Rivals

. . . Action!

"Nooo! Myura! Jackie, we need to get him down. I-It's about time you use it. . . We don't have much of a choice."

Jackie nodded, silently accepting my point, and thinking about her next move.

"Maiko," Jackie spoke to her, "I think you can protect yourself. I've got to look after Ayako and myself."

Maiko nodded, a little surprised. She chose to remain quiet and watch silently, whilst protecting herself and lessening our burden.

It had begun. You could call it a fight, or a war. Either side would win. It's either us or him. Either we'll die, or him. All this while, we'd stayed strong. We'd never broken down, we'd never been afraid to face the tragic truth. I was at the peak, the strongest version of me I'd ever seen
And now, it was time to finish him off. It was. . . About time. I couldn't wait any longer.

"It's time for a 2v1, Jayden. I'm sorry if this doesn't sound fair, but what you're about to do, isn't fair either."

Jayden scoffed at Jackie's remark. He seemed ready, and more than pleased to let us fight him.

"Wait, stop Jackie. Isn't Jayden being a bit too lenient? Maybe we should avoid touching him, or we'll disappear like the others, too." I took a step forward, proceeding with caution.

"Ya got it, buddy." Jackie followed behind me. "So, which style we gonna use?"

"We're gonna use. . . The Pro Style."

I said, as I transformed into a whole another person. Jackie and Jayden stared at me in surprise. Well, Jayden's expression was more like shock.

"Well?" I shrugged, "Jayden said we all had a word to describe our powers, right? I guess mine's elements." I concluded, while Jayden stood there, anxious.

"Perhaps, I should explain it better. Jayden, your code is Love. The more you make someone love you, the more your power levels up. With each level up, you gain a new ability." I said. Jayden gave me a that's right expression.

"And. . . Lemme guess. Your power is to manipulate all elements." Maiko's voice came in from a corner. She was watching us.

"That's right." I grinned. "I think you realize my ability is far more greater, and reliable than yours, Jayden."

With that, he let out a 'tch', and continued recharging his powers.

I continued mocking him.

"By the way, do you know Jayden? If the elements fuse with the godly powers Jackie contains, what would be the outcome?" I got silence as an answer. Nobody was willing to say it.

"Fine, I'll show you to today. After all, Yae Miko herself said, 'I need your actions, not your words.' "

Five minutes later, we had all drawn our swords. Nobody held back, seriously. Jayden even used some crazy self defense move when I tried to dig nails into his skin. Well, I even started bleeding. Yeah. . . Nobody held back, except me. Even when my sword was around me, I couldn't convince myself to fight seriously. I felt too. . . Giddy. My head was spinning, and I was overthinking.

Well, no matter how harsh it seems. . . He took away my best friends. Myura and Riko, I'll bring you back.

Holding my breath, I pushed my sword back in its cover.

20 seconds. . . I just need 20 seconds of courage. Everything I've lived for, all the regrets. . . Just help me forget it for now. All that matters is me getting back Myura and Riko. I don't give a damn about anything else. We'll see everything later, I just want them back!

With tears forming in the corner of my eyes, I drew my sword once again, filled with rage.

I could see Jackie giving me an 'are you okay?' expression, but I was okay. Just for 20 seconds.

Jackie hadn't used the best of her powers yet, and I felt if she were holding back.

Suddenly, Jayden charged at us with full speed, and yet another sly smile. I just couldn't bear it anymore, for good. So I just slashed my sword in the air, aiming for him. . . Until. . .

"Ayako! I can't use my power--"

I closed my eyes, scared to face reality. Had he taken Jackie away as well? Why couldn't she use her powers when she needed it the most? Maybe she wasn't holding back at all, but her body wasn't allowing it?

"It's not over yet, pals. Count me in." I heard a familiar, elegant and flirty voice. Guess who it is?

"Maiko! Thank goodness, you saved my butt back there." Jackie sighed with relief. Maiko had formed a shield over us. Thank goodness, she was still with us! Maybe she had regretted her decision.

"So I was right. You do use chakra. The way you use your body at your command suggests you've practiced ninjutsu. In fact, you've mastered it." Jayden declared. He wasn't surprised at Maiko's betrayal. I guessed he saw that coming.

"That's. . . Right. And I'm guessing you used some spell of yours to cut down my chakra." Jackie replied, personally offended. She had manipulated chakra her whole life! How was she supposed to adjust? Guess Jayden found her weakness, after all.

"Well, Ayako, one more thing. You said your powers are far more reliable, that's right? It comes at a cost. The disadvantage is that your powers are way too predictable. While my powers may be unpredictable, if given at the hand of a genius, they could do master it."

"Are you talking about yourself?" I rolled my eyes. Although I hate to admit it, he was smart. He knew his game, outsmarting me completely. As much as I hated this guy's guts, I couldn't help but fall back and accept his supremacy.

"By the way. . . About earlier," Maiko started, "I'm really sorry. My emotions got the better of me. I-I just couldn't take it." I patted her back.

"It's alright."

"I must have lost my mind back there."

I breathed a deep sigh.

"It's okay, Maiko. Emotions are important."

"No, that was crazy! I'm crazy! "

"No matter how confusing or silly emotions may seem, you shouldn't keep them inside, especially when you've got us." I slowly comforted her.

"And for those who don't have them. . ." Jackie continued in an upbeat.

"They have the best friend ever. And that is, them themselves." I finished for her, with a knowing wink.