Chapter 9: LOVE is a Challenge:

Tungsten smirked as he threw the orb at Scarlet and Scarlet didn't have time to react as it hit him. Scarlet gasped out as he was flung to the ground and the others gasped also, "Scarlet!"

Tungsten growled, "NO! You were supposed to be a damn challenge to me!" "Tungsten!" Hireashi hissed and Tungsten looked at Scarlet. "Leave! I WANT A REAL CHALLENGE!"

"B-but W-Wombat said you were trying to end the world!" Scarlet whimpered and Tungsten nodded, "I was! But you're weak! I will move my headquarters somewhere else...and when I know you're ready..."

"You'll what?!" Scarlet growled and Tungsten laughed, "You'll just know."

The eight of them quickly closed their eyes as a bright light filled the room and when they opened their eyes...they were gone...

Scarlet looked around and frowned. "I-I...I'm weak?"

Aurite growled at this, "You're not weak. He's a coward...he always has been."

"How do you know that, Kin-chan?" Epinard asked and Aurite sighed, "We trained together...the reason why he looks so much like me, is because if our enemy would attack, they wouldn't attack me or him, instead it'd be the other one." He then added, "If he knows he's going to lose, he'll leave. He's a coward. He doesn't like to lose and like I said, if he's going to lose, he'll leave the battle and plan a sneak attack."

Scarlet looked at him and then at himself. He watched as his transformation changed into his regular Battle Lover form. He felt his knees buckle and Argent quickly grabbed him, "H-hey!"

"I-I-I'm fine..." Scarlet whispered and Argent shook his head. "You're not fine..." He looked up at Cerulean, "Does he always get like this after transforming?"

"Only in his More Better form..." He replied and looked at Scarlet. "You need to rest..."

"N-No, En-chan-Senpai!" Scarlet argued and Cerulean shook his head. "Yumoto, de-transform now before you hurt yourself more."

"B-but..."

"Do as he says." Argent smiled and Scarlet looked down in shame as he muttered, "Love out..."

The Next Day:

"Yes! All of you who walk in this room will hate Hakone Yumoto! Let the hatred consume you all!"

Yumoto sighed as he walked to school with the other four Earth Defense Club members. Atsushi noted how quiet the first year was. Wombat was lecturing them about how they should have destroyed Tungsten when they had the chance.

Yumoto looked at Wombat. "I tried okay?! Stop getting mad at me!" He frowned and Wombat rolled his eyes. "You could have been able to stay in your form longer!"

Yumoto turned away and Wombat frowned as Yumoto walked away from him. Atsushi frowned at Wombat and ran up to Yumoto. "You've done it now." Ryuu frowned and Io nodded, "Yeah, you better let Yumoto-kun and Atsushi-Senpai talk it out."

Wombat sighed and he walked forward with the others to get to school.

Yumoto sighed as Atsushi walked him to his classroom, "T-thanks Atsushi-Senpai..." "Yumoto...I understand that you're upset, but don't worry. I won't let you get blamed for this." Atsushi smiled and Yumoto nodded. He smiled back and walked into his classroom.

He gasped out as he felt the love alert go off, he stared down at his wrist and quickly looked up. He didn't sense any danger, but then why would the alert go off...?

He looked up and gasped. "Araki-kun...!" "Oh, so now you're afraid of me...? Is it because you finally realized who I actually am?" Araki smirked and Yumoto looked at him. "T-Tungsten...!"

"Oh, and don't try to transform...I've blocked all of your powers in here." He laughed, "Arise servants of mine! Kill Battle Lover Scarlet!" He yelled and Yumoto gasped as the door shut and locked itself.

He looked around and gasped again as some of his classmates stood up and walked towards him. "Hold him down for me!" Araki yelled and Yumoto cried out as he was shoved onto the floor.

He tried to pull them off of him and he looked up as he saw Araki bending down in front of him. Yumoto gasped out as Araki's hands snaked around his neck. He watched as Araki smirked. "I'm sorry that it had to end this way...and I actually started to like you."

Yumoto cried out as Araki pressed down on his neck with his hands and he looked around as he couldn't breathe. "Too bad the others won't hear you or know you're in danger." Araki whispered into his ear, "Lord Hireashi will be happy to know you're dead and after I kill you...I'm going to kill the rest of your friends."

Yumoto looked at him and began to struggle. Tears began to fill his eyes and he tried to get air into his lungs. His throat began to burn and he could feel himself becoming light headed.

Araki smiled and began to laugh.

"Epinard Hurricane!"

Araki growled as he was hit and Yumoto sat up gasping for air. "S-Senpai!" Yumoto cried as Epinard ran over to him. "Yumoto, are you alright?"

Yumoto nodded as tears began to spill over. "A-Atsushi-Senpaiiiii!!!" He wailed and Epinard smiled as Yumoto clung to him. "I-I'm sorry for always needing help!" Yumoto cried and Epinard shook his head. "Now is not the time for this...we need to stop him!"

He turned around to Araki but gasped as he noticed he was gone... "Yumoto, next time you see him...don't hesitate to attack him." Epinard stated and Yumoto nodded, "Yes, senpai..."