Match #5

Something was bubbling beneath the surface.  Deep underground where the sun doesn't smile a magma chamber is located.  It was the last place to expect seeing an ancient ruin.  Among the towering spires of volcanic rock stood gray, crumbling columns of granite.  A particularly weak pillar suddenly toppled and rolled off a cliff, falling into the searing pit of lava below. Instantly it disintegrated with a sizzle.  Falling in it would surely result in death to any mortal if the scorching heat didn't end them first.  Although little remained of the ruins to tell its entire tale, one particularly intriguing area remained among its twists and turns: in the middle of a clearing stood a stone altar permanently stained with crimson.  Guarding it was the golden statue of an otherworldly man whose name has long been lost to the passing of time.  At his feet were gifts of highly decorative blades and blunt weapons, embossed with gems and precious metals.  It had been a while since any poor, unfortunate souls had seen the glimmer of the fierce golden relic.  The molten lava appeared to be boiling with giddy anticipation below.  Blood would be spilled at the altar once more.

[[Johnson and Ikari vs. Bruce and Leonardo]]

After months of tests and the poking and prodding he received from the lab, Bruce was glad to get out.  Even if it meant coming to one of the most uninhabitable places on the planet.  He was told to go into the volcano and wait.  Wait for what, he didn't know.  Maybe it was some kind of heat resistance test, to see how long a fishman could survive inside a volcano.  Whatever the case it was just a good excuse to get the hell out of the lab, even this place was better than that.  

Speaking of this place, it was something else.  There were ruins inside of a volcano, there was an alter and paths throughout it.  It must have taken a lot of slaves a lot of time and a lot of lives to build the place whenever it was actually built.  Bruce walked into the the main chamber on top of some kind of stone alter.  He looked in awe at the giant statue made from gold standing in front of him and then at the blood stained ground below him.  Something really terrible must have happened here, that much he knew.  

"Even for the masters, this place is terrible." Bruce said hanging his head.  Could they have intended to sacrifice him too?

1/15

Leonardo travels had taken him to many remarkable places.  But this one was very unique. Ruins inside a volcano, who would have guessed it?  To those who had not seen fishmen before the sharkman would have been also quite a sight.  But not for Leo he had seen many and his own family employed some as well. But today he would not be needing a foot rest or someone to ride on, not that he personally believed in using labor in this manner.  This was likely the person that was suppose to partner with him.  Taking the time to 'get to know' the arena he observed its ins and outs running his hands over the statue and taking a few practice swings with the weapons before putting them down to try the feel of others. Not that he needed more weapons given his own was his back.

Not looking back he started to speak to his partner. "And what might you name be?  I had heard my partner would be a fishmen. Will you be working with me or for yourself?

Ikari walked into the bowels of the volcanic cave.  The heat surrounded her, quickly forcing her to remove her jacket, leaving her with just her tank top on her top.  How exactly a normal human would fight in here was unknown to her, but Ikari continued further into the depths to face her challenge.  She thought about the fight ahead.  Who would she be fighting?  Who was her partner?  Would she be able to trust her partner?  The answers to these would become clear in due time.  For now, Ikari should be focussing on how to fight her opponents.  Would they be large and bulky, or would they be small and quick?  She had to be ready for every situation.

Walking towards a large statue, magma bubbled around the path that she was walking upon.  The heat swelled and Ikari began to feel a few trickles of sweat streak down her back.  Looking at the statue, Ikari saw two figures standing near it.  Ikari scratched her chin lightly.  They didn't seem to be fighting each-other, so perhaps these where her opponents for today.  A male human and a possibly-male fishman?  Ikari had never encountered a fishman before and, as such, couldn't really tell the difference in their anatomy.  It did look like a male though, but she could be wrong.  Opening her mouth, Ikari took a breath of the burning air and spoke aloud;
"So, are you my opponents for today?"

Walking deeper into the magma chamber echoes of footsteps could be heard closing in on the bunch. After a small delay a figure appeared in the entrance of the Magma chamber. It was a man wearing a blue blouse with orange flowers on it. Not only that, but the man seemed a bit smug-ish with his hair looking as if he just came out of bed and the clothes which suggested he just came from a beach vacation. Rubbing some of the sweat on his forehead, the man took a quick look around. He seemed interested in the ruins, and walked towards the statue standing in the middle of it all. He saw a lot of weapons made with only the best of materials. The man looked at the weapons, and grabbed one of the short-swords. Giving it a few swings, the man walked away from the statue, and began standing next to Ikari.

''From the information provided to me I take it you are my partner.. My name is Johnson, nice to meet you''. The man known as Johnson smiled at Ikari, and turned around towards the statue. There two other figures stood. It didn't take rocket science to figure out those must be the opponents. Giving them a nonchalant wave he took a quick glance at his surroundings. Many thoughts echoed through his head as he though of the possibilities this chamber provided. - Let's see... Most of this chamber is within my sensing range.. Only thing I have to be afraid of is their actual raw strength. In the end I just have to make sure my path of escape is always clear, and that my partner does the rest-. Looking behind him Johnson saw that his surroundings were open, just as he hoped for. Focusing on his observation haki Johnson kept a close watch on his two opponents, trying to detect any irregular movement they made. After all, the actual start of this was never discussed, nor was johnson informed of any special rules. The only thing around that was reliable and could protect him was the very blade he held in his hand. Knowing that Johnson couldn't stop himself from feeling a bit nervous. It would get dangerous, and death was not something he was hoping to find in these remote ruins.

Bruce looked at his partner as he walked into the chamber behind him.  The man spoke to Bruce asking if he was his partner for some kind of battle.  Was this another one of the arena matches for his master's entertainment?  It was strange, there was nowhere from the masters to be watching from; they liked to watch the events live.  When they attended live events they could change the outcome to the way they seen fit.  It worried Bruce that they weren't there, something was definitely off about this one.  

"Partner?  Battle?  I guess my master wants me to fight again.  At least it's better than that other place." Bruce said just as another came walking in.

It wasn't long before yet another person came into the chamber.  A small sickly looking man, he was slim and looked weak.  Despite his appearance Bruce could tell there was something different.  The man was shifty, looking around the cave surveying the area.  He was probably looking for something to make up for the apparent lack of strength.  


"Opponents huh?  I don't see a reason to drag this on any longer."


Raising his hand, Bruce placed it on his partners forehead and swiped his hand to the side.  There might not have been much moister in the air, but that didn't change the fact that humans are practically walking bags of flesh and water.  Bruce threw his arm to the side towards his foes.  Small needle like projectiles of water were sent flying towards his foes.  The five needles were strong enough to pierce iron, and had more than enough power to drill though the body of a normal person. The needles weren't specifically aimed for either one, just more in the general direction of the two using it's wide spread to possibly hit both.

2/15

As the last competitor entered into the ring. Leonardo new the time had come for him to take his place. Taking a spot to the left of Bruce he would start evaluating only his opponents but his partner as well. Looking at Bruce crossly for touching his face he was weired it out but this wasn't the biggest of issues.  The match was 2v2, 4 people, 2 groups of two.  No matter how it was said Leonardo didn't like the number not one bit.

Removing Charmed Steel from his back he took his battle stance.  In order to feel comfortable he would have to change the numbers. But who would he go for first.  No one picked up a weapon but the male opponent, Bruce and the metal girl didn't take any interest in the weapons. Maybe he wasn't actually skilled with its use.

Running with Charmed still behind his back so he could use the spin from spinning he forward if he need to he ran indirectly towards Johnson, behind Bruce then towards Johnson from the side of the arena.

4/15

(As a slight clarification note, after having talked to Crow me and Agthala have gained the right to swap our posting order this one time)

Johnson kept a close watch on the two, and found it weird when Bruce put his hand on the head of his partner. Quickly after he did that Johnson found out however. Keeping a close watch on their enemies using observation haki had paid off since he quickly fell the disturbance the water bullets made. Johnson couldn't put his finger on what exactly they were, but he knew that it couldn't be good. Knowing their location of origin and heading Johnson quickly shouted to his partner. ''DUCK!''. Quickly after saying so Johnson himself followed the orders, ducking before the projectiles hit him. Johnson heard the Air slightly whistle as the projectiles went straight over his head, impaling the wall behind him. Looking back Johnson noticed the holes, but the projectile was missing. - What the hell could that have been, I should keep a close watch on that fish..-.

As he returned to observing his two opponents, he noticed one of them moving. First he seemed to be just going on a stroll, but that quickly turned into a sprint towards him, coming from the side of the arena, bearing a bladed weapon. Looking closer it appeared to be quite the heavy weapon. If something like that were to come into effective range of Johnson he could be screwed. Looking around Johnson found an elevated rock nearby. Running so he could eventually stop onto the rock made Johnson realizes that his foe was quite the bit faster then him. But if there was one thing it was certain of is that it was a basic rule of strategy that those with the high ground held an advantage. He gripped the short-sword tighter as he knew battle approached. What would be his opponents abilities? How would  he react? What would be his physical strength? Many thoughts like that crossed his mind as he kept the chamber under tight surveillance using his refined observation haki skills in order to notice any disturbance.

10/15

Ikari had just arrived and already another man had appeared.  The man was apparently called Johnson.  He seemed trustworthy enough.  Guess we'll have to see in the upcoming battle.  Ikari nodded at the man as he said his own name.  Opening her mouth, Ikari uttered one word before going back to facing the opponents;
"Ikari."
However, not too long after she uttered that single word, Johnson had shouted at her to duck.  Having no reason not to, Ikari instinctively ducked at his command.  The slight pause of reaction time caused a seemingly piercing object to skim the top of Ikari's head, causing a shallow cut.  Okay.  So this man was definitely trustworthy.  Even with Ikari's unnatural ability to take blows, she wasn't too sure if she would have gotten from that one unscathed if it wasn't for this man.

Ikari thought that she needed to close the gap with this fishman as soon as possible.  Johnson seemed to be handling himself well with the human opponent.  Using her position from low down on the ground, Ikari pushed up from there, vaulting herself towards the fishman.  A flame rose behind her left eye, urging her to push forward towards her opponent.  Smirking, Ikari would open her right hand, bearing the palm.  Electric sparks could be seen coming from her palm by a good eye.  As she closed the gap, the rocket in Ikari's right elbow would flare to life.  If and when Ikari got to Bruce, she would suddenly slam her electrically-powered palm at Bruce's chest, aided by the rocket in her right elbow.

---

Fuel: 51

Being the skilled fighter he was, Bruce took a stance as soon as Ikari made her move. Seeing his foe move, she didn't appear to be anything special as far as speed was concerned. Bruce questioned the woman’s methods, as she charged towards him attempting a frontal attack like that. He was certain that the woman was up to something, she had a trick up her sleeve. Bruce didn't know what it was, but he knew there was likely something.

All of the sudden the foe's punch increased in speed and power, midflight, Bruce hadn't seen anything like it before. There was some kind of thing that allowed her to move her arm faster. This allowed the woman to increase her speed to the same level as Bruce making it a bit harder for Bruce to react to it. However Bruce was still a skilled fighter, as the punch neared its target; Bruce used the back of his hand to push away the foes arm causing it to go by inches from Bruce's gills. As the punch went by the receptors on his gill could feel the electricity she had tried to use in combination with the blow.

Bruce's eyes widened for a moment, he knew that he couldn't let any of her strikes land or he could likely be seriously hurt. As Bruce was blocking with one hand, he was attacking with another. Bringing up his other arm from his side, Bruce aimed his moist palm for the cyborgs chest. If the blow would connect at a point in which Ikari has liquid inside her, it would be as if someone twice as powerful as Bruce had hit her. The water inside the foe would conduct the force of the blow causing wide spread internal damage in the area it hit thanks to Bruce's fishman karate.

3/15

So that was it the metal wasn't simply some suit of armor she was in fact a mechanized human, a cyborg. But if her technology was at the same levels as the Pacifista this battle would not favor well for the two of them.

Leo was not quite as clever as Johnson and while he often fought from the high point he didn't recognize any advantages it might afford Johnson. But Leo did know that his weapon was longer and would reach further. In addition by standing on this rock it seemed as though his opponents options to defend and attack were limited. Doing a one handed forward spin from around his back he brought charmed steel forward. With his right hand it looked as if he were simply moving it in order to receive the incoming staff to his other hand. But before catching on the other end of the arena by the weapon cache some daggers and swords stirred rushing towards where Leonardo and Johnson were. Catching his spinning weapon in his hand he swiped at his opponents legs if the attack connected Johnson should fall with considerable bruising to his left leg.

6/15

As Johnson saw the man drawing closer in his charge he only became more weary of his surroundings. In the end it paid of, because Johnson was capable of immediately noticing the bladed weapons flying at him. Not only that, but his opponent was getting in range as well. Having observed his opponents weapons and speed Johnson knew exactly what to do. Holding the high ground, and seeing his enemy sweep for his legs, made the decision quite easy. In a small hop Johnson jumped off of the rock he was standing on, dodging the swing. This was only possible because at the height Johnson was it required close to no jump in order to actually avoid getting hit by a blade aimed at his lower section.

Now being behind the rock the projectiles/bladed weapons flew over his head as well, flying into a nearby wall. ''Quite the dangerous one aren't we?''. His opponents current actions made a lot clear to the intelligent Johnson. He found out that his opponent had the ability to throw whatever he wanted, presumably with either his mind, or he made some subtle sign whilst attacking. That was one thing johnson was not too sure about, since nothing in the enemies attack stood out. Perhaps the swing itself was the signal? After those thoughts flashed through Johnsons mind he started watching the room again. He saw his opponent behind the rock. The rock itself was just big enough to break his field of vision. Keeping close watch of his opponents movements depending on which side of the rock he would charge, Johnson assumed a defensive stance. Not only that, but the blades that were in the wall got his attention as well. In his mind, Johnson once again retained a perfect defensive position. He hoped that his partner would be strong enough to finish this guy after she finished the fish.

11/15

As Ikari's attack went for Bruce's chest, Ikari smirked subtly to herself.  He was going to get hit and get a small shocking surprise.  There was no way that he could dodge this attack.  Just at the point were it looked inevitable that Ikari's attack would hit, Bruce had managed to deflect her attack over his own shoulder.  Damnit.  It was obvious from this that Bruce was extremely skilled, that is if the ability to create water bullets from sweat had not already established that thought in Ikari's head.  Though this had happened, Ikari smirked.  She guessed that her original plan could still work under the current circumstances.  The lock in Ikari's right wrist unlocked itself and let her hand fall to the floor.

As she moved forward into Bruce, Ikari pointed her wrist at the side of Bruce's head.  This was likely to knock her out at this distance, as such it should really have no problem trying to knock out this fishman.  Even if Bruce managed to somehow dodge, the missile had a blast radius of 1.5 meters.  The explosive force, feeling as if you had just been hit point blanc with a cannonball, wasn't the only dangerous part of the missile.  The missile also burned at roughly 50C. Ikari smiled and opened her mouth to speak;
"Eat this, fishbr-"
Ikari suddenly spluttered blood out of her mouth as she felt a shock wave go through her entire body.  Shit.  She hadn't been paying attention to Bruce's attacks.  Bearing through the pain, Ikari pushed slightly into the attack, allowing bones to break and causing herself to cough up more blood.  This attack would likely knock out both herself and Bruce.  Keeping her arm pointed at Bruce, Ikari fired a missile at point blanc range.

Bruce had not only avoided the powerful stun attack, that could have potentially gained the cyborg the edge she needed to win the battle, but he also landed what seemed to be a critical direct hit. When the hand hit the floor, Bruce turned his head to see a cannon staring him down in the face. Even with Bruce's low perception, from that range even he could tell it was some kind of gun. It would have been a simple task for someone with a high skill level like Bruce to manipulate the joint by grabbing her arm from under the elbow and positioning it at her or aiming it towards the area the other two were fighting while possibly dislocating her shoulder.

It would have been only two easy for a master fighter with a clear mind to disarm her with her own power. Unfortunately, Bruce wasn't clear of mind; he was full of desire. Upon spilling the woman's blood Bruce's instincts kicked in. Bruce was in a blood frenzy. He abandoned all thought of the cannon attack pointed at his head. Bruce opened his mouth revealing two rows of razor sharp teeth. With one arm, Bruce attempted to grab Ikari's arm and with the other he attempted to place it around her midsection from behind and pull her towards him. After that Bruce would attempted to bite into the cyborg aiming for the vital regions around her left shoulder and the left side of her neck, attempting to bite down upon then. The effect from the two rows of teeth would be a very efficient bite that would shred the flesh down to and possibly through the bone. It would be likely that the bites, if successful would take out large regions of the cyborgs shoulder and neck.

((OOC: Just a note, my post is purely what happened during the time she was firing the rocket from Bruce's end. I'm assuming the rocket attack is a hit on Bruce's end unless you see fit to change that in your next post. With that said you may explain the effects of it coming in contact to avoid any miscued notions of hit calling.))

4/15

The objects that had flew over because of Leonardo's ability were in his control. And because this even the Johnson had managed to dodge the first wave Leo would not give up so easily.  As the man avoided they turned around steering the flying weapons with his hands still on Charmed steel they hovered in place in a semi circle around Johnson's back. Throwing his own weapon like a spear at Johnsons torso the back sheath came off. How would he avoid the attack this time with weapons pointed at all sides? Johnson's own ability was uncanny he movements showed no signs of waste.   He didn't seem to be fast there was something else.  But for how long could he keep this up? "What is that technique are using? How did you see through the fishmen's attack and my own so easily?" Leo wondered if this was a power that he could harness.

7

(Ooc the end of the weapon that is comming at you is still sheath just be clear)

Johnson felt both the weapon being thrown and the flying weapons being turned around, and with a quick flash of genius thoughts he managed to come up with a strategy to counter the strange man's powers. As the man's weapon flew from his hands Johnson felt the exact speed of the weapon. Ducking a bit and then pushing himself from the ground in a sudden dash made him capable of dashing right past the thrown weapon. Not only that, but at the range he was at the weapons that were flying at him from the back would not reach him before he would reach his opponent. Having gotten within range with this sudden action Johnson tightened his grip on his sword and slashed towards the guy, hoping the hit would connect. Considering the guy held no weapon he would have to be technically speaking more vulnerably then ever, holding nothing to block nor deflect the strike.

Although Johnson had on particular skill with this weapon, nor did he have any good physical attribute, the slash still held considerable strength( as in one with the same strength of a full grown male). It wasn't a full out lunge anyways, it was a well coordinated and quick slash, aimed to wound the enemy rather to right out kill him. If the hit would connect Johnson hoped to have made his enemy at least unable to make any other quick moves in order to follow up with another strike.
((as a small note, this does not mean he actually DOES another strike in this post, its just his manner of thoughts))

((OOC: The battle is between you two. Agathala failed to post within the 24 hour period and Bruce is out from the attack. If Johnson manages to win Ikari will be allowed to participate in the next round, the same is true for Bruce if Loenardo wins.))

Because there was large rock in between the two Johnson would not be able to go straight for Leonardo. As Johnson ducked down and let Charmed Steel pass behind him, Leo used his ability to stop the his weapon from continuing to propel forward. Now Johnson was try to maneuver around the rock and because he was ducking down and he could not run towards Leonardo at his already slow max speed.  In addition Leonardo's own speed, skill and agility surpassed his. As Johnson made his away around the rock in attempt stab Leonardo jumped backwards and used his ability to catch himself and moved himself further backwards, but not far away, far enough to avoid Johnson's attack. As Leonardo jumped back and Johnson rounded the rock Leo beckoned Charmed Steel forward because of Johnsons position and Charmed steel having it sheath already removed it should go into his back.

((I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask for either a clarification or a edit, since in my past post I mentioned the rock is big enough to obstruct the sight of eachother. The reason my character knew where you character was, was through his haki. Your character on the other hand knew where I was coming from. Not only that, but from my point of view throwing your weapon from that point would make it go into the rock rather then something else. I was merely thinking you didn't acknowledge the existence of the rock since you threw your weapon as if it could actually pierce me in a direct line. So either I require clarification or I won't be able to post in an appropriate manner. I might require to edit my previous post according to your answer, so sorry for the inconvenience and time this may take.))

(You said the rock was large enough to obstruct your view, I guess of my weapon, so I approximated it at three feet.  Tall enough for you to stand on without having difficulty climbing up. While you were standing on it, I don't know how tall your character is, I swiped at your characters calf/feet.  As you jumped down I figure all of the lower half of your body covered by the rock?  That's when I threw the naginata at your torso which is what was visible to me. You ducked down lower than the rock to avoid the naginata, you had to go over the rock or around it, it sounded like around it, in order attack me with the sword. That is when I beckoned the naginata at your back. I knew where you were because I could see you when you get past the rock. You couldn't attack me with the sword from behind the rock.

This is my perspective of our last two posts. I underlined what I think is the direct answer to your question of how I knew where you were.)

((Ah, now you see my interpretation of the last couple of posts where that during my retreat I stepped onto a rock pretty much a tat smaller then Johnson's actual size. Although I do not blame you for thinking otherwise looking at the lack of details in my post. Either way, I myself thought that saying the rock obstructed view would point out that it was at eye height. After you made a post about throwing something, supposedly to my knowledge through a not acknowledged rock. So my conclusion was that you did not acknowledge my change of terrain and therefor pretty much denied the actual existence of said rock. So basically what I posted was based on that. In the end I think it was a misinterpretation on both of our side because of lack of detail, and I apologize for any inconvenience. If you are fine with continuing from your interpretation just say so and we can continue.))

(of course I'm fine continuing with my interpretation   but it looks like someone has a plan)

(Edit 24hrs up?)