BETWEEN THE SKY AND THE GROUND

"It is what it is, and it was what it was. Don't fret the could-haves because if it should have, it would have."

Absolute silence that could almost be touched filled everywhere, even as Twenty walked back to his seat, which was actually a little bit away from the other Neos, even as people came and took away the now-dead Thirty-Two, silence still reigned. Shock, fright, disbelief, nausea, anger, and indifference, that was only but a few things different people felt. Even those inside the glass were also shocked, even though they were all trained to be ruthless, they never had such ruthlessness at this early stage, cause they all still wanted to preserve that little innocence they had.

Maybe the only person happy about this was Blue Zero, who now had a surprising grin on his otherwise always stoic face.

"Classify him as an Alpha-level Neo"

His only regret was that, thirty-Two died, his power seemed very useful too, but it was only a moment of regret, cause if he can't even survive a little fight here, then his better off dead.

Over at where the expendables were sitting, Forty Four turned to Five.

"What do you think? Can you take him?"

"What I think is that you made a mistake sitting here where you could have sat down with the Neos and touched someone with a useful power for your fight"

"You think I can't hold up on my own, that's hurtful"

"I don't think so, I know so, I just hope you don't get killed by your opponent."

Five said coldly. As if the universe was hearing their conversation, the next number now showing on the stage is Forty-Four. Forty Four who had his head down in thought didn't notice this.

"Forty Four and Sixty Eight kindly move to the fight stage."

Hearing his name Forty Four jerked his head up and looked at the stage before turning his face to Five.

"Good luck"

"I don't need it"

Forty-Four stood up with a defiant look in his eyes as he moved to the stage, he didn't notice the smile now on Five's face. Five knew due to them being together, Forty Four was now underestimating his strength and now seeking him out in anything for either advice or comfort, where he should have more confidence in himself as a Neo. Five only said what he said before now as a way to use reverse psychology to try and make him prove to him that he can hold his own in a fight, in that way, he can give it his all and defeat his opponent, and with the look he now saw on his face, he knew that his plan succeeded.

Forty-Four's opponent, Sixty Eight was a girl Neo with brown hair and gray eyes, that was the only thing that stood out about her as stands facing Forty-Four she had a completely plain face, the kind that wouldn't be noticed in a crowd of people no matter how many times you looked Forty-Four Four recognized her though, spending Five years around the same people will do that to you, he also knew her power, which was flight. No verbal exchange took place as they got ready to fight once the barrier came back on.

Immediately the translucent barrier came back, with her eyes locked on Forty Four and her body glowing faintly Sixty Eight effortlessly levitates into the air. She slowly circled Forty-four, studying his every move.

"Can you come down please?" Forty-Four asked with his usual charismatic smile leaking.

"You’re going to have to make me"

Before he can respond, she shoots into the air, disappearing into the upper reaches of the stage. Which is high, maybe it out into consideration those who can reach there. Forty-Four tracked her movement though with narrowed eyes. Suddenly, she dives, streaking toward him at breakneck speed, fists outstretched. At the last second, he manages to dodge, but she zips past him and circles around, unleashing a flurry of mid-air kicks and punches.

Forty-four manages to duck beneath her barrage, attempting to grab her ankle. She twists mid-air, narrowly avoiding his touch and sending a powerful kick to his shoulder.

**THWACK!**

Forty-Four stumbles back, wincing slightly but still grinning. He rolls his neck, charisma oozing from him as he straightens up.

"Come on, just one little touch."

Sixty-Eight shoots him a daring smile, then rockets into the sky again, soaring around the arena at impossible speeds, out of his reach.

Forty-Four watches her intently with calculating eyes. He shapeshifts quickly into a nimble, fast-moving fighter he had previously encountered, actually, it was Five he turned into. His muscles tightened, and he dashed across the arena with enhanced speed, timing his movements.

She dives again, coming in fast. This time, Forty-Four feints, and as she goes to dodge, he leaps, grabbing her wrist mid-air.

"Gotcha!! Let’s see how you like this"

Sixty-Eight eyes widen as he shifts, his body morphing into her exact form. His feet leave the ground, and suddenly he’s flying, hovering at her level with a mischievous grin.

Without missing a beat, Forty-Four darts forward, now using her flight powers against her. They collide in mid-air, exchanging rapid punches and kicks, both fighters moving in and out of view, flying so fast they’re nearly invisible.

**SLAM!** **CRACK!**

The fight becomes a blur of aerial acrobatics, with each fighter countering and dodging, zipping through the air like two lightning bolts clashing. Blows land hard. Forty-four gets in a solid punch to her ribs, and Sixty-Eight retaliates with a powerful kick to his face.

Both of them spiral through the air, struggling for dominance.

Forty-Four presses his advantage, mimicking her every move, matching her flight with his newfound powers. He maneuvers behind her in a dizzying display of aerial combat and delivers a powerful kick to her back.

**THWACK!**

She’s thrown off balance, but quickly regains her composure and rockets back toward him. They collide mid-air once more, grappling in a high-speed tumble.

She pushes him away, soaring high to create distance, but he follows relentlessly, now more comfortable with her powers. Flying, he manages to close in on her again.

As she dodges left, Forty-Four anticipates her move and manages to land a precise elbow strike to her ribs. She gasps, pain momentarily slowing her down. He seizes the opportunity, grappling her mid-air and spinning her in a disorienting spiral.

**WHAM!**

Sixty-Eight got slammed down to the ground, hitting the metal stage floor hard. She groans in pain but quickly pushes herself up, ready to take off again.

Before she can lift off, Forty-Four, still in her form, dives down from above, pinning her to the ground.

"Let go!"

But Forty-Four locks her down, wrapping his arm around her throat in a tight chokehold. Sixty-Eight struggles fiercely, but the air is knocked out of her. She thrashes, trying to break free, but his grip is relentless, his flight powers amplifying his strength.

"You should’ve never let me touch you."

Her movements grow weaker, her strength fading. Finally, with a last attempt to push him off, she collapses, her body going limp. Forty-Four releases her, letting her fall unconscious to the ground. He stands, breathing heavily, his body morphing back into his form. His smile is back, more smug than ever.

"I told you I can hold my own in a fight, "

He said to no one in particular as he stepped away from her motionless body as the translucent barrier went down signaling his victory.