I scooted over on my branch, gripping the rough bark between my legs to keep me steady as I peered through the leaves. I couldn't see Zeenath anywhere. It'd been five minutes since we'd started the game and I'd lost my leader almost immediately in the chaos that started up as kids took up their swords and ran off with their leaders. Keep Zeenath safe...

The note burned a hole in my pocket. TRAITOR.

.....

"You see anyfink?"

I yelped and lost my grip on the tree, flailing for a few terrifying seconds before finding my balance again. I looked around the tree trunk to see the six year old, staring at me. He grinned at me, the gap in his teeth making him look even younger.

"Hello, Irka."
"It's Iqra," I told him. "And no, I don't see anyone. Where'd you come from?"
He struggled with my name for a bit, finally settling for "Ikra" before motioning towards his shoulder. "Yes. I lost one of my badges to 'em, too."

I raised my eyebrows. "Aye, really?" He hadn't answered my question though.

He nodded seriously. "They're some tough little nuggets."
I held back a laugh, wonder who this boy spent time with to be going around calling kids "nuggets."

I'd been sitting here for a good five minutes, and my butt was starting to hurt. "How 'bout we go find some people to kill, huh?" I winked at the kid.

"Sure thingy, Ikra!" He gave me another gap-toothed grin.

I swung my legs over the branch and jumped off. The ground rushed towards me and I panicked, forgetting how high I was. My right leg struck the ground first, a bolt of pain shooting through my heel up my leg from the impact. I yelped and fell over, landing on my hands and knees. My sword smacked my head on its way down.

Not the best way to land, but I'll take it.

The kid scurried down the tree and was by me within seconds. He squatted down, knitting his eyebrows together. "You okay?"

"Uh.." I blinked and sat back on the grass, shaking out both legs. "Yeah, I think I'm fine, Champ. You good?"
He nodded. "Let's go kill!"
Yeesh. Someone needs to remind this kid it's just a game.

"Erm.." I stood up and picked up my sword. "Y'know..."
"Over there! The Enemy!" He whooped and waved his plastic sword above his head. I turned to follow him, watching as he walked towards a smiling Damian.

Damian crouched down to approach the kid. "Hey, you."

"The Emmeny!" The six year old swung his sword and Damian toppled over backwards, eyes going wide.

"Hey, wait a minute. I can't fight you!"
I grinned. "Then fight me." I swung out my sword, catching the blade of the little kid's with my own. He stopped and looked at me.

"You're taking on the Enemy, Captain?" The kid blinked.

I laughed. "Aye aye. Sure thing. You can help me if I start dying, okay?"
He nodded and ran back to the tree, making his way up within a minute. Oh. He's a squirrel.

The branches parted for two seconds, and Squirrel gave me a salute. I raised a hand and turned back to Damian.

"Aye, you won't back away from fighting a girl, will you?"
"Where's Zeenath?"

"Tch. Don't ignore me!" I raised my sword and swung it towards the badge on his chest. With a yelp, Damian jumped backwards.

"So you're serious on fighting me."
I shrugged. "We have an audience. It would be a shame to disappoint."
His mouth curved up in a smile. "Fine. Have it your way."

Lifting his own sword, he jabbed it towards my leg. I jumped up, jerking my leg up and falling backwards onto the grass. I flipped over, hearing him laugh.

"Well, one less person to deal with."
He raised his sword again as I swung out my leg and caught the back of his knee.

He stumbled and I scrambled up, sneering at him. "Having older brothers never hurt anyone. Don't think you're done with me yet."
I reached down and grabbed the hilt of my sword, watching him pick himself up off the ground. By the time I straightened, he'd already swung downwards. I shrieked, hearing him hit the badge on my chest.

"One!"
I took a step back, stepping on a rock and hissing as I lost my balance once again. Damian laughed above me and I shuffled backwards, trying to find my sword again while not taking my eyes off his. A war cry sounded to my right and branches snapped.

Damian glanced away, searching for the sound as I found my own sword behind me. I shuffled up as a pint-sized blur wooshed past me and glued itself to his leg.

I watched Squirrel scurry his way up Damian's torso, touching each of the three badges with his plastic sword as Damian struggled to stand up.

One, two, three!

He looked up at me immediately, the color draining from his face.

Laughter bubbled up from my throat. "Looks like you're out, mate!"
Squirrel shrieked something towards me and sat on Damian's lap, not letting him up until he handed over the badges.

"I got him, Captain!"

I winked. "Good job, Champ."

Leaving Damian with the screaming tornado and my badge tossed over my shoulder, I started my jog over the grassy hill. Zeenath...I hadn't seen her since she ran off in this direction. Knowing her, she's probably still running.

My legs burned as I made it to the top of the hill and I stopped, resting a hand on my waist.

But the question was, do I follow her to protect her, or defeat her?

I frowned and shaded my eyes against the sun. Kendra was battling it out with someone else not too far from another patch of trees.

"Aye, watch it!"

Something crashed against my shoulder and Luke came tumbling backwards. He glanced at me and winked, turning back around.

"You almost got hit!"
"Aye?" I grabbed my sword and whirled around, meeting a red-faced Yousuf fending off Luke's increasingly rapid attacks.

He glanced at me and grimaced as his sword clashed with Luke's for a third time, this time making an arc in the air as each side refused to let up.

"You go find Zeenath!"

I nodded at Luke's directions as he leapt up to avoid Yousuf's leg. I only saw one badge on Luke's body. My eyes met with Yousuf's for a split-second before I turned and fled down the hill. As much as I'd like to whip his butt into shape, this wasn't the time for it. Zeenath was too complacent and if she'd been caught, we lose. And I'm not a loser.

My heels slapped against the slope of the hill, gravity pulling me further down. Find Zeenath, find Zeenath...

A high-pitched shriek resounded above me as I made my way across the park. Luke's probably down. A thought struck me, electricity shooting through me straight to my heart. If Luke was out, that meant Yousuf's probably making a bee-line towards me. I ducked my head and ran faster, fists pumping at my sides. Best not to look back.

But then I'd be leading him straight to Zeenath, if I find her.

I reached out a hand, grabbing a passing tree and swung myself in another direction.

Find Zeenath first. Hopefully someone else has found her already. Someone from my team...but a Blue team player wouldn't hurt either.

My blood pounded in my ears as I tore through the park.

"Oi oi oi oi oi, somebody help me!"
I skidded to a stop by a bench, onlookers staring at me incredulously. I must've looked quite stupid, dressed in black with a plastic sword and drenched in sweat.

"Iqra!"

I scanned the clearing and spotted Zeenath flying through the grass, waving at me. "Help! I don't wanna fight!"

A girl was giving chase a few feet behind Zeenath and I almost laughed at the comical scene.

"Coming, Your Highness."

I ran towards Zeenath, my every step pounding in my ears.

Zeenath stopped at a tree and frantically looked around, jumping up when she saw me. "Hurry! I suck!"

This girl has no pride. Giving up before even picking up a sword. We'd have to work on her aggressiveness.

The girl behind her was gaining, and Zeenath dropped her sword on her flight around the park.

Oi. This girl...

I stopped to pick it up as someone jogged up to me. I straightened and pulled both swords out in front of me.

Madison's hands flew up. "I'm friendly."

She frowned. "You look worn out. Where's Zeenath. Are you dead?"
I shook my head, trying to gulp some air down into my burning lungs. "She's off that way. Girl chasing her. Needs help. You know Zeenath. " I motioned towards my two remaining badges. I wasn't dead yet.

"Good. I'll go. Catch up when you're ready." She latched her own sword into her belt and started running in the direction Zeenath had gone.

I filled my lungs up a few times and stretched my arms. I'm fine. It's almost over.

Traitor, traitor, traitor...

I took off after Madison, looking for any hint that Zeenath was down already. We reached the playground to see a girl jumping up and down near the monkey bars.

Zeenath was crouched on top of them, pale and hopping around, trying to avoid the girl's hands. A blue tinged sword lay a few feet from the girl. She'd probably left it there until she got Zeenath down.

Zeenath shrieked as Madison reached the girl first, tapping her on the shoulder. The girl whirled around and leapt for her own sword, our leader forgotten for the time being.

Okay, now.

I lowered my head to avoid Zeenath's eyes, wincing as she screamed my name. Her sword burned by my hip.

One swipe. And I win.

My feet pounded against the grass, kicking up dirt. One chance, one chance. Or Madison catches me and I'm dead.

I stopped a few feet from the monkey bars, looking up at Zeenath one last time. Zeenath froze, cocking her head to the side. "You okay there, Iqra?"
I blinked and nodded. Just a game, right? Right. Just a game.

I'm sorry, Zeenath.

"Any reason why you're not protecting your own, Iqra?"
I whirled around, stumbling against the cold metal bars. Yousuf smiled at me, his cheeks flushed the color of his hair.

"What're you talking about? I'm Red."
"Really? You don't seem to excited to reach your own leader." He wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand, shaking his hair out of his eyes.

"Girls can't fight, Iqra." Yousuf grinned at me, his eyes lighting up. He knew his taunts were getting to me. It was the end of eighth grade, and I frowned at him. On a normal day, I'd take his taunts as friendly banter. But after what happened a few weeks ago, I wasn't gonna let this go.

"We can't fight, can we? So let's go, you and me, right here."

I motioned towards the swords on top of the TV. "People say Adnan's house has real swords for show. Let's try them out and see."

The adults weren't watching and this was the perfect time to cook up some chaos.

I gritted my teeth, watching Yousuf approach. I savoured the last few seconds of rest I'd have before having to fight again.

Or could I just let him hit Zeenath for me? Then I wouldn't be quite the traitor...

Zing! The swords glided out of their sheaths, and my eyes widened. They shone.

I coughed and spat at the dirt, hearing Madison battle it out somewhere to my left. Let him go?

I cursed and looked back at Yousuf. We'd gone into the backyard and his sword glinted in the sunlight.

Let him win? Or would I win?

Yousuf finally arrived at a reasonable distance and I slid both swords out.

"Aye, that's not fair."
I shrugged and threw one backwards, hearing it clang against the top of the monkey bars. "Fine. Now I only have one."

I grunted and slid backwards, feeling a breeze above my face. Zing! Something floated down as children screamed around me. Brown strands of my hair landed by my feet.

"What're you waiting for now, Yousuf?" I lunged, aiming for the badge on his chest.

One on his chest, one on his arm. Luke must've hit one off his leg already.

"Nothing." Yousuf bent over backwards, trying to evade the point of my sword. Missed.

I backed up to try again.

Woosh! Clang! My blade connected with his and made a downwards arc. Yousuf hissed as both swords hit his foot.

"Well, doesn't this feel like Deja Vu." He muttered, ducking under my sword. He reached up to grab a hold of it, and I yelped, waving it erratically to avoid his hands.

He cursed.

I swung outwards and caught his shoulder. "Iqra! Don't kill me!"

"Oh, believe me. I'm not trying to. What's a little bit of fun? Can't hurt too bad!" I lunged for him again, and hit his sword. He swung downwards and I turned so his blade hit the back of my leg. I lurched forwards, feeling him hit the badge on my arm as I fell.

Oh heck no.

"You're this close to losing!" Yousuf smiled as I shuffled backwards. I can't lose this. Not to him.

Our swords clashed again, catching the sun in a blaze of metal and fury. Some children had taken sides, betting on who would win. Someone was crying. I made a mental note to finish this before that kid got up to get an adult.

I scrambled up, lunging downwards towards his legs. He sidestepped my attack and swung his arm down and out, barely missing my shoulder. The world blurred for a second as I lost my balance yet again. I stopped my fall with the heel of my outstretched hand, grunting as I swung a leg out.

It connected with Yousuf's shin and he stumbled.

Warm liquid filled the inside of my palm. Yousuf's eyes widened as he shook his head. "Iqra!"

I caught his blade with my hand and threw it off. The force of my movement slid the hilt out of his grasp and we watched as it spun in the air, landing ten feet from us. Our eyes connected before we both shot up.

I ran towards it, grabbing it up right before Yousuf arrived. His hands grabbed at thin air and he groaned.

I forced a smile through my gasps, whirling both swords around in circles by my sides. The air lifted the hair from my face and I turned back to Yousuf.

"Better run, boy."

He laughed, sliding a hand through his wet hair. "I don't run."
I turned from him and started up the ladder. He shouted in surprise.

"Traitor!"

Aye, he's got a clue, has he?
Zeenath's head shot up, eyes widening as she looked at me. "Hey now. I'm your cousin. You can't go against your own leader, even if I suck..."

She shuffled backwards and gripped the blue metal bars beneath her. "Mergh, Iqra!" She looked close to crying. "I can't fight you."

She slid through the bars just as I made it to the top, landing on her feet. "Eh? I'll trade my life for food. You want brownies?"
Madison screamed in the distance and I tilted my head at Zeenath, the world blurring again.

"I've always enjoyed the Lion King, y'know?" My words came out slurred.

"Everyone is down, and I can't find my sword. Let's talk about this?" she giggled nervously as I dropped to the ground behind her. She stepped backwards.

I grinned at her. "I've always wanted to say it, you know? Be all dramatic and whatnot."

Black shapes danced in the edges of my vision. Had I eaten breakfast? I don't think I ate breakfast. Or lunch.

Zeenath frowned. "Fine, you want to fight? I'll fight. Just let me find a sword for goodness sake." She turned, then turned back around to face me. "Or kill me now."

There was some shuffling behind me. If I wanted this to happen, I needed to do something now. One, two....

"Long live the Queen!"

I whirled around and struck the badge off Yousuf's chest. His eyes widened in surprise as my blades came back down in a figure-eight and knocked the remaining badge off his arm. There was whooping and hollering in the distance and I caught a flash of blue in the distance. Someone...Madison...had won against the leader of the Blue team.

We'd won.

I gave a sloppy thumbs up to Zeenath as her face swam in my eyes.

"We're safe, Your Highness."

The ground tilted and I dropped into the abyssal darkness waiting for me. 

***************************

A/N: I've never really written a fight scene before, so I'm curious to see your reactions on how this one turned out. Obviously, they're only kids so they won't be the most balanced or all that fast and fancy. But what do you think? 

I also attempted to put some semblance of Iqra up in the media. Feel free to imagine her however you want, though! 

I'm off to keep writing! Have a great day! 

~October