RedemptionTale

Fatal Intentions

"Next division: Youths! #246 and #217, you're up!"

Hearing their number, the small child looked up, startled. They looked down their line to see another kid step forward and crack their knuckles, turning to stare Frisk down with a menacing smile. Frisk gazed back vacantly and faced forward to walk toward the sparring ring. This was the day that Frisk's age group would find out which training camp they would be sent to, based on the results of each match.

This match mattered.

This match, Frisk couldn't afford to not care.

#217 -Serene- was the total opposite of their name, with a brash fighting style and an attitude the size of Mount Ebbot. They had challenged almost every kid in their division, except Frisk. They had been extra careful not to train around any other Youths, but had instead worked exclusively with their friend, Ari, from the Juniors division. Now They were about to see how well their techniques would work.

Both kids pulled themselves into the sparring ring and prepared to fight. Serene stared hungrily at their opponent while Frisk kept their even, emotionless expression. The Senior official in charge of the match lifted their hand high into the air, signalling the two Youths to step toward the center. As the little beast in front of them practically snapped in their face, Frisk refused to show their nervousness, keeping their perfect mask of apathy intact. For a quiet moment, there was muttering from several officials and Frisk turned to find them all staring right back with the slightest of sneers. In an attempt to interpret the exchange, they missed the hand that flagged down between them, and was suddenly knocked to the ground. All around the room, Frisk heard gasps, jeers, and sporadic laughter, and they looked up to see Serene lunging at them from across the ring.

Frisk rolled out of the way at the last moment and heard the "THUD!" of Serene's head colliding with the match post. Both kids stood up slowly, each one watching the other. The grin was gone from Serene's menacing face, with only a vicious glare in its place. They circled each other for a few moments, gauging reactions and potential weaknesses, but Frisk already knew Serene's weaknesses, as they lunged toward them again. Letting their blind fury propel them toward their own injury, Frisk side-stepped Serene's right hook only to realize as a hand grabbed a fistful of their hair, that Serene had propelled into the elastic side bands of the ring. The force of Serene's bulk weight tackled Frisk to the ground and the flurry of punches began.

Serene was heavy and powerful, but Frisk was small and agile.

After taking several blows to the face, Frisk was able to start dodging the hits, letting Serene's fists connect with the ground, again and again. Serene's attacks began to slow as fatigue and overexertion set in. They were both gasping for oxygen, when Frisk got an idea. Maybe it was some hidden power, or maybe it was just being loopy from getting knocked upside the head so many times, but Frisk looked up through narrowed eyes and smiled coyly at the bulky kid sitting on them.

"So," Frisk began, "if you're done slamming my face with your fists, would you mind if I slam something into your face?" They winked and puckered their lips, making exaggerated kissing noises.

Serene stood up and stumbled backward, their face full of disgust. "Ugghhh!" They growled as Frisk pulled themself clumsily to their feet. "Youuu little..."

Stepping forward, Frisk put on a placid expression and stuck out their hand. "If you don't like it, I'll spare your feelings."

Serene stared at the outstretched hand before them and was filled with rage. This kid had the audacity to extend them mercy? As if they had ANY power over them that they could set aside! Something primal boiled inside them, rushing out as an animalistic scream, and they grabbed Frisk by the collar, flung them around, and launched them into the nearest match post. Frisk gasped in pain as Serene bent over them, once again bearing their menacing grin.