The Grand Final
Chapter 10: Tournament Begins
That event happened to be another tournament during the second year when all of the teams had met. Nicholas decided to enter in it and it would be his third one. The part Cerinian stated that is he won this he would enter one more time and win again. Then he would stop to let others have a chance. He talked to Fox, Fara, and Krystal and after thinking about it, they also decided to enter as well.
"Just make sure you do your best," the part Cerinian told each of them when they had agreed to do so. "I'm certain you'll make it to the finals." The other three did whatever they could to train even harder than they were already doing. All in an effort to have a chance at beating Nicholas.
At last the day came for the determining rounds. To no one's surprise, Nicholas made it to the finals. He then watched as Fox, Krystal, and Fara made it as well. The other vulpine knew that fighting against them would be a challenge no matter what. He was going to make sure to use Hiita's Rage only as a last option.
"Things will be different when we fight," said Fox with a cocky grin. The two vulpines were talking on the day before the finals.
"Are you saying you'll win?"
"Maybe."
"Well trying to do so is a goal to work for," responded the part Cerinian. "There's just one thing I have to ask you. What will happen if you go up against Krystal?" The thought hadn't come to Fox by the look on his face. He didn't say anything.
"All I can say is that I don't want you to throw the match or lose on purpose is you end up going against that vixen," said Nicholas. "But maybe you won't go up against her at all."
"But what if I do?" asked the other vulpine. "I couldn't hurt her."
"Well then just do what I will if I go up against Fara. I feel the same way as you with Krystal when it comes to her. But I can't let that get in my way. So the best thing that I will do is knock her out of bonds as quickly as possible without getting too rough."
Fox let that sink in for a minute. "That sounds like a good alternative."
"If it should happen, try that," said Nicholas.
X
The day of the finals came bright and early. It found Nicholas awakening with a stretch and yawn. The vulpine hopped out of the bed, excited for today. He then got ready before heading down to Fara's room. To his surprise she was up as well.
"Hey there," said Nicholas. "I see you're up." The vixen nodded. "Nervous?"
"A little," responded Fara.
"Don't worry; I was as well when I competed for the first time. You'll do fine." The two made their way to the kitchen to eat something. Just as they were finishing, the rest of their team got up to join them. They all wished the two foxes good luck.
All too soon the time came to head to the stadium where the finals would take place. They meet up with everyone they knew at the front before Nicholas, Fara, Fox, and Krystal went to the room where the other finalist waited to be determined who would fight against who in the first round.
The other species who were competing as well regarded them. Nicholas and Fara were more well known to them because of what they had done in the war against Shade. But they had seen Fox and Krystal fight during the determining rounds; they knew that these two were strong and would be a real challenge.
"It seems everyone has gathered." The finalist turned to see a male crocodile, the same one that had been the announcer during the tournament that Nicholas had first won. Another lottery then happened to determine who would fight in the first round. When that was finished, the finalist where taken to a waiting room. The males and females then went into different changing rooms to put on their combat outfits. Nicholas wore the same one he had worn during the very first tournament he had won. Fox's was exactly like the part Cerinian's only the colors were in orange. Fara's outfit consisted of short pants colored white with a single pink line where the leg parts ended. There were spaces on the sides so that if she had the spiral tattoos those could have been seen. Her entire upper body was exposed; only a white colored bra covered her chest. It had a section that went up and around her neck. Another section colored pink went behind her back. The vixen had been embarrassed by the outfit at first, but realized there wasn't a need to be when she saw some of the other female competition wearing outfits similar to hers. After that, the cloths made Fara feel sexy and beautiful. Krystal on the other hand was wearing a combination of tournament cloths and her old Cerinian outfit. The upper part of her body had the old stuff she had been in when Fox had first seen her, but the bottom part of her body was covered by long white pants that had a single golden colored line at the end of each leg section. Like Fara's there was a space left open on each side so that the spiral tattoos on the Cerinian's legs could be seen.
Fox stole a glance at Krystal when she entered the waiting room after changing. As usual, she was beautiful. The vulpine blushed and quickly looked away. Nicholas was like that when he spotted Fara. They turned their attention to the field where the finalists would fight. The crocodile announcer went out and greeted the audience. In just a little bit the first two fighters were called out. During this time Nicholas spoke to the other three.
"Remember this; do your best. This is not a matter of wining or loosing. This is a way to test yourself and see how strong you really are." Fox, Krystal, and Fara nodded.
The matches kept going. Finally it was the semifinals. The ones left were the four foxes. And The next fight was Nicholas against Fox.
"Good luck," said Krystal to the leader of her team. The two were called out.
"If he wins this fight, it will be incredible," commented Fara.
"Fox is strong," sated the Cerinian.
"Yes, but so is Nicholas. Although I guess there is a chance Fox could win."
"But still… Nicholas has that release," thought Fara. "If he uses that, Fox won't stand a chance. But I know Nicholas won't use it unless he has no other choice."
The two vulpines emerged out onto the stage. Everyone was watching, from friends, family, and all rulers. Even Thika and her mother were watching. The young part Cerinian was doing well even after what had happened to her. But she still suffered nightmares and was taking medication to help her with it in addition to talking to a psychologist. But she had been young when it had happened and in time those things would go away.
"Now ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the semi-finals to begin!" shouted the announcer crocodile into his mike. The audience let out a roar. "Only one of these vulpines will go on to the finals! One of them, Nicholas McCoy a two time winner, has shown us that he still has it! His opponent Fox McCloud on the other hand has amazed us so far and will continue to do so! Who will win this? The part Cerinian or the non Cerinian from the Lylat? It could be anyone's game! Now for a change of scenery!" He snapped his fingers and the stage changed until it became a valley with rocks and plants. "These two will fight on the valley field! Now let the match begin!"
The two vulpines activated their beam weapons. Fox had a sword while Nicholas used his double bladed ax. The next second the two had charged forward and met with their weapons hissing. The part Cerinian cracked a grin. But the non just had a look of concentration on his face.
"It seems I'm going to have a challenge now," responded Nicholas and spun around, twirling his weapon in his paws. He struck but found that Fox had moved back so he missed. The beam weapon got the rock and sliced it off.
"I didn't think you'd be able to dodge that."
"Same here," panted Fox. "Now it's my turn." The vulpine charged forward and began to attack to get the beam weapon out of Nicholas's paws. The other fox just blocked or dogged the attacks. Nicholas then jumped back onto a rock that put him on higher ground from the other fighter. He was grinning.
"Nicely done, Fox," said the part Cerinian. Everyone could see that despite Nicholas's abilities, the leader of Star Fox had managed to cut his left cheek. Nicholas wiped the blood away. "You've become an excellent fighter. One who is worthy to wield a Cerinian weapon. I'm impressed by how strong you've become. Now show me more of what you can do!"
Fox flicked his right wrist and out came his Cerinian weapon. He switched the beam sword to his left paw as his right caught the other one. Nicholas's eyes widened in shock for a second. He then realized that Fara must have trained Fox to do this.
"You really are an interesting guy," said the part Cerinian. His opponent charged with a yell and came at the other vulpine head on.
"We are seeing an incredible fight!" yelled the announcer. "Both foxes are going at it!"
Fox then went on the defensive as Nicholas began to attack. The vulpine didn't think as he blocked each move. Then his opponent struck with a kick. It got the leader of Star Fox in the stomach that sent him back into a wall of rock. The impact made the vulpine grunt in pain. His eyes widened as Nicholas came in. Fox raised both of his weapons and stopped the other male.
"You've lasted longer than I thought you would," said the leader of Star Flight, pressing down even further with his strength. "But this fight is now over."
"We'll see," growled Fox. Twisting his swords around, he knocked out the part Cerinian's beam weapon out of his paws Before his opponent could react, the vulpine kicked him in the gut which sent Nicholas back. Fox then charged forward with his weapons.
"Fists of Cerinia," growled the other vulpine and brought out his weapon. His left one stopped Fox's sword in his right paw by catching the wrist. The other deflected the beam sword so that it was knocked out of his opponent's left paw.
"Incredible!" shouted the announcer. "Both beam weapons have been taken out! Now it will be Cerinian weapon against Cerinian weapon!"
Nicholas launched a fist at Fox with his left, but the vulpine caught it, stopping the attack. The two then attacked with their knees, but these attempts got blocked. Both of them were locked together.
"It seems we're done with the warmup," said Nicholas with a grin. "Now the real fight begins."
"It seems that way," responded Fox with a smile. The two then came apart before attacking with a combination of their weapons, fists, and legs.
"I don't believe it…" said Wolf as the lupine watched this in amazement from the audience. Luna was next to him, not saying a word.
Krystal and Fara were just looking on as the vulpine that they secretly loved kept it up. And certain points Fox would get Nicholas with his attacks and the part Cerinian was either got slashed, punched, or kicked. Then he would get the non Cerinian back in the same way with the claws on his weapon, fists, and legs. Sometimes he would use the speed booster technique which Fox was able to doge or stop most of the time. But a few managed to allow Nicholas to land a hit.
How long the fight went on, nobody could tell. Both males were bruised, beaten, bleeding, and panting.
"Spiraling Fire!" shouted Fox and pointed his Cerinian weapon at Nicholas. From the tip of the sword came orange colored energy that looked like fire in a spiral shape that moved fast. The part Cerinian was too slow to move and got hit by it in the stomach. This caused him to go to one knee.
"He's strong…" thought Nicholas. "He's stronger than I thought he would be. If this keeps up, I'll have no choice but to use my release." He stood up.
"You really are strong," the part Cerinian stated. "You've even managed to avoid my attacks while I used the speed booster technique."
"I don't plan on loosing," said Fox. "I will beat you." He charged again and launched some Fire Projectiles which his opponent deflected.
"No, it will be the other way around," stated Nicholas and used the speed booster technique again. His opponent was able to see with his eyes where he was going.
"You're on my left!" shouted the leader of Star Fox. He took a swing with his sword at his opponent. His eyes then widened with shock as the image of Nicholas disappeared.
"You're over there!" yelled Fox and fired his Cerinian Beam technique which was colored dark orange and white. The part Cerinian this time countered with his. It caused an explosion creating a cloud of dust and broken rock.
"A fierce attack has happened on the field!" shouted the announcer.
"Damn it!" growled Fox. "I can't see a thing!" It then began to clear up and the vulpine could see again. But Nicholas was nowhere to be found. "Where did he go?!"
Krystal looked up and saw the part Cerinian. "Above you!" she shouted. Too late; Nicholas came down on Fox's head with his right elbow. The vulpine staggered forward.
"He… got me…" groaned Fox before falling down onto the ground, not moving. The part Cerinian was panting.
"Fox is down!" the announcer yelled. "One… Two…" Nicholas stood up as those who knew the fallen male where shouting at him to get up.
"Save your breath," Nicholas muttered. "By the time he will be able to get up, it will be too late."
"Nine… Ten!" went the announcer. "Fox McCloud has been knocked out! Nicholas McCoy is the winner and will head to the finals!"
"He lost…" whispered Krystal. Fara on the other hand just stared at the vulpine she loved. If she had to go up against him, there would be no doubt that she would loose against Nicholas.
X
The two were then taken to the healing pods after the fight along with their beam weapons. It only took a bit to get them healed up.
"I can't believe I lost," stated Fox.
"But you did well," said Nicholas. "You've come a long way." The other vulpine smirked at that. They then returned to the waiting room to see the next fight against Krystal and Fara.
"Now the second semi-final match is here!" shouted the announcer. "The winner of this will go up against Nicholas McCoy in the finals?! Now will Fara Phoenix and Krystal come out!" The vixens emerged to the roar of the crowd.
"These two have shown us incredible fights! One of them is none other than the famous pure Cerinian Krystal! She has shown tremendous fighting ability! On the other side Fara Phoenix is the second non Cerinian to enter in this tournament! She has shown to be just as strong as Fox McCloud with her strength! Who will win is anyone's guess! Now let the scenery change!" The area morphed and shifted into until it became a garden like area with pillars surrounding it.
"They will fight on the imperial garden stage!" shouted the announcer. "Now let the last semi-final match begin!" Fara and Krystal activated the beam sword they had with them and charged, meeting in the middle with a clash.
Author's notes: How was that? I don't know if I did just as well like the first time or if this could have been done better.