After lunch, Tirinia, Mikaen, and Jeronem headed toward the arena in the west wing of the palace. As they neared the entrance, Tirinia asked, “So you and the Cygros started this game on Earth?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDoBQJjbx0 維尼
“Kind of,” replied Mikaen, raising his voice to be heard over the crowd, “It was more of a training exercise.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ99Yz3tgx 維尼
“I've never seen a slamm game before.” Jeronem yawned again; he had been sound asleep through most of the Council. “Not live, anyway.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk4sAY6Ltb 維尼
“I have.” Tirinia said, her voice charged with excitement, “My mother played on the Akxeliv Alliance when Teria and I were little. She always thought I'd make a good blader, but dad thought I'd be great as guardian.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gJDa0pqCj 維尼
“I bet so.” said Mikaen, eyeing her well-developed calf and arm muscles.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZw8wQn7pU 維尼
She blushed, no doubt sensing the direction his thoughts lay. There was something else, though; something that had been bothering her since he picked her up to go to the game. He didn't know if it was an effect of the bond between them or just his intuition, but he was pretty sure whatever it was concerned her sister and One.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIYTFLGVKV 維尼
Tirinia pursed her lips. “It's fine. I'm fine. Teria just needed to rest, that's all.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpH13ZRHE2 維尼
“I didn't say-”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpXLWWfGw1 維尼
Tirinia gave him a peck on the cheek. “You didn't have to. Don't worry, love. She'll get it worked out.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡozcADLalvs 維尼
As they neared one of the ticket stall, the idestan vendor smiled at them. “Greetings, honored Council representatives. How can I help you?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV9t3kYJuL 維尼
“How much for three tickets?” Mikaen asked, digging in his pocket for some shards.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUc4rnHvZU 維尼
The ticket-tender shook her head. “No charge. You'll be sitting in the Royal Box.” She spun on her chair and pointed to the doors of a nearby lift, saying, “Go to the fifth floor, go right, and take the fifth door on the left. It's the one with the guards, so it'll be hard to miss.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1glJZ1nmOh 維尼
“Thank you.” Mikaen said politely.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhTPPqJXlH 維尼
Once they were in the elevator, Jeronem nudged Mikaen in the waist. “She was checkin' you out, Mikey.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGEPvnIoaa 維尼
Mikaen bristled. “Don't call me that.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYuQkDbcFW 維尼
“Why not? You were just thinking about it.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc2hou71Vh 維尼
“He was just thinking about Maria.” Tirinia told Jeronem. “That's what she used to call him. Besides, Mikaen's engaged.” she grabbed Mikaen's arm and hugged it tightly to her chest.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8fpcPrPPQ 維尼
Jeronem gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry about that, Tirinia, but didn't his old boss call him 'Mikey' too?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoXJyhao1V 維尼
“Syrin only called him that when they were in private, and only because they were close friends.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkE1mYpqOP 維尼
Jeronem crossed his arms, an offended look on his face. “So I'm not a friend now?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6d9Qbelmd 維尼
“Of course you are, Jeronem. I'm just saying that-”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡtClJWCy7UX 維尼
Mikaen let out a sigh. “I remember when I used to be involved in my own conversations.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0KIKXRx3p 維尼
Tirinia blushed. “Oh! I'm sorry, sweetie.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ5XQOPPRJ 維尼
“Hey.” He told her, rubbing her cheek. “You can call me Mikey if you really want … just not around the kid.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIeoOsDFKM 維尼
“Hey!” Jeronem's furry ears bristled as they kissed.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjPkyFtK9j 維尼
As they walked out of the lift into a lavishly decorated corridor, Mikaen asked, “So, how exactly is slamm played anyway?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxh8GJI0H1 維尼
Tirinia gave him an odd look. “Don't you know? I thought you and Jyle invented the sport.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVBfgBcMLu 維尼
“We invented the training exercise, not the game,” he reminded her, “Back home, we had a game called football that originated from soldiers kicking around a severed head on the battlefield.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjUKsq1dl8 維尼
Jeronem's eyes went wide. “Awesome!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfcbkWpRXr 維尼
Tirinia, on the other hand, looked a little disturbed.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN4ArGDN8b 維尼
“Centuries ago.” he assured her, “We didn't come up with that one.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpSdpvH8UX 維尼
“Oh.” Looking a little relieved, she said, “Anyway, there are two teams, each team with at least ten members: typically three tekkers, four bladers, a guardian, and two watchers. The object of the game is to get one of the kyon into the opponents headquarters. Points are given depending who gets the kyon into the opposing team's HQ: bladers get three points, watchers seven, tekkers four, and guardians twenty.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡChQEgJKwT8 維尼
“Twenty?” Mikaen let out a whistle. “I guess it would be pretty hard for the goalie to score.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjbcI5qQNY 維尼
Tirinia nodded. “Bigger arenas naturally call for bigger teams, usually more tekkers and bladers, though more guardians are called in for arenas with multiple scoring areas. More kyons too. It can get pretty hectic.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtGDg8Fx5N 維尼
Mikaen nodded. “Except for the point system, that's pretty much the same way we played it.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTPvUrsx5P 維尼
The royal box was a large covered balcony. As it was meant for royalty and VIPs, it was well furnished: lush, comfortable chairs, a full bar loaded with drinks of all hues, and large viewing panels set into the walls that currently were displaying 'The Muonsol Marauders' and 'The Balis Brigade'. There was also a large console with several headsets, presumably for the announcers. Given the extravagance of the seats in front of the console, Mikaen guessed that Jyle would be barking the match.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡbORBP5BUdt 維尼
Letting Tirinia and Jeronem enter first, Mikaen said, “Still, I bet the arenas aren't the same as simplistic as-”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcjvNcSg6q 維尼
As he stepped closer to the edge of the balcony, his jaw dropped. He grabbed the balcony with both hands, not believing what he was seeing. Beneath them stood the town of Bridges. Every dilapidated building, every ruined street sign, every detail of the city where Mikaen had first awoken after the Devastation had been perfectly reconstructed, right down to the unevenly placed streetlights.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5ZtOPMShn 維尼
He jumped as Tirinia touched his hand.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8hTBN6wle 維尼
“Are you okay?” She asked, sounding worried.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ9jDCTthF 維尼
“Tirinia,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulder and pointing at the city with his other hand, “This is a recreation of Bridges. I woke up here after the Devastation.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvgRLKOXAL 維尼
Now it was Tirinia and Jeronem who were staring eagerly at the city. In the center of the 'town' was the enormous Rip where he had awoken, his clothes in tatters and his past a mystery. Not too far away was the retail outlet that had been his home for almost a year.. Even the small gazebo where Mikaen had proposed to Maria had been replicated perfectly.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAjld2qCEG 維尼
A surge of homesickness washed over Mikaen. He wanted to go back, to be at the real Bridges, back in Misakren, or even at that old supply station where he had caught Echu sleepwalking. For the first time in months, his desire to return was just as strong as his desire to stay.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdfwpT1JJa 維尼
He looked at Tirinia, who was still looking with interest at the arena. The chronoan seed pendant he had given her shone ever so slightly. His hand went to a lump beneath his shirt, where the pendant she had given him rested: an intricate bit of metalwork designed to look like feathers surrounding an orb of azure and jade that looked a little like a miniature Earth. It was all well and good to say he'd come back, but even the best plans sometimes went awry. What if it was years before he returned? Could he really put Tirinia through that?8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAb6Lx5q3M 維尼
He heard the door slide open behind him. “Ah, fine day, isn't it?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5mwTqLYTE 維尼
Mikaen turned to see Jyle and King Iniagus. It was hard not to stare; for reasons best known to the Wenapaj King, Iniagus was now wearing a toga that appeared to have been tie-dyed, and his hair was sticking out wildly in all directions from beneath and above his crown. The more Mikaen looked at it, however, the more he realized that the hair had been set that way purposefully. It was Iniagus's magnificent red mustache that caught Mikaen's eyes the most, however.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl3ZiCDtKx 維尼
“It is indeed a fine day, my friendly friend.” said Iniagus, the tips of his mustache wiggling as he spoke, “Tell me, is it always this nice here in Ircandesta?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGKVpXKlBl 維尼
“Usually,” replied Jyle.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJVDmoFBls 維尼
“Splendid. I'd like to arrange a trade for some of these nice days. Wenapaj is absolutely frightful this time of year. All that rain and muck … so unpleasant. I sent a letter to the Creator, you know, telling him how inconvenient the rain is, but the chap hasn't bothered to reply. I mean, really! After all the trouble I took chiseling the letter on a sixteen-foot slab of marble then blasting it into outer space.” Iniagus giggled in a most un-regal manner before adding, “Spectaculous! Simply spectaculous.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqmjfEuMUl 維尼
“Say, Mikaen, what's that building right there?” Jeronem asked, not noting the arrival of Jyle and Iniagus.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ7FBojyl8 維尼
Mikaen glanced where Jeronem was pointing. “Hmm? Oh, that's the old school. I went there a few times while I lived in Bridges. Good place to hide from looters and wild animals.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkjQgpLdj1 維尼
“Ah, yes,” said Jyle, glancing over at them, “Today's match will be in the Bridges arena. I thought you'd appreciate that, Mikaen.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRiUPy6FxS 維尼
Jeronem's grin quickly turned to a look of horror when he noticed Jyle's companion. “Ah! King Iniagus!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZkO7HicEk 維尼
Iniagus spun about, pointing at Jeronem. “Ah! Jeronem!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzfW6Gza2A 維尼
With a yelp, Jeronem ran for the door. “Not the ears! Not the ears!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡsggkhsPCqP 維尼
Iniagus chased after Jeronem, shouting delightedly, “Of course, of course! Today is a perfectly perfect day for a rousing game of tag!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oxdLjG5cs 維尼
Once they had both disappeared back inside the palace, Jyle started laughing.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0FV2h9qWH 維尼
Shaking his head, Mikaen asked, “Is he always that strange?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDzwOilGv8 維尼
“Iniagus? Yeah, never a dull moment around him. Don't worry; his wife, at least, takes her position seriously.” Jyle looked out over the field, a satisfied smile on his face. “Nice job on the recreation, isn't? Took me months to get it right.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cDxyjyGMo 維尼
Glancing at Mikaen, he added, “It's only a holographic simulation, or course. We used this same space as a ballroom when Julia and I were married. Today's match is at the school, but it can technically be held anywhere in town. We even had a city-wide match once … twenty players for each team.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqYhYFuDRe 維尼
“Really?” Mikaen looked back over the recreated city. “Wish I could have seen that.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeIN0xfEMj 維尼
As the players began to walk onto the field, the crowd roared loud enough to make the glass rattle in the windows of the royal box.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTRUj79QLl 維尼
Mikaen watched the players with interest; in addition to what he recognized as tek-boots, the players were wearing sleek, brightly colored protective gear, a far-cry from Mikaen's crude plate armor.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdh5f6AVi5 維尼
Jyle gave him a sly grin. “Ah, you like the armor, eh? I designed the basic slamm suit myself. The plating is lighter and harder than steel, and contains portable shield emitters to boot.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj5z2f2U60 維尼
Even as he spoke, glowing fields sprang to life around each player.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡszE7OmToz2 維尼
In addition to their unique armor, each player wore a pair of gauntlets. Some were bulky and reminded Mikaen of One's Headache while others were little more than elbow-length gloves.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGiOSfm6VK 維尼
“Tek gloves.” Jyle said in answer to Mikaen's unasked question, “I made those too. See, when I started trying to spread the word about this game, I came under attack from about a dozen different agencies.” He let out a snort. “Some nonsense about safety concerns.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxIs2RKTFX 維尼
“Yeah, well it was a training exercise for knights.” Mikaen reminded his friend, “We both got our lumps back home.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzoOQwlKDY 維尼
Jyle rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I remember. Anyway, I put some thought into it and came out with the Impact series slamm gear.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡc35vkHsXvb 維尼
He pointed to a red player taking position on the top floor of a three-story apartment. “See that tekker? His gauntlets are little more than arm-mounted cannons … surprisingly accurate, too. The skinny kid next to him is one of the Jenkins twins. He's a watcher. Each of his gauntlets can produce a low frequency energy blade. It's not very powerful, but it is strong enough to knock the kyon out of another player without seriously harming them.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw4SAs3bes 維尼
At that moment, Jenkin's gloves both produced a blade of energy about two feet long. He took a few warm-up swings before deactivating them and scratching his nose with the back of his glove.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAgb5BnHIq 維尼
“Bladers have one of those, and one 'force glove' which lets them absorb and pass the kyon.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDLYJ6Lv6X 維尼
“What do you use for a kyon?” Mikaen asked curiously.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡilctnfqcew 維尼
The crowd fell silent as two similarly armored men, one wearing black and the other white, walked out onto the field, each carrying a glowing orb in a see-through canister.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡztL5B85sb9 維尼
“Super-charged stream plasma. It's harmless to hold, but it saps energy from any technology that uses stream energy.” Jyle brushed off his shoulder, saying nonchalantly, “A particularly ingenious idea of mine.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUpWq2JA7d 維尼
“I don't understand.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwPjgdFn7F 維尼
“The energy fields of the armor operate off lifestream energy. When you're holding the kyon, your armor's shielding doesn't work and your tek-boots only have partial functionality. The armor's padded and all, but you're still vulnerable, especially if someone pegs you with the other kyon.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtFIizZD9M 維尼
A large, semi-translucent rectangle appeared in midair over the replica town. The screen flared to life showing feeds from numerous cameras that were apparently zooming around the arena.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IoOMSFlVK 維尼
“If you'll excuse me,” said Jyle, rubbing his hands together, “It's time to start the game.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxmUidi36i 維尼
He sat down in front of the console and grabbed a headset from the front of the panel. After clearing his throat, he called out, “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the first match of the Slamm Championship Tourney!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡseHeYloxsU 維尼
The crowd roared in reply. It was loud inside the royal box; it must have been deafening outside.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pEIdYQIgq 維尼
“After a grueling season, it's all down to two teams: the Balis Brigade!” Blue flags and emblems waved from all over the stadium. “and the Muonsol Marauders!” Considerably more red flags waved in response.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡFINghSQRTA 維尼
“Knights!” Jyle called out, “Present the kyons!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡylgmfMBfK5 維尼
The men in the black and white armor each activated their canisters. Immediately, the balls of energy ballooned to three times their original size and shot toward a glowing circle in a walkway located roughly in the middle of the school grounds.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPuVxgRjSF 維尼
The crowd fell silent as two bladers from each team approached the circle. The Black Knight and the White Knight took up posts on either side of the glowing field. Slowly, they raised their arms to the sky.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sFUlfFZdW 維尼
All players around the field seemed to prepare themselves. The tension was so thick that Mikaen nearly jumped from his chair when Tirinia slipped her hand in his.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJUtThnlaB 維尼
Two bursts of light shot from the hands of the referees. Instantly, all four bladers shot toward the kyons, energy blades swinging as they tried to knock the other players away.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡERaowE0HLh 維尼
One of the Marauder bladers got the left kyon first. A Brigade blader took a swing at him, but the Marauder was already airborne, kicking off a nearby bench and landing on the roof of the school, his tek-boots leaving glowing trails in his wake.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSogdncnvq 維尼
The other Brigade blader managed to get to the other kyon before his opponent. He batted a Marauder aside and quickly shot toward the Rip in the center of the town.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87Mo2byA9N 維尼
Jyle was already in full announcing mode. “Merko and Sylva in possession, Sylva passes to Yenk, Merko … ooh, that's gotta hurt! Well, he'll walk it off. Yenk and Travers in possession, Yenk to Tryan, Tryan to Sylva … nice rebound off the road sign … Genel intercepts to Senestra, Travers hits it to Haley, Haley to … no, Leeroy intercepts from Haley, sends it to Leeroy, Leeroy's powering up, powering up, it's off, and …”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2pWcL7m4K 維尼
Mikaen had a hard time following Jyle. Keeping an eye of both kyons was hard, even with multiple video feeds.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQD6aQkqFy 維尼
The Brigade's guardian made a dive at the kyon, but the energy ball whizzed by him and into the concession stand at the far end of the football field.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWA0KBmSVz 維尼
The crowd went wild as Jyle shouted, “SCORE! A great shot by Leeroy Jenkins! Score is zero to one, Marauders in the lead.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIJOM48Xd5 維尼
The bladers were a rowdy bunch, always knocking opposing players off buildings, smashing them into cars, and occasionally just flat-out decking them. If the energy blades had been weapon-grade, both teams would have been sliced to ribbons within minutes.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr8TiDQAVD 維尼
The watchers darted into the fray very selectively, a good idea considering their light armor. They couldn't hold kyons, but they could sure give them a good whack, usually to a waiting tekker who would blast it toward the goal.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEgUyhfUJc 維尼
The two kyons seemed to have a lot of force behind them. Mikaen saw a Brigade tekker shoot a kyon at the Marauder blader Jyle identified as Shelle. The shot blasted her into one of the cars hard enough to make the car skid back a few feet.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSAuVzF8Sn 維尼
“Don't worry, Mikaen.” Jyle whispered, shielding the microphone on his headset, “The armor's designed to handle just that kind of impact.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFlU2sPEfk 維尼
Sure enough, she got up a moment later, looking a little dazed but unharmed.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgowLjCm9B 維尼
It may have been rough, but the players all seemed to be having a good time. The two watchers for the Marauders, Leeroy and Trevor, were particularly rambunctious, often bouncing off walls and seemingly coming out of nowhere to intercept kyons. They weren't shy about taunting the much larger players of the Balis Brigade either. Fortunately, they were fast enough to avoid injury. Energy shields or no, a gauntlet to the face had to hurt.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVbfzxwUM4 維尼
After watching the game for a few minutes, it was obvious that the Marauders were more familiar with the arena. They even knew about a few of the shortcuts Mikaen himself had used back in the day, small surprise seeing as they were the Ircandestan team.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMjBEyq8EY 維尼
Covering his microphone again, Jyle asked, “Good, huh? See that shot Jek just blocked?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡX71IjMpwbt 維尼
Mikaen glanced at the Marauder's guardian. He was standing in front of a partially collapsed house at the edge of the Rip, guarding the double garage door. His headgear covered his eyes, but Mikaen still recognized Jyle's son, Jek. After all, the young man was the spitting image of his father, albeit with his mother's dark skin.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75d4foZdzZ 維尼
“Your son's the Marauder guardian?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZFNyEZzSL 維尼
Jyle thumped himself in the chest. “Yup. I naturally wanted him to be a tekker, but I can deal with him being one of the best guardians in the league. He coordinates the entire team. Oh, there he goes again!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ybeRoSsnZ 維尼
Jek dove at an incoming kyon, catching the energy ball between his gauntleted hands. Without hesitation, he shot the kyon at the Brigade blader with enough force to knock him across the street, where one of the Marauders was waiting to gain possession.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02107i6FyH 維尼
“Whoa!” Mikaen exclaimed, “We never did that.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7BII2DFzQ 維尼
He glanced at Tirinia only to see her smiling at him. “You're really into this, aren't you?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQRGnEcXKL 維尼
“You kidding? After the Council?” He looked back over the city, continuing, “Peace is nice, don't get me wrong, but I do miss the action.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6EA6XrJAv 維尼
The crowd roared again as the Marauder blader Sylvia tossed her kyon in the air and smacked it with her saber into the Brigand HQ. As the kyon shot past the Brigade guardian, two of the Brigand players came out of nowhere and hit her in the same leg simultaneously. She fell to the ground instantly, her leg obviously broken.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbUljrjIOp 維尼
“Foul! Foul!” shouted Tirinia, pointing angrily at the screen displaying the injured player.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzfb9wBo09 維尼
Apparently she was correct; the knight-referees ran out onto the field moments later, whistles blowing. The black knight and the brigand blader started shouting at each other as the white knight helped Sylvia walk off the field.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGzaP0ueTC 維尼
“And that's a penalty for the Brigands, deliberate assault. Five minutes penalty for Merko.” said Jyle, a hint of anger in his voice. “Yenk takes the kyon, nice speed up to the HQ … and he puts it away easily!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQrBkN0Tgf 維尼
Jek shot a flare from one of his gauntlets. Nodding, Jyle tapped his earpiece and said, “Time out for the Marauders!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfTWC1Fqji 維尼
As the knights brought the kyons back to the center of the field, Mikaen asked, “What's wrong?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡl42q8Oujib 維尼
“The Marauders have a problem. Could you and Tirinia come with me for a moment?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1su5WrEWnM 維尼
The three of them left the royal box and headed for the lift.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUzk4FKVME 維尼
Tirinia was still bristling over the foul. “I can't believe they deliberately attacked her like that!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFi7A45Ztp 維尼
“Yeah, well, that's the Brigade for you. They set the record for most penalties last season.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80uWsnnTII 維尼
“In a game, or for the season?” Mikaen asked.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsPg7hT7jl 維尼
“Both.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyXDf01cr3 維尼
The lift doors opened at the bottom floor. Jyle, Mikaen, and Tirinia walked down the hall to a large golden archway that opened out into the arena. Jek was waiting for them, his helmet in his hands. He looked worried.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmSdJ5jsFc 維尼
“Dad,” He said as they drew near, “we don't have a substitute blader.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFxrBL04ak 維尼
“What? What about Sahara and that Bennon kid?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mEx3sE6qD 維尼
“Out for injuries.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe6d4CNH6c 維尼
Jyle snorted. “Injuries my foot! They're just fooling around somewhere. Isn't there anyone else?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V0JJOaXAN 維尼
“Nope. We're gonna have to forfeit the match.” Jek's eyes darted toward Mikaen. “Unless …”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaG9OpbaSN 維尼
“Unless what?” Mikaen asked cautiously.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡBprr56XxsL 維尼
“Well, you are a blader.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡPevtYQZIsY 維尼
Jyle snapped his fingers, “That's a thought.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡdypMAAjNsV 維尼
Mikaen was struck speechless for a moment. “Wha … you can't be serious, Jyle! Slamm may be based off our old training exercises, but it's a completely different game! I don't know any of the rules or penalties … besides, I've got wings now! How the heck am I supposed to cover that?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiiKmO8Aw6 維尼
“I'm sure we can find a set of armor that'll work … and don't worry about penalties. Don't deliberately try to cause an injury, and avoid using magic, and you'll be fine.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡegtMVvDncU 維尼
“I'm not from Muonsol!” Mikaen protested, “I mean, is this even legal?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1kiBnIVqP 維尼
“Teams can draft on the spot if needed. I put the rule in myself.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡus2WPDsv7G 維尼
Snorting, Mikaen said, “You put it in so you could play tekker every once in awhile.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vgc2TQ3ne 維尼
Jyle put his hands on Mikaen's shoulders, the same pleading look he used to give Mikaen just before getting both of them into trouble on his face. “We just need another player out there, or the Marauders will be disqualified. You and Tirinia are the best possible replacements on such a short notice, and Tirinia's out of the question.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI1Q1EqwfU 維尼
“What? Why?”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAPAPoEs0i 維尼
Jyle looked at Tirinia expectantly. Blushing beneath her pale fur, she said, “Because I'm first guardian for the Axeliv Alliance and the winner of this game goes against us next week.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiO7kjHDGp 維尼
“Oh.” Mikaen said, feeling sheepish. Tirinia had mentioned she was a member of Longshore's slamm team several times.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOiqKp9TfD 維尼
Jek glanced from Mikaen to Jyle expectantly.8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJyLbpUcLy 維尼
“Come on, Mikaen.” Tirinia coaxed Mikaen, rubbing his arm. “I'd like to see how you play.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcYxZmkJsW 維尼
The eagerness in her eyes cinched it. With a sigh, Mikaen said, “Okay, I'll play.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC8jhD4S03 維尼
Clapping his old buddy on the arms, Jyle said, “Jek, show him to the locker room and get him into gear. Nine minutes!”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1Wl9EAijs 維尼
As Jyle ran off (probably wanting to get away before Mikaen could try and object again), Jek gave Mikaen an apologetic smile. “Sorry about this, but we really do need your help.”8964 copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡseYIL6egCT 維尼
“Yeah, yeah. Just show me to the locker room.”217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZYdjxDS88
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