Challenge (3/5): Lauren vs Sophia

Centuries Prior

Azure emerged from a shimmering portal into a forest ablaze, the air thick with smoke and ruin. She took in the aftermath: once-lush woods now devoured by fire, transformed into a hellish landscape.

Under other circumstances, she might have been impressed, but this was hardly time to take in the scenery. She adjusted her cloak and walked through the field, the heat of the flames not touching her. On her way, she moved past petrified corpses, once creations of hers. She gave them no sympathy, having already considered them dead the moment they had betrayed her.

Finally, she found her quarry: a pale demon crowned with wild white hair, skin shimmering with a frozen blue hue. Nineteen lay ensnared in a cage of enchanted ice and crystal, her head the only part left free. The demon Nineteen looked down at her creator, grinning maliciously, even as she was restrained, beaten, and powerless. “Hello, mother,” she said.

“Don't call me that,” Azure snapped back. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” she asked, staring up at her with barely contained rage.

“Oh, just had a little fun with my sisters,” Nineteen replied casually. “Why? Did you want us to invite you?”

“You’ve laid waste to an entire realm!” Azure snapped. “You’ve obliterated millions!”

“Don't be ridiculous, I didn't 'obliterate' them,” Nineteen countered. “You and I both know killing isn’t fun. It’s so much more enjoyable to keep them alive.”

Azure shook her head, unwilling to grant Nineteen the satisfaction of being right. “That’s not the point. You’ve doomed this nation beyond repair.”

“And you care?” Nineteen taunted. “How unexpected. Has Azure the Abhorrent grown a conscience for mortals?”

“Of course not!” Azure yelled, offended at the notion. “I care because you brought attention to yourself. I told you countless times: target people no one will miss; keep a low profile. Don't **** those more powerful than you to step in.”

Azure swept her arm at the devastation. “This is what happens when you ignore my warnings. Frankly, you’re lucky you survived against them as long as you did.”

“Ah, so you knew who they sent, eh,” Nineteen nodded. “It was an entertaining battle. I fought a moon.” She narrowed her eyes, grinning wider. “Funny how you weren’t a part of it. You only show up now after the threat is passed.”

“I was busy saving my damn reputation after what you did!” Azure exclaimed. “I only managed to avoid oblivion by pinning the blame for your corruption on Nevrock!”

“The necromancer?” Nineteen asked, impressed. “You must be proud of yourself. I know you’ve been eying his castle for years. Sounds like you came out on top then.”

“Are you serious?” Azure thundered. “I exhausted every favor, every ounce of influence I had. It will take decades to repay the debts I racked up to keep us breathing!”

“Us?” Nineteen repeated. “So that’s why they spared me while your other daughters were slaughtered.”

“You’re not my daughters!” Azure yelled back. “You’re just failed experiments!”

“Yet you spared me, the architect of this disaster!” Nineteen jeered. “Is it sentiment, or is it because I alone carry a shard of your soul, and your pride could never bear its loss?”

“That shard is a mistake I will never repeat!” Azure spat. “It’s clear now that I should have never trusted a mere thing with such power.”

“Or could it be I’m the only one who should have it?!” Nineteen roared back, dropping her facade of serenity. “You waste the blessings you’ve been born with. You hide in your fortresses and pray only on those weaker than you so you can feel like a god by comparison. You’ve no ambition!”

The flames around Azure grew, fueled by Azure's rage. “I’ve more ambition than you can fathom!” she yelled. “And as for you, I will ensure your ‘ambitions’ are never again realized. You will be my prisoner for the rest of your immortal days! This, I swear.”

Nineteen narrowed her eyes. “You should know me better than that, mother. You tried to put a muzzle on my once, and this was the result. The longer you keep me, the worse I’ll make my return.”

“You’re deluded,” Azure sneered, forming a ball of magic in her hand. “This is the last time we will ever meet.”

Sophia Maoulin

Once Olivia cleared the arena, Azure made her announcement. "Next up is Lauren Peterson versus Sophia Maoulin," she declared. "This is an interesting matchup. As the losers of the prior challenge, which ones will take the crown?"

"Of course she mentions that," Sophia muttered.

"Hey, you got this," Levi assured her.

"I've never actually fought anyone before," Sophia told him.

"I have a feeling our pampered princess hasn't either," Elena pointed out as she joined them. Still feeling the sting of her defeat, she was eager to see Lauren at least taken down as some form of catharsis.

"Lauren literally fought you yesterday," Sophia reminded Elena, shaking her head.

"Hey, remember how you leaped across the room this morning?" Elena pointed out. "You're a superhero. You got this in the bag."

Sophia pursed her lips together, unable to refute that point.

Katelyn Peterson

Lauren-Two repeatedly shot her gaze between Sophia and Lauren, not sure which she despised more. The succubus hadn't had the slightest interest in the prior battle, but now that it was between the imposter and the one who tainted her master, she could only desire they finish each other off.

Katelyn resented the hatred she felt through her host. While her feelings towards her sister were complex, Lauren-Two's simplistic disdain for her upset her deeply.

At least, Katelyn thought she was upset by it. It was so bizarre, not able to feel her own emotions. Since being trapped inside her, she wondered if this was a blessing or a curse. This question grew more by the second as she was **** to endure John's constant ranting.

'God damn it! Give me my dick back! Let me fuck that Asian! No, stop looking at Levi's dick! I don't want it! Fuck!!!!' she heard him howl.

Katelyn, by contrast, hadn't once fallen into despair since being trapped like this, owing to Lauren-Two's total obliviousness that she had been dammed at all, which may have been a mercy.

On the other hand, having Lauren-Two dictate her actions and emotions felt like a constant erosion of her sense of self. Each passing day brought a struggle to discern where her own identity ended, and Lauren-Two’s began. She didn't even care about her transformation into a demon, or the lust that flowed through her when she looked at Levi. She just wanted to be herself inside her own head.

She feared that, in time, she would forget her old self and hate Lauren and Sophia just as the succubus did.

"Fighters, take your position!" Azure proclaimed. "Lauren, Sophia, get your asses in the ring."

Katelyn felt her eyes shift back to Sophia, recalling words the girl had said to her. 'I’m sure there are plenty of exploits we’re not taking advantage of! Things that even Azure is unaware of,' Sophia had explained. 'Hell, even elimination might be exploitable! There’s still so much we don’t know.'

She wondered if Sophia had actually cracked a way to undo elimination. That hope was one of the few things keeping her from completely surrendering to Lauren-Two.

'Please, Sophia.' she thought. 'Please don't let me hurt you.'

Lauren Peterson

Lauren watched as Sophia entered the ring, looking at her with complete disdain. It was only when Sophia deliberately chose her position that Lauren stepped into the arena, prepared to confront her opponent.

'You should let me take over,' Nineteen suggested.

Lauren chuckled. 'Are you joking? I can handle her.'

'No, you cannot. She is no longer the frail girl she once was,' Nineteen pointed out. 'Her agility has significantly improved after her transformation. Not to mention her claws, which are perfectly shaped to cut through your straps.'

'I have reflexes,' Lauren argued, looking away defensively. 'I do tennis, I'll have you know.'

'Irrelevant,' Nineteen sighed. 'You'll never be able to get a hold on that girl, she's far too flexible now.'

Lauren narrowed her eyes. 'How can you tell?'

'My senses are more acute than yours. I can see the subtle muscle movements you humans cannot,' she explained. 'Besides, you hardly need enhanced vision to see that she is more adaptable now.'

Lauren turned her gaze toward Sophia, who was warming up for their fight with some stretches. With her arms reaching above her head, she had her hips tilted backward while arching her back into a curve that would impress the most skilled contortionist. Despite the difficulty of her pose, Sophia showed no signs of effort and, in fact, didn't even realize she was doing anything out of the ordinary.

Sophia limbered her back and arms before lifting her leg, holding it in her hands and raising it above her head so that her it was parallel to her body. At that moment, she truly realized what she was doing and couldn’t help but chuckle in amazement at her own flexibility.

'Holly frack. I really am like a cat,' she though. 'Maybe I can do this.

'Ok, fair enough,' Lauren conceded. 'I still think I can win though.'

'Don't forget that she was granted these powers by Azure,' Nineteen reminded her, shifting tactics. 'It would be her style to give her unfair abilities to defeat you. This isn’t the first time she has tipped the scales in Sophia's favor.'

Lauren felt her blood boil as she recalled the last challenge, or at least the version of it she remembered. The way Azure had changed the rules at the last moment to ensure that Sophia won while her sister lost still filled her with rage at the injustice.

'You're right,' Lauren agreed, clenching her fist.

Meanwhile, Sophia finished her stretches and looked at the contemplative Lauren with unease. 'She's being very quiet. I expected more trash talk. What's she up to?'

Lauren nodded to herself. 'Fine, let's say I let you take over. How are you going to beat her? Are you going to cast a spell?'

'With Azure watching?' Nineteen laughed. 'Of course not. But as I said, my senses are sharper than yours. I can perceive the subtle movements you humans make and use them to predict your actions. It's the perfect counter.'

'Fine, I'll give you fifteen seconds,' Lauren compromised. 'If you haven't beaten her by then, I'm taking my body back.'

'More than enough,' Nineteen replied, smugly.

"Everyone ready?" Azure called out. "Then begin!"

At the sound of the bell, Sophia instinctively sprang into action. She sprinted like a seasoned track runner, faster than she had ever moved before. She raced in a wide arc around Lauren, positioning herself on her blind side while maintaining a safe distance.

Nineteen barely had time to turn when she noticed Sophia sprinting toward her. In a flash, the girl dropped onto all fours, her movements animalistic as she surged forward like a cheetah. Then, after closing half the distance, she launched herself off the ground in a pounce, soaring through the air with her claws extended.

Even with her precautions, Nineteen had still underestimated the mortal. However, it would not be enough.

The demon Nineteen poured all her energy into sharpening her senses, tapping into her instincts as a predator. Time seemed to stretch and slow as she intently observed the catgirl gliding through the air on a predetermined trajectory.

She adjusted Lauren’s legs, leaning gently to the left to deftly avoid her. Simultaneously, she lifted her hand, reaching out to graze the souring figure of Sophia. As her fingers brushed against the side of the girl's bikini bottom, she felt the strap slide between the gap of her pinkie and ring finger. She tightened her grip, adding newfound resistance against the tied strap as its owner moved through the air, straining it until it snapped.

Sophia landed on all fours behind Lauren, prepared to spin around and strike again, only to feel a draft beneath her, followed shortly by the ring of the bell.

“Wait, what?” Azure exclaimed, completely bewildered by the situation.

“It seems that Lauren is the winner,” Alison explained.

“What do you mean?” Sophia asked, only to realize with embarrassment that her bikini bottom was missing, leaving her ass and pussy totally exposed.

'Act confused,' Nineteen instructed Lauren, returning control to her.

Lauren did not need to act. “What the hell just happened?”

Azure

The host glanced between Lauren and Sophia, attempting to make sense of the situation. The entire event had lasted only a few seconds, and it appeared that Lauren hadn’t moved at all. Yet, somehow, Sophia was the one ass and muff out.

She looked to the rest of the crowd, all of whom were stunned silent, some not even processing that Sophia had lost at all.

“I need a replay,” Azure declared, summoning the floating screen before her. With a flick of her wrist, she began to play back Sophia’s leap, the video slowed down to a frame at a time.

“Ok, so Sophia flies through the air, and Lauren notices her,” Azure observed. In the video, Lauren raised her hand, seemingly in surprise, as she slowly turned. As the goth barely managed to dodge, her outstretched hand grazed Sophia's body, the contact seemingly a pure accident.

“Then the loop of her bikini got caught on her finger. Wait, is that really all?” Azure asked herself, amazed. True to her observation, Sophia's bikini came undone by the coincidentally placed finger.

Azure started to chuckle, then burst into laughter, howling with amusement. "Are you kidding me? This is amazing! Oh my god, what are the odds?!"

"What? What happened?" Elena asked.

Azure turned and expanded the screen, showing everyone Laurens' fortune. "It seems our resident goth managed to actually get some luck in her life."

"I did?" Lauren asked. "I mean... obviously I did."

"That's not fair!" Elena cried out.

"Bite me bitch, I won fair and square," Lauren retorted, sneering.

"Hmph, I suppose I should offer you some praise," Lauren-Two announced, grinning at Lauren condescendingly. "Even though you're an imposter, you at least managed to mimic my undefeatability."

"Sophia, are you okay?" Tomoko and Levi asked in unison as they ran up to the catgirl, who was crawling over to her discarded bikini bottom that had been flung several feet away during the encounter.

"I lost," Sophia said simply, slipping on the garment, and immediately noticing that sand had slipped into it. "Heck, I lost the fastest. Looks like I got last place again."

"It ain't your fault," the still topless Tomoko assured her. "Besides, remember Azure said you ain't gunna be penalized for being last."

"I know that," Sophia sighed. "I just wish I didn't suck at this so bad."

"Hey, come here," Levi said, hugging her.

Azure looked over to Alison. "How long was the match?"

"Six seconds," she replied.

"Damn it!" Olivia swore. 'Why didn't you just give up, Tomoko?' she thought.

Nineteen

Her job complete, Nineteen sat back and watched through Laurens eyes as the smug goth exited the arena. Nineteen couldn't help but feel smug herself, having utterly tricked Azure. 'It seems you're just as blind as ever, mother.'

Having exited the circle and separated herself from the others, Lauren turned around to watch the defeated Sophia being led out of the ring by her teammates. Seeing their disappointment over the nerd's loss, she felt a sense of vain satisfaction.

However, Nineteen wasn’t paying attention to the others. Instead, her attention was fixed on Alison, who was staring at them, unblinking. A sense of dread washed over the demon as she watched Alison slowly approach, walking through the ring towards them.

'It seems my power has grown weak,' Nineteen urgently improvised. 'I must temporarily sever our bond.'

'Wait, what?!' Lauren exclaimed, smile falling.

'Don't worry, it will be easy to return now that our contract has been formed,' Nineteen assured her. 'Farewell.'

'Hold on!' Lauren argued, everything happening so fast. 'Don't you fucking leave me!' she threatened. But no voice replied.

At that moment, Alison stood directly in front of Lauren, bringing her icy eyes just inches away from Lauren’s face. The goth felt herself freeze in place, and all light drain from the world, leaving only the haunting, luminous glow of Alison’s eyes.

A light began to shine from deep within the void of her pupils, rapidly growing brighter until it was blinding. The glows piercing intensity bored into the depths of Lauren's soul.

"Alison, what the hell are you doing?!" Azure called out, snapping Lauren back to reality. It looked as though no one else saw the light from Alison's eyes, making it look like as though Alison were merely hosting an awkward staring contest.

"Simply checking something," Alison replied. She backed away from Lauren, seemingly satisfied. "Apologies for the inconvenience. Please carry on," Alison told her, bowing her head slightly.

"The fuck are you talking about, bitch?" Lauren retorted, though Alison gave her no reply, as she left to rejoin Azure.

If Lauren had been more observant, she might have picked up that something far bigger than her was going on. Unfortunately for her, all she could focus on was a sudden growing horror that she was feeling the allure of Tomoko again, her shield stripped away. 'Nineteen! Come back!' she begged.

Bonus Image