- TOH SHIN DEN: To Challenge Fate -

a Battle Arena Toshinden fanfiction by Athena Asamiya and Kasumi Todoh


CHAPTER SIX: Jurisdiction



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In the morning, after breakfast, Eiji, Kayin and Ellis gathered in Ellis's cabin to discuss the events of last night.
"Okay," Eiji began seriously. "Last night we were all attacked. I'm definately sure that was not part of the agenda."
"My, whatever gave you that idea?" muttered Kayin, who, like the rest of them, didn't get much sleep the previous night.
Eiji gave him an annoyed look and continued. "What we've got to determine is who would want to attack us, and why."
"One of the others contenders?" Ellis suggested thoughtfully.
"Doubtful," Kayin replied. "You're forgetting how many guys jumped us. I also doubt that any of the other contenders have that kind of power over that many people. Besides, everyone arrived alone, not with any of those guys--"
"--And no one else can get into the dorm area without their invitations," Ellis finished.
"Then perhaps it's someone associated with the tournament that has a higher authority," Eiji mused. "You know, like a leader. That kind of person would have no trouble ordering those henchmen to attack us. Still, that doesn't explain why."
"Maybe this whole tournament is a trap of some kind," Kayin replied carelessly. "They bring us here, put us to a test, see how good we do, and the ones they like best are captured or something. That would explain the attacks. I bet they were after you and I, Eiji, because we've fought already and probably impressed them. I bet they weren't even after you, Ellis. You were probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"That makes me feel better," Ellis said with a wry grin. "But now they'll probably be after me as well."
"Those are good theories," Eiji replied. "In fact, those are so good I bet you two are right. Come to think of it, we don't really know much about the company sponsoring this tournament, or the people who run it. You'd think that someone with the time and money to sponsor, finance and hold an event such as this would be able to afford some time to make an appearance every once and a while."
"You think they're hiding something, Eiji-kun?" Ellis asked. "Maybe behind the scenes?"
"Could be. And if you're right, than this is more serious than we thought. That means that once the other combatants have fought, the winners are likely to become targets too. And the next target might not be as lucky as we were!"
"Here's something else to think about," Kayin added. "Since we were all attacked around the same time, then whoever this leader is knew that you and I were alone. My bet is hidden cameras."
Ellis and Eiji both looked at him, confused. "Well, why not?" he demanded defensively. "There could be one in all the cabins, even this one. Maybe the arenas, too. That's how they'd be able to watch us fight and and maybe pick up some personal stuff on us. We use them in bounty hunting all the time. They really do work."
"We need to get to the bottom of this, and fast," concluded Eiji. "But in the meantime, I don't we should tell anyone else what's going on. If someone really is watching us, then the last thing we want to do is let them know we suspect something. Agreed?"
Ellis and Kayin nodded.
"We have to watch our backs. I think we've stumbled apon something bigger than we thought."

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That afternoon, the three headed into one of the side arenas to watch the fight of the day, Chaos against Tracy. Tracy turned out to be the woman who had blown Kayin off the other day, and not much was known about Chaos.
"Who is that guy, anyway?" Ellis questioned once they were seated in the stands and watching the two opponents warm up. "He looks strange, and I didn't hear his name on the roll call list on the first day."
"I'm not sure either," answered Eiji thoughtfully. "Maybe he works for the behind-the- scenes syndicate. What do you think, Kayin-chan--"
Eiji stopped his sentence short when he saw that his best friend was slightly preoccupied-- being mobbed by a group of ecstatic young girls.
"Please, ladies, one at a time," Kayin was saying, clearly enjoying this bit of stardom. "And I should say that you all have such good taste, picking me over the rest of the fighters here..."
Eiji groaned, and turned back to Ellis. "Never mind him. He got sidetracked by his ego."
Ellis giggled. "Does that happen often?"
"More times than you could guess." Eiji laughed suddenly. "You should have seen him when we were training. My brother had the worst time--"
He stopped himself there, and exhaled sharply, annoyed with himself. "But that was the past. Sorry; I shouldn't bring it up again."
Ellis glanced at him. "Eiji-kun, what is all concern about your brother for? I mean, I can understand it, but if he's as good a fighter as you said he was, he should be all right, don't you think?"
Eiji sighed. "It isn't really that simple. You see-"
Before he could finish, Eiji was drowned out by the megaphone voice of the now-familiar announcer, calling out the match.
"Your fighters for tonight! TRACY and CHAOS!"
"So this is the guy I was sent here to fight?" Tracy taunted. "Ha! Let's just hope your moves are better than the way you dress!"
"Bout 1!" called the announcer. "FIGHT!"
Chaos didn't say a word, but rushed forward and slashed his machete-like weapon called a scythe across her chest. Tracy staggered back, wounded, then shouted, "Jackpot!" leaping back onto her arms and pushing herself through the air, flying at him almost horizontally, her feet hitting Chaos in the stomach and knocking him over. He then let forth a huge burst of green energy, catching her off guard and blasting her to the floor. Determined not to make another mistake, she jumped into a Pale Slider that sent Chaos crashing to the ground. Then, before he knew what was happening, Tracy, using an amazing amount of strength for one her size, picked him up and held him upside down. Then, still holding him, she spun upwards and then dropped down, slamming him to the ground headfirst. This move knocked him out, ending Round One to an explosion of cheers with Tracy as the victor.
In Bout Two, Tracy started out by slamming one of her tonfa rod weapons to the floor, creating a small projectile. The projectile missed, and Chaos counterattacked with a Grim Reaper which left Tracy reeling. She once again got up and moved closer, then shouted "Cardiac Arrest!" and thrust her tonfas forward. Tracy decided to finish off Chaos with her biggest attack, the Crazy Planet, which was made up of several normal kicks and punches, almost too fast to see, and also included a spin kick and a flip kick. The kicking and punching pushed Chaos close to the edge of the ring, and the flip kick knocked him off. As he fell, he actually yelled something, but Tracy couldn't hear what it was and neither could Eiji, Kayin or Ellis, who were watching from above. Chaos hit the hard stone floor and lay there, still and unmoving.
"Ring out. The winner--TRACY!"
As Eiji, Kayin and Ellis headed for the door of the arena a few minutes later, they found Tracy standing the doorway.
"Did ya like the fight?" she asked cockily. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone you were here. I doubt security would like it."
"Those were some moves you did," Ellis said to her. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Tracy grinned. "Hey, I'm the best police officer in L.A. A girl's gotta know how to take care of herself. Besides, that guy hit me first. I fought in self-defense."
Eiji, Kayin and Ellis all laughed, previous anxiety forgotten for now, with Tracy joining in, pleased and proud of her victory.

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Gaia had returned that morning just in time to catch the last part of the meeting that had been held in Ellis's cabin.
Those three are on to us, he thought to himself. They were getting too close, and something had to be done about them, but what? If he tried to destroy Eiji and Kayin, Ellis might try to interfere again, and end up getting hurt or killed herself. He didn't want anything to happen to her until he was certain of the truth. He would have his own plans for dealing with her, and nothing must interfere with that. Finally, he decided to wait and see what develops. And, it would probably be better if Uranusu wasn't told about this. With that in mind, Gaia turned and left the room.

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