I woke up early the next morning and got ready for my trial. I took a shower and wore a red tank top with a black dragon at the bottom left of the shirt. I also wore black short shorts with athletic tape around my hands and feet. I slipped on some shoes and ran downstairs. I met up with the twins and walked to the coliseum.
"So who's playin' today?" Erick asked.
"Well other than you." Derrick said.
"Me and I think Uncle Scott. Then tomorrow are Nate and Jacqueline. Then the next day is Jeremiah and James." I said looking for my brothers. They were supposed to meet me here.
We were walking around when we found a room that had my last name on the door. I was about to open it but I heard someone talking from the other side . Instead of opening the door I put my ear against it.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"She hasn't even gone through the change!"
I can't tell whose speaking, the voices are muffled.
"She has gone through the change!"
"Plus she's agile, and athletic! She's perfect for the trial."
"But she's new and still learning her powers I bet. She'll put our clan in jeopardy!"
"Why can't you just trust her just this once!"
"Because she's too young honey. And we want what's best for her and our clan."
I pulled away unable to hear anymore.
"What's the matter Melody?" The boys asked.
I shook my head, "Nothing." I can't believe it. My family can be really supportive and when I need them the most they doubt me because of my age.
"All contestants for today please come to the arena. I repeat: all contestants for today please come to the arena." Said the overhead.
"Okay see you later." I said.
I walked towards the arena and met up with my uncle Scott.
"Hi Uncle Scott." I smiled.
"Hey little one, so are you ready?" He asked rubbing his hands together.
"Ready as I'll ever be." I said.
"First up we'll have the Bamboo Cross. Would Melody Ryuu please come to the platform." Said the M.C.
"Good luck!" Scott said.
I smiled and gave him the thumbs up. I walked up to the platform.
"You know what to do right?" He whispered.
I nodded and took off my shoes.
"Okay, open the ditch!" He yelled.
Instantly the ground rumbled and I almost lost my balance. I looked out and noticed that the ground was a huge ditch with large bamboo sticking up.
"Hit the fire!" He said. Large flames came up. "Ready...set...go!"
I took a deep breath and ran to the edge. I jumped landing on a stick. It wobbled but stilled. I felt the heat licking my feet. I started to sweat. Ignoring the heat, I jumped to the other one and another. I heard cheers and that gave me more confidence. I noticed that the sticks were widening out so much so I started to do flips to get more air. I was able to land on my hands.
"Alright almost halfway through." I said.
I jumped on one and the bamboo snapped! I heard a collective gasp. I was falling fast. I tried grabbing a stick but when I did I ended up sliding. I kept on sliding till my feet stabbed into something pointy, hard and hot. I wanted to scream but I couldn't find my voice. My feet were burning and pain was shooting up my leg.
"What to do... what to do. Arg this hurts so much!!" I said.
I tried jumping off of the metal spike and tried turning my body backwards. My feet landed a foot above my feet. I let go and pushed myself off. I grabbed a bamboo stick and swung my body around so that I was in the air again. I flipped over so I could land with my hands. Thank you Nate!
"Appears she's not dead after all folks!" I heard the M.C. said. Immediately the crowd started to cheer.
I let out a breath of air and slowly landed on another stick. A wave of pain shot up my leg but I held it in. I started towards the finish line and almost made it but one the last bamboo, the stick broke! Before I fell I was able to grip the end of the wall. I hoisted myself up and started to walk towards the finish line. Once I was through I collapsed on the floor from the blood loss and pain of my feet.
"She made it!" I over heard.
I tried to tend to my feet but my vision started to blur.
"Melody! Are you okay?" I heard someone asked.
I looked up to see two Jeremiahs and Nates. I nodded but then pointed to my feet.
"Ew." J.J. said picking me up.
"Nothing Adrian can't heal." Nate said.
"To the infirmary!" I said pointing in some random direction.
My brothers ran and in no time we were in a room with a bed. They sat me down and ran off to go find Adrian. I tried to look at my feet. They were red and bloody. Plus the athletic tape was burned into the sole of my foot. After a few minutes of painful examination the door opened.
Without looking up I said, "Hey Adrian, is it possible to numb my feet before healing it?"
"Well well well. Nice to see you again."
Oh my Dragons...