Chapter 33: The Lazarus Tournament part 6

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(General P.O.V)

Holy shit.

What had they just witnessed?

The final battle of the second round, was X-23 vs Cassandra. No one had really expected it to go like it had...

By now, it was afternoon, the sun was more than halfway through the sky.

There had been a short break for lunch and when they had returned, it was time for the last match of the day.

By then, Jinx had been cleared by the medical station and rejoined Angel and the others on the stands.

She hadn't been happy that she lost. Far from it. But her match with Angel had left her in deep thought.

It wasn't like her to stay quiet, but her introspection had seen her do exactly that.

On occasion, she would find herself throwing looks Angel's way.

It would be an understatement to say that she wasn't curious about him. The boy that had saved her life and then soundly defeated her. Easily too.

She wanted...no, needed to know why he had done that in the first place. They were supposed to be enemies yet, he acted as if the Tournament didn't even matter to him.

He could have easily been disqualified for saving her. The whole tournament was hosted by the League of Shadows after all. And she had disrespected their boss.

God, what was she thinking calling out Ra's Al Ghul's name so casually?!

Her overconfidence had almost resulted in her death! If it wasn't for Angel...

Yesterday she tried to talk to him and let him know of her gratitude. But that plan had failed.

In part due to Monkey boy's interference, but also because it had felt awkward- trying to strike up a conversation with someone she would be fighting the next day.

But now, that wasn't an issue anymore. He solidly beat her.

Even after she had used her powers on him, he still won. And that was the second reason why she was interested in him.

Her bad luck hadn't affected him. The arena had been turned to sawdust by her probability manipulation, but somehow, he had shielded himself.

How? She had never come across anyone who could negate her ability.

Angel Savage. An enigma.

'I wonder what kind of girls he likes...'

Shaking her head in embarassment at the thought, she resolved that after the end of the final match, she would approach him for a conversation.

But for the moment, her focus returned to the Arena, where the next and last battle was set to begin.

She was knocked out of the competition but it wouldn't hurt to learn more about the other contestants.

The gong sounded out. And immediately, both contestants rushed each other.

(Angel's P.O.V)

There are many ways to have a conversation.

Most people use speech or text to communicate.

Facial expressions as well, help in bridging the gap of understanding.

You can tell when someone is happy by their smile, or angry by their frown.

It's how humans convey meaning and build trust.

However, there is another way to communicate.

It's less popular but it's one that reveals the true self, and exposes a person's intent to someone else.

Battle.

And that's exactly what was happening on the Arena between the two blank faced Assassins.

X-23 had a cold look on her face, which was matched in intensity, or lack there of, by Cass's calm but sharp gaze.

At the sound of the Gong, the two of them were upon each other like flies to honey.

Both released punches that actually connected with the other's cheek, the double impact of knuckles on flesh, resonating out into the Training Grounds.

I frowned, wondering why Cassandra hadn't dodged. But then I understood that the initial clash was like a greeting between them.

This wasn't just a fight, it was a conversation between two elites. Two girls who were much too alike.

Again, there's something about X-23...that I just can't put my finger on.

An idea came to me,

I tapped my watch, enabling a video recording functional on the shades I was wearing.

The nanites followed my will and a red dot appeared at the left corner of the shades.

One way or the other, I had a feeling I would face either of them in the later stages of the Tournament. Most likely the finals.

So recording their battle would help me study their moves and prepare.

Especially with the promise I made to Cass. Next time when we fought, I was determined to win.

It had nothing to do with how cool the fight was. Or how good and fit she looked. Nope. All this is for educational purposes.

I was distracted from the fight for a second, by a conversation the nanites I had in the Lazarus Pit chamber accidentally captured.

Fortunately, I had the glasses recording the fight in the Arena, so I could spare a little attention to what was happening in the chamber.

And boy oh boy, I now couldn't wait for my meeting with Ra's Al Ghul later on.

It seems some of the Demon's Head followers were not as loyal as he would have liked to believe.

Then again, the ones closest to you are also the most likely to stab you in the back.

(General P.O.V)

As the fight was happening above ground, underground in the Lazarus Pit, two individuals had met up for a secret meeting.

A figure stepped off the stairway and into the chamber, the green glow of the Lazarus Pit in front, highlighting their features.

He was a large and bald headed man. His massive frame was contained in a gray vest, showing off his huge arms filled with cords of muscles.

He wasn't handsome by any stretch of the word. His face was stony with a wide jaw and chin.

This was Ubu, the personal bodyguard of the Demon's Head.

On the other side of the Pit, the shadows warped as a form came into the light.

Immediately, Ubu went down on one knee.

"Lady Talia, you called?"

"Ubu, the time is upon us."

Talia said, walking along the side of the pool as she approached him.

She came to a stop before his kneeling form, imperiously gazing down at him,

"Tonight during the planned welcoming feast for the Fighters, my father will meet an unfortunate end."

She told him, grabbing his chin and tilting his head up.

"Can I count on you my dear Ubu?"

Talia crooned seductively, stroking his cheek lovingly.

Ubu, dazed, leaned into the touch, a fervent look in his eyes.

"Always Lady Talia. Your wish is my command."

"Perfect."

Talia replied coyly, straightening up and retracting her hand.

She crossed her arms below her breasts, her sizable bust fighting against the seams of her dress.

Ubu's eyes were firmly locked on her chest, a hungry expression taking over his face.

Maybe that's why he missed the flash of disgust that went through Talia's eyes.

It was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

"Ubu..."

She called to him softly.

"Yes, milady?"

Ubu eagerly answered.

"See that you don't fail in your part."

Talia stated coldly, her earlier warm tone turning frigid and commanding.

"Your job is to slit the Demon Head's throat when the poison takes effect. I'll take care of the rest."

She turned around to gaze at the Lazarus Pit, a vicious glint in her beautiful eyes.

"By this time tomorrow, I'll be rid of all nuisances. And the League of Shadows shall be mine, including the Lazarus Pit. As is my birthright as the first born heir."

Ubu stood, firm resolve in his eyes.

"And I'll be by your side Lady Talia, assisting you in your rule. Together."

"Yes."

Talia smiled with mockery, her expression hidden from Ubu's view.

"Together."

(Angel's P.O.V)

Yeah...he's dead.

There was no way Talia was going to rule with him.

If she did succeed in actuallizing her ambitions, this Ubu dude, would be the first to go.

That's villainy 101. Never trust a traitor. They'll come to betray you too one day.

The nanites I had concealed in the chamber, also recorded the whole conversation.

With this, I had a bargaining chip for when I met the Demon's Head.

Due to the existence of the Lazarus Pit, simply saving his life wouldn't have the same effect as exposing the traitors in his daughter and one of his most trusted servants.

Still, that raised another question, if Talia was truly set on taking out her father, what was stopping some of the Shadows loyal to him from simply bringing him back using the Pit?

I mean there was people like Sensei and Lady Shiva(though I hadn't seen her since the cruise ship).

And I doubt they would willingly betray Ra's.

I knew Sensei personally. And Shiva didn't strike me as the type to betray her boss. Not without a good enough reason.

In any case, I would find out tonight when I met up with Ra's.

A gasp passed through the stands, cutting into my thoughts and bringing me back to the match.

The arms of my seat cracked as I tightened my grip subconsciously.

"Impossible..."

I couldn't help but mutter.

On the Arena, the fight was over. And unexpectedly, Cassandra had lost.

But that was not the reason why I was so worked up, or why everyone watching was dismayed.

Four sharp blades, coming out of x-23's knuckles were plunged through Cassandra's chest.

With a sickening squelch, X-23 withdrew her claws and Cassandra's body begun to fall.

In a flash I was there, cradling her body while trying to make sense of what had happened.