Dexter’s movements were strange and unpredictable to most. However, with trained timing Alexander dodged each attack the instant before impact. Some people refer to this, dodging all attacks with out countering, as cowardice. That thought is held only by naive and aggressive combatants. In all truth it is often quite the opposite, though the tactic is often avoided in advanced training where contact and strength are the primary goal, the simple tactic is used to wear an opponent while avoiding being damaged. Sad as it is though the technique is quite useless in any battle against a real opponent. Humans are simple beings, even the most basic of insects can live in any of the worlds, they are ignorant to the other worlds and thus think themselves superior to the surrounding beings that exist in all worlds. Because they can exist in only in the weakest of the worlds, for simplicity reasons it will be referred as Omega, a human battling against a being that finds Omega a nauseating place to tred is with out exception outmatched and basic tactics are better left forgotten.
The battle continued at a dull pace Dexter; a boy nearly of age standing about six feet with an unflattering scrawny build, his shaggy brown hair swayed back and forth with his random movements as he continued his pursuit of Alexander; a boy about the same age, in fact younger by only a day, but nearly a foot shorter, despite being only a little bulkier Alexander was nearly three times stronger. Despite Dexter’s overly complicated attack strategy the same fate met all of his attacks, dodged, never countered or even parried. Despite his poor appearance Dexter had a decent level of endurance, Alexander had gained the same stamina from years of shared sparring. The battled edged forward until shortly after the third hour, Dexter stopped abruptly and began to take a breath, with lightning speed Alexander seized the moment to attack before having his feet swept from under him by Dexter’s longer shaft, simple sticks really. Dexter kicked his defeated opponent’s weapon out of reach. “That makes us even if I count right, or am I mistaken Axel?” Axel rolled over to stare at the sky panting slightly. “You count to much Data. I forgot the score long ago and never listen when you repeat it to yourself. I fight with you for fun and win or lose that is the one thing that is a sure outcome in our fights.” He closed his eyes and his panting became simple breaths once again. Opening one eye he looked at Dexter, “You know that tactic would knock down a mountain before it works on me again?” He closed his eye and drifted to sleep in the shady clearing they called their own.
Through out the fight Brianna sat in a tree watching every move and making sketches of her combating friends. Near the end she grew bored of the familiar dance and began to sketch a lizard resting on a branch above her. Soon after the sketch was completed she hears the sound of her friends bickering and using their nicknames. Brianna had given them the names, she hated the formal stance her friend’s families held so dearly. Not for the first time she wondered how boring her friends lives would be right now had she not wiped that nonsense from their heads at a young age. Brianna was eight months their senior but started school late due to her father's death, one of the worst and greatest events to occur in her life. The tragedy left her horror struck and her mother a ghost of her former self, fourteen years had past but still only the ghost remained.
Data grinned and waved at Bris. Bris, pronounced Bree, hated having a such a common name so she invented a new spelling thinking it was all that matted during their first year of school, she flashed him a smile and dropped from the tree. Bris stood exactly mid-hight between the boys. Her elegant red hair, reaching half way down her back, contrasted Axel’s dull and short gray hair, and all the same complementing Data’s light brown shaggy mess of hair. Her features were un-tainted and well developed. Data snapped himself from his daydream as she approached. “Data he has six points on you he just hates to,” A brief pause and a look in Axel’s direction she resumed with a mock tone, “belittle you.” Bris giggled to her self, Axel rolled his now open eyes, and Data released a suppressed sigh. “Sorry Data hate to be the bearer of disappointing news you know.”Axel closed his eyes again resuming his half-nap. Data got up and walked over to a tree and sat beneath it. “I’m doomed to always be a few steps behind you I guess, but at least I’m a head of Bris. I’d hate to be bested by a girl.”
Bris was on him in a second her own stick in hand swinging with a built up furry. She was momentarily stunned when Axel’s stick was the one blocking her attack. Before she she could recall his taking it Data used his foot and knocked the wind out of her retrieving her stick as it fell to the ground. “You guys can split the bill today, its getting late and you would be giving up valuable eating time to spar for yourselves.” Bris was quick to agree knowing she would be hard pressed to beat Axel at all. Axel was obviously much less thrilled to accept, he knew as well as the others his chance of winning was almost a certainty, especially after Data’s little trick when his guard would be heavier to such ploys. Data set the sticks beneath a tree for a moment as they gathered the rest of their things from the clearing.
No matter your view the weapons were simply sticks but each reflected its user quite well; Data’s stick was the longest and was taped in the middle and at one end, his preferred method of attack is to hold it in the middle and strike with one end then switch the attack to the other side as the opponent goes to react simple but effective in most battles; Axel’s stick was short and thick, despite its size it has the the power to deliver a heavy blow, a short weapon is normally useless but with proper speed it can become quite effective; Bris’ stick was thin and flexible, quick to attack and contact is meant to to leave the opponent stung. Interestingly enough these sticks have endured twelve years of abuse in an endless struggle against one another seeking nothing but battle scars and a good time.
After their things had been gathered Data retrieved the sticks and returned the others to their proper owner. “We only have an hour until Sal’s place closes so were gonna have to run if we want to have time to eat in.” Bris sighed, “I hate running but you do have a point.” She stretched for a moment before before using her stick to strike him in the shin before taking off at full speed towards the diner. Data was after her in a moment, Axel stood there for moment shaking his head before taking off in pursuit.
Sal’s place was soon in sight and the three raced to the front door. There was no contest in it, Axel was always in the lead and even had time to stop and tie his shoes before the others arrived. Data stood outside panting a moment. “If we ever race for the bill remind me to cheat if I want to beat you, then again I would really just have to beat Bris.” Bris stuck out her tongue and made a rude gesture. “I could beat you with my eyes closed on one leg if I wanted Data.” Axel was leaning against the building bored by the bickering. They all knew her body was a big enough weapon against Data to beat him in anything she chose. “Can we eat already if I let you finish the fight Sal’s place will have gone out of business.” Bris slapped Data across the back of the head and ran through the door Axel was holding open. Data rubbed his head and followed her in. “Those two fight like an old married couple.” Axel muttered as he shut the door behind them.
“I was expecting you three to show up today.” Sal was nearly thirty and had the spirit of a child, despite these facts his hair was snow white by nature. He was of average hight, nearly six foot and had the build of someone who works out regularly “I’m working on something you three might want to be apart of I can’t say anything while we have customers but come back Monday we’re gonna be closed for the holiday and you three would really like this.” He gave them a wink and returned to his post in the kitchen.
Axel lead the group to their usual table. “You ever get the feeling there might be more to him than just a short-order cook. He gives off this vibe that tells me we might need him someday.” Data and Bris were shocked and stared with blank faces at Axel’s announcement. Just as Data was going to ask what he was talking about Axel burst out laughing. “You should have seen your faces you were stunned.”
