Chapter 25
Builds:
Nora –
ATK:0
DEF:
SPD:00
Leviathan sword
Speed boost
Wall
Jin –
ATK: 00
DEF:
SPD: 0
Momentum dagger
Health boost
Wall
Desmond –
ATK :0
DEF: 0
SPD:0
White death
Health boost
Wall
Eduardo –
ATK: 000
DEF:
SPD:
Gothic short sword
Rage
Wall
The location is City Mall. Each player spawns in. Nora spawns in on the top level, in front of the back exit of the mall. Wearing an all-white overcoat that’s strapped to her shoulders, almost flowing like a cape, accompanied by an ornamented cap with pins on it. (A blend of Jotaro from jojo part 3, and mako from kill la kill). Behind her sits the automatic double glass doors. On the other side she can see the outside shopping area of the mall. Jin spawns on the ground floor,
directly underneath Nora. Jin is wearing a checkered two piece jacket, with the hood up and checkered pants with suspenders off the sides. He looks around to see no one.
Jin inner thoughts: She must be above me.
Jin leaps up to the second floor, and huddles over the railing. Nora is standing there waiting for him.
“Did you get a good look at their build?” Nora asks Jin.
“Gothic Short Sword, and White Death. Compared to us, they have the short and long range advantage.” Jin says.
“Right, I wouldn’t be surprised if Desmond were to remain hidden while trying to pick us off, with Eduardo pushing us.(or with Eduardo pressing the advantage with rage).” Nora says.
“Could you hold them off if that happened?” Jin asks.
“By myself? No telling. This is my first time fighting him in VBL, but I won’t go down without a fight.” Nora confirms.
“Alright. That just leaves Desmond and the White Death.” Jin says.
“Keep in mind White Death has the eagle eye ability, so he can see through structures he’s aiming at..” Nora informs Jin.
“That’s going to be a problem.”
“No doubt.”
“And it’s going to make sneaking up on him almost impossible.” Jin says.
“What if we were to both rush Eduardo? I doubt he’d be able to keep up with both of us. Then once he’s finished, we can push for an ambush on Desmond.” Nora adds.
“For that to work we’d have to take out Eduardo fast. Faster than Desmond can even react. Is that even possible?” Jin asks.
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“If it is then we will have to act now. Before they can form a coherent plan.” Nora says.
Nora’s inner thoughts: Jin equipped the momentum dagger, but I boosted my speed. Will this work out? No. I’ve got to trust my teammate. I’m sure he’s thinking the same about me considering all I am known for is losing to Takeshi. Can I even do this?
Nora attempts to get rid of the doubt by shaking her head. Jin see’s this and raises his eyebrow.
Jin inner thoughts: Is she second guessing the plan? Can’t say that I blame her. Despite people calling me a prodigy, I simply follow my instincts. So there is no telling if our playstyles actually even match. This whole plan can be destined for failure. We won’t know until we try though..
Jin and Nora break off in a sprint to the other side of the mall to meet their enemies head on.
**
Eduardo and Desmond stand next to each other, weapons already drawn. Both competitors are standing on the second floor, with a large clothing store behind them. Eduardo is wearing a black poncho that has Calavera skulls on it, accompanied by a samurai styled straw hat and wooden sandals. While Desmond is decked out in a all-black leather jacket that has spikes on the shoulders, followed by leather pants, platform boots and a lightning bolt painted on his face. Desmond scans for a vantage point that could provide him with an outlook of his partner. Eventually he spots a tower that connects to the mall. The area is directly behind them.
“I see a great spot for myself!” Desmond says.
“Wait!” Eduardo orders.
“What?!”
“With your sniper, they‘ll be expecting you to take the high ground. I wouldn’t be surprised if that encourages them to rush me and take me out quickly, leaving you to fend for yourself against two close combat players.” Eduardo informs.
“Does it really matter if they see it coming? It’s a good enough plan to succeed against them anyway.” Desmond retorts.
“No plan is perfect. Especially one the enemy can predict.” Eduardo says.
“Okay then Mr. Pro Player. What do you think we should do?” Desmond asks.
Eduardo smiles.
“I will fill you in, come on. I’m sure they’re heading for us right now.”
Eduardo and Desmond sprint off towards the center of the mall to meet their foes. Desmond holds the sniper up to his eye, scanning to see if Nora or Jin were nearby. He sees two white outlines running towards them.
“Here they come!” Desmond states.
Eduardo inner thoughts: I’ve always loved this feeling! Going in blind and learning an opponent’s strategies. Adapting to them. Taking the best of someone and overcoming it. I’m sorry Nora and Mr. Prodigy, but I am winning this match. Among all of us here, I have the most fighting game experience (Between all of us here, I have better skills and experience in fighting games). I was made for this.
**
Flashback:
Five years ago, we see a young girl named Laura. We see her playing a fierce game of Block Fighter 4 (Ranked) until she hears the front door to the apartment open and close. Laura looks at her digital clock that resides on her bedside table. 6:22 p.m.
Laura inner thoughts: …Dad’s home.
Laura disregards the tense match she was having. No longer caring about the results of the match, and instead sitting on the floor at the foot of her bed. The sun is beginning to set, giving Laura’s room a golden filter. The cool breeze flows past her curtains and through the room.
Laura’s inner thoughts: I wonder if he’ll want to talk about it –
“Laura, can you come here please?”
Laura inner thought: Thought so...
Laura turns off the rank search, in order to take her out of the games queue. Then makes her way to her room door.
**
When Laura walks into the kitchen, she is surprised to only see her father sitting at the dining table. A stocky, balding older man. Wearing a pair of thick rimmed glasses office clothes. In his hands is Laura’s official offer letter from Sleeping Forest (A popular pro gaming team). Laura has already mentally prepared for what’s coming up. She has walked through this conversation several times in her head, every different remark that could be made, all arguments that could be made. None of them are easy.
“When were you going to tell me about this?” Her dad asks.
“Soon, papi.” Laura lies.
“After you would have already made a mistake?” Her dad accuses.
“It’s not a mistake, papi.” Laura counters.
“Yes. It. Is it!” Her dad yells.
End of flashback:
**
Eduardo is running down the second floor towards the center of the mall; the food court.
Eduardo’s inner thoughts: I can’t afford to lose here.
Eduardo comes to a sudden stop as he sees Nora and Jin turn the corner and head toward the food court.
“There he is!” Nora yells.
“I’m on it.” Jin says.
“I’m faster! Back me up!” Nora orders.
Nora uses the speed boost ability to blitz forward, while Jin falls behind her.
Jin inner thoughts: Where’s Desmond!? Shouldn’t he be overlooking us from a higher point? Where though? I’ve never used a sniper on this map so I am clueless to all the best outlook points and possible blind spots -
Desmond suddenly exits one of the stores behind Jin and points his sniper directly at Jin’s head. Jin just barely turns around in time to see and react. Jin uses his momentum to veer to the left but it’s of no use. The bullet hits Jin on the side of the head. The force knocked him to his feet. causing Nora to glance behind her in time to see Jin hit the ground.
“Jin!” Nora yells.
“You need to focus on what’s ahead of you!” Eduardo says while mid swing.
Eduardo’s Gothic short sword slices through Nora’s chest, pushing her a few feet back. She regains her composure and locks-in on Eduardo. Behind her, Desmond reloads his sniper, with a cocky smirk on his face.
“I’m sure neither of you have had a chance to try out the White Death. Did you know that it has the current highest damage output of any rifle in the game? Some smart players have learned that it only takes 2-3 shots to kill an opponent.” Demond explains.
“Sounds like that will need some balancing.” Jin says while getting back to his feet.
Nora inner thoughts: This is bad. Jin only has one or two more hits he can take from Desmond’s White Death. Then it will be two-vs-one. Not to mention Eduardo right in front of me. Damn it!
Jin inner thoughts: I’ve fought someone using the White Death before. There’s something about that weapon that he isn’t telling us. No doubt hoping to take advantage and win the match himself. I might have thought, he was trying to ride Eduardo’s coattails but in fact he’s trying to upstage him and beat us himself.
Eduardo inner thoughts: Trying to use me to make yourself look better. Fine by me, try it!
Desmond inner thoughts: While Eduardo keeps the girl busy, I’ll finish off the prodigy and make a name for myself. Then I’ll snipe the girl before Eduardo has a chance to! This match is mine!