Orso Fiction 008-A Friendly Competition (Part 2 of 3)[]
“Well, that was a pretty uneventful first third of the contest.”, Stacie noted sadly. “Brittney didn’t do very much.”
“Well, we’ve got a good group for this next part.”, Katie said with a smile. “And there’s the mysterious partner of Matt’s…”
The other Guardians laughed.
“Yeah…That Alex Carroll. He thinks he’s sneaky…”, Zach said. “Alright, any volunteers to play with the little ones?”
“I will.”, Mike Fornaro said, his willingness to do actual work surprising all present. “What? I’m bored right now. It might be fun.”
“I might as well.”, Adrien Wagner said with a smile. “Give me something to do, you know?”
“Count me in, too.”, Matt Carney said. “Zach’s been telling me good things about this Nick kid. Maybe he’s right about any of them.”
“Alright, then that’s the three of us. Matt, Adrien and Mike. You guys know where you want to head?”
The three nodded.
“Go have fun, guys. See you in an hour.”
The three scattered, heading off on their own separate paths. The others sat back and started watching the monitors relaying information about the six teams. Zach sighed contently. This WAS turning out to be an excellent way to relieve his stress.
“It’s not really a long walk at all.”, Adam Ellerbrock said happily, looking at the GPS.
“Awesome.”, Ben replied. “We’ll get there in no time, with Lucy scouting from the ground, and TK scouting from the air.”
“I wonder if anyone else thought to use their Box Animals as extra pairs of eyes.”, Adam said, a little pleased with their idea.
---
“TATSU! We’re going to get there first!”, Nick screamed as he ran. Kelly shook her head, and tried to keep up with the Storm Officer and his mongoose.
---
“We’re going to kick so much ass in this round!”, Jake said with a grin. Adam nodded.
“So far so good. We’re basically at 100%, since we didn’t do anything last time!”, Adam responded.
---
“Every time I see that mask, I just more and more impressed.”, Brittney said with a smile. Cody grinned back.
“You didn’t have much of a chance to show it off, but that paintbrush of yours is pretty awesome, too.”, he said.
“So, who do you think will be wandering?”
“No idea. I feel like it all has to do with how bored the Primos are.”, Cody said with a laugh. “Whoever it is, it’ll be two on one, so we’re in a good spot.”
---
“Look! A bunny!”, Sammie shouted, as she released Derpy from his box. “Derpy! We’re going to catch that bunny!”
The cat stared at her, vaguely aware of his surroundings. Sammie squealed a bit, and hugged the cat.
“Oh, you’re so clever, Derpy!”
Alex shook his head. Gurren whined beside him. He patted the dog on the head.
“I know, Gur. I know. They’re clueless nuts, but they’re OUR clueless nuts.”
“Alex! Help me catch the bunny!”
“Coming, Sammie!”
---
“Do you think anyone suspects you?”, Matt asked.
“Not a chance.”, Alex said. “This is the perfect disguise. I’ve even been using illusions this whole time, to make myself look several inches taller. No one could possibly know who I am.”
“Oh. I thought you were just wearing big shoes.”, Matt replied. “This got a lot more competitive. Now, every other team has a Guardian or an Officer.”
“You’re forgetting that we’re one of those teams.”, Alex said with a smile.
“Oh…oh right. Still, Brittney and Cody will be tough to beat.”
“Matt, relax. I’m a master strategist. I’ve mapped out a dozen ways to fight them in my mind.”
“Really? A dozen?”
“Well…eight. But ‘a dozen’ sounds more impressive.”
“True.”
“That’s why I said it.”, Alex said. He then remembered what led him to this moment, in a conveniently timed flashback.
---
“Alex! I’m going to be entering Matt in the contest!”, Brittney told him
“So? You’re entering him in a contest between the family, which he belongs to. This isn’t impressive.”
“You’re no fun, Alex.”, the Rain Guardian pouted. “I was going to ask you for a favor. I want you to partner with him, if he gets picked.”
“Why would I do that? And how do you know it will involve partners?”
“Why? Because it lets you show off.”
“I do like showing off.”
“I know. And I know it involves partners because I heard Zach and Charlie brainstorming about it last month. I know everything it will involve. “
“Why don’t you want to partner with him?”
“This will be his introduction to the family! I want him to get a fun start.”
“You’ve got a weird sense of fun.”
“I know.”
“Alright. You just make sure he knows to pick me, and I’ll work with him, for sure.”
---
“Oh, hey, Alex, why are you wearing that?”, Matt asked. “I mean, I appreciate you being here, but I never said you had to keep your identity secret.”
“You want to know?”, Alex asked. “Then I’ll show you.”
He slowly opened the cloak to reveal that it was lined with dozens of Battery Boxes, boxes holding nothing but Dying Will Flames, stored, and ready to be released for whatever purpose needed.
“Whoa. You look like you’re packing for an army.”, Matt said, slightly amazed.
“I…I think I might be.”, Alex admitted. “I couldn’t bring myself to say anything to Zach, but…I think something terrible is about to happen.”
“Wait, what?!”, Matt asked.
“This cloak is lined with the same kind of gem they put in Mist rings. It’s perfect for covering myself in an illusion in case I need it…but it’s not a maneuver I’d like to have to use. It’s because I’m not perfect at the trick that I even need the gems. If it was just this contest, I wouldn’t have brought it…”
“What are you talking about?!”, Matt demanded.
“We don’t have time to discuss it.”, Alex said, beginning to run. “We need to make it back to Zach’s side as soon as possible!”
---
“I’ve been thinking, Nick.”, Kelly said.
“Yes?”, Nick replied after a moment.
“Who do you think it is that is wandering the trails we’re on?”
“Well, they’ll all be some of the Orso’s best.”
“But this test was open to everyone, right? Putting Guardians, or Officers, or Agents, against the usual member is a little much, even if we do get to work in pairs.”
“Huh…I didn’t think of that…But you’re right. Maybe they’re not going to stop us by fighting us. Maybe they serve a totally different purpose altogether… “
“Bingo!”, a voice from behind them called. Matt leapt down from the trees directly in front of them.
“Matt!”, Nick said, grinning.
“Nick…So, you’re the guy Zach says deserves my seat for the Second Generation.”
“That’s me.”, Nick said with a smile.
“Mind showing me why?”
“Not at all.”, Nick said, his heart racing. “Kelly, stay out of this.”
“But Nick-“
“Kelly! This is a fight I have to take for myself.”
“Fine.”, Kelly said, sitting on a log. “Have fun.”
“I’m sorry. It has to be this way.”, Nick said, feeling a little bad for his tone of voice. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Tatsu! We’re giving this all we have!”
Matt smiled, and opened his own Storm Box, releasing a Storm Cobra that wrapped around his right arm.
“Vulcan…This will be a good fight.”, he murmured to the snake. Tatsu, seeing his favorite food, licked his lips.
“Are you sure that’s smart?”, Nick asked teasingly. “Setting something against its natural predator?”
Suddenly, Matt vanished, and reappeared right behind Nick. He put a hand on his shoulder.
“I find myself asking that very question every time someone comes to fight me.”, he said with a big grin.
---
“So, you’re one of the three Primos wandering around?”, Brittney asked. Adrien smiled.
“That’s me. ‘Guardian’ is a pretty serious title. From what I’ve seen, you two totally deserve it.”, the Cloud Varia Officer told them. The two exchanged glances and smiled.
“But…I can’t help but be a little curious as to how good you’ll be at defending the Orso. Is it too much to ask that you show me what you’re made of?”
“You sound like we have a choice.”, Cody said suspiciously.
“Because you do.”, Adrien said. “Don’t worry, it won’t be anything too backbreaking. Just…a little show and tell.”
“What if we say no?”, Cody asked.
“Meh. I’m not going to hold you back any. I came to you because I think you’ve got the best chance of getting to your target, no matter who slowed you down. Anyone else, I might take away their chances of passing.”
“Interesting…So, what do we do?”, Brittney asked. Adrien smiled, igniting her ring with Cloud flames, and opening her box, releasing a Cloud Butterfly, a purple butterfly about the size of a dinner plate. It fluttered gracefully to Adrien’s finger.
“Her name is Venus. She’s the most beautiful of all the Primo Box Animals…”, Adrien said, trailing off. Then she smiled. “You can tell Zach picked it for me. Venus! Cambio Forma!”
The animal slowly changed shape, growing into an ornate purple bow. Adrien spun it in her hand once.
“This form is called Belle Frecce.”, she said. “It means ‘Beautiful Arrows’. It doesn’t actually come with arrows, though.”
She raised a hand to the flaming bowstring, and flames jumped to form an arrow. She pointed the bow at Cody.
“The arrows come from my Dying Will. Zach gave me this weapon so I’d never have to enter a battle myself, that I’d always be able to stay in the shadows, and attack from there. He tries too hard, to look out for me…”, she said, smiling a bit. “And since we’re allies, I guess I’ll let you know…Belle Frecce can also absorb flames around it, to fuel itself. So anything you launch at me, you might find shot back at you. Zach wants me to take all the troubles I face, and hit them back even harder. Now, that’s what I want out of you. Tell me why you think Zach gave you the weapons he did. None of these are accidents, you know. He’s put a lot of thought into them.”
Brittney and Cody looked at each other and shrugged, releasing Anubis and Osiris.
“Cambio Forma!”, both called. Anubis transformed into a staff, which ignited at the tip with Rain Flames, and Osiris tranformed into a small mask with curled horns, crackling with Thunder Flames.
“Maschera Rinata”, Cody said. “It means ‘Reborn Mask’. I guess…Zach wanted me to have this mask…Well, it powers me up like crazy, but it doesn’t do much special. I guess Zach didn’t feel like I needed any special tricks to win…”
“There’s more to it.”, Adrien said, launching her arrow. Cody instinctively formed a barrier of Thunder flames to block it. She turned to Brittney. “And you?”
“I know mine.”, the Rain Guardian said with a smile. ‘Pennello di Pace’ means ‘Paintbrush of Peace’. Just like Zach wants me to use my art to change the world, he wants me to use my power to make this world more peaceful. The Rain Flames tranquilize my enemies, and let me neutralize them easier. Zach hopes that Anubis and I will make the world more peaceful.”
Adrien smiled.
“That’s good. That’s what Zach told me for you, yep. You pass.”
“And me?”, Cody asked?”
“You’re missing a big point.”, Adrien said. “Think about the name.”
“Reborn Mask…”, Cody thought. Then he smiled. “Osiris, the Egyptian god, was once killed, and restored to life through the devotion of his family. This mask reflects devotion to one’s loved ones. And it’s a mask…I get the significance now. Zach knew Conner taking his place would be unpopular, and that some would argue that Conner wasn’t worth the spot. But he also chose me as his right hand man. He chose me because I’d be able to be the face of the family, that I could instill confidence in Conner, because I would be here to keep him on the right path. The family will be reborn into a second generation, and it will be my face that keeps it afloat until Conner can take the helm perfectly by himself.”
Adrien smiled, and returned Venus to her box.
“Exactly. Its Brittney’s task to paint a world of peace, and its Cody’s job to protect the family, even from internal concerns. You two can go ahead. You both pass, by my standards. Your point is about a 2 minute walk from here. No one else will stop you. Have fun in Round 3.”
Brittney and Cody nodded, and continued on their path. Adrien smiled and leaned against a tree.
“Yeah…Those two are going to do a lot of good…”, she thought. "Of course, Cody doesn't know the secret feature of that mask of his...and I hope he never has to learn it..."
---
“Here we are!”, Ben exclaimed. Adam pumped his fist.
“That was so easy! Go us!”, he shouted.
“It was almost too easy…”, Ben thought aloud. “I feel like the Primos should have stopped us, at least once…Maybe something’s holding them up?”
“Maybe. But what could hold up those guys?”
“Who knows? Ah well. We’re here! We pass!”
---
“Alright, Derpy! We’ll get it this time!”, Sammie shouted. “You stand right there, and I’ll chase it to you! Then you grab it!”
Alex sighed. This plan hadn’t worked the past eight times, and the cat didn’t appear to want to do anything beyond vacantly stare at Sammie. Gurren whined again.
“Well…this was fun while it lasted, buddy.”, Alex said, patting his head.
Derpy stared blankly at Sammie, who couldn’t help but hug it once more.
“Oh, Derpy. You’re so clever.”, Sammie said sweetly. Derpy blinked once, and she hugged it tighter. “So clever.”
---
Nick, panting heavily, faced Matt, who was holding Vulcan’s Cambio Forma, a massive flail. Equipped with Ciclone Predatore, Tatsu’s slingshot form, Nick had been holding his own, but Matt’s experience and raw power was keeping Nick from ever landing a good hit.
“Inferno Martello isn’t a power to underestimate, kid.”, Matt said. “This is why they call me ‘Hellstorm’. I’m like a demon when I’m holding this weapon.”
“But…But I WON’T lose!”, Nick shouted, launching another round of Storm flame bullets. Matt simply swung his flail, which deflected all of them upon collision.
“You’re good, Nick. Maybe not so good as me…But what the hell. I’ll let you pass.”, Matt said with a smile. “Your determination is exactly what being a Storm is about. I can’t wait to fight you again, once you’ve gotten a little better.”
“Matt…I won’t let you just leave this fight.”, Nick said with a small growl. “I need…I need to see…just how close I am to your level.”
“You’re going to pass up going onto the next round? To keep fighting with me?”
“Exactly. Sorry, Kelly. But I know I need to be stronger. To touch the level of the top Orso members, to fight off threats like Zeke…I need to be much stronger. Matt is the perfect sparring partner.”
“Its fine.”, Kelly said. “Have fun.”
“Thanks. Matt, will you do me the honor?”
“I was supposed to go to visit the other teams, but this is turning out pretty fun. Sure. I’ll play with you until the hour’s up.”
---
“We’re pretty close, like, a two minute walk.”, Adam said, looking at the GPS.
“Yeah? Well, we turned out pretty lucky. Not a single Primo found us.”, Jake replied.
“Yeah…That’s a little weird. Do you think they forgot about us, too?”
“Nah, man. They probably just thought that we’d pass anyway, so they’re with the others.”
“Yeah…Probably. Oh, hey, what’s that?”, Adam asked, pointing to a sleeping figure on the ground. He ran up, got a good look at it, and facepalmed. “It’s Mike.”
Adam shook Mike awake, who groggily checked his surroundings.
“Damnit, Adam. I was napping!”, he cursed.
“Um…Sorry. I thought it was your job to stop us.”
“But…but that doesn’t mean you have to make sure I enforce that! My job was a suggestion, not an actual rule.”
“Oh.”, Adam said, then paused. “You’re kind of stupid.”
“You’re a piece of shit, Adam.”
“So…can we leave?”, Jake asked.
“Well…I don’t want to fight you. That would take energy.”, Mike said. “But since you’re already here, you must answer my riddles three. Should you answer correctly, I shall let you pass.”
“What If we don’t?”, Adam asked. “You just said you don’t want to fight us.”
“Um…I…I guess I just let you pass then, too.”
“We don’t even need to answer, do we?”, Jake asked, a little amazed by the Agent’s terrible plan.
“I…I guess not.”
“Okay. Bye.”, Adam said, walking past Mike. Jake looked down at Mike, shrugged, and followed Adam.
“But…but my riddles three…”, Mike trailed off, a little hurt.
---
“Here we are.”, Alex said. “And without a single interruption.”
“Lucky?”, Matt asked. “You sound unhappy about it.”
“If I had been interrupted, it would have been easy to tell the Primo, secretly, what I think is going to happen.”
“What do you think IS going to happen?”, Matt demanded. “You’ve clammed up about it since you first mentioned it.”
“It’s…if I’m right, the whole Family is in danger again.”
“What’s going to happen, Alex!?”
---
Nearly forty-five minutes later, Nick and Matt were still fighting. Nick was bleeding all over his body, but Matt hadn’t been hit once.
“I…..I can still…..”, Nick wheezed. Suddenly, a bullhorn’s sound shot through the forest.
“Round 2 is over! If you could just stay where you are, Ted will be around to pick you up in Bear Force One in a second. Congratulations to everyone at their point! Welcome to Round 3!”, came Zach’s voice.
Nick slowly began to collapse. Before he hit the ground, however, he was caught by both Matt and Kelly.
“He’s not bad.”, Matt said. “Maybe a little single-minded, but I can tell he’s going to be a hell of an Officer. You take good care of him, alright?”
Kelly nodded.
“I’ll try to keep him out of trouble.”, she said, and Matt chuckled.
“Trouble seems to find guys like us, I’ve discovered. Just be at his side to make sure he’s able to stand up once it’s passed.”
“Will do.”
“Well…All that’s left is Round 3.”, Matt said, looking at the sky, and the helicopter passing over them. “Should be a good time.”
---
“Is everything set?”, James asked.
“Everything’s in place.”, Thomas responded. “I appreciate being the ones he picked to work on the security, but it was kind of rude of him to do it like he did.”
“Yeah…But that’s Alex for you.”, James said, tinkering with a knob.
“James, Thomas. I don’t have much time, but I need you to resign. You two understand the security much better than I do, and I think we’re all in grave danger.”, James remembered Alex making him hear, through an auditory illusion. “I’m going to hit you once. Pretend to be knocked out, and then immediately get to the surveillance center. Get ahold of Zach if anything looks out of place.”
“You don’t think he was lying, do you?”
“Not a chance. Alex might be a great trickster, but he’s got too much honor to cry wolf like that. Alright, sweeping…”, James said. His usual expression changed to one of horror. “No…No, this can’t be happening…”