"Hey, where ya going?" Nash jumped from his chair.

  "I realized something huge!" Jaiden shouted as she dashed toward the match hall. It 't be. But, what if it is? Then, this match might actually...!

  DEFEAT VICTORY

  The giaers were hanging on the s. The match was already over. It retty fast for a high-level match. Matches only ehis early wheeam was steamrolling.

  Earlier today, Jaiden was actually expeg a clusion like this. Except, it was supposed to be backward. The DEFEAT was supposed to be hanging oher side of the s.

  But no, it was clearly on the left side, on the side Taurus pyed! They’ve lost. Taurus lost to Stratus, the lowly bottom tier team. No, it wasn’t just a. Looking at the stats, Stratus thhly and utterly crushed Taurus. It was a one-sided sughter from start to end.

  The pyers’ names... Yeah, I was right! A shiver ran through Jaiden's spine. He had no idea how this was even possible, but he was correct! The two pyers from StormBlitz were here: Gunz and Chessmaster. They were the awesome freshmen who kicked some serious butt st year!

  But, what were they doing in Stratus? No, that didn't matter. What’s more important was the fact they were here today, pying oage.

  I gotta fight them! Jaiden was determined. No matter what his seniors say, Jaiden had to participate in today's match. He gotta go out there and wreck the two awesome StormBlitz pyers! That way, he'll finally prove his worth. He was just as good- No, he was better than them! StormBlitz made a mistake when they didn’t pick them. He’ll prove it today, on this stage!

  "Phew, you're so fast, man," Nash arrived shortly, panting as if he just finished a marathon. Rio also appeared after a while. He was jogging lightly, but still looked half-dead from exhaustion.

  "W-What's wrong?" Rio asked while catg his breath.

  "Just look at the results, guys!" Jaiden poi the s.

  "Huh? The game's already over?" Nash took a deep breath and straightened his back. The moment, his eyes almost popped outta their sockets. "We... lost?"

  "It looks one-sided..." Rio eechless as well. Nobody predicted this result. Today’s scrimmage was supposed to be an easy win for Taurus. Yet, reality was the plete opposite.

  "I suddenly realized there are two big fish in Stratus," Jaiden shared his findings. "It looks like we're in for a treat today! Guys, we gotta fight them! It gonna be awesome!"

  "Hell yeah!” Nash pumped a fist. “Let's get these ex-Storm dudes or whoever they are!"

  "I'll help too," Rio nodded.

  "You guys...!" Jaiden thrust a first toward. His pals locked their fists together with him. Together, they were the Invincible Triahere was no oppohey couldn't beat!

  “Invincible Triangle, assemble!” Jaiden raised his arm.

  “Invincible Triangle for the win!” Nash also raised his arm.

  “Do we have to do it?” Rio relutly raised his arm.

  “, say the word!” Nash insisted.

  “Do I have to?” Rio shifted his eyes away. “It sounds kinda me.”

  “, , !”

  “Ugh...”

  “Haha, it’s okay,” Jaiden came to the rescue. “The Invincible Triangle isn’t about saying the words, it’s about the heart! As long as he’s our rade and fights by our side, Rio is also a part of the triangle!”

  "Um, anyway,” Rio wheeled the versation elsewhere. “How will we vihe seniors to let us py?" With that one question, he killed all the hype.

  "Ah, shoot. He's right," Nash scratched his head. "Brud Co. ain’t gon us py today."

  "We'll see about that," Jaiden strode toward Taurus' waiting room. There was no way ihe team was happy with this result. In fact, knowing Bruce, the guy robably throwing a fit right about now. This was a great opportunity to ask about subbing in. Brud his gang were quite the quitters sometimes, so they might give up their spots. Fingers crossed.

  "You really wanna go in there?" Nash gulped. The trio stood in front of Taurus' door. There was no doubt that an unpleasant atmosphere id oher side of this door. In fact, they could even sense miasma slipping through the door. But, it was just their imagination. Probably.

  ", let’s do it," Jaiden pced his palm on the ha felt a little wet. Or, maybe it’s his palm that was sweaty? "I'm opening it..." He slowly, very slowly, pulled down the handle. Gulp. This isn’t going to be a pretty sight, is it?

  "FUCK!" That's the first word to greet Jaiden. BAM! Somethi flying across the room. It crashed into a wall and fell on the floor. A wooden chair. Bruce just kicked it like a soccer ball.

  "How did that shit happen!?" Bruce ranted. "How did we lose to these punks!? They're Stratus, the weakest team! This ain't real. This ain't real, yo!"

  "Please don't break the furniture," Raymond, the captain, picked up the poor chair. It seemed like the chair wasn't damaged, a fact that made Raymond sigh in relief.

  "Gaaaah! I 't fu’ take this!" Bruce puhe wall . "Oh shit! It hurts!"

  "Haha, idiot," Bryan cracked a ugh.

  "Whatcha ughing at!?" Bruce stomped toward Bryan with ched fists. "This shit ain't funny. We were owned by such a scrubby team. That's bullshit!"

  "Yeah, it's ridiculous," Bryan nodded. "But, I kinda accepted it halfway through. These guys ain't half bad. I've been trying to tell you, but you don't listen."

  "Because I don't listen to bullcrap," Bruce stated matter-of-factly. "That's ain't real. We shouldn't have lost. Not like this, man. Not like this."

  "Just accept it already," Zeph shrugged. "I dunno about your oppos, but I say for sure that their Top is hel good. The others also seemed det during team fights. Say what you want, but facts are facts."

  "Dammit!" Bruce cursed and dropped on the sofa. He tapped his leg nonstop and wore a gre intense enough to kill. That's when he id his eyes on Jaiden. "What? Came back to ugh at us, eh?"

  "Not at all," Jaiden answered as calmly as possible. "I just saw the match was over, so I came to check what's up."

  "Nothing to see here. Piss off."

  Charming as ever. Jaiden rolled his eyes. "So, is Stratus strong this year?"

  "Hell no, they ain't nothing," Brusisted. "We only lost because some idiots on our team fucked up big time."

  Like you? Jaiden looked aside and tried his best to not burst into ughter. Judging by how mad Bruce was, he was clearly frustrated by his own performance as well. That douche cared firstmost about his owation. Even if the entire world were to sink at this exaent, Bruce wouldn't give a shit long as he’s safe. Oher hand, if even the smallest misfortus him? It was a disaster! A crime against humanity!

  "Cap, what happened?" Jaiden turo Raymond.

  "Hrm, it was rough," Raymond frowned and spoke slowly. It seemed he was also shocked by this development, even though it didn't show as clearly on his stoic expression.

  "Did they catch you off-guard? Or, they had hard ter-picks?"

  "They did pull some ued pys and their picks were solid,” Raymond said. “But, that's not all. They were just really well-trained."

  "So, high-level pyers!?" Jaiden trembled. As I thought, there are strong guys here today! Dang, lemme oage! Lemme py...!

  "Tch, these scrubs ain't high-level for shit," Bruce clicked his tongue in denial. He wasn't going to accept that narrative, no matter what.

  "High-level or not," Dyn dropped his ba the sofa. "They sure did a number on us. Nobody expected this shit."

  "Was their Bot du?" Jaiden asked, uo tain himself.

  "The Bot duo?" Bruce grimaced. "Nah, they're trash. But well, they're probably the best that team had to offer. I mean, they did put up a fight against me, after all. While everybody else was losing to some scrubby shit out there, I was dealing with the enemy’s stro shit and almost made it!"

  Sure, sure. Jaiden rolled his eyes.

  "That Bot duo was sure strong," Bryan nodded. "Especially, that Carry chick."

  "Huh? Chick?" Jaiden blinked. "Didn't Gunz py Carry?"

  "No, he pyed Mid," Raymond firmed. "He was my ne oppo."

  "Huh, weird," Jaiden scratched his head. "Do you remember what role Chessmaster pyed?"

  "Top," Zeph answered without hesitation. "That bastard is is a piece of work. Couldn't make a dent in him with my DK."

  "Is that so," Jaiden had no idea what was going on. During the StormBlitz vs. Leopards scrimmage, Gunz and Chessmaster pyed Bot. That's the position Jaiden saw them shine in.

  So, why Mid and Top this game? Maybe those were their sub-roles? Or, maybe Mid and Top were actually their best roles and Bot was the sedary position!? Whoa, just how good were these guys!? I gotta py a game against them! Ten games, even! No, a hundred! Lemme at theeeeeeeeeem!!!

  "Do you know those two from somewhere?" Raymond asked.

  "Yeah, but it's kinda weird," Jaiden shared. "I realized it a little te, but I actually saw Gunz and Chessmaster st year. But, they were pying on StormBlitz back then."

  "Say WHAT!?" Zeph's jaw hit the floor. "The hell? What are they doing in Stratus then?"

  "No idea," Jaiden shrugged. "Maybe they transferred."

  "Or, maybe they joihe match illegally," Dyn smirked. "The plot this."

  "Why would they do that, though?" Jaiden asked.

  "Beats me,” Dyn shrugged. “But, won’t it make for a cool story if it's true? Haha."

  "Wait, won’t that be against the rules?" Zeph leveled an important question.

  "It sure is," Bryan nodded. "Also, if you think about it, StormBlitz got a motive for doing this. They might be trying to help a lowly team to win. With less petition, it’ll be easier for them to get seeded higher."

  "Damn, these fuckers!" Bruce roared. "I knew something was fishy! So, that's why they were so good! It's Storm, so of course they gonna give us some trouble."

  Wow, that’s the fastest 180 I've seen in my life. Jaiden spat a sigh.

  "Hey, Ray!" Bruce called out in a demanding tone. "Go check with the ref the fuck these guys are doing here! We gonna ban their asses from this match! Heck, we might evehis whole scrimmage for free! Ez, haha!"

  "Yeah, I better ask," Raymond headed to the stage.

  When it came to verifying the identities of the scrimmaging pyers, the referees trusted the club supervisors. That left a big opening for exploitation. Nothing stopped the supervisors fring in strong pyers from other schools.

  Dang it, maybe I shouldn't have said anything. Jaiden scratched his head. He also sidered this possibility at first, but he quickly disregarded it because it didn’t matter to him. He just wao py against Gunz and Chessmaster, that’s all. Unfortunately, for the other people here, this situation was a huge deal.

  Dang, but I really y them! Jaiden pouted. Whether this was legal or not didn’t matter. This was a rare opportunity to test his mettle against those two. They were the two guys who made it into StormBlitz when Jaiden failed. If they were really that much better than him, they gotta prove it in a real match!

  But really, what are they doing here? Logically, there were only two expnatioher they were illegal pyers from StormBlitz, or they simply transferred schools. Jaiden couldn’t tell which sounded more pusible.

  I think I prefer them to be spies from StormBlitz. Otherwise, it means these guys... Jaiden ched his fists. If the other option was true, he'll be pretty dang mad.

  Raymourned after a while. "I talked to the referee about this. We checked it with Stratus' supervisor and she said they transferred to the school this year."

  "You gotta be kidding me..." Jaiden couldn't believe his ears. So, Gunz and Chessmaster defected to aeam? They passed StormBlitz's entrance exam at the expense of other didates, then they quit the club? Just like that? What the actual heck!?

  "The referee made a call to both schools to firm, so there's no mistake,” Raymond expined. “They transferred schools."

  "Is that so," Jaiden ched his fists. Now, he absolutely had to fight these guys. Who the hell they thought they were!? Getting into StormBlitz like that, then leaving as if it was worth nothing. Did they even realize hoyers out there were desperately trying to get into StormBlitz and failed!? Gunz and Chessmaster were among the few who actually made it, yet they threportunity away as if it was garbage. Unfivable.

  " I py in the match?" Jaiden requested.

  "If anybody wants to switch with you," Raymond looked around. His eyes naturally id on Bruce, the Carry.

  "No ce, kid," Bruce lifted his . "I'm the Carry."

  "But, you lost st time," Jaiden said. "Ihan fifteen minutes."

  "Hey, watouth, kid," Bruce stood up and waved a ched fist. Jaiden had to choose his words wisely, or else that dangerous fist will e flying straight into his face.

  "I mean, I just thought you might want to take a break to calm down. You look pretty titled. We sub as many times as we want during scrimmages, so no harm in skipping one game."

  "I ain't titled."

  "I see," Jaiden backed off a little. He knew nothing good will e out from pushing that angle any further. Anything more than that might trigger Bruce for real and start a fight. Let’s not do that.

  Everybody in Taurus khat, in order to survive, it was best to stay on Bruce’s good side. He was somewhat of a dumbass, but als as a bull. There's ing this dude. Only Raymond had the strength to pin down that mad dog, but it was questionable whether the captain will intervene if something happens.

  "So, you got any pns for the game?" Jaiden asked.

  "Sure do," Bruodded. "We go all in and kick their asses!"

  Brilliant pn. This guy is a natural strategist. Jaiden rolled his eyes. "Not to rub salt or anything, but the team lost pretty bad st time. We have to adjust."

  "Oh, you betcha we gonna adjust, now that we know they got some big shots," Bruce said. "We just uimated these guys a little st time, that's all. Right, guys?"

  "I guess," Zeph said. "I only agreed to pick DK because I thought these guys were scrubs. No wot my ass hao me. You should've told us earlier, Jai."

  “My bad,” Jaiden apologized. "I only figured it after the match.”

  "Meh, it's fine," Zeph waved his hand. " game, I’m going Dragonna wreck that Cheese-master."

  "Cheese-master, haha," Bruce ughed. "Yeah, you show 'em. Bryan, we also gotta step up ame. We gonna show 'em the true power of BB!"

  "You betcha!" Bryan locked his fist with Bruce’s. They were the Bruce-Bryan duo, the almighty BB! They had no business losing to some potatoes.

  Well, at least they got their fighting spirit back. Jaiden smiled wryly. He had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, he wanted his team to cim victory. Oher hand, he wao actively tribute to said victory.

  Meh, it's okay. Jaiden shrugged. He and his pals might not make it into the first-string this year, but they still had year. Until then, they’ll support the first-string from the bench.

  "Too bad they won’t let you py," Rio said as Jaideurned.

  "Yeah. Like, ," Nash shook his head. "You're a better Carry than Bruce will ever be."

  "'Shh, he'll hear you," Jaiden whispered. "It 't be helped. We're still juniors. This is the seniors’ st year, so they deserve to py. Besides, if we don’t py together, I’m not sure how much I’ll tribute by myself."

  “Don’t worry, man. You’re plenty good!” Nash gave a thumbs up. “But yeah, guess there’s no way they’re letting us py.”

  "Maybe if Stratus beats them to a pulp game..." Rio mumbled something scary.

  "Whoa, rex there, bro," Nash cracked a ugh. "I also y, but that's some extreme shit."

  In truth, Rio’s grim words merely echoed Jaiden and Nash's true thoughts. A part of them was hoping to see Bruce’s gang lose badly in the game. It might spark something. Maybe, just maybe, Jaiden and his pals will get a ce to py after that.

  "Anyway, we're watg the game," Jaiden announced. "Make sure to burhing you see into your brains. We gonna py against these guys someday."

  "You betcha!" Nash gave a thumbs up.

  "Mhm," Rio nodded.

  On that he trio headed into the hall. For now, they were only there as part of the audience. Will they get a ce to show off their Invincible Triaoday? Maybe. Maybe not.

  Either way, Taurus gonna win today's scrimmage, no matter what. Jaiden will do everything in his power to find Stratus' weaknesses and bring them down.

  Especially, Gunz and Chessmaster, the two ex-StormBlitz pyers. Jaiden will bring them down no matter what, even if he has to do so ily. Hopefully, by doing so, he'll finally be able to vince himself.

  He was a strong pyer. He wasn't some scrub. He didn't fail the StormBlitz exam because he was weak. That's what Jaiden stantly told himself ever since. He had to repeat such thoughts like a mantra to not drown in the mud of ivity.

  Today portunity to finally put all these statements to test. Was he good enough to pete against the boys who made it into StormBlitz? Or, was he merely deceiving himself the eime?

  Also, there was Stratus’ captain girl. Naturally, she wasn’t the girl who got into StormBlitz at Jaiden's expense. heless, this girl was also far from i. She probably got the captain position by ag cute in front of the boys or something. Disgusting.

  I'll put her in her pce. Jaiden swore.

  With that determinatio down in the audiend gred at the stage. He wao py up there so badly, but he wasn't allowed to set foot ioday. The stage was so close, yet so far.

  But, he won't give up. Quitting wasn't in his diary. Even from the audience, he’ll find some dirt on Stratus and bring these guys down!

  DarkestCymore