"There's an opening, get him!"
"Okay, I'm going in!"
"Yeah… no. But nice try guys."
"Dang it! Come on!"
"Almost had him!"
Micah smirked as he continued to dodge his friends' attacks, all while countering with his own. He, Astro, and Junji were all gathered in the common room of the Vanguard base playing a game of Smash Brothers, and as usual Astro and Junji had decided to team up against Micah. It was pretty much the only way they could compete with him.
"Okay, I think we got him cornered," Astro said moving in.
"Oh do you know?" Micah asked amused.
"Ha-ha! Prepare for-!"
"Hey, what's up scales?!"
Junji and Micah both jumped when they heard Basteta's voice, and Astro scowled. Junji put a hand over his chest, while Astro tried to move in while Micah was distracted. It didn't work, and he found himself down another stock. "God damn it, what are you doing here cat? We're in the middle of a game here," the prince said.
She flicked him in the back of the head. "Not talking to you Ass-terossa. Go back to losing in your game. So scales, ya wanna help me out with something?" she asked, turning back towards Junji.
The young dragon looked back and forth between Basteta and the game. "Uh, well… I am sort of in the middle of something, but…"
"Aw c'mon scales. You can put aside this dumb game for a sec. It'll be quick."
Astro snorted. "Don't do it Junji. Don't cave." He had heard those same words in that same tone from Maria to know what was going on.
"He's totally gonna cave," Micah said.
Junji frowned. "I'm not caving, it's just… she sounds like she needs help is all. And we can play later, right?" he asked.
"Caving."
"Rock slide."
Junji sighed, leaving himself wide open as Micah moved in and knocked him off the stage, taking his last stock. Basteta clicked her tongue. "Hey look, you lost your last life. Guess you're free now," she said.
He hummed. "Yeah, guess I can help you then. I'll be back guys." He got up and walked off with Basteta and Astro and Micah kept playing.
"Damn it Junji! You better get back here soon! I can't fight Micah by myself!"
"Well you couldn't fight me even if he was here, so…"
Astro scowled and the two kept on playing as Basteta and Junji left. When they were gone, Astro narrowed his eyes. "You know he's not coming back right?"
"Oh I know… he's almost as whipped as you."
"Shut up!"
Junji stumbled back, just barely avoiding another blow from Basteta as she swung at him. She spun around and aimed a kick at his head, but he ducked underneath it and tried to swing back at her. Basteta grabbed his arm and then threw him over her shoulder. He yelled as he flew through the air.
"Wings of the dragon!"
His wings sprung out from his back, and he floated in the air, letting out a breath of relief. When he had gone with Basteta he hadn't been expecting a sparring match. Apparently Dai Tai was out on a mission and the feline had been looking for a partner to stand in for her. Why he had been the first thought and not one of the other members in the combat department was beyond him.
"You can't hide up there forever scales," Basteta called from the ground.
Junji looked down at her. "I'm not hiding… just taking a strategic break."
"Well, break's over!"
Basteta headed towards him, and he quickly flew backwards and took a breath before shooting a streak of flames towards her. Basteta moved quickly, running and jumped out of the way of the blasts. "You're gonna have to do better than that!" she shouted.
Once she got close enough, she bent her knees before leaping up after him. Junji panicked and tried to fly out of the way, but Basteta managed to grab him by the ankle. She fell back to the ground, pulling Junji along with her and then throwing him towards the ground. "Oh man! Tail of the dragon!" His tail popped out and stopped him, and he quickly rolled back and away from Basteta.
He got up and found himself backed against a wall, and then suddenly a hand slammed against the wall next to his head. Basteta was in front of him, a devious smile on her face as she leaned towards him. "Got ya scales." Junji's face heated up as she kept leaning closer, her face very close to his. It looked like she was about to kiss him, but suddenly she reached up and poked his nose. "Ya gotta be quicker on your feet if you wanna tangle with me. Ready to keep going?"
Junji sighed and hung his head. "Actually.. If you don't mind I think I kind of want to call it here," he said. He knew she probably wanted to go a few more rounds, but he wasn't really feeling up for it. He had been hesitant about sparring in the first place, and this hadn't exactly helped change his mind.
Basteta looked down at him concerned. She had thought something seemed off about him when they started, but with how off balance he could be sometimes it was hard to tell. "What's up scales? I mean I know ya lost but you didn't do too bad," she said.
Junji shook his head. "It's not that… well, kind of. But it's not you. I'm just thinking maybe I need to get a little better in combat," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I know I'm part of the supernatural department, not combat. But I'm still supposed to be a magical protector and stuff."
Basteta tilted her head. "Yeah, and?"
"And I'm not really all that strong. I can't even go full dragon yet. How am I supposed to help protect the magical world when I can protect myself?" he asked.
Basteta clicked her tongue and then took a step back. "So that's what buggin ya huh? I don't think you should be too down on yourself. I mean you do pretty good as far as I can see," she said, crossing her arms.
"But look at what some of the others can do. They're getting their powers downpat, and I've barely gotten any better. What am I supposed to do?" he asked.
Basteta hummed. "I mean, if ya feeling that down about it I can help you train. But I'll be honest with ya scales, I just don't see what you're talking about," she said bluntly.
"Huh?"
"I mean, look at all the stuff you've got up to. Ya helped the others invade Avalon. Ya helped take on Oberon. And ya even came back alive to boot. How many people, even dragons, can say they've done that," she said.
Junji looked confused. "Uh… Well, I'm not sure how many have tried, but none that I know of." He had remembered how freaked out both of his parents had been when he told them about Oberon. They'd been understanding of the situation, but very concerned.
"That's because it's just you," she said, poking his chest. "You should have some more confidence in yourself. I mean sure, not all of ya powers have sprung up yet. But neither have anyone else's. I'm pretty sure even I got a few surprises that are gonna pop up and surprise me. I mean, it's hard to imagine I can get any more badass than I am now, but I'm still a growing girl."
Junji hummed in thought. It was true, everyone else was still getting the hang of their abilities. Even if his parents had done a lot more at his age, they still hadn't gotten and mastered some of their abilities until a few years later. "I guess you got a point," he said.
"Course I do. Ya know I got both a woman and cat's intuition. Don't go doubting yourself. I'm willing to bet ya become one of the most badass dragons ever," she said gently flicking his chin.
Junji smiled towards her, feeling a bit better by his friend's vote of confidence. "Thanks, that means a lot. And you're right. I should have more confidence. And I should train more," he said, straightening himself back up.
Basteta smiled and cracked her knuckles. "That's the spirit scales. So you ready for round two then?" she asked before throwing a few mock punches in the air.
Junji nodded and then walked forward, back to where they had started sparring. "Yep! I'm all ready and raring to go!" he said, holding his arms out. "Claws of the dragon!"
Basteta braced herself as he charged at her, and she ducked under his arm and then grabbed it. She pulled Junji towards her and then smirked in his face. "And if ya do forget how awesome ya are, ya got me to remind you," she said, winking before planting a kiss on his lips.
Junji blushed and blinked. "O-okay…"
A/N: Junji and Basteta one-shot for onelastfic.