“How are you feeling about this one?” asked Luna as she walked into the waiting room where Aurin was sitting. His battle with Jimmy was the first match of the day and he had gotten here extra early, terrified that he would sleep in and be automatically disqualified.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” replied Aurin. “On the one hand, I’ve beaten Jimmy before, but on the other hand, he’s come a long way.”

“And so have you.”

“Yes, I have, but that doesn’t guarantee anything. It’s a battle I want to take seriously. Not just out of respect for Jimmy, but out of respect for the tournament itself. We’re inches away from qualifying and every single match counts until we reach the top four.”

Luna nodded in agreement. “And each of the matches on the way will be tougher than the last. The weakest tamers are long gone.”

Aurin checked his watch. “Alright, it’s time,” he said.

Luna gave him a peck on the cheek and hurried off to take her spot in the tamer booth. Aurin stood up and walked through the door and down the tunnel where he could hear the murmurings of the crowd who were taking their seats, eager to witness another day of excitement.

Aurin took a deep breath as he stood waiting beside the tournament official. “How long?” he asked.

“About ninety seconds,” said the official. “Ready for this one, Aurin?”

“If I said no, would you believe me?”

“No,” chuckled the official. “I think you’re hiding your confidence today.”

Aurin stood quietly by waiting for the signal. He could see the faint silhouette of Jimmy waiting at the far tunnel, as keen for the battle to begin as he was. Once the official gave Aurin the nod, he walked onto the battlefield as the announcer introduced both of the tamers. He and Jimmy met in the centre and shook hands.

“Let’s give them a show, eh?” said Jimmy.

“How could we not?” grinned Aurin.

The two separated and took their places.

“I’m not going to keep you waiting any longer, folks,” called the announcer. “Three. Two. One. Begin!”

Aurin and Jimmy summoned their first Minakai to the field. Desparee appeared before Aurin, weeping manically while Jimmy’s Frocean thudded onto the ground, the large icy frog looking determined. Aurin knew he was at an elemental disadvantage here so he would have to be careful. He wasn’t going to switch Minakai, knowing that his other Minakai would be needed later.

“Trap him!” ordered Aurin.

Desparee summoned mighty roots that sprung forth from the ground, but Frocean hopped across the grass. With each new root that sprung up to entangle him, he hopped again. When Desparee pre-empted Frocean’s landing spot, the ice elemental froze the roots, halting their growth and rendering them useless.

“We’re going to need to hit him faster,” Aurin told his Minakai.

Desparee wailed loudly and threw forward his hands, shooting hundreds of sharp pine needles from his palms. Frocean’s icy boils expanded to cover his entire body, shielding him from the brunt of the attack. Once Desparee was out of steam, the ice retracted and he leapt towards Desparee, looking to flatten the tree-like Minakai.

The nature elemental was quick off the mark and rolled aside, drawing his hands back and quickly channelling his energy. He unleashed a nature beam at Frocean, who took the attack to the gut and rolled over, but he was not out of the battle just yet. As Desparee took a second to recover, Frocean spat a long, sharp icicle from his mouth that struck Desparee in the shoulder as he ducked and knocked him to the ground.

Frocean leapt into the air once again and slammed down hard on Desparee, crushing Aurin’s Minakai. He wriggled and struggled, desperately wanting to escape, but Frocean was too heavy for him to move. Frocean coated himself in ice once again, making himself even heavier and Desparee finally fell limp in defeat.

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“Jimmy has pulled ahead,” said the announcer, “but Aurin always has a trick up his sleeve. What’s the Saviour of Hazelton going to do next?”

Aurin winced at the nickname, but he knew exactly what his next move was going to be. He banished Desparee to the ranch and summoned Leonite, who immediately ran forward and sank his nails deep into Frocean’s back, drawing his paw across and creating a big gash.

Frocean hopped away, but Leonite was hot on his tail and considerably faster. Even upon covering himself with yet another icy shield, Leonite’s claws were too sharp and he shattered the ice. He clamped his mighty jaw down on the giant frog’s stomach and clawed repeatedly across his chest. Jimmy’s Minakai croaked loudly in agony before falling down, unable to continue the fight.

“And Aurin has quickly evened up the playing field!” called the announcer.

Jimmy had a look of resolve on his face. He was playing to win and threw his hand out, summoning his Flaround in a burst of red light. It dashed towards Leonite, spitting fireballs as it ran and forcing Leonite to dodge. It headbutted the lion in the side of the head, sending him tumbling across the grass, but Leonite was back on his feet the next second and delivered a series of jabs to the fiery hound.

Flaround forced Leonite to back away by emitting a wave of heat from its body, giving it a chance to gather itself. It breathed deeply and shot an intense jet of fire from its mouth. Leonite moved out of the way, but Flaround kept on breathing and turned around, following the lion as the flaming beam continued to flow. Leonite ducked, rolled and weaved, determined not to come into contact with the jet, but Flaround could tilt its head quickly and Leonite was finally struck by the attack.

“He’s tired!” called Aurin, watching Flaround pant heavily after exerting so much energy with that continuous attack.

Leonite forced himself to his feet and tightened his muscles. He charged towards Flaround who charged right back. The two clashed, striking wildly and biting deeply into each other’s flesh. Amidst a cacophony of grunts, barks and roars, there was a sizzling that grew louder and louder.

“His tail,” warned Aurin, seeing what Jimmy’s Minakai was up to.

Flaround spun around and whipped his flaming tail at Leonite, striking him in the face hard, but not before Leonite sank a claw into Flaround’s throat. As the hound had spun, it tore a large gash into itself with Leonite’s nails and both Minakai fell to the ground, too weak to continue fighting.

“We have our first double knockout of the tournament!” roared the announcer. “That was quite something, wasn’t it? Seeing the cat and dog battle it out for superiority. It doesn’t look like that debate has been settled. Each tamer is now down to their last Minakai.”

Aurin and Jimmy smiled at each other from across the battlefield. They both knew what monster the other was about to use next.

“Zenoman!” they called in unison, calling their four-handed golden aliens into battle.

The two aliens stood opposing each other, their disembodied fists floating beside them, surrounded in a blue glow. The aliens did not even need to move a single foot as their fists burst forward, trying to strike the other Zenoman.

The flying fists punched, spun and slapped at each other, trying to break through a gap in the other’s defences. Each time a fist from one of the Zenoman escaped, the other grabbed it and pulled it back. So focused were the two Minakai that the only muscles of their bodies that moved was their wrinkling foreheads.

“Zenoman, let the fists through,” said Aurin quietly, “and guard yourself with a barrier.”

Zenoman slowed his defence and Jimmy’s Zenoman’s four fists came hurtling towards him. At the last second, Zenoman brace himself and protected himself with an invisible barrier. Jimmy’s Minakai felt the pain of the strike and wince, giving Aurin the opening he needed.

His Zenoman’s four fists flew towards their target and grabbed his head, body and two legs. Jimmy’s Minakai was lifted up high and then thrown to the ground. The four fists pummelled the incapacitated Minakai as his own fists hurried to return to it. Two of Aurin’s Zenoman’s fists rushed to block while the remaining two continued their assault.

As Jimmy’s Zenoman’s fists broke through to come to the Minakai’s rescue, Aurin’s Zenoman raised one final fist into the air and slammed it down upon Jimmy’s Zenoman’s jaw, knocking the Minakai out and causing his four fists to fall to the ground, opening their palms and lying still upon the grass.

“It’s over!” called the announcer. “Jimmy is unfortunately out of the tournament and Aurin has won, but what a showing that was. A telekinetic battle that you certainly don’t see often.”

Aurin and Jimmy walked over to each other. Jimmy was rubbing his neck, looking a little embarrassed, but he was in good spirits. The two pretended to throw punches at each other to the laughter of the crowd before shaking hands.

“I should have seen that coming,” said Jimmy, shaking his head.

“They were too evenly matched,” said Aurin. “I couldn’t overpower you so I had to do something. I think I got lucky.”

“I was too focused on making sure Zenoman could land a hit that I didn’t even consider it could be a ploy. Well played, my friend.”

“It was a battle, Jimmy. Grab a milkshake after we make our exit?”

“If you’re buying,” he laughed and Aurin agreed.

The two parted way and waved to the crowd. Aurin walked back towards the tunnel, now one step closer to his match with Gardner which would decide his fate for the national championships this summer.