ToT Chap1 - To Be Strong Final

Four moves.

Those words ring through Yang's head as she stares at her teammate confused and curious to what exactly Sonya has planned.

Xavier growing interested as he can see the seriousness in the Eevee's violet eyes. He lightly laughs as he twirls his wand. "Let me get this straight missy. You are betting that you can grab these gems out of my hand in the span of four moves?"

Sonya just nods to him in confirmation.

Xavier laughs loudly in amusement while shaking his head. "Your kidding right? You do know that my Magic Room will still be in effect for a bit longer. And you may be fast but that won't do you any good so long as it's still up. I'll see your every move coming. Your betting on a losing battle."

"Perhaps." Sonya shrugs as despite all he said, she doesn't look nervous or worried. "Using any four moves I know, I will try to grab those gems out of your hand. You can dodge or attack me to prevent that from happening as much as you want. If I win, you will let me keep the gems and you will leave this area for good."

"If I lose, you will keep the gems you already have and I'll give you my Soothe Bell earring and my own hairbands." Sonya lifts up her left ear to let her bell ring softly so he can see. Then turns her head to the side slightly to show him her own purple gems that hold her fur in a braid.

This gets Xavier's attention. He noticed Sonya's soothe bell already, yet because she acted so quickly to attack he failed to notice the similar hair gems the Eevee. He taps his wand against his chin contemplating her offer.

Yang looks concerned, her shaking finally stopping. Yet her body is weak and in shock so she still can't stand. Yet she still has the use of her voice.

"S-Sonya. What are you doing?" Her voice shaky, yet louder than it usually is when she's around strangers.

Sonya glances to Yang briefly. The corner of her mouth going upward in a small smirk and she winks to Yang. Then looks back to Xavier normally. "Well? Do we have a duel?"

Yang feels uneasy about this. Xavier looks between them, slight suspicion on there being a catch to this. Yet for the moment he can't see one. His smirk returns as he laughs and gets in a ready stance. "Very well then missy. We have us a duel. Four moves says you can't grab these gems from me."

Satisfied, Sonya stands on all fours and crouches ready. Yang bites her lip in worry, yet watches in anticipation.

Xavier points his wand at Sonya, signifying he's ready. He gives her a challenging look. "Your first move."

Sonya's eyes narrow as she takes a deep breath. Then digging her claws in the ground she rushes at him with a burst of speed. Xavier smirking seeing her use Quick Attack but due to Magic Room it's slow enough where he can see it coming.

He raises his wand up and slams it to the ground. Using Fire Pledge again as a wall of fire heads to Sonya. She narrows her eyes seeing the attack coming, acting quickly as she uses her speed to quickly leap over the fire like she did before. Not quick enough though as the edges of the fire catches her left hind leg. Wincing in pain at the burning sensation yet that doesn't stop her.

She leaped far enough to go straight above Xavier who is smirking up at her. "That's one down missy!"

Sonya opens her mouth and concentrates as she gathers a dark ball of energy in front of her. Sending a Shadow Ball straight down at him. Xavier runs forward and leaps up to dodge the Shadow Ball as it soars past him and slams in to the ground where he stood.

"That's two!" He says to her then begins to spin as fire envelopes his whole body. Sonya's eyes narrow as she spins herself in the air, her tail shines out and becomes enveloped in a metallic shine. Using her own momentum she meets his Flame Charge with her Iron Tail. Sparks flying as their attacks hit.

Yang looks concerned, knowing Iron is weak against Fire yet Sonya still used that move. Yet Yang can tell from her position it appears Sonya isn't trying to meet his attack power for power.

Sonya grunts a bit as she doesn't try to overpower Xavier, but instead uses her Iron Tail to push herself up and over him. Leap frogging over his Flame Charge and landing on the ground. She looks up as she waits for Xavier to come out of his Flame Charge.

Xavier looks behind him while in the air and laughs again. His hand with the gems outstretched which Sonya's eyes narrow right on. "That's three! You sure your trying to win this duel missy?!" Xavier taunts with a smirk.

Sonya acts quickly while Xavier is in the air. Running normally and not using her quick attack to where he is falling to the ground. Xavier sees this as once he lands he gets ready to turn around and block whatever it is Sonya is going to do next.

Sonya jumps up above him to his side. Being fairly close to his face. Xavier looks surprised at this and gets ready to use his wand to block Sonya who he expects to try another attack. Yet, just as he raises his wand back, he suddenly freezes in shock.

Chu~

Yang eyes widen in shock. Her fear for Sonya as the battle went on growing as she sees Sonya not even make an attempt to grab her gems. Yet, what she's seeing her teammate doing right now is something she never expected in a million years.

Sonya has her eyes close as she used her momentum to jump close to Xavier's face and closing her eyes, she kisses his cheek.

Xavier looks shocked for a moment, before crying out in surprise and blushing. He staggers and pushes Sonya away quickly. Sonya rolling on the ground with a wince since she didn't brace for him to do that. Lightly coughing as the push knocked the air out of her.

Xavier furiously rubs his cheek, shocked and taken back by Sonya's action. "W-W-What the heck was that?!" He cries to Sonya, holding his wand out to her.

Sonya sighs out then starts to stand up. Yang looking to her concerned that she might be hurt.

Sonya moves to stand on her hind legs, lightly dusting herself off. She looks to Xavier then a small smirk comes to her face.

She moves her arm forward to show Xavier Yang's gems in her paw.

Xavier squints at her paw, then widens his eyes in realization. Looking down quickly to his now empty gloved paw, then back to Sonya with an unbelieving look. Realizing she grabbed them while he was in shock at the kiss. Yang herself shocked as Sonya just looks casually. "I win."

Xavier shakes his head and glares with a blush still on his face. "N-No! You said four moves! T-That last one doesn't count!"

"You probably didn't hear me right. I said I would use any four moves that I know." Sonya emphasizes on 'any' with a small smug look of her own.

Xavier opens his mouth to argue, yet stops halfway. He makes a face thinking over what Sonya said in the beginning. Realizing that she isn't lying yet is trying to find a way to deny it.

Sonya rolls her eyes at him then walks over to Yang. "I won. I used four moves and managed to grab the gems fair and square. So the gems are mine and you will leave. As we agreed."

Xavier groans hanging his head down while rubbing his temples. His blush slowly going away on his face. "You really caught me off guard there missy. Some say you cheated."

"And your asking for an honorable duel with benefits. Quite the positive first impression." Sonya retorts back with a glare. Xavier holding up his hands as he walks backwards.

"Still feisty as ever. Very well missy, I'll honor our agreement. Though for future reference, may I have the name of the person who cheated with a kiss?"

Sonya's eyes narrow at Xavier, a little embarrassed at how he worded that and still doesn't trust him. Yet she can see Xavier isn't like the usual bandits she's come across. "Sonya."

Xavier smiles to her then takes off his hat and bows. "Miss Sonya. I am Xavier. Enjoy your victory."

Sonya watches as Xavier finally turns the other way and leaves. Never taking her eyes off him until he's out of sight. Once he's gone, Magic Room finally goes away as the walls dissipate.

Yang sighs softly, the events of all that just happened making her extremely tired. She looks up to Sonya who is also looking a bit weary but alert.

"Sonya..."

Sonya's ears raise as she looks down to Yang then kneels in front of her. "Yang, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let you go on your own. I should have--"

"No, I'm sorry."

Sonya looks surprised that Yang suddenly interrupted her. Yang usually polite but the defeated look on Yang's face makes her see this is serious.

"I-I should of paid better attention. I shouldn't of just f-froze like that. I just.. when I realized he was a b-bandit my m-mind just went blank" Yang's voice quivers a bit, close to crying again. "I-I was so scared. I-I tried to forget the memories but they just flooded back."

Yang closes her eyes tightly. Sonya watching her closely, staying silent for the time being while listening to Yang finally speak her feelings.

"T-The pain came back. The pain... I-I don't know if it was just in my head or real. I didn't even use my Jump Kick but the pain still came... And I just couldn't take it." Tears gather at the corners of Yang's eyes. "I'm sorry I'm so weak. I-I thought being apart of this team would help me grow strong again. To get rid of those memories, but I only make things worse."

"Pfft." Yang's eyes open and she looks up quickly hearing a snicker come from Sonya. Said Eevee smirking to her amused. "You seriously think your not strong? Your kidding right?"

Yang looks lost as Sonya giggles a bit. Sonya sits down in front of her and starts to gather up Yang's long bangs. Yang staying still as she works.

"Yang, I know you think your weak because you don't like to fight. And only I know the reason why you don't. Well that and our mentor." Sonya shrugs. "Anyway, I know you used to be strong in fighting and the fact you choose not to fight anymore is frustrating and makes you think your worthless. That's not true."

"I-It's not? Ouch!" Yang asks then winces in pain as Sonya tugs on her bangs harshly. Sonya looking annoyed at what she said.

"Of course!" She sighs softly. "Yang, there are different ways to be strong. Physically strong is the usual sign of strength everyone visualizes. That's only one kind of strength. There are other ways to be strong and it doesn't have to be by winning fights all the time."

Yang looks curious up to Sonya, eagerly listening while Sonya smiles to her. "There's strength of mind. Strength of heart. Kindness. Forgiveness. Strength to do the right thing. Strength to speak up when your voice is needed. Those are all ways to be strong Yang. Not just physically or by power. You may not have the strength you had back then, but you have other strengths now to replace that."

Sonya secures Yang's bangs back in place like they should be. Satisfied as she sits down and smiles as Yang stares at her with wide emerald green eyes. "You helped me during the battle Yang, you gave me strength to not give in to my anger. I'd be a total hothead without you. That's not just where your strength is. I'll leave it up to you to figure out just what strengths you have. I see it everyday. Now it's your turn to open your eyes and see for yourself. "

Yang stares at Sonya, processing all she said. Sonya stands and stretches out. She glances briefly to where Xavier took off then back in the direction of Tabira. "Well, we're a bit aways from Tabira. Better get walking." She looks back down to Yang. "Think you can stand?"

Yang looks down quietly, not sure if she can handle walking yet. Suddenly she looks up as Sonya crouches in front of her and looks back to her expectantly. "Hop on if you can't."

Yang looks embarrassed, "N-No Sonya. It's a long ways back and your probably tired. I-I'm much too heavy."

Sonya looks annoyed with a frown. "Listen, we can argue all you want but if you can't walk then this is the only way to get back. We're both tired, had a long day, and I'd rather get back now than later."

Yang wants to argue back, yet seeing the annoyed look on Sonya's face tells her already. Yang sighs in defeat, Sonya's stubbornness and impatience showing there's no room for debate.

Yang moves slowly, still shaky but can at least move enough to reach out and haul herself on Sonya's back. Once she's on, she yelps softly as Sonya grabs her and stands up. Adjusting her on her back securely.

Yang flinches lightly when Sonya rests her hands on her legs, yet doesn't panic. Sonya being one of the few she can tolerate touching her legs.

"All set?" Sonya asks glancing to Yang.

Yang nods to her softly, still embarrassed. She holds on tight to her shoulders as she starts to walk.

Ting

Yang's paw brushes against Sonya's soothe bell, making her look to it, then to Sonya. A grateful smile coming to her face.

"Sonya. Thank you."

"Yeah whatever. That's what friends are for."












"Also, never mention that kiss to anyone or I will kill you."

Yang giggles as Sonya frowns embarrassed.