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"The Lactoses are starting to close in! How will this epic battle of these three factions go for this year's Crown Cup!"
An enthusiastic voice booms from above through speakers placed all around the arena. It was hard not to recognize the voice of DJ Miya narrating the Crown Cup, especially when it's been the only voice you've been hearing that's familiar.
Black Pudding stumbles into a field of tall grass planted for the sole purpose of hiding, he tries to quickly snuff out the smoke of his cigarette while someone is hot on his pursuit.
He had gotten split up from his one remaining teammate, Bacon Roll in a scuffle with the opposing 'Fruit Bombers'. It gave him an opportunity to try and hold his ground for the Grinders... but he had completely forgot about the other team competing, the Lactoses.
---
"You know anything about our opponents... Puddie?" Bacon Roll asks, wiping a mysterious purple goo off from her oversized weapon in a cheery tone. Despite the constant rounds of fighting wearing her down, she's still able to enter every battle like it's her first one.
Black Pudding shakes his head, lighting his seventh cigarette so far. Out of sight so Jerky Cookie can't see, a sigh comes from Bacon Roll as she starts listing off the qualities from the other opponents in this upcoming round.
"The Fruit Bombers have a C/R/A average of ten crumbles... three resets... and twelve assists... we should be looking out for that cookie with the popsicle bat!"
Bacon Roll continues, Black Pudding meanwhile snuffs out his cigarette and helps Jerky tie her tie.
"Though I think we should really watch out for the Lactoses... they're by far the most dominant even if they've got a subpar respawn stat! Thirteen Crumbles... Eight Respawns.. Nine Assists... averaging every round. Though I think most of their Crumbles come from that glasses wearing cookie."
Black Pudding nods along.
"Do you have any ideas on what we should do this round?" He questions.
Bacon Roll shrugs, "I'm no expert in strategizing!" She shrugs, she opens her mouth to say something else before a voice interrupts her.
"Hello~! Cookies of the Third Round of the annual Ovencrown! Please make your way to the elevators in order to enter the arena!"
---
Black Pudding heard a loud "BOOM", followed by a notification on a hologram that read 'Bacon Roll KO'd Melon Soda'. He sighs of relief, his teammate is doing well in the heat.
A swift breeze follows Black Pudding as he narrowly avoids a fist to the face, he's on gravely low health. His team doesn't consist of any healers unlike the other two, the Grinder's strategy was to just go in and brute force everything until it worked out. Though in a situation like this where he's playing with a sliver of life left- he wishes one of the Grinders would invest in some healing skills.
He breaks through the tall grass, watching as the other cookie who is pursuing him dashes out infront of him.
The cookie turns, and glasses reflect in Black Pudding's eyes. He immediately is alerted by the cookie wearing the gauntlet, dressed in sophisticated clothing; starting to hone in on him.
He makes a sharp turn to avoid being cut off by the other, having the cookie follow behind him once more. He just needs to stall the inevitable and hopefully his teammates can get a victory...
A sharp pain rises in his chest as he tries to pull out his scabbard, before he knew it- a gauntlet lands a punch.
Black Pudding fumbles with his scabbed again but it won't unhoist, the glasses-wearing cookie takes this opportunity to try and wrestle the other to the ground.
If he could just not crumble Black Pudding, instead keep him here- he wouldn't be able to respawn and swiftly go back to help his teammates. This was dirty play, for sure; but it had worked with other rounds... hadn't it?
They both fought hard, though Camembert narrowly comes out victorious. He's able to pin Black Pudding down to where he can't reach for his weapon- but the two are facing directly towards each other. Camembert had found himself on top... essentially pinning Black Pudding down to the floor.
"This was your strategy, eh? Get rid of the most annoying one to help your teammates?" Black Pudding coughed out a taunt, followed by a punch to the head.
"I am following the orders of what Ms. Brie Cheese wants." Camembert responds, no flowery language.
The closeness of their faces made Black Pudding try to back up from the uncomfortable position, but Camembert pulls him closer.
"What's up with this pose... mate?" He asks, somewhat curious.
"Your wrestling on the floor didn't let me restrain you in a favorable position. I had to resort to what I had." Camembert said flatly. Their faces were separated by the cigarette Black Pudding was smoking, they were looking directly at each other in the eyes.
Both of them couldn't check how their teammates were doing, so they just sat there in silence. Camembert not willing to crumble Black Pudding to help his teammates, and Black Pudding unable to crumble himself.
Eventually, a voice announces something; which finally lets them break free from their predicament.
"THE FRUIT BOMBERS HAVE CAPTURED BOTH ENEMY POINTS! WHAT A MATCH!"
Camembert finally lets go of Black Pudding as they both quickly rise from the floor to go and check on their teammates. They both exchange glances before they leave, of indescribable emotions.
"A-are you okay?! Hopefully I didn't play too hard! Ehe..." A jolly cookie with green hair that fizzes is crouched down over Bacon Roll as Black Pudding approaches the Grinders.
"I was testing a new setting on my launcher that my friend had built..." The green haired one tries to reassure Bacon Roll, whom is covered in green slime.
She seems completely knocked out. A cookie with a popsicle bat comes over to the three.
"Fruit Punch is waiting... C'mon." He tugs on the cookie's skirt, before the two leave- the green one enthusiastically starts to introduce themselves.
"I'm sorry our first meeting had to be here! I'm Melon Soda-" she points to the nonchalant cookie behind her, "-and this is Ice Pop! Hopefully we get to meet you guys again in the finale!" The duo hurriedly scurries off.
Black Pudding overhears another conversation occurring with the other team still remaining.
"I... apologize, Miss Brie Cheese. I shall up my training regim-"
"We all make mistakes, don't we? Be a little more forgiving to yourself, we'll do better next time."
---
The city's sky illuminates the balcony Black Pudding is sitting on. He sets out another cigarette on his ash tray and lights another one. After practice, or even battles; he always liked stargazing. It was his favorite thing to do, even if some of the city's stars couldn't be reflected due to the murky sky.
That interaction he had with that one cookie... the glasses-wearing one. He couldn't shake it out of his head for some reason. When Bacon Roll had asked why he was gone during the round, he'd steer the conversation away elsewhere.
The semi-finale for the Crown Cup happens tomorrow, he feel nervous- but he feels excited. Not for the thrill of winning, but the thrill of seeing that cookie again. He couldn't help but think about the glances he exchanged with him, he felt a fire ignite in both of their eyes that day.
He can't wait for tomorrow, Black Pudding rises from his lawn chair facing the district below him and stretches.
He's stargazed enough for tonight.