PMDA: The Will to Survive!

"So all we need to do is to finish to obstacle course in order to join the survivalists!"  Azalea thought.  "Sounds easy enough!"

After hearing Sinbad's "encouraging" speech, many of the survivalists, along with Jade Honor, rushed into the forest and split ways to find the exit.  Joan and Azalea are on their in a dark, danger-filled forest, but the girls bravely running through it.

"Be vigilant, Azalea!" Joan spoke as she looks around the forest.  "There many hidden traps and absolutes around here.  We need to find the finish line in order to complete the course."

"I know."  Azalea replied.

"Also, if you encounter an absolute, try not to kill it, otherwise we'll both be-"

Perhaps she spoke too soon because a group of Luxrays infected with absolute bursts through the bushes and landed in front of the group.  Three of them of course.

"...Disqualified."  After finishing her sentence, She and Azalea prepare themselves for the fight of their lives.  After a few seconds the fight begins.  The absolutes made the first move by charging at the group and shooting charge beams.  The duo dodged the beams and went for the attack.  When Joan unsheathed her blade, she attacked one of them with her shadow claw, but the latter countered with thunder fang.  Joan is trapped in the electrifying jaws holding down on her blade.  In order to free herself, she slammed her hilt on the absolute's head, releasing its grip.  Then she performed a sword dance and struck the beast with a strong shadow claw.  That was enough to take out, but not kill, the creature.

 Azalea was able to use grass knot on the two Luxray and used needle arm to finished them off.  As she celebrates her victory, she accidentally steps on a trap tile.  The next thing they knew, Azalea was confused.  In her confused state, Azalea was visioning enemies around her as she swings her thorny arms around while running in circles.  Joan tried to help her snap out of it, but to no avail.  luckily, she came up with idea to use her hilt to knock on the head, snapping her out of confusion. 

"Ouch...What happened?" she groaned as she rubs her head in pain.  "And why does my head hurt?"

"You stepped on a trap after you defeated our enemies.  Next time try to be careful

Unfortunately, the commotion has attracted another danger:  An Escavalier named "Halfweird" appears before them out of nowhere.  The girls prepare themselves for inevitable.

"Are you one of those survivalists?"  he asked.

Jojo thought, "This must be one of the obstacles that Mister Sinbad lectured about.  Judging from the fact that he knows the guilds in Aster, he is not feral.  He looks strong though, so we need to be on our guard!"

"I asked you a question, Females.  Are you part of the survivalists?"

Azalea got irritated by words.  "So what if we are?  Are you here to get in our way?"

"Silence, Plant!  I ask the questions here!"

"Who are calling plant you-"

"Back down Azalea!"  Jojo places her hand sash in front of her friend and moves forward to try and reason with the armored insect.  "You must be Hlafweard, am i correct?  My name is Joan and is my friend Azalea.  We're sorry if we trespassed your space, but we came here to-"

"I do not want to hear your empty words, you survivalist," he interrupted.  "You lot are nothing but trouble.  Prepare to be purged!"  "Halfweirdo" launches the first attack with fury cutter.  This prompted Jojo to use iron defense to protect herself and Azalea.  Jojo would've been fine if she was hit, but she knows that her friend at a huge disadvantage against a bug type move.

'He's too strong,' Jojo thought.  'Even with my defenses up, it's like being hit with a huge boulder.'

The blow from the iron bug sent both girls back and on the ground.

"You two are weak!" he exclaims.  "You think you both have what it takes to become survivalists?  HA!  The only way you'll succeed is in your dreams."  He raises his lances for the final blow.  "Any last words?"

"Actually, we do!  Jojo replied in a calm voice.  "Watch your back!"

"You think I would fall for childish-"  Suddenly, "Halfweirdo" was hit from behind by a flamethrower.  It turns out that it was a pack of Pyroar that belonged to the same group that ambushed the girls earlier.  While he was busy fending them off, the girls decided to use the confusion to escape.

Sometime later, they saw a white flag ahead.  Jojo and Aza carefully walked towards it to make sure that there are no booy traps.

"Well, this the finish line," Jojo concluded.  "We finally passed the test!"

"Well its about damn time," Aza grinned.