The Forgotten
Chapter 15: Proving Your Worth.
A headache, just as he expected. He knew fucking that whore would come back to haunt him. Grabbing the sheets that covered his form, he threw them of and sat up on his bed rubbing his head. Time for a shower and some aspirin, he thought. After grabbing the white bottle at his bedside table he threw some of the tiny pills into his mouth and swallowed. He stood and wandered over to a door opposite his bed, opened it and walked in. The room was a blinding white, as his eyes had not yet adjusted to light. Stumbling over to the sink, he splashed the cold water over his face.
"Fucking whore!" mumbled the half-asleep man, grabbing a nearby towel and whipping the water from his face.
"Piper. Report to the President on the double." Rang a voice through the PA system of the building.
Piper sighed and wrapped the towel round his neck before walking out of the door he came from and proceeding to the Presidents office.
----
A mass amount of people surrounded two figures that stood opposite each other in the sandy texture at their feet. It was time for Stratus to prove his worth against Blain. Blain's personally trained men circled the two with Gale and the others.
"Ready punk?" asked Blain, removing his leather coat. Stratus nodded and removed his aqua blue shirt. Both men raised their swords into the air and then brought them down in front of their faces.
"You expect to fight with that huge hunk a junk! You cant possible move that thing!" yelled Blain, a smirk evident on his face.
"I can handle it, don't you worry old man." Replied Stratus, digging his feet into the sand preparing himself for the man's onslaught.
Blain charged at Stratus, bringing his thin katana down onto the raised Buster sword. The swords clashed and Stratus jumped back, blocking a few more strikes by Blain. The crowd moved with the action as people cheered on their respective leaders. Blain seemed to have the upper hand, forcing Stratus back with every blow. Stratus ducked a swipe by Blain and rolled to the side. He snapped his sword up quickly and brought it down on Blain, who raised his katana to block the attack. Blain used his hand to support the blade as Stratus continued to push against the thin blade.
"So you can handle it, not bad." Remarked Blain, pushing his hands into the air knocking Stratus back. Stratus stumbled and then charged for another attack. The swords clashed fiercely, neither one backing off.
"Go Stratus!" yelled Gale from the sidelines, raising her arms into the air.
Vincent watched from a raised platform, a small smile that anyone would miss if they didn't look twice on his face. After all Vincent wasn't the type to smile often, if at all. His evident pleasure watching Stratus match Blain's attacks move for move.
The swords clashed again sending loud echoes throughout the cavern. Stratus gritted his teeth as the blades screeched together, trying to out do the powerful bounty hunter. That was not as easy as he thought it would be. Blain smiled wickedly, noticing the teens struggle. He summoned all the power within himself to knock Stratus to the ground. He succeeded and Stratus crashed to the floor painfully. Blain brought his sword down to Stratus's face and declared victory, but to his dismay Stratus grabbed the blade and pulled, cutting his hand in the process. He raised a knee, which connected with Blains abdomen and then flipped him over his head. Blain hit the ground forcefully, knocking sand into the air. Stratus flipped to his feet and wiped his hand on his shorts, smearing the blood. Blain got to his feet and glared at the teen in anger.
"I won!" he protested.
"I'm still standing aren't I, or are you getting a little too old. I don't expect you to take it easy on me, so let's get the real fight underway." Explained Stratus; grabbing his sword with his right hand, since his left was hurt. Blain grunted his anger and raised a hand into the air. A small tornado appeared and began to get bigger and bigger.
"Shit!" yelled Stratus, raising a magic barrier around him. The tornado took of, Turing up the ground and sending sand into the eyes of the innocent bystanders. The tornado collided with the barrier and started to push against it, it was unable to break the defence for minutes until the barrier finally gave way and the tornado crashed into Stratus, sending him flying into the air and spinning round inside the unforgiving twister. This guy was good, and he certainly wasn't holding back anymore. The violent twister ripped at Stratus clothing, tearing his shirt in two and gashing his body. What could he do, stuck inside this damn tornado he was completely defenceless. Unless. Yes, it was a risky move but it could work. A certain green materia on his belt flashed and suddenly a tornado broke out around Stratus, cancelling the effect of Blains and allowing Stratus to fall to the floor, his torn clothing showing his gashed body.
"Stratus!" yelled Gale, attempting to run to the teen but Lance held her back.
"He's okay. Let him continue." He whispered, calming her.
Stratus staggered to his feet, ripping the rest of his vest off. A huge red cut clear across his chest. This guy was serious; he didn't care if he hurt Stratus one bit.
"I must say I didn't expect you to get out of that, smart move. Creating a tornado to cancel out mine. But it's only a matter of time," Mocked Blain, equipping a new materia in his spare slot on his katana. "Now ready yourself for this!" finished Blain. He swung his katana diagonally through the air, sending a wave of fire towards Stratus.
"Stratus look out!" yelled Gale from behind him. He drowsily looked up at the wave of fire. Without thinking he raised his hand and a red curved light surrounded his hand, the fire hit the light and bounced back towards Blain at immeasurable speed. It collided with him, burning his vest and knocking him to the floor. Steam rose from his body as he grunted and got to his feet. A green light began to glow around Stratus and the gashes disappeared. A huge smirk pulled at his lips as he glared a Blain.
"You could have killed me," Spat Stratus. "I think we should agree on no magic."
"Very well." Agreed Blain raising his sword again. Stratus followed and they began to charge at each other. The swords clashed again and the two began to dance around each other. Stratus swung his sword at Blain who dodged by jumping into the air and bring his sword down onto Stratus. Stratus flipped backwards and Blain got nothing but sand. Stratus lunged forward and swung his sword again, it missed Blain by a hairs length. Blain countered by bringing his sword up under Stratus's and knocking it into the air. Stratus grabbed the handle of Blain's katana as it neared his head and began to struggle with Blain.
After a few minutes of struggling Stratus kicked Blain in the shin and he stumbled, releasing his sword. Stratus spun and almost sliced Blain in half but he dodged. Stratus stuck the katana into the ground and charged at Blain fist first. He was about to bring his fist to Blain's head when:
"Enough!" came a voice from the sidelines. Akira stepped out of the crowd and walked up to Stratus. "You have proved your worth. Well done."
"What? I could still have beaten him!" protested Blain, grabbing Akira's arm.
"That is not the point, the point is you two both gave it your best shot and neither of you could best each other. Therefore he did what he said and proved his worth." Explained Akira. Blain tried to protest but Akira silenced him and dragged him away from Stratus as Gale ran up to him.
"You where great Stratus!" she yelled, diving into his arms. The others approached from behind them.
"Well done Stratus." Said Red, stopping at his feet. Stratus smiled at the group and rubbed the back of his head.
"Thanks guys. Damn my head hurts."
----
Piper entered the Presidents office shortly after receiving the message over the PA. The President of Ranish stood in his usual place, donning his dark hooded cloak and starring out of the window at the bright sun that illuminated the permanently dark room. Piper stood at attention.
"Sir!"
"Piper. How did you like my little gift last night?" asked the President, smirking under his death like cloak.
"Very good sir. Is that all you wanted me for?" asked Piper, half knowing the answer.
"No. I called you here because I have a mission for you. I want you to go to Gongaga and assassinate a man called Samuel Sisk. He isn't a threat to me, not yet anyway. But he very well could be so I want him dead. Understand?"
"Yes sir. I'll take care of it." replied Piper, leaving the room to take his well needed shower.
----
Chapter 15: Proving Your Worth.
A headache, just as he expected. He knew fucking that whore would come back to haunt him. Grabbing the sheets that covered his form, he threw them of and sat up on his bed rubbing his head. Time for a shower and some aspirin, he thought. After grabbing the white bottle at his bedside table he threw some of the tiny pills into his mouth and swallowed. He stood and wandered over to a door opposite his bed, opened it and walked in. The room was a blinding white, as his eyes had not yet adjusted to light. Stumbling over to the sink, he splashed the cold water over his face.
"Fucking whore!" mumbled the half-asleep man, grabbing a nearby towel and whipping the water from his face.
"Piper. Report to the President on the double." Rang a voice through the PA system of the building.
Piper sighed and wrapped the towel round his neck before walking out of the door he came from and proceeding to the Presidents office.
----
A mass amount of people surrounded two figures that stood opposite each other in the sandy texture at their feet. It was time for Stratus to prove his worth against Blain. Blain's personally trained men circled the two with Gale and the others.
"Ready punk?" asked Blain, removing his leather coat. Stratus nodded and removed his aqua blue shirt. Both men raised their swords into the air and then brought them down in front of their faces.
"You expect to fight with that huge hunk a junk! You cant possible move that thing!" yelled Blain, a smirk evident on his face.
"I can handle it, don't you worry old man." Replied Stratus, digging his feet into the sand preparing himself for the man's onslaught.
Blain charged at Stratus, bringing his thin katana down onto the raised Buster sword. The swords clashed and Stratus jumped back, blocking a few more strikes by Blain. The crowd moved with the action as people cheered on their respective leaders. Blain seemed to have the upper hand, forcing Stratus back with every blow. Stratus ducked a swipe by Blain and rolled to the side. He snapped his sword up quickly and brought it down on Blain, who raised his katana to block the attack. Blain used his hand to support the blade as Stratus continued to push against the thin blade.
"So you can handle it, not bad." Remarked Blain, pushing his hands into the air knocking Stratus back. Stratus stumbled and then charged for another attack. The swords clashed fiercely, neither one backing off.
"Go Stratus!" yelled Gale from the sidelines, raising her arms into the air.
Vincent watched from a raised platform, a small smile that anyone would miss if they didn't look twice on his face. After all Vincent wasn't the type to smile often, if at all. His evident pleasure watching Stratus match Blain's attacks move for move.
The swords clashed again sending loud echoes throughout the cavern. Stratus gritted his teeth as the blades screeched together, trying to out do the powerful bounty hunter. That was not as easy as he thought it would be. Blain smiled wickedly, noticing the teens struggle. He summoned all the power within himself to knock Stratus to the ground. He succeeded and Stratus crashed to the floor painfully. Blain brought his sword down to Stratus's face and declared victory, but to his dismay Stratus grabbed the blade and pulled, cutting his hand in the process. He raised a knee, which connected with Blains abdomen and then flipped him over his head. Blain hit the ground forcefully, knocking sand into the air. Stratus flipped to his feet and wiped his hand on his shorts, smearing the blood. Blain got to his feet and glared at the teen in anger.
"I won!" he protested.
"I'm still standing aren't I, or are you getting a little too old. I don't expect you to take it easy on me, so let's get the real fight underway." Explained Stratus; grabbing his sword with his right hand, since his left was hurt. Blain grunted his anger and raised a hand into the air. A small tornado appeared and began to get bigger and bigger.
"Shit!" yelled Stratus, raising a magic barrier around him. The tornado took of, Turing up the ground and sending sand into the eyes of the innocent bystanders. The tornado collided with the barrier and started to push against it, it was unable to break the defence for minutes until the barrier finally gave way and the tornado crashed into Stratus, sending him flying into the air and spinning round inside the unforgiving twister. This guy was good, and he certainly wasn't holding back anymore. The violent twister ripped at Stratus clothing, tearing his shirt in two and gashing his body. What could he do, stuck inside this damn tornado he was completely defenceless. Unless. Yes, it was a risky move but it could work. A certain green materia on his belt flashed and suddenly a tornado broke out around Stratus, cancelling the effect of Blains and allowing Stratus to fall to the floor, his torn clothing showing his gashed body.
"Stratus!" yelled Gale, attempting to run to the teen but Lance held her back.
"He's okay. Let him continue." He whispered, calming her.
Stratus staggered to his feet, ripping the rest of his vest off. A huge red cut clear across his chest. This guy was serious; he didn't care if he hurt Stratus one bit.
"I must say I didn't expect you to get out of that, smart move. Creating a tornado to cancel out mine. But it's only a matter of time," Mocked Blain, equipping a new materia in his spare slot on his katana. "Now ready yourself for this!" finished Blain. He swung his katana diagonally through the air, sending a wave of fire towards Stratus.
"Stratus look out!" yelled Gale from behind him. He drowsily looked up at the wave of fire. Without thinking he raised his hand and a red curved light surrounded his hand, the fire hit the light and bounced back towards Blain at immeasurable speed. It collided with him, burning his vest and knocking him to the floor. Steam rose from his body as he grunted and got to his feet. A green light began to glow around Stratus and the gashes disappeared. A huge smirk pulled at his lips as he glared a Blain.
"You could have killed me," Spat Stratus. "I think we should agree on no magic."
"Very well." Agreed Blain raising his sword again. Stratus followed and they began to charge at each other. The swords clashed again and the two began to dance around each other. Stratus swung his sword at Blain who dodged by jumping into the air and bring his sword down onto Stratus. Stratus flipped backwards and Blain got nothing but sand. Stratus lunged forward and swung his sword again, it missed Blain by a hairs length. Blain countered by bringing his sword up under Stratus's and knocking it into the air. Stratus grabbed the handle of Blain's katana as it neared his head and began to struggle with Blain.
After a few minutes of struggling Stratus kicked Blain in the shin and he stumbled, releasing his sword. Stratus spun and almost sliced Blain in half but he dodged. Stratus stuck the katana into the ground and charged at Blain fist first. He was about to bring his fist to Blain's head when:
"Enough!" came a voice from the sidelines. Akira stepped out of the crowd and walked up to Stratus. "You have proved your worth. Well done."
"What? I could still have beaten him!" protested Blain, grabbing Akira's arm.
"That is not the point, the point is you two both gave it your best shot and neither of you could best each other. Therefore he did what he said and proved his worth." Explained Akira. Blain tried to protest but Akira silenced him and dragged him away from Stratus as Gale ran up to him.
"You where great Stratus!" she yelled, diving into his arms. The others approached from behind them.
"Well done Stratus." Said Red, stopping at his feet. Stratus smiled at the group and rubbed the back of his head.
"Thanks guys. Damn my head hurts."
----
Piper entered the Presidents office shortly after receiving the message over the PA. The President of Ranish stood in his usual place, donning his dark hooded cloak and starring out of the window at the bright sun that illuminated the permanently dark room. Piper stood at attention.
"Sir!"
"Piper. How did you like my little gift last night?" asked the President, smirking under his death like cloak.
"Very good sir. Is that all you wanted me for?" asked Piper, half knowing the answer.
"No. I called you here because I have a mission for you. I want you to go to Gongaga and assassinate a man called Samuel Sisk. He isn't a threat to me, not yet anyway. But he very well could be so I want him dead. Understand?"
"Yes sir. I'll take care of it." replied Piper, leaving the room to take his well needed shower.
----
