*walks in with a limp* Sorry this is late. I sprained my ankle last week (not terribly, but it put me out of commission a few days) Anyway, I'm doing better, and ready to roll!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO KHALTHAR, YOU ROCK DUDE!
Chapter 35
Old School Brawl
(Spiky POV)
I should have known. I should have known.
Paya damn it all! Cetanu take them!
I puff out my chest as I grab Kanani by her shoulder and force her behind me, snarling as I glare down at Yeyin, who is nothing more then a cowardly insect. He meant for something like this to happen, I am sure of it.
"If these newcomers are familiar at all with our customs, as they should be by now. After being in your presence for so long, then your pathetic Llonng Sain'ja, must have been aware of what she was doing." Yeyin grins up at me, his brows knit together in a sneer as he clatters in what sounds like triumph. Kanani growls behind me.
"Silence! Both of you stand down!" Elder Jedhin roars, stamping his foot against the ground in a powerful downward kick. It vibrates the floor and silences all.
I can hear Kanani tremble, whether in fear or rage, I do not know. Perhaps both.
Yeyin takes a step back. Jedhin snarls, as my father also draw himself up; giving a glare that would melt the hide of a Kainde Amedha.
"R'ka, you have brought this insolent pup into our midst, and now, this is out of our hands. What have you to say for yourself?" Growls my father, looking clearly disappointed.
I restrain myself, praying that the others are doing the same. They shift, and I can hear Rosy's breath hitch. Sabra squirms, but I look back and glare at them. Even though they cannot see my face, they all still under my gaze, growing quiet.
Please, please trust me. I will not let ANYTHING happen to you. But Kanani must fight now. If she had only trusted me to handle my pauk-head of a brother!
However, I cannot blame her. She… views me as someone close to her, and she only acted on instinct. After all, Llonng Sain'ja are possessive to a fault and will protect what they view as theirs, including family. Yeyin should have never crossed into the arena; he was clearly out of line.
But now, this is out of my hands.
"We did not wish for things to start off like this." I growled finally, standing firm with my fists clenched. "But if this how things must be, then my apprentice will fight the challenge she has issued. And Yeyin… you will be very, very sorry." I add, with a slight smirk. I do not know how Yeyin has progressed in his training, but I know Kanani's strengths, weaknesses and I have faith in her. She beat Larja, who far dwarfs her in size, and she is almost even with Yeyin in height, even though he clearly outweighs her in muscle.
Psycho snarls, his tusks clicking behind his mask as he growls angrily. Kanani straightens, her breathing deep, uneven almost. The Elders all back up, their guard forming a barrier around them as they leave the arena to sit and witness the match.
"Larja, take them to a safe seat, if you please," I request of the honored huntress. She nods in acquiescence and signals to the others to follow her to the stands. They do so reluctantly. Rosy breaks formation, running to Kanani, she hugs her daughter and whispers to her. I almost laugh as I hear her words, falling from her mouth in trembling tones, "Kanani, so help me, I swear, I'm going to kill you if you die."
"Mooom…." Kanani whines softly. I hear the regret and defiance in her tone and snort in satisfaction. That defiance is going to serve her well.
Rosy looks up at me as she walks past to join the others. I have a feeling she is angry with me, but she is also angry in general. I do not blame her; I feel the same way.
I should have anticipated this.
This is my fault.
I walk over to Kanani and I take her shoulder in my hand, shaking it vigorously.
"Kanani, you are a foolish, hot-blooded pup… You should have trusted me."
"I know…" Kanani growls softly. "I… I am sorry, Spiky."
Yeyin calls out from his place, "I am ready when you are, Pauk-de u'darahje!"
I stiffen, as does Kanani. If she were not wearing her mask, I am sure I would see her eyes burning. I can smell the sulfur on her breath, the smoke coming from her nostrils is leaking out of the corners of her mask.
"Kanani, now is not the time for apologies. The fate of your family rests in your hands now. And unlike your fight with Larja, there is no room for mercy. You must not end this fight until Yeyin lies dead at your feet. That is the only outcome that will be advantageous for all of us. I believe you can win this fight. So go forth, Dragon's daughter, and stake your claim." I growl.
Kanani gives me a short, curt nod, taking her helmet off, she presses it into my hands. I see her eyes blazing now, her expression hard like stone.
"Take this, Spiky. I don't need to understand him to kill him, and I don't want his blood to get it dirty." She smirks, sharp fangs glinting voraciously.
I take the mask and walk away, my heart palpitating. The thought that she could lose is unbearable. This fiery one who crashed into my life and whom I have been guiding…
Paya, Cetanu, all the gods… favor this crazy dragon. For once.
8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kanani POV)
So… I am a big idiot. The biggest, in fact. But has that ever actually been questioned?
No, duh, Kanani, everyone knows you're just a stupid, compulsive, eighteen-year -old screw up!
…
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Voice In My Head. Do me a favor and just fuck off.
Still… for once, I feel kind of sick as I turn to face my opponent. The air hisses with some sort of weird energy and my stomach flops. God, I just… I didn't want that asshole anywhere near Spiky. Seeing him acting like he was better than my Spiky father-figure… I fucking couldn't let it slide. These thoughts tumble through my head, and I feel a guilty sweat coming on.
Spiky's dumb brother, Yeyin, sneers at me, just like those Badbloods I killed before.
He's big, about the same size as Psycho with more muscle and bulk. I snort, feeling no fear. I mean, fuck, I faced off against larger, more dangerous opponents then this joker…. But if I lose, my family… oh god, my family could-
No, Kanani, focus. You should have only ONE one thought, that is to fuck this guy over so hard that he never walks this plane of existence again!
Yeyin says some stuff in a gross tone, and I sneer back, my face contorting in rage as I extend my wings out to their full length, puffing out my chest and sucking in breath, I issue my challenge, roaring at him with all my might. My chest reverberated with the force of my challenge and I feel a tiny boost of confidence.
"YOU ASSHOLE, I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU! COME GET YOUR BEATING!"
His eyes glint and he runs towards m-FUCK!
I just barely manage to scrootch aside as he barrels towards me like a fucking locomotive. God, this brings back memories!
My eyes widen as he whirls on me and I quickly snap to attention, using my wings to aid my movement as I throw my arms up, guarding my body as I dodge him, flapping to get out of his way.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, he's so fucking fast-How?! How?!
I dodge away from him, testing the waters, snapping my wings with each backwards movement, and each time he misses me, I try to throw a punch, a kick, any attack! As much as I hate to admit it, this guy is fucking faster then I am, and he whirls, zipping into my blind spots with ease.
Damn it, hold still!
I use my tail, and whack him upside the head at one point, but he seems to expect it, raising his fists to block it and attempting to grab my tail. I don't allow this, whirling back, I dart a few paces back, but he's right there. ON MY ASS! Fuck, I can't get away!
8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Yeyin POV)
Gkei'moun… this is all too easy. I knew this little abomination was no true Llonng Sainja! To think that my "honored" bother would actually consider these pathetic weaklings worthy to be part of our clan! No… I am going to tear her wings off, but only after I beat her to a pulp!
8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Spiky/R'ka POV)
Oh Paya… I had no idea Yeyin had gotten so fast. His size is truly misleading, and I watch in stoic silence, my heart pounding in my ears as I watch Kanani struggle to keep up with him. But he is relentless, like an annoying insect. Rosy is shaking, and I hear Sabra bellow lustily, leaning over the retaining wall, "C'mon, Kanani! Show that bastard what an OLD SCHOOL DRAGON DOES! Fucking EAT HIS VIRGIN ASS!"
…
Oh my Paya, what did she just say?
Crazy dragon...
8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kanani POV)
Goddamnit!
Yeyin finally lands a hit on me and I go spinning, screaming in frustration, using the momentum to keep from falling, I bounce back to my feet, trying to regain my composure, but he's already next to me, taking full advantage of my distraction, he lands punch after punch, hitting my face, my chest, my stomach-fuck!
The world goes spinning, I'm barely maintaining my balance, unable to process anything as my body absorbs impact after impact.
Pain is almost non-existent at this point, and I feel myself start to black out. How… how is he so fucking fast?!
My ribs creak, a tooth gets cracked, and bruises start to swell. How could I have failed so miserably?!
As I begin to lose consciousness, with each following blow, a memory gleams behind my eyelids; Psycho's face, as he roared at me the first time we ever met; My mom and Aunt Lex and their relief when we escaped the first circle of hell; Spiky's instructive words and encouragement when he made me my own armor; Sabra's look of joy, when she discovered she was free from the lab; Larja's confusion, when I spared her life; Kemp's drug-induced song about dragons and virgins, and… The dream I had of my father and his words, "I am and have always been proud of you."
They… they're depending on me. I got us into this mess, and by all that is fucking unholy in this world, I am going to fucking win this for them. For my family.
FOR MY FATHER!
Cut back to the present and this pitiful fucker is about to smash his fist into my face again.
With a guttural snarl, I open my mouth and crunch my teeth into the fist that comes flying at my face. And I don't fucking let go.
Guess, what, shit-for-brains? I'm a motherfucking carnivore![DH1]
Yeyin screams in surprise, jerking away, he tries to use his other hand to beat my face, trying to get me to let go, but this time, I snap my own hands up to defend my face, throwing off his attack and reaching out towards his face. I grab hold of his tusks, two in each hand and I fucking pull and twist, pull and twist PULL AND-
-SSSHHHRIIIIIIPPPP!
A loud inhale and he is screaming in genuine pain, as I pull off all his tusks, and he lets go of my shoulder to grasp pathetically at his face with his one free hand. I bite through his remaining hand, snapping through meat and bones, I loudly chew up everything that came with the bite, spit out the bones and I fucking look him in the face as I swallow his flesh.
For the first time, fear pales his eyes and I smile crookedly, his neon green blood dripping down my chin, "Bitch, I've been through the seven circles of hell. You are nothing but a fucking snack!"
He snarls and tries to swing at me again with his good fist, but I duck, grabbing his arm and sinking my claws in to wrap around his bones, I give a mighty pull, using my tail to trip him, to add gravity's force into the equation. As he falls, I pull and-
THOK!
Welp. There goes his arm. I laugh raucously he falls to the ground, armless now. I wield his arm like a baseball bat and proceed to smack him in the face with his limp hand, taunting, "Why are you hitting yourself? Stop that! It's crazy! You shouldn't beat yourself to death over spilt milk!-er, Blood I mean!"
He's trying to get away, trying to scramble to his feet, but I back up a tick before taking a running start, grabbing him by his feet, I flap as hard as I possibly can –fuck, he's heavy!- I rise into the air, ignoring his screams, and his efforts of slashing at me with his remaining arm, which is missing like, three fingers anyway. He actually manages to shake himself loose from my grip, but I've already taken us both 30 feet into the air. As he falls, I dive-bomb him and claw into his body with my feet and hands, pulling his face close, I inhale deep and I hear a single heartbeat pulse (mine or his, not sure), as his eyes widen before he is washed in the flames of my wrath.
Burn in hell, you useless motherfucker.
I let him go, as fire eats his flesh, and he falls like a dying star, crashing and burning into the ground. I allow myself to fall and smash powerfully down onto his still struggling body, crushing his skull, silencing his voice and ending his life. No, I don't want his skull. A useless fucker like him deserves to be forgotten.
I snarl gutturally before blowing a pillar of fire straight up into the air. Roaring triumphantly, I scream, "I am Kanani, daughter of Malachi! If you fuck with me, or my family, I will turn you to ash, just like this fucker!"
There is a profound silence before I hear Sabra scream, "Oh hell, yes, Kanani! That's old school!"
And all at once, there is a thunderous cry from all around…. I prick my ears, the sound isn't hostile… it's… it's triumphant. I… Oh my god. They're chanting my name!
Welp. Goddamn. I fucking did it. I inhale and let loose another barrage of fire, and they go absolutely nuts.
Eventually, the crowd goes quiet, and I turn to see Spiky and the Elders returning, along with my family.
I leave the burning corpse of my enemy behind me, still shifted in my intermediate form; I stand tall and puffed, smoke still curling from my nose.
The Elders are impressed, maybe even a little intimidated, as they regard my family and I.
My family… is looking at me with an air I can't describe. They're all still wearing their helmets, except for Sabra, who is grinning like a Cheshire cat (what a weirdo).
Spiky holds out my helmet and I hesitate to take it, since I'm covered with the blood of that asshole, whose blood I didn't want to sully my helmet. Spiky rips a piece of his sleeve and uses it to wipe the blood off my chin, settling my helmet carefully over my face. I grin, feeling warm and fuzzy, although I am still ashamed of my hasty actions. I really need to get a hold of myself.
Spiky speaks, fully confident, "As you can see, these warriors are in no way weak. Kanani isn't even fully trained and has barely reached full maturity as a dragon, yet she took down Yeyin without any help from anyone! Her kin is the same way! And the Ooman soldier, whose name is K'mp Mrryoh, has also proven himself, over and over again! In fact, it was he, and Sabra, Kanani's Aunt, who rescued Larja Guan from the clutches of not one, but four Badblood criminals."
There were gasps all around at this.
"Is this true, Honored Warrior?" The grouchiest of the Elders, whom I am nicknaming Dracula, asks skeptically. He is uber spiky, and gray, and just has that Stick-Up-The-Ass look.
"It is so. I would have died if not for the Llonng and Ooman." Larja replies staunchly, thudding her chest, she adds, "I will personally vouch for these, that if you do not accept them into your clan, I will take them to mine."
I look at her in surprise, and I feel, even though we got off to a bad start… Larja really is a cool cat. I am super happy to have her as a friend and ally.
Scar and Psycho speak, Scar first, "I will vouch too, for them. They have fought by our side, aiding Kha'bj-te and myself to regain our honor."
"Sei-I, and they have also slain many, many deadly prey! Kanani even captured a hybrid Yautja-kainde amedha!"
I almost laughed at the mention of Assbag. The Elders, however, almost look like they have a conniption, garbling, "What?"
R'ka puts a hand to his helmet, as though he has a headache, "I was going to get to that. But it is true. Kanani was able to subdue a hybrid abomination that we found at one of the ooman labs. She encased it with metal, so it is alive but unable to do anything."
The Elders all looked at Spiky's charges with a new light, and the least spiky of the Elders (I think he's actually Spiky's father, come to think of it, they look similar enough) spoke, with a rumble, "We have already decided. Those with the mark of our Clan will be accepted. The unmarked ones will train, as one of ours born into the Clan, and they will undergo a Chiva when the time is come."
Spiky nodded and added, "I am grateful for your decision, Honored Elders."
I feel my shoulders almost slump in relief. Thank god. It looks like we're in.
*wipes sweat from brow* THIS. this was a monster to write, and there were actually several different outcomes. However, it is finished, with more on the way. :) THANK YOU TO KHALTHAR, FOR YOUR HELP, ADVICE, SUGGESTIONS AND EDITING SKILLS!
SHOUT OUT TO THE REVIEWERS!
AnimeDreama: Oh hey! It's you! Sorry I didn't realize. Anyway, I am super happy I haven't lost you as a reader, and I am glad you are enjoying the new chapters! Thank you for your patience and understanding! I hope everything is resolved with your password problem. :) Good night/Morning to you as well!
Royal Lioness: I honestly cracked up, because, originally, I had planned on integrating them into the clan smoothly, but then, as i wrote, the chapter seemed to take on a life of it's own. I hyped up Spiky's brothers so much, it seemed unlikely that NONE of them would have something to say. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the fight!
Ronniefanficfan 18: Lol, yay! I was pretty hyped to write the fight scene myself. Been a while since I had written one of these and I was cruising for a bruising (metaphorically and vicariously, of course)
mizukikage: (RFLMOA) Yes, yes, she does, and yes she did. Your review made me laugh so hard, omg. :D
TO EVERYONE WHO IS FOLLOWING THIS STORY, THANK YOU! *falls over in a dead faint*