HoH Square 07

It seems Joseph was failing at picking up his cellphone. The A~E employee incharge of contacting him when the square was ready seemed to look rather disappointed on this. He couldn't announce special matches until then.

He glanced at the Deity employee in the chair across from him. Didn't seem like he was having much luck either.

He shrugged and went to pushing a few toggles, and turning a couple of dials. This tech crap was hard work y'know. Then he activated the lights, the main screens, and gave the green light for vendors to open up their stalls. A few button pushes later and the insertion of a DVD and the commercial reel was ready to go. This was immediately followed by a few taps on a keyboard, and then all he had to do was play the waiting game as they connected to the HoH mainframe.

While he was waiting for this to happen he stretched out a bit, and tried to decide what match he would watch first. Fringe benefit of this job was he got to see current mainstage fights uncensored from any camera he wanted too.

One digitalised sound effect later and they were patched in. He activated the live feed and flipped the video randomiser. The four giant screens would now rotate between current fights, old highlights, current scores, and commercials showing the newest product lines from both companies. The secondary screens would just show current fights punctuated by a rolling ticker of updates and product plugs.

Pleased with his handiwork he grabbed the microphone and hovered his finger over the big red button.

"Hello Gaia!" He shouted over the intercom system in his best announcer voice, "Welcome to HoH square, the most awesome place you can possibly take in the main tournament and then some! If you're looking to sign up for an exhibition match proceed to the main tower, if not, WELCOME ABOARD!"

He slammed down on the big red button and the gates swung open. HoH's festival square was open for business.

The smell of roasting peanuts, burned hamburgers and hot urine filled his nostrils as he waded his way through the crowd. It was a hot day and the sticky sweat of others lingering as they shoved their faces full of high calorie foods and drinks as they watched upon the large television sets, he too had been watching some of the fights but at the annoucement, his attention turned and now he moved towards the exhibition arena with the desire to test his own strength against those who he would be living with at the Leviathan Stadium.

Standing just outside the ring, he made a motion with his gloved right hand at the announcer who had just made a challange to anyone willing and able to. He was dressed in normal clothes, a pair of slacks and a nice shirt, he had paid his dues and was allowed to watch, so why not dress up for the event? Stepping forward he bowed slightly and awaited to be noticed as a contender.

He felt someone prod him upon his back, perhaps in a friendly way but more likely he was ushering him forward, the crowd behind him began to chant as well, although he wasn't paying attention to their words, he was sure someone said "Fresh meat" and "Is there a doctor in the house?" He shrugged off their words as he stepped up beside the announcer and slowly took off his sunglasses, his obsidian eyes looked into the man's and he smiled a little smile, his voice, although a baratone, seemed calm and very polite.

My name is Rubieus, I just came to see the show. Mhmm I am willing to try.

He barely had time to answer before the announcer fired off another question, somehow he managed to answer but still felt a little awkward with all the strange eyes upon him.

oO(Doesn't matter, One of you said you wouldn't be able to so the one that can? Edit: Insult and Injury it is!)

His shoulder tensed as the announcer touched him, Rubieus didn't like strangers touching him, expecially ones who had sweaty palms and had most likely not washed his hands after using the bathroom earlier that day. He was pushed towards the pit and instead of stopping, the red haired man just continued walking until he reached the edge. The pit was deep but not deep enough that he couldn't leave on his own, and the option to surrender would ruin his reputation before it even started. Slowly he began to undo the buttons of his red shirt and as he did, the shirt began to flow by itself, the seams and stiches of his sleeves seemed to undo themselves until the fabric formed into a long red scarf which whipped around his neck and behind him. His black vest seemed to catch the suns rays and glow but not shine. He pulled the scarf from his neck and let it soar overhead, the wind picking up the fabric and carrying it away.

Resting against the small of his back was a small wakizashi, of course h wasn't sure if the fight would cause him to resort to such a weapon and if not, he wouldn't have to worry about it. Rubieus pushed off the edge of the pit and flipped forward, letting his body spin with the gravity and as he landed on the soft giving sand, his left knee pressed into the sand as his right foot landed as well. Now kneeling at the bottom of the fifteen foot pit, he looked at the other corner at the one he would be facing, he didn't look so threatening, but then again, Rubieus didn't look dangerous either.

((Fighting Insult and Injury is a better bet. Max gaurentees you a slow fight as I'm outta the house for most of tommrow and wed.))

A gladiator stadium, that's what it felt like as he stood there at the opposite end of the pit, standing there, awaiting for the moment when those two fighters would engage him, Rubieus noted that the male was unarmed except for his large overbearing shield, he however did not underestimate the force which that being could muster with such large arms. As his eyes passed over the chain, he almost wondered if this was a joke, surely this would give him an advantage, but he was no fool, chain or not, they would not be his challange if they weren't strong, but two of them? He wondered why the special treatment. Rubieus glanced up as the cage was lowered on top of them and he smirked a little, it was almost unreal.

Butchers huh? I wonder if they are related to the plumber bros.

Rubieus had not only trained with perhaps the best life could offer him but had also studied the fighting tactics of histories greatest warriors, part of winning battles was knowing your opponent better then they knew you and his teaching was reminding him right then that although they were of two bodies, their movement made them as one spirit, like a true spartan, these two were as synchronized as they came. Take a few steps back he knew he could not continue to back up anymore, eventually they would be upon him, even with their slow march forward. Although the crowd was roaring for him, or rather for his spilt blood, he knew they wouldn't care who won as long as the fight was a good one, and it being his first time here, he would show them the spectacular powers that made him who he was.

Quickly dropping his right leg back his left side faced his two opponents, slowly Rubieus moved down into a low squat so that his elbows pointed down and towards his waist. His left forearm pointed up and at a slight angle so that all his fingers pointed up to the sky, slowly he curled his pinky and ring finger into a loose fist, leaving his index, pointer and thumb pointing upwards. Rubieus eased his thumb slightly so it poined at his face and as this happened his right hand slowly motioned into a loose fist and slide along his side before resting lightly at his waist, his right hand easlily able to grable his wakizashi if it came down to it. In this position, he could sit and remain like a steel coil tightly wrapped and ready to explode, with the first stance of Ryuokuzaki complete, he awaited his on coming opponents, afterall, having to lug around a heavy kite shield and a large sword would eventually tire them out, and with each step they took, he was gaining more of an advantage.

Speed.

The essence of martial arts. The final debate over which fighter was the best, it was not technique, power or even mastery that determined the outcome of a fight, sure it definately helped, but speed was master over every other variable, and although Rubieus was not strong, he had speed.

As the shield came at him like a wall of metal, Rubieus released the tension in his legs and let himself jump backwards and to an angle which put him at a slight disadvantage as his body moved towards the pit wall. His hands reached out and touched the wall and quickly bent as the force of the collision was absorbed by his manuver, he quickly performed an unorthadox cartwheel into a twisted back summersault off the wall and quickly landed off to the side of his attackers.

Now facing Insults unprotected side, he dashed forward knowing full well that the larger man could turn his shield in that direction before Rubieus could attack, but he had the next to moves in his head already planned out.

Behind Yusuke in line was an older man, almost twice the younger lad's age. He was the alternate fighter from Team Liberi Fatali, which unfortunately did not make it past the first round in the tournament.

Not content sitting idly by watching everyone else continue fighting, he jumped at the opportunity to fight again. He still had more to prove, and this time, he wouldn't be pitted against the number one contenders for the championship this time around. More of a sporting chance, if you will.

However, he was at a different disadvantage this time around. Compared to most of the people here, he was "a new face". He didn't know many of the competitors in the tournament, and thus, he did not have any basis to challenge anyone, unless he wanted to go around challenging anyone and everyone he could find.

So, when is turn came around after Yusuke's, he would fill out the appropriate paperwork. Under the section that asked to check off your opponent (with a corresponding blank space for their name), or that you were waiting for an open challenge, he checked the latter.

((I'm also accepting challengers for a grudge match; I'm also stating now for the record that my (potential) fight in this thread will not interfere with my RP in the hotel, on the principle of seperate timelines. Nyah. ))

As her body swung around the larger Insult, Rubieus realised his next manuver would not work and tried to jump backwards but was too slow in doing so, a solid hit with Injury's leather covered feet sent him flat onto his back, the dirt around his body threw up around him slightly as the abrupt change in energy caused him to lose his breath. Although it took only a few seconds to regain his breathe, Rubieus slowly rolled onto his stomach and rose to his knees, he was facing the two gladiators and began to wonder how he would get through their two-headed defense.

As he rose from his kneeling position, he grabbed the wakizashi and sheath from the small of his back with his left hand and quietly murmured as he twirled the sheathed blade in his hands. It would take a little longer to awaken the weapons true power, hopefully he could last long enough to. Now standing upright, he stood in a boxing stance with his left arm slightly lowered with the weight of the weapon however his right hand rested near his cheek in a slightly closed fist, his legs began to move as if he were bouncing in place, the calm look he had before now removed, leaving behind the reality of having just been laid out and the pressure and pain of the kick showing in his serious stare.

Awaken Lotus Petal

It wasn't a yell or a command, it was as if his blade were a child and he were it's father gently bring it forth out of it's slumber. The wakizashi glowed and lengthed causing a light shield of energy to build up and dissapate almost as quickly as it appeared, the ying yang designed hilt of the wakizashi melted down onto the sheath which seemed to burn and bubble away the black surface, revealing pure whiteness underneath. As the seemingly liquid metal quickly poured down the weapon's sheath, it not only burned away the black surface but also seemed to cause the sheath to lenthen until it reached a limit of twenty four inches, excluding the hilt which seemed only long enough to be held within one hand, his hand. With the sheath held tightly in his left hand, Rubieus instantly jerked his right hand down to grip the hilt, with the force of the swords transformation having stopped the sands approach, he now only had to worry about the arial assault from Injury.

Rubieus pulled the katana from it's home and swung it upward, his eyes watched keenly as the female came down upon him. His sword was indeed quite sharp but he knew he could not split hair the tip of the blade. Instead of trying to do so, he twisted his wrist slightly inward so that the upward thrust would inertly deflect the course of the larger sword, and as he did so, Rubieus side stepped to his right so that as his sword blocked or cut through the middle of the other sword, he could be in a better position to attack Insult from the side or behind.

Like a train wreck, he felt the force of the blow and staggered, it wasn't that he was hit hard, it was that he was struck with a large cumbersome object. Rubieus felt himself get pushed out of the way like the way a snow plow would shove snow off the streets. As he tried to regain his senses he realized he could not avoid the second attack and only grimaced as the sword cut along his ribcage, what was worse was that it was a dull blade and he would have to get tenus shots later but for now the pain of it seemed to make him focus.

His plans from the beginning were to get close enough to either Insult or Injury and now that the large man had just literally battered into him, the bleeding and shooken up man made his move. Although weak from the attack, he only needed to cut Insult and knowing the brute like figure, the monster as it would now be referred to as wouldn't make an effort to dodge, and even if it did, he was far to large to evade such a simple swipe at his elbow to his bicep.

Rubieus had not forgotten Injury, but knew he would have to dispose of her big ally before he could attempt any assault on her. As his sword cut and slid along the larger man, Rubieus quickly side stepped behind the moving behemoth and struck once more, his sword slicing down along its back.

Fenrir Fenix Wrote:

Whatever wound intended at Insult would be minor at best. He would have been bearing down on Rubieus constantly and given him little room to move.

It was not the initial cut that would have an effect on such a large person but the instant side effect of being as rotten as he was. Rubieus wouldn't have to worry about the chain being that the wounds that were now appearing all over Insults body would no doubt deter him, and if by some miracle that he could withstand such loss of blood, Rubieus would have not only used his agility to duck under the chain but would have continued his previous assault upon Insults back and possibly his thighs and triceps as well, and since he was such a large being, it would make it difficult for Injury to manuver around her brother to reach the injured challenger.

With each strike from his Lotus Petal, Rubieus could cause more then just a mere scratch, in exchange for not being able to cause lethal damage his sword sought out the being's soul, granted that it had something that could be called a soul, the soul would recoil from the sword's bite and would harm the person's body according to the misdeeds they had commited, in an essence it was a sword of karma, striking the soul and causing a ripple effect, the soul would cause cuts to appear as if out of thin air upon the body gauged on the horrible things that person had done, of course if the person had not commited any vile acts, the sword would do little do nothing but a scratch, unfortunately for the gladiator, Rubieus was sure he had killed more people then there were above them in that crowd.

For those who could not hear, they had no reason to believe in sounds, for those who could not see had no reason to believe in colors, and even for those unfortunate enough to live such a tragic life, it was not belief nor religion but truth that would set them free. Rubieus ducked under the chain and unleashed another bloody cut into the hide of the man he fought, perhaps he could not read, nor did he understand what pain was, but life was never without it's reasons and this man would understand eventually that the pain would stop when he understood the things he did were wrong, not by the eyes of man, or the eyes of God, but by the sanctity that was his soul, man was not created to kill his brother, nor was he created to harm his neighbor. As Rubieus dipped low and send his sharp steel across the hamstrings of Insults legs he felt a pang of sadness, this man did not understand what was happening to him and yet as life has done so far, he would remain in the shadows as his body was punished for a crime he did not know he commited.

It was not the rain of sprayed blood that stopped him, nor the strenuous energy it took the injured man to unleash his attacks, but the true understanding that his sword although created with the purest intents was now being used upon someone who could never learn nor redeem himself from his crimes. As he swung his blade for it's final time, Rubieus purposely flicked his wrist so that the blade cut air and by doing so the flecks of blood flew upwards at the onlooking crowd, quickly he sheathed his blade and fell to his knees, exhaustion and horror covering his face.

Victory was not worth the price of punishing someone who was not guilty by his own right, but by the rights of those who created him.

Honor, such a powerful tool, it was a force that could send an entire civilization of men to kill themselves, it was so powerful that it could stop a man from killing those who had slaughtered his village. This time honor would revoke all remorse that had besetted upon the red haired man. He was indeed in a predicament and with only seconds to spare, he could only perform a last ditch effort, something that would make or break the fight, as the last of his breath left his body, his right hand rose and he hefted the katana only to throw it at the dishonorable and enraged woman. As the blade left it's master's hand, the sword flashed once more perhaps not so blinding but a distraction none the less, leaving the woman open for a possible attack, the wakizashi flipped only once before it would be embedded in her chest, free from it's bond it's karmic bonds, the weapon was just as deadly as any of those who were in the pit.

Rubieus however was at his end, if she did not collapse and die, though sadly it might be, then she could still twist the embedded sword and eliminate him from the fight, her brother it seemed was out of comission, for how long, only time could tell.

And so their suspicions were made fact when the first body was brought in.

All things considered it was better then expected. There was not even a need to break out the supply of body bags brought should such a horrible situation occur. Just a quick patch-up and some shots. There was a long dispute about putting him on an IV for stronger painkillers but it got shot down, they had still neglected to call out for any to be delivered. Instead they shoved advil down his throat and induced swallowing.

Now this is all nice and dandy, but it did not quite explain his situation. Half of the staff present did not understand it. Then again there were no complaints, they just appreciated the moment for what it was worth.

Obviously to dress his rib wounds they had to take his shirt. 'kay, thats fine and all. But counting that he did not have any external injuries there was a pretty heavy lack of explanation for why he was lacking pants. Or why he was laid up on a medical bed tha had been wheeled in with the sterile sheets tucked under the matress, him below the sheets, really showing off everything he had in defination context.

...Or why the good Doctor was currently checking the newest pictures on his camera and chuckling around his cigar.

The first Challenge fight had ended. It was against a Deity sponsored gladiator pair called Insult and Injury, versus a samurai paladin of sorts, named Rubieus. Rain could tell that Rubieus was a talented fighter, and a potentially deadly opponent; however, he could also tell that Rubieus was too tied up in his own convictions to think clearly in battle.

He had seen such holy men fight before, and it was a weakness they all shared. Being overly rash and single-minded in their goals, they were often too proud to switch strategies on a moment's notice, and such determination bred opportunities for your opponents.

Rain spat on the ground to his side. It was not Rubieus he was disgusted with. No, it was not Insult and Injury either. It was Deity, for allowing two human beings to fall to such an animalistic level where they seemed to be denied the very emotions and feelings that was their birthright. They were like machines. Well-oiled, precise killing machines, mind you, but machines nonetheless. And they deserved to be so much more.

Truly, despite their victory, the brother/sister team were the ones who earned Rain's pity that day.

"Perhaps..."

"... Perhaps I should show Deity the error of their ways..." he mused to himself aloud, watching as Rubieus was being carried away on a stretcher.

"Hey, Yusuke!"

Yusuke would hear his voice called out by a familiar young man, who landed next to him with a powerful thud, his geta making impact with the floor. Surprisingly, he didn't need to crouch on his landing. He landed as if he was some kind of statue, his arms folded in his yukata. From within his yukata, his elbow rested on a pair of Japanese swords at his side.

"What say you and I take on a challenge fit for two men?" he asked.

"Oh, no," he said. "I mean one of the challenges they provide from the exhibition, like the one seen before." Then he noticed a familiar face standing off at the other side of the Arena. "Oh, I'm sorry," he said. "I see you're already preoccupied. Ah well...it will be most entertaining to watch anyway." He waved to Rain, having remembered seeing him before. He was form Team Liberi Fatali, a group that had quite a bit of reputation around the HoH. He'd love to see how Yusuke fares against him...

His healing wasn't unique nor was it a first case study, but it was curious. Having been diagnosed with a scraped ribcage and a a broken trachea, he would be fine, most fighters would be hospitalized for a month or longer, but he along with those who were involved with the HoH were better then average and their constitution was much stronger. Rubieus slowly woke up from his three night stay and blinked once before looking up at the three workers, his obsidian eyes sparkled and all three of them leaned back a little, his eyes always creeped people out for the first time. Slowly he tried to get up but realised he was still held down.

Where am I?

Nurses... In their cute tight medical outfits, Rubieus didn't notice of course as he was nude and trying not to let any part of his physical attributes show now that he was awake, his tail on the other hand had other business in mind and would more then likely slap, poke, and grab an a** or two before Rubieus could get it in control. The doctor's answer would have to suffice since he was just happy the fight was over with.

He had fought men and women like Insult and Injury before, he had never hesitated in bringing them down either, but a battlefield and an arena were different, those on the front lines were fighting for a cause, they had a reason to die, those gladiators however...

Rubieus remebered the hollowness he felt when his blade sank it's sacred teeth into Insult's body, the beast felt no remorse, he didn't understand that killing should be for a purpose and not for a game. They were machines, brother and sister, yet he wondered if they even knew what love was.

Rubieus silently vowed to punsish those who had created such heartless monsters, no, they had hearts, just ones that had been beaten into submission. Rubieus sat up completely and then swung his legs over the side of the bed, his muscular torso was lightly covered in scars from previous fights.

Rubieus touched his hands to his neck and turned his head left to right, then right to left. He had healed well, but the memory of it still haunted him. Sooner or later he would find them and see if their blood was as red as their pit fighters.

No..no.. I think I will be fine, could you get me some sweat pants and a tee shirt or something? I don't like medical gowns.. please.

He was grateful for an attentive staff but he hadn't come to HoH to get beaten up and then pampered like a prince, he could do that at home. No, he had come because he had heard the best fighters were here, and he was curious to see them in action.

Rain would not just jump into the pit like the other two men had done. He went to the ladder, grabbing it with both hands on the edges of it, and slid down to the bottom. Every action, every movement, every step you make adds to the building of pressure inside one's body, and given enough pressure, one's body could destroy itself. With an impending fight on his hands, Rain was sure to take it easy.

"... Matthew, was it?" he asked, tilting his head to the side while looking towards his japanese acquaintance. He eyed the young man standing beside him. "Ah, I'm not sure if there's been a change in schedule, but I believe I should be fighting a Yusuke Urameshi here. Perhaps one of us three are in the wrong pit?"

"Best I had on short notice. No one buyin...sizes might be a tad off though."

Now there were not any nice convient curtains around, at least three nurses were in the tent at any given time, and the Doctor and Tim were just kind of looking at Rubieus. You know, wanting to see his reaction or something like that.

Did I mention the lack of curtains to hide behind?

"Are you going to get changed? We do need that bed." Ah Doctor, how we love your no nonsense smokers voice from Hell. Especially the nurses who kind of held back their giggles save that one who blatently eyed up the scene.

"Wait. Wait wait wait wait wait. Let me get this straight..." he said, holding up one finger to pause this teenager.

There was a dramatic pause with an accompanying silence, before Rain continued.

"YOU'RE Yusuke Urameshi?!?!"

Rain scratched the back of his head in confusion, frowning slightly. "This doesn't make any sense. I mean, yes, I've heard a lot of great things about you and your capabilities. But... but you're so... so young!"

He furrowed his brow, his left arm across his abdomen, resting his right elbow in his left hand, and his chin in his right hand. "This is quite the predicament. What to do, what to... aha!"

He turned to face the wall immediately behind him, near the ladder. He pulled back his right arm his feet spread apart wide, his back hunched over. He slowly moved his right palm forward, slowing as he closed the proximity as if fighting a reverse polarity, never quite reaching it.

He inhaled.

He exhaled.

Suddenly, his arm shot back like lightning, then launched forward once more, palm striking the wall. He stepped back and waited a moment, before a chunk of the cement fell free from the rest of the wall. It was shaped like a sloppy elipse, but not jagged at all. It was about a foot in diameter, half that length in thickness.

He picked it up slowly. It wasn't too heavy, but it wasn't too light either. He turned to face Yusuke from across the ring, moving the chunk of stone in his hand up and down as if testing its weight.

This was Rain's test of Yusuke's authenticity.

"Catch!" he said playfully, reeling back then launching the stone at the boy. This was no fastball and could be dodged by someone with rudamentary martial arts training; however, a true warrior could learn much about their opponent by the way they move and fight. He would see what Yusuke would do.

The chunk of stone had to weigh upwards towards 70 or 80 pounds. Catching the piece of the wall could not have been an easy task; it is one Rain would have avoided in leiu of a better option, that's for sure. Yet, the teenager caught it, and it seemed to barely phase him. This was no normal boy. Could he truly be the real deal?

"Okay, you've earned the benefit of the doubt, Yusuke. I suppose I'll find out the definite truth in a minute, won't I? I am Rain Yupa. My name and reputation aren't really well known, but regardless, I'm positive it will be an honor to fight you."

He smiled a friendly smile at his opponent, and waited for Matthew to exit the pit. After he was back up the ladder, his smile melted away, his body shifting to an offensive stance. His left foot was leading forward, as was his left hand, both hands left half-opened in loose fists. He was approximately 30 feet away from his opponent.

"Are you ready?"

Rain would inch forward, sliding one foot forward, then the other to catch up, slowly, ever so slowly closing the distance between the two warriors.

25 feet.

His fists would tighten, as his gaze pierced deep into Yusuke's eyes. Rain knew his reputation. He was not afraid.

20 feet.

He brought his arms closer together, his fists only a few inches apart. His breathing was calm, he was cool and collected.

15 feet.

He stopped. He remained motionless for a few moments, before leaning his upper body forward some. The air about him seemed to crackle with energy. With electricity.

He sneered, before muttering a single word.

"Go."

To those in the audience who had been closely watching Rain to see what he would do, he would appear to vanish appear their eyes, since they were focusing their gaze at a single point in space, a point that he had long since left without their noticing.

To Yusuke, he would most likely see Rain as he closed the distance remarkably quick. His body itself seemed to travel faster than almost any punch he had ever seen thrown. The sounds of his footfalls on the thickly packed sand echoed in his wake, as he seemed to be travelling faster than his own steps.

While it took Rain to close the first half of the distance in a span of about 10 seconds, he closed the other half in only 1. But he had not closed the distance alone, mind you. He was leading with a right uppercut to Yusuke's gut, a blow that moved with the same momentum that Rain himself just displayed.

<1/17>

Rain smiled as Yusuke defended against the sudden blow. He had really not expected him to anticipate the momentum of the blow. "I see that you're used to such speed!" The only way he could have been prepared was if he had faced someone with such speed before.

The right uppercut was caught in Yusuke's left hand, while his right swung forward in a straight jab. Rain moved his head and upper body forward a few inches, while turning his face to the side. His goal was twofold: to cause Yusuke's fist to roll off his cheek, weakening the impact of the blow itself. The second was to get through his defense, with both arms occupied at the present moment.

The fist would indeed roll off, while still causing damage as blood droplets sprayed out from his mouth; however, he was not knocked back an inch. With his left shoulder leading in, his fist near his chest, he would follow Yusuke's attack with a sharp rising elbow upwards into the teenager's chin.

<2/17>

Rain felt Yusuke grab his shoulders, and saw that his opponent had left himself totally unprotected. He prepared to deliver a blow that would lay Yusuke out flat, by... wait, why was the ground coming up behind Yusuke so fast?

"ACK!" was all he could manage to utter as he was flipped over Yusuke, and into the cement wall. His opponent did guess correctly that he would land back-first, since he had been attempting to work Yusuke into a corner all along. So much for that plan.

Rain slid down the wall for a brief moment, before plummeting face-down into the ground with a softer thud than the first one. Though he was not staying down for long, slowly climbing to his hands and knees, shaking his head to help ignore the pain. "Nice one," he told him without even looking.

<3/17>

Rain, still on his hands and knees, heard Yusuke's footsteps approaching. He could judge by the spacing between steps the speed that Yusuke was approaching, and the fact that the front leg slid forward rather than lifted, signaling that he was bracing his legs for an attack from the upper body.

Rain knew the closest corner was to his left, so he rolled to the right to avoid any incoming blow, though he did not notice until afterwards that the punch was restrained.

When he rolled across his back once, he landed in a loose crouch half a dozen feet away, just long enough for his muscles to coil up, before launching himself at the space he had deduced his opponent would occupy at the moment. This would be a leaping spinning kick with his right leg, aimed originally where he had expected Yusuke's head to be, but would most likely land at his midsection instead. If it had landed. Rain couldn't help but feel like he had just let himself walk jump right into a trap.

<4/17>

"Hesitance fails you!" he grinned. While Yusuke played the defensive, he, like before, left one of his two hands occupied while Rain's left foot touched ground. He would feint with his left arm, the purpose of it would be to prevent/deflect Yusuke's right from blocking his next attack, snagging it once he moved it in range of his hand. He also did not relent with his right leg, applying pressure (but not a lot of it) to coax the boy to keep his left arm up to keep it at bay.

This would free Rain's right hand to act. With a quick motion, he thrusted his hand forward. His index and middle finger were together, his ring and pinky fingers were bent, his thumb to the side. He would thrust his two fingers right between Yusuke's larynx and his collarbone. The result would be the pressure of Rain's fingers pinching the boy's trachea shut. As long as he continued to apply pressure, this would result in air deprevation, then suffocation, then death.

<5/17>

Rain would step forward as his opponent stepped back, continuing to hold Yusuke's windpipe shut. With both legs firmly on the ground now, he would advance as Yusuke would retreat, trying to force pressure as the teenager struggled to pull Rain's hand free.

<6/17>

Rain did not speak, he simply waited a moment as Yusuke started to regain his breath. Since Rain was against the wall earlier, he dodged to the right, then leapt back again. This would leave the wall to his immediate right.

Yusuke would feel Rain release his right wrist with his left hand. However, this was not to release his opponent. Instead, he followed up with a palm blow to the right side of Yusuke's head. It was not a blow meant to cause direct harm, but rather, it was the force Rain used to follow through with the blow that would smash Yusuke's skull into the wall, only a couple feet away to his right, Yusuke's left.

<7/17>

Since Rain's palm was not meant to cause direct harm, it had grazed across Yusuke's face, doing no real damage whatsoever. Suddenly, Rain's other wrist was snagged, and he was yanked forward, his gut having a close encounter with one of Yusuke's knees. He gasped in pain, wincing at the force of the blow. Momentarilly stunned, he was at Yusuke's mercy at the moment.

<8/17>

After the snap kick, Rain was indeed sent airborne. His body even managed to turn a complete 360 degrees in the air before he fell back to the earth. However, he did not land prone. He landed in a crouching position, from which he instantly reacted. He leapt from his position... away from Yusuke. He leapt and bound across to the other side of the pit, into the opposite corner, before falling to one knee. His right hand was against the wall as a brace, his left was rubbing his forehead, as he was now fighting to shake off the disorientation of the blow.

<9/17>

After a few moments to come back to his senses, Rain stood once again, shaking off the last of the effects with a shake of his head.

"You must be without a doubt, the Yusuke Urameshi. I... I think you dented my skull." He rubbed his forehead once more, before lowering his arm, and taking up an aggressive stance. Like before, when this fight first started, electricity seemed to gather in the air around him. He leaned forward, and like before, he was off, his footsteps rocketing towards Urameshi. Though not as close to before, he still cleared the ring in seconds.

However, unlike before, he did not charge in with another punch. Instead, at the last possible second, he did a baseball slide between Yusuke's legs as best he could. He would have his arms out as well once he began his slide, their purpose were to clothesline his legs to ensure the young man would fall forward.

<10/17>

Rain, for the most part, was faster than Yusuke. It was a combination of his intitial focus on speed, amplified by his mystical training to use his bioelectricity to enhance his nerves and muscles, amplified further by the genetic manipulation that had granted him superhuman physical abilities. This made him very fast. Pretty much on par with Yusuke's ally, Hiei.

The problem was Rain's size. Hiei was a smaller individual, and was able to turn without much stress on his body to maintain his speed. If Rain, being 6'3" and around 200 lbs, attempted to turn on a dime, he would tear apart his legs in an instant. Thus, he could primarily only head in a straight line at such speed. If he needed to turn, he would need to slow down first before re-accelerating. And to do this, he would need to know where he would need to stop so he could slow down ahead of time.

What does this mean for the current fight? It meant that Rain was a runaway vehicle, and his brakes were out. Since Yusuke was running towards him, there was two possible outcomes.

The first, if Yusuke was planning on dodging, Rain would run right by him, his body already committed to its plan. The other, if he continued to run or tried any sort of melee attack, is that the two fighters would collide into one another. At such a high velocity, the force between such a collision would most likely take its toll on both of them.

<11/17>

And with that, Rain once again had a date with the wall. The same exact wall, even! Him and that wall were becoming the best of friends, it seemed.

Though Rain had little control over himself once he accelerated, Yusuke "catching" him would slow him down. Not a whole lot, but it would. Some of the energy of the momentum would be lost, buying Rain a few more crucial moments.

Rain managed to tuck himself into a ball as best he could, leaving it so only his torso itself would take the impact of the collision with the wall, not his head. The cement wall would buckle as if a meteorite had crashed into it, creating a large crater along the northern side of the pit. Rain would then fall to the ground, accompanied by several chunks of cement of various sizes, raining down around him.

After a few seconds to regain his breath, he began to rise to his feet once more. His left hand was holding his right side, as the right side of his ribcage had suffered numerous fractures and breaks. He breathed heavily now, the injury taking a major toll on his body as blood leaked out from the corners of his mouth. He made no motion to approach Yusuke quite yet. This time, he would need his opponent to come to him.

<12/17>

Rain continued to breathe heavily, one of his eyes half closed, as he struggled to keep them wide open. He took a single step towards Yusuke and cringed at the shooting pain, halting his advance, his breathing becoming more rapid for a few breaths.

He looked up at Yusuke, spitting a wad of blood to the side. Slowly, he took his hand away from his ribcage. He bent his left knee, and slid his right leg back. His hands were down towards the ground, fingertips placed lightly upon the sand. A look of determination filled Rain's eyes as lightning, once again, began to crackle around his body, electrifying the air. He had taken up a sprinter's stance.

"Bring it."

<13/17>

Due to Rain's mystical training, he was not totally vulnerable to energy types, such as spirit energy. Also, not being the slightest bit evil or demonic, any bonuses that would grant against such targets would be nullified. As Yusuke charge him and swung his fist, Rain would reach up with both arms. The first would be to grab Yusuke's fist with his left hand before it had swung or fired. He would pull back once he grabbed it, to ensure its forward momentum could not be turned into Rain's head or torso. The effect of grabbing a fist enveloped with spirit energy would probably not go well for Rain's left hand, but he was willing to make that sacrifice.

His right hand would simultaneously fly up, as he would deliver a chop to Yusuke's nose. However, the entire length of the side of his flattened hand would be lined up with the length of Yusuke's nose, ending right before the brow so none of the force of the chop would be diffused.

<14/17>

Yusuke would land with that solid uppercut into Rain's ribs, causing him to cough up some blood downward as he would once again keel over. The uppercut would rise more, bringing Rain off his feet. But Yusuke had been pulled forward, and had to stop to pull back to follow through with this blow, losing much of his forward momentum. This means that the uppercut would be slower, allowing Rain more "hang time".

The throw itself would be denied as Rain's right hand, which had just passed by Urameshi's face and just grazing it, grabbed onto his opponent's collar bone, his fist clenching tightly around the bone itself and underlying muscles. His left hand, left open in the air when Yusuke pulled his fist back, grabbed onto the uppercutting arm just past the elbow. Though hurting from the spiritual singes, it was nothing compared to the feeling in his chest, his ribs being shattered. That pain was about to go away.

While delaying his aerial departure, Rain discharged the electricity he had been storing up in his body since the fight began. It could not be fired like any blast, it had to be conducted through touch. And with Yusuke being grounded, and Rain pinned up in the air, the electricity had nowhere to go except through the teen's entire body. With a bright flash, not unlike the Blanka Yusuke conveniently mentioned, hundreds of volts of electrity would travel downward towards the ground, electricuting him.

<15/17>

"Ladies and Gentlemen! All eyes on Arena Two!" Pavil was on his feet in an instant. It was his a** if something good happened and he wasn't there.

"It's Rain of Liberii Fatali and Yusuke and Team Urameshi!" He had taken it on himself to read through and memorize every entry form of every Heaven or Hell participant. Re-reading entrant profiles that had been taken out of the tournament for this exact reason.

He'd go on to narrate the fight as it happened, because the spectators didn't experience it well enough without his fluent voice dictating.

Pavil forced his way through the crowd so he could be the first thing the fighters would see when they climbed up the ladder. People were hanging over the railings screaming, chanting, probably spilling some of their expensive beer onto the sand below.

Guess it can't be helped.

Rubieus slowly pushed himself off the medical bed and sai nothing as the remainder of the bedsheet slipped from his waist and down across his lap before falling gently to the floor. Rubieus stepped forward noblely, he was a prince afterall, but on a plane such as this, his nobility meant nothing.

Rubieus stood three or so feet from the man who had brought the articles of clothing for him, somehow he knew he wouldn't like it but short of stealing the doctors clothes, who seems about his height and size, he would just have to make do.

He didn't hesistate nor did he make any verbal comments as he pulled the red fishnet top over his muscular torso, fortunately it fit. However his dark nipples poked out a little because of the multitude of holes. Rubieus tried to bend down a little to place his new shorts under his feet and realized the shirt would rip if he did, sighing for obvious reasons, he stood up and instead lifted his feet in order to slip the short shorts on. Rubieus grunted as the tightness of it around his thighs constricted minor blood flow, he also had to reach inside to adjust so that everything fit.

After a few moments of slow breathing and letting his body adjust to the new clothes, Ruub's tail slowly wrapped around his waist as a makeshift belt even if the shorts had no loops, old habits afterall, died hard.

Standing there now in front of everyone, he gave them a skeptical look, such clothes was not befitting to him but in his land, it was not the clothes that made the man, but the way he held himself in such situations.

Now then, anyone care to show me where the nearest robe store is?

Whether or not the release forms were magical Rubieus would be able to tell so should the doc "discreetly" create a release form that would allow him to do more then just release Rubieus from his care, the void demon would know and react to such.

However closely reading it, the form seemed normal except the part where it stated the condition he was found in, the personal belongings and clothes were missing. Rubieus paused for a moment and looked at the doctor, normal or not, his eyes never missed such detail.

"Where is my sword and personal effects?"

It all came back to him then, the last he saw of his weapon was it protruding from Injury's chest, he remebered them taking off his clothes and removing his belongings, he remebered if they had asked if he had family or if anyone knew him. He was a stranger to them all, and tourists usually got the short end of the stick.

And there he went, like a bat out of hell, Rain's body moving straight into the sky. All the light had attracted everyone's attention as he held his fist high, letting the force just die away. And then, the light show would be over, Yusuke's body activity calming down as he lowers his arm, now breathing heavily as he watched his opponent soar higher and higher, keeping an eye out for any surprises. He became so use to the Spirit Wave technique that he was almost capable of releasing it whenever he wished, and his experience showed in that one powerful counter. His body would crackle with jolts that would make him twitch a bit, but again, his adaption to the thunderous power was enough to make it seem like nothing more than a few shocks after one scrubbed their feet along carpet, followed by touching someone else to discharge it.

He kept his eyes on the figure of Rain, and now saw him coming back down. He didn't know if he was unconscious or not, but like a certain fight in the past, he hoped this guy stay down. And then he saw the man moving. And his forehead further displayed sweat, watching what was life reanimating Rain's body. Well, so much for that attack. Then he sees something at a closer view. He didn't look like he was preparing for an attack. Moreso, the way he was falling was nearly uncontrolled as he suddenly grips the edge, now hearing the scream of pain from his recently airborne opponent, followed by him letting go and landing....onto his feet.

Yusuke was speechless as Rain turns around, his arm over his body to tend to what may be major injuries, but he looked toward the spirit detective with eyes still filled with strength. And that is when he heard the guy's words.

"It's...... not...... over...... yet......"

Yusuke's expression softened, just standing where he was as his own breathing starts to calm. Instead of rushing him, he just stood silent, staring toward Rain. The crowd grows silent, watching and waiting for what may happen next, but he did not move a muscle. They may not know this, but Yusuke felt that this fight may have been over. Not because of the condition of Rain, but because Yusuke didn't want to further cause any harm to the guy. After all, all he wanted was a friendly fight. He just got carried away there in that last attack, that's all.

16

((Dude, I totally want to fight Yusuke next. Gotta get the last of that fight with Joshua out of my system. ))

((So how bout it Yusuke? Got some time in your busy schedule to take me on?))

A man with a large afro was among the crowd, having been part of the droves that had been herded away from the clocktower. After its destruction, he had lost much interest in the fight. He wasn't into mutual assured destruction in rumbles, although it had been an interesting match up until the tower was destroyed. Now he was here, checking out the exhibition matches, and perhaps perticipating in one soon. He had only caught the tail end of the fight between Yusuke and Rain, but judging from the crowd's reaction at the end of the round, it must have been a good one. He longed for combat.

Ryugi Kazamaru Wrote:

((Could always do a time-skip. Look at it this way, you're already warmed up, I'll need to get into my groove. ))

((Haha. I could say that, but Yusuke using a Spirit Wave takes a lot out of him. lol Plus, a time skip wouldn't work here.))

[Yusuke Urameshi] Wrote:

Ryugi Kazamaru Wrote:

((Could always do a time-skip. Look at it this way, you're already warmed up, I'll need to get into my groove. ))

((Haha. I could say that, but Yusuke using a Spirit Wave takes a lot out of him. lol Plus, a time skip wouldn't work here.)) ((Sure it could! Just say its the next day or something. He would have gotten a good night's rest by then, and be ready to go.

But if you REEEEEEEEEEALLY don't want to fight, we could try and do it later I suppose...))

((That and you have to wait and see if you're eliminated or not to participate Ryugi. S'rules.))

Matthew had seen the whole fight, amazed by how resilient Rain was. His determination was inspiring, even causing Yusuke to use his powerful Spirit Wave technique. Rain did very well out there, especially considering he had gone up against the descendent of Raizen, one of the three demon kings of Makai. Yusuke would no doubt need to rest after all of that.

But with that out of the way, Matthew wanted to see what the HoH itself could provide him challenge-wise. He had seen the challengers Insult and Injury before...but now he wanted to see more.

Rubieus Wrote:

"Where is my sword and personal effects?"

"Dont have a clue." Puffing at that cigar, smoke cloud in Rub's general direction. "They brought you in messed up and we just kind of tossed stuff aside. So either someone stole it or it's hanging out with the ring watchers."

He was shrugging, this was totally not his problem.

"As for your clothes, should you want them, they are being cleaned at this place." A note slide across as he finished jotting down the drycleaners name and address. Little place not far from the Exhibition area.

Still a decently long walk though, hur hur hur.

At the center of one of the unoccupied arenas, Dash sat.

Some recognized him as last year's captain of team Black in Action. No one knew why he sat out of this year's HoH, he was clearly a fan favorite with his combat antics and publicity stunts. Though, at the moment, he wasn't doing anything fancy. No lights, no music, no chicks in thongs dancing around while breathing fire, just a single man sitting cross-legged on the ground.

His eyes were closed, and his brow furrowed in deep thought.

Anyone who knew Dash also knew damn well he didn't think much about anything. Truth be told, the black man was simply waiting.

Waiting... for a NEW CHALLENGER!

((Bring it, bitches! ))

Due to the nature of the Spirit Wave Yusuke had unleashed on him, his clothes were not completely in tatters; nonetheless, they were slightly torn due to the scuffle, but for the most part, still good. For the record.

Rain's injuries had pretty much consisted of his upper torso, so the doctor would be out of luck for post-injury pictures.

There would be five things in addition to the injuries he sustained that the doctor would most likely notice about Rain, depending on what he checked and the extent of his knowledge.

The first being that his body seemed to be... disproportionate in some places. The muscle mass in some locations seemed to greater than other places, along the same limb or across his bisymetrical frame, like it should be. There was no set pattern either, it seemed to be randomly occuring. And, depending on the length of time Rain would be incapaticated here, some of these locations would change...

The second is that his lesser injuries seemed to already be far advanced in the healing process. The bruises were almost completely faded away, and his lip's wound was already closed. It did not appear to be any type of regeneration like other people in this tournament sported, but simply an accelerated healing process.

The third thing the doctor would probably find out is that his heart rate, even while unconscious and "at rest", was much higher than it should be. It also seemed to beat harder as well as faster. He might not think of this, but those at the HoH arena who had been watching his heart rate while he was conscious and active would believe he was on the brink of cardiac arrest practically all the time. Though he showed no other signs that his heart was causing harm to his body.

The fourth thing was that in numerous locations, mostly on his left arm, his veins had been shot to hell. Telltale signs of a junkie, but if the doctor ran a urinalysis or blood tests, there was absolutely no trace of narcotics of any sort in his system. However, there would be trace amounts of radioiodine along with a few other trace elements not easily determined.

The fifth and final thing would be noticble once his shirt was discarded so his wounds could be dressed. Being an active warriors in the style of martial arts, it is normal that Rain has suffered external injuries during the course of his life. Against such a variety of opponents, such as what can be observed in the HoH tournament, the scars of various wounds would be equally as varied. However, Rain's abdomen was a mess of scar tissue. These scars were the result of both wounds and multiple surgeries. Less than 10% of his skin in that area shows no sign of such damage. at best. Though, whatever damage he had sustained in the past to cause this, seemed not to be affecting his performance whatsoever out in the ring.

Despite all this, Rain would still be unconscious, even after his shoulder was reset by the good doctor. He had drained himself during battle, and though he was in no danger of dying from his injuries, had not recovered enough yet for his body to allow him to regain consciousness.

Current time: Round Two grading period

Am I... dreaming?

How long have I been like this?

I feel like crap.

I feel like death.

He was in and out of awareness, seemingly always in conciousness. But the two were different, weren't they?

Current location: Infirmary, HOH Square

They already had Lazenca's file and medical history. If he ate, he could heal. His arm had been salvaged, pieces of armor lying in a neat pile in the chair beside the bed. Though hospital-type places were quiet zones, there was plenty of ambient noise.

The arm was bandaged, stitches in and out in short time. He'd been on a feeding tube since he didn't seem willing to eat, and it's what saved him the pain of an amputated arm. The doctors more used to humans were amazed that such a split, an arm that looked like speghetti, could heal at all. Seung insisted, fearing the severe beating he'd get from the rest at Blazestar if he didn't.

It'd be nice to think that he had friends who'd visit and talk to him, and there would be pages upon pages of conversations and resolve and well wishing, but... did he? Comerades-in-arms, certainly. That group was busy suviving the rest of the tournament. He was hired; teammates were done with him when he didn't perform the job he was supposed to do. Seung was there out of obligation and fear. Twitch... he owed her so much, but seemed to be out of touch with her. She came, but there was no conversation. The doctor said Lazenca was suffering from shock. He may as well have been comatose, for the responsiveness he was giving. Lania was unseen for a long time. Alexia and Syc, dead. Louveteau, Valerie, Luka, wanting nothing to do with him.

"You wait here Mr. Bossman, Seung go get sweet bun!"

Mr. Kim had been his only visitor-- more like watchman. He was there as much as possible. Couldn't be there all the time, though.

It was like one of those "Without A Trace" episodes... have you ever watched that show? They show the guy doing his thing, living his life, then spend lots of time on the place he was last seen-- in this case, it would be sitting up in a hospital bed, eyes on his belongings. Then they'd fade out the person and the armament because indeed, it was like he or she vanished. No note, no sound, no way to follow.

Nine times out of ten, the people were dead.

Goodbye to sanity.

Goodbye to Heaven or Hell.

Goodbye to life.

~

And Dash continues waiting...

HERE COMES A NEW CHALLENGER!

The thunderdome was uninhabited by any combatants. Yet, there, stood a man named, Dash. Surrounded by weapons aligned with the dome, and concrete as the surface of the floor. This is an interesting setting for a match.

There's no form of introduction, no form of any cheering... it was silence, but yet the cameras were still on.

Wearing his new pair of pants, black in coloration, and tightening the fingerless gloves upon his hands. The scars on his body shows from his previous match.

Honestly, he didn't care about this guy who sat in the middle of the ring... He feels the rage swelling inside of his being. Then he shouts.

"HEY, YOU MUTHA FUKA!"

"Your opponent is me..."

There's no need for any introduction to each other. In fact, Dash knew who Ryu was, so why would Ryu even say his name? He doesn't.

The grin formulating from his anticipation of a battle with Dash has awaken the spirit within.

Now... let's begin.

The extended fist towards Ryu would be met with a fist of Ryu's, right when Ryu's within 3 feet of the man. Then suddenly, as the fists touch, a swift shift of Ryu's weight goes directly towards the right foot. Since the right fist touches Dash's, it's about time to get this thing rolling.

"Let's go!"

Ryu didn't care about his opponent's preparation, so, he starts out quick. Sending a raging left fist to go directly towards his opponent's right cheek to send him directly into the ThunderDome wall.

[[ 1 ]]

Truly, that hit was a lucky shot. His opponent flew in the air and hit the wall.

Damn.

Ryu's reaction to that, was merely of satisfaction. He healed. Cracking his knuckles as he slams his fists together then looking back to his opponent who stood up and smiled.

SMILED?!

Ryu's eyes began ablaze in an oceanic fury. This time, it's about fun, and enjoyment.

"Stop..."

Stop? Why stop?

Being in thought, Ryu just stood there looking like a dummy, but was rather confused to why the opponent quickly shouted: HAMMER TIME

WHAM!

The sledgehammer hits Ryu directly in the face as he leans back, then rolls off of the hit in a back hand spring maneuver then he sprouts upwards grabbing the hilt of the Sledge Hammer.

"You Can't Touch This!"

Suddenly, the hammer was thrown back but it wasn't just a normal sledgehammer anymore. This hammer was encased in flames, a blazing blue sledgehammer on its way towards Dash's chest.

[[ 2 ]]

As the weapons hit against each other, the spiraling energies flaring outwards show a dramatic display of extremes.

Surely, Dash is an interesting opponent, and Ryu truly loved the challenge.

"Heh."

Ryu didn't care for his opponent to have swords, because he's a man who'd face anyone with just his two fists. Even though he just threw the sledgehammer at Dash.

Ryu's right fist begins flaring in the flames as he dashes directly towards Dash while he descends toward the ground. Within the instance that Dash hits upon the ground to lower himself, Ryu's body was already low bringing up a fierce upper cut.

Much like the one he used in the Train Cart itself, but this time, instead of the air being the aid, it was a cyclone inferno.

SHIN... RYU... KEN!

Hopefully this maneuver sends Dash directly towards the ceiling as Ryu rises with the guy on fire.

[[ 3 ]]

[[ 4 ]]

Success!

Truly, Ryu's fist sent Dash into the ceiling and the damage was true.

The uppercut was the same as the Cyclone Uppercut, thusly, Ryu doesn't fly into the air it's just a straight fierce uppercut.

Seeing Dash hit the ceiling, Ryu's hands curl towards the side but when Dash falls towards the ground, Ryu sees Dash's body.

Looking up really helps this guy out, with a sudden roll forward then a turn towards Dash, suddenly clobbered into the ground. Ryu goes face first hitting the ground formulating a small crater from the hit.

"OUCH!"

[[ 5 ]]

Ryu was indeed on the ground, feeling the effects of the:

"Hi, I'm Concrete." Meeting to the face, Ryu's mind was suddenly gone blank. Dash lifts Ryu up into the air with the big swing.

Ryu feels himself wake up with the room spinning around him. "Oh, damn!" His eyes shot open as he looks directly down, which is at this time, directly towards Dash.

"Playtime... has ended..."

During the spin, Ryu's hands collect together palms facing toward Dash as he suddenly goes flying free from Dash.

Ryu's body hurls through the air in a spiraling fashion but his feet land up against the wall as he then grabs upon the cage like poles climbing upwards to find himself a nice looking Axe.

Ryu grins as he hurls the Axe towards Dash while following the axe in his descent towards Dash. A ball of energy forms within Ryu's hands as he lands upon the ground on all fours then dashes directly towards Dash hoping the Axe to hit its mark.

[[ 6 ]]

The Axe doesn't hit its mark, but what it did was it should have done...

Be a distraction.

Even though Dash's dancing maneuvers seem to be of caliber, Ryu is now directly in front of the charging Dash.

A merciless grin upon his face, Ryu sends a open palm directly towards Dash's face. It'll try to grab Dash and suddenly lift him into a dragging sensation along the ground causing the ground to quake from the energies conversing with each other.

Dash's Lightning Ki with Ryu's Eternal Flames.

Once towards the end of the Dome, Ryu will slam Dash into it then combo into tossing the man into the air.

"I'm not done yet!"

Ryu then leaps into the air with his arms to suddenly grasp around Dash's legs, the legs of Ryu going directly around Dash's arms to completely bind him and bring him back down to the ground from the top of the Dome.

IN A MAJOR PILE DRIVER

WoGer Wrote:

"Where are you going?"[/size]

There was a very long period of staring.

"..."

A light flickered, bringing shade to his white, frayed hair and breaking the silence with its electonic crackling, just before it glowed white and blew.

I'm leaving. Why? What makes this period so special that you'll inquire not once, but twice about my destination? What makes you think

"I..."

even know? But it's obvious that I'm going somewhere.

"Don't..."

you think that you're holding me up? Go away... stop acting like it's me you care about or

"Know."

If unhindered, he'd simply leave.

Not everyone can be a hero. You need the people standing on the side, cheering them on. You need the victims. You need the people in taverns, sitting in stools while slamming their mugs down, debating on what part of the stories are fact, fiction, or snowball. You need your villians, your traitors, your sidekicks, your turncoats, your second fiddles, your pocket aces.

You also need your failed attempts, the wannabees who fly too close to the sun and and nose dive back to reality.

WoGer Wrote:

"Be careful, and... have a safe trip."

An unbandaged hand on her shoulder, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"No promises."

Because not all stories have a happy ending.

The exit.

-Prologue-

Ryugi would feel the wind pick up a bit. Such a chill would pass across him as the air around him started to grow denser, causing any loose trash, leaf, or whatever was caught in the wind to brush across as the sun above began to loose itself behind the bulk of dark clouds moving into the area. The shadow passes over the stadium, causing those spectating to see that it may start to rain soon. The very darkness of these clouds predicted a thunderstorm, lightning striking through the air as the atmosphere becomes more hostile.

That is when a light would strike ten feet in front of Ryugi, a great flash erupting from impact until it quickly disappears, revealing a man standing right there with his back to the man. His white hair and cloak were moving lightly in the gusts of wind that was being produced from this possible storm, the man standing there as still as a statue.

But he turns his head to the right, a white bang hanging in front of an eye nearly cloaked in the shadows of his brow as he turns to fully face Rygui, his face showing a matured man with a flawless smoothness on his face. His lips seemed nearly black, as if painted to appear that way. His chest was revealed with crisscrossing straps under the black cloak he wore. And over both shoulders was guards that gave him the appearance of broad shoulders.

A dark chuckle would emit from his throat, being louder than your normal held back laughter, showing the already dark nature of the man before Ryugi, if he was even called a man.

"Yes," he would answer with his matching voice, although it would be a surprise to find that his voice was similar to some intelligent adult who knew well what he spoke. "As a matter of fact, you can. In this world, there are so many people wishing to ascend to statuses of that of a god. But most of them fail...hehe, without any realization of their complete utter incapability. It is useless to reach the heavens unless...."

He pauses to let the thought sink into his opponent's mind. "You are destined with the power for divine greatness. However, I cannot reach this status alone. Even with my supreme power...." He raises his right gauntleted hand, curling it into a mighty fist. "I have not yet to obtain that level of greatness. So what better place than to look for power than at the greatest gather of the most powerful fighters on this miserable planet."

He would chuckle again, this time a bit more louder as his hand returns to his side. "Allow me to tell you what I do mean."

As his right hand moves slowly across his torso to his left side, as if going to grip the handle of some invisible sheathed sword, he would continue: " There are ways to this status. One way is convincing one to follow my path, either it be by their will or mines. Or...."

A green flare of energy would extend from the grip of his right hand, moving itself backwards, creating a seven foot katana with a six foot blade right to his left side, rested here as if he was about to draw it from its sheath, which it had not.

-Destruction-

"Absorbing their strength."

"Hmph. Then show me....your strength."

A blast of sand erupts behind Sephiroth as he takes off toward Ryugi, now gliding above the ground as he homes in on his unfateful opponent this eve. Five feet closed from their starting ten feet gap, his right arm would swing horizontally to the right, having his sword swinging right for Ryugi's torso, scheduled to make contact when there's only four feet left, and this distance would be traveled in little time, if any at all. A slight angle upwards it will have, so that it would not be a perfect straight line slash. And with this strike came a fearsome power.

A guard from Ryugi was predicted, but if it struck against his blade, a rush of power would assault Ryugi's weapon and bypass to his body. The end result would be a knock back of Ryugi, possibly off his feet if he cannot find a way to sustain a skidding to keep his feet on the ground.

[2]

((Just so you know, the two in my post was for my own purposes, not the post number. Sorry to confuse you. The two is for my charging system that I use.))

I intend to!

Quote: *Lightspeed Dash-

Using the ambient heat from his flame abilities, Ryugi can dash in any direction at a high rate of speed, when coupled with sword attacks, it makes for dangerous, high-speed combos that Ryugi could not perform without assistance from his powers. The heat can be released around Ragnarok, allowing the blade to move at high speed for combo attacks as well, making this technique extremely dangerous when used correctly to its full potential.

The burst of energy Ryugi let out from his sword was more than enough to move the mighty weapon into a blocking position in the nick of time to prevent Ryugi from being injured from the opening sword strike. However, Ryugi should thank this dark man for his gift...

Quote: *Energy Absorption-

Ragnarok absorbs energy from attacks or other source and stores for Special Attacks, no damage, and basis for all special sword attacks

The energy that was released from the two mighty weapons clashing was quickly absorbed into Ryugi's weapon, allowing the energy to be added to Ryugi's own, which brought him to [6] turns of charge. Though the energy was absorbed, the force from the man's sword still sent Ryugi skidding backwards from the blow as he watched his attacker, and prepared for his own move...

[8]Ryugi's energy sense IMMEDIATELY registered something wrong with his sword's energy flow, and as a result, made it a priority to release said stored energy from weapon. As the dark man sped towards Ryugi, Ryugi was already beginning to react to his next attack. Ragnarok had still been in a blocking position as he skidded across the ground, his feet leaving two ruts from the force applied. Ryugi then used this as the launching ground for his next assault.

The dark man's sword stabbed towards Ryugi, and Ragnarok moved in with Ryugi's glove placed against the flat of the weapon for more support as the two weapons collided, the skinny, longer weapon sliding harmlessly along Ragnarok, and out of the way of Ryugi. As the blades met, Ryugi then jumped backwards, boosting himself away from the target area as he let out a cry, the dark man's momentum still carrying him forward after his attack.

ADAMANT FANG!!!

Quote: *Adamant Fang-

Level 2 Titan Blade Attack. Using stored energy within Ragnarok, the sword grows to an enormous size (4x current size) using the energy for intense damage at close, medium, and long ranges -8 turn charge-

With a thunderous burst of stored energy, the sword would become surrounded by a massive energy representation of itself, only four times larger than the original weapon. 4.5 feet long and, 6.5 inches wide at the widest point normally, the sword would be a massive force to be reckoned with, and even MORE deadly as the sword's mighty range outclassed even the sword of the dark man in this state.

As Ryugi continued to move backwards, the weapon would cut horizontally, the searing hot energy of the blade being hot enough to cut through even the hottest metals with ease. The air blurred in the wake of the massive white weapon as it struck with lightning speed towards the dark man's position.[0]

((In all truth, I chose Ragnarok as the name because it was the name of my favorite Golden Sun Psynergy at the time. ))

I didn't expect that... But lets see how he deals with THIS...

Quote: *Ascension-

Ryugi pushes his body and energy past its usual limits by charging himself with elemental power. This has no effect on his elemental attacks, but it ups all his base stats by 50% as he lets go of his inhibitions and fights with his full power against his opponent.

[2] Ryugi knew the wall was behind him, and he'd planned that BEFORE his jump and subsequent boost away from the dark man. And as he neared it, his feet lifted up to meet the wall, and in a single powerful movement, he shot himself into the air and away from the dark man, spinning himself into a massive twirling front flip, Ragnarok's massive form speeding around in a powerful vertical motion that carried it around Ryugi's body to strike at the dark man as it came back around, aiming to hit him and send him soaring into the air, the massive sword carving a groove into the ground below it as it moved.

Even if the man somehow avoided the speedy cut, Ryugi's body would twist mid-flight to allow him to land facing his opponent...

The frontflip was unexpected, but with at least enough distance left to travel, it gave him the time to move his sword into a horizontal blocking position in front of himself to have it strike against the katana. The force from it alone caused Sephiroth to glide backwards a bit, but only by three feet, where he would stop, suddenly charging at Ryugi again as he touches the ground. And that is when he would have both hands grip the handle of his Masamune tight and swings it upwards. It was moving right to left like before, but this time, it was more vertical than ever, attempting to cleave through Ryugi from his left abdomen and all the way up out of his right shoulder.

And again, he may guard, but this time, if their blades clashes, a great force would follow along with it as his own blade takes on a black color, signifying that Sephiroth was starting to take this Ryugi seriously as a worthy opponent. This sword hook, to say in similarity, would create an upward draft that can send his opponent flying right up into the air. He probably would still be able to keep his facing and stance, but his motion would be having him ascend higher and higher, until he would be right out of the boundaries of the square. Yet, coming right after him would be Sephiroth, grinning and loving this adrenaline rush of his. He had no wishes of holding back now, but he would keep his best moves in reserve until this Ryugi showed himself as more of a trouble than Sephiroth bargained for.

[4]

Dashboard Wrote:

Ryu leapt up, Dash punched down and...

The dome trembled violently, knocking a few of the weapons off the wall and causing the spectators to recoil in surprise. Actually, there was quite a crowd forming outside the dome at the moment.

When the shower of green sparks, dust, and all that dramatic jazz cleared up, Dash would be seen hanging from the cieling of the dome, upside down with his legs locked around the bars.

He had a huge smile on his face.

s**t!

Ryu's rising maneuver towards Dash was met by a "Ha, ha. Firewall" maneuver that truly has placed Ryu on the brink of destruction? Oh, hell no.

Ryu took on this debacle, pushing his body through while having both of his arms crossed in front of him. He can take on intense heat, and going directly through it, Dash would discover Ryu still in the air coming towards him at a faster pace than ever before.

Ryu would then have his arms wrap around Dash, but this time, Ryu's body was encased in flames of an oceanic hue to pull him down into the...

ATOMIC PILE DRIVER!

Enlarging pupils met with Joseph's startlingly calm grey green eyes. The head of A~E wasn't about to let a good catch get away. His stuff was at the foot of Rain's bed, nothing a few large steps couldn't traverse in a hurry. The sponsor of HoH used that to his advantage, making sure the large steps looked casual rather than in a desperate hurry. He had to keep his a*****e rep up, or at the very least not appear desperate.

When he did hurry was when he pawed through the pile of stuff. Ok, so these weren't really his volunteers. These were the volunteers Deity had hired on contract... A very reasonable contract it seemed at first, but hey, you get what you pay for.

Pouch located he popped it open to reveal the precious injections. One was all that was needed, and he was sure if he wanted to analyse one he could obtain it in more legal ways that stealing. Once again, matter of reputation.

Another hidden hustle to his side.

"Your medicine Mr. Yupa. Nod if you need me to give you a hand." In one hand he held the injection where Rain could easily grab it and inject himself, the other hand was at the ready to inject Rain himself. Into the arm, into the heart, or whatever. Whatever the needle looked like it was meant for.

With his left arm clutching his right ribcage, he quickly snatched the vial out of Joseph's open hand. He seemed to be involuntarily leaning more foward with each passing second, as if the very structure of his body was working against him. In a shakey right hand, he uncapped the top of the tube with his thumb, and pressed the button once to release the needle. Without any more hesitation, he stabbed it into his left arm and pressed the button again, his face contorting in crippling agony. After a few seconds, he hurled the metallic vial back towards Joseph but not directly at him, though it appeared to be involutarily. The cylinder vanished from view as it tore a hole clear through the material of the tent.

Rain stayed in that position, quaking in his bed while holding his sides tightly, his fingernails tearing through the skin at his shoulders. The muscle mass beneath his skin seemed to shift around as if it had a life of its own, but quickly began to deflate, returning Rain to his normal humanoid proportions. His throat began to swell, and he leaned over the side of the bed OPPOSITE of Joseph and vomited. A cocktail of black bile and blood coated the floor as Rain hacked and coughed the last traces of it up.

He panted heavily for another thirty seconds, before speaking, but not moving. Oh... oh ********... who are you?"

((No problem. I had to eat, myself. ))

[2] As the smoke, ash, and dust cleared from Ryugi's massive attack, Ryugi would be seen, clutching Ragnarok in his hand, staring upward, a faint aura of energy floating gracefully around his form. His eyes were strong and determined, filled with unbreakable resolve. He'd scored the first real hit of the fight, and this made him slightly more confident, but not overly so. Though his opponent was hit with the blast, he still looked relatively unscathed. But that wouldn't stop Ryugi from fighting for all he was worth.

I told you I'd prove you wrong...

As Ryugi spoke, tiny glowing white crystals began to form around his body, swirling about as they grew.

Quote: *Crystalization-

This technique was gained from Ryugi's travels in the fire elemental plane. The fire element is forced into a solid crystal that is on par with the hardness and sharpness of diamond, and due to the intense heat and pressure within the crystals, they have massive cutting power, easily capable of piercing the thickest and hardest of materials with relative ease. Even solid metal cannot withstand these crystals for long. If so chosen, the crystals can cut into a solid force, and then explode for massive damage to an opponent. -50 damage for each crystal exploded, can be created from ambient flame energy and energy from aura-

You see I, too, fight for a reason. And that reason is simple for any to understand, even for those blinded by power and hatred such as yourself...

The energy around Ryugi would pulse once more as his body floated gently into the air, lifted aloft by the ambient heat generated from his flame abilities. His spark grew inside him as he spoke. This dark man, this evil, was too strong to back down from. He could NOT allow an evil like this to destroy innocent lives while following his own dark dreams. He would fight against it, giving it his all!

It is because I have something to protect!

As his heated words flew towards the damaged and awed man, Ryugi's resolve would become stronger, mirrored by the crystals and the shone brighter, his faint aura brightening.

And I will let nothing, and no one, stand in the way of that mission!!

"There are a dozen people in this tournament that are higher on the honour scale than me." Joseph shrugged while he waited for the man to get situated, "Maybe it would me an honour to meet Vahn Fah, or maybe Mr. White who puts the real cash money into the contest. Me, well, I'm just a guy here to abuse the minibar."

With his vision a bit clearer Rain would probably be able to get a better look at the man who had just appeared. He only seemed half businessman, and not even a quarter of him was, as he admitted, someone you honoured. Still there was a strange presence about him in his ruddy tan blazer, and confident grin. He was a nobody that made himself a somebody, and somehow failed to notice.

"Anyway, if that was your line, I suppose I should remember my cues. This, if I'm correct, is where I tell you that I saw your fights... and your file too." Hands went into his pockets, "Quickly followed by the part where I tell you I'm impressed."

Joseph almost choked on the mention of the number 13. Wait, he was just making reference to him saying a dozen... Not... Yeah...

To answer the question, nobody could make half the money Joseph had if they weren't half decent at reading people. Too many jerks in the world that would milk you for every penny. As for what Joseph thought, all he knew was the file didn't contain all the information he wanted.

"It told me that you're trained to fight, need those injections to keep stable, and are apparently smart enough to get those injections on a regular basis." The HoH sponsor pulled a chair close to the side of the cot with his foot, "And I believe I've just seen each one of those statements proven."

He sat down and propped his chin up on folded hands. No need to loom over the fellow he was taking to, for all those concerned he was just a bedside visitor.

"That, Rain, is enough to peak my interest." The edges of his mouth attempted to tug upwards a slight and only years of carefully trained bullshit-fu prevented him from grinning like an idiot, "Tell me, what are your plans for after you get outta this bed?"

"I've met very few that put dying high on their priorities list." He squinted one eye a bit as he thought, "Though those with death wishes seem to fail spectacularly and keep on ticking."

Cue a kind of ackward pause at that morbid comment.

"Anyway," The man straightened up in his chair for a full view of the laid out man, "While fighting for survival is all well and good it tends to stagnate people. You become so focued on plain survival that you fail to change, spice it up, improve. That, Mr. Yupa, makes fighting for survival that much harder. You're enemies start getting an upper hand, your past catches up to you, or maybe even you just get tired of the same thing day in day out."

Tried tested and true method. Toss out as many situations you can as examples, then pray one hits the mark.

"Personaly I don't care about any of those things. I care about ability." He leaned forward again, resting his cheek on a fist this time, "And even if you don't have options, you at least admit you have ability. Consider this visit an instance of Joseph Brown, me, seeing if he can open any doors for Rain Yupa, you."

((And with that I have to go to sleep. I'ma up too late anyway. ))

Ryu Versher 777 Wrote:

Ryu's rising maneuver towards Dash was met by a[/color] "Ha, ha. Firewall" maneuver that truly has placed Ryu on the brink of destruction? Oh, hell no.

Ryu took on this debacle, pushing his body through while having both of his arms crossed in front of him. He can take on intense heat, and going directly through it, Dash would discover Ryu still in the air coming towards him at a faster pace than ever before.

Ryu would then have his arms wrap around Dash, but this time, Ryu's body was encased in flames of an oceanic hue to pull him down into the...[/size]

ATOMIC PILE DRIVER!

Dash's smile turned into an "Oh s**t" kinda expression. He wasn't quite sure what he'd do about the blazing blue ball of fire parting the sparkly green aftermath of his previous attack.

-Grab-

He'd be grabbed, but Ryu would notice that the two wouldn't start falling. Dash's legs were still wrapped around the bars of the cieling. So, what the spectators saw when the dramatic dust cleared would be Dash and Ryu clenched together and suspended from the top of the 'dome. Commence flash photography!

Fuel for the rumor mill!

Dash said something that sounded like: "If you wanted a hug... you could have just asked."

With that, Dash would wrap his arms around Ryu's waist as well, and then release his leg-hold on the bars.

NOW, they would fall. Though now they would BOTH be in a predicament.

As they fell, Dash would forcefully move his body in an attempt to upright himself and therefore, attempt to throw the two of them into a violent tumble as they fell.

Now what we had here was not simply a single piledriver...

BUT TWO!

They flipped like a coin. Who would be the one to taste concrete? Heads would be Dash, Tails would be Ryu, or...?

((I think this'll call for a 3 sided dice roll, 1 for Dash, 2 for Ryu, and 3 for... we land sideways! Unless you had something else in mind?))

[7]

BOOM!

Ryu's head went directly into the concrete. Dash's body flipping himself over driving Ryu's body directly into the ground creating a crater from its sheer blow.

But Ryu does have a hard head, and his legs are still around Dash's body.

Taking the hit really made Ryu think a little more about the situation.

Well, I'm upside down... I just got pile drived into the ground. I think there's a time where things should change.

1 - Ryu suddenly has for himself to flip, causing Dash to flip with Ryu to create another pile driver, not as devastating as the first but the impact would grow weary for both competitors.

2 - "THIS IS THE s**t!" Ryu almost sounds as if he's taking drugs, and the euphoric behavior of his body falling loose from Dash's as he falls completely onto his back. He rolls up then stands on his feet looking directly to Dash cracking his neck, "Sir, may I have another?"

He taunts Dash to bring it.

3 - Ryu feels the full effect of the pile driver, his body going limp. He couldn't help but notice that there are birds around flying... "Is this heaven?" He's currently now in a dazed state.

4 - Ryu suddenly has for both of his hands to go directly towards Dash's gut as he unleashes a hadouken from close range. It'll propel Dash away from him to go directly up against the ThunderDome wall again.

LET'S ROCK.

Rolling upwards, feeling the cobwebs shaking off of his head as he stands up looking directly towards Dash. Blood begins trickling upon the forehead while he gives a stern stare towards his opponent.

He hears the "That's... more like it!" from Dash while ripping the last bit of an article of clothing that certainly would slow him down. Listening intently, his ears flicker, the air noticeably moving around Dash more violently.

"Hmm..." He begins to ponder, but then Dash now has a request.

Dash Wrote:

"I want you to come at me... with everything"

A smirk plays upon Ryu's face, as if that's just the thing he wanted to hear, but a frown occurs, "Everything... huh?"

Ryu begins going into an extensive stretching exercise, releasing the tension within all of his joints. Usually, he'll do this before a match, but he felt like limiting himself. But now... his opponent doesn't want for Ryu to limit himself any longer.

"Wish..."

His body begins suddenly pulsate, the veins in his arms, the beating heart racing as his body becomes more tense in nature. Ryu took in a large breath, and released the limiters upon him.

"GRANTED!"

Suddenly, Ryu's body was swirling with an oceanic aura. Somehow, the winds around him blow violently that static electricity flows just upon the outside of his body.

Ryu crouches down to pull back his right arm looking directly towards his opponent, Dash. His entire right arm flaring from the wind swirling around it but then the flames conjure through the air showing Ryu's Eternal Flames. The ground shows nothing but destruction from Ryu just standing in his current position... as did Dash's.

It's about time now, to see who'll come out on top.

Dashboard Wrote:

Dash's eyes widened and he shot forth, leaving a pair of small impact craters where he stood. His red aura bent around his fist and spiraled behind him, taking on the shape of a shooting star. Now would be the time where, for added drama, a fighter would yell out the name of their attack. Dash of course followed suit. He needed not worry about his move being long-winded or carrying strange foriegn translations seeing how it would be called:

Dash's move list Wrote:

"SIYAAAA!"(Greater)

When Dash gets pissed, overly determined, or simply becomes hell bent on kicking someone's a**, and he manages to store up a substantial amount of ki, he'll actually release it in a manner where his aura engulfs his body. This "aura" acts as a protective barrier of sorts as Dash makes his way towards his target. The strength of the barrier relates inversely to the strength of Dash's punch. If he releases majority his ki into the actual impact of the punch, then the barrier is dissipated. If Dash releases very little ki into the punch, then the barrier remains strong and he can use it for other things, such as defense against a strong counter attack. Usually, Dash will spout "wings" of electrified green energy as he propels himself through the air. His aura will then take the appearance of an eagle as it engulfs him. Whether or not he does this depends on how much showing off Dash feels like doing.

In this case, majority of Dash's attack would be put into the punch itself, and as mentioned earlier, his aura would be deep red. As for the "wings", they weren't there. Dash had no intention of showing off at the moment.

Before his fist, would be Ryu.

[9]

He's coming!

Ryu braces himself, then with the power developed in his legs, he shot upwards to go directly towards Dash.

His aura is being violent just like fire. It seemed to be controlled, however, a image was coming from Ryu's persona behind him. It seemed to be that of a dragon.

The static electricity flowing outwards dispersing in the air shows greatly that the dragon itself is made of electricity.

Ryu only knew a few words to call this maneuver.

DENJIN SHO... RYU... KEN!

The electrified shoryuken is truly a sight to see.

The glorifying spectacular debacle has for the entire dome to shatter at its foundation since it's not capable of holding these two energies inside.

Ryu's fist would meet against Dash's in an struggle to see who will be the victor in this match up.

It was incredible, remarkable, it was a new rivalry... or perhaps just a random situation between two individuals who just love to fight.

Whatever it is. It just shows the great heart and determination within both of the fighters.

Ryu's facial expression stayed stern, even though the fist hitting upon fist impact lets out a shock wave from the corrupting powers. Seemingly though, the red vs. blue ordeal has been completely ironic in this ordeal and CCTV would like to apologize for the mere coincidence in colorations.

As the intensity grows, Dash's words reaches towards Ryu.

Dash Wrote:

"You know... If you give up now I won't hold it against you!"

"Me? GIVE UP?!"

All of a sudden, Ryu's eyes turn a shade of crimson, and his voice became deep and dark in tone.

"NEVER!!!!"

Ryu begins ramming his fist directly into Dash's fist as the powers continue to collide.

The electricity continue to aid in his pushing, but yet...

His feet were moving backwards. Why was this?

He kept pushing, pursuing his opponent, but yet his legs were being forced back.

This can't...

His eyes stay laid upon his opponent, Dash, but he places his left palm directly upon the right forearm to give more added force to the blow.

It cannot be...

His arms are the only things staying forward, and yet, it seemed his body was about to fly from the sheer force as well.

But then he heard Dash yell out, his arm suddenly reacted upon impulse sending out a electrified hadouken in its wake.

Both energies collide formulating a blinding flash of light. The crowd going into awe, but some putting on shades to just keep their eyes on the fight, but the light is almost as blinding as looking directly into the eclipse!

An explosion occurred, much like the one that happened in the Train Cart, but this was different. Supremely...

A NUCLEAR-LIKE EXPLOSION!

It sent Ryu back directly towards the wall hitting upon it, his body flipping in the air having him to fly against the wall upside down. He falls down upon his back then begins slowly getting up from the eruption...

"Can't..."

His left leg pushes to the ground...

"Lose..."

He staggers upon his left leg while the eyes lay upon Dash's... in their oceanic hue...

As much as Dash wanted to just pass out there onto the ground, he couldn't. Not while is opponent was still standing.

The world span wildly above his head, his chest burned with every breath, and his body ached all over. That last attack had take a heavy toll on the man's body, not to mention the explosion that resulted afterwards. Needless to say, it took everything in Dash's being to raise up off the ground and onto one knee.

His eyes peered across the crater and to Ryu, all three of him.

s**t, he's still up?

Dash shook his head slightly to allow his vision to come back into focus.

"It's still...not..."

He coughed more blood to the ground.

"...too late... to give up..."

And he's back on his feet, sort of. He's more or less just standing awkwardly now.

[12]

Acacia moved as close as she could get to what was left of the ring to see what was going on, both the fighters looked a mess, ready to collapse.

"Sheesh, rough night.." She sighed and sat cross legged then she noticed she kinda recokgnized one of the fighters.

"Hey its that guy! What's his name.." Acacia tapped her temple trying to remember, she hadn't met him that long ago.

"Rrr-Rrrady no-! Ryan? Nah.." She looked at the guy's face, at his eyes, then it came to her-

"Ryu!!" She snapped her fingers in triumph but realized a little too late that she had maybe said that a tad too loud, glancing around she was relieved to find not many people were sitting close to where she was.

Ryugi Kazamaru Wrote:

((No problem. I had to eat, myself. ))

[2] As the smoke, ash, and dust cleared from Ryugi's massive attack, Ryugi would be seen, clutching Ragnarok in his hand, staring upward, a faint aura of energy floating gracefully around his form. His eyes were strong and determined, filled with unbreakable resolve. He'd scored the first real hit of the fight, and this made him slightly more confident, but not overly so. Though his opponent was hit with the blast, he still looked relatively unscathed. But that wouldn't stop Ryugi from fighting for all he was worth.

I told you I'd prove you wrong...

As Ryugi spoke, tiny glowing white crystals began to form around his body, swirling about as they grew.

Quote: *Crystalization-

This technique was gained from Ryugi's travels in the fire elemental plane. The fire element is forced into a solid crystal that is on par with the hardness and sharpness of diamond, and due to the intense heat and pressure within the crystals, they have massive cutting power, easily capable of piercing the thickest and hardest of materials with relative ease. Even solid metal cannot withstand these crystals for long. If so chosen, the crystals can cut into a solid force, and then explode for massive damage to an opponent. -50 damage for each crystal exploded, can be created from ambient flame energy and energy from aura-

You see I, too, fight for a reason. And that reason is simple for any to understand, even for those blinded by power and hatred such as yourself...

The energy around Ryugi would pulse once more as his body floated gently into the air, lifted aloft by the ambient heat generated from his flame abilities. His spark grew inside him as he spoke. This dark man, this evil, was too strong to back down from. He could NOT allow an evil like this to destroy innocent lives while following his own dark dreams. He would fight against it, giving it his all!

It is because I have something to protect!

As his heated words flew towards the damaged and awed man, Ryugi's resolve would become stronger, mirrored by the crystals and the shone brighter, his faint aura brightening.

And I will let nothing, and no one, stand in the way of that mission!!

Once again, the villian would release a chuckle that would carry throughout the air, a flash of lightning pulsing through the sky as he moves his sword in a sway to the side as his body starts to glow with a black color, his cloak and shoulder guards suddenly building themselves back over his body as his left hand moves towards his chest, but stops there, as if he was about to touch his own heart. That is when dark-colored steam would rise from his gauntlet, showing that the dark energy of Sephiroth was drawing itself into physical form.

"Something to protect. What a heroic will you have. Give me the pleasure of taking away all that you love and cherish. Let yourself then wallow in that known as despair and sadness. Dig deep into the dark depths of your heart, where true power lies. But, you will need to be shown the light. That, I can do."

He would suddenly fly backwards, now moving off away from the area, flying at high speeds toward a city in the distance, its buildings and high skyscrapers visible from his height, the clouds showing their spanning over many miles. This storm was a complete unspeakable phenomenon, easily created from the being Ryugi was facing now. If he could easily perform something on such a scale with little difficulty, he would probably wonder what else this man with the long blade could do. After all, he literally just withstood a high temperature blast and still could laugh and speak as if he had just passed through the fires of the underworld itself with his life intact, if he even possessed life.

[6]

And loads of spectators were pissed as no one won any money that day.

(Good fight, Ryu.)

But someone did win money.

( Thanks, Dash. We have to do this again. )

Rain could weave an epic tale of a sordid past, complete with unexpected twists of fate, a comprehensive list of his faults, and climatic moments of his life. This really wasn't the time nor the place for that. Rain's interest was peaked, and his response was brief and to the point.

"... tools?"

Rain watched the business card land on the table beside him, just staring at it for a few seconds. He sighed, his mind engaged in conflict with itself. He hurried to come to a decision before Joseph Brown left. He was already turning to leave. He had to ask now.

"At this rate..." he started, pausing until he was sure he regained Brown's attention. "... I'm most likely not going to make it through the year. My body's adapting to the serum, and its not effecting me as well as it used to. I need larger and more frequent doses, but its quickly reaching the level where injecting it inside me would be fatal. Or I could just not take it, and my body would tear itself apart from the inside out as it rejects itself." He closed his eyes, visualizing a face that meant so much to him, a face he had to shove out of his life to protect.

"My daughter is enrolled in a private school, since I didn't want her to be around me like I am now. I won't be able to see her grow up or graduate or start a life of her own. But, most importantly, I won't be able to make the world safe for her. I'm going to fail my mission."

He looked back up at Joseph, his face wincing in pain, although it was of the emotional kind. "There's no cure for me for what I've become. But there might be a way to stabilize me, to make my body accept the changes it's undergone. If I did what you asked of me, would you... do you think you could find a way to help me?" It killed Rain to ask this, it was written all over his face. He was the kind of person who never asked for help from anyone. He hated above all things to feel helpless, but this very well could be his last chance.

Rain stayed silent as Joseph Brown left. He stayed silent for a good ten minutes, as if lost in thought, just to make sure he wasn't hanging around. He reached over painfully, taking the A~E personal business card from the bedside table. He flipped it around in his fingers, before grinning.

He turned the card over to its bare backside, and reached his other hand up to his face. To his chin, specifically, where the blood was still wet. Dabbing his fingers in it, he wrote something on the back of the card.

Two words, specifically. Specifically, the words "Creation Industries". He would have to pay them a visit after he was healed up. He would definitely call Brown later on once he was up and about to set up a meeting, but what his motives would be would depend on what he found out on his own private business trip.

He turned the card back over, and placed it resting up against a lamp on the table so the blood could dry and not smear. He shifted his body down so he was no longer slouching, and closed his eyes to rest.

[EDIT] After his extended down time to get his ribs back to not-stab-you-in-the-lungs-if-you-turn-the-wrong-way condition, he gathered his belongings, along with the card he was given by Brown, and headed back towards the hotel without a word.

Nathanial excitably walked out of a store. As he strolled over the overpass that connected the different shopping centers, he stopped and looked over at the oncoming vehicles, and passing pedestrians.

His new Red sweater stood out like a swore thumb, but he finally felt a little normal.. being dressed in, the 'average joe' clothes.

It had been a week since Kaym and Nathanial left the portside in Strata. Nathanial had seen posters for the upcoming tournament HoH. Sadly, once they had finally caught on, and got situated, the last round had already started, so they had missed it for the year.

"What a large crowd!" It had been a good long while since Nathanial had seen this many people in one place. Happy children running about. Parents shopping, and buying their hyper children more sugar and expensive food.

"I wonder if any of these people participated in the tournament." He paused. Out of all people, it wasnt like Nathanial to be a little depressed over such a thing. He really wanted to see the tournament. But as fate has it, once again, they both missed it. Maybe next year, eh?