(Y/n) (l/n) ~

Valt's being annoying again.
Keyword: again.

I already made it clear that I'll come at the dojo at one in the afternoon, but nooo. He's been crying and whining about how I should watch the team battle between The Beigoma Academy Beyclub and The Sword Flames 'because it would be unbelievably awesome!'

That was Valt's exact statement.

I'm not interested. I don't like to watch battles. I've got a new move to master before my battle against Xander. And I'm not even the member of the club. Then why the hell should I?

Those were my exact statements.

Before Valt could spam my phone with random messages and weird pictures like last time, I switched it off because blocking him would've provoken a whole lot other set of questioning, begging, crying, and acting like a caterpillar from Valt's side. And I wasn't in the mood of any of these.

The morning was beautiful. The sun was high. The mountains and rocks surrounding the Shakadera dojo were eye-catching. How I wished I could just spend the rest of my life between nature, watch different animals live their lives-

"HEY, (Y/NN)!!"

Oh, I almost forgot I already watch an animal live his life. The one who's an incredible blader, with an incredibly loud voice, an incredible amount of appetite, and is an incredible sucker for beybreads and Valtryek.

I think we know who I'm talking about here. I don't need to mention.

"Had any trouble finding your way here?" Valt grinned when I reached. The first thing I noticed was a huge bag of god-knows-what kept in a corner. I think I faintly remember Alexander wishing to taste Chiharu's cooking. Is the whole bag stuffed with breads?

Now that's what I call unbelievable.

Everyone was already gathered there. Xander, Valt, Shu, Toko, Nika, Daigo, Ken, Rantaro, Yugo and that boy in blue-Ukyo Ibuki. There were three more people I remember from the Swordflames' other members. Kazama...I think is the one who was referee the first time. And two other whose names I forgot, or maybe didn't bother to remember.

Too many people. Jeez.

"Hahaha," Xander laughed. "You ready for the big battle?"

"Hahaha," I bluntly replied back. "Ready to burst Xcalius."

Silence.

"That wasn't even a laugh," Alexander scratched the back of his neck.

"Hahaha. I was just trying."

"You're kinda funny."

"Hahaha. I don't think so."

Xander raised his eyebrows. "Okay, you can stop fake laughing now."

"Hahaha. Now you'll get to know how annoying it is."

"Uhh..."

"Hahaha. I'll not stop until you promise to not to laugh around me."

"Um, fine, I guess."

"Hahaha. Good."

Silence.

"Okay, you can turn back to normal now," Xander crossed his arms, somewhat annoyed.

"Hahaha. Fine."

God, I'm weird sometimes.

"Erm...This is my friend, Ukyo Ibuki. He's one of the best bladers of my dojo," Xander motioned behind him. The blue boy looked at me, then swept back his hair with his left hand, something I've noticed him do a lot; from our 'meeting' yesterday.

I stared at him and he stared back. After a while, I turned my attention back to Xander.

"I know."

"You've met?" He asked incredulously.

Before I could say anything, Ukyo interrupted with a smirk on his face. "I was in the forest peacefully and then saw this figure hanging from a tree branch. At first, I thought it was a crashed bird, but then when I look properly, I realised it was some crappy human being. I helped her get down alive and she didn't even say thank you. Pretty ill-mannered, if you ask me," he sent a wink my way.

My brain malfunctioned.

Did this person just insult me? With a damn wink? Did this person just insult and wink at me?

His nerve...

"Is this true?" Xander asked in amazement.

"Just interchange mine and Ukyo's places. The remaining story is true," I said and winked back at him.

Ukyo looked shocked at my comeback, but like the person he is, he smirked again. Man, this thing smirks a lot. "Your ego is as high as a damn mountain."

"No, it actually extends to the outer space," I smiled sarcastically. "And I'm proud of it."

"The higher it extends, the harder it falls."

"Might as well fall on your head."

"Would still fail to knock me out. At least it crashed."

"Oh, I didn't know I'd meet a bonehead today."

"And I didn't want an idiot in the dojo."

"If idiots aren't allowed, then why are you here?"

"To send you to hell."

"Been there done that."

"Then I'm sure you-"

"Guys, guys. Calm down," Alexander interrupted. He had a bewildered expression on his face. "How was I unaware of your deep friendship?"

In the background, I heard Rantaro laugh to Daigo. "Her insults are so amazing. But when you ask her to be nice, her face looks like we ask her to jump in a well."

"Her vocabulary starts with a 'Hi' and ends at 'Hey'. Isn't it?" Daigo said, chuckling back. The other club members also laughed at this. The twins giggled uncontrollably.

"Yep. That's (Y/n)," Rantaro confirmed, and I made a mental note to take revenge from those two later.

"We're not friends," Ukyo told Xander. I nodded in agreement.

"But you two look like pretty good friends to me. How about a battle?" He asked, which raised a whole lot new amount of protests from me and Ukyo.

"A beybattle is a way of making new friends," Ukyo pointed out. "I see you, Xander."

I nodded aggressively. "And I'm here to have a good battle against Xcalius. Not in the mood of facing a pathetic opponent."

"Me neither. I like to fight those who are as good as me."

"Boy, I'm better."

"Watch the overconfidence."

"Just enough to take you down."

"With you."

"We'll see when-"

"Can we begin the battle now?" Xander interrupted. "You told me you have a new move."

I mentally grinned. Xander laughed, and I chose to not to get angry at it. My battle is in a few moments. And I'm going to use my new special move. Not to mention, the move is too risky on its own.

I may have mentioned about Destructive Crush somewhere-Oh wait, Theodore did. It destroys the opponent's bey on impact. No one has ever escaped, and I know no one will either because it simply has no weaknesses.

After losing to Shu and talking to Theo that day, I'd come to realize the importance of that move. I need it. It's my strongest one, and I can't rely on my other techniques if I really want to keep winning. But there's another thing. I can't go around destroying each and every bey either. That's not nicest thing to do.

For that matter, I created a new move. A less scarier version of Destructive Crush, called Victory Burst (insert background claps, please). It's like an alternative to Destructive Crush. It has the same trajectory. Same launching position. Same spin. But while the latter destroys a bey, the former only bursts it.

But it's not as relying. It can fail. It's a mere version of the original, afterall. Only if you had seen the original one breaking beys, and the look of fear at their blader's faces...

Sheesh, I'm in love with a move. I need help.

Though because of Victory Burst having the same trajectory and launching position as the original move, there's a very good chance that I'll slip in between the battle and end up destroying Xcalius.

If that happens, I'mma leave everything and run.

Sounds like a plan.

The darkness is unexplainably tempting as always. Just that thought awakens the insatiable desire to destroy everything in my path. It sometimes drives me crazy to the point where I forget all the morals.

No mercy. That's the motto.

"The first one to get two points wins," Kazama interrupted my thoughts. "Take your positions and get ready for the battle."

"Wait! Wait! Ahem," Valt suddenly stepped forward. "We got beybreads. (Y/n), don't feel betrayed. I got mom to make Sparyon for you."

I didn't know what to say, so I stayed silent.

"He didn't get one for Yegdrion," I heard Yugo mutter in a somewhat sad tone. I looked at him with wide eyes. This samurai. The scary, silent, Xander's right hand, a great blader, is grumpy for...beybreads?

They must be really good.

"See!" Valt, Toko, Nika chimed together, opening that big bag and showing out three Sparyon breads for me. Then why was the bags so big?

As if Valt read my mind, he replied, "We ate the rest without you. Xander had an unbelievable appetite."

Xander laughed. "It's because your mom's cooking is awesome."

I slowly got one out of the bag and stared at it. Valt had a little too excited look on his face when he asked, "Tell me how's it. I want to know how's it. How's it? How is it?!"

"Sparyon is different..." I managed to say. The bread may be close to the bey, but not just as accurate.

"That's because Valt doesn't know how to draw," Nika giggled.

"See. This is what he gave mom," Toko added, showing out a small sketch in hands.

"YOU BROUGHT THIS TOO?!" Valt asked incredulously.

Xander laughed. "You won't believe what he made for Xcalius."

I nodded in knowing. Sparyon looked terrible enough. I can only assume what Xcalius looked like. Ignoring the shape of the bread, I took a small bite. Valt was trying to reason with the twins to not to bring his drawings from next time.

Quickly, I finished all three breads and brushed my hands. Then I gave Valt an "Amazing," and he grinned in return.

"Okay, the battle," I reminded everyone. Xander cracked his knuckles and grinned evilly at me. I tried not to think too much about his fancy winder.

"First battle," Kazama said.

Xander took his usual position. I stood in front of the stadium, leaning slightly with my launcher extended in front of me. My left foot was behind my right one such that I was facing a little sideways. The launcher was tilted, not parallel to the stadium. Oh, the attacks are gonna be wild~

If Xander will use Saber Strike, my chances of winning will increase, because most of my moves are based on the concept of first proving the opponent's moves ineffective and then defeating them. First step would be to fail Saber Strike. The next: Making my special move succeed. That way, victory becomes much more enjoyable for me and defeat becomes much more embarrassing for my opponent.

Now that I think about it, I've no idea how I became so evil. For as long as I remember, I've never agreed on anything less than winning. Since the childhood.

"Ready? Set!" Kazama called.

"Three...Two...One...LET IT RIP!!"

Both beys flew into the stadium with successful launches. Sparyon was counterclockwise, while Xcalius was the opposite. Maintaining safe distance from the spikes on the sides of the stadium, both beys started circling around the centre, repeatedly striking each other at the slopes because of the spins being in antithesis.

"Attack," Xander said. "Xcalius!"

I remembered something about the mini sword on the bey. That blade gives great damage. I must keep avoiding getting hit by it in the beginning, or Xander will get an upper hand.

"Speed up, partner," I called. Slowly, Sparyon's speed kept growing until Xcalius could barely keep up with the pace. Because of the difference in their spins and speeds, Xcalius was hitting, but quite not how it wanted to. That sword.

This game of cat and mouse kept going on for a bit. Xcalius was constantly taking damage from all those hits, and I knew it wouldn't be long until it reaches in the correct position to use Saber Strike.

After a while, the circumstances were finally in my favour. Xander was about to use his special move so I kept waiting patiently.

"Saber Strike!" He demanded, activating his aura. I couldn't help the big grin on my face, knowing he's falling right in the trap.

"Okay, Sparyon," I called, activating my own crimson and golden aura. "Initiation. Absorb the attack!"

Xander gave me a 'That's impossible' look and I returned the favour with a similar 'Oh, you haven't seen impossible.'

Initiation was like the chief phase of my special move. Without the initiation, there was no execution. Like I said; first step, absorb the opponent's blow as if the impact initiates your attack. Next step, return the favour and commit execution.

Soon enough, Xcalius lunged at my bey with its sword pointed in its direction. Both beys met on the inner slope of the stadium, leaving sparks behind each other. Xcalius' sword was desperately trying to burst Sparyon, but I showed no fear, and that made Sparyon stand its ground, not giving in.

Xcalius' power eventually ended and the beys got separated. Sparyon continued circling around like nothing happened, while Xcalius started wobbling a little. Xander already looked defeated. "Hang in there..."

I looked down at the stadium, ready for my final attack but hesitated.

It was the same trajectory. Same position in which I've destroyed many beys. As I'm standing here now, I still think I deserve more satisfaction than just winning. Only destruction can do that. All I've gotta say Sparyon to do Destructive Crush instead of Victory Burst. The bey will obviously do what I want.

But what about the others? If I do this now, I'd have to give a little too long explanation to Valt. What could be the possibilities? He can stop talking to me (no problem). Maybe he'll get angry (okay, this is worse). But the worst of all would be if he starts acting like a caterpillar.

More reason for me to stay sane today.

I visibly shook my head and decided, "Execution. Victory Burst!"

Both beys collided at the centre. My bey went through swiftly, bursting Xcalius. All would've been good, but then Sparyon ran straight into the spikes. I flinched hard as it hit them with a loud bang and landed in the stadium, stopping spinning.

At least it didn't burst?

The reaction of the remaining twelve people varied from everything to nearly everything. Toko and Nika were wide-eyed. Daigo had his mouth open a little while Valt and Rantaro had their full jaws dropped to the floor. Shu looked at me with a bewildered expression. Xander had this disappointed/angry look on his face. Ukyo and Yugo were blinking repeatedly. And Kazama and the two-others-whose-names-I-think-I-forgot, were having a hard time giving their judgement.

"I won," I said softly, with a glare directed towards Kazama.

"Yes, of course," he whispered, making me smile. I picked up my bey from the stadium and mentally celebrated that awesome victory. "Stone Sparyon with a burst finish. (Y/n) (l/n) wins."

Xander picked up his bey as well and laughed. I threw him an unimpressed look. He stopped and came up to me, tapping my shoulder so hard that I almost fell down into the stadium.

"You're strong, I give you," he commented.

"If I'd fallen into the stadium," I pointed one finger at him and another at the stadium. "What would've been my chances of survival after hitting those spikes?"

Alexander scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Sorry."

"Hahaha. You shouldn't have," I said plainly and made a mental note to practice fake-laughing at home. Just saying blunt emotionless 'hahaha' doesn't count, I think?

Xander laughed even more. "How can you even laugh like that? Man, I also want to pull that off. It's so cool!"

I gave him a weird look. This person is something else...

"AJEIHPWKWSBJDJD!!!" Valt screeched and jumped at me. I moved out of the way just in time so that he landed into the stadium. Correction: Spikey stadium. Shakadera's Special.

"Ow," he groaned. "The spikes...hurt."

The others also came up to praise me for battling so intensely. I tried to kindly tolerate all the crap, hoping they'll eventually stop, but nope. They all kept saying those so called nice and supportive things until I finally suffocated and told them to shut up.

"Stupid people's stupid appreciations," I growled. They just had to ruin my good mood.

"Nice battle," Ukyo said with that permanent smirk on his face. I figured it's his usual attitude. Can't believe he's really complimenting me. Oh, how I'd love to slap that pretty face.

We both just stood there, vibing awkwardly until I realised he was expecting me to reply with something. I cleared my throat and tried to say a very kind thanks, but ended up with a "Erm..uhh..."

Ukyo blinked, and I raised my hands up. "Hold up," I said and turned around to walk up to Shu, who was standing a little away with his arms crossed.

"Hey, Shu," I whispered in his ear. He tilted his head to come closer, arms still crossed. "What would you have said if you were in my place?"

Shu turned towards me. There was a moment of silence and then he burst out laughing. The others joined him in the unholy act, and I wondered what I did wrong. Valt was practically rolling on the floor, unable to stop. Even Yugo and Daigo were laughing so hard that I had started to question my whole existence.

"Stop it!" I somewhat screeched. And let me tell you, I don't screech.

Ugh, this is embarrassing.

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In 2962 words.

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