The two combatants stood at opposite sides of the training room preparing themselves. Moyna's solution coated each of their augmentations, giving them a dull shine. Ren starred down at the gear knuckles on his hands nervously. Viktor had said that the chemical they had applied would help protect their limbs, but the glint of the serrated edge still put Ren at unease. He had never considered himself the type of person to attack his benefactor.
Viktor on the other hand was completely calm about their encroaching match. After two hit men, what challenge would a single boy pose, even if he was a boy with a powerful augmentation? Certainly, it was not enough to require his entire arsenal of gadgets. His staff and third arm would be sufficient.
Viktor tapped his staff to the ground. "Enough hesitating," he said, "enter the ring."
The ring was a section of the room that Viktor had marked off by scorching a line in the floor with his laser. Such a permanent change told Ren that this was only to be the first of many sparring matches. Ren reluctantly approached the blackened edge.
"What happened to the swagger you were touting last night, N-12," Viktor inquired as he took his place opposite the ring, "you were eager for a chance to fight."
"I was, am," Ren answered, "but is all this necessary, Doc? I don't want to hurt you."
He held up his weapon clad hands for emphasis.
"Do not concern yourself with my safety," Viktor instructed, "focus on yourself."
Ren rolled his shoulders and took a fighting stance.
"Crystal, suit yourself."
Ren tapped his foot as he looked at his opponent. Viktor was so scrawny that Ren was convinced he would topple him with only a few blows. So he studied, looking for a safer angle of attack, when Viktor took the first move. There was a quick whir of machinery and a bright flash before Viktor's laser sent out a searing ray of energy. Ren was quick on his feet though, and easily jumped aside to avoid it. The attack left a black scorch mark where Ren's augmented foot had been moments before.
"You know I hold the advantage at a range," Viktor chastised, "cease wasting our time."
"Alright, but remember, you asked for this."
Ren cleared the distance between them in a few heartbeats. He pulled back one arm and prepared to strike, one little hit to the shoulders. He was about to strike, when Viktor's staff came around fasten than Ren had believed Viktor could move, and struck him in the chest. Ren staggered backwards coughing as he tried to return the wind to his chest.
"I do not recall asking for a pathetic display," came Viktor's cold voice.
Now Ren was angry. He began his assault in earnest. Quick jabs, feinting high with one hand and striking low with the other, and backhanded swings all flew from his fists. The ring of metal on metal filled the room. Viktor met them all with equal zeal, blocking with both his staff and part of his forearm that he had strengthened after his previous encounter. His metal limbs absorbed Ren's light blows painlessly and, if he so chose, Viktor could angle his arm to graze Ren's fingers, causing the sensitive digits to throb painfully. Still, Ren did not relent as he stubbornly blocked out the pain. It was only another shot from the laser that forced him to back off.
Ren stood back and began to tap his foot again.
One. Two. Three. . .
He had counted a whole thirteen seconds before Viktor again had to use his laser to prompt him to action. Ren kept that number in his head as he moved around Viktor and peppered him with light but easily defendable attacks. Viktor was growing annoyed.
Ten.
"I am disappointed with what I am observing," the scientist chastised.
Ren saw the arm become primed for another shot, but now glow emanated from the palm and no attack came. His eyes were fixed on the spot and his legs were ready to leap at a moment's notice as he mentally continued to count.
Thirteen.
There was the light! Ren couldn't suppress the smirk that came to his face. He shifted his fighting stance and his eyes glinted with eagerness. His prediction had been right. This model required thirteen whole seconds to recharge to full power.
"Well," he boasted, "prepared to be un-disappointed."
Viktor found that he had only moments to react before Ren's next attack. With the use of his rocket leg, he was able to leap the gap between them in one jump. Ren landed heavily, but continued his attack immediately with an upward cut. Their metal clanged against each other as Viktor blocked Ren's attack with his staff. Ren pulled his arm back, and then swung again from the side, forcing Viktor to block this blow with his staff once more. Now that his staff was to the side, Viktor's chest was open for an attack. Ren didn't waste another second. He delivered a roundhouse kick to Viktor's side.
Thirteen.
Viktor had stumbled backwards after the kick and had to use his staff to catch himself with. He was not angry from being struck, but he was surprised. He looked over at Ren, who was once again tapping his foot, and observed his fighting stance, loose and relaxed, but with focused, calculating eyes.
"That was closer to my expectations," Viktor said, "but one kick will not win you a fight."
"Oh, I know," Ren responded, "I'm just getting started."
This time the first attack came from Viktor. He was not as quick as Ren, but he didn't need to be. His laser cut across the ground in the direction Ren had intended to step. Ren jumped back as the ground inches from his toes turned black and charred. His arms were up to guard a moment later as Viktor's staff came flying towards him. His forearms caught the blow.
He grunted in pain through clenched teeth. Even with protective padding, Ren knew that this would bruise tomorrow. It only seemed kind to return the favor. He rechambered one of his arms and unleashed it in a quick jab to Viktor's gut. The blow was quick and easily slipped by the staff, but it had left Ren exposed. Without a second arm to guard, the staff swung around and caught him in the shoulder.
Ren cursed. That exchange had not been worth it. He could attack Viktor all day with strikes that would seriously weaken others, but thanks to Viktor's countless augmentations on his insides, most of these attacks weren't giving Ren the reaction he was hoping for.
Then I just need to hit him in a place that hurts robots too.
The thirteen seconds were up again, so Ren approached cautiously. Viktor responded in much the same manner. He would conserve his laser for when he needed it rather than waste it on spurring the boy into action. And so, they slowly circled closer to each other before another burst of explosive movement.
As before, Ren used a boost from his leg to help close the distance. He leapt to the right of Viktor, and feigned with a punch towards his shoulder. Viktor swatter his fist away, but Ren was unfazed, since that was never his intended target. The way Viktor had had to move to block the punch caused his cape to flutter upwards and right into the grasp of Ren's other hand. Seizing his opportunity, Ren grabbed the fabric and yanked hard.
"Pompous cape," he said, "meet tacky tattoos!"
He pulled Viktor off balance buying him the precious seconds he needed to charge his leg. The sweep came strong and fast, smashing into the side of Viktor's knee. Such a blow would have instantly crippled a human. The metal at the knee bent and Viktor buckled over, but he did not fall. Now Viktor had a momentary advantage since the kick left Ren off balance for a heartbeat. It was a heartbeat spent bringing his staff down on the top of Ren's shoulder. Stars danced in Ren's eyes as he felt pain shoot through his arm.
Viktor forced himself upwards, even if it was at an awkward angle. He knew he should call the match; he had felt Ren's shoulder dislocated under the force of the blow and his own leg was straining to support him. But still, he wanted to knock Ren one more time for all the repairs he would have to do later.
Ren had choked down his cries of pain. He shook the stars out of his eyes to refocus himself on Viktor. His arm begged him to tap out, but his heart was set on slugging the Doc one more time in payback. He had survived the pain of his leg being mangled, so he could endure his shoulder for a few moments.
They met in the middle of the ring for the final clash. Viktor brought his staff downwards in a swing with both hands. Ren met the blow with his geared knuckles and caught it in their teeth. The two struggled against each other with their weapons locked. Ren knew that he was physically stronger than Viktor, but with his injured shoulder, he could feel himself steadily losing. He needed to make one more desperate attempt at Viktor's damaged leg, and that's when it happened.
Ren twisted his hands to throw off the staff, but the teeth of one of the gears caught on the power wire wrapped about it. With a tug, the serrated edges sliced through the protective coating and cut the wires within. A shower of sparks erupted from the wire as though it were a bleeding artery. The two both started back surprised from the stinging sparks.
"I'm," Ren stammered, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to break it. I, maybe we should stop now."
Ren ripped the geared knuckles from his hands and threw them on the ground. Viktor looked form his staff to his leg, to Ren, who had begun to shake from exhaustion and pain. He placed the staff on the ground.
"It was a hazard I accepted when I arranged this match," Viktor replied, "I have obtained the data I wanted. Follow me, I will show you how to make repairs."
Ren picked himself up and shuffled off after Viktor, who was limping towards his private rooms with his own awkward gait. In their minds they each berated themselves for attacking the other as viciously as they did and vowed not to do so next time.
