Disclaimer – The name 'Vocaloid' belongs to the creator of the program Yamaha.
Some of the characters used in this story either belong to Crypton Future Media or any other respective owners of the fan-made Vocaloid characters.
Difference in Worlds
Chapter Eight – Tournament: Round 1 Part 1
Len POV
"Woo! Summer break!" Gakupo shouted as he abruptly stood from his seat the moment homeroom was dismissed.
Today was the day the tournament was scheduled to start and was also the day our summer break began. Everyone spent the last 3 days getting ready for the tournament. Teto was even scolded yesterday for swinging her naginata around in the classroom.
"We should hurry." Rin came to my desk with her bag already over her shoulder.
"I can't wait!" Teto voiced her anticipation.
"It's convenient that the tournament is on the same day as our break." Piko commented.
"She did say people were participating to fight Holders." Neru said as she made her way to my desk as well.
"We better get going then." I said as I finished shoving my books into my bag.
I slid my chair back and stood up. Everyone seemed to have gathered around me so we all made our way out of the class together.
"Hello senpais." Kaiko greeted us outside our class.
"Kaiko!" Miku pulled said girl into a hug. Miku doesn't show much restraint around Kaiko now, but she doesn't go overboard like last time.
"You know you don't have to call us 'senpai'." Neru stated as we proceeded down the hallway.
"Yeah. We're friends now." Miku said and unlatched herself from Kaiko.
"Okay." She nodded in agreement.
"Meiko is waiting for us at the front gate. Let's not keep her waiting." I ushered everyone to quicken their pace.
"Took you guys long enough." Meiko waited impatiently next to the school gate.
"You know school ended 4 minutes ago." I said as Meiko joined the group.
"I'm curious on whether your homeroom even ended." Neru said in slight amazement.
"What's a homeroom?" we facepalmed at her reply.
"Meiko, you need more conviction for school." Miku said in a worried tone.
"She needs to actually study before that." Piko said as he chuckled.
"Let's go to the tournament!" Meiko ignored us.
"Yeah!" Teto cheered, while also trying to avoid the topic.
"I'm going to be the champion!" Gakupo declared.
All we could do was sigh as we watched the 3 most carefree people in our group.
…
"Welcome to the 7th annual Kiryoku tournament!" an announcer exclaimed through a microphone. He wore a plain tuxedo and stood at the center of the arena. The arena was a raised platform constructed in the center of a baseball stadium. Lily's family must be insanely rich if they were able to rent out the only stadium in Karant. Since Karant is an artificially created island, it's known to have high price tags on plots of lands, so being able to rent out the Karant stadium is an amazing feat. "We have a total of 22 participants this year. The tournament will advance using the ladder system, which we have already sorted out on the pamphlets you were given while entering the stadium." The announcer waved the pamphlet in his hand as he explained.
The contestants were gathered on the grass field of the stadium beside the platform, while Neru, Miku and Piko were up on the audience seat somewhere. I looked around our group to see the other contestants. There were some familiar faces, which I presumed were probably Holders from our school. Other than them, I saw people much older than us. Lily mentioned that people from across the globe, wanting to fight Holders, had come to participate in this tournament. I could tell by just looking at their facial expressions that these people were all determined to fight. These people wouldn't have signed up for this tournament if they weren't certain they could take on the renowned so called Holders. After I had finished checking out the other contestants, I lowered my gaze to the pamphlet in my hand.
(I drew up a pamphlet but it seems I can't link it in this so I'll explain what's on the pamphlet briefly)
Miroir Rin VS Natsune Saido/ Tanabe Asase VS Kamui Gakupo | Vayone Mizki VS Dragneel Matsu/ Veredich Don VS Shin Kaiko | Namine Ritsu VS Kasane Teto/ Parrel Bianca VS Shinomiya Kyouya | Kagamine Len VS Big Al/ Tonomiya Noro VS Kaze || Kanpeki Ororo VS Guzen Junichi/ Mr. Ironfist VS Sakine Meiko | Honne Dell VS Sanchez Viole
Grand Prize : 1,000,000 yen and a trip to a 5-star hotspring (2 rooms)
I scanned the list for everyone's names and noticed that none of us was going to be facing against each other in the first rounds. When I read the name of the person I was going to fight against I felt a cold sweat go down my neck. The only thing I know about Big Al is that Rin had a hard time with him during the class duel a while back. She was able to win because she made use of her surroundings, but I can't do that here. The arena is a flat platform and I doubt I'll be able to use it to my advantage. I'll just hope that my ability can catch him off guard.
"The tournament will be held for 5 days. The days will consist of the first rounds, second rounds, quarter finals, semi-finals, and the finals. As the tournament progresses only some of you will be able to advance on to the next rounds, so make sure you do your very best for the 1,000,000yen prize!" the announcer said and began to step off the platform. "The winning conditions for each fight is either until the opponent is deemed unable to fight or is knocked off the platform." The man now stood directly in front of us. "Now let's begin the first rounds. Will the contestants Miroir Rin and Natsune Saido step onto the stage?"
"I'll be going first then." Rin said as she turned to face us for a moment.
"Good luck!" Meiko gave her a thumbs up.
General POV
Rin stood on the stage with her sabre gripped firmly in her right hand. She had been feeling anxious for the past couple of days, but her anxiety heightened even more when she found out that she was going to be the first one to fight.
Her opponent was a boy with short spiky white hair. He appeared to be the same age as Rin, but she wasn't able to know for certain. He wore white jeans that stuck to his legs and had on a blue vest over a white Y-shirt. His apparel was similar to an attire that is known to be worn by those who uses the weapon he held. A rapier.
"I'm surprised to see a sabre user." Saido stated his astonishment.
"It's nothing to be surprised by." Rin replied.
"Your sabre is known to be mainly used for light cavalry, so you don't see them used that often elsewhere." He worded his knowledge.
"I'm more surprised that you know all this." Rin said in disinterest. She didn't need someone to explain her weapon to her.
"Of course I do. I'm the world renowned fencing champion, Natsune Saido!" he declared proudly.
"I am Miroir Rin, daughter of the French army's general." Rin proclaimed.
"Alright then. When you're ready." The announcer got ready to begin. "Ready… FIGHT!"
The moment the fight had begun Saido lunged forward at an incredible speed. His rapier pointed towards Rin, he darted towards her like an arrow. Rin was startled by his speed and instinctively jumped to the side. However, she wasn't able to fully dodge as the edge of her shirt was cut by his rapier.
"This is the first time someone was able to avoid that." Saido mused. He didn't wait for Rin's response as he had begun his assault again. He closed the distance between them and rapidly thrust his rapier.
"Tch" Rin gritted her teeth as she held her sabre close in attempt to reflect the sharp attacks. The heavy assault forced her back making, her inch closer to the edge of the platform. Saido being experienced in fencing was no lie, his swift and agile movements prevented Rin from counterattacking.
"What's the matter? Can't keep up?" Saido snickered in between thrusts.
"Don't look down on me." Rin muttered between her teeth. As she blocked Saido's flurry she twisted her wrist and pushed the rapier to the side, using that spur of the moment she dashed forward on the opposite side to regain a better position on the platform.
"You're never going to beat me if you keep playing defense." Saido mocked as he turned to face Rin.
"You're a bit cocky for a 'world champion'." Rin smirked.
"What?" a vein popped on Saido's head. "I'll make you regret saying that." He clenched his teeth and bent his knees into the fencing posture. Rin instinctively lowered her posture as well, as she felt a sudden malice from his voice. Saido leapt forward and his second barrage of attacks had begun. However, this time his attacks weren't as fast as before, his thrusts were slower but held more force to them and were aimed precisely at Rin's vital areas.
"Rin is getting pushed back..." Kaiko murmured. The group of friends looked up at the platform in worry.
Rin's uniform was now covered in cuts and tattered in various places. Even if deflecting Saido's rapier was easier, blocking it required more strength. Rin was becoming exhausted as she urged her sabre to block the rapier.
"It doesn't matter who you are! You're no match for a world champion." He boasted and continued his assailment.
"You really are cocky." Rin sneered.
"Why you…" Saido grinded his teeth in anger and lunged his rapier at Rin's chest. Taking advantage of Saido's slip up, Rin side stepped to the right and twisted her hip to swing her leg against Saido's side. "Gaaah!" he cried out and stumbled to the side.
"You're too used to fencing matches. Don't expect to win when you're tied down by rules." Rin stated and pointed her sabre at Saido, who was gripping his rib.
"D-don't get ahead of yourself just because you hit me once." He scoffed. Saido took his hand off of his side and gripped his rapier. He rushed forward towards Rin and had begun his onslaught again. However, this time he was presumably consumed by rage as his movement was sloppier.
"This is pathetic. A world champion being consumed by rage so easily." Rin said in pity. As she deflected Saido's assault with more ease now, she twirled her sabre and stopped with a snap of her wrist, sending Saido's rapier flying.
"W-wha…" Saido stammered in shock. His mouth hanged agape, as if he didn't understand what had happened. Rin stood with her sabre extended and pointed at Saido's neck.
"Winner, Miroir Rin!" the announcer's voice declared from the stadium speakers.
Len POV
"Woo! I knew she could do it!" Teto cheered and jumped into the air.
"That's Rin for you." Gakupo said in admiration.
"Good job Rin!" we praised Rin as she came down from the arena.
"You really are amazing." I complimented her.
"I-I'm not that great." She averted her gaze from me and said modestly.
"What are you going to do about your uniform?" Gakupo pointed out Rin's tattered clothes.
"I'm glad I have a spare uniform, but I should probably wear clothes I don't need anymore next time." she looked down at her clothes and stuck a finger through one of the tears.
"You and the rest of us. I don't have any spare uniforms!" Gakupo complained.
"Miku got us spare clothes from our dorms, so there's no problem for us." I said as I lifted up the paper bag full of clothes.
"What about mine?!" Gakupo looked through the bag.
"You don't live in the dorms. Also you don't have time to change since your match is starting soon." Teto pointed out.
"I still have time! I can rush back home and get clothes!" Gakupo exclaimed and turned towards the exit.
"The second match shall begin. Will the contestants Tanabe Asase and Kamui Gakupo step onto the stage?"
"Damn it!" Gakupo cursed.
"Good luck." We laughed and saw him off.
General POV
Gakupo was standing nervously on the stage with his wooden kendo sword held firmly in his hand. On the opposite side of him was a boy with messy brown hair. He wore a gray t-shirt and had on blue shorts with white stripes on the side. His hands were covered by a pair of red worn out boxing gloves.
"You seem pretty young." Gakupo said.
"I'm your underclassman." Asase replied bluntly.
"Huh? You go to Karant?" Gakupo raised his eyebrow in astonishment.
"Yes, I'm part of the boxing club." Asase stated.
"Oh, I think I remember hearing your name before…" Gakupo tapped his chin as he thought. "You're the underclassman that joined the boxing club!" he put his fist to his palm in realization. "A lot of people are talking about the underclassman that became the ace."
"I'm honored that you know about me, Gakupo-senpai." Asase said in a respectful tone.
"You know me?" Gakupo sounded amazed that an underclassman would know him.
"The group you're in is rather well known in Karant." Asase said.
"If you guys are done chatting. I shall now commence the 2nd match." The announcer interrupted.
"Okay then. Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're my underclassman!" Gakupo declared as he got into a ready posture.
"Same goes for you, senpai." Asase raised his arms to his chest.
"Ready… FIGHT!"
Asase advanced towards Gakupo in quick strides with his gloves raised to his face. Bringing his fist to the side, Asase tried to do a right jab to Gakupo's stomach. Gakupo braced himself and held his sword, pointing to the side, and blocked Asase's glove with the side of his wooden sword.
"'That's a good arm you got there." Gakupo grinned as he held back Asase's fist.
"I didn't become the ace for being weak." Asase replied and pulled back his right fist and extended his left. His fist jabbed against Gakupo's unprotected chest. Gakupo coughed and pushed his shoulder forward making Asase retract his fist. Gakupo swung down his sword, but Asase had already backed off. Gakupo rushed forward and started to swing his sword, not allowing Asase to escape. He repetitively swung his sword but Asase either dodged or blocked the attacks with the thick leather of his gloves. Asase had noticed that he was being pushed back to the ledge, so he ducked under Gakupo's strike. As Asase brushed past Gakupo, he turned his body and did a right hook on Gakupo's lower back.
"Guh." Gakupo grunted and stumbled a bit. Nonetheless, Gakupo regained his composure and turned to face Asase with a smirk on his face.
"Is something funny?" Asase tilted his head in wonder.
"It's nothing." Gakupo brushed it off. "Now come at me!" Gakupo said as he still had the grin on his face. Asase shrugged, figuring Gakupo was simply messing around. Asase decided to take advantage of the situation, since Gakupo was now near the ledge. He lunged forward, determined to end the fight in that single punch, so he put all of his weight onto his arm. Even if Gakupo were to block the punch, Asase was determined to push him back.
"Heh." Gakupo grinned. Gakupo stood his ground as Asase's fist drew closer. "Gotcha" Gakupo muttered as Asase's red boxing glove collided against him.
"Huh?" Asase voiced his confusion. No matter how much he tried to move his arm, it wouldn't budge an inch.
"You're pretty strong, but I'm stronger!" Gakupo declared as he had dropped his sword and had grabbed onto Asase's fist in his arms. "Hraaah!" Gakupo roared as he had begun to swing Asase around in circles.
"W-wooooaah!" Asase cried out helplessly as his body was ragdolled. After Gakupo had gained enough momentum he braced the ground and tossed Asase off the platform.
"Winner, Kamui Gakupo!" was announced as Asase's body landed on the grass floor.
Len POV
"What an underhanded way to win." Meiko said as Gakupo came down to us.
"I feel bad for that boy." Rin stated pitifully.
"W-what?! But I won!" Gakupo exclaimed.
"Congrats on winning." I said and chuckled.
"Thanks…" Gakupo sounded more depressed than he was happy now.
"Well, at least you didn't have to worry about your uniform." I tried to cheer him up.
"The next match is now underway. Will the contestants Vayone Mizki and Dragneel Matsu come onto the stage?"
"Not one of us this time." I commented.
"When's my turn?!" Teto shouted in annoyance.
"I'm up after this…" Kaiko looked up at the platform anxiously.
"Don't be so tense." Rin advised her.
"Yeah, you'll do great!" Meiko grinned at Kaiko.
"Now that the contestants are present, we shall now begin the match." We glanced up at the stage. Now standing on the stage were two people. The girl that stood on the left side of the arena was standing gracefully, her head held high; she appeared as if she wouldn't let any sight of imperfection be shown to anyone. Her hair was magenta with a single ponytail going down the back. She wore a short elegant kimono that stopped just above her knees, its color matching the color of her hair with petal designs on the edges. In her hands were two fans with the same elegant design as her kimono. To the opposite side of her was a shirtless boy with spiky orange hair. There was nothing much to say about his apparel since he only had on a pair of baggy gray pants. He had a wide grin on his face as if he was anticipating the fight. "Ready… FIGHT!"
The duel had begun and Matsu had pressed his foot down and got ready to leap forward.
"Petal dance." Mizki spoke under her breath in a firm voice and soon after a soft gust of wind had begun to blow, however, it quickly changed into a powerful gust of wind. The overpowering wind had surrounded the arena and Matsu appeared to be struggling to hold onto his footing. Despite the heavy wind, Mizki appeared to be having no problem at all with it. She still stood fully composed.
"I… won't… go down like this!" Matsu gritted his teeth as he tried to push himself onwards.
"Flower bloom." Mizki pointed one of her fans at Matsu. And just like that he was sent flying straight off the platform.
"Winner, Vayone Mizki!" the wind had now stopped to a gentle breeze.
"What just happened?" Gakupo stared up at the platform totally baffled.
"Third year, Class S. Vayone Mizki." Meiko said with a grin on her face.
"Didn't you fight her before?" I recalled one of Meiko's previous fights with the Holders in our school.
"Yup. She still has a grudge against me though." She chuckled as she recalled.
"She's really strong…" Kaiko murmured in amazement.
"Yeah, she's probably second to Meiko in our school." Teto presumed. She looked anxious as if she was itching to fight her.
"The fourth match shall be starting soon. After this match there shall be a 30 minute intermission before continuing the first round. Now will the contestants Veredich Don and Shin Kaiko approach the platform?"
"It's finally my time to shine!" Kyu exclaimed with his plastic arms in the air.
"You'll do great!" Rin gave her an encouraging pat on her shoulder.
General POV
"This is rather disappointing. I came here to fight Holders, but I'm matched up against a little girl." The man called Don said disappointingly. Don had the typical thug look, with a buzz cut and wearing clothes that were much too big for him. "I'm not really into beating up little girls, but I guess I have to for that cash prize." Don smirked and cracked his knuckles.
"Then the fight shall now begin. Ready… FIGHT!"
Don had a menacing grin on his face as he rushed towards Kaiko.
"I'll end it quic-" Don was cut off mid-shout.
Don had run straight into a large plastic object. The previous feeling of superiority was drained out of Don as he lifted his head to see the owner of this plastic wall.
"W-what?" Don stuttered in bewilderment.
"I won't let you do as you want!" Kyu, who was now towering over Don by 10ft, yelled and kicked the Don who was still attached to his leg. Don helplessly soared through the sky and crashed into the spectator seats.
"Winner, Shin Kaiko!"
Len POV
"I think that was the fastest match so far." I commented as Kaiko come back to us.
"You really are something." Rin complimented.
"Kyu did all the work." Kaiko shied away and said modestly.
"Nonsense! You're great as well." Meiko laughed and messed up Kaiko's hair.
"I'm incredible! I could probably beat you as well!" Kyu boasted while on Kaiko's shoulder and pointed at Meiko.
"Haha. I can't wait for that day." Meiko replied.
"It's finally my turn to fight!" Teto cheered.
"There's going to be an intermission, so you'll have to wait a bit longer." I reminded her.
"What?! Why?!" Teto voiced her disappointment.
"The next round shall begin after the break. The contestants who are already done with their first matches may leave, however the remaining contenders must meet up back here after the 30 minute intermission." the announcer was back on the stage.
"We should take this time to get changed." I said and took my spare clothes out of the bag.
"Alright then, let's meet up back here after we get changed." Rin said and took the bag with the rest of the clothes.
"Okay! Vocaloid intermission!" Meiko cheered.
CHAPTER END
A/N – I tried to make the action scenes a bit better, but I guess you can sort of tell I started getting lazy later into the story. Reason? I've been busy studying for an exam that was coming up and I was also sick for 2 days and my body felt too sore to write anything D: So I'm sorry for the delay in updating. I'm still sick right now, so I'll probably try to focus on getting better instead of writing this for a while.
I know a lot of you guys are disappointed about the previous chapter. The whole reveal on Len's power was something I was conflicted with, but then I decided to do this tournament so I just simply rushed it. I'm so-… I should stop apologizing.. I've been doing that too much in the previous chapters ; So yeah, I'll try to do my best to make up for such a disappointing reveal D;
I still don't have a proof reader so pardon any mistakes I make~ I try to proof read it myself, but I think someone else doing it is much more better
So leave a review and cure my fever! 8D… It'll help… probably c: Oh and feel free to PM me~ I accept ideas and proof readers!