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Ichigo runs for Y/n, swinging his massive fist, but she drops out of the way just in time. She takes the next hit aiming her staff to hit his stomach.
He is knocked back a few feet, gripping the region as a few coughs escape him, but he shoots his hands skyward, forcing rocks to fly toward where she stands.
Y/n kisses her teeth as she effortlessly manages to avoid the move and swiftly retaliates while hastily signing her next attack, "Interplanetary Lighting."
The audience of Giants speculates as two beams of bright light appear from both sides of Ichigo and make their way toward him.
Consequently, he instantly uses Heavy Metal to save himself from the unexpected aftermath. But despite the swift save, he is slammed down to the soil beneath him.
She quickly uses this opportunity to slam her hands on the ground, "Shredding Flash!" Ichigo hurries toward her as the earth underneath him starts to shake and crumble.
He is moving so quickly that she doesn't notice his fist headed for her gut. She feels the wind get knocked out of her as she is sent downwards.
In an effort to draw him closer, Y/n clutches her stomach, but surprisingly, he takes the bait. She takes the chance to launch her foot toward him in an attempt to get off the ground.
He blocks the hit by grabbing her leg and slamming her down to the ground.
She quickly hardens her body, "Warrior Reaction!"
Her body quickly reacts to her command, so she swings her free leg in his face causing him to fly away from her. Y/n lunges toward him, making a fist using both of her hands and slamming it down on his chest.
"Heavy Metal!" He tries hardening his body in time but he still takes damage. Her body turns to normal as she tries to leap away from him as he begins to stand.
Ichigo swiftly gestures his next, "Earth Burial." This causes the ground under her to tremble and rush upward, grasping onto her.
"Fuck!" She murmurs in irritation as her attempts to wiggle free fail.
She sees him charging toward her, flailing his fists at her stomach, prompting her to cough up blood.
The corners of my eyes crinkle as she notices her staff in arm's reach. She stretches her fingers and manages to catch it right away as she swings for him.
He manages to catch the staff and launches it far away.
"Bashing Assault!" She huffs as two boulders approach Ichigo.
"Heavy Metal," he protects himself but is flung back to the ground.
She takes this chance to break away from the hold of the earth and hardens her body once again, "Warrior Reaction!" She slams her foot in his face, causing him to black out while cursing at her.
Y/n huffs and attempts to regain her breath as she slumps to the ground, staring down at him.
As her consciousness fades away in a blur, she can hear the faint cheers as the announcer declares her victory lifting her hand in the air.
Y/n looks up at the dazzling sky and the blazing sun and smiles slightly while whispering, "I protected your throne."
◎●◎●◎
She sits up dizzily, her eyesight fading in as she feels for her forehead.
"I heard you're back," she hears a voice bellow from close by. Her recognition comes shortly after she lazily glances at her.
"What brings you here Matrona?" She gasps in surprise, emphasizing her sarcasm.
"Don't." She cuts me off, "I assumed you would've been gone, after your victory."
Y/n glances over to the defeated man who still remains unconscious, "Still not happy about our match, I'm sensing."
"You beat me and put this rule in place about being a Guardian, then have the audacity to leave? You think you're above me and that I'm beneath you," she says, her voice dripping with disdain. "Well, you're wrong."
"I have my reasons, which I do not wish to share with you," Y/n glares in her direction. Every time she returns, Matrona can't resist picking a fight with her.
"Same old excuses. Where's the Guardian, when I'm off working with the humans to defend my home?" Matrona shakes her head in disappointment.
"I don't need this from you," Y/n snaps, dashing her gaze away from her. "I'm aware of my shortcomings and the pain, and I don't need you to point them out to me."
Matrona sighs loudly before shifting her standing position, "How's Diane?"
"She's good," She smiles to herself thinking of her niece.
"Go visit your sister before you leave," and with that, Matrona spares her one last glance with lingering judgment before exiting.
She chuckles softly to herself at the fleeting figure, "Yeah I will."
Suddenly Y/n hears rustling and notices that Ichigo is awake.
"So you're awake," she speaks up.
Ichigo whips his head in Y/n's direction, only to quickly let it drop down.
"I cannot accept failure. Let me prove to my father that I'm still worthy of the throne," he says firmly, "So let me accompany you on your journey as a way to better myself."
The sudden request threw her off, "But what would you achieve from that?"
He turns to lock eyes with her, "To get stronger, and one day rematch you for the throne."
A weak smile stretches on her face. Despite the difficult situation, he is trying and she admires that about him.
"Fine, one condition," She sighs agreeing to the odd request.
He nods and speaks, "What's that?"
"I decide when we have the rematch."
He takes a deep breath and reaches out his hand to her, which Y/n flinches toward. She is uncertain what to do with it, but obliges to shaking it, "Deal."
She never expected to reach an agreement so easily, but there they are shaking hands and sealing the deal.101Please respect copyright.PENANAWNF4ZKZvux