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Alexander Krizak
The Ultimate Lifeform
Posts: 146
(6/11/02 6:21:42 pm)
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Two-Hour Warning
Just wanted to remind everyone that there are only two hours remaining in which to vote. I have a ridiculously low amount of votes cast at this time, so I would recommend voting sometime really soon.
 ~ I am you, and you are me ~ This defies reality ~ Whether this is false or true ~ You are me, and I am you
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Soujiro Seta
RTT :: Kaze
Posts: 44
(6/11/02 6:31:04 pm)
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Call Her Queen
The Pure Land - III
He could conceal his quickening heartbeat masterfully, but he could not shut the lids of his eyes, the window to the soul. At first, he had tested Ryo, bullets purposefully a tiny bit off to see the man’s reaction. By the time the young martial artist had reached the floor, every bullet was meant to pierce. But Ryo had survived, and now he was there, right in front of him, following his every step back across the embossed floor. He shot again, but Ryo’s hand swept in to meet his wrist, knocking his hand back yet again.
With a piercing yell, Hazuki ducked into a spin, his right leg spread out like a twirling blade. The roundhouse connected before Kaze could line his barrel again, sending the gunman faltering backward at the edge of his balance. Immediately, he saw from the corner of his peripheral vision another kick, this time high, coming to meet his chest. As he felt the precision impact of a foot upon his sternum, his body took flight, sending him crashing into a shelf of delicate crystal orbs, each falling to the floor with a sickening shatter. Was there nothing to do but be defeated? And at the hands of a vigilant youth, no less? He raised his gun to fire once more, but even as the smoke left the barrel, Ryo grabbed his arm, using his position and torque against him to toss the black-caped man over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Relentless…and powerful. And yet…for my power, I am weak. I have no defense against this attack.
“So, is the biggest challenge getting by the bullets? I’d say you were a one-trick pony if I didn’t know you had two tricks. But I’m not gonna give you a shot at the second one!” He ran at Kaze, leaping into the air with a shout. The gunman strafed to his side as Ryo landed without hitting him. No…that was never his plan! His eyes understood Ryo’s actions in that second, saw the backfist spinning toward his neck. There was little pain, only a hazing of vision as Kaze stumbled forward, regaining his footing. But like a bad suit, Ryo was all over him, giving him no room to maneuver, no time to aim. The Japanese man’s empty hand struck Kaze’s chest in a knifing chop, followed by a solid fist to the gut, a rising knee jab, and the piece de resistance, a spinning kick to the head. Pain washed over the gunman in black, every nerve swimming in disorientation.
Stay calm…just as long as I remember my training and keep doing what I’ve learned, there’ll be no problem here. Just can’t let him get his gun pointed in my direction. Ryo psyched himself up and extended his arm, leaning into the gunman. As he was about to connect to the ribcage, Kaze raised his right arm. The punch clanged dully against the yellow-gold pod, and it was Ryo’s turn to clench his fist in pain. But a fist clenched in pain was a fist not striking, and Kaze stuck his right arm behind a spiky crystal sculpture and threw it off the shelf at the martial artist.
Whoa, spiky crystal ball, right-in-my-face! Ryo swiveled on his left foot and the star sculpture shattered on the ground behind him. But Kaze had his gun raised. Ryo’s form flowed like water to miss two shots that came dangerously close to his side; he heard the crystal shelves shatter behind him. Lunging toward Kaze, he brought his arm up perpendicular to the ground in an aggressive forward smash. Then it would be an elbow jab and a sweep, followed by a rising punch, a combo he had formed in that instant. But as the flat of his forearm loomed large in the gunman’s face, he dove to the ground into a roll with a speed that surprised even Ryo. He unfurled from the role to a lowered stance on one bent knee and one foot. In the slowness of that confusing instant, Ryo noticed something he had failed to before; a lone bullet with a fore and aft of gold, glittering red in the middle, sitting on the shelf right beside him.
Kaze shot again, Ryo’s body seeming to gyrate only inches away from the bullet’s path. But it was only in the moment the bullet passed him that Ryo realized his mistake, a mistake that would cost him.
Behind the martial artist erupted a violent explosion, shattering the whole crystal shelf on which the bullet had sat. Shards of crystal rained everywhere, nicking the back of Ryo’s neck even as the heat withered the hairs there. Behind him, even after the explosion, the crystal shelf was still burning. Crystal…is burning. Jumping up from his dive, he saw Kaze whip out another bullet from his belt and flick it right at him!
Shit!
Ryo flung his body violently aside as a crackling mass of ball lightning splintered the floor where he had been only moments before. That was it. Ryo slid across the smooth floor toward Kaze, jacking his body in the air with the turning of his stiff legs, which rose to smash the gunman in the chest one right after the other. Kaze flew into the air like a rag doll, but Ryo gave him not even time to land. The martial artist’s hands seemed to blur in a fit of punching that Kaze wouldn’t have even been able to block had he even tried. It felt like getting hammered with a rain of gunfire while wearing a bulletproof vest, only it was a fist, and it hurt like hell.
“Time to end this!” Ryo would not take any chances; he would use a deathblow he had learned from the master fighter Citan. “Uzuki-style deathblow, Rare Earth!” His fists glowed momentarily before he hammered them into the pockmarked floor. Beneath Kaze, the floor splintered to dust as a massive obelisk of earth chi hit him like a spear with the velocity of a freight train. Ryo told himself to relax muscles he didn’t even know he had tensed as he saw his opponent carried high by the elemental attack, continuing to rise even after the ethereal pillar had stopped growing. But as he fell to the earth, Ryo saw something move…a whirling spiral of gold rectangles and squares that orbited the arm of his fallen foe.
No way. No way! He can’t survive that!
As the body hit the floor, Ryo tried to gain self-assurance from the fact that blood spattered out in a red flower-shape from the impact point. It lay still for a moment, before he saw a hand raise to point at him.
– Frozen! The Purity of Ice –
“I’ve chosen the appropriate soil…for the likes…of you!” Ryo was unsure of what to think, unsure of what to do. Can’t fight, but takes hits like you wouldn’t believe. What was this man, a wooden practice dummy?
“Kuroki Kaze, what are you? Are you hero or villan? Man or beast? Sinner or saint?” Ryo’s voice echoed in the ethereal battleground as he observed the face of the one who attacked him. “Does life hold so little value for you that you have become what you are? I want to know…I want to understand that!”
Kaze lowered his eyelids and wiped away the blood that ran down the side of his face. “When you stand there, you will feel everything you love, everything you cherish, stripped away from you layer after layer. Your soul will be battered and wither, and everything that your subconscious did not need to know to survive will be lost. That is an idea for you of what it is like…to look into the eyes of Omega.”
“Tsch…what’s that supposed to mean? What is Omega?” Ryo wanted answers, and he was perfectly willing to beat them out of the Black Wind if he had to. If it meant the key to understanding the cruel, cunning mind of Lan Di, he would go to any length.
“The cry of the dark spirit! Dark Green!” Hidden beneath his robe, Ryo heard a hissing sound, as of a pressured chamber being opened or closed.
“The one that does not forgive creation! Virgin White!” Ryo realized then what Kaze was doing. His ‘other’ trick, the one that made others fear and shun him.
“That’s not gonna happen!” Ryo exclaimed as he rushed across the room to where the gunman lay wounded, chanting his dark words to revive yet another of his devil creatures.
“And finally, the one that freezes everything! Ice Blue!” Without stopping, to do or say anything more, he felt the gun rumble to life like a passing thunderstorm, its black heartbeat quickening in the silence of the sacred air. It was ready. As the young Hazuki leapt toward him like a vicious tiger, he pulled the trigger.
“Shine! Summoned creature….Shiva!”
Ryo had heard the stories from others of the Black Wind’s mysterious Demon Gun, and he had seen some of the things it had spat out. But nothing could have prepared him for seeing it…and for feeling it. A plume of white smoke shot forth from the gun, obscuring everything. He tried to land where he knew the ground would be, but as his feet came in contact with the smooth crystal surface, they slipped as if the ground now offered no resistance or friction. He saw the misty cloud lit by beams of green, white, and blue as he felt a tingle of cold creep over his body. The temperature in the building was dropping at an alarming rate, and he could see his warm breath mist in the air in front of his face.
It was then that he heard a singing, a beautiful song that would have been most enchanting were he not in fear for his life. Reaching out with his ki, he felt the frozen air stir around him. Something was coming toward him, and it was coming fast. But it was coming from…above!? Ryo jumped to his feet and prepared an anti air strike. At the mist parted, he saw the image of a beautiful maiden with white skin, her mass of blue hair tied into braided locks behind her head, a golden ring fastened at the end of every one. Her blue lips glistened in the expanse of sunlight that the dome admitted, and whoa; that wasn’t even to speak of her two huge…eyes! But even as the scantily-clad queen of beauty descended, he felt the air grow even more cold around him, cold enough that his muscles would begin to slow if he didn’t keep moving.
She descended in a headfirst dive, something glistening in her hand. It whistled by Ryo as he turned and prepared a roundhouse kick to her back. As she landed in a dynamic handspring, Ryo winced in pain as he tried to kick; his arm felt like someone had suddenly ran it through a wood chipper. Damn…my arm!
And then he knew why.
Along the length of his right arm, his coat sleeve and the flesh under it had been shallowly cut, as if by a blade sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel. But he was not bleeding; there was no sign of blood loss along the whole cut.
It was because the blood vessels had been frozen shut.
He raised his hand to block the knife he knew he heard whistling toward him, hearing it shatter as he knocked it aside with the back of his fist. A knife of ice? Then who the hell IS this? As if she had heard his question, the beauty who stood before him began to speak, her voice sultry and seductive.
“I am Shiva, Queen of the Ice, Ryo Hazuki. Would thou then desist in being my adversary, knowing this?” Ryo looked at her and shook his head. He had come to challenge Kaze, and in doing so, he knew something like this was a possibility. Unfortunately, as he realized then, seeing the summons and being near them were quite different experiences.
Drawing her delicate fingertips gently through the air, the vapors condensed and froze along that line to create an icicle lance, sharp and pointed at both ends.
“Hey, how ‘bout you give me one of those too and we have a spear match, best two out of three?” Ryo joked as he walked toward the barely-wrapped beauty. She looked him over and tossed him the lance she had just formed, making another one as soon as the first had left her fingers. Ryo stretched his left hand out to grab the glacial javelin, then withdrew it with a surprised yelp as the length shattered like brilliant glass on the floor.
“Hah…now you know then, young one; so cold is it that it burns to the touch of mortal skin. But let us not squander the time we have been given, this momentary life. Come, Ryo Hazuki, and I shall be your opponent and teacher, should you survive!" Her winsome, slightly-mischievous smile revealed perfectly-set teeth as white as a snowfield.
Hot damn…what I wouldn’t give to be somewhere else right about now! thought Ryo as the last few days flashed before him like a blur. Ryo Hazuki, young and vengeful martial artist, threw his brown coat aside as he chose his move. He didn’t know how long he could go at optimum performance just against the ambient cold, no less the frozen babe challenging him.
With a songlike shout, Shiva swept her hands through the air before her in an X-shape, newly-condensed icy knives spreading outward from their paths like a frozen ocean wave.
It had begun.
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Aaaaaand back over to you, Daig! Great job! For last minute reference, she's fighting hand-to-hand, but uses stuff like the ice-shard spears and icicle throwing knives at will. Feel free to invent various ice weapons.
AND for everyone else's reference, this is the FFX Shiva, because she's just THAT good looking.
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Soil! My strength! Edited by: Soujiro Seta at: 6/11/02 6:42:59 pm
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TenshiKain
RTT :: Ramirez
Posts: 46
(6/11/02 6:33:13 pm)
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Re: I've got a hunger, burning inside me, cannot be denied
The young men were both blonde (though the swordsman's had a reddish tinge), roughly the same height and looked about the same age. Standing in the square of the constructs' plaza, being avoided by the myriad of alien people, the two looked more or less oblivious to what was going on around them- busy lives, ignorant of their visages, passing by like fish in water. They talked with each other, obviously fatigued by some previous battle or battles. One looked like a mage, the other a swordsman- judging by the broadsword the red-blonde one, called "Isaac", carried with the staff of the other, "Ivan." So late in the tournament, their names came easily to another contestant, and to have survived for this long, it was obvious they were strong.
But Ramirez was stronger.
Watching them from the shadows, his eyes fixed like a falcon's when it is ready to strike, Ramirez slipped his black shirt back on. A brief visit to that construct medical facility had found it, with the badges of Valua repaired and furnished. As he buttoned it up again, he slipped on the mantle with his free hand- for what he was about to do, he needed to look his most intimidating. Clothing himself quickly, he dropped a hand to the doubly-sheathed katanas in his belt. This would be quite the attack, to strike two opponents who were this endurable. Granted, they were somewhat weaker from their battles, but then, Ramirez had had a godlike swordsman gash his chest, so he didn't really want to hear them complain when he cut them.
Besides. Being cold is something I must prepare for, if I am to return to Lord Galcian, Ramirez thought to himself. They are simply contestants. And I wish to survive.
He gripped the Ginken first as he moved, not drawing it from its sheath just yet. He'd been watching Gilgamesh and Yamazaki with their knowledge of the eastern katana- it wasn't so far from the concept of the Yafutoma fighters, who wielded the same type of blade. Drawing from the sheath, cutting down an enemy, and never having to move, all done in one strike. "Iaijutsu", it had been called. Practicing it, it had been fairly simple, and his Quika spells did much to help him deliver a blindingly fast stroke of the blade. Stepping forward from the shadows to their backs, he let that same blue light wash over him again.
Quika. His muscles tensed as a "soul aura" charged within him, azure light sending his silvery locks up into the air for all of a moment. He stepped forward to his targets, clutching the Ginken tightly, and as quietly as a swordsman could, he leaned in and clutched the Muramasa's hilt in his left hand, and the Ginken in his right. And then, he struck- the movements were fast, swifter than any falcon's blow. The Muramasa he slid out of its sheath in safeguard to deal a surprise swipe to the back of the one called Isaac, and the Ginken whipped out in a perfect iai strike to Ivan's side. Ramirez set his jaw tightly, convinced he looked ever the beast- it felt rewarding to strike with the intent to kill again. Without second thought or mercy.
Without a sheathe to hold him back.
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1 R-Vote to Scarlett
1 R-Vote to Gilder
Take it away, Baka, Kyo!
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Sponsoring Ramirez, Skies of Arcadia, Team Two-On-One. |
AsylumXKP
RTT::Conker
Posts: 71
(6/11/02 7:09:27 pm)
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The Chase.
Other contestants were enjoying the scenery of the park, despite what was happening throughout the city. Conker and Bowser were still arguing about philosophy.
"Let's change the subject. My head is hurting."
"And it's about to hurt some more... BOWSER!" Conker and Bowser both turned around to see Yoshi. That is, Yoshi, and a mob of fallen contestants.
"There he is! He shot me with spear! Kupo!"
"He hit me with a ball in round 2!" yelled Strago as he pointed at the squirrel.
"Nobody attacks me like that and lives! Let's see how you use the sword when it's lodged in your skull!" screamed Golbez.
"He threw something that bit me!" Cinder got into a fighting stance.
Bowser and Conker looked at each other. Conker turned to the mob.
"Hey guys! Look, we may have done things that might have made you mad, but we can settle our differences right? Look, the first round is on me? Okay?"
"GET HIM!" The mob dashed towards the team. The turtle and the squirrel took off running.
"Oh boy. Another chase. I'm SICK of running!" said Bowser.
"Let me tell you a bit about how chases are handled..."
"Here we go again."
"You see, the chase is an ancient 'gag' handed down from one generation to the other. It involves things such as the screech turn," Conker and Bowser slid in a car like fashion while making a tight right turn. The mob did the same, still screaming. "creating chaos," The group ran through the library, pushing aside crystals and constructs alike. "The classic 'Hall of doors' effect," Entering into a large hall the group ran from one door to another, leaving out from different doors than the original. Some of the mob even found themselves running on the ceilings, going right past each other. They all stop, then all head out a big door in the middle. "the convenient pause," Conker and Bowser ran past a water fountain. They both turned around, walked back to the fountain, both took drinks, then ran off from the mob again.
"How is all this possible! It makes no sense!"
"Welcome to my world! Anyways where were we. Ahh yes, the 'loop' is next." the group ran into a common crystal home. Even though they were going straight, the room never seemed to end.
"Are we going in circles?"
"Nope! We're going straight! Now this is where things get interesting. Watch this. WAIT!" Conker yelled. Everyone came to a screeching halt. Conker walked over slightly forward then stuck his hand out. For some unexplainable reason, the hand appeared behind the angry mob. "That was 'The Realization'. A Fourth Wall breaker."
"What's the Fourth Wall?"
Conker laughed. "That is a trade secret. Alright, GAME OOOOONNN!" The mob took off, their feet moving like spinning tires. "The 'Burnout'." Conker smirked.
"Alright, time for the 'Unorthadox location' trick." The mob soon found themselves running across a dessert for a split second, with pyramids in the background.
"What does this accomplish? I DEMAND AN ANSWER!" Bowser growled.
"Alright, alright, one more then I'll cut to the chase. Heh, get it? Cut to the chase? Oh f#%& it. This one's a combo. A parody AND a 'Out of place form of transportation'!" Returned back to the crystal city, the group found they were equipped with rocket launchers. Conker and Bowser aimed their launchers to the ground and fired. The rest did the same, unknowingly. They all catapaulted into the air and onto a balcony. Conker sped slightly past Bowser and grabbed a blue flag. After going through what looked like a dungeon with red lighting, Conker jammed the blue flag into a red pedestal. Victory music played for a couple seconds as the mob sped through.
"END THIS NOW!" pleaded Bowser.
"Quit being a baby! Here it comes, 'The Punchline'!" Both Conker and Bowser ran into a crystal house door, Conker turning around to shut it.
*WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! THUD! WHAM!* Conker opened the door again, satisfied with the results. The angry mob was on the floor, feeling their heads and groaning, dog-piled on each other.
"Alright. Now PLEASE tell me what all this did?"
"It humored whoever was watching us. Now let me ask you a question. Did I want to do this, or was I told to do this?"
Bowser was speechless.
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Vital Blow used on Yoshi, for 2 damage! (All that running around, plus the rocket jump, plus the door = pain!)
Slash-All used on Scarlett, Laguna, Gilder, and Ramirez. (They got REALLY confused from what is happening)
A-votes to Scarlett, Gilder, and Yoshi. (Trampled by/Injured from the mob)
R-votes to Vivi, & Yoshi (Conker felt sorry, and bought them a round anyways. Cheers!)
===Lvl. 2 FALLEN Adept. BURNED ALL VOTES.===
I hope I'm not going a little too overboard with all this "Fourth Wall" stuff.
EDIT: Time to burn some votes! Here's to level 3 in the final round!
"Oh yeah, I'm gonna get tanked tonight!" Edited by: AsylumXKP at: 6/11/02 7:21:35 pm
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Switchblade
RTT- Ryogo Kusama
Posts: 77
(6/11/02 7:10:29 pm)
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Trust me, I know what I'm doing
Ryogo never ceased to be amazed by the strange new worlds the host kept bringing him to. This new place, however, was easily the most amazing of them all, especially after the wasted ruins that were Zanerth. Currently he was roaming around a large park a few blocks away from where he'd ran into Billy. Part of him felt guilty for relaxing when he should be out participating in the tournament, but most of him just wanted to rest after all the dragons, trolls, and legions of soldiers he'd been running into over the last few days. Unfortunately the part that was feeling guilty had a voice. A very annoying voice.
"What are you doing?" Pham demanded, crossing her arms and glaring at him. "You should be out there making sure that this beautiful city doesn't get demolished by those idiots out there!"
"Look," Ryogo snapped back, "I'm tired, okay. I've been on the move non-stop for almost a week now, and I'd like to take a break for a little while, okay?"
"No," came the answer, but not from where he'd expected it. Ryogo turned, hand flying for his gun as he instantly recognized the voice.
"Kuja!"
The red-haired menace smiled wickedly and pointed a finger at Ryogo. With a sharp crack a burst of lightning shot from the finger, leaving Ryogo unharmed but sending his gun flying from his hands. "You won't need your weapon," the magician smiled wickedly.
"If you don't mind I'd like it anyway," Ryogo replied, torn between the desire to run for his gun and his fear of Kuja.
"You misunderstand," Kuja said, "You won't need it… because you'll be dead!" The air around him started to crackle with magic as he gathered together the power he needed to attack the wanzer pilot. Ryogo turned to run, but for the third time that day Kuja got the jump on him. "Stop!"
The air around Ryogo seemed to turn solid, and no matter what he tried he found himself unable to move. "What did you do?" he demanded.
"A simple spell," Kuja answered, "It will keep you from going anyplace while I kill you." With that said the magician again began to gather power, and this time Ryogo knew it was going to be a big one. "You made a big mistake attacking me," he growled, "And now you will pay for it."
"No, he won't," Pham suddenly spoke up. Ryogo had no idea what she was hoping to accomplish; a figment of his imagination wasn't going to be able to save his life. Then something remarkable happened.
"Who- who are you?" Kuja demanded, "Where did you come from?" Ryogo couldn't believe his ears. Could Kuja actually hear Pham? Could he see Pham? And if he could, what did that mean?
"I'm here to stop you," the red-haired girl replied. What the hell was happening here?
"You," Kuja said, "You do not belong here. What are you, girl?" Ryogo didn't hear an answer, but he did see the bright series of flashes which followed, and he did hear the dull thud of a body falling to the ground.
A few seconds later Pham walked around into Ryogo's field of vision. "It's okay," she smiled, "He's gone now." Smiling sweetly the young woman stood up on her toes and lightly kissed Ryogo on the lips. Much to his surprise and relief he found that he could move again.
Acting quickly the wanzer pilot grabbed his machine gun and turned towards Kuja. Whatever Pham had done had worked remarkably. The mad magician was laying prone on the ground with no apparent injuries. Ryogo looked up and turned to face his companion. "Pham," he asked, "What the hell are you?"
Okay, here are my votes since they don't fit into my story. If you want a description lets say that the machine gun fired off a few shots as it fell from Ryogo's hand.
A-Votes to:
Laguna
Yoshi
Gilder
R-Votes to:
Scarlett
Kaze
Vivi
Piercing Shot against Yoshi and Isaac
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Slipstream
RTT: Gilder
Posts: 78
(6/11/02 7:11:08 pm)
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Short and useless
Laguna... the last time I saw you fully was when your body was slumped brokenly against a wall, attacking the sorceress despite the fact that you knew you couldn't defeat her alone. Then at the beginning of this round before we all parted our different ways, I saw something else in your eyes.
What would I have seen if I'd been close enough? What happened to you?
Spotting something even more bizarre up ahead, something that looks vaguely like a human comet trailed by flame, Gilder shook his head and ran down the street in pursuit. Laguna and the large man stared at him in confusion and amazement as he ran past, wondering what the idiot gunman was doing. Didn't they know that the thing he was chasing was the one who's just attacked Laguna, who he'd healed not moments before?
Apparently not, as the fiery comet hit the end of the road in a fiery arc and impacted. As Gilder ran closer and screeched to a halt he made out the figure - red dress, stiletto heels, blonde hair. It was Scarlett, all right.
"Scarlett!" Gilder grinned, glad to see his teammate again despite just being hurled through the air be trailed by fire. He moved to heal her, certain she'd picked up some kind of injury in the flight, but nothing seemed to be wrong with her.
Nothing save for her eyes.
Get the hell out of my face, they said angrily. I'm not in a good mood right now, so don't push me.
They blazed as much as she herself had, something dark and bitter inside her. Gilder almost recoiled from her gaze, then moved closer again. "Scarlett... what's wrong... is there anything..."
She shook her head, either unable or unwilling to speak to him, patting out minor fires which clung to her dress but didn't seem to be doing any damage to its material. Gilder almost considered holding her, trying to calm her down, but the look she'd given him suggested she didn't want anyone that close to her right now.
Scarlett? What happened to you while I was gone? And Ramirez... can we ever hope to fight together again, with these things driving us apart?

~~~~~ dance ~~~~~ for ~~~~~ me ~~~~~
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Kyo
RTT: Issac
Posts: 57
(6/11/02 7:17:53 pm)
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Act 6, Scene 4: "Measure"
Isaac was talking with Ivan with the light that old friends have; catching up on past events, comparing strategy, musing about the future. It was an enlightening conversation, but the elder of the two Adepts sensed a flash of movement towards him right as he was about to respond to a question Ivan had given him. He felt that someone was about to strike at him, didn't know where or how, save that it was impossibly fast. And the only reason why so many thoughts passed through his mind before the actual event took place lay in a basic law of human speed. Thought over motion.
Needless to say, Isaac was a fast thinker.
Escape...
Ivan picked up the urgent thought on a tight band and used a gust of wind to push himself back as the Vale swordsman teleported himself backward a few paces.
Neither action was quite fast enough, however. As both Adepts focused on who had made that sudden attack, both felt a searing pain at their left and right sides. In the clearing where they had been stood a swordsman of excellent caliber, both from his crouched finishing posture and the speed of his previous attack, both elongated blades in his hands red with the crimson blood of his near-victims.
"Surprising that either of you possessed the ability to evade my attack. It was meant to leave no opportunity for you to counterattack."
"Obviously," Isaac almost snarled with anger. "Who are you, and what ill do you have with us?"
The elegant silver-haired blademaster switched to a more rigid posture and cocked his head at Isaac. "My name is Ramirez, although that will matter little to either of you in the next minute. Allow me to request your names from you...?"
"Isaac," the Venus Adept said just as fiercely as he had beforehand.
"Ivan," the Wind Seer responded curtly, almost as irritated as his friend.
"Good. You two are still living participants in this game, and that makes you an obstruction to my survival." The Muramasa and Ginken flashed within a split second, and the blood had vanished within that moment. "Prepare yourselves."
Isaac had already drawn in his Psyenergy, angered that he had been caught off-guard so easily. "You as well."
Ivan had already moved to a distance farther away, and was fully charged himself as he drove his Jupiter Psyenergy towards Isaac for support.
Let's do it, Isaac. With together, this guy won't stand a chance.
I'm thinking the same way, Ivan... but we can't underestimate him. He did almost kill us then and there, after all.
No time to waste then! High Impact, friend!
Isaac gave an almost predatory grin as he unsheathed his Gaia Blade, his body already thrumming with the strength-boosting Psyenergy Ivan had sent him.
Ramirez raised his Ginken in a salute, and he nodded in reply.
And the two sped towards each other, both intent on making this match theirs.
The silver-haired duelist started the battle by slashing high at Isaac's neck. Isaac easily parried it, and was rewarded by a surprise rap on his platemail from the Muramasa.
What!? I didn't even see that. I'm being toyed with!
"The third time I do that is when this match ends," whispered Ramirez.
Isaac focused his rising anger at that remark into a tight band, powering his sword strikes as he moved with inhuman speed at his adversary. He sliced low, then danced to the side as Ramirez evaded, and saw the Muramasa speeding through the air at his left side, almost too fast for the human eye to catch.
But again, his mind was much faster.
He sent a telepathic lance of force at that sword while he moved his blade into position to block the hidden attack the swordsman had been preparing, and was utterly successful as a bewildered Ramirez felt his first attack meet invisible opposition in mid-swing, while his other attack was blocked easily.
He sensed his opponent's stance adjust as the silver-haired swordsman pressed an offensive attack again. He couldn't sense either sword this time, and he only managed to block the Muramasa as the Ginken rapped against his platemail.
"Strike two," he heard Ramirez whisper. He could sense Ivan's irritation at not being able to assist in such a fast-paced duel, and he felt a bit worried. How was he going to adapt to this guy's fighting style? There was no way he could put even an inch of breathing room between them to make his own Earth abilities effective...
That gave him an idea.
----------
Allright, Baka. Your turn.
Edited by: Kyo at: 6/11/02 7:29:09 pm
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Shizuyoko
RTT::Laguna Loire
Posts: 132
(6/11/02 7:27:52 pm)
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Laguna Loire: 6-3: "Dream Deferred"
Laguna Loire: 6-3
"Dream Deferred"
Laguna’s eyes locked on Scarlett’s as her weapons spewed flame over his body. Her face remained completely expressionless as her grip on slowly loosened, allowing his burnt body to fall to the ground. His eyelids fluttered as he struggled to keep conscious, wanting to see Scarlett.
Scarlett…
He wasn’t so foolish as to ask why – he knew why. And that knowledge made him hurt for her. He watched her with dimming eyes as she stalked down the roadway towards the main part of the city with nary a backward glance.
Ah, Scarlett, dear heart, I’m sorry, so sorry. His eyes tried to shed tears but the flesh was too ravaged. Scarlett, I forgive you. May Hyne watch over you. May you find peace. He watched the red dress fade away and he sighed, finally losing consciousness.
The three crystals arced through the air and brought Laguna back to pain and choking awareness. He rolled over onto his side, resisting the urge to scream his agony. The stench of burned flesh assaulted his nostrils and he watched with unbelieving eyes as charred fragments of clothing and flesh were blown across the walkway by a gentle breeze.
I’m still alive. A part of him moaned with disappointment that he hadn’t died, while another began assessing the situation and planning a course of action. Not dead means I have to live, have to survive… He groaned as one hand clawed at the ground, trying to raise his body.
Suddenly strong hands were there, grasping his shoulders and pulling him upright. Laguna gasped with pain and tried to focus his eyes.
Ward?
“Ward!” The effort to speak made his abused throat rebel and Laguna subsided into a fit of coughing. The big man nodded and twisted his face a little as he looked down at his comrade. Laguna choked again and then tried to laugh.
"You’re making fun of me in there, aren't you?" he managed to rasp as he raised one hand to tap Ward’s forehead. Ward nodded and then suddenly dropped Laguna back to the ground. Laguna yelped and rolled over to watch as Ward tackled Scarlett with his huge hands, flinging her away with a massive thrust of his body.
Ward, don’t…
Laguna struggled to sit up on his own, holding his head in his hands. He wasn’t going to watch Ward attack Scarlett because it hurt too much in more ways than he could count.
Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt, ya know. Laguna frowned. I must be hallucinating, he thought to himself, and proceeded to ignore the mysterious voice.
The healing had been enough to get him back to functional, but Hyne did he hurt. He flicked a bit of ash off one shoulder and examined his burned hands with interest. Ward came back, a grim expression on his face and Laguna looked up at him.
Raine’s gone, Scarlett’s gone… The dream is over and it’s time to get back to business.
Laguna offered one hand to Ward and yelped as his huge friend yanked him to his feet. He clapped a hand on Ward’s shoulder and winked at him through the mask of soot on his face.
“You’re right about women in red, my friend!” he told him with a smile, “The next time I show any interest just knock me around a few times, ok?” This was said jokingly, but Ward only examined his long-time companion’s face and nodded, deadly serious.
“….”
Laguna looked at his silent friend. And smiled. “Don’t worry about me, Ward. I’ve survived a broken heart before, remember?” He turned his head to look back toward the center of the beautiful crystalline city. “Doesn’t it remind you of Esthar, Ward? So beautiful, so serene.” He stopped, his face thoughtful.
“I’m going to finish this, Ward, finish it so we can go home.” Ward nodded in agreement and followed Laguna as the ex-soldier began walking back to the center of the city.
I feel a draft… on my butt… Laguna stopped and looked over his shoulder at his backside. Scarlett’s twin flamethrowers had taken a large patch of cloth out of his pants, exposing burned skin.
Ward looked at the hole and shook his head. Laguna laughed and kept moving. “At least we aren’t on the Lunatic Pandora, my friend!” he called back to Ward. “And everybody should be glad that I don’t have a map.”
Laguna locked his sorrow away into his heart, as deep as deep can be, and threw the key away.

 "I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors, but I think that God's got a sick sense of humor." |
daigohji
RTT: Ryo Hazuki
Posts: 42
(6/11/02 7:38:39 pm)
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Re: Short and useless
Yeeps, guess I'd better get these votes out then.
A-votes to:
Isaac
Laguna
Yoshi
Now, back to writing that Ryo vs Shiva post. Aiie, best get myself a mug of tea ... it's 2:30am already and I've only just started. ^^
Shadow :: Lise :: Ryo
We are Thrill Seekers
"Have you seen a black car?"
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Mithrigil
RTT--Scarlett Welles
Posts: 84
(6/11/02 7:41:53 pm)
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Learning to be silent.
Scarlett glared up at Gilder, unable to explain but hoping she could manage with her eyes. I am in NO mood to be touched right now.
It worked. Gilder's eyes sobered.
But I'm fine. And I'll stay with you until dragonboy gets us out of here.
Gilder backed away and let her get to her feet. "Should we go find Ramirez, then? I'm not sure, but there might not be much time left."
She nodded by way of reply, and started off in a random direction, leaving her teammate to follow. He did.
Scarlett gave a last thought to Laguna, lying there in a charred heap on the street. And she was glad when Giler couldn't see her eyes:
Now you know how I felt...Laguna.
Guess who Ms. Sexual Repression USA is playing in RTT?

Isn't the irony lovely?
Some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's Mithrigil.
(this links to LT)
... |
Baka
Wind Seer
Posts: 155
(6/11/02 7:42:27 pm)
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Act 6, Scene 6 - "I"
Ivan looked on, wringing his hands in discomfort. The wound at his side throbbed, but he ignored it, as he watched the battle move around the street.
Their attacker was good, there was no doubt about that, it was self-evident from the fact that he was beating Isaac back, as sure as the sun would rise tomorrow. And it was too fast! How was he supposed to get in a spell to help Isaac?
As he watched, Ramirez swung the Ginken around in a semi-circle, to be blocked by Isaac's Gaia sword, then cut a deep slash into his side with the Muramasa.
"Wish!" Ivan shouted, focusing his Psynergy on Isaac, healing the flowing wound. Ivan shouted something, but it was lost in the sound of steel on steel. The man was even too powerful for Isaac to get his own Psynergy into an attack! Again, a sword cut into Isaac, but this time, he took it - and grabbed the sword! Ivan gasped at the trickle of blood that appeared, then narrowed his eyes. Someone was drawing in Psynergy - and it wasn't him.
Isaac! What are you -
Ivan.. don't worry. I'll leave this to you - take him! "Mother Gaia!"
The ground beneath Isaac buckled, and blew out, sending both combatants flying. Ivan ducked a chunk of rock, and peered through the smoke.
Isaac was on the floor, Muramasa still gripped firmly in his hand. He wasn't getting up. Ramirez was - and he was heading for Ivan!
The adept fell back, bringing up his staff just in time, as Ramirez' Ginken slashed into it, carving a notch into it. Ivan grunted with the effort of the block, and fell back, his legs buckling underneath him - and coming up, kicking him over. Ivan had learnt something, at least, from wrestling with Garet!
Clambering to his feet, Ivan gasped as the swordsman flipped up, turning to face him slowly.
Then he sheathed his sword.
Think quickly, Ivan... think quickly... what would Isaac do now?
Then it hit him, as Ramirez started to run towards him, his hand on his sword-hilt, ready to strike at any second.
Ivan relaxed.
Lowering his weapon, he closed his eyes.
And reached out.
"Reveal."
His mind was clear.. except for the swordsman approaching. Ramirez drew closer and closer.. and Ivan could SEE where the strike would be. He raised his staff to block it, and the strike came - and he blocked it. Looking into Ramirez' eyes, he smiled, and brought up his knee into the man's midriff.
As Ramirez slumped to the floor, Ivan ran to Isaac, picking him up and running away.
In the end... I did't need to know what Isaac would do.
I did what I would do, and only me.
That is who I am.

Baka // Wind Seer // Salva Nos
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Bugenhagen
RTT: Billy Lee Black
Posts: 947
(6/11/02 7:53:30 pm)
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Just helping out
Billy awoke from his afternoon nap just in time to see two Mages summon incredible beasts. They've been fighting the entire time I was asleep...? How long have I been out, anyway?
He got up from his spot on the wall and looked around. The city looked like it was in worse condition than what it was when he fell asleep... I can't believe I had dozed off while explosions were going off.
Billy wandered around the city some more. He made sure to stay far away from the library, as it sounded like the two people there were still fighting.
In relation to the rest of the city, Billy was much higher up. He could see most of the landscape, and had a good view of what most of the battles. From his point of view, he could see the mages making up after their fight, the squirrel and the turtle being chased by a large group, and Ryogo meeting with Kuja.
Billy watched Kuja and Ryogo meet. They seemed to be talking, then suddenly Kuja fell backward when a sudden flash of light hit him.
That seems to happen to him a lot.
And directly below him, he could see two contestants meeting each other. A man and woman. And as Billy watched, the man started on fire.
The fire... had come from the woman. And Billy recognised her as the sadistic lady from the first round.
I haven't met her in a while...
Billy watched in silence as the woman walked away from the burnt man, as if it didn't bother her. Billy watched as a large man came in, helping the burned man to his feet. The large man then turned to the woman and tackled her.
Billy noticed that the burned man was trying to get up. The larger man took his hand, helping him to his feet. The burned man talked to his friend, who seemed like a silent guy. The man laughed, but Billy could see pain flashing across his face.
"Take away this man's pain with thy purity light," whispered Billy under his breath. Bright light flowed over the man, and he looked around, amazed. Billy ducked behind a wall before he could see him.
Think of it as a 'gift'.
--
1 R-vote to Laguna
Also, Head Shot to Scarlett, which means she takes 3 damage and is paralyzed
3 A's, 2 R's, 6 SP
--
Sponsoring Billy Lee Black
Did you notice that the two great angels only have one wing each...?
According to a legend handed down in Nisan...
God could have created humans perfectly...
But then, humans would not have helped each other...
So that is what these great single-winged angels symbolizes...
In order to fly, they are dependent on one another.
~Margie, Xenogears Edited by: Bugenhagen at: 6/11/02 7:55:21 pm
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Mintaka
RTT: Lise
Posts: 95
(6/11/02 8:11:44 pm)
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Votes from beyond...
...or not.
I... don't have any story to write, nor ambition to try and force writing out. (Brain is focused elsewhere right now.)
R-vote: Scarlett
*blinks* Yeah.
BTW: Fighting Shiva is scary. :d Brr...
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Alexander Krizak
The Ultimate Lifeform
Posts: 147
(6/11/02 8:16:12 pm)
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"Yay! The round is over!!!" exclaims the nurse con
Finishing up my end-round post and my tally. I'll have your results in about an hour. *is killed by Lenscrafter for stealing their slogan*
 ~ I am you, and you are me ~ This defies reality ~ Whether this is false or true ~ You are me, and I am you
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Bugenhagen
RTT: Billy Lee Black
Posts: 948
(6/11/02 8:19:04 pm)
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Re: Votes from beyond...
Yeah; I don't have that much time on the Net left, and I don't know if I'll be able to go back on tonight. I'll drop off my votes now, and if I get back on, I'll write the story which relates to them.
A-votes on Scarlett, Gilder, and Ramirez
R-votes on Ivan and Issac
--
Sponsoring Billy Lee Black
Did you notice that the two great angels only have one wing each...?
According to a legend handed down in Nisan...
God could have created humans perfectly...
But then, humans would not have helped each other...
So that is what these great single-winged angels symbolizes...
In order to fly, they are dependent on one another.
~Margie, Xenogears |
TenshiKain
RTT :: Ramirez
Posts: 47
(6/11/02 8:20:28 pm)
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Re: Votes from beyond...
Edit: My prior statement was probably a little too harsh, but I do have to comment on it. No room for grudges, Bugenhagen. I'm far from sore about the A-Votes, as it makes no difference to me, but taking out the fact that you're fallen on Scarlett repeatedly- that annoys me. And just ask anyone around here about what I feel more than free do when I get annoyed. >_>
If you've been trying to keep IC (which I doubt), then go about your business. But I'm not impressed.
---------------

Sponsoring Ramirez, Skies of Arcadia, Team Two-On-One.Edited by: TenshiKain at: 6/11/02 8:41:38 pm
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The Virtual Cat
RTT::Yoshi
Posts: 33
(6/11/02 8:30:10 pm)
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#$%^ Finals
OMFG! I missed the round! I'm so sorry everyone! I have so much homework, it's not even funny.
Excuse me while I run of a stream of expletives directed at my teachers...
%^%&#&$^&#$&#$&#^%&%*^#$&%#%^*&$*#$*&$^*&#^%&#&*^#%^*&$*&$*%#@^%&^%(^($^&#$*(^&#^**^*@%*(&%^#(*&(**&%($^*@^*&@#^%((*#&(**&($*^#%(*^@(&$^&@$^(^$&(#*^(&#@%(#.
(There I feel much better.)
---
I am .

Yes. I do see the typo. No. I'm not going to change it.
 Edited by: The Virtual Cat at: 6/11/02 8:31:32 pm
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Dry31
RTT: Garai
Posts: 109
(6/11/02 8:37:00 pm)
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Re: Rurouni Taikai Tactics - Round Six - Home Again, Home Ag
*Garai stops dead as the skies darken...roars like the Apocalypse sound from the center of the city, and a hot wind blows from the same place. Garai sighs...*
Garai: I'm...too late. All this beauty...to be destroyed...
*Garai sighs, thinking of how terrible it is that such beauty should be shattered, and replaced by horror...but then, the wind declines, the rumblings cease, and the sky lightens again.*
Garai: Is it...over? No...just this particular threat. So long as this Tournament is here, the danger to this city will never be over.
*A glimmer appears in Garai's eyes...*
Garai: But these others seem to be seeking duels. Perhaps...just perhaps, I can at last find a worthy opponent here...
*Garai walks on, his eyes glimmering. He walks towards the site of the earlier near-apocalyptic battle, looking for a worthy adversary...*
(Open invitation to any who, like me, have an urge to duel with someone. Ramirez, if you fall this round, I'd like to duel with you in the next.)
Randomly directed A-Votes at:
Scarlett
Gilder
Yoshi
Vivi
Randomly directed R-Vote at:
Ramirez
~dry31~
(Pay no attention to any of the above.)
Luna: The PLACE
http://pub88.ezboard.com/bluna83999
---
 Other teams may have snazzy quotes...but actions speak louder than words. *Falls down.*Edited by: Dry31 at: 6/11/02 8:39:55 pm
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TenshiKain
RTT :: Ramirez
Posts: 48
(6/11/02 8:43:52 pm)
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Re: Rurouni Taikai Tactics - Round Six - Home Again, Home Ag
Garai- two swords on two swords, eh? Sounds fun. Don't know if the next round will allow it, but rest assured that if it doesn't, you'll have a nice long one in the omake.
---------------

Sponsoring Ramirez, Skies of Arcadia, Team Two-On-One. |
Dry31
RTT: Garai
Posts: 110
(6/11/02 9:14:03 pm)
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Re: Rurouni Taikai Tactics - Round Six - Home Again, Home Ag
I look forward to it.
~dry31~
(Pay no attention to any of the above.)
Luna: The PLACE
http://pub88.ezboard.com/bluna83999
---
 Other teams may have snazzy quotes...but actions speak louder than words. *Falls down.* |
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