//------------------------------// // The Rematch // Story: Before the Friendship Games: Indigo Zap // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// "I can't believe I got so caught up in playing against Sour Sweet that I forgot about the fucking rematch!" Indigo shouted in panic as she ran for a minute, then pain shot through her legs, reminding her of something rather important. She growled and rolled her eyes. "Oh, great! I also forgot about the strain I've been putting on my legs!" Indigo stopped for a moment. She was at least close enough to her house that she wouldn't be late for the rematch. "Okay, Indigo...stay cool. Don't lose your shit." She took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Okay, Indigo. Game face!" Indigo walked right up to her house and opened the door. She checked the time on her phone. "Perfect timing!" She said, and sighed with relief. She turned her console on and, despite herself, bit her lip. Dammit, Indigo! Keep your cool! She started up the game and put her headset on. Indigo took another deep breath and exhaled, feeling relaxed again. She mentally counted down to the appointed time. Three...two...one... Lunar_Goddess_NMM has logged on. Indigo took another deep breath to calm herself. Why was she so on edge? She closed her eyes and thought about the one thing that always pumped her up: competition. Sure, this was also a competition, but it was more than just that. Her pride and...reputation as the number one gamer in Crystal Prep Academy was damaged severely, and she wanted retribution! "Hello?" Said a voice from Indigo's headset, nearly startling the student to the point of a yelp. "Hello." Indigo said, feeling excitement finally course through her veins. It felt so much better than freaking out! "Are you ready?" "I believe the question is...are you ready?" Said Lunar. Indigo blinked in surprise now that she fully registered the voice of the person talking to her. It sounded older than she expected. She raised an eyebrow. "Hey, aren't you a little old for this?" She asked. If Lunar was insulted, she hid it well. "Wouldn't you like to know?" She said. Indigo could practically hear the smile from the tone of her opponent's voice. Indigo grinned, and an idea formed in her head. "Okay. Let's make this interesting. How about you play as your worst character and I'll play as my best. That way I think we'll be on an even playing field." "Very well." Lunar said. "Since you requested the rematch, I suppose it's fair for you to set the conditions." Indigo continued to grin as they each selected their characters. At least now I'll have a better chance of winning! The loading screen started up as she mentally prepared herself. "Round One...Fight!" Indigo quickly slapped her hand to her mouth. Muffled screams of expletives filled Lunar's ears. "Are you okay?" Lunar asked in a sincere tone. Indigo calmed herself down, grateful that there was no time limit to the rounds. She stared at the screen, slack-jawed. Sweat slowly formed in beads on her forehead. You have got to be fucking kidding me! She all but mentally shouted. On the screen were the same two characters from last night's championship battle. Indigo's eye twitched involuntarily. "Is this some kind of joke?" She asked. "I assure you, it is not." Replied Lunar. "This is my worst character. I just entered the tournament to brush up on my skills." She said in a matter-of-fact tone. Indigo could no longer hold it in. "Brush up on your skills?!" Indigo sighed heavily. Well, I got myself into this mess. Might as well see it through. "Okay." Indigo said, trying to hide her emotions from her tone of voice. "Let's do this." Lunar started off by rushing over to Indigo and unleashing a series of kicks. Oh, please don't tell me she's toying with me. Indigo thought as her brow furrowed in concentration. Indigo jumped over Lunar, then immediately fired off a special move, hitting her. Indigo wanted to keep herself calm and in control during the fight no matter what. Lunar recovered in midair and hit Indigo with a flying kick. "Not a bad start." Lunar said calmly. Keep it together, Indigo. You got the first hit in, keep that cockiness at bay! Lunar dashed across the screen until she was right in front of Indigo. Indigo reflexively blocked, only to be thrown to the other side of the arena. "Dammit." Indigo muttered under her breath. Despite her best efforts, Indigo landed to the ground with a thud. She got back up and fired a special move, which was parried. Indigo jumped and fired an aerial special move, then followed it up by getting in front of Lunar. Lunar immediately hit Indigo with an uppercut special move, stunning her. Indigo was then hit with a ten-hit combo, and knocked out. Lunar_Goddess_NMM wins! Indigo sighed. Not going to give up, even if all the odds are against me! "Round Two...fight!" "You've been pretty quiet over there." Said Lunar. Indigo grimaced. "I've been concentrating." She said. "Fair enough." Said Lunar, and began her assault. She fired off a special move, then followed it up with a backflip. Indigo blocked the special move as Lunar dashed towards her and landed an uppercut. Indigo recovered in midair, then fired a downward special attack that struck her opponent. Taking advantage of the situation, Indigo landed a seven-hit combo before it was canceled. Lunar parried, then tossed her to the other side of the arena and followed up with a super special move. The super special connected, and Indigo was once again knocked out. Lunar_Goddess_NMM wins! Indigo sighed heavily. A few moments of silence passed before she could bring herself to say "Good game." in a monotone. Before Lunar could respond, she took off her headset, shut off her console and the television, and laid down on the couch to stare at the ceiling.