Alas, due to me mentioning my Patreon on a number of my stories on Ao3, those stories are now hidden. So I've been doing a lot of editing to ensure those stories are not permanently deleted. Sigh.
Anyway! This is a commission I did on my Patreon for a member. I can do commissions for this and many other fandoms if you wish, just contact me on my Patreon. I'm currently unemployed so every little bit helps.
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"This final championship bout has exceeded all expectations! As we enter the fourth overtime round, it's astonishing how these two prodigies refuse to yield!"
The announcer's voice blended into the background noise Pyrrha Nikos tuned out. The crowd's roar, the background music, the birds chirping in the arena's rafters—all faded as blood pounded through her veins, her lungs drew in air, and blood dripped from a wound on her arm.
Her opponent was her sole focus. His white-and-black armor bore as many cuts, scrapes, and dents as hers. His blond hair, slick with sweat, mirrored her crimson locks. His intense blue eyes locked onto hers as he gripped his sword and shield with effort. His Aura still crackled, a storm of power, just as her own soul's energy thrummed through her body.
No other opponent had been as difficult to fight. No other fighter had been more of a challenge. And given how many times they had clashed? It was not a stretch to call him her greatest rival. She was the Invincible Girl… But he? He was the Implacable Boy. Their fights were popularized as the most bitter of rivalries, hated enemies both competing for the top spot.
The reality was somewhat different… Though there were times he could be a bit infuriating.
Between labored breaths, her opponent flashed a cocky smirk.
"Gotta say, Pyr… you're tough to bring down."
"Y-Yeah," Pyrrha replied, measuring her breaths, "I'm actually enjoying myself… for once, Jaune."
Jaune shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. He was too skilled to make such a mistake.
"What? Our earlier fights weren't good enough for you? Sore loser," he teased.
She flushed.
"Must you… Tease me?" She asked.
"You're beautiful when I do," Jaune replied easily. She blushed, and hid her smile.
Pyrrha then tensed slightly, and he adjusted his stance in response. She sprang forward, swinging Milo in a flurry of strikes. Feinting toward his throat, she aimed Akuo at his knees, but his shield met hers, deflecting it with a shower of sparks. She darted to the side, leveraging her superior mobility despite her exhaustion, but he swung his sword into her path. She parried with Akuo and attempted to bash his shield.
He met her force with equal strength, and she felt his shield give way. Her smile widened… then turned to shock as he surged forward, sending both shields flying. He threw a punch while pushing her sword aside, the impact jarring her side and straining her Aura like cracking glass. Reflexively, she drove her fist into his gut with all her strength, and he coughed up blood as his own Aura faltered.
They staggered apart, clutching their sides, swords trembling in their hands.
"Good trick," Pyrrha managed.
"Lucky," Jaune replied modestly and breathlessly. He adjusted his grip, wielding his sword with both hands. Pyrrha mirrored him. They charged, exchanging probing strikes—or rather, strikes fueled by whatever energy they could muster. They searched for any weakness, any opening to end the fight.
"You can't outlast me, Pyr," Jaune gasped.
"Really, Jaune? I think… we're both feeling this fight," Pyrrha shot back, forcing a cocky smile despite her exhaustion. Jaune chuckled, thrusting his blade in a quick feint toward her face. She anticipated it, parrying his true strike at her side. She lunged to capitalize, but his renowned footwork allowed him to recover and defend. Their swords clashed like hammers on an anvil.
The crowd fell nearly silent, heightening the surreal atmosphere.
"We are," Jaune agreed. His eyes locked onto hers as he shifted to a higher stance, raining blows down on her. She deflected them, though his brute strength made it challenging. She might be faster, but he was a tank, an unstoppable force.
Pyrrha licked her lips, her heart racing. She tried to trap his Crocea Mors against Milo's guard, mechashifting her weapon into rifle mode as Jaune flexed his wrist. She pushed forward, and both weapons flew from their hands, clattering onto the stone arena floor.
They stood panting, staring at each other. She flexed her hands, curling and uncurling her fingers. Jaune mirrored her, his shoulders heaving with deep, slow breaths as sweat dripped from his nose. He shifted into a boxing stance, and she adopted her Pankration stance.
He took a deeper breath, his brilliant blue eyes fixed on hers.
"Before this ends… I need to tell you something, Pyr," he said.
Pyrrha frowned slightly. "What?"
Jaune's smile warmed. She had always loved his warm smiles, even when he smirked cockily—still so handsome.
"Whatever happens… will you come to Beacon with me? Become Hunters? Together?"
Pyrrha flushed. "T-Together?" she stammered.
Jaune nodded. "Yeah. I got into this to prove I could fight and support my family… but I want to make a difference. I want to make the world better. And I… I know you do, too."
Pyrrha's cheeks burned brighter. She held her guard but felt a warmth unrelated to her Aura flood her body.
"I do," she said, nodding. Her smile turned dreamy. "I mean… I would like that."
His smile matched hers, warm and wistful.
Jaune charged, and so did she. He threw quick jabs, which she dodged and deflected with her forearm. His haymaker swung up, but she caught it, pushing herself to flip over his head while gripping his wrists. He let her, his arms loose, then turned and broke her hold. She gasped as he pulled her against his chest, his arms encircling her waist, pinning hers to her sides. His breath was hot against her ear.
"I'm so glad," he whispered. "I can't imagine my life without you anymore. And I don't want to."
Pyrrha nearly swooned but turned it into a move, using her feet to trip him while grabbing his arms to throw him. His impeccable footwork saved him, and he spun her away, catching her hand to halt her. It felt like a dance.
Their smiles were wide and genuine. She yanked his hand, raising a fist. He pulled back, his own fist ready.
"Sorry," they muttered in unison, just before their fists connected with each other's cheeks. Their Auras shattered simultaneously, and they collapsed to the arena floor. The crowd erupted, screaming with riotous cheers.
"And… that's it! IT'S A TIE! THEIR AURAS BROKE AT THE SAME TIME!" the announcer bellowed. "INCREDIBLE! A CROSS-COUNTER KNOCKOUT! BOTH ARE DECLARED CHAMPIONS! THIS IS THE MOST ASTOUNDING TOURNAMENT FINAL I'VE EVER SEEN!"
Pyrrha slowly opened her eyes, the shock of her broken Aura fading, leaving aches and pains. She looked at Jaune, who grinned back, though his expression was pained.
He slid his hand toward hers. Smiling, she reached out to grasp it.
"You okay?" he gasped softly.
Pyrrha nodded, smiling. Her mother might be upset about the fact she was sharing the title, and the pain was intense… but honestly?
"I've never been better."
