Chapter 11 - Block Tournament = Prelims Start And Fresh Kicks!

Upon heading to sleep off the intense day - Richard spoke with his parents about the Tournament as soon as the boy brought his butt through the front-door.

"Hey Dad? Mom? Can I ask you guys something?" Peeking into the living room where his Father was on a lap-top; wearing his reading glasses which his Mother was eating some snacks with a glass of wine where she was watching some news.

Putting away their things and giving their child attention where he spoke about the Streetball Tournament; all of the information as the parents actually endorsed their son's passion and activity. The two spoke about in private where Richard got cleaned up himself after doing the dishes and the dinner.

...

An hour or so later; his mother called him back from his room that the boy peaked up that the young baller hopped right off his bed to meet them.

Going over the details and such as Richard's Father and Mother supported him and allowed for him to enter. Following this and ignoring their son's pumped-up screams making his Mother threaten him with the belt.

Heading off to his bedroom where he was able to drift off to sleep - Unable to feel anything as the soft breathes and calm form of the 210 lb (95 kg) boy sank into his bed where he gently twisted and turn when his dreams pulped his mind.

...

[In the morning.]

...

"... Oh Riiiiiight~." The eyes of Richard shot open that his voice echoed aloud. Throat dry from lack of water and lips feel strange with a lack of moist where the young man quickly head to bath-room.

Sounds of hot-water turning on where his parents whom could only in the Living Room turned to each-other. "Told you he'd wake up early, Honey." Speaking up where Richard's Father had been nurse a cup of black coffee - dressed in casual attire of sweater and jeans. "Quiet. I wanna surprise him." Near the hall-way leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms in the home, Richard's Mother had some kind of whistle in-hand where she was wearing similar clothing but opted for a loose sports-shirt with her darkly color-jeans.

"Whoa! Let's get i- *FUUUUFFFEEE!*" Coming down the corridor, the young man was dressed in his sports attire. Some navy-blue basketball sports with a Nike Swoosh on the sides - Adorning his top was a Navy-Blue sports shirt that had been repping Nike as well. With a backpack on him, his basketball in one-hand and his sneakers in the other however... his mom popped in front of him with a whistle in mouth! Blowing it loudly that made him scream out in a state of panic!

"OH NO! NOT THE PIES! NOT THE PI-Pi-...Piiiiies~?" Speaking on the matter which his dad had gotten up and was chuckling to himself. Leaning against a wall with a shaking-hand holding his coffee which had somehow...not spilled over - The young boy didn't know how the older male had such control over his mugs of coffee where his Mom was dying.

Falling on the ground and practically rolling around like she was a teenage-boy whom pranked one of his friends. Slightly flushed that he shouted out. "N-Not funny, Dad... Mom!" Not realizing that his voice cracked a bit making the two continue to lose their composure over themselves further.

"S-S-Sorry, Ricky... It's.... It was funny, my boy." Turning to his embarrassed child who looked back with his head become red where more laughs came out from. On the ground; the grown woman had regained her composure much faster than her husband. Getting up to her feet where she hugged the flushed boy's torso who audibly grumbled and pouted.

"Baby. Just to cheer you up." Whipping back that Richard only replied. "Isnot funny, Mom!" That made her chuckle to herself and pat her son's head as best as she could which made the young-man walked to the kitchen despite his laugher mother wrapped around his waist.

After dealing with this embarrassing moment - His mom cooked him up some hashbrowns and bacon to put on some toast with small bowl of rice. A majority of his time was spent talking to his parents that wished him luck where he finished after break-fast before he head out.

Outside of the building lead to the Big-Man meeting up with the others. His teammates being Link and Joe whom were dressed as well - All of them were adorn in sports-wear with a pair of classic Nike Air Jordans in an Orange & Blue Colorway.

Heading off together where Link lead the way and Richard truly explored his hometown in a way that he would've never expected. The side-walks were bustling with folks of various races and backgrounds whom were all-dressed differently. Some spoke to others in their own little groups, others merely went on their own whilst a small part were just strange folk.

Swing past a grocery lady whom saw the boys and gave them all pieces of fruit as samples to their quality products. Eating a couple dozen of the slices - Richard opted to snag a couple of the juicy threats where Link choose to not eat with his brother accepting a singular piece.

Ignoring them all where they hopped onto the transit system - It was weird. Folks talked about whatever, not matter who was around. When they arrived at the station; an argument broke out between a pair of girls about their 'mans' or whatever.

All that they knew was hair had been snatched and fists were flying.

Running inside to be quick as the sounds of a Subway roaring beneath them which the squad hopped on the transit-line - muttering about everything that happened but Richard kept a grin-locked onto his face.

"Only New York, eh?" Asking the two whom argued where the Subway ride had been much quieter... 'Gonna miss this crazy-shit in Texas... Still... Fuckin' Texas?!' Thinking to himself with a somber thought that he would soon be leaving town with his family in tow. At the end of the ride; there had been only a handful of people in the car that they were currently inside. When the next-stop came up and everyone practically exited to head on their ways. The boys had journeyed further onward inside of the city yet stopped when the group came up to huge gathering!

Hundreds of people were look over a fence-ledge which oversaw a massive space - Dozens of Basketball Courts of nice-quality with people playing all-over and numerous signs placed up.

'STREET CHAMP TOURNMENTS!'

"Whoa... This is alot bigger than it should be." Speaking had to be the rookie out of the group; Richard's grin faltered in shock, Joe nodded in an equal feeling of nervousness.

"Yo! We ain't losing boys. Calm down and let's get signed up for fuck's sake." An impatient Link spoke up that he lead the two to head down - Walking down an incline that they turned a sharp right to head over to the entrance of the courts.

At the entrance happened to be some folks whom perked up. Wearing a t-shirt with the branding of the tournament on her cloth but it seemed to be quite smaller where her developed-chest strained the clothing. Whispering under his breath where Joe watched the girl come up to them. "Damn." It had been a fair-skinned girl with a paler complexation, her hair was done in a pony-tail that held the golden-locks. Her green eyes shined as she approached them with a Cheshire smile.

"Hey! Are you guys watching the tournament?" Asking the squad which Link took offence to the question where he retorted to her in a crass-manner. "Fuck no! We gonna play and win this hol' thang!" Shouting up where on-lookers and other participants who walked by gave the squad hard looks. Her brows widen and she openly spoke down at them. "Really? You guys are so small, it's like you are little, newbies." Reaching forward and pinching Joe's cheeks whose eyes narrowed and his contorted into a weak expression. That made Link's brow furrow in anger that he stood straight and looked down at the girl who was actually only 5,5 ft (1.65 m) who was shorter than everyone. "I'm gonn-" Speaking up with one of his hands raised only to have it snatched by Richard who yanked him back and away from the aggravating girl.

Talking directly at her with his eyes focused on her. "We're not gonna lose, Missy. Atleast not without a fight." His smirk reappearing whilst the girl had been mesmerized by him.

...

"I like you, Big Guy. Maybe you'll do something." Giggling to herself where Link had successful thrown off RIchard's grip and prepared to speak some of his mind with an anger.

From behind the girl who noticed Link come up to her in an aggressive-manner, a familar voice spoke at the same time as Link. "HOW BOUT YOU TAKE YOU-/Liz! Don't bother peo-" Shifting around the girl who backed away from Link who was beginning to scream at her.

...

It was Malcom!

Wide-eyed as his eyes locked onto the crew which this 'Liz' looked between them. "Mally? You know these weirdos." Shades of green looked at each-other where they turned to each-other. Richard and Joe were laughing as they turned around and were chuckling to themselves. Link stood there.

...

"Pfft." His stone-faced features broke and he had joined into the laughing. Malcom's top had gone red and shouted at them. "What's so funny?!" Richard merely shouted. "MALLY?!" The trio broke further into a fit of laughter.

...

Even the girl joined in!

"I-It's actually fun, baby brother." She spoke out and rubbed her eyes which had been watering from the laughter only to noticed for these three to noticed similarities between all of them. They shared the same face to a tee!

The only differences being their hair color and the shade of their eyes.

"Whoa." Richard said where Malcom sighed and said to the group. "Alright. Link, Joe & Ink Meet... My sister; Liz." An exaggerated gasp came from Liz who spoke up, most notably that she openly smacked her brother's neck causing him to yell out. "Yeooooowh!" A stinging-pain throbbed from his neck and some reddish formed on his skin. "I'M NOT LIZ! *Ahem.* My name is Elizabeth. Ignore this MORON!" Scream out as she prepared to swat Malcom who hopped away before she hit him.

"Crazy ding-bat hell-girl!" Shouting at the girl whom snarled making the squad sweat. '... Is she okay?/Dis bitch on something like Malcom's funky ass!/... Man... If only I had my own phone.' As the boys thought to themselves with Joe being concerned, Link slander the siblings in his mind and Richard wishing that he could've recorded all of these funny moments in recent history.

"Well - It's nice to meet you, Elizabeth." Richard spoke to the blond girl who grinned and spoke back. "Same to you, Big-Guy." The others noticed this oddly pleasant reaction with Malcom narrow in his eyes with an intensity.

"Hey, Malcom. I thought you and your friends wouldn't show." Speaking up to the fellow Forward - the small-boy turned to Joe as the boy's look shifted from his sister and turning to the chubby teen. Smirking to himself.

"Welp. Jackson said that I should pay-off the bet - So, I'm doing it." Smirking to himself where a groan came from Liz who came over and smacked her brother's head making him yelp in pain.

"Oh yeah. I forgot - WHO DID YOU MAKE THE BET WITH, YOU LITTLE ASSHOLE! MAKING ME SAVING YOUR ASS WITH MY MONEY!" Screaming which made Link and Joe looked at Richard who kept an impassive-look and shook his head. "I did... What did you guys do?" Liz paused only to turn around to look at Richard with a cheerful look on her face. "Oh. That's perfect! Malcom and I got you some shoes." Underneath the breath and attempting to whisper when he stood up straight; Malcom attempted to speak. "You barely he-" Found an elbow driven into his ribs causing him to fall to his knees in pain.

"Augh!" Whilst they looked over - Richard founded one of his hands grasped by Liz whom said. "I'll help you guys get signed up... Also gonna give you your gift, Big-Guy." Confused by this where this girl suddenly pulled him along.

Looking over his shoulders where Link shrugged and Joe waved with a sad expression.

...

'Traitors! Help ya boy!' An angry expression appeared where he beckon them over with his other-hand but that didn't work out. Lead over by Liz, Richard found the sign-up booth that Liz helped him along the process and spoke to him.

Curiously peaking away at any-little details that she was able to find. She seemed very surprised when she heard him say that he played 1v1s with Jackson, her eyes had been as wide as they could be whilst began to pester him about more information.

Arriving at the sign-up papers; he met a middle-age dark-skinned man had been wearing cap n' glasses that hid almost everything aside for his white smile, a similar shirt to Liz's and a pair of shorts on his legs whilst he had been adorning in some Reeboks Basketball Shoes. "Hey Elizabeth. Ya been talkin' to this guy in the line for a minute." Exclaiming to himself where she nodded vigorously that she replied. "Yeah! This guy right here is super good!" Laughing at the girl's enthusiasm that Richard nervously scratched his temple as the older gentle-man turned his attention towards him.

"Joinin' up, Young Fella." Nodding to the man who put down paper-work and a pen. "It's easy as it could be. Put down the name of your name, your team-mates and their ages whilst your positions; you put the side." Picking up the paper and writing down the inform.

{Link - Age: 15. Position: Guard}

{Joe - Age: 13. Position: Forward}

....

Thinking alittle where he put down his info.

{Ink - Age: 11. Position: Big}

Handing it back to the gentle-man who read and his eyes bugged out that he whispered to Richard. "Really, Kid?!" A small smirk and he nodded towards him.

"Jesus. Kids are getting bigger and bigger." Shaking his head in concern where Liz whom had walked away and had been help others came back.

"Boss-Man. Is this guy and his team playing?!" An excited-tone pumped from her voice as she was practically hopping about and was waiting for the answer. "Yeah. Kid checks out." Stating where the man stamped the paper with an 'APPROAVED' Stamp that had put press of red-ink down against the white-paper.

Cheering and leading along Richard; Liz had been excessively cheerful about him which lead to Big-Man even laughing at the amount of support he was receiving from a stranger. At the sign-up stand where the runner of the tournament looked at the two. 'Liz been coming to these tournaments since she was a kid... She only latched onto a handful of ballers... The most recent was Big Sun & Nyles... But... Unlike them... She was never so excited about them... The kid must be a talent.'

[Later]

When the group met back-up - Richard was greeted by them. "You guys are in!" Exclaiming where she was standing beside the Big-Man lead to both Link and Joe getting pumped up. "Fuck Yeah!/Perfect!" Raising their hands and smack against each-other before bumping chests, the two had been excited whilst Malcom looked up and stated. "Jackson said that you'd find a way... Guys like y'all are weird like that." A sideways smile on his face where Joe nudged him that made him rubbed his head... "It's gonna be fun to watch you guys... Teaching you was rough, ya know?" Shaking his head side-to-side that made Richard reply with a smirk. "Nope cause I loved every second of it." Stating that point only make the teen merely throw his hands up.

Overall - The participants were taken elsewhere where Malcom and Liz went over to audience section. The head-honcho was standing in front of the everyone being the man at the sign-up booth, numerous others beside him with a hand holding a microphone that was linked to speakers all-over.

"Everyone! I'd liked to thank you for the many years that you've all supported us. Running these tournaments to help out the community has always been a passion of mine... And now; we been doing this for nearly 20 odd years... Donating to help out the sick... the disabled... and those least-fortunate. All of the funds and support from you all are gonna be going to those people." All of the people attending looked at the man whom spoke through the mic, taking off his glasses as dim-eyes could be seen. After that little segment of words followed by cheering from everyone including the staff.

"Now! Let's play good. Let's play hard. Let's play well, everyone!" Exclamations of happiness could be heard where everyone was beginning to start.

The Under 10s were notable smaller than the rest of the sections where they began their games with the Under 18s had taken 2 courts all-over finished by the 19s had taken 3 courts given the gigantic size of the area.

Link, Joe & Richard weren't starting for quite some time where they spoke with each-other. Liz and Malcom had joined them where the boy held a shoe-box with a Nike Swoosh on it that had been pure-white in contrast to the orange-box however it was surrounded by an odd-image.

A ember of black-fire which formed into the number '36.' This image was all-over the surface of the sneaker.

"Hey, Ink! We got your gift!/Living up to my part of the Bet." Handing it over where Richard said his thanks for the item where the girl was cheerful as Malcom didn't like his sisters' joy at giving away the expensive item.

Popping open the case which made Richard's eyes widen with Link and Joe looking flabbergasted!

Unlike the others; Richard saw the quality of the shoe as soon as he opened the box!

[Rare-Purple]

Taking out the brand-new sneaker to examine it where the other Ballers in their age group looked over and muttered amongst themselves.

"Shit, Those clean as hell./Mannnnn~! My cousin tried to get those and he couldn't find them in his size./Expensive Sneakers suck anyway./You hatin' cause you got knock-offs, bitch./Fuck Off!" The pair of siblings heard that made Liz snicker to himself and ask Richard.

"So, what do you think? ... Big-Guy?" Speaking to Richard who was frozen - A look of concern appear on her face with Joe sighing. "He froze up, again?" Hearing Joe who came over and looked at Richard who was staring the shoes. "Bro! Richard is frozen." As Link spoke up where he was busy looking at the games from a distance and threw a fist onto Richard's skull.

*Bonk* Moments later after the hit; Richard's eyes had stopped staring at the shoes before he asked. "What happened?" Liz merely giggled as Malcom sat down where he said. "You froze, again." That earned a soft-spoke sorry to the group with Liz accepting it and Malcom grumbling at the money which had disappeared from his 'hands.'

Putting further attention on the shoes where Richard's eyes were filled by the system informing him.

[Name: Nike Air Ryder 2s: Combo Edition (Miami Fall Colorway)

Add Campaign Name: Wanna Ryde, Kid?

Rarity = Rare-Purple

Traction: 7 (New)

Cushioning: 7.5 (New)

Fit: 8 (New)

Design: 8 (New)

Tech Rate: 78/100

Shoe Perks:

Bouncy Feet - Materials' allow for instant reaction to explosive jump into the air. The responsiveness can lead to easier liftoffs for a majority of jump.

Easy-Handling - Lacing-system and other features don't require too much work to wear. Whether it's tighten the shoe or loosen it.

Smart Placement - All of the shoe 'tech' is placed evenly and well which can get the most bang for the wearer's buck.

Legacy - The shoe has a reputation and it is highly-beloved by certain people. Valued as it is sometimes tied to a Star Player's achievements and activities upon wearing the shoes.

Additional Player Benefits:

"They ain't gonna win. Dunno why you asking if they have a chance." - Inspired by the Shoe's most notable wearer: Improves Mid-Range Shooting and reduces a late shot contest's effectiveness against shooter.

History: Designed with the intention of up-incoming star in Toronto; The Nike Air Ryder 2s are a super low-cut sneaker created by Nike. Bring back championship hopes and a Slam-Dunk Contest Championship, the 'Air-Ryder' was swiftly swooped up by Nike Executives to sign the IBA Player who was eagerly ready to work with the company. As the Nike Air Ryder 1s came out as a Hit-or-Miss release with limited colorways and uninspired design principles, the young Ryder had stepped up his game and Nike matched this by presenting this shoe for him to wear on All-Star Weekend to defend his title and he did so with ease. Sharing design inspirations with Nike's most notable Basketball Athlete, Michael Jordan with comparison reaching an all-time high between the two whilst the Nike Air Ryders bare a small resemblance with his Airness's sneakers before winning the elusive first championship. Striking Leather overlays all-around the shoe for strength and durability, A polyurethane mid-sole for cushion, Nubuck upper with customizable SwiftLacer@ pully-bridge and the Ankle-Straps of the Nike Air Ryder 1s with Icy-transparent outsole allow for all of the interior tech to shine with the Rear-Foot featuring the explosive Coiled Air@ bag.

The Combo Edition of the Nike Air Ryder 2s was the Toronto Star's performance based shoe for Play-Off basketball ball as he openly stated. "I gonna need even more stability and strength in my shoes. It feels like I'll pop them and I can't play my best." After hearing those words - Nike worked and improved the design. The SwifterLacer@ Pully-Bridge had layers' reduced and mesh added for ventilation, a reinforced polyurethane mid-sole founded bits of rubber infused to keep it sturdy and more resistant to the impacts of an athlete going full-throttle and lastly - Going away with the Rear-Foot Coiled Air@ Bag but using an even bigger and more powerful Full-Length Coiled Air@ Bag!

Featured in the Miami Fall Colorway of Pitch Black, Sunset Red (Faded) & Orange (Neon) where Ryder willed his team to beat the Miami Heat with a 5-1 Series that earned the sneaker it's own unqiue logo representing the Small Forward's number emblazed in fire.

Appearance: Ordinarily these sneakers would fall under the Low-Cut but the addition of the Ankle-Straps turned into a Mid-to-High Cut sneaker. Having a similar silhouette to the Nike Air Jordan 5s, it's upper is a fine-sheet of black nubuck with tiny sparkle-like patterns. In addition; sharp 'claw' like leather overlays with a shine compared to the mated nubuck is woven into the toe-box, mid-foot and heel-area resembling a Raptor's claws scratching into the shoe itself. Creating a unqiue pattern with a bold red-strips in every-scratch with orange-outlines surround it making the overlays appear like wounds on prey. Further up the shoe - The Ankle-Strap has the Laser Printed image of Ryder Posterizing Miami's Power-Forward And Center at once which it's connected to the collar of the shoe with red leather in comparison to the blacks strap with the image in orange which had a cushioned interior for comfort. The SwiftLacer@ Pully-Bridge seemed to a mix of mesh and leather replaces tongue and eye-lets with three thick-strands directly on it with two-strands heading from the collar to the toe-cap as well. Heading across the shoe - Near the rear-foot inside one of the overlays; the Miami Fall logo was present. (A black fire that forms '36') which was stitched on. Lastly but not least - the sole of the Nike Air Ryder 2s that bares a strong resembles with the Nike Air Jordan 4s with 'Icy' Translucent soles of neon-orange with polyurethane mid-sole being multi-colored similar to temperature map with it going from green all the way to crimson from toes to heel. Finishing this; the Full-Length Coiled Air@ bag is translucent however certain fibers within the Air Bag has been changed to black particularly in the heel to be even more eye-catching.]

Richard's eyes widen at the astounding amount of details - Turning a head to the siblings as he said. "Whoa... Thank you, Guys." Liz gave a thumb-ups and pat the seated Big-Man on the back where Malcom openly fumed and said. "Should've got those in my size. I want them." Smacking Malcom as Richard took off his Adidas and graced his feet with his new sneakers!

They weren't as comfortable as his Adidas but he felt it all-over. The Coiled Air@ under his feet was monstrous! Adjust the SwiftLacer@ Pully-Bridge as he yanked the strands that tighten various parts of the shoe all-over his feet from his toes, mid-foot and ankles.

"Hey... Do good, eh? I got you some nice-ass sneakers." Malcom spoke with Link pushed him out of the way with ease. "Shut up, Mally! Let the ballers focus, will ya?" Shouting at the boy with Malcom pressing up against the bigger boy with them arguing.

Joe sighed whilst Richard was too focused on his brand-new shoes as their group was called over.

Heading to the court - Richard received two notifications.

[Main Task: Try Your Hardest, Kid! - You are finally playing in the Tournament! Play as hard as you can and earn that rep, yo!

Objective: Try and go as far as you can.

Success: Rep

Failure: None

Side Task: Show out for Mally! - Malcom and his sister have blessed you with a huge gift, a pair of new sneakers which costed a small fortune! Prove that you're worth it and heck; show out for them.

Objective: Win All of the Prelim Games to enter Top 8.

Success: Three Malcom-Inspired Badges.

Failure: Ruined relationship with Malcom And Liz. Possibly chance to lose Old Sneakers.]

Look off into distance where Joe tapped him. "Richard, We're up." His focus twisted and the Big-Man looked as Link was on the court and hopping around, getting himself ready and willing to go.

...

A smile formed on the Richard's face as he said. "Let's kick some ass."

Walking forward with his fist crashing into his hand with an audible noise.

*Thwack!*