Battle of prodigies

Drones encircled the pair of fighters, and the enormous stadium screens displayed the duel in such vivid detail that for the crowd it felt almost as if they were there. The roaring audience buzzed with anticipation, expectant for the tournament's final showdown: The Blue Swordsman versus The Perfectionist Princess. Their cheers and hype surged with every hit exchanged in battle.

Angie wielded her batons with relentless force as she charged at Jack, who struggled to fend off the flurry of strikes while staying in a defensive stance. Could he even win this fight? A crushing hit from her, sent Team Kennedy's leader sprawling onto his back yet again. Angie pressed the baton against his neck.

"What's the matter? Can't handle a few hits?" The archer grinned as she mocked her opponent. Jack, panting heavily, didn't utter a word, but even then, he kept a defiant look that made Angie's smirk turn into a frown. She shifted her baton, placing its harder end against his chest plate.

"Well, let's just end this, shall we?"

As she prepared to land the decisive strike, hitting Jack's armor, Jack acted swiftly, grabbing a handful of dirt and hurling it into her eyes. Blinded, Angie stumbled back, giving him the opening he needed to escape.

"Yeah, as you said, let’s just end this," Jack declared, regaining his footing and launching a barrage of slashes against his opponent.

Angie could barely block any attack with her baton. The Blue Swordsman's moves were so rapid, so forceful, so wild that she could barely defend herself from the impacts. In a risky maneuver, she leaped backwards, creating some distance between them.

"F-fine... You're tougher than I thought..." Angie barely mumbled, her words overshadowed by her attempts to take a breath.

With a deadpan look on his face, Jack regarded her calmly. "I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks."

"But..." She interrupted. "We're not done yet."

Angie stomped the ground. A cluster of arrows buried in the sand shot upward, spinning in midair before falling neatly into her hands. She reassembled her bow in a swift movement.

"You’ve been a worthy opponent, Kennedy. Thanks for the fight."

The blonde archer held her bow firmly with determination, taking aim with absolute precision. Her fingers holding a heat-seeking arrow. No matter how you looked at it, the battle's result had already been decided.

"Give me your best shot," Jack said as he dropped his sword to the ground and kneeled, scooping up sand in both hands.

"Quite daring, aren't you?" Angie teased, clearly surprised by his actions. "Bold move. Are you giving up already?"

"I don't need a sword to defeat you. This is a battle of brains as much as it is of brawn. And I'm sure you know this too." Jack replied as he tossed sand over himself, scooping up more for good measure.

Angie chuckled a little. "Digging your own grave? Alright, lil' guy. Say your prayers, because this tournament is... MINE!"

In a lightning-fast motion, Angie tensed and released the bowstring, The explosion of Alpha E e Energy echoed in the arena as the charged arrow streaked through the air, its energy crackling as it hurtled towards Jack.

However, what nobody had expected to happen, happened. The projectile veered mid-flight, arcing back towards its shooter and striking Angie in her chest, shattering her armor.

"Wh-what?" She gasped, her face frozen in disbelief as she felt her armor shattering. Jack had turned the tide somehow...

Dusting himself off, Jack rose from the cloud of dust around him, covered in sand.

"And the winner is Team Kennedy!" The stadium exploded in cheers and joyful screams as the name of the winners was pronounced. Victory had been secured, all thanks to Jack’s quick thinking.

The arena transformed, its sandy terrain reverting to a grassy plain in the center of the stadium. Cole, Alex, and Johnny dashed over to their leader, wrapping him in an embrace, barely able to contain their happiness, as they celebrated the long-awaited win.

The medal ceremony was a joyous occasion, even more than it had ever been, marking the Central Dojo’s first championship victory in three years. It almost felt like a miracle. And, of course, Jack was regarded as a celebrity by every single fan. Some even went over the barriers and asked for a selfie with the winners and clamoring for autographs.

After the celebration had wound down, the Kennedy cousins gathered with their families near the stands for a private celebration. Jack, however, lingered on the sidelines, neither his parents nor siblings were able to attend due to work commitments. He hid his sadness as best as he could. He stood quietly, immersed in his solitude, until a voice called out from the stands. A tall, tan-skinned, athletic woman was waving his hand at him. He strolled to her, eager to talk with the familiar presence.

"Feeling lonely, Jackie?"

"Something you need, Martha-Sensei?" Jack asked.

"Just wanted to congratulate you," The woman said with a warm smile. "Couldn’t miss seeing my best trainee shine."

Jack smiled, and spoke flusteredly. "I wouldn't be here without you, Sensei."

"Oh, my! What a gentleman! You're gonna make me blush with your flattery." The woman teased him with a grin on her face. "Give yourself some credit, kid! It was your ingenuity that won this for you. I mean, covering yourself in sand to block the heat signature? Genius."

"I just..." Jack glanced across the field, his eyes landing on the rival team as they were sitting down, being scolded by their trainers. Angie got his attention as she sat apart, her head bowed in frustration. She noticed Jack’s gaze and gave him a resentful frown, her coldness piercing his soul.

"I just took some inspiration from our rivals. That's all." Jack spoke with modesty.

The sensei placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I just want to get something stuck in your mind, Jack: you’re not here just because you’re good. You’re here because you’re exceptional. You're here because you're special... After all, there's no other reason why they would let a 17-year-old become a Junior Engineer."

"Thank you, Martha-sensei," Jack said with warm determination on his chest. He knew she was right. He was about to start a new chapter of his life. One that would take new risks for him. He was about to start a new chapter of his life. One that would take new risks for him to confront, but at the same time, one that would get him closer to his dream.

His journey was just getting started.