Chapter Text
The Dark Lord (master of the Dark Devas of Destruction, Supreme Overlord of Ice, one who has transversed the underworld, etc,etc, it is hard to keep up with so many titles that most mortals chose to ignore) hid behind the mountain of metal and used-gum. It held a cove where he could crawl underneath while his “classmates” were subject to torture of the worst kind. He could hear their out-of-breath wheezing, he could picture their wobbling figures as they barely clung to consciousness, and he was sure he just heard an explosion of some kind (though, that likely was due to the Ambassador of ”Luck” and not to the class they’d been dragged to participate in).
It was not that he was fearful, no he had endured far worse pain then any of them could imagine, but it was solely the fact this was not something he wished to do. Being a being of so much power, why did he need to participate in needless activities that only caused his shirt to be drenched in sweat?
Then, suddenly, he was being dragged out from his spot. Like a cat plucked from it’s favorite spot in the sun, he splayed out his arms in an attempt to reach onto anything that would keep him from being moved. Unfortunately, it was in vain, as he was met with a burst of sunlight in his eyes and a hulking figure above him.
“Tanaka! It’s no use hiding! We all have to participate in the mile, including you!” Nekomaru Niadai shouted, his voice projecting so far it was not just Gundham who heard him. Several students looked over, most giving him a look of sympathy (that he didn’t need).
“I am not hiding, you fiend! I have no need to prove I can ‘do a mile’. I can even do far greater than a mile! If needed I could sink this entire foul area into the depths of the Earth’s core!” He declared “Also, you mustn’t touch me. I have toxins radiating off of me, you are lucky you haven’t just keeled over! It very well could’ve been your last day on this mortal plain!”
The man gave him that half-blank stare he usually gave him. Many mortals were unable to understand him, he’d long gotten used to it. However, he proved to be particularly frustrating as he’d made several failed attempts to understand or even completely misinterpreted his words while assuming he was right.
“Well, even if you did sink Hope’s Peak Academy into the depths of the Earth- You’d still have to run a mile! Come on, now, it won’t be as bad as you think.”
He knew the Ultimate Personal Trainer would not take a “no” for an answer, especially considering this was a physical activity. However, he did wish to stand his ground for just a little longer.
“Would you want to experience my wrath? You manhandled me earlier, you heathen, and if you continue to pester me then I will have no choice but to unleash my true powers!”
“Gearing for a fight, huh?” He gave him a smirk, the man immediately changing his stance to one of more stability “Not sure how teach will like that- How about whoever lands a body blow wins. If I win, you have to do the mile and if you win you can go back underneath the bleachers.”
Hm, a challenge? The Great Gundham Tanaka would never back down from one of those! Especially where he could prove his might in front of an unbelieving mortal!
“I accept these conditions. Though, for clarification purposes, if we try to strike the heads, legs, or arms are we disqualified or does this match continue?”
“Hm, didn’t think of that,” The man said, a bit thoughtful then he usually was “How about, it's alright if its the arms or legs, but anywhere else then its disqualification. Does that work?”
“That is satisfactory,” He tightened his scarf around his neck, before contorting his body in such a way his power would congeal to his hands while protecting his body. “Let us begin! Your fate is sealed, Nekomaru Niadai!”
“Oh my god! He’s striking a pose like an anime character! How lame!”
He heard one of the mortals that were his classmates say in dismay. However, their battle of the fates had garnered an audience of many. As they gathered around he heard both their whispers and their rallying cries.
“Get ‘em Coach! Then it's my turn next!”
“This will be splendid! I have never witnessed a school fight before!”
“Miss Sonia, should a princess like you really be watching this? I mean- it could get ugly!”
“Oh my, I do love seeing two men fight~ You boys take your time, don’t make it too quick, alright? We need a good build up, don’t come too early!”
“This is absolutely ridiculous…Nekomaru! Gundham! Stop acting like little boys who squabble over a toy and just talk it out!”
It seemed the others didn’t quite understand the true reason for this battle but Gundham didn’t let that stop his pride from swelling. He’d already been devising a plan that would ensure his victory! He recognized that Nekomaru was larger and was technically more physically fit- but he had a secret weapon that a simple mortal could not predict.
He did not pull it out right away though, no that would be unfair. Instead he watched his opponent closely for any openings.
The man’s stance was defensive, he wanted Gundham to make the first move and leave himself open. It made sense, in sheer mass Nekomaru was bigger therefore it’d be “easier” to hit in the torso based on that. It’d be to his advantage to defend rather than be the aggressor.
He grinned, one that could stop a man dead in his tracks, and took a purposeful step back. Nekomaru cautiously followed his move. They went around like that, he taking a step and the other following with half-curiosity half-confusion.
It was a slow draining method! And it was working!
“...Do you think he’s trying to run away?”
“No, I don’t think so… Gundham would never run from a battle in Pokemon, so he wouldn’t in real life either… I think.”
“This isn’t one of your games! You do know that, don’t you?”
“Um, If either of you start fighting for real I’ll be here to help! I-If you want me too, of course!”
His plane was working, his methods gave him exactly what he needed! Which was for Nekomaru…
“DARK DEVAS OF DESTRUCTION! COME FORTH AND LAND ON THE BEHEMOTH IN FRONT OF ME!”
… To be lured into his trap!
His “hamsters” (merely their current form, just as his current form was a human-boy-teen) soared through the air, their little paws aiming to grab who their master declared to go to. Jump-P landed on his head, Maga-Z on his arm, San-D took the foot of the man, and last (but not least) Cham-P right into his chest.
“FUWAHAHA I HAVE STRICKEN YOU IN THE CHEST! THIS MEANS I AM THE VICTOR AND YOU HAVE FALLEN!”
He laughed egregiously at his opponent, so dumb-founded that he took to petting his Dark Devas (who surprisingly had warmed up to him and were not biting at his fingers… how unfortunate) instead of falling to his knees that he had lost. It seemed, honestly, that on the outside Nekomaru Niadai did not care that he lost the challenge. He could even be described as… joyful.
…It mustn't be! Surely, he was just putting on a brave face. Yes! Indeed, he was a worthy opponent who didn't have poor sports-man ship. So he would chin up and take the loss where he was!
“Alright, Tanaka, I’ll give it to you. After All, I didn’t say you couldn’t use your pets so it's only expected they’d be utilized,” He took each of the Devas, carefully in his large hands, and put them down gently in his scarf.
Gundham fought the urge to pull it up over his face and hide the growing redness in his cheeks.
“They are the beasts, which are under my command! Perhaps, if you gain a familiar of your own you can see what power it will bring the both of you!”
The man blinked at him for a moment before smiling.
“Maybe I will! Dogs are good companions to take a jog with! Man’s best friend for a reason!”
Shortly after, Gundham retreated to below the bleachers and Nekomaru pushed everyone forward to finish their mile (which they all had, ironically, stopped to see what the two would do next).
However, it would not be their last encounter for that day. Not even their last time on the field together! Fate had tied a knot around them…
No matter how he protested, whether it be talking of his battle from earlier or that it was unnecessary to measure his time as he “had infinite power that mortals could not measure by the usual means”, he was still in the same place about to run on the same field as everyone else. It seemed though he’d bested his classmate he could not best his teacher in the same way.
“Are you here to laugh at my ill fate?” He muttered as he saw Nekomaru was already there but quickly regained his usual bravado “To say you may not have won the battle but surely the war? Well, I will let you know if this is to be a rivalry I will not give in! This is only the beginning!”
“No, nothing like that,” He said “I came to run and encourage you! For non-runners, I understand it can be hard to stay motivated when you're running alone!”
“Well, given that is the reason, I allow you to continue! But do not think you will get off easy in the future!”
It would be hard to admit, but he began to like the other teen at his side during class. It was… pleasant.