A.N: Weeelcome back y'all! Once again, thank you all for the continued support as the story continued to grow and grow. Onto reviews!
Empyrean Asura: (I'll be covering both of your reviews for this reply) Got a tough customer here XD. In all seriousness, I ultimately understand where you're coming from. Firstly, there are probably going to be more plot-conveniences along the way. I get that as a writer, it's my job to erase them entirely, but it's most likely going to slip my mind from time to time, so guilty as charged. Second, I get that trying to make a character too relatable by adding something (eg. dyslexia in this case) can come off as cringe, but they way that I have Rappa view his own issue comes from a mix of personal experiences along with asking other friends and acquaintances about their own views on a disability like that. You aren't incorrect to call dyslexia a relatively small issue on its own, but for some people who do have issues like that, it's natural to feel self-loathing for something that hinders them. Though, in terms of the forced conflict removal part, I'm afraid that I don't understand what you mean by that. Thank you for your thoughts, and I hope that you get back to me!
SkeenTheDream: Heh, funny you should say that, because I actually main Rappa on One's Justice 2! It's a bit subtle, but I've made subtle nods to it with the way he fought before this chapter (and god, he is SO MUCH FUN TO PLAY). Though, it does give you an idea of what would happen if he were to refine his fighting style a bit... Anyway, the Rappa and Rumi interaction paralleling with the recent Jumanji was on complete accident, but it's funny as hell looking back and realising that XD. In terms of Alex Mercer, I've never actually delved into the Prototype series, but from the looks of it, it looks fun as hell, and it'll probably help me flesh out a few antagonists, so thanks for that dude. Once more, thanks for the support my guy!
Longnose: Glad to craft a chapter as per usual man! In all honesty, the Advance is almost exactly like Luffy's Gear Second, the only real difference being that Luffy is really made out of rubber and that he uses his arms or legs as pumps. Read on dude!
Kevin J Rosario Cruz: Ah... well shit. To be honest, I should've known that adding too many irrelevant and wacky characters might've led up to this (OC Gilgamesh is... a bit... too much XD). Regardless, I know that you're not trying to be rude or anything, and I really appreciate your courteousness in voicing your opinions. I'll ensure that I improve the story to better focus on our main characters, and by 10 or 15 chapters, I hope that you return! I'm not going anywhere, and I'll gladly welcome you back whenever you feel refreshed and ready. Until then, I tip my hat to you my man!
Vince Fangway: I'm glad that there's someone with scientific knowledge who can understand just how crippling of a technique the Advance can be. Literally the only reason why he and so many other student are allowed to pull of all the crazy shit that they do is because of Recovery Girl being there. Inversely though, since the heart is a muscle, and muscles become stronger after they heal then... ;D. Either way, thanks for the scientific input my dude!
ChernoAlpha117: Glad you're liking the story man! Training will come later down the line, that's for sure. The question is what kind of monster he becomes afterwards. Welcome to the train man!
Galaxy Knight: Yup! Slowly but surely, he's going to become better at reciprocating feelings to Rumi as time goes on, and this was a big step for him, even if it was a bit spontaneous.
Guest: Yeah, to be honest, it isn't the smartest decision I made. I sort of just came up with the story one day and never really got around to who class 1-B would have in store, and I needed some quick inspirations to fill in the super-barren roster. Needless to say, there won't be any more other-verse character additions to the story, and I'll return to focus on our main cast of 1-A, more specifically Kendo and Rumi. That being said there's only a single class 1-B character that has any further 'development', and that's in part going to affect the timeline of the current U.A that we see in the show, specifically the growth of a canon character. Won't say much beyond that, but thank you for your thoughts!
With that being said... the moment you've been waiting for: a showdown between the baddest boys in 1-A! Let's go!
Rumble Young Man Rumble!
Chapter 20
Evolve, Kendo Rappa!
'God… it's not like I'm dropping asleep or anything like that,' Kendo thought as he walked down the tunnel. 'But… my muscles… my body feels cold. I feel tired…' He shook his head, hardening his face. "Can't bitch about that now. Just gotta get into my rhythm." When the light hit his face, he was greeted with a wave of cheers and applause was initially sent his way until it suddenly died down, the camera revealing his haggard appearance. Still, he smiled and waved, his apparent gutsiness shining through to the crowd. It did help that he managed to get his feelings across to Rumi, a weight lifted off his shoulders. Though, it didn't change the fact that he was an underdog now. On the other hand, Tetsude's walk-in was greeted with thunderous cheering, the larger boy roaring with them with his hands raised in the air.
The moment they both laid eyes on each other, hatred sparked between the two teens as they walked towards each other. Much to everyone's surprise, they ignored Midnight and walked right up to each other, clashing heads as they snarled.
"Glad you made it this far, invalid," Tetsude growled, "I finally get my chance to grind you into the dirt like the wood-boy from before."
"Watch your fuckin' mouth," Kendo spat, grinding his forehead into his harder. "You know that your ass wouldn't be here if Shinji's body lasted for a second longer. You're talking a lot of mad shit for someone who got here off of luck, so you ain't got the right to belittle someone who's ten times the hero your sorry ass is!"
"Tch, like I give a fuck. I'm here now, and I'm here to beat you to a pulp! You should've quit because I don't care about what condition you're in."
"Both of you, knock it off and separate yourselves!" Midnight's voice cracked like a whip with her whip, finally making the two back off from each other. You would have to be blind and deaf to miss the raw hatred between the two of them, and everyone watching was most certainly not. If there was anything a majority of the public loved it was drama: the fact that it was about to be settled with a showdown between two of the most physically fighters in the Tournament only made it all the more exciting.
"…are the two of you ready?" Midnight called out after a moment.
"Just hurry up and get it over with!" Tetsude barked, cracking his knuckles.
"I agree with this dickhead for once," Kendo said with a scowl. Everyone's eyebrows were raised as he put up his guard: not a loose, low-handed brawler's guard, but a genuine fighting-pose. Even Tetsude was caught by surprise, a small voice in the back of his mind immediately warning him.
'Something's different.'
"Let the first match of the Quarter-Finals… BEGIN!"
*SNAP*
Tetsude instantly felt all the air blasted from his lungs, shocking pain locking his body up. 'Wha-!?' He didn't have time to hit back as soon as he felt a tight right-hook crash into his jaw, his vision flashing white as he stumbled back. He lashed out blindly with a wild right-hand only for Kendo to quickly shift to the side, blasting another right hook into Tetsude's ribs. 'He's nothing like he was last time I fought him! The quality of his punches are way different, and his technique is leagues better!' The larger boy thought as he immediately back-stepped to create some space and give himself some breathing-room. Still, Kendo closed the distance once more, standing right in front of Tetsude with his teeth bared.
"Wrath Helix!"
Tetsude's arms cried out as Kendo unleashed his Quirk with a hail of jab-crosses, several times sharper than he normally was months ago as fist met flesh and bone. Tetsude struggled to stay calm under the merciless barrage, until it suddenly stopped. 'NOW-AUGH!' He gnashed his teeth as another uppercut blasted into his ribs, his feet suddenly swept out from under him and his back crashing to the floor. He gasped and hastily covered up as Kendo jumped up and roared as he smashed his fists down onto his guard, the floor cracking and caving in from the sheer force of it. Kendo had no intention of stopping, activating his quirk once more and blasting another terrifying barrage that made Tetsude feel like he was literally being jack-hammered into the floor. Though, when he peeked through his guard, he saw it: the sweat already dripping down his face, the strain in his eyes with every single movement. 'I can see you, you stupid FUCKER!'
"Blast Core!" With his muscles tightened up, Tetsude shot both his fists straight up with his increased muscle-density, his knuckles blasting into Kendo's chest and stomach like a bomb going off. Specks of blood flew from his mouth as his body curved through the air, crashing into the floor.
'F-fuck, I got careless!' Kendo berated himself as he scrambled to his feet, ignoring the urge to clutch his throbbing chest. 'I gotta keep attacking! I can't lose my tension or else all my accumulated damage comes back to bite my ass!'
"Don't get carried away you fucker!" Kendo roared as he dashed forward and slammed another right cross into the larger boy's guard, barely managing to yank his head out of the way of another wild swing before he roared and fired off another powerful right hook. Again it slammed into Tetsude's guard, knocking his arm out of the way and exposing his shocked face.
'He looks dead on his feet!' Tetsude thought, 'How is this fucker still pulling off moves like this!?'
"WRATH-BREAKER!"
Enhanced by his quirk, his fist ripped through the air and crashing into absolutely nothing.
"BLAST CORE!"
His vision turned white as he felt his cheekbone crack, a massive hand smashing into his face with the force of a bullet-train. He almost blacked out there and then, the only thing waking him back up being the sharp scrape across his arm as his body skid across the floor. His eyes snapped back into focus as he lurched to his feet, throwing out another wild left hook as he saw Tetsude move in, his knuckles cracking across his face cleanly. The bigger boy stumbled, caught off guard by the retaliation and Kendo savagely capitalised, cracking another uppercut into his jaw. 'Don't stop now! I can't afford to stop or it's all over!' Even as he tore into Tetsude with another Wrath Helix. This time though, anyone with decent fighting-knowledge could see the change in Kendo's technique: he was getting sloppy.
"He's trying too hard to finish him off," Rumi realised, nervously wrapping a strand of hair around her finger. "Tetsude knows it too. Look. He's been drawing it out and turning it into a fight based of raw strength…"
"…Strength that Kendo even at his peak can't match," Yu finished, biting her nail. "God… he might actually lose this one." Rumi wanted to lash out at that instinctively, but she reigned herself in. Yu was right after all, with the battle being drawn more and more into Tetsude's pace. She grit her teeth, stood up and ran off. Curious and concerned, Yu and Shinji both gave each other a look before they hobbled off in an attempt to follow her.
Elsewhere, Nighteye watched on, concerned within his own right. 'How odd. The damage he appears to be taking now is an indirect hamper to your ability to perform now. Are you capable of keeping your head on your shoulders and winning, or will you rely on a skill that appears to directly affect your health negatively?' He hummed, leaning back as his eyes narrowed. 'Perhaps I overestimated you.'
Back to the battle, Tetsude's face twisted wider and wider with a triumphant grin. 'I was right, you ARE dead on your feet! This match is as good as mine now!'
"C'mon you invalid! Is that all the power you've got!?"
"SHUT UP AND DIE!" Kendo roared, his bloodied face only making his yellow eyes glint with sheer madness. His technique was non-existent, having devolved to wild swings, powerful within their own right, but easily telegraphed to the improved Tetsude. They both rushed at each other, both of their fists exploding into each other's faces with enough force to crack the floor and let loose a shockwave. Tetsude cackled as Kendo roared like an animal, both of them standing in place as they forgot entire about defence and went purely on the offensive. A left and right hook cracked into Tetsude's face, but the larger boy just kept laughing an uppercut snapping another one of Kendo's ribs before an elbow opened a bloody gash on his forehead. Blood flew through the air as a wild right swing crushed Tetsude's nose, but he ignored it, slamming his head into Kendo's mouth, his lip ripping open like wet paper.
Bit by bit, the crowd turned quieter and quieter, cheers morphing into stares of awe and a hint of revulsion at the literal bloodbath that was going on, the stone of the arena floor quickly painted with red. It was like watching something gruesome but being unable to tear your eyes away. This wasn't a contest between two heroes. This had just turned into a fight to the death.
*THOOM-THOOM*
"I'LL GUT YOU ALIVE! ADVANCE!" It wasn't just a burst of white steam that exploded from Kendo's body, but the literal red haze of his blood evaporating into the air. Though it was partially unconscious, Kendo had done it: he'd let his control go and went berserk, unleashing the full extent of his fading strength. 'Theeeeeere we go!' The other him laughed in his mind. 'It doesn't matter if you live or not! Just go wild! Shatter his bones! Twist his flesh! Gut him like a pig! RIP AND TEAR!'
People screamed as his body seemed to blur into a mass of violence and wrath, his fists disappearing as they riddled Tetsude like heavy ordnance. His head was whipped back and forth, his jaw cracking despite his increased muscle density. And yet, the larger boy continued to smile. "YOU MIGHT BE FASTER THAN YOU WERE IN THE FIRST ROUND, BUT YOU STILL AIN'T SHIT! COME AT ME LIKE YOU'RE GONNA DIE!" He laughed throwing right back with punches that broke bone and tore flesh, shattering ground and cracking the air. For a full thirty seconds, they stood on the same spot, almost literally trying to kill each other as everyone watched on in horror.
"RIP AND TEAR! RIP AND TEAR! RIP AND TEEEEAAAAR!"
'…Hmm? Well, you got the right mindset for it, but why are you slowing down?' The other him asked curiously.
"…huh?"
Even if his sane mind took a backseat, he still felt it too, the change slowly overcoming his body. 'I can still see this fucker's movements! I can still fight!' He twisted to throw another right swing… but something halted him. "…wait, wha-?"
*BANG*
Tetsude's fist smashed clean into Kendo's face, his orbital-bone breaking as he stumbled back. That's when it truly hit him, his conscious mind yanked right back to the forefront. 'H… heavy…!' It felt like he was at the bottom of the ocean, pressure crushing his bones and his lungs. 'Well, that's kinda shit,' The other him sighed. 'Your exhaustion finally caught up to you, and you're completely outta gas. I guess that's a good thing though, any longer and you'd start to rupture your major vessels. It's funny, your own body saved you this time.'
"Bullshit, I-I can still-!"
*BANG*
Tetsude roared with exertion as an uppercut to Kendo's chest sent him flying back, his limp body rolling across the floor before stopping face down. The bloody haze surrounding him faded and Tetsude stood tall, a smile of triumph on his face. Managing to close her hanging jaw and raised her whip, about to announce Tetsude the winner.
"Call the match and I'll throw you out the stadium," Tetsude growled, making her freeze in place. Her eyes darted over to Kendo, and she wanted to cry out in shock. He was moving. Struggling to stand but moving all the same.
'God… I've never felt this exhausted… my body feels like… a sack of shit…' Kendo thought. His vision was swimming. 'Is… is this it? Is this all I've… really got? Even with… my technique, I still can't…'
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, YOU IDIOT!?" His eyes flicked up at the familiar voice. Rumi was standing at the entrance behind Tetsude, her shout catching everyone's attention. Fear for someone that wasn't herself marred her red eyes, slightly wet as her face was set in an expression of fury. "You told me you'd show me something! You promised that you wouldn't use that Advance if you had to! So what the hell are you doing, swinging your arms around like an idiot!? SHOW ME KENDO!"
'Heh… she's pretty when she's worried,' He thought with a small, wheezing chuckle. It took a moment before her words registered with him. 'Swinging my arms, huh…? I tried using skill at the start… but it didn't work… I've used everything, haven't I…?' Looking back at the fight, he remembered what he did, his eyes slowly closing… until he realized what he didn't do, what he hadn't been doing. His eyes suddenly snapped open, the cameras picking up on it as some of the crowd gasped.
'Holy shit, she's right! My arms… I've only been using my arms! What the fuck is wrong with me!?' He grit his teeth, groaning as he slowly, painfully, but assuredly pushed his body up, his eyes looking up at his opponent. 'I'm sorry I made you cry twice Rumi… so please… watch me!'
"That's… more like it!" Tetsude cackled, heaving for breath as sweat poured down his bloody face. Internally though, he was shocked. 'How is this fucker able to get up after that…? Plus, the look in his eye is… different...'
Rumi was an inch away from crying out in relief, but reigned herself in again. 'It's not over yet, not by a longshot! He's still badly hurt and on his last legs.' Their eyes met, and her heart skipped a bit, he was smiling, that sharp confidence and courage shining through his eyes. '…I'm watching Kendo. Show me!'
"I don't get it," Shinji started after a moment, "Why is Tetsude breathing even harder than Kendo? He threw less punches and took less damage, so why…?" His eyes went wide. "Maybe…!"
'Whew, this is weeeird,' Kendo thought, surprised at himself. 'I'm dead tired and everything hurts but… I don't think I've ever felt this stable before.' Indeed, his body didn't shake or tremble in the slightest, his fighting-stance shockingly well-balance. 'It's like… I ain't using my muscles. It's like I'm standing on my bones alone.'
Nighteye's eyes widened before narrowing, a small smile on his face as he leaned in closer to the screen. "You had my interest," He muttered to himself. "Now you have my attention."
"You're finished!" Tetsude roared as he stomped forward with surprising vigour, letting loose a terrifying right swing.
"Wrath-Breaker."
There was a *BANG* as Tetsude's head was blasted back, his arm outstretched with a punch that never landed. 'He countered me…!' He stumbled back, blood streaming from his nose as his eyes teared up. 'What the FUCK!?' He felt his arm being gripped and looked in front to see Kendo standing there, his right fist clenched.
'Use everything. Start from the feet,' His toes gripped the floor hard enough to crack it as he pushed off. 'Twist the waist… and use that shoulder!' His body snapped into place, power and momentum travelling from his toes and all the way up to his fist in perfect form, his right-cross blasting into the larger boy's face, almost putting him on his ass right then and there. He was nowhere near his full strength, his body close to giving out. In spite of that, nobody has ever seen a punch so intense before, every ounce of weight and momentum behind not being wasted. Kendo didn't stop there, barely ducking under a wild swing, his left fist clenched. 'If I can use that muscle-snap in my arms and legs… then put it together!'
There was another *SNAP* as his entire body blurred, a left-hook sharply stabbing into Tetsude's side again. He twisted once more, pushing from his toes and firing off an uppercut that slammed into Tetsude's stomach with enough force to lift him half a foot off the floor. The latter's face was turning blue as he gasped for air, desperately throwing out a left swing that caught Kendo on the cheek, the impact shoving him away and stumbling to regain his balance. He was hurt, but his courage spilled forth. 'It's working! I need to keep putting my legs into it, and I'll win!'
"Raging Flash!" He snapped the muscles in his leg, kicking off the floor while throwing his fist forward mid-air with another sharp snap. "Wrath-Breaker!" His fist blasted into Tetsude's hasty guard, his arms blown out of the way as he scrambled to move back, panic overwhelming his thoughts.
"KENDO, HE CAN'T USE HIS MUSCLE-DENSITY ANYMORE!" Shinji shouted. "WHENEVER HE INCREASES IT, HE USES A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN TO SUPPLY HIS MUSCLE-MASS! THAT'S WHY HE'S BREATHING SO HARD RIGHT NOW! DON'T GIVE HIM A CHANGE TO RECOVER!"
Slowly but surely, the mood of the crowd changed. Horror made way for tense excitement, cheers working their way up and spilling out.
"Go for it Rappa!"
"C'mon kid, don't back down!"
"Prove what you were saying in your speech!"
The cheers and calls partially reached Kendo, but Shinji's advice rang through his head. "Okay then… let's do this!" He dashed forward, barely deflecting another wild left-straight from Tetsude before he shot his fists out in a sharp jab-cross, a *SNAP-SNAP* cracking through the air as his head was blown back once more. Again and again, Kendo beat the larger boy to the punch, a double uppercut impacting his stomach and chin before a right swing rocked Kendo's head to the side. Seeing him stunned, Tetsude tried to lunge forward to grab him, intent on using the last of his strength to just toss him out of the ring. Yet again, Kendo fully used his legs, snapping off the floor to slam his elbow right into Tetsude's chest. 'Don't just stop at one: follow up!' Another double uppercut rocked Tetsude's brain, the body stumbling back and barely able to stay on his feet. Sheer exhaustion and pain was completely overtaking him, and none of the hits that he did land had any effect.
'I-I'm the strongest in the class!' His mind shrieked, 'I can't lose! THE STRONG DON'T NEED TECHNIQUES!' Just as Kendo dashed forward, Tetsude raised his fist, his body bulking up as he increased his density one final time.
"KENDO, LOOK OUT!" Both Yu and Rumi screamed.
"BLAST COOOORE!" His punch seemed to rip through the air in slow motion, racing towards Kendo's open face. And still his eyes shone. 'NOW!' Had he hesitated and tried to guard or move back, that would have been the end of the fight. Instead, Kendo yanked his head to the left, snapping the muscles in his legs as Tetsude's fist scraped past his right ear, taking a small chunk out of it as he twisted his waist and fired forward with everything he had.
"WRATH-BREAKER!"
His knuckled smashed into Tetsude's windpipe, the force of the punch multiplied by his own weight and momentum moving forward. For barely a tenth of a second, he was unconscious. When his eyes focused back to reality, he saw Kendo shove his shoulder into his chest, sweeping his legs out from under him. He felt himself falling, and the last thing he saw was Kendo's clenched fist raised. "RAAAAAAAGH!"
*BOOM*
His punch crashed down onto Tetsude's face like a meteor, the stone underneath them caving in to create a miniature crater, dust and debris flew into the air as the crowd went silent. His own exhaustion finally caught up to him, his body stumbling backwards before he fell onto his as, heaving for air. On instinct, he slowly raised a fist into the sky, a giddy grin on his face. At that, the silence broke, and the crowd exploded.
A fight, a deathmatch, and a turnaround victory: now that was a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Rumi, Yu and Shinji all raced onto the arena Rumi and Shinji helping Kendo to his feet while Yu increased her size to pick up and carry the unconscious Tetsude.
"Did… did you see Usagi?" Kendo asked with a tired grin. Rumi laughed, wiping a few tears from her eyes as she moved closer to him.
"Yeah, I saw. You were badass."
"WINNER: KENDO RAPPAAAA!" Midnight announced, her voice only further lightning up the crowd.
…
Nighteye leaned back, wiping the sweat from his forehead. For the first time in many years, he openly grinned. 'I can't believe it. I can't believe that I was wrong about you. To think that you had surpassed my expectations, and the tournament is only halfway done!' Nighteye chuckled to himself, idly clapping. 'I admit. I completely underestimated you, Kendo Rappa!'
(To Be Continued...)
A.N: Well, I certainly hope you all enjoyed that! This is probably one of the better fight-scenes that I've written, and I'm happy with how it turned out. Either way, hope you all enjoyed and peace out!