Chapter 44: The Fateful Battle: The Ashura Vs The God Of War

Nick had Mike had each other's fists in their faces. Everbody was shocked by what they saw.

"They had their fists in each other's face for nearly a minute." Ruby said.

"They're gauging each other's strength." Pyrrha took notice of cross counter.

"By the sound of those punches. You wouldn't had thought that." Coco said.

"No kidding. Imagine not being one of them and getting struck by that?" Kevin said.

"Well damn... I was hoping that you would've dropped in one hit." Mike had a grin on his face.

"Funny... I was hoping the same thing." Nick said. The two then dropped their fist before backing away.

"I think we're done with the introduction. Now then, let's star-."

(Fire Force OST: Guren)

"Ashura Style:Tetsui" He had no time to react as he was rocked by an aura infused strike. Sending him back.

"He got the first strike!" Sun yelled.

"Holy crap... you predictied my move?" Mike touched the side of his face.

"Tetsui" He didn't have time to respond again as he was rocked again by another strike. He was sent back again as Nick rushed forward.

"Ashura Style: Tetsui Rendan" Nick continued to launch a flurry of strikes at Mike, who could only block the incoming attacks.

"Look at him go." Torren said

"He's not giving him a chance!" Ruby said in shock.

"Come on Mikey!" Yang yelled.

"Tsubame Gaeshi" Mike tried to back away, but Nick continued to charge forth as he began launching unpredictable punches. His hands was then caught by Mike's grasp.

"Got ya!" Mike began to grin as he pushed Nick back. "I'm impressed! To think you were able to get the first strike! Let me guess? You predicted my attack through foresight, right?"

"Come on Nick! Push him back!" Ruby yelled.

Nick didn't say a word as he was concentrating on pushing Mike back. He was having a hard time due to the him being taller and having more upper body strength than him. However, he saw an opening. And seeing that, he went straight for it. With a kick to the crotch.

Mike winced in pain as he bit down on his lip to not yell.

"Oooooo!" Kevin cringed at the sight.

"That's right Nick! Aim for the balls!" Nora yelled out.

"Hey! That's my man's junk you're injuring!" Yang yelled.

Many other female students began yelling at Nick.

"How could you aim there?!"

"That's dirty!"

"Are you ok Mike?!"

Nick didn't stop there. He then struck Mike in the jaw with a knee strike. "Ashura Style: Shidare Yanagi" Nick grabbed Mike's head as he flipped him over and slammed him face first into the ground. He then delivered a punt kick to Mike's jaw, sending him across the arena.

"Holy crap... Mike's getting his ass kicked." Kevin then glanced at Yang, who was glaring at him. "Uhhh... I mean... hang in there Mike!"

Everybody else was in a complete shock. To think that the same Mike, who can easily beat four students, was just kicked like a football. However, they knew just how strong Nick was.

"Kick that monster's ass!" Cardin yelled out.

Mike was able to flip back into a standing position. "Damn... that hurts like a bitch..." He winced in pain from the blow. "That's what I get for not paying attention though."

"You've always been cocky." Nick joked. "If I had known about these easy openings back then, maybe I wouldn't have all of those losses."

"Oh! You won't get another chance like that!"

"Michael!" Glynda yelled. "Are you fine? Can you still fight?"

"What?! Of course I can! I only got kicked in the nuts!"

"How... can he be so calm about that?" Jaune shuddered at thought of it possibly being him.

The two soon got back into their fighting stances. Mike didn't have a chance as Nick rushed forth.

"Ashura Style: Tetsui" Mike took another strike to the face, then to the chest. Mike threw a lightning fast straight at Nick, however.

"Hibashiri" He struck an afterimage as Nick quickly sidestepped out of the way. "Tetsui" And was caught by a liver blow. Mike increased his aura in that spot to mitigate the damage.

"You can do it Nick!" Ruby yelled.

"Come on Nick! Come on Mike!" Kevin yelled.

"You can do it you two!" Penny yelled.

Nick continued to deliver punches and kicks. 'I can do this! I will do this! I've been doing great so far! I just need to keep the pressure on-' However both his wrists was caught in Mike's grip.

"I think... I gave you enough free shots." Nick got a good look at Mike's face. Not even a scratch was on there.

"Swaying your face at the time the punch connects to reduce the damage." Nick gritted his teeth. "Should've known." He went to aim for another kick to the crotch. However, they were easily blocked.

"So that's why his aura barely went down." Blake took notice of the effective technique.

"What exactly did he do?" Jaune asked.

"Apparently, fighters have a technique to mitigate damage by moving their faces by the time the strike connects. Hence why he didn't take any damage." Everybody looked at Blake with surprise. "What? I learned it from a martial arts comic that Nick was reading."

"Besides that kick to the crotch. He does seem perfectly fine." Sun said.

Pyrrha diverted her focus on Mike. "This... will really be Guren's most difficult fight yet."

"Now then, lets see you grit those teeth!" Nick felt the same aura that Mike always emits as he pulled back his fist. Expanding his muscles. Nick began to pull with all his might, but couldn't break free.

"War style: Devastator" An incredibly powerful straight struck Nick in the jaw. The power was enough to cause him to spiral in the air. Everbody couldn't believe the destructive power in that punch.

"One strike...did that?" Weiss couldn't believe it. Nick looked like he was just winning. And one punch was enough to turn the tides.

Glynda saw Nick's aura meter. It went down to eighty-three percent. 'An attack of such force should've brought his aura down to the sixties. However, it stopped at 83.

"I remember you saying that those two, before attending the academy, were fighters in an underground arena." Ironwood said as he turned to Ozpin.

"Yes. I did mention that. However... I recruited them for more than that. Maybe the reason will present itself later on in thime match."

Nick soon landed on the floor. He then looked up at Mike.

"Gotta hand it to you little bro." Mike said as he stretched his legs. "You've sure improved alot. Swaying your face to minimize the damage. Not bad."

"If you think... a simple straight is gonna put me down." Nick got back up without any trouble. "Then you surely don't know how much I've grown." He soon got back into his fighting stance.

"Trust me when I say this. I know exactly how much you've grown."

The audience continued to cheer loudly.

"Now then. Let's see that growth!" Mike then stomped forward. Which was strong enough to create cracks on the ground. Winding his upper body to its highest degree. "War Style: Fierce Typhoon" Nick blocked the beyond superhuman back fist. But it's strength was too much. Sending him flying towards the wall.

"What... power." Yang was speechless. "He's really not holding back... is he?"

"No kidding. It was enough to send him crashing into the wall." Sun and everybody looked at the giant hole that was made.

"Come on Nick! I hope that wasn't it?!" Mike placed his hands on his hips. "It'd be really boring if that's the case!"

'Dammit... even with Golden Time's Aura amplification, I still felt that impact in my bones. That would've definitely killed a normal person.' Nick then stood up, and took a deep breath. 'Allow my body to melt like water. And burst forth like flames.' He relaxed his body crouched down into a sprinting position pressing his right leg onto the wall.

"Ashura Style:..." With a huge burst of speed, Nick dashed forth. "Dai Rekka" (Great Heavenly Fire)" And crashed into Mike's chest and grabbing his waist.

"What speed."

"He just moved as fast as Ruby and Kevin!" Yang yelled out.

"But what exactly is he doing?" Blake wondered.

"Maybe a takedown?" Coco replied.

"Come on Nick! A grabbing move?!" However, Nick kept running. Not paying any mind to what he was saying.

"I think... he's going to crash into that wall." Ren said. He took notice of how Nick hasn't made and maneuvers.

"Wait... you're kidding right?!" Sun said.

It seems that what Ren said was true. As the speed that Nick was running in caused he and Mike to crash into a wall and send both of them out of the academy.

"What the?!"

"Did he really?!"

"They're outside!"

Many students couldn't believe what Nick was doing. Glynda was not pleased at what she saw. They basically destroyed school property! "I swear! I'm-"

"Let them continue Glynda." The huntress was shocked that Ozpin did not want the fight to stop.

"But this is no longer combat training!"

"To them... it never was combat training." Ozpin then activated a monitor large enough to show the Bell Brothers. Who were fighting while falling at the same time.

"Woah..." Kevin was lost for words. "I never knew we were that high up."

"Is Nick insane?! What was he thinking, launching both he and Mike through that wall?!" Weiss said. "And from such a height!"

"Woahwoahwoahwoah! What the hell?!" Mike was shocked to see how high up they were. They were falling into the courtyard at high speeds. He noticed that Nick still had him by the waist. He went to knee him in the stomach, but it had no effect as it was block.

"What's the matter? Afraid of heights?!" Nick grabbed Mike by both of his legs.

"He wouldn't!" Everybody watched as Nick soon began to flip in the air while going downward in high velocity.

"What is he about to do?" Ruby wondered.

"Ashura Style: Hyakki Nagi(Hundred Demon Drop)" With great force he threw Mike. He was flipping uncontrollably until he crashed into the fountain and into the water.

Nick planted his feet onto the wall of the building and redirected himself towards the fountain area.

"Oh man..."

"Is he ok?"

"A move like that... from such a height... would've definitely killed somebody." Torren said, as he was unknowingly spilling soda over Weiss' lap.

"Torren!" She gritted her teeth in anger at his clumsiness.

"What..." He took notice of his mistake. "Heh heh... my bad."

Nick looked into the fountain. The water began to bubble until a huge explosion erupted. Mike jumped out of the water.

"Are you fucking insane?!" Mike yelled.

'He was thinking the same thing as us.' Everybody couldn't believe it. Mike actually survived that throw.

"Insane? Maybe? But... against you? I'm willing to try something crazy for once."

"Is that so?" In an instant, Mike was within Nick's space. Not having time to react, Nick's face was completely pushed in by Mike's open palm. The sound was enough to unnerve everybody. "Then maybe I should smack some sense into you then!"

"That sound..." Ruby said. "It sounded... like thunder."

The force of the open palm strike sentence Nick to the ground face first. He could only roll around in pain as Mike looked on.

"That... that had to hurt." Kevin subconsciously rubbed his face.

"The strength of that strike had enough force to decapitate a human without any aura." Penny said.

'Thank god for aura.' Everybody thought.

Mike proceeded to walk towards Nick. However, he knew that Mike was coming. Nick then sprung upward using only one arm.

"Ashura Style Tesui" He made an attempt to deliver an uppercut to the chin. Due to the stinging semsation of his face, he was off by a mile. Mike then caught him with another open palm strike.

"He... he caught him mid air..." Velvet said.

"Come on Nick... stop... being... predictable! " This time he threw him across the courtyard. Destroying a few pillars along the way.

"He did that... with just a slap." Jaune and the others could only stare at the destruction of the courtyard. Mike stopped walking as he saw Nick getting up. Using Golden Time to heal his injuries.

"Gotta say. He has some grit." Mercury said. "I don't think I could stand after taking such a beating like that."

Cinder kept her focus on Nick. Mainly on the golden markings that appeared on his body.

"Tch... I forgot you can heal yourself." Mike began to pout. "I don't know why I keep hoping you just go down for the count."

"Come on. Even if those smacks stung like a bitch." Nick then had a grin on his face. "They were still nothing compared to what Bambi use to do to us."

"Well I was trying to imitate her. Remember that time when we embarrassed her at the market?"

"Yeah. And she smacked the both of us so hard, everybody heard it." Mike began to laugh loud as Nick laughed alonside him.

"I wonder what they're laughing about?" Ruby wondered.

"Childhood memories." Blake said with a smile.

"Alright! Enough talking about embarrassing stories."

Nick soon took a deep breath before rubbing his hands together. "Yeah. It's time to rumble." Nick then jumped forth at Mike. "Ashura Style: Tesui Mourasouken (Iron Flurry Strike)" He began launching numerous punches and kicks at him.

"Ryūjin" However, none of the attacks worked as Mike delfected each strike effortlessly. From their point of view, it looked as if they were moving at normal speed.

"He's attacking so fast!" Jaune tried to strain his eyes to keep up with the movements of the two.

"It's basically impossible to keep up with speed like this." Weiss said.

"He's using Guren's redirection technique." Even though Pyrrha couldn't see it just like the others, she can tell just exactly what's going on.

"Wait! You can see that?!" Ruby said. "It's all a blur!"

"No... but it's quite obvious as to what's happening right now."

"And he's deflecting each strike like it's nothing!" Sun and Blake were able to keep up their speed due to their enhanced eyesights.

"Wait? Really?!" Ruby couldn't keep up with the speed herself. It looked as if Nick was just flailing around while Mike was standing still.

"Yeah." Kevin activated his semblance. He was able to see every strike being blocked in slow motion. Low kicks, hooks, uppercuts, and mid center strikes. "And that sound..."

"It sounds like... engines." Torren said. "That's exactly how strong... and how fast those attacks are."

"He's attacking with incredible accuracy. Not a single move in those flurry of attacks is sloppy in anyway." Penny was also to see the exchange of attacks.

Nick then back away. "Damn... not a single attack landed."

"Those really stung. Having to deflect each strike." Mike began to shake his hands to dull the pain.

"Well let's see how much this stings when you get hit by this!" Nick raised his arms in the air. His hands were completely open before closing them. He then crounched down with his arms in a punching motion.

"What? That cannonball move you did to Mercury? That won't work on me." He suddenly saw the same six armed entity from when they fought days ago.

"I know... that's why I needed to obtain a move that even you will have a hard time going up against." He then pounced forward while performing a full body spinning tackle.

"Ashura Style: Musou Chigiguruma" Nick began to spiral towards Mike at terrifying speeds.

"Oh wow! Such a cool move!" Ruby was extremely impressed by the technique.

"So he's charging forth like a drill. A move like that will definitely do some damage." Ren said.

'What type of move is that?! I gotta block it!" Mike placed his gaurd up. He was being pushed back with tremendous force before crashing into the fountain and destroying it completely.

"The... fountain..." Glynda couldn't believe the force of that attack completely destroyed the entire fountain.

Jaune took notice of the floor. "Guys look!"

"What?" Kevin's jaw dropped. "Just... how much force... was in that attack?!" The ground as the saw it was destroyed.

"Chrome must've had to plant his feet on the ground to prevent himself from taking too much damage." Pyrrha stared at what use to be the fountain as water began gushing from the ground. 'I didn't think Guren would have a move like that.' She then had a smile in her face.

"Hey Pyrrha? You seem happy about something?" Nora said.

"Huh?! Uhhh... I'm just... enjoying the fight so far!" She then turned her face away from Nora in an attempt to hide herself blushing.

"That attack was different from that shoulder charge move he normally does." Yang said. "Had Mikey not blocked it, that move would've tore right through his aura."

"Without it. That's broken bones." Torren added.

The two were completely soaked and wet from the gushing water of the destroyed fountain.

"Man... I spent 2500 lien on this jacket." Mike sadly looked at his jacket.

"Aren't you impressed by what i just did?" Nick asked in annoyance.

"I am! That move was awesome! What's it called?!"

"Musou Chigirguruma (Peerless Thousand Tree Shrine Wheel)" Nick said. 'Although I had to borrow that move. Not that I'm proud of it.'

"Gotta say. If I hadn't blocked it in time, I'd probably would've lost alot of aura. Mind if I use that move sometime?"

"I don't really care if you do."

(Blazblue: Central Fiction OST: Hakaishin)

Mike then sadly looked at his coat. "Well... it was enjoyable while it lasted." Mike tore off his ruined coat and shirt. Revealing an extremely muscular and well toned body. Nearly all the entire female student body couldnt help but squeal.

"Woah..." Emerald muttered. Her face was extremely red from the sight.

"Oh my god, you can grind meat on those abs." Weiss muttered.

"You can do plenty more than that!" Yang was drooling from of her mouth at the sight.

"Somebody hold her down before we witness a rated R scene here?" Kevin said.

"How come everybody's excited?" Penny asked. "Is it because he has 2 percent body fat?"

"How can you not be excited?!" Yang yelled.

Blake couldn't help but turn red also. But then she saw something that surprised her. "That's a huge scar he has on his chest and his back."

"Yeah... and judging from the size... that was a wound made to kill." Pyrrha said. "I wonder... how did he get such a gruesome wound like that?"

"Well however he got it? I think his "hotness meter" just gone off the charts!" Coco was also drooling.

"Seriously... we need to chain you two down." Kevin said.

Mike looked at Nick, whose expression was surprisingly calm.

"Don't tell me you still feel bad about this?" Mike pointed to his scar.

"No... at least... not any more." Nick had a small smile on his face. Since finding out that he was the who killed the creature that did that two him. He felt that the burden was finally lifted

"That's good to hear." Mike was no longer smiling as he got into a stance. He dashed forth and struck Nick square in the jaw. The force of the punch made his face ripple. However, this was what the Ashura wanted to happen. He wrapped his right leg around Mike's neck.

"That move." Mercury muttered.

"He's going for that arm lock submission!" Kevin yelled out. However, it had a small twist to it. He struck Mike in the jaw with his left knee. He shifted his body while placing all of his weight on his back. Slamming him chin first into the ground.

"It's different from before." Blake said.

"How so? Isn't it just like what he did to Mercury?" Asked Ruby.

"It... almost looked like a tiger... biting at the neck of it's prey." Ren said.

"Ashura Style: Kaoh Kami (King Tiger's Bite)" Mike couldn't properly move due to his brain rattling in his skull.

"Come on Mikey! Break out of it!" Yang yelled.

"That strike to the jaw hurts like hell. But it left you wide open." Nick had a toothy grin as Mike was flailing around.

'Shit... he got me! He basically struck me in my jaw to keep me from moving around!' Mike was moiving around like a wild bull due to his dazed state.

"So he modified the technique in order to utilize the arm lock to it's fullest potential." Pyrrha had a small smile in her face. "Guren's really incredible."

"Did you say something Pyrrha?" Nora asked.

"Oh! I was just... thinking out loud. That's all."

'Just calm down Mike. The more you move, the faster you'll tire yourself out. Especially in this state.' Mike then began taking deep breaths.

"There's no way you can break out of it Mike! The more pressure I add, the faster your aura will go down!" Nick suddenly realized that Mike stopped moving.

"That's where you're wrong." Mike then lifted Nick and himself with his free arm as he rose from the ground. Nick couldn't belive it.

"He's... getting up." Jaune muttered.

"Shidare Yanagi" Mike then threw Nick towards the ground with tremendous force.

"That was Nick's redirection technique!" Ruby said.

"Ashura Style: Oni Kabuto" Due to tightening his muscles, Nick was able to mitigate the damage. However, Mike kicked him on his side, sending him flying across the courtyard.

"I can't believe how long this fight lasted. But now... I will end it right here." Mike then took a deep breath. Placing one arm back, one arm forward. Then he properly planted his feet on the ground. After releasing his breath, a huge shockwave spread across the arena.

"That stance... it's just like thay time." Yang knew too well. It was from when Mike fought Team CRDL.

"Tightening your muscles to reduce the damage." He walked up to Nick as he held his side in pain. "Don't worry, I know just the trick to tenderize them. "He grabbed Nick by his leg. "War Style: Hevenly Thunderbolt" He then proceeded to rapidly slam Nick all over the place. The force of the slams sounding like lightning crashing down.

"That... sound..." Ruby held her ears together. "It's just like that time."

"Except... much worse." Jaune said.

"It... like he's a human hammer." Sun muttered.

"Guren!" Pyrrha yelled out.

'Damn... even Oni Kabuto is worthless. He's putting all of his power into each slam.' Nick's body bounced up from the impact.

"War Style: Nine Strikes: Certain Kill" As Nick's body was in the air, the fist strike consisted of a turning side kick. Causing him to spiral out of control. The second strike was well timed uppercut to the jaw. Causing him to flip uncontrollably. The third was a cartwheel kick to the chin that slammed him into the ground.

"I'm not done yet!" He then grabbed Nick's legs. Performing a flip to slam him face first into the ground.

Everybody was shocked by the speed Mike was performing each move. This fight seem to be going towards a different direction.

"Ummm... is it just me or..."

"No... I think... they're no longer viewing this as combat training." Blake finished what Weiss was going to say. "They probably... never viewed it as such since the start of the match."

"Yeah... it's... more like a deathmatch." Torren said.

Coco and her teammates were shocked by how brutal Mike was as he continued the combination attack. He then took Nick's face and smash it into his knee. Before throwing him up into the air. Once he was withing the distance, Mike then pulled his fist back as his muscles expanded.

"War style: Void" And launched a powerful mid center strike at his stomach. The force sent him flying towards the fountain. "Rekka" Mike dashed at him to get behind him. Digging a knee into Nick's back before kicking him high into the air. With Mike jumping just as high as he sent him.

"This is... too much." Coco muttered.

"No kidding. He was able to connect each attack without missing a beat." Fox said.

"What... is he going to do?" Torren said as he stuffed popcorn into his mouth.

Everybody watched as Mike then grabbed Nick as he ignited his gauntelts and greaves. He then proceeded to spin himself and Nick downwards like a drill of flames. "War Style: Sun Wheel"

"What kind of move is that?!" Kevin said in shock.

"He's... like a ball of flames crashing down." Ruby could only watch as he continued to fall down. "Nick! You gotta get out of that!"

"He can't." Ren said. "I think he's unconscious."

The two came crashing down to the ground like a speeding bullet. Some students began to whisper in worry.

"Why... isn't Ms. Goodwitch stopping this?"

"This is becoming brutal."

Penny was scanning Nick and Mike's aura levels. She was shocked, they still have over half of their aura reserves. "They... still have aura."

"But how?! What he dulid should've put him into the red! Or worse, shatter his aura!" Weiss took out her scroll to see Nick and Mike's aura gauges. It was exactly as Penny said. "She's right."

And so everybody did. And to their surprise, Nick was around 53 percent while Mike was at 68 percent.

"But how?!" Ruby asked. "They were just beating the snot out of each other!"

"Minimizing the amount of aura that they release." Everybody turned towards Ren. "They know that battles involving aura can end as quick as it can begin. So they're using as little aura as possible. At the cost of more damage of course."

"So they're trying to make the match last as long as they can." Kevin said. "They're... just amazing."

Nick was completely knocked unconscious from the attack. Mike then released his grab before stepping out of the small crater.

"You've really gotten strong." Mike was breathing a bit heavily. "Four years ago, you couldn't even land a single hit on me. Now look at you! Throwing me into fountains." Mike's smile soon became one of a serious expression as he was breathing heavily. "You really pushed me far Nick. I really mean it. I'm proud to have you as not only as my brother, but as an opponent."

"It's been nearly thirty minutes since the fight." Glynda said. "I want to call rhe match but..." she looked at the aura and was surprised by how much they had left.

Pyrrha worriedly looked at Nick. He was not moving a muscle. 'That day, when i saw you on the verge of tears. I should've been there to comfort you. Even though he's your brother, i know that to you, he's your biggest obstacle. And you will climb over it and beat him.' Pyrrha then saw Nick getting back up 'You're much stronger than before. So show Chrome that you're not the same person from four years ago.'

"So get up." She muttered. "You can do it."

To everybody's surprise, Nick was getting up from the extremely fatal piledriver. His face was bloody due to not using enough aura to protect himself from the attack.

"That's right Nick! Don't give up!" Ruby yelled out.

"Mike... you're just... incredible." Mike was surprised to see Nick standing. "You really are... the strongest person I know." He then had a childish smile on his face.

"Come on Nick. You're making me blush." Mike rubbed the back of his head.

"Im serious." Nick said. "To me... you were like the sky that would forever expand. I was only a cloud that could never catch up to you. It's the sky that allows the cloud to move about freely. But someday, I will even reach up the sky itself."

"And you think today is gonna be that day?"

"I don't think. I know."

(Zing: The Emperor feat. Rappbit, Kento Hama)

"Well, let's see!" Mike soon dash forth, as he performed a cartwheel. "War Style: Flame Scythe" Launching a blazing crescent moon kick. However, his foot was suddenly caught. Suddenly, a burst of purple aura soon emerged from Nick as the purple markings appeared over his body. His eyes, now purple.

"Look! Nick activated his semblance!" Ruby yelled.

"Woah..."

"Look at him..."

"That's what he used in a fight with Ms. Goodwitch."

"I know we saw it on the livestream." Velvet muttered. "But it feels... almost sinister. Seeing it in person."

"Almost like... I'm in front of a higher being." Coco said. "What's the name of his semblance?"

"He... called it Witching Hour." Pyrrha said.

"What exactly does it do?" Fox asked.

"All we know is that it increases his physical abilities." Weiss said. "We saw a bit of it during his previous fight and with Torchwick."

"I'm certain... there's more to it." Blake said. "For some reason. It reminds me of Mike's semblance."

"Those markings on his body. Is it just like the ones from what you told me about?"

"It is." Ozpin took a sip of his coffee. "The first time I saw those on him, i couldnt believe it. But now... I'm certain. He has been reincarnated. Possibly alongside the others."

'It seems he's becoming more in tuned with that power.' Cinder thought. 'But to use it like this when in a desperate situation, and not being able not properly wield it... it's a complete waste.'

"There it is..." Mike tried to get his foot out of Nick's grasp. But he realized that he was unable to. His smile soon faded as he was suddenly tossed around violently like a pair of nunchucks.

"Oh wow! That looks like fun!" Nora yelled out.

"I'm sure the ending of it isn't." Jaune got nauseous thinking about being tossed around like that.

Nick thought back to his fight against Goma. And how he was able to use techniques that he thought seemed nearly impossible for him to perform. 'Even though he's the side of me that i hate. It's just like he said. I need to go beyond... what Ashura Style can be!' With all of his might, Nick threw Mike towards the main entrance of the academy. Crashing into the huntsman and huntress statue like a speeding bullet.

"What are they doing?!" Glynda knew that the damage these two were causing is going to fall on her to repair it.

In a blink of an eye, Nick dash towards the entrance. Mike struggled to get up. Coughing up blood as he looked at Nick.

"Dammit!" He threw a right straight at Nick, but had his wrist caught between his index and middle finger. "I... can't break free!"

"Ashura Style: Testu Yuubi(Iron Fingers)" He then swept Mike off his feet. "Shidare Yanagi"

"He knocked him off balance!" Torren yelled.

"Shit..." As he was falling, Mike shifted his body to deliver a kick to Nick's head. However, he easily blocked the attack. The force of the strike caused the ground below him to form web like cracks. Mike tried to back away, but soon found his space invaded by Nick.

"Ashura Style: Murakumo(Floating Cloud)" Once Nick flick his wrist, Mike knew something was coming. He gaurded himself as he was suddenly hit by a multitude of strikes.

Finally getting away from the attack, Mike was able to breathe. "Dammit... was that... a new Ashura Style technique?" He held his wrist as he had to dislocate it in order to break free of Nick's previous assault. He then snapped it back together.

"No. Just something I had to borrow." Delivering a crecent moon kick to his jaw, sending him spirailling out of control.

"Yeah! You show him Nick!" Sun yelled. Yang began glaring at the faunus. "And uhhh... you too Mike!"

Mike soon fell to the floor. He quickly got back to his feet. "Dammit..." But He had no time to react as he was kicked square in the face.

"Come on Mikey!" Yang yelled.

The power of the kick caused him to crash into the stairs. Mike began to rise up. He was grabbed by his arm. Nick then unleashed a flurry of stikes into his stomach.

"You know? I realized how calm Nick has been compared to when he first used his semblance." Kevin said.

"Yeah... we all witnessed how wild he was fighting against Shogun. But now? It's like he's completely calm." Blake had a small smile on her face.

Mike was up in the air, unable to do anything from the onslaught. However, Nick didn't stop there. He launched a flying kick square in the stomach. Mike began coughing up blood. He was sent flying into a wall. Causing cracks to appear behind him.

'Now that I remember. This was like that fight from years ago.' Mike thought. 'That day, Nick was actually close to beating me. However, he ran out of aura. So he did have his semblance before me.' Mike began to fall towards the ground. 'I should... call myself... lucky.' His body then tumbled across the floor. He was knocked unconscious.

"He actually turned it around." Torren said. "This... might actually be Mike's first loss."

Yang was not happy to hear that. "Come on... get up." She whispered.


Yesterday

"Hey Mikey?"

"Huh?"

Mike and Yang were laying in his bed after having an intimate moment the night before the fight.

"Do you...ever feel lonely?"

Mike's eyes widened at the question. "Uhhh no? I mean, why should I, when I have you?!"

"I didn't mean it in that way!" Yang stared into his eyes. "I mean... do you ever feel lonely... knowing that nobody can beat you?"

Mike was surprised. No one has ever asked him a question like that. In Sanctum, he was considered their hope due to his fighting skills and undefeated streak. In Purgatory, he was known as the undefeated God of War. In Beacon, he was known as the strongest first year. While these praises has earned him the fear and respect of his peers, he couldn't help but feel that... "It is... kinda lonely."

"Well... what does it feel like to you?"

"Imagine being at the peak of a mountain. However, only one person can stand on top of it. Many people will try to climb that mountain to knock me off the top... but they never succeeded, and end up falling back down to the bottom." Mike then had a small smile on his face. " However, there comes a few people... who continue to climb that mountain... in hopes of one day claiming the top."

"So... you're hoping that someone defeats you?"

"Maybe I am." Mike then thought about Nick. "If he was to beat me? Maybe I can just plain old Michael Bell."

Yang couldn't help but laugh. "Michael! You are plain old Michael Bell!" Mike was surprised by those words. "At least to me... you are." She nuzzled her head into his neck. "Whether you win... or lose. You'll still be you. And I'll stand by your side. No matter the outcome."

Mike's smile gotten wider. "Even if I was to lose all my muscles and become a hot mess?"

Yang began to laugh even louder. "Now you're pushing it." She then kissed him. "Of course I will."

'Looks like i found a girl who actually rocked my world Luna.'


"Look at him."

"He... don't look too good."

Yang gritted her teeth. "Come on Michael." She whispered. Never had she seen him in such a state like this. And all of those vultures who were screaming were not helping her stay calm.

Mike slowly opened his eyes. 'Dammit... I was... unconscious?' He weakly got up. 'I thought... Goodwitch would've stopped the match by then.' He looked at Nick, who didn't move a muscle.

Nick didnt give Mike a chance to breathe as he proceeded to savagely attack him. He was unable to block all of the attacks due to the power of each punch and kick. His handsome features was riddled with blood and bruises. Mike tried to redirect the attacks, but the power of each strike was too much for him to handle.

He then saw and opening. He weaved an incoming right hook. "War Style: Flame Tiger" And launched a axe kick filled with flames at Nick.

'I can see it... clearly.' Nicks purple eyes were heavily dilated. Due to the effects of tachypsychia, everything around him seemed slower. Allowing him to easily avoid the strike. Nick then pushed Mike's leg down. Pivoting himself on it to launch himself up in the air.

He then launched an axe kick into Mike's face. Sending him head first towards the ground. Nobody couldn believe what was happening now. Early in the match, Mike had the advantage. Now the tides are turned completely.

"Come on Mike... get up." Nick said. "Don't tell me that's everything you got?"

"Mike are you Ok?!"

"Oh no Mike!"

Yang was getting annoyed by these girls concern for her boyfriend. She was getting really tired of their annoying. "Hey!" She yelled. "Would everybody just shut up?!"

Everybody around her was shocked by her outburst. Then again, that was her boyfriend fighting out there. Her eyes were a blood red due to the anger and worry she had for him.

"Yang..." Ruby said in a worried tone.

She then grabbed the ledge handle. "Michael! Get up now! Are you going to let some little runt beat you up and down the arena until it's over?!"

'Runt?' Nick was not pleased to hear that minor insult coming from Yang.

"Technically, they're-" Kevin stopped mid sentence due to Yang's intense glaring at him. "I'll shut up now."

"You're the God of War! Not once have you ever laid on your back!" The handles began to bend as she became even angrier. "This fight is far from over! So get up! Get up and win!"

Mike weakly turned his head as he stared at Yang. 'Damn... what a woman.' He began to weakly rise from the ground. He too a glance at his aura. It was at 48 percent. 'Seems like I have no choice by to win.' He then looked at Nick, who did not move a muscle.

"Well damn. I thought that would be enough to put you out of commission." Nick said in a snide tone.

"Hey Nick? Do you know why... people love to fight?" He asked as he got up.

"I can say a few things as to why?" Nick said. "The sound of your heart beat."

"The defening of your ears." Mike said.

"The taste of blood from your mouth."

(Blazeblue: Central Fiction OST: God of War)

"And winning!" Mike began to let his crimson aura surge. Surprisingly, it unnerved Nick. He never saw an expression of such on Mike's face. It was completely unnatural seeing such a menacing grin. "I thought... I would be satified if someone knocks me off the peak! But now, I just don't want to give it up that easily! You hear me?!"

"Meaning?"

"That's right! I wanna win!

"Look at his face."

"Is he grinning?"

"What aura." Velvet said. "I feel like... I'm suffocating just from being around it."

"I'm use to him always smiling... but that grin." Weiss began to shiver at killing intent that Mike was unleashing.

"It... reminds me of how Nick would smile when he was enjoying a fight." Ruby backed away from the stand.

Everybody began nervously stare at the mad grin that Mike had on his face.
Nick stood there and watched Mike as he let his aura flare out of control. "So I'm gonna stop playing around! And give 100 percent of my power!"

"100 percent!" Glynda thought back to how Mike said that he only used 20 percent against Yang to beat her.

"He's... going to use it." Pyrrha muttered. "He's going to use his semblance."

"Dragon Installation! 100 percent!" His aura then exploded. The impact caused Nick flying to the broken fountain. Everybody was shocked by what they saw. No longer was his form that he normally used was red. But it was completely white and as bright as a star."

'That's... 100 percent?" Glynda shuddered at the heavy aura that was coming from Mike. "It's... almost like... being around the sun itself."

'Had we gotten to him first. He would've been a great asset to the Atlesian Fleet.' Ironwood's expression was that of disappointment.

"It's normally difficult to hold back when using this." Mike said. "But since I'm fighting you... I feel that I can finally let loose."

Nick saw the water that was gushing from the destroyed fountain evaporating before it had a chance to touch the ground. In the arena, the students complained about the heat.

"Did the temperature just go up? Or is it just me?" Torren said.

"I think... it's because of Mike." Blake said. 'His aura is really that powerful enough to create a heat wave.'

Penny tried to scan Mike's aura reserves. However it was far too great, as it nearly caused an electrical surge in her. "Ah!"

"Penny! Are you ok?!" Kevin held her.

"I'm...fine.." Penny reassured her boyfriend. "I just have...a headache." She then let out a hiccup. She leaned on Kevin's shoulder as she continued to watch the fight. 'His aura... it's completely off the charts. The same definitely goes for Nick.'

'Such power. It's definitely greater than my power. At least with what i currently have.' Cinder thought.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Yang stood up from her seat. "Now kick his ass!"

"About time you stop holding back." Nick said with a smile. He dashed forth and tried to deliver a uppercut straight to his solar plexus. Causing the ground behind him to come up from the shockwave. However, he saw that his hand was caught. He suddenly felt immense pain in his hand.

"I forgot to mention that in this state? My flames are at their highest point." Mike kneed Nick square in the stomach. Putting both of his hands together by the end of his palms, he pressed it against Nick's stomach, white flames came out his back. "Dragon's Hellfire Shot"

"What kind of attack was that?!" Ruby was in shock.

"I don't know... but that looks like it can kill somebody instantly." Torren said.

Nick rolled around in pain. That pain he's feeling was much worse than any attack he ever took.

Mike walked towards the pain riddled Nick. He then snapped his fingers as minature red orbs surrounded the Ashura.

"What are those?" Blake wondered.

"They're..." Pyrrha then realized that those flames are extremely dangerous. "Guren! You have to avoid them!

"Crimson Stars" Mike then snapped his fingers. Causing all of the orbs to explode.

"That's... completely overkill." Sun said.

"Is... is he ok?"

Mike walked towards the smoke and realized that Nick dissapeared. 'Did he use Rekka? No? He barely had enough tim-' he then looked up and saw that Nick was in the air. Although he did suffer some damage from the previous attack.

"So he was able to escape!" Ruby yelled.

'That was close. Luckily I switched to Golden Time to create a small barrier around me.' He looked back down and saw that Mike was no longer at that specific spot.

"Where did he-" He felt a hand press against his back. He turned around and saw that it was Mike. "How..."

"Phantom Pace. That's how." Nick was then surrounded by a ball of flames. "Sun Flare." Nick yelled in pain as the heat began to rise.

"He's in toruble. It seems that he can't get out of that." Ren said.

"This makes me question something." Weiss said. "Michael's weapons require fire dust, if I'm correct. So what about his semblance?"

"What about it?"

"Well that move he used on Torchwick. That would require thousands of lien worth of fire dust. Unless..."

"Unless it doesn't use dust... but aura." Blake said.

"But that would probably require a large amount of aura. And I doubt he has the reserves to even use an attack like that!"

"It could be possible. Access to unlimited amounts of aura must be one of Mike's abilities when accessing his semblance.

"But it could be that it also runs on a timer. And because of that, he has access to all the aura he needs." Everybody turned to Ren.

"But... that's impossible. Nobody can freely use fire without dust!"

"And that's where Dragon Installation comes in." Blake said. "So as long as he has the necessary aura when he transforms, he free to use as much aura as he want. Although... once time is up, he'll be completely drained of his aura."

"A semblance like thag would normally be used as a last ditch effort." Ren said. "Especially when weilding such power like that.

"Talk about overpowered." Kevin muttered.

"Yeah. If I had a semblance like that? Could you imagine the damage I could do with it!?" Sun said.

Mike sent the ball of inferno with Nick inside spiraling towards the ground. Creating a huge flame pillar in the process. It was then that the students began to talk amongst each other.

"That has to be it."

"What a semblance."

"Nick is finished."

Mike landed on the ground. He saw that Nick didn't suffer any major burns. "Five days wasn't enough honestly. At least when it came to learning how to properly use my semblance." Nick said not a word due to his current state.

"Truthfully... I should've been learned how to use this power the moment I gained it." Mike began to flex his hands. "And because of my lack of experience with it, I'm have to basically learn what I can as I fight." He then began to emit white flames onto his right arm.

"He's going to end the match here." Blake said.

"Guren! You have to get up!" Pyrrha yelled.

He dashed forth as he left flames on the ground. "I decided to dedicate this move to you. In hopes that you stay down."

"Nick! You gotta move out of the way!" Ruby yelled.

"Enryūgeki (Dragon Flame Attack)" As Mike was nearing Nick with a fist of raging flames. The Ashura finally opened up his eyes.

"Tesui" He reacted just in the right moment to strike Mike in the jaw. Which caused him to lose conciousness for a few milliseconds. But it was enough for him to turn it around.

Nick grabbed Mike's arm, redirecting the blazing fist of fire towards the sky. "Ashura Style Ultimate Grappling Technique: Suikyo"

"That's the move he used on Pyrrha!" Kevin said.

He then wrapped his arms around Mike's head before lifting him upwards from his back. The white hot state his body was in now returned to red. Everybody looked on as the surge of flames blew up in the sky.

"He caused him... to miss the attack." Torren's jaw dropped from amazement. "At least it gotten cooler."

"Woah..." Sun's couldn't believe the destructive power of that attack also. "If that had hit him..."

"Thank goodness." Ruby breathed a breath of relief.

Mike snapped back into consciousness and soon realized the situation he was in. 'Dammit! I got too careless! I didn't expect Nick to play possum!' He struggled to break free from the submission hold. His sight began to blur as he was begininng to lose consciousness again. 'I gotta get out of here! Even with aura, if i pass out, it'll be basically pointless!'

Nick gritted his teeth as he tightened his grip. However, he was thrown off.

"He threw him off by using just his neck?!" Fox yelled. "This guy's just too much!"

Mike began to back away as he began to emit blue flames from his hands.

"I won't let you!" Nick struck Mike in the face with a flying kick. Causing him to stumble back.

'Dammit... even with all of the aura I want. It means shit if I don't get a power boost from it!' Nick then struck Mike in the stomach with an uppercut.

'Another major drawback to this damn semblance is that each move requires me to charge up. And of course he knew that. That's why he's keeps charging at me!' Mike struck Nick back in his face. 'I have no choice. I'm gonna have to use this as a shield until Nick gives out.'

Nick pulled his fist back. As did Mike. The two then struck each other square in the face.

"They're now in close combat! " Weiss said.

Mike did a three hit combo. Striking Nick in his face. Nick returned the favor by doing the same thing. The Ashura lauched a roundhouse kick in Mike's jaw. Mike then delivered a powerful uppercut to his stomach.

"Just look at them? Neither one is backing down!"

Nick headbutted Mike's face into a wall, destroying it due to the output of power.

"Yeah... They're really giving it their all!"

Nick blocked Mike's punch as he was sent to the ground. Web like cracks formed due to the power.

"Honestly. They're both monsters!"

Nick avoided Mike's right hook. He got behind him then performed a German suplex. Slamming him head first towards the ground.

(Promare OST: The Gallant Ones)

Mike and Nick both struggled to get back up. Unlike Mike, Nick's injuries were visible for everybody to see.

"Never thought... I would have as much fun... as this." Mike was breathing heavily. "How about you Nick?"

"Are you kidding Agni?" Nick had a huge grin on his face. "I'm having the time of my life!"

"Agni? Don't tell me I hit you on your head one too many times?" Mike said in a joking manner.

"Huh? Why did I say that just now?"

"How am i suppose to know?" Mike said while shrugging his shoulders. "Well, not that it matters."

'The name... he said just now.' Ozpin thought to himself. 'Could he be?'

'This match is going too far. If they continue, either the entire school might be destroyed, or they'll end up killing themselves. Either way, I need to end this now.' Glynda thought. "That's enough! That match is-"

"DON'T YOU DARE STOP THIS MATCH!" The Bell brothers yelled. Their combined aura cause Glynda to back away.

"Yeah... please don't." Kevin nervously replied.

"This is quite the show those boys are putting on. Dont you think, Ozpin?" Ironwood took out his flask and took a sip from it.

"This is not a show James. I would prefer if you didn't disrespect these boys by saying that." Ozpin continued to stare. "They're not just huntsmen, they're fighters. They're giving it their all since the beginning of this match in order to prove so. So please be quiet and watch the match until it's over."

"The air... it's suddenly... got heavy..." Weiss was having a bit of trouble breathing.

"The amount of pressure that is being emitted from those two is... absolutely monstrous." Blake said.

"One things for certain." Torren pointed to Cardin and his team. Whose eyes were so far out of their sockets at what they saw.

"No wonder why I smell bodily fluids." Penny said.

"You know... the way we fight... it's different from how everybody else fights." Mike said.

"I get what you mean." Nick said. "Certain techniques that I'm using now. It's because I'm fighting you. If I were to fight anybody else? I probably couldn't do what I can actually do."

"No kidding! Could you imagine if you used moves like that on someone like Jaune?!"

"He'd probably die." Nick said with a deadpanned expression

"I get the feeling that they're talking about me." Jaune said.

"I'm glad that things are the way it is now." Nick tore off his jacket and shirt. Numerous girls squealed in excitement.

"Nick is jacked!"

"What a bod!"

"Just like his big brother!"

"Hi... his..." Ruby covered her face in embarrassment. Pyrrha and Velvet began to blush at the sight. Blake tried to avert her eyes from staring.

"I have abs too!" Sun took his shirt off. "No?! Ok... I'll sit back down."

"He has 3 percent body fat and 97 percent muscle." Penny said.

"You can tell by looking at him?!" Ruby said in shock.

"Hahaha! You know Penny!" Kevin placed a hand over her mouth.

"And I thought Michael had incredible abs." Weiss muttered.

"Looks like the little brother has a nice set of muscles on him." Coco lowered her glasses. "If only he didn't have other girls after him."

"What's with them and taking their clothes off?" Emerald was red enough as it is seeing Mike's body.

"Probably gives them a boost in strength?" Mercury then began to chuckle.

Nick ignored all the squeals and catcalls as he kept his focus only on Mike.

"I think we spent a bit too much time talking." Mike said.

"No kidding. I probably have about a minute until Witching Hour is done." Nick then thought back to the "present" that Pandora mentioned. He closed his eyes for a brief second before opening them back up. " So that's what she meant." Changing his markings from purple to gold, Nick's aura began to surge.

"His... aura!" Pyrrha was surprised by what was happeneing to it. "It's... rising!"

"Is that possible?!" Weiss said.

"It seems those gold markings on him is responsible for that." Blake said.

"Shit. Looks like you were hiding out on me huh?" Mike said.

"I just realized that I had aura stockpiled. I kept wondering why I wasn't at full capacity for the last couple of days." Nick muttered that last sentence.

"That semblance is incredibly versatile." Mike got into a fighting stance. "Well... looks like I have about 50 seconds to beat all that aura out of you."

"So that's how much time you got left?" Nick then placed his hand out, Mike suddenly felt his aura rising.

"What is he doing?" Everybody looked as a golden aura enveloped Mike.

"Half is about two and a half minutes... right?" Nick asked

"You could be making a huge mistake by doing this you know?" Mike got into his fighting stance.

"I'd rather beat you at your strongest... than by luck." Nick said with a smirk before getting back into his fighting stance.

"Three minutes to beat the shit out of each other... huh?"

"No techniques. Just a full blown punch out." Nick got into a brawling stance.

"They're waiting." Penny's eyes glowed as she's timing when the two are going to attack.

"What exactly are they waiting for? Beat the crap out of each other already." Mercury said.

From Cinder's view, two auras were clashing with each other. As of one was trying to overcome the other.

"I can't believe how quiet the arena became? It's like everybody is holding their breath." Kevin looked around and hear not a single sound.

"Yeah! Just look at Torren!" Sun looked at the motionless Torren as he had a hand full of popcorn in his hand. Nora reached her hand out to snag a few.

"We... might be reaching the climax of this fight." Blake said.

"Come on Nick... come on Mike." Jaune said.

"Come on Mikey. You got this." Yang said to herself before yelling out. "You can do it Mikey!"

"Go Nick! Win this one!" Ruby yelled.

"You can do it Guren..." Pyrrha knew all too well how bad Nick wanted to win this. She watched him train everyday. The days where he wouldn't say a word to her because he was too focused on trying to defeat him and the days when she would watch him train. It was all meant for this moment. "I believe in you."

"Ready?"

"Of course!"

As if an alarm went off, the two dash forward, causing a huge ear deafening shockwave.


Part one is finally done. These two are really giving it their all. Even though it wss only suppose to be combat training. Poor Glynda is gonna have to clean up their mess after this is over. Anyways, part 2, which is the climax, will probably be up tonight or tomorrow.