory were shocked to hear that the alchemist they thought was an undefeated badass…was actually beaten!
"This Hiroshima kid doesn't stand a chance against Nukuoro. This match is pretty much over. All Takeshima needs to do is use his ultimate finishing move and Hiroshima will be done for." One of the cloaked fighters said.
Michael slowly started to get to his feet and then he heard a voice yelling, "C'mon Michael! You can do it!" Gregory, Ryota, Reagon, Kane, and Izuna looked up in the stands to see the Jordansville High School football team cheering Michael on. Actually, all of Jordansville High School were there cheering for Michael.
"Wow…so this is what it feels like to have people cheer for you…" Michael said as he wiped the blood coming out of his nose and he looked over at Gregory and Ryota and they were giving him the thumbs up sign. One of the most shocking things happened…Michael smiled! Ryota fainted at the sight of Michael smiling for the first time. Michael then faced Nukuoro and said "Thanks for supporting me guys…Alright Nukuoro, I think it's time I start fighting seriously."
"It's about time." Nukuoro said as he started to draw a transmutation circle on the arena, "Now let's finish this and see who the best alchemist really is!" Michael also began to draw a transmutation circle on the ground and both of the alchemists yelled, "Transmutation Blast!"
A massive ray of light shot out of both circles and collided. The rays were pushing each other back and forth, both alchemists giving it every single bit of power they could use. Then finally, the powers of both rays were so great that they caused in explosion that covered every inch of where the alchemists were battling. When the smoke subsided, Michael and Nukuoro were beat up and were staggering to keep their stances.
Michael began to fall to the ground and said, "After all these years of training…I can't believe…I lost again." As soon as Michael hit the ground, Nukuoro looked at the announcer and nodded as he started to fall to the ground.
"What are you sorry for?" Nukuoro said, "You won…"
As Nukuoro hit the ground, the announcer yelled, "That's it! After an intense battle between two bitter rival alchemists…the winner of the first round is Michael Hiroshima!"
The crowd roared in excitement as Michael and Nukuoro were carried away to the infirmary. When Michael passed the group he stopped and said to his comrades, "Good luck guys. If I can win my first round match…then you guys surely can."
Reagon walked over to Michael and gave him a small capsule, "Take this…it'll help heal your wounds. I advise you to not be sloppy in your next match, though." Michael brought that grin back to his face as he took the capsule from Reagon, "Thanks. I think you should stop worrying about me and focus on your match, legendary warrior."
As Michael was taken to the infirmary, the announcer hopped onto the arena and yelled into his microphone, "It's time to get the show on the road and start match two! Our first competitor the 29-year-old guy from Canada…Ladies and Gentlemen it's John Johnson!" The crowd cheered as a 6-foot person with shaggy brown hair stepped onto the arena, "And his opponent is the mysterious guy who looks like an alien…Voltrax! Let the second match commence!"
"I'm gonna make you cry like a little baby, eh!" said John. The mysterious cloaked figure just stood there and stared John down. Reagon let out a small chuckle and said, "I can tell this match isn't gonna last very long."
"What do you mean by that? Is John good or something?" Ryota asked.
"I can sense that this Voltrax guy's power level is pretty high. Also, if this guy is an alien, then he may have been working under Galatrax, which means he should be pretty good."
"Take this…Canadian Bacon Blast!" yelled John as a bacon colored beam shot from his hands. Voltrax just stood there.
"What in the world is that guy doing?" said one of the other competitors. Voltrax inhaled and buffed up his chest. He then let out the air and generated a huge gust, which blew away the blast.
"It seems Voltrax doesn't like Canadian bacon!" yelled the announcer, "How will John react to that?"
John's face started to get red and he yelled, "You just blocked one of my strongest moves! I'm gonna have to kick you in the throat for that, eh!" Voltrax held up his right hand and John was binded by several rays of blue light, "If that's the best you got, then you are finished…"
The beams generated electricity and shocked John. After a minute of seeing if John would move, the announcer yelled, "Ladies and Gentlemen, that's it! The winner of the second match is Voltrax! That Canadian didn't stand a chance against this alien!"
"Wow…that guy really was strong." Gregory said as he seen Voltrax jump down off the arena and stand next to a ninja looking person.
"Looks like we're gonna have to be careful in this tournament or else we're gonna end up like Johnson." said Reagon.
"Alright fans it's time for the third match to begin! Our first competitor is the mysterious assassin from Japan who doesn't have a name…but we will call him the Assassinator!" the announcer yelled as the ninja that was standing next to Voltrax walked passed Gregory and glared at him, "And our second opponent is the young freshman from Jordansville, Gregory Sendai!"
The crowd roared as Gregory began to make his way onto the arena. He turned around and looked at Ryota, Reagon, Kane, and Izuna. Reagon gave him the thumbs sign with a smile and said, "Good luck, Gregory. You can beat this guy." That kind of surprised Gregory because he would not have expected to see the legendary Reagon wishing him good luck even though he's known him for only a few days.
As Gregory took his place on the arena, the announcer yelled into his microphone, "Let the third match begin!"