Chapter 14: Battle and Jewels

Aichi, Kai, Miwa, and Ren braced themselves for the fight before them. Charge Warrior glared at them while brandishing his large ax, preparing for another charge. As soon as the giant started running, everyone ducked away as best they could. Charge Warrior slammed into a wall opposite them, and seemingly got his head stuck.

Miwa: *huf huf* "Well would you look at that. Big guy got his big head stuck in a wall. What a loser."

Kai: "Stay focused, Miwa. He won't stay that way for long. Wait, where's Ren?"

Ren: "Yoo hoo, I'm over here."

Ren had somehow made it all the way over to a group of large shrubbery, and was hiding behind it.

Miwa: "How'd you get there so fast?"

Ren: "Well, I just kinda did. Anyway, come over here you three! Might be a little safer."

Miwa: "Sure thing, cause it looks like the big guy is getting unstuck now."

The three other boys ran behind the shrubbs alongside where Ren was. The area was cramped, but surprisingly well hidden. The four of them crouched down and thought about their next move.

Ren: "So, what do we do?"

Miwa: "Well, last time we hid out and then had Kai hit'em with Overlord, but that may just tire him out again."
Kai: "I'm fine, I already told you."
Aichi: *ngh* "You don't have to do that, Kai-kun. We could always think of another way."

Ren: "Aichi-kun's right. We don't want one of our best to be so tired all the time. Oh, here's a thought. Why not I do it?"

Miwa: "What?! You sure about that, man? I mean, well…"

Aichi: "We could try just avoiding him until he tires out?"

Ren: "Ah, but that would take too long, you see. Remember, I have a special power like you, Aichi-kun. Going off of that, I may be able to do the same thing as Kai."

Miwa: "I guess it's worth a try. But we gotta play smart."

Ren: "I will. I'll just trust you all and my cards to get us through. Simple, right? And besides, I'm quite curious as to what this big guy is."

Kai: *sigh* "Fine, we'll go with that. Just don't get too reckless."
Ren: "Will do!"

Charge Warrior: "Where are you maggots?! I'm gonna have fun squashing you like bugs!"

Miwa: "Looks like it may be time to do our thing soon."

Ren: "Alrighty then. Come on Aichi-kun, let's get that big guy!"

Ren went to take Aichi's hand, but Aichi yanked it away. He then looked up at Ren, slight discomfort and fear in his eyes, and nudged closer to Kai.

Aichi: "No. I'll stay with Kai-kun."

Ren had noticed the look in the boy's eyes. He wanted to ask more about why Aichi was acting like this, but thought that this could probably wait for another time.

Ren: "Alright. Then I'll go around on my own, and you guys can distract him for me okay? See ya!"

Miwa: "Wha-wait a minute, oh never mind."

Kai: "Already gone. We better start moving."

Miwa: "Right. Gotta see if Ren can actually pull off what he wants."

Kai: "Stay close to me, Aichi."
Aichi: "Mhm."

Kai, Miwa, and Aichi all came out from the shrubbs as quietly as possible in order to catch Charge Warrior by surprise. Even though Aichi was scared of the behemoth of a man before them, holding Kai's hand and Miwa behind him gave him some slight comfort. As soon as they got to a reasonable point around him, the three boys enacted their plan of distraction.

Miwa: "HEY YOU, BIG UGLY DORK!"

Kai: *sigh* "Really..?"

Charge Warrior: "What you say you little maggot?!"

Miwa: " You heard me! Big ugly dork!"

Charge Warrior: "You're DEAD, little maggots!"

Kai: "Dodge!"

Charge Warrior barreled straight for them, barely missing them with his massive frame and weapon. The three ended up on opposite sides of the street, Aichi and Kai on the left and Miwa on the right.

Miwa: "Meh meh, bet you can't get us you big oaf!"

Kai: "I don't think he needs more prodding!"

Aichi: "Here he comes!"

Charge Warrior straight for Aichi and Kai, the two running to avoid being hit. Kai took note of the flower pots outside the shop window, and quickly ran to grab one. As soon as his hands were on the pot, Kai picked it up and threw it as hard as he could at Charge Warrior, hitting him square in the face. The two boys bolted away while Charge Warrior angrily wiped at the dirt on his face and in his eyes.

Miwa: "Hey, nice shot there, Kai!"

Kai: "It won't be that effective much longer. Where's Ren?"

Miwa: "No idea. He just went off somewhere."
Kai: "He better have something planned."

Aichi: "I'm sure he will."

Miwa: "Big guy's back on the attack!"

Charge Warrior: "You'll pay for that little trick, maggots! Get back here!"

Charge Warrior ran at them again, this time swinging his blade in circles as he went. The three boys dodged some more while using what they could around them as weapons, all the while hoping Ren would be enacting his plan soon. Plus, they were slowly getting tired.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Ren was looking through his deck he'd brought with him, trying to think of what to try and summon. He has been very curious to try doing it ever since he'd heard Aichi and Miwa talking about what had happened before.

Ren: Hmmm… "What to choose, what to choose…"

Blaster Dark: "My Vanguard."

Ren: "Ah! Just in time, I could just pick you!"

Blaster Dark: "My Vanguard, I do not recommend taking this battle lightly. This could spell disaster if victory is not ours."

Ren: "I know, I just wanted to get a feel for when to make my move."

Blaster Dark: "Of course, my Vanguard."

Ren: "I'm still very intrigued by these new units. They're quite the mystery."

Blaster Dark: "Indeed they are. Worry not, for we shall find out their secrets."
Ren: "I know. It's what you're good at."
Blaster Dark: "Shall we strike this enemy down?"

Ren looked at Blaster Dark with a sinister yet joyful grin.

Ren: "Yes, yes we shall."

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Miwa: "When is Ren getting here! My legs are gonna give out from all this jumping around!"

It had only been a few minutes since the attack began, but the three boys were already beginning to feel out of breath.

Miwa: "This guy really likes to make a dramatic entrance, doesn't he!"

Kai: "Just keep moving. I'm sure he won't be much longer."

Charge Warrior: "Quit jumping around, little maggots! Let me crush you!"

Just then a blast of dark colored energy hit the back of ChargeWarrior's head. Everyone stopped and slowly turned around to see where it came from. There from a back alley calmly walked Ren, with Blaster Dark by his side. As he walked closer, the group could see the sinister smile and look in his eyes that was all too familiar.

Charge Warrior: "How dare you, you little maggot! I'm gonna kill you!"

Ren: "Gett'em."

That was all Blaster Dark needed to begin his assault. Like lightning, Blaster Dark sprinted towards Charge Warrior, and aimed his sword at the beast's neck. Charge Warrior ducked and dodged the blade and swung back with his axe, nearly taking off Blaster Dark's arm in the process. Blaster Dark took aim and fired another blast from his sword and hit Charge Warrior square in the chest, causing him to fall back a few steps. Ren ran towards the others to stay out of the way of the fight.

Ren: "Hey guys!"

Kai: "What took you so long?"

Ren: "Well, I wanted to pick the right unit to bring out. It's a tough choice to make."
Miwa: "We could've died so many times, dude!"

Ren: "But you didn't, right? It's all good."

Aichi: "D-Do you feel alright, Ren-san?"

Ren: "I'm alright, Aichi-kun. You?"

Aichi: "I'm fine…"

Blaster Dark: "I apologize, my Vanguard! This beast seems to be more agile than I assumed!"

Ren: "That's fine! I know you can do it!"

Blaster Dark: "Yes, my Vanguard!"

Blaster Dark charged towards the big warrior, ducking and dodging his blows and axe swings. Then Blaster Dark jumped as high as he could and shot several blasts from his sword. It seemed like Charge Warrior was losing ground, but then he took a swing at Blaster Dark and flung him into the side of a building. Slowly getting up, Blaster Dark had to make a quick jump and dodge another axe slice. Blaster Dark then spun around to get behind Charge Warrior and blast him again. This time Charge Warrior wasn't fast enough to get away, and finally landed on his knees after many blasts and sword swings from Blaster Dark. Blaster Dark then faced the warrior head on.

Blaster Dark: "Any final words?"

Charge Warrior glared at him all covered in burn marks and bleeding.

Charge Warrior: *spit* "Go to hell, maggot!"
Blaster Dark: "Fine."

Blaster Dark took aim at Charge Warrior's neck yet again, and this time his sword swung true. Off went the beast's head, landing at Blaster Dark's feet. The body then slowly evaporated away.

Ren, Aichi, Kai, and Miwa walked back over to where Blaster Dark stood.

Ren: "Excellent job."

Blaster Dark: "Yes, my Vanguard."

Miwa: "Well hot damn, that was pretty brutal. You Shadow Paladins can sure do some major damage."
Blaster Dark: "..."

Miwa: *sweat drop* "Hee hee…"

Aichi: "Couldn't we have tried getting information from him?"

Kai: "He didn't seem the type to leak information. Just a big brute."

Aichi: "I see. Thank you, Blaster Dark."
Blaster Dark: "Mhm"

Blaster Dark then slowly started to fade away, as then the pink tinted sky did as well.

Ren: "See you next time."
Blaster Dark: "Yes, my Vanguard."

The warrior clad in black faded, and the sky returned to normal. They were back in their realm. They had won their second battle.