Ch.116: Elimination Power Struggle! Team Ravenfield's Greatest Obstacle!

"Annnnnd, welcome back to the final day of the Gelid Peak Tournament! After some exiting and tense matches between our competitors, we're about to see some stellar action!" DJ Chance screamed into his mic, pumping up the crowd. "In just ten short minutes, our winning team, Team Ravenfield, will walk out the gate and compete in the elimination battle against our champion! Will they succumb to defeat or pull a miracle out of their pocket?"

The crowd roared in applause, swinging banners for Team Ravenfield and cheering on their name. Team Ravenfield's support group managed to acquire seats closer to the arena so they could get a better look.

"Woo! Go Tony!" Cheri cheered, stuffing popcorn in her mouth.

Krystal narrowed her eyes. "It's finally here. They must be sweating buckets."

Ava nodded. "They were tense when they left, but I'm sure they're ready for the worst."

Hugo nodded. "Agreed. As long as they keep their wits about them, they may stand a fair chance against the champion." He sighed and stroked his chin. "Although, that is wishful thinking on my part. I can't say I have complete confidence in them."

"Bah! Don't be a party pooper, Hugo!" Ebony exclaimed, sipping on a 'soda.' "They know what they're doing."

Hugo sniffed over her drink, then glared. "Are you drinking scotch again?" Ebony hid the cup inside her jacket and laughed it off.

Holly tapped her foot against the seat in front of her. "Elimination style battle, though. That means they need to strategize for when one of them is taken out. How do you plan for something like that?"

Krystal shrugged. "Beats me. All I know about the champion is that he is a serious powerhouse. Trust me, you'll see what I'm talking about when he's in action."

"TEAM RAVENFIELD!" The group jumped out of their seats, then spotted the Wild Fangs standing up in their own seats, waving banners in support of the team. Gene pounded his chest and shouted, "Do not let Gene down or Gene will never forgive you! Show Gene your talent and might! Do not make Gene's defeat meaningless!" He struck a pose, flexing his muscles to their brink.

"Gene, hon, ya're scaring the crowd again," Hazel mumbled under her breath.

"Seriously, get down!" Wilbur shouted, pulled down on Gene's arms with Orville.

"Gene will not be disappointed!' Gene screamed before being dragged back down into his seat.

The Ravenfield group stared in bafflement at the Wild Fangs. "These tournaments bring the strangest people from all around," Cybil said.

Ava sighed, then chuckled behind her hand. "They do, don't they?"

Team Ravenfield stood by the gates to the arena, waiting for their cue. Wes leaned against the gate and took a deep breath, pulling on the brim of his hat. He felt a paw rest on his shoulder. "Last minute nerves?" asked Ella.

Wes sighed, then grinned nervously. "Maybe."

Ella smiled. "We'll do fine."

"Wishful thinking," Tony mumbled as he did his stretches.

"Oh hush," Ella scolded. "It won't be that bad…assuming Benedict happens to be sick today," she mumbled, pulling on her collar.

Wes didn't have the most in depth information on Benedict's magical style, aside from a really strong fist knocking him into the cave walls. All they could gather was that Benedict was a close range fighter, which may or may not work in their advantage. They were holding onto the former.

Griffin set Endless Regret on his shoulder. "Does everyone remember the plan?"

Gwyn finished sorting her bag and strapped it around her waist. "Just about."

Tony stood up and cracked his knuckles. "Naturally."

Wes sighed. "Alright, good." He faced his team and, after taking a deep breath, glared sternly at them. "We lost over half of the keys we worked so hard to collect. Now we need to get our acts together and take them all back. We're not giving up until Benedict's key is in our hands. After that, the last four will be ours, then we'll take them back from the Shadow King. We've been through a lot up until now, but I have confidence in all of you."

Wes held his paw out to them. "Let's give it our all and get that key."

The team smiled and settled their hands/paw over his. "Here, here!"

A buzzing rang over their heads. "Team Ravenfield, please get into positions. The match is about to start." The five nodded at each other and stepped before the gate.

The gears jittered, then pulled the gate up. They walked down the dark corridor and towards the light of the arena. Once the first ray of sunlight hit their eyes, they were greeted by the loud cheers of the audience, waving their banners and flags in support. Some cheered on their names (not so surprisingly, Tony's came up the loudest) while others were cheering on their opponent.

"And here they are, ladies and gentlemen!" DJ Chance announced excitedly. "Our finalist team is here to take on the champion for the title! Regardless if they win or not, a special banquet will be held for them at the Lucky Roulette Hotel. All participating teams are welcomed to join."

Tony grinned and rubbed his hands together. "Free food, the best kind of food."

"Savor the meals for after we beat this guy," Griffin grumbled, gripping tighter to his hilt.

Just then, the team felt faint energies coming from the opposing side of the arena, specifically upward. Their eyes traveled up and widened at the private box windows. Four figures stood at the windows, looking down on the team. They were calm, but their auras carried a lot of weight even from the ground, and Wes recognized the one standing closest to the window.

"That's Benedict," Wes mumbled.

"Who are those other three?" Gwyn asked worriedly.

Ella narrowed her eyes. "Four cloaked figures and one of them is the guy we're looking for. I have a hunch…"

"What are they doing here, though?" Wes wondered aloud.

"Wasn't one of them your dad's teacher or something?" Tony pointed out. "He ran some sort of academy, I think. He might be one of the fighter scouts looking for new attendees."

Wes gulped. "We have to fight him eventually…"

Tony patted his back. "One giant hurdle at a time, pal."

"Team Ravenfield seems a little skittish, and I can't blame them. I would hate to be in their shoes. Why, I would be running for the hills and hiding under a rock-" The audience winced at the sound of a hard slap. "Ow, ow, okay, getting back on topic. Ahem. But let's give them our support and pray they conquer this obstacle."

"He says that like we're going to be flattened," Griffin grumbled.

"And now, for the man of the hour himself! Undefeated champion of the Gelid Peak Tournament, master of combat and destroyer of all who oppose him! Let's give it up for the king of battle, Benedict Stonefist!"

The windows to the private box parted open. In a single leap, the white-hooded figure glided over the audience and touch downed onto the field, shaking the surface in his landing. Team Ravenfield felt the vibrations and stumbled back shakily. The crowd burst into applause as Benedict rose to his full height.

Benedict pulled back on his hood and glared down at his opponents. "Team Ravenfield. I was hoping our paths would cross in this tournament."

Wes sat on his rear, petrified out of his mind until Ella gave him a rough shove forward. He squeaked, then grinned awkwardly at the champion. "Benedict, heeeey! Long time…no see," he mumbled.

Benedict nodded. "Yes, it has. I see you've improved on that temperament of yours."

Wes pulled sheepishly on his hat. "Yes, well…uh-"

"Enough talk." Wes jumped back as Griffin swung his sword down, then aimed it at Benedict's face. "You know what we really want. We don't care about the championship title." He glared. "We want that key."

Benedict blinked, then reached into his robe and pulled out the item of interest. Their eyes locked onto the transparent glass key that gleamed white in color. "This is the item you seek, yes?"

Tony grinned. "Hell yeah!" He smirked slyly and shoved his hands in his pockets. "You know, we could call this whole thing off. You look like someone who could use a good ol' vacation. Picture it, a trip to the tropics where the sun is always-"

"Flap your silver tongue until it dries, Sapienti," Benedict interrupted. He tossed the key into the air, where it vanished in a purple flash. The team gasped, then saw a purple flash appear back in the private box seats, with the purple-hooded figure's hand extended out. "Savor your air while you still can."

Tony frowned. "Spoiled sport."

Benedict cracked his knuckles. "Now, I assume you've already been informed on the rules. Elimination style rounds. Choose your order of attack and come at me with everything you've got. If you beat me, the key is yours." Benedict raised a finger. "Also, if you fall out of the arena and into the streets, you're automatically eliminated."

Gwyn looked at the ground, then to the top of the stadium in confusion. "Uh, how would we fall out of the arena?"

"Stick around long enough and you might see," Benedict mumbled ominously. "Now, decide your order." He backed away to his side of the field.

"It appears both sides are getting into position. Who will be the first to represent Team Ravenfield?"

Team Ravenfield marched over to their side. Wes looked up at Griffin and nodded. "We need to whittle him down as much as possible. Do all you can to weaken him for us, but prioritize winning the match."

Griffin plunged his sword down and kneeled to Wes. "I will carry out your orders without hesitance."

Wes chuckled awkwardly. "You, uh, don't need to be formal about it." He and the others climbed up into their private seats near the edge.

"Good luck, Griffin!" Gwyn called out.

"Try not to get knocked out in the first ten seconds, Hothead!" Tony taunted.

Griffin rolled his eyes. "And you try not to let your hormones distract you, Sparks."

Tony glared. "Okay, hold it right there!" Griffin ignored his ranting and turned towards Benedict.

"First up for Team Ravenfield is Griffin Everfall! Let's see what this powerhouse can do, ladies and gentlemen! Let's get it on!" The crowd cheered out for them as Benedict and Griffin approached each other.

Griffin took a deep breath and tried not to look intimidated. Benedict boasted an incredible height and physique that would send the toughest men running home, even if hidden under his robes. Griffin could tell what a hardened fighter looked like by their face alone.

They stopped about two meters apart from each other. Griffin lowered his sword and aimed it at the ground while Benedict kept his arms loose at his sides. Griffin plunged the sword down, then bowed to Benedict out of respect. Benedict mirrored his movements.

"The champion and Everfall start off with an honorable bow to each other. Truly respectable warriors!"

Benedict lifted his head and glared down on the Grovyle. "You possess great power. Let me see your will."

Griffin pulled his sword from the ground and gripped it in both hands. "Gladly."

"And…BEGIN!"

Griffin growled and made the first move by dashing head first into Benedict. He lit his sword in his magic and swung at full power. Benedict, keeping a collected composure, turned on his heel and dodged the sword by a hair with his hands folded behind his back.

Griffin bared his teeth. "Showoff." He kicked off the ground immediately after his first attack and came in spinning from the side. Benedict avoided his attack again, but Griffin followed it up with a spell. "Exosus Release!" He slashed into the ground and caused it to explode in Benedict's face. A plume of dust surrounded the two.

Griffin landed and held his sword defensively while focusing into the dust. He picked out Benedict's aura in the center, which was standing still. "Exosus Release!" He slammed the sword down and fired off a wave of spiteful magic through the ground. It connected and exploded against Benedict, blowing the dust away.

The crowd cried out as the dust flew into their faces. Griffin held his arm up against the dust while peering through. To his annoyance, once the dust passed, Benedict was still standing in the same spot. The scorch marks on his front indicated a direct hit, but he didn't seem remotely fazed by it.

Benedict dusted off his robe, then glared seriously at the Grovyle. "You're remarkably quick, Everfall." He curled his fingers tightly and lighted his fist in a blaze of teal magic.

Griffin held his sword up. That didn't work on him-? He kept his eyes trained on Benedict, but was blindsided by a sideline punch to the temple. His eyes shook as they stared at the fleeting image of the Beartic before him before flying across the arena.

"Griffin!" Wes called out.

Griffin slammed into the walls, dropped his sword, and fell face first on the ground. He clutched his head and growled while his legs convulsed in confusion. He struck me. Right before I could register he was already gone, he struck me in the head. This guy is fast.

Benedict, with his hand partially lifted, glared at the bounty hunter. "Is that all, Everfall?"

Griffin pushed himself up and shook his head clear. "Don't you dare mock me." He roared and punched through the ground, releasing a violent shock of Exosus Release. The ground burst open like a geyser shooting pressurized water and traveled towards Benedict.

Benedict lifted his foot and slammed it down right as the crackling ground reached him. The shock of his foot split the energy around Benedict and forced it to shoot out of the ground. The crowd screamed and covered their heads, but were protected by the invisible barrier around the arena.

Benedict huffed and walked towards Griffin, who grabbed his sword and took off running against the walls. Benedict tracked his movements, then pulled his fist back. A fist-like shape formed around his arm. "Potentia Reach." He punched the air and sent out the fist construct, which flew with a light trail behind it.

Griffin ran up the walls and leaped into the air. "Exosus Release!" He spun his sword and blasted down on the spell, destroying it. "Malignitas Force!" With one arm, Griffin rapidly punched the air and sent out shockwave bullets.

Benedict tensed his body and puffed out his chest. "Potentia Wall." A teal sheen wrapped over his body right before the shockwaves connected. The shockwaves ripped the ground to shreds, but Benedict stood unfazed against the mess of attacks. Once they ended, he pulled his fist back. "Potentia Reach." He fired off the long range punch.

Griffin sent his sword away and raced towards the construct. "Twin Inferos Busters!" His fist wrapped in the snake-like, blood red magic and tore through the fist like a slab of meat. Griffin pulled Endless Regret out again and lit it in his magic. "Now, Exosus Cloak, plus Exosus Release!" He channeled the magic through himself, channeled it all through his sword, and fired it out as a massive wave toward Benedict.

The Beartic stood boldly before the approaching wave and lifted his hand at it. Benedict glared, then palm struck the wave. The impact punched a hole through the magic and struck Griffin's stomach, shooting the air out of his lungs. It stunned Griffin as he clutched his stomach and tried to fill his lungs.

Benedict appeared before the stunned Grovyle and slammed his palm right in the center of Griffin's face. Griffin's aura strained against the strike as best it could, protecting him from any severe damage. Griffin went flying across the arena and crashed into the wall.

Ella flinched and turned away. "Crap, that looked like it hurt."

Wes bared his teeth. "Griffin's getting creamed out there."

"Too early to call that," Tony said. "The hothead still as fight in him."

"Yeah, but what about Benedict?" Gwyn murmured worriedly. "He looks like he could go for a whole month."

Griffin pulled himself up and rubbed his arm, growling under his breath. Okay, this guy is tougher than I thought. He glared up at the mage as he approached the swordsman. Have it your way. I've got plenty of more fight in me. Griffin picked up Endless Regret and charged back at Benedict.

The Beartic glared. "Another head-on assault? What are you planning?" Benedict punched the ground and forced it to rise. Griffin staggered on a stone pillar as it rose into the air. Benedict kicked one of the pillars free and caught it in hands. He growled as his magic channeled through his body, increasing his muscle size. He dug his claws down and threw the pillar like a boomerang.

"Shit!" Griffin got in the air before the pillar could smash him. "Malignitas Force!" He fired off the shockwaves into the ground, kicking up a huge wall of dust.

Benedict waved his hand through the dust. "And what will this do?" He felt Griffin's magic fly down and land behind him. Benedict turned and struck the aura with a magic infused fist, then growled as his magic was forcibly pulled from him. The dust cleared and showed it was Endless Regret, which briefly had Griffin's aura flowing through it before it was absorbed.

"That means-" Benedict turned around for a counterattack, but Griffin popped out from under and threw a hard uppercut into Benedict's chin, throwing his head back.

"Exosus Release!" He slammed both palms into the bear's chest and blasted him off his feet. Griffin jumped back and watched the bear fly. "Now fall, bastard!"

Benedict glared at the sky as he neared the ground. He swung his legs up, then drove them into the ground hard enough to sink through. Griffin staggered in surprise as Benedict's back hovered a foot over the ground. Benedict crossed his arms and heaved himself with his legs alone.

"A strong warrior always gets up after being knocked down," Benedict said, pulling his feet out from the ground. "A true warrior…never falls on their back."

Griffin's eye twitched worriedly. The only real progress I made and he pulls this shit

"Griffin!" Wes shouted out. "Don't let him intimidate you! Keep going!"

Griffin took a deep breath, then raced towards Benedict. Yes, I mustn't let my guard down. He snatched his sword and channeled his magic through it. "Exosus Release!" He fired a slash out in front of him.

Benedict pulled his fist back. "Potentia Reach." He threw his punch and sent the energy fist through the Exosus Release easily.

Griffin slashed at the spell to destroy it, but it turned around his sword at a sharp angle and came back around at his back. It flung Griffin forward into a clothesline hit from Benedict. Griffin spun onto his stomach while his sword impaled the ground beside him.

Benedict spun around and swung his leg down on Griffin. Griffin's eyes snapped open before catching the leg. Griffin felt his body sink into the ground after making contact. He kicked Benedict's other leg out from under him and tossed the champion into the air.

"Exosus Release!" Griffin fired a wide beam into Benedict and sent him flying into the air.

Benedict took the blast without blocking and went sailing into the sky. He glared down on Griffin, then vanished from the air. Griffin stood up and reached for his sword, but gasped as a heavy punch slammed into his stomach. Blood sprayed from Griffin's gaping mouth.

Benedict took hold of Griffin's collar, swung him over his shoulder, and bashed his head into the ground. Benedict then pulled his foot back and kicked Griffin right in the stomach. Griffin barely got a wheeze out when he skipped across the ground. The crowd winced in reaction, then cheered on.

Gwyn covered her eyes and cowered under her seat. "This is too much! Griffin's getting wiped out there!"

Ella gulped and pulled on her collar. "I'm starting to wonder if Flint got lucky…"

Wes bared his teeth. Just stick to the plan, Griffin.

Griffin panted and shoved himself up against the wall. He grimaced and staggered forward in a huff. Blood dripped from his lip. He shakily wiped it off and examined the bloodstained hand. He saw his vision going blurry, seeing triple of the stain. He clasped a hand over his eyes and took a deep breath. My eyes won't help me now. He removed his hand, now with his eyes closed, and charged at Benedict.

Benedict raised his fists. Right as Griffin got into his reach, he channeled his magic through his fist and launched a straight punch with a cone of air pushing against it. Griffin sensed the fist and barely dodged it. Griffin swung a left hook into Benedict's side. "Exosus Release!"

The energy blasted Benedict away, but he caught the ground with his claws. "Hmph." Benedict flung himself back and dropkicked Griffin in the torso.

Griffin planted his feet down and pushed against the kick. The skin of his soles tore up as he dug his feet down harder. Griffin pulled his fist back and concentrated his magic through it, building up an orb of magic around it. I haven't gone this far with this spell, but I can't hold back!

Benedict sensed something was wrong and kicked back from the Grovyle. "Seraphina mentioned some of his spells. I wonder if that's…"

Griffin stomped his foot down, roared, and charged headfirst with his feet breaking up the ground after every step. The magic built up into a tight sphere while Griffin's nerves and muscles tightened under the strain. Benedict could feel the overwhelming power it produced.

"Take this! Ira Dei: Ten Destructive Fists!" Griffin lunged and swung his fist.

"Potentia Wall!" Benedict shouted, inflating his chest.

Griffin punched right into Benedict's chest, meeting a dead stop as Benedict stood up against the first blow of the spell. The second and third punch triggered, but Benedict continued to hold up. The fourth and fifth triggered and Benedict felt his feet sink a bit. Three more triggers and Benedict felt his body moving backwards.

"I'm not finished!" Griffin pulled his other hand back and summoned Endless Regret. "Exosus Release!" The magic blazed through the black blade. Right as the ninth and tenth punches triggered, Griffin swung down and delivered a sharp blow against Benedict.

Benedict's feet left the ground and he was sent flying like a flaming cannonball. He smashed through the arena walls, startling the audience with the vibrations.

Griffin landed and cried out as blood squirted out of his arm. He clutched it tightly and tried to suppress his cries. Shit, I went overboard! My arm's going numb! He glared at the hole. That at least should've done something to him, right?

The smoke swirled around the hole for a moment before parting…to nothing.

Griffin's eyes widened. "Oh shit-GAAAH!" A heavy blow connected down on his shoulder. His body locked up from the pain, unable to respond to his urgency to move. A hand clutched his jacket and lifted him off the ground.

Benedict had a burn hole the size of a basketball going through his robe, revealing a thick orange vest underneath. As far as Griffin could tell, he wasn't even hurt. Benedict narrowed his eyes. "You're done." He dropped Griffin and, before the Grovyle's feet could touch the ground, struck with a devastating punch.

Griffin's eyes glazed over before he went flying right into the wall under where his team was sitting. They cried and covered their heads as a plume of dust blasted into their faces.

Benedict waved his fist. "Griffin Everfall. He's powerful, but he lacks the precision to truly make his attacks destructive. Huh?" A tiny glimmer appeared from the smoke, then Benedict sidestepped as Endless Regret flew past his face, nicking his cheek. The sword impaled the wall behind him with the white cloth hanging from the hilt fluttering in the breeze.

Benedict turned back and saw Griffin's hand outstretched for a second before the Grovyle collapsed onto his face.

"And Griffin Everfall is down, ladies and gentlemen! The first member of Team Ravenfield has been eliminated!"

"Hang on, Griffin," Wes said as he and Tony reached down and pulled Griffin up by the arms. They settled him into the seat. "We got you."

Griffin winced and gripped his stomach. "I…failed you."

Wes shook his head. "You did more than enough, don't worry." He glared at the arena. "Just as I remember. Brute force and power. He's going to be tough."

Gwyn gulped. "Does that mean…?"

Wes nodded. "You're up, Gwyn."

The Mew whimpered before jumping over the wall. Ella cupped her mouth and shouted, "Just remember, do everything you can to win, but we need to prioritize beating him if this goes on for too long!"

Gwyn nodded nervously. "I'm more worried about getting stuck in a full body cast." She stepped forward and approached Benedict.

"And Gwyn Belladonna, the weird looking cat Pokémon…she looks like a Mew? Nah! That can't be right! Anyway, let's see what this potion maker is capable of! BEGIN!"

Gwyn gulped, then waved nervously at Benedict. "Hehehe. So, I…guess we're fighting now." She tapped her fingers together, feeling intimidated by his unmoving glare. "Uh…please don't hurt me too badly-" Like teleportation, his fist appeared before her eyes. Gwyn just barely ducked before the punch ended her. The breeze was so sharp that it left a tiny cut over her nose. "Eep!"

Benedict hovered over the terrified Mew before swinging his fist down. Gwyn kicked off to the left and barely dodged. Rock exploded from the ground and pelted her across the sides. Right as she landed, Benedict was back in her face and punched her across the body.

"AGH!" Gwyn cried, flying across the arena and skidding to a stop. She rolled onto her back and groaned. "Ten seconds in and I already want to throw in the towel…"

Benedict leaped and dove towards Gwyn with a charged fist. Gwyn yelped and pulled out a sakura berry from her bag. She ate it immediately and underwent her transformation right as Benedict's punch connected. The ground rumbled in waves.

Benedict narrowed his eyes on the dust cloud around his fist, then jumped back from a twister of sakura petals. The twister dove into the ground and took the shape of Gwyn, who was panting heavily and holding her face. "Way too close!" she shrieked.

Benedict held his hip and examined her. "The potion maker, an unpredictable oddball with a trick up her sleeve at any moment." He rotated his shoulders, then powered up his fists. "Her will, however, is what is lacking." He took off running at her.

Gwyn felt him approaching and pulled out some seeds. "I need to buy some time." She slammed them into the ground. "Accelerated Growth: Grand Forest Summoning!"

Roots shot out from the ground and covered the entire arena. Benedict stopped halfway and watched as the roots erected out of the ground and shaped into trees. He could hear the crowd awing as the trees towered over the height of the stadium.

Benedict stared ahead and saw nothing but thick clusters of trees hiding Gwyn away. He cracked his knuckles and slowly walked through the forest.

"Come on out, Belladonna," Benedict urged the deeper he went through. "You've done remarkably against Margo. Why do you hide now?"

Because I prefer to due without the pain? Gwyn thought as she hid within the trees thanks to her Plant Assimilation. Her face molded out of the trunk so she could observe Benedict. Gwyn gulped, then stepped out behind the tree to stay out of sight.

She pulled out a seed and examined it for a second. Wes told me to plant this when I get the chance, but I can't have Benedict knowing about it. If he digs it up and realizes what it is, our plan will be ruined.

She clutched it tightly, then stuffed it back in her bag. She looked around the tree again, but didn't spot Benedict. "Huh? Where did he-?"

Gwyn had ducked down to get a better view of the ground, right as a teal slash whizzed over her head and decapitated the tree she was on. A look of terror coupled with a blank smile froze onto her face. She felt his magic surging right above her.

Mystery solved.

Gwyn screamed and jumped out of the tree right before the decapitated part landed on her. She grabbed a branch and hoisted herself up, then threw an oak wood berry into her mouth. Her body changed into the Informis Oak Form, allowing her to grapple along the trees and swing herself out of danger.

Benedict chased her down, running along the branches and keeping in hot pursuit. Gwyn sent out wooden tendrils, constricted around passing trees, and snapped them in half. Benedict thrusted his palm and knocked the trees away with a pressure strike. One of the trees exploded into millions of splinters and flew after Gwyn.

Gwyn wove her tendrils into a shield and absorbed the splinters into it. "Forest, hear my call and cast away the intruder who enters your territory!" Gwyn landed on a branch and ordered the trees to attack.

A green aura passed through them, then wooden tendrils struck out and coiled around Benedict, holding him firmly in the air. Benedict glared at the tendrils, then at Gwyn as she jumped towards him while taking a deep breath.

"Venenata!" Gwyn exhaled toxic flames towards the Beartic.

Benedict ripped an arm out of the tendrils and charged it with magic. "Potentia Reach." He fired the punch and shot through the flames.

Gwyn grappled a tree and pulled herself to safety, but gasped as the fist traveled around the trees and vanished from sight. She hoisted onto a branch as she scanned the thick foliage. "Where did it go?"

Benedict guided the hidden fist with his index in simple flicking motions. He narrowed his gaze onto Gwyn and flicked up. A blue flash looped around the tree and severed Gwyn's branch off, sending her into a mad screaming fit. The fist dove down and slammed into her stomach, crushing her into the ground below.

The tendrils wilted off of Benedict and released him. He landed before the small hole Gwyn crashed through, then aimed his palm at it. "Lacero." A blue tint vibrated off his palm for a second, then the ground flattened to pieces, uprooting the trees and toppling them over each other. The ground collapsed on itself and buried the small hole under tons of rubble.

Benedict jumped high into the air for an aerial view. He squinted at the dust and trees laying motionlessly, waiting for something to happen. Like clockwork, roots shot out of the ground like an Octillery breaching the water and tossed the trees out of the way.

Gwyn dug herself back to the surface and collapsed onto her stomach, panting heavily. "Too close for comfort!" she shrieked.

Benedict aimed his hand and pressed two fingers together tightly. "Incendo." With a powerful snap, a flaming bolt of heated energy shot downward, creating small ripple trails.

Gwyn saw the flaming spark coming down and stuffed a berry into her mouth. The bolt exploded on her, incinerating the trees and scorching the earth in a massive, fiery blast.

Benedict descended on the arena, floating like a feather, and glared as something shot through the smoke. Gwyn, now in her Iron Armor Form, formed blades out of her wrists and swung into Benedict. He deflected one slash, but got slashed in the cheek by the other. He grabbed Gwyn's wrist and aimed his palm at her.

"Lacero."

Gwyn blinked, then spat blood as her iron skin cracked and crushed her. Metal flakes chipped off with her green fur poking through. It felt like the armor suddenly squeezed around her, like it was shrinking, but with the force of an earthquake slamming into her.

Benedict threw her back toward the ground. Gwyn struggled to keep her eyes open against the wind. She dug through her bag and flicked a seed at the ground, imbued with her magic. The second it touched dirt, a giant mushroom sprung from the ground.

Gwyn curled into a ball and landed in the dead center of the mushroom cap. Not only did it sponge up her fall, but a thick green powder burst off from the impact. Benedict fell towards the mushroom and grimaced suspiciously at the powder. He quickly guided his descent away from the mushroom and landed out of range of the powder.

Gwyn pulled out her vials and some seeds. She tossed a few over her shoulder and grew them into wooden golems. "Buy me some time!" she ordered. The golems obeyed and stomped towards Benedict.

Gwyn held up a bulbous plant and pulled on one of its leaves. It sucked in and inhaled a portion of the powder from the air. She jabbed a syringe into it and syphoned off a liquidized form of the powder.

"Perfect." She stashed the bulb plant away, then snapped her fingers. Her explosive berries grew out over the mushroom. She carefully injected a small portion of the syphoned powder into the berries, giving them a light green hue. "One last thing." She took the explosive berries by the vines and wrapped them around herself before jumping off the mushroom.

Gwyn's golems weren't doing well against Benedict. Their punches did nothing and their movements were astronomically slow compared to Benedict's. One tried to nail him with another punch, but Benedict flicked its fist and obliterated the entire left side of its body.

Benedict aimed his palm at the other one. "Lacero." The golem exploded into pieces by the invisible force. Benedict glared at Gwyn, who was hunched over on the ground. "Potentia Reach." He fired his punch at her back.

Gwyn patted a small mound of dirt to get it nice and firm when she felt the approaching fist. She looked between the mound and fist in a panic, then quickly bit her hand. She smeared a blood circle over the ground and shoved a seed into the center.

"Accelerated Growth: Blood Orchard!" Trees sprouted from the ground. They were made up of a dreary black wood with blood red leaves. The fist collided into them, but the trees molded against the punch like they were rubber. Thin, sickly red twigs punctured through the fist and lacerated it into wisps.

Gwyn pressed her hands on the mound and offered a quiet chant to it as her magic channeled through. She flinched as Benedict could be heard tearing through the trees. She chanted faster and stored her energy into the mound.

"Done!" She turned to the forest and frantically made gestures at it. "Take on the shape of a golem!"

The blood trees twisted around each other, with Benedict trapped in the center, and pulled itself from the ground. The golem moaned a sickly wail before constricting down tighter on Benedict. Unfortunately, Benedict threw an uppercut so strong that the wind pressure obliterated its entire upper half.

Gwyn gripped her explosive berries tightly. "Eep! Time to run!" She ran for her life, but couldn't escape the blue streak chasing her down. She shrieked when Benedict landed in front of her.

"What are you up to, kid?" Benedict grumbled in suspicion.

Gwyn kicked away from Benedict. "Locking down our victory, that's what!"

Benedict closed the distance and channeled both his fists. "Potentia Assault." A rapid and devasting flurry of punches came Gwyn's way.

Gwyn grabbed her berries by the connected vine and tossed them into the air before receiving the worst beating she had ever experience. She cried out in pain as each connecting punch bruised up her skin. It was like a Guardian's attack rush, but much heavier with the punches.

"Critical Revolt." Benedict charged up his fist and socked Gwyn hard in the stomach. The energy passed through her body and shot out of her back. Gwyn's eyes whited out before she went flying towards the stands.

The crowd screamed as Gwyn came flying towards them, but a bolt of electricity swooped by and snatched her out of the air. It swung back down and dropped Gwyn onto Ella's lap.

Benedict saw the flash arc over his head and land behind him. Benedict glared over his shoulder, meeting Tony's cheeky gaze. The Dewott held Gwyn's explosive berries in his hand.

DJ Chance was at a loss for words. "I, uh…don't know what just happened. Team Ravenfield isn't supposed to interfere with the battle unless…" He stopped and seemed to catch Ella waving her paws up at the announcer's box. "Folks, it appears Gwyn Belladonna was taken out after that last punch. So, it appears Tony Sapienti made the switch on his own accord."

Ella rested Gwyn in the seats, frowning at her bruised skin and the various cuts over her body. "Wes, this is bad. Benedict's taking us out one by one and we've barely gotten him to falter."

Wes bared his teeth. "I knew he was tough, but…"

"He seriously has never been knocked down?" Wes asked in surprise.

Krystal nodded. "Benedict is renowned for never being knocked onto his back. No one has ever gotten close to pushing him that far. They either get eliminated in the first two minutes or weren't strong enough to outlast him."

Wes grimaced with a short chuckle. "Oh joy, and we have to fight him. Yay…"

Krystal rubbed his shoulder. "Don't let it intimidate you. Maybe this'll be a first for everyone. Maybe you'll be the ones to knock Benedict down."

"As nice as that sounds, we're going to need a miracle." Wes looked up at the private boxes with a worried frown. "And he's not even part of the Big 3."

They watched as Tony pranced around the arena, starting off with his usual routine. He had that same cocky smirk of his, but Ella could feel his true emotions. He wasn't particularly thrilled with what was in store for him.

"So, big bad Benedict took out two of my teammates? No sweat!" Tony stretched his legs and arms out. "Now the real MVP of Team Ravenfield is here to settle things. Hope you got your camera ready, my photo's going on the champion's wall." He punched the air a couple of times. "You have one of those, right?"

Benedict narrowed his eyes and ignored Tony's incessant babbling. "Tony Sapienti. If memory serves, you lost to your father."

Tony hopped around on one foot. "You wound me, bringing up tidbits of the past. What's your point?"

"What hope do you have of beating me?"

Tony smirked. "Well, for one…"

"Let the third match commence! And…BEGIN!"

"I had time to study you!" Tony activated Quick Step and dashed under Benedict's legs.

Benedict spun around and slammed his fist into the ground, missing the Dewott by a hair. His eyes kept track of Tony's speed as he swung out a Potentia Reach. The glowing fist circled around the air and divebombed towards Tony's intended path.

Tony spotted the fist and pulled on the brakes right as it punched through the ground. He made a sharp right and dashed back at Benedict. He plucked one of Gwyn's berries off the vine. "Let's see how you deal with this! Light Speed!" He vanished before the polar bear's eyes.

Benedict's first instinct was to activate his Potentia Wall, maximizing his defenses. He carefully scanned the arena just when a flash of light dropped a berry before his face. It exploded before he could swat it and gave him a face full of green gas. He coughed and stepped out of the cloud, rubbing his eyes of the mist.

"What was…in that?" he groaned. He opened his eyes and saw Tony standing in front of him. Benedict glared suspiciously. He's up to something.

Tony smirked. "Feeling a little sluggish, old man?"

The words entered Benedict's ears like a distorted record player. Benedict rubbed his face again to make sense of everything, but noticed then that his hands came up slowly to his face. He had touched his face, but didn't realize for two to three seconds, like his mind was lagging behind.

"Guess you noticed." Benedict glared as a trail of Dewott slowly approached him. "You probably can't fully comprehend what I'm say, but your brain isn't processing information as quickly. Sharp minds always beat brawns, that's what I always say."

Tony lunged off the ground and slammed his foot into a burn mark left behind by Griffin on Benedict's arm. Benedict felt the slow burning pain, for what should've been a quick sharp pain turned into seconds of torture. Tony accelerated his speed with Quick Step and struck into every spot on the body that had some form of damage inflicted onto it.

"You may be tough, but that tender skin really doesn't like to be abused!" Tony joked after kneeing Benedict in the back. "So, what do you say? Am I living up to my hype?"

"Tony!" Ella shouted out to him. "Quit playing around and get serious! He's still dangerous!"

Tony smirked and plucked off four more of Gwyn's time dilation berries. "Oh? You mean like this?" He chucked them into the back of Benedict's head and released more of the gas, further slowing down Benedict's mind. He was basically a statue in a robe. "He couldn't hit the broadside of a barn! But, if you insist! Quick Step, plus Flash Splitter!"

Tony zoomed around Benedict and slashed into his weak points mercilessly. He wore down on the bear's aura and started to see some cracks popping up. Meanwhile, Benedict wasn't even trying to move. Perhaps his mind was so slowed down that he hadn't realized Tony had attacked yet.

"Once you realize what's happening, you'll already be down!" Tony laughed. "Oh, I love playing the unfair game! Who says cheaters never win? The honesty policy is bullshit anyway!" Tony combined his Flash Splitter into one giant blade and swung at Benedict's head. "Say Nighty-Night, Benny Boy-!"

Benedict's hand snapped to life and caught the blade in its tracks. Tony, who was paralyzed in shock, failed to dodge the other hand that now clutched firmly around his head. His eyes widened as Benedict's eyes were slowly moving towards him.

He's still under the effects of the berries, but he still caught me?! Tony mentally shouted.

"You truly are…tactical, Sapienti," Benedict praised sluggishly. "As is Belladonna for her…remarkable work in plants." He glared. "You were wise to study your opponent, but…there is still much to learn before the…answers are clear. I had plenty of time in this…slowed state…to read your pattern."

Tony's eyes shrunk. He has that kind of freakin' patience?!

"Even with your cocky attitude, you are remarkably…perceptive. You see things…for what they really are." Benedict's eyes glinted in his magic. "But don't let that self-confidence drive you." He swung his leg and slammed it hard into Tony's stomach.

Tony spat out blood onto Benedict's robe, then was shoved face first into the ground. "GAH!" he cried with his aura crackling around him.

Benedict carefully stepped back and took a deep breath. "Status…Renewal." A halo of light shined from behind him. It shimmered for just a moment before fading. Benedict glared down at Tony, now moving at his normal speed. "Much better."

Tony pushed himself up and bared his teeth. He's still covered in wounds, but he looks fine. What's more, it seems Gwyn's berries were purged from his system. Did he reset himself back to his peak and numb his pain? There's no way he healed off his injuries.

Benedict cracked his wrist, then rushed at the dazed Dewott. "Critical Revolt."

Tony glared. Same move that K.O. Gwyn. Oh hell no!

Tony kicked off the ground and front flipped over Benedict's fist. He aimed his finger down. "Lightning Shot: Lotus Bullet!" Benedict lit up in electrical shots, tearing through his robes. However, his aura seemed to be acting on normal and softening their damage.

Benedict extended both arms out to his sides. "Potentia Ascent!" He swung both arms counterclockwise with the strength to whip up a whirlwind around him. Tony, hovering above Benedict, was caught in the wind currents and swung around to the peak.

"Ventusphere!" Tony slammed his spell into the wall of wind and disrupted the flow enough to jump out a hole. "Nebula Rider!" He summoned his storm cloud and took off flying.

Benedict glared at the Dewott, then jumped after him. "Incendo." He flicked the combustion blast and scored a direct hit on the Nebula Rider.

Tony flew up from the explosion, but gathered some of the cloud to make flying shoes for himself. He skated around the air while Benedict spammed Incendo. Tony came by a couple of close calls grazing the side of his face and his poor whiskers. He extended his arms out and cried, "Dragon Thunderclap!" He sent out the vibrating shockwave that pushed Benedict out of the air.

Benedict glared as he safely landed, then fired off a Potentia Reach. Tony skated around to avoid the guided fist, giving it the slip a couple times before vanishing with his Light Speed. Benedict's instincts act up and he turned around to catch an exploding berry in his hand.

Tony grimaced. He's adapting. He sped off before Benedict could retaliate.

Benedict blew the powder away, then huffed irritably. "I can't afford to let you fight for too long. A cunning mind like yours shouldn't be allowed to act in a drawn out bout."

"Aww, you recognize my talent?" Tony appeared overhead and threw down two more berries. Benedict arced his fist and sent the berries scattering into the wind. His eyes widened, feeling the Dewott's presence suddenly below him. "I'm flattered. I've been told I make quite the booming appearance! Impetus Pressure!"

Benedict growled as the pressure waves shot through his body. He felt blood dribble out from the corner of his mouth. He swung for Tony's head, but the Dewott vanished a split second before. Benedict narrowed his eyes, feeling the thief's magic suddenly surrounding him. He looked around and found himself surrounded in electrical orbs.

Tony appeared outside the field with his fingers pressed together. "Fulmen Scattershot." With a snap, the electrical orbs exploded and lit Benedict up in electricity. "How do you like that-?"

Tony's eyes widened at the mage as he stomped through the electricity, completely unhindered. It wasn't contracted his muscles or slowing him down, even though Tony could see it was damaging him. Benedict pushed on through with that solemn, determined glare of his.

"What the hell?! What are you?!" Tony fired off Lightning Shot again, but Benedict deflected it. "Ah crap…"

"Critical Revolt." Benedict rushed in on Tony again and went for the attack.

"Light Speed: Perfect Counter!" The fist connected, but Tony countered and slammed his knee into Benedict's chin at the speed of lightning. The air rippled from the ferocious impact. Got him!

However, it wasn't over. To Tony's surprise, Benedict's head didn't fly back from the kick. It barely budged, in fact. Benedict glared down at the Dewott with a straight face, his glinting eyes burning holes into Tony's soul.

Tony gulped. "Eheh, uh…so, one more time from the top?"

"Inner Wrath." Tony's answer came in the form of a powerful palm strike to the chin. Tony's eyes glazed over for a split second before the attack sent him skyward. Benedict took a deep breath, then thrusted the other palm. An invisible force slammed into Tony's stomach, imprinting a small Beartic handprint into.

Tony covered his mouth. I-I'm going to throw up! Tony swallowed hard, then whipped up some wind around his hand. "Ventusphere: Wind Lance!" He chucked the wind lance straight down.

"Potentia Reach." Benedict's fist construct rammed through the wind lance and caught up with Tony, nailing him across the face.

"AGH!" Tony swung with his scalchop, but the fist swerved away and struck again, multiple times. Tony was locked in the air as the fist kept coming back at him, beating whatever wasn't damaged. He nearly passed out when the fist punched his arm back, nearly snapping it out of socket.

C-Crap!

Wes and Ella watched the scene in horror. "This guy doesn't mess around," Ella mumbled worriedly.

"Tony, hang in there a little longer," Wes pleaded. "We need more time."

As if hearing his leader's pleas despite his current altitude, Tony bared his teeth. "Not sure how much longer I can stall, but I can at least get this part of the plan done." He channeled electricity into his arm, which was a difficult task with a flying fist constantly bashing him.

He held up and formed the electrical sphere in his hand. "Alright! Thunder God's Wrath!" He chucked the sphere into the air, summoning up storm clouds with it.

Benedict glared. "Wha-?"

"Nebula Rider!" Tony summoned his cloud and bolted down before the Potentia Reach could make another round. Tony rubbed his hands together furiously and generated a huge amount of electricity. His Status Renewal obviously numbs his pain and restores his body back to its peak, but it's not healing magic. Try all you want, but a numbed leg doesn't fix a snapped femur. Meaning, how long until your injuries take their toll?

Benedict bared his teeth, recognizing the spell Tony was setting up. Note to self, thank Seth for badgering Leroy on the details of their fight. I know what spell that is. He pulled his fist back and charged it with his magic. "Give it your all, Sapienti!"

Tony smirked. "Don't croak too early, old timer! Light Speed!" Tony jumped off his cloud and vanished.

Benedict followed the speedy trail of magic, waiting for Tony to pop out into view. He can't run around and fire that thing at the same time. He'll need to stop. Right…about…

A flash of light appeared.

"Now!" Benedict spun and swung his fist against the approaching light.

"Tempest Impes Fulgo!"

The audience screamed as Benedict became engulfed in a massive blue beam that struck and cracked the protective barriers of the stands. The stadium rumbled against the vibrations, cracking the foundation open and sending audience members to the ground.

Wes ducked under his seat and pulled down on his hat. "This is nuts!"

"I'll say!" Ella shouted as she placed a psychic barrier over herself and their two injured teammates.

The beam surged for a solid ten seconds with seemingly no end in sight, only to come to an abrupt halt. The stadium took a moment to settle from the vibrations, while the audience shakily sat up from their seats groaning. The barrier barely held up against Tony's attack, which didn't settle well with most of the audience.

Back on the field, though, the results of the fight were clear as day. Benedict's body was covered head to toe in a plume of smoke. His sleeves were burned halfway up his forearms and patches of fur were singed off, though with barely any skin to show. Some of his other injuries looked to be aggravated from the spell, clearly seen as holes were burned in various spots of the rope.

Despite this, he held up without a sign of struggling.

Tony, however, was done. His hands were outstretched from the beam motion he made, frozen in the stance. His face was firm and without fear, but his eyes were drooped halfway with a distant look in his eyes.

Benedict's fist was firmly planted against his stomach.

"Critical Revolt," Benedict finally muttered before pulling away. Without the support, Tony's legs gave out and he collapsed onto his face.

DJ Chance, who recovered from his brief scare, came back to the mic. "W-Well, then…that battle certainly was…shocking?" The audience glared at his box. "Bad time for a joke?"

"I approve!" Angel shouted from the stands.

"Your son was just creamed!" Oswald reminded firmly.

Angel laughed. "Oh, I know. And that's what's keeping me from freaking out right now because I just watched my son get the tar kicked out of him and my maternal instincts are really getting on my nerves right now and- wow, look how fast I can look around, so crazy!" Angel's eyes twitched uncomfortably.

Cheri dumped the rest of her popcorn inside her mouth and handed the empty bag to her. "Mom, you might need this."

"Thank you!" She grabbed the bag and breathed into it repeatedly.

"Err…so, that means Tony Sapienti has been eliminated from the fight. Three fighters down, two more to go. Can they do it?"

Benedict picked Tony up and carried him to Wes and Ella. "He fought valiantly, as did the other two," he complimented, handing Tony off to Wes. "However, this match has already been decided."

Ella glared. "It's not over yet. There's still me and Wes."

Benedict shook his head. "I've seen your conviction, but not your persistence. This may be a tournament match, but the fate of this world rests on your ability to push on." His glare sent a cold aura through their bodies. "Do you or do you not want this world to live? How far will you push yourselves to succeed?"

"You know what I'm willing to do? I'm willing to push myself to the limit and break all limitations in order to succeed." Wes grimaced, remembering those exact words he recited to Randolph long ago. How things of changed with the Umbreon being more cautious nowadays.

Ella shook off the chilling aura and glared. "Take your side. Your opponent will be me now."

Benedict huffed. "Very well." He turned and headed back to his side of the arena.

Ella stepped over the wall, but stopped when Wes touched her shoulder. "Ella, I don't know. You don't have magic to protect yourself. Those attacks of his hurt…a lot."

Ella blinked, then smiled sweetly. "Oh Wes, always a gentleman for a beautiful lady like me."

Wes blushed and turned away. "Well, I…"

"But stuff it, would you?" Wes backed away in surprise. Ella smirked onto the battlefield. "Now I get to see how far I've come since we departed. My first solo match with a mage." She hopped out of the stands and approached her opponent.

Wes bit his lip, then sighed. Please be careful, Ella.

Ella took her place and stamped her paws down. Her eyes narrowed fiercely as she gazed upon her opponent. Benedict stretched his arms, keeping to his nonchalant demeanor while still coming off as imposing. Ella gulped, but hid away the fear in her eyes for a more confident expression.

"Let's get going," she said, pulling out Daybreak.

Benedict narrowed his eyes. Ella Cipher. The only one not to have magic. I can't afford to go easy on her either. Her fighting style may be easier to read, but this young lady is anything but simple.

"And it looks like both sides are ready," DJ Chance announced, cuing Benedict and Ella to get ready. "Then let the fourth match of the battle…BEGIN!"

Without wasting a second, Ella took off flying at Benedict. Benedict was surprised for a moment by her burst of speed, then noticed the teal light trail following the Espeon from behind.

Psychic augmentation. She's got a good handle on it. Benedict charged magic through his fists and swung them down.

Ella turned on her paws and dodged his punches, skidding around his back. She flung her staff with psychic assistance and slammed it against his back. Benedict didn't falter and swung his arm back, narrowly hitting the Espeon as she jumped over. She thrusted both hindlegs into his face, straight in the center.

Benedict scoffed and retaliated by headbutting her paws off. Ella yelped and plopped onto her back, then paled as a shadow descended onto her. She barely teleported from Benedict's diving punch that depressed the ground. He heard the Espeon teleporting back to her staff, immediately attacking with his Potentia Reach.

Ella casted a psychic barrier and screamed as the fist bashed into her shield hard enough to push her back. The fist made a U-turn for a second attack. Ella teleported away again.

Benedict narrowed his eyes and looked around cautiously. Without magic, I won't be able to detect her. That girl plays the long game when she needs to. She knows she won't be able to take too many direct hits from me before she's defenseless.

He kneeled down and pressed his hand on the ground. He closed his eyes and listened for disturbances towards the Espeon's location. He could hear the flickering sound of teleportation all around him. Ella was trying to hide her presence for a sneak attack, he assumed. Or it was a defensive measure to protect herself while she formulated a new plan.

They've been up to something for this entire match, Benedict wondered. Their actions were deliberate. They tried all they can to win, but they had another motive in the back of their minds. What are they trying to do? He glared at the stands, locking eyes with Wes.

Wes pulled on his hat and looked away with an innocent whistle.

Wes Ravenfield. Our first encounter was one that left a grave disappointment in my evaluation. How much have you learned since then?

Benedict pulled his focus back on the match when the teleporting stopped. He looked around, but found no Espeon in sight. He narrowed his eyes into a cautious glare. "Where did she…?" He raised his brow at the ground, still covered in the debris of Gwyn's toppled forest.

Some of the trees are missing. His instincts suddenly alerted him. Belladonna's aura…is hovering over me? He looked up and face hundreds of pieces of dismembered wood, floating in a huge psychic field with remaining traces of Gwyn's aura flowing inside.

Ella grinned down on him. "Have a load of this!" She swung her paws down and fired down the sharp wood. At the speed they came in, they were streaks of teal light. It would've been impossible to tell if the projectiles were once trees.

Benedict poured magic through his legs and sped around the arena, avoiding splintery wood that came close to scratching up his aura. He felt more come in from behind and stopped, but only then realized they were coming down around him in a tight circle.

Huge pieces of wood impaled the ground in a tight circle with Benedict stuck in the center. Before he could think, he blocked a blinding teal light shining down above him. The only thing he managed to catch was the seven batons rotating in a circle and channeling the ball of psychic energy in the center.

Ella teleported in front of the wood prison and grinned. "I doubt this will hold you, but I needed you to stay still for just a second." She swung her paw down. "I don't have a name for this one, so…Big Laser of Doom!"

The ball condensed down to a small, tight sphere, then erupted into a wide, overwhelming beam. Ella jumped back before the cage was instantly obliterated by the immense psychic force. She didn't see Benedict make an escape, leading her to believe she scored a direct hit.

Ella laughed and pumped her paw up. "Alright! Bullseye, baby!"

Her moment of joy collapsed on her head what something started disrupting the beam. Her eyes widened as the center broke down the middle with something pushing back on it. To her not-as-surprised shock, it was Benedict with one arm pushing against the beam while his body cascaded in a fortified aura. He didn't even look all that bothered, though it was hard to tell with the number of injuries he sustained.

Ella sucked her bottom lip in. "…Welp, that's my cue to leave." She took off running at full speed.

Daybreak followed her, freeing Benedict from holding back the beam. He pressed his fingers together and flicked an Incendo after Ella. It caught up with her hindlegs and sent her flying in the explosion.

"WAH!" Ella landed on her face and took a hard tumble into the walls. She groaned and cradled her head. "Why's the world spinning…?" She looked at her paws, then gasped.

No, they weren't bleeding, they were stained with ash from the explosion.

"Ugh, my fur!" She stood up and patted her face, feeling more of the soot on it. She glowered angrily. "My precious fur! Why can't you heathens respect a lady's fur?! Have you no culture?! I mean, seriously-!"

In her ranting, Benedict appeared above her with Critical Revolt charged up. He swung down for her exposed back.

Ella's fur tingled in alert. On instinct, she teleported at the sign of danger, with the Critical Revolt overturning the ground and sending it flying through the air. Benedict landed and glared at the rubble. He caught Ella dashing between the rocks for cover as they rose and fell.

Benedict sent power through his legs and rocketed after her. "Lacero." He aimed his palm and obliterated most of Ella's cover. Ella jumped down to the lower level rocks and kept running. "Lacero." He struck again and decimated more the rocks.

"You've committed a great injustice, buster!" Benedict glared over his shoulder and blocked Ella's staff. The psychic energy it channeled increased the weight of the impact. It would've likely bruised his skin if he wasn't prepared. He could feel the Espeon pouring more power through her body, likely in her rage. "No one mucks up my fur, even if you are a mage!"

Benedict didn't bat an eye to her ranting and sent out a palm strike. Ella casted a barrier, stopped it, then fired a beam from her jewel. She blasted Benedict out of the sky and through the ground. She clung to one of the falling rocks and jumped off when they reached the ground.

"How about another one of these?!" Ella shouted, coming in swinging. A hand reached from the hole in the ground and stopped her staff. Her eyes widened in bafflement.

What Wes said about Benedict not falling on his back was genuine. Benedict hit the ground feet first and was standing in a narrow hole with no signs of faltering. It was honestly the crazy thing Ella has seen in her year long travel and that was including their initial greeting with the Shadow King.

"I'll stop at nothing to protect that key," Benedict said stoically before slamming his palm square in Ella's face.

Ella screamed and skidded across the ground with a hard landing. Wes gripped the edge of his seat tightly. "Ella!" he called out.

Ella caught onto the ground and landed on her paws. However, the hit did more than she expected it to. Her body shook from the shock of the blow while blood dripped from her nose, further staining her precious fur. She wiped it onto her sleeve and glowered at it in disgust.

"I'm gonna have to power wash these later." She shook her head and brought her attention back onto Benedict, who had pulled himself out of the ground.

Benedict cracked his neck and glared at Ella calmly. "Shall we continue?"

Ella stumbled back. "This guy's nuts…"

"Benedict Stonefist," Seth mumbled as he sipped a glass of orange soda. "Of all the people I've studied, he's one that has always scared me. I wouldn't last a second against him in a one-on-one fight."

Cecily rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't last against most close quarters specialists anyway."

"Not my point," Seth retorted.

Cielo narrowed his eyes at the back and forth between Benedict and Ella as Ella fired off a volley of psychic bolts. "When it comes to raw magical talent, we surpass Benedict. However, his physical strength and determination…those are the scariest traits of them all. Coupled with his basic use of augmentation magic, he is a formidable force to be sure."

Seth rubbed his chin and smirked. "Poor kids. They won't be able to get out of this unscathed. They might not even get the key."

Cicely shook her head. "It is too soon to pass judgment, Seth. There is still one more left."

"Wes Ravenfield?"

Cielo nodded. "That boy…has a lot to own up to. We've seen a spark of his true potential from Randolph's retellings, but have yet to see what draws out his inner strength." He tapped his arm gently. "His father impressed me, but how will this boy surpass that? What kind of leader is he?"

"Flint Ravenfield is no exception either," Cicely reminded. "Hopefully he'll have his test soon."

"They will have their final test soon enough. They will come in time, even if not by our hands." Cielo took a deep breath and sighed. "For now, we have much left to observe."

"AGH!" Ella dragged her paws into the ground and stopped herself from sliding into the wall. Her body trembled from stress. The psychic field she had placed over herself flickered weakly as she closed in on her limit. She covered her mouth as she coughed blood up.

D-Damn. I feel like I'm going to…pass out. She touched her head and panted in a struggle to keep herself conscious. Her vision was rapidly failing on her.

Benedict, meanwhile, still continued on with minimal damage. He rubbed his shoulder, then mumbled, "Status Renewal." His body flickered with magic, numbing his new injuries and returning him to his peak. He sighed and approached the trembling Espeon.

"This is where it ends for you. Give up."

Ella wiped her mouth, then smirked defiantly. "H-Ha. Who said I was…finished?"

Benedict scoffed, then rammed his foot into her stomach. Ella gasped breathlessly and doubled over onto the ground. Benedict shook his head and turned his back to her. He stopped, however, and listened to the Espeon trying to pick herself up. Benedict glared. "You still have room to fight?"

Ella's legs trembled like twigs supporting a dinner table. She spat on the ground, then huffed. "I'm sorry, we were fighting? I've been warming up."

Benedict sighed, then rocketed back at Ella. "Critical Revolt-"

Ella vanished before his eyes, but not with teleportation. Benedict caught the teal light circling behind him before a paw rammed into his cheek. It struck like an anvil substituting for a sledgehammer. The force caught him off guard enough to warrant some seriousness.

"Potentia Wall: Maximum!" His legs sank into the ground with a sudden increase in weight. He came to a standstill before the punch could blow him away. He glared at the paw still firmly pressed against his cheek. "Raw psychic power with potential skill…"

Ella glared weakly at him with her whole body wrapped in her psychic energy. Unable to move her body efficiently, she was manipulating her movements through telekinesis alone. I have just enough control to move my body properly. I actually managed to get him by surprise.

Benedict huffed with mild amusement. "Nice shot, kid." He pulled his fist back. "Guess you do have what it takes to fight alongside your friends. For that, I will grant you swift defeat."

Ella's body flickered with speed and guided her across the arena. "Daybreak! Take him down!" The staff separated and rocketed into Benedict at high speed.

Benedict slammed his hand into the ground. "Lacero: Breakdown Style!" A teal pulse passed through the ground and shattered everything. Rocks rose out into cracked sections with insane air pressure carrying them up. Daybreak blew away from the epicenter and scattered across the arena.

Ella screamed as she became caught in the air pressure. She lost focus on her telekinesis and couldn't fight back, much less teleport. She was flung in the air while being bombarded with rocks shooting up after her. They dug hard into her body, hurting like hell without her psychic aura to protect her.

"ELLA!" Wes screamed.

Benedict jumped into the air and pulled his fist back. "Time to end this, Cipher. Critical Revolt!" He kicked off the air and came down hard on Ella.

With the last of her strength, Ella projected a barrier around herself, with assistance from Daybreak upon its swift return. She closed her eyes and braced against the devasting hit.

Sparks flew off the clashing forces as Benedict pushed the shield towards the ground. He pulled back his other fist and charged it up as well. "Critical Revolt: Maximum!" It blazed like a comet's tail. A second from reaching the ground, he slammed it into the shield.

A blinding explosion of light erupted from the arena and invaded the stands. The audience cried out and shielded their eyes. Wes covered his face in his hat, screaming out to Ella but with his voice lost to the chaos.

Wes bit his lip worriedly. He's too strong. What am I going to do? Is there any way to overcome him? There has to be something we can do. What option is left for me?