Marionette Chapter 7: The Contest, a grand chase fanfic

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"Alright!" Arme heard the announcer say, "Since all participants have arrived, I suggest we start the contest. But before that, let us give a round of applause for our one and only... Amy!" And the cheering was so loud that Arme could've covered her ears - but she didn't. Through the feeling she felt inside, she smiled.

"Okay, Hai everyone!" Amy smiled, Arme observe her as she walk inside the field holding a microphone,

"Hello!" Everyone answered happily,

"Uh... So... I'm gonna sing a song..." Amy flashed a smile - at this Arme almost grimaced at the guys who we're drooling at Amy, however that melted when she spotted Jin with them. Arme then gigged. "This song is entitled, Love Like this! So... I hope you like it!"

"Yaaaaaaaaaay!" the crowd cheered,

"Ahhh Yeah, ohh..."

I thought I had the whole thing figured out, til I found you
I didn't wanna waste my time just, lookin' for love.
I thought that I was better off alone,
But I was wrong...

Amy had Arme's gaze on hers though - one person. Jin. Arme smiled and stated silently, "I won't be surprised if one day they ended together..."

I never knew love like this,
I finally opened up my eyes.
I never knew just one kiss,
Could ever wake me up inside.
And I hope it lasts forever, cuz I'd walk a thousand miles
Just to feel like this, I never knew love like this.

"Boy, Amy's pretty good at this, isn't she?" Arme commented then turning to her seat mate Ryo,

"Yeah," ,"Totally." commented the girl next to her. Arme smiled.

Every day is better than the last, when I'm with you.
I don't think I could get much higher
Cuhz Baby
Everytime you come and put your head to me, things you say to me it just feels so good...

But through the spot light, the applauses, the beautiful dresses, and her concerts, no one would practically knew her if it wasn't for Jin. She knew what he feels for her, but he's quite dense to realize how much she feels for him in return.

I never knew love like this,
I finally opened up my eyes.
I never knew just one kiss,

No one knows her better than Jin. He was... The only one for her.

Could ever wake me up inside.
And I hope it lasts forever,
cuz I'd walk a thousand miles
Just to feel like this,
I never knew love like this.

He was everything for her.

Love like this
Don't make me wanna lose myself to you
Love like this
And when you're here there's nothin I can't do
Love like this
See no one else compares to you

She also wanted to confess, badly. But she knew... there's a right timing for everything.

Like this, like this,
I never knew love like this
never, never knew love like this
Uhh
And I hope it lasts forever,
Cuz I'd walk a thousand miles
Just to feel like this
No, no, no, no, no,
Just to feel your kiss
Ohhhh
Just to feel like this
I never knew love like this.

But for now... She'll play dense. It's quite awesome making people spit three words just because you don't get it... And she knew that she'll enjoy it.

And so the song ended up shortly with people chanting, "Amy, Amy, Amy, Amy!"

"Thank you very much minna!" Amy smiled with a cute bow, "I long for everyone's support 'kay? If you've got difficulties about music, or even the school, you can ask me anything!" And she exited first before the cheerios did.

"Thank you very much for that heart pounding performance Amy! And as usual, you've captivated everyone with your cuteness!" They all stared at Amy as she gave a wink and a peace sign. "But now let's proceed with the contest shall we? So... Like what you are seeing, the field is divided into two, group A and group B. And I'll be cutting the intros this time, for group A, Megumi vs Haru, and at side B, Arme vs. Kurei."

"What?" Arme fell of off her seat, at this reaction everyone stared at her,

"Anything wrong Arme?" the announcer asked,

"A-ah, nothing." Arme answered and sat back to her sit. At this she received snickers. But ignoring them Arme turned to her Senpais,

"So..." Ryo started with a sheepish smile,

"Arme!"

"Yeah, yeah!" Arme's gaze turned to the announcer answering rudely, quickly her gaze shifted back to her senpais. Arme then stood up and received the weapons, "We'll talk about this later."

Ryo then sighed nervously, "Eh...hehe..." Dawn smiled at him slyly.

"Ah... So you're Arme eh?" Arme sighed boredly at her opponent, "Nice to meet you." she answered nonchalantly.

"I've heard a lot about you." This caught Arme, and she was trapped in the guy's gaze, "You're quite cute, but I'm sorry to say that I have to bring you down..."

"Don't say it." Arme answered, her eyes gave some glint of determination and annoyance, "Do it."

"GO!"

Arme observed as her opponent lunged towards her giving some quick slashes but then Arme gently turned and caused her opponent to miss, but then her opponent also made a turn and slashed Arme, and this time Arme disappeared,

"What the?" Kurei muttered silently, "C'mon little brat don't play tricks on me!"

"Who says I'm play tricks on you?" he was startled to find Arme behind her, the next thing he knew was to be thrown to the other side of the field because of the fire bolt he received.

"Stupid little ass," he muttered standing up, "What?" Arme was then behind him, he quickly turned around and said, "I said stupid little ass! You little-"

"Lightning bolt!" Arme yelled as she cut the guy.'No trace of fear...' Arme thought bitterly, she observed at the guy as he clutch himself in pain. As soon as the skill ended, he found him lying motionless on the ground,

Beat.

"H-huh?" Arme took a step backward,

Beat. "Finish it off!", "Yeah, finish it!"

'Finish?' Arme flinched,'To kill?'at this she faced down and stared at her palms... "No..."

"DRAGON SLASH!" this alerted Arme, 'I'm sorry but I won't lose...' she gave the guy with a cocky smile a glance as she received the blow.

Beat. The crowd stared at the motionless girl lying on the ground...

At this Kurei shrieked, "HAHAHAHAH! You're THAT weak? I expect more of you! Hahahaha!"

"Oh my, is this the end for Arme in only seventeen minutes?" the announcer waved his hand sidewards.

And it was few minutes...

"Arme..." Dawn stated her eyes quickly showed pity.

"Dawn," Ryo tapped her shoulders, "You know that girl..."

"HAHAHAHA!" Kurei laughed his ass off, "You awful weak human! But what to expect? You ARE a mage!"

But then... Blag! "W-what?" a foot kicked the guy from behind as he land on the ground, Arme stepped on him saying mockingly, "What did you just said?"

"H-how did?" He observed as Arme disappeared and appeared a bit far from him. He quickly stood up and shrieked, "HOW DID YOU SURVIVED HUH? YOU CHEATER!" and then he lounged towards Arme.

Arme didn't move as her eyes closed... But then in opened and she yelled, "Fire storm!"

The crowd then awed as three pillars of lava broke free as Arme hit the ground with her staff, this damaged the field but it reached her opponent's current position. And when the smoke cleared up, it was Arme's surprise to saw no body.

"Storm blade!" this also alerted Arme as the guy appeared behind her and started swinging his sword in a circular motion. Arme then used her staff to block the attack, but it she was caught off guard when her staff flew meters from her, and she was left alone taking the last hit.

It was like needles piercing through her body. Arme then stirred a bit trying to stand up as she felt blood trickle down her body... She didn't know where, but it hurt.

"Is that all?" Kurei asked, he was also wounded - but not as bad as Arme's.

The next thing Arme knew was Kurei attacked once more, she tried her best to block the attack with bare skin, but it just sent her flying across the field - opposite of where her staff is.

Now blood covered her body, her dress a bit torn up.

"Arme!" Ryo yelled that made people stare at him, though he didn't care. He hissed some words before Dawn was able to calm him down.

"I'm fine!" Arme answered slightly annoyed, "You're doubting my abilities again..."

"What abilities?" she suddenly heard, turning to the direction, she found the guy with a spoiled expression, he swung his sword but Arme quickly disappeared. "What? AGAIN?" he exclaimed, this time she found Arme walking towards her staff and picked it up.

"HOW DO YOU DO THAT?" he yelled in annoyance, "Your cheating!"

"Once again," Arme stirred a bit casting a spell, "I don't cheat. And again, it's something called TELEPORT, that only we can do." she hate repeating sentences once given.

"YOU ANNOYING CHEATING BRATT!" he lounged carelessly towards Arme, this time Arme shoved her in a landscaper and sealed him in a rock.

For few minutes it stayed like that - then Arme walked towards the rock and knocked it - "Hello? Anybody inside?"

"HF MF OF OFH HFHL..."

"What?" Arme asked raising an eyebrow, "Mf fuf fuff fuff?"

At this the crowd laughed,

"F SFGH outta here!" Arme then gapped as the rock break into pieces, But then she attack once he regained composure, "Fire storm!" and this time, it ended the match.

"Ah..." the announcer stirred a bit, "I think we have a winner for group B..." he observed at the guy lying motionless below Arme.

While hearing the cheers, Arme felt numb. She breathe rapidly in and out...

"Boom!" she heard a cheer from the other field. Giving it a gaze, she realized who it was. Megumi. The blonde haired cheer leader.

"You're so weak~" she chanted at the fallen opponent, after that she gave Arme a peace sign...

"Hi! I'm going to beat you later... But if you even reach me!" and then she winked.

Though Arme ignored her and turned around, her body was turning quite numb, she was forced to close one eye and clutch her chest, just because she was breathing heavily. Anyways, she tried to hold herself back, succeeded, despite the annoying calls of the blonde haired girl.

She stared at her opponent as he was taken off the field. She shook her self a bit, but then sighed deeply,

"You may leave the field now..." the announcer said, at that sign, Arme quickly glew in bright blue and disappeared from the field.

"Some disappearing act, huh?" stated another blonde haired archer.

"She won." Amy answered giving her partner a smile.

"But she almost lost..." Amy sighed, why does she hate her so much?

Ah... Because taking four lives is a lot...

Arme slumped dropping to the floor, "ah.. ha... ah.. ha.." she panted.

Her eyes barely open, where was she exactly? Two words. No. Clue.

Looking around she saw some cherry blossom trees? What the hell? Since when did this school bore cherry blossom trees?

Arme felt still numb but she heard some sounds float in the air... Amy? Is that... her? Wait. Amy's back at the field right? It can't be here...

Suddenly Arme heard footsteps and chose to hide herself,

"Yuna! Your match is up next!" Arme then breathed in and out again. So it was Yuna. Such beautiful notes from a rude girl.

"I said go away!" Arme blinked.

"Shut up you brat." Somehow she felt broken inside. Arme then inhaled-exhaled silently. She clutched her chest... So many secrets...

"What do you want from me?"Arme blinked again, this time her eyes moistures. "Please... stop..."

"That's what you get for taking the first place. Attention seeker." It was to make the Mistress proud.

But no matter how hard she tried... The mistress ignores her... Treating her as a mere tool to clean and dispose unusable trashes...

She could've won the past battle with the girl... But fear... Took over her.

"So you better not steal my spot again, freak. Or this would happen again."

"Yuh... nah..." Arme stated softly.

Suddenly the soft music sound and she heard the words, "Okay! I'll be there in a moment!"

After that she heard some footsteps... And eventually heard Yuna state, "Arme... Arme... Stalking me? Oh man... You never grew up."

However Arme ignored them, her lids dropped at the moment, as she heard fade away footsteps... "Not gonna happen." Arme smiled a small sad smile, then she had this urge to stand up, and heal herself.

- Back at the field -

"So the second match for group A is between... Cathy and Naoki." the announcer mumbled,

"Where's... Arme?" Ryo asked looking around, "Her act is a bit outta place."

"Yeah..." Dawn then spotted another girl walk in stage...

"And the match for group B... Ken and Yuna!"

"Excuse me..." Dawn quickly gave the person a glance... Amy? "Uh... Yeah?" Dawn answered, trying her best to be polite.

"Are you the Mage's Captain and vice-captain?" another one... a tangle of brown, and two reds.

"Yeah..." Ryo answered, "Anything wrong?"

"We just... Wanted a short talk with you..." Amy smiled,

"Let's go, let's go!" Ryan smiled, "I'm Ryan by the way,"

"Elesis," Elesis then gave a thumb up,

"Jin." the red haired lad gave them a cocky nod with a cocky smile.

"Oh." Ryo then tapped Dawn's lap, signaling her to stand up and follow her.

"Excuse! Excuse uss!" Amy then exclaimed - and it didn't took minutes for people to give them space. "Thanks! Thank you!" Amy winked then... "AMY! AMY!"

"Aren't you... Over using it?" Elesis gave the pink haired girl a whisper.

"Over using what?" Amy smiled and continued skipping, Elesis then gave glance at the people behind them... Jin and Ryan along with Arme's mage friends.

"Nevermind." Elesis rolled her eyes...

- I got you... -

"This is regarding about Arme's current background..." Exii stated in an elderly tone. They were in a tent not so far from field.

Ryo tagged Dawn about it. What about Arme's background.

"I guess you are her teammates right?" Exii muttered,

"Yes." Dawn answered, slightly nervous.

"Do you know that... She's the witch's daughter?"

Their reaction seemed quite a surprise for the Chase and the knight master.

"She was, knight master." Ryo corrected with a smile.

"So... You knew?" Ryan raised a brow, Ronan then tugged his sleeve, "Sorry."

"Yes." Ryo answered again,

"How exactly did you discovered?" Exii seem interested.

"Rumors... And some confirmation." Ryo answered. Exii then gave them a 'Proceed' look.

"We tried setting her up yesterday... A match." Dawn started, "But then our other member over did it and Arme went berserk." Dawn sighed, before proceeding, "Our gym was half broken and a member almost died."

Ryan gulped, "Remind me never to piss Arme." Elesis then snickered at him.

"What exactly happened?" Exii said eying Ryan and Elesis.

"Well..." Ryo trailed off.

"So what are you going to do now, huh? Kill me? As if you can."

It was an eavesdrop that they wish they never did. Of how menacing her voice is back then... But they chose to spill everything out.

"What a trouble maker."

"Lire." Ronan muttered, quickly the archer huffed away,

"Hey, Lass! Isn't that Naoki?" Lire muttered, choosing to start a conversation with her friend.

"Yeah..." Lass muttered silently eying the black haired thief. Soon enough the thief gave them both a glance as well.

"Captain, captain!" they all suddenly heard, upon them a panting Saku was found.

"I'm sorry for my rudeness, knight master, can I talk to my upperclassmen?" Exii quickly nodded, Saku took some air and continued, "We can't find her anywhere!"

"What?" Dawn exclaimed softly, "But... what... damn."

"Watch your words Dawn..." Ryo answered, his brow curving in worry.

"She could be everywhere." Dawn's eye narrowed,

"Whaaaaaat?" they all heard a soft whine, suddenly something went out of Lass' pocket,

Lass then muttered silently, he tried closing his pocket but then a tangle of blue was able to escape his pocket.

"Waaaaah."

Everyone eyed him. "What?" he exclaimed.

"Hi!" the blue greeted with a smile.

"Err..." Elesis quickly neared at the blue one. "What kind of thing creature or being are you?" she then, poked the thing creature or being.

"Ouch!" the blue tried shoving Elesis' finger. "Stop it!"

"Not until you tell what you are," Elesis gave a menacing grin.

"Aw." the thing creature or being muttered lowly,

"Stop, Elesis!" Ryan suddenly exclaimed, and as said, Elesis did. But then she gave the brown haired guy a gaze, "What?"

"That is a legendary pet!" seconds later Ryan was in front of the thing-creature-being.

Lire then yawned... "Your daughter, eh, Lass?" after yawning she rubbed her eyes.

"Nuh, uh!" Lass answered quickly. But when she realized what it was...

"Oh, my, god." Lire's eye widened, and it didn't took time before Lire was in front of the thing creature or being.

And everyone grimaced at the two elves. They we're actually eye sparkling at the thing creature or being?

"Ehem." Exii faked a cough. This caught everyone's attention. "Aren't you an ice fairy?"

The fairy then flew away from the two elves... "Oww!"

And stopped in front of the knight master, she took a bow and muttered, "Yes I am." she smiled and flew in a circular motion, "And my name's Pei Pei!"

"Oh. Hi." Elesis answered boredly. But then ice escaped from Pei Pei's palms and went towards Elesis. luckily she dodged, "Watch it you little creature!"

Pei pei then stuck her tongue out.

"Enough." Exii sighed, "Who's you're owner?"

"Well..." Pei pei muttered, "I don't know. All I hear when I was inside the neck lace was tears... Sobs... And I try to talk to the person who wore me. But she kept on pushing me away. Her heart was broken... She IS broken. And I wouldn't probably bear this kind of hair color, if it isn't because of how she's feeling." Pei pei then eye's watered. "I could tell it's a she by the way."

"Arme..." one absentmindedly stated.

"Wait! Yeah..." the fairy flew towards him, "I think that's her name! I remember the moment my cage was tied around her neck... 'Wear that and don't even dare to remove it.' The person who gave her was mean I tell you! All she did was maltreat Master!"

"Excuse me," Saku then muttered, "I'll have to leave now, I have to do something."

"Okay, okay." Ryo muttered, "Take me with you!" Pei pei suggested.

"No." Exii said, "It's dangerous for a new born pet to fly around much."

"Aww..." Pei Pei turned to Exii with her eye brows pulled back. She had this weird eyes and a pouted lips. But then Exii sneered, "Not gonna work."

"Waaa!" Pei Pei cried and flew towards the white haired lad. "I'll be with him then!"

Silence then enveloped them, the next thing they heard was, "Omg! A winner for group A! For the record breaking 19 minutes! Naoki...!" they all stared at the winner. He had this cocky look on his face as he gave Lass a thumbs up... Then down.

"He's a jealous ass isn't he!" Pei Pei muttered, giving the guy a tongue out.

"Okay... Gotta go bye!" Saku muttered and left along with Dawn, "You can go by yourself Ryo!"

"B-but!" the mage protested, though he wasn't able to do anything but to stay.

A lad then stood up.

"You're not gonna leave Lass. Stay." Exii muttered, then he added, "It's a command." The white haired thief then sighed and sat down.

"And a winner for group A!" the announcer paused, "Yuna, everyone..."

Cheers. Pei Pei sneered, "Another jealous Ass!" this time barely gave her attention, "She tried killing master twice but she failed! Hahaha!"

"Will you just shut up?" Lass sighed boredly, "Your even worse than your owner."

"What?" the fairy glared at him. For moments the two went into a glaring contest.

"Cut it out Lassy!" Amy's eye went sparkling... She walked towards the fairy... "You. Are. Such. A. Cute. Talking. Doll."

"I am not a doll!" seconds later she was wrapped inside Amy's hand, "Let me go!"

"Amy..." Lire walked towards her, "What are you gonna do to her?" she asked politely.

"Dress her!" Amy gave a menacing look. Lire shrugged, "Noo! Please noo!" Tears we're streaming out of the fairy's eyes. "Huahahahah!"

The rest sweat dropped at her.

"Alright...! Now the announcing of preliminary winners! For group A, Naoki and Megumi... While for group B, Yuna and Arme...!" the announcer smiled, "Their match would start in a couple of minutes..."

- You will bring... Beauty from my pain... -

She brushed her hair aside and stood up, after that she took a lean and placed her hand over her wounds, it glow in light green as her wounds slowly closed leaving dried blood. Good. One wound finally healed.

She proceeded doing the process until her eye twitched, this caused her legs to weaken and her body made interaction with the cold hard floor. Arme sighed, somehow she prefer white mages than black mages.

And black being her, she didn't really knew a lot about white magic. But despite the weakness she felt, she stood up once more and healed herself.

She changed - from this secretive girl, to a girl who's not afraid of trying. From dark... to light.

And it wasn't long when she heard : "The match would now start! The match between Megumi and Naoki for group A and Yuna and Arme for group B."

Arme's eye twitch as a smile build up her face, "Revenge..."

- Just breathe... -

"Where's Arme?" Ryo asked as the two team mates showed in front of him.

"I don't know..." Saku sighed, panting, tears dwell up her eyes, "We gotta find her!"

Dawn tapped her, and then sighed.

"Where could she be..." Lire asked, more like stated. She tried making it sound like a mock, however her eyes wasn't able to hide how she really felt.

"And now minna! Wait... There's someone missing?" the announcer exclaimed, "Oh my! The mage representative is missing minna-san! But where could she be!"

"Coward." Yuna stated, as she yawned lazily.

Where is she...?

"I'm on my way..."

[x x]

No comment :( But one thing : We're turning 100 days tomorrow :] xD & sorry if it seemed quite rushed though. T_T And the story is quite centered at Arme… Hopeyoulikeitthough .

- xOHikaruOx -