Anime Protagonist Syndrome

Chapter 4: To the Ground

The boosted bass. The raging crowd. The blinding lights. The neon clothing. The violet aesthetic. And in the center of female dancers, there was my upperclassman, Alessa Zhang. She poured every bit of soul into each movement - every flick of her wrist, every twist and slide, every breath she took. But what blew me away was her powerful voice, which complimented her new indie rock song.

I've never seen Yuki's face light up so much. When did he start listening to her music? I didn't expect him to like this kind of stuff. As for Yui, well...poor girl. I know she prefers listening to soft pop and classical music, so...I wouldn't be surprised if her ears started bleeding in the middle of this performance.

And then everything blacked out. Spotlights, moving head lights, striplights, name them all - they're dead.

Heavy thumps. Loud shrieks. Nasty roars. And in the center of the action, there was my upperclassman, Alessa Zhang, desperate to escape. A Level 7 Dragon, with its piercing red eyes and hard gray scales, announced its existence to the audience: "SCREEEE!"

"This way," the security guards flooded in, gesturing civilians to leave. "Please wait outside! Do NOT jam the aisles! Keep moving, everyone!"

"Let's go to Alessa's dressing room!" I tugged at Yui's hand. "Or at least that hallway! I'll start up the Star Child thing, since Feng's here!"

Yuki groaned. "It feels like an earthquake right now, can he barely stand?!"

When we found a perfect hiding spot, I turned up the telepathic chat. "Just a mic test."

"You're at the Airline Center too?" Paris laughed. "Star Child, I didn't expect you to be here."

I didn't know how to feel about his presence - stressed or relieved? Hmm. "What aura are we up against?"

"Dark," Feng checked in. "What a coincidence, that it's strong against Alessa's aura..."

"Then I'll take care of it." We heard footsteps down the hall, and thanks to the potted plant, he didn't see us!

Yuki gestured towards a TV, miraculously still broadcasting center stage. The moment we saw Adam unleashing a thousand shields, my entire body fell.

"What are you doing?!" I yelled inside my mind.

"Milady, did I overextend my limits?"

I facepalmed. "Adam, that's like...half my energy!"

"Apologies. I had to protect the remaining civilians still evacuating."

Paris scoffed. "Hey, Star Child! It'd be nice to know where you are - wait. Who even are you?"

"You don't need to know," I shook my head. "I have reasons for protecting my identity."

"Like what? You already know us, that's so unfair!"

"Like I said...ugh. watch out! Top right, beast's got his attack up!"

As the boys exchanged battle call-outs to avoid more blows, Yui held me up. The more energy this Star Child stunt sapped my energy, the more I wanted to melt into the floor. Be strong, I told myself.

"Was that for me, princess?"

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "No, Paris. I need you to conserve your mana use. I'm barely holding up here!"

"Well, no worries! We can always meet you up and take you home. That's what I tried to say!"

"I don't...I don't need you to do that. I need you to focus on the task at hand!"

Feng bursted into laughter. "Finally, a girl who rejected you!"

"Shut up! I don't need that from the guy who Alessa turned away!" Oof.

I mustered my remaining strength to look at Yui. "Are they giving you a hard time?" she pouted. Seriously, this girl's the only reason why I'm still alive.

"Not looking good," Feng heaved. "Monster's getting stronger. Star Child, how are you doing?"

"Terrible," I replied. "I'm on the verge of fainting."

"Then was that first time at the restaurant just beginner's luck?! Tch. Adam, call for support!"

"...milady," the blonde prince mustered, "You must forgive me. My best spell..."

"Adam, NO! She's going to die!"

Within seconds, my sight went pitch black. I could only hear the beast's screech and Yui's cries...