"We need a name," PJ said.
"I feel like I've heard that before," Asher said.
They were at their new "secret" hideout - the only actual treehouse in the Tree Camp. Over the ringing of BB-Guns, no one would be able to hear them. They were high up, which was a tactical advantage. They could see all of the Tree Camp from their position.
"Since we kinda betrayed them, I feel like Sins would actually apply pretty well," PJ said.
"We didn't betray them," Asher scoffed.
"You stole the device," PJ hissed.
"Now thats something that needs a better name. We can't call them devices forever," Asher said.
"Then you come up with them. Isn't that how it works? Anyways, we are now called the Sins."
"But we didn't have a vote!" Asher exclaimed, throwing his hands up.
"We did. You just didn't mail in your ballot," PJ snorted.
"Recount," Asher said.
PJ crossed her arms. "Nope."
Asher looked down and then looked up. "I did it," he said to PJ.
"Oh, you did? What did you choose?" PJ asked, knowing he was referring to activating his device.
He grinned. "Its a surprise," he told her.
"Hey, PJ, you still up for it?" Adah called from the base of the tree. PJ nearly fell over side in shock seeing as she hadn't noticed them stop shooting their bb guns.
"Yup," PJ breathed and then scampered down the tree.
"Are you okay with having a session here?" Adah asked.
"Yep. Of course I am!" PJ said.
"I think you're actually prepared enough to fight today," Adah told her.
"Really? We only started like, a week ago!" PJ exclaimed.
"I know. Time flies. But I think you're ready," Adah said.
"Alright. How does it work?"
Adah walked over to her four-wheeler and took out a box. She laid it on the ground, cracking open the lid and PJ could see the foam gear inside. Adah started throwing blue pieces at PJ, who tried to catch them as they came faster than baseballs.
Adah walked over and put on her pieces of foam armor which were orange.
"Umm… Adah? I don't think these fit me," PJ said.
"They're Asher's. You're about the same height," Adah said with a shrug.
"Why do you have this?" PJ asked trying to figure out how to put her feetpads on.
"Christmas gift," Adah replied. Somehow, she had half of the gear on already.
Frantically PJ began to put her armour on, and two minutes after the two stood near the edge of camp. Cain stood in between two of them, as he was elected to be referee. From the trees the rest of the Apples watched. PJ could only hope that they weren't recording her.
"Rule one. No punches to the head, only kicks. Rule two, if someone says stop, you do so. Rule three, no leaving the ring. Rule four, only honorable moves, as in no tackling," Cain explained.
PJ nodded. "Okay, got it."
"You better," Adah snorted.
"Next, the points. Two for the head, one for the chest. Are you both ready?" Cain asked.
"Ready from the day I was born!" Adah roared, intimidating her blonde opponent who shrunk back.
PJ grinned and spat between gritted teeth, "Then prove it!"
"Three, two, one, go!" Cain said.
Adah started by launching a side kick at PJ who swiped it downwards with her hand only to have an axe kick to the head. If it wasn't for the foam, she was sure she would have passed out when she hit the floor.
"That's two points for Adah," Cain said. PJ rolled onto her back to see Adah offering a hand to her. She took it and was yanked upwards.
"I need a minute," PJ said, proceeding to slump against a tree trunk.
"That's alright," Adah replied, picking up her water bottle and taking a swig.
PJ hated to admit it, but she was jealous of Adah. Adah was ten times more athletic and stronger then her. Just a month or so ago that wouldn't have bothered her, but now that the skills were necessary she regretted not putting time in sooner.
But she had an advantage - the device. She had fox DNA - maybe that could help. Foxes weren't exactly known for being strong animals, but they were fast and exceedingly clever.
"Okay, I'm ready now," PJ said as she stood up.
"Alright," Adah said.
They both stood seven feet apart, and when Cain said go, it was Adah who made the first move again. She closed the gap between her and PJ who grit her back leg into the ground, pivoting for a kick.
Adah practically ran into it, and then she drew backwards, shifting into a deeper stance and throwing a hook kick. PJ raised her leg to block that from hitting her chest.
"Two points for PJ! A tie!" Cain declared.
PJ softened her defense, thinking that meant the end of the round but was proven wrong when Adah aimed a kick at her head. With a yelp, PJ ducked and slid forwards, punching Adah's chest-peice and then aiming for a kick to the head. When Adah ducked in turn, the momentum was too much to handle and she almost fell down.
Fortunately, she was able to salvage herself and leaned back up, just in time to dodge a back kick from Adah which she intercepted with another kick to her body armour.
"Five points! PJ is the winner!" Cain exclaimed, running up to her and raising her hand. All of the Apples cheered, and PJ had to look away to hide a blush.
"You were fast," Adah said, shaking her hand.
"Yeah, the devices certainly help," PJ replied.
Adah shrugged, "Nah, they do help a little bit but let's not forget who's brain is doing the computing - yours."
"You sound like a motivational speaker," PJ commented.
"See me at the school assembly talking about the horrors of drugs and vapes? No, I'm not a motivational speaker," Adah joked.
PJ began to take her gear off, and paused to say, "Thank you Adah."
"You're welcome," Adah said.
PJ suddenly felt a drop in her stomach as she realized that one day when it was time to press the button she might have to use Adah's own tactics against her. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply before continuing to remove the gear.