Niko lay limp on the ground as Soma was on her knees, trembling. She was muttering something under her breath, so quickly that even when Anko was right beside her she couldn't understand what she was saying. "It's okay Soma… it's over now," she said, trying to reassure her. Soma continued to shake and mutter, Anko realized she couldn't move on her own.
"Hey Troah… Katara get down here and help your friend," Anko called, as she walked over to the examiner. Katara was already rushing towards Soma before Anko had told her to. She was angry that Soma had used the Lightning Spear, but relieved that she had survived it. "I want Soma disqualified," Anko said.
"Fine," the examiner said, not really caring. Anko looked back at Katara and Troah as they helped Soma up. Anko walked back over and checked Niko's pulse. 'He's still alive?' she thought, amazed. The paramedics arrived taking Niko as Katara and Troah slowly began to… drag Soma up the stairs. "You know… you could be a little more helpful," Katara said, a little annoyed.
"Don't… Katara… she's been through enough," Troah said, instinctively taking Soma's side. "You guys wouldn't stop when I told you to about Kiba… so I'm not stopping," Katara said. "Kiba didn't almost die," Troah said, trying to catch what Soma was muttering. They reached the top of the stairs and let her rest against the wall. Troah sat down beside her, desperately trying to see what she was saying. "Troah what are you…" Katara began to say.
"Shh!" Troah snapped, he leaned closer, "I can almost hear…" Troah caught every word that Soma muttered next. He looked worriedly at her, "it's okay Superstar… you're okay," he said, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her into a friendly hug. "What did she say?" Katara asked.
"She just keeps repeating, I didn't mean for it to be so powerful… I knew what it did… what it was capable of… and still I used it… I used it to kill," Troah repeated, uneasily. "That's all she said?" Katara asked. "I had to listen to it three times to catch all of it… but that's what she's saying," he said. "She thinks she killed Niko?" Katara asked. "Apparently… she said she summoned it to kill," Troah said.
Soma was crying into Troah's shirt, still muttering the same thing. "She's been disqualified… so it's over for her now… she can rest. You and I however need to see the next match and who's in it. Soma will be fine… I can always help her up… or give her a piggy back," Katara said. Troah nodded, "stay strong Superstar…" he whispered, getting up.
"Aww… you love her!" Katara laughed. "Shut up!" Troah said, standing beside Soma. Soma didn't even seem to notice when he got up. She hugged her legs up against her chest and continued to mutter, tears streaming down her face. "Bloody hell!" Katara exclaimed, as Troah joined her. "You gotta be joking!" he exclaimed. The next two opponents in the preliminaries were to be, Katara… and Troah.
Anko appeared behind them, smiling brightly. "Oh yeah! Go ahead! Give it your all! Just don't die… Ahahaha! I'm really proud of you guys… remember that…" Anko's sudden appearance caused both Troah and Katara to jump. 'Why does she always do that,' Katara thought. "Thanks for the support, Anko-Sensei," Troah said.