Player vs Player: Ultimate Video Game Mayhem

Introduction

"Are you sure about this?"

"Have been for years."

"Could we at least try with a more... docile subject?"

"We want this to be big, so let's go big."

Damon Valence stood in front of the platform, straightening the metal band on his head and giving the nod to the window behind him.

A team of experienced scientists and one 17 year old kid, his kid, watched carefully.

Someone pulled a lever and pressed a button. The machine whirred to life, lights flashed all around the room.

One huge flash of light blinded everyone within visible range. Everyone shielded their eyes, the sound of static filling the room.

Suddenly, nothing.

The light faded away, the sound stopped. Damon looked back to the window, where everyone stood frozen in place, eyes wide and focused on something.

He slowly turned, stumbling backwards. It worked.

Before him stood a feathered creature, greyish blue and as tall as a semitruck.

"Nargacuga..." the teen whispered, recognizing the beast.

A beast that only existed in Video Games, until now. The beast snapped its beak, a low growl filling the room.

"Time for the second test." Damon mumbled, slowly raising his hand out in front of him.

The Nargacuga fell quiet, its yellow eyes fixed on him. His breath grew shaky as he realized the situation he was in, but he collected himself quickly.

"Come here." he spoke clearly.

The beast bayed loudly, causing everyone to jump back in reflex. Suddenly it started forward, stalking towards Damon.

Valence stood his ground, having faith in his invention. One worked, why wouldn't the other?

The beast approached him, then slowed to a stop a few human steps away from him.

Slowly, it lowered its massive head until it was eye level with the man. It then leaned forward, pressing its snout against his outstretched hand in a shockingly gentle manner.

Everyone in the room exhaled a sigh of relief and chattered in excitement. Damon let out a giddy chuckle as he stroked the beast's snout.  

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're about to make a shitload of money." Damon declared.

After 5 minutes of screaming, the alarm was finally shut off.

"Told you we wouldn't need an alarm."

"But if we did, we would have it."

"Who sets an alarm to wake them up at the time they have to leave?"

"I don't know, let's just go!"

Ryan grabbed his backpack as TJ set the alarm clock back on the bedside table and Got his favorite hat from the closet, a black and dark grey striped fedora with a stylistic purple feather stitched to the back.

"You're not wearing that today, are you?" Ryan questioned, getting his jacket out and slipping it on, leaving it unzipped.

"I think we both know the answer to that." TJ returned, situating the hat before tipping it flamboyantly, following his friend out the door.

They rushed down the staircase (jumped, in TJ's case) and down the driveway.

Sean, the third of the trio, sat in the driver's seat of a shiny white Kia Sorento, Walk Like an Egyptian playing on the radio.

"I thought we agreed to take Elrond." TJ called to Sean as they approached the vehicle.

"You didn't refill the gas tank, so Elrond is empty. Gandalf will get us there, just get in." Sean answered.

"It doesn't matter which of the Ringbearers we take, but we gotta leave now if we want to beat the crowds." Ryan objected.

The two got seated in the vehicle, Sean backing them out of the driveway and hitting the road.

In a matter of minutes the trio was navigating downtown Denver.

"So much for beating the crowds..." Sean grumbled as they were brought to a dead-stop for the 15th time already.

"The Convention Center's got to be packed already!" TJ added.

It took them almost half an hour to get to the Center, and another 10 to find a parking spot.

But past the doors of the massive building was a masterful sight.

"Hundreds, nay, thousands of like minded people gathering to appreciate the glorious art of digital gaming entertainment!" Ryan announced in a grand tone.

"Yeah, we all read the website." Sean commented with a teasing chuckle.

"In we go." TJ interjected, ushering his friends through the doors.

And so the adventure began.