Ken stepped onto the platform. In his mind he was going over the list of the things he came up with to watch out for during his match against Switch. In the few months that they had already spent at UAI, the two had become good friends, affording Ken a decent grasp of what he was up against. Switch could try to distract him with conversation or out of the blue questions. Other types of deception weren’t out of the question either, of course Switch was known for his tricks.

But most importantly, Ken felt he already knew what Switch’s first move would be, he would- 

“Hey Ken!” Switch called out from the other end of the platform. Ken looked up, seeing Switch mouth “Good luck”, just as he heard the announcer prompt the fight to “BEGIN!” 

"Too bad you won't be able to use it!"

Ken realized that he was so deep in his thoughts about what to expect of Switch that the fight’s beginning came unexpectedly. But as he watched Switch turn tail and start running towards the edge of the arena, Ken regained his composure. 

As he had thought, Switch would try to use the same trick as before, jump over the edge of the platform and switch. But there was one thing that Ken could do that not many of his other classmates could. And that gave him the chance to go against Switch’s strategy. 

Ken instantly got to work, planting his forearms on the ground in front of him and focusing all his energy on creating growths. Soon enough, wooden spears were growing taller than him and most importantly, shielding him completely from one side. 

As Ken freed his arms from the newly formed bark wall now separating him from Switch, he took a deep breath, knowing that he bought himself a few precious seconds to strategize. 

He had an idea. But it would take a bit of effort. 

---

Switch just got to the platform’s edge, turning around, ready to see Ken with his wood lances.  But, halting himself just as he was going to jump over the edge, Switch realized he couldn’t see Ken. 

Ken was replaced by a wall of wood. 

Switch smirked and immediately bolted back. 

--- 

Ken was regaining his breath once more, with his forehead leaning on the wall in front of him. He wouldn’t risk peeking over in case Switch was still at the edge, he was going to wait for Switch to get to him. 

Soon enough Switch dashed into Ken’s periphery; he jumped ahead and over the line. 

From the base of Ken feet a wooden lance shot out, almost as if it was going after Switch. 

As he jumped, Switch turned to face Ken, switching just as he realized that Ken still had his back to him, facing the wall. 

In an instant, Switch found himself in a hole full of tangled roots which trapped his feet. This was what Ken was working on this whole time. 

Switch turned his head, catching a glimpse of Ken grabbing onto the lance that he had created mere seconds before, narrowly managing to swing himself back into the arena without touching the ground out of bounds. 

The audience was shocked. Everything happened so quickly, both of the competitors showing their ability to think lightning fast. 

Ken knew Switch would switch again right as he landed in bounds, and prepared for his second attack. This one, meant to catch Switch entirely off guard. 

The switch happened and just as Switch jumped back and out of bounds, Ken spun around. 

Two massive wooden growth bursts from his back, through his shirt, blocking Switch’s view of Ken and forcing him to the ground right outside the line. For a second, it looked like Ken had wings. But from the instant growth, Ken’s energy was immediately drained, not to mention the disorientation he felt from the multiple repeated switches. 

As Switch got up, Ken fell to his knees and toppled over, the wood on his back breaking off from impact.