Power of The Pride

April and Ciara stared down at each other, the spectators silent with anticipation as they watched April and Ciara have their intense showdown. April's Crest of War shone brightly, crimson aura beginning to form around her and blood red energy particles began flowing around her body. Ciara stared at April, readying her scythe, baring her fangs as she prepared for anything April had for her.

Lily watched the two stand off, feeling the intense energy emitting from April's body due to her Crest of War. She glanced over at me, noticing how focused I've become on the battle. She glanced back toward April, holding her hand at her chest.

"You've all got a glimpse of the Crest of War in the past against our battle against Heifer's team, but now I'll allow you all to see the true extent of my Crest!" April bellowed, her Crest of War shining brightly upon her hand.

April began to channel her wrath energy, grunting as she reached into her spirit to open another Gate of War. "Second Gate of War: Ares, open! I summon the God of War: Ares!"

Suddenly, a burst of crimson energy spiralled around April, her power level skyrocketing to triple its original. Golden armor began to form on her body, the Ares Symbol shining on the chest plate of her armor. A tattered red cape formed on the back of the armor, the sigil of the Crest of War forming on the cape. April stomped her foot against the ground, a set of swords and spears forming around her.

April grabbed a sword and pointed it toward Ciara, the blade shining a blood red and emitting war energy. She got into her stance and the face plate of her helmet fell over her head, red energy flowing from the eyes of the helmet.

'This energy...this form... She's really grown a lot stronger, but her energy is eating away at her stamina. April, you need to end this quickly,' Ms. Ray thought, glancing up and noticing Vinson watching more closely.

"Pardon me, coming through," A familiar voice said as she made her way through the crowd. "April!"

April heard the voice and turned her head at the audience to find the source. Lily and I turned to the audience as well then noticed Nagini had made it to see our battle. Both Lily and I smiled at her, glad that she could make it.

"April! I'm glad you all made it back, and I'm glad to see that you've gotten stronger since then! Now it's time for you all to show EVERYONE how far you've come! Break through your limits, and roar! Show Vinson that you're not the same girl you once were four years ago!" Nagini bellowed, showing her undying support for my team.

April roared, her deep red energy exploding around her then she launched herself toward Ciara. Ciara howled then dashed toward April, clashing weapons and entering a battle of the blades. The two slashed, clashed, and parried each other's attacks, both sides feeling the intense heat of the battle.

Ciara twirled her scythe, gathering energy and slashed down at April but she swiftly sidestepped, countering with a powerful knee to Ciara's stomach. Ciara groaned, rolling backwards along the ground but quickly recovered. She sent her wolves toward April at high speeds and they both slashed their claws at April.

"Wrath Arts: Thousand Blades!" April bellowed, stomping her foot down, a light generating in a medium area and energy blades quickly protruded from the ground then impaled both fiery wolves, causing them to disappear into a small flame.

Ciara grunted as she watched both small flames return to her. She watched April closely, her ears flicking with anticipation. 'She's even got Professor Noxius's support. Are the cards really stacked against us..?'

April walked forward, the Bloodshed Avatar behind her growling lowly as he hovered behind April. April felt her power growing each second, but at the cost of her stamina slowly draining by the second. Ciara watched April closely, taking a few steps back but ultimately decided to rush forward.

April rushed forward as well, clashing with Ciara then roared as she managed to overpower Ciara and push her away. Ciara stood her ground, parrying April's neck attack then surrounded her hand with energy shaped into the head of a wolf.

"Burst Skill: Grimm's Howl!" Ciara bellowed, landing a powerful blow to April's chest, launching her away.

April grunted as she rolled backwards, but recovered into the air then shifted her sword into a spear, black lightning crackling around her spear. "Burst Skill: Bellona's Arrow!"

April launched her spear toward Ciara at high speeds, a flash of dark light shining as April released her weapon. Ciara slashed upward, grunting as she tried to deflect April's spear. She huffed as sparks and lightning flew around her the more she struggled. Finally, she managed to deflect April's spear into the air.

"Burst Skill!" April called out, fiery energy cloaking her and black lightning crackling around her body powerfully.

'Another Burst Skill?!' Ciara thought, her eyes widening in shock.

April propelled herself toward Ciara at lightning speeds, leaping toward her with a powerful kick to her face. Once her attack landed, black lightning flashed powerfully upon impact. "Fury Strike!"

The attack staggered Ciara, allowing April to land a barrage of Fury Strikes, black lightning flashing upon each impact. April roared as her body flickered and she rushed around Ciara, landing Fury Strike after Fury Strike in every conceivable angle. She knocked Ciara into the air and began to charge up a final strike.

"Zodiac Arts!" April bellowed, the Aries Symbol flashing over her Crest of War. "Infernal Ruination!"

April delivered a powerful, destructive blow to Ciara's midsection, roaring as she launched her into the wall with a powerful concussive force. Ciara groaned as she hit the wall, dust, debris, and rubble covering her person.

Shelly gasped as Ciara slammed into the wall, hurrying to go check on her. She noticed Ciara was out cold, her hands trembling as she held her best friend in her arms. She looked over at April, her heart thumping against her chest as she saw April's terrifying presence. 'What...is that power..? She never had that much power before..'

April stared at Shelly, Rama and the Bloodshed Avatar hovering behind her. She stood strong, her presence instilling fear in those who were weaker than her in power level. April let out a roar of triumph, her aura and black lightning pulsing around her.

Ms. Ray held up the blue flag, smiling at April. "Ciara is unable to continue, one point to August's team!"

Half the crowd erupted into cheers and roars, chanting April's name and cheering for my team. Archer closed his eyes with his arms crossed, flares flashing around his body, but he felt a hand grab his shoulder. He looked back, noticing a woman grabbing his shoulder and preventing him from getting up.

"Mehira..." Archer muttered, remaining in his seat.

The woman had a mystical and otherworldly presence, with long, flowing hair that shifted in hues of vibrant blue, purple, and hints of pink, resembling the colors of a nebula or a starry night sky. Her skin had a soft glow, further emphasizing her connection to celestial or magical forces.

She wore ornate armor that was both elegant and functional, featuring gold accents and intricate designs. Her outfit highlighted her agility and grace, fitting closely to her form while also providing protection. The armor was decorated with gemstones that might be enchanted or hold magical significance, adding to her mystical appearance.

She had horns that curved elegantly from her head, adorned with gold and matching the celestial theme. Her ears are pointed, indicating she may be of an elven or other mystical race. The Sagittarius Sigil glowed on her forehead, showing her connection to the Zodiacs.

"Do not go out there until August gets up. You will need your full power against him. You will need to bring him and Leona down, show them their places.." Mehira said, looking down at Archer.

"You forget I have Absolute Senses, Huntress. I can hear you and I can guarantee that your Knight will not beat my darling Lion..~ But if you want to end this early, I can send him out there now and we can scrap it out right now," Leona interjected, purring softly as she laid next to me in her Lion Form.

Mehira looked at Leona, her left eye twitching from annoyance. She stared at her and her eyes faintly glowed. "Leona...there can only be one Queen of the Fire Cluster, one Queen of the Fire Zodiacs, one Ultimate Fire Zodiac. You are NOTHING compared to me."

Leona laughed and shifted into her human form, wrapping her arms around me and clawing my shirt. "Yeah...and that Queen is me. I'm literally known as Queen of the Zodiacs..~ Queen of the Jungle, the Apex Predator! You will not, shall not, and can not be stronger than me..~"

Archer and I glanced at our Zodiac Champions then glanced at each other. As much as we wanted to get up and hash out our battle now, we knew too much would be at stake if either of us lost before it was time. Instead, we controlled our impulses, staying seated.

April came back to the sidelines and sighed softly as she sat down. "Ugh...my body hurts so much. You all can count me out for the rest of the match..."

Lily smiled at April, holding her hands and turning to face her. "You did amazing out there! I was kinda worried you would either fall due to overexertion and exhausted or lose control, but I'm glad Rama was there to keep you calm~"

Rama walked toward us in her Golden Fleece form and giggled softly. "Couldn't let the Bloodshed fully take over her. Even with her Crest of Tranquility, there was no guarantee that she wouldn't go feral."

Imogen walked forward and looked down at Lily, her angel wings wrapping around her body, and the Virgo Sigil shining on her right hand. "Lily, are you ready to take on Shelly?"

Lily looked up at Imogen, a determined smile stretching across her lips. Nodding at her, she stood up and summoned her Cross Weapon. "I'm ready~"

Archer watched as Lily stepped forward, his gaze shifting over to Shelly. He stopped her from stepping forward, gesturing for her to come closer to him. Shelly walked over to him and gripped her staff tightly, a slight discouraged expression settling on her face.

"You are my last line of defense...and my father is not pleased. It is illegal to grant you assistance once the battle starts so take this," Archer said, taking out a Blue Topaz Crystal from his pocket.

Shelly gasped softly, hesitant to accept the crystal. "B-But that would turn my flames blue...and make me highly unstable and my flames borderline uncontrollable. I-I can't..."

Archer stared at her, frowning at her statement then scoffed. "Do you wish to be expelled like the rest of the team? Don't you want to win and get stronger?"

"I..." Shelly began then turned back to gaze at Lily, watching her interact with me and April. She grunted softly, looking back at Archer. "I don't want to hurt your cousin. There's no telling what the Azur Flames will do to someone.."

"I don't care. We are down a point and we need to win this. I won't have failure fall upon us anymore. Take it, and win for the Pyro Hunters," Archer said, shoving the Blue Topaz toward her, causing her to stumble backwards.

Shelly grunted softly as she regained her balance. She glanced at Ciara, noticing her gaze meeting Ciara's and seeing her disapproving gaze. She looked back at Archer, nodding her head. "Okay, Archer..."

Archer watched Shelly walk out onto the battlefield, listening to the crowd's roars and cheers for the next battle. He crossed his arms, seeing Vinson looking at him with a smirk on his face. He looked back at the battle, expecting good results from Shelly.

Lily looked over at Shelly, smiling at her then bowed toward her. "We might be in different classes and opponents in battle, but let's have a great battle.."

Shelly equipped the Blue Topaz to her staff, glancing at Lily. "Yes...let's have a great battle.."

Ms. Ray noticed the Blue Topaz on Shelly's staff then glanced at Archer. She looked back at the two girls, watching as they assumed their stances. "You may begin!"

Lily shifted her cross into a blade of light then dashed toward Shelly at high speeds, aiming to land a single slash and mark Shelly with the Mark of Light. Shelly blocked the slash, pushing Lily back then swung her staff swiftly. Lily ducked under the swing, taking the opening and slashed at Shelly.

Shelly slammed the bottom of her staff against the ground, blocking the slash once more and sliding back. She huffed softly, glancing back at Archer and noticing his ruthless gaze. She turned back to Lily, watching as she readied herself once again.

'I'm sorry, Lily...but I have to win!' Shelly thought, gripping her staff tightly.

Shelly bellowed, pointing her staff at Lily, the Blue Topaz shining brightly and turning her flames blue. She fired a large bolt of blue flames at Lily, the bolt flying toward her at blazing speeds. Lily looked surprised, changing her Cross into a shield and grunted as she blocked the blue flames.

Lily swiped her shield, deflecting the blue flames and causing it to slam into the invisible barrier. She looked at Shelly, gasping as she noticed a barrage of blue fireballs hurling toward her. She began evading each fireball, but one landed its mark, causing her to groan in pain as she was knocked back.

"Lily!" April called out, standing up and noticing how much pain was inflicted on Lily from just a single fireball.

Lily grunted softly as she looked at the burn mark on her torso, hissing in pain. She used her light energy to quickly heal herself before the wound got too bad. She looked at Shelly, noticing the Blue Topaz equipped to her staff. 'Imogen! She has a Blue Topaz!'

Imogen nodded, looking at Shelly then glancing at Mehira who stood behind Archer. "The Blue Topaz is one of the two Sagittarius Zodiac Crystals. It is the alternate version of Tanzanite which not only boosts Fire Properties by 100%, but as a result it turns the wielder's flames into Azur Flames and slowly corrupts the user.."

'What should I do? I don't want to see Shelly suffer. She's so nice to everyone and never results to such drastic measures like this. She's too strong for that...' Lily replied mentally, bracing herself for whatever Shelly planned on doing.

"This battle isn't about winning, it's about proving yourself. That's what Nina and April have done. Use your power to Purify Shelly and prove yourself to everyone. This isn't a battle of who's stronger...it's a battle of who's smarter and more resilient. A test of wits," Imogen answered, looking down at Lily and placing her hand on Lily's shoulder.

"In this world, your brain matters just as much as the brawn. What Archer has done to Shelly isn't right... She's hurting inside. You need to destroy that Blue Topaz. Tap into your Zodiac Form, and save Shelly from her corruption," Imogen said.

Lily nodded then summoned her Virgo Zodiac Crystal, the Holy Sapphire, and grabbed it, Divine Earth energy spiralling around her body swiftly. She let out a roar, transforming into her Zodiac Drive, wings of Divine Earth energy manifesting on her back, wings manifesting on her head creating a halo effect, and her expression becoming serene.

The Virgo Sigil shined brightly on her right hand, humming with power. Shelly felt a massive spike in Lily's power level, her heart thumping heavily and blue flares flashing around her body. She readied her staff and pointed it at Lily, her expression a mix of nervousness and a fiery resolve.

Lily changed her Cross into a Holy Spear, twirling it around and getting into her stance. "What Archer is doing to you is wrong. Family or not, I will not stand for such corruption! Winning isn't everything!"

Shelly's grip on her staff tightened, her teeth grinding against each other. She swiped her staff, letting out a battle cry and releasing a powerful wave of blue flames toward Lily. "I have to win! No matter what!"

Lily evaded the wave of blue flames then threw her spear toward Shelly. Shelly dodged the spear, firing a large blue fireball at Lily. Lily warped toward her spear, appearing behind Shelly, grabbing her spear then slashed, landing a clean slice to her back and marking her with the Mark of Light.

Lily kicked Shelly away, making her spear disappear then summoned her Holy Gauntlets. With Shelly marked, Lily's plan was finally in motion. She got into her stance, taking a deep breath then exhaled slowly. Shelly looked at Lily, glancing at Archer who was now sitting behind Lily.

"Burst Skill: Ashen Storm!" Shelly bellowed, firing a vortex of blue flames toward Lily, the vortex of fire burning uncontrollably.

Lily dashed toward the vortex, raising her arms and causing a rock wall to protrude from the ground. She palmed the rock wall toward Shelly, but she evaded it, firing more fireballs toward Lily. Lily deflected each fireball then formed a sphere of light in her hands.

"Zodiac Arts!" Lily bellowed, the sphere of light shining brightly as she prepared to throw it. "Purifying Blast!"

Lily feinted the throw, using her Lightspeed Warp to appear behind Shelly and press the sphere of light against Shelly's back causing a massive explosion of light, cracking the Blue Topaz. Shelly groaned as she rolled against the ground, her eyes scanning around for Lily but was unable to find her.

Lily appeared in front of Shelly at light speeds, catching Shelly off guard. Reacting quickly, Shelly cloaked her staff with devastating blue flames, swinging her staff downward toward Lily. Lily warped behind Shelly, but Shelly anticipated it then swung her staff backwards. Lily warped, evading Shelly's strike but reappeared in the same spot, knocking her in the air with a clean uppercut.

"Angelic Arts, Fourth Stage: Heavenly Hand Force!" Lily bellowed, double palming Shelly's torso as she came down, a powerful pulse of light energy crashing over Shelly and launching her away.

Shelly rolled backwards along the ground then recovered onto her feet. She noticed the Blue Topaz crack even more, now understanding what Lily was doing. "I won't let you break my Crystal! Final Burst Skill: Searing Meteor Rain!"

Shelly rose her staff in the air, her cracked Blue Topaz shining brightly and conjuring large blue fireballs to rain down upon Lily. Lily looked up and summoned her Cross, deploying it and letting out a roar.

"Zodiac Arts: Heavenly Storm!" Lily bellowed, raising her arms in the air, a barrage of light lasers firing in the air to collide with Shelly's Searing Meteor Rain.

The two attacks began colliding in the air, causing multiple explosions of fire and light, sparks and light particles raining down to the ground. Shelly let out a yell as she began rapidly firing fireballs toward Lily. Lily dashed forward, evading and deflecting each fireball then warped.

Shelly looked behind herself expecting Lily to warp behind her, but didn't see her. She turned around to be met with a powerful uppercut that knocked her in the air. Lily began to land rapid Lightspeed Warp Strikes, knocking Shelly higher in the air then warped above her.

"Angelic Arts, Final Stage: Heavenly Hand Impact!" Lily bellowed, surrounding her arm with Heavenly Energy then palmed Shelly's back, launching her toward the ground then warped to the ground.

"Zodiac Arts: Benevolent Release!" Lily roared, unleahsed a powerful beam of light energy toward Shelly, the beam engulfing Shelly's body and causing a massive light explosion.

Everyone covered their eyes from the light that shone brightly, everyone waiting for the light to dim. The light began to fade away, showing the aftermath of the battle and everyone noticed Shelly laying on the ground with shards of a broken Blue Topaz laying around her.

Ms. Ray was a bit stunned by Lily's power, but quickly recollected herself, raising the blue flag. "Sh-Shelly is unable to battle! One point goes to August's Team!"

The crowd erupted into cheers and roars at Lily's grand victory, the full crowd now chanting "The Pride". Lily hurried toward Shelly, holding her up and healing Shelly, noticing her open her eyes.

Shelly grunted softly as she looked at Lily, smiling weakly at her. "Lily..."

"Oh I'm glad I didn't hurt you too bad...I just needed to prevent you from—" Lily began, but noticed Shelly shake her head.

"It's okay, Lily... You only needed to do what needed to be done. You saved me before the Blue Topaz could fully corrupt me... thank you..~" Shelly said, her tone a mix of gratefulness and gratitude.

Before Lily could respond, a powerful fiery arrow struck her through her chest, knocking her away then the arrow exploded, damaging both Lily and April. My eyes widened as I witnessed both Lily and April get hurt by the flaming arrow, my gaze turning toward Archer and noticing him wielding his bow.

I stood up quickly, hurrying toward Lily and April, checking on them and noticing they were just knocked out. I looked toward Archer, shooting him a piercing glare. "You bastard..."

Archer lowered his bow, smirking at me then his eyes shined brightly. "It's time for me to finally put you in your place, Mangled! You don't belong in St. Meishi, you never did. We don't acknowledge you in our Academy! Now it's time for me to do what I need...and eliminate the problem."

I growled lowly, clenching my teeth and my hair slowly became fiery. I stepped forward, walking out onto the battlefield. "Archer...I will destroy you...right here, right now!"

Archer laughed as he walked out onto the battlefield as well, his eyes glowing and the Sagittarius Sigil shining in his eyes. "Our fated rematch...this time, I'm putting you down for good. Both of us no longer have teammates to rely on. It's just us. No distractions, no rules. This is an Official Zodiac Duel! Whoever loses...must relinquish their ownership of their Zodiac Crystal."

I stared Archer in the eyes, clenching my fists until my knuckles turned white. "I accept.."

Archer got into his stance, chuckling darkly. "Prepare yourself, August Eyica. This could very well...be your last day on Earth.."

Ms. Ray glanced between us, looking at both sides of the sidelines and seeing both of our teams were down and out. She looked at the two of us again, a memory of four years ago flashing in her head.

'It all leads to this moment, my dear August... Today is your time to finally prove yourself...and defeat the one person you vowed to beat. August...this isn't only for you. My job is also on the line. You need to win!' Ms. Ray thought, her heart beating against her chest.

Ms. Ray rose her hand, gulping thickly. "August, Archer! You may begin!"