The stadium crackled with anticipation as the next match was announced. The crowd's energy surged, their excitement at a fever pitch. On the massive screen above the arena, two names appeared side by side: Bakugo Katsuki versus Jace. It was the battle everyone had been waiting for, a clash between explosive fury and unrelenting shadows.
Jace stood at the edge of the arena, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he watched Bakugo march out onto the battlefield. The blonde's fiery gaze locked onto him immediately, his body radiating aggression. Bakugo's palms sparked, small pops of explosions punctuating his steps as if to warn Jace of what was coming.
"I'm gonna blow that smug look right off your face," Bakugo snarled, pointing a gauntleted hand at Jace. "You think you're hot shit? You're nothing!"
Jace tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "We'll see."
Midnight stepped forward, her whip cracking against the ground to silence the crowd. "Competitors, are you ready?"
Bakugo clenched his fists, the explosions growing louder. Jace simply nodded, his shadows rippling ominously at his feet.
"Begin!" Midnight shouted, stepping back.
Bakugo launched himself forward instantly, the ground beneath him cracking from the force of his explosions. He rocketed toward Jace like a missile, his gauntlets primed for a devastating attack. The roar of his explosions drowned out the crowd's cheers as he aimed a devastating right hook at Jace's head.
Jace sidestepped effortlessly, his shadows surging up to deflect the blast. The darkness absorbed the explosion, dispersing the fiery energy with a low rumble. Bakugo landed on the ground and pivoted, unleashing a rapid series of blasts to keep Jace on the defensive.
But Jace didn't retreat. Instead, he moved forward, weaving through the onslaught with a grace that seemed almost supernatural. The shadows around him thickened, forming tendrils that lashed out at Bakugo. One caught the blonde's arm, yanking him off balance.
"Get off me!" Bakugo roared, detonating the tendril with a concentrated blast. He spun midair, using the momentum to fire himself toward Jace once more. His left gauntlet gleamed ominously as he aimed it directly at Jace's chest.
"HOWITZER IMPACT!"
The explosion was deafening, a blinding flash of light and heat that sent shockwaves rippling through the arena. The crowd erupted into cheers, convinced the match was over.
But as the smoke cleared, Jace stood unscathed, his shadows forming a dense barrier around him. His expression hadn't changed, but his eyes glowed with an eerie light, the dark energy around him pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
"My turn," Jace said, his voice low and steady.
The shadows surged forward, a tidal wave of darkness that swallowed the ground beneath Bakugo. The blonde cursed, leaping into the air to avoid the attack, but the tendrils followed him relentlessly. One wrapped around his leg, dragging him back down to the ground.
Jace moved in, his speed blinding. He closed the distance in an instant, delivering a spinning kick to Bakugo's side that sent him skidding across the arena floor. Bakugo coughed, the impact knocking the wind out of him, but he forced himself back up, his eyes blazing with fury.
"You think that's enough to take me down?!" Bakugo roared, his hands crackling with renewed energy. "I'm not done yet!"
He slammed his palms together, creating a massive explosion that sent debris flying in all directions. The force of the blast shattered Jace's shadows, forcing him to retreat. Bakugo took advantage of the opening, launching himself forward with a speed born of pure rage.
Jace braced himself as Bakugo closed the distance, their fists colliding in a deafening clash. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, and for a moment, they were locked in a brutal exchange of blows. Bakugo's strikes were wild but powerful, each one backed by explosive force. Jace countered with precision, his movements calculated and deadly.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, the battle unfolding like a dance of destruction. Every explosion, every strike, every surge of shadow drew gasps and cheers from the spectators.
"You're tough," Bakugo admitted through gritted teeth, sweat dripping down his face. "But I'm tougher!"
Jace didn't respond. Instead, he stepped back, his shadows coiling around him like living armor. The arena darkened as the shadows spread, swallowing the light and plunging the battlefield into an eerie twilight.
"Let's see how you handle this," Jace said, his voice echoing through the darkness.
Bakugo growled, his eyes darting around as he tried to locate his opponent. The shadows were disorienting, making it impossible to see. Suddenly, a tendril lashed out, striking Bakugo from behind and sending him stumbling forward. Another wrapped around his arm, pulling him off balance.
"Stay still, dammit!" Bakugo shouted, detonating the tendril with a concentrated blast. But the shadows were relentless, striking from all directions and forcing him to expend more and more energy to keep them at bay.
Jace appeared behind him, silent and swift. He delivered a devastating palm strike to Bakugo's back, sending him crashing to the ground. Before Bakugo could recover, the shadows pinned him in place, their grip unyielding.
"This is over," Jace said, his voice calm but firm.
Bakugo snarled, his pride refusing to let him surrender. With a final roar, he unleashed a massive explosion, the sheer force of it shattering the shadows and sending Jace skidding backward. Bakugo staggered to his feet, his body battered and bruised but his spirit unbroken.
"I don't lose!" he yelled, launching himself toward Jace with everything he had left.
Jace met him head-on, their final clash a blur of shadow and fire. The impact shook the arena, and for a moment, it was impossible to tell who had the upper hand. When the dust finally settled, both fighters stood motionless, their bodies trembling from exhaustion.
Bakugo collapsed to his knees, his energy spent. Jace remained standing, though barely, his shadows flickering weakly around him.
"The winner is Jace!" Midnight declared, her voice barely audible over the deafening roar of the crowd.
Jace turned and walked off the battlefield without a word, his mind already preparing for the battles to come. Behind him, Bakugo sat in silence, his fists clenched as he vowed to come back stronger.
In the waiting area, Jace sat alone, his body aching from the fight. Kael's voice echoed in his mind, a mix of pride and disdain.
"Not bad. But you're still holding back."
Jace closed his eyes, the weight of the day pressing down on him. The festival was far from over, and the shadows within him whispered promises of even greater challenges ahead.