"Finally!" I yelled when I saw the cavern I needed to go to sign up for the Slugslinging Tournament.

I rode in on my costume made mecha of a black and silver panther with two tails. I got off and went off to the sign-up station and wrote my name down.

I knew I would meet Eli sooner or later so I went and sat down next to my mecha. I relaxed and sighed a bit.

"Nice to know you have some skill at least. Still, going up against Shock Wire. That's tough," A Cave Troll said to a kid about my age and looked a bit like Will Shane…. Well, what I remember from the man anyway.

I got up and stretched a bit and went to watch the kid's match. The kid was having a bit of trouble but he was able to beat Shock Wire and gained a new team mate.

I smirked and walked off. Only, I didn't get far and bumped into the Cave Troll from earlier. I began falling but he catched me and steadied me.

"Whoa there. I think you need to watch where you are going,Miss," He said and I nodded.

I smiled a bit and left quickly before the Shane kid could get to his new friends. I heard him talking but continued walking. Just then I heard my name being called to the arena and another's as well. I sighed a bit and went off to the place. I found a good spot to sit down at and sat. The dual began and I stay seated. My opponent didn't like that and sent a Armashelt at me. I just moved to the side a bit and it flew past me.

I got up and Yami was loaded into my blaster and I shot him at my opponent. He let a mild attack him and knock him back and away. Winning me the dual. I went over and helped them up.

After that, I got my new team mate. A Frostcrawler I named Yuki. She was shy and would often hide but I knew she would be powerful one day.

I went back to my mecha and sat on it while I waited for the announcer to announce what the next cavern will be.

Seems this will be fun after all.

The tournament continued like it was suppose to and I gained my team and friends. A Negashade named Yami, a White Boon Doc named Hikari, a Frostcrawler named Yuki, a unique Black Infernus named Kurai, a Tazerling named Zap, a Hoverbug named Jet, and a Slyren named Singer. A unique team but it suits me. I made friends with my other slugs I've gained throughout the tournament and know I'll always need their help when I need it.

It was nearing the semi-finals and I was waiting to see who I would be up against. Knowing my luck, it would be Eli or any of his other teammates. Not a good thought really but it's a possibility that it could happen.

I sighed and got up just as a man came towards me. I knew who he was and looked at him. Dr. Blakk.

"Hello, Miss. I'm Dr. Thaddius Blakk and would like to offer you some help in this little tournament," He said and I narrowed my eyes.

I nodded a bit and followed him to the Slugterran Express where I could see Eli and his group of friends where at. We all followed Dr. Blakk onto the express and, after a amusing between the molenoid and Blakk, he showed us something…..A corrupted slug. Eli said it was a ghoul and I agreed. It was a ghoul…...We left the train and then I started towards my mecha.

"Hey," Eli said and I turned to look at him.

"Thanks for not taking Blakk up on his offer then. Hopefully, we'll see each other again after the tournament," He said and I smiled and nodded.

The next match was beginning. It was me against Eli. I was sitting next to a rock in the arena and had my slugs in front of me. Yami and Hikari on my shoulders because they knew they were going to be on my team for this match. Yuki was hiding behind my foot while all the others played around. I set my hand down for Kurai and she hopped onto my hand. I placed her with Yami and Hikari. I looked at my other slugs. I set my hand down for a Diggrix slug that I named Hidden. I set him on my shoulder as well. I smiled a bit as Jet flew to me and nuzzled my cheek happily. I nuzzled back and watched as he went back to playing with the others.

"Wow. I've never seen anyone treat their slugs you do," Someone said and I looked up and saw it was a red-headed girl with her hair in pigtails.

"Many don't because all they see in their slugs is tools to be used while I see family and friends. I've had Yami and Hikari with me since I was still a baby," I said and motioned to them.

Yami waved and Hikari bowed her head a bit. I smiled and continued watching my slugs play with each other.

The girl sat down next to me and held out her hand.

"Trixie Sting. Nice to meet you," She said with a smile and I smiled a bit as I shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Clare Flare," I said.

We talked for a bit and laughed at some of the things we've seen boys do. As we talked, I picked my two last slugs for my match against Eli. Jet and a Geoshard named Crystal.

"I had fun talking with you,Clare. Hopefully we'll see each other again and be able to talk," Trixie said as we got up and I nodded.

She left the arena and I waited for the signal to start the dual. I took a deep breathe and loaded my first slug as I moved behind a rock. Crystal was going first. The signal sounded and I shot Crystal at Eli after I jumped out from behind the rock. I moved around as he shot Hop Rocks at me and then he shot his Tazerling at me. I shot Yami at Eli then Hikari and continued moving around. They reached velocity and shot their attacks at him. It continued like this until we only had one slug left each. Our Infernuses. I shot Kurai just as Eli shot out his Infernus. They hit velocity and flew around each other in blazing flames of orange and black. I was in awe and so Eli. I saw Eli's Infernus coming at me and Kurai was heading towards Eli. It was matter of speed on who will be hit by the other's slug. I was hit first and was knocked back. I fell and heard the announcer saw Eli won. I got up and shook my head.

"Hey. You okay?" Eli asked as he came towards me.

"Yeah. You have a powerful friend there," I said with a smile at his Infernus slug.

"Yeah. Burpy is a great friend," He said with a smile.

I nodded and all my slugs came out and found places on my shoulders or head.

"Well, it's your win…." I said a bit sadly as I had became close to my slugs.

"Hmm….Yeah, but I won't take your slugs from you. It seems they have become close to you as you have became close to them," He said with a smile and I smiled as I nodded.

We walked out of the arena and enjoyed talking with each other about our slugs and some of the things we've learned about them. Trixie, the Cave Troll I had bumped into earlier in the tournament, and the Molenoid from earlier came over.

'Seems like this is the start of a new and bright friendship,' I thought to myself as I smiled.