So I was asked how the tournament works, so that's what I'm gonna answer.
There are 16 teams, and 4 rounds in the tournament. In the first round, each team faces another in battle, making a total of 8 battles. The teams that win move to round 2. In round to the 8 teams are paired up and fight, making a total of 4 battles. The winning teams move on to round 3. I'm pretty sure you all know where this going, but I'm gonna continue explaining. In round 3, the four remaining teams fight one another, making a total of 2 battles. The two teams that win move onto round 4, where they fight to decide the winner.
The battles take place in a ring (actually a raised square platform, 20 ft by 20 ft). All team members are present in the ring, and can help each other in any way they can. There are two ways to win. One, you knock your opponent out of the ring. Or two, your opponent does not rise to their feet within 15 seconds. During those 15 seconds, the partner cannot help the fallen up. The match continues until both members of a team are defeated. All powers and weapons can be used, as long as it doesn't cause serious harm.
Now that the rules have been explained, lets move on with the story
After the teams had been decided, Beast Boy had asked Kole to remind him what her powers were. When she told him, Beast Boy started thinking. 'So she can into crystal, huh?' He thought to himself. 'Alright, how can we make this work?' Kole watched him pace around the common room, feeling uncomfortable. What was he thinking? Was he reconsidering their partnership? Did he think her powers were useless? All these thoughts swirled around in her mind, giving her a headache. Beast Boy glanced at her, noticing the worried look on her face. He sighed.
"I'm not reconsidering our partnership, Kole," he said gently. "I'm just trying to figure out what is the best strategy here." Kole nodded, relieved. Then Beast Boy snapped his fingers. "I got it!" He cried out. He turned to her, smiling brightly. "Do you think you can learn to turn only part of you into crystal?"
Kole shrugged. "I don't know," she told him. "I've never tried it before."
Beast Boy grabbed her hand. "Lets try it then." He said, leading her to the roof. The two reached the roof, only to find it already occupied by Killowat and Bushido, who were sparring with each other. Kole shrunk back, slightly intimidated by the two. Beast Boy just smiled at the fighters. He waved at them, and they stopped, waving back. "Do you mind if we train here too?" He asked. The titans shook their heads, smiling. Beast Boy smiled back, and he led Kole to an empty section of the roof.
Beast Boy turned to Kole, asking her if she knew hand to hand combat. She shook her head no, and Beast Boy sighed. "Alright, I'll teach you." He said. He began to teach her basic stuff: stances, punches, kicks, and blocks. Kole started to smile half way through, getting the hang of it. Beast Boy grinned back at her, before saying, "Good job, now we're are gonna practice more advanced stuff."
By this time Killowat and Bushido had finished sparring, and decided to observe the unlikely duo's training. They watched as Kole attempted to copy Beast Boy, sometimes succeeding, other times failing. They watched Beast Boy teach her, and were impressed by his techniques. Bushido hoped he would get a chance to face him in the tournament. Killowat, however, had stopped focusing on Beast Boy, instead noticing the way Kole moved. The way her skirt moved whenever she performed a kick left little to the imagination. (Admit it, guys, you'd look too.) He felt a nosebleed starting to form.
Beast Boy held his hand up, signaling Kole to stop. She did, and starred at her tired partner/teacher. Beast Boy looked up, a toothy grin plastered on his face. "Good job, Kole," he praised. Kole blushed and smiled, happy she did well. Beast Boy stood up straight. "Lets take a break, and then we'll continue." Kole nodded, and the two left to get some water.
...
Kole sat down on the common room couch, sipping her water as she turned on the TV. She heard someone mutter a greeting behind her, and turned to see Jericho and Herald sitting down next to her. She greeted them back, before turning her attention back to the TV. She finally stopped at "Tom and Jerry," and relaxed, watching it. She noticed Jericho and Herald watching her, and shut the TV off. She looked at her fellow honorary titans, and asked, "Is there something you want to ask me?"
Herald shook his head. "No that's not it," he said. "We're just surprised to know that you're teaming up with Beast Boy this year." Jericho nodded.
"He's cool and all," he signed. "But we don't know why you decided to team up with him."
Kole smirked. "Are you two jealous that he's my partner?" She teased. The two quickly shook their heads. Kole giggled. "Gnarrk decided to team up with Red Star this year." She told them, growing serious. "And Beast Boy and I both needed partners, so we teamed up."
Jericho and Herald nodded in understanding. Jericho smiled gently. "Well good luck in the tournament." He signed.
"Thanks," Kole said, smiling. "And to you as well."
Herald grinned. Then he quirked an eyebrow (not like she could see it). "Have you and Beast Boy tried any combos yet?" He asked.
Kole tilted her head. "Combos?" She asked in confusion. Herald nodded.
"You know, combos," he told her. "It's when you to do a move that combine your powers. Like when Robin and Cyborg do their sonic boom."
Kole nodded, now understanding. "No we haven't," she answered. She looked at them. "Have you tried any combos?"
Jericho nodded. "You'll see it in the tournament."
...
Beast Boy noticed Kole looked like she wanted to ask something. "What is it?" He asked.
Kole starred into his eyes. "When are we going to try combos?" She asked, a little nervous.
Beast Boy smiled gently. "Tomorrow if we can get through today's lesson." He answered her. He got into a battle stance. "But for now I want you to try a new move." Kole nodded, getting into her own battle stance. (Beast Boy had told her she needed to develop her own fighting style.)
Beast Boy grinned. "Now I want you to try and hit me, while turning only a single body part into crystal." Kole's eyes widened.
"Are you sure I can do that?" She asked, uncertain. Beast Boy nodded, silently sending her encouragement. Kole took a deep breath, before charging. She decided to go with a chop to the mid section. She swung her arm, and concentrated. However she noticed that she turned her whole body into crystal. She turned back, sighing. Beast Boy patted her on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, Kole," he comforted. "I wouldn't expect you to get on the first try. It takes practice." Kole nodded. Beast Boy smiled. "Lets try it again."
After a few more tries Kole had still not gotten it down. She was getting frustrated, but noticed how Beast Boy was still smiling and encouraging her. Kole felt her eye twitch. "How are you able to be so patient with me?" She asked.
"When you're someone like me, you tend to develop skills like that." He joked. However, Kole noticed a distant sadness in his eyes. But then it disappeared as quickly as it came. "Alright, try again he told her. However, before they could do anything, Bushido approached them.
"Hello Beast Boy-san, Kole-san," he greeted. "I've come to help with your training. Beast Boy smiled and nodded, backing up. Bushido stepped in front of Kole, looking down at her. "Kole-san," he said. "Try to focus all your power on your arm, try to find you're center. We all have one." Kole nodded. She took a deep breath, and threw a punch. Bushido easily caught it, holding it in place. "Now look at your arm." He told her. Kole glanced at her arm, and gasped. It was crystal, while the rest of her body was normal.
Kole instantly wrapped Bushido into a tight hug. "Thank you, Bushido." She said softly. Bushido smiled, pulling away.
"It is my honor to help." He said, bowing. He backed up, allowing Beast Boy to take up the teaching role again.
They spent the whole day training, with Bushido watching them, smiling. But someone else was watching them. Robin narrowed his eyes through his mask. 'So they think they can win?' He thought. 'Not a chance. Not while I'm still champion.' He turned around, cape swishing, and walked back inside the tower.
Well that concludes this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it! Also, am I the only one that imagines Bushido's voice identical Rioichi's from Sly Cooper? Probably.
Don't forget to review! And remember, stay wykkyd!