Crimson Rose

»♦« Quattro:The Battle (Shawn)

Scarlett's POV

"I'll be your first opponent" Shawn stepped in front of me smirking.

"As you wish" I just nod. "So, does this mean that I only have to win 2 out of the 3 battles with you guys?".

Shawn nodded and asked us to follow him. He leads us down the stairs and in front of a door.

"We will do our battle in the simulation room" He said while opening it.

"This room is almost as big as the training room".

We are greeted by an empty room covered with a white wall. Unlike in the training room where many types of equipment reside.

"We use this simulation room for combat training. It may seem empty right now but we can change the setting with the help of some magic and technology. And because Bennett doesn't want any unnecessary blood to be shed, we will be playing the Bell game" Xavier explained.

When he sees my confused look he quickly added "The rule of this Bell game is simply taking your opponent's bell. Both of the players will wear these bells. You can put this on any part of your body. And if one of you got the bell of the other then they wins. Got it?".

I nodded in understanding. "I'm ready to go".

Bennett gave Shawn and I a string that connects with a bell. He said, by using a string we can easily tie and remove it.

"We'll leave the both of you now. We'll be monitoring you guys from the training room" Bennett says as he walks out of the door.

Shawn tied the bell on his left forearm while I wore it as a necklace.

I just realize that there are holsters tied up on both of his thighs and two more on either side of his waist. I can also see a small bag on his waist, which I assumed to be full of bullets. Right now, he is sitting down while putting his guns together.

Suddenly a voice echoed throughout the simulation room.

"Are you guys ready?" I think it's Bennett.

"Just...a little more..and...I'm ready to go." He stood up with the gun on his hand after putting the silencer on.

"What kind of stage do you guys want to use?".

Shawn looked at me but I just shrug. "I don't know anything about this thing. So, I'm giving you the upper hand".

"We will use the forest setting then" He then looks at me smirking. "Don't regret your decision later princess".

I can't help myself from returning his smirk. "Oh, trust me I won't".

"Before we begin, I just want to remind you this is not a real combat, it's just a practice. You can hurt your opponent but please refrain from any fatal injury. With that being said, I wish you guys luck. May the best guy wi-" I can hear someone being hit from here.

"What I trying to say is may the best one win. It usually takes around 2 minutes for the simulation to start, after that the battle will commence. So, you guys can go to the opposite direction now or anywhere you want". With that, the intercom went silent.

"So, you'll be using bare hands or what?" Shawn said eyeing me.

I gave him a small laugh "Of course not. I'll get my weapon when the time comes. But for now, it'd be best for it to stay hidden".

"Do as you wish princess, but don't expect me to show any mercy. Even though you are a girl, I won't go easy on you" He said giving me an innocent smile. Slowly, grass started to appear on our feet.

"You took those words out of my mouth, Shawn" I pull my hood off and winked at him. Turning around as I start to run the opposite direction.

I look over my shoulder to look at him only to see him look stunned before composing himself and turned around to run with his gun.

Green started to invade my vision. It didn't take long before the simulation room looked like a rain forest and even the sunlight felt warm.

"Impressive," I said to myself as I take in my surroundings. I start to  touch around.

"This battle will start in 3...2...1" I heard a very loud siren before I jumping up to the nearest tree. I look around before started to jump from tree to tree, the bell keeps jingling as I move.

"Better end this as fast as possible." I went in the direction where I saw Shawn ran.

I can't use my scythe carelessly with this place. Because it's too crowded with trees, I don't want the scythe to be caught between them. I must at least find some clearing to make my job easier. If I don't, then I just have to deal with it.

I moved as fast as I can. The bell kept on jingling as I move. I purposely let the bell jingle because I want to lure Shawn out from his hiding spot. From his weapon of choice, I can say that Shawn is a gunman, specialized in snipers. Which means he will be hiding somewhere and shot me from wherever he is.

I was jumping when I felt a slight pain on my cheek. I smirk, as I finally got his attention. It is now time for luring him out.

Once again, I felt something graze my left thigh. No doubt that is another one of Shawn's bullet. Fortunately, I can dodge branches quite skillfully. It kinda felt like I'm in a cat and mouse game right now. With me being the mouse and Shawn the cat.

When I saw light peeking out between the trees in front of me, I increase my speed. And before a bullet can graze my left forearm, I quickly jump down the tree and rolled on the ground to reduce the impact. Smiling to myself when I notice I was at some clearing. It's not too small nor too big but I can use this as a counterattack.

I took the scythe clip from my hair. Kissing it and began chanting "My name is Scarlett Drachen, I summon Crimson Rose to aid me." I threw my clip in the air. I can feel the bullet being shot when I heard the sound in the air. The scythe clip change into the real scythe and fall directly in front of me.

Without wasting any time, I swung the scythe just in time to block the bullet. "And now the game will start. Why don't you come out and play with me, Shawn?" All I got for a reply was a bullet which I blocked again with my scythe.

"Is that a no then?" Another bullet. "If you like it that way then I'll repay you with full force. Just want to tell you in advance to make sure you lower your head. Things are gonna turn a little messy" I taunted Shawn.

I took a deep breath and spin the scythe in my arms. "Hear me the power of thy cyclone. Lend me thy power. The wind as sharp as a blade. Cut down all the obstacles blocking thy path," with that I swing the scythe around me. All the trees surrounding me fell to the ground. It was a clean cut from the middle. And even without looking at Rei I know he is smirking right now.

I heard someone say "What the hell?!!" from somewhere to my left.

Without even thinking twice I ran to that direction. Since the trees are now on the ground I can take my scythe with me without getting it stuck. When I saw clothes stuck under the tree, at first, I thought it was Shawn being buried under it. But at a close inspection, it's just his shirt.

Thank God, he managed to get away. I don't want to answer Rei for killing one of his agents.

"Come out, come out wherever you are. Don't be afraid. I just want to play. O-okay maybe not. But I want your bell. Now be a good boy and come out and play with me" I taunted him.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you...much".

Then I felt the change in the air again, I know that Shawn had shot a bullet. Hence, I made a move to dodge it but the bullet seemed different from before. So, I looked at it on close inspection when it buried itself in a tree.

It's not a normal bullet as I see a blue liquid inside the transparent bullet. Then it hit me. If he can't poison me (since it's too dangerous in a practice combat) then it can only be a paralysis serum.

I quickly turn around and block all the incoming paralyzing bullet with the scythe. After clearing the direction of it, I ran while still blocking every one of them. When the shooting suddenly stopped, it can only indicate that he is changing positions and that, I will not allow.

In an instant, I increased my pace and ditched my scythe to avoid it being stuck. I held the bell in my palm to stop the jingling. After hearing some rustling a few meters in front of me, I smirked.

"There you are".

I finally saw Shawn trying to run while clutching his gun. I swiftly jump in front of him.

"Hey, Shawn" Dropping the sniper, he pulls out the gun from his holster.

However, before he could pull the trigger, I knocked the gun off his hand and grabbed his right arm putting it behind him. Using my weight as a momentum I make him fall flat on his stomach.

I leaned to his ear and whispered "Just be a good boy now, Shawn" I took the bell off his forearm and stood up. "I win" And grinned.

"Scarlett won the first battle against Shawn. The next battle will start in 15 minutes. Scarlett will go against Hunter," Bennett announced.

The trees surrounding us start to disappear.

"Let me help you, Shawn" I offer my hand.

Shawn took my hand and thank me. "That was awesome, princess. It's the first time someone has block my bullet and I have never seen someone with that kind of power before" Shawn exclaims excitedly.

"Well thank you, Shawn. That was the second time someone complimented me." I dust myself from the dirt. My clothes isn't too dirty right now, but I still need to change later.

"You are bleeding. I think I have my handkerchief somewhere..hmm.. found it." Shawn wipes the blood on my left thigh and cheek.

"You're great earlier, Princess. I hope you'll join our group. If not...can we still be friends?" he looks at me expectantly.

I gave him a smile. "Of course, we can Shawn."

He looks awed for a moment before clearing his throat.

"I'll be heading upstairs to the training room. You are coming, aren't you?" He turned around but I didn't make a move to follow him.

"Well, no. I want to wrap this up as quickly as possible. So, can you asked Hunter to come down to start our battle?".

"Well, of course. You just wait here. I'll go get Hunter" Then he walked out of the door.

As I look around I found my scythe lying not far from me. I walk to get it and sat beside it. A few minutes later Hunter entered the room.

"I must say that I was quite impressed about earlier. But I will not go easy on you just because you had a good fight earlier. Since, you are the one who initiated that we can start our battle early. So, it's not my fault if you don't have any energy later." Hunter walks to me and stands in front of me.

I stand up and look him in the eyes. "Don't worry I don't need any handicap. I'll manage. Just worry about yourself okay" I pat him on the chest.

Round two was about to start.