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Sweat trickled down my neck as I swung my heavy Sword of
Skardsen. I was in my Battledome, practicing for the National Battlers Championship.
It was a league that one person from every town in the area fought the others
to rack up their scores. The battler with the highest scores, if they defeat every
other challenger, wins a battle item of their choice. My focus was a portable
kiln. It was said to be one weapon to scorch up your foes… and would help me in
battle in my future adventures.
"Athrox, could you pass me my fire and ice blade?"
I asked my Gruslen. Athrox obediently trotted to the closet that held my battle
items. As he searched, I wiped my Lupe forehead with my paw, all sticky in sweat.
I wiped it on my flamed fur, and set down the Sword of Skardsen. Just as Athrox
returned with my fire and ice blade, a knock on my solid wooden door occurred.
I threw a towel over my shoulder and went to answer the door. Surprisingly,
King Pilatris was at the door.
"Good afternoon, Juraan. I trust you've been
practicing for the National Battlers Championship, yes?" the Blumaroo asked
me as I invited him in.
"Yes, King Pilatris. That's all I've been doing
since I entered the Championship. Practice, sleep, eat, practice," I replied
and once more wiped my forehead with my paw. A friendly smile also flashed on
my muzzle.
"Good, because I've been informed that one of
the most toughest warrior from Girtlion has entered the contests. His name is
Tuskien, it seems." The old King nodded what seemed like a farewell and stepped
out of the house.
"Good luck, now," the King also said as he walked
down the path back towards his palace.
"Thank you, sir," I replied and slowly closed
the door. I sighed deeply and started towards the Battledome, then stopped and
considered the name. Tuskien. It flickered around in my mind, like I remembered
the name. Maybe I did. Athrox walked over to me, his head cocked. He laid down
on his cloth pillow in the living room, still watching me with what seemed like
curiosity. I finally headed to my Battledome and picked up the Fire and Ice
Blade that Athrox had given me and walked inside the Dome.
Tuskien. Tuskien... I remember! That bully Elephante
from kindergarten. Ooh, how much I despise him. I'll make sure to practice extra
hard for the Championship! I thought, as I swung the fire and ice blade in the
air. It made a faint whooshing noise, for I had swung it with all the strength
I could muster.
Later, At Night
I crawled into bed, my arms and paws aching
from all the practice I had given that day. Though I didn't fall directly asleep.
I kept thinking about Tuskien. What he said in Kindergarten.
"I'll become the greatest warrior someday, Juraan.
You'll see, and then I'll beat you in the National thing. Just you wait!"
What he said echoed in my head. Tuskien lived
up to this day, remembering what happened in Kindergarten. What he had said
was true. Yet I wouldn't let him defeat me, oh no. Even though I never said
I'd become a warrior, I did, and I can defeat Tuskien. That's one other thing
I'll accomplish.
At The National Battlers Championship
All the battle weapons I had that were most
effective were in my rucksack. I had made sure to keep them all with me, so
that I'd have a better chance of defeating Tuskien... and the other opponents
I'll have to face. Athrox and Theino were in the stands, cheering me on. Or
Theino was cheering me on, anyway. Athrox was just laying beside him and watching
me with unblinking eyes.
Okay, Juraan. This is it. You can't blow it
in the battle against Tuskien. He's your last opponent. I told myself, looking
at the scoreboards. My first opponent evidently was a Krawk named Acculion.
I glanced to a well-dressed Skeith, holding a microphone and walking out into
the middle of the Dome. He was the announcer, I pointed out.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls
alike. I welcome you to the 5th Annual National Battlers Championship!" There
was loud applause, before the Skeith continued. "You will once again be experiencing
the best battlers from towns all over this area, competing for a battle item
of their choice! Without further ado, I present you with the first match, Juraan,
a Lupe from the town of Dorado. And Acculion, a Krawk from the town of Chicade!"
As the Skeith exited the Dome, I was left alone with Acculion.
"Are you ready to rumble, doggy?" Acculion asked
me, obviously trying to sound tough. I rolled my eyes, shook my head and took
out my fire and ice blade. All Acculion took out was a U-bend. I guess it'd
be okay for a water attack, but unfortunately for him it's a defense item...
not a battle item. I ran towards him, holding my Fire and Ice Blade in the air.
The Krawk held up his U-bend for defense, but my blade cut right through it
and left a gash on his scaly blue arm. Tears welled in his eyes as he ran out
of the Dome. Why he competed, I don't know.
"And Juraan from Dorado is the winner of this
match! Which means his next opponent is Gavier, a Lupe from Zeiratch!" Theino
whistled with his paw, and I concentrated on the white Lupe walking into the
Dome. The Lupe held a furry Chia spear. Why he held a Lupe's lunch's weapon,
I had no clue. So I lunged at him. Another foe defeated.
***
Tuskien stood before me, a Sword of Skardsen
in his... paws. He glowered menacingly at me. I figured he'd been informed that
I would show up as a rival in the Championship. I still grasped the sheath of
my Fire and Ice Blade. It had never failed me before, so it'd be a great weapon
to keep hold of. Tuskien was the first to lunge. I quickly dodged his attack,
which made the large blue Elephante slightly tuckered out.
"Is my agility hurting you, Tuskien? Does da
little Kindergarten boy need his mommy?" I shouted, trying to intimidate him.
Then I lunged, and didn't miss. The Fire and Ice Blade made a large cut in his
arm, and Tuskien winced. I lunged once more and tackled the large lump to the
ground. I had won.
"And Juraan is this year's winner of the National
Battlers Championship!" announced the Skeith, holding up my paw.
Back At Juraan's Home
I set the large trophy I had won on the mantel
above my fireplace, and then took the Portable Kiln and put it with all my other
weapons. A broad smile flashed upon my muzzle, and I sat on the couch to relax.
"Well Athrox, it's been a long day. But I think
it was worth it," I said to my petpet. Tuskien's words still rang in my head:
"This isn't the last of me, Juraan. You'll see me before next year's Championship!
I'll defeat you!"
I rolled my eyes and grinned. "Yeah,right,"
I said.
The End
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