Fatty's footsteps crunched through the dry, brittle leaves underfoot as he stalked forward. His round face contorted in rage, eyes ablaze with a hunger for vengeance. Across the clearing, Ruben stood, arms loose at his sides, looking infuriatingly calm despite the hulking Rockie Turtle at Fatty's side.
Fatty mocked, curling up his lip as his gaze raked over Ruben's lean build. "What's wrong, pretty trash? Too scared to run this time?" His voice rang clear across the clearing, his voice Carring mockery. "Don't worry. I'll leave nothing of you for the crows."
The Rockie Turtle emitted a low, guttural growl, its massive body shifting as its splayed claws ripped into the dry earth. Fatty laid a grimy hand on its crenulated shell, a twisted grin spreading across his face.
"You had your fun last time," Fatty went on, . "But today, the pretty trash gets crushed."
Fatty's eyes locked onto Ruben. The beast-like ball hovered by Ruben's side, casting pale light upon the cracked, dry earth. That only served to make Fatty angrier. How could that cruddy little thing stand against the Rockie Turtle's raw power?
Fatty pointed a stubby finger. "Rockie get him!"
The Rockie Turtle roared and began to charge forward, its immense weight sending rumbles through the ground.
Fatty chuckled darkly, watching the massive beast close in. "Let's see you smile now, boy."
Ruben's face carried a smirk, but inside, he was crying without tears.
Ha! What was he going to do? He had just come into this new, unknown place, bullied by a fat meatball of a guy.
He had found out his glowing orb could be a creature; luckily, it had saved him before. But what was he going to do now?
Ruben slightly shifted his head toward his orb with a cracking smile on his face and asked, "Little guy...or...girl...you saved me before. How about you do it again?"
The orb responded, seemingly showing disdain for his cowardice at that moment, repeating,
"Ruu! Ruu!!"
Ruben was shocked by the tiny creature's reaction. Before, he would have thought it was calling him, but this it was displaying disdain!
Shaking his head, Ruben pleaded, "Ballsy, come on, help me out here!"
His lips curled into a forced smile, though his mouth was dry. Ruben couldn't help but turn to the Fatty with narrowed eyes and a shaky grin.
He saw Fatty smirking. Ruben thought, I'm a goner.
"Rockie, SMASH HIM!" Fatty's roar was as heavy as the Rockie Turtle itself, booming across the brittle clearing.
The massive turtle charged forward, its razor-sharp claws ripping through the ground, tearing through dry leaves and dirt. Its thunderous roar echoed as it closed the gap in the blink of an eye.
Ruben's smirk faltered into wide-eyed shock. Before he could react, the turtle's claw slammed into his side with bone-crunching force, launching him into the air like a ragdoll. His body crashed against the ground, bouncing off the hard, unforgiving earth.
"AHH!" Ruben cried out, clutching his ribcage as sharp pain radiated through his chest.
Fatty burst into cruel laughter. "That's it, Rockie! Hit him again! Make him regret ever breathing near me!"
The Rockie Turtle spun into its jagged shell and barreled toward Ruben with ferocious speed, the sharp edges of its carapace glinting under the pale sun.
Ruben barely managed to roll aside, but the edges of the shell grazed his leg, tearing through his pants and skin. Blood seeped from the gash, staining the dry ground.
The turtle spun to a halt and roared again, its claws tearing chunks of dirt as it charged. Ruben's eyes darted to Ballsy, hovering uselessly nearby.
"Ballsy!" Ruben wheezed, his voice strained. "DO SOMETHING!"
"Ruu!" The ball chirped in return but didn't budge.
The turtle slammed into Ruben again, pinning him against a dry tree. The bark cracked and splintered under the force, sharp shards digging into his back. Ruben gasped, fighting to stay conscious as the world tilted around him.
Fatty stamped forward, his face contorted in a mix of triumph and disgust. "Look at you now, pretty trash," he sneered, watching Ruben slump to the ground, coughing and clutching his ribs. "You think you can humiliate me? ME?!"
He kicked a cloud of dry dirt at Ruben's face, the gritty particles stinging his eyes and coating his tongue.
"This is what happens when you mess with greatness," Fatty spat. "Rockie, finish him off. I want him crawling like the worm he is!"
The Rockie Turtle growled, lowering its head for a final strike.
Ruben spat blood, his hands clutching his chest in pain.
He wanted to cry. Even if he cried, he wouldn't be ashamed. The pain was unbearable. Was he going to die again?
He turned to look at the cute, useless orb beside him, thinking this might be his last breath. He cursed, "Stupid ball, you don't know how to help me.
"You don't love me at all! Me, who always polished you before going to the football field! Me, who kept you and never left you for the new ball my mom bought! Is this how you pay me?!"
Ruben greeted his teeth. Since he was going to die anyway, he let it all out. "Damn you, Ballsy, you're useless! And that Fatty is disgusting! If you save me, I'll let you bully me for life!"
Ruben took a heavy breath, staring at the orb with bloodied lips, expecting a reaction.
Why did he even expect anything from this useless thing?
He wanted to faint and give up.
"Ruu! Ruu!" The orb chirped again. A flash of light burst from it, knocking Ruben down.
Before fainting, Ruben muttered, "I hate you, stupid ball. Chai, I'm going to dump you for another ball after I come back from the Netherlands.
Darkness enveloped him.
The light slapped his face like a hot iron, searing his wounds as if cooking him into roasted meat.
Ruben opened his eyes, coughing blood for the second time.
"Damn," he croaked. "How many times have I died now? Killed by Fatty and betrayed by my ball!"
Grinding his teeth, he cursed the pain in his wounds and the endless chaos of his life.
"Focus on the beautiful woman before you," a sultry voice, smooth as sweet wine and dangerously alluring, interrupted his thoughts.
Ruben turned instantly, his gaze locking on the figure before him.
A stunning woman stood there, her long, light-blue hair styled in an elegant bun. Golden jewels adorned her neck, wrists, and ears. She wore a striking blue gown blended with black, reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty but far more forbidden in its allure. Her white cleavage was in clear view, and the size of her bosom left no room for modesty.
The woman's enchanting appearance was both cute and dangerously mesmerizing.