"So, Terry." Mai began "Where have you been since the last time we saw you?" "You know, here and there." he responded "Found a couple of good martial artists along the way too." "Cool, learned any new tricks?" his younger brother asked. "Nothing really outstanding." he told him "How about you guys? Still training at the Yamada Dojo?" "Actually, Andy and I have been discussing about our wedding." Mai brought out happily. "No kidding?" Joe asked "So you finally got that sorted out." "So, when's the big day?" "Well, after talking about it for a few weeks, we've decided to do it in six months." Andy responded. "And when Will Terry be an uncle?" Joe asked with a devilish smirk. "Er... well... we... we're..." Andy began a little embarrassed. "As soon as possible!!" Mai interrupted enthusiastically. "Mai!!" Andy complained while blushing "We haven't decided that yet!" "Awww. Com'on, Andy!!" the ninja girl whined cutely. "By the way," Terry started, changing the subject "how is Kim holding out?" as he took his sight towards his *still* smiling partner. "He's still at it." Joe responded "His cheeks are gonna hurt like Hell when this is over." Miss Ichinosei had enough. She just couldn't make up her mind. Therefore, she did the most logical and reasonable thing a drunk person could do. She threw the ball away taking both players by surprise. "Yu guyz wanit? Go 'n get it!" she said. The ball flew upwards heading where Joe was positioned. ---------------------------------------------------- "You've got to be kidding!" Kensuke told Daisaku "A 'Shinkuu Hadou-ken' from *that* distance? I have all the time in the world to block it." ---------------------------------------------------- "Come to papa!" Joe declared as he prepared himself to catch the ball. Something happened suddenly. Something that surprised everyone. Something that only a miracle could explain. No, it wasn't Yusaku intercepting the ball (miracles aren't THAT big). Nor was it Yutsuda taking a hold of the sphere object. The ball itself made a U turn inches before reaching Joe's hands and flew directly towards team Garo's basket. And to make it even worse, it went *into* the basket. ---------------------------------------------------- "Ouch!" Touji said "Weren't you suppose to block that, Kensuke?" "Shit!! What the Heck is wrong with the joystick???" the four eyes cursed as he began to hit the machine enraged. ---------------------------------------------------- "What the fuck was that??" the kick boxer asked, still not believing what just happened. Between the crowd: "Urd!" Belldandy lectured "That was cheating. Why did you pull that stunt?" "Aww com'on, sis." the Goddess replied "They're losing. I felt pity for them." Terry's jaw hit the floor. Actually, everyone's jaw had done the same, including Ichinosei's teammates. The only exemption was probably some spectators (responsible for that little miracle) and Joe who was still paralyzed with his hands extended towards where the ball was *supposed* to land, somehow hopping that everything that just happened had been an illusion. Although the crowd was taken completely by surprise, people began to cheer. "Wow! Ladies and gentlemen, what a throw!" Honey commented "Ichinosei scores her first basket putting the board 48 to 62. Looks like Maison Ikoku still has one or two tricks under their sleeve. Team Garo better watch out." ---------------------------------------------------- "I tell you it's the damned joystick!" Kensuke explained. "Sure it is, Kensuke." Touji declared sarcastically as he gave him a pat on the back "Bad joystick! Bad joystick!" "Looks like I won." Daisaku declared simply. "I demand a rematch!!" the four eyes growled "This isn't over yet!" ---------------------------------------------------- [This isn't over yet!] Terry vowed "Everyone, get ready! Let's score some baskets!" "Joe... Hey, Joe!" Andy declared as he waved his hand in front of his partner's eyes "Snap out of it already! We're in the offensive now." The match resumed afterwards. That last basket had a tremendous psychological effect on the Maison Ikoku team. It somehow proved that there was still hope. Everyone began to get their second wind and harden their defense. Taking advantage of a moment of distraction, Kyoko stole the ball from Mai, forcing team Garo to take the defensive. She then passed to Yusaku and took her position near the basket. She was quickly marked by Mai. All of her teammates began to struggle for a chance to get through the defense. [Good.] Terry thought [Joe and Andy are taking care of Mitaka. I'll just steal the ball and...] Terry didn't managed to do much afterwards as Yusaku passed the ball to Ichinosei who didn't had anyone marking her. [What the... Is he actually expecting her to pull another miracle??] The ball went right into the basket after Ichinosei threw it. "Hun???" ---------------------------------------------------- "A second victory." Daisaku stated. Kensuke's hand held the joystick firmly. "One... more... game!" he said darkly. "The man knows how to lose, that's for sure." Touji teased. "Touji! You're suppose to be on my side!!" the four eyes pointed out. "And let revenge slip away like that? No way!" Touji responded "Com'on Daisaku. Kick his butt!!" as he began to pat him on the shoulders. "Traitor." ---------------------------------------------------- Belldandy looked at her older sister. Although this time Urd responded by raising the palm of her hands upwards, not being responsible for such a miracle. "I guess everyone gets lucky sometimes." Urd said simply. "Another three pointer by Miss Ichinosei!" Honey notified "The score is now 51 to 62. Maison Ikoku is closing in quickly on team Garo and only twenty minutes before the match is over. Can they make it?" "Don't worry, guys" Terry encouraged "We're still way ahead of them." Andy took the ball and went to the offensive with the rest of his teammates. Maison Ikoku began to form their defense. After easily evading Yusaku, Mitaka took the defense and stopped Andy dead on his tracks. Still dribbling, the youngest Bogard brother began to move trying to find a way to get pass his adversary with no great success. However, being focused as he was with Mitaka, he didn't noticed Kyoko sneaking behind him. She swiftly stole the ball when she had the chance and wade her way towards her opponents basket. [Not again!] Terry groaned as he ran back towards his area. Kyoko passed the ball again to Yusaku but was quickly blocked by Kim. The other Garo members began to harden their defense around Mitaka and Kyoko. [If we cover those two, there's no chance for them to score again.] the blond gai-jin thought. Much to everyone's surprise, Yusaku passed the ball back where Yutsuda was, being him the last player to get to the board. As surprised as the rest of the players, Yutsuda caught the ball not knowing what to do exactly. Seeing Joe rushing towards him, the Maison Ikoku tenant quickly threw the ball upwards with all he had, expecting to dissuade Joe from getting closer. It didn't quite work. Joe crashed against Yutsuda while attempting to block the throw. He could barely touch it with the tip of his fingers. As a real paradox backlash, that actually seemed to help the ball in entering the basket. [That Godai guy passed the ball to him??] Terry analyzed [I see... he was expecting us to block Mitaka so he planned this play on Yutsuda. This guy isn't as dumb as he looks.] At that time, Yusaku was looking at Mitaka with an evil grin on his face. [As long as I have the ball, you won't be getting any passes.] Yusaku thought. [Asshole.] Mitaka replied mentaly, almost as if he could read his rival's thoughts. "Foul by number 11!" Miyuki said "Two free shots. The basket counts." "Shit!!" Joe cursed. The score was now 54 to 62, plus two free shots for Yutsuda for that Foul Joe made. The last three pointers Maison Ikoku scored, plus the fact that the Garo team hasn't been able to score a single basket in the last five minutes, clearly showed that the outcome of the match was getting less predictable. Some of the spectators began to think that Maison Ikoku *could* be the winner of this encounter. Added to that, a certain spectator that was nagging a certain blond gai-jin with a red cap. "You suck, Terry!!!" Ryu shouted from his row "Can't you even beat a team with a drunken lady in it??" "Ryu, shut up! Everyone's looking this way!" Ken demanded. Terry just glared at Ryu. However, even though he hated to admit it, Ryu was right. His team was starting to lose its edge and those last three shots, which were three pointers each, were starting to affect the team's morale. ---------------------------------------------------- "I know what's wrong." Kensuke declared "It's the joystick. Let's switch places." "Why can't you just admit I beat you fair 'n square?" Daisaku asked. "I'm telling you the joystick is messed up." the four eyes insisted. "He's in denial." Touji pointed out. "Yep, no doubt about that." Daisaku added. ---------------------------------------------------- Miyuki blew her whistle once again. "Offensive foul by number 11!" she stated. Joe cursed again after raising his hand. This was his forth foul. One more and he'd be taken out of the game. Added to the fact that the score board was now 62 to 58 and there was less than ten minutes left before the match was over, he felt a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Andy, Mai and Kim were starting to worry as well, either by a lack of focus or just some stupid bad luck, they were having problems handling the game. Terry asked time out. ---------------------------------------------------- "What do you think he's doing?" Daisaku asked Touji. "Cooling off I guess." A couple of feet ahead of them, Kensuke was letting out deep breaths while performing some arcane moves with his hands, moving them rhythmically in some sort of complex kata. [Remember your training, Kensuke.] he meditated [The joystick and buttons are an extension of your own body. You must be one with the game, but you mustn't let it overpower your own will. You have to be as fast as a hawk and as firm as a mountain. Focus your senses on your adversary's moves and anticipate them with time.] "Hey, Kensuke?" Touji asked "Are you gonna play or what?" The four eyes made his way towards the machine with an expression filled with determination. ---------------------------------------------------- "Okay, this is what we'll do." the team captain said "During what's left of the game, we'll be on the defense, we can still win if we can only keep them from scoring more baskets. If you get the ball, pass it to me. Understood?" The other four nodded. Terry sighed. This wasn't good. His teammates were losing their focus and if things kept on going as bad as they were they might even lose the game. Something had to be done. Yutsuda passed the ball to Mitaka. This one began to advance towards his opponent's board. All the members of team Garo began to take their positions. Mitaka passed to Kyoko for backup. [We're only four points behind.] she thought [We can win! Just three more baskets and the game is ours.] Joe went for the ball. Instinctively, Kyoko passed to Mitaka who was alone. Inches before receiving the ball, another hand showed up and stole it. It was then that Mitaka noticed that Terry was the owner of such hand. [What the?? Where did he come from??] the tennis coach though as he saw how the red baseball cap wearer began to run towards the other side of the court. He quickly began to run after him. "Defense, everyone! NOW!!" Kyoko shouted as she followed the other two players. The rest of the Maison Ikoku tenants began to move as fast as their legs allowed them to. However, Mitaka and Terry were already way ahead of them. Mitaka tried to knock the ball off his adversary's hand but only manage to hit empty space as Terry suddenly stopped and moved towards his left while still dribbling. He had to move fast before the rest of the Maison Ikoku team made it to the board. Terry's way to the basket was suddenly blocked by Mitaka. He immediately turned his back against him to protect the ball. [I've got him cornered.] Mitaka thought [The others are coming this way and the only way for him to score a basket is by making a pivot. There's no way he can get out of this one.] Seconds before Mitaka could get any reinforcements, Terry jumped back, arching himself and gaining impulse towards the basket as well as getting his opponent by surprise. Mitaka only saw how the blond gai-jin's back passed on top of him and how both his hands were extended towards the hoop. ---------------------------------------------------- "SUPER!! 35 HIT COMBO!!!!" ---------------------------------------------------- The board sounded like it was about to brake once Terry made that reversed dunk. Everyone remain silent by stupefaction. Terry was (literally speaking) hanging around, facing the other players, while still holding the hoop with both hands. His feet hanging above the floor. After regaining her senses, Miyuki blew her whistle to approve the basket. The crowd began to cheer madly. "All right, Terry!!" Andy congratulated. Joe was the first to give his captain a friendly noogy as soon as he got down to the floor again. "You showoff!!" the kick-boxer teased as he held Terry's head in an arm-lock. "I guess being close to you has that effect." Mai told Joe. "All right, everyone." Terry said as he freed himself from Joe's lock "Let's win this game and start scoring more baskets." The rest of the team nodded in approval. Terry could see with satisfaction that his friend's spirit was up again. ---------------------------------------------------- "BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Feel the power of Kensuke!! Ultimate ruler of Street Fighter Alfa 3!!!" "So typical of you to go as low as using Akuma when you're losing, Kensuke." Touji pointed out. "Really cheap." Daisaku added. "BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! All hail king Kensuke!! God of video games!" "I think he's really out of it now." Daisaku commented "Let's leave him to his glory." "Yeah, let's see how that basketball match went." Touji acknowledge as he began to head back to the sport center with the other teen. "Thank you dear public!!" the four eyes declared, still daydreaming. "Thank you for recognizing me as your true champion!! Master of the vs. battle!! Lord of the arcades!! Sovereign of..." ---------------------------------------------------- Back between the public, Washu got up from her seat and headed towards the exit. "Washu-chan?" Tenchi asked "Where're you going? Don't you want to see who wins?" "Team Garo already won this match." the redhead responded simply "No point in staying to see the obvious." "How can you be so sure?" Tenchi asked once more "There's still five minutes left and the score difference isn't that big." "Very simple." she said "As a matter of fact, allow me to explain this event with the help of dear miss Sailor Pluto!" <<>> (The following explanation along with the individuals and events that it represents has nothing to do with the structure of the story what so ever. We ask our readers to please stand by till the end of this explication. Thank you.) In the classroom: Sailor Pluto: Students, please pay attention. We shall now explain the structure of Washu-chan's hypothesis on team Garo. Ranma: Sensei, can I go to the bathroom? Sailor Pluto: No, you may not. Now, where was I?... Oh yes. To understand this theory, we must go back in time when Miss Ichinosei scored that very miraculous three pointer. As you might have seen the ball, due to some effects that we will discuss next class, made a U turn right before reaching mister Higashi's hands. Not only that, but it also opposed all sort of law imposed by reality. Can any of you tell me what were the consequences of such a miraculous throw? Several students raised their hands. Sailor Pluto: Besides the fact that the score changed by three points... Several students lower their hands. Sailor Pluto: Very well. I'll tell you then. That three pointer had a tremendous psychological effect on both teams. The Maison Ikoku team began to think that luck was finally on their side. Tenchi: As if they had a guardian angel? Sailor Pluto: Precisely. Subconsciously, they found the strength they needed to take the lead during the second half of the game. Team Garo, on the other hand, was still in shock. That affected their efficiency during the game. Fuu: But then why did Washu-san said that the game was in team Garo's hands? Sailor Pluto: I'm getting there. To explain this, let's use the time line system. Students: Sailor Pluto: Silence, everyone. (drawing a line on the blackboard) Try to consider the events of the match as a straight line. Now... here, more or less in the middle, was when Miss Ichinosei did the miraculous throw. Due to some outer interference, the time line changed drastically (starts drawing a second line coming out from the first). If things would have went on without that interference, Team Garo's confidence wouldn't have been altered and they would have won the match effortlessly. However that wasn't the case and a second reality began to show up. Team Garo lost its focus and the Maison Ikoku team was starting to win. Does everyone follow? The students began to node, not very convinced though. Sailor Pluto: However, the captain of team Garo, Terry Bogard, found a way to go back from the second reality to the first. As all of you saw, he performed an impressive individual play that gave them the edge once again. Ranma: But those were only two points. What's the big deal? Sailor Pluto: Wrong. By scoring that basket in spite of being marked by Mitaka, the star player of team Maison Ikoku, not only did he change the score, but he gave his teammates back their confidence. Kintaro: Wait!! Now I get it!! That's the true role of a basketball captain!! Sailor Pluto: Pardon me? Kintaro: It's like in the EDO period! During a battle, the shogun is considered as the mountain of his territory! If the mountain stands firm in spite of off all the adversities, the soldiers will keep on fighting. But if the mountain falls, all of them will lose hope in battle!! Sailor Pluto: No, wait. You're not looking at it by use of the time line system. Ranma: Oohh! Now I get it! Since team Maison Ikoku couldn't stop Terry alone, that helped the other members of team Garo to understand that they could beat the crap out of their opponents if they wanted to. Tenchi: Since Terry was able to take on the whole team. So could they. Terry intentionally went alone against Mitaka only to prove that it wasn't impossible to score while dealing against him. Fuu: So now, team Garo has their confidence back and team Maison Ikoku is the one feeling insecure, since they couldn't stop Terry from making that extraordinary reversed dunk. Ranma: All right! Now it all makes sense! Sailor Pluto: No! You're not looking at it from the time line point of view! Ranma: But it's easier to understand it the way Kintaro explained it. Sailor Pluto: But you're not using the method!! Ranma: But that method sucks. Sailor Pluto: Go stand by the hall, young man! (This has been an unusual explanation of the events seen through "Anime Jam" chapter 3. We thank our readers for standing by. We now return to our feature presentation.) Yusaku jumped too late. Kim had already put the ball in the hoop before his adversary could do anything to avoid it. Maison Ikoku had the ball again. But since that dunk from Terry, scoring had been almost impossible. Mitaka was already pushing it to the limit as well as Kyoko. As Yusaku dribbled his way towards his opponents, Miyuki blew her whistle. The match was over. Team Garo won 83 to 60. During the remaining five minutes, Kim, Andy, Mai and Joe went on a scoring frenzy. Before the players of Maison Ikoku could notice, one of their opponent swiped the ball away and scored. All of it done with a speed they weren't able to match. Once both teams reunited at the center of the field, they thanked each other for a wonderful game and went their separate ways. The crowd cheered as team Garo Densetsu was declared winner of the encounter. Tomorrow would be the match to decide who would fight against them in quarter finals. "Oh, my God!" Usagi declared suddenly. "What is it, Usako?" Mamoru inquired. "What time is it?" she asked preoccupied. "It's almost three o'clock." Makoto responded "Why? What is it?" "I have to get to the dinning room fast before Ranma, Lina, Gourry and Miaka eat everything there is." she answered. Her friends and boyfriend just facefaulted as a response to that statement. Not giving to much thought about what might trouble them, the odango girl rushed towards the dinning room leaving them behind. "Well..." Rei started "I have to admit she's right. We'd better go too." As the contestants and spectator began to move out of the sport center and into the dinning room, only few people remained where the match had taken place. Cleaning up the court was now the UBT staff. But there was also another member of the organization who wasn't doing anything in particular. Miyuki was sitting in one of the rows, bent forwards, resting her elbows against her legs and looking at the floor. Behind her, near the entrance, Kamui was observing her. She obviously hadn't seen him. [She looks depressed.] he though. Moving silently, the last Ten no Ryu approached the young depressed girl until she eventually noticed his presence. "Hey." Kamui said simply. After all, opening a conversation (or even holding one) wasn't one of his most remarkable abilities. "Oh, Kamui-kun... I didn't hear you coming." she said softly. "You okay?" "Not really." "How come?" "I blew it." she responded "I blew it big time." "Com'on, the match went out okay." Kamui encouraged "There's nothing to worry about." "No, it didn't go okay." Miyuki told him "I completely lost control. I should've done something when Miss Ichinosei bit Mr. Higashi. I should've taken her out of the game or something. I... I was a horrible referee." "No you weren't." Kamui tried to convince her "After all it was you first time." "But Lord Jade counted on me to make this a good match." she pointed out "I couldn't control the players. It was a circus out there!" Kamui was about to say something when he was suddenly interrupted by a voice coming from the entrance. "Miyuki." Shinobu began. Both referees turned around to face Lord Jade's assistant. Either of them was sure if he brought good or bad news. That expressionless face of his did a great job in hiding it. However, Miyuki was almost sure why she called her. "Er... y... yes?" she asked nervously. "Lord Jade would like to have a word with you." he added "Please come to the control room as soon as possible." "OhmyGodOhmyGodOhmyGodOhmyGodOhmyGodOhmyGod! I'm really going to get it this time!" she said panicking. "Calm down." Kamui said while keeping a serene voice "If you want to... I can come along with you." "Would you? Ohthankyouthankyouthankyou! You're a real friend, Kamui-kun." "Actually," Shinobu went on "Lord Jade would like you to be present too, Kamui." "Me?" he asked "What for?" "He didn't tell me." the UBT assistant responded "But he wants all the referees to be present in the control room immediately." End of chapter 3. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ See you in chapter 4...