I tried to describe the Tekken 6 gameplay as best as I could. Sorry if it's inaccurate or lame.
As the cars neared the hotel, the last verse of Selena Gomez's Come and Get It played throughout the Highlander. Angela sang along with the catchy tune, and Gypsy, intrigued by the melody, started to get into it as well.
Quick Author's Note: Lyrics with ( ) are Angela's lines
"When you're ready come and get it
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
When you're ready come and get it
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
(I'm gonna get it, yeah yeah)
When you're re-e-e-e-e-e-ady
When you're re-e-e-e-e-e-ady
When you're ready come and get it
(When you're ready
Come and get it, get it)
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na"
The lively music added to the joyful atmosphere, making the ride back even more enjoyable. As they pulled into the hotel parking lot, everyone was in high spirits, ready to relax and see how Emily, Rosie, and Dim had been spending their day.
As Mike shifted the car to park and pushed the power button, turning the car off, everyone in the Highlander began to make their way out. Angela led the way, with Gypsy and Manny following close behind.
In the Mustang, Lily and David helped Heimlich out of the backseat, his chubby frame requiring a bit of extra assistance. Francis hopped out next, stretching his legs and looking around with a smile.
The two groups converged in the hotel parking lot, chatting animatedly about the helicopter tour and the stunning views they had experienced.
"That was such a unique perspective of the city," Slim remarked, still buzzing from the excitement of the tour.
"Absolutely," Angela agreed. "Seeing all those iconic buildings from above was something else."
"Let's go see how Emily, Rosie, and Dim have been doing," Lily suggested, taking David's hand as they headed towards the entrance of the hotel.
As they entered the hotel lobby, the group continued to share their favorite moments from the helicopter tour, their voices echoing with enthusiasm. The warm, inviting atmosphere of the hotel welcomed them back, a perfect end to their adventurous day.
As they reached the hallway to their rooms, they found Rosie standing outside her room. Inside, Dim and Emily were in the midst of a nap, their soft snores barely audible through the door. Rosie looked up and smiled as the group approached.
"Hey, dears. How was it?" she asked warmly.
"It was incredible!" Manny exclaimed, his eyes still shining with excitement. "We got to see the whole city from above. The Chrysler Building, Empire State, Rock Center, and even the World Trade Center!"
"That sounds amazing," Rosie replied, her smile widening. "I'm glad you all had such a wonderful time."
Gypsy nodded. "It was breathtaking, Rosie. The city looks so different from up there."
"How did things go here?" Angela asked, glancing at the closed door.
"Oh, we had our own little adventure," Rosie said with a chuckle. "Dim and Emily were great. We played a bit, watched some cartoons, and then they both fell asleep. I think they had a good time."
"That's good to hear," David said, relief evident in his voice. "I was a bit worried about leaving Emily, but it sounds like she was in good hands."
"She was an angel," Rosie assured him. "She and Dim get along really well."
"Why don't we all get together in David's room for some gaming?" Mike suggested. "It'll be a fun way to wind down after such an exciting day."
"Sounds like a plan," Lily agreed, giving David a smile. "Let's get everything set up."
As they moved toward David and Lily's room, the group continued to chat about their experiences, the excitement of the day still fresh in their minds.
David then pulled out his extensive collection of PS3 games. The cases varied, with most being clear, except for two of them being red "Greatest Hits" editions. Among them, one red case stood out, featuring the original PS3 logo.
"That's a damn lot, bro," Mike remarked, impressed by the sheer number of games.
"Yeah, got some classics here," David replied with a grin as he set the games down on the bed, carefully taking them one at a time from the stack. "So, first, we've got Metal Gear Solid 4..." he began, showing the cover.
"That's a sinister-looking fellow," Manny remarked, peering at the intense face on the cover.
"That's Solid Snake," Lily said. "He might look intense, but he's a legendary hero."
"Sure, a hero who smokes cigarettes in the middle of battle zones," Angela added with a smirk, rolling her eyes.
"Cigarettes?" Gypsy asked with curiosity. "What are those?"
"They're like tiny sticks of tobacco people smoke," David explained. "It's a bad habit, really. Not something to be admired."
"Trust me, you're better off not placing one in your mouth at all," Mike added.
"Just out of curiosity, why does it go in the mouth when you're using it?" Francis asked, emphasizing his genuine curiosity.
"Well," Angela began, "people put cigarettes in their mouths to smoke them. When you inhale, the smoke delivers nicotine to your system, which some people find calming or stimulating. But it's really bad for your health. It can cause all sorts of problems like lung cancer and heart disease."
"There was one person I knew who smoked when she was a teenager," Lily added, her voice somber. "She got oral and throat cancer and had to have her voice box removed. It was heartbreaking."
"She died in 2013," David said, his tone reflecting the weight of the memory.
"That's really sad," Gypsy replied softly, her antennae drooping slightly.
"It is," Mike said, nodding solemnly. "But let's focus on happier things now. We've already had some heavy moments when we were at Ground Zero."
"Right," David said, clearing his throat to shift the mood. "So, if you look at the bottom left corner of the game cover, you'll see a label—that's the rating of the game."
"Games have ratings too?" Slim asked, looking intrigued.
"Yep, but their ratings work a bit differently than movies," Angela replied.
"Unlike the MPAA, which handles age ratings for movies, the company that does the same for games is called the ESRB," Mike explained. "Their ratings include E for Everyone, E10+ for ages 10 and up, T for Teen, and M for Mature."
"Me and David won't mind E10+ when Emily starts playing video games as she gets older." Lily said.
"In the case of Metal Gear Solid 4, it has an M rating," David added. "That means it's for mature audiences due to its intense action and themes."
"Huh, so games have age limits too, just like movies," Rosie remarked. ("I guess Dim and Emily will have to skip this one too, like when we watched that PG-13 movie while they were asleep.")
"Anyway, now, if you look at the bottom right corner, you'll see the company that made the game," Mike said, pointing to the logo. "In this case, it's Konami."
"Konami?" Gypsy asked.
"Yep," David replied. "They're a well-known Japanese video game company. They've created a lot of iconic games over the years, including the Metal Gear series."
"Oh, and we forgot to mention the old PS3 logo they have on the left side," Mike added, pointing to the classic logo embossed along the spine of the case.
"It's got the same one as your console," Heimlich observed.
"Yeah, Sony, the company that made PlayStation, called it the 'Fat' model," Angela replied.
"Why do they call it that?" Manny asked.
"And Sony?" Gypsy added.
"They called it the 'Fat' model because it's larger and bulkier than the later versions," David explained. "And Sony is a big electronics company based in Japan. They make a lot of stuff, including PlayStation consoles."
"And movies and TV shows, too," Lily added.
"Now, we'll show you the disc inside," David said as he opened the case, revealing a manual and a disc nestled inside.
"It's the same size as a DVD," Francis remarked.
"Except it's Blu-Ray," Mike corrected.
"Oh, yeah, you and Angela explained Blu-Ray to Rosie and me at the pool," Gypsy recalled.
"Games use Blu-Ray too?" Rosie asked, surprised.
"Yeah, PlayStation started using Blu-Ray when the PS3 first came out," David explained. "It lets them fit a lot more content on the disc."
"That's pretty cool," Rosie said.
"Okay, now let's look at the manual," David said as he pulled out the booklet. "It has
all the game controls and some backstory."
"Do people even read these?" Manny asked.
"Not as much anymore. They used to be more important," Angela replied.
"But, who gives a damn about the manual right now?" David quipped, putting it back and closing the case. He then took out another game. "Here's Tekken 6 now."
"Wow, that looks intense," Francis said, looking at the cover.
"Yeah, Tekken is one of the most popular fighting game series," David explained. "It's known for its deep combat system and diverse characters."
"And you've got Heihachi, Jin, Nina, and King," Lily added, pointing to each character on the cover.
"Tekken is known for its diverse and memorable roster," Angela noted.
"What company made this?" Heimlich asked
"Namco," Mike replied. "They're famous for making fighting games."
"Next we've got Resident Evil 5," Angela said as she picked up another game case.
"Is it a fighting game too?" Gypsy asked.
"No, it's a survival horror game," Mike explained.
"But it does involve fighting in a way," David added. "But you use weapons like guns in this game."
"Is that what those two are holding?" Francis observed, pointing at the cover.
"Yeah, that's Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar," Angela explained. "They're the main characters in the game."
"I now feel like I'm back in elementary school," Gypsy quipped with a sigh.
"It's all part of the adventure, learning new things about human stuff," Lily replied, patting the moth on the back.
"Now, this weapon's a pistol, and this is a shotgun," David continued, pointing to the different guns on the cover.
"Both of them are used a lot in the game," Mike added. "You'll need them to survive."
"And that's just the start," Angela chimed in. "There are all kinds of weapons you can find and use."
"Both of them are used a lot in the game," Mike added. "You'll need them to survive."
"And that's just the start," Angela chimed in. "There are all kinds of weapons you can find and use."
"Grenades, rocket launchers, herbs," David listed off.
"What's this game about? And who made it?" Rosie asked, her curiosity piqued.
"This game is about surviving a viral outbreak in Africa," David explained. "You play as Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar, trying to stop a bio-terrorism threat."
"And it's made by Capcom," Mike added. "They've made a lot of famous games over the years."
"In Japan, Capcom called the series Biohazard, which is the original name," Lily explained. "Honestly, I prefer Resident Evil, the name they use here in the US."
"Good to know," Francis responded, her antennae twitching with interest. "Why the different names, though?"
"Marketing reasons, mostly," David replied. "Biohazard is a common term in Japan, but it wasn't available as a trademark in the US."
"And just so you know, Gypsy, there's quite a bit of gore in this game," Angela added. "We're talking heads getting blown off and everything."
"That sounds... intense," Gypsy said, shifting uneasily.
"Yeah, definitely not for the faint-hearted," Mike agreed. "But it's a classic for those who love survival horror."
With Resident Evil 5 thoroughly explained, the human family continued showcasing their collection. They introduced the bugs to a variety of titles, including Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm and its sequel, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Street Fighter 4, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit.
Each game brought a new wave of curiosity and excitement as the characters on the covers and the names of the games piqued the interest of their circus bug friends.
"Alright!" Mike said as he switched the TV on. "Now, let's fire this baby up!"
David picked up one of the controllers and pressed the PS button, emitting a beep from the console as the light turned green. The screen flickered to life, displaying the PlayStation 3 startup sequence. The iconic wave of light moved across the screen, accompanied by a serene, ambient tune, before the XMB (CrossMediaBar) interface appeared with its sleek, horizontal menu.
"The PlayStation 3 startup," David announced with a grin, "where all the fun begins."
"Alright. What game should we start with?" Angela asked, looking at the stack of games on the bed.
"How about Tekken 6?" Mike suggested. "It's a great way to get everyone involved."
"Yeah, a good fighting game to kick things off," David agreed as he grabbed the Tekken 6 case and opened it, ready to insert the disc. "Everyone loves a bit of action."
As the disc slid into the slot, the clock's hands on the top right corner of the screen started to spin, signaling the PS3 was loading the game. Without any additional input, the system automatically switched to the game section, displaying the blue disc icon for Tekken 6. The screen then transitioned to black, ready to launch the game.
After a moment, a soft beep sounded from the screen as the auto-save feature disclaimer popped up. David pressed the X button, and the screen transitioned to the trophy pack loading section, indicating the game was preparing to sync achievements with the console.
"Hey, hey, guys, guess what!" Mike said, his excitement evident as a white screen popped up.
"What?" Heimlich asked, curiosity piqued.
"Guess what, guys!" David echoed, grinning.
"Hey! Hey!" Angela added, joining in the suspense.
"What?!" the circus bugs exclaimed, their impatience growing, just as the white screen transitioned to a snowy scene with a crow perched on a tower.
"Bird!" the humans shouted in unison, eyes wide with mock seriousness.
The circus bugs screamed, their fear palpable at the sight of the bird on the screen.
"Tweet-tweet! Tweet-tweet!" Tuck and Roll exclaimed with panic.
The circus bugs' fear escalated as the screen zoomed in on the crow, its menacing eye filling the frame.
Suddenly, the crow let out a loud, piercing caw before taking flight, its wings flapping powerfully against the snowy backdrop. The bugs shrieked in terror, their tiny bodies trembling at the sight and sound.
The human family then burst into laughter at their reactions.
"Dude, I perform in the circus to get away from that!" Francis exclaimed.
"That was so insensitive!" Gypsy added with agitation.
"Don't do it again!" Manny replied sternly.
After the intro dialogue later concluded, the title screen displayed prominently. David pressed the start button, emitting a distinct sound effect.
The screen transitioned to a black and white loading screen featuring Kazuya with his single glowing red eye in the center, flanked by Heihachi and Jin in the background.
A message appeared with a circle and spiraling red line on the bottom: "Accessing the hard disk drive. Please do not turn off the PlayStation 3 system."
Embers floated around, while glowing lines moved dynamically across the screen, enhancing the dramatic effect.
After about 10 seconds, the message switched to "Auto loading," as the glowing lines continued to move dynamically across the screen, maintaining the intense atmosphere.
"Is it weird that I find this image a bit creepy?" Gypsy remarked.
David laughed, "Nah, it's supposed to be intense. That's part of the fun."
"I don't see King or Nina in this," Manny observed, surprised that only three of the characters on the cover were on the screen.
"Well, Heihachi, Kazuya, and Jin... they're part of the Mishima family," Mike explained.
"What's so special about this family?" Francis asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They're like the main characters in the series. Lots of drama and fighting between them," Angela added.
After about a minute, the message briefly changed to "Checking downloadable content." Then, with a whoosh, it switched to the battle position preference screen.
David chose "left" before the mode selection menu popped up. Different sound effects played as he navigated to Offline Mode. "Let's start with arcade mode and get you bugs entertained a bit."
With the press of X, after the loading screen, the character select screen appeared. Upbeat and energetic music with a fast tempo and driving bass line filled the room, adding to the excitement.
David decided to go with Kazuya, a classic character known for his powerful moves and iconic rivalry with Heihachi. "Let's see what Kazuya can do," he said with a grin as he selected the character.
The game's announcer proclaimed, "Kazuya Mishima!" in a deep, powerful voice.
After Kazuya performed his kick, the screen faded to black. A bold red text appeared, saying "GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE," with swirling red rings and a dramatic three-time echo from the announcer.
The screen then split in two, showcasing the upcoming battlegrounds: on the left, a fiery red environment, and on the right, a moonlit ruin. Embers floated across the screen, adding a sense of urgency and anticipation.
David and the bugs could feel the tension building as the game prepared to transition into the battle.
After a moment, the screen came to life with a thunderous boom as the "VS" icon appeared, electric lines radiating outwards.
On the left side stood Kazuya Mishima, his eye glowing with a fierce red light. On the right, his opponent, Paul Phoenix, with his iconic high hair and a fierce expression, ready for battle. The screen held for a moment, building tension before fading into black, then into the stage where the fight would take place– a bustling urban environment, surrounded by bright neon signs and towering skyscrapers.
"So you've come," Kazuya said in Japanese, his voice low and menacing, before the screen cut to Paul's intro.
Paul clapped his fist into his palm with a loud smack, then cracked his neck with a swift tilt of his head, signaling his readiness. He swiftly dropped into his iconic fighting stance, eyes locked onto his opponent.
The battle screen came to life, showing Kazuya and Paul facing each other. The health bars at the top of the screen indicated each fighter's status.
"Round 1," the announcer declared, his voice firm and commanding. After a brief two-second pause, he said, "Fight!"
David's fingers danced over the controller as he made Kazuya dash forward. With swift precision, he executed a combination of punches and kicks. Kazuya's powerful strikes connected with Paul's defense, pushing him back.
Paul retaliated with his signature Phoenix Smasher, a powerful punch that could break through most defenses. David anticipated the move, making Kazuya sidestep just in time to avoid the impact.
The circus bugs watched in awe, their eyes following the fast-paced action on the screen.
"Whoa! That was close!" Slim exclaimed, leaning forward in excitement.
Gypsy's wings fluttered slightly. "They're so fast!"
David continued to control Kazuya with skillful maneuvers, landing a few more hits on Paul. But Paul wasn't giving up easily. With a determined expression, Paul launched a flurry of attacks, catching Kazuya off guard and landing a few solid blows.
"Come on, David, you can do it!" Angela cheered, her fists clenched in excitement.
David focused intently, executing a series of counterattacks that left Paul staggering. With a final, powerful kick, Kazuya knocked Paul to the ground, depleting his health bar completely.
"K.O.!" the announcer's voice boomed as Paul lay defeated.
The screen flashed with the victory message, and then a replay of the final moments of the fight played, showing Kazuya's finishing move in slow motion.
"Nice one!" Mike said, giving David a high five.
"That was amazing!" Rosie exclaimed. "You really know how to handle those controls."
David laughed. "Thanks, everyone."
"You win," the announcer declared as bold, orange words appeared on the screen. Paul slammed his fist on the ground in frustration before standing up. Both he and Kazuya returned to their fighting stances, ready for the next round.
"Round 2," the announcer said, as the health bars at the top of the screen reset to full. The characters' names and health bars were displayed yet again. "Fight!"
As the second round began, Paul executed a series of quick, powerful moves, overwhelming Kazuya. Despite David's best efforts, Kazuya's health bar depleted rapidly.
"K.O.!" the announcer declared as the round ended.
A replay of the decisive moments flashed across the screen. Paul's rapid punches and devastating kicks played back in slow motion, highlighting the precise timing and impact of each move. The final blow, a powerful punch, sent Kazuya crashing to the ground, sealing Paul's victory for the round.
"You lose," the announcer said as the bold blue words appeared. Kazuya stood up and got back to his stance.
"Final round," the announcer intoned, raising the stakes for the decisive match. "Fight!"
David focused intently, determined to secure victory. Kazuya opened with a swift jab, followed by a spinning kick that connected cleanly with Paul. Paul staggered back, allowing Kazuya to capitalize on the momentum. David executed a precise uppercut, launching Paul into the air before chaining into a powerful electric wind god fist as Paul landed.
Paul attempted a counter with his signature Phoenix Smasher, but Kazuya sidestepped just in time, delivering a punishing combo of rapid punches and kicks. Kazuya's relentless assault left no opening for Paul, who struggled to defend himself against the barrage.
With Paul's health bar nearing empty and Kazuya's still untouched, David finished with a devastating roundhouse kick, sending Paul crashing to the ground.
"Perfect!" the announcer declared as the bold yellow words appeared. The screen then showed a replay of Kazuya's flawless victory, highlighting the final roundhouse kick that secured the win.
The screen then cut to the replay, showcasing the final moments of the round. Kazuya's swift jab, the spinning kick, the electric wind god fist, and the devastating roundhouse kick were replayed in slow motion, emphasizing the precision and power behind each move.
"You win," the announcer said as the bold orange words appeared again. Kazuya held Paul up by the face, his expression one of disdain. "Pitiful," he sneered in Japanese, keeping his grip firm.
"Nice, David," Gypsy praised.
David skillfully navigated through the next series of battles, demonstrating his expertise with Kazuya. However, his progress came to a halt when he faced the formidable NANCY-MI847J, resulting in a hard-fought loss. Undeterred, David advanced to Jin Kazama's stage, eventually defeating him. The final challenge was the fearsome Azazel, where David's determination was tested as it took four attempts to finally emerge victorious.
"Whew... Finally! I thought this was gonna take forever," David remarked, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.
David then pressed Start, skipping the credits.
"Game over," the announcer intoned as the blue words appeared on the screen.
"Not bad, David!" Mike said, patting him on the back. "Azazel's a tough one."
"Yeah, took you long enough," Angela teased. "But you did it."
David laughed, "Yeah, it was pretty intense. Anyways, should we go check if Dim and Emily are awake?"
"Yeah, let's do that," Lily agreed.
As they exited the room, the group made their way down the hallway. Rosie scanned the key card and opened the door to her room, where Dim and Emily were snuggled up in an embrace
Dim was sitting up in bed with a yawn, and Emily was just waking up, hugging her stuffed animal.
"Hey, you two," Mike said softly. "You awake now?"
Dim nodded sleepily, and Emily gave a small yawn.
"Alright, let's give the games a break," Mike said, holding down the power button on the console until a beep emitted from it, the green light flashing a few times before changing back to red. "What do you say we all go out and do something fun?"
"Good idea," David agreed. "What do you all feel like doing?"
Rosie smiled at the group. "How about a walk around the park? It's nice outside."
"Sounds perfect," Angela replied. "Let's get ready and head out."
They then left the hotel room and stepped into the warm afternoon sun.
This chapter is dedicated to Terrie Hall, who died in 2013 from smoking-related cancer at the age of 53.