A/N: I'M FINALLY FREE FROM WINTER EXAMS! And I celebrate my freedom with THE SHORTEST CHAPTER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. I was planning on posting a bigger story besides updating this one, but y'know. I'm still burned out. Don't hate the player, hate the game, and enjoy a completely free for interpretation UA leading up to a bad joke. A really bad joke, mind you. And can you guess who my favorite characters are?
Squillace Scourge was a massive beast of a water creature, deadly in more ways than you could count. And guess who was charging directly into its massive jaws with careless abandon and throwing caution to the wind?
Yep, Raiden Pierce-Okamoto.
Of course, it wasn't like he endangered himself on purpose, it was only that he had a tendency to duel first and ask questions later. A plan that yielded mixed-positive results 79% of the time was apparently the best choice they had, taking the context of the circumstances. Also, he's only 14, give him a break.
Where was I?
Oh, yes. Raiden riding Tatsurian into the jaws of nigh-inescapable death, that's right. While Tatsurian was dwarfed by the massive abomination, he still put of one hell of a fight, blasting rockets and firing chains to wrap around its tentacles.
But, this all proved far too much for the half-breed, and he was banished away with a quick pulse of high-pressure water cannons from above. Ray toppled off the creature with a dull thud, and groaned as he attempted to pick himself back up off the ground.
"I must say, you've put up an honest fight," The Choten said condescendingly, walking closer to the still incapacitated Ray. "But I'm afraid this was all for naught. You should have known that one day, your constant jumping directly into the line of fire would get you killed."
Raiden gasped for breath as he steadied himself back on his own two feet. He looked down at his gauntlet, noting that it had very little mana left, and was only a shield or two away from completely deactivating. So, he did what one can only do in these sorts of situations: stall as hard as possible.
"Well… you've been so busy focusing on me, when everyone else has been finding a way past all your defenses!" he said, about as confidently as he could on the brink of certain death. "Kinda weird how you always overlook this."
The Choten blinked unwaveringly, fully aware of any and all stalling attempts, most likely from years of practice or experience. "Then I assume there will be nobody to find your corpse. Goodbye, Raiden." He lifted his hand, gesturing outwards as Squillace Scourge lunged.
And Humonculon blasted back.
The water creature reeled back in confusion more than pain, wondering where the counterattack had come from. Both of the duelists were just as confused, until a very familiar face dropped down from the rafters, looking like he'd gone through hell and back.
"Saguru!" Ray said.
"Well," The Choten said, slightly embarrassed on behalf of Squillace Scourge. "It seems you've come crawling back for more. I'm surprised you didn't drag along your own little student."
Saguru did not respond to him, and turned to look back slightly at Ray. "Are you alright?" he asked. When Ray nodded, he turned back to The Choten, gripping tightly on his walking staff. "Good. The duel masters are waiting for you. Go."
"But what about y-" Ray started to protest, until Saguru cut him off. "I'll hold him off. Just hurry."
Ray hesitated for a spell, before darting off and out of the current area. Saguru proceeded to face down the massive sea monster, while the Choten passive-aggressively remarked about the current situation.
"So you two have decided to play the heroes. How absolutely adorable. How does it feel knowing that the people you're trying to be oh-so friendly with can hardly trust you? I mean, it's not surprising. All you've ever done is betrayed them. Do us all a favor and quit pretending to be something you're not."
"With all due respect," Saguru said. "You should be the one doing us all a favor and stop talking for once in a while."
The Choten did nothing but lift his gauntlet, the creature lifting a tentacle in preparation for attack as well. "I am going to give you three seconds. Give this up, and you might survive."
"Hello, 'going to give me three seconds.' I'm dad."
