This story does have 2 authors now. Zander had been helping me before this came to drunkduck. And it has a new name! Yay! Here it is and keep in mind, it is not finished yet.

Crest Holders
By: Nightmare Zero and Zander

Book I
Fire and Ice

Chapter 1
The Beginning

It was a sunny day in New York City. Well as sunny as you could get in New York City, anyway this story is not for the faint of heart. It is filled with thrills and chills, amazing perils, and more villains than you can strike a saber with. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you who I was. My name is Jack Snip, also known as Zero, Ace Maverick Hunter. I have black hair, brown eyes, and average height for an 8th grader. This is my story.

The year is 2050 and crime is out of control. People say that the city is being controlled by a group of international assasians called the dark fist; other people say that monsters that are in dark alleyways are terrorizing the city. These are only rumors. The real cause is that robots are attacking the city. I know it sounds crazy but hey, you're reading a story about a guy who can transform into one of the most powerful things on the planet! Anyway, I know where the robots came from. But first I will tell you how I got my amazing powers.

I live in the suburbs of N.Y.C. with my Mom, Dad, and my little brother Chad. Chad (who's only in 6th grade) has blond hair, blue eyes, (kind of like the vision of Hitler's perfect child) and averagely tall for a 6th grade kid. One day Chad and I were outside playing when we heard an explosion from the old, abandoned factory just outside of town. So naturally we went to see what happened. When we got there we heard a voice from inside so we went in. It was Dr. Albert Wily, the town professor or nutcase, as some people in the town like to call him.
"I've done it! I've done it!" screamed the professor excitedly. "I've done it! With this I can rule the world! Hah Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!" "He is crazy!" I said to my brother. "Gee, go figure." Chad said sarcastically.

So we decided to leave him alone so he wouldn't catch us but we came back later that evening. "I wonder what he created?" I said to Chad, "Who knows?" Said Chad. "Maybe it's just a fluke." "Yeah, right." I said to myself. So we went to the front door but it was locked. "So now what do we do?" My brother said to me unenthusiastically, so I looked around until... "The window!" I exclaimed, my brother looked up and saw the open window. "Oh, alright let's go!" So we climbed onto the windowsill and peered into the building.

It was dark, large, and dusty in that factory; so old that nobody would think that something was going on here. So we jumped down from the windowsill into the factory. "Let's split up." I whispered, "We can cover more ground that way." "Great thinking o fearless leader." My brother said sarcastically. "Shut up." I said back to my brother. So we did eventually split up. He took the left, I took the right. So we searched, and searched, and searched but they found nothing of importance. But then I saw a bright glow coming from a box the size of a small medal case so I called my brother over there to check it out. "I wonder what's inside" My brother said curiously. Well I wondered too so I opened the box. It was beautiful! Three crests, each with a different insignia, one red with a Z on it on the right, one blue with an X on it on the left, and one black with a pentagram on it in the center. We marveled at the three shining crests for quite a while until my brother said, "Should we each touch one?" I was thinking the exact same thing at this point so I said, "Why not." So I touched the one on the right and Chad touched the one on the left. And suddenly two bright flashes illuminated the building.



Chapter 2
Jack and Chad Discover their Powers



I woke up the next morning in my room. "It was all just a dream." I thought to myself briefly. So I got up, dressed, and went downstairs. Breakfast was already ready and my family was already eating. "About time you got up!" Said my mom angrily. "What!!!" I said wearily, "You slept in on a school day and that is unacceptable!" "But Chad did too!" "No, He didn't. He got up on time today." "Ha, ha, you got in trouble." Said Chad in a snotty matter, "Shut up!" I said in a crazed manner, "Boys, quiet! I'm trying to read the paper!" Yelled dad angrily. "I think I better go to school." I said, "Me too." Said Chad. "Without breakfast?" Asked Mom confused, "We have had worse." I said normally, "Well alright." Said mom, "But be home by four you two." "Alright Mom." I said hastily as I rushed out the door, "Bye!" My brother said happily as he went out the door.

While we were walking to school I kept thinking about what happened and wondered if it was a dream or not. "Gee, it felt too real to be a dream." I thought puzzled, Then Chad said, "I had the weirdest dream last night. I dreamt we went to the old, abandoned factory just outside of town and saw three crests in a medal case and we each touched one and that's all I remember." "What!!!" I exclaimed in fright, "I had the same dream! But I remember more than you do. I remember who made the crests, it was..." "Dr. Albert Wily!" We both exclaimed in horror, "So it wasn't a dream after all!" I exclaimed, "I wonder what the crests did to us!?" Chad wondered out loud, "I don't know but I don't want to find out!" I said in astonishment, "Okay, let's just go to school. Maybe it's just a fluke." "Uh Huh, and maybe we'll have world peace at last!" Chad screamed sarcastically.

So we went to school and all through my morning periods nothing happened...until lunch. So I was sitting there eating when suddenly my hand glowed red! No one seemed to notice so I tried to pick up my things and go but when I touched my fork with my glowing hand, it melted and when I touched my napkin it burst into flames! "Woah!" I said in astonishment, "I gotta get out here before I burn the school down" So I picked up my things and went. But before I could do that a spark from the napkin touched Eric Nokins, the toughest kid in school and set his pure leather coat on fire! I knew he'd be pissed at me when he was done putting out his coat so I just bolted out of there faster than you can say bolt! Well the red glow stopped eventually and I tried to avoid Eric for the rest of the day but he caught up with me at the end in the hall at my locker at the end of the day. "You must have a lot of guts to set my coat on fire..." said Eric angrily, ...but lets see how well you fight you F****** B****!" So the fight started. Everything seemed slow to my eyes...even Eric's punches. So when Eric tried to hit me he missed every single time! Weird huh. Well then I took a swing at him and hit. He flew 10 feet into a locker and the locker bent! My brother saw the whole thing and said, "Woah!" "What did you do Jack!"

* * *

The next day the principal called me up to his office during homeroom. "What happened?" the principal said, "I don't know what happened sir." I said, "You know you are going to get in trouble for this and that your parents will be informed." The principal said in a firm manner, "Yes sir." I said in despair, "Now go back to class and don't let me see you in my office again, got it?" "Yes." I said. When I got back to homeroom is was already time to go to my first period class so I picked up my things and went. About halfway to the classroom I heard a voice from behind say to me, "So, what really happened?" I turned around and looked and I saw my best friend, Kato. (His real name is Yue Kato but I call him Kato,) "Kato! It's you! You scared me damn it!" "Sorry, so really what happened?" "Well I guess I'll have to start at the beginning."

So I told him everything that happened right up to the principal yelling at me and I should have expected what happened next. "So that's about it. What do you think?" "HA HA HA HA HA HAH! Oh, that was a good one. Where did you come up with that crazy story huh?" "WHAT?! YOU DON'T BELIVE ME! AFTER EVERYTHING I TOLD YOU! YOU'RE DEAD!" "Woah whoa, calm down Jack or you'll get in trouble again. I believe you okay?" "Huh... huh... your right, thanks and I'm sorry." "It's alright; hey we better get to class." "Yeah, hey race ya!" "Hey if you want to lose alright." "Ready...Set.Go!" And so we raced off to class. I seemed extremely energetic today and I got to class in no time and incredibly Kato was so far behind by the time he got to class I was already done copying the notes on the board. And he's the faster runner!

"Good news class!" the teacher said, "Please welcome Nora Rynkiewicz." "Hi Nora!" The whole class said. She stood there holding her books down to her waist. She looked nice. She had long, brownish-blond hair, about my height, which is average for an 8th grader, and she was wearing mostly black. I didn't know it at the time but for Kato it was love at first sight for him. Well Kato was just like her except he had whitish-blond hair, was taller, and paler.

"Nora, why don't you take a seat by Kato over there, okay?" "Alright." She said back. She sat down by Kato, who was very nervous by now and just stared at him for the longest time. Then she looked at me. She looked at me for a long time but not as long as Kato. And then she said, "You're the one that kicked that kid Eric Nokins' a** yesterday." Everyone heard that and was silent. "Well, heh, heh, heh." I said embarrassingly. Fortunately the bell rang at the last moment and I ran as fast as I could to my next period.

No one bothered me about the fight for the rest of the day, but when I got home I really got it from Mom. "YOU IDIOT!" Mom screamed, "GO TO YOUR ROOM! NOW!" I rushed upstairs as fast as I could, but when I got halfway to my room Chad stopped me. "Dude, what happened?" he said, "It's a long story. You sure you want to hear it?" "Yeah I guess." And so I told him everything that happened to this point and I wasn't surprised by what happened next.

"I don't believe you Jack, do you expect me to believe some half-cocked story about your hand glowing red and you accidentally burning everything in sight. Come on!" But what happened next convinced me he was affected too. "Chad! Your hand!" He looked down and he saw his hand glowing bright blue! Bright blue! It was amazingly beautiful! But then I thought about what my hand did and snapped out of it. "Chad, do not touch anything." I said calmly, "We don't know what it can do." "Yeah right." Chad said, "Like I'm going to listen to you. I bet this stuff is painted on. That's why I'm going to the bathroom and washing this s*** off." I tried to stop him from going into the bathroom but it was too late. He got into the bathroom, turned on the faucet with his normal hand, and put his hand under the faucet. What happened next convinced us both. His hand froze the water right up to the faucet and into the pipe as well! "Believe me now?" I said with a smirk, "Yeah I do." Chad said shocked.

* * *

During the night I had the strangest dream I ever had. But I should have known at the time that it was more than a dream. I felt like I was in another dimension. There was darkness all around me except the ground. It was glowing and it pointed the way to a mirror. I didn't know what was going to happen from that point but something told me to go to the mirror.

I started walking slowly to the mirror. I felt in that weird place not afraid but wonder and awe. I got to the mirror; a cloth covered it so I took it off. What happened next made me afraid. The reflection wasn't me! It was another person altogether. He looked like my brother only about 21 and his hair was down to his butt. He was covered in red body armor and I noticed the Z on his shoulder pieces, it was the same Z that was on the crest! I peered deeper into the mirror. Suddenly, I fell into the mirror! Darkness covered me. I was afraid, but I kept my cool.

I laid there in darkness for what it seemed like a lifetime. I couldn't move because I was paralyzed for some reason. All of a sudden, a beam of light shot through the darkness and erased it. It showed the ground again only I was standing on a stain glass window. The window I was standing on bore a picture of a sword. Actually, it looked more like a saber. It was a strange one, although it looked familiar for some reason. Suddenly, a whispering voice said to me...

Come.
So much to do, so little time.
Step forward.
You can do it!


So I did. I felt scared so I walked slowly to the center of the window.


Power sleeps within you.
If you give it form,
It will give you strength.


As the voice was saying that, three pillars appeared out of nowhere each holding three weapons, a sword, a shield, and a staff.

Choose well.

I walked over to the pillar with the sword and jumped on it. I picked up the sword and held it in my hands.

Power of the warrior,
Invincible courage,
A sword of terrible destruction. Is this the power you seek?


I didn't like to cause destruction so I didn't choose that power. I walked over to the pillar with the shield and jumped onto it. I grabbed up the handle of the shield and picked it up.

Power of the guardian,
Kindness to aid friends,
A shield to repel all. Is this the power you seek?


Mom always told Chad and I to never repel anyone so I didn't choose that power. I walked over to the pillar with the staff on it and jumped on it. I picked up the staff and held it in my hands.

Power of the mystic,
Inner strength,
A staff of wonder and ruin. Is this the power you seek?


Mom always said I had inner strength so I chose that power. Suddenly the voice said...

Now, which power will you give up in exchange?

I didn't even need to get off the pillar to do that. I chose the shield.

You chose the power of the Mystic.
You gave up the power of the Guardian.
Is this the form you choose?

I thought to myself "Yes."

Your form is set.
I now will create a weapon for you to use.

Suddenly, the staff that I chose flew out of my hands and into the center of the window, and then the sword that was left went into the center of the window and combined with the staff. In a brilliant flash of light I saw my weapon. The saber that was in the window! I looked down and saw that the saber that was gone! Suddenly, the voice said to me...


Go on.
Take it.

I wasn't sure about it, but I took the saber. Suddenly, I was engulfed in a swirling ball of red energy. What happened next changed my whole life. When the light stopped I felt different in some way. Another mirror appeared in front of me. I remembered what happened so I was cautious while examining the mirror. I pushed on it before removing the cloth. When the cloth didn't go through, I removed the cloth. I looked like myself. I leaned against the mirror in relief. But then I looked at my arm. It was covered in red armor! I stepped back from the mirror. I look down at myself. My whole body was changed! I checked my hair and it was down to my butt! I had become the guy in the first mirror!

Suddenly, the voice said...


You have transformed into a great warrior,
His name is Zero.
You have been infused with him and his powers.
Use them well!

Suddenly, the window started cracking under my weight! I looked for a place to run but there was nowhere to run! Suddenly I looked up and saw another stain glass window! It was a long shot but I decided to jump. I jumped as hard as I could and I jumped pretty high too. I guess I was stronger than I was in this body. Even though that jump was high it wasn't enough. But then something told me to try jumping again. I thought I was losing my mind if I didn't already. So I tried jumping again. What happened next amazed me. I was able to do a mid-air flip onto the window! When I landed on the next window I thought to myself "Woah, this is weird. I just jumped the highest jump in my life and then did a mid-air flip onto the window. I must be dreaming!" Suddenly the voice said again...


There will be times when you will have to fight.
When you fight remember, you are no longer you.
You are Zero.

Suddenly these black glowing orbs started circling around me! I pulled out my saber and stood ready. This was my first fight with a weapon so I really didn't know how to use it and yet I did at the same time. It was weird. It was like part of me was use to fighting with the saber. Then the orbs started to take shape.

Robot parts shot out of the orbs and started to enclose it. When they were done they looked like strange creatures with withering tentacles that swung everywhere. There were about six of them. I knew this wasn't going to be easy but I had faith in myself for some reason. Like I knew I could win. Weird huh.

They started closing in on me and I thought if those things come any closer their going to get a taste of this saber. Suddenly, one of them lashed out at me. I dodged out of the way and its tentacle missed me by a fraction of an inch! Right after I gave it a saber combo right in its face. It exploded and the black orb remained. The other ones disappeared as soon as I destroyed the first one. Suddenly, the voice said...

You will grow stronger by absorbing the souls of the ones you destroy, but not all.
There are ones who will not give you souls.
Only the ones you just encountered and...

But before the voice could answer the things came back! They looked angry that I destroyed one of their own and they were probably going to fight twice as hard! I stood there waiting for them to make the first move. Then one of them lifted up two of its tentacles and then its breastplate opened showing its orb. Suddenly, a laser ball shot out of the orb! It was heading right toward me so I jumped over it. Even though I dodged that shot the others were about to do the same.

Suddenly, 4 more shots came at me! I was in mid-air so I didn't know what to do. Then I just remembered I could do a mid-air flip so I did. Three missed me. The Forth one hit me straight in the chest. I fell back onto the window with a loud BANG! I felt a bit of pain but not too much. As soon as I hit the ground I picked myself back up.

As soon as I got back up I slashed one of the things in the face! It was destroyed instantly! During that moment time seemed to stand still. I looked at the orb with fascination and then I thought about what the voice said and I wondered, "What if the voice was trying to trick me." I thought to myself, "Why should I trust whatever it is!"
Then I heard the voice whisper to me...

You have no other choice.
You cannot escape this place without my help.

"What! You can read my thoughts!" I said to the voice with my thoughts. For some reason I couldn't speak.


Yes, and I am not surprised by your reaction.
I am not an enemy.

"Who are you?"

A friend.
Now take the orbs.


I had forgotten about the second orb. It was still there but it shrunk. It was still shrinking by the second. I decided to take that one first. When I took it I felt this great power over me and when it was done I was a bit stronger. Then suddenly time resumed course.

The robots started attacking again! They decided to go back to trying to stab me with their tentacles but I stood ready! But first I tried to grab the orb. When I did they got even angrier. There were too many to fight at close range. I knew I had to find a way to destroy them from a distance but the question was how.

As I was thinking that my arm started to transform. A bright, red light engulfed my arm up to the wrist and it transformed. It was very quick and when the light stopped there was an arm-blaster there. "Cool!" I thought as I looked at it. "Now, let's see what this thing can do!"

I started to aim and it fired by itself! A white blast of energy shot out of the blaster and then hit and destroyed one of the creatures! I quickly started to shoot down the other ones. When I was done I grabbed the orbs and then I looked at the arm-blaster. "I wonder how I change it back." I thought to myself. Just as I thought that the red light illuminated my arm again and changed it back. "Oh, so that's how you do it." "I think all my special moves and abilities are linked to my mind. All I have to do is think it and it happens!"

Suddenly, a beam of light shot down and hit the center of the room. I figured I had to walk into it and I also thought it was the exit. So I walked into the beam. In a brilliant flash of light I was on another stain glass window. "Figures." I thought. "What's going to happen now?" Suddenly, two more glass windows appeared on the sides of me and then started to close in! There was an opening on the other side so I started to run as fast as I could.

Even though when I was running, I was as fast during the race with Kato but it wasn't enough. "I can't believe it's going to end this way." I thought in despair, "Being crushed by 2 stain glass windows." "No, I won't let it end this way! I will beat this!"

Suddenly, the red light came back and engulfed my feet. Then I suddenly went faster leaving like a red shadow image. It was kind of like a super powered dash. I ended up at the other side of the window narrowly avoiding getting crushed. And there stood another stain glass window high above me and it was too high to jump onto. Even with the mid-air flip. There was also a stain glass window in front of me leading up the high one.

"Great" I thought, "How am I going to do this?" "I might as well try jumping." So I did jump and the mid-air flip. I got about 2/3 up before I started falling. I landed on the window that was going upward and started to slide down slowly. And then something told me to kick off the wall. It was a crazy thought but I guessed at that point it wasn't as crazy as most of the stuff I've seen. So I kicked off the wall and it propelled me upward! And so I did it again and again until I got to the top of the high window.

Then the voice said to me,

The deeper you travel into the darkness, the stronger the dark creatures become.
Keep your light burning strong and the dark creatures will not harm you.

Then suddenly a gigantic pool of darkness appeared in front of me on the window!
And then from that portal strands of darkness started to appear out of the pool and started to entwine. When enough dark strands entwined, they started to form a body. I watched in horror as the body started to form.

When it was done, it looked much more menacing than those robots I fought before. Its topside was dark blue and its mouth was white. It had the face of a golem with square, lower teeth. And the rest of it looked a giant construction robot. It had no legs and seemed to float on what seemed to look like air turbines that used blades. It had two arms with a robotic-like claw on each arm and had glowing, light blue eyes. I unsheathed my saber and stood ready.

The battle started slowly, eying each other down and seeing which one would make the first move. Suddenly, the robot started to hover toward me and every five feet it stopped and then crushed anything that was under it with its body. It came in closer and closer every five feet crushing until it was completely over me.

Just when it was about to crush me, I dashed out of the way, jumped, and then slashed it with my saber. The thing groaned in pain and knocked me aside with one of its arms. I landed on my feet and hit it with a saber combo. It groaned in pain again and moved away from me. Then it changed its attack pattern. It charged at my and then slammed into me, sending me flying. I landed on my back with a thud. I picked myself back up and got ready for it to charge again. It revved up and then charged again. When it did, I flipped over it and then shot it with my blaster. The shot connected, and the thing roared in excruciating pain. "Even though I'm damaging it, it isn't enough." I thought to myself, "There must be some kind of weak spot on it but where?" While it was preoccupied with the pain from my blaster shot, I looked all over for a weak spot but I found nothing. Then I looked up and saw something I didn't see before. A small probe-like robot was hovering above it. "That small robot must be transmitting some kind of signal that controls the big one!" I thought, "If I can slash that thing with my saber I think that will stop it completely!"

But while I was thinking the big robot recovered and changed its attack pattern again! It opened its mouth and then a shining, blue light started emanating from it. By the time I realized he was going to attack it was too late. It then shot out a beam of blue energy that hit me and caused major damage to me!

I hit the ground with an even louder thud than the last time. I barely had energy to pick myself up and stay up. Just when I got back up the thing started to charge its mouth again! And I thought to myself, "Oh man this is it, I'm dead. I won't be able to survive another hit and I barely have enough energy to stand let alone dodge the shot then jump and slash the small robot. What am I going to do now?"

Then suddenly I heard my brother's voice say to me, "Come on Bro! Do you actually believe that you're finished? That you have no energy left? I thought you were stronger than that but I guess I was wrong. You're just too weak."

I didn't know if I was hallucinating from the pain or not, in fact I still don't know. But he was right. I couldn't just give up even though it seemed hopeless. And I thought to myself, "I will prove that he's wrong. I will survive!"

Suddenly the robot fired, I jumped, and then slashed the small robot in half! The small robot exploded, and the gigantic one fell to the ground and the melted back into a pool of dark energy again. I collapsed on the window, breathing heavily. Then I thought to myself "Thanks Chad."

Suddenly, the strands came back from the pool! They wrapped around my arms, legs, and torso, and pulled me in to the pool! I tried to break free from the pool of darkness but I was too weak from the previous battle. And while I was being pulled into the darkness, I heard the voice whisper,

-Do not be afraid,
You are not alone in this Quest.
-So don't forget...

You are the one, who will bring peace to the world.

Then I woke up.

* * *

Ok, low fat, no sprinkles, thanks. Oh, your back! Now where was I...oh yes, I woke up in my bed sweating. Not being able to sleep anymore, I went into the bathroom and got a drink of water. When I got back I noticed my brother sitting on my bed. "You can't sleep either." I said to my brother, "Yeah." He said back, "You know, I had another weird dream. I dreamt I was in a world of darkness. Dark creatures attacked me but I fought them off. Well, I really didn't fight them off... it's really confusing." "Well, try to explain it as much as you can." "Alright. I started in a room that was covered in darkness, except for the ground. It was glowing and pointed to a mirror..."

Right there and then I told him to stop. I just looked in disbelief. "Chad," I said very solemnly and with a tone that made both him and me afraid at the same time, "I had the same dream. The mirror, the weapon choosing, the dark creatures, everything!" "You mean it!" Chad exclaimed in disbelief, "I thought I was going crazy... thank you Jack."

"Your welcome, but I have to know what else you saw. Please continue." So he continued on with the dream. Everything he said was the same except one thing; he wasn't the same person I was. In fact, he looked just like me only older. He was covered in blue body armor and had a blue helmet with a red gem embedded in it covering his short, black hair. He was called Megaman X. He had an arm blaster like me only it was capable of rapid fire. It could also charge up and fire a more powerful shot. He also had a blue saber that he used. By the way my brother talked, it sounded like he couldn't use the saber well. He only could perform one, powerful slash.

It sounded to me like those two were different as day and night. And then it hit me, could those two be linked to the crests we touched? Then I closed my eyes and started to think about the crest itself. What I exactly saw from that fateful medal case, and then suddenly Chad exclaimed, "Jack, your hand!" Then I opened my eyes and saw that crest was on my right hand, shining brightly.

* * *

Over the next few days we experimented to see what the crests did to us. We went to an old junkyard to see what we could do. We both tested our strength, speed, and anything else you could imagine. The first day we tested our strength. I was able to lift at least seven full size cars. Seven! Chad could lift about five. Still, very impressive. Even though I did gloat about it for the rest of the day.

The second day we tested speed. We did a hundred yard dash; I completed it in ten seconds. Unbelievable right? Chad did it in six seconds. He got payback for me gloating yesterday.

The third day was probably the most interesting. Chad and I were training like we were for the past two days, well suddenly while we were fighting each other; a jet of fire shoots from my fist and hits Chad in the face. First, I stood there in amazement, and then I burst out laughing as Chad rolled around in pain. He did eventually get back up and he was enraged. I did block and dodge every punch and kick until an ice ball shot from his fist and hit me in the nuts. Well as it figures, Chad spent the rest of the day washing black scorch marks off his face while I spent the rest of the day de-icing myself. When Mom asked what happened we said we were in an accident involving a flaming snow cone machine.

The next day we were training as usual, suddenly we heard, "Hey Jack! What ya... whoa!" It was Kato. The reason he said whoa was because I was lifting about three cars at the time. "Jack, how are you..." "Leaving right now! See ya!" I said in a frightful, hurrying, manner as I pushed him out of the junkyard and ran away as fast as I could.

You have great talent!Keep it up,and I noted a KH reference in the stories ch.2

Nice I like it

Thanks everyone. I want to turn this into a comic tho. The only thing that's holding me back is that I don't have any comic skills whatsoever :(

It's a great plot,you better PQ some1

Well who wants to? I could let someone do this project for me. PQ me if you want to. For now tho, here's chapter 3.


Chapter 3
The Tournament

After that fiasco at the junkyard, I tried to avoid Kato for a while. And it was hard! In school, he was in every class I had. Outside of school wouldn't be as hard. I did a decent job of avoiding him for a while until one day in science class. "Ok class. I'm assigning lab partners starting with, Jack and Kato. Next..." I winced as I heard that because I knew I'd have to explain everything to him. I was in such in a feeling of discomfort I didn’t even hear the rest of the pairing or the actual lab explanation.

"...And finally John and Cindy. Now get to work class." Kato went over to the lab table and sat right across from me and said nothing for a couple of minutes. It was like he wasn't even interested in me. So after that couple of minutes I eventually whispered to him, "What are you staring at?" he pointed across the room not breaking his trance-like stare at the new girl Nora.

"You're staring at her, the new Goth girl?" He simply nodded. "And why are you staring at her?" "Because she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life." He says to me with a tone that I never expected from him. It kind of scared me. "Well, Kato I..." I looked up and he was gone. "Now where did he go" I looked around and yep; you guessed it, at Nora's table introducing himself. After a few minutes he came back and sat down in the exact spot with a bedazzled look on his face.

Right after he sat down I screamed in his ear, "Earth to Kato! Time to talk. NOW!!" He must have needed it because as soon as I screamed now he jumped, put his finger in his ear, wiggled it around, pulled it out, and said, "Ah! What did you do that for?" "Are you that dense!? Remember what you saw yesterday at the junkyard!" "Oh, that. I've wanted to ask you about that. I mean how did you..." "Shh! Don't be so loud! Meet me in the junkyard after school. I'll tell you then."

And that's just how it happened. For the rest of the day neither of us talked about it, which led me to wonder if Chad blabbed to anyone about us. In fact, Kato ignored me for the rest of the day because of Nora. Little did any of us know how much in love they would become or the role that they both would have.

"Well, did you blab to anyone?" I said to Chad as we were walking to the junkyard. "No, why?" "Well because we could get into a s***load of trouble that's why. I mean if either a lot people and or people we couldn't trust found out about this, we both could be sent to some military facility somewhere where we'd have to undergo some excruciatingly boring and or painful tests in order to figure out how our powers work. And once they figure that out, then they would probably do some more excruciatingly boring and or painful tests in order to duplicate and or mass produce our powers for foot soldiers in our military, and possibly having our own powers taken away or destroyed! Does that sum it up for ya?!"

He just stood there and looked at me for the longest time with a mixture of a scared and a sad face. I forgot for a sec that he still was my little brother that he looked up to me and yelling at him didn’t help that. "Chad, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you." He looked down, turned around, and started to laugh uncontrollably. "Ha Ha Ha, I can't believe you fell for that! Ha Ha Ha Ha!"

"Why you little! Get back here!" I yelled at him as he started running toward the junkyard. By the time I remembered he was faster than me, we were already at the junkyard. "Well, at least were here." Chad said right before I tackled him. "What the!? Get the hell off of me!" "No!" I yelled as I was strangling him. "Get...off...of...me. Get...off...of...me. Get...off...of...me." He faintly gurgled, "Then don't f*** with my emotions got it. Good." So I took my hands off his neck, got off him, and accidentally shot another fireball at his arm and hit, singeing him. He howled in pain, and in his pain filled moment, he slammed his hands on the ground and made a sheet of ice that I slipped and cracked my head off on.

We both first just looked at each other in amazement, and then we both just started laughing at each other. "That was so cool!" We turned around and looked up and we saw Kato. "Kato! You're here early. Why?" I said. "What do you mean early?" Chad screamed, "You're the one who just had the explanation of why we shouldn't have anyone knowing, and yet you tell him you hypocrite!" "Cool down, I'm the one with the flame powers here. Besides, the reason I told you not to blab to any of your friends is that they would blab, unlike Kato. I trust him. And come on, it’s not like there's anyone else here."

"Well funny you should mention that Jack." Kato said, "I kinda..." "Wow, an inch thick. You have some decent freezing power there kid." Both Chad and I turned around and saw Nora standing there, looking down at the sheet of ice Chad made. "Well, so much for him being trusted." Chad said. I quickly turned around and said to Kato and said, "You brought her." "Now Jack, just calm down." "YOU BROUGHT HER." Jack, now listen to me. I know this looks bad, but she won't tell." "YOU BROUGHT HER!" "N-now Jack, now your hands are on fire." "YOU BROUGHT HER!..."

"So your Nora aye? Nice to meet you." Chad said. "Likewise". Said Nora, "How long are those two going to argue until they agree that it’s alright for me to know about your little secret?" "Knowing those two, were gonna be here awhile so let's start training. By the way, my names Chad and why do you want to know how long there going to take?" "Well Kato's my boyfriend and..." "Whoa, whoa hold on a sec. Kato is your boyfriend!? Jack is going to flip."

"...WHY DID YOU BRING HER!!" "Well, I didn't want to tell you right now but I guess it can't be helped now. I'm dating her." I was stunned. I didn't know weather to congratulate or yell at him. All I could think was, "Him and Nora? I mean, I knew he was falling for her but…" "Hellooooooo. Jack, are you there." "Yeah..." I said in an astonished manner. "I can see this is a big shock to you so I’ll leave. Come on Nora." "No, you don't have to leave. I'm alright now, but just one thing Kato. "I'm afraid to ask, but what?" I smiled and said, "Next time you date a girl you’ve known for just a day, reconsider."

He stared at me for the longest time and started laughing. Nora did too. "Well, what are we waiting for guys?" Chad said smiling. "Let's start training!" And we all went together into the junkyard.

* * *

For the next two days Chad and I has to explain to Nora and Kato the story of what been happing to us up to this point. They took it pretty well or as well as expected anyway. "I don't really believe you guys." Nora said skeptically, "There is no kind of item on earth that can generate your kind of powers. I know, I'm a wicken" "Wait a sec, you’re a wicken?" Kato pondered, "Yeah, didn't you know?" No, I didn't and it would have been good to know." "Yeah, next time all these bad coincidences are happening to you, you can blame her." Chad said laughing, "Shut up!" Kato yelled, "She would never do that to me. Right?" "Well..." She said with a smirk, "...maybe I'd charm you into doing unspeakable things to me. I'll whisper them in your ear. I'll make you do..."

As she was whispering, Kato's face grew more blushed with each sentence. As Chad and I watched her whisper, and as Kato's face grew redder, we got a general idea of what she was thinking about. "...And that’s about it. What do you think?" "I, I, I, I, I, I, I." Kato just said like a broken record. "Hmm, I guess a little too much stimulation." Nora said as she put her pointer finger on Kato's chin and slid it off. "I’ll catch you boys later. See ya." She winked at Kato as she walked out of the junkyard.

"Kinky. Well she's a keeper. You struck gold with her, aye Kato?" Chad said as he patted him on the back. "Just do me a favor and use protection." Kato just sat there with this look of amazement. "Come on, we better take him home." I said to my brother. While we were taking him home, Chad kept poking him in the head. I told him to stop because his enhanced strength might give him brain damage or amnesia. He told me he’d pay him a quarter if he did and I imagined Chad giving a brain damaged Kato a quarter and him yelling in glee as he was given it.

"All right, we're at his house. Now how are we going to snap him out of it?" Chad said to me. "Well..." I pondered as I looked around until, "Chad, hand me that bucket." "Why?" "You'll see. Now, fill the bucket up with ice." "Alright, but I still don't see where this is going." So he did fill the bucket about three quarters of the bucket when I told him to stop. Then I took the bucket, heated it up until it was ice water, and then poured it all over Kato’s head. "Oh, now I see." Chad said. It must have worked because he jumped up, started jumping around because some of the ice chunks that were left fell into his pants, and after a couple of minutes he calmed down enough to regain what was left of himself to thank us for snapping him out of his trance. Then he went into his house, and we went home for the day.

It was pretty late when we got home. Past dinner time late and mom was a little angry with us. When asked why we were so late, we didn't lie. We told her exactly what happened with Kato and after that she was very forgiving and curious. "So, looks like Kato’s got a little girlfriend huh. And you two had to cool him down? Interesting." Mom said. We decided to tell her the truth because she was the kind of mother who didn’t care as long as it didn't directly involve Chad or I, and she was also the kind of mother who could keep secrets. Of course we didn't want to tell her about our powers yet but that kind of came naturally.

"So, what else exciting happened today? Anything I should know about, Jack?" She singled me out because of my recent activities in school. "Just so you know; your punishment is still in place for another two months. And I do expect you to be a man and carry it out. Got it, Jack?" I gulped as she said that. For her wrath, or the wrath of any woman, will bring you down to your knees. "Well, of course." I said wearily, "Good. Now go along." "Hey mom, would you mind not telling dad about the whole Kato incident. You know how he can't keep a secret." "Sure." She winked as she said it and walked away.

"Dude, what punishment did she give you?" Chad said, "Well, she's making me do her laundry." "Oooo, that bites. Well that wasn't as bad as the punishment mom gave me last year." "Really, what was it?" "I...had to rub her feet anytime she wanted it for a month. My hands never smelled the same since." "I forgot what you did. What was it?" "Oh, I stole the female teacher's panties right off her." "Was she hot?" "Oh, Yeah..." "Dude, do you still have the panties?" Yup, there still in my room hanging on a picture frame on the wall." "THOSE PANTIES!!!!!! Those are a G-string!" "Yep, I went for the gold." "Hey, remember that time we "accidentally" blew that fire hydrant sky high." "Yeah, that went about twenty feet high!" "Man, we never ran so fast in are lives." "Yeah, Good memories, Good memories..."

So we talked all night about all our past naughty stories and past loves. And on that night, I think Chad and I really connected. It was a good thing too, because what happened next would test our bond. The next day, Kato and Nora came running like chickens with their heads cut off toward the junkyard. "JACK! CHAD! YOU NEED TO SEE THIS!" He screamed as ran into one of my fireballs. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I'M ON FIRE! I'M ON FIRE! I'M ON FIRE!" He screamed as he ran around in circles. "Hold still! I'll put you out." Chad said as he grabbed Kato by the shirt collar and put out the fire with an ice ball. "Dude! Are you ok?!" I exclaimed, "I'm so sorry." "NO I'M NOT OK! LOOK AT MY PANTS!" It took a couple minutes and another whispering from Nora to calm him down. I did leave a hole in his pants where the fireball hit and he was pretty mad. To apologize I cooked some hot dogs he brought. When I asked him why he brought hot dogs was he said he knew I could cook those with my powers. I melted the soles of his sneakers, and everyone except Kato laughed. "Aw man, these were my best shoes." Kato said, "Don't worry," Chad said, "I can fix it." So Chad shot an ice ball at each of his feet...and froze them to the ground.

http://www.drunkduck.com/community/view_category.php?cid=236&tid=24926

At that link you can request for someone to make your story a comic

I think this is really good material for a comic. It has all the necessary ingredients and tons of chances for you to play with characters' expressions, positions, angles, the works! I definitely think you should get it done that way.

However, if it were to become a book, it needs a lot of work yet. The beginning is a little awkward for a book/story. I would need more information on setting, and more decriptions, and more explanations about what motivates each character. In short, this is a good skeleton (I especially liked the scene where he chose his powers!) for any story in any medium, but as it is now, it would need to be very fleshed out before it satisfied a reader as a short (or long) story. For a comic, I think it can be a ravishing read (as you will be providing all the requirements I mentioned for a story, and more, through the art).

Don't give it up, continue it, and don't stop writing. (and I mean, also work on writing stories. You have power in your writing, which you only need to hone ;) )

Good job! Can't wait to see it up on the Duck!!

I quite liked it. But it all goes so fast. When writing a story and having to come up with it, it probably feels like you already let a lot of things happen and you've written a lot of it, but readers may have a different experience. I found it quite awkward whenever one of your characters was going to 'tell the whole story' to the other, when I as a reader tought "Err, there isn't THAT much to tell, is there?" That's maybe where illustrations may come in handy, it would make it all seem longer I think (so it doesn't really matter).

The story (so far) is also a little obvious sometimes here and there, but I still enjoyed reading it. Good luck with finding someboddy to draw it! I wonder if it would look a little the same as the imaginations I get in my head with this.

"WHY DOES THIS S*** KEEP HAPPENING TO ME!!!!!!" Kato yelled as he tried to break free of the ice, but to no avail. "Maybe you're just cursed." Nora said to him. "I DON'T WANNA BE CURSED!!!!!!" Chad wined. "Well I could melt you out, Kato." I said. "NO!! NO MORE OF ANYONE'S POWERS!!!!!!!!!" Kato screamed as he still tried to break free from the ice. "Kato just listen, now if you let Jack defrost you I'll let you..." Nora softly spoke to him. The rest was whispering we couldn't hear but whatever it was, Chad and I knew two things. That it was dirty, and that it did the trick. "Ok, do it. Defrost me." "Ok, hold still." I said to Kato. I shot a mini fireball at both of his feet and they were defrosted immediately. "Well, besides the wetness I'm fine. Thanks." "Don't mention it." So we all sat down and ate our cooked hot dogs. While we were eating Chad asked what Kato and Nora wanted to tell us before all the craziness started.

"Oh, that's right! Jack, Chad, you've got to see this. I picked this up on the way here." Then Kato took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolded it, and handed it to Chad and I. It said,

One Night Only!
In Madison Square Gardens!
The 1st Annual Combat Tournament! All Fighting Arts and Styles Welcome! All Ages Can Enter! 1st Prize is 500,000$! 2nd prize is 250,000$! Both 1st and 2nd Place also get Free Registration for the Next Tournament! 100$ Registration Fee! Enter or Order Tickets Now by Phone or online at WWW.Madisonsquaregardens.com! Payments maid payable by cash, check, or credit card. Order today!

Madison Square Gardens is not responsible for the health or well being of contestants entered in this tournament. Or, for bruised egos, injury, dismemberment, or death. All rights reserved.

"So, what does have to do with us?" Chad said after reading it. "C'mon Chad, think about it! This would be the perfect way to test out both of your powers! That, and 1st and 2nd place are cash prizes, and if both of you enter, you can finally find out who's better." Kato said. "Yeah but here's one problem, How are we going to get 200$!" "He's got a point." Nora said. "It's not like they can go up to their parents and ask them for 200$ now can they." "Kato, how long do we have until registration is closed?" I asked. "About a week, why?" "Because that's how much time we have to raise the money. Alright, we're going to need to do a lot of odd jobs. Our personal monetary goal is 50$. I'll cut lawns for 5$ a lawn. Chad, since you have ice powers, sell ice cream =1$, and/or snow cones = 50 cents. Kato, well... do whatever you're good at and charge 5$. And Nora, get three of your friends and do a carwash. Charge 20$ a car and split the profits four ways. Does, everyone agree on this?" Everyone agreed except Kato, who wanted to work with Nora. When we all said no, he decided to work on his own. And we all split up to work and moved out of the junkyard.

* * *

2 days later we came back to the junkyard to see what we earned. "Well, I gained 60$." I said. "I gained 120$" Nora said. "I gained bout 30$." Chad said. "Well, I didn't gain a thing. Sorry. "Kato said with a whimper. "WHAT!" We all yelled at him. "What, you still got enough anyway." Kato said. "That's not the point Kato!" I yelled. "This was a team effort, and you didn't pull your own weight! Why I otta..." "Jack, let me handle this. Come here Kato!" Nora yelled. Kato whimpered as he went over to his girlfriend, knowing the fate that awaited him would be not good. "Well, he's dead. You better start looking for a new best friend Jack." Chad implied. "I'll put an ad in the paper later." I joked along with Chad. "Who knows? Maybe he'll just get neutered." "You know that's a fate worse than death?" "Yep, I do."

Sorry for the inconvenience, but we can't tell you what Nora does to Kato. It's too graphic and we wanted to b******s. Sorry. ^_^ Now, where were we? Oh yes. Nora came out first. Then Kato came out with the most horrible look on his face. Whatever Nora did to him, I knew two things. That Kato wished he pulled his own weight, and he learned never to piss off a woman ever again.

"What did you do to him?" Chad asked hesitantly, as if he was unsure if he wanted to know the answer. "Well, let Kato tell you." She said with a smirk. "But I assure you, when there's work to be done, he'll pull his own weight from now on. I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow. Bye." And with that, she walked out of the junkyard.

"What did she do to you Kato?" I asked. "W-Well she..." Sorry again, But we still can't tell you what happened to Kato. It is still too graphic and violent to tell you. We are very sorry for this interruption. Now back to the story. "Man, that's bad. I feel sorry for you Kato" I said, "HA HA HA HA HA HAH! That was great! I sure don't envy you!" Chad roared, "THAT WASN'T FUNNY! I could've died..." Kato said in despair.

"Come on, let's go home guys. We'll train tomorrow." I said. "Yeah, alright. I'll agree with that." Chad said. 'Besides, I think there's been enough excitement for someone around here." "I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!" Kato yelled. "Yeah, yeah, alright." As we all went out of the junkyard, none of us noticed a pair of eyes watching us from behind a pile of rubble...

The next day, everyone came back for training when suddenly Kato just realized something. "Oh S***!" Kato screamed. "I can't believe I forgot about this!" "What did you forget?" Asked Nora. "I forgot to tell you guys about the preliminary rounds! Some of the rounds require a contestant to use weapons! "What!" I screamed. "How could you forget something as important as that! Now we can't compete because Chad and I don't heave any weapon training! Hell! We've never even held a weapon! Kato, sometimes you are an Idiot!" "But, he our idiot!" Chad screamed sarcastically as he patted Kato on the back.

"Im sorry. I don't know why I forgot about it." Kato whimpered. "Maybe it's just me, but are you a little jealous of Jack and Chad, Kato? Nora questioned. "W-what do you mean? I don't think I'm jealous. Am I?" "Well, maybe subconsciously you are. That's why you probably forgot all about it." "Kato. You have no reason to be jealous of Chad and I. Hell, we should be jealous of you. You're the one who has a girlfriend." I said. "Ya know, I never thought of it that way." Kato said, "I thought with all your powers you guys would become jerks. I've dealt with jerks all my life, and they've always gotten the better of me so, when I realized you two were actually gonna go through with entering the tournament, if one of you won, I thought you'd get a big head and start trying to boss me around and pick on me. Maybe that's why I forgot. I'm sorry."

"Don't sweat it." Chad said, "That would never happen to us. Because we've got a friend like you to make sure that doesn't happen. Besides, Jack should be jealous of you. At the rate he's going, He's going to be a 40-year-old virgin! Hahahahahahahahaha!" "What did you just say you little jerk!" I yelled in anger. Chad laughed as he started to run. "Get back here you evil little..." "Guys!" Kato yelled. "This still doesn't solve the problem about the weapons! So, what are you gonna do!"

"Oh damn, your right! What are we gonna do, Chad! The tournament starts in three days!" I said to Chad in despair and thought. "I don't have a clue. Looks like we can't enter." Chad unhappily said. "Damn it!" I yelled as a pounded the ground with my fist. "There just has to be a way! There has to!"

And as to answer Chad and my problem, a solution came. Suddenly, flames erupted from my hand, taking the shape of a sword, and then creating one. The same thing happened to Chad, only with icy mist and a scythe. Then the crest on my hand came off my hand and formed a kite shield and went into my left hand. The same thing happened to Chad except it was a pair of glistening blue bracers. And when it was all over, when I looked at my new sword, a voice in my head said to me... "Flame Saber." And when I looked at my new shield, the same thing happened only it said... "Z Shield." "Wha-what are those things." Kato shockingly asked, looking at my new sword and shield and Chad"s new scythe and bracers. "Apparently, they're weapons." I said.


* * *

yeah, i agree with the other commenter here. i think it would be a great script for a comic, but the writing porbably needs a couple of revisions. but as a comic, this would be fantastic! (^^) i'd help, but im already really busy with my own comics! sry (^^)

Like everyone else, this would make a killer comic. And I love this story. keep up the good work!

Heh, pretty good story you got here dude. Nicely done.

Thanks everyone. Zander and I appreaciate the critisim (or lack thereof). And here's more!

We decided to train with our new weapons all day, and they were very effective. And I mean VERY effective. From paper to steel, the cut through anything their blades came across. But we touched the blades, no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't cut ourselves. "That's interesting. Let me take a look at your sword, Jack." Nora said. "I'm a wicken, so I tell if it's magic or not." "Sure." I said as I handed her my weapon. She looked at it for about five seconds. Then something happened that none of us expected. The sword disappeared in a flash of flames and reappeared in a flash of flames in my hand. "Definitely magic." Nora said. "Looks like these weapons were made for you guys." "Well, looks like we won't lose by being disarmed." Chad said. "Woah, Chad wait a minute." I said. "We can't do this kind of stuff in the arena. Remember the talk we had? It applies there too."

"Oh, right. So, how do we get these weapons home without anyone knowing? Cus I'm not leaving this here." "Well, umm, maybe you don't have to." Kato said. "What do you mean the don't have to?" Asked Nora. "Maybe we can take them until the tournament. That way they'll..." "WRONG!" Nora said. "Remember what just happened a few minutes ago? As soon as we got them, they would just come back to Jack and Chad." "Then what exactly are we going to do?" I said puzzled.

Just then the answer came to both of us at the same time. The weapons disappeared with a flash of flame and icy mist, and the shield and bracers shrunk and went back to our right hands. "Well, that's convenient." Chad said. "Yeah, but how you get them back." Kato pondered. We all thought about it until... "I've got it!" Chad exclaimed. "Jack, did a voice say in your head the name of your weapon and shield?' "Yeah, it did. Why?" I said. "Well, try shouting the name aloud." 'You're kidding me, right?" "No. Just do it." "Alright, but I don't think it will work."

So I concentrated on the image of the sword that the fates have given me and said, "Flame Saber!" And just like before, it appeared in a flash of flames. "Z Shield!" I yelled. And as before again, the crest on my hand transformed again into the shield. "Well, at least we know how to summon them." Kato said. "But I still don't know how you de-summoned them." "I can tell you the answer to that too." Chad said. "Jack, just think about your sword and shield disappearing. I think that's how you de-summon them." So I did, and it happened just as Chad predicted. They disappeared in a flash of flames.

"Damn, you were right for once. It's a miracle." I said to Chad, "Well it's not my fault you have selective hearing." Chad snapped right back, "That's why you have a C average while I"m getting A's." "Why you little...!" "Enough! You two don't have enough time to argue! The tournament is in three days! And you guys need a little more flare in your performance." "I have to agree with her on this." Kato said. "You guys need more style in your fighting. Maybe you guys need to use your pow..." "NO!" I screamed. "We can't risk using our powers in public! Do I have tell you the explanation I discussed with Chad!" "You do not want to hear this guys." Chad said. "It is excruciatingly boring."

For the next few minutes we argued about what should we do about our performance but with no avail. Then we decided the hell with it and to take the next three days off to rest. This would mean that we would be relying a lot on instinct than strategy, but we were confidant in our powers and ourselves to take that break. Besides, it wouldn't have been wise to work ourselves too hard and be tired for the entire tournament. So basically we goofed off all the time while the three days rolled by. But on the day before the tournament, Chad was looking really down all day so I decided to talk to him.

"What's wrong Chad? What's with the gloominess? Your not getting sick on me are you?" I joked at him right after dinner. "What do you mean? I'm fine." He said back to me with an unfortified voice. "Come on Chad. I know you better than that. There's something bothering you, isn't it? Come on, spit it out." "Well... it's just that I'm nervous. Aren't you?" "Heh, of course I am. Then again, I think all people get nervous just before the storm." "Yeah well, what if the other contestants are just too skilled for us. They outmaneuver us and we're done. And well, I don't want to make a fool out of myself. I mean, what if I lose in the first round and someone from school is watching. It just takes one person to spread it around and then I'll be the laughingstock of the whole school. I wouldn't wish that on anyone much less myself. Maybe I shouldn't enter and save myself the embarrassment..."

"Snap out of it!" I yelled, "Don't think like that! So what if happen you lose in the first round and someone from school sees it! At least you had the balls to even attempt it! I doubt anyone in school would even think to attempt even entering! Sigh... listen, you'll do great. I know you. You're the kind of person who can think your way out of almost anything. I don't know how many times you got yourself out of trouble with Mom and Dad, (Usually by making it look like I did it... '-_-) and coming out unscaved. You think up of amazing plans and brilliant strategies right on the spot. And you notice thing that most people overlook. You see through deception, and that is your greatest gift. And for all these reasons, I think you will not only do great, but you will meet me at the final round to see which will come out on top."

Chad just looked at me with shock and amazement. At that point I didn't know what he was going to do next. He looked down for a couple of seconds, looked back up, smiled, and said, "Ya know, you're right. I shouldn't be down on myself. Now I'm gonna fight harder than ever in that tournament! So you better come prepared Jack... cus I'm gonna give you everything I got!" I smiled and said to him. "I wouldn't want it any other way." "Well, I better get some sleep." Chad said as got up. "I don't want to be sleepy for the tournament. And by the way, thanks." I just smiled at him as he walked to his bedroom, and as I walked to my own, knowing that tomorrow we would both would receive the greatest battle that we would ever have in our lives. What we didn't know, was that battle would be just be a warm-up to what we would have to face, and that we would almost lose everything for what we would have to do. The true battle was about to begin.

* * *

AWE. SOME. 0.0

Finally figured out how to reply here...
The Story is great so far!

Hey all you fans out there! Sorry it took so long, but I finally updated! I have exams now so it's been really hecktic here. If you guys have any questions about the advetures of Jack and Chad, Aka: X and Zero, PQ me. And now onto the update!

It was early when we got up the next day. "Guess you couldn't sleep either huh?" I said to Chad. "Yeah, I'm still a little bit nervous, even with the pep talk you gave me last night. I'm still worried about the opponent's ability to maneuver around us." "Well, I wouldn't worry about that Chad." "Why's that?" So I told his all the details of the fight with Eric and about the slowed time with it. "Hmmmmm, well I don't know if the same thing will happen to me though. Or if it will happen to you again." "You have a good point... wait a second. Let's just forget about it and meet up with Kato and Nora okay?" "Yeah, let's go." And so we both sped off to Kato's house. Fortunately, the tournament was on a Saturday so we didn't have to skip school. When we arrived, Nora was there waiting for us.

"So what did you use as an excuse to get out for the day?" Nora said as soon as we got there. "We didn’t use an excuse. We told the truth and that was good enough for our parents." Chad said to her. "You told them you were going on a field trip, didn't you." "No, well... damn it." "You even falsified the permission slips, didn't you?" "Well, Jack did that." "One of my many talents." I said with a smirk. "So, how did you get out?" "Unlike you two, I told the truth about where I was going. Sure I didn't tell my true intentions, but it still worked.' Nora said back.

So we waited around Kato's house while he was getting ready to go. Chad and Nora got into an argument about weather it was right or not to lie to your parents that ended up with a smack in the face for Chad, and a mouth frozen shut for Nora. While they were arguing, I decided to look around the house for a minute or two. I ran into Kato’s mom while I was looking around and she offered to give us breakfast. We all gladly accepted and sat down at the kitchen table.

"So Jack and Chad I know." Said Kato's mom while flipping the pancakes. "But who are you young lady?" "Oh, I'm Nora. I'm Kato's new friend from school." We all snickered in the back of our minds. Kato's mom had no idea that Kato even liked girls yet. So it was safe to say that that him having a girlfriend wouldn't have even crossed into her mind and she would probably freak out on him if found out.

"So it's safe to say you just moved here? Because I haven't seen you around." "Yeah, My family and I just moved here a month ago, and Kato was one of the first friends I made." Nora said back. "Well, I better get him down here. Yue! Sarah! Breakfast!" "Yue?" Nora whispered to me. "Kato's first name." I whispered back.

And so we saw Kato come down sleepily in his street clothes. But when he saw Nora sitting there he woke up real quick. 'N-Nora, Jack, Chad, you guys are here early. Earlier than I expected." Kato said with shock and uneasiness. I guess he didn't want Nora and his mother to meet yet. 'They decided to show up early I guess." Kato's mom said back to him. "Where's your sister?" "She said she’d be down in a minute." So Kato sat down right by Nora and started to eat breakfast. I finished first and went upstairs to use the bathroom. As soon as I got out I heard a crash form Kato's room. It was a light crash so no one downstairs heard it so I investigated myself. When I got there, I saw Sarah, Kato's little sister, picking up pieces of something broken all over the floor.

"So that's what I heard." I said to her. "I-I'm sorry. Don't tell Yue about this. He’ll kill me if he knew I was in his room and broke his glass case holding his baseball bat signed by Babe Ruth." She weakly said back. You could tell she was really scared by her voice. She seemed really shy for a 12-year-old girl. Long, brown hair, deep hazel eyes, and she was very tall for her age. Looked a lot like her mother. "You did what! He is going to be mad. But don't worry. I won't tell. But how did you break it anyway?'" "Oh! W-well, I just opened the door and the doorknob hit the case." She said as she as she moved away from me, Shyly. "I just wanted to know what he wanted me to do with his chore list. He left it in the bathroom." "Well it's kinda his fault anyway for leaving it there in the first place. But I still won't tell ok?" "Thank you."

So I helped her clean up the mess that happened and threw it away for her. As I said, I didn't tell what happened to Kato and I figured he'd find it out for himself. So we both went downstairs and ate breakfast. "So your Kato's sister? It's nice to meet you. I'm Nora." Nora said as she met Sarah. "Um... It's nice to meat you too, I guess..." She said shyly. I guess she was shy around all strangers. "Well um, how do you know Yue?"

"We met in school and we became fast friends." "Very fast." Chad implied and right after was jabbed in the side very hard by Kato. "What the f*** are you thinking!" Kato whispered. "What! Can't I give them I little hint?' "No! Do you want me to get disowned?!"

And so it went like that until we were done with breakfast. Kato's mom and sister seemed to have no clue, but Kato still gave it to Chad for giving away too much. When asked by Kato's mom what we were doing and we were going, he told her a half-truth. He told her he was going into the city for a field trip. She told him to be careful and sent us on our way.

And so off we went to New York City. We all had never been to the city, so we always wondered what life in the city would be like. Would it all be the hustled, crowded, city of broken dreams we have all been told about? Or would we find a place of kindhearted people who actually had some decency. When we got there, we found out it was both. It was defiantly a busy city. We saw thousands of people just walking to where they needed to go. Cars crowded the streets like one, giant traffic jam. The streets were dirty and littered with paper and metal and glass and anything else that you think of. But even through that we could see the culture of the people. The court where the people played street ball, the rappers and the break-dancers on the corner, the woman playing the violin, or the street performers performing for money, there is so much more that I can't tell you but I could feel it. The spirit of a people with a will of iron and an unbreakable hope the things could be better tomorrow. And I was proud to see it.

Nice!

Hello everyone. Yes, another update. I'm on fire! I warn you now tho, this update is special. It involves somthing bad, Very bad. Read on if you dare, but don't say I didn't warn you.

"Ah, New York. What a town." Kato said as he entered the city. We all thought the exact same thing as we went in too. "So, we all know where the Gardens are, right?" Nora asked. We all nodded. "Good, then when do we have to be there Kato?" "10:00 to register, and it's 7:00 now." "Good. Then we can sightsee. I've always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty." "Yeah, and I've always wanted to see Ground Zero. Y'know, where the terr..." We shut Chad up before he could finish. The near mention of than subject would attract too much attention to us, as well get us into a fight. That was a bad memory for the city. A memory they wanted to forget. "What? What did I say?" Chad didn't understand why this was such a big deal. My Mom and Dad and seen when it happened. The terrorist attacks on 9-11. I had seen them as well through the video archives at the library. It was horrible. The plane crashes into the Twin Towers that eventually lead to the collapse of the two building as well as the deaths of hundreds of people. It was the one, if not the worst disaster in U.S. history.

"Lets just go Chad. We'll see it after the tournament." I said. "Alright?" Chad said confused. So the four of us marched off to the Madison Square Gardens through the crowded streets. As we were walking, we all heard crying coming from a back alley that the others decided to ignore. But a softhearted person like me couldn't stand it. "Jack, where are you going?! We don't have time!" Nora said. "Can't you hear the crying? Come on we have to investigate." "Jack, it's New York. Everyone here is unhappy with something and besides, it's not our business. So let's just go." But I didn't listen. I ran to the crying as fast as I could. "Jack! Damn it! Sigh, come on after Jack." It was a good thing we ran there too. For what I saw when I got there needed help.

"Do it! Do it or I kill you where you stand!" "N-No, please don�t do this..." "Do you want to die! Do you! Then do it!" We all walked in on a man holding a young girl at gunpoint. "Now do it!" Yelled the armed man. "N-No, I won't. I-I won't let you rape me." "Then I'll blow your brains out and rape your dead body! Would you like that huh!" "I-It would be better that letting you." He backhanded her. "Heh. Oh well, that�s too bad. I like the live ones. But sex is sex."

I clenched my fist. I felt so much anger and hate toward him. The atrocity that he made was unforgivable. "Chad, let's get him." "Jack! Are you insane?! He has a gun! I'll call the police and they'll handle it." Kato said to me. "No, it'll be too late by then. We have to do something." "Jack's right. If we don't do something, she dies." Chad said to Kato. "Listen, both of get out of sight and call the police while Chad and I take care of this. And don't worry about us. Now go." "But..." Kato said back. "Kato, trust them. Let's go." Nora reassured him. "R-Right. Just be careful you two." Kato said as he ran off with Nora to get the police. We both smirked as he said that and then focused our attention at the rapist...

"Alright little girl, time to say goodnight." He said with a sneer as he cocked the handgun. "Hey you! The s***bag with the peashooter! Pick on someone your own gender!" Chad yelled as we leapt from our hiding place. He looked across the alley and saw us standing there, ready to fight. "Hahaha! What is this! You two little boys better run home before you both get hurt." He said laughingly. "You're the one who better leave before you get hurt. And I will make sure you get hurt." I said in a pissed off tone. "That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble. Like right now!" He said as he fired the gun three times. And as soon as he fired, something happened. Something familiar. Everything seemed slow to my eyes... then I remembered. It was the same thing that happened to me when I was fighting Eric! The bullets were going so slow that I could even see the sound waves coming off the bullet as they flew! And so as they came at me, I caught them all. All three shots. Then the slowed time stopped and I smirked. "You can't defeat us." I showed him the bullets in my hand and as they fell to the ground, his gun fell with them. The rapist just stood there in shock and horror. Then he suddenly said... "Your, your not human!" Then he started to run away. "I got him." Chad said as he kneeled down and put his hands to the floor. Then with those hands, he made an ice trail that followed the man and eventually caught up and froze his feet to the ground.

"What the hell! What is this! I can't get out! Arrrrgh!" He tried to break free from the ice a lot like Kato tried, and with the same result. "He's all yours Jack. I know how you wanted to take a sock at him." Chad said to me. "Thanks. It'll be my pleasure." I said back to Chad. I ran at lightning speed and whacked him in the stomach. His feet broke free from the ice and went flying into a brick wall. He was knocked out instantly. Then I heated the asphalt until it was liquid and put the rapist in it. Then Chad cooled it until it was solid again, trapping him. "Well, that takes care of him." I said as I gave Chad five. "And I don't think he'll ever forget this ever in his life." Chad said. Then we both realized the girl was still there, very shocked.

"Oh crap! We forgot about her!" Chad said as he rushed to her. "Are you ok?" She edged back slowly away from Chad. "What'd I do?" Chad asked me "Chad, she's probably really scared right now. We should just go." "W-Wait!" she said. "So are you gonna try to rape me too or are you gonna kill me first." She said with bitterness and hatred. We both just stood there in shock and amazement. She was definitely a New Yorker. She had the same spirit that I had seen just and hour before when I entered the city. "Why the hell would you even think that! After we just rescued you!" I said to her. "Jack, calm down. She's probably not very trusting right now." Chad said to me. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that." "So if the both of you aren't gonna rape or kill me, then why save me? I don't know you." She said to us with suspicion. "Well, it's simple." Chad said. "We did it because it was the right thing to do, plain and simple. Well, that and it was good practice for the tournament." She just looked at him. "Ok then smart guy, answer this. How did you guys do what you did? Ya know, the whole freezing and melting thing." "Umm, well, you see..." For the first time in my life, I had just seen Chad speechless. It was actually pretty funny to see. Suddenly, we heard sirens in the distance. "Crap! Chad, we have to go. Now!" I said as I grabbed Chad by the arm and pulled him. "Wait! How the hell do I explain this to the Cops!" The girl yelled to us as we ran. "Just tell them that you were knocked out and didn't see what happened! And don't mention us!"

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Have you ever heard of fictionpress.com? It's a site where people can post their stories and poetry. You should definitely consider posting your story there =)
( I've got a story posted there as well, but I only have the intro done xD; )

Ah only in New York. And welcome back.

Hey again guys. I want to know what you think. Did I go too far? If you read the story you'd know.

Mentioning it was ok, but unless you want this to be adault only, don't actualy describe it in the story. it was still pretty good though. Keep it up!!

just so you guys know i am the artist for the story im just still working on my art

P.S. yes im Zander the one whos helping make this story

Yes everyone, the guy above me is the actual Zander.

I've Risen from the Grave! WhoHoo! That's right, I'm back with another update! I hope you guys like it.

And off we ran into the main street, blending with the crowd. "I guess it was a good thing that we helped that girl, right?" I said to Chad as we blended in. "Yeah, I guess. But what if she actually tells the truth?" Chad questioned me. "Well, I don't think she will. I saw it in her eyes. Besides, who'd believe her?" It took us a long time to navigate the city without Kato. He brought a map with him. Said we need it. For once he was actually right. It took us so long to find the Gardens that by the time we got there, we had only 15 minutes left to register. We saw Kato and Nora and rushed over to see them.

"So, what happened with the cops when they got there?" Chad asked Nora. "Well, you two did a number on the guy you fought." Nora explained. "He had a broken nose, shattered jaw, and it took them a half-hour to chisel the guy from the asphalt you put him in." "What about the girl we saved? She seemed alright when we spoke to her." "Well, she said she was knocked out so she didn't see who saved her. When she came to, the guy was already like that." "Told ya." I said to Chad. "Wait, you asked her to lie to the Cops? Isn't that like a federal offence?" Kato pondered. "Of course they did." Nora said. "If you were the police, and you were told that two pre-teens defeated an armed rapist and put him in asphalt with fire and ice powers, would you believe them? They'd think you be crazy, on something, or have head trauma." "But what did you two tell them?" I asked. "They did question how you knew, right?" "Well, of course. We just told them a little half-truth, that's all. They even offered to give us a lift here after they were done questioning us." "Well, looks like everything turned out fine." Suddenly, the P.A. rang...

"Attention all contestants. 10 minutes until registration closes. Once again, 10 minutes until registration closes." "Woah, we better go register Jack!" Chad exclaimed as he started to run. "Right. Let's go!" I said as I ran. We got to the registration counter and submitted our names. "Ok, everything looks good." Said the helpdesk person checking our records via PC. "Ok Jack, for the preliminaries you are in Block A, #1, Adult Tournament." "Alright!" I said as I gave Kato five. "And Chad will be in Block H, #16, Junior Tournament." "Alri..." I stopped myself.

"What do you mean, 'Junior Tournament'!" Chad yelled in anger. "Well, didn't you know?" The man said. "Ages 5-12 are separated from the older contestants into a separate Tournament. See, those who have officially become a teenager are much stronger that those who haven't. They would be no match for them. That's why they are separated. And you officially turn into a teenager at the age of 13, and you unfortunately are 12. So, I'm sorry but you can't enter the Adult Brackets. It's ironic though. The same spot for the adult bracket is still up. Anyway, it's either the Junior Tournament, or sign up again next year. I'm sorry. Next!"

Chad stood there crushed. "Don't worry Chad. I'm going to fight for your right to enter the Adult Tournament. You can count on that!" I said enraged. I went back up to the counter and demanded that Chad be entered in the Adult Bracket but the guy just wouldn't bend the rules. I was at the point of yelling when Chad stopped me. "Jack, give it up. It's not gonna happen. Don't worry. I'll enter the Junior Tournament. Who knows? Maybe there will be an exhibition match against the two winners." He faintly said. "NO! I'm not going to give up! There has to be a way!

"Wait!" Nora exclaimed. "Didn't the guy say that the same spot was open for the Adult Bracket?" "Yeah, so?" "Well I have an idea, but I need Kato to do it. Do you want to go for it Kato?" "I'll do anything to help." Kato said. "I'll be able to make up for the mistake I made earlier with the weapon slip up. So what do I have to do?" "Just follow me and play along. Now here's the plan everyone. Kato and I will make a distraction and the helpdesk guy will leave his post. When that happens, go to his PC and change your age, Chad. Is everyone ready?" "Yes!" The rest of us said in unison. "Alright, let's do it." "Wait! How will we know what the distraction is?" I said. "Trust me, you'll know."

A word of warning: as I said at the beginning, this story is not for the faint of heart. This is one of those parts where a shock will happen. If you wish to continue reading, that is fine. Just don't say I didn't warn you. Now, where was I? Oh yes. And so Kato and Nora dashed off leaving both Chad and I puzzled about what she was planning. We both stayed near the counter, waiting for the chance to strike. Suddenly we heard the distraction. Nora was moaning! And not only that, but screaming too! She was faking an Orgasm! The man at the desk quickly moved away to see who was making that sound. We quickly went to the PC and got Chad's file and changed the age and closed it up. Soon enough Nora stopped but not without causing quite a commotion all around the garden. And not without saying stuff like "Oh yes!" and "Finger me Kato!" Needless to say, they were thrown out. And as soon as the man came back we asked for him to double-check Chad's profile and you could imagine the surprise on his face. He apologized for the inconvenience and put Chad in the Adult Bracket in the exact same place where he was going to be in the Junior Bracket. As soon as it was done, we went outside to check on Nora and Kato as well as congratulate them on a great performance.

"That was amazing!" I said to them and greeted them. "That was some distraction! I don't know weather to kiss or kill you guys! And Nora! I didn't know you even fake it let alone so well!" Both Kato and Nora started blushing. "Wait a minute!" Chad exclaimed. "You two actually did it! Kato, you actually fingered Nora!' "Hehehe. Well, yeah I kinda did." Kato said as he scratched the back of his head. "YOU WHAT!" I screamed. "Was this your plan all along Nora!" "Well, yeah." She said embarrassingly. "You see, I'm really not good at faking it so I made Kato actually do it to me." Both Chad and I just stood there dumbfounded. "I said the exact same thing guys." Kato said. "But then she reminded me of the weapon mess-up and I agreed to it." Suddenly Chad blurted out, "I always knew you had it in you Kato!" And as he said it he patted Kato's back. "This is so messed up." I thought to myself. "Oh well, at least Chad and I are in the Tournament now." And so we all laughed at it, and walked back into the building.

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WTF!?!?! THAT is way too far! It's ok if they fake it, but if they actually do somthing like that, you'll lose the audience! Sorry, but I just had to say that. Anyway, that was pretty clever, but please don't do it again. it's sick and wrong.

Really? When I wrote it, I thought it was funny as hell. And I did warn you.

*Sigh* Thats true. Sorry for snapping like that.