Boys vs. Girls – Water Fight

[https://i.imgur.com/0V74omI.jpg]

Art by MysticSwordsman

Ending - I'd Give My Life, Not For Honor, But For You

The hits were strong but fewer. I had to think that her ammo was getting low. The spent latex rubber was like colorful confetti on the forest floor.

If only I could get to the tank, my balloons would be usable. My small guns were back where Lynx had tied me up. I eyed them on my belt strap and pondered as I ducked. They wouldn't be usable, but I figured they might just help me.

I waited for a lull and then eyed one of the trap areas that Lynx seemed to be harvesting for ammo. I threw all I had into the treetops and made a beeline for the shield. I could hear Lynx growl, then I smiled as some of the trap ammo jostled and triggered ahead of time. The shower through the trees was far enough away. I just ran and made it to the shield in time to deflect a vicious counter-strike.

I heard Lynx scream, "You bitch!" as I made my way over to the tank and dipped my remaining balloons inside, arming them for the boy's side.

I shot back, with a loft of a balloon, "Drown on this!" It didn't hit the mark, but it led to another lull in the fire. I knew there wouldn't be much time left before reinforcements would make my strategy impossible. I had to get to my guns before then.

As I tensed my muscles to move, I heard a familiar voice yell, "HOLD FIRE!" through the trees. It was Habu with Gale right behind. They were unarmed. I twitched and nearly threw a balloon but I knew Lynx would be literally on top of me if I did.

I lowered my weapons but didn't lean out far from behind my shield.

"What do you want?" My voice remained forceful. Above, I could hear Lynx fuming with muttered protests. A glance from Gale through the trees soon shut her up. With her arms folded, Gale gestured to Habu and announced, "Your former commander came to me with a proposition. Perhaps you'd like to hear it as well."

Habu stepped forward so I could see her face through the trees. It would be a clean shot. I kept my balloon low and listened.

"I've been around for many of these things. We fight over and over for which side dictates what. And it keeps getting worse. I propose a third option…choice."

Habu looked to Gale, who continued the thought. "We arranged it long before this contest. Both sides coming together for a third option. Winning would mean that no longer would all be boys or girls for the time between each win. Rather, all would have the option in the nanites for either. We would win freedom rather than for any side."

A fierce growl echoed through the trees and Lynx deftly leapt from the branches to the ground. Her silver eyes glinted like they were burning. "Betrayers! Always total victory to one side! That is why I fight!" Her claw gloves tensed. "And I will never accept anything but total victory."

Gale glared at Lynx. "You were given your orders. Do not strike."

Lynx's eyes locked on me. "He's right there. We can win again…I take no order from traitors to my gender…"

She reached around her back and dashed towards me. But, before she could close the distance, Habu clutched her by the arm and mashed the blunt side of her claws into the knuckles of her glove. Lynx roared and crumpled to her knees.

With Lynx glaring up through a pained, angry expression, Habu commanded, "You will accept this…"

Finally, Lynx went slack and bowed her head. When Habu released her, she slunk away, head tense but down.

With a sigh, Habu turned back to me. "I can't give you an order. But I am giving you a choice. Accept our bargain. The girls will win officially but concede gender choice for all. The time between can be spent any way we like."

I took a deep breath and felt like I was echoing Lynx. "So, you were a turncoat all along…conceding victory for us to go to the other side." I could hear the rustling of the others in the trees. They were probably watching.

Habu gave a sigh of disappointment. "Victory for the boys would've been futile. I knew the girls were preparing well and training even better with who they had on their side. I knew they would just keep winning but I understood Gale was reasonable."

Gale continued, "I realized…though I wanted to win for some of my girls…for myself and some among my group…they wanted to be open to new possibilities without all-or-nothing results."

I raised my balloon a little. "And what if I don't believe? What if I call it a bullshit ruse to get me?"

Habu gave a calm smile, "Tuna…this would be an unnecessary ruse. We have the resources to just roll over one person. But we don't want to drag this out longer than it has to be."

I shook my head. "I refuse to just give myself over to you. You speak of choice…I want another choice."

This time Habu raised her eyes. I wasn't quite sure where I was going with this, but the moment bought me time to think. With all Habu had done, I couldn't just give up. After all I'd fought for, I couldn't just concede like this. Not after all my team members had gone through.

I told Habu, "My choice. You and me. One-on-one. The winner takes all."

Habu leaned her head back and asked, "So, what will a win for you mean?"

I bent my head forward. "We'll find out…"

With a crack of her knuckles, Habu looked to Gale. While Gale's features tightened and she fought looking between me and Habu, she gave a little nod of agreement. In turn, Habu didn't immediately answer. She paced around me before finally saying, "I will give you that choice. But with consequences."

"What consequences?"

I could sense a smirk just underneath Habu's flat expression. "We'll find out…Do you accept?"

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I nodded. Gale set the rules of the fight. One small water pistol each. No balloons. No other weapons. Just what was around us and our own efforts. I took a deep breath. I'd seen Krait fight this way once before. I knew she would be tough, even like this.

Holstering my pistol, I brushed my feet along the mossy ground, bent my knees a little, and said, "Ready." Habu did the same, adjusted her ponytail, and stood there.

I knew she wanted me to make the first move. So I did. I expected her to dodge my quickly-aimed first shot. She shot back and edged over to the nearby tree. I followed and she circled around closer. The others were watching from just beyond.

I tried to get the jump on her from the other side, but she burst forward and locked pistols with me. I pressed down so the piston wouldn't spray. It locked up mine as well. Like they were swords, we pressed and nudged each other's water gun until our force pushed both weapons out of our hands and a couple feet away.

Before I could make a move for my fallen gun, Habu gripped my hands and squeezed the knuckles. It was just like she did to Lynx. I winced and head-butted her, using her grip to guide us both into the tree. She snarled and kicked at my legs. We tumbled to the ground and rolled around, trading elbows and kicks.

Somehow, I untangled myself and got to my feet. She soon followed, her lip cut on the edge. Casually, she wiped the blood away.

The pistols were still too far to make a reach for. She crouched down but waited for me to strike. I circled around her and said, "I know you're holding back…"

That earned a smile. "If I wasn't, I'd destroy you. I want to make it fair."

I glared. "Bullshit."

All she said back was, "Fair enough…"

Then she came at me.

I tried to punch her in the stomach but her arm deflected mine each time with an easy brush. Instead, she hit back right in my chest and smashed me across the face. An elbow brought me down and her leg kept me there.

I huffed and blew a breath which tossed the moss aside. I hurt. I could barely breathe, but I wasn't going to end this on the ground. She crouched over and questioned, "Believe me now?"

I cupped the ground and got a good lump of dirt. I blinded her with it and hit back just as hard with a fist and twisted her arms around. She kicked back and we were struggling again. I thought about a tight grip of her neck to knock her out but she had my arms pinned and was pushing in the direction of the pistols.

When we got there, I rolled and dragged her over to them. We gripped them both at once and slammed our guns into one another. I smacked her across the face with mine and she jammed the butt end of hers into my chest.

I thought about popping the top and using mine like a water balloon. My head pounded and Habu didn't look much better. With pants, she smirked and said, "You….put up…a good fight. But I will…finish it."

I flashed my teeth and flew at Habu. The blows came fast. Whatever she parried, I brought twice. I slammed until my arms could barely move. I kept hitting with my gun until she staggered and fell to the ground.

I pushed her weapon aside and pointed mine right at her head. In her eyes, I saw the determination to get up and go again. But she stayed where she was as she softly said, "Alright…You win fair…So, what's your choice?"

I took a breath. The bumps on my head and body were starting to swell with pain. I thought a moment and looked at Habu's pistol on the ground.

I made my choice.

----

After it all, I dried off with a towel I brought in my bags. I had a change of my usual girl clothes.

The tint of evening gave the world a worn, faded glow.

Krait approached me through the trees and gave a little nod of his head. I gave a little nod in return. As we stood there, the parade of the others went past us.

Missy, the girl form of Runt, stopped by to give me a big hug, then waved shyly as she said, "Thank…thank you, Shark… See…umm…SEE YOU SOON!" She squeaked at her fumbling words and darted off. Her hair finally seemed to fit her.

Flannel was next. He gave no sign of recognition.

A number of the girls in boy form passed by without note followed likewise for the boys. Mayo and Dolphin (Whale) followed from our guys.

Lynx approached us and looked between Krait and me. She said only, "You will regret this…" She didn't look back.

Breeze (Gale) offered some kind words, well-wishes, and a sense of relief.

I tried a wave to Goat but only got a wave back from Rubber.

As I dropped my towel on my shoulders, Krait cleared his throat and asked, "So, your plan was to squirt both of us at the same time so neither won?"

With a calm look, I informed him, "Actually, I had no plan…"

That made Krait laugh and remark, "Perhaps we're more alike than you know."

I wasn't sure what to say to that. As I rubbed my hair dry, he continued, "Next time will be very interesting…"

I paused and asked, "Why does there have to be another one? I figured we resolved it. No one wins and the choice is still to all."

Krait looked back at me with ancient eyes. "There is always another one for another reason and those like Lynx will have plenty of reasons…." He took a breath and leaned his head back. "I knew that the problem of choice would be a complication. Things are simple with one side fighting another. Everything will splinter along choice. It won't just be Boys vs. Girls anymore."

I glanced up at Krait while holding my change of clothes. He politely turned away as I changed. I cleared my throat when I was done.

He looked back in his all blue outfit to me in my civies. With a smile still showing the bruises I'd given him, he saluted me. I returned the salute and told him, "Till next time, commander."

"Till next time…Shark."