"The girls gave their all on this round. What do the judges have to say about their match?" Eleanor asked before the judges saw the replay of their match.

"The fight was well coordinated. The leaps, the backflips. I love it. Mochi was cute too. I'd give Haeji and 8 and a half points in total and Mochi 10 points." Marie showed a number 10 with a cat face drawn on the 0. "June gets a point for each dagger." Marie mentioned meaning that June scored 8 points for her performance.
"So I'll give Haeji 9 points in total for the finishing move, that was the best part. It takes a lot of skill and timing to pull the strings like a puppeteer." Lizzy commented. "I loved the fight, and the blood, mostly the blood. So I give June 10 points for making her opponent cough out blood, and lots of it."
"What I noticed between their match was when Haeji miscalculated the time they were fighting. She defeated her opponent when she surpassed the time limit. I've also noticed that her cat took part in the fight as well, since there is not a single rule regarding pets participating, I will let it slide this time. I'll admit, it's been a while since I've seen a participant come up with a strategy in a short amount of time. Despite this, the participant made a decent performance. I estimated her performance to be 7.6 points in total; 1.5 points in accuracy, 2.1 points in speed, 2.2 in evasion and 1.8 points in defense." Adrian commented. "June fought well for her debut, she used her quick reflexes in her favor, and the damage she inflicted further increased her performance. So I give her 2.3 points in accuracy, 2.1 points defense, 2 points in evasion and 2.5 in speed. Giving her 8.9 points in total."

Joon watched the match via hologram. "Haeji, look at this." Haeji looked at the hologram. Mochi was sleeping in Joon's lap while they saw the judges give out the score.

The score board showed as followed:

"What?!" Mochi meowed.
"Nonononono. I won the match! Everyone saw it!" Haeji tried to sit up but she felt a pain in her stomach from the injury, not to mention that she felt a shochwave coming from the EMCuff.
"Haeji!" Joon shouted before he felt it as well. Nour brought the meal for Haeji saw the Ji siblings convulsing. She dropped the plate and made haste to neutralize them, not knowing that it was Patricia who used a device to electrocute them.

"There you have it folks. Next up the match will be with our 3 time winning champion, Mirror and the hybrid phoenix, Phixa!"

Stella had interrogated half of the suspects, and so far... no results.

A half hour ago...

"Howdy! My name's Stella, and you are?" Stella asked, though Violet kept quiet. "Anyway, I found this in the ladies' room. Did you lose it?" Stella showed the rouge lipstick, though Violet shook her head. "Well, if you want any make up tips, you know where to find me." Stella walked away to ask the other suspects. "Is this yours?" Stella showed the lipstick to Annabell.
"No, not really, though now that I'm looking at it, it matches your eyes." Annabell commented as she looked at the Izarian.
"I know right."
"I prefer to wear a more natural look." Annabell said, taking her brown wavy hair out of the hood of her cloak. "It could work on Eros. He can wear anything and still look good, even without magic."
"Do tell." Stella prodded, their conversation lasted for a while. Annabell talked about Eros and some of his beauty tricks and tips. Stella talked about some of the make up product she tested. Scale was still staring at Stella from afar.

By the time the match between Astrid and Chris started, the Izarian interrogated with the Arivex.
"No." Sora responded. Stella put the laser lipstick back into her pocket while she took a good look at the Arivex before she looked at the purple crystal that Sora wore around her neck.
"Nice pendant, where'd you get it?" Stella asked while Sora traced her thumb on the purple crystal.
"It's a dimension crystal. I found it in the cosmos when I was cornered. I've had it for almost 5 years now." Sora said.
"During my internship, I heard rumors about an abandoned mine that contained dimension crystals with a cosmic energy so strong that could create a supernova, or an explosion just as massive. That's why the DIT (Department of Intergalactic Transportation) recommended drivers to use electromagnetic gems as one of the power sources for spacecrafts for intergalactic and extradimensional travel. I'll warn you, the use of dimension crystals are banned in most galaxies. Cosmic corsairs and space pirates go to great lengths to obtain crystals like the one you're wearing." Stella explained.
"Good to know." Sora said plainly.
"Take care." Stella replied before she saw Astrid walked out of the arena. After Alexander calmed her down, Stella saw that her their black and blue jumpsuit didn't line up with the red lipstick. A hot pink lipstick could work with Astrid's pink streak on her platinum silver hair, and purple beanie but red. Not so much, so she discarded her as a suspect.

Stella saw the phoenix hybrid, she looked beautiful though the Izarian could tell that the Paradise phoenix looked nervous. I can do this, this is my chance to prove my worth as a Phoenix. Phixa felt that the sun's rays beaming. This is my chance to win. Phixa thought.
"Howdy." Phixa turned around to see the Izarian woman, her magenta hair wrapped in a ponytail, light grey skin, and bright red eyes. "My name is Stella, what's your name?"
"Phixa." She responded before she saw Stella take out a lipstick.
"Did you drop this?" The Izarian asked her.
"No." The phoenix hybrid responded.
"Bummer, it would look good on you with the sunny color palette you got goin' on. It brings out your red eyes." Stella commented.
"Uh, thanks." Phixa said before she heard her name being announced.
"Good luck on your match." Stella chirped before she saw Mirror. She had to admit that he was a handsome fella, he walked past her as he strutted his way to the arena.

The moment she eyed at the reflective surface of Mirror's skin she recalled the handwriting on the mirror from the ladies' room. That was Carina's handwriting, but Carina couldn't have escaped the planet she was on... could she? Stella thought before she had gone to the ladies' room.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! We will now introduce our match three fighters!" Natalie announced and the crowd went wild. People stomped their feet and hollered so loud the heavens could hear.
"In this corner," Johnathan pointed to the corner of the left and the spotlight flashed there, "we have a quiet man no stranger to combat with a sassy attitude and a smile no lady can resist! He looks like a mirror but it is clear he's much more than that. Give it up for Combat Mirror!"
The doors slid open and Mirror walked out with a smirk on his face. The girls in the audience squealed in excitement as he waved confidently. Time to put on a little show for the ladies.
"And in this corner," Eleanor picked up, "we have a young half Phoenix waiting to spread her wings! Seeking nothing more than pure perfection and power, hotter than the Sun itself, put your hands together for Phixa!"
The crowd cheered for Phixa, but she kept her expression stern and cold. She looked up at the Sun and recited a prayer in her head. Apollo, God of the Sun, please bless me with your strength. The clouds slowly moved over the Sun and she stared down with discouragement. I can't attack with my fire yet. If I do, it will be weak and pointless. Of course this would happen.
As the fighters near each other, they exchange a look. They read each others eyes, staring at each other with intensity. Phixa could see the confidence in Mirror while he could see the worry in her.
Brandon activated the barrier with a transparent forcefield, knowing well that the fight was going to get brutal. The roar of the crowd was heard, and some of the fans chanted Mirror's name. Glen stood in the middle of the arena. "You all know the rules by now: No necromancy. No kills." Glen then looked at Mirror. "And don't go overboard this time." Glen reminded the reigning champion of the Gladatorium, before he grabbed the silver whistle and blew it.

Mirror was the first to act as he lunged forward and attacked with a barrage of attacks. Phixa was quick to block, but the constant punches left painful bruises on her forearms. She jumped back but he was quick to land clean kick to her side. Phixa tumbled to the ground but launched herself back and assumed her defence position again.

The Sun slowly peaked through the clouds, kissing Phixa's copper skin. Everyone in the crowd was on the edge of their seats waiting to see who was going to throw the next blow. The judges looked back and forth between them with criticizing eyes. Mirror, still confident and focused, shifted his foot and launched himself forward.

Patricia had increased the voltage by 3 hertz before Vilma came in. The blonde Pangaean stopped messing with the frequency on her device and then looked at her coworker with a devious smirk. "Is there a problem?"
Vilma had spotted Patricia inject Joon with a substance, not knowing that it was a virus Patricia was testing and waited until she left the infirmary. The resentful receptionist looked for syringes, new ones. She didn't have the chance to search because Nour was present when she tried to look. Vilma didn't like giving explanations nor accounts, especially if it involved her own personal affairs. She opened the cabinet that contained empty vials and syringes, just when she found a new bag containing 8 syringes. Patricia caught her red-handed while she clicked her tongue. "You shouldn't be butting your nose where it doesn't belong." Patricia chided.
"I should say the same to you, Patti." Vilma remarked, "Don't butt into my business, and I won't do the same to yours. If you even try to cross me, I'll take you down, and you're little snitch too." Vilma glared at Patricia.
"Not at all," Vilma showed a plastered smile, as long as you're not one of them.

Nour checked Joon and Haeji's vitals and they seem to be fine. "How are you both feeling?"
"I thought I was going to die." Haeji commented.
"Same, though I'm feeling kinda thirsty." Joon replied.

Hong ate her sashimi by herself, while Yin and Alexandra shared a table. The elderly yamitzu master was eating his soup while Alexandra chowed down on the teriyaki. The angel watched the match between the hybrid phoenix and Mirror.

Mirror shapeshifted to look just like her. From the dark brown hair, orange tips, light red eyes and coppery skin down to the radiant feathers and talons.

Physically, I'm stronger and faster. The most she can do, it seems, is defend. Eventually her guard will weaken and that will be my chance.
Phixa tightened her guard as Mirror landed a powerful punch on the right muscle, leaving a light bruise.

Phixa is doing great, Alexandra thought.
"Looks like she's having a hard time keeping up with her opponent." Yin stated before taking another spoonful of the soup.
"How can you tell?" Alexandra asked him while she watched the match, though she had to admit she had a hard time telling them apart due to Mirror's ability.
"Phixa is wasting her energy attacking him while Mirror is deflecting her attacks." Yin mentioned.

"If you look closer to my left eye, it looks bloodshot, but it actually had pus when the fly got squashed." The light yellowing of Phixa's eye was not noticeable at first glance, but when Alexandra got closer she noticed little flecks on the hybrid Phoenix's eye. Now that the angel took a better look at the match she could see that the real Phixa was upset by the look on her face, and by the light in her eye.

I can't go on like this. I'm doing nothing but taking damage. Her almond eyes darted left and right looking for an opening then landed on Mirror's jaw. Without even thinking, her fist was moving at a high speed towards his face. What are you doing!? A weak attack like that will never hit, and if it somehow does, it'll do nothing for you! You're not strong enough!
Phixa stopped herself before it hit, leaving herself completely exposed. Mirror took advantage of her exposure and punched her abdominal region. Her back arched and Mirror landed a second punch straight to her face, sending her to the ground. Gasping for air, she rolled over on her knees. Blood was raining from Phixa's nose. What was I thinking? What was I doing? It is clear Mirror is better at physical attacks than me so why did I even try? Everyone in Paradise is watching me right now is probably laughing at me.
Mirror, hesitantly, walked forward, almost with a sorry expression. She doubted herself because her punch would be weak, but it would've done something since I was unguarded.
She caught him slowly trudging towards her and she flew up in order to keep her distance.

The arena was hotter than the beach on a hot  summer day, to the point that Glen was tugging the front of his stripped shirt repeatedly in one hand, and fanning himself with his cap with the other before walking out of the arena for the two combatants to raise the heat they drew from the Sun.

"Can you feel the heat?" Mirror smirked, while he spoke in Phixa's form. Piros stared at the match at the Paradise Phoenix, while the real Phixa tried to figure out how she was going to defeat him while her time was running out.

Phixa's silhouette was seen while the sun was behind her before she swooped down like a falcon. Her body encased in flames akin to a phoenix.

How am I going to defeat him? He is using all of my attacks, unless...

Phixa ceased using her fire powers while Mirror did the same. She walked backwards while her opponent did the same.

This is my chance to win this.

They both were a couple of steps away from the edge of their side arena, Mirror caught on what she was planning.

Not quite.

So he played along when he fell out of the arena at the same time as she did. Phixa flew a couple of inches away from the ground before she got hit by the side, her body hit the ground resulting in a ring out. Mirror flew into the air and then landed in the center of the arena before reverting back into his original form.

"Wow! I did not see that coming!" Johnathan hollered. The replay showed at a bird's eye view on how the match ended. Phixa and Mirror were on the edge of the arena at opposing sides while they fell off the edge. Phixa flew inches awey from the ground while Mirror jetted around the arena at full speed before striking Phixa to the ground with a surprise attack.

"That's gotta hurt." Herring commented while Piros looked at Phixa, crestfallen.

"Mirror, you went for the kill as always. I give you 10 out of 10 for the fire show, the moves and the finishing blow." Marie showed the same 10 sign she showed earlier. "Phixa you get a 7 out of 10. You did great, but you started falling out along the way." Marie showed the seven sign and doodled a beady eye, then a curved line for the sign to look like a cartoony bald eagle.
"That was intense. I thought I was getting roasted from the heat, and this is Simpson Desert level kinda hot. About the fight, it was gnarly. Mirror you fought so well that I couldn't tell who was who with your mimicking. So your speed, defense, attack or whatever it is that Adrian mentions in his scores is on point." Lizzy commented. "Phixa you did great too, you get an 8½ in total."
"Both combatants made a great performance, and I don't usually say this." Adrian started whil Lizzy rolled her eyes and Marie snickered. "I've come to recognize Mirror's fighting style and his approach to mimicking his opponents, I have to say that he perfected his speed and accuracy compared to last year. Mirror gets 9.8 points in total; 2.5 points in accuracy, speed and evasion, and 2.3 points in defense." Adrian then gave a critique about Phixa's performance. "Phixa, since you've participated in tournaments before, you've shown potential based on your abilities. However, you need to overcome your fixation with perfection. You were enthralled with the match which is good, though you need to find a balance on how you execute your attacks. I've told the same thing to Mirror when he started participating in the Gladatorium. So Phixa, I give you 8.4 points in total; 2.5 points in speed and accuracy, 2.3 points in defense and 2.1 points in evasion."

Stella entered into the women's restroom and saw one of the janitors wipe away the lipstick from the mirror.

No.

Stella saw the squeaky clean mirror before the janitor walked away with the janitor cart.

"No no no no no no." Stella blurted out in denial. "Dammit! I should've taken a snapshot!" How was she going to find her suspect now?

Baci Llus stood from his seat to go to the men's restroom while he left Micah snore. Carina took the opportunity to take a sample of Micah's saliva. The Amoebian's mouth was open while Carina took out a small, square shaped watch glass and held it while Micah's mouth hanged open, a string of saliva fell on the watch glass before the incognito spy sealed the watch glass with a cap, stood up and walked away.

Chapter cowritten by ADav62 and I.

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