Conscious, Conscientious

Lammy’s legs wouldn’t stop shaking, so he figured he might as well stand up. Most of Team Hiroko would be here to occupy the bench in a moment, anyway. The smaller he could make himself, the better.

He apologized as a couple of trainers brushed by, discussing something about the quickest access points to the fighting platform. Then another of the team’s personnel bumped him from behind, condensation spattering his neck from the water bottles she was placing evenly across the bench.

It seemed so far, he wasn’t doing a great job. So many intricate details were pouring into every aspect of this event, and here he was, merely to spectate.

Lammy gripped his notepad and pen.

Now’s not the time to be negative, he told himself. What better chance is there to study our team and find ways to make it even stronger against Proscious?

He readied his gaze on his flawless view of the fighting platform. Compared to squinting from the highest possible balcony level, like he and Zayza were restricted to in Gloat Stadium, this was heaven.

Lammy stood within in a bronze den designated for Team Hiroko, built into the floor-level of the seating. He could see Team Socio heading to an identical one on the opposite side of the arena. Complete with the padded bench at the back and a doorway for quick entry into the inner workings of the facility, this zone compromised neither accessibility nor privacy.

Even the audience’s rumblings above and around them were dull, contrary to the acoustics of the design—once again, consciousness powers’ utility was on full display.

Unblinking at his undisturbed view, Lammy’s eyes sparkled.

Yep: this is perfect.

But a dissonance off to the side challenged his enthusiasm. Mr. Truj stood just beyond the den, where the floor was a step higher. Arms crossed, he studied the vacant platform and waited, just like Lammy.

No matter how many notes Lammy planned to take for their hidden mission, right now, Mr. Truj called the shots.

And in this new League, he wielded particular influence. Mr. Truj stood before some sort of control board with four large buttons: most likely the means for making his Special Call.

Lammy mentally skimmed through Mr. Truj’s strategy for this fight, based on Deon and Skrili’s explanation. He was certain: logically, it added up.

He is the experienced one, after all, Lammy reminded himself. Plus, I could probably learn a lot from him.

…That is, if he ever decides to act like I’m here…

Lammy had been near the coach since he’d gotten here, still coughing from the freshly-powdered makeup Volona caked onto his face minutes earlier. And yet, within the hour before the event, Mr. Truj said nothing to acknowledge his existence. He didn’t even look Lammy’s way once.

Lammy was the spider web in the corner—a nuisance he’d rather not address.

“LAMMY! Here we go!!” came a hyped bellow.

A smile cracked. He wasn’t a nuisance to everyone.

Certainly not to them.

Deon crashed into him from behind in a hearty embrace. “It’s showtime!! Are you pumped like me?!”

Laughing, Lammy patted his cousin on the back. “You serious? Obviously! Deon, you were made for this,” he celebrated. “It’ll be no different than all your wins back home! You’ll kill it. Both of you will.”

He turned to Skrili, who had entered the den next. Lammy pointed to his triangle tattoo, and with an elusive smile, Skrili returned the gesture.

“All of you guys will.”

The rest of the team followed inside from the back door. They huddled with Lammy, fire in their eyes—for the most part.

Lammy tried to catch Kotono’s attention for an encouraging thumbs-up. But she deflected his gaze before he got the chance.

Deeming it best not to pressure her with his worry, Lammy nodded to everyone. “Guys, I can’t wait to see you all—”

“This way.”

Like a gust sweeping leaves away, bodyguards and training personnel alike flocked Lammy’s friends to the other side of the den.

“Oh,” he uttered to himself. “Sorry.”

The group gathered around Mr. Truj, who stepped down to deliver his briefing. Lammy was left to watch, able only to wonder what this seasoned expert could be telling them to prepare their minds.

Deon glanced back over and snuck a wink.

“Is that clear, Stutter?” Mr. Truj pressed, reeling him back.

“Sure, my guy.”

Mr. Truj leered at him for a moment, before placing his hand between them all. They stacked hands, and on his count, let out their cheer.

“Team Hiroko!”

“Alllllright, fighting fans: here we go!” Howard’s voice announced, bouncing against all the walls.

Over on the fighting platform, an official stood with an arm raised high.

“Time to uh…see who the starters are on each team,” mumbled Lune.

Lammy already knew at least half of the answer to that: while the rest of the team withdrew to the bench, Kotono and Skrili prepared to emerge from the den. A trainer stood by with them, watching closely for the official’s signal.

Skrili’s attention wasn’t entirely on the fight, however. She checked on Kotono multiple times, who simply stared ahead in silence. Skrili leaned close to whisper something.

But Kotono shook her head with a shallow smile of assurance.

The official on the platform showed three fingers, and then counted down to one.

“Go!” instructed the trainer.

Kotono and Skrili stepped into the arena to a flood of praise. As they made their way towards the platform, Skrili took Kotono’s hand in hers.

The Emovert finally glanced back at her teammate, her face unreadable. Lammy could swear he saw a hint of gold around Kotono, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

“Looks like it’s Kotono Inoue and Skrili Kaaaaaay!”

“The last time either of them, uh, fought officially…it was against each other in the Fantasy Country championship,” read Lune. “Ugh...I was there. I got trapped, all smushed up against some smelly fan when they tried to evacuate us. What a pain…”

Howard laughed it off with obvious discomfort. “Well, from Team Socio’s corner: they selected Aidan Caffrin and Medea Murfwater!!”

Team Hiroko’s first two opponents approached from the opposite end. Medea strutted with pride, her robe and the tassel of her cap dancing with her movements.

But Lammy could hardly take it seriously. Neither could Deon, who chuckled from the bench.

The same black box from before rolled beside her, guided by Team Socio’s personnel. Medea raised her chin high, as if to pretend such an awkward distraction couldn’t take away from her moment, but her eyebrow twitched.

The workers once again lugged the box up to the platform, and eventually, even Medea had to turn and help. Skrili and Kotono, having already arrived, watched in uncomfortable silence.

Eventually the ensemble managed their feat. But this time, one of the assistants knocked on the box. Another appeared to press a button on the back, and on cue, the walls opened up.

The crowd cheered in response, but the person who emerged from within seemed anything but appreciative. In fact, apparently, this event had interrupted his reading.

A young man sat in a chair within the unfolded walls, his frowning face lifting from a book with images much like the ones all over Anime Boston. He placed it on the desk beside him, just between an illuminated lamp and laptop, and took one last sip of his canned beverage before tossing it beyond his now-collapsed quiet place.

He gets pushed around in a full-on office?! Lammy observed.

“Mr. Caffrin, we’re at the fight,” one of his personnel filled him in.

Aidan sighed. “Already? Well, alright.” He rose from his chair, and with a leap, landed on the platform floor with a pose. “I guess I’m charged up enough.”

Lammy hadn’t expected to find Aidan’s build to be much like his own. But the pro’s plumpness and small stature didn’t appear to hinder his confidence.

That is, until he realized his impending competition.

Aidan’s eyes practically shot out of their sockets as he gawked at the much calmer Kotono and Skrili.

He gulped.

Medea crossed her arms and rose her chin high again, pretending his very blatant fear couldn’t influence her.

But Lammy could feel it just as much as they did. It was in the air: Team Hiroko was about to unleash a massive force.

“Gee. Wonder how this matchup will go,” Lune muttered.

“There’s only one way to find out!” led Howard. “Normal Country: count it with me!”

The crowd hardly needed any prompting.

Lammy’s heart pounded.

“THREE!”

“TWO!”

“ONE!”

“FIIIIIGHT!!!”

Before anyone took a single step, or managed to move at all, the entire stadium lit light blue.

Lammy knew why: his eyes darted to Mr. Truj before the splash of gasps could even fill the room.

The coach had slammed his hand firmly onto the console before him, pressing the second of the four buttons.

“SUMMON!” he called immediately, his voice projecting as clear as the commentators’. “OTOGI!!”

A breeze swept Lammy’s hair across his eyes. Otogi whooshed right by him, his hat somehow staying put atop his pink hair as he flipped out of the den and onto the floor outside the platform. Landing in a pose classier than Aidan’s, a smile spread on his face.

“Showtime.”

“ALREADY?!” Lune shrieked. “Team Hiroko is using up their Special Call RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE?!”

Howard took a moment to recover from her suddenly shrill excitement. “Wwwwow! Coach Truj has summoned Otogi to the sideline!”

The strategy was already well-underway, even as the announcers and audience were only beginning to catch on. Kotono assumed her position, raising her hands out in front of her in aim—and Skrili mirrored her.

Gold and red energy glowed and then ignited all around Skrili as if she were Kotono. Hot wind blew into the den and swept through Lammy’s clothes.

“Looks like Otogi used his ability to share Kotono’s powers with Skril—“

Lune couldn’t even finish her narration before the blast drowned out every corner of the stadium. Showing perfect form, Skrili fired a monstrous beam at Medea while Kotono focused on Aidan.

But Aidan was quick to act. Hands above his head, he’d already conjured some sort of rippling, purple energy.

His Introvert powers, Lammy recalled from his studies. With all that time he spent alone right up until the start, he must be at full strength.

As Skrili’s attack bolted at Medea, Aidan’s soared straight for Kotono. It was just as Team Hiroko anticipated.

But Lammy’s heart sunk.

This wasn’t right.

Even within the single second this unfolded, he—along with everybody in the den—realized the whole strategy had fallen apart.

Skrili’s beam exploded successfully just before Medea’s feet, and with a wail the Mastermind went spinning off the platform from the impact.

But Kotono’s attack for Aidan never fired.

It never even manifested.

“KOTONO, DODGE!!”

Deon had recognized it just as swiftly as his cousin and shot to his feet once the blasts had fired. But his warning did no good.

Kotono’s energy didn’t spark to life.

All that formed around her was a faint haze of white, sucking the color from her dress.

Aidan’s purple blast pounded directly into the dainty champion, shooting her airborne. Her body flipped multiple times before she crashed hard onto the lightly-padded flooring beyond the platform.

She and Medea rolled to a simultaneous stop at the opposite ends.

Aside from Medea’s disappointed sigh, the entire stadium went silent.

No…Lammy regretted. I…I knew it.

“…Oh…there’s a ringout defeat on both teams,” Howard managed slowly. “Medea Murfwater, and—believe it or not—“

“KOTONO INOUE?!” finished Lune in a screech. “For the first time in years…Kotono has been DEFEATED?!?!”

“Kotono!” Otogi cried. Murmurs of shock surfaced all around as he began jogging towards his injured teammate. Workers wearing vests in the same green as the Gloat Center healers brushed past him to begin their efforts.

“Alright…well…both teams now sit at one point!” Howard recovered. “With that, Team Hiroko’s summon of Otogi expires!”

Otogi caught himself. Officials in gray watched him from the corner, pointing him out to each other. Gritting his teeth, he turned back for the den to avoid any penalty as the Normal Country healers surrounded Kotono.

Lammy heard Otogi curse as he stepped back in. They locked eyes for a moment, and Lammy recognized the exact same frustration he felt inside.

“Where was her fear? Her defense comes from her fear!” Mr. Truj barked to his assistant trainers while they juggled their options.

Lammy shook his head. You should’ve listened to me. She’s not the same anymore.

Not with Hiroko gone.

Thankfully, Kotono was now sitting upright. An invisible platform raised her into the air, and two of the healers ran with it to escort her away. But despite the applause of reassurance, Kotono looked ahead emptily, staring off into nothingness.

“Heeeere comes Team Socio’s next pick: Bart Bowler!!”

Assured of Kotono’s health, Lammy returned his focus to the fighting platform. It seemed Skrili had just stopped herself from pouncing forward for an attack when she noticed her towering next competitor come barreling into the fight.

He landed beside Aidan, but didn’t bother acknowledging him.

Watching Skrili wait alone, her arms and legs spread in defense, Lammy felt like he was being handed the simplest puzzle one could possibly solve. From what he’d read, Aidan’s introvert energy rapidly decreased the longer he was in crowded environments.

We lost Kotono, but we still got one point. Aidan can be next, Lammy thought.

The win was still very much within their grasp, and the method to get to it was blatantly obvious.

Send him in. They can end it right now.

“Phillip!” Mr. Truj commanded. “Get out there!”

Lammy’s mind whirled. “Wait—send Deon!”

Phillip slid to a stop. He watched for Mr. Truj’s reaction to the notion, clearly favoring the idea himself.

“Phillip,” repeated Mr. Truj darkly. “Get. OUT. THERE.”

“B—but Deon and Skrili are unstoppable together!” Lammy insisted.

Deon stepped closer. “He’s right, man. Trust me, we got this—”

“NOW!”

The Illusionist nodded and zipped away in a flash. But Mr. Truj’s cutting eyes didn’t follow. Instead they remained squarely on Lammy.

“If you butt in with your two-cents one more time,” he warned, “I’ll have you banned from every fight.”

Lammy froze.

But despite the rapidly elevating tension, Deon simply patted his back.

“Jeez, dude…” he uttered. Then, clapping, he refaced the unfolding faceoff. “Go get ‘em, guys!! WOOOO!!!”

His unyielding enthusiasm eased Lammy’s tightened shoulders. Deon knew exactly how far to push without causing more trouble this time. After all, it had taken them this long to reunite; he wasn’t about to throw that away.

All Lammy could do for now was join Deon in encouraging his friends and cooling his head. But this helplessness was like an itch.

I really hope I’m wrong…

“We need a way to stall so we can calibrate a reliable new strategy,” Mr. Truj explained, this time a bit calmer. “Socio’s push starts now. Watch.”

Up on the platform, both teams stood along the perimeters. Aidan’s hands were raised high again, but with Phillip now on the scene, he studied which target should be next.

“Welp, I one-shot Kotono. That’ll boost my stats,” Aidan celebrated. “Alright, time to get ONE MORE!”

The crowd bubbled in anticipation—a blend of excitement and worry.

But nothing happened.

Aidan stood empty-handed.

“We’re waiting, champ,” Bart pressed.

Aidan went pale, his eyes widening like before. “Uh…I’m already empty,” he muttered. “Must be a bigger turnout here than we thought…heh…”

Bart rolled his eyes. “Coach!”

The stadium lit orange.

“Tag: Aidan for Martin!” came Team Socio’s call from their den.

“Much better…” Bart muttered for all to hear. “Why’d we end up with this guy?”

Sulking, Aidan exited the platform while Martin’s counterpart emerged to a sweep of cheers.

“Team Socio has used their Special Call! The brothers are united!” declared Howard.

“Them together, huh? That means they’re trying to end it here,” Lune noted. “Works for me. Ugh, I’m craving a burger.”

“How are you bored again already?!”

Lammy couldn’t help but glance back at Mr. Truj, who watched on unsurprised.

He saw this coming, Lammy recognized.

The brothers sprung into action: Bart crouched low and flexed, while Martin sprinted in a curved line towards the middle of the platform.

Remaining cool, Phillip formed a quick hand sign by his waist. Skrili nodded.

“Here they go: the famous Bowler Volleyball technique!” Howard detected.

“Shouldn’t they have gone with something ‘bowling’ themed…?” yawned Lune.

A thin outline of bright-orange light surrounded the crouching Bart. Then, he stood tall as an orb of buzzing energy grew between his palms. Roaring, the fighter launched it high into the air.

Martin was in perfect position: he jumped as it fell close, and with a spike, pounded the energy ball at Phillip.

But it simply passed through his body and blinked away before it could hit the wall by Team Hiroko’s den.

“Illusions!” Martin warned. Another ball came his way, and he slapped this one at Skrili. But her body was as fake as Phillip’s.

While the unforeseen phenomenon threw Lammy’s mind for a brief loop, he smiled: Phillip had activated the illusion on not only the Bowler Brothers, but on everyone in the stadium.

This way, nobody’s reactions could give away the trick up his sleeve.

Nice work, Phillip, he thought.

The ‘volleyball’ attacks continued, this time in all random directions, and still to no avail. Eventually the illusions of Phillip and Skrili vanished. Their forms reappeared, running along the edges, but these proved to be yet another diversion.

Hynes Stadium filled with a sustained applause as the Bowler Brothers’ hunt for their invisible targets continued on.

“As you can see—wait…do I really have to read this?” Lune complained to somebody unseen. “It ‘fills space?’ Ugh…alright. ‘As you can see, the Bowler Brothers exemplify both types of Intro/Extravert consciousness energy. Martin’s powers manifest physically, while Bart’s are generative. It’s a great display…of…yeah, I’m not reading all this. Can something happen already?!”

For the first time since the fight began, Mr. Truj uncrossed his arms. He smirked.

“Do you get it now, kid?” he called over to Lammy. “Team Socio suspected correctly that we’d send out Kotono or Otogi first. Aidan’s strong enough at the start of a fight to at least parry their early attacks. But after that, he and Medea were just cannon fodder. They were sacrifices to wear our starters down for the Bowler Brothers.”

The crowd gasped as a blast zapped Skrili and fired her out of bounds—but she vanished, turning out to be yet another illusion.

“We may have lost Kotono, but now we can beat them at their own game,” Mr. Truj added. “I knew the brothers would come next. Now with Phillip, we can wear them down first…and then we’ll send in our champion to finish them off.”

He cocked his head past the cousins. “Otogi: once Phillip or Skrili go down, head in to take out the brothers.”

Otogi shrugged. “Don’t mind if I do.”

Lammy couldn’t look away: he had to admit, the fight appeared to be playing out precisely into Mr. Truj’s hand again, even with Kotono gone.

“Are you keeping up, kid?” said Mr. Truj with finality. “Your ambition is admirable. But I know exactly what I’m do—”

“THERE IT IS!!” boomed Howard.

Lammy’s heart dropped: he saw it, too.

Bart had collapsed onto his side, so close to the edge of the platform that his head hung over it.

But he held something unseen tightly within his grasp.

Phillip appeared, trapped within Bart’s grip. His invisible kick had landed, but Bart was too solid and had acted too quickly. He held Phillip and wrestled him towards the edge.

“Sorry, Skrili,” Phillip muttered.

With a rolling toss, Bart shoved Phillip off of the fighting platform. The crowd burst into a frenzy.

“PHILLIP IS DOWN BY RINGOUUUUT!!!”

Once he landed, the true Skrili suddenly appeared running about the platform. As per the rules, Phillip had dismissed his Illusion on her.

“There we go!” Martin praised. “Bart!!”

The energy ball was already soaring on its way.

Otogi had burst from the den, sprinting for the platform under Mr. Truj’s frantic command.

But it was far too late.

Martin spiked the glowing ball, and with a zap, Skrili found herself spinning across the floor until she rolled straight off.

“Welp. That’s the fight,” sighed Lune. “I’m getting a burger.”

“With 3-1 finish, TEAM SOCIO TAKES THE WIIIIIN!!!!”

A mixture of cheers and groans marked the conclusion to the first ever Special League faceoff.

Inside the den, everything went silent. Mr. Truj brushed past his associates and stormed through the back door.

Lammy and Deon exchanged glances.

Nothing needed to be said. They knew they shared the same thought.

We should’ve won.

Lammy clenched his fists.

Mr. Truj’s plan was logical enough on paper. Clearly, he was an expert.

But he didn’t know Kotono anymore, or understand how she felt. He wasn’t there.

But Lammy was.

He didn’t know Team Hiroko.

Not like Lammy did.

We should’ve won this.

“Hey…” Deon uttered. His eyes were on the distant Skrili while she sat up to answer the approaching healers’ questions, but his attention was equally present.

“Yeah?”

“Try to get up early tomorrow—like way before we gotta be back for the next fight. You too, Otogi. All of us,” Deon said.

He glanced over to where they’d all watched Kotono get carried off.

“I think it’s about time for my plan.”