Episode 4: Rivalry Established!
"You want me to do what?" Peter couldn't believe what Quill just said.
"A Marémon Match," Quill repeated. "I want our Marémon to fight each other till one of them gets knocked out."
"But Peter's Marémon and mine are only babies," MJ pointed out. "Plus, we just got them."
"I know, but they have to start learning how to fight at some point," Quill stated. "What were you planning to use your Marémon for, anyway?"
"To get Affection Ribbons for the Marémon Lovers Festival," MJ replied. "And Peter's planning to obtain the Infinity Stone Badges in order to participate in the Avengers League."
Quill's eyes widened. "That's what I was going to do!"
"Obtain Affection Ribbons?" MJ questioned.
"Get in the Avengers League," Quill corrected. "So that makes us rivals, Pete."
"Sure does," Peter realized and glanced down at Spidi. "Plus, you do have a point about our Marémon needing to learn fighting sooner or later."
"Then I guess we're in agreement." Taking out his PDB, Quill said, "Starlure, go!"
From the PDB emerged the crayfish-like Starlure in a flash of light.
"Use the MarGuide on Starlure," MJ advised Peter.
"Okay." Peter took out the card-shaped MarGuide and pointed it at Starlure.
A holographic image of Starlure emerged from the MarGuide followed by EDITH's voice. "Starlure, the Outlaw Marémon. Following its own code of ethics, Starlure aren't the most obedient but they can be protective of those they care about. Being a Space/Tech-Type Marémon, it shoots energy from its pincers and back allowing it to fly for brief moments at a time."
"Like I didn't know that stuff already," Quill responded sarcastically. "Starlure, Quad Blast!"
In response, the Starlure folded his pincers and did nothing.
"Come on!" Quill complained.
"Was this match just an excuse to train Starlure?" MJ guessed. "Because you could've gone to the Yortown Park and tried your luck on the Wild Marémon in there."
"But I did, and Starlure wouldn't listen," Quill explained. "So I thought going against another Marémon Wielder would get Starlure more interested."
"Seems you thought wrong," MJ observed. "You sure you want to continue this match, Peter?"
"Yes," Peter said firmly. "Because Quill and I both have a responsibility to train our Marémon to do the best they can for the matches that lie ahead of us. So I consider this match the first step towards our dreams."
"Couldn't have said it better, Pete," Quill smirked. "Now, Starlure, would you please Quad Blast that Spidi?"
Once again, Starlure made no motion.
Sighing, Quill said, "What do I have to do to make you listen?"
"Maybe this will help," Peter said to himself. "Spidi, Web Shot!"
Reluctantly, the small jumping spider-like creature on Peter's shoulder produced webbing from his mouth and spat it in Starlure's direction. Seeing this, Starlure produced an energy blast from his pincer which disintegrated the webbing. But just as the blast was about to hit Peter, Spidi created a shield made of webs which absorbed the blast.
"Web Shield?" Peter blinked. "But I didn't order you to do it, Spidi."
In response, Spidi leaped into the air and fired multiple webs at Starlure. Unfortunately, Starlure shot through them all before taking to the air with energy being produced from his back.
"All right, you used Aero-Jet," Quill realized. "Now use Hadron Beam, Starlure!"
To everyone's surprise, Starlure pressed his pincers together creating a concentrated beam of energy that fired directly at Spidi. However, Spidi was able to dodge the beam completely by flipping backwards midair.
"Sweet!" Peter exclaimed. "Spidi used his Spidey-Sense ability to dodge Hadron Beam."
As Peter spoke, Spidi made another Web Shield beneath himself which cushioned his fall. But as Starlure fired Quad Blasts from above, Spidi was forced to dodge each one.
"Send a Gravity Bomb down on Spidi to make him stop moving," Quill ordered.
But Starlure didn't seem to listen as he continued to fire at Spidi.
"Looks like Starlure just listens to Quill whenever he wants," MJ noted.
"Maybe, but either way this stalemate has to end," Peter determined. "Spidi, Web Shot onto Starlure and use your Stinger attack!"
Immediately, Spidi shot a string made of webs onto Starlure's abdomen. This in turn made it difficult for Starlure to shoot his Quad Blasts at Spidi as he swung onto Starlure's back. From Spidi's front legs appeared razor-like blades that pierced Starlure's shell. Flinching, Starlure stopped flying midair and crashed onto the ground unable to move.
"What the heck?" Quill exclaimed. "Is Starlure paralyzed?"
"That's right," Peter confirmed. "I just remembered that Spidi have hidden stingers they use to paralyze their prey before wrapping them up in webs and devouring them."
As Peter spoke, Spidi started to instinctively produce webs forcing Quill to call Starlure back using his PDB. This left Spidi confused, and so Peter gave him some dried insects he picked up at a Marémon Shop on the way out of Yortown.
"I know I should be terrified that Spidi tried to eat Starlure, but it's strangely comforting to know you're still learning to train your Marémon like me," Quill said after a pause. "But it's clear that you and Spidi have a stronger bond than Starlure and I."
"You'll figure Starlure out eventually," Peter assured as Spidi crawled up his arm and nuzzled his cheek. "It just needs to learn to trust you."
"Plus, your Marémon didn't hatch from an egg and immediately get attached to the first thing it saw like Peter's and mine did," MJ pointed out. "So you've got a handicap to work with."
"Yeah, you're right," Quill agreed. "But since I called Starlure back with the PDB, that means Peter won our little match."
"True, but I don't feel like a winner," Peter admitted. "If Spidi hadn't acted on his own, Starlure's Quad Blast would've knocked me out of commission and allowed you to win."
"Huh," Quill remarked, then he tore a flame-shaped logo off his burgundy jacket and threw it in Peter's direction which he caught. "I'm going to the Marémon Hospital in Yortown to rid Starlure of his paralysis, but I want you to hold onto this. The next time we meet, let's battle again and if I win you'll give that Ravagers patch back to me."
"Okay," Peter nodded and took off a pin he had with Ironfly on it which he threw towards Quill. "I'll give you this in exchange, and if I win you'll give that back."
Grinning, Quill caught the pin. "Sounds like a fair trade. I hope your Spidi gets stronger, Pete, so it'll be more satisfying when Starlure beats him."
"Don't count on it," replied Peter as he grinned back.
To be continued…
