I Am Gamer III

by Gabriel Rathweg

  Known Characteristics – This weapon was created to nullify a person’s Affinity Power and render them incapacitated. Made of the same material as Affinity Ball this weapon reverses the polarity of the material and instead of taking on the properties of the Affinity wielder, it instead sucks the Affinity Power from those targeted.

  Affinities – Null, Zero Affinity

  I went to call out to the teachers, but the enemy Ninjas acted before I could. Fear gripped me as the Ninjas attacked the teachers in unison. Nine Asps flashed out, almost faster than the eye could see, each hitting a different vulnerable spot on a teacher. All three dropped without any sounds but grunts and thuds of hitting the ground.

  Closing the information bubble, I looked at my friends standing by my side and all around us. All of Class S, even Justin and his crew had come within speaking distance, while the other members of the Freshman and Sophomore classes streamed towards the shelters. The exception was the Sophomore’s Class S, who were separated into the A-Ball trio’s and were racing towards the Ninja Commando Attackers.

  The Mirror Triplets reached the first trio of enemies, the ones that disabled Ms. Smith, all three struck simultaneously in a perfectly time ballet of badassery. Meryl, Beryl, and Sheryl each targeted a different attacker, their silvery auras shining like armor around them, then as one they yelled their attacks.

  “Mirror Triple Strike!” The triplets cried.

  Suddenly, the triplets tripled. Three versions of each girl appeared separating from the original in a split-second, and turning from opaque to fully corporeal, then all nine flared their silver auras as they hit. The three shining silver kicks blasted into each Ninja Commando. My AR2 dinged as I watched.

  MIRROR TRIPLE STRIKE (LEVEL 3) – This attack is a triple threat that can only be completed by members of the Mirror clan. By completed syncing the wavelength of their Affinity Powers, the triplets make mirror images of themselves that are three times the power output of the single member, then their power is tripled again by fusing each members own Affinity Power creating an AP pool that is exponentially stronger. This ability lasts till the triplets AP is expended.

  By the time I flicked the information closed the other Sophomore groups had reached the other Ninjas and had engaged them, already getting the upper hand with their surprise attack and A-Ball tactics. My group cheered as the Ninjas Commandos fell under the Sophomore onslaught one by one, until they were all down and incapacitated. Anna caught my eye and I gave her a thumbs up, which she returned with a fierce and triumphant grin.

  I motioned to my group and gestured towards the Sophomores, then we all ran over to help our sprites leading the way.

  Skidding to a stop a few feet before I reached Anna, followed along by the rest of my class. The gorgeous girl was directing her fellow classmates then turned as we reached her, while the rest of the Sophomores picked up the Asp’s and unconscious teachers, ignoring the downed enemies.

  “What’s the plan sis.” Justin called, walking up to stand next to her and their brother Blake.

  “We need to get the teachers to the infirmary first, Bron, Dwayne, and Blake, each of you grab a teacher then…” Anna began saying, as she finished directing hers and our teams, the rest of her words lost on me though, as another barrage from the NRE ships hit the barrier. The lead ships information flashed up on my AR2

  NRE FAST ATTACK AIR GUNSHIP

  SHORT RANGE ASSAULT CRAFT – 150 FT LENGTH – 50 FT WIDTH

  ARMAMENT – FIVE PORT AND FIVE STARBOARD BROADSIDE CANNONS, DUAL FORWARD AND STERN MOUNTED AFFINITY CANNONS

  ARMOR – N/A

  CREW MAX – 50

  The Neo Rus Empire’s military is based on the concept that the best defense is a good offense. NRE-FAAG’s are the epitome of this philosophy. Highly armed, extremely maneuverable, and very fast, all at the expense of shielding and armor. Designed to resembled sharks made of iron and wood, they are propelled by an Affinity powered steam engine that can use crew members as fuel to extend its capabilities. These ships are usually used in fast attack squadrons that operate in short range from a base of operations with a longer tactical range. There large armament and ability to hold a large crew make them a very effective at surprise assaults.

  I closed the window as I caught my balance. The world shook visibly around us all, as the cannonballs struck the shield. This was the largest and strongest attack yet. The ships had turned to their broadsides and were now firing five more shots per ship. I watched in morbid fascination as what looked like a rain of cannon fire exploded against the shield, causing it to flicker and shake in rapid spasms and bursts. If this kept up, I wouldn’t bet on the shield lasting that much longer. As if echoing my thoughts, Maggie grabbed my shoulder and gestured towards the rest of the group, who were already headed off full speed, unconscious teachers over broad shoulders.

  The whole group moved quickly but safely. Anna had us in a formation with the teachers in the center surrounded by the rest of us with Maggie and me pulling up the rear. No one spoke, nothing needed to be said, we knew where we needed to go, besides the world around us was speaking plenty.

  I glanced back and saw Ms. Parker, Mr. Samson, and Mr. Austin were still shining and flying around the group of ships and ABBA’s. From this distance they looked like glowing florescent ping pong balls bouncing back and forth wildly through the sky. Even though they were way outnumbered every time they struck another NRE combatant fell from the sky. I grinned and was about to cheer out loud when another ship broke through the cloudbank and my cheer caught in my throat. All that came out was a strangled croak. The largest ship I had ever seen appeared from behind the attacking NRE-FAAG’s and ABBAs. This ship was huge, easily as large as all the attacking ships combined. It was a steam belching, fire breathing dragon of a vessel, replete with cannon protruding from every side and a runway with a massive air control tower on top. I was reminded of the movies my Sensei like about World War II with their aircraft carriers. This was a flying version of that mixed with a steam powered destroyer.

  NEO RUS EMPIRE BATTLE AFFINITY DREADNAUGHT

  NAME – NRE VLADIMIRPUTIN

  CLASS – LEGENDARY

  LONG RANGE FORWARD ASSAULT CARRIER – 770 FT LENGTH – 83 FT WIDTH

  ARMAMENT – FIFTY PORT AND FIFTY STARBOARD BROADSIDE AFFINITY COMBO CANNONS, THIRTEEN FORWARD AND STERN MOUNTED AFFINITY COMBO CANNONS, HANGAR FIFTY ASSAULT ABBA

  ARMOR – AFFINITY REINFORCED STEEL PLATING

  CREW MAX – 350

  The Neo Rus Empire’s military flagship. The Putin is a fully functional flying fortress and operating forward base. The Putin has all the necessary equipment and supplies to keep their army and ships supplied for six months. The vessel also has the armament equivalent of an entire fleet of ships. With their fast attack ABAB’s and FAAG’s, they have a blitzkrieg ability that is second to none.

  I took in all of this in a moment, then closed the screen and kept moving, catching back up with my classmates who had also seen the monster ship, and were now moving even faster. Then thunder struck, louder than I had ever heard in my life, so loud that I involuntarily put my hands over my ears, along with the rest of my classmates. Maggie’s eyes were wide as she stared over my shoulder, looking almost comical with her hands covering her ears, I turned following her gaze.

  “You gotta be trumping kidding me…” I whispered.

  Clouds of smoke blossomed from the side of the giant warship, in all the different Affinity colors, that were so large they obscured the huge ship from view. Then I saw the cannonballs streaking in, but these were Affinity powered shots, radiating Affinity Magic. There was ice, fire, earth, wind, and all the other Affinities, I watched them all as they traveled almost in slow motion, with a terrible feeling growing in the pit of my stomach the whole while. Luckily or not, I didn’t have to wait long. The combined barrage of FAAG’s and the Putin, almost a hundred cannonballs and Affinity cannonballs struck the schools shield.

  Time slowed to a crawl
and I watched each individual shot hit the shield, causing the light blue Affinity power to flash while all the different Affinities colors exploded like fireworks on a perfectly placed tableau, it was beautiful. Then the shield overloaded and exploded shooting a backlash of Affinity Power that was so bright and loud the world disappeared around me, and everything went black.

  I slowly blinked my eyes open and smacked my mouth open and closed, tasting blood and dirt. A loud ringing was the only thing I could hear. My vision and hearing began to return, albeit at a snail’s pace, thankfully my wits came back quicker. I was lying on the ground I realized, as I pushed myself up to feet and looked around.

  All my classmates were in a similar state as me, to varying degrees. The last thing I remembered was the shield exploding. I shook my head, clearing it, and got back in the game. Once on my feet, I helped Maggie up and then headed to the rest of my friends and classmates. No one was hurt, just shaken up, Anna caught my eye and nodded, then we all began moving again. Our goal, the Infirmary was just in sight and we moved even faster, everyone glancing behind them in fear as we ran. A look back and I saw the teachers and now all three headmasters holding off the NRE invaders, already they were forced back to the parade ground.

  I turned and refocused on our destination and quickly ran inside along with everyone else, bringing up the rear and shutting the door behind me. The Infirmary was large enough that all of us fit in comfortably. The teachers had already been placed in Healing Pods and Anna had a Holo-Screen up in the center of room, which everyone had gathered around and watched intently. The Holo-Screen was amazing, showing an aerial birds eye view of the entire battle, along with zooming in everywhere that the action happened and showing popups with information on combatants and different attacks and moves.

  I stepped up next to Maggie and she grabbed my hand not taking her eyes off the screen, which I stared at as well, taking in the view of the battle raging just outside our room. The action on screen was riveting. The Headmasters and Teachers fought like devils, and even though they were outnumbered over a hundred to one they held off the attackers, a testament to their strength and battle prowess.

  “Wow…” I whispered, returning my full attention back to the unfolding battle.

  TRACK 2 –

  “Bankai!” Ichigo yelled, his form changing immediately

  The Headmaster of SNES flared his power and his orange and silver streaked Affinity Power surrounded him, flashing blindingly for a moment then absorbing back into Ichigo. His ninja garb was gone and wasn’t replaced by samurai armor, instead the Master Ninja wore a long orange kimono, laced with silver and blue tinged lightning bolts. The hair on his head turned to flame and his became fiery pits with arcs of hissing electric arcs. Even his swords had changed, becoming long slender Katanas of equal size, matching the Headmasters colors of fire and lightning.

  BANKAI (LEVEL MASTER) – Host uses their Affinity Power to change their appearance and Affinity level to their most powerful, third and final form. The hosts strength, speed, skill, and power to their maximum limits. This is skill is known only to the Miyamoto Clan.

  “No fair Ichi, you always change first!” Headmaster Siegfried called, beginning his own transformation. “For Justice and Vengeance!”

  Like his fellow Headmaster, Siegfried’s transformation was different this time. Gone was the heavily armed and armored Knight. When the golden glowing Affinity Power faded there stood Siegfried Draconis, brimming with power and standing like a vengeful god of old. He stood bare chested with a golden metal kilt and his hammer was gone, in its place was a shining golden axe. He truly resembled his legendary namesake, the barbarian hero of old Siegfried the Dragon Sayer. My Master loved old Conan the Barbarian movies. This was the living embodiment of that fierce warrior.

  LEGENDARY AVATAR (LEVEL MASTER) – Host sacrifices a portion of their consciousness in exchange for becoming an avatar for a legendary hero. By doing so the power of the legendary hero and the host merge and become a multiplication of both. The new being takes on the visage of the legendary hero.

  “Come on Simon boy-o, time waits for no man!” Siegfried called, swinging his axe in a huge arc, flaring his Affinity Power, and leaping off into the air, streaking towards the NRE ships and fighters.

  Following the trend set by his two friends, Lord Belmonte nodded stoically, and power shot out of him, enveloping him in his Affinity Power, black, silver and white light encased the giant man.

  “FF Limit Break!” Damon Belmont called, as his voice and AP trailed behind him like an after image.

  FF LIMIT BREAK (LEVEL MASTER) – By defeating the godlike FF beings the host completed the contract with those beings of the Affinity Plane. Host takes on attributes and gains power of the FF beings but retains all control over his mind and body. Hosts Affinity Magic and Affinity Power become almost immeasurable in the normal realm.

  He was already streaking after Ichigo and Siegfried before his Affinity Power had stopped flashing. When it finally resolved itself and flowed into his skin, it revealed the Headmaster’s new form. One huge feathered wing, as black as night, but shimmering with silver light and crackling with sparks of white energy, protruded from Damon’s bare back. Gone was his trench coat, now he was bare chested and wore only his battle pants and boots. Covered in glowing Affinity Energy, Damon stopped in between his two friends.

  The Neo Rus attackers began to pull back, all the ships and ABBA’s even the Dreadnaught, when the Headmasters entered the fray. The three teachers, who had been fighting against almost overwhelming odds, received a respite, as they moved over to Belmont and the others.

  “Nice of you boys to join us.” Ms. Parker, also known as Lady Death, quipped as she arrived, a wry grin of relief across her face.

  Mr. Samson and Mr. Austin arrived with similar looks right behind her. The group hovered in the air and watched the retreating enemy.

  “It looks like…” Damon Belmont began, but stopped as the enemy stopped retreating and a new Affinity Power, the color of a bloody sun, erupted on the deck of the Dreadnaught.

  The view zoomed in and showed a humungous man in the center of the Affinity Power’s blossom. His power was enormous, at least as strong as that of the Headmasters. He wore clothing that made him look like an officer straight out of WW2 movie, except the cape that hung from his broad shoulders. The man looked like a posterchild a warrior from those movies, even the scars crisscrossing his cheek screamed SS.

  “Good Afternoon gentlemen and lady.” The huge man’s voice boomed out across the whole aerial battlefield. “Thank you for having us for breakfast.” He laughed for a moment then began speaking again. “My name is Commodore Vladimir Stalin. It is a pleasure to meet all of you. Especially you, Lord Damon Belmont.”

  The glowing blood red man finished, flaring his power and leaping into the air, then streaking towards the Faculty. It was some sort of prearranged signal and all seven of the NRE-FAAG’s began to glow a different color on the Affinity spectrum. The Dreadnaught, the WA Main Tower, and Commodore Stalin also began to glow brighter than ever.

  The ships spun in place, the retreat had been a ruse, and now they were in position surrounding the WA Faculty. The NRE Commodore flew through the sky, glowing with AP, stopping just a hundred feet from the teachers.

  “I don’t know what you think you’re doing…” Belmont started shouting, but the NRE Affinity Magic

  “Just humor me Lord Belmont.” Commodore Staling yelled, cutting off the WA Headmaster.

  He raised his hands and his Affinity Power flared brightly, shooting out from him and the NRE ships. Giant lines of magical force, pulsing with Affinity Power, connected the ten different NRE enemies in moments. Each NRE-FAAG was connected and lines shot to the Dreadnaught, the Commodore, and then the Warrior Academy Main tower to complete a decagon. The WA Faculty were surrounded by glowing lines of Affinity Magic.

  “This is bad.” Ichigo said to his friends.

  “That depends on your point o
f view.” The Commodore’s voice boomed. “You see, from my position it is quite good. Now, on with the show! Gulag Affinity Teleport Enforcement!”

  GULAG AFFINITY TELEPORT ENFORCEMENT

  A mass creation spell, developed by the Neo Rus Empire, for imprisoning can transporting their dissidents and enemies of the state. By combining all different types of Affinity Magic and directing it, the GATE spell sends the targets of the spell into the Affinity Realm encased in a prison of Affinity Magic powered by the captives own Affinity Power.

  All three Headmasters flared their power and rushed the glowing Commodore, all three hit the man like freight trains, tri-colored AP exploding in blinding flashes of power.

  When the light subsided and the view cleared, shocked gasps and soft curses sounded around the Infirmary. I echoed the sentiments, shook my head and refocused on the screen. The glowing lines of force were still there, now twice as large and surrounding the Faculty on all sides now, in a three-dimensional decagon cage. Commodore Stalin was guffawing loudly while the Headmasters and other teachers were back in the center of the cage. When the NRE commander finally got ahold of himself he grinned malevolently at the trapped teachers.

  “Goodbye Headmasters, I will take good care of your students.” Commodore Stalin hissed nastily, an oily smile across his face. He raised his hands and gestured, then the lines of the cage began to pulse and shine at a greater intensity then before.

  “You won’t get away with this.” Damon Belmont raged at the NRE leader.

  “Is that so? Well, you won’t be around to see if that happens or not. So long losers.” Commodore Stalin said, waving and mocking them.

  The view centered in on the Headmaster of Warrior Academy and he turned as if realizing that we were all looking at him. His visage turned hard and his eyes looked like they were made of steel.