CHAPTER 11: SHARK IN THE SAND, NOAKA NOSHITA

Subchapter 11.1: Danger in the Sand — Noaka Noshita, Queen of the Earth Stadium

The blazing sun hung high in the sky, merciless, as the Earth Stadium stretched before Renjir and Jack, who cautiously moved across the treacherous terrain. The heat was suffocating, and the unstable sandy ground beneath their feet felt more like a trap set to swallow those who underestimated the power of nature. This field was the domain of Noaka Noshita, the Queen of the Earth Stadium, and her reputation preceded her.

Noaka wasn’t just a master of bakuster battles; she controlled the terrain itself as if it were an extension of her will.

"Here we are, Jack," Renjir said, scanning the surroundings, his sharp senses trying to detect any hint of the danger lurking beneath the surface. "What do you think about facing this 'Queen'?"

Jack, by his side, grinned, his excitement evident in his eyes.
"Oh man, I can’t wait!" he replied, spinning his new blackuball between his fingers. "I heard she uses Earth-type bakusters, which means Aeroraptor will have an advantage in the air. It’s going to be awesome!"

Before they could continue their conversation, a powerful presence emerged in the distance. Noaka Noshita walked toward the center of the stadium, her steps firm and deliberate. She wore a battle outfit seemingly designed to endure the heat and harshness of the dry land. Her black hair was tied tightly in a bun, and her eyes exuded a dangerous calm, as though she already knew the outcome of the battle before it even began.

"So, you’ve finally decided to face me," Noaka said in a low, controlled voice as she positioned herself in front of them. "This field is my home. Do you really think you can survive it?"

Renjir crossed his arms, studying her.
"We’ve faced tough opponents before, Noaka. We know you command the earth, but we’re ready for anything."

Noaka smiled, but it wasn’t a smile of amusement. It was the smile of someone absolutely certain of their victory.
"We’ll see," she said, raising the bakuball in her right hand. "Let’s begin."

Without wasting time, Noaka tossed her bakuball into the air, releasing the imposing Terrashark, a colossal beast that resembled a mix between a shark and a terrestrial predator. Its body cut through the sand as if it were swimming in water, with only its dorsal fin visible as it circled the field. The ground trembled slightly with each movement of the subterranean monster.

"That’s it!" Jack exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I’ll release Aeroraptor now!" He threw his blackuball, and Aeroraptor appeared, slicing through the air with its wide, sharp wings. The creature let out a piercing screech, flying over the field with agility that contrasted the stillness of the terrain.

Renjir, in turn, sent Dragunetor onto the field. The rocky-skinned, flame-winged creature roared, spewing sparks of lava as it stomped the sand around it. Its size and power were intimidating, but the terrain didn’t favor its mobility.
"Dragunetor, get ready!" Renjir shouted, watching Terrashark’s movements. "It’s hiding beneath the sand. We can’t let it catch us off guard!"

Noaka observed everything calmly.
"You’re mistaken if you think you can simply fly above my arena," she said firmly. "Here, even the air is my ally."

She made a subtle gesture, and Terrashark, moving with surprising speed, burst out of the sand in an explosion, lunging directly at Dragunetor. The impact was devastating, but Dragunetor managed to dodge at the last second, countering with a burst of lava that hit the ground, turning the sand into molten glass.

"Good reflexes, Renjir," Noaka murmured with a faint smile. "But that’s not enough."

With a simple command of her hand, Terrashark submerged again, disappearing beneath the surface. Now, only its dorsal fin was visible, moving quickly beneath Dragunetor and Aeroraptor.

"Aeroraptor, stay above it and use Wind Slash!" Jack shouted, realizing the battlefield was a moving trap.

Aeroraptor swiftly flew up, creating a wave of wind blades that tore through the ground, forcing Terrashark to emerge once again. The sand shark roared, its fierce eyes fixed on its opponents.
"That’s it, Aeroraptor!" Jack cheered, confident the battle was turning in their favor.

However, Noaka remained unshaken.
"Terrashark, strike again. Rise with the Sand Tornado!"

In an instant, Terrashark began spinning rapidly, raising a column of sand and dust that engulfed Dragunetor and Aeroraptor. The entire field turned into a whirlwind where visibility dropped to almost nothing. Renjir could barely see his own bakuster.
"Dragunetor, hold steady!" Renjir shouted, trying to communicate through the sandstorm.

Noaka laughed, satisfied with the result.
"This is what it means to fight on my turf," she said, her voice echoing through the winds. "You think you have the advantage with aerial power, but here, the land is all that matters. The true predator hunts beneath the surface."

The battle was far from over, and Renjir and Jack knew Noaka’s control over the field was a formidable challenge. But with their bakusters fighting alongside them, there was still a chance to turn the tide — even under such adverse conditions.

Subchapter 11.2: First Badge — The Sand Medallion

The Earth Stadium was silent. The sandstorm that had enveloped Renjir, Jack, and their bakusters began to dissipate, revealing a battlefield worn from the intense fight. The ground, once shifting, was now covered in patches of solid rock, melted by Dragunetor’s lava blast, while deep cracks and slashes across the surface marked the traces of Aeroraptor’s attacks.

In the center of the field, Terrashark lay motionless. The creature, exhausted from the string of attacks, panted heavily, partially submerged in the sand that had once been its greatest advantage. Aeroraptor circled the field from above like a victorious predator, while Dragunetor stood firm, its eyes vigilant for any movement.
"Looks like it’s over," Jack murmured, observing Terrashark’s state. His earlier excitement now mixed with exhaustion. "We did it."

Noaka Noshita, the Queen of the Earth Stadium, remained silent for a few moments, her eyes fixed on the battlefield. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, raising a hand toward her bakuster.
"Terrashark, return." The bakuball glowed amber as the enormous sand shark vanished in a burst of light. She turned to Renjir and Jack, her face calm but with a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
"You fought well," she said, her voice carrying a sincerity that surprised the duo. "I didn’t expect you to adapt to my field so quickly. Many have tried, but few have lived to tell the tale."

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