The OC Apprentice Pre-Challenge Winners · 4:21am Jan 25th, 2016
Here, the winners of the pre-challenge for the $50 dollar head-start will be announced.
XxX_Illuminati_XxX's Submission:
I, the almighty Thunderbolt Sentinel, was chosen to bat. Given my experience as a guard using polearms, athletic lifestyle, and most of all, my teammates loss of magic, I’m the team’s best bet.
That’s what I kept telling myself as I approached the diamond.
I took a deep breath as I walked out. The stadium was full to the brim with people, these humans. Frankly didn’t matter what you called them, they all looked the same to me.
The humans were the least of my problems, as I was alone on the home plate, looking at a nasty machine in the center of the field. I wasn’t alone for long however, as our “benevolent God of Barbeque” himself appeared in a flash, eager to start the game.
“Okay ,Sentinel the rules are simple. That machine has a total of thirty baseballs in it, hit more than your opponent and you win. In the case of a tie, whoever hit one the farthest wins. Any questions?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but was interrupted.
“No? Good. I’ll be watching from the stands. Oh, and here’s the rival team's score,” He said handing me a paper before vanishing into thin air.
On the small white paper it had in large bold,
26Twenty Six? Great, and here I was hoping this would be easy. Now if I miss more than four we lose. As if walking around in this freaky body wasn’t enough of a crutch?
Quickly shaking any thoughts from my mind, I readied myself for my first swing, while sweat dripped down my brow. This new body, although I knew (somehow) how to operate it, felt unnatural. I curled my fingers around the bat, feeling even more awkward than before. It took me a moment to steady myself as I took a stance and prepared for batting.
The first ball shot out flying at an insane speed. I barely had time to react before it flew past me! BBQ’s voice rang out from some speakers.
“And there’s one miss folks! Four more and it’s over.”
The loud voice directed my attention to a large glass box overlooking the stadium. Likely where he’s watching from and if that last little mention was an indication, he’d make it a point to mention everyone of my mistakes…..As if there wasn’t enough pressure.
Think Sentinel, you were chosen because of your weapon experience. Think of the bat like a halberd. Quickly adjusting my grip on the bat, I was in position to strike at the next ball.
It shot out and I swung down hard hitting it on the top, spiking it into the ground. I could hear him laughing without the need of the speaker, and over the roars from the crowd.
“That’s one way to hit a baseball kid!”
I figured, although one way to hit the baseball, it was not the right way.
I thought about how to make them travel farther and altered my stance accordingly to ensure they flew more horizontally.
The third ball flew out toward me. I let out a breath i didn’t know I was holding and whacked the ball hard! Sending it flying into the outer field!
The crowd cheered. “Now that’s a swing kid!” I could hear my observer say over his microphone.
I hit one, and I hit it hard! Now, let’s hope the rest of this goes as well.
Ball after ball, I kept swinging, knocking them flying as far as I could. Missing two more however as my hands grew sweaty. A disgusting feeling.
This was it. The final ball. I’d missed three so far, if I missed this one, it was a tie. If I hit this one, I had won for my team.
The ball flew, I swung the bat, I felt the bat nick the ball, but the ball kept going. I had swung too low! I heard it crash into the fence behind me, and the all seeing BBQ.
“Ohh, tough luck with that one. I guess we'll have to measure the distance.”
My nerves were on edge as he measured the distances of my hits. Having messed up my first “hit” badly.
He measured the distances and approached me.
“I have news,” he said giving me an unreadable look. He kept his silence for a minute.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Impatient aren’t you?” He answered. “Can’t a guy pause for dramatic effect nowadays?”
“Please, just let me know. The suspense is killing me,” I pleaded.
“Bar it actually killing you, I’d say it’s doing it’s job. Congratulations impatient one, you’ve won by three feet.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
“Because I like drama, and suspense. Now, go with pride today, you’ve won, this time.”
#Shrekt's Submission:
“This is weird,” Golden muttered examining his changed form. The closest thing he could compare it to was a minotaur’s. And the ones he had personally seen were slimmer. At any rate, he was taking his new transformation better than his other teammates.
“AHHHHH!!!!”
Nova looked down seeing he didn't have his scales on. He stared at his hands before he stood up and walked off, into a closet door, calmly shutting it, then shrieked and yelled with all his might, before sobbing.
“WHAT AM I??” yelled the formerly-pegasus, holding out her new, pale hands in front of her, before promptly falling on her face for lack of balance. Lifting her face off of the hard, coliseum coliseum floor, she looked up and pointed a finger at the god.
“Is this what it’s like to be YOU all the t-” she said, before her words faltered. She found that Gob had disappeared, and she was accusing a patch of open air of being a human.
“You sure told him,” Golden mocked.
After a few minutes, Nova slowly stepped out of the room, showing a calm demeanor again. He slowly clenched his hand before nodding, “Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.”
Lucky looked down at her arms with wide eyes before she tried to flex the strange appendages on her arms.
“Is anyone else a bit cold?” Lucky asked to her teammates.
“I’m good, so uhh are you guys alright….since you uhh don’t really have...hooves now…” he watched and tried to hold back a laugh seeing them trying to learn how to move their new bodies.
Golden threw out a few quick jabs. “Seems about the same to me. Well save for these things here.” He pointed to his fingers.
He crossed his arms and smirked, “Try walking.”
Golden did as he was asked. His pace was slow and methodical. “I walked on my hind legs in the ring more times than I can count. I can walk just fine.” No sooner than he said that did he pick up his pace to illustrate his point. And fell face down onto the ground. First Spark chuckled quietly, putting the arm that had tripped him back to her side.
Nova slowly walked over, and held a hand out to Golden with a knowing look. “At least I’m used to this form, now if I was turned into a pony then…” he trailed off before shrugging and chuckling lightly, “Anyway, what's the game plan dudes and dudettes.”
Spark stood from the ground warily, as if she had a pair of rollerskates on, and looked up at the three.
“Well, obviously, I go out to bat,” she said.
“What!!! NO WAY, I've been walking as a biped ever since I hatched!!!”
“You two are idiots. Of course I’m the the one to hit! I’m a boxer! Hitting is my job!” Golden argued.
Spark and Nova glanced at each other before they both broke out into laughter, “You can't even run!” they said in unison.
“Oh yeah. I forgot. Spark hasn’t even STOOD yet. She was a pegasus who damaged one of her wings. Which looks to be one of her arms now! And Nova is a tiny baby who lacks any source of power. You two are too weak to hit a homerun,” Golden asserted. At the mention of her wing, Spark held up a protesting finger and opened her mouth to speak. She quickly shut it, though, upon the realization that the finger, and the arm, that she’d held up was purely mechanical and bronze, and she held it away in hurt.
Nova’s eye twitched as he walked closer before Lucky held him back, “Firstly, my birthday is in a few days which makes me a teen dragon, and secondly I’m taller and stronger then I was as a dragon.”
“I’ve fought and beaten several teen dragons who were trained as boxers. You aren’t anything special.”
“Fighting dragons is one thing….hitting a ball going 20km an hour is another, and remember, you lost some experience from the change, you won’t be as coordinated with these.” He flexed his fingers, “Then you were with these.” he made his hands into fists like hooves.
“Oh? And I’m supposed to believe you have the experience to hit something? Have you ever hit anything in your entire life huh?” Golden challenged. “If you haven’t then you aren’t batting.”
Lucky looked between the two for a moment before stepping forward slightly, “May I make a suggestion?”
“What is it?” the two arguing males asked.
“Why don’t you work together, look. Nova, you've lived your whole life as a biped, and knows how to move his body, and Golden, you have trained to be strong, why not help Nova be strong enough to win us this round?”
The two looked at each other and blinked in unison, before turning back to Lucky.
“Fine,” Golden pouted. “He can bat.”
“YES!” Nova fist-pumped the air.
“But I reserve the right to punch him one time. And he’s gotta come to me.”
Nova’s face visibly pailed, before he spun around and hid behind Spark. “Don't let him hit me please!!!”
“Don’t worry, little dude, he won’t,” she said, with a little more seriousness than was called for.
“He’s not going to hit anyone. Are you Golden?” Lucky asked eyeing the boxer.
Golden deflated at her gaze. He shook his head and looked to the floor.
“SO!” said Spark, trying to boost the mood. “I suppose this means that the guys are up to bat while the girls...” she said, trailing off. She perked up as she hit sudden realization, though. “Ooh!” She wheeled around to face Lucky Stars. “The girls can cheer them on!”
“I’m not batting,” Golden said. “When you hit the ball Nova it better be sent to the moon!”
Nova looked at the others for a moment before the pressure finally got to him, “I-I need some air.” He ran for the nearest exit.
“Get back here you little!” Golden exclaimed chasing after the reptile-turned-mammal.
……………………………………….
Lucky and Spark entered a locker not far from the field.
“I bet all the uniforms are in here, somewhere,” Spark said. Lucky nodded. “Then let's get searching. I’ll go this way, you go there?” asked Spark, gesturing to their two sides in turn.
As the two went their own ways, Lucky’s eyes examined the various lockers, bins, and shelves in her half, “Say Spark,” she said. Spark glanced up from the locker she was searching and turned her head towards Lucky.
“Yeah?” she said, turning back.
“How have you liked things around here?” Lucky asked, as Golden in particular came to mind.
“Er...as good as waking up to a strange batch of people and being thrown into a competition could be, I guess. I mean, I’m glad to be on a team with you, and Nova’s pretty great too, the little squirt...” Spark answered, actively avoiding the topic of the pony in mind.
“Glad to hear,” Lucky said, “Have you been trying to get along with Golden?”
“Ehem...er...I know that I’ve been trying,” Spark started, “but I don’t think that he’s been trying that hard,” she finished, her voice tinged with venom.
Lucky dug through one of the metal lockers. Nothing, “Well he may be slow to cool,” she said, “but...uh...give him more time. I’m sure that the longer he's around us, the more tolerant he’ll become.”
“How do you know?” Spark answered, not even turning to face her. “How can you know? What proof do you have that sensitivities even exist,” she said, slamming an open locker shut, “to ponies like him?” slamming another.
“I believe that all people-- ponies, dragons, griffons-- have the capacity to be good,” Lucky said, moving closer to Spark, “In the past, I've seen it in virtually everyone I've spent the time to know. I'll admit that I still don't know Golden very well,” she noted as she came within a foot of Spark, “and I know that you don't know either. But I can sometimes be blown away by what some people do. I'm sure that over time, he'll surprise you as well.”
“I’m surprised that he can even make friends to begin with!” Spark said, swinging around to face Lucky. “All he does is yell, insult, he’s loud, haughty, and just...” she said, lowering a bit. “It’s not MY fault that I live with this,” she said, holding up her left, mechanical arm. “Why do I have to deal with everything that comes with it?”
Lucky listened and contemplated a response; she knew she had to plan this carefully, “It's not your fault,” Lucky said, “nor is it anyone’s fault. I'm sure in his mind, he likes how he acts and thinks it serves him properly. And I'm not saying you should swallow your frustration right now and love him. All I ask is that each day, you try to understand him a little more. Because as much as he may seem uncaring, he wants people to understand how he acts and what he stands for. And respect can go a long way.”
Spark stared at her for another moment. She jerked her head to the metal surface of one of the other lockers. After a moment of silence, she sighed.
“Fine…” Spark said.
“Very good,” Lucky replied before eyeing the rest of the room, “Now let's find these crazy uniforms!” She forced a grin, “I'm sure they're somewhere!”
…………………………………………………….Golden carried the squirming former dragon over his shoulder. If Nova hadn’t stopped to catch his breath he may have been able to avoid his pursuer. The one thing Golden was thankful for was the fact once he grabbed hold of Nova his teammate no longer struggled. True, he moved a little bit here and there as Golden carried him back, but the moves were subtle and weak. Not nearly powerful enough to escape Golden’s grasp.
“We’re here,” Golden said putting Nova down on his feet,.
“You're lucky I can't breath fire right now,” he growled and crossed his arms in annoyance, he then looked up at Golden, “Okay, so how long do we have till we bat?”
“You gotta go n-” Golden began turning to the batter’s position on the field. His jaw dropped. Right near the position was Spark and Lucky dressed in cheerleading outfits. Golden didn’t know about baseball, but he found it having cheerleaders rather suspect.
Nova raised an eyebrow curiously at his reaction. “Uh dude….are you...alright?”
Oblivious to the Grinch-worthy smile on Golden’s face, Spark walked up to the two, dragging a very reluctant Lucky Stars with her.
“I can’t believe it. You actually don’t look too bad, Golden said astonished at Spark’s transformation. “Well except for that big mouth of yours, of course.”
“Too bad the same can’t be said for your brain,” she commented nonchalantly, before receiving a sharp glare from Lucky. “I mean, uh..you look cool too.” Turning to Nova, she smiled. “You ready for the game, bud?”
The look on Nova’s face, was one of shock and flustered, from their outfits, before he shook his head slightly, “Oh uhh yea….Goldy helped me out…..gave me a few pointers.”
Golden once again grabbed Nova and dragged him to the batter’s position. He looked deep into Nova’s eyes. They told him to hurry and hit the dang thing already!
The blue haired teen took a deep breath before nodding, while Golden walked off to sit on the benches. The two cheerleaders went off to their places, in preparation for the home run cheer.
“Uh…” Lucky’s throat produced, her voice trying to find words to say. But by then, Spark was already staring at her, “again…I hope you don't mind me joining you. I've never played baseball and I don't think the others would want me experimenting here.”
“Heh, you serious?” Spark laughed playfully. “None of us have any idea what we’re doing, so you’re good to just join along in our hopelessness. We’re a team, remember?” They reached the faux grass where they were supposed to be, and Spark sat down on the lawn. “Though, I wish some team mates were team-ier than they are...”
“CHEER! CHEER CHEER! BAT! BAT! BAT!” Golden screamed from his position, alternating between the cheerleaders and the batter. “CHEER! BAT! COME ON!”
“I like to think we’re just growing,” Lucky said, observing the two players, “I don't expect it to happen it overnight, but I’m hopeful.”
“You say that...” Spark said, rubbing her left arm with her right.
Nova gulped and raised his bat over his shoulder shakily. “Okay Nova, don't blow this for the team.”
The automatic pitcher looked at the batter like a predator to its prey. The metallic hunter radiated intimidation. Like a vacuum on reverse from its mighty tube launched something big. The baseball was a blur as it neared the unprepared Nova.
As the ball hurtled towards him, the pupils in his eyes shrunk, before he dived out of the way, his shoulder sliding along the dirt, sending up dust. After a moment he groaned and slowly stood back up, holding his sore shoulder.
“Uh. WAY TO DIVE!” Golden said trying desperately not to rant to his nervous teammate.
As Lucky heard their exchange, she turned back to Spark, “They are getting better.” At Lucky’s comment, Spark raised her head to look at her teammates, and jumped up.
“You’re right, they’re getting better,” she said, grabbing Lucky’s shoulders. “But not fast enough!” she said, twirling around to face the pair. “We’ve gotta help them!” Cupping her hands around her mouth, after nudging Lucky to do the same, she yelled out to them and the rest of the stadium.
“GOOOOOOO NOVA!!!” A jump in the air later, Spark was back on the ground with more energy than ever. “You’ve GOT THIS!”
“YYYYYAAAAAA!!!!” Lucky cried.
“TO THE MOON! TO THE MOON!” Golden yelled as he clawed his nails into his arms unknowingly.
Nova walked back to the batter position and, wincing at the sore on his shoulder. He shrugged it off and held up the bat again, he narrowed his gaze on the machine, ready for the ball this time, as he tightened his grip on the bat.
The machine guttered and gasped as if frustrated by the determination showcased by its stubborn enemy. The ball was so fast it could outrun lightning. But unlike lighting, it was determined to hit its mark more than once.
Nova took a deep breath, then exhaled as he swung the bat with all his might, and half a second later, he felt something hard hit the bat with an audible crack as the ball went flying to the side.
“Is….is that a good thing?” Golden asked.
Spark shook her head, “I don't think so…” Nova panted and knelt down with his eyes closed.
With a grunt Golden left his position to go to Nova. He grabbed Nova and went off to the side.
“Wake up,” Golden commanded. He had to resist the urge to punch Nova awake.
“I can't do this… the ball is too fast….” the teen groaned and clenched the bat in annoyance.
“You already hit it. Besides I know why you didn’t get a homerun that time,” Golden reassured. Golden then relayed to Nova the secret to the batter’s success.
“What is he doing?” Spark said, confused, not hearing the conversation.
“I think they're cooperating,” Lucky said. She then cupped her hands around her mouth, “YOU CAN DO IT, NOVA!!!” she screamed, trying to provide more encouragement. Spark joined in not wanting the teacher to out cheer her.
He smiled and nodded, “Okay…..i think i got this…” he stood up and walked back to get ready to bat again. “Okay, you overgrown piece of wires and scrap, play times over.” * he clenched his teeth, putting the bat over his shoulder once again.
The pitching machine shook as if stifling an enormous laugh. Like a predator toying with its prey it eyed Nova for a long time. Waiting for just the right opportunity when the teen would drop his guard and be consumed. Once it saw an opening it tossed out the ball that would decide Nova’s fate.
“I know he can do it,” Lucky whispered to Spark.
“REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD YOU!” the boxer yelled.
-5 pitches later-
Golden was twitching as uncontrollably as a washing machine. His teeth were grinding so hard they’d render everything between them to dust. His nostril flared one could mistake him for a dragon.
Nova fell to his knees after the last pitch, clutching his knees, as he tried holding back tears from his muscles hurting and from few bruises he got from the ball hitting him. “Why can't i do it…” he whispered to himself as sweat dropped to the ground from his face.
“Get back up and hit it again! Just keep swinging!” Golden muttered through his teeth. Though because of this it came out as a garbled mess.
“They don't look so good,” Spark said, concern dominating her voice, “are you sure we shouldn't help them?”
“All I would do for now is cheer,” Lucky answered, “If matters turn grave, then we should come to him directly.” She then started jumping around, “HIT IT OUT, NOVA! YOU CAN DO IT!!”
Come on come on come on Golden thought. He couldn’t stand to watch this farce continue much longer.
He sighed and stood up weakly, as the machine revved up once again launching another ball with just as much ferocity as the rest. Nova then swung again, but when the ball connected, it send the bat fly out of his hands behind him, and spun him around, landing onto the ground on his stomach. He laid on the ground motionless, feeling as if he had failed his team.
Golden calmly took off his tank top. He folded the shirt into a neat rectangle. Then he proceeded to bite into it cursing with each chomp.
Sparky stared at the prone form in shock, wanting to run over and help, but knew she shouldn't interfere.
After a few moment, Nova slowly stood up, picking the bat up and standing back up at the batting place. “One. More. TIme…”
The machine shot one last ball with the same speed as all the rest and sent it flying to the teen. At the last moment, Nova slid to the side and swung the bat with what strength he had left, making the bat collide with the ball and sending the ball flying over the machine and out of the area with a whistling sound. He then fell to his knees panting, letting the bat roll out of his hands.
All of Nova’s teammates stood silent. Spark was in tears. Lucky’s face was sporting a proud smile. And Golden’s jaw unhinged from his mouth like a snake. They couldn’t believe it. They had finally won.
Winning Announcement:
GOB stood before the two teams. Watching their batters Nova and Sentinel heaving and breathing with exhaustion from the challenge.
“I’m going to be frank with all of you, that was more hard to watch than watching a young child fail during a school talent show, but somehow you two got lucky and managed to hit home runs. Miss Stars and Miss Spark, I found it quite interesting that you would change into cheerleading uniforms even though the sport of baseball has no cheerleaders… But nevertheless it was still entertaining to watch.” GOB quickly said with a straight face as if he didn’t want to admit that comment. “So, now you’re all wondering who won the pre-challenge. Well I have the results right here, in my hand…” GOB held a small white piece of paper in the air and brought it down to his sight.
“The winner of the pre-challenge is…” GOB paused
“Well, who is it!?” Golden interrupted.
“CAN A MAN HAVE A DECENT DRAMATIC PAUSE FOR ONCE!?” GOB shouted angrily, sending Golden aback. “Since you ‘people’ have no patience, I’ll just say it. The winner is team XxX_Illuminati_XxX. Yeah, not so exciting now, huh!?” GOB cleared his throat and regained his composure. “Now, team Illuminati, you have earned a $50 dollar head start to the hot dog selling game. Both teams will now go to their hot dog selling stations each station being across from a certain… Business rival… So be sure to earn their customer’s attention before they have a chance to order from their ‘vegan and vegetarian friendly menu’ and be sure to reach the bonus of $2,300 dollars worth of sold hot dogs.” GOB finished. However the team only stood there before him.
“Well, are you guys waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ or are you gonna get a move on!? Team #Shrekt you’ll take the stand on the west side of the stadium, Illuminati, you take East. Good luck to the both of you…”
Now here's the big one, I'll be expecting the submissions by Thursday, do basically the same thing you all did with the pre-challenge however you all MUST participate also don't include your team winning. Your team won't know it won until I announce it when I receive all of the submissions. Just write about your team selling hot dogs, make sure to give them dilemmas and problems as they go along and make sure to add some conflict. Also don't mention anything about reaching the bonus amount, that will also be announced when I write the winner's blog. So, just write about your team selling hot dogs and add some conflict. That is all, I wish you luck.
We did it?
It's a shame the italics don't stay. I'll remember that for next time.
So, just write, but don't mention any actual amount and add challenges and obstacles.
3710877 Yep, that's how it must be.
3710878 We won't let you down. I hope.
3710877 Great job Thunder! Shall I prepare a document for hot dog selling?
3710882 Make sure everyone get's the message. I'll try to help out, but I'll be getting off soon for the night. I don't know where you are, but it's 11:30pm for me and I have classes tomorrow.
3710885 Whoah! Dude go get some sleep! I'll send it to you at a better hour, have a good night!
3710887 Thanks.
We lost...
Well maybe next time
3710896 Remember, it's only a pre-challenge, not the entire challenge. Besides, the main challenge here matters more than the pre-challenge. Good luck.
3710887 Could you add me to it as well?
3711027 I got you. Sent it by email.