{Date: 10/12 - Wednesday}
{Time: 2:15 PM}
The battles continued between the B Ranks, each one of us racking up points and wins. The next battle was going to be the one to decide our winner in this Free for All Mock Battle. After the arena settled down, Liao Ru walked out to the middle of the battlefield.
"The woman with the most wins currently is Saito! If she wins our next battle, she will be the winner of this Free for All. Who thinks they can stand the might of the Cyber Bunny?" Liao Ru asked, looking around the arena for Saito's next challenger.
I glanced around the arena, watching as everyone negotiated amongst one another. I stood up, my expression full of determination. "I'll face off against, Saito! It would be nice to get more experience while I'm at it."
Saito look at me with a smile on her face, levitating above the ground and hovered toward the battlefield with me following behind. Once we were in position, I began stretching and loosening my body for the battle ahead.
Saito hovered across the battlefield from me, her gaze watchful and analytical. She held her hands out, blue holographic screens appearing in front of her. "All systems online. Activating Battlesuit: Cyber Bunny."
Saito's battlesuit appeared on her body, her robotic companion coming into view behind her. His helm had points upon its head resembling the head of a rabbit, the eyes of his helm glowed a crimson red then became invisible once again.
"Begin!" Liao Ru announced, starting the Mock Battle, the arena shifting to an arena on the top of a skyscraper.
I glanced around the battlefield immediately, using my Spirit Sense to find Saito's Bunny Avenger. His movements weren't fast—that's not the right description. It's more like...he's concealing his Spirit Energy. I couldn't sense him at all.
"Valkyria Battles are always like a game of chess. Saito is the King Piece while Bunny Avenger resembles the Queen Piece. Without him, Saito wouldn't be able to do much on her own," Saito began, holding her hand out.
"Bunny Avenger...Fire!" Saito commanded, Bunny Avenger appearing above me with his cannon pointed at my face.
I bolted toward Saito at near invisible speeds, launching a strike at her, but an invisible force field deflected my attack. Immediately, Bunny Avenger rushed me with strikes that I felt to my core. He knocked me in the air, using his cannon to fire a blast strong enough to knock me away.
I skidded backwards, grunting and staggering a bit. I regathered myself and shook my head, my vision clearing and I looked up to see Saito I'm front of me. 'What was that force field?'
"That is a Gravity Element Technique, Scarlet Repulse. It's an Automatic Defense ability of Saito's. It's always active for as long as she has Spirit Energy to expend," Genesis explained, hovering beside me, her tiny wings fluttering as she began to scan Saito.
'Saito knows how you fight and taken all the liberation to make counters for your talent. Let's see you beat The Greatest...' Saito thought, watching me like a hawk monitoring her prey.
I crouched down into a running start, lightning crackling around my body. I kept my gaze upon Saito, my eyes emitting bluish yellow aura as I focused deeply. I began seeing glimpses of Bunny Avenger, his energy waves fading in and out of view.
'Let's do this...' I thought, waiting for the right moment to strike.
I leaned forward, launching myself toward Saito at high speeds. Bunny Avenger watched me closely, analyzing my every move then began defending Saito with quick and precise movements. I kicked off Bunny Avenger, landing on the ground and quickly jab stepped, baiting his reaction.
I bolted toward Saito at near invisible speeds, launching a strike but my fist hit her invisible barrier, a faint scarlet ripple coming into view. I jumped backwards, creating space then dodged Bunny Avenger's rushing strike.
Saito held her hand out toward me. "There are beings out there stronger, smarter than Saito. 'Honorary' means nothing when you can't put your training to use. Mock Battles are more than sparring with Valkyrias. It's about growth, adaptation, evolution."
"You can't hit Saito because like you told Cherry...Saito knows everything about you. Bunny Avenger, fire away!" Saito said, her eyes shining brightly with her command.
Bunny Avenger let out a mechanical roar and appeared behind Saito, aiming his cannon at me then began firing multiple missles at me. I grunted softly, my hair flowing wildly from the high winds the missles produced as they neared closer.
I began dodging the missles, unsheathing Bolt Breaker and began slicing through a few of the missles. In the midst of each explosion, orbs of energy began breaking through the smoke cloud. I took a deep breath, focusing all of my concentration in defense.
Blue energy began flowing around me, my body feeling more sturdy and firm. I swung my sword, my blade deflecting each energy blast into the building and rails of the skyscraper. I exhaled softly, lowering my guard as the onslaught ended.
'She was about to shift into Tank Type, but didn't fully commit. No...she 100% could if she wanted, she has the reserves to do so. I wonder what she did,' Saito thought with curiosity, lowering her arm.
Cherry watched from the spectator area, her tail swaying as she watched a few replays of what just happened. 'How are you going to match the IQ of a literal Super Computer? She knows your every play...Your speed can't beat Perception...'
Berry leaned back in her seat, watching the battle beside Cherry. Her tail swayed as well as she watch the replays of the battle. "Saito does have a definite advantage doesn't she?"
"Pfft...the fact that you question it is beyond me. Kikyo and Yumeji were taking it easy on her and you barely tried. 'Honorary' down there ain't winning this one, not by a longshot," Cherry said, leaning back into her seat.
"Such a pessimistic attitude..~ Have a little faith in Hisumi," Erika chuckled, crossing one leg over the other as she watched as well.
Cherry scoffed at Erika, crossing her arms and returned her gaze to the battle. "Whatever..."
Saito kept looking at me and landed on her feet, holding her hand to the side for Bunny Avenger to stand down. She walked forward, the thunder booming in the background. "If you want to Think, your mind has to Adapt. If you want to See, your eyes must Adapt. If you want to Believe, your heart must Adapt."
"Valkyrias must Adapt to all situations. We Perceive with our Mind, Sight, and Spirit. Mastering Sight will give you the ability to literally see your movements before you do them," Saito continued, stopping to step in front of me, the rain beginning to pour down.
I stared at her, readying myself for a tough battle. I gulped lightly, meeting her gaze steadily. Saito's gaze lingered onto mine as she stepped back to make more space.
"We all don't march to the same beat, but if it's 'catchy' enough, anyone can dance the beat. Grace and Elegance are important to a Valkyria as well," Saito said, getting into her martial arts stance.
Saito rushed forward swiftly, trails of water droplets following behind her as she glid toward me gracefully. She twirled around, launching a swift spinning kick aimed at my head. I detected the kick, swiftly ducking and grunted as I felt the wind left behind from her attack.
Saito twirled again, launching a sweep kick this time and caught me. She immediately took advantage, her left gauntlet shining brightly and manipulating the gravity around us. I grunted as I began getting pulled back toward her at high speeds.
'Valkyrie Burst: Crimsom Pulse,' Saito chanted in her head, palming my stomach, a ripple of crimson energy flowing around us.
I could barely react, the crimson glow of her energy blinding me. Suddenly, I was blown away into the building, crashing into it with a heavy impact, smoke and debris forming around my body.
Genesis frantically hovered around the smoke cloud, worried around my condition. "Mistress! Are you okay, Hisumi?"
Genesis's voice sounded like the squeaks of a fairy for a moment, my senses still a bit disoriented. I coughed softly, wiping away the smoke and began to slowly stand onto my two feet. The energy shield around me cracked, my Survivability returning to normal.
Saito watched the smoke clear, noticing my silhouette then let out a pleased hum. "Affirmation: Saito is impressed that you endured Crimson Pulse. Taken how you tanked it, Saito suspects you instinctively changed into a Tank Type. This is where you could say checkmate..~"
I stared at her for a moment, knowing she wasn't done. After all, this wasn't a normal spar. This was the last Mock Battle. I knew she was going to give it her all today.
"As a Support Type, Saito has no way of dealing with Tanks, but Saito isn't just a Support Type," Saito said, hovering backwards again and held her hand out, setting up her Scarlet Repulse around her.
I sensed Bunny Avenger's presence around me, his invisible body shimmering in pale hues. I stood my position, my eyes darting in every direction to catch Bunny Avenger. 'He's in play again...'
"My Bunny Avenger is Attack Type. Not only that, his Spirit Strike ignores defenses and weakens your own. Bunny Avenger, Rush Strike!" Saito commanded, sending Bunny Avenger to rush me down.
Bunny Avenger appeared in front of me, letting out a mechanical roar before striking me with a powerful blow to my stomach. He appeared to the side of me, striking me swiftly once again. He began withering down my defenses as I guarded against his strikes.
I began to slowly drop to one knee, my stamina unable to keep up with Bunny Avenger's assault. I glanced at Genesis, holding my hand out toward her then snapped my fingers. "Lightning Arrow!"
Genesis immediately understood the assignment, locking onto Bunny Avenger then began generating lightning arrows around her. She began firing them off one by one, each of them narrowly missing Bunny Avenger due to his speed.
One arrow came close to him, catching his attention and forced him to dodge the arrow. He stopped his assault on me then turned toward Genesis, letting out a low mechanical growl.
"Gulp." Genesis said, staring directly into his menacing scarlet eyes, knowing she was now forced into combat.
"Hold him off for me, I need to recover. Once I do, I'll be ready," I said to Genesis, crouching down onto one knee. "Give me a minute..."
"Bigger gulp,,," Genesis gulped, floating in the air to have her showdown against Bunny Avenger.
Saito watch the two in to the air, her left eye shining red as she synced with Bunny Avenger. The battlefield began growing thick with energy and tension, the stadium eagerly watching the Mock Battle taking place.
Bunny Avenger let out his mechanical roar then began rushing around Genesis, but Genesis deployed her radar, allowing her 360 Degree Vision. Bunny Avenger rushed toward Genesis with a swing of his fist from above, but Genesis became a ball of lightning, evading Bunny Avenger's attack.
"Just a bit more Genesis!" I called out, watching as Genesis evaded each of Bunny Avenger's rushing blows.
Genesis zipped around like a bolt of lightning, seemingly leading Bunny Avenger in the air. Once Genesis got Bunny Avenger into position, she let out a roar, forming an orb of energy I've never seen before.
Her energy felt primal, wild, and dominant...I couldn't help but to be a bit amazed, her tiny size capable of producing such energy. The energy around her began forming into the head of a dragon, lightning energy cracking around her form.
Genesis summoned her harp, the trails of energy forming around the mouth of the dragon and forming into musical sheets. She began strumming her harp, playing a hymn then her eyes began shining brightly.
"V.O.I.D Technique: Fulgar's Hymn..." Genesis said, her voice seemingly echoing throughout the air.
Bunny Avenger reached the dragon's head, charging up his cannon, watching as a massive orb of energy formed in the open mouth of the dragon's head. He let out a mechanical roar, firing off a beam of energy at Saito's command as Genesis unleashed her attack.
The two beam's collided, the impact of the two blast of energy sending shockwaves around the arena, causing the roof to rumble. The two beam clashed powerfully, but Genesis began overpowering Bunny Avenger, her beam crashing down upon him.
'I've never seen her V.O.I.D System in combat until now...Genesis is extremely powerful. What rank is her System?' Saito thought, watching the struggle and knew Bunny Avenger would lose.
"Bun—" Saito began, but noticed Bunny Avenger hold his hand out, immediately rejecting her command.
Genesis noticed a spark of light then rose an eyebrow, watching as a silhouette began forming in in her beam. Before any of us realized, Bunny Avenger shot through the beam and spiked Genesis to the ground.
Genesis grunted as she hit the ground, bouncing off the ground and floating back beside me, shaking her head. "Hey! Was the heck was that?!"
Bunny Avenger taunted her, pointing his finger at her then his crimson eyes began to glow, the gem in the center of his body glowing brightly. Saito watched Bunny Avenger, lowering her hand then smirked, but it faded away quickly as she got serious again.
"Bunny Avenger. Order: Commence 25% Mode," Saito conmanded, holding her hand out toward Bunny Avenger.
Bunny Avenger roared, activating 25% percent of his power and his body began to blow. His helm began to become more angular and menacing, his body extending out to resemble the form of a powerful hare.
He landed on the roof in front of Saito, growling menacingly at us. He stared directly at me, my form showing in the reflection of his red eyes. He watched my every step, the puddles on the rooftop reflecting my every move.
"If you want to throw in the towel, you can. It's alright," Liao Ru called out toward us with her arms crossed, wanting to make sure I'm not pushing myself too far.
"I'm fine...besides, even while holding herself back, Saito is giving me what she knows. I will not disappoint her by quitting at the climax," I declared, standing up straight then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
I zoned in only on Saito, spreading my legs apart to get into my Iaijutsu Stance. I readied my katana, staying as still as possible until it was the right moment to strike. I silently took another deep breath, finally taking my last exhale before completely clearing my mind.
The stadium was silent, everyone watching what seemed to be the grand finale of the mock battles. Yusa watched especially close, recognizing one of the Yukota Techniques I was preparing. Her gaze only focused on me, her mouth slightly opened as she watched.
Saito watched me closely, wondering what my next move would be. She readied herself, wanting to take the attack while I was concentrating, but she knew I was in my Iaijutsu Stance so any sudden movement was too risky.
'What is she planning... stalling for time? Saito will win by stamina...' Saito thought, keeping an eye on me then noticed the rain stopped.
The clouds began to part slowly, the first rays peeking through. One of rays poked through the clouds, blinding Saito for a moment, causing her to hold her hand out to block the sun's light and grunted.
At the sound of her grunt, I opened my eyes blitzing forward, sheathing my katana. "Yukota Technique: Sudden Death..."
Once my katana was fully sheathed, a swift delayed slash struck Saito, but the sound of a clash rang in the air. I looked back, noticing no ripples around Saito then my eyes widened when I realized my miscalculation.
'I was so zoned in on Saito and bypassing her automatic defenses...but I never factored in Bunny Avenger's raw reaction speeds when protecting her,' I thought, moving my body to get into position for a Quick Attack.
Once I got ready, I noticed a large shadow in front of me then looked up noticing Bunny Avenger in front of me before I could have even realized. Before I could process the moment, Bunny Avenger landed a mind rattling blow to my jaw, knocking me again one of the rails of the rooftop.
I fell to my knees, my Spirit Energy vanishing around my body as I hit the ground. The match was over, the scenery around my returning to normal, back to the St. Fraskia Mock Battle Arena.
"Match Over! Saito is the winner and today's Champion!" Liao Ru announced, holding her hand up and Saito's face appeared on the holographic screen with digital confetti floating around.
Saito looked around at the confetti then smiled softly, turning to look over at me then helped me to my feet. "Compliment...no, genuinely. You were amazing. There were moments in the fight where I felt doubt. Moments where I had to actually think..."
I smiled at Saito, gently holding her arm and looked up at the holographic screen with her face on it. I turned my gaze back toward her, placing my hand on her cheek gently. "That was probably the best fight I've had in a while. But, I've learned a lot more about you. You have a tendency of rubbing your wrist when Bunny Avenger is losing...~"
Saito blushed at my comment, thinking of all the times she rubbed her wrist. "Disagreement: Saito barely rubbed her wrists..."
"Awwh~ She's getting shy," Genesis teased, giggling softly at me.
Saito rolled her eyes, coming surprisingly sassy and began to hover away. I let out a soft laugh and hurried after Saito into the building with Genesis floating behind.
Yusa smiled at me as she watched me and Saito retreat into the building. "I'll give her a good half term before she's actually ready?"
Orishi chuckled softly, leaning back and stretching out. "Mmm..~ Half a term huh? That's half her C Rank Term y'know."
"I know. But that's all she'll need before it's time to give her a shot to becoming an Honorary A Rank," Yusa said, standing up and smoothing out her dress. "Until then, when she graduates to C Rank send her to Sayoko's morning class."
"The same one Usagi is about to retake again?" Orishi sighed, leaning her head back.
Yusa giggled softly and began heading into the building. "This is for her development..~ If she's gonna learn to grow, she needs other rivals than Cherry. One that will be there to challenge her whenever a time rises.."
Orishi watched as Yusa and Sayoko retreated into the building then stood up, letting out a soft sigh. "Better hope this goes well..."