Tournament Trouble

by Sylv Chiang

  “I think he’s more into Star Trek than Cross Ups.”

  “You win easy.”

  I look at my mom, waiting to see if she’ll say more.

  She notices my questioning look. “I still don’t like this game,” she continues, but her smile shows she doesn’t hate it either.

  In a way, it’s not so bad that I missed my first match. Being in the loser bracket makes the tournament easier because everyone I play has already lost a match. The real superstars are all in the winner bracket.

  In my next matches I battle a bunch of casual gamers. None of them came here to win, but they all look a bit bummed to get kicked out by someone my age. One guy obviously just came to the tournament to hang out with his friends, a bunch of skinny guys who look just like him, all wearing black hoodies and jeans. They stand behind him and laugh as he loses every round to me. In the last round I even pull off a perfect—I don’t take any damage at all. It’s almost too easy.

  I’m in the zone, until I sit down beside my next opponent. He’s huge, like the kind of guy you’d expect to find on a football field instead of playing video games. I think he’s bigger than the yeti-cross he’s playing. He has an arcade stick controller, but it looks tiny in his lap. I try to use the sound of his buttons to help me, but the crowd is getting louder, and that makes listening for attacks harder. He’s good, and he destroys me in the first game. I hear him talking about pulling an all-nighter gaming with his pals to prepare. I guess that means he’s tired, because he makes some stupid mistakes, and I take advantage of them to win the second and third games.

  After the match, he reaches out to shake my hand. I hesitate. Everyone shakes hands after games here, but he looks mad and his hand is huge. I’m worried he’ll crush mine. When he leans in, I’m sure he’s going to tell me off. Instead, he breaks into a smile. “Good game, li’l man. I’m gonna keep my eye on you.”

  Between matches I notice some OGs chatting with my parents. Every time I look over, my mom’s talking to someone new. Sometimes she’s even smiling.

  Me and Cali walk the room, waiting for my next match. My eyes flick from left to right, trying to take it all in. There’s so much to see, and I don’t want to miss anything.

  Cali yawns. “These guys look like robots. Don’t they have any emotions?”

  I look at the two players battling in front of us. Both have totally blank expressions. In fact, if it weren’t for their hands moving at lightning speed over their controllers, I’d think they were daydreaming.

  “Just because they don’t show it doesn’t mean they don’t feel anything.” I turn to Cali. “When I’m playing, I feel so many things, but it doesn’t show on my face or in my words.” I pause. “Actually, I’m like that in real life too.”

  Cali smiles. “Guess it’s a boy thing.”

  “Hey, there are girls here too.”

  “True. There are a total of twelve females in this room, including your mom and me. I counted.”

  She’s got a point. All of my competitors are guys.

  For my next match, a huge crowd has gathered around my station. I hear someone say, “You gotta see this little kid with the big moves.”

  The guy I’m battling, Mr_Burns, is OG. He looks very serious when he shakes my hand. “Listen, I’m not going to go easy on you because you’re a kid,” he says. He’s a big guy, and he’s sweating through his Simpsons T-shirt.

  He plays Lerus, who I’ve always thought is the weakest character, but he sure knows how to make the best of her. We go round for round, neither of us taking two rounds in a row. He wins game one; I win game two. We’re tied in game three, one round each. If this pattern continues, Mr_Burns will have the victory.

  I stop myself from looking at the mirrors because the huge crowd in the reflection freaks me out. I focus on the screen.

  As soon as the FIGHT sign disappears, he grabs me and throws me. I jump up and over Lerus to work my favorite combo from behind. The cross up works! I add a few fireballs, and his Health Meter sinks.

  My next block is too slow because I’m checking my Super Meter. Lerus’s powerful horse kicks bring my health down halfway. As soon as I can, I go for the Dragon Breath Super and breathe fire all over Lerus.

  It’s so close. While I’m waiting for my Super Meter to refill, I throw a frenzy of fireballs that all whiff. I’m panicking.

  For her Super, Lerus transforms into a unicorn and gallops at me, head bowed so her glittering horn can make contact. Just before she spears me, I leap up and land on her, laying a jab combo into her horselike back. She topples. I take advantage of the hit stun and throw my Dragon Breath Super. There’s no missing from here.

  K.O.

  Yes! This win puts me into the semi-finals. Two more wins and I have two thousand dollars.

  Mr_Burns gets up. “You’re one to watch, kid,” he says as he gives me a big sweaty handshake.

  Random people in the crowd give me high fives as I leave the station. Before I can get very far, Hugh and Devesh tackle me. Sweat runs down the sides of Hugh’s pink face. “We just checked the bracket. You’re playing on the live-stream next—”

  “—against Kn1ght_Rage,” Devesh finishes.

  Chapter 24

  Hearing Kn1ght_Rage’s name makes my stomach flip.

  “You beat him before. You can do it again.” Hugh’s smile is bigger than his face.

  “But I still don’t know how I did that Super. It was a button mash. Plus, I’m not so good at blocking his Solar Burst, and he knows it now. He can deplete my meter so fast . . .”

  Cali cuts me off. “Then you’ll beat him some other way.”

  “Has anyone seen this guy? Is he OG or our age or what?” Devesh scans the room.

  Hugh jumps right into spy mode. “We’ve got half an hour. Let’s figure out who he is. Maybe that will give you an edge.”

  “I’m too nervous to look.”

  “You go sit in the lobby and chill a bit,” Devesh says. “We’ll run the recon mission.”

  “Let’s split up to cover more ground. We’ll meet by Jaden in twenty minutes.” Hugh starts weaving his way through the crowd. Cali walks off in the other direction, and Devesh follows her.

  In the lobby I find a couch, lean back, and close my eyes, trying to think about anything except the upcoming battle with Kn1ght_Rage.

  A minute later, Mom sits down next to me. “Are you having fun, er zi?”

  “I’m too scared to have fun.”

  Her face tenses. “What’s wrong?”

  I change to Mandarin since that worked better the other day. “Nothing. Why do you always worry so much?”

  The deep breath she takes is not an angry-bull breath. She sounds more like a tired animal that just finished a long journey. “When I was your age, my older brother Li Yun made bad decisions. He chose a violent lifestyle. I worry you will do the same if I don’t keep you safe.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She lets out another tired breath. “Where we grew up there were many gangs. My mother tried hard to keep us kids away, but Li Yun was drawn to the idea of having power over people. My mother was so worried, she even spent her limited money to buy us each some jade to wear. In Chinese culture, they say the jade stone can protect you from harm.”

  I look down at the green bracelet she never takes off.

  She follows my gaze. “Yes, she gave me this bracelet. And she gave each of my brothers a jade ring.”

  “But it didn’t work to protect Li Yun.”

  “On the day he was killed, Li Yun left his ring at home, so who knows? I think maybe it would have protected him. I still keep it with me to remember him.” She pulls a small red pouch from her purse and opens it to reveal a pale green ring.

  “Couldn’t you just give us all some jade to wear? Then you won’t worry so much.”

  “Actually, I
did.”

  I think about this. “Melanie and Josh’s pendants, right?”

  She nods.

  I can’t think of any green jewelry I own. “And me? You just try to stop me from seeing anything violent? Why didn’t you give me some jade too?”

  “Sometimes you are so smart, and sometimes you miss the obvious. You can have Li Yun’s ring”—she places it in my hand—“but you don’t need it. I named you Jaden so you will always have jade with you.” Mom cups my face in her hands and looks into my eyes. “Your name is not something you can leave at home.”

  A warmth rushes over me.

  “You know, er zi, you look a lot like Li Yun.”

  “Is that why you worry so much about me? I’m not like him, you know.”

  “I know. When your teacher said you chose not to fight, I was so proud of you. Your actions show what kind of person you really are.”

  I want to give her a hug, but then I remember where we are.

  Dad crosses the lobby to join us. “Well, son, you are certainly the talk of the room. One of the organizers told me that they’re getting a lot of requests to see you play on the streaming, whatever that means.”

  “Great. That means my whole school will be watching my next match.”

  Mom says, “You know, I am very surprise. People here so friendly.”

  “We were expecting something different.” Dad pulls open his jacket to reveal a black T-shirt with the letters GDLK printed in white. “Look, they even sell these great T-shirts that say Good Luck.”

  I cover my face with my hands. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  “Why?”

  I sigh. “Dad, GDLK means godlike, not good luck.”

  “Oh. Well, it’s still a very nice crowd. And it looks like you’re holding your own in there. When’s your next match?”

  “Soon.”

  “Did you eat something?” Mom asks.

  “Nah, I’m too nervous. I’ll eat after.”

  “You need to eat. I’ll get you something.” With that she rushes off in the direction of the hotel restaurant.

  Hugh is the first to report back. “Not sure where Kn1ght_Rage is. Someone said he went for lunch.”

  Devesh arrives a minute later, with no news. “Nice shirt, Mr. Stiles.”

  I get up to put the ring in my pocket and see Cali coming back with a big smile on her face.

  “I just met Kn1ght_Rage,” she reports. “He’s a total OG—balding and kinda chubby, but really friendly. He told me to tell you good luck.”

  “See, son? Good luck!” Dad points to his T-shirt. “Nothing to worry about. He’s a nice guy.”

  “And I think he knows your mom,” Cali continues. “They’re chatting in the restaurant right now.”

  “What? Mom knows a gamer?” I look at Dad, who just shrugs.

  A few minutes later, I climb the steps to the stage in front of the big screen. I plug in and take a seat with my back to the rows of chairs. A few people call out, “Good luck, kid,” and I hear my father’s voice join the mix. I hope he’s not pointing to his T-shirt again.

  My thumbs tap away at the tiny controller in my hands. I think of my uncle’s jade ring in my pocket and close my eyes. Just gotta be myself.

  “So, we finally get to battle in person, JStar.”

  I recognize the voice, but I don’t believe my ears until I open my eyes and see the familiar face looking down at me.

  Chapter 25

  When I stand up to shake my competitor’s hand, my mouth is hanging open so wide I could probably swallow my controller.

  From the crowd I hear Hugh call, “Oh my God!” followed by murmurs as people clue in that I’m about to take on my math teacher.

  “Surprise!” Mr. Efram says. “I was tempted to reveal myself to you a few times this week, but that look on your face was definitely worth the wait.”

  “You’re Kn1ght_Rage?”

  “Yup. And I’m about to show you how we OGs battle.”

  I’m so dead.

  I sit down and select Kaigo. I see that Mr. Efram selected Blaze. My heart hammers in my chest, competing with my nervous thumbs on the controller.

  The screen flashes FIGHT.

  I start on the defensive, back dashing and blocking. As soon as my opponent’s Super Meter is full, I crouch to block any Solar Burst Supers. But he throws a different Super, Solar Flame, where he flies overhead dropping fiery feathers. Since I’m crouched, my block doesn’t work and I take full damage.

  I try my bread-and-butter combo, but Blaze juggles Kaigo and throws him like a candy-bar wrapper. The crowd boos. I back dash some more and crouch again, to block any Solar Bursts.

  I get hit over and over with basic kicks and punches. I spend so much time in a crouched defensive position that my opponent stays in the air, so my crouch block won’t work.

  This is sad. He doesn’t even need his Solar Burst to take me down.

  I’m going to lose if I don’t take a chunk of his life. I try desperately to play Kaigo’s Super, but my timing is off.

  One last flying side kick hits me in the jaw.

  K.O.

  The second round is almost identical to the first. When I’m knocked out, Kn1ght_Rage’s Health Meter is almost full. I hardly touched him.

  Well, that’s game one. Why is he beating me with basics? When’s he going to throw Solar Burst?

  The second game is a bit better. I get Kaigo’s Dragon Breath Super to hit Blaze twice, and come close to winning the second round. Unfortunately, I back dash into a corner, and Blaze goes ham on me with some basic chain combos.

  K.O.

  What a sad way to go out. The crowd boos again, and I crumple inside.

  I look over at Mr. Efram. He’s shaking his left hand and wincing, but his right hand is still holding his controller and he’s not getting up. He’s getting ready to play another game.

  That’s when I remember the rule sheet. It’s three out of five in the semis and finals.

  This thing isn’t over yet.

  Chapter 26

  I stare at Mr. Efram. It’s so weird to be battling my math teacher. I picture him in class, pointing his thumb at the stupid USAR problem-solving poster.

  I shake my head. Focus! This isn’t math class. This is the most important battle of my life. I’m going to totally embarrass myself in front of everyone watching if I don’t find a way to pull this off.

  I can’t sit here forever. I have to start the next game. Everyone’s waiting.

  But I’ve got nothing but that dumb poster in my head.

  I guess it can’t hurt. I mean, if I understand my opponent better, maybe I can find a way to beat him.

  Step 1: Understand.

  What do I know about Mr. Efram? He likes math . . . he collects comics . . . he sweats a lot . . . This is not helping. Aaah!

  Okay, what do I know about Kn1ght_Rage? He likes to use Solar Burst . . . but he hasn’t used it yet. Why?

  Next to me, Mr. Efram is massaging his left hand. I remember yesterday when he yelled “Son of a Borg” and realize he can’t throw Solar Burst—his hand hurts too much from banging on the window latch in class.

  Step 2: Strategize.

  I know exactly what to do. Stop defending against the Solar Burst—it’s not coming.

  Step 3: Attack.

  I press start and go on the attack. Instead of back dashing and blocking, I hammer Blaze.

  The crowd likes my new aggressive style and screams whenever I land a good hit. I stay away from the Dragon Breath Super since I always get thrown. Instead, I use fireball combos and add a lot of anti air. I win four of the next six rounds to take games three and four.

  It’s all tied up. The crowd goes crazy.

  Game on.

  In round one of the final game, I try the Drag
on Fire Super as soon as my meter is full. The crowd groans when nothing happens.

  How the heck did I do it that day? I don’t get it.

  I go back to the problem-solving steps.

  Step 1: Understand.

  What’s different? I mean, I wasn’t even thinking that day. Maybe that’s it.

  Step 2: Strategize.

  I need to relax and stop thinking so hard about each move.

  Step 3: Attack.

  Let’s do this! I back dash and wait for an opening.

  Wait . . . wait . . . now. I try not to think about the combination of buttons and stick positions.

  Nothing.

  Mr. Efram grunts in pain and plays Solar Burst before I can react. I take hard punishment. In a panic I try Dragon Fire again. Nothing happens again. The crowd groans again. On screen, Blaze tosses Kaigo and I’m K.O.

  Mr. Efram lets go of the controller, winces, and shakes his left hand a few times. If he wins another round it’s over.

  I realize I’m missing a step.

  Step 4: Reflect.

  The only time Dragon Fire has worked was that one time I wasn’t thinking about it. But how can I do that in the middle of this game?

  Someone in the crowd yells, “Come on, kid.” A few others join in with calls of encouragement, but one voice sticks out. “You can do it, son.”

  I turn around to see Dad, standing proudly in the front row. Next to him, Cali catches my eye. She holds out her hands, slowly pushing them down three times. I know what she means—relax. I think of the game Cali’s mom taught her for falling asleep. It’s worth a try.

  The next time Kaigo’s Super Meter is full, I name comic book characters. A . . . Aquaman . . . B . . . Batman . . . C . . . Catwoman . . .

  I nail a Dragon Fire Super. It’s working!

  D . . . Daredevil . . . E . . . Elektra . . . F . . . Flash Gordon—hey, that’s F and G!

  Gray smoke!

  A minute later: H . . . Hulk . . . I . . . Iron Man . . . J . . . What starts with J? Oh, Joker!