"So where are we headed to, Zola?" Shu asked Zola as they traveled through the woods.
"We're heading to a place where Kluke could probably sense and summon her Shadow again," Zola replied. Jiro knew where that place was. It was Phoenix's ruins in the ruins of Luminas. He and Zola had passed it on their journey together before, Jiro added with a scowl, before that asshole Shu joined them.
At the edge of the forest, Zola signaled the others to stop.
"It's getting late, you guys," she said. "We should set up camp for the night and get some training in while we're at it." She turned to Jiro. "Jiro, I want you and Shu to spar with your Shadows. Find an open area to do it."
"Waste of time," Jiro muttered. "I think we all know who'll win."
"What's that supposed to mean, huh? !" Shu shouted, throwing his face in Jiro's. Jiro glared at Shu and the two spent a few moments exchanging hateful words.
"Enough, you two," Zola told them. Jiro and Shu turned their backs to each other, both boys letting out a 'hmph!'
"What about me, maro?" Marumaro asked.
"You and I will go spar together," Zola replied. "Kluke and Bouquet, you come with us. I don't think you two will be safe around these two when they go at it."
"Okay," Kluke and Bouquet replied.
"Like I said before, you two find an open area to spar," Zola reminded Shu and Jiro. "And don't go overboard, either." Jiro just narrowed his eyes as Zola, Marumaro, Kluke, and Bouquet disappeared in the forest. If Shu pissed him off then he WILL go overboard, whether Zola likes it or not!
"Let's go," Jiro told Shu as he headed off in the opposite direction of the others.
"Whatever," Shu replied with a tone that made Jiro curl his hands into fists. He took a deep breath and relaxed. He could beat the hell out of the pipsqueak when they spar.
After walking awhile, Jiro saw that they were headed to the entrance of the bottom of a canyon.
"Let's train in here," Jiro said. Shu didn't say anything, but Jiro was positive the brat was rolling his eyes at him. He was definitely gonna kill the runt.
When the two were well into the canyon, both boys faced each other and summoned their Shadows.
"Go, Minotaur!" Jiro shouted. Minotaur rushed at Blue Dragon, ready to throw a punch. Blue Dragon blocked it with a punch of his own. The two Shadows went at it awhile before Minotaur threw a punch that sent Blue Dragon and Shu backwards. Shu got back up and powered up.
"Fire Crisis!" Shu shouted. Blue Dragon shot out blue flames, which landed in front of Jiro and Minotaur. The force from the flames' impact threw Jiro to the ground. Blue Dragon and Shu erupted from the smoke from the flames. Blue Dragon's fist was surrounded in a blue aura. He was preparing for a strong punch. Jiro managed to roll away just in time to dodge the attack.
Blue Dragon's attack didn't stop at the ground, but instead went easily through it. Crack quickly formed around the impact and spread underneath Shu and Jiro. The ground suddenly collapsed beneath them and the two fell in, their Shadow's vanishing. The two fell countless feet, the hole above them rapidly looking smaller and smaller as they fell. At last, Jiro hit the ground and everything went black.
