The End of Events
Mikoto quickly clamored to his feet, he had already put together that his opponent was talented. He was a Shichibukai, if Mikoto was planning on every fight he ever entered being easy, then he shouldn't have become a pirate. He was a bit worried because if Kraven really did plot this whole thing out, then perhaps he really was in over his head…Mikoto shirked back slightly. His opponent obviously wasn't worried about losing this fight. Mikoto took a few more seconds to try and calm down, Kraven didn't rush him. He was fairly confident in his ability to hold off his opponent as he should be seeing as how Mikoto was doing nothing, but flailing against him.
Mikoto went forward about to charge with all of his might when he felt something odd. It was as if his feet were stuck in mud. Mikoto grunted as he brought his feet forward and steadied himself. His stamina was gone. Those continuous strikes to his gut had been repeatedly ripping the air out of his lungs with each and every shot. Mikoto never boasted about having ever-lasting stamina. And he supposed with the race yesterday as well as having very little sleep due to Kraven's surprise attack, him running low on stamina this early on wasn't all too much a surprise, but nonetheless he felt the strength being completely sapped out of him. Mikoto glanced down at his own legs as if making sure they were unharmed, but he quickly looked back up and glared at Kraven. If Kraven managed to put together that his legs were beginning to die out then there would be no way for Mikoto to win. He just needed a few seconds to rejuvenate his legs before blasting in. Mikoto leaned forward and shifted his weight around. He needed to just bide his time without causing Kraven to lunge for him.
Kraven definitely noticed something was different. He was initially about to rush in, but he stopped. He realized that this could possibly be a trap. Mikoto could be trying to force Kraven to take the initiative and force him back a few squares. If Kraven did attack and this was a trap than Mikoto could possibly pry open a slight opening during their next exchange. Mikoto was faster than him aiming to land a blow while Kraven opened his guard aiming for an attack was a possibility. Kraven had to think this one through was it actually worth the risk? Kraven was in control of this match, Mikoto could do nothing to his wall-like titanic defenses. Surely taking things slowly wouldn't hurt. Mikoto was the one who had to focus on speed, not him. He could take things as slow as he wanted to.
Speed…Mikoto knew right away that that was his blessing and that was his curse. That was what he had to rely on. That and only that. Mikoto was done standing around and recovering…that wasn't him. He took a deep breath, his diaphragm had taken a good pounding from Kraven's shots, but that didn't mean anything to him. The way of the fast fighter was simple. For every hit you take, give back seven. Mikoto tightened his grip, leaned forward, and focused. If he couldn't win with just speed he'd have to add to it. Mikoto's second greatest weapon, pure wild instinct. Mikoto doubted if there were any two abilities that were better suited for each other than speed and instinct. He could sense his opponent's intentions and move way just in time. Nobody could touch him. With that reassuring thought Mikoto blasted forward, his legs moving at speeds of Mach 10 (or so he chose to believe).
He cut across the ground, simple, sharp, small turns from side-to-side. Usually when people move from left to right they either have to completely reverse their speed go from 60 to 0 and then quickly to 60 in the other direction or they do wide turns to turn the momentum around, Mikoto was doing a halfway point. He was keeping some speed between turns while simultaneous instantly shifting from one direction to the other. He was doing so by going forward as well as side-to-side. Of course, at the points where Mikoto shifted it probably appeared as if another one of him had appeared frozen in time, momentarily shifting his weight around. After all his movement right now was the foundation of the After-Image. Kraven was stuck staring down an army of Mikotos all of them moving in different directions at different, but still very high, speeds. But for some reason this didn't bother Kraven. He knew right away from his many training sessions with Iliaster that you didn't need to worry about the fakes, if you know they are fakes don't pay them any attention just strike the real deal. And since Kraven knew Mikoto's speed and could tell the rate at which he was cutting in by the After-Images, he knew when he'd be getting near. And, of course, he also knew Mikoto well.
Ridley was right when he said they were cut from the same cloth. If Kraven was in Mikoto's shoes, he knew exactly what he'd do…throw away any and all strategies and charge right in. You had to trust your greatest weapon…and in Mikoto's case that was his thick skull and fleet feet. Kraven smiled, he too had preferred the direct approach, charging right into your opponent's chest and fighting it out with them. If you weren't strong enough to take your opponent on head-on than you definitely wouldn't be strong enough for the opponents to come…at least that's the way he had preferred it…and that was the way he lost his First Mate. That reckless approach, throwing away all forethought. Kraven smiled to himself. Kraven chuckled to himself and shook his head…man, how he missed being an ignorant fool! Kraven took a light step forward, forcing Mikoto into an even worst predicament, he cut off more space for Mikoto to run around in and immediately closed the large gap up. Mikoto would have to fight him head-on again.
Kraven's spear still hung in the air separating them if Mikoto wanted to take Kraven down passing by that spear would become imperative. Mikoto had already learned that his top speed alone wouldn't cut it so how else could he get by it? Mikoto came to an abrupt halt, standing just outside of Kraven's reach with his spear. Mikoto began weaving his upper body. If he couldn't break through with his top speed…then he'd just have to go faster! And of course, this would be Mikoto's only answer. He wasn't someone who would create some half-baked halfway through the fight…in other words his first plan is his only plan and that plan was always simply put…win!
Mikoto burst forward! "Hey, I think he's going even faster than he was before!" shouted Rosa pointing down to the field and at Mikoto. Kraven smiled, she was right. Mikoto was going faster, but the thing was…Kraven had already adjusted for this. One look at Mikoto and you could tell this wasn't where he was going to end up, Kraven wasn't going to lie about that. The kid had potential and in order for Kraven to completely snuff that out, he had to be ready to counter it at all times, the instant Mikoto went up to eleven, Kraven would be waiting at twelve. Mikoto was swept aside by another powerful swipe from Kraven. Mikoto grunted and lifted himself back up to his feet…perhaps he should hold back and try to recover his stamina again…or perhaps he should do what he always did and pour it on even more. Mikoto blew forward, pumping his legs with everything he had just in an effort to break through Kraven's impenetrable wall. However, just as Mikoto kicked it up to twelve Kraven went to thirteen, swiping through the air again, dispelling whatever kind of confidence Mikoto had in an instant. Mikoto collided with the ground, quickly flipping himself back up and onto his feet. His breath had already become ragged, he was becoming exhausted he couldn't keep this up forever…one more burst…he didn't much care anymore, he just needed to find the strength for one more burst of speed. If he could he would break through! And if didn't break through, he'd find the strength for another one and another one until he finally did. Mikoto leaned forward, applied a final burst of speed and jetted off.
Kraven rolled the spear around in his hand. Mikoto was just asking for it now, no matter which way he went, no matter how fast he went Kraven would meet him head-on and Kraven would win! "Bring it!" roared Kraven as he steadied himself, Mikoto would undoubtedly break another limit, so Kraven would just have to match him, he'd go all the way up to fourteen keep his gap and make sure Mikoto eats the ground again.
Mikoto burned a straight path up to Kraven. He had already been faced with the fact that his speed wasn't enough, but if he couldn't use his speed, he'd lose for sure. Left and right were both sealed off…even going below Kraven's strikes wouldn't work. There had to be another gap in Kraven's wall. But where? A perfect guard was impossible, there had to be one way! One way through! Just a split second, that was the only opening Mikoto needed to get through! Mikoto clenched his teeth! He'd make it through this time!
Kraven let his spear shuttle out of his hands, shooting forward like a rocket for Mikoto's side eager to rip flesh and break bones. Mikoto shot forward! If he could move faster than Kraven than all of Kraven's attempts would be for naught! He'd get through once and for all! Kraven's eyes instinctively widened as he saw it! Mikoto's image disappeared from his view! Was it an After-Image like before? However, Kraven was blocking off one side so Mikoto had to have gone to the other! Kraven twisted around, eager to keep up with Mikoto, but he wasn't there either? Kraven stopped for a second, where did he go?
Kraven probably wouldn't have found Mikoto for a few more second if he didn't hear him moaning. He swirled around and immediately found the Kid Coyote face down in the dirt. Kraven shook his head, how did he get there? In order for Mikoto to get over there he'd have to have gotten past Kraven, but that was impossible! Kraven shook his head, he probably just screwed up with his timing. Mikoto probably used the After-Image to escape to the side like that, but couldn't keep his footing due to his speed and slipped. The only reason he got past Kraven was because of that. He was using some half-baked idea that he couldn't control and would never be able to control. It involved basically rapidly speeding up, rapidly braking and then rapidly speeding up again. Even if it was possible, no way a guy with no energy left like Mikoto could do it. It would probably be tearing his legs apart!
Mikoto struggled back to his feet. He saw it! He saw the slightest glimpse of a way through. The slightest opening of Kraven's guard. An opening that existed for just .2 seconds…however, as Mikoto stood back up he could already feel the damage building up from his last failed attempt…the one that sent him crashing into the ground. Mikoto stuck his arm out and cranked it up. "I'll go at full from the start!" Mikoto declared as he began speeding up again. It was questionable if you could even call it a gap. It wasn't that Kraven didn't guard from that position, it was more like…it would be stupid to guard that position. Only idiot would even attempt something like that. Then again seeing as how Mikoto had just raced around the island against boats…perhaps the word idiot described him well. Quick, short dashes side-to-side to build up speed, maintain as much speed as you can and then GO! Mikoto burst forward, screeching across the short gap between him and Kraven.
Kraven frowned, however he did it, bursting past him was an incredible feat…and for some reason he couldn't quite shake the feeling anymore. He would do it again. So far it was the only way Mikoto managed to do so without getting caught by his counterattack. Kraven knew he couldn't just keep using these counterattacks eventually he would need to rely on his own attacks to break Mikoto, but…for the time being he would let Mikoto use this last ditch effort and he would begin his attack from there. Mikoto's attack would fail and burn more of his stamina…Kraven would move in from there.
Mikoto was right in front of him now! It would come! Mikoto pulsed forward, pushing himself forward with one final pump. Left, right, down? Kraven's mind search for the answer as he found out the truth. None of the above. Mikoto took one step, barely stepping next to his spear head for a second. From there the real miracle happened. Mikoto rather than surging forward, left, or right, he pressed against the ground, forcing his strength downwards and propelled himself up and into the sky. Kraven paused for a moment, a slight second or so of lag. The human eye is quicker to react to movements going left-to-right than when traversing up-and-down. Combine this with the fact that Mikoto was so close to him so Kraven already had his area of vision shortened, to him it was almost as if Mikoto had disappeared for a brief second. Quite possibly the only reason Kraven was capable of keeping track of Mikoto was the fact that his knee was sailing straight for his face…and at a decent speed as well.
Kraven reeled back, temporarily releasing a howl of pain as his hands jetted up to his nose and felt around, quickly locating a small dribble of blood escaping from it. Kraven grunted, throwing his weapon out and sending out a quick spray of his own blood at Mikoto. The attack was a reckless, stupid move. True, it was the only manner to get past Kraven's guard, but the problem was if Kraven had seen it and reacted to it, he could've swatted Mikoto away with ease and easily smash him into the ground with more force than before as Mikoto had no way of resisting it in midair. Furthermore not only did Mikoto lack the ability to resist any attacks, he couldn't put any more force behind his own attacks he only had the speed he had started with…even worse than that, but that attack wouldn't work again. Mikoto had shown his hand and Kraven wasn't impressed. He had stopped his downwards attack and he would stop the airborne version as well! Completely sealing Mikoto's attack options wasn't a question of 'when' or 'if', it was a matter of 'now'.
Mikoto landed safely this time, he was a little bit off center on account of ramming his knee into Kraven's face, but he was fairly certain he came out on top in that exchange. Kraven twisted around, bringing his spear around and forcing it to face Mikoto. Mikoto smirked and took a few steps back.
"Ha ha ha!" shouted Ridley from his spot on Kraven's ship, temporarily forcing the attention off of the two fighters and onto him, "It looks like you all witnessed it, the latest move of the 'Kid Coyote'! The Mikoto Missile! He goes from the fastest runner to the fastest missile! A shift no man before was ever capable of!" Mikoto nodded in agreement and pumped up his arm to so it. In terms of power, he wasn't going to be holding back especially not now! He picked up his leg and brought it down again with a thundering force!
"The name's stupid," laughed Kraven and even the rest of the crew had to agree…Rosa was barely managing to stifle her laughter. The thought of naming attacks was stupid to her, but this name in particular took the cake when it came to bad names…if it wasn't her friend that had named it so, she probably would've burst out laughing without even thinking about it. Mikoto shrugged it off and begin wind milling his arm through the air as if trying to entice Kraven into an attack. Kraven shook his head, cursing his opponent's own simplicity…after all, it was like he had forgotten all about the fact that Kraven had hit him multiple times and he, in turn, had only landed one blow. That one blow wouldn't be enough to turn the tides.
Especially when Kraven was done going easy.
Kraven lowered his spear downwards until the tip was hovering only a few inches up from the ground, he widened his stance, going from the idea of an omni-directional defense to a powerful forward charge. Kraven had thrown away the idea of defense and couldn't hold back his smile. True, he had accepted the fact that Mikoto's logic was flawed, a good offense was far from the best defense, but in the end he also had to admit it to himself…sometimes a good offense was needed. With his spear bobbing up and down only few inches off of the ground, he could easily shoot it upwards with great speed and power which was only amplified due to the wicked hook at the end of his spear.
Mikoto accepted this. Truly this was probably the best course of action for Kraven, this wasn't something that was brought on by a burst of rage of getting hit nor did Kraven wait too long, it was simply put that this was the best way to counter Mikoto from now on. Mikoto's legs were already nearing the end of their life, he had ran around too much both today and yesterday, his legs were in bad shape and his stamina from those three hits was much worse. However, despite all this Mikoto couldn't help but smile and feel his own irrational giddiness crop up and out of the one hit he had landed. He felt like it was something!
Sadly, Mikoto's celebration (however, warranted or unwarranted it was) was cut short. Kraven had charged, sending his hulking body forward with a sudden burst of speed and strength. Their roles were now swapped as Mikoto had to react to Kraven's sudden charge. Mikoto feinted a backstep before diving forward, eager to finally be able to have it out with him. Mikoto revved his arm, swinging his arm in a wide circle as he prepared for the exchange. In all honesty, Kraven was stronger just one swing from Kraven would equate to about four from Mikoto unless he found an opening for his Rapid-Fire…however, even in that case it didn't mean much. It only meant Mikoto had to land five punches! Mikoto barreled in, his punches already starting to streak across the sky. Mikoto charged forward, slowly and steadily increasing the in-coming tempo of his punches. Eventually they all started to blur together into a nearly simultaneous shower of fists. Kraven struck out quickly amidst the mess, his spear jabbed forward, thrusting the weapon at Mikoto's gut. Mikoto spent a few seconds dodging to the left, barely avoiding the jab before quickly driving himself back in and driving his fist in deeper, smashing his fist into Kraven's cheek and sending him reeling backward yet again. Mikoto quickly zigged back in again, choosing not to waste his few precious seconds again. Bolting in at full speed and quickly exchanging blows. Mikoto unleashed a machine gun of punches. Kraven's body slowly rocked back and forth, taking more punches as the attacks kept pouring in. Kraven leaned forward and shuttled another powerful thrust with his weapon. Mikoto swerved to the side, bolting past it again and moving in, aiming to get in closer and put more power behind his punches. He stepped in too fast, Kraven's arm stretched out, smashing long ways into Mikoto's body and throwing him back. Mikoto stumbled for a few seconds, unlike his blows against Kraven he couldn't stand his ground from even one punch. Just one strike from Kraven and he was skidding back a few feet. And Kraven was already charging in like a mad bull. Kraven spun around, launching a quick strike with his spear. Mikoto brought his arm up intending to block it, but his eyes widened as he saw the sharp hook of Kraven's spear sailing in at him. He ducked, bending beneath it and shooting forward like a rocket. Mikoto bolted in deeper, burying his head into Kraven's chest. Kraven's eyes widened as he saw the punches come. A shooting uppercut aimed for Kraven's chin, a curving hook that shot in from the side, quickly shifting gears again as a series of jabs blasted in. Kraven bobbed and weaved through the array of fists, quickly cutting in again and again until he finally bumped shoulders with Mikoto. Kraven pushed in a little bit deeper, continuously shoving the lighter kid back. As soon as Mikoto's feet touched down, he was surprised as Kraven came barreling at him again, smashing his shoulder into the captain and blowing him back with no real problem.
Mikoto wasn't being given even a moment's rest, Kraven kept charging at him, forcing Mikoto to stay light on his feet, as soon as his foot touched ground Kraven would come, blowing him off of his feet with an extremely heavy shoulder slam. Mikoto's legs scrambled in midair for a few seconds before he quickly balanced himself out, it didn't matter much because Kraven was already barreling towards him at full speed and power, and he was still hanging in the air no way to dodge Kraven's incoming charge…or so people would think. Mikoto suddenly jetted to the side, barely bypassing the incoming attack. Geppou, Mikoto's latest ace. Mikoto rotated around, spinning in a circle in midair and sending a saw-like kick through the air at Kraven's head. Kraven's hand jetted upwards, catching it in midair and quickly twisting it around and slamming Mikoto into the ground beneath them. Kraven jabbed his spear downwards intending to gut Mikoto with a powerful thrust, but Mikoto twisted around, morphed into his full-beast form and quickly ran away. Mikoto stayed back a few feet. His entire body was lagging now, heaving slowly as he tried to catch his breath. His instincts were in overdrive. It continuously shouted at him to be at the top of his game, he could sense it. An overwhelming killing intent behind every attack.
Against Trevor each attack was intended to kill, but against Kraven there was a mix. Some attacks were designed to kill, others to put Kraven in a favorable position, and some still left just to trick Mikoto. Each attack was thrown out at the proper time and Mikoto always had to stay on his guard. Even worse his instincts reacted better to killing blows than trick blows. Mikoto was slowly starting to lag behind in terms of sensing his opponent's attacks. However, Kraven didn't rely on instincts or any other fancy technique, he was just using his own experience. Something forged from thousands of battles over multiples decades. Mikoto's was something inbred, Kraven's was something gained and forged. And his wasn't about to lose!
Mikoto dove in, going from a high attack with his Geppou to a low attack with his full beast form instantly. Kraven crossed his weapon over his chest, using it to absorb the uppercut from Mikoto and then stepping in he landed a quick side kick to Mikoto's gut…or so he thought. Another After-Image from Mikoto. Mikoto had escaped to the air, jumping into the sky with Geppou and instantly separating the two of them using a technique that even Kraven couldn't imitate with experience. However, he could still counterattack! He swept his long staff through the air knocking it into Mikoto, who barely managed to grab it and prevent himself from being sent flying. Mikoto wrapped his arms and legs around the pole, holding onto it for dear life. Kraven groaned, but in the end he wasn't upset by this. He lifted the entire spear and Mikoto into the air with one hand, extending it as much as he could to lift Mikoto as high as he could. Mikoto's face fell…all of sudden he had a very bad feeling. Kraven brought the spear down with all of his might, quickly adding his other hand to the mix to increase his power as much as possible. A large dust cloud appeared, covering them both from view as Kraven's spear along with Mikoto was brought into the ground.
When the dust cloud cleared both fighters were standing apart from each other, both of them had their chests rapidly rising and falling. They both been pushed to their utmost limits again and again in this fight, the fight had been going on awhile and both had been taking hits. The problem is now there had to be a victor and neither was giving in. Suddenly they both exploded forward, clashing in the center of the field again, exchanging vicious hits with each other, their punches plowed forward. Mikoto's fast, rapid action punches came first, hammering into Kraven's cheeks and abdomen blowing them back with each and every vicious volleying. Kraven planted his feet, sticking out the insane mess of punches. He stepped forward, shouldering through the storm little by little. Kraven eventually plowed his way straight through and against Mikoto. Kraven charged in deeper, Mikoto felt his punches being slowly pushed aside by Kraven's bulky and strong arms. Kraven wound up; at point blank range it was impossible for Mikoto to dodge or even attempt to. Mikoto could use those fancy feet of his all he wanted to…it meant nothing to Kraven! Kraven's punch came soaring through the air, Mikoto tucked his arms in at the last second hoping to alleviate some of the damage, but couldn't help, but be lifted off of his feet as the punch came in smashing into his side and completely throwing him off of the ground. Mikoto's eyes widened as he felt the true power of Kraven shudder through his entire body. Mikoto bit is lower lips, trying to block out the growing pain in his side.
As soon as Mikoto landed he went to move back and separate himself from Kraven…his punches were insane! They were the exact opposite of Mikoto's punches, which were light! However, even with this thought prevalent in Mikoto's head…he charged forward. As the future Pirate King and admittedly more important to him, Riddle King, he couldn't back down here. HE WOULD GIVE IT HIS ALL! He blasted inwards, pumping his legs forward with all he had. Mikoto began swinging his arm, preparing the optimum moment to clash. Mikoto's punches came out again like machine gun fire, continuously clashing with his opponent's head and trying desperately to beat him back with all he had.
Kraven tucked his arms and tightened his guard, Mikoto's punches weren't strong enough to break through his solid guard. Despite this he felt it…he felt Mikoto's punches searing into his arms again and again. They were like whips; they would strike leaving a painful sting and then immediately follow that painful sting with another punch. They wouldn't break his arms or even his guard, but Kraven had to admit guarding forever would hurt like hell. Mikoto immediately went forward mixing the attacks up, striking low and then high, trying to find the smallest openings in Kraven's guard to strike through. A few punches made it through, feasting on Kraven's abdomen, chest, and one or two found Kraven's cheek, but throughout it all Kraven stayed strong. He stayed as a pinnacle of an iron wall, he never budged, he never lost his footing. He remained like an iron wall should.
Meanwhile Mikoto was flailing. He didn't wear the proud, confident smirk of an attacker. He looked weaker, the loss of stamina was beginning to make his punches even weaker. Even if his attitude was never say die…that didn't mean he had the necessary skills to win. Kraven had said it best…all the experience in the world couldn't match up to natural talent. Some people just weren't destined for greatness. Mikoto sighed…while this was true…it didn't matter to him. Mikoto picked the pace right back up! He refused to back down…and, of course, why would he? He was the future pirate king! No! Even that didn't matter to him right now! Mikoto lowered his waist and then shot right back, sending a punch threading through Kraven's guard and upwards, smashing into Kraven's unguarded chin and blowing him back…for the first time during this fight. Kraven sputtered, stepping back continuously as he tried to steady himself, but Mikoto wasn't allowing that chance! Speed may not make up for lack of power…but there were some times when speed was more important. Mikoto rushed Kraven! Mikoto came quickly throwing out a flurry of punches. Kraven wasn't given a moment's rest. The attacks blurred together as Mikoto's tempo increased further, Kraven tightened his guard trying to resist it, but the attacks came faster and faster, slowly prying open Kraven's solid guard allowing Mikoto's punches to glide through the mess and hammer Kraven. The stinging whip like punches were no longer focused on Kraven's arm, but on his body. It began to weaken slowly as Mikoto began hammering away, his entire body blurring creating numerous After-Image it was impossible to tell which clone was throwing the punch, but Kraven sure enough would feel it feasting on his body soon enough. He was being pushed back, but he still had enough hope left.
Mikoto's stamina was being drained away. Such a high tempo cost a high price. Mikoto's stamina wouldn't last forward, all the activity yesterday, the late night attack, the earlier poundings…Mikoto's stamina wouldn't allow him to attack like this forever, eventually…eventually Mikoto would begin to slow down, his feet would sink into the mud…his tempo would slowly start to decrease and eventually it would stop altogether…and that would be the end of things. Kraven would shove his spear so far through Mikoto in that instant. An opening of just one second would be all that he needed. Of course, at this rate Mikoto wasn't going to give him it. The attacks poured on thickly, raining down at an insane rate. However, throughout it all Kraven gritted his teeth, weathering the blows throughout it all.
Kraven moved forward, he wasn't confident in his movements, but he could feel it all across his body. Mikoto's punches were slowing down…soon there would be an opening. Mikoto's snapping punches were losing it, there strength and speed had dropped ever so slightly. Mikoto was almost at the perfect degree of weakness. It'll be there, when the snapping punches of Mikoto lessened, when that moment came Kraven would pierce his chest in one shot.
It was a credit to Mikoto, he could sense it as well, Kraven's intentions. He knew the instant his feet stopped, his punches stopped coming, all of that…he would be skewered. But what choice did he have? His only options were to stop or keep going. If he stopped then he would skewered all that much faster! He could only keep up with the punches and hope, hope that Kraven fell before he slowed down. That was Mikoto's resolve. He planted his feet, increased his tempo and unleashed a faster flurry of punches into his opponent. Kraven's body was jerked back from the force, but he tried to stay standing for a little while longer, he knew his chance would reveal itself sooner or later, as long as he could endure it…he could win! Mikoto could feel his own legs tear themselves apart, the constant running finally starting to stress them. His lungs were crying out from the tight pain. His head was feeling lighter, but his body was feeling heavier. His tried to keep up his pace, but he knew with a begrudging feeling that it was slowly starting to slow down. However, Mikoto wasn't giving in! He'd keep up at it! All the way through the end! His punches sped up, bypassing Kraven's guard and finding their way to his unguarded body, slamming into it and managing to deliver several painful snaps a second. He stood strong, hanging on all the way through the assault and never wavering. Mikoto tightened his right fist…here it was. The end of his rope. He would throw his entire weight behind this next blow! His best blow, here and now finishing it off all the way! Rapid-Fire!
Mikoto leaned in, swatting one of Kraven's arms out of the way with his left arm and revealing Kraven's open body. Such a large opening! Kraven's face was completely out in the open. Mikoto smiled…not a single arm in the way…his chin wide open…a clear punch. Mikoto couldn't miss even if he tried. Kraven tried to bring his arm in to block the incoming punch, but it was too late. Mikoto's punch landed clean. Kraven's face twisted slightly in one direction. Anyone who had ever taken the Rapid-Fire could tell you that the first punch was the lightest. It was the punch that hit the hardened skin, the punch people are ready to resist. The next punch steps it up, taking the weakened reverberating skin and slams it back. The third punch stresses it further, the skin no longer capable of supporting itself begins to break down further from it. The fourth, the fifth, the sixth punches all become indecipherable. You're no longer capable of distinguishing the punches you just take them and try to weather through them all until the thirteenth punch, when that punch comes you surrender yourself to the pain. You're no longer capable of resisting it. The punches kept coming after that, no end in sight. The fourteenth, the fifteenth, finally you're taking the twentieth and no end's in sight. Finally Mikoto's right crosses through the air, making its mark right across your face! Your body is ripped off of its feet, the end is finally here, but you aren't even aware of it anymore. You have already broken down. However…this is only for normal people. As a Shichibukai, Kraven wasn't going to fall. He stayed tethered to the ground, gritting his teeth and staying standing. Kraven glared through the mess, he wasn't about to go down. His desire for vengeance against Mikoto, his pride as a pirate let him hold on. He stayed standing, his fingers tightening around the spear…he was holding on for dear life, blocking out the pain for another few precious seconds before rebounding.
He was striking back! Throwing his weight forward, pouncing like a lion with his teeth barred, angling his spear downwards prepared for the vicious exchange. This attack…would be the last one. That fact had pushed itself to become the most prevalent truth in Kraven's mind and as he angled the spear downwards, ready to rip the life out of his opponent. Kraven's spear delved deep, piercing through the air. The tip of his spear touched Mikoto's skin…and went in like butter. Kraven smiled, feeling the spear pierce Mikoto's skin. He reeled back about to laugh at his own victory, but he quickly realized something was wrong.
Mikoto didn't stop!
Mikoto stepped in deeper, faster. He moved forward, letting the spear pierce his skin deeper, his teeth were digging into his own lips as he tried to block out the pain, but he tried to push in deeper with all of his might. Mikoto's left now came crossing in! Kraven's eyes went wide, he remembered it. He remembered taking the Rapid-Fire and that punch was with Mikoto's right. Kraven was already hanging on by a thread…this punch…it might be the finishing blow! Here Kraven thought the fight was in his hands, he had thought it all the way through, but here…here was when he realized. When the fight was over and only when the fight was over was when you could claim you won. Kraven's head was snapped to the side. Now the fight was over.
After Party
Why is this chapter so long you ask? I have no idea? Random luck? Imps? Magic? I don't know I don't like long chapters though, but I'm also in no mood/have no time to quickly run back and split it up and do some other stuff to it. So I'm just going to have to live with the bad decisions my past self made.