Chapter 9-Phoenix

The ground of the arena turned back into normal fixing all the huge holes and even the tiniest of holes. After Kotsu left the stage the pictures on the screen changed immediately. Showing two more boys on the side of the screen. On the right read the name "Hisuku" his hair was as black as night with the tips of his hair a crimson red, it was almost impossible to see his small blood red eyes since his hair almost covered them.

On the left was the name Koto, lime green hair that was similar to his dark green eyes, they both walked out of the tunnels, first the screen showed Koto who was wearing a light green short sleeved shirt that had golden lines all across his shirt that led down to his light blue pants and white shoes.

Then the screen quickly switches towards Hisuku, wearing an ink black trench coat with its collar popped all the way up making it hard to see his mouth. Red circles went around the sleeves stopping at his shoulders, wearing underneath the coat that was almost impossible to tell the difference was a black shirt with the three large red lines going diagonal from the right to the left. Wearing black cargo pants leading down to his abyss high boots. Getting a closer look Koto saw a necklace with its silver chains that led down to a bright yellow bird shape with what it seemed like it had it wings up.

"Heh I recommend that you just give up. Your way too weak to go against me." Koto talked down to Hisuku.

"Just shut the fuck up before you get yourself killed."

"What was that you little shit?!"

"Nothing, there's no use to repeating what I said to a bastard like you."

Koto clicked his tongue as Eric began to countdown. As soon as it reached one the ground cracked, and roots of green came from the ground. Dozens of vines erupted from the ground and surrounded Koto, Hisuku just stared unimpressed not moving from his spot. As he eyed the vines, he noticed a slight change from them, hundreds of little thorns that moved like a chainsaw.

"Its time to die you little shit!" Koto sent his hundreds of vines at Hisuku who didn't move a muscle, "TAKE THIS RAZER VINES!"

"Hey dumbass if your gonna name an attack make sure it actually kills your enemy in one shot." The vines that got close to Hisuku just disappeared.

The air around Koto started to burn his throat with each breath he took. As he slowly got closer the burning sensation grew more and more painful and all the vines that tried to reach him vanished. A sudden small dark red flame ignited from his head for a quick second then it disappeared in the next.

"You told me it was time for me to die," Hisuku got up to his face as Koto's seemed like he was suffocating. He was terrified, his limbs begin to grow weak as he wasn't able to move even though his body was yelling at him to run, "you can tell the Grim Reaper that she can keep on waiting when you see her."

The dark red flames started to form into small like circles where the red rings where on his sleeves whereas three small circle flames formed around each of his legs, "Now let me show you what you should do when you yell out a name for an attack."

In a single second Koto felt his stomach be in agony, looking down he saw that Hisuku punched him, but he didn't even had time to react or didn't even see him get ready for an attack. The next thing he knew was that three consecutive punches landed on his head, then a quick kick to the chin sending him in the air. As his body was falling down Hisuku didn't give him a chance to even do anything, dozens of rapid fist and kicks hit his floating body at once, the red rings around him started to shrink with every blow Hisuku dished out.

As it kept shrinking it quickly expanded, on his right arm the ring of fire went to his open palm and all the other rings broke from its form then followed the rest of the flames. Closing his fist, the small flame ignited to a raging fire in his hand.

"PHOENIX INFERNO!" Hisuku punched Kotos falling body with his ignited fist, he was on the verge of passing out if it wasn't for the agonizing pain and the overwhelming heat. A sudden burst of flames combusted from Kotos back, the next thing everyone knew was that Kotos body was in the broken wall.

"Tch…you're not even worth killing." Hisuku turned around walking away ignoring the people who rushed right passed him to try and save Koto.

Tokume jaw dropped down as she saw the battle only last for a single minute, as she looked down, she saw the person laying on the ground with blood running down his head and bruised and burned scars all over him. They immediately started healing him as a green light filled their hands hovered over his great injured body. Eric announced that the last fight was delayed for ten minutes as they performed had to immediately heal Koto's body.

"I'm gonna go wash my face, and probably get more food just text me if you guys want anything." Tokume started to run off after she gave her number to Shoyo. Waving her hand, she disappeared into the distance.

Splashing her face with the waking freezing water she looked at the mirror and started to think to herself how in the hell was she even going to make it through the finals? How was she even get through the first round? Especially from those two monsters who destroyed their opponent without even trying. Splashing once more she dried her face then walked out of the bathroom.

Walking around where the food stands where she wondered if she should get something, noticing familiar hair style she rushed over as if she was lightning. She accidently ran past her leaving a trail of dust as she forced herself to stop then quickly running back. Her eyes started to shine as her face was staring and right in front of her was the girl she was talking to before.

"Friend?" Tokume said as she saw the girl turn face turned red and it seemed like steam came from her head. Then quickly she fell on the floor pass out.

Opening her eyes, she saw the light blue sky with pieces of gray clouds, a smooth and yet hard feeling was on her back. Quickly getting up she realized she was on an oak wooden brown bench, "Here have some water."

Looking to the side she saw Tokume sitting across the bench having her hand held out with a bottle of water, reaching out her hand she hesitated for a second then quickly took it. Putting her hood on she hid her face as she opened the bottle to drink it.

"Want a corndog? They accidentally gave me another one when I bought it when I was carrying you to the bench."

"you carried me here?" She softly repeated what Tokume said to the point it where it was almost bearable to hear.

"Yeah, well I couldn't just leave you there on the ground. So here take it you made it the finals and it's important to have your energy ready." Tokume stretched her arm out more, falling into the small amount of pressure that she gave off she took it.

Holding the stick of the corndog she studied it, turning it to the side she was about to take a bite, then stopped and retracted it from her mouth. Turning it in all different ways a minute passed by of not eating it, hearing in the distance a small chuckle ringed in the air, looking at her side was Tokume trying to hide her laughter.

"Sorry, sorry! It's just I don't think I've seen anyone have trouble eating a corndog before," Tokume still holding back her laugher with a smile as she saw the girls bright red flustered face, "don't worry about it there's not really a right way to eat it everyone is different, well except for Kit Kats its a rule to break the sticks first then eat them. Here try it like this."

Tokume took a bite from the top and pulled out a small red packet. In the middle of the market was a bright red tomato, opening a small part of the packet she poured the smooth red slime looking like on top of the bitten piece. Pulling out another small packet from her jacket pocket she handed it to her.

"Try it before it gets too cold." Tokume told her as she kept eating.

Taking a bite from the top the hot piece of the corn dog it slightly burned her tongue, having to blow out air to try and cool it down she couldn't really understand what was so good about it. It was already too late to give it back but before fully judging it she looked at the small packet in her other hand. Having trouble opening the packet she couldn't find way.

"Here give it to me these things are always a pain to open," Tokume the corn dog in her mouth as she struggled to open it, "just…gotta get the right spot…Got it!"

Handing it back to her she poured a small amount of the smooth red on the bitten part. Staring at it she looked at Tokume's excited face, she took the bite. A sudden burst of sweet flavor spread all over her mouth, eyes sparking, cheeks a bright red, and a shocked face that started at Tokume's then back at the corndog. As soon as she was done with the small piece that was in her mouth, she poured the red slime again.

"Have…. have you never had ketchup before?" Tokume asked as the girl looked back at her and shook her head, "ok? Well let's start where we left off."

She looked at her as Tokume stood up with the corndog in one hand and the other reaching out, "Hi I'm Tokume! Nice to meet ya! What's your name if you don't mind?"

Reaching out her own hand she weakly grasped it and softly replied, "fuyu."

"Fuyu huh. Cute name! Hey, do you have a phone?" Tokume asked as Fuyu nodded, "mind if I see it for a quick sec?"

Searching her pocket in her black hoodie she pulled out a medium sized phone with a purple case. Handing it to Tokume she started to press the screen a couple of times then handed it back, "Here you go, you have my number now! So, if ever want to hang out or do something give me a call or I might just call you to see if you want to do something."

Before Fuyu could say anything Tokume felt a small vibration from her phone then looked at it. It was a message from Hako saying she had about three minutes to get back before it starts again. Telling Fuyu that she had to go and a good luck on her next match she started to run off to different stands buying the stuff she wanted before going to the others.

Looking at her phone she saw Tokume's name and picture of her with a smile, wondering how she had the time to take a picture she continued eating the corndog she was given. A sudden terror came over her, her arms began to tremble as her legs quickly became numb. Staring at the ground to hide her face filled of fright, still clenching on the stick of the corndog she tightly clenched her arm as she already knew who was standing right behind her.

"So, you actually made a friend by yourself." The voice said as she slowly turned around.

"what-what do you want Hisuku…. why are you here?" She couldn't see his face, but she was able to feel something sinister coming from him.

"To give you one final chance to come back. If I see you in our match…well, you know what will happen." He started to walk off.

"Wait our battle! Did they rig the match so you can fight me!?" Fuyu numb legs went back to their senses as she stood up and looked at him.

Stopping where he was, he slightly turned his head, "What do you think. I suggest you take my advice and give it up and who knows they might forgive you."

She saw him walk away then as soon as he left, she fell to the ground on her knees. Grabbing her chest, she started to heavily breath and a cold sweat ran down her neck. As her vison became blurry and her cheeks became wet, tears fell to the ground, picking herself up Fuyu wiped them away and looked at the half-eaten corndog. As she looked at it, she remembered her first friend then took another bite.