Chapter 8 - System Success = Strengths Awakened & Tasks Done

"Game!" Shouting together in happiness which Ralph's shock expression was clear on his face. Looking over was Link whom looked back only to perform a couple of dips and jigs dancing and taunting the similar player whom couldn't fire back with any words or actions.

"Who the man?! Link's the man, Ralph! Name isn't Zelda! It's Link who has this Master Sword that cut down your boar-built ass!" Shouting out where Joe hunkered down and hugged his brother whom was laughed at the comment. Clenching his hands - the dark-skinned boy merely rose up without a word.

Malcom arose - Snapping to his feet with an enraged expression that he was ready to lunge at the group!

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Yet; he was prevented by Ralph coming over and hold him back. Snarling angrily like a mad-dog where his rage empowered him as the teenager was visibly struggling with it but the two of them paused.

...

Looking at Joe whom walked infront of his brother... Before flipping the double 'birds' to his respective opponents - Having given them both the sauce as they spoke. "I'M A FUCKING SKIN YOU, FAT-ASS!/USE YOUR WORDS, QUIET MOTHERFUCKER!" Shouting at Joe whom broke out into laughter with Link hopped up and down like a hypeman - Gassing up the younger boy whom crossed his arms and nodded his head. Bobbing it in a suave manner where the Ralph stopped holding back his teammate before cracking his knuckles.

The two begun to approach the brothers who stopped laughing to meet them yet everyone stopped when they heard an angry voice. "Ralpho! Mal! Don't even think about!" They turned their heads to a still-down Jackson who had his head with Richard simply look at him.

"Boss! These motherfucke-" Just as the white-skinned boy tried to get a word in found him to be cut-off with a ear-pounding shout. "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" Stopping in his tracks where Ralph said. "Man, fuck that! I'm not some pussy whose gonna let these punks talk to me like that!" Speaking up with a disappointed tone yet he finished with a loud scream to finish it.

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Looking up where Jackson adjusted his hair; moving it out of way of his eyes. Running a hand slowly through his hair to give Ralph a cold look which caused him to visible shiver and lower his head.

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"*Sigh* Fuck... That was a game." Speaking underneath his breath to lean against the pole to thinking about it... It was a monster move that he thought was completely impossible... Dropping his head down to look at his hands... They were big... Yet... This guy's hands were smaller but he was controlling the ball as if he had monster-hands.

...

Speaking of hands; a brown-skinned hand appeared into view to look up at the owner. Richard wasn't smiling or taunting.

...

He merely put his arm forward to help up the other man... Grasping it which Jackson huffed and Richard groaned leading he helped up his opponent.

Their eyes locked which Jackson snorted and laughed to himself before speaking. "Fuckin' Christ! You really are a monster, huh?!" Breaking out into a fit of laughter where the others looked at him - Malcom and Ralph looked at each-other with confusion but Link and Joe just backed away. Thinking to themselves. 'Is he on something?/Oh no... I don't like where this is going." Looking at each-other before these two looked off from a distance.

"That was a good game." Richard spoke to Jackson whom stopped chuckled and regained his smile once more.

"Yep. The trash-talk was funny if you think about it." Agreeing and speaking his own point where Richard nodded. They smiled and openly laughed together - Link and Ralph were some of the funniest people around whenever they were playing ball but talking trash against each-other was popcorn worthy material.

Their teams looked at the two Bigs whom were cool players but... they were... weird.

"So... I owe you, now?" Speaking up to Richard whom stopped laughing before he gained a serious face.

"Of course. We shook on it... Your friends owe me as well. You all owe me, alot." Stating it as fact which Malcom squeaked out. "NO, WE DON'T!" Ralph merely tilted his head which he thought to himself. 'Did Malcom always have good ears?' Pondering the idea of Malcom with rabbit ears, buck-teeth and a carrot caused him to chuckle which Malcom elbowed him yet it didn't do much.

"Sadly - We all owe you. Can't believe we all have to pay or something." Responded with a nervous smile as Jackson pat the back of his head in shame. He didn't expect to lose - It was a beautiful comeback... Yet the moment was interrupted by Ralph this time yelling out. "THAT ASSHOLE ISN'T GETTIN' SHIT!" Making Jackson sighing before walking over to his boys and wrap his arms around their necks and speak with them in private.

Heading over to the calm Richard who merely smile at the back of Jackson where he saw the three-heads flick and travel around as those three were discussing with themselves. Link and Joe came over, handing the ball over to Richard whom caught as Link spoke.

"Damn, Ink. You won us the game and you gonna get the loot? Talking about some story shit." Speaking out as Joe nodded in agreement which earned a small laugh where Richard responded. "Well - I wasn't gonna let me lose all of my crap... Besides... I'm borrowing my dad's phone." Walking over to snatch up his backpack which made both Joe and Link gape. 'I could never do that to Grandpa... I'd be a corpse.' Link with a grim expression thought about the time that Link took a couple dollars to get a soda... He got a belt to his ass faster than a pretty girl getting attention at a mall.

Joe had no thoughts where he was wide-eyed and slack-jawed. They looked over as Jackson had openly smacked a hand against the back of Ralph's neck causing him to squeal which he looked down at Malcom whom only nodded.

The trio walked over to the others as Richard awaited words. "Okay. We'll spoke and you're gonna get all-kinds of goodies. If anything; swing by here tomorrow around... 3. We can get all of our shit done." Smiling and pumping his fist gently where he replied.

"Thanks. You guys are actually pretty honorable." Speaking as he was getting ready only to be stopped when he heard Jackson say. "Hold Up." Looking to see that Jackson whom was doing something where the group watched him crouch down and untie his shoes?

Doing so til he took him off before he said. "Here. I noticed that you destroyed your shoes. Not even ball shoes yet you was ballin'." Jackson's keen-eyes noticed where Richard and the rest looked down and their eyes widened.

The traction of the shoes was worn completely smooth and the outsoles were crack with pieces with fragments chipping and falling onto the ground whenever he moved leading to Richard saying. "Are you sure?" Receiving a nod where Jackson had already taken off his shoes and were presenting them towards Richard. Without a word, the younger boy merely took off the worn-out running shoes as he stretched his socks that landed on the black-concrete.

Gently taking what was once Jackson's own shoes from his feet before he put them on his feet. Everyone watched him which the Asian Big-Man smiled and thought 'Damn - Size 14.5, eh?' Thinking when the Biracial youth put his Adidas on as they appeared to be quite snug on his feet before lacing them up.

...

"Whoa." Vocalizing his surprise as there was a night and day difference in terms of everything! Comfort, fit, cushioning. Hell; lacing it up just right... Like it was natural!

"Enjoying them? Well - I just hope that you take it easy on my wallet!" Speaking up which the now 'de-shoed?' Big-Man spoke up before he took a turn and head for the exit. Ralph followed afterwards but not before shoving an extended, thick middle-finger infront of Link's face whom wave in an old, fashion and womanly manner which Ralph went on his way. Malcom was last where he threw back on his tank-top and ran after his friends look at Joe... then Richard... His eyes traveled downward to the larger boy's shoes.

...

Malcom headed off to exit the courts without a word to say.

"Damn. We got a Superstar and we beat Big-Sun, Bro!" Exclaiming to Joe as Link pumped his arms upward where Richard's attention went from his new shoes then to Malcom before his eyes traveled to see the brothers who had walked over to him, curiously speaking up in wonder.

"Why? Is Jackson someone big around?" The respond made thee two look absolutely flabbergasted at their Big-Man's lack of knowledge.

"Are you kiddin'?! Jackson's a ranked top 30 High-School Player in America & A top 50 under 18 Player intentionally!" Richard's eyes popped out for the first time; shouting out in shock as he said.

"REALLY?!" Which Link shouted back. "YES!" As the quietest out of the bunch spoke up to talk to Richard.

"I'm surprised you don't know - You're a grade 12 like him, right?" Asking as the two merely assumed that Richard was just as old as Jackson but that only got Richard to bust out laughing where they merely tilted his head and said to them. "A-A-Actually. Ahahaahahah! Wooooh... I'm actually 11 Years Old... Ya know; Grade 7."

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....

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"WHAT THE FU-"

[Later]

A Jamaican woman was in her living-room. Listen to some wacky reality show where she had been performing a self-body workout to popped her head over the front-door with the lock clicking and the door creaked open. Grabbed the remote from the coffee table to turn off the T.V. as the middle-age woman looked to see who had entered.

The familiar sight of a 6ft youth entered - Peaking his head out to look at her with a smile on his face. She smiled back as her son spoke up.

"Hey, Mama. I'm back." Richard had come home at a good time which made his mother nod and look at the house cloak... "Whoa. Came on time, Ricky?" Speaking directly at her boy whom walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water to walk around into the living-room. Heading over to give her a small hug which she hugged her son before turning the T.V. back on

"Dang Right. Not gettin' my butt kicked, Mama. I ain't stupid." Talking up only to take a swig of his water where his eyes locked with his mother who looked at him. "Don't pretend to curse around me." Sternly talking which Richard stared... Taking a swig of water before he proceeded to give her a childish salute making his mother only sigh. "God, you're like your father." Breaking out in a fit of laughter where Richard choose to head to his room swiftly with his mother took a step towards him as a threat which she was getting annoyed by her smart-alike child.

Slipping off his new shoes where put them on a shoe-racket inside of his room beside his door. Putting down all of his basketball things and sighing to him; grabbing his sleep-wear before head to the bathroom which he considered 'his' as his parents had their own in the bed-room they used.

...

....

Around 10 minutes later - A smooth and clean Richard sighed to himself. Hopping out of the shower where he drying off every-bit of his body with a towel. Putting on his lower-body attire being undergarments' and pajama bottoms; grabbing some lotion to put on his skin after the process but he stopped.

Looking right at the mirror; it was fogged up by the mist but he couldn't

Looking at the foggy mirror making him pondered - He actually hadn't seen his own reflection since he had awoken from his coma. Maybe the update fixed some things and the like.

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Grabbing his towel to whip away at the clear-mist that prevented him from seeing himself to gap.

...

His facial features came from his parents but he felt like he favored his father in his past life yet it was more of a stronger mix of the two. Inheriting his father's rounder eye and round cheeks, his mother's side appeared in his some-medium sized nose and big ears. A dimple was innately developed on his left cheek which popped out more as he smiled in surprise

He also shared his father's small smile as well where he didn't flash too much teeth but Richard's lips were alot more plump to his father's thinner ones. Lastly - His black, thick-brows which he also shared with his father had their ends trimmed and sharpened to give it a blunted, dagger like appearance shape.

Turning his head side-to-side as he examine his features before he shook his head around where his hair came down in a thick, bundle of hair. It was a mixture in terms of texture and appearance of curls and wavy hair in a night-black shade that didn't seem natural yet looking close at the roots of his head only to see that it just happened to same as the later locks. 'My hair is this dark? ... It wasn't like this before?' Looking at his brows which matched as well but he used the towel to whip away and looked more intensely to look at his eyes.

?!

His eyes widen as he looked at his eyes which the boy knew that something happened to be different... His eyes were different! The color of his iris happened to be a mix where a ring near the pupil was a royal-blue with the everything afterwards was a light-brown. "Whoa. A completely, different me."

Look over to see his developed body which was befitting of an athlete that only made openly chuckle. "Damn. Didn't know that God got me going like this." Throwing on a t-shirt and exiting the bath-room to head towards his bedroom and hop onto his bed. Mind traveling to his game. Every intense moment, play, emotion. It felt amazing. where he was smiling happily but as soon as he opened his eyes; a message filled out his vision making him sit up.

[Tasks Complete.

Side Task - First Game Back! =

....

Successful!

Optional Tasks: 3/3

Optional Task: Outperform Your Charge: Jackson 'The Big Sun.' - Completed.

Optional Task: Perform A Highlight Play. - Completed.

Optional Task: Don't Call Any Fouls. - Completed.

Hidden Task - Gambler's Due & National Competition! =

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Completed!]

The eyes of the young-man couldn't get any larger where his jaw dropped. 'Hidden Tasks? There are Tasks like that?' Ideas about what it could mean for future Tasks came which they could be... alot of things. Maybe he'd have hidden task that he wouldn't know about. Only time could tell; his eyes found themselves to be filled the image of Badges which had their surfaces cracked.

A majority of them glowed a dull and faded brown but Richard also noticed that some of them shifted in color to be a bright baby blue with a greater shine!

In total; those blue badges were around 7 of them.

In contrast - Richard saw that he had 7 new badges as well leaving him with a total of 14!

'First game, eh? I can't wait to hit the hard-wood.' Smiling to himself happily where he shifted around and took a seat as his desk instead.

To think but watch as he saw the badges open up.

His first, new badge with a stick-figures facing-off. One of them was bouncing the ball with his back to a defender who was pressing up against them.

[Post Player (Bronze): A Player whose offensive skills are notable whilst posting up where they have a series of shifty-moves, drives and fakes to deal with defenders. Post-related moves/techniques have their effectiveness improved per level; improves control over ball when a defender is in direct contact with the Player.]

'What! A direct improvement to my fakes and drives would be a big benefit than just relying on my stats.' Thinking excited as the very-rare and low-view count vids of Post-Play from his usually website was limited but it also made him feel wide-eyed.

The next appeared to be similar where a stick-figure was dribbling the ball however it wasn't play gently where impact-lines and jagged-outlines surrounded the defender whom was being knocked backwards.

[Power-Moves (Bronze): Focused more on using their strength; A Player is more adapt at using Powerful moves from their gathers and how they deal with contact. The Player's stamina cost and usage is reduced whilst on the ground whilst they have an increased finishing ability in the air depending on badge level]

'So; I use my strength to help me score and tire people out? Jesus.' This badge in particular was greatly help out whilst finishing through contact. Despite being born from a couple generations late - Richard knew of Shaq's dominance on the court. No one could handle him one on one down-low but dealing with fouls was his achilleas-heel... Well; Richard would have to work on his freethrows.

Following these two 'finishing-based' Badges - one more badge came into view. It appeared as a stick-figure was leaping up up to smack away onto a ball and send it away where the offensive stick-figure founded themselves on the ground.

[Shot-Blocker (Bronze): Defenders that are better than average at blocking shots where it is something that they are known to provide consistently which brings an intimidation factor but also a presence. Increases height, width & speed of all block attempts based on level.]

'Shit! This is huge - Blocking shots is a huge-thing for me and this just makes it better!' Think as he raised a hand to pondered. The defensive impact of Big-Man was always huge; protecting the basket from lay-ups and dunks was an important job and if he had this badge... It meant that he was gonna be an even scary player on the defensive end.

Following this; another badge was reveled. Looking as Stick-Figure with a large crown on it's head snatched a ball mid-air and drove it home over into a hoop a defender who wasn't able to stop it as they were flying backwards with the outline appeared on their body

[Putback King: Normally Big-Men or Athletic Players with a nose for the ball can more effectively score right away; whether it's through the air or after landing on the ground. Players with this badge equip are more proficient at Tip-Ins and Put-Back depending on level. Also improves ability to rise up in traffic for 3 seconds after landing from an offensive rebound.]

His smile reappeared - A badge like this meant one thing. More chances to score right away off offensive rebounds. Being a Big-Man - It would allow for him to put shots right up instead of coming down but it would also allow for him to rise-up and dunk the ball if at possible.

Childish smirking where he thought to him as Richard's hands slowly rubbed against one-and-another. 'Alright; Gonna Blake Griffin some folks if I can.' Smirking after watching a 'Prime Blake Griffin.' video early today which got him smiling; an explosive and trampoline legged Power Forward was always nice to watch.

Following these, his eyes looked curiously. Three Badges appeared where he noticed that two of them connected to one bigger-one which held a dull-shine.

The first was a stick-figure with rockets for legs which fired off and launched it upward into the air with a ball in hand.

The second being a stick-figure whom had wings as they held a basketball with two-hands as they floated towards a hoop.

The third caught Richard's eye the most where it appeared as the Stick-Figure with the ball dunked as they were chest-to-chest with them..

[High Riser (Bronze): Athletes who stand out based on their very high vertical leaps - A majority of the time if they're able to get their maximum jump easier and naturally than others. Increases vertical leap depending on level - Will always reach their maximum vertical regardless of gathering stance or which feet are utilized to jump.

The Skywalker (Bronze): Jumpers who have such impressive vertical that they seemed to float mid-air in some inhuman manner. Because of this - the Player's finishing skills, blocks and rebounding improved slightly because of this beneficial gift. The Player's Lay-Ups, Dunking, Blocking & Rebounding are improved by a small amount based on badge's level. Certain jumps will make the Player stay airborne longer to allow for mid-air adjustments.

Posterizer (Bronze): A Dunker whom excels and desires contact whenever they go for their Slams. Always giving a boost their to teammates and themselves from their jaw-dropping plays. Improves Dunking skill and quality of dunks during contact per level; additionally gives a temporary. stamina boost to the Player and their teammates who are on the court.]

'OH SHIT!' Noticing that these Badges all affected positively affect key points of his style. His vertical seemed to be high but it was even higher and better?! His dunking was something that he fell in love with so being able to finish dunks better through contact was a massive bonus. Switching into Lay-ups in acrobatic moves always was awesome with the right-amount of flair but Blocking and Rebounding happened to be two-things that he was very good at!

Pumping his hands above his head which he was pacing around happily. Doing a little shoulder-shake and dip of the knees where Richard whispered to himself "Fuck yes!" Normally, he didn't curse but he loved it! All of these badges happened to be perfect.

[Swagger (Personality): Players' are known to have a certain air on them but some players' stand out more than others. Able to put more flair on moves during game - Has celebrations for all-notable plays from offense, defense & rebounding.]

Just chuckled to himself. 'Swagger? What am I, Swaggy P?!' Audible bursting into a fit of laughter where he went over to his tablet. Turning on to look at the some basketball-related news which nothing happened. In the corner of his eye, he saw the badge's appearance. A more detailed image of a head from a side-profile whilst the picture of a camera was on the side affixed to the side.

'Nothing wrong with some flair.' Checking further on as the notification for another badge filled his view.

[Wild Animal (Personality): Certain people are more in-touch with their natural instincts where they seemed to more openly act like a beast which they bring this onto the court. Player with this badge equip are more keen and react in unpredictable ways making them wild-cards.]

Seeing the badge with the image of a human facing one-way where the other appeared to be a cross between many animals...'Maybe; I am an animal? Didn't think about it, too-much.' Noting that he seemed to act out at certain points during the game; he also got alittle bit more aggressive after the trash-talk. Watching afterwards where another Personality badge appeared.

[Street-Baller (Personality): Players who developed their game on the blacktop than the hardwood which they play with a certain-level of freedom and flow that is rather abnormal. Player's offensive moves naturally appear flashy with this odd-pace, relax demeanor on their faces and/or fancy yet effective moves.]

'I'm a street-baller now?! God Damn!' Cackling under his breath Playing one game against a squad of folks didn't mean much to him but it was to the system. This badge had featured a casual-clothed dressed Player whom held a ball in one-hand which they were looking down at their sneakers. Richard loved the icon where the young man pose for the tablet's camera only to take a picture.

[Lion-Heart (Personality): Some Players don't handle confrontation or pressure well where others embrace it and crave it. Player with this badge equipped will play at the same level regardless of pressure or competition; in addition - will openly engage into physical altercations if directly at them.]

...

'This is me.' Fearing no-one and fight people was what he was. Hell; he practically had his life change because of this. The badge appeared where it only had a cartoonish heart with a lion's face roar on it. 'Looks like a 20 year-old's tattoo but that's beside the point.' Noticing that Richard saw a notification on the tablet which was news of Golden State... Jersey Retirements had been announced.

[Mind-Games (Personality): Whether it's through words or actions; the Player is able to affect other opposing Players. Player with this badge equipped may cause opposing players' to fall into cold-streaks depending on this Player's actions.]

'What am I?! 1990s Player?' The thought came up as the old-school clips had Players fighting, talking trash and having a sense of passion to beat their opponent completely... Thinking back; Richard did acting like some of them as he causally threw some punches. Know that part of himself where he had his ways. This badge appeared with a profile of a human-head where the image of a wrench was lodged into some gears.

[Dunker (Personality): A Dunker is someone whom considers the Dunk to be one of their best moves or even their very best. Most often or not; they are always winning to throw down a big-one. More willingly to perform flashy dunks in traffic or fancier Posters than most others would like to.]

'THAT'S ME!' Thinking where he had jumped up where his eyes widened where he had to shift his body to prevent his head from crashing right into the ceiling. Spooked by this action as he weakly chuckled to himself with the badge appeared player was in air - twirling around mid-air with a ball-in-hand as a defender was in the air and attempting to block the shot.

The last one had a shinier glow than the others where Richard only breathed deeply and watched onward.

[Alpha Predator (Personality): Normally - You have your leaders who can drive the team. You have the hearts who support everyone. Lastly; they're are those players who fall out of the norm who succeed and let everyone know. Savages whom openly want to prove their superiority by dominance over anyone whom was in their way. Player with this badge equipped has exceptional drive to improve and grow their game where their work ethic is very high to match this drive. During games; they will openly attempt to beat their star players or embarrass them as much as they could.]

Eyes latching onto the badge which only featured an evil-form of a horned goat whom stared back as it's eyes shined against the surface behind it.

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'Whoa.' Happening to be the only thing that he could think about as he finally leaned back but his eyes felt heavy.

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Yawning... as he heard over to his bed and sat down.

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"Must be...*Yawn* More tired than I thought." Speaking aloud before he grabbed his sheets and begun to tuck himself in.

Eyes became squinted before they slowly... begun... to... close.

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*Silence.*