King (Meruem x OC)

Chapter 20

 I found Youpi at the balcony where I had tried teaching him to play chess.

“I got my stitches off,” I said, trying to mask my excitement. Youpi turned around and smiled confidently at me. I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Does that mean you’re ready to spar?” Youpi asked. I nodded happily.

“Come on! We’ll go in the courtyard,” Youpi jumped off the balcony and landed on the ground with his proud smile looking back at me.

“I guess our friendly competition has already begun,” I thought pridefully to myself as I followed Youpi off the balcony and onto the ground. Pitou was already sitting on the grass wiggling in excitement. I could see Pouf sitting on the wall with a book, taking careless glances at us. I watched as Pouf smiled fiendishly and pulled out his violin and positioned himself to begin playing. I think Pouf finds my fights entertaining. I looked up at the balcony from where Youpi and I leapt and saw Meruem watching. I looked at the three and they were kneeling. Hastily, I did the same before turning back to Youpi smiling proudly.

“I won’t go easy on you!” Youpi said pounding his fists together. I smiled and drew my Jian.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way!” I responded. At the sound of Pouf’s violin, we lunged towards each other with bright, fighting smiles on our faces. This was to be a true match among friends. Something I never had before. It chilled me to my core. I loved the feeling.

I lunged at Youpi swinging my sword, aiming for his arm. Youpi dodged me easily and tried to take a swing at me. Using my claw as a shield I defended myself without much effort. I swept Youpi, hitting him at his lower legs causing him to decline backwards. I threw my sword to the ground, deciding to use hand to hand combat. Youpi jumped up, noticing my favorite weapon on the ground and my fists up. He chuckled before charging at me with his fists drawn. Taking the first swing, I landed a punch to his torso, sending Youpi flying backwards. When he got up and began moving towards me was when I noticed a change of look in his eyes. They were no longer proud and friendly. They turned competitive and slowly filled with anger. I prepared myself to do whatever it took to beat Youpi. Pouf’s melody rang in my ears, clearing my mind, and preparing me to take on the beast approaching me.

Youpi’s pace quickened his smile still on his face but with not the same meaning it had in the beginning. His right arm turned into a blade, causing me to rethink discarding my Jian. I still had my combat and nen skills to fall back on. However, I couldn’t help but feel worried. I lit my hand ablaze and held up my fists. Youpi swung his blade at me. I jumped out of the way using my fire hand to punch him in the ribs. I heard a slight crack. Hastily, I used my metal hand and punched him in the same spot, making the cracking noise even louder. Youpi howled in pain before kicking me in my stomach, sending my flying into the palace wall. I spit a bit of blood onto the ground before pushing myself up. 

“This is getting serious,” I thought to myself as I charged again towards Youpi. He attempted to swing his weapon at me, to which I blocked with my metal claw. As if it were planned, Youpi punched my thigh causing me to crumble. Youpi upper cut me sending me flying backwards towards Pitou, who jumped out of the way before I got too close.

“I’m acting too irrational,” I thought to myself as I began analyzing my moves,

“He’s expecting me to block what I can before taking a swing.” I smiled confidently realizing what Youpi was trying to teach me. Always have a back up plan.  I charged towards Youpi with the fingers of my metal claw pressed side by side as if it were a knife. I moved with intent to kill. Youpi’s eyes widened when he realized I was not about to yield. He moved to the side, allowing me to quickly spin around and kick him in his chin.

“I guess you finally figured out you’re error,” Youpi said proudly. I froze for a second. I didn't think he actually had a real plan to teach me something. I thought he was getting angry.

“What?” I said as Pouf’s music began to die down.