The first battle chapter! I'm splitting it into two, since I'm already over 5500 on this chapter. Whew.

"I don't remember seeing many interview panels for the last World Championships. Did they do this for every match?" Lucas asked.

"Yep. Least, for those in the main round. The Wild Card matches didn't get any interviews," Nero nodded, eyes on his phone. "Julian says he and Excalibur are staying up to watch the interview."

"It's a shame they couldn't come to watch the match," Amethysia commented. Next to her Jasmine nodded.

"Yeah, well, business calls," Nero shrugged, pocketing his phone. "Anyone know where King is? This thing is gonna start in like, ten minutes."

"Where else? He's probably with team Dungeon," Lucas said, dryly.

There was a beat of silence, where Amy sighed, "I'll go find him."

"I'll come with you," Jasmine spoke up, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. "You two, stay here."

"Of course," Nero smirked, and settled his arm over Lucas' shoulders, leaning against him. Lucas adopted an annoyed look as Amy rolled her eyes and disappeared further backstage. Once she was gone, Nero's smirk faded, and he glanced at his best friend, "You good?"

"Peachy keen," Lucas crossed his arms. "Why do you ask?" He didn't look at the blonde, keeping his gaze straight ahead and towards the open stage. In the crowd, reporters were talking amongst themselves, excited. The energy in the air was thick with tension and anticipation.

"I've known you for the better part of almost four years. I heard that little pitch in your voice, when you asked about the interviews," Nero said, quietly. "What's on your mind, Lulu?"

Lucas swallowed, his fingers tightening and causing the leather of his jacket to creak, "W… what if he's watching, Nero?"

"He can't get to you," Nero assured his friend. "We've done all we can to keep him away from you. If he comes within fifty yards, he's violating his restraining order and can be arrested. Any form of contact, electronic, by letter, in person, he has with you, also adds to his list of violations."

"I… I know that!" Lucas snapped, breathing becoming labored. "But… this is an international event! This is gonna be aired everywhere! He'll see it- Oh, god, this was a mistake, I should have never entered-"

"Lucas, Luke, hey, Lucas," Nero moved quickly, taking his friend by the arm and pulling him back away from the stage a few feet. He took Lucas' face in his hands, forcing him to face him, "Hey, look at me, okay? Lucas, I promise, you'll be fine. Everything will be fine, okay? You just have to trust, alright? Your dad can't touch you. You live with your mom and brother, now, you know that. Come on, Lulu, take a deep breath and refocus. You deserve to be here, don't be talking like you don't."

It took a few minutes, Nero speaking in low tones and keeping his gaze steady on his friend, before Lucas started to relax. It was at that moment, Amy and Jasmine appeared with King in tow.

"I would have made it! I just wanted to talk to Masamune- what's wrong with Luke?" King's voice went from a whine, to surprisingly serious.

"Panic attack," Nero murmured. "He's worried about his dad showing up, once he finds out where he is."

"Let him try," Amy sneered. "He wouldn't make it within ten feet of Luke."

"He's not supposed to be within fifty yards," Nero said, frowning, not breaking away from Lucas.

"That, then," Amy shrugged. "Just tell me if he gets close and I'll send him packing."

Jasmine rolled her eyes, "Violence is generally not the best way to handle these things!"

"Your point?"

"I'll be more than happy to set VariAres on him."

"Uh, Rinascinta?" A backstage worker approached, "Two minutes until show time."

"Thank you," Jasmine smiled at him. The worker tilted his head, and walked away.

"Lucas, you hear that?" Nero murmured.

Lucas closed his eyes and nodded.

"You good to go on stage?"

There was a beat, before a jerky nod.

"You sure? I'm sure we can figure something out if you don't want to-"

"I'm fine," Lucas opened his eyes, and straightened to his full height. "I… I don't have to answer any questions, right? Not unless they're directed to me?"

"Generally, that's how an interview goes," Amy commented. "We can field, if we need to."

"I'll be fine," Lucas sighed. "… Thanks, though."

"Hey, we're a team!" King smiled, his cheer cutting through the somber mood, "We look out for each other!"

"King's right," Jasmine nodded. "If you feel uncomfortable… uh, actually, you got a signal?"

"I'll take over," Nero said. "Luke and I got a code for if this shit happens."

"Then we'll follow Nero's lead," Jasmine amended.

"Rinascinta!" The worker from earlier called, "You're on in fifteen seconds!"

There was a split second where all five members of the EU team, before they were scrambling for the wings of the stage. The worker stood to their left, adjusting their headset and staring down at their clipboard. On the stage, the American DJ was gearing up the paparazzi and no doubt the viewers at home.

"So without further ado, I introduce America's home team- Team Shadowhunters! Chris Cadelle, Tithi Habenero, Christina Cadelle, Toby King, and Tyler Blackout, come on out!"

The crowd applauded, and a few cheers and whistles filled the air as the American team made their way on to the stage. Chris only allowed a small smirk, Christina waved to the crowd with a wide smile, and both Toby and Tyler were trying to contain a bouncing, squealing Tithi.

"Looks like someone's excited, and I can't say I blame him!" DJ joked, as Tithi nearly toppled over the table. The crowd laughed, and there were even a few 'aww's, "And the visiting team, from the EU, let's hear it for Team Rinascinta! King, Nero Konzern, Lucas Reynolds, Amethysia Cosmina, and Jasmine Laize!"

There was a slight lull in the round of applause and cheers for the EU team, but who could blame them when the EU was the visiting team. King and Jasmine walked out with broad grins, King waving at the crowd. Nero and Amy had on twin smirks, cocky and surefire, while Lucas kept a careful mask of indifference on his face. The team sat down, for the most part, calm and collected.

"Well, before we get into the Q and A part of this panel, there's a few things I'd like to say," DJ said, once the crowd had hushed a little. "As you know, the order in which the teams were formed- leader, first and second guard, and sub member- is how the battles will play out. However, if the match ends in a tie, there will be a tiebreaker match between whoever which team decides to send out- no matter the position of said competitor. This includes a single battle, a tag team battle, or a best out of three battle."

"More than likely, the EU team would love to avoid the embarrassment of yet another best out of three, considering last time," Tyler Blackout commented, setting his elbow on the table, then perching his cheek against his fist as he gazed down the table.

"Sure, if the American team has a tag team formidable enough to deal with Lucas and I," Nero shot right back, smirking. "From what I've researched… there isn't."

"And what do you know?" Tyler raised an eyebrow, "You're just some dumb blonde." He glanced at his own teammates, "No offense."

"None taken," Christina sipped at her water, looking amused.

"Dumb blonde-" Nero started, sounding outraged. He stood up, looking ready to start a fight, "Listen here-"

"Ooh, sounds like someone needs anger management!" Tyler teased, green eyes sparkling in mirth, "That the reason you didn't make the team last time, Konzern? Or did your brother just show you up?"

"I purposely didn't join the team and Julian's more of a Blader than you could ever hope to be, you two bit-" Nero cut off, choking, as Lucas reached up and yanked him back down into his seat by the collar of his shirt.

"Stop flirting with the enemy, Nero," Lucas deadpanned. "It's bad enough Amy's dating Toby anyways."

There was a beat of silence, before the room erupted into noise.

"What?!" Nero exclaimed.

"He knows?!" Toby shouted.

"How the hell did you find out?!" Amy screeched.

Lucas just raised an eyebrow, "Your phone calls and your irregular sleeping schedule, for one. You may be a sneak, but you do get flustered whenever you get certain text messages." He smirked, "Besides, King outed you."

Amy's head whipped around to stare King down, who buried his head under his arms, "Dude! Why you gotta betray me like that?!"

"You damn petty bastard," Amy growled at Lucas.

"Mm. Learned it from the best," Lucas shrugged, as Nero promptly dissolved into laughter. "What are you gonna do if you end up battling him?"

"That… that doesn't concern you!"

"Doesn't it?"

"Oh, shut up before I smother you in your sleep!"

"Please end my suffering. You wanna know why I outed you on international television? You leave me to deal with King and Nero, to go shopping with Jasmine! I can barely deal with Nero's energy!"

"I feel your pain," Chris said, long suffering as he cast a glance at his sister and then Tithi.

Christina smiled at him while Tithi just blinked, clueless.

DJ coughed, hiding his smile behind a gloved fist, "Well, that's certainly the introduction! But, we have an interview to finish, young Bladers! Let's start!" At his cue, the teens settled down as the reporters erupted, trying to be heard over one another, "Yes, you there! We'll start with you!"

"I have a question for both teams!" A young woman said, sounding nervous, "Does the American team have an advantage to the tournament, considering there's two Legendary Bladers on the team? If Chris is to battle King, and the order of the battles are decided via order of the team, that leaves Tithi to battle Nero! Doesn't that seem a little… unfair?"

The crowd murmured, settling in anticipation for the answer.

"I don't intend to hold back," Nero said, before anyone could speak. "True, Tithi's a Legendary Blader, but does it matter? He's a Blader, someone who just seeks to have fun in battle. I'll meet him with everything I got, no matter if he outpowers me or not."

"Thank you, mister!" Tithi chirped, "But I can't say I'll hold back either, especially if you give me a fun battle! You will give me a fun battle, won't you? You look like you like fun battles!"

"Settle down, Tithi," Toby said, patting the boy on the shoulder, as the young teen was about to fall out of his chair. He gave the boy a smile, "You know that no matter who you'll battle, it'll be fun."

Tithi pouted, "Yeah, unless I'm battling Yo-Yo."

(Somewhere in Metal City, there was a shout of "That little rat!" followed by laughter).

King snorted, and even Chris grinned.

"A good question and it seems it doesn't really matter to our panel!" DJ interrupted, "Next question!" He waited a moment, scanning the crowd of reporters, before pointing at one, "Yes, sir! You!"

The man stood up, hidden by the shadows. His voice was low and rough, "Is there the guarantee that this American and EU battle won't end up like the last one will? As Mr. Blackout pointed out earlier, Excalibur was humiliated in the last tournament, thanks to the likes of Damian Hart-"

"The American team was manipulated and all but abused by the founder of Starbreaker, Dr. Ziggurat," Toby spoke up, voice cold. "I myself was a person who was victimized by him."

"So you're excusing Damian and even Jack's actions in the last American and EU match?"

"They were manipulated and-"

"They certainly weren't when the volunteered to be part of his arrangement program, now were they? Or yourself, when you went by Faust, and used a Bey to-"

"The arrangement program," Toby sneered, standing up and peering through the crowd, meeting the icy eyes of the reporter. "Turned every member of Starbreaker, and myself, into the worst versions of ourselves. It was hell. The recovery process alone has been long and hard, and is still a work in progress. If you fail to understand that we were forced into someone who we weren't, then sit down and keep your mouth, shut."

There was a few seconds of absolute silence, before the reporter sat down. After another few seconds of Toby fixing the room with a look, he too sat down.

"Moving on!" DJ coughed, looking nervous, "Yes, miss, you!"

"I'd like to address Team Rinascinta!" The reporter, a very young looking woman with black hair, stood.

"Yes?" Amy tilted her head.

"Specifically, Mister Reynolds?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow, and leaned forward to cross his arms over the top of the table, "I'm listening."

"Do you care to address the rumors that your father, Caspian McKandless, is the mechanic for the Russian team?"

Luke froze, eyes going wide in terror, "I… what-"

"I believe this interview is over," It was King who spoke, his chair screeching on the floor as he stood. His expression was like that of stone. His words and actions only sparked the crowd to erupt into questions and cameras to begin flashing.

As the chaos only grew, DJ cast the two teams a look and jerked his head to the side, silently telling them to get out. As the two groups did just that, all of them exiting off the same side of the stage, DJ tried to regain control of the crowd.

"What was that bitch talking about?" Amy hissed, once they were away from prying eyes and ears.

"Hold on, I'll check," Jasmine said, as she pulled a mini-laptop from her bag and began to type at it. "The Russian team, last we knew, didn't have a mechanic because one couldn't be found-" She went pale, fingers freezing over he keyboard, "They verified it this morning. Caspian McKandless is Night Risers' mechanic."

Someone's phone started ringing, and Nero scrambled to pull his from his pocket. He cut them all a look, "Everyone, shut up." He turned back to Lucas, who had found a chair and was sitting in it, holding his head between his knees, "Lulu, it's Wales. Do you want to talk to him?"

Nero's phone continued to ring, before Lucas reached out a shaking hand. Nero nodded, and answered it. He stood up from where he was kneeling, and turned to face the American team, "You've got questions, I'm sure."

"Uh, duh?" Tyler cocked an eyebrow.

Nero glanced at Tithi, then looked over at Amy. The woman nodded, and crouched down to smile at Tithi, "Hey, Tith, want some ice cream?"

Tithi cheered, "Yes! Please?!"

"No, Wales, you can't kill him," Lucas murmured, voice flat.

"Well, let's go then," Amy said, standing. As she and Tithi went for the backstage exit, they heard her voice fading, "So Tithi, what's your favorite flavor…"

"It came out of left field… Jazz says it was just confirmed this morning, Wales," Lucas said. "Wales, no, you don't need to-" His expression twisted into mild annoyance, "Wales, listen to me. Mom needs your help with the business. You have clients, you can't just drop it all for me-"

"He can and he will," Nero pitched in.

"Nero, shut up," Lucas growled, eyes narrowed.

"I'm just saying," Nero shrugged. "Come find us when you two get done talking." With that, he jerked his head, "Come on. I'll explain."

By the time Lucas rejoined the group, the entire American team were ready to kill a man.

"What did you tell them?" Lucas asked, later that night, once the EU team had finished dinner and gone back to the hotel.

Nero, sprawled out on the bed closest to the balcony overlooking New York City, tore his gaze away from his phone and looked Lucas in the eye, "The truth, Luke. I told them the truth." Before Lucas could question him further, he set his phone down on the bedside table and turned the lamp off, turning over and away from his friend, "Go to bed, Lulu. We've got a big day tomorrow."

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and to those of you visiting the Big Apple for the first time, we welcome you! Today's a big day, as it marks the first match of the second Beyblade World Championships! We've got our home team, Team Shadowhunters, going up against the EU team, Team Rinascinta! After yesterdays interviews, I think everyone is excited to see how this will go!" DJ paused as the crowd roared in anticipation, "I hear you! So let's not waste another moment! Our first match is between America's Chris Cadelle and EU's King! Gentlemen, take your spots and get ready to rumble!"

"Good luck, Chris!" Tithi cheered, as Chris and Christina shared a fist bump.

"Ultimate stamina type against a left rotating Bey that can freely switch between attack and defense mode…" Tyler murmured, typing away at his tablet.

"Let's do this!" King shouted, pointing across the dish at Chris as he reached his position, "Hope you're ready to lose, Christopher!"

"Keep talking, King, we haven't even started yet!" Chris retorted.

"King needs to be careful with that bearing drive of Orion's," Jasmine muttered, staring down as the two teens readied themselves for battle.

"Three!" The countdown began, echoed by the packed crowd.

"Two!"

"One! Let it rip!"

As the Bladers launched their Beys, and took a few seconds to figure out their first move, Tyler turned to Toby, "King has battled Chris before, right? On Beyster Island."

"Not much of a one on one battle, though, considering it turned into a battle royale," Christina pointed out.

"VariAres!" King shouted, "Special Move, Sword of Ares!"

"Orion!" Chris called, "Dodge it!"

Orion barely managed to avoid the direct attack, before under Chris' silent command, slammed into Vari Ares from the right, sending the red Bey flying into the air.

"Vari Ares?!"

"Nice try, King, but a lot has changed since the last time we clashed!" Chris grinned, "Orion! Hunter's Barrage!"

"That's new," Jasmine blinked, and pulled her laptop out, typing away at it. "Interesting…"

"What are you seeing?" Nero asked, leaning over to peer over Jasmine's shoulder.

"Orion's stamina is still off the charts, and his defensive if certainly formidable, but look," Jasmine typed in a few commands, and a comparison of Vari Ares and Orion appeared on screen. "Orion's attack power out matches Vari Ares' defensive abilities."

"Shit," Lucas swore, and turned to shout. "King, be careful!"

"I've got this man, don't worry! Vari Ares, Shield of Ares!" King yelled, "Now, hit him!"

"Oh! He's using Vari Ares' defensive power like a battering ram!" Jasmine exclaimed, eyes wide, "Smart!"

"Orion!" Chris cried, as his partner went flying into the air.

"How'd you like them apples, Chris?!"

"Lucky break! Orion!"

Orion, thankfully, landed in the dish, prompting a sigh of relief from the American team.

"Damn, if Orion gets hit with another attack like that," Tyler muttered, frowning at his tablet screen. "Chris, you gotta end this fast! Don't rely on Orion's stamina, it's not gonna work!"

Chris nodded shortly, "Got it. Orion!"

"Vari Ares! Shield of Ares!" King called out, as Orion began a barrage attack on his opponent.

"What's he doing?" Amy murmured, watching as Vari Ares was knocked back a few inches at a time, "King!"

"I've got this, stop worrying!" King shouted back.

"Orion! Let's finish him!" Chris yelled. Orion pulsed a bright magenta, and fell back, circling the edge of the stadium and building speed, "Special Move: Star Bolt!"

"King get out of there!" Lucas exclaimed.

"Sword of Ares-" King started.

He never got to finish, as Orion slammed into Vari Ares, with enough force to send the red Bey flying into the air. Everyone watched, holding their breath, as a streak of red arced through the sky, higher and higher…

Clink.

Vari Ares landed on the ground behind King. There was a second's pause, before the crowd erupted.

"Chris wins it!" DJ cried. "The first battle goes to Team Shadowhunters!"

The American team promptly erupted into squeals and cheers.

"However, we don't have a second to lose! We're moving on to our second match of the day! Nero Konzern and Tithi Habenero!"

"Nice try, King," Nero grinned, as he passed his teammate down the stairs. "Don't worry! I'll get that win back!"

"He thinks," Christina muttered, smirking as Tithi ran to the dish, beaming brighter than the sun.

"Now that we have our Bladers… let's get started! Three!"

"Two!"

"One! Let it rip!"

Quetzalcoatl and Furie landed in the stadium on the opposite sides of their Bladers. For a moment, they were silent, staring each other down.

Then, Nero smirked, "Furie! Hit him hard!"

Tithi squealed, "Run, Quetzalcoatl!"

"Run, huh? Don't you know you can't run from a raging fire?"

"I may not be able to run, but I can fly! Quetzalcoatl!"

The golden Bey shot up the side of the stadium, flying high into the air.

Nero grinned, "There we go! You're good kid, but so am I!" He widened his stance, "Furie! Special Move, Ring of Fire!"

"Ascent Spark!" Tithi cried, as his Bey's spirit appeared it the air.

Furie picked up speed, and a literal ring of fire appeared on the edge of the stadium.

"I'm tempted to start singing," Christina commented. "I fell into a burning ring of fire—"

"Please don't," Chris begged.

"That fire is only a mirage... right?" Toby asked.

"Um..." Tyler tapped on his tablet, "... No. Furie is creating enough friction between the metal and the ground to cause literal flames! Tithi, be careful!"

As Quetzalcoatl slammed into the ground, the ring of flames shrank down, surrounding the snake like beast. It roared in fear and anger, a loud collision happening as the two special moves slammed together.

Once the light, smoke, and dust had cleared...

"Hot dog!" DJ exclaimed, "Even after that admirable show of power, both Beys are still spinning!"

"What?!" Christina, Toby, and Chris shouted.

"Nero managed to withstand Tithi's special move?" Chris asked.

"He can hold his own against a Legendary Blader!" Christina exclaimed.

"Just how powerful is this guy?" Toby demanded.

"Um... he just took a direct hit from Quetzalcoatl and his power isn't down but by six percent," Tyler said.

"WHAT?!" Everyone screamed.

"H… Holy…" Amy's jaw was on the floor. Jasmine was typing frantically at her laptop, wide eyed and King was still staring in shock, "H… How…?"

Lucas chuckled, settling one elbow on the metal railing to set his chin in the palm of his hand, "Haven't changed at all, have you?"

"You mean this amount of power is normal?!" Jasmine exclaimed.

"Oh, please, he hasn't even used a fraction of Furie's power, yet. Probably won't, to be honest," Lucas said, nonchalantly.

"What?"

Lucas smirked, watching the battle below.

"Lucas, what are you talking about?!"

"Just watch and learn, guys. Watch and learn…"

"Hahah! This is fun! I'm having fun!" Tithi giggled, jumping up and down, "Oh, you're so fun to battle with! I don't want this battle to ever end!"

Nero sweatdropped a little, "Well, kid... I'm, uh, sorry to say, it's gonna have to. We gotta let the others battle too."

"I know," Tithi sighed, sadly.

"But," Nero grinned. "It's not like we can't have fun while we can. What do you say we give this crowd a show?"

Tithi smiled, happily, "Okay! I should warn you though- I'm gonna beat you!"

Love to see you try, Nero snickered to himself. "Alright kid... if you say so."

Apparently, Tithi didn't hear him, because he cried, "Alright Quetzalcoatl! Ascent Spark!"

In response, Nero's Bey pulsed a crimson red, and began to whisk around the stadium at blazing speeds...

Literally. Streaks of fire was left in Furie's wake as she soared around the stadium. In the air, Quetzalcoatl paused, and the snake god appeared, before beginning a rapid descent.

Nero sweated a little; he didn't have much time.

Anytime now...

The stadium was on literal fire, and Furie was gathering it up into a ball around her. In the flames, Nero could see her spirit:

With a cry, a red woman in black armor burst forth, sporting bat wings and wild, snake like hair.

Literal snake like hair- her hair was made of snakes.

"Special Move!" Nero shouted, "Hellfire Blast!"

Furie's spirit inhaled, flames surrounding her, before she unleashed a torrent of flames from her mouth.

Quetzalcoatl roared in surprise, and a flash of white light had the entire crowd shielding their eyes.

When the light and noise cleared, everyone heard the telltale sound of a clink! as a Bey hit the concrete ground.

Nero hid a smirk under his raised arm.

"Aw, man!" He heard Tithi cry, "I lost!"

"And Nero Konzern wins the first battle of this EXPLOSIVE round!" DJ yelled, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

"Hey, kid," Nero called as Tithi crouched down to pick up his fallen Bey. Furie flew back into Nero's palm, and he grinned, "You did good. That was a fun battle."

Tithi grinned, "Thanks mister! I had fun too! I hope we can one day have more battles together!"

Nero chuckled and turned away, "Yeah kid... me too."

The American team still stood in shock, by the time Tithi bounced back to his teammates. He blinked at them, and reached up to tug at Christina's sleeve, "CeeCee? It's your turn to battle now!"

"Uh… huh… right…" Christina shook her head, expression determined, "Right! Okay, no pressure. We're at one win each! I got this…" She gulped, squeaking as she met the ice cold glare Lucas was giving her, the male teen having already taken up his spot at the dish, "I think…"

"You'll do fine," Chris soothed his sister. "Knock 'em dead, sis."

Christina nodded, and ran down to take her spot.

"Moving on!" DJ called, "Our Bladers are ready… Three!"

"Two!"

"One! Let it rip!"

"Alright, Nieth, let's do this! He can't attack if he can't see us! Camoflauge Barrage!"

"Where did Nieth go?" DJ exclaimed in shock as the green energy ring of Christina's Bey shimmered and disappeared, "Wait! Luke is getting hammered by unseen assault! Could it be- that maybe-"

"Hm," Luke smirked a little. "A sneak attack, huh?"

He's far too calm, Christina thought, unnerved. I need to finish this battle, quickly.

Luke's icy eyes were cold and calculating, watching as Khione got hit from the left, the right, front, back and center, before smirking.

"Bingo," he said, softly. "Khione! Special Move, Black Ice!"

Khione pulsed an icy blue, before releasing a shockwave. In it's wake, a sheet of ice covered the stadium.

Christina growled as the shockwave revealed Nieth on the edge of the stadium, spinning steadily, "So you disrupted the air around Nieth. Big deal- Nieth!"

Her Bey glowed green, before shooting forward and on to the ice. However, the moment the extreme sharp performance tip met the ice, it was unable to speed forward.

"What? It's not a mirage?!" Christina exclaimed.

"And now, you're in my trap," Luke smirked. He swept his arm out, "Go now! Khione! Special Move, Icicle Barrage!"

Christina yelped surprise as Khione suddenly began a barrage attack on her Nieth, "How? How are you not slipping on the ice?!"

Lucas chuckled, "Easy. Khione is made for the ice. She has extra balance thanks to the nodes not only on her spintrack, but also on her extreme flat performance tip. They're good for balance, and gripping on to slick surfaces where other Beys can't. Many a time in previous battles have my opponent's fallen to this move... You will be the same."

Christina growled, eyes narrowing, Luke's words ringing in her ears.

You will be the same...

"Don't fall for it Christina!" Toby called, "Ignore him! You can win!"

"You can't," Lucas smirked, crossing his arms and cocking his hip to the side. "You should just throw in the towel and save yourself the embarrassment of losing."

"You know, for someone who was raised by a psychotic, manipulative bastard and vowed never to act like him, you sure are," Christina growled at him.

Luke's face went blank.

"Neith!" Christina yelled, "Send him flying! Arrow of Accuracy!"

"You don't stand a chance on my ice!" Lucas yelled back, only to be surprised, watching as Neith adjusted to the ice, and instead of slipping and sliding, began a snake like path towards his partner, "Wha- no!"

"Hah! Score for me!" Christina whooped, pumping her fist as Neith sent Khione flying into the air, "Now, Neith! Don't let him regain his balance!"

"Dammit- Khione, get away!"

"You're not running away from me! Neith!"

Neith flashed out of existence, and then back into existence directly behind Khione. With a grin, Christina watched as her partner sent Khione flying into the air.

"Dammit!" Lucas swore.

"What's the matter, red?" Christina smirked, striking a cocky pose, "This isn't as cut and dry as you thought it would be?"

Lucas growled, and took a step back.

"Aw, are you giving up? Such a shame, it seemed like you'd give me a-"

"Khione, Ice Strike!"

Khione stopped dead in her track, and Neith slammed into her, flying end over end through the air. Christina's jaw dropped open as she gaped, watching as her partner barely managed to land back in the dish.

"Now it's my turn," Lucas grinned. "You really shouldn't monologue, Christina. It's everyone's eventual downfall. Khione! Special Move, Icicle Barrage!"

"Shit- Neith!" Christina cried, as Khione swooped in from all sides and began an her assault on Neith, "Get away!"

"There's no escape, Cadelle! You've had a good run, but the EU's ready to win back that victory that was stolen from them. It's time to finish this, Khione! Special Move- Blizzard!"

The air crackled, clouds rolling in and blocking out the sun. The temperature dropped just a bit, before the wind kicked in, and suddenly, it felt like winter. From a steady, pleasant seventy something degrees, to below freezing in mere seconds.

Then, it began to snow.

In the middle of summer.

What the hell, Christina thought, then shivered as the wind began to pick up, causing the snowfall to whip into just what Lucas had summoned- a blizzard. The wind was ice cold, sending everyone into shivers. Soon enough, Christina struggled to see even her hand in front of her own face with how fast and hard the snow was falling.

Somehow, Christina heard Lucas shout- what it was exactly was unheard, but seconds later, there was the sound of an explosion, and just as fast as the blizzard had descended on the stadium, it vanished. The wind laid, and the snow stopped falling. The clouds rolled away, and the sun popped back out, leaving everyone to see that the stadium had turned into a sort of winter wonderland.

And Neith laid, unmoving, at Christina's feet. Christina stared, shocked, shivering in the cold.

"L- Lucas wins it!" DJ's teeth were chattering, "A- And we're gon- gonna take a break while we w-wait for this sn- snow to get cleared out!"

Lucas smirked, as he summoned his partner into his hand. He seemed unaffected by the cold. As he turned and walked away from the dish, Tyler promptly lost his temper.

"What the fuck is up with the EU being so damn OP?!"

RIP Tyler, I feel you buddy.

Welp, that's it for this chapter. We've got a two-one score, as of this moment. Next chapter determines who moves on... and it won't go how you think! :D

Hope ya'll enjoyed and will drop a review!