Rising Shards

We only had a few minutes before class started, so once we got changed into our gym clothes and made the void trip, we stood on the side of the field of flowers with Kalei, away from the huge groups of students. I expected Kalei to teach us some secret techniques she learned from beam chasers about how to keep a ball airborne, but we just stretched.

“I wanted more of a strategy, but since we don’t have much time, everyone just…since we’re four people down, actually try and I won’t make fun of you.” Kalei said.

“Why’s everyone looking at me?” Zeta asked. “I try! I’m gonna try!”

I wasn't looking at Zeta like the rest of the group, well, I was definitely looking at her but Kalei and Lillia had "please don't treat this like you did that dodgeball game" glares ready for Zeta.

“And if we see Laenie, get her away from Aira or vice versa.” Kalei said.

“Thanks,” Aira said.

Dr. Diast wiped her sunglasses on her shirt as she passed by. “Just checking in, everyone good?”

“Nice dad glasses, Diast,” Kalei said.

“They’re not dad glasses,” Diast said. “That’s exactly what Kai Matora said too, are you collaborating on jokes now?”

“When were we not?” Kalei asked.

“Sure sure,” Diast said.

“I think we’re all set here,” I said. “Unless this is going to be vastly different than the practice version.”

“With Wildfire Hearts, it’s best to expect anything—“ Diast started.

“That’s like the worst thing you can tell me!” Zeta said. “So we have to expect them to like try to kill us or something? Throw banana peels so we flop on our faces and get embarrassed? Play Kitty Kilander music loudly?”

“Out of those, only the last is possible to happen,” Diast said. “They still have all those lawsuits looming, so it’s just gonna be friendly competition. If anyone tries to make it not friendly…”

“’Unfriendly’ would have been a better word choice,” Lillia said.

“Thank you, Lillia,” Diast said. “If anyone tries to make it unfriendly, wave a teacher down and we’ll be on it like that.” She snapped her fingers.

After we were all stretched out (my first time trying to stretch my new tail!), and properly pepped up by Dr. Diast, we returned to the others, for (what else) a speech from Kitty Kilander introducing the event.

“Hello hello!” Kitty said. “I hope you’re all ready for your first for reaslies Recreant Protocol challenge! C’mon, cheer! Woooo!”

Some Wildfire Hearts students cheered. I noticed none of them were in gym clothes; they all had the same robes they wore during regular class on. I would be afraid of tripping all over myself if I had to run around like that.

“The rules are simple,” Kitty said. “I was going to demonstrate on Corinani, but she’s 'busy' with 'something,' ugh. Everyone gets an energy ball. If you keep yours in the air, you’re safe. If you drop it or get hit with one, you are eliminated. If you want to take out a member of the opposing team, you can sacrifice your own energy ball by chucking that bad boy at someone else. No using powers on the other students, boring I know, but safety or whatever, ugh. Your wristbands will beam a tether to your specific energy ball. I keep saying energy ball, that’s kinda funny, isn’t it? I should be a comedian, time for another standup album? Anyone? Well, it won’t be standup, but I do have a surprise for everyone afterwards. Heh. Okiedoke, all clear? OK, go!”

A rain of bolts of light fell down all around us. It was kind of pretty, but it reminded me of a historical war movie we had to watch last semester where they visualized bombs falling like that, leading to a very artfully depicted bit of gruesome warfare. As they got closer, our wristbands projected a line out just like Kitty said. 

“Whoop!” Zeta called out as her energy ball descended toward her. It bounced off her head and landed with a plop on the ground. “Oh.” A buzzer sound came out of her wristband. “What, no way!”

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Kalei asked.

“Don’t I get a do over?” Zeta asked.

“What did I just tell you?” Kalei asked.

“Hey, Kalei, relax,” I said. I knew she was going through it, with bonus crabbiness about Marmalade not being in class that morning, but I wasn’t about to let her take it out on Zeta.

“No, I’m totally chill, I just can’t believe Zates was the first eliminated.” Kalei said, her voice sounding the polar opposite of chill. Our own energy volleyballs landed about the same time, so we were bopping them into the air while we talked, feeling a nice little sizzle each time they made contact.

“I’m gonna go sit on the loser benches,” Zeta said, sounding like she was trying very hard not to cry.

“I just wanted you to try a little," Kalei said.

“Sorry,” Zeta said.

"I don't think it was a lot to ask.” Kalei said.

“Back off already,” I said. “Seriously.”

I wanted to drop my stupid energy ball immediately to go sit with Zeta, but I had a feeling that’d only make things worse. It still broke my heart seeing Zeta sulk away, especially when some other girls laughed at her being the very first one out. There were some bleachers set up, and Zeta visibly huffed as she sat down.

“Hey,”

I flinched at the modulated sounding voice, it took me a while to realize who just spoke. It was Nikki’s girlfriend P.D., who effortlessly bounced her energy ball with one hand as she stood behind Kalei. She had her fancy helmet on as usual.

“What is it?” Kalei asked.

“I’m glad I ran into you,” P.D. said.

“Oh yeah?” Kalei said, gritting her teeth.

“I’m only gonna say it once,” P.D. nodded forward. “She’s mine. So stay out of my way.”

I traced where I assumed P.D. was gesturing towards and saw Nikki in the distance, hitting her energy ball into the air, not a single clue about the drama she was involved in.

“Sure, whatever,” Kalei said. “Are you gonna try and distract me so I lose or some crap?”

“That’s all I wanted to say,” P.D. said and started to walk away, still casually keeping her energy ball up.

Kalei grimaced. This was the opposite of what she needed when she was already steamed. I saw her consider throwing her own energy ball at P.D.’s back.

“It’s not worth it,” Lillia said.

“Yeah, then you’ll have to sit right by her in the bleachers,” I said.

“Tch,” Kalei said. “Whatever.”

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