Ice Chronicles
Chapter 31: Battle of the Sectors Pt. One
Ashikabi vs. Ashikabi
The third phase of the Sekirei Plan has commenced. Every active ashikabi have gathered into one big arena to watch the first match of the third phase. This phase will consist of several events in which the active ashikabis have to participate in. The first match will be a one-on-one match between two teams. In this match, the first person to lose their sekirei will be the loser; and the victor will obtain a special ticket in the final phase. The competitors have been selected, and I stand in the arena with my sekirei as we face Izumi Higa in the starting round.
The Game Master announced that these matches will be broadcasted worldwide, which means that the entire world will be able to see our sekirei in action. But there was something that confuses me.
'Why is Minaka allowing the whole world to see sekirei when he doesn't tolerate any info about them to be leaked out?' I pondered. I looked at where Minaka was standing and tried to answer my question. That's when I received a text from my uncle saying,
"I know what you're thinking; and I agree with you. Why Minaka is doing this worldwide is beyond me."
"Then what should I do?" I responded.
"For now, just focus on your match and everything else from here on," Uncle texted. I nodded my head and put my phone away. Suddenly, Minaka appeared on the big screen with an announcement.
"Alright everyone, it's time for the first match to begin. The ashikabis standing in the arena are to choose three of their sekirei that they wish to fight. Those six will go head to head against their respective rival. Whichever ashikabi that still have sekirei still standing will be the winner."
That's when he did his signature laugh.
"And to make things even more interesting, attacking the ashikabis are authorized."
"What?" Majority of the crowd said.
"It wouldn't be fair if the sekirei risked their lives. So, I'm going to have the ashikabis risk their lives as well," Minaka explained. "The sekirei are allowed to attack the enemy ashikabi; and if they succeed in killing said ashikabi, that ashikabi's sekirei will automatically be terminated."
I could see Takehito, Takami, and Uncle Clyde looking right at me. I put on an honest smile and texted my uncle,
"I'll be alright; don't worry."
"I have faith that you'll win," he replied.
"Now then, choose your sekirei; and may the best team win," Minaka stated. He laughed once more before vanishing from the screen. I turned towards my team and thought about who I should pick.
"It's up to you now Ren. Who are you going to choose to fight?" Matsu asked. I thought about it once more before finalizing the decision.
"I want Musubi, Tsukiumi, and Yomi to fight," I stated. The three stepped forward with boundless confidence.
"Listen, here's how I want you girls set up; Musubi, you will take on Ichiya. Both of you are hand to hand combatants so you'll have a better advantage with your speed. Yomi; I want you to fight Sai. With your scythe and her rope blades, it should be an even match. Tsukiumi; I don't know about the third fighter, but I still the upmost faith in you."
"Understood," they stated. I looked back at Higa's team and saw Sai and Ichiya like I anticipated; but there was a new face like I also anticipated. The sekirei was a woman with black hair in a loose style held by a ribbon. She was wearing a kimono styled dress with no sleeves and white gloves. Her weapon consisted of a pair of tonfas.
"Alright, I figured this would happen," I said. "Like I said before, Musubi will take on Ichiya. Yomi will fight Sai, and Tsukiumi will battle the one with the tonfas. And one more thing; do not attack Higa. I will deal with him if needed."
Before I could say more, Kazehana hugged me from behind.
"Well look at you being so strategic. I've always loved this side of you; and you're really using it to the max," she confessed.
"At a time like this, it's best to be strategic instead of just fighting on pure instincts," I replied. She rested her head on my shoulders.
"That may be true; but most people fighter better on instincts."
"Well I'm not one of those people," I said and tapped her nose, making her giggle.
"Ahem, ahem," Tsukiumi sounded to get our attention. She had her arms crossed as she tapped her finger on her arm.
"Sorry, back to business. I have nothing else left to say basically."
"Ren; how about a reward if we win?" Yomi suggested. I groaned as the others nodded in agreement.
"Seriously? We have to do this now?" I asked back. Her and Musubi their hands together.
"Please Ren," they pleaded. Their eyes were like those anime ones with the sparkling orbs. I quickly cracked and sighed.
"Fine, what do you want?"
They smiled and high fived each other.
"Okay, I want to spend the entire day with you again like last time," Musubi declared. Yomi walked to me seductively and dragged her finger around my shoulder. She got behind me and said,
"All I want is to have sex with you."
"What!" Tsukiumi yelled. "I will not allow that. Pick something different."
Yomi stuck her tongue out at her and hugged me, making her even angrier.
"Calm down Tsukiumi; it's what she wants, and I did agree to the reward thing," I told her. "What would you like for a reward?"
She put her hands on her hips.
"I would like to have a honeymoon night."
I sighed again.
"Alright then, I can accommodate. Now can get this started?"
As if on cue, Minaka appeared back on the big screen.
"Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for, it's time to finally start the first match," he announced. "Is there anything that the competitors wish to say?"
Higa and I shook our heads no, but then Yomi wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me in front of everyone. She then looked at the camera.
"To Mr. and Mrs. Zonin, I want you to know that I love Ren very much; and we will come out victorious and climb to the top. He's also wonderful at sex."
She did the victory sign and ran away before I could grab her. I mentally cursed her name for what she's just done.
'Great, I can see the calls and messages now.' I said in my head. Tsukiumi then kissed me as well and stated,
"I am Ren's true wife; and my wedding gift proves it. I had sex with Ren that night; and I will be damned before I allow some inferior concubine take away my husband. Those who try will face my wrath."
Finally, Musubi got her kiss; and did the most embarrassing thing.
"I'm Ren's wife too; he's an amazing guy with a loving heart. He even taught me how to have sex."
I had to cover her mouth and listen to most of the audiences' laughter. I found my uncle laughing his ass off while Takehito and Takami face palmed themselves. My sekirei were just giggling to themselves.
"Musubi; don't ever say that again," I told her. I uncovered her mouth for her to speak.
"Did I say something wrong?" she asked so innocently. I refused to explain it just patted her shoulder.
"We're ready now!" I exclaimed. I looked at my girls.
"You have no idea what you've just done."
Yomi stuck out her tongue as if she was teasing me.
"I see no problem; it was highly necessary that everyone knows that I am your wife," Tsukiumi stated.
"But really? You had to say we had sex?" I questioned. "Do you know how many people there are in the world?"
"How many?" Musubi asked.
"Over twelve billion; and you just told them that I'm great at sex, have a wife, and taught a woman how to have sex," I replied. I sighed and face palmed myself.
"Let's get this match over with; I want to go home now."
Yomi giggled again, and we walked to our competitors.
"You're sekirei are irrational," Higa stated. I scratched my cheek.
"They mean well, and I love them for it; but they can be a handful at times. Still, my sekirei are the best, hands down."
"Hmm, then let's see you think that after I dispose of them," Higa replied. Minaka showed his face again; but his signature grin was plain as day across his lips. I knew he was up to something, but I didn't know what. That's when I received a text from Takehito saying,
"Remember how I warned you about the ashikabi portion? Well, you're about to find out what it is."
"To begin the first match, I believe everyone should see how far our ashikabis have come along. So, the two ashikabis standing in the arena will fight with any resources they have available except for their sekirei. There will be a time limit of thirty minutes; and if a winner isn't decided by then, I will choose the winner based on their performance."
"So it's a test of skills and wits; I can definitely do that," I commented. I looked at Musubi and smiled at her.
"And since he said we can use any available resources; Musubi, give me your combat gloves."
"Wait, why not take my scythe?" Yomi asked. Musubi handed over the gloves, and I put them on.
"All I want is one good shot to the head; not kill him."
"Won't you do that with the gloves?" Tsukiumi asked. I shook my head no as I pounded my knuckles together.
"Good point; but I don't want to scar the entire world by ripping someone's head off. Besides, one punch to the face, added with my natural strength, doubled with the momentum gain from my heightened speed, and multiplied by the power from the combat gloves. And to top it all off, add three of my doppelgangers. Put them all together and I have my own devastator."
"Ugh, even when you talk about fighting you say it in boring ways," Yomi commented.
"My punches are about three times stronger than Musubi's and Benitsubasa's," I dumbed down.
"That's all you needed to say," Yomi replied. I looked at Tsukiumi and Musubi, whom were blushing for whatever reason.
"My husband is so strong," Tsukiumi whispered.
"I have such a powerful ashikabi," Musubi said. I just left them to their fantasies and faced Higa. He had nothing special with him, which made me a little skeptical. The only thing he had was his cell. His sekirei were right behind him, smiling confidently. Even so, I kept on guard. Minaka sounded the alarm, signaling the match to begin. With that done, I tightened my fist and punched the ground. It shook underneath me and caused a crater to form below me.
The punch caused parts of the Earth to rise. Following up, I punched the rocks and sent them towards Higa; however he wasn't impressed by it. Instead he pushed some buttons on his phone, and what happened next shocked me. Out of the sky, a powerful laser blast dropped down and dropped towards me.
'Shit!' I cursed in my head. I quickly jumped out of the way and rolled to avoid damage. Before I could prepare myself, another laser blast came down. The only thing I could was dodge it. The blast ripped away the earth and left a crater bigger than the one I made. I looked at Higa, who had a smug smirk across his lips. He pressed another button and caused three bursts to fly down.
I dodged the first two; but the last one hit directly in front of me. I saw my life flash before my eyes. I was frozen in place; and it was a bad thing because Higa shot another laser down right on me. The moment I realized, it hit ground and the area I stood in. The blast caused an explosion and smoke to conceal my presence.
"REN!" my allies yelled. I was breathing heavily at seeing the blast drop one inch from my face. I stumbled back a little and looked at the ground.
'That was close; I thought that was it.' I thought. 'I have to think of a counterattack. As long as he has that laser, I can't get close to him. And if I can't get close to him, I can't give him one to the face. Wait, that's it! Ah, I'm so stupid. I'm literally not alone.'
I tightened my fists and looked past the smoke where Higa would be.
'I'm nothing alone; but I was never alone. I don't know why it started like this; but I plan to change it. My sekirei have done so much for me. I wouldn't have made it this far if not for them. And here we are, fighting in the third phase, where they could be taken away from me at the slightest moment of weakness. I don't plan on letting that happen.'
As I thought, my blue aura surrounded me. But it was glowing much brighter than normal. I lost the smile and put on my serious game face. I ran inside the smoke, making it swirl with me.
"Now let's do this," I said aloud. The smoke stopped swirling, and the crowd gasped in awe. Out of the smoke, came five of my doppelgangers.
"We can use any resource available except for our sekirei. There was nothing said about using our ashikabi abilities." One said.
"Things may have started in your favor; but now it's time to turn things around," another continued.
"Tch, it doesn't matter how many of you there are; you can't close to me as long as I have my weapon," Higa pointed out. He activated his laser, but the clones didn't move an inch. Instead, I jumped out of the smoke and cocked my arm back.
"HAAAAAAAAA!" I cried as I threw my punch. I hit the laser dead on, causing electricity to generate between us. The power of the laser was strong enough to push me back, but my strength was able to even it out. I used all my power and overwhelmed the laser, disrupting its magnitude and causing it to disperse. The disruption caused a powerful gale to erupt.
I landed in a crouched position and stood back up. Thanks to my actions, the crowd was applauding. I couldn't help but smirk at Higa.
"You should know by now that I don't give up so easily. If you thought that using a laser will stop me, then you are sorely mistaking."
"We'll see who's mistaking," Higa declared. Another blast came down, and I took my stance and a deep breath. I cocked my arm back and waited. I heard someone running behind me but didn't look that way. I thrust my arm forward, and a clone appeared beside and matched my speed. We hit the laser simultaneously and completely overwhelmed it. We looked at each other and smiled. Two more clones ran behind us and jumped off our shoulders into the air. They went for Higa, but he called down two laser blasts; however, the remaining two clones rushed out and blocked it.
Higa narrowed his eyes, making the six of us smile. The crowd went wild again and cheered. One of the clones ate it up and flexed, but the rest of us just groaned.
"Hey, we gotta give the people what they want," he said.
"He's got a point; but they want a fight, not muscle flexing," I replied. The clones chuckled.
"Now let's move."
Three clones ran ahead, the other two followed behind, and I tailed them. Higa caused more lasers to crash down, causing us to scatter. The entire arena was filled with lasers and azure streaks. We moved in formations to cover each other's weaknesses, but Higa managed to separate us. I took point and rushed at Higa; however, he increased the magnitude of the laser and completely blew us back. The impact caused us to slide across the floor and forced the clones to dematerialize. I stood back, only to jump back from another laser that made the ground shake from its impact.
I was too aloof away from Higa and I couldn't get close with that laser. The increased magnitude of the laser made it more powerful and harder to deflect. A barrage of lasers struck down and cut off any escape. There was only one thing to do. With my heightened speed, I repeatedly punched the ground, burrowing right under. I dig until I escaped the impact's radius. I rested against the dirt to catch my breath.
"Okay, back to the drawing board. Now I know he can increase the power of the laser, making it harder for me to get close. Even though I can outrun it, with a stronger magnitude I'll easily get caught in the shockwave," I said to myself. I tapped my head.
"Think Ren, think; how can you get out of this one?"
That's when I received a text from my uncle saying,
"LOOK OUT!"
I saw a red light near the hole I dig and immediately burrowed straight ahead. The blast entered, but it followed the path and came right me. I didn't have to think and just held my hands out. I managed to block the laser, but it kept pushing me back and made the tunnel start to crumble. The electricity scattered everywhere and shocked me. The laser exploded and engulfed me with it. When I opened my eyes, I was still underground covered in dirt and scratches. I stood up and limped around, trying to keep my balance.
Above ground, I could hear my name being cheered. I looked directly up and saw a little bit of sunlight. However, I was slowly losing oxygen and could barely breathe. The lack of air made me weak and couldn't punch at full power. I was getting light headed, but managed to stay focus long enough to think of something.
'Can I do it? I never learned how she did it so I can't do it. But what else can I do? If I stay here any longer, I won't be able to breathe.' I thought. I savored any air I had left and concentrated. I close my eyes and opened my hands. That's when I felt someone touch my shoulder.
"Concentrate on your energy and bring it to your palm. Then, focus and mold it into an orb. Once you do that, use every ounce of strength you have left and fire it up. I know you can do this; don't give up Ren. And give him one to the face for me," the person said. The voice was Yume's, and what she said was all I needed to hear. I increased my concentration and did like she instructed.
'Here goes.' I said mentally. I cocked my arms back and with all the strength I had left, I vehemently thrust them forward. I released everything I could and witness a miracle. Out of my hands came powerful blue blast that shot straight up. It took out a large portion of the ground showed me the sun blazing high in the sky. I smiled widely and breathed in as much air as my lungs could hold.
The orb exploded in the air, and I channeled my aura. The hole was too big to jump out of so I made two clones. They stood apart from each other, crouched low to the ground, and held their hands out to launch me.
"Go get him," they said smiling. I nodded my head, returning their smiles. I hopped on their hands, and they shot me up. I jumped off at the right moment to increase my ascent. On the way up, Higa shot another laser to finish me off, but I was ready and pierced right through it. Smoke rose from below, and I made it out. I landed back in crouch position and stood tall. The crowd roared in excitement, and I held my arm up in victory to pump them up. I pointed straight at Higa.
"Did you honestly think I'd be done in without smacking you first? I still have a lot of fight in me and I'll keep fighting until I can't stand no more!"
The crowd loved it.
"Why don't you just die already?" Higa questioned. I wiped the blood from my mouth and smiled.
"Because I haven't given up yet. The day I die…will be the day I give up!"
I ran and jumped over the hole. I rushed towards my target, seeing him grit his teeth and send down more lasers. I cut right and dashed left right, dodging the lasers and leaving a blue streak behind me. I then circled around the crater I made at the beginning, kicking up a dust cloud. I didn't waste time and dashed out with four clones. We ran in v formation with me at point. Higa knew it was me and shot two lasers at me; however the furthest two picked up the pace and ran ahead to deflect the blasts. We three went ahead, running faster. I could tell Higa was getting nervous because he fired all over the place, but our speed made them miss entirely.
One actually came at me, but one of the middle clones repelled the blast, the remaining one lined up behind me. We got closer to Higa, but he crazily made a laser fall towards him. However, it suddenly changed course and went for me. I quickly back flipped behind the clone as he used the combinations I explained earlier to completely devastate the blast. Another big explosion erupted, making Higa smile and laugh; but it was cut short when I emerged from the smoke and took off as fast I could towards him. He let everything go and blasted the entire arena. My aura mixed with my speed caused me to resemble a blue bullet. I was too fast for him to hit and got in his defenses. I smiled as I cocked my hand back and shouted as loud as I could,
"BLUE! DEVASTATOR!"
I threw my attack and it hit him dead in the face. He flew back all the way to the arena wall and crashed right through. His sekirei screamed his name as they hauled ass to him. Right on cue, the timer buzzed, signaling the match to end. I couldn't keep it in anymore and laughed out loud pumping my fists in the air.
"Finally! I decked that bastard! Life is good!"
Minaka appeared on the screen.
"After a thrilling battle, the winner is…Ren Zonin!" he announced. The crowed clapped and cheered. They cheered my name, and I occasionally heard some fan girls. I walked back to my sekirei, whom tried to tackle me, but ended up being hugged tightly.
"Phew, I feel great now." I told them. Half of them giggled.
"Ren, how did you that blast from underground?" Matsu asked. I picked Musubi up bridal style, making her blush.
"I learned it from watching her. The clones helped me get out."
"Hmhm, it seems that there's more to our ashikabi than meets the eye," Kazehana stated. I put Musubi down and gave her gloves, which didn't have the slightest scratch.
"That last thing you did, how did that even happen?" Uzume asked.
"Aura plus speed equals blue bullet," I replied. Before any more questions could be asked, Minaka called the sekirei to battle. Before they went, I gave Yomi, Musubi, and Tsukiumi another kiss and waved them off.
"Matsu, who's the sekirei with the tonfas?"
"She is sekirei no. 79, Mei Rin," she answered.
"So Sai, Ichiya, and Mei Rin; let's see how they fare against my girls," I said. One more time, Minaka appeared on the screen.
"After watching their ashikabis, let's see if the sekirei can keep up the excitement. Let the second half BEGIN!"
A/N: That's the end of this chapter. I'm sorry if it's too short, I just wanted to reveal ashikabi battles. I think I did a pretty good job with this one. Tell me what you think in a review or PM. And how good are clones; I like my clones. Well, this has been MalevolentDarkness16, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
P.S. I know it's late, but I hope you guys have a great year this year.