Insanity (Mario)

Chapter 47

"Are you ready?"

The two faced off, the purple haired girl with a sneer on her face, the red head's arrogance showing.

"If you think that's meant to scare me, you've got another thing coming," Kaira smirked. "But since I want this to be at least a little bit fair..."

Kaira tossed Lavinia a katana. It wasn't one of Kaira's enhanced blades, just a plain old regular katana. Lavinia caught it easily.

"Oh? It's not like you to make it fair like this, is it?"

"Heh. No, it isn't," Kaira grinned maliciously. "Haven't found anyone who can even give me a rush when I fight. Show me what you can do.." Kaira drew her katana. "And let me see the life drain from your eyes!"

The two rushed at each other, their weapon's clashing. Metal against metal continuously clashed, power behind each and every blow. Both had the intent of killing the other.

"Fascinating!" Kaira laughed as Lavinia dodged her attack. "I've never met anyone who's survived for so long against me!"

"Heh," Lavinia smirked. "Don't think so highly of yourself."

I see an opening-

Kaira's eyes widened, her smile growing as Lavinia nicked her arm, making a slight cut.

"Ahaha! I commend your efforts, but you killed yourself by doing that."

Finally, I get to see her power, Lavinia mused. How exciting...

Blood rushed from Kaira's wound, surprising Lavinia and the blood cut into Lavinia's arm.
She gasped, falling back.

"The moment you hurt me, it was over for you," Kaira's eyes gleamed. "Sorry."

"What an unfair power," Lavinia sighed, gritting her teeth, dodging Kaira's attack by rolling and standing. "I suppose mine is as well."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Since you got a hit on me, I'll tell you," Lavinia sneered, their swords clashing. "It's simple. I know every single move you're about
to do."

"Reading my mind, then?"

"Yeah!" Lavinia grinned. "Every move of yours has been perfectly matched because I know exactly where you're about to hit!"

"Interesting. Predictable," Kaira sneered. "You rely on your power too much."

"Excuse me?"

Kaira's sword clashed again, but this time her leg shot out and kicked the girl in the stomach. Lavinia gasped for breath, falling backwards as Kaira's blood sliced a wound onto Lavinia's stomach.

"I think the winner is fair," Kaira cocked her head. "It's obvious. You spent too much time calculating my next move, not realizing I have other abilities to be used."

"Impressive," Lavinia gasped. "I bet I could learn a lot from you. Such a shame we met this way."

"Well, it was a good one," Kaira stopped walking away. "Well, actually... you've got a lot to learn."

Why is she leaving me alive? Lavinia thought. Why would she... heh. Well, she'll learn that she made a grave mistake. What an idiot.

"I hit you," Lavinia gloated. "That's more than-"

Kaira looked over her shoulder.

"That's about sixty percent of my strength. How's that make you feel?"

Lavinia's fists clenched.

"Th-this isn't over.."

<><><>

"Kaira! Kaira's back!" Saiko cheered. "Saiko's glad you're okay!"

"Heh. I'm fine," Kaira smirked. "Of course I am. Why, did you have disbeliefs?"

"No!" Saiko disagreed quickly. "Never. Saiko just wanted to make sure. Saiko doesn't know what Lavinia is capable of doing, so.."

"Well, don't worry, I'm alright. And you?"

"Feeling great! But Satsuki, do you want to play with Saiko now?" The bluenette looked at the girl hopefully. "Please?"

"Of course," Kaira smiled. "Why wouldn't I?"

<><><>

"Toadette, Dixie, can I come in?" Daisy knocked and yelled outside the door.

"It's just me, but sure!" Dixie chirped from inside.

Daisy opened the door, finding the half-monkey transformed into her regular blonde female.

"Is your power just for cosmetics? What do you do in battle with it?" Daisy questioned, forgetting the real reason why she was there.

"Pretty much, yeah," Dixie smiled. "Most powers are based off of personality. It fits my... er... insecurity about being a monkey. It's good for sneak attacks, though. Most people would never hurt the person they love most, so when I change into them, it stops them momentarily."

"But it's useless against the monsters in the arena..."

"Well, yeah," Dixie scratched the back of her neck. "But it's helpful to me in life, and I much prefer that."

"Well, to each their own," Daisy shrugged. "I get that. If it's based off of personality, what's mine..?"

"Being that yours is about life... hmm. Maybe that you make things grow? You unlock everything's potential. I mean, you made Rosalina 'fess up, solved- kinda solved the Satsuki problem-"

"I didn't solve that," Daisy sighed. "At all. She's still going to keep killing for her own pleasure. It's not like we can do anything...I solved nothing."

"Well, you made Toadette and Kaira's relationship better," Dixie pointed out. "That's something. Honestly... you've done a lot. And maybe you can say it was for the worst, but I think you did a good job. After all, I've been trying to make her stop hating Satsuki for awhile.. and you did it in two seconds. So... thank you."

Hey everyone! Hope you're enjoying. I'm also starting a prequel to this called "Sanity" which will be up after this is posted :) It's about Kaira and Saiko before Insanity's events, which I know many of you have been looking forward to. I hope you guys enjoy. The cover also has the first official art of Saiko- kinda weird that I haven't drawn her yet, hehe. That's young Saiko, by the way.

Also- Insanity is coming to a close for the sequel.. it will be posted as soon as Insanity is over. I haven't decided a title yet- I'll keep you guys updated.

Thanks for reading!