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Post by TimePuppy on Jan 30, 2020 22:19:22 GMT
Arthur stumbled about, hand clutching the massive burn on his face. He was only hazily aware of the fact Alexis was downed because he was teleported back to his starting point. Shit. He knew this was a serious possibility. That's why he didn't want to rush in without setting it up first. But she caught him early and he paid for it. In fact, if she wasn't downed, she would've finished him off by now. Even getting through it, he wasn't sure he could open his left eye for the duration of the match. But he couldn't get stuck on that. It happened. He managed to down her and he was still in the fight. He could still win.
Still hiding his face, he took up a ready position again, waiting for the match to continue. This time he would take the initiative, sending a wave of ice shards at her from the front while an even larger one came at her from behind.
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Post by HungryHunter on Jan 31, 2020 3:55:56 GMT
The referee was counting, but Alexis stayed down just a second longer. Her eyes were not on her opponent directly, but focused on the high screens around the arena. Normally, they would be useless to her, but right now, she was catching a glance at the state of her foe. What caught her attention was his wincing eye, barely held open. That was her ticket. On the count of 7, she rose, standing straight despite the prickle of pain in her ruined rib. The referee up above the field nodded and trilled for the fight to continue.
Before she even moved, there were ice shards coming towards her. She turned and saw more forming behind her. Her defense was a snap decision. She wanted to keep this fight distant, but if he was going to attack from that close, she might as well dodge and return the favor in a single move. Whiplash lunged from shadow and pulled her down with it. In the same instant, she rose from Arthur's shadow, mere inches behind him. "You really should have kept me over there." Whiplash lunged to sink her teeth into Arthur's leg and her fist flicked out again, carrying another fireball.
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Post by TimePuppy on Jan 31, 2020 22:38:52 GMT
Before Arthur's shards could connect, Alexis vanished down into the ground. Predicting what she was gonna do, or perhaps acting on pure instinct, Arthur created ice armor to protect himself and leaped forward into a roll. That was the plan, at least. The issue arose when he tried rolling and realized something was holding his leg. He didn't get the opportunity to see what it was before he felt intense pain in his side. Without his armor, Alexis's punch would've been a definite down if not a knockout. The hole in his armor and coat confirmed this. But now she was getting cocky.
A pair of ice wings, spikier than usual, appeared on Arthur's back and tried to clamp down on Alexis like stag beetle mandibles. If successful, they would move her over Arthur's head and hold her upside down for him to unleash some Frost Wrap jabs at her. With all the damage he took and his leg being held, it was impossible for Arthur to put a lot of raw physical strength behind his punches. Relying on infusing his fist with frostballs was the most he could do. If Alexis moved out of the mandible's way however, they would instead burst out like shotgun blasts behind him.
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Post by HungryHunter on Feb 2, 2020 7:45:03 GMT
It was a gamble. Alexis knew that. She put herself close enough to land her attack, but it was the same range she was most vulnerable in. Arthur’s wings became weapons, jagged limbs that swung in to grasp her abdomen like tongs. They bit into her flesh and whipped her violently off of the ground. Flames appeared in her hands to melt the tongs gripping her, but her priority quickly became defense as he turned her into a punching bag. She turtled up as best she could, but defense just wasn’t her strong suit. Her arms were numbed with a few icy blows, and the cold and force were blowing right through to the rest of her.
One jab slipped through her skinny arms and drove the wind from her lungs, leaving her gasping in his grasp. Even as she seemed defenseless, her mind was racing. She had one more trick. Whiplash was gone, let go the moment she was done with her to save mana. She was calling out for the help of something else. Her barrage of attacks had left various little flames flickering on the mat. It took less power to grow and control flame than to create it anew. Every little flame on the mat and the single big one left by her early mortar shot all flew off the canvas to pounce upon Arthur.
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Post by TimePuppy on Feb 3, 2020 23:03:55 GMT
Alexis was a lot more durable than she appeared. She was taking his jabs very well. What he didn't realize was that her scattered flames were crawling toward him from his blinded side. By the time he realized, they'd already started burning through the icy armor. His claws dropped Alexis in panic as he tried to stamp out the flames. It took a second for him to realize he could just make the armor come off. Disarmored, he was again open for pretty much anything Alexis had, but he could also toss the still burning armor pieces at her.
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Post by HungryHunter on Feb 4, 2020 2:35:06 GMT
Alexis was so dizzied and winded from the beating that she didn’t even realize she had been dropped until her head hit the canvas. She flattened out, flopping hard on the mat. She tried to lean up, but her entire abdomen screamed in protest. His punches that had landed had done some horrible things in there. She felt like her guts had been replaced with gravel. Her attack was perfect. She had him on the ropes. So god dammit, why couldn’t she get up!? The count was at four already, come on! She rocked on the floor, but her spine wouldn’t curl.
She could only roll over, putting her face to the canvas. Six count. Sweat, ash, and blood filled her nose. This was the smell of defeat, then. No. She grit her teeth and put her palms to the ground. If her muscles would not work, her mana would have to do. Flames poured from her hands, pooling inwards from incoherent rivers of fire to tight, controlled pulses. By the force of her flames, she shoved herself to her feet. Her entire abdomen screamed. Arthur had missed something. She couldn't physically take a hit, no. But mentally, she wasn't backing down if her feet could stand. A snap flicked a spark behind her, grown into an inferno in a second.
But no fire attack came. A mere instant after she lit the fire, something coursed down her shadow, pushed over Arthur by the light behind her. It was subtle, its arms moving like it was giving a hug, but he would notice he was trapped when he tried to move. "Rule with my left." She hissed, clenching her fist and making the shadow trap tighten, if it were on, and chase, if it had missed. "Reign with my right." Her other hand pointed and the inferno behind her leapfrogged overhead, coming down right atop Arthur. The shadows deepened in its path, and darkened, and grew strong. And that was why she was fire and darkness.
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Post by TimePuppy on Feb 5, 2020 21:43:34 GMT
Again he wasn't expecting Alexis to be downed. Buut after all of that, he really hoped she'd stay down. He steadied his breath as much as he could, keeping an eye on her. He was starting to get his hopes up, but at the count of six, she managed to push herself up with pure desire for victory pushing her onwards. Part of him hoped her sorry state would lead to a doctor stop, but the magic of the arena meant that wouldn't be necessary... Damn.
Fire pooled behind her. A vast inferno he wasn't sure he could contain with just a barrier. So distracted was he by the flames and them being tossed at him, he missed the shadows approaching. Only when he tried to run did he notice the trap she's set. Twice now he'd fallen for the same trick. The first time failed to stick in his mind apparently, but this one he'd remember when he next faced her. And he was gonna face her again. That was what he thought as the fire consumed the paltry rushed barrier he'd tried to set up. And then it consumed him too and he screamed in pain. The next thing he remembered was darkness.
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Post by HungryHunter on Feb 7, 2020 7:08:19 GMT
For just a moment, Alexis’ inferno consumed all in its orange glow. Then the referee’s whistle blew and the flames vanished. “The ref called a TKO! Alexis Primrose is the winner! What an absolutely brutal finish!” Randy Howard yelled. “I am impressed with Cromwell. I thought for a moment he would claim victory over Primrose. Perhaps if he struck with swords rather than fists when he had her trapped, he might have. However, her force was overwhelming and her tactics clever. I would gladly form a cambion with either contestant.” “Dude, you can’t say stuff like that, we’re gonna get slapped with a sexual harassment suit.”
Alexis sighed and leaned on the barrier as white mages rushed in, only one for her and three for Arthur. “See injury!” The man checking her out chanted and beams from his eyes cut through her clothes and flesh to see bones and muscle. Her entire abdomen was a mess. Too brutal even for her. She looked away as spells purged the blood through her pores and began the healing process. To keep her attention off her own healing, she looked past at Arthur. Looked like they were moving him before his full healing. That was how she knew she won. When your opponent left in a stretcher, you truly did it.
Victory without limits, that was the only way. She left the field for interviews while the arena altered itself behind her. The Iron Soldiers got by far the largest arenas; it was an inescapable fact that they needed more space, just as much as it was inescapable that such large spaces were untenable for melee. And so, the magical middle was a shapechanging arena. The playing field folded in on itself until it was a square little more than 20 by 20 feet. The Knights of Valor would be taking to the field next and she needed to rest. Her last act before leaving was giving the camera a thumbs up. “Good luck, Drake!” She blew a kiss and left.
In his room, Dan rolled his eyes. He hoped Arthur was okay. Alexis had an absurd amount of power and very little restraint in using it. Still, that match got his blood going. It was a shame there were still a few before his! He wanted to fight! His fists moved like they had minds of their own, imagining Mai’s positions and moves. No, dammit, higher, it was all based on her height before training. How did she grow like that!? Could he do that? He kept an eye on the TV, waiting for the next match. No, not this one. No-namers. There were a few left before what he was waiting for.
He still paid half-attention, but none of it was catching his attention. Finally, it came, the penultimate match. Laura was hopping over the ring, squaring off with Aroha. He watched the spar back and forth, Laura following her plan. To his surprise, it went off without a hitch. Every cut was healed before more than a few drops spilled and Aroha never achieved her berserk state. She tired herself out beating on Laura’s flawless defense and was finished with a few swift stabs. It was almost boring how good she was sometimes. Dan smiled. Almost. 15 minutes now. He slowed his breathing and threw a few more punches. He needed to be ready.
On the opposite corner of the arena, somebody else was waiting for the final bout of the night. Her waiting was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Hello, Mai Musashi? It’s Laura. I wanted to talk to you before your fight tonight.” She sounded quiet, distant… apologetic?
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Post by othus on Feb 7, 2020 7:42:05 GMT
"Oof, looks like they are taking Arthur to the emergency room, or what's left of him...I guess i'll send him flowers or something later, hospital or funeral tho? whatever...that girl who burnt him into a crisp, was that the ring girl? didn't think she was that cruel"
"Who?"- Soon asked tilting her head in inquiry
"you know, THAT one"- Mai said as she thought of Amelia, showing the mental image to Soon.
"...I dont think so, that girl had more"- Soon replied as she slightly touched her chest
"right...well she did mention a sister, maybe that's her. right?!"
"Enough about the chatter, time to prep your body Mai. go on, I'm waiting"- Yui replied as she snapped her fingers, turning off the screen that showed the fights.
Surprisingly to Soon, Mai began to meditate in the middle of the room, a purple aura began to envelop her and the room shook a little.
"nope, you are doing it wrong"- Yui told her, to which the Musashi simply frowned.
"I don't want any of that energy of yours showing during the match, keep it around your guts, chest and head, squezze those buttocks as you inhale!"
Mai was clearly struggling to micro manage her Orgone energy, but at last, the aura disappeared, a purple fire could now only be seen in her eyes as she opened them.
"Good, now keep it like that, reme-"- Yui's words were suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door, was it finally her turn?
“Hello, Mai Musashi? It’s Laura. I wanted to talk to you before your fight tonight.”
Mai heard her alright, but she did not move from her place, it was a little...surprising, to say the least. her tone wasnt one that was looking for a fight...so what was going on?!
Yui looked at Mai and she noded, her coach then proceeded to open the door.
"you have two minutes, alright?"- Yui told Laura as she got out of the room, Soon touched Mai on the shoulder as if asking what she should do. Mai smiled at her.
"It's ok hun, let me just talk to her for a minute"
the moment Soon left through the door, Mai looked at Laura a little bit confused.
"Um, hi. Good to see you??"- Mai told Laura in an awkward tone, looking elsewhere as she scratched her head.
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Post by TimePuppy on Feb 7, 2020 19:11:27 GMT
"...But I let her set the pace toward the end and my strategy broke down completely. Well, I suppose the result wasn't the worst. I'm sure she's gonna be in quite a bit of pain. Next time though... I'm gonna completely trounce her." Arthur explained, trying not to move too much. Love and Hazel were standing by his bed, relieved now that he was awake.
"You're gonna need to get some payback for that." Loveline pointed at some blistered skin visible through the bandages. With a cheeky smile, she continued, "We're gonna need to illusion you up for at least a few weeks to make sure you don't scare people away."
Hazel, on the other hand, was a lot less cheery. In fact, she looked pissed with furrowed brows and clenched fists. "She should've held back. She could've killed you. She saw how weak you were and-"
"Oh, you think I'm so weak she should've gone easy on me?"
"Th- N- No! That's not what I mean..." Hazel was flustered... "But she almost killed you and she should be punished for that..."
"I know you're worried, Haze, but I knew I could get hurt doing this. Especially challenging a fire user... But aside from the part where I was badly losing, it was a very fun fight. " Arthur looked at the screen showing the current fight going on. A greek-styled woman was just finishing off her opponent, a sexy woman with a vicious-looking sword. "I think you two should get back to the arenas. Dan's match should be starting soon. He's gonna need your support; his opponent is huge. And afterward, well, either he's gonna be here so we can poke fun at each other, or you're gonna need to send him down here to boast."
"Sure. Let me help you out first though." Love said and got to work overlaying an illusion of Arthur in perfect health. Except with the addition of a large handlebar mustache and an oversized nose.
"...Love! Not again! Change me back, please!"
"Well, bye!" Love ran out of the room. Before Hazel did the same, she opened her hand and set loose a small black butterfly to watch over Arthur while they were gone. After she left, Arthur sighed. Then he smiled. At least Love was in high spirits. It should rub off on Hazel soon enough, make her stop worrying. He closed his eyes to rest a bit more before Dan's match started. Now Arthur had to cheer for him with all his might.
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Post by HungryHunter on Feb 8, 2020 1:15:08 GMT
Laura entered the room. She was still in her armor, although she had left her shield and spear outside. Her helmet was under her arm, revealing golden blood around her nose. “I’ll keep this quick, since I know you have a fight. I simply wanted to apologize for glaring earlier. I was out of line. What happened with us is ancient history. I could tell I upset you and didn’t want that to be on your mind during your fight. And clearly, your girlfriend accepts it too.” She offered a hand to shake. “Good luck, by the way. I would rather we be friends if we’re going to both be in the HWBC. Or at least get along.”
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Post by othus on Feb 8, 2020 1:37:16 GMT
"Oh, it wasn't upsetting, just, you know...a little bit awkward. and hey, it was only a kiss, plus it wasn't so bad, right?"- Mai replied somewhat relieved she did not come to attack her or something, but it was still weird that she came to apologize about THIS in particular, and not about the time she tried to kill her. Mai smiled at her and shook her hand, once Laura mentioned she'd rather be friends Musashi relaxed a lot more.
"well, if you are feeling like it, the girls and i are going out for drinks after this, wanna tag along? I'll introduce you to a couple friends and my girlfriend of course"
Mai liked Laura, not just physically, she seemed like a nice person to have as friend. hopefully her intensity was a little toned down compared to that time.
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Post by HungryHunter on Feb 8, 2020 4:07:40 GMT
“Well now, drinks with several fine ladies? Who could turn that down?” Laura smiled, clasping Mai’s hand tight. “You’re going to find a very interesting sort of family here. We throw punches at each other for a living, but most of us get along. Those of us who don’t compete directly, anyway. And Drake, I suppose, relevant to you.” She rolled her eyes.
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Post by othus on Feb 8, 2020 5:19:23 GMT
"Alright, sounds like a plan! Ann will probably like you a lot, my sister might also come, not sure about that." Mai had a big smile right until Laura mentioned Dan
"He's underestimating me, you know? said I wasn't a real fighter. but, he is in for a surprise. I am here for my sister and I will beat his ass."
"Anyway, it seems you might know a thing or two about him, any advice?"
Mai was not nervous, she saw Dan, she even watched one of his fights, there was a game plan, and she had trained like she never did before in her life. He was not super impressive, definitely stronger than a good bunch of HW guys out there, but nothing to write home about if you take into account the type of monsters that live in Shinkyo. still, She knew she had to be cautious, she was not going easy on Dan, and this was not a game to her.
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Post by HungryHunter on Feb 8, 2020 6:09:22 GMT
“I look forward to it.” Laura smiled. She didn’t spend nearly enough time with people who were just friends. It was all work or dates. “Did he now? Awfully rude of him. Still, I can’t be sharing things. Not fair if I don’t go tell him your secrets in turn, is it?” She scratched her chin. “Unless you mean for in person after the fight. In which case just tell him he hurt your feelings and he will feel bad. Odd man. I see him smile when he breaks ribs, but he is upset by harming emotions.”
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Post by othus on Feb 8, 2020 7:56:52 GMT
"well if that's how he is i doubt he meant what he said in the first place, maybe he is taunting me? He can keep his opinion anyway, I'm gonna prove him wrong very soon"- Mai said decided as she got up, it was time for her to finally prove she was worthy of her last name. "It was great to see you, whether I win or lose, we are still going out tonight Laura! wish me luck."
with those words, Mai finally took off her room. Yui was waiting right outside, leaning on a wall right next to Soon "Finally ready? let's go"
As Mai's song began Musashi lifted her right hand in the air, making a fist, she slowly made her walk to the stage, Orgone energy showing at times, shattering the floor beneath her feet. The flags of Kodokan and the Musashi were being at display, one carried by Soon, the other by Yui. Mai knew the weight of what she was doing as she got inside the stage. it was do or die time. Inside, Mai snapped her fingers and did away with the gi. her clothes swapped for a white and red mixed martial arts attire that displayed the Kodokan logo on the back, MMA gloves adorned her hands as well. "BRING IT ON!"- she said with energy as the Orgone in her body seemingly disappeared.
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Post by HungryHunter on Feb 8, 2020 9:36:08 GMT
“Mai Musashi is making a hell of a debut entrance, isn’t she? Flying both the Musashi flag and Kodokan’s banner. She’s really backed up by some powerful legacies here.” “It is my understanding that she is not skilled with a sword, but her affiliation with Kodokan is much more meaningful to me. Most humans are far too frail to even grace their halls, and less yet dare continue their training. More than that, Yui Shimatsu, granddaughter of the grandmaster, is her mentor. I expect brutality in proportion to her training tonight.”
Pounding drums began from Dan’s corner and two orcs appeared, porcine faces scrunched up in concentration as they beat on the drums strapped to their prodigious stomachs. The actual entrance song picked up when Dan came running into view, pink and equally vibrant aura streaking behind him, truly making him resemble a pink comet. One jump carried him into the ring, landing in a three-point stance. His aura splashed down with a showy flash and he stood, fists raised. “Stop grandstanding.” A massive black orc strode down the ramp after him. “A true warrior does not need to put on a lightshow.” “A true warrior doesn’t get the crowd going.” Dan grinned up into the stands as he slipped out of his robe, tossing it down to his coach. “That’s my job just as much as winning.” Under the robe, he wore a classic tight MMA outfit, black with pink sleeves and the mark the orcs had made for the gym- a blocky pink fist with an orange blast mark around it- on the back.
“Dan Drake also has a new gym, and this one is actually new! Apparently he formed them from a group of orcs he fought in California, and Ragnaros, why don’t you give us some information on orcish martial arts?” “I wrote my dissertation on them. I will keep this to relevant details, however. Oonash Kadgud is a natural evolution of his style, and is likely what he has learned, with some accommodations for human anatomy. Oonash Kadgud is all for elbows, headbutts, and fists working together, making it a truly beautiful art. I do not know what to expect differently from Drake tonight, but I am expecting it to be vicious. Perhaps his defensive skill has been augmented with a truly impressive singular attack? I will be disappointed if he has only grown more prone to the fighting of turtles.” Down in the ring, the barrier was up and the bell was rung. Dan walked towards the middle, eyes on Mai for any movement.
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Post by othus on Feb 8, 2020 19:58:42 GMT
Mai walked carefully towards Dan, hands up in a boxing-like position, she slowly reached with her left hand to bump fists with him as a sign of sportsmanship and then made some distance to begin the fight.
It was at that moment that Mai took a grappling combat stance, lowering her center of gravity, palms open wide as she slowly moved towards Dan. Once they were a meter away Musashi looked to close the distance by going for a double leg takedown. she knew she was slower than the majority of fighters in the HWBC, but she was also aware Dan was no speedster himself. *The difference should not be so big he can dance circles around me* Mai thought to herself as she went for the takedown, should she succeed, she would immediately look for the mounted position and begin to deal serious punishment to the pink comet by striking him point blank, it was the only way she could be sure her punches would not miss.
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Post by HungryHunter on Feb 9, 2020 21:10:59 GMT
Dan bumped fists with a smile. This was her debut, so he didn’t have any footage to work from in preparing for this fight. All he had to go on was what Arthur told him and rumors about the Musashi. He was expecting a brute, relying purely on strength in grappling and striking alike. However, that was before she showed up and he heard she got affiliated with a prestigious gym. Now things were more up in the air than ever. Whatever she was going to do, he didn’t expect the first thing to be a takedown. He reacted on reflex, attacking with a short uppercut that sought to cut her off before she grabbed him, but it wasn’t enough and he was toppled and mounted.
Her first punch landed on his face and he instantly had a grasp of her power. She hit hard. Not the hardest of anybody who had ever punched him, but hard enough that he would do well not to take any more hits. One hand reached out to grab at her forearm, attempting to both pull her down and restrict one arm. The shot up to give her a taste of his own power, throwing a hook that transitioned effortlessly into an elbow on the way back, seeking to strike her in both temples with one shot.
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Post by othus on Feb 10, 2020 0:32:18 GMT
Dan should have noticed after the first strike, Mai's skull was harder than steel. his uppercut was met by her forehead, naturally, it would be almost impossible to stop the charging 330lbs of Musashi muscle with just that, the moment her takedown became successful Yui smiled a little, her first strike was successful, clearly hurting him. However, it was a bit too early to celebrate as Dan pulled her from her forearm in order to connect two blows to her temple.
It was clear he wasn't all talk, as even from down there the sharp pain could be felt, hell, it was somewhat scary how precise he could be from such an uncomfortable position...However, throwing punches while being mounted should at the very least cut half of his power. Mai slightly lifted her torso from the position Dan had held her in in order to gain momentum and came down forehead first against his face, looking to completely break his nose, which should in turn help release the grip he had on her arm. if not, then at the very least he would now know the massive disadvantage of keeping her there.
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