"What a close call!" Phoenix announced. "Louisville just barely manages to escape Bremington's joust! They are now circling each other! Louisville is catching her breath while Bremington is reloading her guns! This may be the final strike of the round!"
Air.
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I need more air.
Bremington has to almost be finished with rearming. I need to strike now.
I closed my mouth and inhaled. Pulling my right arm back, I kicked my body into overdrive, summoning the last spurt of energy I had into my fist.
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This is it.
My muscles bled dry as I charged forwards at Bremington's hunched chest. Two feet away, I tripped over my own feet as the Lactic acid began to sweat out from my body. Not now.
I jutted my feet into the water to bar my stumbling. However, my forward momentum brought me crashing right into Bremington's torso.
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"And they … both fell to the floor?" Phoenix leaned closer. "I get this match is over fifty minutes long, but…"
The world around me blurred before I jolted it back by digging my hands into the lukewarm water.
Focus! You can not afford to lose this match!
In my hazy peripheral vision, I saw a metal object closing into my head.
No. NO
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"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER!?"
"Get off!" Independence shouted, pulling me away.
"Wh-what?" I began to regain consciousness. Baltimore began to march my way as a group of white coated ships began to surround a body in the water.
"Baltimore, you must stop in the name of the law." Independence prevented her from attacking me.
"She is a CRIMINAL!" Baltimore leaped towards me.
I braced for a knockout blow, but a brush of wind combed my hace.
My vision cleared as I found myself locking eyes with Baltimore.
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It was until the next day that I was told I had maimed Bremington.
Disclaimer: Indy Best Girl
Sometimes, I just can't believe the tournament arc is happening!
Time to flex my summer free time and somewhat decent fight choreography!
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Or just laze around and do nothing.
That option is looking kinda good though...
But I'm not quitting yet!
Reviews:
Severak: Portland messing around is good enough to be it's own separate fanfic ngl.
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(What do you mean this is just her messing around?)
Rick Astley: I messed up on Bogue's name. Fudge.
I guess I let you down.
But I'm never gonna give you up~
The one: I'm already a lazy bum! Just slightly less lazy the normal! *Insert inconvencing Jazz hands here*
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"Imagine tripping on a torpedo." Montpelier cackled.
"One time." Intrepid vented. "Only once."
"You didn't lose in the first round..." I glared at her.
"I didn't." Intrepid explained.
"Just barely." Montpelier added on. "You won't believe how close the torpedoes were to landing."
"I had it under control." Intrepid defended. "I still won, didn't I?"
"That was far too close for the first round." Montpelier snorted. "She shouldn't have even come close."
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"Please shut up." Intrepid rubbed her face.
"What's stopping me?" Montpelier taunted.
"Please." Intrepid locked her dead eyes with Montpelier.
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"Fine." Montpelier let it go.
"So the next round is coming up, right?" I checked the clock.
"Yeah." Intrepid stretched her back.
"Who do you guys have?" I prodded them.
"I have to fight Cooper." Intrepid answered. "Shouldn't be too big of a deal."
"What about you, Montpelier?" I asked her.
"I have to face Iowa." She exhaled.
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"The battleship?!" I stopped on the sidewalk.
"Yeah." Intrepid bit into a slice of bread. "She's the only battleship in the tournament and is quite strong in her own right."
"I can beat her though." Montpelier pointed her finger into the sky. "All I have to do is get close enough and beat her through experience and maneuverability."
"You might … Actually lose though." I bit my tongue. If she gets hurt, Cleveland will kill me. (1)
Perhaps there's a better way for this to play out…
"But through my method, I will probably be able to win." Montpelier debated.
"Well…" I tried to discourage her strategy. "Don't you think you will get hurt very badly?"
"What are you trying to say?" Montpelier looked me into the eyes.
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This is so hard… Cleveland, why must you do this to me?
"Maybe…" I avoided her glare, trying to gently deter her from taking such a risky strategy. "You could keep at range and use your maneuverability to win in a drawn out battle?"
"Portland." Montpelier pulled my chin up. "You know just as much as I do that Iowa will always win a drawn out battle."
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"I .. Just don't want you to be hurt." I averted my eyes.
"You want me to lose." Montpelier saw through my lies. "Cleveland threatened you, didn't she."
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"I knew it!" Montpelier shouted at me. "You're with her! You are supposed to be on my side!"
"I am! It's jus-"
"I trusted you." Montpelier scoffed, walking away. "Coward."
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Intrepid cleared her throat. "Am I out of the loop, or…"
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"It's…" I sighed. Well that was about as horribly as it could have happened. "It's an agreement that I had."
"I see." Intrepid nodded.
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"Do you have any free time, Portland?" Baltimore walked up from behind us.
"I suppose." Intrepid glanced at me before walking away. "I'll find my match."
"Good luck!" I waved to her.
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"Portland." Baltimore brought me to the side of the pavement. "I've heard about your bet with Independence."
"I … see." I gulped.
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Am I going to get busted?
"You really want to beat her, right?" Baltimore asked me.
"Yes." I agreed with her.
"Let's make a deal then." Baltimore whispered to me. "I am one of the strongest cruisers in the Eagle Union and was projected to land in the top four. You don't want to fight me, right?"
"I suppose." I gulped.
"I will surrender and let you beat me." Baltimore offered. "Then you can fight the Siren and Independence and get your Indy back."
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"That's awfully generous." I clicked my tongue. "Nothing's free, however."
"Very perceptive." Baltimore nodded. "I have a task I can not do myself. You have the right reputation to fit the job."
"What do I have to do?" I crossed my arms.
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Her eyes glowed red. "Mutilate Louisville."
Enterprise's POV:
"May I ask why are you coming here, Secretary?" Washington followed me into the gym.
"To observe the preliminary matches for the top 16." I walked around.
"But it's already pre assumed that group one's candidates are going to be Curiosity and Baltimore." Washington scratched her head. "Why would you want to watch this?"
"Yeah." Purifier nodded. "Montpelier's fight with Iowa or San Diego's fight with Reno should be more interesting and fair than the majority of these matches. Are you wondering about Curiosity, dear Enterprise?"
"That's not it." I waved them off, making my way to the glimmering ring. "I have a special match I want to see."
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"Secretary, that is a pool spa."
I turned back around. "Let me ask for directions."
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"Did you find the group?" Washington asked me.
"It should be over here." I nodded, leading my advisors near the middle of the room.
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"It seems we're not alone in spectating this bout." Purifier walked up to Baltimore, who was sitting down on the side of the ring.
"I thought you had a match, Baltimore." I crouched down next to her.
"My opponent surrendered before the match." Baltimore handed me an oxycola. "I'm going to be watching this one instead."
"I see." I popped open the oxy cola. Ahhhhhh.
I tilted the metal can above my mouth and chugged the entire bottle in one gulp.
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"I don't think Vestal allowed you to drink that, Secretary." Washington sighed.
"I don't care." I blissfully littered the can. (2) "Let's watch the show."
"Once both of them show up, of course." Washington went to pick up the can and lobbed it towards the trash can.
"Well one of them is doing something rather indecent and quite odd to a stuffed doll in the corner and the other one is pouring an illegal amount of motor oil in her turrets." Purifier noted with her magical Siren perception. "But they both seem to be heading this direction."
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"I... See." I had the slightest suspicion to arrest them both. My laziness won, however. "Let's just wait for them here."
"No need to wait any longer." Washington pointed to the approaching Louisville.
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"Good day, Secretary." Louisville cautiously forced out.
"Why thank you too." I kept an eye on the level two criminal.
"Why are you here Enterprise?" Portland lowered her bags to the floor, pointing at me.
"Secretary Enterprise." Washington amended for her.
"I would like to observe this match." I stood up. "Pretend that I am not here."
"Why would you want to watch this?" Portland glared at me. "How about you go and watch Montpelier's much more interesting battle against Iowa?"
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"I have a feeling that this match up will be exceptionally close." I gave an excuse. In reality, I need to check up on Portland's technique and then determine her value on the front lines. Though the match being interesting certainly isn't a far off possibility
Portland gave me a questioning look. However, she apparently decided it was not worth investigating my motives by turning to face Louisville.
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"So this is why you asked me to show you my strategies." Portland popped her knuckles.
"All is fair in love and war." Louisville brandished her cannon.
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"Do your best, Portland." Baltimore glanced at her as the whistle blew.
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Right off the bat, Louisville acrobatically flipped as she approached Portland, who cautiously stepped back to keep her opponent in front of her. In the midst of her flamboyant performance, Louisville deceitfully launched a bullet volley when her garments flung over the starboard triple barrels. Portland, seeing through the rouse, slid to the right as the water beneath her feet accelerated into the air.
Louisville continued to hop around, launching hit and run tactics as Portland prudently refused any engagement. Her strategy of seemed to bear fruit as Louisville began to slow her pace.
As Louisville's stamina ran out, she landed on all fours at the side of the ring, inviting an attack in her most vulnerable state. Portland's eyes glazed over for a split second of evaluating before launching herself forwards into the drained cruiser. Just before the impact, I swore to see Louisville smirk while sticking her foot out to the side.
Portland, recognizing her rash mistake, dropped her legs into the water to anchor herself in the ring, but Louisville swept the feet and Portland tumbled of the ring.
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"It's over already?" Baltimore scoffed, disgusted.
"Not yet." I reminded her as Portland stood back up. "Her feet were still inside the boundaries, meaning she is technically not out."
"However, " I watched as Louisville began to corner Portland against an invisible wall along the side of the ring. "It would be really hard to get out of this position."
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As Portland strode backwards against the curves of the border, Louisville began a windmill cycle with her hands and guns. A flurry of a thousand fists and bullets hammered into Portland's blocking hull.
The first cracks began to form within the port side as Portland ducked under the pattern and lunged for the legs. Louisville chambered her right leg and slammed it down on Portland as she dashed at her.
Portland collapsed on the floor while Louisville began to grind down her iron right leg. Sparks began to light up the gym as Portland yelled in agony. Just barely before it set ablaze, Louisville gasped for air, handing Portland once change to shift the momentum.
Seizing the blunder, Portland grabbed Louisville's shirt from behind and jointed their left feet together from underneath the waves. Louisville stumbled down as Portland grabbed her right ankle and pulled it towards her head. Finally, Portland pulled both her feet and her hands into the air and stretched them apart.
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Portland forced Louisville into a midair split.
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Louisville's face began to pale before fading into a shade of purple. After a few tense seconds, Portland dropped the cruiser to the ground and began to stumble away from the ring.
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"The round goes to Portland!" Purifier gave some golf claps. "Congradu-"
"Enterprise!" Washington pointed to the ascending Louisville. "She's loadi-"
I clamped my hands against both of their mouths before focusing on the reprise.
Louisville fired a military grade bullet round at Portland's back as she was walking away.
OoO
Inherited Skill (CA-34):
Protective Armour
OoO
I watched as the volley dissipated around Portland.
Portland turned around as Louisville frantically reloaded her cannons. But in the midst of arming, Louisville's weapon got kicked out of her hand.
Instinctively rolling away from a blast of Portland's eight inch guns, Louisville steadied herself upright as Portland stared at her with empty yellow eyes. I observed the challenger's leg twitching, a conspicuous sign of her fear. Though concealed, Louisville began to store up air for her counter attack. Portland stood silently.
Louisville jumped and launched a flying kick at Portland. Her eyes suddenly widened as Portland stepped into the kick, grabbing her leg and throwing her to the ground. (3)
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I shivered at Portland's raw power.
Louisville looked up as her demon took her now streaked mechanical leg and slammed it down just above Louisville's face.
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Baltimore clenched her fist, sealing her mouth.
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"It is over." Portland gently stamped her footprint on Louisville's head before exiting the ring.
"Round goes to Portland." I nodded before leading my advisors away.
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In the corner of my eye, I saw Baltimore exhale in disgust as she pulled up her sleeves.
Why is she going so fast?!
I backed away from the destroyer flashing right in front of me.
Her torpedoes just corner me into one spot and I can't get a good shot on her!
You're supposed to be top 4 contender, Blixoli!
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Why are you falling now!?
An iron wall of shells crashed into my hull, leading me to crumble out of the ring.
My vision began to blank as the Destroyer pointed a torpedo at my head.
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Just who is she?
Second Round Standings:
Essex 1 - 0 Charles Ausburne
Baltimore - Win by Forfeit
Iowa 1 - 2 Montpelier
Princeton 1 - 0 Dace
Independence 1 - 0 Concord
Cooper 0 - 1 Intrepid
Curiosity 1 - 0 Hobby
Nicolas 1 - 0 Blixoli
Portland 1 - 0 Louisville
Reno 0 - 1 San Diego
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Eliminations:
Blixoli - Round 2
Louisville - Round 2
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Footnotes:
(1): Well not really. Cleveland would Murder Portland
(2): Enterprise: Killing animals since 1936!
(3): Well, Portland should have stepped back because she told Louisville three chapters ago, right?
I'm actually running out of ships to lose in the preliminary rounds.
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This can't be good.
Oh well!
Anyways, see you next week!