Note: first fanfic, will improve as I go along, I have been a gamemaster on my past RP site so the action should be good, and I do not own Ben 10 or anything that is remotely like Ben 10.
AUTHOR'S NOTE OF GLORY: I don't own the game whose name makes a cameo in this chapter! Note: I updated this chapter pretty quickly so you might have missed the previous chapter "Double Date."
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It was the first day of the Metal Trial and the whole Academy was buzzing with excitement. Classes had been canceled for eight days and all school and home work screeched to a halt. The only time that the Mineralist Academy had this much excitement running through it was the Water Trial. And even then, everyone agreed that the Metal Trial was getting more of the "buzz" then the Water Trial.
Even Diamondhead was getting a little excited.
At the stadium where the Trial was being hosted, Diamondhead was eagerly following the limping XLR8 to their seats. Since it was a free for all when it came to grabbing your own seats, Diamondhead and XLR8 left early together to get some good seats. However, everyone else had the same idea so even though it was more than an hour and a half before the Trial started, the stadium's hallways were jammed pack with students who were busily trying to get some good seats. Luckily, Diamondhead and XLR8 squeezed through the traffic jam of students and they were able to get to a place with good seats.
When the duo sat down, Diamondhead took a good long look at the arena for which the fights were going to be held.
The arena was shaped like a long oval with flatter ends and was as long as a human's football field. The arena was also raised two meters above the ground and several meters away from the arena was a tall wall that surrounded it. Above this tall wall was where the seats for the spectators began. The arena itself was of a rocky terrain that looked like it came straight out of a desert. The ground looked dry and dirty and there were random boulders that randomly popped up across it. The boulders varied in size and shape but it had that same, brownish color that the arena itself had.
After seeing the arena, Diamondhead said, "You know, even though the Trial is supposed to be about metal, I keep thinking about the Earth Trial. I mean look at the terrain, it's nothing but rocks and boulders on a withered landscape. I know that the Metal Trial is supposed to be a symbol of war, but the least they could have done is at some brass or copper into it…"
XLR8 nodded and said, "I agree. And in my opinion, the Earth Trial ssseemed more like a Sssnow trial."
Diamondhead nodded, and then all at once he remembered something that he had almost forgot about. He turned to XLR8 and said to her, "XLR8, have I ever told you about what happened to me at the Earth Trial?"
"No, why? What happened?"
"Well…it was so long ago that I don't quite remember the details but…when I was on the mountain with Blizzard…someone shot a rocket at us."
"What! Who?"
"I don't know…" Diamondhead began scratching his head as he tried to remember more, "all I remember is that the rocket just barely missed us but it hit the side of the mountain causing a huge avalanche. We were lucky to survive the avalanche and get the flag but we didn't catch the person who shot it at us."
XLR8 had a concerned look on her face, she then said, "Diamondhead, doesss anyone want you dead?"
Diamondhead shook his head, "No, nobody that I know of that is. But why would anyone want me dead?"
"You could be a threat."
"A threat? For what? I haven't done anything."
"You forget, you're the best ssstudent in the Academy. Maybe, sssomebody wantsss you dead ssso there would be no competition."
"I suppose so."
Something then dawned on XLR8, with an inquisitive voice, she said, "All these Trialsss. They certainly have unusual namesss. Forest (or Wood as it'sss sssometimesss called), Earth, Water and Metal; why are they all named like that?"
"I really have no idea XLR8, nobody has ever told me the meaning behind the names. But I have a guess though… it might have something to do with ancient philosophies."
"Ancient philosophiesss? How ssso?"
"Well, in many ancient cultures. The world was perceived as being made of five elements. Each element was equal to another and each had different roles and meanings about life. The five elements were Wood, Metal, Water, Earth and Fire. Their role in life was to help guide the civilizations on decisions and such.
"Huh. Interesting. Ssso you're telling me that all of our trialsss are based off of sssome ancient philosophy? Who wasss the nut who decided that?"
"I don't know, but whoever it was came up with some good and tough Trials."
"Yeah…ssso far we've had to fight against a group of predatorsss, survive an immensely tall and cold mountain, and defeat sssea monster robotsss. Now we have to fight each other. Thisss Trial isss going to be tough."
"Yeah, but I'm worried about something else."
"What?"
"Well, so far we've had three (soon to be four) Trials done. So…according the five elements theory, we have one Trial left.
"…Fire…"
"Exactly."
The two fell silent for awhile. While they were silent, as time moved on, more and more seats began to fill up the stadium. The quiet sound of excitement soon grew to a loud chatter as more and more seats were taken up. All of this excitement finally got to Yin and he was kicked out and was replaced by Yang.
"Oh the excitement! I can't hold it in me any longer! This is going to be soooo cool! It's going to be kick ass! Don't you agree XLR8?"
XLR8, who had grown sort of use to Diamondhead changing on her like that, said, "Not really…I'm just more or less nervous."
"Ah don't be nervous you'll do fine! Hey, for now, let's enjoy this match! It's going to be sweet!"
Suddenly, the announcer came on, his deep but pleasant sounding voice hushed the excited crowd as he began to talk.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to the first match of the Metal Trial!"
The stadium went into an uproar with applause and shouts.
"The teams that will be facing each other are Team K and Team O. The rules are simple. There will be at least three rounds and at max five rounds. The first team that wins three rounds is the winner of the match! A round is won if a fighter is thrown out of the arena, or if the fighter falls to the ground and fails to get up in ten seconds or if the fighter admits defeat. Now, it's time to announce the contestants for our first round!"
The crowd, along with Diamondhead, began to yell as loud as they could after all of this was said.
"First off, for Team K, it's…Buzzshock!"
The crowd roared as Buzzshock zoomed into the arena, he smiled and waved to the crowd.
"And facing him is his opponent from Team O…Digdug!"
From the other side of the arena stumbled out a creature that looked like a cross between a large armadillo and a mole. He had a large shell-like back and had large paws with long claws coming out of it. He had a rather long nose with feelers on the end of it but he had no eyes at all. He had short, pointy ears and a reptile-like tail.
"Ready…" just then, the stadium's bell rang once, "…BEGIN!"
Buzzshock floated up and then zoomed right to Digdug. Digdug sensed this and he quickly tilted his bulky body to the side with surprising agility. While he was doing this, he raised his left hand and used it as a club to attack Buzzshock with. Buzzshock however reacted quickly enough and he stopped fast enough to miss Digdug's attack. However, Digdug's right hand was already prepared to use an upper cut. His clawed hands grasped tightly and then he punched Buzzshock squarely on the chin.
Buzzshock flew through the air and he slammed into a nearby rock causing much dust and debris to be thrown up into the air. While Buzzshock was recovering from this attack, Digdug began digging into the ground at a fast rate. When his entire body was inside the ground, he quickly covered up the hole and he disappeared into the ground. When Buzzshock was up and running again he saw that his foe was gone. However, instead of panicking, Buzzshock closed his eyes and began to hover in mid-air very calmly. He then quickly opened his eyes and with his hands he began to form a small lightning bolt. With quick-like moments, he moved the lightning bolt in the air as if he was a conductor leading his orchestra forward. The lightning bolt was at first hazy and jagged but it soon became clear and smooth.
Suddenly, out burst from the ground was Digdug with his claws in a position like he was about to catch Buzzshock. However, Buzzshock was ready for this and with his lightning bolt, he threw it at Digdug. The lightning bolt shot through the air and stabbed Digdug. The small lightning bolt made a small clap of thunder as it hit Digdug.
However, even though Digdug was electrocuted, that didn't stop his momentum in anyway. His rather large body slammed into Buzzshock which made Buzzshock lose his concentration and, with the stunned Digdug, the two fell to the ground. The two, who were badly injured by this point, struggled back up. Buzzshock was about to zoom away when Digdug grabbed him by the foot and using all of his strength, he threw him back down to the ground again. Digdug then pulled back his foot and he kicked Buzzshock to a nearby boulder. Buzzshock flew through the air and he slammed into the rock. He then fell to the ground not moving.
Overhead, the announcing voice went, "I…2…3…4…5…6…7…"
Suddenly, a blue, electrical ball went whizzing through the air. It caught Digdug by surprise and it landed squarely on his stomach. The ball exploded upon impact and the electrical energy that was in it traveled into Digdug's body. When this happened, his body shook and quivered at a fast rate for several seconds. When all of this was over, he was in a daze and his motionless body just stood there.
It was here that Diamondhead got a good look at Buzzshock. Even though he was far away he could tell that Buzzshock was angry at his opponent. His eyes glowed with a bright yellow and electricity danced around him at an intense rate. When he saw that his opponent was still standing, he zoomed forward and preparing for another attack. When he was right in front of Digdug, he put his hands on his chest. Buzzshock then sent 60 million amps through him. This was enough force to topple Digdug over onto his back. When the attack was over, Digdug just laid there. The announcer began the count again.
"1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10! The winner of round one is Buzzshock from Team K!"
The crowd went wild with cheers as the first round of the first day of the Metal Trial ended.
The Metal Trial has officially begun.