Whew... hello my friends! As always, sorry for the wait. I've been on the frontlines of this Coronavirus thing, having a grocery store job and all. Gotta keep the shelves filled, and keep the people fed. Just don't ask me for TP, because I have none. Okay? I HAVE NO TP!
So we've arrived at the end of "Act 1". Before we go any further, I'd like to take this moment, right now, and thank all of my reviewers. Thank you RobertCop, illyrilex, and my Tekken friend dunkingman, for being my most dedicated and never missing a chapter. You guys keep the machine rolling!
Thank you to LordryuTJ, heii, Nanomemes, Rex Madison, hyperomegasonic, for greatly, and I mean GREATLY contributing with frequent reviews. I hope to hear from you all again!
Thank you to the one-time reviewers, for taking time to leave your thoughts about something that particularly stood out to you. I especially appreciate the gratitude for the great Terry win, and the Hotaru win. Thank YOU!
Lastly, I thank the Guest reviewers, for being kind enough to leave a review despite not even having an account. I appreciate you guys very much!
I'm reaching out to you all, to beg for your continued support. I need you now, more than ever. This story has a real chance to surpass the statistical accolades of the original Ultimate Grand Dream Kumite, but I need all of you guys to do it! Never be afraid to post your thoughts in a review, even if you feel negative things. I treasure every review, even the ones who hated Ash winning the last story. So I'm asking, please... and thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. You guys are my power.
Without further ado, enjoy the conclusion to Round 1.
The solitude of the locker room offered his last sanctuary, before his time to present himself to the front... to his people, 75,000 strong. A tremendous burden put on him: aside from Krauser, only he could stand for their country's pride and achieve victory in their name.
As he stared at his reflection, ruby eyes staring back at him, he asked himself these questions: was he the hero Germany deserved? Did he have the right to take this mantle, to hold the righteous dominion that would carve their legacy? His blood... born of a tyrant. Would "he" define who he was?
Adelheid closed his eyes... he thought of what mattered most to him. The thrill of battle. Victory. His sister. Proving his-
...Why did that always linger? Why was there an obligation to defend his honor? His story shouldn't be defined the actions of his predecessor... but no matter how many times he tried to tell himself this, the compulsive urge still drilled into his head and nestled deep, refusing to be dislodged. He just... he couldn't escape from it...
He opened his eyes... the eyes of someone different stared back.
"AHH!" he grunted as he stumbled backwards, blinded by the flash of a single crimson eye, glowing bright... inhuman... long blonde hair, a dark mustache, an evil grin shone in the reflection. A man twice his stature...
Adelheid slapped himself several times, forcefully, violently expelling the image. NO! This wasn't his story! This would NOT be his...!
...He opened his eyes once more, and only Adelheid Bernstein looked back in the pane.
The aftermath of the decisive match between Iori Yagami and Yashiro Nanasake was as follows: a trashed combat zone, a roaring audience, Iori bypassing any and everyone to retreat to solitude, and CYS inspiring too much fear to even be approached by paramedics. When Chris and Shermie rushed out to tend to their fallen comrade, a certain... understanding was felt; one that told any wise person to stay away.
"Yashiro! Yashiro speak to me!" Shermie was on her knees, laying his head in her lap immediately. His eyes half-lidded, his mouth hanging open, lacking the strength to close... his body seemed to fluctuate between transparency and solidity with each passing second.
"I...failed... all my... fury... and I failed..." Yashiro uttered weak words of self-lamenting.
"Don't talk!" Chris pleaded. "Just try to concentrate... please... if you lose focus, your body will...!"
His body shook with a weak laughter. "Hahahaha... perhaps it wasn't meant to be after all... maybe we're just lost. Aimless, hollow dusks, pursuing a long-extinguished endeavor..."
"Shut up." Shermie's voice was sharp, with no sympathetic handicap. "I won't hear that kind of talk, Yashiro. It's our charge... it's what keeps us from fading into the oblivion. It's what separates us from them. WE believe in it, when nobody else does."
"But... I lost..." Yashiro grunted.
"WE haven't lost." Chris reinforced. "This is only the beginning. So shut up... and save your energy. You'll need it."
He managed a smile... but it lasted only a moment, before his face twisted painfully, and Shermie felt his form loosen against her.
"Unnnhh... it hurts." he groaned. "I just want to let go... letting go right now would be so easy..."
"Of course it'd be easy." Shermie replied, reaching a hand to gently stroke his short, white hair. "But you can't. You just... can't. We've put too much into this. You believe in this thing stronger than anyone else. That's why you have to stay... it has to be us three. If you try to pass on, I'll reach into Heaven or Hell and pull your soul back, you understand me?"
His strained eyes peered into theirs... their faces were utterly serious, not a hint of a smile or joking intent in either of them. They were right; to quit now would be selfish, to take the easy way, a cowardly stain on his honor. They were chosen for this. They were the Heavenly Kings. That's why, even beyond life, they remained here... to continue His work.
Shermie's face lit with joy when Yashiro's hand grabbed hers and squeezed with a tightness that meant life beat within him yet. Yashiro looked into hers and Chris's eyes once more, and a tiny smile formed. The three of them shared that silent moment... a moment of serenity, of understanding, of security for their ambition and their faith.
"EXCUSE MEEEEE! CLEAR THE RING, PLEASE!"
A shrewd, pretentious voice interrupted their harmony; Rose had stormed into the ring with her security force, and was now intent on forcefully making them leave.
"My brother is coming any second now! All fighters currently not competing please vacate the premises!"
The three shot her a dirty look; she merely responded with a backhanded wagging of her fingers, in a shooing gesture, like flies being swatted away.
"Cmon Chris. Let's get him out of here." Shermie's voice hinted of ire, as the words dripped out.
"Yes... let's get away from this place." Chris's voice followed suit.
Rose smiled cheekily, dangling her fingers in a farewell. "Thank youuuuuuu~"
She waited until the trio slinked away in defeat, then turned to strut back towards the stands, towards her VIP booth. Her face bore a voracious smirk, as a chuckle resonated.
"Hmmhmmhmmhmmhmmm... ahahahahahahahaaaa... fear not, my darling brother. Victory will come swift and sure, and the people will love us. I gave you a pathetic can of an opponent, someone you'll run through with less an effort than a passing breath. Bring glory to Germany... my Adelheid."
OPENING ROUND FIGHT #24: ADELHEID BERNSTEIN VS SHION
He impatiently stood in the exit, waiting for his sister to finally execute whatever cockamamie exhibition she felt the need to present in his name. He told her time and time again, he didn't care for these things... it was the part he cared least about. The fight was all. But she was caught in her ways... and there was no winning as long as she was hostess.
His skin tingled; he suddenly heard the echo of her voice over the microphone.
"AND NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN... THIS IS YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! I PRESENT TO YOU NOW... FIGHTING OUT OF THE RED CORNER... THE MOST INCOMPARABLE FIGHTER ON THE PLANET! AN UNMATCHABLE COMBINATION OF SPEED, STRENGTH, WITS, RAW INSTINCT! HE IS GERMANY'S NATIVE SON... AND I AM PROUD TO CALL HIM MY BROTHER... GIVE IT UP FOR YOUR CHAMPION... OUR CHAMPION... ADELHEEEEEEEEID BERNSTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIN!"
Hard as he fought it, the corners of his mouth tugged free of his restraint and curved upwards. He could feel his heart racing, a warmth enveloping his stomach, as his people chanted his name in rhythm...
"LETS GO ADEL!" CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP! "LET'S GO ADEL!" CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!
This is why she did it. It wasn't just a personal vanity, to traipse him around as her prize... it was to deliver unto Germany their savior, their hero, and pave the road for his victory. It was perfect.
"Not bad, Rose..." Adelheid muttered under his breath as he at last fled the darkness of the corridors... and was graced with the subtle warmth of the sunset sky. The cheers, even at this later hour, after an ENTIRE day of nonstop combat, were deafening, in anticipation of his arrival. It was a humbling sight, seeing 80,000 of his beloved all around him, screaming for him...nevermind that the fighter stands were nearly empty, save for Benimaru (the guy really had nothing better to do), Chizuru and Saiysu (probably there to be vigilant as always).
"Do you find it strange that Eiji hasn't been seen all day?" Chizuru asked her unofficial partner.
Saisyu shook in disagreement. "He's always been an odd duck. Guy's probably been hanging out in a tree, plotting ways to drop apples on the Sakazakis' heads."
"Maybe he won't show up at all. Maybe Adelheid wins by default." Chizuru pondered. "I wouldn't put it past that ruthless sister of his."
Saisyu's eyes suddenly grew, as he pointed towards the blue corner. "In any case, someone's walking out. Look!"
Sure enough, a figure had emerged and was making their way towards the ring... but immediately, everyone sensed something abnormal. Especially Rose, who was now out of her seat, and close to charging the combat zone.
"Th-that's not...!" for someone who prided herself so much on her administrative qualities... Rose Bernstein did NOT like being out of control. Her fists clenched, her lip puffed out in a displeased snarl...
"Grrrr... this changes nothing. My brother will run through this peon with ease."
Adelheid himself was unfazed; he knew nothing of his opponent anyway, and didn't know to be surprised by someone coming out that was not Eiji Kisaragi. Thus, he had no other outside psychological hindrances to affect his performance... he was in perfect health, brimming with vigor, desperate to unleash his talent... Adelheid Bernstein was ready to put on a show.
The strange, skinny person continued to walk towards the combat zone. Adelheid took a moment to scan their features: a slender body, dressed in oriental attire... blue pants, a long-sleeved yellow top. It was a very... beautiful person: amber lips, long brown hair with blue streaks, swaying down to their waist. Every step they took seemed to exude grace and elegance, like a delicate flower.
Benimaru's mouth was agape. HE knew this person all too well... and could hardly believe they were standing before him!
At last, the two met face to face. Adelheid was the first to open, with a question. "Are you Eiji Kisaragi? Forgive me, but you don't look like a Japanese."
The figure shook their head, then bowed politely. "My name is Shion, a martial artist from China. I've been waiting a long time to meet you... Bernstein. Your name holds great fame here, it seems."
Always humble, Adelheid's expression remained solemn. "I care nothing of that. My only wish is to test my fighting skills against the best."
Shion's lips teased a smirk... and he got into stance. "Very well then... it would be an honor to test my Chinese Kung Fu against your kickboxing talents."
Adelheid gave a firm, respectful nod, and got into stance as well. "Then let us have a clean, epic battle."
FIGHT!
"I'm quite excited for this one." Saisyu said with a smile. "I've seen the boy fight only twice, but he's made me a believer."
"I can't help but wonder what happened to Eiji though... and who is this person?" Chizuru's worrywart was sticking out as usual.
"Aw Chiz, lighten up a bit will ya?"
"HEY!"
Their conversation was interrupted by Benimaru, who was dying to get somebody's attention. "I know that guy! He's Shion!"
"Shion..." Chizuru uttered the name, as if a faint memory was trying to manifest... but the longer the word lingered on her lips and eroded, the more vague the memory became...
"I fought that guy at a previous KOF! He's bad news!" Benimaru's words were literally bursting, complete with slight spittle.
That tensed her back up. "What do you mean? Explain!"
"He was with that guy Magaki!" Benimaru spat. "Those freakos trying to resurrect Orochi!"
Chizuru spouted the name all at once. "Those From the Past... the same monsters that..."
Saisyu knew what she was referring to, as soon as she hung her head in shame. Immediately he was ready with a consoling hand to massage her shoulder...
"That guy's tough as hell." Benimaru continued. "It took all three of us to take him down. Me, Liz, and Lon..."
Saisyu knew the situation was becoming dire, fear and doubt, negative emotions flowing in both of them... so he put on his pearly whites and reversed the situation.
"One man equaling three, eh? Sounds like even odds." he grinned.
Benimaru and Chizuru shot him a quizzical look. "What?!"
Saisyu continued, still smiling. "I remember watching young Bernstein on TV that year 2003... the championship match. It was all Ralf and Clark could do to wear him down a little, before he gave them a brutal nap. It was only through Leona's speed and cunning that she dealt a critical blow to him, and scored victory for the Ikari Warriors. So if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about Adelheid. He's in his element, surrounded by his people. He won't lose here."
Despite still appearing unsettled, Chizuru and Benimaru gave a small, therapeutic breath, and Chizuru responded. "Very well then, Saisyu-sama... let's see how this plays out."
"Yes." Saisyu nodded. "Let's."
The three at last went silent, turning their attention fully to the combat within the ring. But Saisyu, in the midst of his focus, still bore thoughts... deep, confusing, complicated thoughts, towards the lad in the combat zone.
You'd better win, runt... because I'm the only one who will take down that bastard's offspring.
A deep breath... muscles loose, limbs light. Shion's movements were fast as he came forward, his strikes linear and pinpoint. Adel dodged the openhanded left, the right behind it... Shion twirled around and went mid with a palm; Adel brought his arm down and parried the strike, and Shion abruptly went back up with a knifehand. Adel kept calm... he could see the strikes coming, despite the fluid movements of the Chinese. His forearm blocked it.
Shion remained composed, grace in his movements. He went to the body with another left, but still failed to penetrate Adel's guard; he transitioned into a kick going low, but he only smacked the meat of Adel's upper thigh and caused no damage. He stumbled back a step...!
Adelheid sensed the mistake and tried to come forward with a counter... Shion beat him to the punch, with a rigid hand strike towards the face. Adelheid exhaled and bounced the shot off his wrist, and Shion cut a swath through the dirt with a surprise sweep kick. Adel, light on his feet, managed to lift his leg and avoid the trajectory, and Shion brought his foot around to kick off with it, and deal an explosive front kick with the other. The foot struck Adelheid's gauntlet... leaving the blonde without harm.
"Keep your shield high, brother..." Rose murmured. "The time to unleash your sword will present itself..."
Although Adelheid had predicted his every move, Shion showed no frustration. He flurried forward once again with a high slap, then went mid when the first one failed. As Adelheid parried the attacks, Shion's foot suddenly came upwards in a whipping arc... Adelheid smoothly swayed his head back, and the foot caught only air.
Shion gritted his teeth, bringing the failed foot back down... he got restless and threw a naked kick with his other foot, and Adelheid made him pay with a brutal check. Solid shinbone repelled Shion's dainty foot... the Chinese fighter staggered, and Adelheid stepped forward with his sole vertical, thrusting a kick to the lower midsection and sending Shion tumbling into the dirt.
"YES! YOUR TECHNIQUE IS UNMATCHED, BROTHER! BRAVISSIMO!" Rose clapped her hands wildly, jumping up and down with glee.
Adelheid cut his eyes towards her for only a moment in acknowledgement, before resuming focus on the Chinese fighter returning to his feet. Shion appeared to scowl nastily for a moment... but his expression lightened.
"That was a clean hit. You fight well, German son."
Adelheid presented his own arm to his chest. "I thank you."
Benimaru was leaning foward now. "Amazing... Adelheid blocks every attack with ease, and launches a damn good counter. He's got such a sexiness to him."
"Don't let his sister hear you say that." Saisyu chuckled.
Shion shuffled forward, his fingers curled, like a cobra's fangs. He shot forward with swift bites, his left hand attempting to pepper Adelheid high, then mid. But when the Bernstein swayed to dodge them, Shion struck with his right hand instead, coming in from the other side. Adelheid had to really suck in his midsection to avoid getting caught... the strike just barely missed.
Shion spun around from the whiffed right hand, and came back around with a 360 backfist; Adelheid blocked the strike, and their forearms crossed. Shion cursed; he was stuck there for a fleeting second...!
Adelheid scanned the body... and found his target: the legs. Even from close range, Adel's punishment was harsh: he threw a stomping kick into Shion's knee, buckling the leg and putting the Chinese fighter in serious retreat. "Gyaah!"
Shion sucked in anguished air... he was too slow, and Adelheid kept coming forward. He brutalized Shion's other leg with another stomp, easily folding the slender limb like a celery stalk... and the Bernstein led with his hip on the third kick, and pivoted into a massive leg kick.
His foot sailed with such power, it not only clipped Shion's right leg out from under him... it kept going through and cleaved into the left leg as well. Shion's stance was completely broken, as the kick put him off his feet and spiraling in midair, to take an uncomfortable faceplant into the dirt.
"Look at him go!" Chizuru gasped. "I knew he was gifted, but..."
"Perfection in every move." Benimaru finished. "He's picking Shion apart. But... Shion's primarily a..."
Shion crawled back up, now in full scowl. He looked around: they were screaming for Adel. All around, ear-splitting noise... disgusting. For one man, one stupid human, to inspire such acclaim... it spoke of how clueless this world was. They worship such insignificant, such worthless idols...!
His desire to silence them got the best of him, as he rushed Adelheid with hurried attacks. Adelheid blocked his left shot, his right, Shion went low to the ankle with a kick, then pushed off and launched high with the other foot. The kid's defense was too good... every shot failed to hit their mark!
Shion recovered from the blocked kick and dipped low, swiping his hands across the ground in a windmill motion, attempting to trip up Adelheid; he leaped back to avoid it.
"Got you now...!" Shion hissed as he came forward and put all his might into a kick of jaw-breaking proportions... if he hit Adel with this one, it was surely a knockout blow.
"Heh." Adelheid's ruby eyes remained static, as that tiny scoff signified a lack of fear. He spun around 180, turning his back to Shion, thrusting his own leg like a powerful lance...but at the last moment, his lower leg curved upwards at a 90 degree angle, and he brandished his shinbone instead. His leg, like a scorpion tail, absorbed the impact of Shion's foot, and the recoil all but jolted the Chinese fighter where he stood.
"I...Im... possible...!" he choked out, as his foot remained there, not hitting its proper target, but instead embedded against Adelheid's formidable leg bone, almost as solid as titanium.
Adelheid's motions were smooth and impeccable: he spun back around 180, completely throwing Shion off-balance... he whipped his other leg around, carrying with it a pure silver stream of his supercharged chi... and he nailed Shion in the cheek with a kick to end all kicks.
"DAYUM!" Benimaru whooped.
"Offense and defense in perfect harmony... that bastard's genes were well passed." Saisyu gave a strange aggressive compliment.
Shion tasted his own blood; he saw even more of it fly from his mouth at projectile speed. His eyes went hazy as his footing was lost, and his eyes saw the ground... the ground got closer... closer... THUD.
"Cough... cough cough.. pteewwwhh..." he spat blood and groaned weakly, as he rolled onto his back; Adelheid's shadow loomed over him, those calculated red eyes peering down at him, with a face deceitfully ruthless... the kid was good at heart, but bore a fighting instinct that borderlined on bloodlust.
His eyes remained almost piercing... but rather than attack his downed foe, the young Bernstein instead bent over, offering a hand.
"You fought well, Shion."
Blood drizzling down his lips, Shion shot the dirtiest look. This... this INSECT... he dared condescend him in such a way?! Humans were all so stupid... they were either greedy and selfish, or gullible and trusting to an idiotic level. It was a worthless race... how could a world ever hold up under their rule?
Rather than take his gesture and admit defeat, Shion surprised him by rolling backwards and springing back to his feet. A red cord expelled from his shirt sleeve...
WHIZZZZZZZ!
Adelheid grunted... something felt uncomfortable across his waist. He looked down; his shirt had a tear in it? But when did he-
...That's when he felt it. The sting of open flesh. Oxygen rushed in, giving his blood life, as it began to seep down his black top...
He subtly darted his eyes towards the VIP booth, silently praying Rose hadn't seen it. But that was a long shot... he knew she was watching him intently, focused on his every action. And he could already see her lips parting, mouth opening wide with shock, until the pink of her tongue could be seen. And then came the squeal:
"B...B...BROTHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
Adelheid barely had time to resume forward focus; Shion launched the ranged weapon at him again, with that same terrifying WHIZZZZZZZZ! All he could see was a red blur, but when the attached object came closer into view, he could see the intricate, ornate, floral design: some kind of blunt weapon, with sharp pieces edged into them. He wasn't familiar with Eastern weaponry, so he couldn't deduce it...
"There it is." Benimaru pointed out, thrusting a finger. "That's one of the things he uses to fight with!"
"A rope dart." Chizuru observed, eyes leaned in. "A deadly ranged weapon, used by Chinese assassins... something tells me this Shion has motives beyond friendly sport here. It also leads me to think Eiji Kisaragi has suffered a horrific fate..."
"That won't stop him." Saisyu spoke through clenched teeth. "It better not...!"
Adelheid regained his ground, ignoring the futile trickle of blood down his top. Immediately, he condemned his foe. "I thought we were having a great match, then you pull your cowardly weaponry on me?"
Shion's true nature revealed, as a maniacal grin cast ghoulish dimples across his pale face. "This is no match, you fool! This is SURVIVAL!"
Shion stepped forth, twirling the rope in a vertical cycle, backing Adelheid up with his forward advancement... Adel struggled to match the movements of the rapid-spinning weapon.
Finally, Shion kicked a leg forward and sent the dart flying. WHIZZZZZZZZZ!
"Agh...!" Adelheid recoiled as he felt the edge scrape across his cheek, stumbling him backwards... he felt a warm trickle, right below the orbital rim of his left eye socket. It nearly blinded him!
Rose was understandably... going ballistic. It was all Silber could do to hold her back, as she kicked and flailed in his arms.
"I'LL KILL THAT COWARDLY MONSTER FOR MAKING MY BROTHER BLEED I'LL KILL HIM I'LL FREAKING KILL HIM GUARDS SHOOT HIM SILBER BREAK EVERY BONE IN HIS BODY AND RUPTURE HIS SPLEEN I SWEAR TO GOD I'LL FEED HIM TO MY- mmmphhhhh...?!"
"Don't interfere." Silber cupped her mouth to cease her irrational rambling.
Rose struggled and squirmed until she wrested the arm free. "Mmmph.. MMMPH! AHHH! Why not? I could disqualify him right now!"
"This is the main event, you fool." Silber grunted. "You stop this fight now, the tournament won't recover. Not after Krauser's fight went sideways. Let your brother handle this."
"B-but...!"
Silber jerked her around and stared at her, that malevolent red eye seeming to glow. "You said yourself Adelheid has no equal, yes? Then this assailant should be no match for him. This is Germany's chance to make a statement... don't screw this up!"
Having said his piece, Silber forcefully set Rose down on her feet, and sat back down. Rose immediately rushed to the edge of her VIP booth, where she couldn't take even another step... she felt so helpless, looking on, watching Adelheid dodge the incoming attacks from the red-roped weapon. But she was still his sister... they shared more than blood: what they had was a symbiotic bond. Her power was his power.
And thus, Rose channeled her strength to him. Cupping her mouth, she inhaled deeply... and screamed:
"BROTHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! FIGHT OOOOOOOOOOON! WINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!"
Hearing her voice sent a jolt through his spine; Adelheid sensed Shion coming forward twirling the rope, constantly crossing his left shoulder, right shoulder, left shoulder, right shoulder... finally, Shion dipped his head low, and the deceptive dart whizzed overhead, coming at Adelheid like a charging hornet!
"Hmph." Adelheid ducked the attack, barrel rolling forward, springing back to his feet... he unleashed his leg high, and sent forth a silver stream of pure chi, tearing through the dirt: it was his personalized Reppuken technique, taken from his father, who took it from Geese Howard himself.
"D-damn!" the weakness of Shion's weapon was recognized...he was wide open! He managed to retract the rope at the last minute and literally dive out of the way of the attack, splashing the dirt head on. He got back up, just to see Adelheid come forward in fury.
"HaaaaaAAAAAAAH!" Adelheid lunged and let loose a mighty kick: Shion limbo'd backwards and transitioned into rapid backflips, narrowly dodging that deadly bullet.
"Dodge THIS!" Shion cast the rope, sending the dart aimed towards Adelheid's head: Bernstein juked left to dodge it, but Shion brought the rope twirling back around... and sent it out a second time, going low. This one struck Adel's leg clean, buckling him.
"Ngh...!" he went down to a knee, and witnessed the corded weapon return to Shion's hand, who began ominously twirling it in a radius around his head... Adelheid tried to time the rotation, but... it was too fast! Maybe if he had his father's cursed eye, he could...!
...A moment of weakness? Wishing for his father's disgraceful powers... he'd chastize himself in front of a mirror for that one tonight.
"BROTHER! YOUR REFLECT BARRIER! TIME THE ARRIVAL AND ACTIVATE YOUR REFLECT BARRIER!" Rose screamed out.
That might actually do it! But he'd have to nail it perfectly... the only way it would work is if that lethal blue head came directly at him. Shion wouldn't give it to him for free...
Shion finally came forward, and commenced a flurry of rapid sweep kicks... 360, 720, 1440... the man never got dizzy as he tore perfect circles through the dirt with advancing sweeps... but the real nature of the attack was in the roped weapon: with every sweep kick, the weapon was also twirling forward, like a helicopter propellor, threatening to clip Adelheid's legs out from underneath him should the turbine catch him. An assortment of well-placed backpedals and backflips allowed Adelheid to avoid the attacks.
Shion came back around... and he gave Adelheid what the boy wanted.
WHIZZZZZZZ! The roped weapon came directly at him, aimed square at his heart... should it pierce, Bernstein would breathe his last...
"Oh my god..!" Benimaru winced. "I can't look!"
"DODGE IT! NOW!" Saisyu barked.
Adelheid's determined eyes shone... he did not step out of the way. He welcomed it, with an extended hand... a bright, brilliant light shimmered, and formed a circle of transparent silver energy, fashioned into a shield, to protect his body from harm.
The bladed piece struck the barrier... and it came right back at Shion.
"GAAAHhhhhhhhhh!" Shion never knew what hit him, as the rope came firing back and his own weapon coiled around him, legs to torso, binding him where he stood, until he could do nothing but fall over and flail in captivity.
"YEEEEEEEEEEEAH YOU GOT HIM ADELHEID!" Rose cheered. "YOU'RE THE BEST! YOU'RE THE BEST!"
"That was too close..." Benimaru puffed. "I think my ass muscles locked up."
The audience roared with cheer, having witnessed Adelheid score the great knockdown against Shion once more, and, for all intents and purposes, achieve an official victory. Maybe their eyes, blinded by spectacle, hadn't fully grasped the situation: that the battle before them had become one to the death. Then again, Adelheid probably didn't fully grasp it either.
Shion had played his cards well enough: lure Adel in with an honest facade, and drag him along until the moment came to get serious. Although he had a minute hope, he'd known the hand-to-hand would go poorly for him. But what he didn't count on... was Adelheid besting his rope dart. As he lay here, wriggling, sickened by their repulsive cheers, he knew his window grew more narrow... he had no other choice but to...
"Shroom... Rimelo..." he grunted out their names. "My spear... now!"
Adelheid believed he'd won, same as the rest of the Stadium. Allowing himself respite, he lowered his guard, and instead approached his captive to seek diplomacy.
"You have some things to answer for, Chinese fighter." he demanded. "First I want to know who you are. Secondly, why you turned this match sour with your-"
"SHIT! The sidelines!" Benimaru pointed out. "Dammit, I forgot about the...!"
Adelheid heard Benimaru's scream; he jerked around... but he took his eyes off Shion, which was a mistake. He only had time to see two shadowy figures, one tall blonde, one short dark, before Shion leaped to his feet and twirled around like a cyclone, unwinding himself from his own weapon.
"MY SPEAR!" he called out, reaching his hand to the sky.
The blonde one, wielding a massively long polearm, leaped high and chucked the weapon as far as he could. Although the sickly looking boy didn't appear to have the strength to handle such a weapon... somehow the spear traveled the appropriate distance and found Shion's hands perfectly.
"ADELHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEID! LOOK OUUUUUUUUUUUUT!" Rose sqealed.
Adelheid's eyes forward, he steeled himself against his newly revived foe, now brandishing a long red spear... the same spear he used to kill his own boss.
"The world chose YOU, Adelheid Bernstein..." Shion spat. "That's why you must DIE!"
NEXT CHAPTER: Adelheid clearly had the upper hand, but Shion with his trusty red spear is a combination of Oreo-like proportions. Will Adel survive the onslaught of the man who mercilessly cut down Magaki? Stay tuned for the honest-to-Orochi conclusion to Round 1!
