User:Nextoy/Slider/1

Ice Racing fans were distraught when they learned of the shooting in the league stadiums that day. Not only was it the final race of the season, but an underdog had come close to winning. The Slick, Stylish Slider Sub-Zero (or simply Slider) had almost won despite it being just his second season. However the stadium was attacked by mercenaries and several members of the audience were taken away, including Slider’s fiancee.

After the incident Slider returned to his trailer. It was filled with various medals he had collected for his ice racing and in-line skating achievements across the past five years he’d been competing in both. He made himself a small sandwich as a dinner and noticing a letter on the counter. Opening it up, Slider had a look of nothing but curiosity on his face scanning over it.

''Dear James Hartley

I’m sorry to hear of the attack on the rink today, and wish that we could of stopped things before they had gotten out-of-hand. One thing I’ll say, however, is that we can help you. We have the ability to give you the power to save the imprisoned people, and the allies to help guide you. If you wish to meet with us show this letter to your manager and he will know where the truth forms into nothingness.

Sincerely, an order of good Samaritans.

'' While he had thought nothing of it the night before, Slider kept looking over at the letter as he ate breakfast the morning after the incident. “Who is this ‘Order of Good Samaritans’ that sent this?” He asked himself, scanning it over again. A knock on the door caught his attention, putting down the letter and opening it up.

“Hey there, Slick.” His manager announced. “Mind if I come in for a moment? I was told you had something to show me.” Slider looked over at the desk, nervously rubbing the side of his hand up against his nose before looking back over.

“Yeah, I got this weird letter last night.” He mentioned, stepping back to let his manager in. “It’s from some kinda weird order of sorts.” The manager looked over the letter, a grim expression slowly sliding onto his face.

“Well… I see that day has come. Tell me, have you ever noticed anything odd about the fact that you almost gained the champion title in only two seasons?” The manager asked, looking over to Slider.

“Well maybe it’s just ‘cause I’m naturally awesome at it!” Slider answered, placing one hand on his hip and flicking his thumb across his nose. His manager sighed in response.

“No, James.” The manager rubbed just above the bridge of his nose for a moment before taking the letter and heading towards the door. “Walk with me, I’d like to show you something.”

The two of them walked along the VIP parking lot of the racing rink, looking around at the different police investigations. The whole rink was practically covered in investigators, guards, and witness interviews. Slider’s manager denied each one a moment with the young racer, which he was thankful for. Eventually they came to an odd building at the edge of the parking lot that Slider had never seen anyone go in or out of for most of the week he’d been there.

Swiftly turning around, his manager blocked the door and gave Slider a stern look. “Beyond these doors is something that most people wouldn’t believe is anywhere near here. Once you go through here you will never go back to how you were before any of this mess, but you will have the chance to be a hero. The following hardship will feel stronger than anything you’ve ever faced, and it is up to you to decide if it’s worth going through.” The man warned, with Slider surprised by the level of seriousness.

“He’s normally a pretty laid back guy. What got into him?” Slider asked himself in his head, mulling it over. “You're kidding, right?” Slider asked, looking over to the manager and stepping off to the side. “We’re talking about The Slick, Stylish Slider Sub-Zero here!” He pointed out, snapping his fingers in a Z formation with all but the last “S” word before pumping his arm at his side. “I don’t care what’s past that door, if it’ll make me a hero than it’s a risk I’ll take!”

The manager gave a relieved, then excited, smile, stepping off to the side. “There’s the Triple S I know! Well, all your questions will be answered in here, so feel free to step on in!” He explained, walking off. “Keep in touch though, alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Slider called back, opening the door and walking into the dark corridor inside. It wasn’t very long, but long enough for him to lose his sight for a moment. When he reached the end the wall opened up, each half sliding off to the side, and a tall, slender man in a robe stood behind a single, solitary desk. The hood was down to reveal an older expression, but his hair and skin showed that the robed man was actually quite young despite the wizened, solemn expression.

“You must be James Hartley. I’d been waiting for the day that we could meet, though I’m sorry the circumstances are so dire.” The robed man announced in an attempt to offer some kind of consultation. “For the duration of your time at our side you may call me Marco, as I am to be both your mentor and mission maker.”

“Hold on a moment here!” Slider interrupted. “First off, call me The Slick, Stylish Slider Sub-Zero, or at least Triple S. Secondly, what are you talking about with this ‘Mentor’ and ‘Mission Maker’ stuff?”

Marco shook his head, sighing lightly. “You’ve been told nothing, have you? You’ve got more power than you realize, and not a very good grip on it because of such.”

“Wait a minute…” Slider spoke, getting an annoyed expression. “Let me guess, ‘Yer a Wizard, Harry.’” He snarked, his eyes growing wide at the quotes and pointing to the robed man.

“Don’t mock the situation!” Marco ordered, a balled up fist coming down on the desk from behind his back as the hand he had been holding feel to it’s side.

“Oh no, I’m not mocking anything!” Slider retreated, holding his hands up. “It’s just, yer a wizard!” He snarked again, pointing to the robed man a second time as his hand slowly came down. Marco growled and shot an icicle at Slider’s foot, trapping it there as it was encased in ice. Slider struggled against the ice until he had realized that this man, this Marco, was much more than he appeared.

“Now if your calm I’d like to explain in detail.” Marco told him, his voice calm again.

“Yeah, just get this off of me!” Slider complained, still struggling a bit. Marco waved his hand to the side, the ice splitting in have and bending away from Slider’s trapped foot.

“These mercenaries are not mere men. They are much more powerful than anyone will ever know, but we can help you be even stronger.” Marco explained, “Your talents as an Ice Racer and the hidden potential inside you are both very important to making sure these people don’t get away with what they intend to do. Additionally, you get to be the hero that saves everyone, including your fiancee.”

Slider looked at the ground a moment, gently squeezing his nose and crossing his arms. “Well…” He started, his lips scrunching up to one side, “I… I gotta save Maria.” He replied, looking back up to Marco with a grin. “Besides, if I can’t have the world championship then I may as well be the most badass Racer there ever was!”

“Then your training will start whenever you’re ready. I’d suggest going back to get what you’ll need, and maybe wandering around for a bit before we start. It will be a long time before you return to your trailer.” Marco told him, sitting down at the desk and closing his eyes.

Slider merely shook his head. “I’m more ready now than I’ll ever be.” He replied, leaning towards the desk. “Besides, what kinda knight keeps his damsel in distress waiting?”

“Much as I miss the days of niavety, you have already been warned of the dangers ahead.” Marco replied, his tone as blank as his expression, as he stood up. “Either way, that time has passed. Follow me.” Marco walked to one of the blank walls in the room, sliding his hand down it as a wall of ice appeared in the shape of a door, the middle shattering inward like glass to create an opening. The two walked into what looked like an armory, museum, and the room a crystal palace all fused into one.

After Marco had picked up a pair of boots from one of the counters, he handed them to Slider. As he took off his own shoes and put on the boots Marco began to explain what they were. “These boots are Slide Gear. They have a thin layer of ice on the bottom that will never melt so long as your will remains strong, that way you can use your abilities as an Ice Racer whenever you please.”

Slider stood up and slipped around a bit before gaining his balance. “So cool..!” He muttered as he slid around the room, being careful of the other displays and equipment. “Ha! So my style is frozen in place now, huh?”

“You’d have to melt it to get better.” Marco verbally jabbed, which caused Slider to cringe and lose traction as the bottom of the boots melted a bit. “Besides, that’s not we should teach you how to use them first.”

“Well isn’t it just like using the slide boots on the track?” Slider asked, a confused expression on his face.

“No. There is more with that then just sliding around. You have latent power, and those boots will help bring them out.” Marco explained vaguely, walking towards another room. “I’ll bring you to a place where you can practice.” The two of them walked through the crystal palace and into a large courtyard of ice; an obstacle course set up for them. “Try running up that wall.” Marco ordered, pointing to a smooth wall ahead of them.

“How am I supposed to do that!?” Slider asked him, his face twisted between confusing and annoyance.

“Your boots will change as you need them to.” Marco pointed out. “All you have to do is imagine the shape you need, and will it to be. Once you’ve climbed up the wall feel free to get used to your boots new powers.”

Slider sighed, getting down low into a starting stance. “Three… two… one…” And off he went towards the wall. “Gotta face it head-on!” He thought as he jumped at the wall, the ice on the bottom of his boots changed into spikes. As the spikes sunk into the wall Slider ran up it, kicking off just before hitting the very top.

“BOOYAH!” He shouted as the ice reverted to normal; with a small dip in the center for him to grind along one of the ice rails spiraling down a large pillar. At the bottom lay a gigantic golem made of ice, rearing up for a punch.

“Defeat the golem and you will have proven your skill.” Marco’s voice called out inside Slider’s own head. He grinned as he jumped over the first punch, rearing up for a kick of his own before the golem brought its arm up to send him flying behind it.

Slider brought out the spikes, sticking to a wall. “I don’t think so!” He called out, the space between the spikes being pushed out as large block to boost his jump towards it. The golem brought its fist down onto Slider; having jetted him down onto the ground on his failed attempt to roll away from it in the air. His ice was already starting to melt as he hurt in places he’d never even felt before.

“Get Up! Stay strong!” Marco echoed through Slider’s mind as the golem lumbered along. He started to get up and looked towards the golem.

“Not… today..!” He groaned out, the ice starting to form back on his boots. As the golem’s foot came crashing down Slider slid away from it, getting on his feet and darting at the icy monstrosity. His boots flipped back into spikes as he jumped up and ran up the creature as he dodged it’s attempts at grabbing him. He climbed up the beast and jumped off it’s shoulders, bringing both legs down onto it’s head. The golem cried out an icy, sharp noise before it collapsed downwards; and Slider rode it the whole way down.

Marco walked over to him, A pleased grin on his face. “You have the talent I was told of. This is good to hear.” He told Slider. “I believe it’s time for you to learn what’s happened at the ice rink, and to your fiancee.”