The air was charged with tension and raw energy as Connor and Lucio stood atop the cracked tile platform, hovering precariously in the eye of a roaring hurricane. The swirling winds howled around them, ripping apart clouds and throwing loose debris into the vortex. Above them, the shadowy golden orb hovered, flickering with an eerie brilliance, as if urging them to fight for its possession.

“My powers have tripled since the last time we fought, Lucio!” Connor declared, his voice cutting through the storm like a blade. His expression was stern, his piercing blue eyes locked on Lucio as he extended his arm to the side. With a subtle flick of his wrist, his staff unshrunk, extending into its full form before landing perfectly in his grip. He twirled it once, the motion a clear display of precision and confidence.

Lucio smirked, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Good, good,” he shouted, his voice laced with sarcasm and a simmering anger. “Then I’ll look even cooler when I smack down the academy’s star pupil in front of everyone a second time!” Sparks of lightning danced across his body, intensifying with every word. The more he spoke, the brighter and more erratic the energy around him became, reflecting the storm brewing within him.

Connor’s lips curled into a thin smile as he narrowed his eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

Before the words had fully left Connor’s mouth, Lucio disappeared in a flash of light, his speed so overwhelming that he seemed to blur out of existence. He reappeared an instant later, streaking toward Connor like a living lightning bolt, aiming to overwhelm him with raw speed and power.

This time, he won’t be able to keep up, Lucio thought, his confidence surging as he closed the gap. His mind raced alongside his body. I just need to hit him hard enough, end this fast before he has a chance to counter!

But Connor didn’t flinch. The moment Lucio closed in, Connor pivoted on his heel, his staff moving like a liquid extension of his body. With precise timing, he intercepted Lucio’s charge, deflecting the attack with a calculated strike to the side. The shockwave of their clash rippled outward, sending cracks spiraling across the floating platform.

Lucio skidded to a halt on the other side of the platform, his fists crackling with electricity as he clenched them tightly. “You’ve gotten lucky, that’s all!” he growled, his frustration mounting. Without hesitation, he launched forward again, zigzagging across the platform at blinding speed, appearing and disappearing with every step.

Connor’s grip on his staff tightened as he blocked and parried each of Lucio’s attempts, the sound of their clashes echoing through the hurricane. “Is this all you’ve got?” Connor taunted, his voice calm and measured, even as his heart pounded in his chest. He’s faster, sure, but he’s losing his focus. That’ll be his downfall.

Lucio’s internal frustration bubbled over as his movements became more erratic. Why can’t I land a clean hit? I’m faster than him—stronger than him! He’s not supposed to be able to keep up! His lightning flared brighter, the intensity threatening to consume the platform itself as he poured more and more of his emotions into his powers.

“To think I once associated myself with you,” Connor sneered, his voice laced with disdain. He sidestepped another of Lucio’s charges, spinning his staff to redirect the lightning-wreathed punch that followed. “You’re nothing more than a reckless child, throwing tantrums when things don’t go your way.”

Lucio snarled, his eyes blazing with fury. “Shut up!” he roared, his voice crackling with the same energy as his powers. He dashed forward again, his speed nearing its peak, leaving a trail of scorched tile and static-charged air in his wake. Each clash became louder, each impact sending sparks flying into the stormy abyss around them.

Connor smirked as he continued to match Lucio blow for blow, the calm precision of his movements a stark contrast to Lucio’s reckless aggression. He’s losing control, Connor thought, his confidence growing with every exchange. This is exactly where I want him.

Lucio, however, refused to back down. His mind was a whirlwind of anger and determination. I won’t let him beat me! not after I’ve come so far!

But as their battle raged on, Lucio’s movements began to falter, the toll of his unchecked power and frustration finally catching up to him. Connor seized the opportunity, stepping into one of Lucio’s attacks and twisting his staff to disarm him of his momentum. The motion sent Lucio stumbling backward, his footing momentarily unsteady.

Connor raised his staff, pointing it directly at Lucio. “You’re predictable,” he said coldly, his tone cutting through the storm like a blade. “All that speed, and yet you still can’t touch me.”

Lucio gritted his teeth, his lightning dimming slightly as he tried to steady himself. But Connor’s words struck a nerve, the mocking edge of them igniting a new surge of rage within him. I’ll show him, Lucio thought, the storm in his heart matching the one around them. I’ll make him pay for underestimating me!

Connor’s smirk grew as he tightened his grip on his staff, the storm around them screaming louder with each second. Lucio stood across from him, his body wreathed in chaotic lightning, each flicker reflecting the storm of emotions in his eyes. The shadowy golden orb pulsed high above, its light a haunting reminder of what was at stake.

Lucio clenched his fists, sparks of electricity racing up his arms as his frustration grew. His thoughts churned, a storm within a storm. I’ll prove it. I’ll prove I’m better than him. He darted forward, his speed unmatched as he vanished from sight, reappearing inches from Connor in a blinding flash.

But Connor was ready. With a fluid motion, he sidestepped the attack, his staff whipping through the air to deflect Lucio’s electrified punch. “Is that all, Lucio?” Connor taunted, his voice cool and condescending. He leaped backward, flipping gracefully and landing with precision, his staff twirling lazily in his hand. “You’ve gotten faster, sure, but you’re still so… predictable.”

Lucio’s teeth clenched, sparks flying from his fists as his aura flared brighter. “Keep running your mouth, Connor. Let’s see how cocky you are when I’ve won!” He snarled, his voice crackling with electricity.

Connor raised an eyebrow, feigning disinterest. “Won? You couldn’t even land a fair hit on me back when we were friends, let alone now.” He leaned forward slightly with a look of contempt, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Lucio’s. “Honestly, I liked you better when you were just my yes man. At least then, you knew your place.”

The words hit Lucio like a lightning bolt to the chest, and for a moment, his composure slipped. Just his yes man? Is that what he really thought of me back then? The memory of their time together flashed in his mind, training side by side, laughing, pushing each other to be better. But now, all those moments felt like a cruel joke.

Lucio’s fists trembled as his lightning grew more erratic. “I wasn’t your yes man, Connor!” he shouted, his voice booming like thunder. “I was your equal! Your friend!”

Connor tilted his head, his smirk deepening. “Equal? Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night?” He took a step forward, his tone dripping with mockery. “Face it, Lucio. You’ve always been second best. Always chasing me, always coming up short.”

Lucio’s eyes widened, his anger boiling over. “Shut up!” he roared, lightning erupting from his body in a violent burst. The platform trembled under the force of his rage, cracks spreading outward as the storm around them intensified. “I’m not your lackey anymore, Connor! I don’t need you to tell me what I’m worth!”

Connor smirked, spinning his staff and adopting a defensive stance. “Oh, is that what this is about? You think beating me will somehow prove you’ve outgrown me? Pathetic.” He lunged forward, his movements a blur as he unleashed a series of rapid strikes with his staff, each one aimed to exploit Lucio’s increasingly reckless attacks.

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Lucio’s eyes burned with fury as he dodged each strike and dashed forward, his speed causing the air around him to ripple and distort. He swung his fist, a bolt of lightning trailing behind it, aiming directly for Connor’s smug face. But Connor was ready.

He sidestepped with effortless agility, twisting his body and bringing his staff down in an arc to deflect Lucio’s strike. The clash sent a shockwave rippling through the platform, cracks branching outward beneath their feet. Connor retaliated with a spinning kick, his movement fluid and precise, aimed at Lucio’s midsection. Lucio blocked with his forearm, the impact sending another wave of lightning sparking into the stormy air.

Connor’s voice cut through Lucio’s thoughts like a blade. “Face it, Lucio. You’re still that same insecure kid who followed me around like a puppy. No amount of lightning is going to change that.”

Lucio let out a furious shout, his lightning intensifying as he charged again, this time pouring everything into his speed. He zigzagged across the platform, appearing and disappearing in blinding flashes as he tried to catch Connor off guard. But Connor remained calm, his eyes sharp as he anticipated Lucio’s movements.

“You don’t get it, do you?” Lucio growled, his voice filled with raw emotion as he launched a flurry of punches, each one faster than the last. “You think you’re better than me? You think you’re untouchable?” His strikes came harder and faster, forcing Connor to backpedal as he deflected each one with his staff.

Connor’s smirk faltered, just slightly, as he felt the growing intensity of Lucio’s attacks. But he recovered quickly, his tone still dripping with disdain. “Better than you? That’s not even up for debate, Lucio.” He spun his staff in a wide arc, forcing Lucio to leap back. “You’re all power, no control. That’s why you’ll never beat me.”

Lucio snarled, his anger boiling over as he stomped the platform, sending a surge of lightning through the cracked tiles toward Connor. “Shut up!” he roared. “You don’t know anything about me!”

Connor leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the electrified ground. His telekinesis activated mid-jump, allowing him to hover briefly before flipping gracefully and landing behind Lucio. He swung his staff low, aiming for Lucio’s legs, but Lucio reacted with inhuman speed, jumping and spinning mid-air to deliver a lightning-charged kick.

The kick connected with Connor’s staff, sending vibrations up his arms as he stumbled back. Lucio pressed the advantage, his speed increasing to near-blinding levels as he circled Connor, landing blows wherever he could. Each punch and kick was fueled by his growing frustration, his internal monologue a storm of conflicting emotions. Why does he always look down on me? Why can’t he just acknowledge me?

There! Connor thought as Lucio appeared on his left. He pivoted, his staff spinning in a wide arc to intercept Lucio’s attack. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, but Connor held his ground. He pushed back with a surge of telekinesis, forcing Lucio to stumble.

Lucio snarled, his frustration spilling into his words. “You think you’re so much better than me, don’t you? Just because you’ve got that stupid staff and those fancy powers!” He dashed forward again, aiming a wild punch at Connor’s chest.

Connor caught Lucio’s fist with his free hand, his telekinesis dampening the force of the strike. He leaned in close, his voice low and venomous. “It’s not the staff or the powers that make me better, Lucio. It’s the fact that I’ve always been better. Deep down, you know that. And it eats you alive.”

Lucio roared in frustration, yanking his hand free and unleashing a blinding bolt of lightning at point-blank range. Connor barely managed to deflect it with his staff, the energy searing the air around them.

I’ll shut him up, Lucio thought, his determination surging as he pushed himself to his limits. I’ll show him who’s really the strongest.

But Connor was relentless. He pressed the attack, using his telekinesis to enhance his agility and control the battlefield. Every time Lucio tried to gain the upper hand, Connor countered with calculated precision, his movements fluid and efficient.

As the battle wore on, Lucio’s attacks grew more erratic, his anger clouding his judgment. Connor, meanwhile, remained composed, his taunts cutting deeper with every exchange. “You’re pathetic, Lucio,” he said, blocking another punch and sweeping Lucio’s legs out from under him. “You’re so desperate to prove yourself that you’re blind to how weak you’ve become.”

Lucio’s breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling as he glared at Connor. “You’re so full of yourself,” he spat. “You act like you’re perfect, but you’re just a coward hiding behind your powers!”

Connor’s eyes narrowed, his grip on his staff tightening. “Coward?” he echoed, his tone suddenly icy. “You’re the one who can’t win without throwing a tantrum. You’re pathetic.”

The words cut deep, and Lucio’s fury reached its breaking point. With a roar, he charged again, lightning exploding outward as he aimed a devastating punch at Connor’s chest. But this time, Connor didn’t dodge. He met the punch head-on, his telekinesis absorbing the impact and redirecting the force back at Lucio, sending him skidding across the platform.

Lucio’s body skidded across the cracked platform with a deafening screech, his momentum halted only when he collided with the jagged edge. Before he could even gather his bearings, he felt an invisible force wrap around his body like iron chains. Connor’s telekinetic grip yanked him violently off the ground.

“Look at you,” Connor sneered, his piercing blue eyes gleaming with malice. “Helpless!” With a sadistic grin, he slammed Lucio into the tiles with a resounding crash, cracks branching out beneath the impact.

Lucio’s body bounced limply, but Connor was relentless. “Despite all this time, you still can’t measure up to me!” he taunted, his voice venomous as he slammed Lucio again, and again. The sound of breaking tiles echoed in the arena, each impact a cruel punctuation to Connor’s words.

Lucio’s electric aura flickered and faded with every hit. His willpower, once unyielding, crumbled into despair. As the fight drained from him, tears welled up in his eyes, streaming down his face in silent defeat. Suspended midair like a broken marionette, his breaths came shallow and labored.

Connor’s grin widened, his expression full of sadistic delight. “Such a disappointment,” he spat, releasing Lucio from his grip.

Lucio collapsed onto his knees, his body trembling. The black-and-golden orb hovered just out of reach, drawn toward Connor’s hand like a loyal pet. The storm raging around the arena roared, but Lucio’s voice cut through it with unexpected clarity.

“You’ll never change.” Connor froze, his smirk faltering as the words pierced through his smugness. “What was that?” he hissed, his fingers twitching with irritation.

Lucio lifted his gaze, meeting Connor’s icy eyes with a defiant glare. “You only ever care about yourself!” he cried, his voice trembling but resolute. He pushed himself to his feet, wobbling slightly as he stood his ground. “You don’t know what it’s like to always be second best!”

Connor’s face darkened, his anger boiling over. His staff, glowing faintly, shot forward with lightning speed toward Lucio’s temple, stopping just a hair’s breadth away. “I don’t need a lecture from a traitor!” he snarled.

But Lucio didn’t flinch. His eyes burned with bitter determination. “I don’t care anymore, Connor. Do your worst,” he said, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. “at least I’ll live my life knowing I’ll never become like you.”

Connor’s hand trembled as Lucio’s words echoed in his mind. The orb in his grasp faltered, its light dimming slightly. “You only ever care about yourself.” The accusation rang louder than the storm, each repetition eroding his anger.

The staff hovering before Lucio dropped harmlessly to the ground with a dull thud. Connor’s expression shifted, his face a mixture of conflict and clarity.

“You’re wrong,” Connor said, his voice low but firm. With a wave of his hand, the glowing orb floated toward Lucio, its radiant light illuminating his stunned expression. “Take the orb, Lucio. You need this more than I do.”

Lucio’s eyes widened in disbelief as the orb hovered inches from his face. No way. Is this a trick? he thought, his hands trembling as he reached for it.

“But… what about the trial? What about your team?” Lucio asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Connor crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. “I trust my comrades. They’ve never let me down.” His tone was calm, carrying an uncharacteristic sincerity.

Lucio hesitated for a moment longer before finally grasping the orb. The arena around them dissolved into shadows, and the two combatants were transported back to the grand platform. The stands erupted with a cacophony of cheers and boos as Lucio slowly held up the now blackened orb high for all to see.

Olivia and Penelope, floating above the arena, exchanged a glance before declaring, “The winner of this round is Lucio! Team Light secures a two to one victory!”

The platform vibrated with the roar of the crowd, but Connor stood motionless amidst the chaos. His arms remained folded, his expression stoic, though his gaze wandered toward the stands. Among the spectators, a warm, familiar smile caught his eye, his Sensei Ino. His mentor’s face radiated pride, his silent approval shining brighter than any cheer.

Connor’s breath hitched slightly at the sight, his stoic mask cracking for a moment. He quickly averted his gaze, his demeanor hardening once more just as Nova and Ray rushed to his side.

“You were amazing, Connor!” Nova said, her excitement barely contained as she tugged at his arm. Ray grinned, punching Connor lightly on the shoulder. “Yeah, man. You totally had us worried for a second there, though.”

Connor allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile to escape as he glanced at his friends. “It’s nothing,” he said coolly, though a faint warmth lingered in his chest. For once, it wasn’t about the victory, it was about the choice.