CH 7: Contracted: Round Two, Round Robin
In the forest area near the school Jeremy stood by as Tonya tried to catch her breath. "Come on Tonya, you gotta focus." he said placing his hand on a tree with very large slashes in the trunk.
"I'm trying." Tonya replied raising her chakrams and began focusing her energy causing the blades to glow a bright purple.33
"Now throw it!" Jeremy instructed as Tonya tossed it towards the tree, the impact nearly splitting the tree in half.
"Damn, almost had it." Tonya said catching the blade as it returned to her.
"Yeah but almost isn't enough for the team we we're going to face today. Go ahead and take a break." He said. Walking to the heavily damaged tree and inspecting the gash. "I guess that's enough for today, lets get a little sparring in before tonight's match."
"You sure? We only have a few hours right?"
"Of course I'm sure, but it'd be more effective if the others joined in too." Jeremy said pressing a button on his X-link. "Hey guys, I need you to meet us." After a few moments Nick's voice came through,
"What's up?" he asked,
"We should do some team sparring since today is double fall round."
Jeremy answered, "Just meet us at the old mall."
"I'll bring my pliers." Nick said.
Lowering the communicator, Jeremy called out "Hey, Arthur! Come on out I know you're here!"
Walking from behind a tree a few yards away Arthur waved to Tonya. "Yo."
"Don't "yo" me, how long have you been watching?" Tonya asked glaring at him.
"Since the beginning, now lets go." Jeremy said leading Tonya away, "And Arthur make yourself useful and help out."
"Yeah,yeah. I guess I've got nothing better to do." Arthur answered following.
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Nick stood outside a large fence, the entrance chained and locked. Removing two small cylinders from his pocket at connecting the he took a step away from the chain-link fence. Slinging his arm, the cylinders elongated with a blade emerging from the tip becoming a black spear. Nick then slashed the chain effortlessly cutting through the lock.
"Aye Nick! I was gonna do that!" AJ screamed running towards him with his twin blades drawn and Bria following. Lunging at Nick, AJ began a slashing movement but was stopped by Nick's spear. "Good thing you blocked, that one could of got messy." AJ said grinning.
"Yeah, but you forgot something," Nick said twirling his spear, using the handle to knock AJ off balance and sweeping him to the ground before placing the blade top his neck. "Don't drop your guard, especially against me." he added shortening his weapon and helping AJ up.
"What was that all about?" Bria asked slightly confused.
"Don't worry about it Chest-melons." AJ said sheathing his swords. "Dracula, shouldn't they others be here by now." as he finished a powerful gust went by nearly knocking Bria off her feet, followed by a small tornado that stopped a few yards before them. As the wind dispersed sending leaves into the air, Quinton and Jasmine stood back to back.
"So how was that entrance?" Quinton asked the chain from his kusarigama falling to the ground as he held the blades across his chest.
"Eh, a little too flashy for my taste, but the crowd might like it for the fights." Nick said shrugging his shoulders and leaned on the fence.
Hitting Quinton in the head with her staff, Jasmine spoke, "I told you it was too much."
Rubbing his head Quinton added, "Well you can't say it wasn't cool." he defended.
Sighing Jasmine gave up, and decided to lie down in the grass. "Whatever...wait, what the hell is that?" she asked pointing to a telephone-line with a large surge a visible electricity moving towards them.
As everyone else looked up the surge stopped and revealed Jeremy, holding a sick looking Arthur and Tonya by their shirts. "Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad you big babies." he said before hopping off dropping the two as he landed. "Hey guys, you ready to start?"
"Yeah, we are, but what the hell did you do to them?" Quinton asked as AJ poked the nearly unconscious two with his sheathed sword.
"Nothing, just a little training. Speaking of which I think the best way to work out before the fight is-"
"Let me guess, split into two teams and go at it right?" Nick interrupted.
"Exactly, So it'll be Me, Nick, Bria and Jasmine. Vs the rest of you, everybody OK with that?"
"Yeah, now come on lets do this!"AJ said running into the abandoned mall dragging Tonya and Arthur in behind him as Quinton followed.
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Now awake, Tonya and Arthur hid behind a counter in what used to be a Petco, watching Bria and Jasmine walk through in search of them. Arthur reached into his pocket and removed a pair of brass knuckles. Revealing himself Arthur called out lunging towards Bria fists raised, "Meteor Break!" he called out. Luckily Bria was able to counter his punch in time with a punch of her own sending shock-waves throughout the store breaking all the glass in the room. The two continued exchanging powerful strikes, their partners emerging to assist them instead began their own battle.
Jasmine began by calling forth a defensive wall of vines before attacking with two more which were easily cut down by Tonya's chakrams. Jasmine then decided to wrap he vines around her in a tower. "Gonna need to do better than that!" Tonya warned sending one of her blades through the greenery shocked to see that it hit nothing. "What the hell?" she questioned as her chakram began to return to her but was caught bu Jasmine who hung upside down with her staff through the center of Tonya's weapon.
"Nice try, but I think I win here." Jasmine said smiling.
"You think so?" Tonya said attempting to throw her second blade but was stopped by another thick vine holding it back. "But...when?"
"As soon as you tossed the first one." Jasmine answered releasing Tonya and returning he weapon. Looking over they noticed Arthur and Bria resting leaning on a few of the only still standing aisles left in the room and were about to join until they heard a large explosion coming from the mall's central plaza.
Looking out the four of them saw Quinton and AJ release an enormous flame attack "BLAZING INFERNO!" but before the attack could hit Nick and Jeremy countered with a powerful blast of their own. "Shadow Bolt!" sending a large black lightning beam into the sea of flames caused a huge explosion that condensed into a dark ball that enveloped all eight of the students.
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Waking up the Girls realized that they were in an unknown dark forest with Quinton, Jeremy, Nick and AJ all spread out facing different directions. Walking to Jeremy, Tonya began to ask what was going on but was stopped by the sounds of large footsteps and the dragging of chains. As the source of the sound came into view Tonya look around to see the same happening on all four sides.
From the darkness before Jeremy came a loud growling voice, "SO HUMAN, YOU HAVE RETURNED. WHY?" The voice asked as it came closer.
"I've come to form a contract once again." Jeremy said stepping forward a bolt of lightning crashing down upon him.
"AFTER YOU SEALED ME HERE YOU WANT TO ASK FOR MY POWER, MORTAL! WHT KIND OF TROUBLE HAS YOUR RACE STUBLED ONTO?"
"The Archangel has returned." Jeremy said flatly the lightning still continuously shocking him. "And also has allied himself with a powerful Inari spirit."
With a powerful roar the a flash of light the source of the became visible, a large white tiger with zigzagging stripes appeared chains binding his paws and around his neck "THE ARCHANGEL! ARE YOU SURE THIS IS THE SAME ONE AS BEFORE?" the tiger asked.
"Not 100% but what are the chances that two of the three would appear at the same location only two years apart?"
"VERY WELL, I WILL ONCE AGIN BESTOW MY POWER UPON YOU HUMAN, NOW BREAK THIS SEAL AND CLAIM THE POWER OF RAIKO!" grabbing the chains caused them to shatter releasing the beast from his entrapment turning itself into a lightning bolt as firing itself directly into Jeremy's chest causing a transformation. Jeremy's hair turned white, grew a tail, and displayed the tiger's unique stripped pattern across his arms and face. Turning around Jeremy looked towards the AJ, Nick, and Quinton.
"Jeremy what just happened?" Tonya asked, Jeremy only responded with a smile pointing to the sky above the other three. Turning around Tonya saw three more beast transforming into flames, a tornado and an orb of darkness before fusing with their respective element user.
"You just witnessed a spirit pact being made." Jeremy said his voice doubling over itself.
"Spirit pact?" Tonya asked not fully understanding.
"Don't worry you'll find out soon enough." he said, generating a ball of light that shined upon the area blinding Tonya.
Coming to her senses Tonya noticed that none of them had moved from their position since the explosion. The four still in the plaza looked up as their X-Links began to ring signaling the start of the second round prompting the team to leave the mall for their first fight of the tournament.
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"ALRIGHT FIGHT FANS, WE'RE BACK FOR WHAT I HOPE IS ANOTHER DAY OF BLOODSHED, BUT BEFORE WE GET TO THE GOOD STUFF I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE!" Rolling star screamed through his mic. "FIRST BECAUSE OF THE PANSIES CHICKENING OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CHANGE UP THE FORMAT, SO INSTEAD OF A TWO MATCH 2ND ROUND WE WILL BE HOLDING A ROUND ROBIN DOUBLE ELIMINATION ROUND. THE RULES ARE SIMPLE, FIRST ALL TEAMS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BATTLE EACH OTHER ONCE, THE TEAMS WHO LOSE TWO MATCHES ARE ELIMINATED LEAVING THE REMAINING TWO TO BATTLE IT OUT IN THE FINAL ROUND, AND SECONDLY THE FINAL ROUND WILL BE OPEN FOR ONLY FIVE MEMBERS ON EACH TEAM. SO WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY LET THE BLOODBATH BEGIN, SEIRYU VS GENBU WILL TAKE PLACE HERE AND SUZUKA VS BYAKKO IN WAREHOUSE 13, BOTH MATCHES BEGINS IN 15 MINUTES SO CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITES AND GET READY FOR SOME BRUTALITY!"
In their locker room team Seiryu awaited their curtain call, sighing Quinton spoke, "Man that guy really knows how to get these psychos excited for a match they don't have to fight."
Standing up Jeremy decided it was time to select their battle rotation. "OK guys we gotta win two matches, so we need to decide who fights when."
"I'll go first." Nick said standing up. Raising her hand Bria agreed to fight second, followed by Jasmine.
"AND I'LL FINISH OUR GRAND SWEEP WITH A FIRERY EXPLOSION!" AJ screamed turning up the fireworks in the locker-room causing Jasmine to swat him with her staff.
"That plan only works if we can win the first four matches doesn't it?" Quinton asked, "If that's the case I'll go fifth if necessary."
"Good, so worst case scenario we tie with three wins. Let's get going, we don't want to keep the savages waiting." Jeremy said leading the team to the upper levels.
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Standing next to the ring stood Rolling Star with his microphone held high as he addressed the audience. "ALRIGHT EVERYONE THE TIME YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR HAS FINALLY ARRIVED, STARTING THE SECOND ROUND OF OUR TOURNAMENT IS SEIRYU: A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED TEAM CONTAING FOUR OF THE STRONGEST FIGHTERS OUR SCHOOL HAS SEEN IN YEARS, AND GENBU: KNOWN AS THE GUARDIANS OF OUR SCHOOLS NORTHERN GATE. THIS SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING MATCHUP SO LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED RIGHT! TEAMS SEND DOWN YOUR STARTING COMPETITORS!"
With the starting ceremony over Nick began his descent into the ring when Tonya called out, "GOOD LUCK!"
Looking over his shoulder and giving an unsettling grin he responded, "Save it, I won't need it." and continued.
As he took his place across his opponent, a tall but skinny boy, younger than himself stood smiling with his hands in his short jean pocket with a long but thin cord connected to a pair of headphones hanging around his neck.
"IT LOOKS LIKE OUR FIGHTERS ARE READY, AND FOR ALL OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH THESE FACES. FOR SEIRYU IN THE LONG BLACK TRENCH COAT IS THE KING OF CONNECTIONS, NICK NASH! HIS OPPONENT IN THE TRADITIONAL STONER UNIFORM IS DAVID FERGUSON THE KID KNOWN TO DANCE ACROSS THE BATTLEFIELD. WHENEVER YOU GUYS ARE READY...BEGIN!"
As the MC finished David placed his headphones on his ears and stared at Nick with a goofy smile. Taking the bait Nick dashed forward in an attempt to sweep David's legs from beneath him but was surprised to see the boy counter by flipping into a handstand and catching his foot with an open palm. David then brought his own foot crashing into Nick's chest before putting distance between them.
"GAH!" Nick exclaimed not from pain, just surprise at the proficiency of the boy's counter. Standing up Nick attacked again, this time stopping short of contact, changing his punch into a jumping kick barely grazing David in the process as the boy dodged and moved farther away from him before Nick could capture his shadow. (Damn, almost got him.) Nick thought to himself. Seeing David's smile widen, Nick asked "What's got you so happy?"
Letting out a small laugh David replied, "I bet you're thinking you got me with that last hit right? Well I hate to be the one to tell you but the reason they sent me to fight you is simple." his words getting Nick's attention. "My ability is a perfect counter for you."
"A counter?" Nick said, "What ability? You haven't done anything but dodge."
"Are you sure? Let me give you a hint. What was the first thing I did here?" David asked.
Thinking back Nick realized what he meant, "Those headphones, that sound, you've been listening to music this whole time."
"You got me,well almost, the music is just a medium for my power." David said rushing to Nick and attacking with a flurry of kicks and flips forcing Nick to put all his effort into blocking. "It's a passive ability, I like to call it a Counter Rhythm. How do you like it?" he said continuing his assault barely giving an opening for Nick to retaliate.
In the team area team Seiryu watched the battle closely. Seeing Nick being toyed with, caused Tonya to begin to worry. "Do you think he'll be okay?" she asked her teammates.
Smiling Jeremy answered, "He'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" Tonya asked watching as Nick kept defending himself.
"Of course, David's movements may be a good way to counter Nick's shadowboxing, but that's not his only way of attack. Watch closely cause Nick is about to show off."
Back on the stage David kept his attacks going, seeing a grin appear across Nick's face caused him to stop and jump back as far as he could. His own smile fading he asked "You're losing, what do you have to smile about?"
"Looks like you're not the only one being underestimated here. I guess that you think that just because you're moving too much for me to capture your shadow you have this match won right?" Nick said looking at his own through the corner of his eye, "But don't you dare think that's my only way I use my power. Pay attention cause you might learn something." clasping his hands together Nick began focusing his energy into his shadow causing it to expand.
Not noticing David became irritated. "So you're just gonna stand there. Fine! I'll just take you down now!" he said running to Nick at full speed.
"Heh, gotcha. SHADOW SPIKE!" He called as his shadow pulled from the floor, stretching into spears aimed for the younger boy. David did the only thing he could, turning enough to dodge but was still hit, one shallow stab in his left leg and cut on his left shoulder.
"Agh!" He exclaimed and attempted to move but was slowed enough for Nick to appear next to him, standing in his shadow using his spike to cut the cord connecting David's headphones to his mp3 player and placing another inches from his neck. "Damnit, I thought I had you there." lowering his head, he called out. "Sorry guys, couldn't pull that win out for us. Nick, you're good so you better not lose to anyone else or it'll make me look bad. I surrender." deactivating his power Nick helped his defeated opponent to his feet as the crowd erupted with applause.
Yelling into the microphone Rolling Star announced, "ALRIGHT THERE YOU HAVE IT, THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE SECOND ROUND OF THIS TOURNAMENT GOES TO NICK FROM TEAM SEIRYU, THREE MORE WINS AND WE CAN CALL THIS A MATCH! LETS GET THE NEXT BATTLE UNDERWAY, TEAMS PLEASE SEND YOUR NEXT FIGHTERS!"
Returning to the team Nick took his seat on the metal bench "Well, that's one down." Jeremy said, looking towards Bria who stared at the stage nervously. Nudging AJ he motioned to her.
Walking to her unnoticed, AJ placed his hand on her back getting her attention. Smiling at her, he could feel the tension leave her body before adding pressure...and pushing Bria over the guardrail causing her to fall onto the stage with a loud THUD. This action earned AJ tow hard strikes to his head by Tonya and Jasmine.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?" He asked rubbing the back of his head.
Ignoring his question Jasmine looked at Bria slowly getting to her feet. "Are you okay?" she asked seeing Bria stand up.
"Yeah, the floor broke my fall." Bria said dusting herself off as her opponent stepped onto the stage. A short light skinned girl entered, her red hair reaching her shoulders.
Hearing Bria's answer the girl began giggling. "You're funny." she said smiling.
"Thanks, but I wasn't trying to be funny." Bria replied. Both girls looking towards Rolling Star signaling they were ready to begin.
"OKAY EVERYBODY THIS TIME WE HAVE TWO FIRST TIMERS FOR SEIRYU WE HAVE POSSIBLY THE PHYSICALLY STRONGEST GIRL IN THE ACADEMY BRIA ANDERS AND FOR GENBU NON OTHER THAN THE CAPTAIN OF OUR TRACK TEAM LAINEY WALKER. YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN READY!"
Hearing her name AJ's attention snapped, "Walker? Don't tell me she's-"
"Yeah, that's Adrian's little sister." Nick interrupted.
"Do you think Jugs has a chance of winning this one?" AJ asked.
Lying down on the bench Nick replied staring at the ceiling. "Not likely. Lainey may not be anywhere near Adrian's level but, unlike Bria she's had extensive training."
Hearing the conversation Jasmine began to worry, asking out loud "So are you saying that she's screwed?"
"I wouldn't go that far, but this doesn't look like it'll end well for her."
As the battle began Bria rushed to the smaller girl throwing a heavy punch at her stomach. Shockingly there was no contact making Bria lose her balance and nearly fall over. Turning around she saw Lainey sitting on the opposite side of the stage twirling her finger in her hair. "What are you doing?" she asked still giggling.
"How did you?" Bria began but stopped and rushed the girl again, but as before her target vanished only to appear behind her again.
"She's fast." Bria said to herself making a mental note that her speed couldn't match Lainey as she attempted to devise a better plan of action.
Lainey, deciding Bria wasn't on the same level that she was, dashed in releasing a flurry of strikes to her torso, not noticing Bria's eyes begin to glow an off-white color and finishing with a hard kick to her side knocking her to the ground.
Seeing her teammate facedown on the floor Jasmine called out to her, "C'mon Bria, you have to get up. You're stronger than this." before she could finish Bria began to slowly rise, her body glowing slightly. "Guys what's going on?" Jasmine asked
"Looks like she has a chance of winning now." Quinton said closely watching Bria walk towards Lainey.
"What are you talking about? What's that light?" she asked again.
Looking over Jeremy answered, "That "light" is the first step to awakening your spirit, we went through it a few years ago and sooner or later you will. Just watch the rest carefully
Seeing her opponent back on her feet Lainey turned back to her and unleashed another barrage this time stronger than before. Even though being hit with numerous powerful strikes Bria did not seem phased. Seeing an opening in Lainey's attack pattern Bria countered with a hard punch into her chest sending her flying across the stage.
Before Lainey could move in to attack Bria a voice called out from Team Genbu's side, "Lainey! Don't hold back! You need to finish this NOW!". The voice belonged to Will. Hearing her ally's voice Lainey focused covering herself in a bright yellow light and ran along the edge of the ring picking up more and more speed with each turn until she was little more than a blur. After disappearing from normal human sight she used her speed to increase the power of her punch as she directed herself towards Bria.
As if sensing her location despite her speed Bria still radiating energy was able to counter, the two girls' fists colliding as their power struggle raged. The force of the contact was strong enough to be felt by the onlookers standing on the front row. Their auras melded together creating a explosion of energy that nearly destroyed the stage and filled the area with smoke.
Waiting for the smoke to clear both teams looked on surprised that the two were able to create such a commotion in their public debut.
After a few minutes the gas began to disperse revealing Bria collapsed and Lainey shakily standing as a roar escaped the crowd watching the match.
Rushing from their zone, Jeremy, AJ and Jasmine ran to their unconscious fighter. "C'mon Jugs, hah who do you think you are? Surprising people like that." AJ said lifting her onto his back.
"Is she gonna be okay?" Lainey asked leaning against a black haired teammate with Will and a blonde haired boy with a skateboard behind. stopping in front of AJ she waited.
"Yeah, she should be fine. You really put on a show." AJ said
"Thanks." she said seeing the dark-skinned boy helping her starring AJ down through his slightly tinted glasses.
"You're AJ right? The one who gave Adrian a bloody nose?" he asked AJ nodding in response. "I'm Terrell, are you as strong as they said?"
"What you wanna find out?" AJ asked "I'm in the fourth match, if you wanna go meet me then." He said walking past them.
Watching Lainey getting helped up the stairs Will and the blonde boy walking with him moved towards Jeremy and Jasmine. "Man that was a little more than I expected." Will said grinning shaking hands with Jeremy. "Oh. Is she going to fight next?" He asked looking at Jasmine.
"Yeah, this is Jasmine." Jeremy said.
"Nice to meet ya." Jasmine said nervously.
"Likewise. Oh before I forget, this is Trent he'll be your opponent."
"What's up." Trent said pushing his hair back with his hand revealing black nail polish and a spiked band on his wrist. "Oh yeah fair warning, I can't really control myself in a fight so if I hurt you sorry."
His words making Jasmine angry, before she could respond Jeremy placed his hand on her shoulder. "Have fun." He said walking away as the two readied themselves.
Authors Notes: Well guys, I need to cut this chapter shorter than I intended seeing as i'm running close to the deadline I set for myself, I should have chapter 8 ready by mid February, and also another original story I'm thinking of calling "Reapers" so thanks for reading.
