On the roof of an academy hall, suddenly an explosion of energy tears the roof open as Tadashi flies through with a pained look. He quickly falls back down and slams onto the roof as Ashi jumps up on the roof through the hole. Ashi stands with a sharp gaze and a katana in her hand as Tadashi props himself up a bit.
"Sloppy. Never let yourself be pushed back." Ashi says sharply. "Now get up. I'd rather not strike down a person who can hardly stand." Ashi commands.
Tadashi struggles as he bleeds from his mouth a little. He finally gets to his feet as Ashi stares him down. They face off for a moment before Ashi suddenly dashes straight for him. Tadashi blocks the slash attack but she quickly counters and slashes his shoulder a bit.
Tadashi stumbles back, trying to keep his footing as Ashi rushes him. She thrusts repeatedly over and over as Tadashi narrowly dodges each thrust before focusing sharply and deflecting one of the thrusts, giving him a moments window to strike back.
He swings his sword down as her but Ashi leans back just enough to avoid getting cut before swinging her fist across his face, kicking his leg out and slamming the hilt of her sword against the back of his neck. Tadashi feels his body go weak as he collapses onto the floor again.
"Get. Up, you pathetic weakling." Ashi commands harshly, her gaze never weakening. "Your blade is dull and your stance is weak. Get up and show me the skills that beat the androids and Crystal the Bolt." Ashi says as Tadashi struggles to catch his breath, propping himself up a bit.
"I.. can't.." Tadashi struggles out.
"What do you mean, you can't?" Ashi asks, annoyed.
"I barely beat the android.. and I didn't defeat Crystal.. I'm not strong enough.." Tadashi says as Ashi stares at him. Suddenly, she kicks him in the face, tossing him onto his back. She then stomps over him and lifts her blade up over his face.
"Then die already." Ashi says with a sharp whisper before stabbing her blade down. The metal rings out as Tadashi lifts his sword above himself, stopping the bade with his own. He struggles to push back as he speaks.
"I won't..!"
Tadashi grits his teeth before shouting and throwing her back. In the split moment her sword is up, Tadashi thrusts his blade forward and cuts Ashi's shoulder a bit. She hardly reacts as she stands there.
"Shallow."
Ashi says as Tadashi's eyes widen. She then swings her sword at him and he blocks again, being sent flying by the force. Tadashi lands on his feet and quickly focuses up but is shocked when he sees Ashi flying towards him with a longsword in hand rather than the katana she had a moment ago.
'The sword.. changed.!'
He thinks before quickly blocking the blade, the metal grinding together as he deflects it. Ashi pushes out and swings the large sword around before swinging it against Tadashi, who blocks but is knocked back by the new found weight of the blade. He slides back, barely catching himself on the edge of the roof.
He looks down at the tall distance to the ground for a moment before rushing forward and swinging his sword at her. She quickly blocks with the blade behind her back but Tadashi follows up fast, swing at her from the other side.
"Distracted. Slow."
Ashi says sharply as she spins the sword around, countering Tadashi's second slash, before punching him in the face with her sword in hand. He falls back a step and Ashi thrusts the longsword at his body. Tadashi is only barely able to block the attack, getting cut on the side in the process. He stumbles back as Ashi pulls the sword close.
"It's like you're not even trying to strike me down." Ashi says. Tadashi sweats as he looks frustrated.
"What do you know? I am trying..!"
"Then you're failing. Fight me like your life depends on it." Ashi suddenly dashes faster than before right behind him, pulling the longsword back. "Because soon it just might." Ashi says closely in his ear.
Tadashi's eyes widen as he quickly places his sword between himself and the blade. He's struck and sent crashing across the roof but quickly gets to his feet. She charges with her sword pulled back again as Tadashi grunts forward and decides to clash with the attack.
They push against each other as their blades slide closer until they both parry and slash each other across the face. They both turn away for a moment as their cheeks bleed but Tadashi rushes forward and thrusts his blade at her, slicing her cheek again.
Ashi leans in close and slams her hilt into Tadashi's stomach. He keels over but in a moment, he sees a tonfa baton flying towards his face in Ashi's hand as she strikes him in the face, into the air. Ashi spins it back as Tadashi slams into the rooftop again on his side. He coughs as Ashi stares down at him.
"Shallow, again. Slow and unprepared. How did you even make it into the academy? A special favor? A person with such a flimsy grip should never pick up a blade." Ashi says harshly as Tadashi props himself up with an angry grunt.
"You keep berating me like any of this matters.. what's your reason?-"
"What's yours?" Ashi asks so suddenly. Tadashi's eyes widen as he looks at her. "What are you doing? Why bother fighting if you're just going to follow every step I make. You'll never achieve anything that way."
As Ashi speaks, the tonfa in her hand transforms again into a scimitar. She holds it close as she points the tip at him.
"So tell me. What is your reason?" Ashi asks. Tadashi stares at her with wide eyes, completely thrown off guard by her question.
'What is the reason? What am I doing here? I almost forgot… This isn't just another fight. I'm not just fighting an opponent. I'm fighting…' As he thinks, he gets a flash of Harley smiling at him, then his friends standing by his side prepared to throw their dreams away for their friend. As he thinks, his eyes sharpen. 'I'm fighting… for my friends!'
Ashi's eyes widen as she hears a click of metal, the sound of Tadashi sheathing his sword. Tadashi breathes out deeply as his gentle grip on his blade lays lightly on the handle.
"Green Hunt…" Tadashi says. Ashi suddenly sharpens her gaze as she lifts her sword back but before she can thrust it at him, Tadashi blitzes by with a green trail of energy behind him. "Stalk." He says sharply as a large slash runs across Ashi's chest.
She winces in pain as she stumbles on a bit. Slowly, a sharp grin spreads across her face as she looks back at Tadashi behind her. He turns to face her too with a serious look on his face.
"I am Representative 2, Ashi Asuna, the strongest combatant. It is my duty to make sure every student strives to be the best, never less." Ashi says as the weapon in her hand transforms into a multitool handle on her palm. Then, as she holds it back, a longsword blade, a staff end, a scythe blade and a spear tip form from it. "Now tell me: what's your reason for coming to the Academy of Superior Abilities?" Ashi asks.
As she speaks, Tadashi's eyes begin to glow a lime green color as he lifts his sword at her with determination and passion burning in his chest.
"I am Tadashi Gin. On this day I vow… I will master my blade and conquer all I face… to protect my friends!" Tadashi shouts, riddled with determination.
In a different part of the academy, Henry walks as Killian follows behind, staring at him with sharp eyes. They eventually come to a alley like area of the school where some fences are connecting between two buildings with planters by said buildings.
"Questions can't be answered if they're not asked, you know." Henry says out loud as Killian stops walking.
"Why are you doing this?" Killian asks firmly. Henry turns to look at him with a smile on his face and half lidded eyes.
"That one's easy. It's what's expected of me as a Representative." Henry answers as Killian looks more frustrated.
"I don't believe hurting other students is a part of your duty." Killian says. Henry, still smiling, looks down a bit.
"You have no idea what makes up my duty." Henry says softly. Killian looks a bit softer than a moment ago when Henry claps his hands together suddenly. "Regardless!"
Henry says with a clap. Killian's eyes widen as he realizes he is now facing the opposite direction, away from Henry. Henry then puts his arm around Killian as he leans on him a bit from behind.
"Why don't we start to have some fun of our own?" Henry asks ominously. Killian throws his arm back, shoving Henry off of him as he turns back around.
"Fun? That's what this is to you? My friends are out there fighting for what they believe in and you and your allies are trying to hurt them for it. How is any of this fun to you?" Killian shouts. Henry stares at him for a moment before laughing. He then laughs even louder, putting his hands on his hips.
"Ah hahaha! Oh, feeling good!" Henry says happily before exhaling softly and looking at Killian. "Here's some advice." Henry says before stepping forward. Killian tenses up, preparing for the battle to come when he's suddenly facing the right. Henry steps in close. "Don't worry about your friends so much."
Henry says calmly before slamming his heavy fist into Killian's shocked face. Killian flies back and slams into the metal shed wall behind him as Henry follows up with a straight punch right for his head.
Killian quickly dodge rolls out of the way and gets to his feet, preparing to strike back but before he can, he sees the ground in front of him. His whole body now facing the floor, he hits the ground with a grunt. Henry stands up and looks down at him.
"Why even bother protecting your friends? It just doesn't make any sense to go against us." Henry says as Killian gets up.
"Because protecting them is my duty." Killian says back.
"Why? You want to be a hero, don't you? What if I told you, we're doing the right thing. As Representatives, our actions are justified. It's what we're told to do, our duty." Henry explains calmly. Killian grits his teeth angrily.
"Taking the choice of others. Hurting innocent people. I don't care what your duty is, you shouldn't do it if that's the outcome!"
Killian shouts as he dashes at Henry, pulling his fist back to strike. Right as he swings, Henry nods his head to the left and instantly, Killian's whole body turns and faces left, missing the punch. Quickly, Henry slams his knee into Killian's stomach before slamming his fist into Killian's back and into the ground.
Killian coughs on the ground as he props himself up when Henry cocks his head upwards. Instantly, Killian is now on his back facing up as Henry lifts his foot up and stomps on Killian hard. Henry then grabs Killian by the collar and throws him against a thick planted tree nearby.
Killian hits the tree with a loud thud and grunt in pain before falling to the ground. He coughs a bit as he gets up while Henry steps towards him.
"I am Representative 1, Henry Jones, the smartest student. It is my duty to make sure every student knows their role to play and make sure they stick to it. If you refuse to fold, then you leave me no choice." Henry says boldly as Killian stands up tall, staring back without hesitation nor restraint. The two stand off against each other as their strong Wills collide.