Chapter 13: A Spelldrive Fight

The situation in Savanclaw has escalated when Leona, the Housewarden of Savanclaw shows up. This really concerns the visiting group, especially Briar. She remembers meeting Leona a few times, and the encounters aren't very friendly. The look of his face doesn't seem very welcoming either.

Seeing their headmage, the first of the Savanaclaw student says, "Housewarden Leona!"

Then the second student says, "These students are trespassing on our territory!"

"Let's teach 'em a little lesson! Heh heh heh," The third student says with a chuckle.

Leona and Ruggie turn to see the group.

Ruggie recognizes them, "Ah, I believe we met earlier, at the cafeteria."

Seeing Ruggie, Grim is fuming, "Hey! It's the Grilled Cheeseburglar!"

Hey now, friend. Let's not get carried away with such delicious-sounding nicknames. I have a proper name befitting my manly stature. It's Ruggie Bucchi. Don't wear it out," Ruggie replies, feeling offended.

Then Leona turns to see Briar, "Hey... I know you." causing Briar to flinch in fear.

Leona continues, "You're the herbivores who stepped on my tail at the botanical gardens."

Briar becomes stunned that Leona remembers that.

And it's not pleasing to the Savanaclaw students either.

One says in shock, "You... You stepped on the housewarden's tail?"

"Now you're really gonna pay!" The second student says angrily.

Briar quickly says, "And I AM sorry about that. I apologize I didn't see your tail when I was walking around and…"

But one of the students says, "'Sorry' is not good enough!"

Then Ruggie remembers, "Oh, that's right. I thought I'd seen you somewhere. It was in the gardens, huh?"

"Um yeah," Briar says, nervously.

Then the second student says, "C'mon, Leona, Ruggie—let's beat 'em up!"

But Leona says, "Stop yappin' like a pack of wild dogs. You really wanna risk starting a fight before the tournament? What if you get disqualified?"

"What, so you're just gonna let 'em walk away? Not even nibble on 'em a little?!" The third student asks.

"No one's lettin' anyone walk away. We're gonna resolve this with a 'friendly' game of Spelldrive," Leona says, and suddenly shows a small smirk on his face.

The first student asks, "Spelldrive?"

"After all, it doesn't violate any school rules to cast spells during a game of Spelldrive," Leona says, as he crosses his arms.

Ruggie chuckles with a grin, "Shyeheehee! I doubt these weaklings could endure so much as a single game."

Grim angrily says, "Welp, I'm not takin' THAT lyin' down. Now we got no choice but to fight."

"You say that like we had a choice to begin with," Deuce says.

"Either way, it doesn't seem like they'll let us leave so easily," Jasper says.

Ace says in frustration, "All right, fine! You're on. Cater! Remember this when you pick the official team!"

"Are you kidding me here...?" Cater asks, a little annoyed.

Then brings out his phone, "Hashtag #lame. All right, let's do this…"

Then turns to Briar, "Briar, you, and the others watch from the sidelines. Try to read their movements and convey it to us, okay?"

"Actually, I'm going to play against them," Jasper says.

"That's right. I'm in too," Grim says.

Briar then says, "I'll play too."

"Eh? You're going to play too?" Deuce asks, shocked.

"Um yeah. I kind of learned the rules and learned how to play, so yeah, I want to play," Briar says.

Ruggie snickers, "Well, looks like the girl has a bit of a backbone."

"Whatever. But just remember, I won't go easy on you just because you're a girl," Leona says with his arms crossed.

"Yeah. I don't plan on asking you," Brari says.

Then turns to Tanzanite, "Tanzanite, you Sereia, and Trinker watch from the bleachers."

"Okay," Tanzanite says.

Moments later, Briar, Grim, Jasper, Ace, Deuce, and Cater are on the Spelldrive field along with Leona, Ruggie, and the other students who are going to play. Everyone has their magepens out since they're allowed to use magic for it along with it's not physical contact.

"I'm about to tear you guys apart!" Grim says with confidence.

"Keep that talk up while you still can! Shyeheehee!" Ruggie chuckles.

Then Leona says, "Fine by me. There's no fun in prey that doesn't bite back. Let's go, herbivores. Do your worst."

This causes the group to be worried, but they have no choice but to play.

And so, everyone begins to play. Since Grim is holding the disc, Briar and the others are in charge of defending him as they try to reach for the goal. Just then, Ruggie and some of the Savanaclaw students ride on brooms and fire their magepens at them, but Briar and the others block their attacks. They try to reach for the goal, but are swept back by Leona's magic and are pushed back. Luckily, they're able to remain strong. Everyone continues to play the game as Briar, Grim, and the others try to get to the goal.

Sometime later…

"That's how it's done! Keep up the pressure and stay on offense!" Grim says with confidence.

"I'm not liking the smirks they've got plastered on their faces one bit…" Ace says.

"Good eye, Acey. I think your read's dead on," Cater says.

Ruggie turns to Leona and says, "They're better than expected, huh, Leona?"

"Yeah... But we weren't expectin' all that much," Leona says.

And soon, the two teams continue playing Spelldrive. Tanzanite, Seriea, and Trinket watch as the players try to take the disc away. However, they see that no matter how hard they try, Briar and the others can't seem to get past Leona. At the end, they end up getting the disc taken away by him.

"We were so close! We could have reached the goal if he hasn't swiped the disc!" Deuce says.

"Not the sharpest claws in the plains, huh? We've just been toyin' with our prey," Leona says, and lets out a roar, "Rraaah!"

And he throws the disc to the other side of the field. To everyone's shock, the disc flies through the goal and scores.

"Dude! What was THAT?! That long shot was insane!" Ace says, shocked.

"I can't believe Leona is able to score from all the way here. His goal is on the other side of the field."

And now it's back to the game. I'm far from through with you…" Leona says, "Heh heh heh…"

Time has passed and it's clear to see that Briar and the others fact, they're very exhausted from the game. Rim and Jasper are practically panting. Everyone practically collapsed on the ground from exhaustion, Leona and his team were not even tired.

"No way... We didn't score once!" Ace says, exhausted.

"There's not a single weak link in their defensive line!" Deuce says.

"Leona team really beat us big time," Briar says.

Cater turns to Leona in exhaustion, "Listen, Leona, sweetheart... Everyone knows you're a Spelldrive legend. You know we can't compete against you!

"What's that? You givin' up already?" Leona questions.

Ruggie snickers, "Shyeheehee! Where'd all that swagger go?"

"On your feet, herbivores. We're having a rematch!" Leona says.

Briar stands up and says, "Alright, I think we had enough of this. We're all exhausted and it's clear that you and your team play better than us. How about we just drop it.

Suddenly, a familiar voice says, "What's goin' on here?"

Everyone turns their heads to see Jack walking towards them.

"Jack?" Briar replies.

"Huh? We're just having a little fun with some trespassers," Leona answers.

Jack crosses his arms with a frown and questions, "What's fun about tormenting amateur players?"

"What's thiiis? Look at you, Jack! Heroically standing up for the downtrodden! How woefully admirable. Shyeheehee! Ruggie teases with a snicker.

Then Jack says, "I'm just saying this is a disgusting spectacle and I don't wanna have to see it."

Leona says, "... Well, thanks. Now you've ruined all our fun."

Seeing this has come out as a surprise, especially to the other Savanaclaw students.

The first student asks, "Whoa, Jack. You DO realize who you're talking to, right?"

"If you're gonna play the upperclassman card, you oughta act the part," Jack angrily says.

The second student responds in shock and anger, "Whaaat did you say to me?! You want a piece of this too?!"

"Pretty bold, frosh. I guess I can respect that," Leona says to Jack, "All right, I'm bored now. Running up the score against you chumps ain't accomplishin' a thing."

Then turns to Ruggie, "Let's go, Ruggie."

"Toodles," ruggie says.

Then Leona and Ruggie begin to leave.

The third student turns to Briar and the others, "You lot better think twice about invading our territory again!"

Then the Savanaclaw student leave the scene, except for Jack.

Once gone, Tanzanite, Sereia, and Trinket rush over to them.

"Are you all okay?" Sereia asks.

"We're good. Just tired is all," Briar says.

"Well, I can't say that was my finest moment on the field," Cater says.

Then turns to Jack, "Thanks for helping us, Jack."

"Yes. Thanks for the help, Jack," Deuce says.

"Save it. I ain't in the business of charity work," Jack says, rubbing the back of his head.

Ace looks at himself to see his uniform is a mess, "I'm drenched in mud over here! Let's just call it a day and go home."

"Yeah, I'm gettin' pretty hungry over here," Grim says.

"And I'm getting very thirsty," Jasper says.

"And it's kind of getting late. We should head back to the Dorm," Briar says.

"All right, Jack, we're taking off. Don't get in any accidents, you hear?" Cater says.

"You've got a whole lotta nerve to be worrying about me. Now scram already," Jack says.

And with that, Briar and the others head back to their dorms to get rest for the night. As they leave, Jack can't help, but see them go.