In the Beginning 24/?
Disclaimer: I neither own nor created the character of Marcus, Neroon, Babylon 5, etc… No infringement is intended.
Rating: PG-13 (possibly R in later chapters) for m/m situations and violence. SLASH. If this offends you read no further.
Not a lot of Marcus-Neroon action, but I just love writing a good fight scene.
Competitive Spirit
The tournament began with a strong fight between Orso, an Irish Ranger a few years older than Marcus, and A'lann one of my finest Warriors. These two were obviously on of the more advanced pike fighters in our crews, as became evident as the fight progressed.
They were fairly evenly matched in skill and the other Minbari were surprised at the level of skill the Ranger possessed, while the Rangers were watching nervously. A'lann just kept coming, seemingly impervious to Orso's continued attacks until he caught the Irishman by surprise when he copied on of his own moves, a sweep with his pike.
Since Minbari balance with their whole bodies and our legs are strong, those types of moves are inefficient when fighting amongst our own. Borrowing it from Orso however, and it worked beautifully, both in execution and surprise factor.
Before Orso could regain his feet, his pike was knocked from his hand and A'lann was standing over his ready to attack. The gathered crewman watched in charged silence as the two warriors stared at each other, both looking particularly fierce. The tension rose so that it felt as if energy crackled about the room. Finally A'lann collapsed his pike and reached down a hand to help the Ranger to his feet.
"Well fought, Anla'shok." He told his opponent once his feet were underneath him again. Orso nodded in acknowledgement and smirked at the taller Minbari.
"You're not so bad yourself, laddie."
A'lann looked confused at the moniker, but seemed to shrug it off as another strange human mannerism and walked side by side with Orso to the edge of the mats.
The first bout set the mood for the beginning of the tournament, both competitive but friendly. After the Rangers saw how well the Minbari fought, they became a bit cautious of looking foolish, so for the next few bouts they held back a bit. Either way the Star Riders were consistently beating the Anla'shok after a well-fought spar, although it was obvious to all that the Star Riders were not trying to the best of their abilities. As the sixth human was defeated they began to grumble a bit, unsettled by their easy defeats at our hands.
I was about to call Marcus forward against one of my best-trained warriors, confident in his abilities, when Marcus suddenly called a man named Jason Brasken forward from the expert group. I looked at Marcus questioningly, but I received a wink for my confusion.
I was even more surprised when he called Vatir, who just so happened to be present incase any serious injuries occurred. He looked at me in surprise and I merely shrugged, nodding slightly to give him permission. Vatir was one of the best-kept secrets of the Star Riders.
While most simply saw him as my healer, a few well versed in history found records of his exemplary record of service as my Second. For a good many years he was my right hand and with the both of us side by side we were near unbeatable. Although he is now my Chief Healer, during battles off the Ingata he is still my main ally.
Many are unaware of his skills in combat because he chooses to present the front of a pacifist healer; Vatir is one of the most deadly opponents you would ever hope to meet. I wasn't sure if Marcus expected this Brasken to fight the healer or the decorated fighter, but either way I was looking forward to it.
They bowed impassively, and began circling the other. Brasken attacked first and didn't let up as Vatir blocked. From there metal clashed loudly as their attacks quickened so that they were barely begun before the other countered in lightning quick speed. Brasken used moves that were strangely familiar yet were innovative for the Mastery of Pike wielding as well. I looked over at Marcus who was looking like a proud papa, and I assumed that he trained Jason in the denn'bok. After close to a half an hour Vatir happened to get a lucky hit in with his whole upper body strength behind it and Brasken was knocked clear out of the ring to the shock of everyone.
Disclaimer: I neither own nor created the character of Marcus, Neroon, Babylon 5, etc… No infringement is intended.
Rating: PG-13 (possibly R in later chapters) for m/m situations and violence. SLASH. If this offends you read no further.
Not a lot of Marcus-Neroon action, but I just love writing a good fight scene.
Competitive Spirit
The tournament began with a strong fight between Orso, an Irish Ranger a few years older than Marcus, and A'lann one of my finest Warriors. These two were obviously on of the more advanced pike fighters in our crews, as became evident as the fight progressed.
They were fairly evenly matched in skill and the other Minbari were surprised at the level of skill the Ranger possessed, while the Rangers were watching nervously. A'lann just kept coming, seemingly impervious to Orso's continued attacks until he caught the Irishman by surprise when he copied on of his own moves, a sweep with his pike.
Since Minbari balance with their whole bodies and our legs are strong, those types of moves are inefficient when fighting amongst our own. Borrowing it from Orso however, and it worked beautifully, both in execution and surprise factor.
Before Orso could regain his feet, his pike was knocked from his hand and A'lann was standing over his ready to attack. The gathered crewman watched in charged silence as the two warriors stared at each other, both looking particularly fierce. The tension rose so that it felt as if energy crackled about the room. Finally A'lann collapsed his pike and reached down a hand to help the Ranger to his feet.
"Well fought, Anla'shok." He told his opponent once his feet were underneath him again. Orso nodded in acknowledgement and smirked at the taller Minbari.
"You're not so bad yourself, laddie."
A'lann looked confused at the moniker, but seemed to shrug it off as another strange human mannerism and walked side by side with Orso to the edge of the mats.
The first bout set the mood for the beginning of the tournament, both competitive but friendly. After the Rangers saw how well the Minbari fought, they became a bit cautious of looking foolish, so for the next few bouts they held back a bit. Either way the Star Riders were consistently beating the Anla'shok after a well-fought spar, although it was obvious to all that the Star Riders were not trying to the best of their abilities. As the sixth human was defeated they began to grumble a bit, unsettled by their easy defeats at our hands.
I was about to call Marcus forward against one of my best-trained warriors, confident in his abilities, when Marcus suddenly called a man named Jason Brasken forward from the expert group. I looked at Marcus questioningly, but I received a wink for my confusion.
I was even more surprised when he called Vatir, who just so happened to be present incase any serious injuries occurred. He looked at me in surprise and I merely shrugged, nodding slightly to give him permission. Vatir was one of the best-kept secrets of the Star Riders.
While most simply saw him as my healer, a few well versed in history found records of his exemplary record of service as my Second. For a good many years he was my right hand and with the both of us side by side we were near unbeatable. Although he is now my Chief Healer, during battles off the Ingata he is still my main ally.
Many are unaware of his skills in combat because he chooses to present the front of a pacifist healer; Vatir is one of the most deadly opponents you would ever hope to meet. I wasn't sure if Marcus expected this Brasken to fight the healer or the decorated fighter, but either way I was looking forward to it.
They bowed impassively, and began circling the other. Brasken attacked first and didn't let up as Vatir blocked. From there metal clashed loudly as their attacks quickened so that they were barely begun before the other countered in lightning quick speed. Brasken used moves that were strangely familiar yet were innovative for the Mastery of Pike wielding as well. I looked over at Marcus who was looking like a proud papa, and I assumed that he trained Jason in the denn'bok. After close to a half an hour Vatir happened to get a lucky hit in with his whole upper body strength behind it and Brasken was knocked clear out of the ring to the shock of everyone.