Benjamin had gotten up so early that he was waiting for Velena for almost 30 minutes. Benjamin didn't talk much on the ride to school. He was too focused on the match he would have with Corey that day. Benjamin finally began to talk when he met up with Corey, Isaiah, and Lennox in the cafeteria.
"You ready Benjamin?" Corey asked upon his approach. "This should be pretty fun. We could even discuss what you need to work with and improve your skills even more," Isaiah said excitedly. "Don't forget to book the gym though," Lennox said, taking a bite of his breakfast. "Oh, I already did that," Corey said. He pulled a note out of his pocket that read, "Gym reservation" "I don't think the rest of the class is going to be too happy about that decision," Isaiah said nervously.
"They'll be fine, they love fights as much as we do," Benjamin said to ease Isaiah's nerves. "Let's hope you're right," Jackie said from behind them.
The three sat down and began to discuss Corey and Benjamin's fight. "Hey Charles," Isaiah said, waving at him. Charles sat across from Isaiah and asked, "Corey why are you fighting Benjamin?" "All that fighting yesterday got me in the mood to fight someone and I've never had a match against Benjamin before," Corey replied, shrugging.
"C'mon Charles, it'll be cool to watch," Isaiah said. "Then afterward you can fight me." Charles looked taken aback by this, but ultimately agreed to Isaiah's challenge. "Isaiah, you're challenging Charles," Velena said dumbfounded. "Hey, can't I fight as well," Isaiah replied. The bell rang and they got up. "I've always wanted to punch your face in," Charles said. As the group moved to class they started discussing Evan's reaction to the fight.
The group made it to class and stepped inside. Benjamin took his seat between Velena and Corey. Isaiah and Charles were still rambling about their fight. Evan and Xavier walked into the classroom right afterward. Mr. Martin looked up at Evan as he passed and gave him the slightest nod.
"What was that about," Velena asked. "I guess he respects Evan for fighting Coach Haynes and doing as well as he did," Jackie said, tilting her head to look at Evan. "Anyways Evan, Corey, and I are going to fight in the gym today," Benjamin said. "I know," Evan replied. "Judging by the fact that you couldn't beat me, I don't think you'll be able to defeat Corey," Evan said, matter of factly.
Benjamin and Velena exchanged looks but stayed silent. Luckily Evan wasn't paying attention as he turned to Lennox to discuss a rematch between themselves.
First block went past surprisingly fast and Benjamin was surprised to see himself rushing towards the gym. I'm gonna be like Isaiah if I don't stop, he thought to himself, chuckling.
Benjamin walked into the gym and set his stuff down in his locker. He was already finished putting his gym clothes on when the rest of his friends walked in. "Who's rushing to class now, Benjamin?" Isaiah taunted. "I'm just excited," Benjamin replied.
Benjamin walked out onto the gym floor and began to perform his stretches. Even though just yesterday the gym floor had been destroyed, it was in perfect condition today. Benjamin had seen this hundred of times so he was used to it. Finally, Corey emerged from the locker room in his gym clothes and walked to the opposite side of the gym. Everyone else eagerly sat down and waited.
"Are you both ready?" Isaiah called out. Benjamin nodded his head and Corey did the same. "Then ready… set… 3… 2… 1… Go!!!" Isaiah yelled.
"Arise," Benjamin said, calling his shadows forth. Corey began to multiply himself creating clones and dispersing them around the gym floor. Soon the gym floor was covered in shadows and clones, each staring the other down.
"Let's go," Corey yelled, sending his clones towards Benjamin. "Engage," Benjamin said, ordering his shadows to fight. The clones and shadows fought creating a clearing where it was just Corey and Benjamin. Benjamin drew Broken War from its sheath while Corey materialized in his scythe.
The two lunged at each other, their blades clashing together and releasing a shower of sparks. Corey created a portal beneath Benjamin's feet that he fell into. The portal led directly above Corey. Corey let Benjamin fall before kicking him in the chest and knocking him back.
Benjamin landed with a thud. Benjamin immediately got up and lunged for Corey. Corey opened a portal through which he jumped, appearing right beside Benjamin. Benjamin predicted this and blocked the slash that Corey tried to hit him with.
Benjamin let the scythe hook around his sword and used that to pull Corey into the air. When Corey was above him, Benjamin kicked out with both feet, launching Corey into the air. Before Benjamin could reach Corey to continue the assault, Corey opened a portal above him through which he flew.
Benjamin looked into the portal to see that Corey was going to appear behind him. He pivoted and blocked Corey's scythe slash. Corey performed an upward sweep with his scythe.
The move sent a wave of mirror shards towards Benjamin who jumped to avoid them. Two Corey Clones then appeared and grabbed Benjamin. Corey kicked out with both feet and launched Benjamin across the gym.
Benjamin was able to stop himself before he went over the edge. Corey threw his scythe towards Benjamin who ducked to dodge it. Corey suddenly teleported to the scythe and slashed backward. Nearly getting Benjamin in the face.
Benjamin jumped back. And sent forward a shadow that grabbed Corey's ankle and threw him across the gym floor. Corey slid across the floor uncontrollably directly towards a shadow.
Benjamin teleported to the shadow and summoned a shadow fist to knock Corey into the air. Benjamin jumped towards Corey and slashed him with his sword. The place where Broken War had cut Corey began to turn black and flake. "How are you going to fight me when you could turn your body into a pile of ash," Benjamin jeered, toying with the blade of his sword. Corey looked at the cut.
It wasn't as bad as it could have been if Benjamin had hit him with the full edge of his blade. Corey and Benjamin stared each other down. "I guess this fight will end a bit earlier than expected," Corey said over the sound of shadows and clones fighting