The aftermath of the before played game left a nasty after taste with Max, having been defeated. Sure, it was technically a draw, but still...

Max: Mmmmmm....

Ken: Want a rematch?

Of course, even Ken would feel a bit bitter after a defeat.

Max: (sighs) Nah.... (sighs).... (slightly begrudgingly) Good game...

Ken was slightly perplexed to hear that.

Ken: Hmph. Good game.

Of course, the next matter of due course for such a game was even more obvious. Before they'd tested their skill on the battlefield, and then they'd tested their skill against each other, and now they were gonna test their skill against the enemy, not as rivals, but as allies.

Ken: So, how should we go about this?

Max: Hmmmm.

The answer was obvious. The pair would pick characters from an entirely different class.

That way, neither one would have a significant advantage. In a sense, one could say that they were still competing. This time to see who was a better player out of their element.

And, of course, the game was well equipped with its own randomizer to deal with such situations.

A randomizer capable of neglecting certain options, in this case, the a

Attritious and the Dextrous.

The class was soon chosen. The Ballistic. A class focusing on high-powered explosives that, at times, would harm even the teammates of said users of said weapons.

Missile launchers, time bombs, emps, you name it, they had it.

A fitting end to their rivalry, one would say. And, of course, any teenage boy would have immediately, on first getting the game, have tried to use this class at least once. And Max and Ken were no exceptions.

Ken: Not really my cup of tea, but yeah.

He looked back at Max and shared a smirk with him.

Max and Ken: It's on!

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And so the battle began, and several matches in, there was no clear winner, as the both of them had an even number of wins in terms of helping the war effort.

In due time, however, as it would with all games, the competitiveness of it all began to slowly die down. The pair, rather than have matches to see who was better, soon begun to collaborate more....

Max: Alright, get the grenade launcher.... I've got you covered.

Ken: Hmph.

.... and after that, they began to experiment with other dimensions, of course with the randomizer, to keep it fair...

Ken: Hmmm. The Chameleous.

Max: Awwww, man. Using those guys is boring.

Ken: Hmph. I suppose so. However, rules are rules.

Max: Maaaaaaaaaaan!

...and even after that, they'd begun to play each others favourites while also teaching the other about their own favourite combos. First off being Ken's....

Ken: ... so you see, using the attrituous is all about control, not just about safe damage.

Max: Sheesh. All this time, I thought it was just some standard stuff, but... (thinking: Man! Ken is good!)

and then Max's...

Max: Use the grappling hook on that point over there...........

Ken pressed some buttons while he and Max were looking intently at the screen.

Ken: Hmph.

And so he did, allowing him to swing somewhat like an acrobat.

Ken: Impressive. To think such combos were so efficient when it came to avoiding damage.

Max: Hehe. I know, right?

Ken: (thinking: I've heard of this strat. However, using it continuously requires incredible hand eye coordination. Max, you truly are something.)

And so continued their day. Snacks, gameplay, occasional calls from his mother to check on him. She would always ask about the same things. His wellbeing, if he was in danger, how Max was and how he was doing.

He'd have to forfeit a match every time he did this because the game was online, but that was no big deal to Ken. After all, winning was not his main objective that day.

As they continued to play, the pair had begun to strike up a casual conversation while gaming.

Max: Man, am I glad we,'ll be having a break till Monday. I really hate school.

Ken: Agreed and seconded.

Max: Huh?

Ken: Hmm? Something wrong?

Max: I dunno. I kinda figured you wouldn't be the kind of guy to have a big problem with school.

Ken smirked and chuckled.

Ken: And why would you think that?

Max: You can use your powers to learn anything, right? Tests and homework must be a cinch!

He chuckled again.

Ken: No. I truly despise it.

Max: Really?

Ken: Yes.

Max: But... why?

Ken: Max, normal people go to school to learn things. I, on the other hand, can learn everything I need in order to excel in any subject in just mere moments. And so, school is just torture.

Max: Oh....

He had honestly never thought of it that way.

Ken: That... and Tiffany does not allow me to cheat.

Max: Wha....!!

Ken: It's one of her "honour" regulations for being part of the team.

Max: Honour?

Ken: You'll learn about that soon enough.

Max didn't want to stress himself at that moment, and so, he let it go. Choosing not to bother with it.

Max: (sighs) Fine.

Ken: Which reminds me.....