Rank Exams!

All of the lights in the room were turned off. Junko rolled over in his bed on the bottom bunk. He got the bottom because he wanted to allow Riley and Ashley to choose first. Sounds of banging and sizzling fire seeped its way into the dorm room.

Ashley groaned from the top bunk as she desperately tried to block out the noise with a pillow to no avail. "RILEY!" The young blonde stormed out of the room. She slammed the door hard enough for the walls to shake.

Eventually, Ashley made her way to Riley who continuously pounded his fist against a tree. Her eyebrow twitched, "What the heck are you doing?!"

"What's it look like?" Riley didn't turn around to face Ashley, completely absorbed in his activity. "I'm training."

Ashley yawned, "For what?"

"For the Rank Exams, duh." Riley stuck his tongue out at Ashley.

Ashley placed her hand on her hip,"Real mature. Just stop making so much noise."

"Make me." Riley taunted the blonde.

Ashley's eyebrow twitched once more, "With pleasure. Water Ball!" Ashley released a ball of water from in between her hands.

The attack struck Riley's back knocking him into the tree. The Fire User rubbed his head, "Hey, no fair! I wasn't even facing you! Riley quickly hopped to his feet and shouted, "Fire Punch!" Riley's fist became enveloped by a larger flaming fist.

Junko pulled his covers over his head as Riley and Ashley continued their battle. The next morning Junko rocked Riley back and forth in his bed, "Come on Riley. Wake up."

Riley just mumbled in his sleep, "Later."

Junko continued to push Riley around, "But if you don't get up soon, you'll be late for the Rank Exams."

At those words Riley bursted out of the room at a blinding speed, "Rank Exams here I come!"

Junko extended his arm, "Riley wait! You forgot to get dressed!"

Ashley sighed as she walked out of the dorm's bathroom, "Geez, what a loser."

Riley walked back in the room accompanied by one of the teachers, "Now put some clothes on. Honestly kids these days have no respect for the Academy."

Riley blew a raspberry at the teacher, "Whatever, old man."

"Riley, you have to get ready before we can go anywhere," Junko said, putting on his black jacket.

"Fine," Riley grumbled as he walked into the bathroom.

"What are you getting ready for? Ashley asked as she crossed her legs on the bed.

Junko turned towards Ashley, "The Rank Exams."

"You two really are idiots, aren't you? The Rank Exams don't start until after dinner." Ashley.

"Junko!" Riley yelled from the bathroom.

"Oh sorry, Riley. Guess I must've read the schedule wrong." Junko rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

"Well if we don't have to go yet then it's time for some more training!" Riley bolted out of the room with a grin on his face.

"Riley, you're still not dressed!" Junko shouted a little too late after Riley had already left the building.

"Like I said, idiots.." Ashley groaned. "Well, aren't you gonna go train with your loser friend, loser?"

"Yeah, I guess." Junko made his way out to the school's training grounds. "Riley, want a sparring partner?"

If you think you can handle my epicness then sure." Riley pumped his fist with a grin.

Junko's sweatdropped, "Is epicness even a word?"

"It is now! Fire Punch!" Riley's fist was now surrounded by a larger orange one. His large flaming fist came at Junko.

Junko leaped back before shouting, "Shadow Kick!" The boy's leg became enveloped with a large black leg.

Riley swayed to the side to avoid the kick. Riley's black eyes locked onto to Junko's brown ones. "I'm about to annihilate you, Junko. "Fire Ball!" Riley began forming a ball of fire in his hands.

"Shadow Ball!" Junko copied Riley's actions only instead forming a ball of black energy.

Both released their attacks at the same time and the two balls of energy collided sending up sparks of black and orange into the sky. Smoke erupted from the collision and when the smoke cleared Junko and Riley were both lying on the green grass.

A loud growl was suddenly heard. Riley laughed as he rubbed his stomach. "I'm hungry."

Junko nodded as he got up from the ground. "Yeah, so am I. Let's go to the cafeteria to get dinner."

Riley bolted up and raised his arms in the air. "Yeah! I want one of everything!"

"You don't even know what they have here yet, Riley."

"So what? Food is food!" Riley said, stretching his arms behinds his head. Once the two made it to the school's cafeteria they sat down at an open table.

Riley scanned the menu at the front of the room. "Hey how about you and I have a Fire Noodle eating contest?"

Junko smiled. "Sure, sounds fun."

Riley spun his plastic fork around in his hand. "Alright then, it's settled! Let the battle between Riley Narahara and Junko Yuki commence!"

"How do you know what commence means?" A surprised Ashley asked as she sat down at the table.

Riley blinked. "Wait, I used it right? Nice!"

Junko and Riley begin stuffing their faces with the fire noodles. Both of them threw the spicy food into their mouths at an incredible pace. "Yay! I'm winning!" Junko cheered while chewing.

"Chew with your mouth closed!" Ashley shouted irritated at Junko.

"Sorry," Junko said politely bowing his head before returning to his contest.

About twenty-five minutes later, Junko threw his hands up in success. "Yes, I win!"

"Whatever. I was going easy on you," Riley said before his head hit the table.

Junko's head hit the table as well. "I'm so full. I can barely even move."

"Me neither."

Ashley sighed. "You guys do know the Rank Exams are in like five minutes right?"

Junko and Riley both gasped. "What?!"

"You two really are the kings of idiots," Ashley scoffed.

Once the three made it to the Rank Exams a purple-haired man was standing in the center of the arena. "Attention," the purple-haired man began. "Our Principal is out right now, so it looks I'll be in charge of this year's Rank Exams."

"Who is that guy?" Riley whispered into Junko's ear.

Junko shrugged. "I don't know.

"Anyway, allow me to start off by telling you the rules. First, keep in mind that these are your fellow classmates. And while you should try your best going any further than knocking your opponent unconscious will not be tolerated and will result in your immediate removal of the academy." The man looked at a slip of paper he had in his hand. "The first match is Ashley Yiu versus Ren Smith."

"Go Ren!" Riley cheered pumping his fist.

Ashley grinned widely. "Riley, I'm gonna kill you soon, kay?"

Riley shivered as Ashley smugly walked down the steps to the arena. A blue-haired boy stood on the other side. Ren stared at Ashley, his face vacant of any emotion. "It'll be a whole lot easier if you just give up now."

Smoke leaked out of Ashley's ears. "Are you trying to provoke me!"

"Begin." The referee signaled.

Ashley threw about five shurikens at Ren all of which he deflected easily. She then ran up behind the shuriken planning to catch him off guard. Ashley threw her fist forward only for her wrist to be caught in Ren's grip.

Ashley struggled to break free as Ren tightened his grip causing the blonde to emit a squeal. Water formed around Ashley's foot. "Water Kick!" The girl shot her watery leg out, sending Ren back a couple feet.

"Go Ashley! You can do it!" Junko rooted for her from the stands.

"Don't cheer for me idiot!" Ashley shouted up at him.

Junko gave her a perplexed look, "Why not?"

"Just because!"

Ren suddenly appeared behind Ashley. "Never let your guard down." He cupped his hand around her neck. "Lightning Striker." A wave of purple electricity shocked Ashley until she falls to the floor. "Especially when you're fighting me."

"Ren Smith wins!" The host declared.

"She should wake up in about an hour." Ren said picking Ashley up and carrying her back to the stairs."

"Smith, huh? The host muttered to himself before looking at his slip of paper. "Next match is Junko Yuki versus Riley Narahara."

Junko and Riley were both hovering over the railing. The two felt like they were going to puke their guts out. "Hey, Riley," Junko groaned. "I think we're supposed to fight now."

Riley's cheeks puffed up. "Right now?"

Junko nodded. "Yeah."

The two friends both struggled to walk down to the arena. Once they finally did manage to do so they stood on opposite sides. "Hey, Junko. Even if I am still full. I'm taking you down!" Riley grinned with confidence.

Junko grinned right back at him. "Not if I have anything to say about it!"

"Begin." The host signaled again.

Junko and Riley both ran for each other at a very very slow pace. Junko chucked a shuriken at Riley but it didn't get any further than halfway.

A large ball of fire formed in Riley's hands. "Fire Ball" he shouted as he released the ball of fire.

"Shadow Ball!" Junko countered with his own large ball of shadow energy.

The two balls collided and smoke filled the area. Once the smoke cleared Junko and Riley were finally close enough to each other for a fistfight. They both threw their fists forwards before they collapsed. Junko and Riley both fell to the floor snoring and droll escaping from their mouths.

"Umm. It's a draw..." the purple-haired man said unsure of what just happened.

Ren could be seen shaking his head. "Pathetic."

Ashley's eyes opened slowly as she saw the two sleeping on the floor holding their bellies. "You two really are true idiots."