A week had passed in game time. ¼ of the time they were forced to remain within the city walls. And Tyden had yet to see the inside of the Colosseum. No matter what he and Shade tried they couldn't get in. They tried sneaking first but was always turned away by a guard. They'd even tried to get job quests in order to get inside and no one needed anything! There was only one other person with him now. And he had to admit, he was absolutely surprised when she asked once they finished for the day having missed the one before do to sleep. Shade was gone now, off to find his class he said as he walked away whistling.

Now the two of them stood outside the main archway, gazing longingly at the throng of people bustling inside to join the roaring crowd already inside. They exhausted all options but still they refused to give up. Just then their silent musings were interrupted by a cough from behind.

Chen chuckled as the two jumped to their feet and turned around. He was a bit impressed when they instantly assumed defensive positions but he was hard pressed to stifle his laugh as Jessika squeaked while doing so. “What are you two doing out here?” he asked looking from the two and the large building now behind them.

“We can't get in,” Tyden said turning his eyes back to the building. Jessika nodded her agreement and he could see the utter disappointment in her expression. “We've tried everything we could think of and nothing.”

Not understanding but seeing how important it was to them he came to a quick decision. “Wait here,” he said simply causing confused looks on the teenagers faces as he walked off into the crowd. He was gone for half an hour before he appeared behind them, again startling him with a cough.

“Where did you go?” Tyden asked once he realized it wasn't an attack.

“There is very little time Tyden so you two listen carefully.” After giving the two their instructions while giving Jessika a folded note the pair were off. Chen watched the two run off before he found a nearby wall to leave against. Once comfortable he pulled a piece of wood and a small knife from his inventory and proceeded to carve.

Tyden came to a sliding halt outside the large doorway of the training grounds. He quickly entered and found his target striking one of the dummies disinterestedly “I need your help,” he said without greetings. Casden turned to the speaker with interest A taller figure approached the two youths to listen in. “Master Chen said he found a way for Jessika and me to get into the Colosseum but we need you to do it. We don't have a lot of time so we gotta go right away.”

“Master Chen?” Nick asked before Casden could.

“Yeah I've been going to his dojo for about three months. When I told him about what we were doing here he refused to let me come unless he could come as my chaperon and continue my training in here.”

Now suspicious Casden had to ask, “What's this about? I'm not gonna fight you?” This statement definitely caused surprise in the older of the trio.

“HA! HA! HA!” Tyden bellowed drawing not a few eyes toward him. “No matter WHAT this guy thinks,” he said turning a thumb to nick. “I'm not dumb enough to want that. Just come with me please, me and you are cool OK! I was wrong man, I know that and I wanna leave all that in the past?” this last was obviously a question as he reached his large hand/paws out for a hand shake.

Casden looked Tyden directly in the eye searching for something and not finding it. He grasped the offered paw firmly shaking it briefly before replying “Let's go.”

Nick followed the two as they ran out of the training center and headed toward the Colosseum To say he was confused by what the two said would be an understatement. He was soon standing beside Chen watching as the two boys stood talking a bit away, Tyden pointing at various things on the Colosseum and surrounding courtyard. “So what's the plan Mr. Chen?” he asked with a nod of his head in greeting.

“Just Chen please, I believe we are both here for similar reasons. As to the plan, they are going to fight though they do not know it.”

Chuckles from the older man greeted his ears as he regained his composure from the shock of hearing that Chen had entered his own son into a fight. “I'm not sure that's a good idea. My son isn't exactly a fighter. I sent him to a martial arts school 5 years ago. The teachers all say he's doing well but he's constantly getting harassed at school and attacked by bullies. He's come home more than a few times with black eyes but won't talk about how he got them or who gave them to him.”

This was a major sore point for nick. Getting his hands dirty as some say wasn't a big deal to him. He'd entered the Army at 18, worked hard at his job, got married to a beautiful woman and had two kids. His oldest, a girl was in her freshman year of college and seemed to be doing well. She'd only called him once for money so far and that was to replace a blown tire. He wasn't surprised when he received a check for the same amount in the mail 3 weeks later. That check was marked void before he shredded it like he'd done all the others. She had a thing about owing people money even him, though she knew by now he wouldn't cash it he also knew the money to cover each and every check she'd ever wrote him sat in that account. She had a nice little savings for such a young female.

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His son though, as much as he loved him, he just didn't understand him! All he did was read, play video games some strange board game where they play out stories they makeup themselves. He listened in one day, standing outside an open doorway but he had to walk away shaking his head in search of a much needed aspirin when they got to what was supposed to be the action. The numbers and math that were being thrown around made his head spin. At that moment he realized for the first time he'd born a NERD! The very idea made him not only laugh, but down an entire bottle of beer before sitting down on the couch to contemplate what he was going to do now.

The next day he knocked on his sons door. “Hey you got a minute?” His son was staring at his computer playing one of his games when he'd entered.

“One second dad, I'm in the middle of a boss fight but it's almost dead.” He wasn't upset at this as his son had explained the difference between a regular fight and a boss fight. That the boss fights were rare and usually a once a month thing. How if they didn't kill it now the next group might before they managed to get another turn. It was the only time he didn't immediately give him his attention so Nick had no problems waiting. 3 minutes later his son was telling his friends to wait a bit and he turned around. “What's up?”

Nick really hadn't thought this out as well as he had no idea how to start this. “Um...I know we don't have a lot of the same interests but there is something that I want you to do for me.” Seeing that he had his son's attention he carried on. “I found a Martial Arts school near here that is accepting students. What do you think about learning karate?” He could see a mixture of confusion at where this came from but not a little excitement at learning martial arts. He WAS a young boy, so the chance to do some of the things he'd seen in movies appealed to him very much. “I'll tell you what, Give it six months. At that time you can keep going or not, I'll leave that decision up to you but either way I'll get you that new computer you've been asking for. That sound like a plan?” He'd frowned when he realized he didn't seem to have a choice but that quickly disappeared after hearing there was a chance it wouldn't last forever. Nick new he'd won when the smile bloomed on his sons face before he stood and stuck out his hand.

“Deal!”

Nick shook the pro-offered hand firmly clasping sin son firmly on the shoulder with a smile. “Glad we could have this talk,” he said before leaving. His son had resumed his seat at his computer and informed his friends that he was back. Just before leaving earshot he heard over his sons tiny speakers.

“Your dad is so cool.”

“Yeah. Yeah he is.”

Nick was brought back to the here and now when Jessika came running at full speed. If it wasn't for Tyden's strong arm she'd probably have run right by them. She was huffing and puffing for breathe with her hands on her knees.

“I...I, I got it,” she finally wheezed.

He nodded before replying, “good, good child. Now, as soon as Ms. Jessika catches her breath you will all follow me. It wasn't long before she rejoined them at a more vertical position and they followed the elderly Asian as he walked through the crowded streets.

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Sorry folks but had to cut this chapter short as of right now i'm at 15 pages and the others have been like 3 or 4. Now however, we are getting into the back stories of the characters. I didn't want to do a Prologue with so many people cause it would've been over 60 pages. Not to worry their back stories are already done and will just be added in as the story progresses and the scenes focus more and more on individuals. Today is Nick's turn and next should be Tyden. Followed by Jessika and Casden though I haven't chosen who to do first. And if you haven't figured it out yet there is a fight coming but I need some feedback. please vote for solo fights or if they should battle as a group. I have a rough for either so your not gonna stress me by choosing so pick the one that you REALLY want to see.

And please leave some feedback! Can't get better if I don't know how you feel.

Frosty563

P.S. Thank you to all those who stopped by!