Yay 10 chapter milestone! And with it we're kicking off the first of 8 battles in this second arc!

Dynamis: You're making it sound like naruto with you mentioning the word Arc.

Hey, I take offense of that! Naruto had a good plot! Someone back me up on the pls! Be grateful I didn't put your team in this fight for the chapter. I figured we'd get a fire going in this arc and kick it off with a bang. Also, letting you guys know ahead of time that for these first 4 battles, I'm gonna be updating every other week, cause February is a really busy month for me and my family (Especially since my siblings are still in school while I've already graduated.). Not to mention we got about 8 inches in the past 3 days, and I shovel it cause I'm the only one who has the physical endurance right now to take do the task.

Dynamis: And you take on the task like you're fighting an opponent. Honestly I am surprised you haven't written a one-shot about you battles against it.

Careful Dynamis, that might happen in the future. But not now. Not when Elemental needs to be worked on. With that being said *looks away from the fourth wall ruins* Enjoy the chapter you guys!

I don't own MFB, and all OCs belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 10 High-Pressure Atmosphere

"So... Who do you guys think is gonna win this battle? I'm not exactly sure."

Rosalina chuckled as her and Platina's team sat in the seats of the colloseum, the younger girl currently munching on a pink and brown fairy cake. The two teams had decided to watch the first two battles together in the arena, since they were both in different battles and at later times. "I feel it's gonna be Ryuga's team. No offense, but I've faced Ryuga personally in combat before, and he's really tough to defeat." Gingka stated, earning a nod from Ruka in return. "Plus you can't forget that he has the advantage in the elements."

Noir gave a chuckle, and Shiro noticed how mischievous it sounded as she spoke up. "My dear friends, you should know that elements aren't always the deciding factor. I'm sure being in this tournament many times before points that out, Right Dynamis?" The scythemaster asked, earning a nod of agreement from the male before continuing. "There are many times where the stronger element can be used against you. Take light for instance. It can blind a person, and dark elemented users aren't exactly strong against it. But every light has shadows, shadows that can be used to hide in and envade attacks. You have to take a lot into consideration on every element."

"Which elements are strong and weak against each other?" Platina asked. "I know Fairy has weaknesses to a few elements, but it's hard to keep track sometimes."

"Many elements have a primary weakness. Ice melts against fire, water puts out fires, both metal and water are especially weak to electricity. Light and Dark are counter elements, which means they're both weak and strong against each other. Same with Spectral and Psychic. Death is particularly strong against multiple elements as well as Life, but it's rare for there to be a death magic user in Trinity, especially after Nocturne's sealing. Although there are a few in the world."

Dynamis nodded at Noir's explanation. "Wind has a strength against electricity and stone, Fairy elements are particularly weak against metal and death as well. But you can't exactly rely on having the element advantage. It can be used against a person."

"So this really could be anyone's game, Mr. Dynamis?" Platina asked, her pink eyes sparkling.

"Exactly Platina. It all depends on the strengths and strategies of both teams."

Rosalina gave a slight smile, before she frowned as she turned to Noir. "Noir, you said that there are a few in the world that could use death magic. But is it possible to mistake death magic for darkness magic as well?"

Noir frowned as well, and Shiro noticed the slight change in her tone of voice, from her mischievous mask to her honest self. "I suppose it's possible. Death and Darkness are almost alike, with the exception of it's magic auras. Darkness magic has a dark blue to midnight blue aura, while death magic is pitch black. I'd ask why you were asking, but I understand that it's a personal matter." The older woman stated, earning a nod of gratitude from the woman as she sat back, relaxing her guard slightly.

That was, until a loud grumble made the two teams jump, and everyone looked as Ruka gave a groan. "Oliver... Are you trying to tell me that you are hungry?" The fairy night asked as a mint green bunny with little wings appeared out of her sleeve, giving an almost sheepish smile. Noir looked on in astonishment.

"Is that a..."

"Fairy bunny? Yes it is."

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to this year's edition of the Prism Team Tournament! I'm Ryo Hagane, the royal advisor for Vivia and this year's master of ceremonies for the team tournaments!"

Yukina took a deep breath as she and the rest of her team watched from one of the entryways leading into the arena of Prism's Colosseum. The icy haired princess had to admit, the open space of the battleground where they would be fighting made her nervous, especially since there were thousands of people in the crowds. The colors of different clothes from different kingdoms made for a unique sight for her, being used to the greens, blues, and occasional pinks of Stratos all her life.

"There's a lot of people out there, and all from different kingdoms," Yukina pointed out, earning nods from the rest of her team.

"Just means we have to give them a good show. This tournament is training for us to get strong enough to prevent Nocturne's revival, but also festivities for the people in every different kingdom." Wales stated, "Just ignore the people and focus on the fight at hand milady."

"I-I'm not as clumsy or lose focus easily like Frost says I do! I just have a really bad sense of direction when I'm on my own!" The Paladin of wind exclaimed, before concern flashed in her eyes, "Although I have to admit, I'm a little nervous going into this battle. People keep saying that Ryuga's team has this fight in the bag because of the elements we use."

"Maybe. But I wouldn't count us out just yet."

Yukina paused as she looked over at Lucas, a calm expression on the Paladin of Ice's face. There seemed to be an aura of calmness radiating from the other, almost like even though he knew his element had the disadvantage against Ryuga's team, he knew they would win. It wasn't overconfidence, but more of a determination that she could see in the other's eyes, and it reassured her that it would be alright. As if the male had a gameplan set for this battle.

Then she recalled the conversation she had with the other paladin the night before.

"Yukina, how do your skills in your wind magic work again? I know you mentioned high and low pressure, but I'm guessing there's more to that."

The Paladin of wind nodded as she and Lucas sat in the room given to them by the King of Prism, Wales and Sophie having left to explore the kingdom and the city's structures. "I usually start off with either Humid Upburst or Arctic Downcast to either heat up or cool down the battlefield, depending on the opponent. Over the course of the battle, I use both in consecutive bursts, occasionally using angel winds to help mix the two together. Over time, storm-like conditions form above both me and my opponents in battle." Yukina explained, earning a nod from Lucas in the process.

"So in other words, it can create rainstorms and other weather conditions?" Lucas questioned.

"Exactly. I use these techniques because of a technique used often in storms,known as the cloudcast lightning. the cloud It was taught to me by Strike, the storm dragon of Stratos who lives within some of the caves in the kingdom's forests. More or less the attack was created so that it could be used within storm-like conditions."

"But between the constant use of both Humid Upburst and Arctic Downcast, it really drains your magic."

"That's right, not to mention on of my defensive moves takes up a lot of magic as well due to timing. The mixture of both pressures often makes a haze on the battlefield, enough where it I can use that to create illusions. But like I said, it takes up a lot of magic cause it has to be well timed." Yukina paused in her explainations as she looked over at Lucas, a thoughtful look on his face, "Why do you ask?"

"I was just thinking on something. With our opponent, there's a chance that they might miss something. Something that can turn their greatest strength against them."

Lucas Mckandless, what is your gameplay today? Yukina thought as the male looked over at her. "We going need to have a gameplan going in. Do you think you can work on the defense for this battle alongside my brother at first?" Lucas asked.

"S-Sure. Why do you ask?"

"Call it a hunch, but I don't think you'll need to use Humid Upburst or Arctic Downcast with how this battle will play out. The only attack that will work in this situation for you is Cloudcast Lightning. But only when the timing is right."

Now Yukina was intrigued. Something about the way Lucas said it caught her attention. But before the girl could question it, the sound of horns rang out. "And for this first battle of round one, we have a battle of the weather elements going on here! Please allow me to introduce the first two teams! In the left side, we have the first team consisting of Pyra's own captain of the guards, Ryuga! The Paladin of Stone and his guard Koji Mikuri and Kyoya Tategami! And finally, one of Prism's well know warriors and captain of the guard, Kana Hikari!" Ryo announced loudly.

A nervous swallow escaped Yukina as she watched their opponents walk out from across the arena. Koji was currently waving out to the crowds around him, tossing his weapon in the and catching it to put on a show for those watching. And it seemed to be well received, the sounds of cheering present in the arena. "Koji is definitely an attention seeker. But I can't really blame him for showing off his weapon. I'm a little wary on what it can do, since we haven't seen it in action." The Paladin of Wind pointed out.

"We'll whatever it is, I have a feeling we're gonna find out." Wales added, earning a nod from the others in agreement as Ryo spoke out again.

"And their opponents! They're the Paladins and Guards of wind and ice, a deadly combination from the northern parts of Trinity! Give it up for Yukina Fubuki, Sophie, and Wales and Lucas Mckandless!"

Yukina thought she heard the cheers die down a little as they walked out to the arena, before they seemed to rise up. A look to her left revealed both Wales and Sophie putting on a show of their own, sending small bursts of ice and wind into the air through their swords. Wales' weapon was a scimitar that was popular in Stratos, while Sophie's consisted of a pure white sword with silver runes on the blade, blue, green, and purple gems reflecting off the hilt. It must be one of the weapons from Aunt Glacia's own armory. She must trust Sophie enough to use that sword... The paladin of wind thought as she looked at Ryuga, a smirk on the other's face.

"It's a shame this battle will be a short one. You guys have the worst luck this time around when it comes to battles." The Pyra Native stated as he crossed his arms.

"I wouldn't count us out just yet. You're arrogance is a sign of overthinking that you've won this battle before you've begun," Lucas pointed out as Ryuga made eye contact with him, a glare in his eyes, "We may have the disadvantage in elements, but that doesn't me we can't pull off a win."

"We'll see how that plays out then."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the rules are simple. This is a team battle fight, where almost anything goes. There are no boundries to prevent ring outs, and either when a team surrenders or all of it's members are knocked out are the only way to move on to the next round. Killing is absolutely forbidden! Do you all understand?" There was a long pause as silence escaped the air. "Then let the first round of this battle tournament begin!"

The second the words escaped Ryo, a torrent of flames exited Ryuga's mouth, and Yukina felt her instincts kick in as her team jumped into the air. "Ryuga's bound to have enough heat in those attacks to really melt down any ice attacks we throw at him!" Sophie exclaimed.

"Then let him try! We need to make a point by proving we can win against him!" Lucas called out as they landed, before channeling magic into his staff, "Black Ice!"

Yukina watched as a dome of ice started to form above her team, quickly spreading out over their heads. Just as it was about to surround Wales and Sophie however, a large gust of wind blew them backwards, and the two guards found themselves facing off against the paladin and guard of Diamante as the ice surrounded Lucas and Yukina. "Can't make it easy for you guys. Let's make this a lot more interesting though! Spinning Diamond!" Koji exclaimed before throwing the bladed sundial at the dome of ice, shattering a good portion of the defensive spell, "Now Ryuga!"

A look of surprise overtook Yukina as Ryuga appeared near the hole in the shield, and quickly realized where this was heading. "Emperor Dragon Inferno!" Ryuga yelled out as another torrent of flames flew out of his mouth.

"I can't let you get the advantage that easily!" The crown princess of Stratos exclaimed as she pulled out her fans, before moving them into a defensive position between the flames and her and Lucas, "Crystalline Winds!"

The flames collided with the winds that had begun to surround both Paladins, but rather than go straight through the winds, they moved with it, circling around the two teammates while melting the remainder of Lucas' ice shield in the process. After a few minutes, both fire and winds dispersed, leaving an almost hazy fog on the field as Yukina and Lucas appeared out of the winds almost unharmed. "What a surprise. I didn't think the crown princess of Stratos was that strong," Ryuga admitted as Kana leaped into the air and onto the ground next to her teammate, a pair of almost electrically charged sabers in her hands.

"Not to me. Being on missions in Stratos has allowed me to train against Yukina in the past." Kana explained as she moved into an attacking position, preparing to strike at the two Paladins, "She's a lot stronger than you think Ryuga. Don't think we have this battle cause of your advantage against Sophie and Lucas."

"I'm right here you know," Lucas pointed out in a deadpanned manner.

"That said..." Kana paused as she looked at the Paladin of Ice, before smirking, "I'll give you credit on one thing. I can't figure out what your strategy is, and that really is rare for me. But is that all you can do?"

"Believe me, me and my teammates are just getting warmed up," Lucas stated as he looked over his shoulder to see Koji and Kyoya fighting both his brother and Sophie, "Let's split this into two battles you guys! Wales, Sophie, keep them on their toes! Yukina, back me up!"

"Right!"

"Wait, what is Lucas' strategy? It must be something if Kana can't figure it out," Rosalina pointed out as she watched the battle draw out with the others. "And being Prism's Strategist, it is extremely rare for Kana to not figure something out."

Dynamis nodded in agreement as he kept an eye on Ryuga and Lucas firing spells at each other, the resulting collisions creating more steam and haze as Yukina occasionally fired defensive wind spells. "Lucas probably knows by now that Ryuga has had a major advantage over his ice with those flames. That said, even if they aren't making much process in injuring their opponents, their spells are still affecting the field that they're fighting on." The Paladin of Electricity explained, gesturing to the haziness in the air.

"Well those fire spells and ice spells are probably really cold to touch. Rapid changes in the temperature of both attacks colliding is bound to cause some atmospheric pressure." Noir added, before flinching as she felt something hit her face, "What was that?"

Both teams watching looked up in the sky, noticing some darker clouds begin to form above them, a bit of rain falling down on them. "That's odd. I thought most of Prism was supposed to be clear skies today." Shiro stated, before his eyes widened, "Of course! Now it all makes sense. That kid's a genius!"

Platina grew confused as Dynamis and Noir nodded, Rosalina, Ruka, and Gingka matching her confusion. "Wait, what's happening? I don't think I understand too well what is going on," The princess of Amour admitted.

"Well I'm not surprised there, it's not really used much in Stratos fighting magic anymore," Shiro pointed out as he watched more clouds begin to form over the two teams, "You see Platina, it's like this. Whenever cold and warm air pressures collide, they create severe weather conditions, often including rainstorms, haziness, and lightning storms. And no doubt my now Yukina's told Lucas what her magic can do."

"Wait, how does that reflect on Lucas and Ryuga's fighting affect Yukina?" Rosalina asked.

"Well, there's a certain technique called the Cloudcast Lightning, and it's extremely powerful. But the downside is that you need to be using it in storm like conditions, often by using their magic to manipulate the atmosphere and the cold and warm air pressure. Which is another downside to the skills. It uses a lot of magic just to set up the atmosphere just right."

Rosalina thought for a second before her eyes widened. "Of course! That's Lucas' strategy. He knows that his and Sophie's ice magic is at a disadvantage against Ryuga's fire magic. So instead of using it to attack, they're actually using it as both a distracting to keep the others busy, and to boost both Yukina and Wales' wind magic. By using the fire and ice collisions, Lucas is setting up the storm like conditions without Yukina wasting magic. That's why she's on defense so far!"

"What!?" Ruka and Gingka exclaimed, and Shiro's grin grew as he nodded.

"Exactly. And Ryuga's taking the bait like the competitive fighter he is."

The sound of what seemed like thunder rang out, causing a few of the people in the group to jump slightly. "Sound's like Kana's brought out the thunderstrike sabers she uses." Rosalina pointed out as Kana leaped at Yukina, the paladin of wind dodging the twin sabers that the lavender haired woman wielded, "She calls them that cause when she discharges energy through them, they sound like thunder."

"Meteor Needle Shower!"

"King Lion Stormfront!"

Sophie felt herself grow exhausted as she and Wales dodged another torrent of winds sent by Kyoya. The two guards were quick to find out that Koji's guard was a wind user as well, and that her and Koji planned their attacks in more dangerous combinations. Koji created hundreds of small stones that could cause damage, and Kyoya would use his winds to create a tornado that used those stones to increase the chance of getting hurt, while also building a defensive barrier around the two.

"We need to get into that storm!" Sophie exclaimed as Wales landed next to her.

"No kidding. But just charging into it is gonna get us no where, not to mention badly injured." Wales pointed out as he looked up.

"What about going over it? The storm is probably weaker going into the center."

"That's what I think too. If they're gonna maximize their chances of staying uninjured, there's probably less stones and weaker winds around them."

Sophie looked around, before noticing Koji's weapon spinning around the tornado. "I got an idea. Got a bit of magic to spare?" The ice user asked, grabbing a few bandages and tossing them to the other.

"Plenty to go around. What's the strategy?"

"Grab onto Koji's weapon and use your wind to help us glide upwards! We can use the winds of Kyoya's storm to increase our speed!"

Wales looked around for the spinning weapon, and grinned as both of them threw the bandages at it. "That's fine by me!" The male exclaimed as the bandages caught onto the blades of the weapon, before tugging both guards in the air. The sundial was lifted higher into the air as Wales propelled it with magic, until it had reached well above the arena and near the top of the storm.

"Let's finish these two off with combo attack!" Wales stated as they jumped into the air, his sword at the ready. "Windstorm Fleet!"

"Blizzard Victoire!"

Both Kyoya and Koji looked up at the noise above them, and their eyes widened. "Well... Shoot. Should've seen that one coming," Koji stated.

"Grand Deucalion!"

"I have to admit, you're the first Ice user to give me this much trouble. That's something I'll give you credit on.

Lucas felt his chest rise and fall as he jumped backwards trying to dodge another fire attack, earning a few burns in the process. He knew that Ryuga wasn't one to quit until his opponent was down. But the fire attacks that Pyra's captain of the guard wielded were starting to take it's toll on the male, and the ice paladin wondered just how much more he could endure before his plan was put into motion.

"I'm not... one to give up a battle just because... my opponent has the advantage..." Lucas pointed out, looking over his shoulder at Yukina. The young woman was even more exhausted than the male was, more over physically then magically. Both teams were quick to figure out that while Yukina had built up a high amount of magic, it took it's toll on the other's stamina. So while Lucas had been going head to head with Ryuga, Kana had been going after the paladin of wind with a pair of sabers that discharged electrical magic.

A sound caught both teams attention, and Lucas looked over to see the storm that Koji and Kyoya cooked up against their guards disperse, with both men knocked out and their teammates not far behind. "Looks like it's just a two against two battle now." The paladin of ice stated as Yukina landed back to back with Kana and Ryuga circling both of them.

"Yeah, but it looks like your partner is almost out of stamina. This battle is quickly turning against your favor," Kana retorted, swinging her sabers in the process and discharging more energy.

A wet feeling caught Lucas' attention, and he looked up to see rain starting to fall quicker, the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance. And judging by Ryuga, Yukina, and Kana looking up, they felt it too. "Great, rain. Not like it's gonna affect my fire attacks much with how hot they are." Ryuga boasted, and Lucas took that time to whisper to his teammate.

"Got enough magic and stamina left for several spells?" The paladin of ice asked, earning a nod from Yukina. "Are the conditions almost like they are for Cloudcast Lightning?"

Yukina looked up at the sky, and her eyes widened. "That's why you asked me to go on defense! I never would have thought Ryuga's strength would assist in our favor like that!" The young woman exclaimed quietly, and Lucas gave a smirk, "Can you stall for a bit of time? I got enough magic to perform Cloudcast Lightning, but I can also help with the stall as well."

"I can stall as much as I can."

A nod escaped Yukina, and both jumped back as she gathered magic into her hands, "Crystallizing Mist!"

There was a small explosion of mist that escaped the young woman, and Ryuga just smirked as it mixed in with the steam-like haze that covered the field. "A smoke screen. That's what you've been stalling for?" The male asked as he and Kana charged forward, their weapons poised to strike as they gathered the two paladins in their sights, "If you think something that small can affect your chances of winning, think again!"

Ryuga thrusted his weapon, a spear decorated with different fire emblems, at Lucas while Kana struck at Yukina. Or at least tried to. Cause the second both weapons collided with their targets, the images of both Lucas and Yukina flickered before their eyes. "Wait, what!?" Kana started.

"Killer Frost!"

A feeling of numbness went through both the fire paladin and electric guard's back as Lucas appeared behind them, and both noticed the ice starting to form on their bodies. "This is what you were waiting for? A chance to freeze us?" Ryuga asked, preparing to fire a blast of fire magic at the ice forming on him.

"Nope. Just a chance to hold you two in place." Lucas answered as he looked up at the sky, "Yukina! Now!"

Both Kana and Ryuga looked up as they saw Yukina in the air, the wind paladin's fans in a striking position as a bolt of light green lightning flew into one fan and into the other. With the second one aimed straight at the fire and electricity duo. "Cloudcast Lightning!" Yukina called out as the lightning struck.

Lucas watched as both of their opponent began twitching in pain, the force of the lightning shattering the ice that had formed on the duo's forms. Yukina landed next to him, before falling to her knees in exhaustion. "I hope that does it. I'm drained." The paladin of wind stated as both their opponents stopped twitching, before collapsing on the ground unconscious.

Both Paladins watched as Ryo jumped down from his post and checked on the two groups before nodding. "After a quick confirmation, it has been decided! Team Lucas is moving on to round 2 by total knockout!" the announcer exclaimed, and cheers of celebration rang out as he looked over at Yukina, "Do you need any assistance getting out of the arena, young lady?"

"I'll be fine. Wales and Sophie need it more," A sigh of relief escaped Yukina as Lucas helped the other up, "I think your familiar was right on one thing. We do make a good team."

Lucas rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face said otherwise.

OMG! That was the longest chapter of this story so far! I'm exhausted knowing that the other battles are probably gonna be like this. Yeah, that break between 9 and 10 was well needed, especially since there's 8 major battles in this arc! *passes out*

Ranmaru: *looks at me* do you need water?

*Wakes up slightly* I'll manage.

So, the reason why Lucas' team won instead of Ryuga's is a matter of strategy. While team had multiple elements and an advantage over Lucas and Sophie's ice and Yukina and Wales' winds, they forgot to take in the downsides of the resulting colliding attacks could do. Atmospheric pressure creates storms, especially when combining cold and hot air pressures. Lucas knew that, and he and Yukina (once she found out) used that to their advantage.

Round 2: Team Lucas

Eliminated: Team Ryuga

So for my question of the week, who else do you think will join Lucas' team in round 2? Leave your answers in the comments below.

That's it for this chapter. Until next chapter, this is Warrior signing out! Catch ya on the other side of the nexus!