Chapter 1-
I woke to a bunch of tapping at my window. My hair fell around my eyes as I tried to sit up. I brushed them out of the way and slid out of bed, my feet touching the cool, soft carpet. I opened the window and stared down to see my boyfriend Hayner waiting for me. He climbed the tree next to my window and slid himself in.
"Hey, Artemys. Ready for today?" He said with a half-hearted smile. It reminded me of a lost puppy. I knew somewhat of what happened. He hasn't told me everything that happened, but all I knew was he had lost a friend before I moved to Twilight Town. He told me a boy had shown up in their lives as quickly as he had left, but he remembered the good times like the Struggle tournament and their shares of ice cream. I was sorta mad at whoever this was. He had impacted my first love's life. The boy was trying, I could tell.
"Yeah. Give me a minute." I grabbed some clothes and dashed into my bathrom, stripping my clothes off, and switching them for a new set of clothes. I went back into the room and slid onto Hayner's lap.
"Cheer up, Hay. Your gunna do good today." I smiled. He half-smiled and kissed me. His kisses were warm and loving, but today they were racked with anxiety and nerves. When he pulled away and sighed, I could sense he was feeling remorse for his lost friend.
"This was the day he kicked my but. Badly. Just wish he was here to do it again, I know we were close, but I can't remember his name.." Hayner said. He sighed. I kissed him real quick.
"He would be proud of you, no doubt I am. And I'll be cheering you on the entire time." I said, burying my facc in his neck, feeling his pulse against my cheek. I felt his hand rub my back in defeat. I had won. I got off.
"So, slug, you going to get to the Sandlot or are we gunna sit here all day?" I said, challenging him with my eyes. I jumped on the sill. I reached out and grabbed my favorite vine, feeling the coolness of the leaves and slid down it, landing on the ground with a soft thud. Hayner swiftly followed me and we ran to the Sandlot.
The Sandlot was filled with townspeople as we came in. They were crowded around a tall man, with silvery hair and a cape that swirled around his ankles. He had what looked like a belt over his right shoulder.
"That's Setzer. He holds the current Struggle champion belt." Hayner explained. As I pulled on Hayner's hand, a tall boy appeared in front of me, making me accidently bump into his chest.
"Excuse me..." I sighed, looking up to see him and Hayner glaring at each other.
"Seifer." Hayner snarled.
"Hayner." Seifer rebuked.
"Ugh, testosterone..C'mon, Hay." I interrupted, pulling Hayner away from the testosterone battle. Seifer laughed maliciously.
"You letting your girlfriend fight for you?" He snickered. I snarled. Hayner let go of my hand.
"Who said I wouldn't? She could kick your ass too." Hayner said and I blushed. Seifer turned and walked away, Hayner hissing cuss words under his breath. I shushed him.
"Come on, let's not worry about him now. When you kick his butt in the tournament, then he'll be sorry." I said, but was quickly shushed back. I huffed and walked over to the registration table. The lady peered over her glasses at Hayner.
"You again? Haven't you caused enough trouble, boy?" The lady said. Hayner laughed.
"My doctor said Struggle would help my anger management issues." I couldn't help but giggle at this. Under all his macho-man-rebellious-teenage-bad-boy qualities, Hayner's a giant teddy bear. Although I'm the only one who sees it. We've done a thing or two.
"Well I suppose I'll have to let you. Are you participating too, missy?" The lady snuffed. I shook my head and she handed Hayner a Struggle baton. He left me after I gave him a good luck kiss. I ventured toward the stands when I heard my name.
"Artemys! Artemys!" a girl about my height with brown hair in pigtails, who I recognized as Olette, was shouting my name. I smiled and ran over to her.
"Hey, Olette." I sat down next to her and looked around swiftly. "Where's Pence?" I questioned.
"He'll be back, he went to help Hayner warm up." Olette assured me. I nodded and looked around at the other contestants. They were preparing themselves. Other then Seifer and Hayner there were 3 contestants, excluding Setzer. Of the three contestants, there was one boy who had looked as though someone had beat him one too many times. He had spiked brown hair and was pale as moonlight. He wasn't warming himself up or anything, just sitting there. It was suspicious, almost. I looked away to see the judge walk to center ring. He was handed a microphone.
"Peoples of Twilight Town! Welcome to the 2nd annual Struggle Tournament! If all contestants are ready, may they come up here and be presented!" The judge shouted. The five contestants walked to center ring, Hayner smiling widely, he eyes scanning the crowd. When he caught my eye, his smile spread to his eyes. I waved and cheered.
"Contestant one: Seifer! Our town's local peacekeeper!" The judge shouted. Olette and I exchanged eye rolls. We clapped politely.
"Contestant two: Hayner! Local troublemaker and hearty fellow!" The judge exclaimed. The crowd broke out in applause. Olette and I jumped in our seats, holding the neatly decorated signs we had made.
"And my boyfriend!" I shouted through the crowd. Suddenly, time had stopped. My clapping subsided. I looked around. Nothing was moving, not even Olette. Just as I was about to get up, a black orb appeared and it grew so it was a portal. A black hooded figure stepped out of it, and poof! it was gone.
"The Struggle tournament? My, my, aren't we getting alittle friskay in this town. Artemys, I thought you loved me? Hah!" The hooded figure shouted. I sat there, stunned by the fact this thing knew my name.
"H-how do you know me? Who are you?" I stammered. The figure laughed. He pulled back his hood.
"Do you not remember me? Its Demyx..Your boyfriend." The boy said.
"Demyx..? I don't know you, I'm sorry." I said and got up to walk away. He vanished quickly and then reappeared in front of me. He grabbed my arm. I tried to shake him off, but he quickly stepped back, looking as though someone had shocked him. I blinked a couple times and stared at my hand.
"What are you?" Demyx gasped.
