Copy anomalies in the XCP association

Chapter 5: Dogfight

An apple.

That's what they were worth.

Jasper realized it too late.

He'd been fooled by the calmness of the place—the well-lit halls, the composed staff, the vague promises that he was now part of something "greater."

But no. That illusion shattered the moment he saw the fruit—an apple—resting in plain sight, right under the watchful eyes of the Neo X recruits.

A simple apple.

And they were all ready to fight for it.

"What's wrong, Neo 7? Not hungry?" F16 asked with a half-smile, noting Jasper's shocked expression.

"Yeah, I know. This isn't what you expected... But you need to understand something: you guys aren't worth anything. Not yet."

Jasper clenched his fists, caught between anger and disappointment. "This is wrong. We're still human!"

F16 let out a dry, empty laugh. "No, kid. You're dogs now. And if you want to be treated like humans again, you'll have to earn that right—with your effort."

Then he held up the apple, twirling it casually between his fingers. The message was crystal clear.

This apple is worth more than you.

Jasper swallowed hard. The other recruits were already stretching, warming up like this was some kind of tournament. But it wasn't. It was a brutal trial. A show of will.

And if he wanted to survive in this place, he had to prove himself.

"All right. Each Neo X, to your marks," F16 ordered.

Lines on the floor marked their positions. Each one stepped into place.

F16 tossed the apple high into the air. It spun slowly, suspended for what felt like an unreal moment. Everyone watched in silence... until he caught it with one hand.

"Begin!"

Jasper glanced around. The others were already moving. They were serious. Dead serious.

Neo 5 lunged first. "Come on, Neo 4! You beat me last time—you owe me!" he yelled, charging at her like a wild beast.

Neo 4 didn't move. Unshaken. And as the boy launched himself, Jasper caught a glimpse of the black claws sprouting from Neo 5's hands—living obsidian, razor-sharp.

"He's like an animal..." Jasper muttered.

But then he noticed: no matter how wildly Neo 5 attacked, he couldn't land a hit. Neo 4 moved differently—not faster, but... off. Like the world ran at 60 frames per second while she moved at 15. A chill crept down Jasper's spine.

Their reality... is broken.

"Yep. They're dancing on the edge of danger," a soft voice whispered behind him.

Jasper turned with a jolt. Neo 8 stood there, watching him with curiosity.

"Oh, I see... Sorry, but—"

He aimed a light kick at her—not to hurt her, just to knock her out of the game. But the kick never landed.

It was like hitting an invisible wall. There was nothing between them, yet he couldn't touch her.

"I'm sorry too..." she murmured.

Neo 8 pointed her hands at him like weapons. Jasper felt the shift in the air.

"I'm hungry... Create Court!"

An invisible blast ripped through his chest.

The world spun.

It was like the air itself had punched him. His body flew across the field, smashing into the far wall. He coughed and gasped, his ribs burning.

These people... they're not playing.

"Shit!"

Neo 5 got sent flying like a ragdoll too.

"Damn... Neo 4's always been this strong..." he muttered, standing up, spitting blood.

"Okay... new plan."

His eyes locked onto Jasper, still struggling to recover from Neo 8's blow.

"Go for the weak one!" he shouted with a sadistic grin.

Jasper didn't even think. Instinct screamed at him to run, and his legs obeyed.

But Neo 5 was faster. Even injured, he had more stamina than Jasper. The gap closed fast.

(Come on... my ability... I copied that monster. If she used it, I can too.)

Jasper stopped abruptly, spun around, and pointed his hands at Neo 5, mimicking Neo 8's gesture.

Neo 5 paused, taking a defensive stance.

"Create Court!" Jasper shouted, summoning all his will.

Nothing. No blast. Not even a breeze.

Neo 5 blinked, then burst out laughing.

"Hahahahaha! That was it? You don't even know how to use your power."

Jasper turned to flee again—but Neo 5 slashed his back with his claws.

Pain dropped him to the ground. He coughed up blood. Everything faded.

"I didn't want to do this, Neo 7. But this is how things work here."

Neo 5 raised his foot to finish him off.

And Jasper... remembered.

The school. Saving Michael.

That strange feeling returned—only now it was stronger. Wilder.

Neo 5 brought his foot down hard.

But Jasper caught it.

White claws—identical to Neo 5's, but pale as bone—sprouted from his hands.

"What the... hell?" Neo 5 stammered.

Jasper didn't wait. He hurled him through the air like trash.

"Thanks, Neo 7!"

Neo 4 appeared in a blur, intercepting the airborne boy. She raised her wooden sword.

"Good night, Lin." One strike, and he was out cold.

Jasper stared in awe. Neo 8 lay unconscious too—also a victim of Neo 4.

"I owe you one. Come. Hit me first," Neo 4 said, setting her sword aside.

"You asked for it!"

Jasper charged. His body moved differently now—faster, sharper.

He struck with his white claws—but Neo 4 dodged effortlessly.

That same eerie sensation. She moved like she wasn't bound by the same time.

"I see... An inexperienced mimic," she muttered, kneeing him in the face.

"You don't even understand what you've got. You don't know how to use it."

She grabbed her sword again and came at him relentlessly. Jasper blocked, retreated, held on.

"Maybe I'm inexperienced...!"

He placed one hand on the ground and twisted his body at a weird angle.

Neo 4 instinctively dodged, leaving an opening.

"But I learn fast!"

He kicked her with all his might. Neo 4 flew back.

"Interesting..." she said, landing gracefully against the wall. Her glasses slipped off.

Jasper saw her eyes for the first time—floating numbers. A glowing 120 in each.

"But you can't beat me."

The number changed: 550.

Neo 4 moved like a storm.

Before Jasper could react, a flurry of blows from the wooden sword overwhelmed him.

Applause!

F16 clapped, tossing the apple casually in the air.

Neo 4 caught it without looking, one foot planted on Jasper's unconscious chest.

"You win, Neo 4."

"No, not yet," she replied, staring at him.

"Where's Neo 6?"