"Genki, over there!" Hare called from the top of the
hill. The boisterous youth raced up the hill towards him, Mocchi
clinging to his backpack.
"Wow, would you look at the size of that thing." Genki
panted, eyes wide with wonder, "It's huge!"
"Really big, chi!"
Suezo glared at the small group on top of the hill, "Would
you three tell me what you see already!?!" Genki grinned
down at the oversized eyeball, "You're the one with the
perfect sight, Suezo. Come see for yourself!"
The remaining searchers clambered up the steep hill towards the
young boy and the two monsters.
Holly's eyes immediately lit up at the very sight, "Danton's
coliseumit's magnificent!"
Hare grinned, rubbing his hands together, "Yeah! Just think
of the prize money!!"
Tiger snorted in disgust, "Don't get your hopes up, Hare. We're
too late to enter."
Hare laughed a little nervously, "Who said I'd ever want to
enter that tournament." Tiger raised his eyebrows
in suspicion as he watched the humanoid rabbit race down the hill
after Genki and Mocchi.
"And what was that supposed to mean?" Tiger
growled.
"Golem not know." The rock giant shrugged.
Holly silently watched the marble coliseum on the horizon line.
She felt that familiar warmth against her chest. The magic stone
was now glowing brightly in her hand. The phoenix seemed to point
directly at the coliseum.
"I wonder if"
"Holly!! Aren't you coming?!" Genki called from the
bottom of the hill. Holly quickly slipped the stone behind her
shirt and carried on down the hill towards her friends.
The grand marble coliseum was alive with the cheering and
applause of the surrounding people. High upon the large viewing
platforms, two announcers, a Bajarl and Usaba, welcomed the
crowds.
Usaba: Well it certainly looks like a big turn
out for the final round of this years tournament, ay Bajarl?!
Bajarl: That's right Usaba. In each team only
two contestants are left standing! Ha, ha, ha!
Usaba: Yes that's right people! On the first
team we have our local, and running champs for three years
straight, Jaggernaut and Bluuuuuuuuee KATO!
The crowd immediately went wild at the mere mention of the two
famous champions.
Bajarl: And on the second team we have our two
newcomers this year! Celious and North!!
The crowd wasn't too enthusiastic with their cheering this time,
making it painfully clear whose side they were rooting for. At
the front of the stands, five monsters watched the surrounding
arena, packed with both humans and monsters alike. At the front
of the group stood an odd looking female Hare hybrid.
"Hmm, how flattering." She grinned mischievously,
"Let's just wait and see who they'll be cheering for after I
win the match."
She continued to watch as both Jaggernaut and Blue Kato took
their positions in the centre of the arena.
The Danton tournament was no ordinary competition. The contest
would continue over three weeks, in which time two Monsters from
each team would do battle in separate arenas. The winner of the
battle was the one left alive. It was a cruel contest where most
monsters were forced into it by greedy masters, hungry for the
grand prize money.
The bustling crowds cheered again as Celious and North made an
appearance in the ring. Looking around the enormous arena, the
female Hare hybrid swallowed a little nervously.
"This place is, eh, kinda bigwouldn't you say?"
She stuttered, inching a little closer to the enormous Centaur
crossbreed.
"Yes, rather breath-taking isn't it?" Celious smiled
down at her.
North sweatdropped, "You can say that againhey, are
you nervous?"
Celious raised his eyebrow in amusement, "You said there was
nothing to be afraid of, and I believe you."
North glared at him, "Ha, ha! You know very well that I was
putting on a show back there!" She admitted, sourly.
"Why, my dear. I had no idea."
The Hare Hybrid watched the Centaur for a moment. He was the
essence of calm. How could she ever match up to someone like him?
These thoughts were suddenly shattered by the whiny tone of the
monsters before them.
"Oh little girlie." The Blue Kato sang in a mocking
tone of voice. "So you're my opponent, ha! This'll be quick."
Celious quickly shot North a warning glance and whispered, "Don't
let your anger control your actions. You must fight with a clear
head." North nodded narrowing her eyes and bringing her
fists forward in defense. Blue Kato was a little taken aback as
he saw her now unsheathed claws; sharpened blades gleaming in the
light.
Snarling, the four opponents leapt into heated battle.
Genki's eyes widened in shock as he watched the battle from the
white marble balcony. So far the crimson eyed Jaggernaut had
easily been defeated by the gallant Celious. His Mystery Disk had
been removed and now the only two monsters left fighting were
Blue Kato and the mysterious Hare hybrid. Genki had never seen
such speed before. The two were moving so fast so that all he
could make out was a silvery, blue blur darting across the arena
floor.
Suddenly North was caught off by Blue Kato's fist flying into her
chest. The crowd gasped as the power of his punch threw her into
the solid marble wall. North fell to her knees, gasping for air.
"Arg! I can't watch" Suezo whined, burrowing himself in
Holly's stomach. "Tell me when it's over."
Genki kept his clear brown eyes trained on the silver furred
rabbit. Furrowing his dark eyebrows, he swore that he could see a
light coming from the green tie around her wrist. Was he
imagining things? Or was he simply going crazy? Nevertheless, he
kept his watch on her.
North sweated as the smirk on the Blue Kato's face increased.
Slowly he began to advance on her, grinning from ear to ear.
"Looks like the little girlie isn't so tough after all."
He smirked, sharp talons at the ready.
Growling, the Hare hybrid leapt into the air in a ball of bright
light. The Blue Kato spun around, eyes wide with shock at her
unexpected move. Before North had even landed, she had called out
her attack, sending bolts of powerful white lighting charging
towards him.
When the blinding bright light finally faded away, only a lone
lost disk was left in the centre of the arena.
The surrounding crowd's cheering was now ear-splitting. North was
bent on one knee, panting heavily. Genki watched as two more
monsters, an Earedmew and a Mustardy, raced to meet her in the
centre of the arena.
Holly shivered a little, leaning against Golem's leg for support,
"Genki, I think we should leave now." She said in a
small voice. The young girl had found the whole tournament to be
very unsettling. To her there just didn't seem any point in
destroying someone for money.
Hare nodded a little shakily, "Yeah. That was a bit too much
to take."
Suezo grumbled, "Especially before dinner time."
"Golem, not like this tournament. Fighting bad. Makes no
sense." Holly sighed heavily, leading the group through the
arched doorway and away from the coliseum.
Genki, however, stayed pinned against the balcony, his eyes still
focused on the Hare hybrid. Tiger watched the young boy's face
with concern.
"Genki. You alright kid?"
There was a short silence before Genki turned to the lupine
monster with his usual cheerful grin. "Ha! Don't worry Tiger,
I'm fine. C'mon, let's catch up!" With that, the young boy
turned on his heel and raced after the other Searchers.
Tiger furrowed his brow in suspicion. He never understood why
Genki always covered up what he was feeling with a simple smile.
However, the blue wolf mused, he couldn't really object.
Shaking his head, Tiger followed after the young human.
The tavern was busier than usual, filled to the brim with drunken
monsters and humans. The Searchers had come in hope of a place to
stay for the night. However, the tavern had been booked for weeks
because of the grand tournament. Holly shivered, not able to
understand why so many people would want to see monsters destroy
each other.
Holly had decided, upon both Suezo and Mocchi's whining, that
they would stay for something to eat. So the small group finally
settled by the window, silently watching people go by. Each
member of the group was trying to keep their minds focused on the
reason they had come to the village. 'The Rebel Force'.
But from what they had just witnessed, it was proving a hard task.
However, a silvery white flash caught the corner of Hare's eye.
Turning around, the humanoid rabbit immediately recognised the
small band of monsters at the back of the room.
"Hey, aren't they the rebels Pixie and Big Blue told us
about?" He whispered to no one in particular. Genki glanced
over at the table in the far corner of the bar. There sat seven
rather ruff looking characters engrossed in a game of poker.
The first three monsters he focused on were the meanest looking
of the bunch and seemed to be together. A stubborn looking Trojan
was currently dealing out the cards to the other six. He seemed
to be the leader of his group. On his right side was a sly
looking Salamander. Genki glanced to the left side of the centaur
hybrid. There sat the hellish looking Skull Capped. He swallowed
nervously. Skull Capped always sent shivers down his spine.
Genki quickly turned his attention to the other four monsters.
His eyes widened as he matched the description Pixie had given
them of 'The Rebel Force' to the four monsters who were
sitting across from the Trojan's 'posse'.
In the middle sat a fierce looking Terror Dog with burning red
eyes, who was currently watching the Trojan deal the cards very
carefully. He was obviously an untrusting character and the
eldest of the second group. He seemed to fit Pixie's description
perfectly. As did the other three monsters beside him. First the
playful young Earedmew and the crafty looking Mustardy. Finally
his eyes settled down on the familiar female Hare hybrid at the
edge of the table.
Ha! I knew it was her. Hmm, North ay? Genki
grinned happily to himself. But where are the other two?
He wondered, remembering how Pixie had given the searchers
six descriptions.
"Do you really think that's them Genki?" Holly
whispered in his ear as she studied the four gambling monsters.
Hare looked unimpressed, "Great, all this time we've been
searching for a few money crazed gamblers?" Arms crossed, he
slumped back into his chair, "Pretty pathetic if you ask me."
Tiger snarled. "Huh. You're one to talk!"
Hare sweatdropped and grinned. "Heh-heh. Well ahhthat's
beside the point!"
Suezo hopped down from his stool, glancing back at the others.
"Well? Are you guys gonna sit around and argue all night, or
are we gonna get this over and done with?!"
Holly smiled, "That's a first Suezo. You're not usually the
one who gives the pep talk."
Suezo frowned at her, "I just wanna get this over with so we
can get onto dinner!" and with that the eyeball began
hopping over to the table followed closely by Genki and Hare.
Holly and Mocchi glanced back at Tiger, "Aren't you coming
Tiger?" Holly asked quietly.
Tiger stared down at the Tavern's floor with an unreadable
expression, "Uh, no. I'll stay here. You go ahead with Genki."
Sensing that Tiger didn't want to explain anything, Holly simply
nodded and followed the others. Mocchi however, leapt beside him
and slung his little pink flabby arm over the blue wolf's neck.
"Don't worry Tiger, chi. Mocchi stay and keep you company!"
He giggled, and hugged the wolf affectionately.
Tiger growled and pulled away, his face now hidden in the dark
shadows.
North stretched and sighed triumphantly. "Well gentlemen, it
was a really nice game. But now, I bid you farewell."
The three furious monsters got up from their seats, raging about
their defeat. The second they'd left, the Mustardy and the Hare
hybrid pulled their eyelids down and stuck out their tongues.
"Ha! Ha! What losers! That Salamander don't know anything 'bout
cheating! Heh, heh!" The Mustardy laughed, high-fiving the
little Earedmew beside him. "Yeah did you see their faces?!
I thought Trojan was gonna erupt!" The young monster gave a
childish chuckle. Even the Terror dog seemed pretty smug about
their triumph.
Eyes sparkling and grinning from ear to ear, North quickly
scooped all the money into a little leather pouch, "Goodbye
losers, hellooo money!"
"Ahem, excuse memam?" Came a small voice.
The four monsters looked up at the little group addressing them.
Jeice (the Mustardy) squinted his eyes at Genki, "Whoa, kid
you're so pink it hurts to look at you! What do ya want?"
The searchers had suddenly lost their nerve. Even Genki looked a
little embarrassed. "Well I uhh, was wondering, umm, uhhhh"
Genki began nervously scratching the back of his head.
The Hare hybrid had begun drumming her fingers on the table
impatiently, "Listen kid, do we know you?"
"Eh, no but." Holly tried to reply.
"Do you know us?"
"Not really but,"
"Are you looking for a game of poker?" Jeice asked
equally as bored as the Hare hybrid beside him.
"Well I," Hare was immediately cut off by Suezo who
leapt forward to speak.
"We, as you may have heard, are 'the Searchers'."
The eyeball announced proudly. That seemed to waken Genki up.
"Yeah, and we've been looking for the leader of 'The
Rebel Force'." He said, looking directly at North.
The female Hare raised her eyebrow, "You meanme?"
The four monsters suddenly began laughing, "Listen kid, I
dunno what wacko told you that, but I ain't no hero."
Jeice picked up the pouch of golds and got to his feet, "Go
back to your mommy and daddy. It's way past your bedtime kids!"
And with that, the small group of monsters followed the Mustardy
to the tavern door.
Suezo and Hare stood rooted to the spot, fuming. "How rude
can you get!" Hare muttered beneath his breath.
"Yeah, what a lousy bunch. C'mon Genki, let's go get
somethin' to eat." Suezo said, hopping back to the table
where Mocchi and Tiger still waited.
Tiger and Mocchi looked up at the group expectantly. "Well,
what happened?" Tiger asked.
The group sat down dejectedly. "Nothing happened."
Holly sighed, clutching her magic stone.
Holly looked up at her friends. They looked just as blue as she
was. Were they all beginning to lose hope? Even she found it hard
to believe the prospect of finding the other rebelsmaybe
even the Phoenix.
No. We can't give up because Genki's here. She
smiled, And he'll never let us give up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE REBEL FORCE
North ~ (Hare/???)
Description: ((Lightning Hare)) Look a lot like
Pulsars (hare/tiger) except that their fur is a silvery light
shade of blue, and they have no horn. They can be quite fierce in
battle because of their speed and razor sharp retractable claws (both
Kato traits).
On the outside, the female Hare hybrid is an energetic character
who, like Jeice, doesn't take much very seriously. However, on
the inside she is seeking revenge for her old village. When she
was younger her village and family were destroyed by the Evil
General Vesuvius and his army. After that she was on her own
until she met up with a cocky young Mustardy and a shy Hare Hound.
Jeice ~ (Zuum/Suezo) = Jeice tends not to take
things very seriously. He and North tend to fight a lot, but when
it comes down to it they are loyal friends having known each
other from the very beginning. (he was kinda based on Jeice from
Dragon Ball Z. ALL HAIL JEICE AND THE GINYU FORCE!!......or
not. ignore me.)
Aiko ~ Hare Hound (Tiger/Hare) = The female Hare
Hound can be rather shy at times, but is an essential part of 'The
Rebel Force'. Like Holly, she is the more reasonable side to the
group. She also has a thing for the great Tiger Of The Wind,
however she keeps her feelings hidden well.
Itchy ~ Earedmew (Mew/Hare) = If North has a
sidekick then, Itchy would be the one! The young playful Mew
hybrid is always up for a good fight, now matter how young he is!
Terror ~ Terror Dog (Tiger/Monol) = Terror (Known
as 'Terror of the Night') is the eldest member of the
Rebel Force, not to mention the wisest. This is what probably
tics Tiger Of The Wind off!
Celious ~ (Centaur/Tiger) =
Honour means everything to Celious. He is a noble monster who
wouldn't think twice about giving up his life in order to save
his friends.