Reignite, Green Scar!!

[Kalem_Lee]

Inko Midoriya was shaking. For the second time in her life, she was about to meet some very important people. And just like before, it was tied back to her baby boy Izuku.

The first time was when All Might retired and formally asked to train her son to be a Hero.

That had been heart stopping.

Now though it was even worse.

"Is it really safe?" She asked. She had put on her best business skirt and top. She hoped it looked nice.

"I've been through it many times and it was made by the best in the business." Izuku said with a reassuring smile. "Do you want me to go through first?"

"...If you don't mind."

"No problem, Mom."

He stepped through the green hole in reality. Now alone with her thoughts, Inko began to fidget.

'I'm going to see my son's kingdom. I'm going to see more of his descendants. Oh dear. There's literally no books for this…"

Izuku's head popped back in. He looked…apologetic?

"Uhm. They've brought out the welcome mat. It's a bit much but they mean well!"

That did not help her nerves.

-----

"WELCOME, HONORED MOTHER!!"

Her worry was well placed.

When they arrived, rows of rabbit samurai guards were at the entrance. They were decked out in full regalia and were arranged from small things that almost reached her knees to big bunnies that they tried to match All Might in height.

Her son led her inside as each samurai bowed to her when she passed by.

Inside was even crazier.

Buildings that declared reverence for Izuku's other persona, the Green Scar. Streamers that had his name hung off the tallest buildings and connected them to the next building over. Miles of merchandising like toys, cups, engravings on weapons, lucky charms, masks, etc.

In the streets, the rabbit people danced. Again, the Japanese aesthetic was strong here as Inko recognized the dances as ones she used to dance to. Not just the kimonos but the full hair buns, white face paint, and the theaters. Did Izuku teach them that?

Food stalls had carrots, sweets, meat, and various corn dishes. And when she said corn dishes, she meant it. There was a lot of it.

While odd, this was…kinda nice.

The people cheered as Izuku passed them by but they also made sure to bow to her as well.

Oh dear. Her face began to glow red.

Soon they went into the actual castle.

And there was the royal family Izuku said wanted to meet her. The two parents. The two daughters and the son.

And even more samurai retainers.

"Welcome, Lady Inko, First Mother." A small one white rabbit announced.

And then everyone was bowing.

"Oh my." Inko whispered.

Izuku looked embarrassed too. "Yeah, this is them being restrained."

The King and Queen stepped forward and bowed to her first. Is everyone really going to do this?

"Thank you for coming, Lady Inko. You honor us on this day." said the King.

The Queen presented a hand "Join us for tea? I'm sure Usagi has told you some stories about us. I would be happy to hear them as well."

-----

"And this is when Usagi was taken outside for the first time." Vanilla pointed to the middle of a triptych portrait.

"Oh! That's such a cute dress. She seems more like the sporty type but looks so nice in dresses. Though that glare is something else."

"She gets that from her Father." She turned a page and Inko squealed. "Though she also gets her silly looks from him too."

"She looks so unassuming!"

"Right?"

"I have some old things of Izuku I always keep with me. If you want…"

"Oh please!"

Inko went to fish out her own baby pictures. It was kind of a longshot gamble but since this group were…family, then maybe she could find some common ground. And found it she had.

"Here's Izuku in his old All Might pajamas."

"Oh my! Grandfather looks so tiny!" Vanilla cooed.

"Mama?"

The two looked down to see the youngest daughter of the family. Little Cream and her odd friend Cheese.

"Yes Hun?"

"Scorch's bringing out some dishes…"

Just as she said that, the doors to the patio were flung open. The sole son of the family, Scorch, was carrying two large silver trays, two smaller trays, and one small personal plate at the top, for their lunch. However, they were a tad too big for the boy.

He didn't even make it five steps before he tripped and they slipped out of his hands!

"Wha!" He cried out as the breakable items hovered in the air, mere seconds from falling.

And they would have…if not for the fast feet of the family.

Izuku appeared in an arc of green lightning and caught the two largest plates. Usagi followed in his footsteps and caught the other two.

But that left the last…!

Which floated in the air?

"I got it." Inko said with a wave of her hand. Her telekinesis was a little shaky since she could only pull small objects to her. Luckily the secret meal was just the right weight.

She gently put it on the table with a smile.

The smile then became embarrassed as the rest of the family clapped for her victory.

"Great work on the save Gr-Miss Inko." Usagi said.

Izuku smiled, "It runs in the family."

"Very Heroic." Miyamoto praised, along with the children and his wife as well.

Inko blushed at the praise and settled in for this nice little outing. She couldn't wait for the next
time she could come around.

Maybe this new family isn't so bad. She thought as she took a bite.

She liked the carrot cake the most.

 

[Kalem_Lee]

Almost Two months ago...

"Well folks, we've had an amazing tourney this year! Not only has the Princess of the Miyamoto's risen to the semi-final rounds but the old Foot Gang are all here too! Not just Hopper the Breaker, but Jab Jab Julie and Baxter Boom!"

The crowd roared in approval.

Even from her seat in the break room, a small part of Usagi was churning with uncertainty. Her gang was all here. Despite her not being around, they kept themselves tough and managed to compete in the Royal Cup. If they had ever made a promise to compete together and against each other, then this was the moment it was kept.

It should have been a happy moment.

But…things change.

Usagi affixed some bandages on her knuckles and feet. The last couple of matches made her work up a sweat, not unlike the fisticuffs she had with Star. Her last opponent, Oblert the Oswald Understudy, was a vicious dude with rapid punches. The moment she got within range, bam! Like fifty punches a second.

But his steps were the worst. Usagi had to keep low and break his stance to overtake him.

It was rather easy.

That said, Oblert was a good sport about it. He'd make a good knight.

"Now will the Fighters please come to the stage?" The Announcer called out amidst the crowds cheering.

Usagi finished up her preparations and left the room. Halfway through, however, she had a visitor.

"Julie." She called out.

"Usa."

Jab Jab Julie, or Julie for short, was the big sister Usagi never had. A long while back, the blonde styled bunny went exploring on her own and managed to win a pair of dimensional scissors. With them, she took the young princess on wild adventures through the dimensions. It broadened Usagi's horizons and helped form their gang.

Too bad it also led to the trouble that saw her separated from her old friends and winding up on earth.

That broadened Usagi's mind further and now the animosity she used to share with Hopper, Baxter, and Julie was gone.

There were more to the Butterflies than just being the magical opposite of the Rabbits.

They had their issues and they were idiots.
And the Rabbits could just be as dumb.

Super Grandpa Izuku assured her of that.

Anyway, Usagi didn't want that old hatred to gain another foothold in her home. Things were only gonna get better when she beat the stuffing out of it and replaced it with something…well nicer.

She didn't know what but she had to find out.

Even if it meant going through her friends.

"You're really going through with this." It wasn't a question Julie asked. In the background, the announcer was giving them the go ahead to fight.

"Yep."

"...Alright then." Julie pumped her fists and bent her knees.

Usagi cracked her knuckles and put up her fists.

"..."

"..."

The bell rang and they attacked.

-----GSRT--------

Izuku watched it all from his spot in the back row. The blue cloak that he'd been given was good enough to hide him from prying eyes along with his old mask. Nary a person gave him a second look.

But that was probably because they were so enamored with the tournament.

Usagi's really giving it her all. He watched his great granddaughter bob and weave around the ring. Her smallish stature afforded her a lot of room to manuever and many chances to try for powerful lunges.

And yet Jab Jab Julie was working to keep up and grab her. She did it once and managed to put a good three jabs to the white rabbit's stomach. The blonde cowboy-like hare was far more sturdy than her tall frame gave her credit for.

But as the round started to draw to an end, Izuku narrowed his eyes. Usagi was hesitating.

She's going easy on her. Don't keep that up Usagi.

----GSRT---

Dodge. Dodge. Attack.

Repeat and close in.

The fight has gone on for minutes. Each one giving ground to take a major strike. A few groans from the audience had come up but the sheer speed of both participants had kept the excitement going.

All the way up to the end of the fight.

"Is that all?!" Julie joked as she stood with her hands on her hips. There were bruises all over her and she was tired.

Usagi was about the same but she was taking a knee. It was helping her take stress off her body but it was gonna be a pain when she got back up.

"Not even close." Usagi replied.

"Well I'm done playing." Julie pumped her fists and tapped her foot. With a big pull back, she surged toward Usagi with a left hook! "Come on!"

Usagi…ran forward into the fist!

"!"

The audience held their breath. Who just runs into a punch?

It was all over.

"Kiyah!"

Usagi pivoted into a spin, dodging the punch and sliding right up to the older bunny. Now with her back on Julie's front, Usagi grabbed her arm with both hands.

Summoning all her speed, she jumped to the edge of the ring and…

SLAM!

…threw her out of the ring!

"Out of bounds!?" The announcer screamed. "Wow! I didn't see that coming! You've seen it here! The princess has thrown Jab Jab Julie out of her ring! She advances to the next round!"

Usagi dropped to her knees and took many breaths. As expected, the fight was a tough one. And yet…

"You didn't really try." She said.

Julie shrugged. 'I just wanted to see if you got any better."

"In the Royal cup?"

"This mattered to you so you gave it your all." She got up and dusted herself off. "I'm a drifter and I've got scissors. This place doesn't really matter to me. It's Hopper you have to really bring it with."

Usagi had a feeling about that.

Just as Julie walked off to leave the area, Usagi called out to her.

"Jules! Maybe…maybe we can hang later?"

It was a long shot. Usagi more or less left them behind when she got mixed up with Earth. But that didn't mean she was done with them or wanted them to stay gone. What was wrong with more friends?

Heck, they'd probably even like Janna.

Julie didn't stop or turn around making the rabbit princess deflate.

"I'll be around. If you wanna hang, we'll hang."

Usagi perked up. She had a moment to see Julie wave before the blonde left the area with her scissors. Hope blossomed in her chest.

Maybe she hadn't lost them all. She just needed to meet with Baxter and Hopper.

Usagi can do this.

She can.

---

Spoiler: Author's Note

There's two more parts here.

And while Usagi and Julie may be on Ok grounds, its not gonna be so for the next parts.

 

[Kalem_Lee]

"Alright gang! We're going out on an adventure!" Star yelled as she stood tall with her gathered group of besties. And her bestie's great grandfather… maybe her granddad too?

Star didn't know. Everyone was trying to get the facts straight about the Festivia thing.

"Uhm, why am I here?" Izuku, the Green Scar, asked. He was looking a lot better after a clean up and healing of those pretty dang bad wounds from before his crystallization. While Lekmet kept him from leaving the mortal coil, his battered body needed more help. Seriously, the Solaria vs Green Scar battle must have been nuts.

Star and the others still winced in sympathy the one or two times they saw the scar.

"Because it's my time to look after you, Super Great Grampa. We gotta get you back into fighting shape." Usagi said, giving the older man a friendly back pat.

"Within reason." Marco corrected. "We're at least going around the area and to a couple of different dimensions. We can't forget the other reason we're gonna be up and about."

Izuku blinked in confusion.

"Himiko."

"Oh." It clicked for him then. "Are you sure about using me as bait though? I'm kinda old now." He even poked at the small belly he had been growing for the past couple of weeks.

"Don't underestimate a young girl in love, Izuku!" Star dramatically rebutted with a pointed finger. "Even the loss of abs could mean nothing to us."

"I'm not included." Usagi added.

"Trust me on this. Plus I know Toga." Star's smile dimmed at those words. "Well I thought I did but what I do know is what she's into. It would explain that weird look she had when we visited Rhombulus's place last time."

Unbidden, an image of Himiko Toga staring at Izuku's crystal prison came to their minds. However, the image was stuck between a shoujo-esque picture of a young maiden looking at her imprisoned princes, forlornly unable to help him.

Before it changed to a scene of a feral Himiko hanging off Izuku's crystal and trying to munch on it to get him out.

Everyone turned to look at Star.

"What? It's what I would have done before blasting magic at it."

"That's not reassuring." Izuku said.

----RGS------

They traveled across Mewni first. It was the easiest task and something to help get Marco experience about the area. And yet somehow the smell of corn never really went away.

They went past Butterfly castle and the Rabbit Kingdom. Off to the further regions where other monster clans hail.

The Septarians were…off bounds at this time.

But they still had friends from all over they could talk to.

----

"Welcome to my swamp, Star girl and friends. And thank you for entertaining my little ones. It is time for exercise!" Buff Frog laughed as his many children began hopping around to play with the visitors.

Marco and Usagi had an easier time getting the kids to play around but stay close to avoid getting lost. Usagi had them hopping along with her as they paraded around the house. These little ones had just started sprouting legs and wanted to put them to good use.

Marco was on hand with the littlest ones who were still technically babies and thus had no legs. He kept them grounded and let them bounce all over him. Wasn't long before he was made into a makeshift roller coaster for them to play on.

Star was helping him by being a play pretend airplane.

Izuku, however, was off to the side watching it all. Most of the kids just looked at him in wonder before they went off to play. He was at least glad they weren't afraid of him.

"Why would they be afraid, Green Scar?" Buff frog asked. "You are still a Hero to many a monster. Though my little ones have only been told the tales and probably can't see it's you."

"I'm still human and well…"

"Oh. Is not worrying. While I teach caution to kids, that doesn't mean I teach distrust."

"Even with the walled off kingdom of the Rabbits?"

That was something Izuku wasn't sure how to feel about. While Imperial Japan was something he was worried may still happen with or without him, the ruling class the rabbits had over their neighbors was worrying.

"Mighty kings and queens come and go. Despite differences, we Frogs are alright. Though maybe one day, we may have Queen as well."

"Sounds good. Though have you given any thought of marrying into the Rabbit family?"

The sound of a record skipping.

"Eh?" Buff asked.

"Yes? Marrying into the rabbits? Bring the communities literally together?"

"Really? You wouldn't mind?"

"It's not up to me but no. Where I was originally born, people of different nations can get together and marry. It may have taken a while and probably a lot of legal stuff but it was possible."

"I am...honored but this old frog is too busy with his children. Perhaps another..." Buff frog still looked mystified at the offer. So much so that Izuku felt a little awkward bringing it up.

Why did I bring it up? He would have smacked himself if it didn't look so weird.

"Hey Grampa!"

The two older men saw the teens and kids coming toward them with rambunctious hips and a few flips.

Usagi got in the front and explained, "Me, Star, and Marco are going to do a look around. You mind watching the little guys till we get back?"

That was what they were doing anyway. Izuku took on the role of watcher this time.

And found himself downright ambushed by the little tykes. Not just with them being on him but by their questions.

Because they had so many of them.

"What can you do mister?"
"Can we have some food?"
"Are you really the Green Scab?"
"Show us a trick!"
"Yeah! A trick! A trick!"

"Ok! Ok!" Izuku laughed as he stood up. So many rambunctious faces and overeager kids. It felt like a blast from the past.

"I do have one trick I can show off today. One sec." He then laid down on the ground and made sure his arms were spread out. "Ok, hop on kids."

They didn't need to be told twice.

Izuku twinged a little from all the little hoppers getting on at once but he shook it off. A strong back was needed for a Hero, even if he was an old one…

"You all on?" He asked. They gave affirmatives.

Ok Nana. Let's do this.

I'm not really doing anything Izuku. This is all you. Just go for it. The Vestige replied.

Izuku called on One for All and felt for the Quirk of Nana Shimura. Float was…well floaty. It reminded him of the fuzzy feeling that came over him when Ura..Uraka?

When his old friend used her quirk on him.

A strange disconnect from gravity and the ground and yet it was him controlling how far he could ascend or descend.

And just as he began to rise..

"Whoa!"
"He's Flying!"
"Hang on to his sides! We're leaving the ground!"

Given the tugs on his clothes and the increased joyous screaming, it's safe to say that this idea was a success. He did make sure not to go too high off the ground. Safety was still first.

He also did requests.

Spinning around, though that was a bit harder to do. He now felt more like Uraka after just two spins.

He also tried turning it on and off while doing handstands.

For the next half hour, Izuku and Buff frog entertained the kids until his granddaughter and her friends returned. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and none of the other monsters have had any disappearances of neighbors or friends. The Black Hand was hopefully keeping their operations out of Mewni proper so that they couldn't be caught.

It was a good news, bad news problem. Hopefully the bad they didn't know about wasn't too great.

"Farewell, friends! We shall keep the swamp safe and let you know if Baddies are around!" The father of the little frogs called out as the group set off for their next destination. His kids shouting after the departing heroes of Mewni as well, with hopes that they come to play again.

But what none of them knew was there was another visitor.

Himiko Toga had been asked to see what the current situation was in Mewni. Even with the addition of the Black Hand to the League of Villains, no one else could compete with her stealth. And being that she and Spinner were the ones that spent the most time in Mewni Proper, she was made head scout for the upcoming battle.

She had a thought to find a milk lady or a page in the knight service to swap with so that she could see Star and Marco again. The Rabbit Kingdom was a no go since like other Monsters, their blood felt weird to Himiko.

If only me and Usa could have hung out more. She was so prickly back then despite how cute that can be.

A shame but for now, she let it go.

Her dimensional knife had brought her to swamp lands in the Monster area of Mewni. She remembered Buff Frog lived here. She liked Buff Frog, he was one of the nicer guys that Ludo had. Too bad Ludo listened to Toffee.

Toga had planned to sneak past Buff and move to Mewni but she paused when her friends and her crush showed up.

Even now, she felt that spark of love.

She wanted to see Izuku.
She wanted to drink Izuku.
She wanted to be him.

Though it felt a bit weird since Usa was like his granddaughter. Himiko was sure she could overcome that little hurdle. Time and space brought her to him after all and it gave her so many new friends!

That had to mean something.

As they left the swamp for the next destination, she wanted to follow them. But she had a job to do.

Little Bloody Bunny had told her it would help the plan. She could find Izuku another time.

Tomura's Hand Crush Party came first.

"Aww, I shoulda taken a picture." She grumbled as she made her way to the castle. That still left the matter of who to see first.

Maybe she could find Higgs…

---

Spoiler: Author's Note

I may come back to this one. I still want it as just a short 1.5k thing but i think a little more reorganizing may be good. To summarize this is post "Izuku is Eclipa's Dad" revelation and his release. Like the small time skip between the end o the Meteora battle and s4.

Next time we have the actual chapter back.

Stay tuned.

 

[Kalem_Lee]

Bloody had been sitting in her cell.

Her Father had protested this since she had done her part for stopping Shigaraki and the Black Hand. Bloody had nearly cried when he vehemently tried to persuade the Rabbit court to let her go.

But for all his good heart, her father had never known her as the monster she was long after he had been taken away.

She let him down gently and told him that she would go willingly.

Something must have broken through to him since he relented. He would still be arguing her case in court and he visited her the very minute visiting hours came up.

It was late but Bloody appreciated the attention all the same.

Visiting hours were done today and she was laying on her bed, letting the time go by. If there was one thing about this high tower prison, it at least gave her enough sunlight to work with. The glow shrinking and changing to moonlight was nice to observe.

Now if only she had better company.

The guards did not speak to her. They feared her and stayed outside the room.

Her meals were placed nearby by a squire who would flee if she glanced his way.

Even if she knew it was coming, it was still hard to deal with.

"It could be worse." Bloody muttered. "Perhaps I could ask Father if I could have knitting material? Or a ball?

"They do usually allow for small toys. Nothing sharp I'm afraid."

The short rabbit didn't flinch but she did tense up. She recognized that voice. She turned her head to look. "What do you want?"

Eclipsa stood in the middle of the room since there weren't any chairs. Her spade laden cheeks creased into a small smile as she took it all in.

"Just appreciating your temporary lodgings. It's a pretty far difference between being crystaled for hundreds of years. Time may have flown by but there's always a feeling you're wasting time." She looked up at the moonlight peeking through. "That looks rather nice."

Bunny didn't say anything and just kept staring.

"Oh the silent treatment?" Eclipsa didn't really mind. "That's a bit mean. I do actually want to wish you well."

"Why?"

"Well as a fellow Queen who went through something similar, I thought I would offer condolences. Trials are quite annoying in my opinion."

"Because it revealed dark secrets that even you didn't know about?"

They both knew what she was referring to.

"Very much so. But there is still a means of getting something useful out of it."

That made Bloody sit up. "What do you mean?"

"My trial revealed the truth of my beloved daughter. And soon I found her again. There must be something you seek as well."

Oh. So that's what she meant. "No. I have no children. I traded that away when I became a vampire. I doubt this new body would allow anything like that now."

"I could-"

"No! No more magic for me." Bloody then sat up. "I appreciate the offer."

Eclipsa nodded. The silence between the two was almost deafening. And really what can be said between two people who were revealed to be sisters recently? Especially in a family that fractured from a long time ago.

"I am sorry about Mina." The former queen finally said.

Bloody tapped down on the anger. Lovberry was still out there but she would be found. She and the dry skinned brat that helped her.

That said, there was something she wondered about.

"Will you speak to Father?" Bloody asked.

"..." The silence was answer enough.

And now what more to do between the two of them? They were sisters by blood and lineage.

But…the bad blood wasn't easily fixed. Mina Loveberry's crimes will forever hang between the two kingdoms. So too would Bloody's revenge and against Cresentia and .

Diplomacy would rise again despite that.

And yet for Bloody and Eclipsa, their own meetings didn't amount to much.

Mina's misdeeds happened under Eclipsa's watch. And there was no guarantee that Bloody 's revenge wouldn't have included Globgor and Meteora. There were chances for things to have become worse between them.

But for now…maybe they can slowly heal.

Eclipsa gave the imprisoned Rabbit Woman a curtsy and said goodbye.

"Farewell Queen Bouncy."

She raised her hand but stopped. "Oh and one more thing about your trial."

"Yeah?"

"If you win, be sure to smile cutely. Izuku was always going on about how smiles can save people. And I'm sure your Father would love to see one on you. It may not be tomorrow but someday."

With a snap of her hand, she disappeared. Bloody was left alone once more.

Tomorrow will be one d
ay closer to her trial. Perhaps she could practice smiling.

One that wasn't so blood thirsty.

---

Spoiler: Author's Note

This is me, saying we're back on track.

Some melancholy here with hope for the future. If I had time, I would have added a bit more spooky. Maybe next time.

Next time, the Party games end.

Stay tuned.

 

[Kalem_Lee]

Miyamoto watched the clash of his citizens with mere stoicism.

There had been…less than enthusiastic showings at first. But then the next round carried his daughter and her former friends to the semi finals. Miyamoto was half and half on the girl Julie and the other two boys. While he could tell she was happy with them, those four caused as much trouble as the Butterfly child.

They caused even worse trouble when the two groups met at their odd dance parties.

He had little doubt Usagi herself was the chief hell raiser among them, with how much she tried to march from the front. He tried separating her from her former cohorts but the Butterfly schism wasn't anything he could do about.

He wasn't able to back then with Moon.

He offered what little prayers he could for Queen Comet's passing. It was as honor and protocol dictated. But then, there came the rumors.

That a Rabbit had been involved in the assassination.

It was ludicrous. They had done nothing with the Butterflies since Crestena and Caer. Miyamoto himself didn't believe it. But Daffy the Mage told him to check it out anyway.

From there he met friends like Gen and Tomoe and a rough ally in Moon.

They put a stop to Toffee, or thought they did, and made what constituted peace between their kingdoms. Just two powers on either side of the fence.

But now…maybe that wasn't what was needed. Letting only two hold so much power…

Beside him, his wife Vanilla put a hand on his. "You have a nostalgic look on you? Care to tell?"

"Remembering old friends and wondering what could have been." He said.

Down below, the dark yet gold young man, Hopper if he was correct, was putting in a devastating power punch against the last member of Usagi's old group. Bester, was it?

I need to study my daughter's friends more. Miyamoto admitted to himself with some shame.

"The boy's name is Baxter." Vanilla suddenly said.

"Thank you dear."

------

Hopper was bouncing and trouncing as hard as he could. He couldn't afford to lose this match. He had nothing against Baxter. Guy was like an invincible rock, when he knew how to be a rock. Hopper would call him one the best Rabbits he knew.

But right now, Baxter was standing in between Hopper and the throne.

Hopper was born in the Northern part of the kingdom. He heard the Tales of the Green Scar like any other kid but he had a secret. One he didn't even tell his best buds.

One of his ancestors fought beside the Rabbit!

They may have died but still! That kind of prestige? That's something that's carried his family for generations. Especially his aunt who helped Usagi's Dad fight whoever tried to frame the Rabbits for that Comet Queen thing.

Too bad that Usagi's Dad got the wrong idea from it.

"Come on Baxter!" Hopper gloated as he tapped his foot. "We trained you way better than that. My punch needs a cozy home to stay in."

Baxter tilted his head in confusion. "What does that even mean?"

Hopper grimaced. The smack talk failed. "Look, just let me hit you again."

"Oh. Well no thanks." Baxter took a deep breath before he went barreling at Hopper. The smaller rabbit dodged to the side and did a jab to Baxter's side.

Only this time, it didn't make Baxter slow down in the least.

"Oh cra-"

Hopper wound up eating a shoulder to the face and got sent flying. In fact, he went so far he hit the wall. The wall that was where the audience sits. Thanks to his reflexes, he was able to save himself from disqualification from a ring out.

"What the heck, Bax?!" He shouted. "Since when can you do that?! It felt like I was punching armor!"

"Training." The larger and green colored Rabbit replied. "You, Julie, and Usa always said I need to take a hit better. So I did."

That wasn't what Hopper thought would happen.

Ever since the group started, he was always in the middle of the pack. Usagi at top because she was a royal. Julie was second because she was too dang tall. Him at third and Baxter at the bottom.

It was fine at first but Hopper knew he was destined to be better than this. He had Butterfly fighting in his blood. In a year or so, he'd be standing toe to toe with Usagi!

But now…if even Baxter was starting to get the lead on him…

"Five…six…seven..!"

"Oh crap!" Hopper jumped back into the ring before the ten count could end.

"The fight resumes!" The referee called.

The two boys got back into their stances. Hopper, however, was still perturbed. He was about to lose. To Baxter of all people?!

No. Not a chance. Never!

So incensed, he dashed in and began to rain blows on the heavier Rabbit's body. There was no doubt about the power in them but Baxter powered through. He grabbed Hopper's fists and slammed him to the ground. It stung like heck and Hopper was stinging from it.

"Sorry Hop but I'm winning this time."

Hopper stilled. Is he trying to beat me? Me?

Something snapped inside him. He had to win. He had to!

When Baxter raised him up and prepared to throw him out, Hopper pulled his legs up and let them fly.

Kicks upon kicks upon kicks. Nonstop hits to Baxter's head and going so fast that he couldn't keep up. He had to let go.

He held his face in his hands, stunned and bruised. He was taking steps back, mostly in reflex and was so focused on his pain, he forgot about the ring.

So Hopper reminded him with one more kick. One that sent him out of the ring.

"R-Ahem. Ring Out! The winner is Hopper!" The Referee called the match.

There were cheers of course. A battle like that with a few close calls had the blood pumping for the audience. And yet some were wincing for the hurt put on Baxter. Kicks to the face hurt.

Hopper himself was taking a knee to steady himself. He really let loose back there. It was mostly in desperation but it still got him the win.

I had to win.
I had to.

And yet, when he peeked at his friend, the pang of guilt hit him.

Julie and Usagi were already heading over to him with the medics. Hopper knew he should follow suit. And he would.

He just…wanted to hang back a second. He had another match to worry about. The plan for the Kingdom was still on track.

I'll apologize later. After I win, of course. Baxter's a good sport. He knows what we're here for.

Even to Hopper the words sounded hollow.